UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT

OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-09729

 

 

iShares Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

c/o: State Street Bank and Trust Company

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

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: March 31, 2023

Date of reporting period: September 30, 2022

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


 

LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

  

2022 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Global 100 ETF | IOO | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Infrastructure ETF | IGF | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | WOOD | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of September 30, 2022 saw the emergence of significant challenges that disrupted the economic recovery and strong financial markets of 2021. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022, ending the run of robust growth that followed the reopening of global economies and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly weighing on relatively high-valuation growth stocks and economically sensitive small-capitalization stocks. While both large- and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, declines for small-capitalization U.S. stocks were steeper. Both emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets fell significantly, pressured by rising interest rates and a strengthening U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) rose notably during the reporting period as investors reacted to higher inflation and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and increasing uncertainty led to higher corporate bond spreads (the difference in yield between U.S. Treasuries and similarly-dated corporate bonds).

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation is proving more persistent than expected, raised interest rates five times while indicating that additional rate hikes were likely. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and is accelerating the reduction of its balance sheet. As investors attempted to assess the Fed’s future trajectory, the Fed’s statements late in the reporting period led markets to believe that additional tightening is likely in the near term.

The pandemic’s restructuring of the economy brought an ongoing mismatch between supply and demand, contributing to the current inflationary regime. While growth has slowed in 2022, we believe that taming inflation requires a more dramatic economic decline to bring demand back to a lower level that is more in line with the economy’s capacity. The Fed has been raising interest rates at the fastest pace in decades, and seems set to overtighten in its effort to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, and the outlook for Europe and the U.K. is also troubling. Investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

In this environment, while we favor an overweight to equities in the long-term, the market’s concerns over excessive rate hikes from central banks moderate our outlook. Rising input costs and a deteriorating economic backdrop in China and Europe are likely to challenge corporate earnings, so we are underweight equities overall in the near term. However, we see better opportunities in credit, where higher spreads provide income opportunities and partially compensate for inflation risk. We believe that investment-grade corporates, local-currency emerging market debt, and inflation-protected bonds (particularly in Europe) offer strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon.

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

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of September 30, 2022

 

    

 

6-Month

 

 

 

12-Month

 

 

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

 

 

 

   (20.20)%

 

 

   (15.47)%

 

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

 

 

 

(19.01)

 

 

(23.50)

 

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

 

 

 

(22.51)

 

 

(25.13)

 

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

 

 

(21.70)

 

 

(28.11)

 

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

 

 

 

  0.58

 

 

  0.63

 

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

 

 

 

(10.81)

 

 

(16.20)

 

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

 

 

 

  (9.22)

 

 

(14.60)

 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

 

 

 

  (6.30)

 

 

(11.50)

 

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

 

 

 

(10.42)

 

 

(14.15)

 

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

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

     

Page

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     7  

Disclosure of Expenses

     7  

Schedules of Investments

     8  

Financial Statements:

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     16  

Statements of Operations

     17  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     18  

Financial Highlights

     20  

Notes to Financial Statements

     23  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     31  

Supplemental Information

     35  

General Information

     36  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     37  

 

 

      


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global 100 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global 100 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 100 large-capitalization global equities, as represented by the S&P Global 100TM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (20.69 )%       (14.59 )%       8.31     9.27        (14.59 )%       49.08      142.75

Fund Market

    (20.83      (14.74      8.27       9.27          (14.74      48.81        142.63  

Index

    (20.75      (14.55      8.29       9.20                (14.55      48.92        141.12  

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      793.10          $      1.89               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.00          $      2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Information Technology

    29.7

Health Care

    13.6  

Consumer Discretionary

    12.4  

Consumer Staples

    12.0  

Financials

    8.9  

Communication Services

    8.2  

Energy

    7.0  

Industrials

    4.9  

Materials

    1.9  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.4  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    74.0

United Kingdom

    6.9  

Switzerland

    5.7  

France

    4.2  

Japan

    2.9  

Germany

    2.8  

South Korea

    1.3  

Australia

    1.2  

Spain

    0.7  

Netherlands

    0.3  
 

 

 

4  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of developed market equities in the infrastructure industry, as represented by the S&P Global Infrastructure IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (16.67 )%       (6.76 )%       1.31      4.87       (6.76 )%       6.73      60.86

Fund Market

    (16.57      (6.60      1.31        4.91         (6.60      6.75        61.57  

Index

    (16.72      (6.72      1.22        4.76               (6.72      6.24        59.28  

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      833.30          $      1.88               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.00          $      2.08          0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Electric Utilities

    24.7

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

    20.1  

Airport Services

    18.6  

Highways & Railtracks

    17.7  

Multi-Utilities

    11.4  

Marine Ports & Services

    4.3  

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders

    1.3  

Water Utilities

    1.3  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.6  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    41.3

Canada

    9.7  

Australia

    8.8  

Italy

    7.3  

Spain

    6.2  

Mexico

    4.9  

France

    4.8  

China

    4.7  

New Zealand

    2.4  

Japan

    1.9  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in or related to the timber and forestry industry, as represented by the S&P Global Timber & Forestry IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (25.17 )%       (21.36 )%       1.49      6.77       (21.36 )%       7.66      92.44

Fund Market

    (25.39      (21.41      1.41        6.74         (21.41      7.26        91.96  

Index

    (25.27      (21.43      1.40        6.64               (21.43      7.21        90.17  

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      748.30          $      1.80               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.00          $      2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Paper Products

    39.0

Paper Packaging

    20.8  

Forest Products

    19.4  

Specialized REITs

    17.7  

Homebuilding

    3.1  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    31.4

Sweden

    13.3  

Canada

    12.8  

Japan

    9.9  

Brazil

    9.3  

Finland

    8.1  

Ireland

    4.2  

United Kingdom

    4.0  

South Africa

    2.7  

Portugal

    2.3  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

6  

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


About Fund Performance

 

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

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

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

Disclosure of Expenses

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

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

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

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

 

 

B O U T    U N D    E R F O  R M A N C E / D I S C L O S U R E    O F    X P E N S E  S

  7


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global 100 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 1.2%  

BHP Group Ltd.

    1,112,995      $ 27,666,957  

Rio Tinto PLC

    234,909        12,709,950  
    

 

 

 
       40,376,907  
France — 4.2%             

AXA SA

    433,494        9,464,432  

Cie. de Saint-Gobain

    115,523        4,130,593  

Engie SA

    409,442        4,712,632  

L’Oreal SA

    55,807        17,843,842  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    58,698        34,606,854  

Orange SA

    414,677        3,750,560  

Sanofi

    255,159        19,429,459  

Schneider Electric SE

    125,150        14,135,787  

Societe Generale SA

    171,508        3,391,758  

TotalEnergies SE

    545,133        25,574,667  

Vivendi SE

    182,546        1,415,932  
    

 

 

 
           138,456,516  
Germany — 2.8%             

Allianz SE, Registered

    90,441        14,247,555  

BASF SE

    201,708        7,741,226  

Bayer AG, Registered

    214,954        9,903,900  

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered

    458,318        3,393,375  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    772,177        13,143,737  

E.ON SE

    496,376        3,813,544  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    182,738        9,240,517  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    30,768        7,406,492  

RWE AG

    148,650        5,463,778  

Siemens AG, Registered

    165,475        16,173,997  
    

 

 

 
       90,528,121  
Japan — 2.9%             

Bridgestone Corp.

    131,800        4,262,532  

Canon Inc.

    227,850        4,976,820  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    376,100        8,163,541  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    2,772,800        12,561,128  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

    536,600        1,729,264  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    511,600        3,592,475  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    175,020        7,030,559  

Sony Group Corp.

    279,200        17,984,505  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    2,779,100        36,324,069  
    

 

 

 
       96,624,893  
Netherlands — 0.3%             

ING Groep NV

    861,504        7,381,734  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    195,124        3,004,226  
    

 

 

 
       10,385,960  
South Korea — 1.3%             

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    1,135,752        41,703,952  
    

 

 

 
Spain — 0.7%             

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    1,478,420        6,631,963  

Banco Santander SA

    3,805,579        8,855,197  

Repsol SA

    337,892        3,882,464  

Telefonica SA

    1,247,633        4,124,569  
    

 

 

 
       23,494,193  
Switzerland — 5.7%             

ABB Ltd., Registered

    391,133        10,098,830  

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered

    552,443        2,185,233  

Nestle SA, Registered

    608,358        65,798,366  

Novartis AG, Registered

    531,754        40,539,288  
Security   Shares      Value  
Switzerland (continued)             

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    6,044      $ 2,360,971  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    155,562        50,640,498  

Swiss Re AG

    63,606        4,691,196  

UBS Group AG, Registered

    812,842        11,792,682  
    

 

 

 
       188,107,064  
United Kingdom — 6.9%             

Anglo American PLC

    293,524        8,813,299  

AstraZeneca PLC

    342,781        37,681,717  

Aviva PLC

    637,106        2,732,445  

Barclays PLC

    3,427,815        5,454,117  

BP PLC

    4,614,920        22,051,869  

Diageo PLC

    516,222        21,729,587  

GSK PLC

    881,738        12,734,675  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    4,496,010        23,279,704  

National Grid PLC

    853,500        8,786,016  

Prudential PLC

    607,434        5,945,341  

Shell PLC

    1,692,345        41,983,576  

Standard Chartered PLC

    540,471        3,380,405  

Unilever PLC

    578,447        25,416,873  

Vodafone Group PLC

    5,877,549        6,578,150  
    

 

 

 
           226,567,774  
United States — 73.7%             

3M Co.

    122,581        13,545,200  

Abbott Laboratories

    387,409        37,485,695  

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    1,327,635        126,988,288  

Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    1,187,213        114,150,530  

Amazon.com Inc.(a)

    1,962,485        221,760,805  

American Tower Corp.

    102,998        22,113,671  

Aon PLC, Class A

    46,650        12,496,135  

Apple Inc.

    3,344,885        462,263,107  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    472,365        33,580,428  

Caterpillar Inc.

    116,991        19,195,883  

Chevron Corp.

    398,386        57,236,117  

Citigroup Inc.

    428,827        17,869,221  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    861,030        48,234,901  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    184,073        12,931,128  

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

    111,891        5,639,306  

Emerson Electric Co.

    130,125        9,527,752  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    925,118        80,772,053  

Ford Motor Co.

    867,301        9,713,771  

General Electric Co.

    241,983        14,981,168  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    75,333        22,076,336  

Honeywell International Inc.

    149,678        24,991,736  

HP Inc.

    201,323        5,016,969  

Intel Corp.

    908,333        23,407,741  

International Business Machines Corp.

    199,804        23,738,713  

Johnson & Johnson

    582,230        95,113,093  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    153,546        7,557,534  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    648,745        67,793,852  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    74,275        8,358,909  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

    110,732        16,531,180  

McDonald’s Corp.

    162,903        37,588,238  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    560,414        48,262,854  

Microsoft Corp.

    1,651,328        384,594,291  

Morgan Stanley

    296,244        23,406,238  

Nike Inc., Class B

    278,867        23,179,425  

PepsiCo Inc.

    305,306        49,844,258  

Pfizer Inc.

    1,243,838        54,430,351  

Philip Morris International Inc.

    343,237        28,492,103  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    528,620        66,738,275  
 

 

 

8  

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


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global 100 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    326,846     $ 26,755,614  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    202,345       31,318,959  

Walmart Inc.

    315,331       40,898,431  
   

 

 

 
      2,430,580,259  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $2,875,388,678)

 

    3,286,825,639  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(b)(c)

    4,780,000       4,780,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $4,780,000)

 

    4,780,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $2,880,168,678)

      3,291,605,639  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      4,817,363  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   3,296,423,002  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/22
    Shares
Held at
09/30/22
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

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

  $     $ 80 (b)    $     $ (80   $     $           $ 41,052 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    8,396,000             (3,616,000 )(b)                  4,780,000       4,780,000       34,959        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (80   $     $ 4,780,000       $ 76,011     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     16          12/16/22        $ 513        $ (48,853

FTSE 100 Index

     16          12/16/22          1,223          (117,719

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     35          12/16/22          6,303          (848,383
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (1,014,955
                 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global 100 ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 1,014,955      $      $      $      $ 1,014,955  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,237,840    $      $      $      $ (1,237,840
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (2,008,505    $      $      $      $ (2,008,505
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 8,709,352  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,430,580,259        $ 856,245,380        $        $ 3,286,825,639  

Money Market Funds

     4,780,000                            4,780,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,435,360,259        $     856,245,380        $        $ 3,291,605,639  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (848,383      $ (166,572      $             —        $ (1,014,955
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

10  

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


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 8.7%            

Atlas Arteria Ltd.

    18,891,493     $ 75,226,945  

Qube Holdings Ltd.

    27,371,919       43,459,451  

Transurban Group

    19,943,460       157,501,815  
   

 

 

 
          276,188,211  
Belgium — 0.1%            

Euronav NV

    311,703       4,896,917  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 0.7%            

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, ADR

    1,805,482       14,498,020  

Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, ADR(a)

    484,587       4,414,588  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA, ADR

    1,532,672       3,356,552  
   

 

 

 
      22,269,160  
Canada — 9.7%            

Enbridge Inc.

    4,281,273       158,748,184  

Gibson Energy Inc.

    310,048       4,931,230  

Keyera Corp.

    467,338       9,621,814  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    1,173,962       35,660,365  

TC Energy Corp.

    2,139,661       86,184,340  

Westshore Terminals Investment Corp.

    568,743       10,919,075  
   

 

 

 
      306,065,008  
China — 4.7%            

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

    25,928,000       13,988,591  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    4,242,800       5,074,621  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    4,736,000       5,918,089  

China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.

    20,756,000       26,069,749  

China Power International Development Ltd.

    7,066,000       2,797,257  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    1,279,600       4,057,144  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,524,000       3,897,538  

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.

    26,222,000       16,504,258  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    3,986,000       3,184,096  

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

    2,638,000       6,302,840  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    19,068,000       14,315,766  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    5,648,000       4,065,006  

Shenzhen Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    9,502,000       6,944,662  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    21,468,500       16,365,043  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd.

    14,654,000       5,951,290  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    21,116,000       14,349,069  
   

 

 

 
      149,785,019  
France — 4.8%            

Aeroports de Paris(b)

    429,531       49,636,803  

Gaztransport Et Technigaz SA

    46,255       5,100,234  

Getlink SE

    6,223,839       96,515,197  
   

 

 

 
      151,252,234  
Germany — 1.9%            

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(b)

    574,671       20,664,386  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    348,468       3,787,602  

RWE AG

    958,836       35,242,966  
   

 

 

 
      59,694,954  
Hong Kong — 0.6%            

Atlas Corp.

    1,351,539       18,786,392  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 7.2%            

Atlantia SpA

    7,722,418       170,400,291  

Enav SpA(b)(c)

    3,955,570       14,393,651  

Enel SpA

    10,955,930       44,932,717  
   

 

 

 
      229,726,659  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan — 1.9%            

Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,443,900     $ 60,343,146  
   

 

 

 
Mexico — 4.9%            

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV, ADR

    527,583       26,453,012  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, ADR

    562,699       71,338,979  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR

    292,038       57,289,094  
   

 

 

 
      155,081,085  
New Zealand — 2.4%            

Auckland International Airport Ltd.(b)

    18,719,612       75,034,138  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 1.3%            

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U(a)

    78,704,400       14,458,943  

SATS Ltd.(b)

    10,099,200       21,165,251  

SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.(b)

    4,056,100       6,297,095  
   

 

 

 
      41,921,289  
Spain — 6.2%            

Aena SME SA(b)(c)

    1,139,358       118,242,127  

Iberdrola SA

    8,306,525       77,451,559  
   

 

 

 
      195,693,686  
Switzerland — 1.4%            

Flughafen Zurich AG, Registered(b)

    295,074       43,613,644  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 1.8%            

National Grid PLC

    5,496,314       56,579,614  
   

 

 

 
United States — 41.1%            

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

    728,442       62,973,813  

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    257,761       33,550,172  

Cheniere Energy Inc.

    528,149       87,625,201  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    502,774       43,117,898  

Constellation Energy Corp.

    463,445       38,553,990  

Dominion Energy Inc.

    1,180,436       81,579,932  

DTE Energy Co.

    274,709       31,605,270  

DTE Midstream LLC(b)

    204,537       10,613,425  

Duke Energy Corp.

    1,091,766       101,556,073  

Edison International

    540,846       30,601,067  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

    915,086       6,844,843  

Eversource Energy

    491,234       38,296,603  

Exelon Corp.

    1,406,247       52,678,013  

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    4,192,158       69,757,509  

NextEra Energy Inc.

    2,064,089       161,845,218  

ONEOK Inc.

    944,859       48,414,575  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    707,351       39,774,347  

Sempra Energy

    445,671       66,823,910  

Southern Co. (The)

    1,507,267       102,494,156  

Targa Resources Corp.

    479,039       28,905,213  

WEC Energy Group Inc.

    447,266       39,998,998  

Williams Companies Inc. (The)

    2,576,498       73,765,138  

Xcel Energy Inc.

    775,598       49,638,272  
   

 

 

 
      1,301,013,636  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.4%
(Cost: $3,283,581,379)

      3,147,944,792  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 0.1%            

Cia. Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, ADR

    2,078,017     $ 4,197,594  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $3,557,236)

      4,197,594  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $3,287,138,615)

      3,152,142,386  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    4,205,431       4,206,693  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    4,090,000       4,090,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $8,294,602)

      8,296,693  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $3,295,433,217)

      3,160,439,079  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

      7,362,031  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   3,167,801,110  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/22
    Shares
Held at
09/30/22
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 1,940,677     $ 2,269,034 (a)    $     $ (4,046   $ 1,028     $ 4,206,693       4,205,431     $ 64,792 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    6,110,000             (2,020,000 )(a)                  4,090,000       4,090,000       26,651        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (4,046   $ 1,028     $ 8,296,693       $ 91,443     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

IBEX 35 Index

     30        10/21/22      $ 2,148      $ (189,394

S&P/TSX 60 Index

     35        12/15/22        5,655        (282,806

SPI 200 Index

     26        12/15/22        2,698        (164,713

Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index

     51        12/16/22        1,620        (212,913
           

 

 

 
            $ (849,826
           

 

 

 

 

 

12  

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


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 849,826      $      $      $      $ 849,826  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (746,848    $      $      $      $ (746,848
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,024,991    $      $      $      $ (1,024,991
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 16,145,102  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 1,803,215,281        $ 1,344,729,511        $        $ 3,147,944,792  

Preferred Stocks

     4,197,594                            4,197,594  

Money Market Funds

     8,296,693                            8,296,693  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,815,709,568        $ 1,344,729,511        $        $ 3,160,439,079  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (495,719      $ (354,107      $             —        $ (849,826
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  13


 

Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Brazil — 9.2%            

Dexco SA

    992,523     $ 1,720,335  

Klabin SA

    2,407,017       8,098,725  

Suzano SA

    1,136,781       9,377,730  
   

 

 

 
      19,196,790  
Canada — 12.7%            

Canfor Corp.(a)

    334,435       4,868,779  

Interfor Corp.(a)(b)

    266,911       4,672,174  

Stella-Jones Inc.

    148,248       4,161,912  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    174,532       12,626,042  
   

 

 

 
        26,328,907  
China — 1.9%            

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.

    6,478,000       4,027,267  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 8.1%            

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    701,277       8,908,631  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    248,636       7,890,321  
   

 

 

 
      16,798,952  
Ireland — 4.1%            

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    301,651       8,626,974  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 9.8%            

Daio Paper Corp.

    335,300       2,689,594  

Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.

    603,200       3,921,863  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    2,028,100       7,525,562  

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd.

    416,800       6,344,756  
   

 

 

 
      20,481,775  
Portugal — 2.3%            

Altri SGPS SA

    408,757       2,073,117  

Navigator Co. SA (The)

    766,342       2,618,173  
   

 

 

 
      4,691,290  
South Africa — 2.7%            

Sappi Ltd.(a)

    2,318,366       5,587,460  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 13.2%            

BillerudKorsnas AB(b)

    530,496       6,228,166  

Holmen AB, Class B

    242,146       9,188,644  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    951,400       12,071,820  
   

 

 

 
      27,488,630  
Security   Shares      Value  
United Kingdom — 4.0%             

Mondi PLC

    542,275      $ 8,330,660  
    

 

 

 
United States — 31.1%             

International Paper Co.

    345,400        10,949,180  

Mercer International Inc.

    284,156        3,495,119  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    242,727        9,961,516  

Rayonier Inc.

    412,128        12,351,476  

Sylvamo Corp.

    141,062        4,782,002  

Westrock Co.

    291,242        8,996,465  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    496,329        14,175,156  
    

 

 

 
       64,710,914  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $253,040,349)

       206,269,619  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 1.5%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(c)(d)(e)

    2,772,598        2,773,430  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(c)(d)

    460,000        460,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.5%
(Cost: $3,233,430)

       3,233,430  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.6%
(Cost: $256,273,779)

       209,503,049  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.6)%

       (1,274,292
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   208,228,757  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $      $ 2,773,186 (a)     $      $ 244      $      $ 2,773,430        2,772,598      $ 15,376 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     470,000               (10,000 )(a)                     460,000        460,000        1,751         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 244      $      $ 3,233,430         $ 17,127      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

 

 

14  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     9          12/16/22        $ 1,621        $ (112,341
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                                

Futures contracts

                                

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $        $        $ 112,341        $        $        $        $ 112,341  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ (184,344      $        $        $        $ (184,344
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ (163,871      $        $        $        $ (163,871
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,378,763  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 110,236,611        $ 96,033,008        $        $ 206,269,619  

Money Market Funds

     3,233,430                            3,233,430  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 113,470,041        $ 96,033,008        $        $ 209,503,049  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (112,341      $        $        $ (112,341
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  15


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

 

    

iShares

Global 100 ETF

    

iShares

Global

Infrastructure ETF

   

iShares

Global
Timber &

Forestry ETF

 

ASSETS

      

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

  $ 3,286,825,639      $ 3,152,142,386     $ 206,269,619  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    4,780,000        8,296,693       3,233,430  

Cash

    5,874        3,202       1,190  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    1,780,330        2,286,099       322,414  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    354,000        152,999       51,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

    134,294        884,020        

Receivables:

      

Investments sold

           203,579,728       36,509,739  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    40,305        13,917       2,361  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    3,488,206        6,129,986       291,041  

Dividends — affiliated

    12,246        8,391       839  

Tax reclaims

    1,766,090        251,216       373,943  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,299,186,984        3,373,748,637       247,055,576  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

      

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

           4,203,757       2,773,291  

Payables:

      

Investments purchased

           200,496,256       35,962,562  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    97,082        40,686       12,817  

Capital shares redeemed

    15               

Investment advisory fees

    1,170,913        1,177,291       78,149  

Professional fees

    22,667        29,537        

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    1,473,305               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,763,982        205,947,527       38,826,819  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,296,423,002      $ 3,167,801,110     $ 208,228,757  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 3,018,290,563      $ 3,662,492,420     $ 282,423,523  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    278,132,439        (494,691,310     (74,194,766
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,296,423,002      $ 3,167,801,110     $ 208,228,757  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

      

Shares outstanding

    55,350,000        75,900,000       3,180,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 59.56      $ 41.74     $ 65.48  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 2,875,388,678      $ 3,287,138,615     $ 253,040,349  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 2,705,700     $ 2,704,257  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 4,780,000      $ 8,294,602     $ 3,233,430  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 1,801,764      $ 2,290,922     $ 324,257  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 146,417      $ 949,635     $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

16  

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


 

Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

    

iShares

Global 100

ETF

   

iShares

Global

Infrastructure

ETF

   

iShares

Global

Timber &

Forestry ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 42,940,647     $ 72,366,317     $ 2,516,227  

Dividends — affiliated

    34,959       26,651       1,751  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    41,052       64,792       15,376  

Other income — unaffiliated

    901,649       64,110        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,990,014     (4,761,499     (176,626

Foreign withholding tax claims

    2,347,966       234,723        

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    (1,439,615     (48     195  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    42,836,644       67,995,046       2,356,923  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    7,191,024       7,116,273       564,149  

Commitment costs

    1,768       2,666       881  

Professional

    325,234       29,883        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    7,518,026       7,148,822       565,030  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    35,318,618       60,846,224       1,791,893  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (10,027,048     (85,124,354     (14,562,362

Investments — affiliated

    (80     (4,046     244  

Foreign currency transactions

    (914,741     (1,120,670     (99,564

Futures contracts

    (1,237,840     (746,848     (184,344

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    24,671,582       19,619,556       2,639,267  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    12,491,873       (67,376,362     (12,206,759
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (878,027,963     (613,896,430     (63,008,911

Investments — affiliated

          1,028        

Foreign currency translations

    (187,062     (10,744     (59,044

Futures contracts

    (2,008,505     (1,024,991     (163,871
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (880,223,530     (614,931,137     (63,231,826
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (867,731,657     (682,307,499     (75,438,585
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (832,413,039   $ (621,461,275   $ (73,646,692
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  17


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

Global 100 ETF

          

iShares

Global Infrastructure ETF

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

03/31/22

          

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

03/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 35,318,618     $ 55,780,470        $ 60,846,224     $ 70,322,524  

Net realized gain (loss)

    12,491,873       116,816,003          (67,376,362     102,129,926  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (880,223,530     345,899,984          (614,931,137     292,894,503  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (832,413,039     518,496,457          (621,461,275     465,346,953  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (40,097,757     (56,448,560        (50,404,211     (76,469,201
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

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

    325,324,183       408,496,678          406,677,285       (19,508,370
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (547,186,613     870,544,575          (265,188,201     369,369,382  

Beginning of period

    3,843,609,615       2,973,065,040          3,432,989,311       3,063,619,929  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 3,296,423,002     $ 3,843,609,615        $ 3,167,801,110     $ 3,432,989,311  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

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


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months
Ended

09/30/22
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 1,791,893     $ 5,956,846  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (12,206,759     41,102,186  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (63,231,826     (34,689,412
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (73,646,692     12,369,620  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (5,365,819     (4,841,317
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (28,212,300     (24,124,346
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (107,224,811     (16,596,043

Beginning of period

    315,453,568       332,049,611  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 208,228,757     $ 315,453,568  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  19


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global 100 ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
(a)  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 75.96     $ 65.92     $ 44.71     $ 47.57     $ 45.54     $ 40.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.67 (c)       1.16       0.99       1.06       1.14       1.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(d)

    (16.29     10.08       21.16       (2.83     1.97       4.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (15.62     11.24       22.15       (1.77     3.11       5.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(e)

    (0.78     (1.20     (0.94     (1.09     (1.08     (1.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 59.56     $ 75.96     $ 65.92     $ 44.71     $ 47.57     $ 45.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

           

Based on net asset value

    (20.69 )%(c)(g)       17.11     49.88     (3.91 )%      7.00     13.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.42 %(i)       0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.40 %(i)       0.40     N/A       0.40     N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.96 %(c)(i)       1.58     1.71     2.11     2.46     2.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 3,296,423     $ 3,843,610     $ 2,973,065     $ 1,855,568     $ 2,031,281     $ 1,780,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    1     2     3     5     9     8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Per share amounts reflect a two-for-one stock split effective after the close of trading on May 1, 2018.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.04.

   

Total return by 0.05%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.11%.

(d) 

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.

(e) 

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

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

20  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Infrastructure ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 50.78     $ 45.05     $ 33.89     $ 44.78     $ 42.73     $ 42.18  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.85       1.04       1.04       1.54       1.34       1.44  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (9.19     5.84       11.14       (10.86     2.10       0.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (8.34     6.88       12.18       (9.32     3.44       1.89  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.70     (1.15     (1.02     (1.57     (1.39     (1.34
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 41.74     $ 50.78     $ 45.05     $ 33.89     $ 44.78     $ 42.73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

           

Based on net asset value

    (16.67 )%(e)(f)      15.54     36.27 %(g)       (21.75 )%      8.40     4.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(i)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.41 %(i)       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.52 %(f)(i)       2.23     2.57     3.38     3.15     3.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 3,167,801     $ 3,432,989     $ 3,063,620     $ 2,741,647     $ 2,825,830     $ 2,503,687  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    7     16     25     9     19     11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2022:

   

Total return by 0.01%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%.

(g) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  21


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 89.11     $ 85.14     $ 48.10     $ 63.82     $ 78.11     $ 57.39  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.53       1.58 (b)       0.78       0.79       1.57       0.82  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (22.62     3.53       37.04       (15.27     (14.25     20.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (22.09     5.11       37.82       (14.48     (12.68     21.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (1.54     (1.14     (0.78     (1.24     (1.61     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 65.48     $ 89.11     $ 85.14     $ 48.10     $ 63.82     $ 78.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (25.17 )%(f)      6.04 %(b)       79.23     (23.04 )%      (16.22 )%      37.92
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(h)       0.41     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.40     N/A       N/A       0.46     N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.30 %(h)       1.78 %(b)       1.15     1.30     2.17     1.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 208,229     $ 315,454     $ 332,050     $ 173,178     $ 279,553     $ 440,542  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    16     18     14     10     18     31
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.07.

   

Total return by 0.09%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.07%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

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


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

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

 

iShares ETF  

Diversification  

Classification  

Global 100

  Diversified  

Global Infrastructure

  Diversified  

Global Timber & Forestry

  Non-diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2022, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

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

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  23


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

24  

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


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty    
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

Global Infrastructure

        

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 233,072      $ (233,072   $     $  

HSBC Bank PLC

    42,991        (42,991            

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    2,429,637        (2,429,637            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 2,705,700      $ (2,705,700   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Timber & Forestry

        

Morgan Stanley

  $ 2,704,257      $ (2,704,257   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

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

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  25


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

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

For its investment advisory services to the iShares Global 100 ETF, 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.

For its investment advisory services to each of the iShares Global Infrastructure and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETFs, BFA is entitled to annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds as follows:

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees  

First $10 billion

    0.4800

Over $10 billion, up to and including $20 billion

    0.4300  

Over $20 billion, up to and including $30 billion

    0.3800  

Over $30 billion, up to and including $40 billion

    0.3420  

Over $40 billion

    0.3078  

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

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the iShares Global 100 ETF (the “Group 1 Fund”), retains 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the iShares Global Infrastructure ETF and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (the “Group 2 Fund”), retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in a given calendar year exceeds a specified threshold: (1) the Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

Global 100

  $ 9,917  

Global Infrastructure

    16,461  

Global Timber & Forestry

    4,435  

 

 

26  

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


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

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

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

Global 100

  $ 7,635,321      $ 3,319,335      $ (2,025,835

Global Infrastructure

        2,880,915            12,936,087        (3,027,619

Global Timber & Forestry

    824,952        737,915        (195,978

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

7. PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Global 100

  $ 85,352,183      $ 36,054,417  

Global Infrastructure

        314,393,172            251,092,170  

Global Timber & Forestry

    43,141,972        48,258,996  

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind

Sales

 

Global 100

  $     323,540,700      $ 44,145,644  

Global Infrastructure

    432,452,842            83,802,219  

Global Timber & Forestry

           26,096,631  

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2022, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of March 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

Global 100

  $ 114,796,914  

Global Infrastructure

        279,792,184  

Global Timber & Forestry

    11,070,882  

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  27


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

As of September 30, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Global 100

  $ 2,925,645,162      $ 701,771,403      $ (336,825,881    $ 364,945,522  

Global Infrastructure

      3,325,095,932        246,669,575        (412,176,254        (165,506,679

Global Timber & Forestry

    257,911,047        7,120,803        (55,641,142      (48,520,339

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

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

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

 

 

28  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

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

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but could be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial ConductAuthority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates ceased to be published or no longer are representative of the underlying market they seek to measure after December 31, 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

11.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  29


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

Global 100

       

Shares sold

    5,450,000     $ 370,556,400       8,550,000     $ 627,959,649  

Shares redeemed

    (700,000     (45,232,217     (3,050,000     (219,462,971
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    4,750,000     $ 325,324,183       5,500,000     $ 408,496,678  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Infrastructure

       

Shares sold

    10,100,000     $ 491,749,504       5,600,000     $ 265,747,265  

Shares redeemed

    (1,800,000     (85,072,219     (6,000,000     (285,255,635
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    8,300,000     $ 406,677,285       (400,000   $ (19,508,370
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Timber & Forestry

       

Shares sold

        $ (4,767     1,380,000     $ 129,168,563  

Shares redeemed

    (360,000     (28,207,533     (1,740,000     (153,292,909
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (360,000   $ (28,212,300     (360,000   $ (24,124,346
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

12.  FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which the iShares Global Infrastructure ETF is able to pass through to its shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, the Fund will be able to offset the prior years’ withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the Fund.

The iShares Global 100 ETF is expected to seek a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Fund paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Fund has accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.

13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

30  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Global 100 ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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.

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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  31


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract    (continued)

 

and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

iShares Global Infrastructure ETF, iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the

 

 

32  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract    (continued)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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.

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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), 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 methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue,

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  33


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

34  

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


Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

September 30, 2022

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

Global 100(a)

  $  0.779557     $     $  0.000555     $  0.780112       100         0 %(b)      100

Global Infrastructure(a)

    0.510028             0.194926       0.704954       72             28       100  

Global Timber & Forestry(a)

    0.880104             0.661798       1.541902       57             43       100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 
  (b) 

Rounds to less than 1%.

 

 

 

U P P L E M E N T A L    N F O R M  A T I O N

  35


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

36  

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


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

 

L O S S A R Y    O F    E R M S     S E D    I N    T H I S    E P O R T

  37


 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |    1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, 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.

©2022 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-303-0922

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

  

2022 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Global Comm Services ETF | IXP | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF | RXI | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | KXI | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Energy ETF | IXC | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Financials ETF | IXG | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Healthcare ETF | IXJ | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Industrials ETF | EXI | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Materials ETF | MXI | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Tech ETF | IXN | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Utilities ETF | JXI | NYSE Arca


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of September 30, 2022 saw the emergence of significant challenges that disrupted the economic recovery and strong financial markets of 2021. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022, ending the run of robust growth that followed the reopening of global economies and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly weighing on relatively high-valuation growth stocks and economically sensitive small-capitalization stocks. While both large- and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, declines for small-capitalization U.S. stocks were steeper. Both emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets fell significantly, pressured by rising interest rates and a strengthening U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) rose notably during the reporting period as investors reacted to higher inflation and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and increasing uncertainty led to higher corporate bond spreads (the difference in yield between U.S. Treasuries and similarly-dated corporate bonds).

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation is proving more persistent than expected, raised interest rates five times while indicating that additional rate hikes were likely. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and is accelerating the reduction of its balance sheet. As investors attempted to assess the Fed’s future trajectory, the Fed’s statements late in the reporting period led markets to believe that additional tightening is likely in the near term.

The pandemic’s restructuring of the economy brought an ongoing mismatch between supply and demand, contributing to the current inflationary regime. While growth has slowed in 2022, we believe that taming inflation requires a more dramatic economic decline to bring demand back to a lower level that is more in line with the economy’s capacity. The Fed has been raising interest rates at the fastest pace in decades, and seems set to overtighten in its effort to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, and the outlook for Europe and the U.K. is also troubling. Investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

In this environment, while we favor an overweight to equities in the long-term, the market’s concerns over excessive rate hikes from central banks moderate our outlook. Rising input costs and a deteriorating economic backdrop in China and Europe are likely to challenge corporate earnings, so we are underweight equities overall in the near term. However, we see better opportunities in credit, where higher spreads provide income opportunities and partially compensate for inflation risk. We believe that investment-grade corporates, local-currency emerging market debt, and inflation-protected bonds (particularly in Europe) offer strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon.

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

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of September 30, 2022

 

     6-Month    12-Month
   

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

  (20.20)%    (15.47)%
   

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

  (19.01)       (23.50)   
   

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

  (22.51)       (25.13)   
   

Emerging market equities

(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (21.70)       (28.11)   
   

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

  0.58      0.63 
   

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

  (10.81)       (16.20)   
   

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

  (9.22)      (14.60)   
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds

(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  (6.30)      (11.50)   
   

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

  (10.42)       (14.15)   
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

The Markets in Review

    2  

Semi-Annual Report:

 

Fund Summary

    4  

About Fund Performance

    14  

Disclosure of Expenses

    14  

Schedules of Investments

    15  

Financial Statements:

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

    51  

Statements of Operations

    54  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    57  

Financial Highlights

    62  

Notes to Financial Statements

    72  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

    82  

Supplemental Information

    86  

General Information

    87  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

    88  

 

 

 


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Comm Services ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Comm Services ETF(the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the communication services sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (28.55 )%       (36.63 )%       (0.51 )%      2.39        (36.63 )%       (2.53 )%       26.62

Fund Market

    (28.41      (36.55      (0.48     2.41          (36.55      (2.39      26.88  

Index

    (28.73      (36.50      (0.32     2.41                (36.50      (1.58      26.95  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

Index performance through June 23, 2019 reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services Sector IndexTM. Index performance beginning on June 24, 2019 reflects the performance of S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
$ 1,000.00        $ 714.50        $ 1.76             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Interactive Media & Services

    44.3

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    20.5  

Entertainment

    16.4  

Media

    9.7  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

    9.1  

Industrials

    (b)  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    65.7

China

    9.4  

Japan

    8.6  

Canada

    3.2  

United Kingdom

    2.6  

Germany

    2.1  

France

    1.3  

Spain

    1.3  

Australia

    1.2  

South Korea

    1.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    3.5  
 

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

  (b)

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

 

 

 

4  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the consumer discretionary sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary (Sector) Capped IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (21.24 )%       (24.90 )%       4.93     9.17        (24.90 )%       27.18      140.55

Fund Market

    (21.53      (25.26      4.92       9.16          (25.26      27.13        140.22  

Index

    (21.59      (24.74      5.09       9.17                (24.74      28.18        140.41  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

Index performance through September 22, 2019 reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary Sector IndexTM. Index performance beginning on September 23, 2019 reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary (Sector) Capped IndexTM.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
$ 1,000.00        $ 787.60        $ 1.84             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Retailing

    40.6

Automobiles & Components

    25.6  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

    17.0  

Consumer Services

    16.8  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    59.7

Japan

    12.0  

China

    8.0  

France

    6.0  

Germany

    3.2  

United Kingdom

    2.1  

Netherlands

    2.0  

Switzerland

    1.3  

Canada

    1.3  

Australia

    1.2  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    3.2  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the consumer staples sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples (Sector) Capped IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (12.74 )%       (8.26 )%       3.50     6.27        (8.26 )%       18.76      83.67

Fund Market

    (12.81      (8.59      3.49       6.25          (8.59      18.70        83.43  

Index

    (12.80      (8.22      3.47       6.24                (8.22      18.59        83.23  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

Index performance through June 23, 2019 reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples Sector IndexTM. Index performance beginning on June 24, 2019 reflects the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples (Sector) Capped IndexTM.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
$ 1,000.00        $ 872.60        $ 1.92             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Packaged Foods & Meats

    22.0

Household Products

    15.4  

Soft Drinks

    12.4  

Hypermarkets & Super Centers

    10.3  

Tobacco

    10.3  

Personal Products

    9.4  

Food Retail

    7.1  

Distillers & Vintners

    5.8  

Brewers

    4.1  

Agricultural Products

    1.4  

Food Distributors

    1.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.7  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    56.3

United Kingdom

    12.6  

Switzerland

    9.3  

Japan

    5.8  

France

    4.8  

Canada

    2.1  

Netherlands

    1.7  

Australia

    1.6  

Belgium

    1.4  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    4.4  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

 

6  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Energy ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Energy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the energy sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Energy Sector IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (6.05 )%       29.63      4.15     2.01        29.63      22.52      22.07

Fund Market

    (6.09      29.56        4.14       2.03          29.56        22.47        22.26  

Index

    (6.35      29.17        3.73       1.76                29.17        20.12        19.08  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
$ 1,000.00        $ 939.50        $ 2.14             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.90        $ 2.23        0.44

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Integrated Oil & Gas

    55.3

Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    23.4  

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

    9.6  

Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing

    7.2  

Oil & Gas Equipment & Services

    4.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.4  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    59.7

United Kingdom

    12.5  

Canada

    12.1  

France

    5.0  

Australia

    2.5  

Brazil

    2.1  

Norway

    1.9  

Italy

    1.2  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    3.0  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Financials ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Financials ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the financials sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Financials Sector IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (21.19 )%       (18.80 )%       0.98      6.54        (18.80 )%       5.00      88.44

Fund Market

    (21.13      (19.03      0.95        6.54          (19.03      4.84        88.48  

Index

    (21.33      (18.85      1.06        6.64                (18.85      5.39        90.15  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
$ 1,000.00        $ 788.10        $ 1.84             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Banks

    45.5

Insurance

    22.8  

Capital Markets

    20.4  

Diversified Financial Services

    8.8  

Consumer Finance

    2.5  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

    (b)  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    52.8

Canada

    9.0  

Australia

    5.2  

United Kingdom

    5.1  

Japan

    4.5  

Switzerland

    3.0  

China

    2.6  

Germany

    2.6  

Hong Kong

    2.2  

France

    1.9  

Singapore

    1.6  

Spain

    1.3  

Sweden

    1.3  

Italy

    1.3  

Brazil

    1.2  

Netherlands

    1.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    3.3  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

  (b) 

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

 

 

8  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Healthcare ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Healthcare ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the healthcare sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Health Care Sector IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (13.21 )%       (8.86 )%       7.64      10.73        (8.86 )%       44.52      177.14

Fund Market

    (13.42      (8.89      7.63        10.74          (8.89      44.44        177.47  

Index

    (13.23      (8.79      7.74        10.83                (8.79      45.17        179.64  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 867.90        $ 1.92             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Pharmaceuticals

    41.1

Health Care Providers & Services

    18.1  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    16.9  

Biotechnology

    13.1  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    10.6  

Health Care Technology

    0.2  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    72.6

Switzerland

    8.2  

Japan

    4.7  

United Kingdom

    3.8  

Denmark

    3.2  

France

    2.3  

Australia

    1.8  

Germany

    1.6  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.8  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Industrials ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Industrials ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the industrials sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Industrials Sector IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (21.36 )%       (21.84 )%       2.00      7.50        (21.84 )%       10.40      106.19

Fund Market

    (21.65      (22.09      1.94        7.52          (22.09      10.07        106.50  

Index

    (21.55      (21.83      2.10        7.55                (21.83      10.96        107.02  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 786.40        $ 1.84             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Capital Goods

    66.3

Transportation

    20.7  

Commercial & Professional Services

    13.0  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    53.6

Japan

    14.7  

France

    6.5  

United Kingdom

    5.2  

Canada

    4.3  

Sweden

    3.2  

Germany

    3.1  

Switzerland

    2.5  

Denmark

    1.3  

Ireland

    1.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    4.5  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

 

10  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Materials ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Materials ETF(the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the materials sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Materials Sector IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (25.76 )%       (16.24 )%       3.74     3.96        (16.24 )%       20.13      47.52

Fund Market

    (25.87      (16.29      3.71       4.01          (16.29      19.95        48.12  

Index

    (25.86      (16.26      3.90       4.13                (16.26      21.09        49.90  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 742.40        $ 1.79             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Chemicals

    49.9

Metals & Mining

    37.0  

Construction Materials

    5.6  

Containers & Packaging

    5.4  

Paper & Forest Products

    2.1  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    31.1

Australia

    17.0  

Ireland

    9.0  

Canada

    8.5  

Japan

    5.8  

Switzerland

    4.4  

United Kingdom

    4.2  

France

    3.9  

Germany

    3.0  

Brazil

    2.9  

Netherlands

    1.5  

South Korea

    1.5  

Finland

    1.3  

Taiwan

    1.2  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    4.7  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Tech ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Tech ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the technology sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Information Technology Sector IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (26.71 )%       (24.84 )%       13.24     15.00        (24.84 )%       86.18      304.69

Fund Market

    (27.03      (25.09      13.16       15.00          (25.09      85.52        304.72  

Index

    (26.70      (24.70      13.42       15.16                (24.70      87.72        310.27  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 732.90        $ 1.78             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Software

    28.8

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    25.6  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    21.8  

IT Services

    16.3  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    4.5  

Communications Equipment

    3.0  

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    82.5

Taiwan

    3.6  

Japan

    3.3  

South Korea

    2.8  

Netherlands

    2.7  

Germany

    1.2  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    3.9  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

12  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Utilities ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Utilities ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the utilities sector, as represented by the S&P Global 1200 Utilities (Sector) Capped Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

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

Fund NAV

    (15.29 )%       (4.03 )%       4.77     6.35        (4.03 )%       26.22      85.09

Fund Market

    (15.69      (4.20      4.73       6.33          (4.20      25.97        84.66  

Index

    (15.52      (4.29      4.45       6.06                (4.29      24.35        80.14  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return         

 

 

     

 

 

    
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 847.10        $ 1.90             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.08        0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Electric Utilities

    61.8

Multi-Utilities

    28.8  

Gas Utilities

    3.8  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

    2.9  

Water Utilities

    2.7  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    67.7

Spain

    5.4  

United Kingdom

    5.2  

Canada

    4.4  

Italy

    3.6  

Germany

    3.1  

France

    3.0  

Japan

    2.0  

Denmark

    1.1  

Australia

    1.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    3.5  
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  13


About Fund Performance

 

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

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

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

Disclosure of Expenses

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

14  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Comm Services ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

 
Australia — 1.1%        

SEEK Ltd.

    23,428     $ 284,738  

Telstra Corp. Ltd.

    763,299       1,884,759  
   

 

 

 
      2,169,497  
Canada — 3.2%            

BCE Inc.

    60,234       2,525,611  

Rogers Communications Inc., Class B, NVS

    23,146       891,591  

Shaw Communications Inc., Class B, NVS

    29,619       720,239  

TELUS Corp.

    93,655       1,859,744  
   

 

 

 
      5,997,185  
China — 9.4%            

Baidu Inc.(a)

    149,550       2,201,555  

Kuaishou Technology(a)(b)

    128,800       826,142  

NetEase Inc.

    120,900       1,824,311  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    380,700       12,858,641  
   

 

 

 
      17,710,649  
Finland — 0.2%            

Elisa OYJ

    9,947       450,689  
   

 

 

 
France — 1.3%            

Orange SA

    124,757       1,128,369  

Publicis Groupe SA

    15,589       738,648  

Ubisoft Entertainment SA(a)

    6,314       173,525  

Vivendi SE

    53,455       414,627  
   

 

 

 
      2,455,169  
Germany — 2.1%            

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    230,582       3,924,889  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 0.1%            

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano(a)

    682,664       126,270  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 8.6%            

Dentsu Group Inc.

    16,000       454,840  

KDDI Corp.

    103,500       3,025,954  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

    30,700       542,400  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    77,000       3,105,739  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    150,700       4,064,728  

SoftBank Corp.

    182,900       1,826,426  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    78,500       2,660,450  

Z Holdings Corp.

    175,200       464,396  
   

 

 

 
      16,144,933  
Mexico — 0.7%            

America Movil SAB de CV, Series L, NVS

    1,269,722       1,048,461  

Grupo Televisa SAB, CPO

    166,620       180,358  

Sitios Latinoamerica SAB de CV

    63,486       28,339  
   

 

 

 
      1,257,158  
Netherlands — 0.8%            

Koninklijke KPN NV

    215,496       583,211  

Universal Music Group NV

    50,305       942,214  
   

 

 

 
      1,525,425  
Norway — 0.2%            

Telenor ASA

    42,520       389,148  
   

 

 

 
South Korea — 1.1%            

Kakao Corp.

    20,575       809,615  

NAVER Corp.

    9,851       1,312,313  
   

 

 

 
      2,121,928  
Spain — 1.3%            

Cellnex Telecom SA(b)

    37,691       1,162,638  
Security   Shares     Value  
Spain (continued)            

Telefonica SA

    372,566     $ 1,231,672  
   

 

 

 
      2,394,310  
Sweden — 0.6%            

Embracer Group AB(a)(c)

    54,078       320,530  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    36,306       313,305  

Telia Co. AB

    162,096       466,850  
   

 

 

 
      1,100,685  
Switzerland — 0.4%            

Swisscom AG, Registered

    1,674       783,835  
   

 

 

 
Taiwan — 0.5%            

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

    251,120       898,792  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 2.6%            

Auto Trader Group PLC(b)

    64,013       363,022  

BT Group PLC

    460,955       619,662  

Informa PLC

    99,297       567,571  

Pearson PLC

    49,979       477,279  

Rightmove PLC

    57,837       308,555  

Vodafone Group PLC

    1,770,425       1,981,459  

WPP PLC

    80,237       662,371  
   

 

 

 
      4,979,919  
United States — 65.7%            

Activision Blizzard Inc.

    47,027       3,495,987  

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    229,204       21,923,363  

Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    204,958       19,706,712  

AT&T Inc.

    470,752       7,221,336  

Charter Communications Inc., Class A(a)

    7,315       2,219,005  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    272,904       8,004,274  

DISH Network Corp., Class A(a)

    16,579       229,288  

Electronic Arts Inc.

    17,446       2,018,677  

Fox Corp., Class A, NVS

    20,244       621,086  

Fox Corp., Class B

    9,144       260,604  

Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. (The)

    25,823       661,069  

Live Nation Entertainment Inc.(a)

    9,382       713,407  

Lumen Technologies Inc.

    62,914       458,014  

Match Group Inc.(a)

    18,687       892,304  

Meta Platforms Inc, Class A(a)

    143,360       19,451,085  

Netflix Inc.(a)

    29,378       6,916,756  

News Corp., Class A, NVS

    25,464       384,761  

News Corp., Class B

    8,019       123,653  

Omnicom Group Inc.

    13,522       853,103  

Paramount Global, Class B, NVS

    33,355       635,079  

Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.(a)

    10,343       1,127,387  

T-Mobile U.S. Inc.(a)

    39,762       5,334,868  

Twitter Inc.(a)

    44,407       1,946,803  

Verizon Communications Inc.

    232,378       8,823,393  

Walt Disney Co. (The)(a)

    85,347       8,050,782  

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.(a)(c)

    145,927       1,678,160  
   

 

 

 
      123,750,956  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.9%
(Cost: $265,876,852)

 

    188,181,437  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Comm Services ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Italy — 0.0%            

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano, Preference Shares, NVS(a)

    389,747     $ 70,203  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.0%
(Cost: $316,302)

 

    70,203  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $266,193,154)

 

    188,251,640  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 1.1%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    1,940,491       1,941,073  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    190,000       190,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.1%
(Cost: $2,131,073)

 

    2,131,073  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.0%
(Cost: $268,324,227)

 

    190,382,713  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.0)%

 

    (1,937,608
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   188,445,105  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $      $ 1,939,801 (a)    $     $ 1,272      $      $ 1,941,073        1,940,491      $ 3,582 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     330,000              (140,000 )(a)                    190,000        190,000        1,191        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 1,272      $      $ 2,131,073         $ 4,773     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Mini TOPIX Index

     3          12/08/22        $ 38        $ (725

E-Mini S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index

     2          12/16/22          126          (1,581
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (2,306
                 

 

 

 

 

 

16  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Comm Services ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 2,306      $      $      $      $ 2,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (55,782    $      $      $      $ (55,782
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 4,509      $      $      $      $ 4,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 202,461  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 131,005,299        $ 57,176,138        $        $ 188,181,437  

Preferred Stocks

              70,203                   70,203  

Money Market Funds

     2,131,073                            2,131,073  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 133,136,372        $ 57,246,341        $        $ 190,382,713  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (1,581      $ (725      $             —        $ (2,306
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 1.2%  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

    41,460     $ 874,250  

Lottery Corp. Ltd. (The)(a)

    138,752       371,848  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

    70,683       1,932,369  
   

 

 

 
      3,178,467  
Brazil — 0.2%            

Lojas Renner SA

    61,673       318,406  

Magazine Luiza SA(a)

    167,029       138,717  
   

 

 

 
      457,123  
Canada — 1.3%            

Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Class A, NVS

    3,473       369,714  

Dollarama Inc.

    17,964       1,031,270  

Gildan Activewear Inc.

    10,991       310,710  

Magna International Inc.

    16,753       794,747  

Restaurant Brands International Inc.

    19,081       1,015,001  
   

 

 

 
      3,521,442  
Chile — 0.0%            

Falabella SA

    44,865       89,473  
   

 

 

 
China — 8.0%            

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(a)

    986,900       9,848,606  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

    68,200       715,881  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    54,500       1,342,637  

JD.com Inc., Class A

    147,000       3,708,543  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

    145,500       1,104,037  

Meituan, Class B(a)(b)

    254,200       5,342,380  
   

 

 

 
      22,062,084  
Denmark — 0.1%            

Pandora A/S

    5,954       278,446  
   

 

 

 
France — 5.9%            

Accor SA(a)

    10,493       219,677  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

    44,518       997,457  

Hermes International

    2,172       2,554,532  

Kering SA

    4,513       2,001,734  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    16,315       9,618,911  

Renault SA(a)

    12,937       350,024  

Sodexo SA

    5,240       393,526  

Valeo

    13,795       208,440  
   

 

 

 
      16,344,301  
Germany — 2.4%            

adidas AG

    11,138       1,280,438  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    19,890       1,348,095  

Continental AG

    6,734       298,810  

Delivery Hero SE(a)(b)

    11,431       417,542  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    49,110       2,483,347  

Puma SE

    6,393       295,741  

Volkswagen AG

    1,779       289,922  

Zalando SE(a)(b)

    13,891       271,332  
   

 

 

 
      6,685,227  
Ireland — 0.4%            

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI(a)

    9,535       1,051,059  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 0.7%            

Ferrari NV

    7,979       1,477,597  

Moncler SpA

    12,967       529,372  
   

 

 

 
      2,006,969  
Japan — 11.9%            

Aisin Corp.

    11,500       296,007  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

    13,900     $ 905,839  

Bridgestone Corp.

    38,400       1,241,891  

Denso Corp.

    31,600       1,444,852  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    4,100       2,172,771  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    106,243       2,306,086  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    38,900       430,134  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

    147,500       475,338  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,500       461,560  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd./Japan

    14,600       1,980,180  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

    33,300       587,438  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    145,400       1,021,005  

Rakuten Group Inc.

    58,500       250,350  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    42,800       708,866  

Shimano Inc.

    5,300       829,264  

Sony Group Corp.

    78,700       5,069,414  

Subaru Corp.

    38,488       581,644  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    49,500       502,500  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    30,800       958,808  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    783,100       10,235,464  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    22,013       412,434  
   

 

 

 
      32,871,845  
Netherlands — 2.0%            

Prosus NV

    74,976       3,900,746  

Stellantis NV

    134,841       1,592,801  
   

 

 

 
      5,493,547  
South Korea — 0.7%            

Hyundai Motor Co.

    8,792       1,072,963  

Kia Corp.

    16,679       830,146  
   

 

 

 
      1,903,109  
Spain — 0.5%            

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    69,944       1,443,409  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 0.6%            

Electrolux AB, Class B

    15,171       157,678  

Evolution AB(b)

    11,935       943,433  

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    43,841       405,314  
   

 

 

 
      1,506,425  
Switzerland — 1.3%            

Cie. Financiere Richemont SA, Class A, Registered

    32,541       3,071,722  

Swatch Group AG (The), Bearer

    1,804       405,175  

Swatch Group AG (The), Registered

    3,464       145,117  
   

 

 

 
      3,622,014  
United Kingdom — 2.1%            

Barratt Developments PLC

    64,216       242,699  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    7,005       255,931  

Burberry Group PLC

    25,241       504,201  

Compass Group PLC

    111,300       2,216,251  

Entain PLC

    36,705       438,862  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    11,702       563,590  

Kingfisher PLC

    125,720       306,030  

Next PLC

    8,058       427,685  

Persimmon PLC

    19,907       272,253  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    219,330       213,570  

Whitbread PLC

    12,624       319,999  
   

 

 

 
      5,761,071  
United States — 59.5%            

Advance Auto Parts Inc.

    3,780       590,966  

Amazon.com Inc.(a)

    235,300       26,588,900  

Aptiv PLC(a)

    16,890       1,320,967  
 

 

 

18  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

AutoZone Inc.(a)

    1,215     $ 2,602,445  

Bath & Body Works Inc.

    14,034       457,508  

Best Buy Co. Inc.

    12,494       791,370  

Booking Holdings Inc.(a)

    2,475       4,066,945  

BorgWarner Inc.

    14,764       463,590  

Caesars Entertainment Inc.(a)(c)

    13,367       431,219  

CarMax Inc.(a)

    9,923       655,116  

Carnival Corp.(a)

    61,534       432,584  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.(a)

    1,732       2,602,780  

Darden Restaurants Inc.

    7,643       965,464  

Dollar General Corp.

    14,152       3,394,499  

Dollar Tree Inc.(a)

    13,247       1,802,917  

Domino’s Pizza Inc.

    2,238       694,228  

DR Horton Inc.

    19,712       1,327,603  

eBay Inc.

    34,247       1,260,632  

Etsy Inc.(a)

    7,893       790,326  

Expedia Group Inc.(a)

    9,479       888,088  

Ford Motor Co.

    246,200       2,757,440  

Garmin Ltd.

    9,619       772,502  

General Motors Co.

    90,895       2,916,821  

Genuine Parts Co.

    8,818       1,316,704  

Hasbro Inc.

    8,094       545,697  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.

    17,101       2,062,723  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    46,089       12,717,799  

Las Vegas Sands Corp.(a)

    20,235       759,217  

Lennar Corp., Class A

    15,896       1,185,047  

LKQ Corp.

    16,250       766,187  

Lowe’s Companies Inc.

    39,843       7,482,914  

Marriott International Inc./MD, Class A

    17,198       2,410,128  

McDonald’s Corp.

    45,864       10,582,659  

MGM Resorts International

    20,811       618,503  

Mohawk Industries Inc.(a)

    3,287       299,742  

Newell Brands Inc., NVS

    23,464       325,915  

Nike Inc., Class B

    78,776       6,547,861  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.(a)

    26,270       298,427  

NVR Inc.(a)(c)

    193       769,506  

O’Reilly Automotive Inc.(a)

    3,975       2,795,816  

Pool Corp.(c)

    2,470       785,979  

PulteGroup Inc.

    14,433       541,237  

Ralph Lauren Corp.

    2,757       234,152  

Ross Stores Inc.

    21,815       1,838,350  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.(a)

    13,676       518,320  

Starbucks Corp.

    71,528       6,026,949  

Tapestry Inc.

    15,699       446,323  

Target Corp.

    28,907       4,289,510  

Tesla Inc.(a)

    107,390       28,485,197  

TJX Companies Inc. (The)

    73,038       4,537,121  

Tractor Supply Co.

    6,921       1,286,475  

Ulta Beauty, Inc.(a)

    3,232       1,296,646  

VF Corp.

    20,586       615,727  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Whirlpool Corp.

    3,407     $ 459,298  

Wynn Resorts Ltd.(a)

    6,361       400,934  

Yum! Brands Inc.

    17,738       1,886,259  
   

 

 

 
      163,708,232  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.8%
(Cost: $362,872,546)

      271,984,243  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   

Germany — 0.8%

   

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    3,431       222,803  

Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Preference Shares, NVS

    9,546       537,851  

Volkswagen AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    11,441       1,397,998  
   

 

 

 
      2,158,652  
South Korea — 0.1%            

Hyundai Motor Co.

   

Preference Shares, NVS

    1,372       80,211  

Series 2, Preference Shares, NVS

    2,238       130,116  
   

 

 

 
      210,327  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.9%
(Cost: $3,875,076)

      2,368,979  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $366,747,622)

      274,353,222  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 0.7%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    1,574,201       1,574,673  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    270,000       270,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%
(Cost: $1,844,673)

      1,844,673  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.4%
(Cost: $368,592,295)

      276,197,895  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.4)%

 

    (969,763
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   275,228,132  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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

(c)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 2,228,868      $      $ (649,364 )(a)     $ (4,831    $      $ 1,574,673        1,574,201      $ 7,694 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     370,000               (100,000 )(a)                     270,000        270,000        2,863         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (4,831    $      $ 1,844,673         $ 10,557      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

TOPIX Index

     1          12/08/22        $ 127        $ (4,620

E-Mini Consumer Discretionary Index

     3          12/16/22          434          (47,384

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     8          12/16/22          257          (12,290
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (64,294
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 64,294      $      $      $      $ 64,294  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (119,025    $      $      $      $ (119,025
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (138,052    $      $      $      $ (138,052
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 743,622  

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

 

 

20  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 167,686,797        $ 104,297,446        $        $ 271,984,243  

Preferred Stocks

              2,368,979                   2,368,979  

Money Market Funds

     1,844,673                            1,844,673  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 169,531,470        $ 106,666,425        $        $ 276,197,895  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (47,384      $ (16,910      $             —        $ (64,294
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 1.6%            

Coles Group Ltd.

    470,130     $ 4,956,282  

Endeavour Group Ltd./Australia

    441,069       1,982,223  

Treasury Wine Estates Ltd.

    256,040       2,060,187  

Woolworths Group Ltd.

    427,073       9,280,572  
   

 

 

 
      18,279,264  
Belgium — 1.4%            

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    348,368       15,779,900  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 0.5%            

Ambev SA, ADR

    1,551,539       4,390,856  

BRF SA, ADR(a)(b)

    228,500       534,690  

Natura & Co. Holding SA

    301,950       824,515  
   

 

 

 
      5,750,061  
Canada — 2.1%            

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

    278,340       11,205,333  

George Weston Ltd.

    23,401       2,450,130  

Loblaw Companies Ltd.

    54,168       4,289,207  

Metro Inc.

    84,051       4,208,787  

Saputo Inc.

    85,173       2,030,439  
   

 

 

 
      24,183,896  
Chile — 0.0%            

Cencosud SA

    447,825       566,715  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 0.3%            

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    34,758       4,064,478  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 0.2%            

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    97,720       1,823,159  
   

 

 

 
France — 4.8%            

Carrefour SA

    206,272       2,860,804  

Danone SA

    223,489       10,567,743  

L’Oreal SA

    88,930       28,434,656  

Pernod Ricard SA

    71,976       13,204,293  
   

 

 

 
      55,067,496  
Germany — 0.6%            

Beiersdorf AG

    34,462       3,386,316  

HelloFresh SE(a)

    62,149       1,300,897  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    35,015       1,984,412  
   

 

 

 
      6,671,625  
Ireland — 0.4%            

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    54,938       4,896,749  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 5.8%            

Aeon Co. Ltd.

    306,717       5,727,481  

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    188,900       5,162,880  

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    179,898       5,608,510  

Japan Tobacco Inc.

    387,000       6,359,472  

Kao Corp.

    167,100       6,799,354  

Kikkoman Corp.

    68,000       3,854,991  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    291,996       4,498,414  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    49,400       2,192,884  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    29,000       2,015,786  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    282,137       11,333,453  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    140,700       4,931,141  

Unicharm Corp.

    155,100       5,088,035  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    55,720       3,235,370  
   

 

 

 
      66,807,771  
Security   Shares     Value  
Mexico — 0.9%            

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    645,338     $ 4,044,517  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    1,781,539       6,265,618  
   

 

 

 
      10,310,135  
Netherlands — 1.7%            

Heineken Holding NV

    38,507       2,636,136  

Heineken NV

    82,986       7,247,255  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    367,905       9,371,066  
   

 

 

 
      19,254,457  
Norway — 0.3%            

Mowi ASA

    161,325       2,051,979  

Orkla ASA

    264,241       1,920,849  
   

 

 

 
      3,972,828  
Sweden — 0.8%            

Essity AB, Class B

    212,002       4,188,479  

Swedish Match AB

    538,085       5,322,591  
   

 

 

 
      9,511,070  
Switzerland — 9.2%            

Barry Callebaut AG, Registered

    1,255       2,365,692  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Participation Certificates, NVS

    366       3,537,137  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered

    38       3,784,281  

Nestle SA, Registered

    896,304       96,941,831  
   

 

 

 
      106,628,941  
United Kingdom — 12.5%            

Associated British Foods PLC

    127,458       1,780,921  

British American Tobacco PLC

    788,029       28,256,776  

Diageo PLC

    821,653       34,586,244  

Haleon PLC(a)

    1,802,690       5,620,726  

Imperial Brands PLC

    339,115       6,973,172  

J Sainsbury PLC

    614,706       1,190,429  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC(a)

    691,301       754,079  

Ocado Group PLC(a)

    256,478       1,330,985  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    259,126       17,175,243  

Tesco PLC

    2,634,885       6,047,250  

Unilever PLC

    926,609       40,715,058  
   

 

 

 
      144,430,883  
United States — 56.0%            

Altria Group Inc.

    635,000       25,641,300  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    197,934       15,923,790  

Brown-Forman Corp., Class B

    64,327       4,282,248  

Campbell Soup Co.

    70,851       3,338,499  

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

    86,078       6,149,412  

Clorox Co. (The)

    43,331       5,563,267  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)(b)

    1,120,787       62,786,488  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    294,263       20,671,976  

Conagra Brands Inc.

    168,905       5,511,370  

Constellation Brands Inc., Class A

    56,055       12,874,712  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    105,179       49,672,886  

Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (The), Class A(b)

    81,553       17,607,293  

General Mills Inc.

    210,390       16,117,978  

Hershey Co. (The)

    51,672       11,392,126  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    102,550       4,659,872  

JM Smucker Co. (The)

    37,489       5,151,364  

Kellogg Co.

    89,623       6,243,138  

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.

    298,919       10,707,279  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    118,782       13,367,726  

Kraft Heinz Co. (The)

    280,236       9,345,871  

Kroger Co. (The)

    229,090       10,022,688  

Lamb Weston Holdings Inc.

    50,564       3,912,642  
 

 

 

22  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

McCormick & Co. Inc./MD, NVS

    88,121     $ 6,280,384  

Molson Coors Beverage Co., Class B

    66,210       3,177,418  

Mondelez International Inc., Class A

    483,199       26,493,801  

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)(b)

    136,015       11,827,864  

PepsiCo Inc.

    321,542       52,494,947  

Philip Morris International Inc.

    546,315       45,349,608  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    778,824       98,326,529  

Sysco Corp.

    180,021       12,729,285  

Tyson Foods Inc., Class A

    101,893       6,717,806  

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.

    252,371       7,924,449  

Walmart Inc.

    410,396       53,228,361  
   

 

 

 
      645,494,377  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.1%
(Cost: $1,256,644,420)

      1,143,493,805  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   
Germany — 0.3%            

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    62,642       3,720,122  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.3%
(Cost: $5,779,838)

      3,720,122  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $1,262,424,258)

        1,147,213,927  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(c)(d)(e)

    3,467,404     $ 3,468,445  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(c)(d)

    800,000       800,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.4%
(Cost: $4,268,445)

      4,268,445  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $1,266,692,703)

      1,151,482,372  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

 

    1,918,413  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   1,153,400,785  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 404,159      $ 3,063,921 (a)    $     $ 384      $ (19    $ 3,468,445        3,467,404      $ 2,482 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     1,390,000              (590,000 )(a)                    800,000        800,000        9,610        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 384      $ (19    $ 4,268,445         $ 12,092     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

E-Mini Consumer Staples Index

     69          12/16/22        $ 4,654        $ (393,044

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     2          12/16/22          64          (937

FTSE 100 Index

     16          12/16/22          1,223          (81,618
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (475,599
                 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 475,599      $      $      $      $ 475,599  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 34,243      $      $      $      $ 34,243  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (701,074    $      $      $      $ (701,074
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 5,685,235  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 691,925,910        $ 451,567,895        $        $ 1,143,493,805  

Preferred Stocks

              3,720,122                   3,720,122  

Money Market Funds

     4,268,445                            4,268,445  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   696,194,355        $   455,288,017        $        $ 1,151,482,372  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (393,044      $ (82,555      $             —        $ (475,599
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Energy ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 2.5%            

Ampol Ltd.

    189,487     $ 3,504,910  

Santos Ltd.

    2,696,410       12,456,184  

Woodside Energy Group Ltd.

    1,525,819       31,174,793  
   

 

 

 
      47,135,887  
Austria — 0.2%            

OMV AG

    117,098       4,238,145  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 1.0%            

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

    1,495,173       18,450,435  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 12.0%            

Cameco Corp.

    319,553       8,480,698  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    902,933       42,030,327  

Cenovus Energy Inc.

    1,117,302       17,163,752  

Enbridge Inc.

    1,627,101       60,332,366  

Imperial Oil Ltd.

    157,338       6,812,456  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    446,165       13,552,744  

Suncor Energy Inc.

    1,109,052       31,231,855  

TC Energy Corp.

    813,180       32,754,432  

Tourmaline Oil Corp.

    253,741       13,187,148  
   

 

 

 
       225,545,778  
Chile — 0.1%            

Empresas COPEC SA

    293,617       1,880,949  
   

 

 

 
Colombia — 0.1%            

Ecopetrol SA, ADR

    197,911       1,767,345  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 0.8%            

Neste OYJ

    345,298       15,051,368  
   

 

 

 
France — 5.0%            

TotalEnergies SE

    1,978,428       92,817,050  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 1.1%            

Eni SpA

    2,028,197       21,557,086  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 0.9%            

ENEOS Holdings Inc.

    2,594,220       8,366,753  

Inpex Corp.

    847,800       7,907,499  
   

 

 

 
      16,274,252  
Norway — 1.9%            

Aker BP ASA

    250,159       7,180,699  

Equinor ASA

    842,087       27,770,945  
   

 

 

 
      34,951,644  
Portugal — 0.2%            

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    362,121       3,484,107  
   

 

 

 
Spain — 0.8%            

Repsol SA

    1,227,402       14,103,158  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 12.4%            

BP PLC

    16,763,857       80,104,180  

Shell PLC

    6,147,494       152,506,601  
   

 

 

 
      232,610,781  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States — 59.4%            

APA Corp.

    262,979     $ 8,991,252  

Baker Hughes Co.

    813,037       17,041,255  

Chevron Corp.

    1,447,140       207,910,604  

ConocoPhillips

    1,022,998       104,693,615  

Coterra Energy Inc.

    639,333       16,699,378  

Devon Energy Corp.

    526,192       31,639,925  

Diamondback Energy Inc.

    142,840       17,206,506  

EOG Resources Inc.

    470,941       52,618,238  

EQT Corp.

    297,495       12,122,921  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    3,349,076       292,407,826  

Halliburton Co.

    728,812       17,943,351  

Hess Corp.

    223,924       24,405,477  

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    1,593,233       26,511,397  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    544,501       12,294,833  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    400,690       39,800,538  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    598,831       36,798,165  

ONEOK Inc.

    359,094       18,399,977  

Phillips 66

    386,568       31,203,769  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    191,791       41,528,505  

Schlumberger NV

    1,136,590       40,803,581  

Valero Energy Corp.

    316,591       33,827,748  

Williams Companies Inc. (The)

    979,200       28,034,496  
   

 

 

 
      1,112,883,357  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.4%
(Cost: $1,892,397,208)

      1,842,751,342  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 1.1%            

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Preference Shares, ADR

    1,845,719       20,450,567  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 1.1%
(Cost: $28,644,601)

      20,450,567  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $1,921,041,809)

      1,863,201,909  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(a)(b)

    7,860,000       7,860,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.4%
(Cost: $7,860,000)

      7,860,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $1,928,901,809)

      1,871,061,909  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

 

    2,723,705  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   1,873,785,614  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(b) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Energy ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

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

   $      $ 423 (b)     $      $ (423    $      $             $ 2,470 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     3,430,000        4,430,000 (b)                           7,860,000        7,860,000        20,920        
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
           $ (423    $      $ 7,860,000         $ 23,390     $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

E-Mini Energy Select Sector Index

     115          12/16/22        $ 8,665        $ (719,136

FTSE 100 Index

     18          12/16/22          1,376          (110,939
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (830,075
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 830,075      $      $      $      $ 830,075  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,221,323    $      $      $      $ (1,221,323
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (895,461    $      $      $      $ (895,461
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 9,368,261  

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

 

 

26  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Energy ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 1,360,527,864        $ 482,223,478        $        $ 1,842,751,342  

Preferred Stocks

     20,450,567                            20,450,567  

Money Market Funds

     7,860,000                            7,860,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,388,838,431        $   482,223,478        $             —        $ 1,871,061,909  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (719,136      $ (110,939      $        $ (830,075
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Financials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 5.1%  

ASX Ltd.

    20,290     $ 933,811  

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.

    313,308       4,586,452  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    179,815       10,460,725  

Insurance Australia Group Ltd.

    255,016       754,404  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    38,242       3,730,895  

Medibank Pvt Ltd.

    293,218       655,389  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

    339,167       6,279,909  

QBE Insurance Group Ltd.

    159,688       1,184,828  

Suncorp Group Ltd.

    134,740       869,471  

Westpac Banking Corp.

    370,447       4,901,012  
   

 

 

 
      34,356,896  
Austria — 0.1%            

Erste Group Bank AG

    35,585       780,100  
   

 

 

 
Belgium — 0.5%            

Ageas SA/NV

    19,138       697,996  

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV

    10,059       703,477  

KBC Group NV

    35,395       1,679,634  
   

 

 

 
      3,081,107  
Brazil — 0.4%            

B3 SA - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao

    640,061       1,548,434  

Banco do Brasil SA

    148,008       1,056,896  
   

 

 

 
      2,605,330  
Canada — 8.9%            

Bank of Montreal

    71,524       6,268,803  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The)

    126,251       6,004,771  

Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Class A

    151,064       6,179,916  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    95,362       4,173,878  

Intact Financial Corp.

    18,442       2,609,930  

Manulife Financial Corp.

    204,145       3,204,013  

National Bank of Canada

    36,147       2,265,615  

Power Corp. of Canada

    59,422       1,339,130  

Royal Bank of Canada

    147,555       13,285,131  

Sun Life Financial Inc.

    62,441       2,482,994  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)

    192,161       11,785,485  
   

 

 

 
        59,599,666  
Chile — 0.1%            

Banco de Chile

    4,500,611       395,985  

Banco Santander Chile, ADR

    15,512       217,323  
   

 

 

 
      613,308  
China — 2.6%            

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    8,445,000       2,758,096  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    10,430,720       6,020,626  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    350,000       1,619,750  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    7,531,000       3,532,837  

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

    634,500       3,165,390  
   

 

 

 
      17,096,699  
Colombia — 0.0%            

Bancolombia SA, ADR

    11,820       288,053  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 0.3%            

Danske Bank A/S

    71,443       889,227  

Tryg A/S

    38,237       789,360  
   

 

 

 
      1,678,587  
Finland — 0.8%            

Nordea Bank Abp

    348,571       2,983,150  
Security   Shares     Value  
Finland (continued)            

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    53,530     $ 2,285,281  
   

 

 

 
      5,268,431  
France — 1.9%            

AXA SA

    207,670       4,534,039  

BNP Paribas SA

    120,517       5,090,545  

Credit Agricole SA

    148,742       1,207,492  

Societe Generale SA

    85,697       1,694,752  
   

 

 

 
      12,526,828  
Germany — 2.5%            

Allianz SE, Registered

    43,206       6,806,425  

Commerzbank AG(a)

    116,607       830,126  

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered

    220,398       1,631,821  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    19,908       3,263,452  

Hannover Rueck SE

    6,599       989,225  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    14,586       3,511,151  
   

 

 

 
      17,032,200  
Hong Kong — 2.2%            

AIA Group Ltd.

    1,270,800       10,580,558  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

    128,400       4,389,021  
   

 

 

 
      14,969,579  
Italy — 1.3%            

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    128,184       1,750,267  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

    64,746       799,645  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    1,874,055       3,097,841  

Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA

    78,045       610,680  

UniCredit SpA

    213,959       2,166,139  
   

 

 

 
      8,424,572  
Japan — 4.5%            

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    109,800       1,745,855  

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    148,500       582,847  

Japan Exchange Group Inc.

    59,700       806,849  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

    255,600       1,693,403  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    1,323,000       5,993,354  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

    271,310       2,936,830  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    49,900       1,321,487  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    324,200       1,074,034  

ORIX Corp.

    127,400       1,784,754  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    247,100       904,253  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    38,000       1,520,430  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    145,500       4,033,475  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.

    41,927       1,192,391  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    58,300       554,144  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    215,400       3,828,332  
   

 

 

 
        29,972,438  
Malta — 0.0%            

BGP Holdings PLC, NVS(b)

    608,993       6  
   

 

 

 
Mexico — 0.2%            

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

    258,737       1,661,405  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 1.1%            

ABN AMRO Bank NV, CVA(c)

    44,503       398,763  

Aegon NV

    147,070       584,603  

Euronext NV(c)

    10,792       682,984  

EXOR NV(a)

    12,861       825,338  

ING Groep NV

    407,809       3,494,282  

NN Group NV

    31,733       1,234,221  
   

 

 

 
      7,220,191  
 

 

 

28  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Financials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Norway — 0.2%            

DNB Bank ASA

    94,164     $ 1,494,199  
   

 

 

 
Peru — 0.1%            

Credicorp Ltd.

    6,759       830,005  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 1.6%            

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.(d)

    194,300       4,494,811  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    428,800       3,513,536  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    162,000       2,934,237  
   

 

 

 
      10,942,584  
South Korea — 0.4%            

KB Financial Group Inc., ADR

    41,000       1,235,740  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    100       2,323  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd., ADR

    54,000       1,242,000  
   

 

 

 
      2,480,063  
Spain — 1.3%            

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    711,090       3,189,839  

Banco Santander SA

    1,811,310       4,214,735  

CaixaBank SA

    455,863       1,468,278  
   

 

 

 
      8,872,852  
Sweden — 1.3%            

EQT AB

    29,649       572,882  

Industrivarden AB, Class A

    20,498       412,883  

Industrivarden AB, Class C

    17,915       357,301  

Investor AB, Class B

    191,464       2,793,692  

Kinnevik AB, Class B(a)

    25,516       334,410  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    180,089       1,716,384  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    160,983       1,321,508  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    97,856       1,284,434  
   

 

 

 
      8,793,494  
Switzerland — 3.0%            

Baloise Holding AG, Registered

    5,042       644,240  

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered

    266,957       1,055,970  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

    23,134       1,009,546  

Partners Group Holding AG

    2,432       1,957,235  

Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered

    3,336       1,473,882  

Swiss Re AG

    29,994       2,212,177  

UBS Group AG, Registered

    372,920       5,410,310  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    15,719       6,266,388  
   

 

 

 
        20,029,748  
Taiwan — 0.6%            

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    903,000       1,131,760  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    2,022,000       1,257,891  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    855,000       1,337,063  
   

 

 

 
      3,726,714  
United Kingdom — 5.1%            

3i Group PLC

    105,726       1,269,498  

abrdn PLC

    249,087       381,031  

Admiral Group PLC

    28,994       615,938  

Aviva PLC

    301,120       1,291,455  

Barclays PLC

    1,651,016       2,626,989  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    138,431       285,605  

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

    38,306       366,858  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    2,112,685       10,939,184  

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

    31,208       336,657  

Legal & General Group PLC

    626,839       1,496,252  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    7,571,043       3,422,015  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    36,422       3,075,797  

M&G PLC

    277,130       510,507  
Security   Shares     Value  
United Kingdom (continued)            

NatWest Group PLC, NVS

    539,074     $ 1,342,682  

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

    90,156       525,055  

Prudential PLC

    286,893       2,808,003  

Schroders PLC

    78,482       337,340  

St. James’s Place PLC

    57,341       653,010  

Standard Chartered PLC

    258,533       1,617,008  
   

 

 

 
        33,900,884  
United States — 52.5%            

Aflac Inc.

    60,672       3,409,766  

Allstate Corp. (The)

    28,977       3,608,506  

American Express Co.

    63,461       8,561,523  

American International Group Inc.

    80,455       3,820,003  

Ameriprise Financial Inc.

    11,507       2,899,189  

Aon PLC, Class A

    22,512       6,030,289  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    22,380       3,831,904  

Assurant Inc.

    5,571       809,299  

Bank of America Corp.

    739,638       22,337,068  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

    77,292       2,977,288  

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B(a)

    191,125       51,034,197  

BlackRock Inc.(e)

    15,952       8,778,067  

Brown & Brown Inc.

    24,800       1,499,904  

Capital One Financial Corp.

    40,610       3,743,024  

Cboe Global Markets Inc.

    11,175       1,311,610  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    161,556       11,611,030  

Chubb Ltd.

    44,419       8,078,928  

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    16,903       1,514,002  

Citigroup Inc.

    205,176       8,549,684  

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

    51,434       1,767,272  

CME Group Inc.

    38,036       6,737,317  

Comerica Inc.

    13,906       988,717  

Discover Financial Services

    29,361       2,669,502  

Everest Re Group Ltd.

    4,165       1,093,063  

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

    3,979       1,592,038  

Fifth Third Bancorp.

    71,945       2,299,362  

First Republic Bank/CA

    19,037       2,485,280  

Franklin Resources Inc.

    29,652       638,111  

Globe Life Inc.

    9,538       950,939  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    36,048       10,563,866  

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    34,385       2,129,807  

Huntington Bancshares Inc./OH

    153,527       2,023,486  

Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

    58,498       5,285,294  

Invesco Ltd.

    48,132       659,408  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    309,997       32,394,686  

KeyCorp

    98,325       1,575,166  

Lincoln National Corp.

    16,954       744,450  

Loews Corp.

    21,284       1,060,795  

M&T Bank Corp.

    19,014       3,352,548  

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

    3,999       889,737  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

    53,202       7,942,527  

MetLife Inc.

    70,706       4,297,511  

Moody’s Corp.

    16,828       4,091,055  

Morgan Stanley

    141,686       11,194,611  

MSCI Inc.

    8,616       3,634,143  

Nasdaq Inc.

    36,247       2,054,480  

Northern Trust Corp.

    21,720       1,858,363  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    43,793       6,543,550  

Principal Financial Group Inc.

    24,820       1,790,763  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    61,847       7,187,240  

Prudential Financial Inc.

    39,125       3,356,142  

Raymond James Financial Inc.

    20,320       2,008,022  

 

 

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Financials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)  

Regions Financial Corp.

    97,288     $ 1,952,570  

S&P Global Inc.

    36,048       11,007,257  

Signature Bank/New York NY

    6,799       1,026,649  

State Street Corp.

    38,611       2,347,935  

SVB Financial Group(a)

    6,277       2,107,691  

Synchrony Financial

    52,352       1,475,803  

T Rowe Price Group Inc.

    23,898       2,509,529  

Travelers Companies Inc. (The)

    25,538       3,912,422  

Truist Financial Corp.

    139,454       6,071,827  

U.S. Bancorp.

    143,699       5,793,944  

W R Berkley Corp.

    22,095       1,426,895  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    402,504       16,188,711  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

    11,684       2,347,783  

Zions Bancorp. NA

    15,489       787,770  
   

 

 

 
      351,221,318  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.6%
(Cost: $887,114,524)

 

    659,467,257  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Brazil — 0.8%  

Banco Bradesco SA, Preference Shares, ADR

    574,490       2,114,123  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, ADR(d)

    515,801       2,666,691  

Itausa SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    496,709       895,934  
   

 

 

 
      5,676,748  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.8%
(Cost: $7,263,871)

 

    5,676,748  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $894,378,395)

 

      665,144,005  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 0.3%        

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(e)(f)(g)

    252,059     $ 252,135  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(e)(f)

    1,440,000       1,440,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $1,692,127)

 

    1,692,135  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $896,070,522)

 

    666,836,140  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    2,250,498  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  669,086,638  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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

(c)

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

(d)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(e)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 20,641      $ 229,935 (a)     $      $ 1,551      $ 8      $ 252,135        252,059      $ 4,183 (b)      $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     2,000,000               (560,000 )(a)                      1,440,000        1,440,000        9,091         

BlackRock Inc.

     15,373,572        662,472        (3,358,898      (1,192,472      (2,706,607      8,778,067        15,952        159,298         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $

 

(1,190,921

 

 

   $

 

(2,706,599

 

 

   $

 

10,470,202

 

 

 

      $

 

172,572

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

 

 

 

30  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Financials ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description   

Number of
Contracts

 

      

Expiration
Date

 

      

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

      

Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

E-Mini Financial Select Sector Index

     29          12/16/22        $ 2,716        $ (354,593

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     14          12/16/22          450          (42,782

FTSE 100 Index

     8          12/16/22          611          (55,515
                 

 

 

 
                  $

 

(452,890

 

 

                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

     

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit
Contracts

 

    

Equity
Contracts

 

    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest
Rate
Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

452,890

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

452,890

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

     

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit

Contracts

 

    

Equity

Contracts

 

    

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(630,336

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(630,336

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(377,665

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(377,665

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 4,229,076    

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

 

 

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

  31


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Financials ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

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

 

     

 

Level 1

 

    

 

Level 2

 

    

 

Level 3

 

    

 

Total

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 419,296,825      $ 240,170,426      $ 6      $ 659,467,257  

Preferred Stocks

     5,676,748                      5,676,748  

Money Market Funds

     1,692,135                      1,692,135  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 426,665,708      $ 240,170,426      $ 6      $ 666,836,140  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $ (354,593    $ (98,297    $             —      $ (452,890
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

32  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Healthcare ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 1.8%            

Cochlear Ltd.

    35,748     $ 4,440,527  

CSL Ltd.

    264,605       48,122,944  

Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

    100,957       3,705,881  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    264,165       5,152,591  
   

 

 

 
      61,421,943  
Belgium — 0.1%            

UCB SA

    68,740       4,770,406  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 0.1%            

Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA(a)

    396,760       2,185,937  
   

 

 

 
China — 0.3%            

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

    1,960,000       11,667,570  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 3.2%            

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    64,838       6,589,118  

Genmab A/S(b)

    36,041       11,594,514  

GN Store Nord AS

    78,143       1,368,787  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    899,517       89,607,901  
   

 

 

 
        109,160,320  
France — 2.3%            

EssilorLuxottica SA

    167,493       22,766,120  

Eurofins Scientific SE

    69,976       4,154,077  

Sanofi

    633,569       48,244,048  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

    13,284       4,074,689  
   

 

 

 
      79,238,934  
Germany — 1.5%            

Bayer AG, Registered

    538,575       24,814,577  

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

    111,477       3,140,642  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    222,733       4,747,598  

Merck KGaA

    71,188       11,523,970  

Siemens Healthineers AG(a)

    154,018       6,606,675  
   

 

 

 
      50,833,462  
Ireland — 0.3%            

STERIS PLC

    54,756       9,104,828  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 4.7%            

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    1,005,875       13,325,115  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    346,600       8,659,133  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    1,065,600       29,784,426  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    159,400       8,553,258  

Hoya Corp.

    200,900       19,358,431  

M3 Inc.

    231,800       6,472,263  

Olympus Corp.

    703,000       13,524,123  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    258,700       6,042,904  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    307,000       9,721,119  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    153,200       7,398,659  

Sysmex Corp.

    93,300       4,985,597  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    869,792       22,586,569  

Terumo Corp.

    414,900       11,662,924  
   

 

 

 
      162,074,521  
Netherlands — 0.7%            

Argenx SE(b)

    30,185       10,742,130  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    488,363       7,519,077  

QIAGEN NV(b)

    125,729       5,235,922  
   

 

 

 
      23,497,129  
South Korea — 0.2%            

Celltrion Inc.

    57,040       6,922,736  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Spain — 0.0%            

Grifols SA(b)(c)

    169,206     $ 1,461,829  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 0.1%            

Getinge AB, Class B

    116,719       1,996,025  
   

 

 

 
Switzerland — 8.1%            

Alcon Inc.

    273,925       15,911,053  

Lonza Group AG, Registered

    40,807       19,868,558  

Novartis AG, Registered

    1,320,009       100,633,422  

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    14,732       5,754,770  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    385,813       125,594,700  

Sonova Holding AG, Registered

    29,341       6,456,806  

Straumann Holding AG

    64,215       5,873,113  
   

 

 

 
        280,092,422  
United Kingdom — 3.8%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    850,882       93,536,966  

GSK PLC

    2,196,884       31,728,931  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    486,738       5,618,309  
   

 

 

 
      130,884,206  
United States — 72.3%            

Abbott Laboratories

    961,686       93,052,737  

AbbVie Inc.

    970,950       130,311,199  

Abiomed Inc.(b)

    24,866       6,108,582  

Agilent Technologies Inc.

    164,550       20,001,053  

Align Technology Inc.(b)

    39,807       8,244,428  

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

    85,210       11,531,469  

Amgen Inc.

    293,749       66,211,025  

Baxter International Inc.

    276,083       14,869,830  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    156,741       34,926,597  

Biogen Inc.(b)

    79,552       21,240,384  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Class A(b)

    11,705       4,882,624  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    21,589       6,131,276  

Boston Scientific Corp.(b)

    787,300       30,492,129  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    1,172,560       83,357,290  

Cardinal Health Inc.

    149,338       9,957,858  

Catalent Inc.(b)(c)

    99,054       7,167,547  

Centene Corp.(b)

    313,328       24,380,052  

Charles River Laboratories International Inc.(b)

    28,164       5,542,675  

Cigna Corp.

    167,270       46,412,407  

Cooper Companies Inc. (The)

    26,958       7,114,216  

CVS Health Corp.

    720,925       68,754,617  

Danaher Corp.

    359,522       92,860,937  

DaVita Inc.(b)

    30,521       2,526,223  

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.

    119,154       3,378,016  

Dexcom Inc.(b)

    215,208       17,332,852  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(b)

    340,969       28,174,268  

Elevance Health Inc.

    131,792       59,865,198  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    433,065       140,031,568  

Gilead Sciences Inc.

    688,678       42,484,546  

HCA Healthcare Inc.

    118,011       21,689,242  

Henry Schein Inc.(b)

    74,603       4,906,639  

Hologic Inc.(b)

    137,070       8,843,756  

Humana Inc.

    69,584       33,761,461  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.(b)

    45,616       14,861,693  

Illumina Inc.(b)

    86,119       16,430,644  

Incyte Corp.(b)

    101,191       6,743,368  

Intuitive Surgical Inc.(b)

    196,254       36,785,850  

IQVIA Holdings Inc.(b)

    102,740       18,610,324  

Johnson & Johnson

    1,443,808       235,860,475  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    49,553       10,148,950  
 

 

 

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

  33


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Healthcare ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)  

McKesson Corp.

    79,079     $ 26,876,580  

Medtronic PLC

    729,658       58,919,884  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    1,391,162       119,806,871  

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.(b)

    12,325       13,361,779  

Moderna Inc.(b)

    184,417       21,807,310  

Molina Healthcare Inc.(b)

    31,829       10,498,477  

Organon & Co.

    140,703       3,292,450  

PerkinElmer Inc.

    69,677       8,384,233  

Pfizer Inc.

    3,082,050       134,870,508  

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

    63,900       7,839,891  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.(b)

    58,756       40,475,246  

ResMed Inc.

    80,250       17,518,575  

Stryker Corp.

    185,042       37,478,407  

Teleflex Inc.

    25,978       5,233,528  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

    215,142       109,117,871  

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

    513,670       259,423,897  

Universal Health Services Inc., Class B

    35,842       3,160,548  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.(b)

    140,890       40,793,291  

Viatris Inc.

    670,661       5,714,032  

Waters Corp.(b)

    32,800       8,840,584  

West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.(c)

    40,583       9,986,665  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

    114,959       12,018,963  

Zoetis Inc.

    257,285       38,152,793  
   

 

 

 
      2,489,558,388  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.5%
(Cost: $3,114,367,080)

 

    3,424,870,656  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Germany — 0.1%  

Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    14,774       5,110,390  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $5,123,706)

 

    5,110,390  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $3,119,490,786)

 

    3,429,981,046  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 0.2%        

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    3,552,753     $ 3,553,819  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    4,490,000       4,490,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $8,043,819)

 

    8,043,819  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $3,127,534,605)

 

    3,438,024,865  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

 

    5,287,783  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 3,443,312,648  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

(b)

Non-income producing security.

(c)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 6,065,148      $      $ (2,514,342 )(a)     $ 4,224      $ (1,211    $ 3,553,819        3,552,753      $ 8,995 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     4,860,000               (370,000 )(a)                      4,490,000        4,490,000        32,500         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 4,224      $ (1,211    $ 8,043,819         $ 41,495      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

 

 

 

34  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Healthcare ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description

 

  

Number of
Contracts

 

      

Expiration
Date

 

      

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

      

 

Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

E-Mini Health Care Sector Dec Index

     96          12/16/22        $ 11,793        $ (646,325
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

     

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit
Contracts

 

    

Equity
Contracts

 

    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest
Rate
Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments                                                 

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 646,325      $      $      $      $ 646,325  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

     

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit
Contracts

 

    

Equity
Contracts

 

    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest
Rate
Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,562,141    $      $      $      $ (1,562,141
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on                                                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,161,865    $      $      $      $ (1,161,865
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 12,642,280    

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

     

 

Level 1

 

    

 

Level 2

 

    

 

Level 3

 

    

 

Total

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 2,500,849,153      $ 924,021,503      $      $ 3,424,870,656  

Preferred Stocks

            5,110,390               5,110,390  

Money Market Funds

     8,043,819                      8,043,819  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,508,892,972      $ 929,131,893      $             —      $ 3,438,024,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $ (646,325    $      $      $ (646,325
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  35


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Industrials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 0.9%            

Brambles Ltd.

    82,842     $ 606,025  

Qantas Airways Ltd.(a)

    109,497       351,389  

Transurban Group

    179,037       1,413,930  
   

 

 

 
      2,371,344  
Brazil — 0.5%            

CCR SA

    64,582       150,011  

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    44,290       501,576  

WEG SA

    87,901       523,722  
   

 

 

 
      1,175,309  
Canada — 4.3%            

CAE Inc.(a)(b)

    18,423       282,610  

Canadian National Railway Co.

    36,068       3,895,192  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

    54,276       3,623,115  

SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.

    10,428       173,630  

Thomson Reuters Corp.

    9,456       970,689  

Waste Connections Inc.

    15,044       2,032,767  
   

 

 

 
      10,978,003  
Denmark — 1.3%            

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    176       310,950  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS

    331       601,503  

DSV A/S

    11,323       1,326,460  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    58,909       1,084,683  
   

 

 

 
      3,323,596  
Finland — 0.5%            

Kone OYJ, Class B

    23,829       918,096  

Metso Outotec OYJ

    40,218       266,709  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    27,620       176,434  
   

 

 

 
      1,361,239  
France — 6.5%            

Airbus SE

    35,941       3,098,127  

Alstom SA

    17,946       290,290  

Bouygues SA

    12,304       321,854  

Bureau Veritas SA

    17,440       390,264  

Cie. de Saint-Gobain

    30,241       1,081,285  

Eiffage SA

    4,616       370,171  

Getlink SE

    23,507       364,531  

Legrand SA

    15,800       1,021,613  

Safran SA

    20,458       1,861,468  

Schneider Electric SE

    33,436       3,776,622  

Teleperformance

    3,426       869,121  

Thales SA

    6,258       689,594  

Vinci SA

    31,487       2,546,061  
   

 

 

 
      16,681,001  
Germany — 3.1%            

Brenntag SE

    9,063       547,876  

Daimler Truck Holding AG(a)

    30,355       686,249  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered

    57,824       1,742,795  

GEA Group AG

    9,660       312,626  

MTU Aero Engines AG

    3,183       475,714  

Siemens AG, Registered

    43,745       4,275,761  
   

 

 

 
      8,041,021  
Hong Kong — 0.7%            

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

    157,520       867,344  

Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

    108,000       1,030,549  
   

 

 

 
      1,897,893  
Security   Shares     Value  
Ireland — 1.1%            

Kingspan Group PLC

    8,901     $ 401,031  

Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(b)

    5,721       334,221  

Trane Technologies PLC

    13,641       1,975,353  
   

 

 

 
      2,710,605  
Italy — 0.4%            

Atlantia SpA

    30,014       662,279  

Prysmian SpA

    15,700       449,709  
   

 

 

 
      1,111,988  
Japan — 14.6%            

AGC Inc.

    13,400       417,167  

ANA Holdings Inc.(a)

    28,500       536,145  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    12,000       1,408,691  

Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.

    15,800       316,541  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

    7,200       338,667  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    17,100       2,631,159  

East Japan Railway Co.

    22,000       1,128,259  

FANUC Corp.

    11,300       1,586,681  

Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.

    14,600       439,405  

Hitachi Ltd.

    56,700       2,412,929  

ITOCHU Corp.

    86,700       2,092,757  

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.(a)

    26,300       470,980  

Kajima Corp.

    27,900       264,450  

Kintetsu Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    11,100       369,560  

Komatsu Ltd.

    56,600       1,030,590  

Kubota Corp.

    67,700       940,819  

Makita Corp.

    16,300       316,307  

Marubeni Corp.

    100,000       872,549  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    87,300       2,387,674  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    125,000       1,131,006  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    19,400       645,230  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    96,100       2,044,985  

Nidec Corp.

    31,300       1,752,052  

Nippon Yusen KK

    29,700       504,124  

Obayashi Corp.

    42,500       272,764  

Odakyu Electric Railway Co. Ltd.

    21,500       277,029  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    99,100       2,854,638  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    12,600       718,440  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

    28,500       390,353  

SMC Corp.

    3,700       1,505,790  

Sumitomo Corp.

    74,300       917,930  

Taisei Corp.

    12,200       338,350  

Tokyu Corp.

    36,600       417,405  

Toppan Inc.

    20,100       299,411  

Toshiba Corp.

    25,300       901,320  

TOTO Ltd.

    9,400       313,899  

Toyota Industries Corp.

    11,900       568,472  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    13,800       427,452  

West Japan Railway Co.

    14,400       550,427  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

    19,600       294,341  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    15,600       448,938  
   

 

 

 
      37,535,686  
Netherlands — 0.9%            

IMCD NV

    3,257       386,155  

Randstad NV

    7,450       321,548  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    15,451       1,504,520  
   

 

 

 
      2,212,223  
Spain — 0.6%            

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

    13,442       302,033  

Aena SME SA(a)(c)

    4,299       446,149  

 

 

 

 

36  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Industrials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Spain (continued)            

Ferrovial SA

    28,842     $ 654,673  
   

 

 

 
      1,402,855  
Sweden — 3.1%            

Alfa Laval AB

    17,239       427,475  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    58,510       1,096,246  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    150,600       1,399,730  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    90,702       751,830  

Epiroc AB, Class A

    36,706       525,097  

Epiroc AB, Class B

    23,006       290,098  

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B

    89,772       800,786  

Sandvik AB

    63,168       861,078  

Skanska AB, Class B

    23,452       291,878  

SKF AB, Class B

    22,855       306,180  

Volvo AB, Class B

    93,582       1,324,276  
   

 

 

 
      8,074,674  
Switzerland — 2.5%            

ABB Ltd., Registered

    99,965       2,581,039  

Adecco Group AG, Registered

    9,723       268,351  

Geberit AG, Registered

    2,084       893,594  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered

    3,323       676,669  

Schindler Holding AG, Participation Certificates, NVS

    2,458       381,480  

Schindler Holding AG, Registered

    1,282       193,163  

SGS SA, Registered

    360       770,308  

Siemens Energy AG(a)

    23,269       256,209  

VAT Group AG(c)

    1,602       325,092  
   

 

 

 
      6,345,905  
United Kingdom — 5.1%            

Ashtead Group PLC

    26,186       1,176,008  

BAE Systems PLC

    189,738       1,667,118  

Bunzl PLC

    19,598       598,777  

CNH Industrial NV

    58,773       657,802  

DCC PLC

    5,756       298,924  

Experian PLC

    56,607       1,657,033  

Ferguson PLC

    13,673       1,418,290  

IMI PLC

    15,519       191,909  

Intertek Group PLC

    9,565       392,443  

Melrose Industries PLC

    238,587       266,780  

RELX PLC

    115,660       2,826,237  

Rentokil Initial PLC

    109,512       580,465  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    481,113       368,461  

Smiths Group PLC

    22,002       366,487  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    4,333       498,092  

Weir Group PLC (The)

    14,754       228,410  
   

 

 

 
      13,193,236  
United States — 53.3%            

3M Co.

    32,367       3,576,553  

A O Smith Corp.

    7,434       361,144  

Alaska Air Group Inc.(a)

    7,454       291,824  

Allegion PLC

    5,136       460,596  

American Airlines Group Inc.(a)

    38,165       459,507  

AMETEK Inc.

    13,386       1,518,106  

Boeing Co. (The)(a)

    32,733       3,963,312  

Carrier Global Corp.

    49,218       1,750,192  

Caterpillar Inc.

    30,951       5,078,440  

CH Robinson Worldwide Inc.

    7,245       697,766  

Cintas Corp.

    5,030       1,952,596  

Copart Inc.(a)

    12,463       1,326,063  

CoStar Group Inc.(a)

    23,182       1,614,626  

CSX Corp.

    125,675       3,347,982  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Cummins Inc.

    8,311     $ 1,691,372  

Deere & Co.

    16,305       5,444,076  

Delta Air Lines Inc.(a)

    37,281       1,046,105  

Dover Corp.

    8,375       976,357  

Eaton Corp. PLC

    23,279       3,104,487  

Emerson Electric Co.

    34,581       2,532,021  

Equifax Inc.

    7,119       1,220,410  

Expeditors International of Washington Inc.

    9,711       857,578  

Fastenal Co.

    33,568       1,545,471  

FedEx Corp.

    14,018       2,081,252  

Fortive Corp.

    20,803       1,212,815  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc., NVS

    7,417       398,219  

Generac Holdings Inc.(a)

    3,735       665,353  

General Dynamics Corp.

    13,215           2,803,827  

General Electric Co.

    64,330       3,982,670  

Honeywell International Inc.

    39,477       6,591,475  

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

    21,622       668,768  

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

    2,345       519,418  

IDEX Corp.

    4,383       875,943  

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

    16,478       2,976,751  

Ingersoll Rand Inc.

    23,498       1,016,523  

Jacobs Solutions Inc., NVS

    7,373       799,897  

JB Hunt Transport Services Inc.

    4,857       759,732  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    40,283       1,982,729  

L3Harris Technologies Inc.(b)

    11,191       2,325,826  

Leidos Holdings Inc.

    7,994       699,235  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    13,837       5,345,095  

Masco Corp.

    13,189       615,794  

Nielsen Holdings PLC

    20,718       574,303  

Nordson Corp.

    3,176       674,170  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    13,795       2,892,122  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    8,505       4,000,072  

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc.(b)

    5,371       1,336,144  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    24,576       1,567,949  

PACCAR Inc.

    20,272       1,696,564  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

    7,552       1,829,925  

Pentair PLC

    9,476       385,010  

Quanta Services Inc.

    8,330       1,061,159  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    86,520       7,082,527  

Republic Services Inc.

    12,010       1,633,840  

Robert Half International Inc.

    6,408       490,212  

Rockwell Automation Inc.

    6,751       1,452,208  

Rollins Inc.(b)

    13,766       477,405  

Snap-on Inc.

    3,132       630,628  

Southwest Airlines Co.(a)

    34,948       1,077,796  

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

    8,645       650,190  

Textron Inc.(b)

    12,357       719,919  

TransDigm Group Inc.

    3,010       1,579,708  

Union Pacific Corp.

    36,584       7,127,295  

United Airlines Holdings Inc.(a)

    19,107       621,551  

United Parcel Service Inc., Class B

    42,875       6,926,027  

United Rentals Inc.(a)

    4,094       1,105,871  

Verisk Analytics Inc.

    9,159       1,561,884  

Waste Management Inc.

    22,081       3,537,597  

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.

    10,526       856,290  

WW Grainger Inc.

    2,651       1,296,843  
 

 

 

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

  37


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Industrials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Xylem Inc./NY

    10,493     $ 916,668  
   

 

 

 
      136,899,783  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.4%
(Cost: $341,198,491)

 

    255,316,361  
   

 

 

 

Rights

 

Brazil — 0.0%  

Localiza Rent a Car SA, (Expires 10/26/22, Strike Price BRL 50.35)

    135       275  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $—)

 

    275  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $341,198,491)

      255,316,636  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 2.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    4,987,632       4,989,128  
Security   Shares     Value  
Money Market Funds (continued)            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    440,000     $ 440,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.1%
(Cost: $5,429,128)

      5,429,128  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.5%
(Cost: $346,627,619)

      260,745,764  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.5)%

      (3,975,636
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  256,770,128  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

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

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 2,815,249      $ 2,170,178 (a)     $      $ 4,162      $ (461    $ 4,989,128        4,987,632      $ 8,641 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     310,000        130,000 (a)                             440,000        440,000        3,010         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 4,162      $ (461    $ 5,429,128         $ 11,651      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

TOPIX Index

     1          12/08/22        $ 127        $ (4,620

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     11          12/16/22          353          (18,312

XAI Industrial Index

     11          12/16/22          921          (91,396
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (114,328
                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Industrials ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

 
    

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit
Contracts

 

    

Equity
Contracts

 

    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest
Rate
Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

114,328

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

114,328

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit
Contracts

 

    

Equity
Contracts

 

    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest
Rate
Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(170,404

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(170,404

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on                                                 

Futures contracts

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(135,752

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(135,752

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,372,357      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
    

 

Level 1

 

    

 

Level 2

 

    

 

Level 3

 

    

 

Total

 

 

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 151,362,669      $ 103,953,692      $      $ 255,316,361  

Rights

     275                      275  

Money Market Funds

     5,429,128                      5,429,128  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

 

$

 

 

156,792,072

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

103,953,692

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

            —

 

 

 

 

  

 

$

 

 

260,745,764

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $

 

(91,396

 

 

   $

 

(22,932

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

(114,328

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  39


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Materials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 16.9%            

BHP Group Ltd.

    674,655     $ 16,770,651  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

    62,115       603,238  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    225,683       2,422,786  

Glencore PLC

    1,613,437       8,478,631  

Mineral Resources Ltd.

    22,294       935,778  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    118,380       1,299,716  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    155,622       779,245  

OZ Minerals Ltd.

    44,708       739,617  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

    49,472       2,992,677  

Rio Tinto PLC

    141,389       7,649,972  

South32 Ltd.

    616,830       1,464,298  
   

 

 

 
      44,136,609  
Belgium — 0.6%            

Solvay SA

    9,799       758,660  

Umicore SA

    27,425       805,124  
   

 

 

 
      1,563,784  
Brazil — 2.6%            

Vale SA, ADR

    515,874       6,871,442  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 8.4%            

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    60,876       2,571,921  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    235,946       3,657,005  

CCL Industries Inc., Class B, NVS

    19,452       942,922  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    74,247       1,260,428  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    25,529       3,049,397  

Kinross Gold Corp.

    172,025       647,577  

Nutrien Ltd.

    71,823       5,989,800  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

    61,713       1,876,833  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    60,197       1,949,261  
   

 

 

 
      21,945,144  
Chile — 0.8%            

Empresas CMPC SA

    147,610       224,630  

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR

    19,082       1,731,692  
   

 

 

 
      1,956,322  
Denmark — 0.8%            

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    13,716       675,640  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    27,865       1,400,275  
   

 

 

 
      2,075,915  
Finland — 1.3%            

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    81,397       1,034,022  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    71,134       2,257,397  
   

 

 

 
      3,291,419  
France — 3.9%            

Air Liquide SA

    69,741       7,971,332  

ArcelorMittal SA

    76,041       1,513,088  

Arkema SA

    8,417       613,422  
   

 

 

 
      10,097,842  
Germany — 3.0%            

BASF SE

    122,406       4,697,744  

Covestro AG(a)

    25,795       737,522  

HeidelbergCement AG

    19,189       758,045  

Symrise AG

    17,627       1,718,850  
   

 

 

 
      7,912,161  
Ireland — 8.9%            

CRH PLC

    102,375       3,291,546  

James Hardie Industries PLC

    59,245       1,163,723  

Linde PLC

    66,417       17,905,359  
Security   Shares     Value  
Ireland (continued)            

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    34,599     $ 989,503  
   

 

 

 
      23,350,131  
Japan — 5.7%            

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    184,900       1,225,390  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    77,400       718,691  

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.

    189,800       869,449  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    142,700       963,926  

Nippon Steel Corp.

    126,829       1,760,166  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    20,000       1,082,915  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    55,500       5,492,103  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    219,000       753,271  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    36,400       1,043,097  

Toray Industries Inc.

    216,200       1,064,100  
   

 

 

 
      14,973,108  
Mexico — 0.8%            

Cemex SAB de CV, NVS(b)

    2,025,630       698,025  

Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B

    415,558       1,405,586  
   

 

 

 
      2,103,611  
Netherlands — 1.5%            

Akzo Nobel NV

    24,101       1,365,803  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    23,294       2,650,636  
   

 

 

 
      4,016,439  
Norway — 0.7%            

Norsk Hydro ASA

    181,730       975,149  

Yara International ASA

    21,601       758,090  
   

 

 

 
      1,733,239  
Peru — 0.2%            

Southern Copper Corp.

    11,172       500,952  
   

 

 

 
South Korea — 1.5%            

LG Chem Ltd.

    6,303       2,327,290  

POSCO Holdings Inc.

    10,071       1,469,034  
   

 

 

 
      3,796,324  
Sweden — 0.8%            

Boliden AB

    36,366       1,123,561  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    79,894       1,013,733  
   

 

 

 
      2,137,294  
Switzerland — 4.3%            

Givaudan SA, Registered

    1,058       3,196,220  

Holcim AG

    75,518       3,094,768  

SIG Group AG

    46,510       944,343  

Sika AG, Registered

    20,488       4,117,918  
   

 

 

 
      11,353,249  
Taiwan — 1.2%            

Formosa Plastics Corp.

    574,720       1,564,370  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

    747,940       1,569,485  
   

 

 

 
      3,133,855  
United Kingdom — 4.2%            

Amcor PLC

    200,273       2,148,929  

Anglo American PLC

    178,259       5,352,373  

Croda International PLC

    18,996       1,356,770  

DS Smith PLC

    183,644       519,354  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    26,650       538,042  

Mondi PLC

    64,664       993,396  
   

 

 

 
      10,908,864  
United States — 30.9%            

Air Products and Chemicals Inc.

    29,559       6,879,266  

Albemarle Corp.

    15,610       4,127,908  

 

 

 

 

40  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Materials ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Avery Dennison Corp.

    10,829     $ 1,761,878  

Ball Corp.

    41,757       2,017,698  

Celanese Corp.

    13,301       1,201,612  

CF Industries Holdings Inc.

    26,572       2,557,555  

Corteva Inc.

    95,768       5,473,141  

Dow Inc.

    95,710       4,204,540  

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

    66,755       3,364,452  

Eastman Chemical Co.

    16,390       1,164,510  

Ecolab Inc.

    33,043       4,772,070  

FMC Corp.

    16,790       1,774,703  

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

    190,576       5,208,442  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

    33,977       3,086,131  

International Paper Co.

    48,178       1,527,243  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    33,941       2,555,079  

Martin Marietta Materials Inc.

    8,315       2,678,178  

Mosaic Co. (The)

    46,095       2,227,771  

Newmont Corp.

    105,774       4,445,681  

Nucor Corp.

    34,888       3,732,667  

Packaging Corp. of America

    12,493       1,402,839  

PPG Industries Inc.

    31,318       3,466,589  

Sealed Air Corp.

    19,456       865,987  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    31,433       6,435,907  

Vulcan Materials Co.

    17,712       2,793,360  

Westrock Co.

    33,759       1,042,816  
   

 

 

 
      80,768,023  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.0%
(Cost: $367,785,992)

 

    258,625,727  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 0.2%            

Gerdau SA, Preference Shares, ADR

    142,190       642,698  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
South Korea — 0.1%            

LG Chem Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    1,008     $ 175,553  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.3%
(Cost: $1,614,654)

      818,251  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.3%
(Cost: $369,400,646)

      259,443,978  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(c)(d

    140,000       140,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $140,000)

      140,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $369,540,646)

      259,583,978  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.6%

      1,580,872  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 261,164,850  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

(b)

Non-income producing security.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
    

Purchases

at Cost

     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

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

   $      $ 20 (b)     $      $ (20    $      $             $ 158 (c)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     2,490,000               (2,350,000 )(b)                     140,000        140,000        2,907         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (20    $      $ 140,000         $ 3,065      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

 

 

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

  41


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Materials ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 

Description

 

  

Number of
Contracts

 

      

Expiration
Date

 

      

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

      

 

Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

S&P/TSX 60 Index

     2          12/15/22        $ 323        $ (22,888

FTSE 100 Index

     7          12/16/22          535          (39,430

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     7          12/16/22          305          (23,780

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     3          12/16/22          540          (51,041
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (137,139
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

 
    

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit
Contracts

 

    

Equity
Contracts

 

    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest
Rate
Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 137,139      $      $      $      $ 137,139  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
    

Commodity
Contracts

 

    

Credit
Contracts

 

    

Equity
Contracts

 

    

 

Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts

 

    

Interest
Rate
Contracts

 

    

Other
Contracts

 

    

Total

 

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (329,672    $      $      $      $ (329,672
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on                                                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (395,853    $      $      $      $ (395,853
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,586,300      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

 

 

42  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Materials ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

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

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 134,199,782      $ 124,425,945      $      $ 258,625,727  

Preferred Stocks

     642,698        175,553               818,251  

Money Market Funds

     140,000                      140,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 134,982,480      $ 124,601,498      $             —      $ 259,583,978  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $ (97,709    $ (39,430    $      $ (137,139
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

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

  43


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Tech ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 0.1%            

Computershare Ltd.

    159,383     $ 2,542,170  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 0.0%            

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A(a)(b)

    50,604       669,491  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 0.8%            

CGI Inc.(a)

    61,125       4,601,577  

Constellation Software Inc.

    5,658       7,872,867  

Open Text Corp.

    75,778       2,002,863  

Shopify Inc., Class A(a)

    344,052       9,262,891  
   

 

 

 
      23,740,198  
China — 0.2%            

Xiaomi Corp., Class B(a)(c)

    4,190,600       4,745,313  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 0.2%            

Nokia OYJ

    1,567,114       6,727,715  
   

 

 

 
France — 0.9%            

Capgemini SE

    45,904       7,349,250  

Dassault Systemes SE

    200,750       6,930,905  

Edenred

    72,971       3,361,827  

STMicroelectronics NV, New

    189,272       5,883,492  

Worldline SA/France(a)(c)

    69,776       2,757,944  
   

 

 

 
          26,283,418  
Germany — 1.2%            

Infineon Technologies AG

    377,578       8,262,925  

SAP SE

    317,064       25,839,174  
   

 

 

 
      34,102,099  
Ireland — 0.1%            

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC

    56,916       3,029,639  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 0.1%            

Nexi SpA(a)(c)

    246,807       1,993,736  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 3.3%            

Advantest Corp.

    58,800       2,715,422  

Canon Inc.

    304,700       6,655,418  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    118,300       5,403,329  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    54,300       5,954,100  

Keyence Corp.

    58,240       19,251,832  

Kyocera Corp.

    103,500       5,214,198  

Lasertec Corp.

    22,800       2,293,268  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    186,200       8,570,259  

NEC Corp.

    83,000       2,657,681  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    131,400       3,209,212  

NTT Data Corp.

    194,400       2,511,083  

Obic Co. Ltd.

    19,700       2,641,645  

Omron Corp.

    62,300       2,854,415  

Renesas Electronics Corp.(a)

    412,300       3,456,409  

Ricoh Co. Ltd.

    187,100       1,369,984  

Rohm Co. Ltd.

    26,500       1,736,709  

TDK Corp.

    117,500       3,627,266  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    45,700       11,260,246  
   

 

 

 
      91,382,476  
Netherlands — 2.7%            

Adyen NV(a)(c)

    8,917       11,120,937  

ASM International NV

    13,440       3,009,311  

ASML Holding NV

    117,879       48,834,772  
Security   Shares     Value  
Netherlands (continued)            

NXP Semiconductors NV

    75,618     $ 11,154,411  
   

 

 

 
      74,119,431  
New Zealand — 0.1%            

Xero Ltd.(a)

    38,988       1,804,231  
   

 

 

 
South Korea — 2.5%            

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    1,488,790       54,667,240  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    16,058       6,040,112  

SK Hynix Inc.

    154,115       8,815,406  
   

 

 

 
      69,522,758  
Spain — 0.2%            

Amadeus IT Group SA(a)

    128,234       5,945,265  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 0.4%            

Hexagon AB, Class B

    602,723       5,628,910  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    890,951       5,208,007  
   

 

 

 
      10,836,917  
Switzerland — 0.5%            

Logitech International SA, Registered

    48,547       2,219,449  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    92,779       10,239,090  

Temenos AG, Registered

    18,469       1,245,123  
   

 

 

 
      13,703,662  
Taiwan — 3.6%            

Delta Electronics Inc.

    567,000       4,503,749  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    3,605,378       11,544,842  

MediaTek Inc.

    465,000       8,024,229  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    5,491,600       72,793,305  

United Microelectronics Corp.

    3,353,000       3,752,332  
   

 

 

 
          100,618,457  
United Kingdom — 0.2%            

Halma PLC

    105,953       2,383,133  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    312,752       2,410,249  
   

 

 

 
      4,793,382  
United States — 82.3%            

Accenture PLC, Class A

    183,436       47,198,083  

Adobe Inc.(a)

    136,039       37,437,933  

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a)

    466,408       29,551,611  

Akamai Technologies Inc.(a)(b)

    45,955       3,691,106  

Amphenol Corp., Class A

    173,130       11,592,785  

Analog Devices Inc.

    150,533       20,975,268  

Ansys Inc.(a)

    24,830       5,504,811  

Apple Inc.

    4,380,647       605,405,415  

Applied Materials Inc.(b)

    254,720       20,869,210  

Arista Networks Inc.(a)

    71,476       8,068,926  

Autodesk Inc.(a)

    62,667       11,706,196  

Automatic Data Processing Inc.

    120,281       27,206,359  

Broadcom Inc.

    117,550       52,193,375  

Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc.

    34,214       4,937,764  

Cadence Design Systems Inc.(a)

    79,976       13,070,478  

CDW Corp./DE

    39,388       6,147,679  

Ceridian HCM Holding Inc.(a)

    44,392       2,480,625  

Cisco Systems Inc.

    1,201,002       48,040,080  

Citrix Systems Inc.

    36,950       3,839,105  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    149,328       8,577,400  

Corning Inc.

    218,831       6,350,476  

DXC Technology Co.(a)

    73,076       1,788,900  

Enphase Energy Inc.(a)

    38,916       10,798,023  

EPAM Systems Inc.(a)(b)

    16,513       5,980,843  

F5 Inc.(a)

    17,830       2,580,536  
 

 

 

44  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Tech ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Fidelity National Information Services Inc.

    176,193     $ 13,314,905  

Fiserv Inc.(a)(b)

    185,472       17,354,615  

FleetCor Technologies Inc.(a)

    22,323       3,932,643  

Fortinet Inc.(a)

    191,734       9,419,891  

Gartner Inc.(a)(b)

    23,239       6,429,999  

Global Payments Inc.(b)

    80,837       8,734,438  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    378,488       4,534,286  

HP Inc.

    263,907       6,576,562  

Intel Corp.

    1,190,682       30,683,875  

International Business Machines Corp.

    261,912       31,117,765  

Intuit Inc.

    81,813       31,687,811  

Jack Henry & Associates Inc.

    20,590       3,752,939  

Juniper Networks Inc.

    89,845       2,346,751  

Keysight Technologies Inc.(a)

    51,799       8,151,091  

KLA Corp.

    41,124       12,445,356  

Lam Research Corp.

    39,904       14,604,864  

Mastercard Inc., Class A

    248,300       70,601,622  

Microchip Technology Inc.

    161,142       9,834,496  

Micron Technology Inc.

    321,899       16,127,140  

Microsoft Corp.

    2,162,670       503,685,843  

Monolithic Power Systems Inc.

    12,771       4,640,981  

Motorola Solutions Inc.

    48,210       10,797,594  

NetApp Inc.

    64,534       3,991,428  

NortonLifeLock Inc.

    173,405       3,492,377  

Nvidia Corp.

    726,124       88,144,192  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)(b)

    125,075       7,795,925  

Oracle Corp.

    440,493       26,900,908  

Paychex Inc.

    93,228       10,461,114  

Paycom Software Inc.(a)

    13,669       4,510,633  

PayPal Holdings Inc.(a)

    333,365       28,692,726  

PTC Inc.(a)

    31,183       3,261,742  

Qorvo Inc.(a)

    32,127       2,551,205  

Qualcomm Inc.

    325,652       36,792,163  

Roper Technologies Inc.

    30,591       11,001,747  

Salesforce Inc.(a)

    288,541       41,503,737  

ServiceNow Inc.(a)

    58,583       22,121,527  

Skyworks Solutions Inc.

    46,340       3,951,412  

SolarEdge Technologies Inc.(a)

    15,953       3,692,481  

Synopsys Inc.(a)

    44,373       13,556,395  

Teledyne Technologies Inc.(a)(b)

    13,244       4,469,453  

Teradyne Inc.

    46,118       3,465,768  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    265,730       41,129,689  

Trimble Inc.(a)

    70,771       3,840,742  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Tyler Technologies Inc.(a)

    12,085     $ 4,199,538  

VeriSign Inc.(a)

    27,362       4,752,779  

Visa Inc., Class A(b)

    474,464       84,288,530  

Western Digital Corp.(a)

    91,687       2,984,412  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    14,969       3,922,028  
   

 

 

 
      2,282,243,105  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.4%
(Cost: $2,790,498,612)

      2,758,803,463  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   

South Korea — 0.3%

   

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    237,653       7,719,654  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.3%
(Cost: $7,794,415)

      7,719,654  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $2,798,293,027)

      2,766,523,117  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 1.2%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    28,166,236       28,174,686  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    3,270,000       3,270,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.2%
(Cost: $31,444,686)

      31,444,686  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.9%
(Cost: $2,829,737,713)

      2,797,967,803  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.9)%

      (23,926,135
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   2,774,041,668  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

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

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

 

 

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

  45


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Tech ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 1,105,132      $ 27,074,044 (a)    $     $ (3,876    $ (614    $ 28,174,686        28,166,236      $ 15,400 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     3,810,000              (540,000 )(a)                    3,270,000        3,270,000        19,186        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (3,876    $ (614    $ 31,444,686         $ 34,586     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

E-Mini Technology Select Sector Index

     91          12/16/22        $ 10,952        $ (1,023,075
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 1,023,075      $      $      $      $ 1,023,075  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (895,146    $      $      $      $ (895,146
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,670,718    $      $      $      $ (1,670,718
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

 

   $

 

9,327,025

 

 

 

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

 

 

46  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Tech ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,327,236,829        $ 431,566,634        $        $ 2,758,803,463  

Preferred Stocks

              7,719,654                   7,719,654  

Money Market Funds

     31,444,686                            31,444,686  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,358,681,515        $ 439,286,288        $        $ 2,797,967,803  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (1,023,075      $        $             —        $ (1,023,075
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

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

  47


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Utilities ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

    
Australia — 1.0%             

APA Group

    127,404      $ 783,909  

Origin Energy Ltd.

    182,639        605,990  
    

 

 

 
       1,389,899  
Austria — 0.2%             

Verbund AG

    3,562        304,114  
    

 

 

 
Brazil — 0.8%             

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA

    142,631        1,136,162  
    

 

 

 
Canada — 4.4%             

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

    71,421        780,210  

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP(a)

    48,574        1,742,384  

Emera Inc.

    28,149        1,138,920  

Fortis Inc.

    50,749        1,928,047  

Hydro One Ltd.(b)

    33,642        822,693  
    

 

 

 
           6,412,254  
Chile — 0.2%             

Enel Americas SA

    2,163,089        227,926  
    

 

 

 
Colombia — 0.1%             

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    48,617        174,009  
    

 

 

 
Denmark — 1.1%             

Orsted AS(b)

    20,056        1,598,478  
    

 

 

 
Finland — 0.4%             

Fortum OYJ

    46,146        620,067  
    

 

 

 
France — 3.0%             

Electricite de France SA

    65,928        764,596  

Engie SA

    196,213        2,258,390  

Veolia Environnement SA

    69,815        1,334,317  
    

 

 

 
       4,357,303  
Germany — 3.1%             

E.ON SE

    238,017        1,828,631  

RWE AG

    71,691        2,635,073  
    

 

 

 
       4,463,704  
Hong Kong — 0.9%             

CLP Holdings Ltd.

    178,000        1,345,276  
    

 

 

 
Italy — 3.6%             

Enel SpA

    819,139        3,359,472  

Snam SpA

    221,619        895,769  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    149,162        908,475  
    

 

 

 
       5,163,716  
Japan — 2.0%             

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    80,400        723,084  

Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. (The)

    89,300        747,115  

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

    44,300        667,866  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    43,500        734,326  
    

 

 

 
       2,872,391  
Portugal — 0.9%             

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    311,110        1,350,221  
    

 

 

 
Spain — 5.4%             

Enagas SA

    23,897        369,900  

Endesa SA

    34,193        513,564  

Iberdrola SA

    621,053        5,790,812  

Naturgy Energy Group SA

    20,079        464,499  
Security   Shares      Value  
Spain (continued)             

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    46,224      $ 709,335  
    

 

 

 
       7,848,110  
United Kingdom — 5.2%             

National Grid PLC

    410,942        4,230,279  

Severn Trent PLC

    26,859        702,137  

SSE PLC

    111,133        1,876,591  

United Utilities Group PLC

    73,321        723,983  
    

 

 

 
       7,532,990  
United States — 67.6%             

AES Corp. (The)

    70,811        1,600,329  

Alliant Energy Corp.

    26,604        1,409,746  

Ameren Corp.

    27,393        2,206,506  

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

    54,465        4,708,499  

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    19,274        2,508,704  

Atmos Energy Corp.

    14,833        1,510,741  

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

    66,737        1,880,649  

CMS Energy Corp.

    30,766        1,791,812  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    37,592        3,223,890  

Constellation Energy Corp.

    34,653        2,882,783  

Dominion Energy Inc.

    88,258        6,099,510  

DTE Energy Co.

    20,541        2,363,242  

Duke Energy Corp.

    81,628        7,593,037  

Edison International

    40,440        2,288,095  

Entergy Corp.

    21,568        2,170,388  

Evergy Inc.

    24,333        1,445,380  

Eversource Energy

    36,731        2,863,549  

Exelon Corp.

    105,143        3,938,657  

FirstEnergy Corp.

    57,550        2,129,350  

NextEra Energy Inc.

    184,022        14,429,165  

NiSource Inc.

    43,037        1,084,102  

NRG Energy Inc.

    24,930        954,071  

PG&E Corp.(a)

    168,464        2,105,800  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    11,985        773,152  

PPL Corp.

    78,048        1,978,517  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    52,889        2,973,948  

Sempra Energy

    33,323        4,996,451  

Southern Co. (The)

    112,694        7,663,192  

WEC Energy Group Inc.

    33,443        2,990,807  

Xcel Energy Inc.

    57,989        3,711,296  
    

 

 

 
       98,275,368  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $178,708,209)

 

     145,071,988  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    

Money Market Funds — 0.1%

    

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(c)(d)

    180,000        180,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $180,000)

       180,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.0%
(Cost: $178,888,209)

       145,251,988  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.0%

 

     25,966  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   145,277,954  
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

 

48  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Utilities ETF

 

 

(b) 

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

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

    

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

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

   $ 20,246      $      $ (20,092 )(b)    $ (151    $ (3    $             $ 1,248 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     190,000               (10,000 )(b)                    180,000        180,000        2,175        
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
           $ (151    $ (3    $ 180,000         $ 3,423     $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

E-Mini Utilities Select Sector Index

     3          12/16/22        $ 199        $ (35,227
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                                

Futures contracts

                                

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $        $        $ 35,227        $        $        $        $ 35,227  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

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

  49


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Utilities ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ (14,812      $        $        $        $ (14,812
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ (58,323      $        $        $        $ (58,323
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

 

   $

 

531,216

 

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 106,225,719        $ 38,846,269        $        $ 145,071,988  

Money Market Funds

     180,000                            180,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 106,405,719        $ 38,846,269        $        $ 145,251,988  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (35,227      $        $             —        $ (35,227
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

50  

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


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

 

    iShares
Global
Comm
Services ETF
    iShares
Global
Consumer
Discretionary
ETF
    iShares
Global Consumer
Staples ETF
    iShares
Global Energy ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

       

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

  $ 188,251,640     $ 274,353,222     $ 1,147,213,927     $ 1,863,201,909  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    2,131,073       1,844,673       4,268,445       7,860,000  

Cash

    5,056       6,781       343       2,748  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    106,816       343,547       1,312,878       2,812,411  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    11,999       45,001       269,000       837,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

          39,849       87,252       90,441  

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

          118,894       1,977       11,628,571  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    1,160       340       633        

Capital shares sold

    205,429             133,830       11,927  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    287,886       402,327       3,261,605       5,872,720  

Dividends — affiliated

    285       968       2,798       8,882  

Tax reclaims

    20,426       112,028       958,774       495,932  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    191,021,770       277,267,630       1,157,511,462       1,892,822,541  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    1,939,749       1,574,673       3,468,445        

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

    205,429             133,842       16,749,042  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    2,309       12,497       90,676       71,070  

Capital shares redeemed

          345,079              

Investment advisory fees

    69,663       107,249       417,714       685,336  

Professional fees

    22,667                    

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    336,848                   1,531,479  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,576,665       2,039,498       4,110,677       19,036,927  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 188,445,105     $ 275,228,132     $ 1,153,400,785     $ 1,873,785,614  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 374,508,364     $ 399,082,938     $ 1,292,107,499     $ 2,005,570,875  

Accumulated loss

    (186,063,259     (123,854,806     (138,706,714     (131,785,261
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 188,445,105     $ 275,228,132     $ 1,153,400,785     $ 1,873,785,614  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

       

Shares outstanding

    3,600,000       2,250,000       21,500,000       56,250,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 52.35     $ 122.32     $ 53.65     $ 33.31  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 266,193,154     $ 366,747,622     $ 1,262,424,258     $ 1,921,041,809  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 1,878,401     $ 1,549,233     $ 3,332,265     $  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 2,131,073     $ 1,844,673     $ 4,268,445     $ 7,860,000  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 107,483     $ 348,979     $ 1,339,983     $ 2,829,123  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 80     $ 40,993     $ 90,738     $ 93,531  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  51


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

 

    iShares
Global Financials
ETF
    iShares
Global Healthcare
ETF
     iShares
Global
Industrials
ETF
    iShares
Global
Materials
ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

        

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

  $ 656,365,938     $ 3,429,981,046      $ 255,316,636     $ 259,443,978  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    10,470,202       8,043,819        5,429,128       140,000  

Cash

          106,825        39,181       3,561  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    1,419,388       2,246,266        212,776       640,006  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    216,000       631,000        55,999       45,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

    88,218              42,791       49,693  

Receivables:

        

Investments sold

    163,738       581        334        

Securities lending income — affiliated

    695       741        5,589        

Capital shares sold

          1,746,006               

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,066,288       3,844,467        527,537       648,892  

Dividends — affiliated

    2,447       9,564        753       948  

Tax reclaims

    942,590       2,788,683        232,563       301,475  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    670,735,504       3,449,398,998        261,863,287       261,273,553  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Bank overdraft

    70,283                     

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    250,751       3,553,819        4,985,917        

Payables:

        

Investments purchased

    713,112       1,166,413              163  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    32,149       166,052        10,580       12,575  

Capital shares redeemed

    332,822                     

Investment advisory fees

    249,749       1,200,066        96,662       95,965  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,648,866       6,086,350        5,093,159       108,703  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 669,086,638     $ 3,443,312,648      $ 256,770,128     $ 261,164,850  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,037,370,135     $ 3,158,309,779      $ 371,007,525     $ 474,322,554  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (368,283,497     285,002,869        (114,237,397     (213,157,704
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 669,086,638     $ 3,443,312,648      $ 256,770,128     $ 261,164,850  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

        

Shares outstanding

    10,900,000       45,700,000        2,850,000       3,850,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 61.38     $ 75.35      $ 90.09     $ 67.84  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None        None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 880,535,809     $ 3,119,490,786      $ 341,198,491     $ 369,400,646  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 237,021     $ 3,391,609      $ 4,814,908     $  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 15,534,713     $ 8,043,819      $ 5,429,128     $ 140,000  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 1,448,953     $ 2,319,435      $ 216,853     $ 639,368  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 94,645     $      $ 44,586     $ 54,471  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

52  

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


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

 

    iShares
Global Tech ETF
     iShares
Global
Utilities ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

    

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

  $ 2,766,523,117      $ 145,071,988  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    31,444,686        180,000  

Cash

    3,682        11,185  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    3,165,057        196,714  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    556,000        23,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

           9,801  

Receivables:

    

Investments sold

    659,937        2,147,673  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    2,086         

Dividends — unaffiliated

    2,026,546        197,249  

Dividends — affiliated

    6,745        602  

Tax reclaims

    39,678        44,114  

Other assets

    10,270         
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    2,804,437,804        147,882,326  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    28,173,737         

Payables:

    

Investments purchased

    1,272        2,225,456  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    128,131        5,665  

Capital shares redeemed

    1,042,112        240,854  

Investment advisory fees

    1,050,884        60,951  

Professional fees

           22,667  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

           48,779  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    30,396,136        2,604,372  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 2,774,041,668      $ 145,277,954  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

    

Paid-in capital

  $ 2,447,578,390      $ 223,279,590  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    326,463,278        (78,001,636
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 2,774,041,668      $ 145,277,954  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

    

Shares outstanding

    65,650,000        2,650,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 42.26      $ 54.82  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 2,798,293,027      $ 178,708,209  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 27,331,213      $  

(c) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 31,444,686      $ 180,000  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 3,316,330      $ 199,002  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $      $ 9,802  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  53


Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

    iShares
Global
Comm
Services ETF
    iShares
Global
Consumer
Discretionary
ETF
    iShares
Global
Consumer
Staples ETF
    iShares
Global
Energy ETF
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 2,097,596     $ 2,904,235     $ 16,820,744     $ 67,902,516  

Dividends — affiliated

    1,191       2,863       9,610       20,920  

Non-cash dividends — unaffiliated

    106,557                    

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    3,582       7,694       2,482       2,470  

Other income — unaffiliated

                82       884,375  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (96,320     (221,223     (729,927     (2,090,717

Foreign withholding tax claims

                44,934       2,544,232  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    (4,798                 (1,531,479
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,107,808       2,693,569       16,147,925       67,732,317  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    500,816       656,713       2,283,955       4,432,970  

Commitment costs

    159       163       176       1,534  

Professional

                4,501       342,881  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    500,975       656,876       2,288,632       4,777,385  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,606,833       2,036,693       13,859,293       62,954,932  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (6,374,104     (9,291,218     (9,261,814     (23,239,388

Investments — affiliated

    1,272       (4,831     384       (423

Foreign currency transactions

    (63,679     (92,249     (302,054     (836,638

Futures contracts

    (55,782     (119,025     34,243       (1,221,323

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    6,005,855       3,492,248             142,905,421  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (486,438     (6,015,075     (9,529,241     117,607,649  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (69,621,881     (71,068,999     (159,657,011     (298,181,125

Investments — affiliated

                (19      

Foreign currency translations

    (6,468     (17,756     (120,572     (197,463

Futures contracts

    4,509       (138,052     (701,074     (895,461
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (69,623,840     (71,224,807     (160,478,676     (299,274,049
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (70,110,278     (77,239,882     (170,007,917     (181,666,400
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (68,503,445   $ (75,203,189   $ (156,148,624   $ (118,711,468
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

54  

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


Statements of Operations  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

    iShares
Global
Financials
ETF
    iShares
Global
Healthcare
ETF
    iShares
Global
Industrials
ETF
    iShares
Global
Materials
ETF
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 19,910,173     $ 29,748,822     $ 3,750,279     $ 11,184,401  

Dividends — affiliated

    168,389       32,500       3,010       2,907  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    4,183       8,995       8,641       158  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,540,047     (952,246     (224,692     (735,578
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    18,542,698       28,838,071       3,537,238       10,451,888  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    1,786,395       7,371,650       652,284       1,039,788  

Commitment costs

    2,288             37       1,220  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,788,683       7,371,650       652,321       1,041,008  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    16,754,015       21,466,421       2,884,917       9,410,880  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (12,781,566     (13,362,264     (3,348,267     (4,419,259

Investments — affiliated

    (45,403     4,224       4,162       (20

Foreign currency transactions

    (334,013     (509,226     (113,564     (387,672

Futures contracts

    (630,336     (1,562,141     (170,404     (329,672

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    (29,230,269     63,781,797       583,950       (1,965,836

In-kind redemptions — affiliated

    (1,145,518                  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (44,167,105     48,352,390       (3,044,123     (7,102,459
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (181,851,660     (573,443,090     (73,819,705     (145,161,584

Investments — affiliated

    (2,706,599     (1,211     (461      

Foreign currency translations

    (134,723     (342,120     (30,106     (48,525

Futures contracts

    (377,665     (1,161,865     (135,752     (395,853
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (185,070,647     (574,948,286     (73,986,024     (145,605,962
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (229,237,752     (526,595,896     (77,030,147     (152,708,421
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (212,483,737   $ (505,129,475   $ (74,145,230   $ (143,297,541
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  55


Statements of Operations  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

    iShares
Global Tech ETF
    iShares
Global
Utilities ETF
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

   

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 23,361,506     $ 3,445,696  

Dividends — affiliated

    19,186       2,175  

Non-cash dividends — unaffiliated

          200,653  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    15,400       1,248  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,238,205     (170,698

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

          (510
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    22,157,887       3,478,564  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

   

Investment advisory

    7,533,319       380,481  

Commitment costs

    10,309       17  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    7,543,628       380,498  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    14,614,259       3,098,066  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    (6,849,786     (3,226,109

Investments — affiliated

    (3,876     (151

Foreign currency transactions

    (624,208     (31,938

Futures contracts

    (895,146     (14,812

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    423,270,296       1,821,975  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    414,897,280       (1,451,035
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    (1,649,139,253     (31,406,765

Investments — affiliated

    (614     (3

Foreign currency translations

    (135,269     (7,920

Futures contracts

    (1,670,718     (58,323
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,650,945,854     (31,473,011
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (1,236,048,574     (32,924,046
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (1,221,434,315   $ (29,825,980
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

56  

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


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
Global Comm Services ETF
           iShares
  Global Consumer Discretionary ETF  
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Six Months
Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
           Six Months
Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 1,606,833     $ 2,759,004        $ 2,036,693     $ 2,686,489  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (486,438     59,321,532          (6,015,075     70,684,647  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (69,623,840     (79,134,138        (71,224,807     (98,094,515
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (68,503,445     (17,053,602        (75,203,189     (24,723,379
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,943,469     (5,514,816        (1,977,916     (4,140,498
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

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

    18,622,072       (57,541,140        (6,455,726     (43,016,116
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total decrease in net assets

    (51,824,842     (80,109,558        (83,636,831     (71,879,993

Beginning of period

    240,269,947       320,379,505          358,864,963       430,744,956  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 188,445,105     $ 240,269,947        $ 275,228,132     $ 358,864,963  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  57


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
Global Consumer Staples ETF
           iShares
Global Energy ETF
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
           Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 13,859,293     $ 16,123,906        $ 62,954,932     $ 70,477,381  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (9,529,241     23,776,879          117,607,649       113,122,772  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (160,478,676     6,967,202          (299,274,049     516,085,873  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (156,148,624     46,867,987          (118,711,468     699,686,026  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (10,058,458     (15,010,694        (44,959,911     (64,194,482
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

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

    297,832,944       464,010,197          (243,385,726     337,330,459  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    131,625,862       495,867,490          (407,057,105     972,822,003  

Beginning of period

    1,021,774,923       525,907,433          2,280,842,719       1,308,020,716  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,153,400,785     $ 1,021,774,923        $ 1,873,785,614     $ 2,280,842,719  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

58  

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


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
Global Financials ETF
           iShares
Global Healthcare ETF
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
           Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 16,754,015     $ 51,081,838        $ 21,466,421     $ 41,847,005  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (44,167,105     76,434,346          48,352,390       75,337,909  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (185,070,647     (57,062,400        (574,948,286     301,309,666  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (212,483,737     70,453,784          (505,129,475     418,494,580  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (19,368,809     (47,722,673        (23,730,127     (39,505,134
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

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

    (261,206,137     666,670,761          480,166,935       407,814,541  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (493,058,683     689,401,872          (48,692,667     786,803,987  

Beginning of period

    1,162,145,321       472,743,449          3,492,005,315       2,705,201,328  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 669,086,638     $ 1,162,145,321        $ 3,443,312,648     $ 3,492,005,315  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  59


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
Global Industrials ETF
           iShares
Global Materials ETF
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Six Months
Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
           Six Months
Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 2,884,917     $ 5,417,472        $ 9,410,880     $ 26,924,199  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (3,044,123     15,679,431          (7,102,459     92,748,979  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (73,986,024     (14,934,079        (145,605,962     (43,739,735
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (74,145,230     6,162,824          (143,297,541     75,933,443  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (3,446,052     (6,438,398        (17,208,535     (25,613,809
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (42,119,704     (45,709,099        (305,356,638     (46,291,020
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (119,710,986     (45,984,673        (465,862,714     4,028,614  

Beginning of period

    376,481,114       422,465,787          727,027,564       722,998,950  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 256,770,128     $ 376,481,114        $ 261,164,850     $ 727,027,564  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

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


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
Global Tech ETF
    iShares
Global Utilities ETF
 
   

 

Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/22
   

 

Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 14,614,259     $ 26,880,272     $ 3,098,066     $ 4,609,122  

Net realized gain (loss)

    414,897,280       1,095,104,060       (1,451,035     (1,772,830

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (1,650,945,854     (517,913,046     (31,473,011     13,096,496  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (1,221,434,315     604,071,286       (29,825,980     15,932,788  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (12,275,060     (32,243,037     (2,547,249     (4,448,043
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

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

    (994,212,034     (616,406,539     (2,750,486     17,649,357  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (2,227,921,409     (44,578,290     (35,123,715     29,134,102  

Beginning of period

    5,001,963,077       5,046,541,367       180,401,669       151,267,567  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 2,774,041,668     $ 5,001,963,077     $ 145,277,954     $ 180,401,669  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  61


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

 

    iShares Global Comm Services ETF  
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 73.93     $ 80.09     $ 51.81     $ 56.22     $ 57.19     $ 59.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.42       0.74 (b)       0.66       0.78       1.82       2.21  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (21.41     (5.42     28.33       (3.85     (0.62     (2.41
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (20.99     (4.68     28.99       (3.07     1.20       (0.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.59     (1.48     (0.71     (1.34     (2.17     (2.06
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 52.35     $ 73.93     $ 80.09     $ 51.81     $ 56.22     $ 57.19  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (28.55 )%(f)      (6.03 )%(b)      56.20     (5.70 )%      2.37     (0.46 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(h)       0.43     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.41     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.32 %(h)       0.89 %(b)       0.96     1.34     3.28     3.71
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 188,445     $ 240,270     $ 320,380     $ 225,363     $ 236,105     $ 400,339  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    6     18     13     24     79     3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.10.

   

Total return by 0.15%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.12%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

62  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF  
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 156.03     $ 162.55     $ 95.12     $ 113.27     $ 111.45     $ 96.61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.88       1.02 (b)       1.06       1.75       1.70       1.42  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (33.96     (5.95     67.38       (18.03     1.87       14.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (33.08     (4.93     68.44       (16.28     3.57       16.21  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.63     (1.59     (1.01     (1.87     (1.75     (1.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 122.32     $ 156.03     $ 162.55     $ 95.12     $ 113.27     $ 111.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (21.24 )%(f)      (3.13 )%(b)      72.21     (14.71 )%(g)      3.32     16.81
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(i)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.40     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.27 %(i)       0.60 %(b)       0.75     1.47     1.51     1.35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 275,228     $ 358,865     $ 430,745     $ 156,949     $ 203,889     $ 278,617  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    8     12     34     17     30     6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.03.

   

Total return by 0.02%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.02%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  63


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
(a) 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 62.11     $ 58.11     $ 47.96     $ 51.67     $ 50.14     $ 49.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.74 (c)       1.37       1.34       1.18       1.20       1.12  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(d)

    (8.60     4.09       10.17       (3.69     1.70       0.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (7.86     5.46       11.51       (2.51     2.90       1.64  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(e)

    (0.60     (1.46     (1.36     (1.20     (1.37     (1.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 53.65     $ 62.11     $ 58.11     $ 47.96     $ 51.67     $ 50.14  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

           

Based on net asset value

    (12.74 )%(c)(g)      9.42     24.21     (5.10 )%      6.07     3.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(i)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.41 %(i)       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.50 %(c)(i)       2.22     2.46     2.21     2.43     2.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,153,401     $ 1,021,775     $ 525,907     $ 683,380     $ 738,832     $ 536,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    5     8     7     7     7     5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Per share amounts reflect a two-for-one stock split effective after the close of trading on May 1, 2018.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.00.

   

Total return by 0.00%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%.

(d) 

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.

(e) 

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

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

64  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Energy ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 36.12     $ 24.63     $ 17.06     $ 33.70     $ 33.91     $ 33.19  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.06 (b)       1.22       0.94       1.13       1.11       1.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (3.11     11.37       7.62       (15.61     (0.29     0.66  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (2.05     12.59       8.56       (14.48     0.82       1.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.76     (1.10     (0.99     (2.16     (1.03     (1.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 33.31     $ 36.12     $ 24.63     $ 17.06     $ 33.70     $ 33.91  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (6.05 )%(b)(f)      52.61     51.36     (45.73 )%      2.56     5.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    0.43 %(h)(i)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.41 %(h)       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    5.84 %(b)(h)       4.33     4.65     3.78     3.17     3.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,873,786     $ 2,280,843     $ 1,308,021     $ 616,818     $ 1,031,245     $ 1,154,552  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    5     6     5     7     6     4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.04.

   

Total return by 0.11%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.20%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Professional fees were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If this expense was annualized, the total expenses would have been 0.44%.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  65


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Financials ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   

Year Ended

03/31/22

 

 

   

Year Ended

03/31/21

 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 79.60     $ 73.29     $ 47.23     $ 61.61     $ 68.93     $ 60.82  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.36       1.65 (b)       1.36       1.71       1.84       1.47  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (18.04     6.01       26.09       (14.12     (7.38     8.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (16.68     7.66       27.45       (12.41     (5.54     9.59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (1.54     (1.35     (1.39     (1.97     (1.78     (1.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 61.38     $ 79.60     $ 73.29     $ 47.23     $ 61.61     $ 68.93  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (21.19 )%(f)      10.48 %(b)       58.99     (20.99 )%(g)       (8.02 )%      15.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(i)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.40     0.43     N/A       0.46     N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.85 %(i)       2.07 %(b)       2.28     2.66     2.84     2.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 669,087     $ 1,162,145     $ 472,743     $ 203,073     $ 341,918     $ 634,120  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    2     12     4     7     7     4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.01.

   

Total return by 0.02%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

66  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Healthcare ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
(a)  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 87.41     $ 76.96     $ 60.95     $ 61.13     $ 55.61     $ 51.44  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.49       1.07       1.02       0.96       0.92       0.79  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (12.00     10.39       15.96       (0.16     5.80       4.20  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (11.51     11.46       16.98       0.80       6.72       4.99  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.55     (1.01     (0.97     (0.98     (1.20     (0.82
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 75.35     $ 87.41     $ 76.96     $ 60.95     $ 61.13     $ 55.61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (13.21 )%(f)       14.94     28.03     1.23     12.29     9.70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(h)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.20 %(h)       1.27     1.41     1.52     1.55     1.42
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 3,443,313     $ 3,492,005     $ 2,705,201     $ 1,947,392     $ 2,121,287     $ 1,568,110  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    2     4     5     5     8     4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Per share amounts reflect a two-for-one stock split effective after the close of trading on May 1, 2018.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  67


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Industrials ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 115.84     $ 115.74     $ 71.50     $ 88.88     $ 91.22     $ 80.47  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.94       1.53 (b)       1.32       1.61       1.65       1.43  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (25.54     0.32       44.27       (17.32     (2.27     10.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (24.60     1.85       45.59       (15.71     (0.62     12.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (1.15     (1.75     (1.35     (1.67     (1.72     (1.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 90.09     $ 115.84     $ 115.74     $ 71.50     $ 88.88     $ 91.22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (21.36 )%(f)      1.54 %(b)       64.27     (18.08 )%      (0.59 )%      15.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(h)       0.41     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.40     0.43     N/A       N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.82 %(h)       1.27 %(b)       1.34     1.75     1.87     1.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 256,770     $ 376,481     $ 422,466     $ 146,580     $ 217,744     $ 360,338  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    3     7     8     5     5     6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.05.

   

Total return by 0.05%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.04%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

68  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Materials ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 93.81     $ 86.59     $ 49.67     $ 64.22     $ 67.34     $ 59.25  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.52       3.16 (b)       2.07       1.54       1.91       1.33  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (25.23     7.23       35.84       (13.63     (3.44     7.99  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (23.71     10.39       37.91       (12.09     (1.53     9.32  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (2.26     (3.17     (0.99     (2.46     (1.59     (1.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 67.84     $ 93.81     $ 86.59     $ 49.67     $ 64.22     $ 67.34  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    (25.76 )%(f)      12.19 %(b)      76.78     (19.66 )%      (2.14 )%      15.84
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(h)       0.40     0.43     0.45     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.40     N/A       N/A       0.46     N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.71 %(h)       3.48 %(b)       2.76     2.43     2.91     2.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 261,165     $ 727,028     $ 722,999     $ 129,132     $ 208,704     $ 400,667  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    5     6     4     12     11     8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.01.

   

Total return by (0.01)%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  69


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Tech ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
(a)  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 57.86     $ 51.13     $ 30.49     $ 28.48     $ 26.31     $ 20.68  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.20       0.29 (c)       0.33       0.38       0.30       0.20  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(d)

    (15.62     6.81       20.62       2.00       2.10       5.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (15.42     7.10       20.95       2.38       2.40       5.87  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(e)

    (0.18     (0.37     (0.31     (0.37     (0.23     (0.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 42.26     $ 57.86     $ 51.13     $ 30.49     $ 28.48     $ 26.31  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

           

Based on net asset value

    (26.71 )%(g)      13.89 %(c)       68.97     8.33     9.19     28.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(i)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.40     0.43     N/A       0.46     N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.80 %(i)       0.50 %(c)       0.75     1.21     1.09     0.82
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 2,774,042     $ 5,001,963     $ 5,046,541     $ 2,752,872     $ 2,819,178     $ 1,538,998  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    2     7     4     7     17     5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Per share amounts reflect a six-for-one stock split effective after the close of trading on July 16, 2021.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.00.

   

Total return by 0.01%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.00%.

(d) 

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.

(e) 

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

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

70  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Utilities ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 65.60     $ 60.51     $ 50.71     $ 54.08     $ 48.78     $ 48.09  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.05       1.81       1.71       1.62       1.78       1.79  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (10.98     5.08       9.68       (2.98     5.07       0.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (9.93     6.89       11.39       (1.36     6.85       2.48  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.85     (1.80     (1.59     (2.01     (1.55     (1.79
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 54.82     $ 65.60     $ 60.51     $ 50.71     $ 54.08     $ 48.78  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

           

Based on net asset value

    (15.29 )%(e)      11.59     22.70     (2.84 )%      14.40     5.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(g)       0.42     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       0.46     N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.35 %(g)       2.91     3.03     2.87     3.53     3.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 145,278     $ 180,402     $ 151,268     $ 152,123     $ 208,222     $ 131,708  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    5     9     7     6     8     4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  71


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

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

 

   
iShares ETF  

Diversification  

Classification  

Global Comm Services

  Non-diversified  

Global Consumer Discretionary

  Diversified  

Global Consumer Staples

  Diversified  

Global Energy

  Non-diversified  

Global Financials

  Diversified  

Global Healthcare

  Diversified  

Global Industrials

  Diversified  

Global Materials

  Diversified  

Global Tech

  Non-diversified  

Global Utilities

  Diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2022, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

 

72  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  73


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

         
iShares ETF and Counterparty    
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

 

Global Comm Services

        

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 1,661,371      $ (1,661,371   $     $  

Morgan Stanley

    217,030        (206,288           10,742  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 1,878,401      $ (1,867,659   $     $ 10,742  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Consumer Discretionary

        

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 1,539,555      $ (1,539,555   $     $  

ING Financial Markets LLC

    9,678        (9,678            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 1,549,233      $ (1,549,233   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Consumer Staples

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 416,183      $ (416,183   $     $  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    36,036        (36,036            

Jefferies LLC

    608,134        (608,134            

SG Americas Securities LLC

    2,220,198        (2,220,198            

UBS AG

    8,190        (8,190            

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    43,524        (43,524            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 3,332,265      $ (3,332,265   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Financials

        

Morgan Stanley

  $ 231,334      $ (231,334   $     $  

SG Americas Securities LLC

    5,687        (5,687            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 237,021      $ (237,021   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Healthcare

        

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

  $ 1,401,319      $ (1,401,319   $     $  

RBC Capital Markets LLC

    123,040        (123,040            

UBS AG

    1,867,250        (1,867,250            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 3,391,609      $ (3,391,609   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

74  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

         
iShares ETF and Counterparty    
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

 

Global Industrials

        

BNP Paribas SA

  $ 3,422,014      $ (3,422,014   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    495,138        (495,138            

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    226,845        (226,845            

UBS Securities LLC

    467,001        (467,001            

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    203,910        (203,910            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 4,814,908      $ (4,814,908   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Tech

        

BNP Paribas SA

  $ 1,350,733      $ (1,350,733   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    4,866,747        (4,866,747            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    2,664,750        (2,664,750            

Morgan Stanley

    640,147        (640,147            

SG Americas Securities LLC

    3,177,821        (3,177,821            

UBS AG

    13,524,255        (13,524,255            

UBS Securities LLC

    968,415        (968,415            

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    138,345        (138,345            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 27,331,213      $ (27,331,213   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

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

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

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

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  75


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds as follows:

 

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Fees

 

 

First $10 billion

    0.4800

Over $10 billion, up to and including $20 billion

    0.4300  

Over $20 billion, up to and including $30 billion

    0.3800  

Over $30 billion, up to and including $40 billion

    0.3420  

Over $40 billion

 

   

 

0.3078

 

 

 

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

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each of iShares Global Comm Services ETF and iShares Global Tech ETF (the “Group 1 Funds”), retains 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each of iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF, iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Healthcare ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF, iShares Global Materials ETF and iShares Global Utilities ETF (the “Group 2 Funds”), retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in a given calendar year exceeds a specified threshold: (1) each Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

 

iShares ETF

 

 

 

Amounts  

 

 

Global Comm Services

  $ 1,084    

Global Consumer Discretionary

    3,094    

Global Consumer Staples

    814    

Global Energy

    840    

Global Financials

    1,299    

Global Healthcare

    3,685    

Global Industrials

    2,623    

Global Materials

    68    

Global Tech

    6,444    

Global Utilities

    294    

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

 

 

 

76  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

 

 

Purchases

 

    

Sales

 

    

 

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

Global Comm Services

 

 

$

 

1,828,403

 

 

  

 

$

 

4,096,850

 

 

  

 

$

 

(2,416,237

 

Global Consumer Discretionary

    4,362,783        7,889,546        (3,878,260

Global Consumer Staples

    14,284,247        13,179,351        (2,363,204

Global Energy

    15,708,847        17,705,081        (3,038,778

Global Financials

    1,109,650        4,556,346        (1,515,729

Global Healthcare

    7,664,412        12,043,753        (3,500,218

Global Industrials

    2,282,849        4,096,463        (9,621

Global Materials

    372,972        1,528,359        (280,521

Global Tech

    12,513,337        5,089,476        (2,885,369

Global Utilities

 

   

 

1,676,231

 

 

 

    

 

2,265,245

 

 

 

    

 

(178,404

 

 

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

 

 

 

Purchases

 

    

 

Sales

 

 

 

Global Comm Services

 

 

$

 

29,137,464

 

 

  

 

$

 

14,648,064

 

 

Global Consumer Discretionary

    39,825,173        25,955,067  

Global Consumer Staples

    77,289,101        59,602,263  

Global Energy

    136,156,992        97,133,426  

Global Financials

    20,448,388        38,882,534  

Global Healthcare

    96,230,246        72,130,899  

Global Industrials

    10,034,098        12,663,847  

Global Materials

    26,675,832        39,123,260  

Global Tech

    60,418,294        159,385,121  

Global Utilities

 

   

 

10,299,195

 

 

 

    

 

9,482,142

 

 

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

 

 

 

In-kind
Purchases

 

    

 

In-kind

Sales

 

 

 

Global Comm Services

 

 

$

 

137,473,811

 

 

  

 

$

 

133,580,481

 

 

Global Consumer Discretionary

    184,503,228        204,650,229  

Global Consumer Staples

    282,054,250         

Global Energy

    233,408,080        504,418,411  

Global Financials

           243,662,336  

Global Healthcare

    595,938,041        144,877,499  

Global Industrials

    14,181,739        54,520,841  

Global Materials

    8,779,330        301,339,204  

Global Tech

    115,292,684        1,008,439,758  

Global Utilities

 

   

 

31,805,563

 

 

 

    

 

34,735,476

 

 

 

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

 

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  77


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2022, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of March 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF  

 

Amounts  

 

 

Global Comm Services

  $   103,298,108    

Global Consumer Discretionary

    23,915,694    

Global Consumer Staples

    18,264,523    

Global Energy

    194,620,291    

Global Financials

    95,814,627    

Global Healthcare

    67,956,469    

Global Industrials

    24,121,065    

Global Materials

    89,618,604    

Global Tech

    46,874,482    

Global Utilities

 

   

 

42,422,177  

 

 

 

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of September 30, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

 

 

Tax Cost

 

    

Gross Unrealized
Appreciation

 

    

 

Gross Unrealized
Depreciation

 

    

 

Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Global Comm Services

 

 

$

 

272,498,148

 

 

  

 

$

 

1,893,332

 

 

  

 

$

 

(84,011,073

 

  

 

$

 

(82,117,741

 

Global Consumer Discretionary

    370,690,730        2,619,467        (97,176,596      (94,557,129

Global Consumer Staples

    1,269,858,101        36,759,901        (155,611,229      (118,851,328

Global Energy

    1,958,540,620        140,734,653        (229,043,439      (88,308,786

Global Financials

    899,386,802        4,359,144        (237,362,696      (233,003,552

Global Healthcare

    3,144,519,548        579,730,468        (286,871,476      292,858,992  

Global Industrials

    349,275,301        4,838,430        (93,482,295      (88,643,865

Global Materials

    376,451,144        6,112,041        (123,116,346      (117,004,305

Global Tech

    2,844,844,530        337,185,667        (385,085,469      (47,899,802

Global Utilities

 

   

 

180,823,230

 

 

 

    

 

2,925,044

 

 

 

    

 

(38,531,513

 

 

    

 

(35,606,469

 

 

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares Global Comm Services ETF, iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF, iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF, iShares Global Materials ETF, iShares Global Tech ETF and iShares Global Utilities ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

 

 

 

78  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

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

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but could be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

 

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  79


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial ConductAuthority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates ceased to be published or no longer are representative of the underlying market they seek to measure after December 31, 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

 

Six Months Ended

09/30/22

 

   

 

Year Ended

03/31/22

 

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

iShares ETF

 

 

 

Shares

 

   

 

Amount

 

   

 

Shares

 

   

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

Global Comm Services

       

Shares sold

    2,600,000     $ 155,399,447       2,400,000     $ 180,066,363  

Shares redeemed

    (2,250,000     (136,777,375     (3,150,000     (237,607,503
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    350,000     $ 18,622,072       (750,000   $ (57,541,140
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Consumer Discretionary

       

Shares sold

    1,550,000     $ 203,996,878       1,350,000     $ 226,608,040  

Shares redeemed

    (1,600,000     (210,452,604     (1,700,000     (269,624,156
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (50,000   $ (6,455,726     (350,000   $ (43,016,116
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Consumer Staples

       

Shares sold

    5,050,000     $ 297,832,944       9,150,000     $ 571,394,685  

Shares redeemed

                (1,750,000     (107,384,488
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    5,050,000     $ 297,832,944       7,400,000     $ 464,010,197  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Energy

       

Shares sold

    7,650,000     $ 275,564,636       46,650,000     $ 1,309,027,739  

Shares redeemed

    (14,550,000     (518,950,362     (36,600,000     (971,697,280
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (6,900,000   $ (243,385,726     10,050,000     $ 337,330,459  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Financials

       

Shares sold

        $ 4,480       42,650,000     $ 3,390,727,688  

Shares redeemed

    (3,700,000     (261,210,617     (34,500,000       (2,724,056,927
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (3,700,000   $ (261,206,137     8,150,000     $ 666,670,761  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Healthcare

       

Shares sold

    7,600,000     $ 627,333,218       6,950,000     $ 589,227,954  

Shares redeemed

    (1,850,000     (147,166,283     (2,150,000     (181,413,413
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    5,750,000     $ 480,166,935       4,800,000     $ 407,814,541  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Industrials

       

Shares sold

    150,000     $ 14,671,617       800,000     $ 96,528,258  

Shares redeemed

    (550,000     (56,791,321     (1,200,000     (142,237,357
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (400,000   $ (42,119,704     (400,000   $ (45,709,099
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Materials

       

Shares sold

    100,000     $ 9,205,128       3,650,000     $ 336,899,964  

Shares redeemed

    (4,000,000     (314,561,766     (4,250,000     (383,190,984
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (3,900,000   $   (305,356,638     (600,000   $ (46,291,020
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

80  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 
   

 

Six Months Ended

09/30/22

 

   

 

Year Ended

03/31/22

 

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

iShares ETF

 

 

 

Shares

 

   

 

Amount

 

   

 

Shares

 

   

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

Global Tech

       

Shares sold

    2,700,000     $ 140,163,554       27,900,000 (a)    $ 1,627,576,238  

Shares redeemed

    (23,500,000       (1,134,375,588     (40,150,000 )(a)        (2,243,982,777
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (20,800,000   $ (994,212,034     (12,250,000   $ (616,406,539
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Utilities

       

Shares sold

    500,000     $ 32,654,322       1,050,000     $ 66,190,402  

Shares redeemed

    (600,000     (35,404,808     (800,000     (48,541,045
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (100,000   $ (2,750,486     250,000     $ 17,649,357  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Share transactions reflect a six-for-one stock split effective after the close of trading on July 16, 2021.

 

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

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF and iShares Global Energy ETF have filed claims to recover taxes withheld by Sweden on dividend income based upon certain provisions in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Funds have recorded a receivable for all recoverable taxes withheld by Sweden based upon determinations made by Swedish tax authorities. Professional and other fees associated with the filing of tax claims in Sweden that result in the recovery of foreign withholding taxes have been approved by the Board as appropriate expenses of the Funds. The Funds continue to evaluate developments in Sweden, for potential impacts to the receivables and associated professional fees payable. Swedish tax claims receivable and related liabilities are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Collection of this receivable, and any subsequent payment of associated liabilities, depends upon determinations made by Swedish tax authorities.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF is able to pass through to shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, the Fund will be able to offset the prior years’ withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the Fund.

The iShares Global Comm Services ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF and iShares Global Utilities ETF are expected to seek a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Funds paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Funds have accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

 

O T E S    T O    I N A N C I A L     T A T E M E N T S

  81


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Global Comm Services ETF, iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF, iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF, iShares Global Energy ETF, iShares Global Financials ETF, iShares Global Healthcare ETF, iShares Global Industrials ETF, iShares Global Materials ETF, iShares Global Tech ETF(each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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.

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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

 

82  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), 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 methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  83


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

iShares Global Utilities ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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 within range of 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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA

 

 

 

84  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  85


Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

September 30, 2022

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
     % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
     Net Realized
Capital Gains
     Return of
Capital
     Total Per
Share
     Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

Global Comm Services(a)

  $   0.330011      $      $   0.258919      $   0.588930        56         44     100

Global Consumer Discretionary(a)

    0.618612               0.009298        0.627910        99             1       100  

Global Consumer Staples(a)

    0.591013               0.004162        0.595175        99             1       100  

Global Energy(a)

    0.706877               0.053866        0.760743        93             7       100  

Global Financials(a)

    1.436879               0.100328        1.537207        93             7       100  

Global Healthcare(a)

    0.533060               0.017523        0.550583        97             3       100  

Global Tech(a)

    0.155711               0.019647        0.175358        89             11       100  

Global Utilities(a)

    0.764932               0.084151        0.849083        90             10       100  

 

  (a)

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

86  

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


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

E N E R A L    N F O R M A T I O  N

  87


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation

 

ADR    American Depositary Receipt
CPO    Certificates of Participation (Ordinary)
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

 

88  

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


 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, 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.

©2022 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-300-0922

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

 

  

  

2022 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Asia 50 ETF | AIA | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF | IBLC | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF | EMIF | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares Europe ETF | IEV | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares India 50 ETF | INDY | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares International Developed Property ETF | WPS | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF | ISVL | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares International Dividend Growth ETF | IGRO | Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares Latin America 40 ETF | ILF | NYSE Arca

 


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of September 30, 2022 saw the emergence of significant challenges that disrupted the economic recovery and strong financial markets of 2021. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022, ending the run of robust growth that followed the reopening of global economies and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly weighing on relatively high-valuation growth stocks and economically sensitive small-capitalization stocks. While both large- and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, declines for small-capitalization U.S. stocks were steeper. Both emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets fell significantly, pressured by rising interest rates and a strengthening U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) rose notably during the reporting period as investors reacted to higher inflation and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and increasing uncertainty led to higher corporate bond spreads (the difference in yield between U.S. Treasuries and similarly-dated corporate bonds).

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation is proving more persistent than expected, raised interest rates five times while indicating that additional rate hikes were likely. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and is accelerating the reduction of its balance sheet. As investors attempted to assess the Fed’s future trajectory, the Fed’s statements late in the reporting period led markets to believe that additional tightening is likely in the near term.

The pandemic’s restructuring of the economy brought an ongoing mismatch between supply and demand, contributing to the current inflationary regime. While growth has slowed in 2022, we believe that taming inflation requires a more dramatic economic decline to bring demand back to a lower level that is more in line with the economy’s capacity. The Fed has been raising interest rates at the fastest pace in decades, and seems set to overtighten in its effort to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, and the outlook for Europe and the U.K. is also troubling. Investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

In this environment, while we favor an overweight to equities in the long-term, the market’s concerns over excessive rate hikes from central banks moderate our outlook. Rising input costs and a deteriorating economic backdrop in China and Europe are likely to challenge corporate earnings, so we are underweight equities overall in the near term. However, we see better opportunities in credit, where higher spreads provide income opportunities and partially compensate for inflation risk. We believe that investment-grade corporates, local-currency emerging market debt, and inflation-protected bonds (particularly in Europe) offer strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon.

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

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of September 30, 2022  
     
     6-Month     12-Month  
   

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

    (20.20)%       (15.47)%  
   

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

    (19.01)          (23.50)     
   

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

    (22.51)          (25.13)     
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (21.70)          (28.11)     
   

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

    0.58           0.63      
   

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

    (10.81)          (16.20)     
   

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

    (9.22)          (14.60)     
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    (6.30)          (11.50)     
   

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

    (10.42)          (14.15)     
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     13  

Disclosure of Expenses

     13  

Schedules of Investments

     14  

Financial Statements:

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     53  

Statements of Operations

     56  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     59  

Financial Highlights

     64  

Notes to Financial Statements

     73  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     85  

Supplemental Information

     97  

General Information

     98  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     99  

 

 

 


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Asia 50 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Asia 50 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 50 of the largest Asian equities, as represented by the S&P Asia 50TM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (26.30 )%       (35.05 )%       (1.94 )%    3.21%        (35.05 )%       (9.34 )%     37.21%

Fund Market

    (26.68      (35.05      (2.21   3.24           (35.05      (10.58    37.60   

Index

    (27.11      (34.67      (1.32   3.83             (34.67      (6.45    45.61   

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

     

 

           
  Beginning      Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
  Account Value              Account Value             Paid During       Account Value              Account Value             Paid During               Expense  
    (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)             (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                 Ratio  
    $       1,000.00      $          737.00        $         2.18             $      1,000.00      $      1,022.60        $        2.54                 0.50

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

Information Technology

  31.9%

Financials

  23.6   

Consumer Discretionary

  19.7   

Communication Services

  16.5   

Materials

  2.7   

Health Care

  1.7   

Industrials

  1.6   

Real Estate

  1.6   

Utilities

  0.7   

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

China

  42.2%

Taiwan

  21.2   

South Korea

  20.3   

Hong Kong

  11.0   

Singapore

  5.3   
 

 

 

4  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Blockchain and Tech ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. and non-U.S. companies that are involved in the development, innovation, and utilization of blockchain and crypto technologies; as represented by the NYSE FactSet Global Blockchain Technologies Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

   

    Cumulative Total Returns   

     Since   
Inception   

Fund NAV

  (43.15)%

Fund Market

  (43.10)   

Index

  (42.94)   

The inception date of the Fund was April 25, 2022. The first day of secondary market trading was April 27, 2022.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

 

     

 

           
    Beginning        Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
    Account Value        Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
      (04/25/22) (a)        (09/30/22)        the Period (b)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (b)                Ratio  
      $      1,000.00        $           568.50        $          1.60             $       1,000.00      $       1,022.70        $          2.38                 0.47

 

  (a) 

Commencement of operations.

 
  (b) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 158/365 for actual expenses and 183/365 for hypothetical expenses (to reflect the six month period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Information Technology

    74.9

Financials

    20.7  

Industrials

    3.5  

Communication Services

    0.9  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Coinbase Global Inc., Class A

    13.3

Marathon Digital Holdings Inc.

    11.4  

Block Inc.

    11.1  

Riot Blockchain Inc.

    10.5  

Canaan Inc.

    4.8  

PayPal Holdings Inc.

    4.2  

Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd.

    4.2  

International Business Machines Corp.

    4.2  

Nvidia Corp.

    4.0  

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

    3.5  
 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 30 of the largest equities in the emerging markets infrastructure industry, as represented by the S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (16.27 )%       (22.34 )%       (8.28 )%    (2.66)%        (22.34 )%       (35.09 )%     (23.59)%

Fund Market

    (16.32      (22.09      (8.27   (2.60)           (22.09      (35.04    (23.13)   

Index

    (15.93      (21.92      (7.93   (1.99)             (21.92      (33.83    (18.21)   

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

     

 

           
  Beginning      Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
  Account Value      Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
    (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                Ratio  
    $        1,000.00      $          837.30        $        2.76             $        1,000.00      $        1,022.10        $        3.04                 0.60

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Industrials

    39.7

Utilities

    39.4  

Energy

    20.9  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

China

    40.2

Brazil

    22.7  

Mexico

    14.9  

Thailand

    10.6  

Qatar

    7.4  

South Korea

    4.2  

Russia

    0.0  
 

 

 

6  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Europe ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Europe ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of European equities, as represented by the S&P Europe 350TM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (22.78 )%       (24.78 )%       (1.45 )%    3.25%        (24.78 )%       (7.04 )%     37.64%

Fund Market

    (22.88      (24.74      (1.46   3.24           (24.74      (7.07    37.57   

Index

    (23.06      (24.58      (1.08   3.64             (24.58      (5.27    42.96   

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

     

 

           
  Beginning      Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
  Account Value      Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
    (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                Ratio  
    $        1,000.00      $          772.20        $        3.07             $        1,000.00      $        1,021.60        $        3.50                 0.69

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Health Care

    16.4

Financials

    16.0  

Consumer Staples

    14.3  

Industrials

    14.0  

Consumer Discretionary

    9.8  

Materials

    7.2  

Information Technology

    7.1  

Energy

    6.8  

Utilities

    4.1  

Communication Services

    3.6  

Real Estate

    0.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United Kingdom

    23.9

France

    17.5  

Switzerland

    17.1  

Germany

    11.5  

Netherlands

    7.4  

Sweden

    4.5  

Denmark

    4.2  

Spain

    3.7  

Italy

    2.8  

Finland

    2.1  

Australia

    1.6  

Belgium

    1.2  

Norway

    1.1  

Ireland

    1.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.4  
 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® India 50 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares India 50 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 50 of the largest Indian equities, as represented by the Nifty 50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (8.60 )%(a)      (11.91 )%       6.29   6.68%        (11.91 )%       35.66    90.85%

Fund Market

    (8.60     (12.27      6.13     6.72           (12.27      34.65      91.55   

Index

    (7.96     (10.25      8.34     8.17             (10.25      49.26      119.33   

 

  (a) 

The NAV total return presented in the table for the six-months period differs from the same period return disclosed in the financial highlights. The total return in the financial highlights is calculated in the same manner but differs due to certain adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

     

 

           
  Beginning      Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
  Account Value      Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
    (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                Ratio  
    $        1,000.00      $          914.00        $        4.70             $        1,000.00      $        1,020.20        $        4.96                 0.98

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    36.8

Information Technology

    13.8  

Energy

    12.5  

Consumer Staples

    9.2  

Consumer Discretionary

    7.2  

Materials

    6.8  

Industrials

    5.0  

Health Care

    4.1  

Communication Services

    2.6  

Utilities

    2.0  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    10.8

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    8.2  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    7.9  

Infosys Ltd.

    6.8  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    5.5  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    4.1  

ITC Ltd.

    3.9  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    3.5  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    3.2  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    3.0  
 

 

 

8  

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


Fund Summary as of September 30, 2022    iShares® International Developed Property ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares International Developed Property ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of real estate equities in developed non-U.S. markets, as represented by the S&P Developed ex-U.S. Property IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (28.34 )%       (30.09 )%       (3.88 )%    1.33%        (30.09 )%       (17.94 )%     14.16%

Fund Market

    (28.45      (30.26      (3.96   1.34           (30.26      (18.28    14.28   

Index

    (28.71      (30.24      (3.73   1.43             (30.24      (17.32    15.27   

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

     

 

           
  Beginning      Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
  Account Value      Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
    (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                Ratio  
    $        1,000.00      $        716.60        $        2.07             $        1,000.00      $        1,022.70        $        2.43                 0.48

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

   
Industry   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

Real Estate Operating Companies

  20.0%

Diversified Real Estate Activities

  18.7   

Retail REITs

  13.6   

Industrial REITs

  13.4   

Diversified REITs

  12.0   

Office REITs

  9.0   

Real Estate Development

  4.2   

Residential REITs

  4.1   

Health Care REITs

  2.1   

Specialized REITs

  1.6   

Hotel & Resort REITs

  1.3   

Other (each representing less than 1%)

  (b)

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 
  (b) 

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

Japan

  30.8%

Hong Kong

  12.5   

Australia

  12.0   

United Kingdom

  8.9   

Singapore

  8.8   

Germany

  4.7   

Canada

  3.9   

Sweden

  3.7   

France

  2.9   

Israel

  2.9   

Switzerland

  2.4   

Belgium

  2.3   

Other (each representing less than 1%)

  4.2   
 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of September 30, 2022    iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of international developed market small-capitalization stocks, excluding the U.S. and Korea, with prominent value characteristics, as represented by the FTSE Developed ex US ex Korea Small Cap Focused Value Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
    1 Year     Since
Inception
                    1 Year     Since
Inception
        

Fund NAV

    (23.23 )%      (24.97 )%      (14.82 )%            (24.97 )%      (21.72 )%   

Fund Market

    (23.05     (24.67     (14.70           (24.67     (21.55  

Index

    (23.53     (24.82     (14.48                       (24.82     (21.18        

The inception date of the Fund was March 23, 2021. The first day of secondary market trading was March 25, 2021.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

     

 

           
  Beginning      Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
  Account Value      Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
    (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                Ratio  
    $        1,000.00      $        767.70        $        1.33             $        1,000.00      $        1,023.60        $        1.52                 0.30

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

Industrials

  21.8%

Financials

  18.1   

Real Estate

  14.9   

Materials

  13.8   

Consumer Discretionary

  8.7   

Consumer Staples

  4.8   

Energy

  4.7   

Health Care

  4.1   

Information Technology

  3.9   

Utilities

  3.3   

Communication Services

  1.9   

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

Japan

  18.5%

Canada

  18.0   

United Kingdom

  17.6   

Australia

  10.2   

Switzerland

  7.8   

Sweden

  6.0   

Germany

  2.5   

Finland

  2.4   

Belgium

  2.3   

France

  2.2   

Singapore

  1.9   

Austria

  1.9   

Italy

  1.9   

Denmark

  1.8   

New Zealand

  1.2   

Norway

  1.1   

Other (each representing less than 1%)

  2.7   
 

 

 

10  

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


Fund Summary as of September 30, 2022    iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of international equities with a history of consistently growing dividends, as represented by the Morningstar® Global ex-US Dividend Growth 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.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (20.97 )%       (20.12 )%       0.62   3.40%        (20.12 )%       3.15    23.73%

Fund Market

    (21.02      (20.36      0.37     3.42           (20.36      1.89      23.89   

Index

    (21.17      (20.05      0.66     3.44             (20.05      3.34      24.05   

The inception date of the Fund was May 17, 2016. The first day of secondary market trading was May 19, 2016.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

     

 

           
  Beginning      Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
  Account Value      Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
    (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                Ratio  
    $        1,000.00      $        790.30        $        0.67             $        1,000.00      $        1,024.30        $        0.76                 0.15

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

Financials

  24.1%

Health Care

  13.7   

Industrials

  12.5   

Consumer Staples

  12.5   

Utilities

  9.2   

Materials

  6.9   

Information Technology

  6.9   

Communication Services

  6.3   

Consumer Discretionary

  2.8   

Real Estate

  2.6   

Energy

  2.5   

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percent of  
Total Investments(a)

Canada

  19.9%

Japan

  19.1   

Switzerland

  12.3   

United Kingdom

  10.2   

China

  7.5   

Germany

  5.3   

France

  4.4   

Hong Kong

  3.7   

Italy

  3.2   

India

  2.5   

Spain

  2.3   

Australia

  2.3   

Ireland

  1.2   

Mexico

  1.0   

Other (each representing less than 1%)

  5.1   
 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Latin America 40 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 40 of the largest Latin American equities, as represented by the S&P Latin America 40TM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (18.48 )%       (0.40 )%       (3.43 )%    (2.45)%        (0.40 )%       (16.01 )%     (21.93)%

Fund Market

    (18.59      (0.29      (3.45   (2.44)           (0.29      (16.10    (21.86)   

Index

    (18.19      0.19        (3.14   (2.06)             0.19        (14.73    (18.76)   

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                  
 

 

 

     

 

           
    Beginning        Ending        Expenses       Beginning      Ending        Expenses               Annualized  
    Account Value        Account Value        Paid During       Account Value      Account Value        Paid During               Expense  
      (04/01/22)        (09/30/22)        the Period (a)            (04/01/22)      (09/30/22)        the Period (a)                Ratio  
      $        1,000.00        $          815.20        $          2.18             $         1,000.00      $        1,022.70        $          2.43                 0.48

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Financials

    29.8

Materials

    24.3  

Energy

    14.2  

Consumer Staples

    12.6  

Industrials

    5.4  

Communication Services

    5.0  

Utilities

    3.7  

Consumer Discretionary

    2.4  

Health Care

    1.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.5  

 

  (a)

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Brazil

    65.2

Mexico

    22.2  

Chile

    7.5  

Peru

    3.3  

Colombia

    1.8  
 

 

 

12  

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


About Fund Performance

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

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

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

Disclosure of Expenses

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

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

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

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

 

 

B O U T    U N D    E R F O  R M A N C E / D I S C L O S U R E    O F    X P E N S E  S

  13


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Asia 50 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
China — 42.1%            

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.(a)

    9,339,600     $ 93,203,004  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

    639,800       6,715,846  

Baidu Inc.(a)

    1,338,600       19,705,797  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    45,880,000       14,984,182  

BYD Co. Ltd., Class H

    512,000       12,613,397  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    58,150,960       33,564,816  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,947,500       9,012,753  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    41,987,115       19,696,408  

JD.com Inc., Class A

    1,390,850       35,088,617  

Kuaishou Technology(a)(b)

    1,146,100       7,351,251  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

    1,376,500       10,444,721  

Meituan, Class B(a)(b)

    2,405,200       50,548,746  

NetEase Inc.

    1,080,400       16,302,611  

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

    3,647,500       18,196,627  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    3,574,600       120,736,793  

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

    2,114,000       12,584,308  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B(a)(b)

    8,526,200       9,654,819  
   

 

 

 
      490,404,696  
Hong Kong — 11.0%            

AIA Group Ltd.

    7,041,200       58,624,348  

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

    1,582,148       8,711,696  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

    986,000       7,451,923  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

    706,400       24,146,453  

Link REIT

    1,247,300       8,706,786  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    891,000       9,833,319  

Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

    1,084,000       10,343,662  
   

 

 

 
      127,818,187  
Singapore — 5.2%            

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    1,076,500       24,903,061  

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.

    2,387,374       19,561,856  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    909,000       16,464,329  
   

 

 

 
      60,929,246  
South Korea — 18.6%            

Celltrion Inc.

    60,532       7,346,547  

Hyundai Motor Co.

    83,229       10,157,144  

Kakao Corp.

    184,032       7,241,554  

KB Financial Group Inc.

    228,979       6,914,825  

Kia Corp.

    157,999       7,863,921  

LG Chem Ltd.

    27,908       10,304,620  

NAVER Corp.

    87,998       11,722,762  

POSCO Holdings Inc.

    44,674       6,516,494  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    3,028,688       111,211,128  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    32,458       12,208,866  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    302,087       7,017,224  

SK Hynix Inc.

    317,808       18,178,675  
   

 

 

 
      216,683,760  
Taiwan — 21.2%            

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    5,044,000       6,321,813  
Security   Shares     Value  
Taiwan (continued)            

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

    2,248,551     $ 8,047,867  

CTBC Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    11,519,359       7,166,220  

Delta Electronics Inc.

    1,136,000       9,023,384  

Formosa Plastics Corp.

    2,551,071       6,943,935  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

    4,686,600       7,328,981  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    7,116,052       22,786,431  

MediaTek Inc.

    944,112       16,291,980  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

    3,316,510       6,959,399  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    11,167,343       148,027,497  

United Microelectronics Corp.

    6,839,000       7,653,504  
   

 

 

 
      246,551,011  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.1%
(Cost: $1,462,608,136)

 

    1,142,386,900  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

South Korea — 1.6%            

Hyundai Motor Co.

   

Preference Shares, NVS

    14,385       840,991  

Series 2, Preference Shares, NVS

    21,450       1,247,084  

LG Chem Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    4,643       808,623  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Preference Shares, NVS

    485,443       15,768,587  
   

 

 

 
      18,665,285  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 1.6%
(Cost: $22,040,348)

      18,665,285  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $1,484,648,484)

      1,161,052,185  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,

   

SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(c)(d)

    630,000       630,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $630,000)

      630,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $1,485,278,484)

      1,161,682,185  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

      3,278,431  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 1,164,960,616  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

14  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Asia 50 ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/22
    Shares
Held at
09/30/22
    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

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

  $     $ 0 (b)     $     $     $     $           $ 1,095 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

          630,000 (b)                        630,000       630,000       10,246        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $     $     $ 630,000       $ 11,341     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

 
Description   

Number of

Contracts

      

Expiration

Date

      

Notional

Amount

(000)

      

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

FTSE Taiwan Index

     20          10/28/22        $ 934        $ (38,323

MSCI China Index

     77          12/16/22          1,642          (119,902

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     22          12/16/22          959          (65,887
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (224,112
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 224,112      $      $      $      $ 224,112  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (728,914    $      $      $      $ (728,914
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (464,208    $      $      $      $ (464,208
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Asia 50 ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 8,185,864      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $        $ 1,142,386,900        $        $ 1,142,386,900  

Preferred Stocks

              18,665,285                   18,665,285  

Money Market Funds

     630,000                            630,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $         630,000        $ 1,161,052,185        $        $ 1,161,682,185  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (65,887      $ (158,225      $             —        $ (224,112
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

16  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Blockchain and Tech ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

 

Banks — 0.3%  

Silvergate Capital Corp., Class A(a)

    256      $ 19,290  
    

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 20.3%             

Allfunds Group PLC

    2,686        19,630  

Bakkt Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    34,192        77,958  

Coinbase Global Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    11,906        767,818  

Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd.(a)(b)

    57,592        244,318  

Robinhood Markets Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    3,432        34,663  

SBI Holdings Inc/Japan

    2,000        35,890  

Voyager Digital Ltd.(a)(c)

    57,043         
    

 

 

 
       1,180,277  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.9%             

Z Holdings Corp.

    19,200        50,893  
    

 

 

 
IT Services — 24.5%             

Block Inc.(a)

    11,720        644,483  

Core Scientific Inc.(a)

    133,160        173,108  

DXC Technology Co.(a)

    1,832        44,847  

GMO internet group Inc.

    500        8,777  

International Business Machines Corp.

    2,024        240,471  

NTT Data Corp.

    5,200        67,169  

PayPal Holdings Inc.(a)

    2,848        245,127  
    

 

 

 
           1,423,982  
Professional Services — 3.5%             

Wolters Kluwer NV

    2,088        203,316  
    

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 8.8%  

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.(a)

    3,232        204,780  

Ambarella Inc.(a)

    296        16,629  

Amlogic Shanghai Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,501        13,583  

MaxLinear Inc.(a)

    594        19,376  

Nano Labs Ltd., NVS(b)

    14,896        23,983  

Nvidia Corp.

    1,896        230,155  
    

 

 

 
       508,506  
Software — 36.5%             

Applied Blockchain Inc., NVS(a)

    39,632        67,374  

Argo Blockchain PLC(a)

    285,935        102,521  

Bit Digital Inc.(a)(b)

    43,406        52,087  

Bitfarms Ltd/Canada(a)(b)

    103,364        108,532  
Security   Shares      Value  
Software (continued)             

Cleanspark Inc.(a)

    22,932      $ 72,924  

Hive Blockchain Technologies Ltd.(a)

    43,780        164,613  

Hut 8 Mining Corp.(a)(b)

    93,896        167,135  

Iris Energy Ltd.(a)(b)

    25,630        105,852  

Marathon Digital Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    61,756        661,407  

Riot Blockchain Inc.(a)(b)

    86,926        609,351  

YGSOFT Inc.

    9,600        7,518  
    

 

 

 
       2,119,314  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 5.0%         

Canaan Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    85,591        280,739  

GRG Banking Equipment Co. Ltd., Class A

    8,800        10,005  
    

 

 

 
       290,744  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $7,499,883)

 

     5,796,322  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 33.0%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    1,820,457        1,821,003  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    100,000        100,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 33.0%
(Cost: $1,920,748)

       1,921,003  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 132.8%
(Cost: $9,420,631)

       7,717,325  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (32.8)%

 

     (1,907,500
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $     5,809,825  
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

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

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Blockchain and Tech ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

   
    Affiliated Issuer   Value at    
04/25/22(a)
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/22
    Shares
Held at
09/30/22
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

     
 

 

   

    

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ —         $ 1,820,725 (b)    $     $ 23     $ 255     $ 1,821,003       1,820,457     $ 8,406 (c)    $         
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    —           100,000 (b)                         100,000       100,000       94          
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
          $ 23     $ 255     $ 1,921,003       $ 8,500     $    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

  (a) 

Commencement of operations.

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
       Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                   

Assets

                   

Common Stocks

     $ 5,277,020        $   519,302        $        $ 5,796,322  

Money Market Funds

       1,921,003                            1,921,003  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 7,198,023        $   519,302        $             —        $ 7,717,325  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Brazil — 20.0%            

CCR SA

    328,944     $ 764,071  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, ADR

    233,558       1,875,471  

Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, ADR

    62,601       570,295  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA, ADR(a)

    352,380       771,712  
   

 

 

 
      3,981,549  
China — 40.3%            

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

    504,000       271,916  

CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(c)

    2,058,000       444,511  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    546,000       653,046  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    619,000       773,500  

China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.

    390,000       489,844  

China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H

    882,000       873,470  

China Power International Development Ltd.

    903,000       357,476  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    164,600       521,886  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

    330,000       509,583  

China Suntien Green Energy Corp. Ltd., Class H(a)

    903,000       329,383  

COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    640,000       530,512  

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.

    504,000       317,220  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.(a)

    514,000       410,593  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    362,000       271,780  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    726,000       522,520  

Shenzhen Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    168,000       122,785  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    409,999       312,535  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    420,000       285,405  
   

 

 

 
      7,997,965  
Mexico — 14.9%            

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV, ADR

    10,080       505,411  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, ADR

    10,751       1,363,012  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR

    5,586       1,095,806  
   

 

 

 
      2,964,229  
Qatar — 7.4%            

Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd.

    1,316,335       1,463,795  
   

 

 

 
South Korea — 4.2%            

Korea Electric Power Corp., ADR(a)(b)

    94,323       641,396  

SK Discovery Co. Ltd.

    4,351       90,111  

SK Gas Ltd.

    1,439       100,530  
   

 

 

 
      832,037  
Thailand — 10.6%            

Airports of Thailand PCL, NVDR(b)

    1,096,600       2,100,425  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.4%
(Cost: $19,972,063)

          19,340,000  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 2.7%            

Cia. Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, ADR

    268,637     $ 542,647  
   

 

 

 
Russia — 0.0%            

Transneft PJSC, Preference Shares, NVS(d)

    640        
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 2.7%
(Cost: $1,934,186)

 

    542,647  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.1%
(Cost: $21,906,249)

 

    19,882,647  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 4.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(e)(f)(g)

    829,685       829,934  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(e)(f)

    10,000       10,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 4.2%
(Cost: $839,674)

      839,934  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 104.3%
(Cost: $22,745,923)

      20,722,581  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (4.3)%

 

    (861,884
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $     19,860,697  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 1,224,889      $      $ (395,417 )(a)     $ (315    $ 777      $ 829,934        829,685      $ 5,967 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     30,000               (20,000 )(a)                     10,000        10,000        205         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (315    $ 777      $ 839,934         $ 6,172      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     2        12/16/22      $ 87      $ (8,713
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 8,713      $      $      $      $     8,713  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (11,081    $      $      $      $ (11,081
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (12,530    $      $      $      $ (12,530
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 193,980  

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

 

 

20  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 7,587,174        $ 11,752,826        $             —        $ 19,340,000  

Preferred Stocks

     542,647                            542,647  

Money Market Funds

     839,934                            839,934  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 8,969,755        $ 11,752,826        $        $ 20,722,581  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (8,713      $        $        $ (8,713
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Europe ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 1.6%            

Glencore PLC

    2,124,029     $ 11,161,798  

Rio Tinto PLC

    187,290       10,133,484  
   

 

 

 
      21,295,282  
Austria — 0.2%            

Erste Group Bank AG

    63,223       1,385,985  

OMV AG

    25,148       910,185  

Verbund AG

    5,569       475,467  
   

 

 

 
      2,771,637  
Belgium — 1.2%            

Ageas SA/NV

    31,531       1,149,989  

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV

    173,805       7,872,783  

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV

    17,695       1,237,502  

KBC Group NV

    59,007       2,800,117  

Solvay SA

    12,545       971,261  

UCB SA

    22,178       1,539,105  

Umicore SA

    33,927       996,005  
   

 

 

 
      16,566,762  
Denmark — 4.2%            

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    545       962,885  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B, NVS

    972       1,766,345  

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    16,722       1,955,412  

Chr Hansen Holding A/S

    18,433       907,996  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    21,153       2,149,659  

Danske Bank A/S

    120,740       1,502,810  

DSV A/S

    33,563       3,931,818  

Genmab A/S(a)

    11,643       3,745,593  

GN Store Nord AS

    23,939       419,326  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    286,955       28,585,825  

Novozymes A/S, Class B

    37,213       1,870,032  

Orsted AS(b)

    32,968       2,627,574  

Pandora A/S

    17,105       799,937  

Tryg A/S

    64,271       1,326,804  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    176,397       3,247,973  
   

 

 

 
          55,799,989  
Finland — 2.1%            

Elisa OYJ

    26,824       1,215,369  

Fortum OYJ

    77,522       1,041,667  

Kesko OYJ, Class B

    46,975       876,411  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    70,454       2,714,488  

Metso Outotec OYJ

    124,918       828,403  

Neste OYJ

    75,263       3,280,677  

Nokia OYJ

    941,842       4,043,385  

Nordea Bank Abp

    583,261       4,991,680  

Sampo OYJ, Class A

    87,778       3,747,383  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    110,545       1,404,302  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    92,905       2,948,287  

Wartsila OYJ Abp

    85,674       547,278  
   

 

 

 
      27,639,330  
France — 17.4%            

Accor SA(a)

    28,462       595,869  

Air Liquide SA

    92,035       10,519,516  

Airbus SE

    108,021       9,311,449  

Alstom SA

    51,919       839,829  

ArcelorMittal SA

    99,836       1,986,568  

Arkema SA

    10,878       792,777  

AXA SA

    347,332       7,583,265  

BNP Paribas SA

    200,262       8,458,912  
Security   Shares     Value  
France (continued)            

Bouygues SA

    37,230     $ 973,881  

Bureau Veritas SA

    49,280       1,102,764  

Capgemini SE

    27,453       4,395,237  

Carrefour SA

    105,901       1,468,750  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

    126,290       2,829,616  

Cie. de Saint-Gobain

    91,550       3,273,424  

Credit Agricole SA

    242,158       1,965,846  

Danone SA

    111,161       5,256,281  

Dassault Systemes SE

    121,170       4,183,401  

Edenred

    44,442       2,047,475  

Eiffage SA

    13,242       1,061,916  

Electricite de France SA

    111,548       1,293,672  

Engie SA

    324,413       3,733,958  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    53,312       7,246,317  

Eurofins Scientific SE

    22,444       1,332,373  

Gecina SA

    9,102       712,866  

Getlink SE

    71,510       1,108,930  

Hermes International

    6,100       7,174,329  

Kering SA

    12,676       5,622,421  

Legrand SA

    47,535       3,073,569  

L’Oreal SA

    44,234       14,143,468  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    45,830       27,020,207  

Orange SA

    329,917       2,983,945  

Pernod Ricard SA

    35,765       6,561,236  

Publicis Groupe SA

    41,682       1,975,004  

Renault SA(a)

    37,077       1,003,156  

Safran SA

    61,195       5,568,117  

Sanofi

    201,805       15,366,740  

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

    4,299       1,318,661  

Schneider Electric SE

    100,108       11,307,274  

Societe Generale SA

    140,556       2,779,648  

Sodexo SA

    14,662       1,101,121  

STMicroelectronics NV, New

    114,610       3,562,635  

Teleperformance

    10,271       2,605,586  

Thales SA

    18,951       2,088,285  

TotalEnergies SE

    432,647       20,297,437  

Ubisoft Entertainment SA(a)

    16,028       440,490  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(a)

    18,542       767,266  

Valeo

    39,834       601,886  

Veolia Environnement SA

    114,319       2,184,886  

Vinci SA

    94,252       7,621,284  

Vivendi SE

    141,830       1,100,115  

Worldline SA/France(a)(b)

    43,609       1,723,676  
   

 

 

 
          234,067,334  
Germany — 10.7%            

adidas AG

    31,229       3,590,125  

Allianz SE, Registered

    71,307       11,233,295  

Aroundtown SA(c)

    170,025       372,304  

BASF SE

    160,449       6,157,772  

Bayer AG, Registered

    173,593       7,998,212  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    55,740       3,777,918  

Beiersdorf AG

    17,465       1,716,151  

Brenntag SE

    27,422       1,657,714  

Commerzbank AG(a)

    188,065       1,338,837  

Continental AG

    18,879       837,724  

Covestro AG(b)

    33,759       965,226  

Daimler Truck Holding AG(a)

    90,890       2,054,792  

Delivery Hero SE(a)(b)

    33,286       1,215,843  

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered

    361,025       2,673,020  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    33,205       5,443,185  
 

 

 

22  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Europe ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Germany (continued)            

Deutsche Post AG, Registered

    176,191     $ 5,310,333  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    611,694       10,412,049  

E.ON SE

    392,173       3,012,976  

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

    35,321       995,099  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    69,474       1,480,852  

GEA Group AG

    29,357       950,079  

Hannover Rueck SE

    10,596       1,588,396  

HeidelbergCement AG

    24,286       959,398  

HelloFresh SE(a)

    30,458       637,544  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    17,116       970,018  

Infineon Technologies AG

    228,128       4,992,358  

LEG Immobilien SE

    13,182       786,828  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    136,639       6,909,428  

Merck KGaA

    22,594       3,657,535  

MTU Aero Engines AG

    9,268       1,385,144  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    24,482       5,893,322  

Puma SE

    18,100       837,308  

RWE AG

    120,149       4,416,195  

SAP SE

    192,006       15,647,555  

Siemens AG, Registered

    130,861       12,790,726  

Siemens Healthineers AG(b)

    49,265       2,113,246  

Symrise AG

    23,353       2,277,206  

Volkswagen AG

    5,195       846,626  

Vonovia SE

    139,603       3,012,879  

Zalando SE(a)(b)(c)

    39,122       764,168  
   

 

 

 
          143,679,386  
Ireland — 1.0%            

CRH PLC

    134,281       4,317,383  

Flutter Entertainment PLC, Class DI(a)

    27,261       3,005,026  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    27,039       2,410,047  

Kingspan Group PLC

    27,360       1,232,693  

Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(c)

    17,684       1,033,099  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    45,239       1,293,799  
   

 

 

 
      13,292,047  
Italy — 2.8%            

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    208,800       2,851,024  

Atlantia SpA

    88,801       1,959,453  

Enel SpA

    1,367,668       5,609,112  

Eni SpA

    440,857       4,685,734  

Ferrari NV

    22,368       4,142,236  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

    105,393       1,301,655  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    3,100,182       5,124,648  

Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA

    116,536       911,862  

Moncler SpA

    37,161       1,517,080  

Nexi SpA(a)(b)

    149,401       1,206,879  

Prysmian SpA

    47,939       1,373,158  

Snam SpA

    357,998       1,447,003  

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano(a)

    1,775,359       328,383  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    249,373       1,518,813  

UniCredit SpA

    353,621       3,580,089  
   

 

 

 
      37,557,129  
Netherlands — 7.4%            

ABN AMRO Bank NV, CVA(b)

    73,493       658,524  

Adyen NV(a)(b)

    5,488       6,844,421  

Aegon NV

    246,520       979,917  

Akzo Nobel NV

    31,469       1,783,347  

Argenx SE(a)

    9,651       3,434,563  

ASM International NV

    8,145       1,823,723  
Security   Shares     Value  
Netherlands (continued)            

ASML Holding NV

    71,359     $ 29,562,522  

Euronext NV(b)

    17,375       1,099,598  

EXOR NV(a)

    19,976       1,281,933  

Heineken Holding NV

    19,426       1,329,877  

Heineken NV

    41,819       3,652,097  

IMCD NV

    9,954       1,180,161  

ING Groep NV

    659,300       5,649,164  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    182,682       4,653,171  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    30,555       3,476,869  

Koninklijke KPN NV

    570,831       1,544,877  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    154,396       2,377,157  

NN Group NV

    54,049       2,102,178  

Prosus NV

    211,657       11,011,793  

QIAGEN NV(a)

    39,826       1,658,534  

Randstad NV

    22,375       965,724  

Stellantis NV

    378,604       4,472,237  

Universal Music Group NV

    131,750       2,467,683  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    46,631       4,540,629  
   

 

 

 
      98,550,699  
Norway — 1.1%            

Aker BP ASA

    54,171       1,554,954  

DNB Bank ASA

    159,160       2,525,559  

Equinor ASA

    183,436       6,049,483  

Mowi ASA

    81,456       1,036,083  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    233,194       1,251,300  

Orkla ASA

    125,083       909,267  

Telenor ASA

    112,728       1,031,700  

Yara International ASA

    27,735       973,364  
   

 

 

 
      15,331,710  
Portugal — 0.2%            

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    510,552       2,215,802  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    80,458       774,118  
   

 

 

 
      2,989,920  
Spain — 3.7%            

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

    39,601       889,809  

Aena SME SA(a)(b)

    13,039       1,353,182  

Amadeus IT Group SA(a)

    78,707       3,649,063  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    1,164,692       5,224,628  

Banco Santander SA

    2,939,486       6,839,886  

CaixaBank SA

    760,310       2,448,863  

Cellnex Telecom SA(b)

    101,648       3,135,492  

Enagas SA

    40,348       624,544  

Endesa SA

    56,649       850,843  

Ferrovial SA

    88,679       2,012,890  

Grifols SA(a)

    52,980       457,713  

Iberdrola SA

    1,031,110       9,614,258  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    195,997       4,044,717  

Naturgy Energy Group SA

    31,804       735,741  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    72,128       1,106,847  

Repsol SA

    267,926       3,078,537  

Telefonica SA

    988,685       3,268,509  
   

 

 

 
          49,335,522  
Sweden — 4.5%            

Alfa Laval AB

    53,703       1,331,673  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    173,247       3,245,965  

Atlas Copco AB, Class A

    451,587       4,197,211  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    271,964       2,254,311  

Boliden AB

    48,465       1,497,371  

Electrolux AB, Class B

    38,233       397,371  
 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Europe ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Sweden (continued)            

Embracer Group AB(a)(c)

    143,655     $ 851,469  

Epiroc AB, Class A

    107,828       1,542,532  

Epiroc AB, Class B

    69,492       876,270  

EQT AB

    48,659       940,196  

Essity AB, Class B

    105,240       2,079,205  

Evolution AB(b)

    33,571       2,653,705  

Getinge AB, Class B

    38,100       651,553  

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Class B

    130,120       1,202,973  

Hexagon AB, Class B

    368,321       3,439,799  

Industrivarden AB, Class A

    32,024       645,047  

Industrivarden AB, Class C

    29,865       595,634  

Investor AB, Class B

    317,457       4,632,083  

Kinnevik AB, Class B(a)

    41,409       542,702  

Nibe Industrier AB, Class B

    268,934       2,398,951  

Sandvik AB

    192,783       2,627,931  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A

    298,467       2,844,615  

Skanska AB, Class B

    70,576       878,372  

SKF AB, Class B

    66,942       896,796  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    102,252       1,297,422  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    271,772       2,230,974  

Swedbank AB, Class A

    160,165       2,102,287  

Swedish Match AB

    266,449       2,635,641  

Tele2 AB, Class B

    97,057       837,560  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

    538,722       3,149,071  

Telia Co. AB

    433,013       1,247,112  

Volvo AB, Class B

    277,465       3,926,399  
   

 

 

 
          60,650,201  
Switzerland — 17.1%            

ABB Ltd., Registered

    299,189       7,724,889  

Adecco Group AG, Registered

    29,862       824,178  

Alcon Inc.

    87,303       5,071,033  

Baloise Holding AG, Registered

    7,992       1,021,175  

Barry Callebaut AG, Registered

    635       1,196,984  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Participation Certificates, NVS

    183       1,768,569  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered

    19       1,892,140  

Cie. Financiere Richemont SA, Class A, Registered

    91,105       8,599,895  

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered

    439,876       1,739,965  

Geberit AG, Registered

    6,287       2,695,791  

Givaudan SA, Registered

    1,412       4,265,655  

Holcim AG

    99,414       4,074,039  

Julius Baer Group Ltd.

    38,205       1,667,230  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered

    9,964       2,028,988  

Logitech International SA, Registered

    30,218       1,381,492  

Lonza Group AG, Registered

    13,015       6,336,885  

Nestle SA, Registered

    482,386       52,173,573  

Novartis AG, Registered

    421,798       32,156,581  

Partners Group Holding AG

    3,979       3,202,237  

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    4,808       1,878,152  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    123,026       40,048,971  

Schindler Holding AG, Participation Certificates, NVS

    7,369       1,143,665  

Schindler Holding AG, Registered

    3,420       515,301  

SGS SA, Registered

    1,054       2,255,290  

Siemens Energy AG(a)

    67,732       745,781  

SIG Group AG

    61,958       1,258,000  

Sika AG, Registered

    27,139       5,454,713  

Sonova Holding AG, Registered

    9,263       2,038,424  

Straumann Holding AG

    20,372       1,863,226  

Swatch Group AG (The), Bearer

    5,106       1,146,799  

Swatch Group AG (The), Registered

    9,611       402,633  
Security   Shares     Value  
Switzerland (continued)            

Swiss Life Holding AG, Registered

    5,406     $ 2,388,432  

Swiss Prime Site AG, Registered

    13,590       1,082,544  

Swiss Re AG

    50,492       3,723,986  

Swisscom AG, Registered

    4,433       2,075,711  

Temenos AG, Registered

    11,584       780,957  

UBS Group AG, Registered

    616,750       8,947,786  

VAT Group AG(b)

    4,726       959,043  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    26,306       10,486,902  
   

 

 

 
      229,017,615  
United Kingdom — 23.8%            

3i Group PLC

    168,093       2,018,365  

abrdn PLC

    409,403       626,268  

Admiral Group PLC

    47,257       1,003,910  

Anglo American PLC

    235,560       7,072,883  

Ashtead Group PLC

    77,864       3,496,856  

Associated British Foods PLC

    63,607       888,756  

AstraZeneca PLC

    271,968       29,897,285  

Auto Trader Group PLC(b)

    169,260       959,885  

Aviva PLC

    497,866       2,135,267  

BAE Systems PLC

    563,272       4,949,145  

Barclays PLC

    2,766,045       4,401,151  

Barratt Developments PLC

    178,921       676,217  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

    19,994       730,489  

BP PLC

    3,656,778       17,473,497  

British American Tobacco PLC

    391,392       14,034,351  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    166,924       646,555  

BT Group PLC

    1,216,383       1,635,184  

Bunzl PLC

    59,533       1,818,909  

Burberry Group PLC

    70,731       1,412,886  

CNH Industrial NV

    170,676       1,910,248  

Compass Group PLC

    311,875       6,210,181  

Croda International PLC

    25,286       1,806,028  

DCC PLC

    18,168       943,511  

Diageo PLC

    409,322       17,229,792  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC

    245,968       507,471  

DS Smith PLC

    243,538       688,737  

Entain PLC

    102,457       1,225,023  

Experian PLC

    169,352       4,957,371  

Ferguson PLC

    40,555       4,206,739  

GSK PLC

    703,574       10,161,507  

Haleon PLC(a)

    879,475       2,742,173  

Halma PLC

    65,455       1,472,237  

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

    62,193       595,625  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    3,495,874       18,101,141  

IMI PLC

    46,717       577,707  

Imperial Brands PLC

    168,072       3,456,040  

Informa PLC

    268,138       1,532,649  

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

    33,705       1,623,295  

Intermediate Capital Group PLC

    51,215       552,482  

Intertek Group PLC

    28,770       1,180,406  

J Sainsbury PLC

    302,359       585,543  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    34,948       705,571  

Kingfisher PLC

    363,854       885,700  

Land Securities Group PLC

    135,065       780,440  

Legal & General Group PLC

    1,062,047       2,535,086  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    12,408,358       5,608,419  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    60,364       5,097,671  

M&G PLC

    460,722       848,705  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC(a)

    348,531       380,182  

Melrose Industries PLC

    694,400       776,455  
 

 

 

24  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Europe ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United Kingdom (continued)            

Mondi PLC

    86,179     $ 1,323,919  

National Grid PLC

    684,962       7,051,068  

NatWest Group PLC, NVS

    870,052       2,167,055  

Next PLC

    22,893       1,215,065  

Ocado Group PLC(a)

    125,667       652,145  

Pearson PLC

    130,435       1,245,601  

Persimmon PLC

    55,669       761,344  

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

    147,881       861,236  

Prudential PLC

    479,405       4,692,240  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    128,676       8,528,830  

RELX PLC

    346,271       8,461,388  

Rentokil Initial PLC

    327,561       1,736,229  

Rightmove PLC

    152,493       813,535  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    1,477,019       1,131,176  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    189,135       1,457,585  

Schroders PLC

    133,888       575,493  

Segro PLC

    210,043       1,752,569  

Severn Trent PLC

    45,341       1,185,286  

Shell PLC

    1,343,690       33,334,167  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    155,563       1,795,629  

Smiths Group PLC

    65,040       1,083,370  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    12,860       1,478,297  

SSE PLC

    183,115       3,092,079  

St. James’s Place PLC

    94,088       1,071,492  

Standard Chartered PLC

    432,991       2,708,165  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    645,579       628,625  

Tesco PLC

    1,300,838       2,985,517  

Unilever PLC

    461,413       20,274,417  

United Utilities Group PLC

    121,603       1,200,727  

Vodafone Group PLC

    4,681,155       5,239,146  

Weir Group PLC (The)

    46,522       720,217  

Whitbread PLC

    35,262       893,837  

WPP PLC

    213,291       1,760,757  
   

 

 

 
      319,640,200  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.0%
(Cost: $1,740,825,624)

 

        1,328,184,763  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   
Germany — 0.7%            

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    11,162       724,841  
Security   Shares     Value  
Germany (continued)            

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    31,841     $ 1,890,943  

Porsche Automobil Holding SE, Preference Shares, NVS

    27,131       1,528,644  

Sartorius AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    4,729       1,635,781  

Volkswagen AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    32,058       3,917,230  
   

 

 

 
      9,697,439  
Italy — 0.0%            

Telecom Italia SpA/Milano, Preference Shares, NVS(a)

    1,072,899       193,255  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.7%
(Cost: $18,185,241)

 

    9,890,694  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $1,759,010,865)

 

    1,338,075,457  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    2,307,161       2,307,853  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    2,210,000       2,210,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $4,516,357)

 

    4,517,853  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.0%
(Cost: $1,763,527,222)

 

    1,342,593,310  
   

 

 

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.0)%

 

    (467,730
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $     1,342,125,580  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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

(c)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Europe ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 2,533,435      $      $ (224,864 )(a)     $ (1,898    $ 1,180      $ 2,307,853        2,307,161      $ 23,242 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     2,630,000               (420,000 )(a)                     2,210,000        2,210,000        14,210         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (1,898    $ 1,180      $ 4,517,853         $ 37,452      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     65        12/16/22      $ 2,111      $ (190,154

FTSE 100 Index

     18        12/16/22        1,389        (129,156
           

 

 

 
            $ (319,310
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 319,310      $      $      $      $ 319,310  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $     —      $     —      $ (332,827    $     —      $     —      $     —      $ (332,827
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (483,506    $      $      $      $ (483,506
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

26  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Europe ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 4,650,072  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 3,775,272        $ 1,324,409,491        $             —        $ 1,328,184,763  

Preferred Stocks

              9,890,694                   9,890,694  

Money Market Funds

     4,517,853                            4,517,853  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $     8,293,125        $ 1,334,300,185        $        $ 1,342,593,310  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ (319,310      $        $ (319,310
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  27


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® India 50 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Automobiles — 5.8%            

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    77,606     $ 3,348,486  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    84,368       3,779,638  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    77,310       2,406,258  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    579,451       8,965,178  

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

    80,457       8,685,059  

Tata Motors Ltd.(a)

    1,086,751       5,346,939  
   

 

 

 
      32,531,558  
Banks — 25.9%            

Axis Bank Ltd.

    1,601,146       14,316,539  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    2,661,699       46,115,246  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    4,214,435       44,248,419  

IndusInd Bank Ltd.

    394,157       5,696,233  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    887,944       19,707,456  

State Bank of India

    2,323,788       15,048,970  

Yes Bank Ltd., (Acquired 03/16/20, Cost: $3,310,481)(b)

    1,741,097       319,221  
   

 

 

 
      145,452,084  
Chemicals — 2.5%            

Asian Paints Ltd.

    272,894       11,156,350  

UPL Ltd.

    322,601       2,646,292  
   

 

 

 
      13,802,642  
Construction & Engineering — 2.9%            

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    732,527       16,537,016  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 1.8%            

Grasim Industries Ltd.

    225,423       4,615,749  

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

    69,886       5,345,788  
   

 

 

 
      9,961,537  
Consumer Finance — 2.6%            

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    161,251       14,407,450  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 6.8%            

Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

    366,370       7,491,002  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    1,097,785       30,627,674  
   

 

 

 
      38,118,676  
Electric Utilities — 1.0%            

Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.

    2,065,071       5,361,974  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.1%            

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    71,437       3,361,517  

Nestle India Ltd.

    21,573       5,059,870  

Tata Consumer Products Ltd.

    362,596       3,564,720  
   

 

 

 
      11,986,107  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.6%            

Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.

    61,789       3,305,921  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.0%  

NTPC Ltd.

    2,858,502       5,582,830  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 1.4%            

HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(c)

    572,336       3,712,177  

SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(c)

    270,056       4,127,191  
   

 

 

 
      7,839,368  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services — 13.7%            

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    640,633     $ 7,275,717  

Infosys Ltd.

    2,215,938       37,986,246  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    620,184       22,729,055  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    381,323       4,680,579  

Wipro Ltd.

    893,352       4,286,671  
   

 

 

 
      76,958,268  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.6%  

Divi’s Laboratories Ltd.

    76,982       3,485,334  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 2.6%            

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

    879,985       4,171,272  

JSW Steel Ltd.

    570,662       4,400,200  

Tata Steel Ltd.

    4,872,463       5,882,410  
   

 

 

 
      14,453,882  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 12.4%        

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    572,595       2,131,944  

Coal India Ltd.

    1,273,587       3,300,381  

Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd.

    2,360,480       3,656,516  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    2,088,578       60,614,867  
   

 

 

 
      69,703,708  
Personal Products — 3.2%            

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    540,460       17,823,982  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 2.8%            

Cipla Ltd.

    328,110       4,473,301  

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

    73,357       3,883,013  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    653,569       7,590,438  
   

 

 

 
      15,946,752  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.4%            

Titan Co. Ltd.

    252,190       8,018,981  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 3.9%            

ITC Ltd.

    5,328,865       21,657,744  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.2%            

Adani Enterprises Ltd.

    165,414       6,981,234  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.8%            

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.

    436,550       4,373,710  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.6%        

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    1,481,696       14,501,326  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $570,275,696)

      558,792,084  
   

 

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.4%

 

    1,982,663  

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   560,774,747  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $319,221, representing 0.1% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $3,310,481.

(c) 

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

 

 

 

28  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® India 50 ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

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

   $ 20,390,000      $      $ (20,390,000 )(b)     $      $      $             $ 73,213      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 
  (b)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

           

SGX Nifty Index

     61        10/27/22      $ 2,085      $ 5,710  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 5,710      $      $      $      $ 5,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (315,679    $      $      $      $ (315,679
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 4,761      $      $      $      $ 4,761  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

 

   $

 

1,800,241    

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

  29


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® India 50 ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $        $ 558,792,084        $        $ 558,792,084  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $             —        $ 5,710        $             —        $ 5,710  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Property ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 12.0%            

Abacus Property Group

    27,459     $ 43,844  

Arena REIT

    22,573       48,443  

BWP Trust

    31,743       75,467  

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd.

    4,136       10,569  

Centuria Capital Group

    46,379       45,539  

Centuria Industrial REIT

    36,081       60,045  

Centuria Office REIT

    29,067       27,057  

Charter Hall Group

    31,366       231,307  

Charter Hall Long Wale REIT

    42,752       109,194  

Charter Hall Retail REIT

    33,717       79,971  

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT

    21,836       42,697  

Cromwell Property Group

    91,651       39,435  

Dexus

    71,323       354,800  

Dexus Industria REIT

    13,590       20,542  

GDI Property Group Partnership

    32,907       16,894  

Goodman Group

    112,737       1,139,411  

GPT Group (The)

    127,027       312,635  

Growthpoint Properties Australia Ltd.

    19,171       37,889  

HealthCo REIT(a)

    17,444       15,536  

Home Consortium Ltd.

    12,920       36,732  

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT

    100,861       72,295  

Hotel Property Investments

    12,915       24,174  

Ingenia Communities Group

    24,307       57,895  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

    45,683       261,176  

Lifestyle Communities Ltd.

    6,315       61,178  

Mirvac Group

    261,660       325,950  

National Storage REIT

    71,987       103,658  

RAM Essential Services Property Ltd.

    24,461       11,281  

Rural Funds Group

    25,780       37,765  

Scentre Group

    344,186       562,358  

Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group

    74,024       111,618  

Stockland

    158,299       331,291  

Vicinity Centres

    256,591       286,094  

Waypoint REIT Ltd.

    47,575       72,205  
   

 

 

 
          5,066,945  
Austria — 0.3%            

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG

    3,064       91,094  

IMMOFINANZ AG

    2,137       26,138  

S IMMO AG

    845       18,799  
   

 

 

 
      136,031  
Belgium — 2.3%            

Aedifica SA

    2,643       203,721  

Care Property Invest NV

    1,759       31,028  

Cofinimmo SA

    1,988       165,100  

Immobel SA

    280       12,219  

Intervest Offices & Warehouses NV

    1,571       35,874  

Montea NV

    824       62,232  

Retail Estates NV

    745       41,499  

Shurgard Self Storage SA

    1,666       67,731  

VGP NV

    701       66,862  

Warehouses De Pauw CVA

    9,380       230,379  

Xior Student Housing NV(a)

    1,334       41,645  
   

 

 

 
      958,290  
Canada — 3.9%            

Allied Properties REIT

    4,160       82,396  

Artis REIT

    3,865       26,553  

Automotive Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,275       12,230  

Boardwalk REIT

    1,487       49,798  
Security   Shares     Value  
Canada (continued)            

BSR Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,224     $ 17,057  

BTB Real Estate Investment Trust

    2,448       5,653  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

    5,600       170,674  

Choice Properties REIT

    10,599       96,602  

Crombie REIT

    3,452       35,636  

CT REIT

    3,405       36,999  

Dream Industrial REIT

    8,341       64,791  

Dream Office REIT

    1,598       18,833  

DREAM Unlimited Corp., Class A

    1,506       26,820  

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust

    2,958       6,339  

First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust

    7,024       76,883  

Granite REIT

    2,134       102,996  

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

    8,740       65,802  

Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

    1,081       3,318  

InterRent REIT

    4,497       37,341  

Killam Apartment REIT

    3,828       42,261  

Minto Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust(b)

    1,388       12,962  

Morguard Corp.

    295       23,293  

Morguard North American Residential REIT

    1,175       13,057  

Nexus Industrial REIT

    1,887       11,420  

NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT

    7,776       59,670  

Prinmaris REIT

    3,230       29,907  

PRO Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,935       8,013  

RioCan REIT

    9,947       134,081  

Slate Grocery REIT

    1,911       18,192  

Slate Office REIT(a)

    2,589       8,153  

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust

    4,634       87,054  

Summit Industrial Income REIT

    6,101       75,570  

Tricon Residential Inc.

    18,147       156,989  

True North Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

    2,640       10,722  
   

 

 

 
          1,628,065  
China — 0.8%            

Gemdale Properties & Investment Corp. Ltd.

    378,000       25,443  

Greenland Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.(a)

    51,000       3,503  

Wharf Holdings Ltd. (The)(a)

    81,000       259,039  

Yuexiu REIT

    148,000       31,998  
   

 

 

 
      319,983  
Finland — 0.4%            

Citycon OYJ

    5,212       32,600  

Kojamo OYJ

    11,905       153,325  
   

 

 

 
      185,925  
France — 2.9%            

Altarea SCA

    314       39,120  

Carmila SA

    3,846       51,561  

Covivio

    3,060       147,411  

Gecina SA

    3,605       282,342  

ICADE

    2,137       79,555  

Klepierre SA

    12,927       224,739  

Mercialys SA

    5,151       38,921  

Nexity SA

    3,313       67,259  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield(c)

    7,085       293,177  
   

 

 

 
      1,224,085  
Germany — 4.6%            

ADLER Group SA(a)(b)(c)

    4,451       9,048  

alstria office REIT-AG

    596       4,293  

Aroundtown SA(a)

    61,701       135,107  

Deutsche EuroShop AG

    665       14,970  

Deutsche Wohnen SE

    3,363       63,935  

DIC Asset AG

    2,510       19,004  
 

 

 

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

  31


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Property ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Germany (continued)            

Grand City Properties SA

    5,187     $ 51,399  

Hamborner REIT AG

    4,776       32,972  

Instone Real Estate Group SE(b)

    3,104       25,662  

LEG Immobilien SE

    4,914       293,315  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd

    77,825       61,435  

TAG Immobilien AG

    11,536       92,063  

Vib Vermoegen AG

    742       15,467  

Vonovia SE

    52,775       1,138,977  
   

 

 

 
      1,957,647  
Hong Kong — 12.4%            

Champion REIT

    125,000       44,052  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

    130,500       783,442  

Far East Consortium International Ltd.

    84,700       18,925  

Fortune REIT

    95,000       69,222  

Hang Lung Group Ltd.

    46,000       74,259  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    122,000       200,341  

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

    87,044       243,742  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.(a)

    71,900       315,930  

Hysan Development Co. Ltd.

    39,000       98,141  

K Wah International Holdings Ltd.

    91,000       28,253  

Kerry Properties Ltd.

    38,500       72,979  

Link REIT

    140,000       977,271  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

    92,000       261,288  

Prosperity REIT

    85,000       21,515  

Shun Tak Holdings Ltd.(c)

    138,000       19,243  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

    214,000       281,480  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    99,500       1,098,109  

Sunlight REIT

    68,000       26,067  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    70,000       150,589  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

    103,000       466,939  

Zensun Enterprises Ltd.(c)

    37,000       7,636  
   

 

 

 
          5,259,423  
Ireland — 0.1%            

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC

    28,954       32,690  
   

 

 

 
Israel — 2.8%            

AFI Properties Ltd.

    357       12,715  

Africa Israel Residences Ltd.

    415       17,975  

Airport City Ltd.(c)

    4,322       68,377  

Alony Hetz Properties & Investments Ltd.

    9,921       118,591  

Amot Investments Ltd.

    14,462       82,682  

Ashtrom Group Ltd.

    1       29  

Aura Investments Ltd.

    8,408       14,430  

Azrieli Group Ltd.

    2,404       164,068  

Big Shopping Centers Ltd.

    771       85,786  

Blue Square Real Estate Ltd.

    343       20,781  

Electra Real Estate Ltd.(a)

    1,518       20,269  

G City Ltd.

    5,367       25,063  

Gav-Yam Lands Corp. Ltd.

    1,866       15,351  

IES Holdings Ltd.

    187       13,951  

Israel Canada T.R Ltd.

    8,053       26,694  

Israel Land Development - Urban Renewal Ltd.

    1,219       16,678  

Isras Investment Co. Ltd.

    105       19,202  

Mega Or Holdings Ltd.

    1,482       43,003  

Mehadrin Ltd.(c)

    2       70  

Melisron Ltd.

    1,516       101,841  

Menivim- The New REIT Ltd.

    46,164       22,010  

Mivne Real Estate KD Ltd.

    39,501       116,133  

Norstar Holdings Inc.

    1,225       8,410  

Prashkovsky Investments and Construction Ltd.

    432       12,194  
Security   Shares     Value  
Israel (continued)            

Property & Building Corp. Ltd.(c)

    187     $ 14,670  

Reit 1 Ltd.

    12,465       63,188  

Sella Capital Real Estate Ltd.

    14,365       34,700  

Summit Real Estate Holdings Ltd.

    2,301       32,169  

YH Dimri Construction & Development Ltd.

    460       31,095  
   

 

 

 
          1,202,125  
Italy — 0.0%            

Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ SpA

    3,829       10,452  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 30.6%            

Activia Properties Inc.

    48       140,777  

Advance Logistics Investment Corp.

    36       37,426  

Advance Residence Investment Corp.

    92       225,662  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

    6,280       69,961  

AEON REIT Investment Corp.

    112       120,977  

Arealink Co. Ltd.

    500       6,066  

Comforia Residential REIT Inc.

    43       97,996  

CRE Inc./Japan

    1,000       10,110  

CRE Logistics REIT Inc.

    38       54,653  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    4,500       420,940  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    44,200       898,701  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    141       294,476  

Daiwa Office Investment Corp.

    19       88,380  

Daiwa Securities Living Investments Corp.

    146       115,729  

Dear Life Co. Ltd.

    1,700       6,508  

ESCON Japan Reit Investment Corp.

    22       17,286  

Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.

    34       125,393  

Fukuoka REIT Corp.

    47       54,802  

Global One Real Estate Investment Corp.

    64       48,466  

GLP J-Reit

    297       329,388  

Goldcrest Co. Ltd.

    900       10,340  

Hankyu Hanshin REIT Inc.

    46       48,222  

Health Care & Medical Investment Corp.

    24       30,065  

Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd.

    2,100       57,521  

Heiwa Real Estate REIT Inc.

    65       68,230  

Hoshino Resorts REIT Inc.

    17       78,971  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    39,600       291,763  

Hulic Reit Inc.

    86       98,439  

Ichigo Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

    18       12,667  

Ichigo Inc.

    15,800       32,510  

Ichigo Office REIT Investment Corp.

    102       60,281  

Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp.

    137       155,239  

Invincible Investment Corp.

    405       127,579  

Japan Excellent Inc.

    84       77,529  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

    297       148,436  

Japan Logistics Fund Inc.

    62       132,936  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    463       347,627  

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.

    66       179,536  

Japan Property Management Center Co. Ltd.

    600       4,179  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    92       379,536  

JINUSHI Co Ltd.

    700       9,613  

JSB Co. Ltd.

    400       10,368  

Katitas Co. Ltd.

    3,300       73,472  

Keihanshin Building Co. Ltd.

    2,800       23,606  

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.

    28       132,047  

Kenedix Residential Next Investment Corp.

    70       103,653  

Kenedix Retail REIT Corp.

    39       72,030  

LaSalle Logiport REIT

    118       132,010  

Leopalace21 Corp.(c)

    11,900       27,291  

Marimo Regional Revitalization REIT Inc.

    12       10,909  
 

 

 

32  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Property ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

Mirai Corp.

    119     $ 40,448  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    87,700       1,155,550  

Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment Corp.

    30       93,658  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    63,256       1,205,025  

Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park Inc.

    36       123,209  

Mori Hills REIT Investment Corp.

    108       116,935  

Mori Trust Hotel Reit Inc.

    22       20,205  

Mori Trust Sogo REIT Inc.

    65       61,881  

Nippon Accommodations Fund Inc.

    33       149,700  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    113       497,254  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    177       388,058  

NIPPON REIT Investment Corp.

    30       76,468  

Nisshin Fudosan Co.

    1,900       5,631  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    7,600       171,640  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    313       345,941  

NTT UD REIT Investment Corp.

    92       94,033  

One REIT Inc.

    18       32,767  

Ooedo Onsen Reit Investment Corp.

    17       7,683  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    183       234,050  

SAMTY Co. Ltd.

    2,700       42,022  

Samty Residential Investment Corp.

    48       40,293  

Sankei Real Estate Inc.

    30       20,088  

Sekisui House Reit Inc.

    296       166,361  

Shinoken Group Co. Ltd.

    1,700       18,735  

SOSiLA Logistics REIT Inc.

    46       48,077  

SRE Holdings Corp.(a)(c)

    700       15,183  

Star Asia Investment Corp.

    116       44,855  

Star Mica Holdings Co. Ltd.

    800       8,659  

Starts Corp. Inc.

    2,200       39,854  

Starts Proceed Investment Corp.

    14       24,427  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    31,500       716,374  

Sun Frontier Fudousan Co. Ltd.

    1,900       14,667  

Takara Leben Co. Ltd.

    5,100       13,544  

Takara Leben Real Estate Investment Corp.

    39       27,700  

TKP Corp.(c)

    1,100       19,845  

TOC Co. Ltd.

    2,900       14,165  

Tokaido REIT Inc.

    11       9,077  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

    13,900       197,775  

Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp.

    40,100       208,227  

Tokyu REIT Inc.

    62       84,501  

Tosei Corp.

    1,700       16,281  

Tosei Reit Investment Corp.

    21       19,876  

United Urban Investment Corp.

    206       213,529  

XYMAX REIT Investment Corp.

    16       13,622  
   

 

 

 
          12,958,175  
Malta — 0.0%            

BGP Holdings PLC, NVS(d)

    1,986,852       19  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 0.5%            

Argo Properties NV(c)

    811       17,565  

Brack Capital Properties NV(c)

    2       177  

CTP NV(b)

    4,931       50,763  

Eurocommercial Properties NV

    2,857       56,559  

NSI NV

    1,160       27,517  

Vastned Retail NV

    1,154       22,846  

Wereldhave NV(a)

    2,644       30,214  
   

 

 

 
      205,641  
New Zealand — 0.7%            

Argosy Property Ltd.

    55,874       37,589  

Goodman Property Trust

    69,790       78,047  
Security   Shares     Value  
New Zealand (continued)            

Kiwi Property Group Ltd.

    105,009     $ 53,478  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

    90,227       65,519  

Stride Property Group

    36,151       33,661  

Vital Healthcare Property Trust

    30,517       43,501  
   

 

 

 
      311,795  
Norway — 0.2%            

Entra ASA(b)

    7,937       74,119  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 8.7%            

AIMS APAC REIT(a)

    35,485       31,546  

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT

    222,892       409,587  

CapitaLand Ascott Trust

    129,660       86,613  

CapitaLand China Trust(a)

    78,526       56,763  

Capitaland India Trust

    50,000       36,416  

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    333,910       444,162  

Capitaland Investment Ltd/Singapore

    162,800       391,675  

CDL Hospitality Trusts

    54,462       44,065  

Chip Eng Seng Corp. Ltd.

    33,600       16,376  

City Developments Ltd.

    33,600       177,076  

Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust

    24,120       42,313  

Daiwa House Logistics Trust(a)

    37,100       15,461  

Digital Core REIT Management Pte Ltd.

    22,600       15,741  

Eagle Hospitality Trust(c)(d)

    53,200       1  

EC World Real Estate Investment Trust

    17,900       6,220  

ESR-LOGOS REIT

    375,136       92,354  

Far East Hospitality Trust

    70,200       28,480  

First REIT

    75,900       14,012  

Frasers Centrepoint Trust

    71,206       107,374  

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust

    190,472       162,617  

Hong Fok Corp. Ltd.(a)

    27,500       18,666  

Keppel DC REIT

    88,303       104,130  

Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT

    50,200       27,549  

Keppel REIT

    132,600       91,026  

Lendlease Global Commercial REIT

    123,492       65,433  

Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust

    117,650       49,798  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

    131,632       217,825  

Mapletree Logistics Trust(a)

    212,811       229,942  

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust

    152,312       181,335  

OUE Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

    159,500       37,664  

Parkway Life REIT

    25,300       74,459  

Prime U.S. REIT

    38,000       20,474  

Sasseur Real Estate Investment Trust

    37,700       18,500  

SPH REIT(a)

    71,400       44,670  

Starhill Global REIT

    91,300       34,248  

Suntec REIT

    147,900       157,275  

UOL Group Ltd.

    31,100       143,081  
   

 

 

 
          3,694,927  
South Korea — 0.5%            

D&D Platform REIT Co. Ltd., NVS

    3,841       11,093  

Dongwon Development Co. Ltd.

    2,552       5,728  

E KOCREF CR-REIT Co. Ltd.

    1,568       5,973  

ESR Kendall Square REIT Co. Ltd.

    10,698       37,588  

IGIS Value Plus REIT Co. Ltd.

    2,187       6,717  

JR Reit XXVII

    9,909       31,131  

Koramco Energy Plus Reit

    2,353       7,836  

Korea REIT & Trust Co. Ltd.

    10,211       9,720  

LOTTE Reit Co. Ltd.

    7,878       26,913  

Mirae Asset Maps Asia Pacific Real Estate 1 Investment

    6,162       17,997  

NH All-One REIT Co. Ltd.

    2,825       8,357  

Shinhan Alpha REIT Co. Ltd.

    3,977       21,158  
 

 

 

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

  33


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Property ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
South Korea (continued)             

Shinhan Seobu T&D REIT Co. Ltd.

    1,899      $ 5,719  

SK D&D Co. Ltd.

    559        8,668  

SK REITs Co. Ltd.

    4,707        16,545  
    

 

 

 
       221,143  
Spain — 0.7%             

Aedas Homes SA(b)

    877        12,514  

Inmobiliaria Colonial Socimi SA

    19,857        95,874  

Lar Espana Real Estate Socimi SA

    4,102        17,387  

Merlin Properties Socimi SA

    22,045        170,103  

Metrovacesa SA(b)

    1,319        8,041  
    

 

 

 
       303,919  
Sweden — 3.7%             

Akelius Residential Property AB, Class D

    12,876        20,923  

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

    3,460        42,651  

Castellum AB

    19,012        213,023  

Catena AB

    2,216        65,752  

Cibus Nordic Real Estate AB

    3,042        39,641  

Corem Property Group AB

    298        5,264  

Corem Property Group AB, Class B

    36,296        27,297  

Dios Fastigheter AB

    6,101        38,487  

Fabege AB

    17,616        119,658  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B(c)

    41,717        166,521  

Heba Fastighets AB

    4,390        12,421  

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

    7,678        84,138  

K-Fast Holding AB(a)(c)

    4,086        7,712  

Klarabo Sverige AB(c)

    5,457        6,593  

Logistea AB(c)

    4,146        4,222  

NP3 Fastigheter AB

    1,904        28,073  

Nyfosa AB

    10,352        59,771  

Pandox AB(c)

    5,922        62,698  

Platzer Fastigheter Holding AB, Class B

    4,132        24,791  

Sagax AB, Class B

    12,429        204,619  

Sagax AB, Class D

    6,433        14,419  

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB(a)

    71,588        77,928  

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB, Class D

    9,718        14,643  

Wallenstam AB, Class B

    28,074        102,064  

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB

    17,879        107,417  
    

 

 

 
           1,550,726  
Switzerland — 2.4%             

Allreal Holding AG, Registered

    1,025        142,629  

Intershop Holding AG

    81        50,979  

Mobimo Holding AG, Registered

    486        105,578  

Peach Property Group AG

    700        16,004  

PSP Swiss Property AG, Registered

    3,042        304,085  

Swiss Prime Site AG, Registered

    5,087        405,217  
    

 

 

 
       1,024,492  
United Kingdom — 8.8%             

Abrdn Property Income Trust

    27,967        19,986  

AEW UK REIT PLC

    9,347        9,790  

Assura PLC

    196,232        117,439  

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

    53,115        47,363  

Big Yellow Group PLC

    11,559        136,797  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    62,199        240,919  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

    56,170        66,668  

Civitas Social Housing PLC

    39,886        29,126  

CLS Holdings PLC(a)

    12,699        19,787  

Custodian Reit PLC

    28,948        31,837  

Derwent London PLC

    7,420        167,397  

Ediston Property Investment Co. PLC

    14,139        10,658  
Security   Shares      Value  
United Kingdom (continued)             

Empiric Student Property PLC

    40,230      $ 38,540  

Grainger PLC

    49,474        126,721  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    16,960        82,692  

Hammerson PLC

    234,837        46,674  

Helical PLC

    7,056        28,047  

Home Reit PLC

    52,824        53,554  

Impact Healthcare Reit PLC

    26,943        30,865  

Land Securities Group PLC

    49,822        287,884  

LondonMetric Property PLC

    64,384        125,445  

LXI REIT PLC

    113,246        156,338  

NewRiver REIT PLC

    21,639        18,121  

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Ltd.

    6,942        22,478  

Picton Property Income Ltd. (The)

    37,225        35,495  

Primary Health Properties PLC

    88,453        112,080  

PRS REIT PLC (The)

    36,651        38,385  

Regional REIT Ltd.(b)

    28,907        20,624  

Safestore Holdings PLC

    13,885        129,224  

Schroder REIT Ltd.

    36,295        18,678  

Segro PLC

    80,178        668,994  

Shaftesbury PLC

    19,218        78,516  

Supermarket Income Reit PLC

    81,060        96,699  

Triple Point Social Housing REIT PLC(b)

    25,254        20,584  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

    123,745        186,741  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

    55,200        36,817  

UNITE Group PLC (The)

    26,523        251,816  

Urban Logistics REIT PLC

    31,578        45,630  

Warehouse REIT PLC

    28,426        34,278  

Workspace Group PLC

    8,946        39,781  
    

 

 

 
       3,729,468  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.3%
(Cost: $67,870,955)

 

     42,056,085  
    

 

 

 

Rights

    
Austria — 0.0%             

Buwog AG(d)

    463         
    

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $—)

        
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.3%
(Cost: $67,870,955)

       42,056,085  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 2.5%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares,
3.18%(e)(f)(g)

    1,041,392        1,041,705  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares,
2.81%(e)(f)

    10,000        10,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.5%
(Cost: $1,051,276)

       1,051,705  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.8%
(Cost: $68,922,231)

       43,107,790  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.8)%

 

     (750,942
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $     42,356,848  
    

 

 

 

 

(a)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

 

 

 

34  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Property ETF

 

(b) 

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

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

    

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/22
    Shares
Held at
09/30/22
    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 458,807     $ 582,461 (a)    $     $ 135     $ 302     $ 1,041,705       1,041,392     $ 11,474 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    30,000             (20,000 )(a)                  10,000       10,000       187        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 135     $ 302     $ 1,051,705       $ 11,661     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Mini TOPIX Index

     11          12/08/22        $ 140        $ (5,274

Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index

     5          12/16/22          159          (11,651
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (16,925
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 16,925      $      $      $      $ 16,925  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

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

  35


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Property ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (14,558    $      $      $      $ (14,558
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (32,094    $      $      $      $ (32,094
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 377,618      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,831,619        $ 39,224,446        $ 20        $ 42,056,085  

Rights

                                 

Money Market Funds

     1,051,705                            1,051,705  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $     3,883,324        $ 39,224,446        $             20        $ 43,107,790  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (11,651      $ (5,274      $        $ (16,925
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

36  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 10.1%  

Abacus Property Group

    141,640      $ 226,159  

Arena REIT

    93,387        200,413  

AUB Group Ltd.

    19,867        241,964  

Austal Ltd.

    90,463        131,911  

Bapcor Ltd.

    97,440        380,392  

Bega Cheese Ltd.

    87,408        193,368  

Bravura Solutions Ltd.

    81,696        64,111  

Brickworks Ltd.

    16,845        231,986  

BWP Trust

    132,184        314,260  

BWX Ltd.(a)(b)

    43,392        17,486  

Cedar Woods Properties Ltd.

    18,816        48,083  

Centuria Capital Group

    212,304        208,460  

Centuria Industrial REIT

    149,140        248,194  

Centuria Office REIT

    140,997        131,248  

Charter Hall Long Wale REIT

    153,123        391,095  

Charter Hall Retail REIT

    131,567        312,055  

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT

    98,731        193,055  

Credit Corp. Group Ltd.

    18,624        205,191  

Dexus Industria REIT

    62,341        94,233  

Elders Ltd.

    43,872        334,791  

Emeco Holdings Ltd.

    159,323        84,705  

Gold Road Resources Ltd.

    260,976        212,319  

GrainCorp Ltd., Class A

    66,432        334,175  

Growthpoint Properties Australia Ltd.

    82,140        162,340  

GUD Holdings Ltd.

    35,328        167,604  

Healius Ltd.

    172,476        371,021  

Ingenia Communities Group

    111,695        266,039  

InvoCare Ltd.

    42,336        274,001  

IPH Ltd.

    44,064        268,120  

Kelsian Group Ltd.

    39,696        123,082  

Link Administration Holdings Ltd.

    149,908        273,056  

McMillan Shakespeare Ltd.

    14,380        118,352  

Monadelphous Group Ltd.

    24,969        207,208  

National Storage REIT

    318,872        459,159  

New Hope Corp. Ltd.

    65,328        263,892  

Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd.

    433,248        519,634  

Perseus Mining Ltd.

    396,096        385,335  

Premier Investments Ltd.

    23,616        340,214  

Reliance Worldwide Corp. Ltd.

    232,211        505,253  

Rural Funds Group

    100,848        147,730  

Sandfire Resources Ltd.

    133,296        318,472  

Select Harvests Ltd.

    35,472        119,338  

Service Stream Ltd.

    176,488        76,611  

SmartGroup Corp. Ltd.

    26,880        85,976  

Steadfast Group Ltd.

    276,240        821,387  

Super Retail Group Ltd.

    47,442        269,808  

Superloop Ltd.(c)

    143,616        60,482  

Tassal Group Ltd.

    59,823        197,923  

United Malt Grp Ltd.

    77,472        155,285  

Viva Energy Group Ltd.(d)

    253,920        426,549  

Waypoint REIT Ltd.

    203,437        308,759  
    

 

 

 
           12,492,284  
Austria — 1.9%             

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG

    11,260        334,765  

EVN AG

    11,149        185,642  

Mayr Melnhof Karton AG

    2,431        313,069  

Oesterreichische Post AG(b)

    9,291        247,655  

Porr AG

    4,400        38,810  
Security   Shares      Value  
Austria (continued)             

Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG

    3,653      $ 159,645  

UNIQA Insurance Group AG

    30,197        178,224  

Vienna Insurance Group AG Wiener Versicherung Gruppe

    10,434        212,377  

Wienerberger AG

    33,337        669,133  
    

 

 

 
       2,339,320  
Belgium — 2.3%             

Aedifica SA

    11,156        859,898  

Bekaert SA

    11,292        284,297  

Cie d’Entreprises CFE.(c)

    1,881        17,957  

Deme Group NV(c)

    2,073        214,851  

Gimv NV

    6,186        265,591  

KBC Ancora

    10,582        344,041  

Montea NV

    4,028        304,213  

Shurgard Self Storage SA

    7,904        321,334  

Tessenderlo Group SA(c)

    7,584        222,907  
    

 

 

 
       2,835,089  
Canada — 17.8%             

Aecon Group Inc.

    17,713        122,075  

Allied Properties REIT

    36,492        722,786  

AltaGas Ltd.

    81,504        1,560,633  

ARC Resources Ltd.

    191,280        2,297,271  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

    50,159        1,528,718  

Canadian Western Bank

    25,692        418,296  

Capital Power Corp.

    32,212        1,093,671  

Celestica Inc.(c)

    30,432        256,436  

Choice Properties REIT

    69,295        631,574  

Dream Office REIT

    13,165        155,157  

Finning International Inc.

    46,503        817,384  

Granite REIT

    17,940        865,863  

Home Capital Group Inc.

    14,597        290,598  

iA Financial Corp. Inc.

    31,056        1,578,036  

Laurentian Bank of Canada

    12,816        274,811  

Linamar Corp.

    12,816        499,243  

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

    21,654        323,552  

Mullen Group Ltd.

    26,129        269,357  

North West Co. Inc. (The)

    13,645        315,998  

Onex Corp.

    22,596        1,036,437  

Parex Resources Inc.

    38,112        556,498  

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.

    59,472        766,783  

Russel Metals Inc.

    21,151        393,514  

SSR Mining Inc.

    63,504        933,700  

Stella-Jones Inc.

    18,774        527,061  

Torex Gold Resources Inc.(c)

    29,712        214,449  

Transcontinental Inc., Class A

    21,077        245,505  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    28,704        2,076,513  

Yamana Gold Inc.

    288,336        1,304,593  
    

 

 

 
           22,076,512  
Denmark — 1.7%             

FLSmidth & Co. A/S

    18,096        391,928  

Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S, Class A(d)

    18,535        268,899  

Schouw & Co. A/S

    3,842        224,153  

Spar Nord Bank A/S

    22,507        251,172  

Sydbank AS

    16,848        461,428  

Topdanmark AS

    11,672        546,791  
    

 

 

 
       2,144,371  
Finland — 2.3%             

Cargotec OYJ, Class B

    14,253        430,470  

Kemira OYJ

    25,971        287,777  

Konecranes OYJ

    22,039        437,860  
 

 

 

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

  37


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Finland (continued)             

Metsa Board OYJ, Class B

    50,140      $ 364,455  

Outokumpu OYJ

    108,816        372,633  

Terveystalo OYJ(d)

    21,553        174,033  

TietoEVRY OYJ

    26,880        608,238  

Uponor OYJ

    15,860        208,423  
    

 

 

 
           2,883,889  
France — 2.2%             

Beneteau SA

    11,376        116,783  

Carmila SA(b)

    12,028        161,254  

Coface SA(c)

    30,832        294,629  

Derichebourg SA

    29,280        116,668  

Fnac Darty SA

    5,607        154,982  

IPSOS

    11,181        499,669  

Jacquet Metal Service SA

    4,476        55,719  

Mersen SA

    4,702        130,215  

Metropole Television SA

    19,152        231,219  

Nexity SA

    12,715        258,134  

Quadient SA

    10,320        142,840  

Rothschild & Co

    7,881        257,614  

Television Francaise 1

    32,601        186,243  

Vicat SA

    5,617        126,146  
    

 

 

 
       2,732,115  
Germany — 2.4%             

Bilfinger SE

    9,024        225,895  

CropEnergies AG

    6,044        72,503  

Deutsche EuroShop AG

    3,054        68,751  

Deutz AG

    52,421        162,307  

Freenet AG

    37,443        709,599  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    9,888        107,476  

Hornbach Holding AG & Co. KGaA

    3,024        189,661  

Krones AG

    4,704        413,390  

Salzgitter AG(b)

    12,720        240,872  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

    300,245        237,014  

Suedzucker AG

    23,477        283,784  

Takkt AG

    10,656        98,290  

Wacker Neuson SE

    9,777        127,666  
    

 

 

 
       2,937,208  
Hong Kong — 0.1%             

VSTECS Holdings Ltd.

    192,000        107,564  
    

 

 

 
Ireland — 0.5%             

Grafton Group PLC

    66,409        492,971  

Greencore Group PLC(c)

    151,413        122,061  
    

 

 

 
       615,032  
Israel — 0.9%             

Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd.(c)

    13,680        231,292  

Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd.(c)

    6,432        123,166  

Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd.

    91,632        121,750  

Oil Refineries Ltd.

    438,048        149,442  

Plus500 Ltd.

    28,091        513,926  
    

 

 

 
       1,139,576  
Italy — 1.8%             

Banca IFIS SpA

    8,834        97,545  

Banco BPM SpA

    438,576        1,146,797  

BFF Bank SpA(d)

    51,395        341,364  

Credito Emiliano SpA

    20,643        116,428  

Unipol Gruppo SpA

    149,328        579,985  
    

 

 

 
       2,282,119  
Security   Shares      Value  
Japan — 18.3%             

ADEKA Corp.

    28,800      $ 430,002  

Aichi Steel Corp.

    4,800        68,423  

Aida Engineering Ltd.

    14,400        81,646  

Aiphone Co. Ltd.

    4,800        62,792  

Aisan Industry Co. Ltd.

    9,600        45,344  

Alconix Corp.

    4,800        43,588  

Alpen Co. Ltd.

    4,800        68,453  

Anest Iwata Corp.

    9,600        56,844  

AOKI Holdings Inc.

    9,600        46,976  

Arata Corp.

    4,800        136,238  

Asahi Co. Ltd.

    4,800        43,410  

Asahi Diamond Industrial Co. Ltd.

    14,400        71,491  

ASAHI YUKIZAI Corp.

    4,800        72,560  

Autobacs Seven Co. Ltd.

    14,400        139,152  

Awa Bank Ltd. (The)

    9,600        125,632  

BML Inc.

    4,800        108,348  

Bunka Shutter Co. Ltd.

    14,400        102,010  

Canon Electronics Inc.

    4,800        52,517  

Cawachi Ltd.

    4,800        70,660  

Central Glass Co. Ltd.

    9,600        221,022  

Chubu Shiryo Co. Ltd.

    9,600        69,090  

Chudenko Corp.

    4,800        69,329  

Chugoku Marine Paints Ltd.

    14,400        88,498  

Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.

    76,800        320,496  

Daihen Corp.

    4,800        123,272  

Daiichi Jitsugyo Co. Ltd.

    4,800        127,918  

Daiken Corp.

    4,800        60,563  

Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    4,800        56,381  

DCM Holdings Co. Ltd.

    28,800            234,705  

Digital Holdings Inc.

    4,800        38,735  

Doshisha Co. Ltd.

    4,800        47,911  

Duskin Co. Ltd.

    9,600        188,675  

EDION Corp.

    24,000        195,203  

Eizo Corp.

    4,800        120,783  

Exedy Corp.

    9,600        109,423  

Fuji Co. Ltd./Ehime

    4,800        62,532  

Fuji Seal International Inc.

    14,400        152,494  

Fujibo Holdings Inc.

    4,800        108,907  

Furuno Electric Co. Ltd.

    4,800        36,513  

Futaba Industrial Co. Ltd.

    19,200        43,136  

Glory Ltd.

    14,400        211,367  

Goldcrest Co. Ltd.

    4,800        55,149  

Gunze Ltd.

    4,800        128,066  

H2O Retailing Corp.

    24,000        183,150  

Hakuto Co. Ltd.

    4,800        106,011  

Heiwado Co. Ltd.

    9,600        132,534  

Hibiya Engineering Ltd.

    4,800        61,809  

Hokuetsu Corp.

    38,400        200,051  

Hokuto Corp.

    4,800        62,892  

Hosiden Corp.

    14,400        147,113  

Hosokawa Micron Corp.

    4,800        81,591  

Inabata & Co. Ltd.

    9,600        154,605  

Ines Corp.

    4,800        48,407  

I-PEX Inc.

    4,800        41,233  

Iseki & Co. Ltd.

    4,800        38,791  

Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd.

    9,600        67,810  

Itochu Enex Co. Ltd.

    14,400        101,576  

Japan Wool Textile Co. Ltd. (The)

    19,200        141,572  

Joshin Denki Co. Ltd.

    4,800        62,931  

Joyful Honda Co. Ltd.

    14,400        178,017  
 

 

 

38  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Japan (continued)             

JVCKenwood Corp.

    43,200      $ 58,731  

Kaga Electronics Co. Ltd.

    4,800            134,071  

Kanamoto Co. Ltd.

    9,600        137,141  

Kanematsu Corp.

    24,000        236,238  

Kanto Denka Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    14,400        91,908  

Katakura Industries Co. Ltd.

    4,800        67,806  

Kato Sangyo Co. Ltd.

    4,800        110,778  

Kissei Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    9,600        170,539  

Kitz Corp.

    19,200        106,415  

Kiyo Bank Ltd. (The)

    19,200        184,292  

Koa Corp.

    9,600        146,140  

Kohnan Shoji Co. Ltd.

    4,800        112,190  

Kojima Co. Ltd.

    4,800        20,922  

Komeri Co. Ltd.

    9,600        183,278  

Komori Corp.

    14,400        70,098  

Kumagai Gumi Co. Ltd.

    9,600        167,328  

Kureha Corp.

    4,800        294,325  

KYB Corp.

    4,800        102,817  

Kyoei Steel Ltd.

    9,600        91,823  

Kyokuto Kaihatsu Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    9,600        87,936  

LEC Inc.

    4,800        27,289  

Life Corp.

    4,800        88,975  

Macnica Holdings Inc.

    14,400        269,975  

Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd.

    4,800        148,118  

Marudai Food Co. Ltd.

    4,800        47,361  

Marusan Securities Co. Ltd.

    19,200        57,584  

Matsuda Sangyo Co. Ltd.

    4,800        71,874  

Maxell Ltd.

    9,600        90,885  

Meidensha Corp.

    9,600        131,218  

Meisei Industrial Co. Ltd.

    14,400        69,893  

Mimasu Semiconductor Industry Co. Ltd.

    4,800        63,760  

Mirait One Co.

    24,000        243,249  

Mitsubishi Pencil Co. Ltd.

    9,600        93,789  

Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.

    4,800        100,045  

Mizuno Corp.

    4,800        85,398  

Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.

    4,800        117,525  

Neturen Co. Ltd.

    14,400        63,845  

Nichiha Corp.

    9,600        182,011  

Nichireki Co. Ltd.

    4,800        42,653  

Nihon Chouzai Co. Ltd.

    4,800        41,974  

Nihon Parkerizing Co. Ltd.

    33,600        216,497  

Nikkon Holdings Co. Ltd.

    14,400        224,774  

Nippn Corp., New

    14,400        154,636  

Nippon Coke & Engineering Co. Ltd.

    43,200        27,103  

Nippon Denko Co. Ltd.

    43,200        99,663  

Nippon Koei Co. Ltd.

    4,800        118,450  

Nippon Light Metal Holdings Co. Ltd.

    24,000        240,154  

Nippon Soda Co. Ltd.

    4,800        146,065  

Nippon Steel Trading Corp.

    4,800        166,840  

Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    76,800        289,010  

Nippon Thompson Co. Ltd.

    19,200        70,935  

Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd.

    9,600        251,164  

Nishimatsuya Chain Co. Ltd.

    14,400        133,686  

Nishio Rent All Co. Ltd.

    4,800        94,713  

Nissha Co. Ltd.

    9,600        113,166  

Nisshinbo Holdings Inc.

    43,200        313,637  

Nitta Corp.

    4,800        92,097  

Nittetsu Mining Co. Ltd.

    9,600        182,829  

Nitto Kogyo Corp.

    4,800        78,635  

Nojima Corp.

    19,200        178,745  
Security   Shares      Value  
Japan (continued)             

Noritake Co. Ltd./Nagoya Japan

    4,800      $     133,274  

Noritz Corp.

    9,600        102,405  

Obara Group Inc.

    4,800        106,666  

Okamura Corp.

    19,200        183,152  

Oki Electric Industry Co. Ltd.

    24,000        119,096  

Okumura Corp.

    9,600        188,824  

Onoken Co. Ltd.

    4,800        46,873  

Osaka Soda Co. Ltd.

    4,800        126,228  

Osaka Steel Co. Ltd.

    4,800        37,644  

Osaki Electric Co. Ltd.

    9,600        33,147  

Oyo Corp.

    4,800        61,962  

Pacific Industrial Co. Ltd.

    14,400        101,645  

Pack Corp. (The)

    4,800        73,536  

Piolax Inc.

    4,800        58,931  

Press Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    24,000        65,417  

Pressance Corp.

    4,800        48,385  

Prima Meat Packers Ltd.

    9,600        138,860  

Procrea Holdings Inc.

    4,800        70,575  

Qol Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,800        40,178  

Restar Holdings Corp.

    9,600        128,060  

Ryobi Ltd.

    4,800        41,213  

S Foods Inc.

    4,800        100,728  

Sakai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.

    4,800        62,161  

Sanki Engineering Co. Ltd.

    14,400        157,746  

Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.

    4,800        145,331  

Sanyo Special Steel Co. Ltd.

    9,600        124,006  

Seiko Holdings Corp.

    4,800        100,249  

Shinmaywa Industries Ltd.

    14,400        96,709  

Shizuoka Gas Co. Ltd.

    14,400        98,435  

Siix Corp.

    9,600        71,964  

Sinfonia Technology Co. Ltd.

    9,600        89,059  

SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc.

    33,600        120,306  

Sodick Co. Ltd.

    14,400        75,554  

Star Micronics Co. Ltd.

    9,600        108,041  

Starts Corp. Inc.

    9,600        173,909  

Starzen Co. Ltd.

    4,800        67,370  

Stella Chemifa Corp.

    4,800        83,452  

Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co. Ltd.

    9,600        216,982  

Sumitomo Warehouse Co. Ltd. (The)

    14,400        195,661  

Sun Frontier Fudousan Co. Ltd.

    9,600        74,106  

Suruga Bank Ltd.

    52,800        136,122  

SWCC Showa Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,800        58,084  

Tadano Ltd.

    33,600        196,528  

Takamatsu Construction Group Co. Ltd.

    4,800        62,354  

Takaoka Toko Co. Ltd.

    4,800        58,655  

Takara Standard Co. Ltd.

    14,400        129,028  

Takasago Thermal Engineering Co. Ltd.

    19,200        225,757  

Tamron Co. Ltd.

    4,800        96,239  

Tatsuta Electric Wire and Cable Co. Ltd.

    14,400        43,435  

T-Gaia Corp.

    4,800        54,399  

Toa Corp./Tokyo

    4,800        82,453  

Toagosei Co. Ltd.

    38,400        286,678  

Toho Holdings Co. Ltd.

    14,400        192,902  

TOKAI Holdings Corp.

    33,600        202,256  

Tokyu Construction Co. Ltd.

    19,200        83,437  

Tomy Co. Ltd.

    24,000        205,327  

Topre Corp.

    9,600        73,737  

Towa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    9,600        141,097  

Toyo Construction Co. Ltd.

    19,200        113,424  

Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co. Ltd.

    9,600        126,213  
 

 

 

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

  39


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Japan (continued)             

Toyo Tanso Co. Ltd.

    4,800      $ 108,790  

Toyobo Co. Ltd.

    28,800        206,580  

Tsubakimoto Chain Co.

    9,600        202,749  

Tsurumi Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    4,800        75,859  

United Super Markets Holdings Inc.

    14,400        105,087  

V Technology Co. Ltd.

    4,800        84,956  

VT Holdings Co. Ltd.

    24,000        78,816  

Wacoal Holdings Corp.

    14,400        213,891  

Warabeya Nichiyo Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,800        73,685  

Xebio Holdings Co. Ltd.

    4,800        31,973  

Yamazen Corp.

    19,200        120,958  

Yellow Hat Ltd.

    9,600        118,999  

Yokogawa Bridge Holdings Corp.

    9,600        126,310  

Yondoshi Holdings Inc.

    4,800        56,982  

Yuasa Trading Co. Ltd.

    4,800        116,160  
    

 

 

 
           22,669,103  
Netherlands — 0.9%             

COSMO Pharmaceuticals NV

    2,863        133,353  

Flow Traders(d)

    7,725        145,555  

Fugro NV(c)

    31,344        317,356  

Koninklijke BAM Groep NV(c)

    70,715        173,743  

NSI NV

    5,321        126,224  

RHI Magnesita NV

    8,835        165,134  
    

 

 

 
       1,061,365  
New Zealand — 1.1%             

Argosy Property Ltd.

    237,007        159,444  

Goodman Property Trust

    307,524        343,907  

Kathmandu Holdings Ltd.

    188,448        110,481  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

    393,579        285,800  

Stride Property Group

    118,848        110,663  

Summerset Group Holdings Ltd.

    67,152        404,657  
    

 

 

 
       1,414,952  
Norway — 1.1%             

Austevoll Seafood ASA

    27,600        187,112  

Elkem ASA(d)

    81,072        260,538  

Entra ASA(d)

    20,592        192,295  

SpareBank 1 SMN

    39,072        398,705  

Veidekke ASA

    34,050        254,713  
    

 

 

 
       1,293,363  
Poland — 0.3%             

Grupa Azoty SA(c)

    15,024        101,619  

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA(c)

    222,240        279,579  
    

 

 

 
       381,198  
Singapore — 1.9%             

CapitaLand China Trust

    336,000        242,881  

Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust

    91,320        160,202  

First Resources Ltd.

    148,800        143,184  

Frasers Centrepoint Trust

    292,800        441,525  

Haw Par Corp. Ltd.

    43,200        307,754  

Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT

    225,600        123,806  

Parkway Life REIT

    105,600        310,784  

Prime U.S. REIT(b)

    196,800        106,033  

Raffles Medical Group Ltd.

    268,800        248,393  

SPH REIT

    216,240        135,286  

Starhill Global REIT

    384,000        144,046  
    

 

 

 
       2,363,894  
Sweden — 5.9%             

AFRY AB

    29,952        376,771  
Security   Shares      Value  
Sweden (continued)             

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

    14,354      $ 176,938  

Betsson AB

    35,664        208,192  

Bilia AB, Class A

    22,183        253,016  

BillerudKorsnas AB

    54,693        642,111  

Bravida Holding AB(d)

    58,512        478,801  

Bure Equity AB

    16,992        277,657  

Clas Ohlson AB, Class B

    12,810        76,655  

Cloetta AB, Class B

    69,120        109,265  

Fabege AB

    80,039        543,673  

Granges AB

    33,696        216,088  

Hexpol AB

    73,536        603,133  

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

    33,187        363,674  

Lindab International AB

    19,609        218,689  

Loomis AB

    22,992        566,682  

MEKO AB

    13,678        112,567  

Munters Group AB(d)

    30,051        210,212  

NCC AB, Class B

    31,675        227,925  

Nolato AB, Class B

    55,968        255,059  

Peab AB, Class B

    62,792        300,418  

Ratos AB, Class B

    63,216        215,494  

SSAB AB, Class B

    199,920        851,954  
    

 

 

 
       7,284,974  
Switzerland — 7.8%             

ALSO Holding AG, Registered

    912        135,131  

Arbonia AG

    13,176        150,644  

Bell Food Group AG, Registered

    523        114,878  

Bobst Group SA, Registered

    2,208        174,645  

Bossard Holding AG, Class A, Registered

    839        142,821  

Bucher Industries AG, Registered

    1,947        607,412  

Burckhardt Compression Holding AG

    1,008        376,453  

Bystronic AG, Registered

    447        239,954  

Cembra Money Bank AG

    8,483        601,614  

Comet Holding AG, Registered

    2,208        317,670  

dormakaba Holding AG

    917        309,427  

Forbo Holding AG, Registered

    309        334,104  

Galenica AG(d)

    13,970        1,011,631  

Huber + Suhner AG, Registered

    5,087        401,679  

Interroll Holding AG, Registered

    196        372,333  

Kardex Holding AG, Registered

    1,868        247,659  

Komax Holding AG, Registered

    1,046        242,184  

Landis+Gyr Group AG

    7,250        394,382  

Rieter Holding AG, Registered

    1,008        85,665  

SFS Group AG

    5,296        455,271  

Siegfried Holding AG, Registered

    1,192        881,318  

St. Galler Kantonalbank AG, Class A, Registered

    760        347,774  

Swissquote Group Holding SA, Registered

    2,640        273,884  

u-blox Holding AG

    1,896        229,608  

Valiant Holding AG, Registered

    4,288        406,353  

Vontobel Holding AG, Registered

    8,160        438,109  

Ypsomed Holding AG, Registered

    991        147,447  

Zehnder Group AG, Registered

    2,910        147,202  
    

 

 

 
           9,587,252  
United Kingdom — 17.4%             

AG Barr PLC

    22,084        112,104  

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

    160,440        143,066  

Balfour Beatty PLC

    177,783        608,215  

Bank of Georgia Group PLC

    10,707        235,717  

Beazley PLC

    172,848        1,077,466  

Biffa PLC(d)

    63,120        290,364  
 

 

 

40  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
United Kingdom (continued)             

Big Yellow Group PLC

    49,823      $     589,638  

Bodycote PLC

    57,355        297,913  

Capricorn Energy PLC(c)

    146,928        401,929  

Chemring Group PLC

    83,297        261,249  

Close Brothers Group PLC

    45,984        473,304  

Coats Group PLC

    422,640        238,591  

Cranswick PLC

    15,024        446,316  

Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC

    76,285        154,816  

Currys PLC

    309,315        194,080  

Drax Group PLC

    115,200        766,456  

Elementis PLC(c)

    184,368        184,319  

Essentra PLC

    90,962        183,679  

Frasers Group PLC(c)

    52,316        392,114  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    76,137        371,223  

Ibstock PLC(d)

    109,795        200,124  

IG Group Holdings PLC

    105,824        896,834  

Inchcape PLC

    111,744        846,127  

Investec PLC

    195,072        790,859  

IP Group PLC

    318,432        211,194  

Just Group PLC

    299,232        185,792  

Lancashire Holdings Ltd.

    69,504        383,422  

LondonMetric Property PLC

    265,635        517,558  

Man Group PLC/Jersey

    394,848        977,673  

Mediclinic International PLC

    114,911        630,010  

Morgan Advanced Materials PLC

    85,690        217,187  

Morgan Sindall Group PLC

    12,296        200,560  

Ninety One PLC

    125,648        255,332  

OSB Group PLC

    108,528        504,997  

Paragon Banking Group PLC

    72,048        315,261  

Pets at Home Group PLC

    139,104        405,543  

Picton Property Income Ltd. (The)

    149,661        142,707  

Premier Foods PLC

    203,602        216,647  

QinetiQ Group PLC

    163,540        596,792  

Redde Northgate PLC

    75,885        245,292  

Redrow PLC

    67,230        296,023  

Safestore Holdings PLC

    60,105        559,381  

Savills PLC

    39,273        344,742  

Serco Group PLC

    342,960        594,871  

Subsea 7 SA

    70,848        559,608  

TBC Bank Group PLC

    10,032        186,836  

TP ICAP Group PLC

    229,296        501,800  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

    556,032        839,094  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

    216,177        144,183  

Vesuvius PLC

    61,952        214,020  
Security   Shares      Value  
United Kingdom (continued)             

Virgin Money UK PLC

    364,896      $ 500,607  

Vistry Group PLC

    65,479        430,621  

Workspace Group PLC

    41,950        186,544  
    

 

 

 
       21,520,800  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.7%
(Cost: $163,085,348)

 

     122,161,980  
    

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

    
Germany — 0.1%             

Draegerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, NVS

    3,168        132,495  
    

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $177,159)

       132,495  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.8%
(Cost: $163,262,507)

       122,294,475  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 0.5%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(e)(f)(g)

    671,778        671,980  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(e)(f)

    10,000        10,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.5%
(Cost: $681,901)

       681,980  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.3%
(Cost: $163,944,408)

       122,976,455  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.7%

       827,258  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   123,803,713  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

 

 

 

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

  41


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/22
    Shares
Held at
09/30/22
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 17,607     $ 653,856 (a)    $     $ 435     $ 82     $ 671,980       671,778     $ 2,661 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    40,000             (30,000 )(a)                  10,000       10,000       454        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 435     $ 82     $ 681,980       $ 3,115     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

Mini TOPIX Index

     112          12/08/22        $ 1,419        $ (41,188
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 41,188      $      $      $      $ 41,188  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                   

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 14,719     $      $      $      $ 14,719  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on                                                

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (51,008   $      $      $      $ (51,008
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,076,722  

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

 

 

42  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 28,709,864        $ 93,434,630        $ 17,486        $ 122,161,980  

Preferred Stocks

              132,495                   132,495  

Money Market Funds

     681,980                            681,980  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 29,391,844        $ 93,567,125        $ 17,486        $ 122,976,455  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ (41,188      $        $ (41,188
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  43


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 2.3%            

Appen Ltd.

    13,640     $ 26,952  

AUB Group Ltd.

    9,455       115,154  

Bapcor Ltd.

    47,275       184,555  

Brickworks Ltd.

    9,765       134,482  

carsales.com Ltd.

    29,605       353,136  

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd.

    143,065       249,413  

Codan Ltd./Australia

    23,250       84,106  

Collins Foods Ltd.

    13,485       74,933  

Computershare Ltd.

    47,430       756,512  

CSL Ltd.

    19,375       3,523,675  

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd.

    7,130       234,908  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    81,375       893,431  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    122,295       612,367  

Pro Medicus Ltd.

    1,085       34,646  

PSC Insurance Group Ltd.

    18,910       58,060  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    54,405       1,061,180  

Technology One Ltd.

    15,500       104,627  

Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co. Ltd.

    24,955       429,023  
   

 

 

 
      8,931,160  
Belgium — 0.3%            

Elia Group SA/NV

    2,015       237,107  

Etablissements Franz Colruyt NV

    9,765       214,649  

UCB SA

    8,990       623,886  
   

 

 

 
      1,075,642  
Brazil — 0.1%            

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    36,425       412,506  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 19.7%            

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    54,405       2,298,531  

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

    19,065       767,513  

Atco Ltd., Class I, NVS

    8,215       252,454  

Badger Infrastructure Solutions Ltd.

    2,846       57,998  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    185,070       2,868,461  

Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Class A

    54,715       2,238,350  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    152,675       6,682,398  

Canadian National Railway Co.

    34,410       3,716,135  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    142,135       6,616,195  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

    24,180       1,614,101  

Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd., Class A, NVS

    6,355       676,514  

Canadian Western Bank

    15,345       249,835  

Cargojet Inc.

    620       50,090  

Cogeco Communications Inc.

    2,325       121,371  

Cogeco Inc.

    1,085       43,279  

Dollarama Inc.

    2,790       160,167  

Empire Co. Ltd., Class A, NVS

    8,525       212,053  

Enghouse Systems Ltd.

    3,720       78,097  

EQB Inc.

    2,015       67,743  

Finning International Inc.

    17,205       302,412  

First National Financial Corp.

    4,340       113,138  

FirstService Corp.

    1,085       129,154  

Fortis Inc.

    56,420       2,143,498  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    6,200       740,580  

George Weston Ltd.

    3,565       373,262  

goeasy Ltd.

    1,550       120,647  

Great-West Lifeco Inc.

    55,335       1,194,549  

Hydro One Ltd.(a)

    29,140       712,599  

iA Financial Corp. Inc.

    13,023       661,733  

Imperial Oil Ltd.

    12,865       557,032  
Security   Shares     Value  
Canada (continued)            

Intact Financial Corp.

    10,850     $ 1,535,503  

Loblaw Companies Ltd.

    6,975       552,304  

Magna International Inc.

    28,055       1,330,904  

Manulife Financial Corp.

    372,465       5,845,760  

Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

    8,060       120,432  

Metro Inc.

    11,625       582,113  

North West Co. Inc. (The)

    7,130       165,120  

Open Text Corp.

    25,885       684,158  

Pan American Silver Corp.

    20,460       325,263  

Parkland Corp.

    17,670       378,638  

Power Corp. of Canada

    105,245       2,371,793  

Premium Brands Holdings Corp.

    3,720       228,906  

Quebecor Inc., Class B

    21,545       397,257  

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc.

    5,425       338,967  

Royal Bank of Canada

    109,430       9,852,542  

Saputo Inc.

    17,360       413,845  

Stantec Inc.

    4,495       197,131  

Stella-Jones Inc.

    3,410       95,732  

Sun Life Financial Inc.

    90,520       3,599,568  

TFI International Inc.

    2,790       252,491  

TMX Group Ltd.

    4,805       441,976  

Toromont Industries Ltd.

    4,185       291,331  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)

    158,255       9,705,986  

Transcontinental Inc., Class A

    11,780       137,214  

Waste Connections Inc.

    4,805       649,258  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    27,280       883,364  
   

 

 

 
      77,197,445  
China — 7.4%            

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

    93,000       373,882  

AVIC Electromechanical Systems Co. Ltd., Class A

    12,000       18,994  

China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H

    620,000       208,442  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class A

    186,000       143,609  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    434,000       519,088  

China Lesso Group Holdings Ltd.

    157,000       145,320  

China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

    314,000       374,046  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class A

    279,000       1,310,233  

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., Class H

    697,500       3,227,931  

China National Nuclear Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    139,500       113,856  

China Railway Group Ltd., Class A

    217,000       158,596  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    139,500       442,304  

China Suntien Green Energy Corp. Ltd., Class H

    310,000       113,077  

China Water Affairs Group Ltd.

    92,000       72,767  

Citic Pacific Special Steel Group Co. Ltd.

    47,100       116,036  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.

    620,000       614,528  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    62,800       837,323  

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

    16,490       190,773  

Genertec Universal Medical Group Co. Ltd.(a)

    232,500       118,805  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    930,000       742,902  

Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Class H

    186,000       565,994  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class A

    2,092,500       1,273,621  

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

    15,500       99,225  

Jonjee Hi-Tech Industrial And Commercial Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    15,700       69,693  

Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,800       993,323  

Lao Feng Xiang Co. Ltd.

    15,500       85,542  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.(a)

    387,500       1,110,788  

Luzhou Laojiao Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,400       174,262  

Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd., Class A

    125,600       52,370  

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

    201,500       1,168,512  

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

    1,395,000       6,959,368  
 

 

 

44  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)            

Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

    93,000     $ 179,901  

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

    186,000       249,176  

Shanghai Baosight Software Co. Ltd., Class A

    19,990       102,647  

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

    31,600       42,504  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class A

    15,800       36,467  

Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co. Ltd., Class H

    155,000       213,758  

Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co. Ltd., Class A

    31,000       21,349  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

    62,000       478,737  

Suofeiya Home Collection Co. Ltd., Class A

    15,700       36,842  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    124,000       4,188,262  

Valiant Co. Ltd.

    15,700       31,975  

Wuliangye Yibin Co. Ltd., Class A

    21,400       505,615  

Yankuang Energy Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    31,000       217,270  

Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group Co. Ltd.

    15,500       28,007  

Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    62,000       61,747  

Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd.

    77,500       307,313  
   

 

 

 
      29,096,780  
Colombia — 0.1%            

Grupo Argos SA

    35,185       74,873  

Grupo Nutresa SA(b)

    11,160       89,522  

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    97,650       349,506  
   

 

 

 
      513,901  
Denmark — 0.8%            

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

    9,765       1,141,885  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    9,765       992,362  

DSV A/S

    4,650       544,735  

Royal Unibrew A/S

    4,650       301,301  

Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S, Class A(a)

    14,127       204,949  
   

 

 

 
      3,185,232  
Finland — 0.3%            

Huhtamaki OYJ

    9,920       315,485  

Olvi OYJ, Class A

    2,480       76,491  

Uponor OYJ

    8,851       116,315  

Valmet OYJ

    31,310       632,970  
   

 

 

 
      1,141,261  
France — 4.3%            

Equasens

    465       27,609  

Sanofi

    143,685       10,941,107  

Schneider Electric SE

    53,010       5,987,520  
   

 

 

 
      16,956,236  
Germany — 5.2%            

Adesso SE

    155       15,586  

Atoss Software AG

    465       51,827  

Bechtle AG

    4,650       167,162  

Brenntag SE

    12,400       749,605  

Deutsche Boerse AG

    14,105       2,312,186  

Deutsche Wohnen SE

    1,240       23,574  

DIC Asset AG

    10,753       81,412  

Encavis AG

    7,285       130,204  

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

    30,225       851,529  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    57,970       1,235,642  

FUCHS PETROLUB SE

    4,960       109,299  

Gerresheimer AG

    2,635       128,656  

LANXESS AG

    10,075       293,201  

LEG Immobilien SE

    15,035       897,433  

Nemetschek SE

    1,860       88,288  

SAP SE

    95,325       7,768,524  
Security   Shares     Value  
Germany (continued)            

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

    188,945     $ 149,153  

Stratec SE

    310       24,636  

Symrise AG

    4,960       483,661  

TAG Immobilien AG

    66,495       530,666  

Vib Vermoegen AG

    1,705       35,541  

Vonovia SE

    187,705       4,051,005  
   

 

 

 
      20,178,790  
Greece — 0.1%            

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA

    33,170       481,648  

Sarantis SA

    6,200       37,005  
   

 

 

 
      518,653  
Hong Kong — 3.7%            

AIA Group Ltd.

    899,000       7,484,987  

CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

    155,000       790,550  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

    310,000       2,342,897  

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

    2,015,000       1,774,913  

Kerry Logistics Network Ltd.

    77,500       124,201  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    186,000       400,137  

Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.

    155,000       1,479,029  
   

 

 

 
      14,396,714  
India — 2.5%            

Aegis Logistics Ltd.

    13,020       43,070  

Asian Paints Ltd.

    9,765       399,209  

Balaji Amines Ltd.

    2       77  

Berger Paints India Ltd.

    1,309       9,879  

CRISIL Ltd.

    1,256       50,147  

Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd.(a)

    775       23,835  

Grindwell Norton Ltd.

    1,097       27,641  

Gujarat Gas Ltd.

    2,814       17,347  

Infosys Ltd.

    297,600       5,101,545  

KEC International Ltd.

    2,993       16,511  

KEI Industries Ltd.

    155       2,731  

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd.(a)

    1,881       101,897  

LIC Housing Finance Ltd.

    22,010       111,269  

Page Industries Ltd.

    155       96,089  

Persistent Systems Ltd.

    1,860       73,278  

Pidilite Industries Ltd.

    1,705       56,031  

Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.

    843,975       2,191,388  

Relaxo Footwears Ltd.

    1,872       23,017  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    26,505       769,230  

Reliance Industries Ltd., GDR(a)

    6,665       386,717  

Schaeffler India Ltd.

    775       30,325  

Sundaram Finance Ltd.

    2,790       77,248  

Tata Elxsi Ltd.

    620       64,536  

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

    2,480       189,703  

ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Ltd.

    157       19,144  
   

 

 

 
      9,881,864  
Indonesia — 0.5%            

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    3,673,500       2,050,692  

Mayora Indah Tbk PT

    310,000       37,198  
   

 

 

 
      2,087,890  
Ireland — 1.2%            

CRH PLC

    92,225       2,965,204  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    6,200       552,620  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    37,200       1,063,890  
   

 

 

 
      4,581,714  
Italy — 3.2%            

A2A SpA

    489,800       475,818  
 

 

 

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

  45


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Italy (continued)            

ACEA SpA

    9,920     $ 107,700  

Buzzi Unicem SpA

    8,554       121,006  

DiaSorin SpA

    775       86,484  

Enel SpA

    2,372,895       9,731,773  

Interpump Group SpA

    3,410       110,286  

Iren SpA

    140,740       185,533  

Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica SpA

    10,540       385,749  

Reply SpA

    775       80,723  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    216,380       1,317,868  
   

 

 

 
      12,602,940  
Japan — 19.0%            

Aeon Delight Co. Ltd.

    100       1,963  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

    15,500       172,675  

AGC Inc.

    34,400       1,070,935  

Aica Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    15,500       335,699  

Air Water Inc.

    31,400       370,884  

Alfresa Holdings Corp.

    31,000       361,290  

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    186,000       2,463,995  

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    93,000       503,626  

COMSYS Holdings Corp.

    15,500       263,005  

DCM Holdings Co. Ltd.

    31,000       252,634  

EXEO Group Inc.

    32,400       468,429  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    31,000       1,415,919  

Fuyo General Lease Co. Ltd.

    2,300       125,559  

Hikari Tsushin Inc.

    1,400       164,457  

Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.

    15,500       363,856  

Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.

    15,500       363,338  

Kandenko Co. Ltd.

    31,000       178,219  

Kao Corp.

    46,500       1,892,100  

KDDI Corp.

    186,000       5,437,947  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    200       11,721  

Kubota Corp.

    93,000       1,292,411  

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

    2,600       92,308  

Lasertec Corp.

    600       60,349  

MCJ Co. Ltd.

    15,500       106,306  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

    15,500       197,119  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    201,500       5,511,070  

Mizuho Leasing Co. Ltd.

    1,300       27,996  

Morinaga & Co. Ltd./Japan

    1,500       41,046  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    46,500       2,140,263  

Nichias Corp.

    15,500       240,397  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    169,000       6,816,492  

Nippon Gas Co. Ltd.

    15,500       220,758  

Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp.

    15,700       248,170  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    143,000       3,857,041  

Nissan Chemical Corp.

    15,500       692,442  

Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.

    31,000       313,112  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,600       218,192  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    16,900       915,063  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    16,500       372,640  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    16,900       412,753  

NSD Co. Ltd.

    15,500       263,847  

NTT Data Corp.

    31,000       400,430  

Obic Co. Ltd.

    2,100       281,597  

Okinawa Electric Power Co. Inc. (The)

    15,500       113,206  

Open House Group Co. Ltd.

    4,500       152,025  

Otsuka Corp.

    15,500       483,405  

Paltac Corp.

    200       6,155  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

    15,500       273,432  

Raito Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    15,500       203,870  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

SBI Holdings Inc/Japan

    46,300     $ 830,856  

SCSK Corp.

    15,700       237,687  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    108,500       1,797,008  

Seria Co. Ltd.

    15,500       270,675  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    62,000       2,490,542  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    39,500       3,908,794  

Shin-Etsu Polymer Co. Ltd.

    15,500       128,388  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    16,900       816,171  

Ship Healthcare Holdings Inc.

    15,500       291,166  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

    4,200       105,683  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    47,300       1,892,536  

Sony Group Corp.

    31,000       1,996,847  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    274,700       7,615,089  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    31,000       705,003  

TechnoPro Holdings Inc.

    15,500       330,173  

Terumo Corp.

    15,500       435,708  

TIS Inc.

    15,500       411,520  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    279,000       4,958,703  

Tokyo Century Corp.

    4,500       143,977  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

    31,000       441,081  

Unicharm Corp.

    16,500       541,280  

USS Co. Ltd.

    31,000       478,767  

Valor Holdings Co. Ltd.

    15,500       190,865  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    8,200       476,131  

Yamaguchi Financial Group Inc.

    46,500       247,572  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

    31,400       471,547  
   

 

 

 
      74,385,915  
Malaysia — 0.0%            

Allianz Malaysia Bhd

    15,700       45,031  
   

 

 

 
Mexico — 1.0%            

America Movil SAB de CV, Series L, NVS

    3,100,000       2,559,795  

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    62,000       446,448  

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Series A

    63,400       223,417  

Grupo Comercial Chedraui SA de CV

    15,500       45,801  

Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV

    124,000       207,985  

Qualitas Controladora SAB de CV

    31,400       129,485  

Sitios Latinoamerica SAB de CV

    155,000       69,190  
   

 

 

 
      3,682,121  
Netherlands — 0.5%            

IMCD NV

    2,790       330,787  

Wolters Kluwer NV

    16,740       1,630,034  
   

 

 

 
      1,960,821  
New Zealand — 0.3%            

EBOS Group Ltd.

    15,655       329,517  

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd.

    51,770       536,590  

Mainfreight Ltd.

    6,820       257,100  

Summerset Group Holdings Ltd.

    19,262       116,072  
   

 

 

 
      1,239,279  
Norway — 0.1%            

Borregaard ASA

    8,060       95,194  

Medistim ASA

    1,085       20,676  

TOMRA Systems ASA

    7,130       125,798  
   

 

 

 
      241,668  
Philippines — 0.1%            

International Container Terminal Services Inc.

    97,650       260,420  
   

 

 

 
Poland — 0.0%            

Neuca SA

    155       20,481  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

46  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Portugal — 0.0%             

Sonae SGPS SA

    188,480      $ 152,020  
    

 

 

 
Saudi Arabia — 0.0%             

Mouwasat Medical Services Co.

    2,483        130,163  
    

 

 

 
South Korea — 0.2%             

AfreecaTV Co. Ltd.

    620        27,098  

KIWOOM Securities Co. Ltd.

    2,790        146,049  

Kolmar BNH Co. Ltd.

    1,705        26,648  

LEENO Industrial Inc.

    620        53,339  

NAVER Corp.

    1,395        185,837  

NICE Information Service Co. Ltd.

    3,611        33,528  

SK Gas Ltd.

    465        32,486  

Youngone Corp.

    2,033        62,749  
    

 

 

 
       567,734  
Spain — 2.3%             

Iberdrola SA

    935,735        8,724,965  

Vidrala SA(c)

    1,550        90,210  

Viscofan SA

    5,115        279,616  
    

 

 

 
       9,094,791  
Sweden — 0.8%             

AAK AB

    13,020        172,148  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    70,990        1,330,072  

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

    5,966        73,541  

Bravida Holding AB(a)

    24,800        202,937  

Castellum AB

    52,390        587,012  

Catena AB

    2,349        69,699  

Heba Fastighets AB

    4,805        13,595  

Lifco AB, Class B

    7,595        105,366  

Platzer Fastigheter Holding AB, Class B

    6,975        41,849  

Swedish Match AB

    51,150        505,962  
    

 

 

 
       3,102,181  
Switzerland — 12.2%             

ALSO Holding AG, Registered

    775        114,832  

Berner Kantonalbank AG

    775        168,871  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Participation Certificates, NVS

    33        318,922  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered

    6        597,518  

Coca-Cola HBC AG, Class DI

    24,180        505,238  

DKSH Holding AG

    4,030        292,403  

Geberit AG, Registered

    3,875        1,661,554  

Givaudan SA, Registered

    620        1,873,021  

Logitech International SA, Registered

    12,710        581,070  

Nestle SA, Registered

    111,135        12,020,063  

Novartis AG, Registered

    155,465        11,852,173  

Partners Group Holding AG

    3,100        2,494,831  

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    2,635        1,029,312  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    37,820        12,311,642  

Siegfried Holding AG, Registered

    155        114,601  

Sika AG, Registered

    7,905        1,588,839  

Temenos AG, Registered

    3,419        230,498  
    

 

 

 
           47,755,388  
Taiwan — 0.9%             

Advantech Co. Ltd.

    27,000        248,710  

Chailease Holding Co. Ltd.

    162,297        927,059  

Elan Microelectronics Corp.

    155,000        403,918  

ITEQ Corp.

    155,000        284,710  

Parade Technologies Ltd.

    3,000        55,127  

Sigurd Microelectronics Corp.

    310,000        413,310  

Silergy Corp.

    8,000        104,336  
Security   Shares     Value  
Taiwan (continued)            

Sinbon Electronics Co. Ltd.

    11,000     $ 91,366  

Taiwan Union Technology Corp.

    195,000       273,335  

Unimicron Technology Corp.

    155,000       567,409  

Voltronic Power Technology Corp.

    2,000       87,961  
   

 

 

 
      3,457,241  
Thailand — 0.0%            

Srisawad Corp. PCL, NVDR

    108,500       122,574  
   

 

 

 
Turkey — 0.0%            

Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret AS

    11,005       17,360  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 10.2%            

Advanced Medical Solutions Group PLC

    3,756       10,233  

Ashtead Group PLC

    27,590       1,239,061  

B&M European Value Retail SA

    155,155       527,719  

BAE Systems PLC

    398,815       3,504,156  

Bunzl PLC

    25,885       790,863  

Clarkson PLC

    3,565       104,054  

Craneware PLC

    2,170       46,762  

Cranswick PLC

    5,425       161,160  

Croda International PLC

    8,370       597,819  

DCC PLC

    13,795       716,410  

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC

    5,425       157,547  

Diageo PLC

    183,055       7,705,424  

Diploma PLC

    9,300       238,967  

Drax Group PLC

    47,168       313,821  

EMIS Group PLC

    4,185       87,883  

Ferguson PLC

    17,205       1,784,661  

Focusrite PLC(c)

    1,099       8,651  

Games Workshop Group PLC

    4,650       297,338  

Gamma Communications PLC

    3,875       45,226  

Genus PLC

    3,720       107,926  

GlobalData PLC

    775       8,959  

Grainger PLC

    52,700       134,984  

Halma PLC

    12,710       285,878  

Hargreaves Lansdown PLC

    65,565       627,919  

Hilton Food Group PLC

    7,659       45,399  

HomeServe PLC

    6,665       87,816  

Impax Asset Management Group PLC

    15,500       89,724  

Learning Technologies Group PLC

    31,465       36,854  

Liontrust Asset Management PLC

    22,785       184,524  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    16,275       1,374,405  

RELX PLC

    173,755       4,245,832  

RWS Holdings PLC

    35,495       126,822  

Sage Group PLC (The)

    98,735       760,910  

Severn Trent PLC

    35,960       940,051  

Softcat PLC

    8,370       109,953  

Spectris PLC

    11,005       332,547  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    3,875       445,443  

Treatt PLC

    3,565       23,201  

Unilever PLC

    259,935       11,421,504  
   

 

 

 
      39,728,406  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.3%
(Cost: $471,016,562)

          388,722,322  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  47


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Germany — 0.0%            

Fuchs Petrolub SE, Preference Shares, NVS

    10,230     $ 259,051  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.0%
(Cost: $356,195)

      259,051  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   
Brazil — 0.0%            

Localiza Rent a Car SA,
(Expires 10/26/22, Strike Price BRL 50.35)

    111       227  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $—)

      227  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.3%
(Cost: $471,372,757)

      388,981,600  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    13,990       13,994  
Security   Shares     Value  
Money Market Funds (continued)            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    190,000     $ 190,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $ 203,994)

      203,994  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $ 471,576,751)

      389,185,594  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.6%

      2,345,215  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $     391,530,809  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

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

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $      $ 14,394 (a)     $      $ (400    $      $ 13,994        13,990      $ 2,331 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     370,000               (180,000 )(a)                     190,000        190,000        4,509         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (400    $      $ 203,994         $ 6,840      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

S&P/TSX 60 Index

     2        12/15/22      $ 325      $ (11,659

MSCI EAFE Index

     24        12/16/22        1,993        (102,238
           

 

 

 
            $ (113,897
           

 

 

 

 

 

48  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® International Dividend Growth ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 113,897      $      $      $      $ 113,897  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (342,255    $      $      $      $ (342,255
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (151,740    $      $      $      $ (151,740
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

 

   $

 

2,035,755    

 

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 82,675,228        $ 305,957,572        $ 89,522        $ 388,722,322  

Preferred Stocks

              259,051                   259,051  

Rights

     227                            227  

Money Market Funds

     203,994                            203,994  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   82,879,449        $ 306,216,623        $ 89,522        $ 389,185,594  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (113,897      $        $        $ (113,897
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  49


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Latin America 40 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Brazil — 42.6%            

Ambev SA, ADR

    11,572,988     $ 32,751,555  

B3 SA - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao

    16,005,144       38,719,610  

Banco do Brasil SA

    3,759,747       26,847,619  

BRF SA, ADR(a)(b)

    1,704,391       3,988,275  

CCR SA

    2,915,390       6,771,870  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA

    3,341,469       26,617,280  

Localiza Rent a Car SA

    1,981,507       22,440,194  

Lojas Renner SA

    2,596,153       13,403,443  

Magazine Luiza SA(a)

    7,438,627       6,177,769  

Natura & Co. Holding SA

    2,213,947       6,045,481  

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A(a)(b)

    525,810       6,956,466  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

    4,882,667       60,252,111  

Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA(c)

    1,899,233       10,463,764  

Vale SA, ADR(b)

    10,158,111       135,306,038  

WEG SA

    3,855,146       22,969,291  
   

 

 

 
          419,710,766  
Chile — 7.5%            

Banco de Chile

    113,989,350       10,029,310  

Banco Santander Chile, ADR

    407,969       5,715,646  

Cencosud SA

    3,381,069       4,278,685  

Empresas CMPC SA

    2,886,645       4,392,844  

Empresas COPEC SA

    955,068       6,118,292  

Enel Americas SA

    50,675,629       5,339,732  

Falabella SA

    1,975,130       3,938,957  

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR

    374,788       34,012,011  
   

 

 

 
      73,825,477  
Colombia — 1.8%            

Bancolombia SA, ADR

    296,618       7,228,581  

Ecopetrol SA, ADR

    647,394       5,781,228  

Interconexion Electrica SA ESP

    1,162,804       4,161,875  
   

 

 

 
      17,171,684  
Mexico — 22.1%            

America Movil SAB de CV, Series L, NVS

    50,456,200       41,663,726  

Cemex SAB de CV, NVS(a)

    39,723,815       13,688,685  

Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV

    7,541,600       7,762,723  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    4,820,600       30,212,077  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O

    6,507,300       41,784,753  

Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B

    8,171,700       27,640,021  

Grupo Televisa SAB, CPO

    6,639,400       7,186,818  

Sitios Latinoamerica SAB de CV

    2,442,925       1,090,489  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV(b)

    13,288,400       46,734,893  
   

 

 

 
      217,764,185  
Peru — 3.2%            

Credicorp Ltd.

    178,328       21,898,679  

Southern Copper Corp.

    223,162       10,006,584  
   

 

 

 
      31,905,263  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 77.2%
(Cost: $929,338,751)

      760,377,375  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 22.2%            

Banco Bradesco SA, Preference Shares, ADR

    13,961,120     $ 51,376,922  

Gerdau SA, Preference Shares, ADR

    2,826,995       12,778,017  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, ADR

    12,716,585       65,744,744  

Itausa SA, Preference Shares, NVS

    12,322,283       22,226,184  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Preference Shares, ADR

    6,027,419       66,783,803  
   

 

 

 
      218,909,670  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 22.2%
(Cost: $308,730,708)

 

    218,909,670  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   
Brazil — 0.0%            

Localiza Rent a Car SA,
(Expires 10/26/22, Strike Price BRL 50.35)

    5,890       12,011  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $—)

 

    12,011  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $1,238,069,459)

      979,299,056  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 7.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(d)(e)(f)

    53,210,233       53,226,197  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    15,550,000       15,550,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 7.0%
(Cost: $68,765,147)

      68,776,197  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 106.4%
(Cost: $1,306,834,606)

      1,048,075,253  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (6.4)%

 

    (63,312,164
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $     984,763,089  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

 

50  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Latin America 40 ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/22
    Shares
Held at
09/30/22
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 23,454,989     $ 29,754,515 (a)    $     $ 14,462     $ 2,231     $ 53,226,197       53,210,233     $ 36,809 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    3,600,000       11,950,000 (a)                        15,550,000       15,550,000       22,192        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 14,462     $ 2,231     $ 68,776,197       $ 59,001     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

Mexican BOLSA Index

     70        12/16/22      $ 1,561      $ (90,610

MSCI Brazil Index

     76        12/16/22        3,556        (59,106
           

 

 

 
            $ (149,716
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 149,716      $      $      $      $ 149,716  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (5,755,690    $      $      $      $ (5,755,690
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (779,564    $      $      $      $ (779,564
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  51


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Latin America 40 ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure (continued)

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

 

   $

 

9,720,461    

 

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

 

 

Investments

           

Assets

           

Common Stocks

   $ 756,438,418      $ 3,938,957      $      $ 760,377,375  

Preferred Stocks

     218,909,670                      218,909,670  

Rights

     12,011                      12,011  

Money Market Funds

     68,776,197                      68,776,197  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,044,136,296      $     3,938,957      $             —      $ 1,048,075,253  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Futures Contracts

   $ (149,716    $      $      $ (149,716
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

52  

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


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

 

    

iShares

Asia 50 ETF

   

iShares
Blockchain

and Tech

ETF

   

iShares

Emerging

Markets
Infrastructure

ETF

   

iShares

Europe ETF

 

ASSETS

       

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

  $ 1,161,052,185     $ 5,796,322     $ 19,882,647     $ 1,338,075,457  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    630,000       1,921,003       839,934       4,517,853  

Cash

    2,781       795       9,848       283  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    1,524,477       419       22,773       849,040  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    76,000             4,000        

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

                      309,971  

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

                2,661,302        

Securities lending income — affiliated

          5,907       341       3,455  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    2,214,564       712       99,021       1,282,049  

Dividends — affiliated

    3,197       86       37       3,450  

Tax reclaims

                      4,030,562  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,165,503,204       7,725,244       23,519,903       1,349,072,120  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

          1,820,726       831,059       2,304,013  

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

          92,188       2,816,952        

Variation margin on futures contracts

    5,132             360       2,087  

Investment advisory fees

    537,456       2,505       10,835       714,360  

Professional fees

                      296,106  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

                      3,629,974  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    542,588       1,915,419       3,659,206       6,946,540  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 1,164,960,616     $ 5,809,825     $ 19,860,697     $ 1,342,125,580  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,629,374,453     $ 8,983,970     $ 56,348,825     $ 2,139,701,949  

Accumulated loss

    (464,413,837     (3,174,145     (36,488,128     (797,576,369
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 1,164,960,616     $ 5,809,825     $ 19,860,697     $ 1,342,125,580  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

       

Shares outstanding

    23,200,000       400,000       1,050,000       35,550,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 50.21     $ 14.52     $ 18.91     $ 37.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 1,484,648,484     $ 7,499,883     $ 21,906,249     $ 1,759,010,865  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $     $ 1,749,901     $ 802,403     $ 2,339,298  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 630,000     $ 1,920,748     $ 839,674     $ 4,516,357  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 1,530,039     $ 448     $ 23,332     $ 804,652  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $     $     $     $ 361,419  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  53


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

 

     iShares
India 50 ETF
(Consolidated)
     iShares
International
Developed
Property ETF
    iShares
International
Developed
Small Cap
Value Factor
ETF
    iShares
International
Dividend
Growth ETF
 

ASSETS

        

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

  $ 558,792,084      $ 42,056,085     $ 122,294,475     $ 388,981,600  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

           1,051,705       681,980       203,994  

Cash

           1,744       8,375       9,312  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    8,567,373        61,390       264,560       410,538  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    98,000        15,000       63,000       102,507  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

           4,443       40,216       19,546  

Receivables:

        

Investments sold

    4,237,068              483,686       49,324  

Securities lending income — affiliated

           1,349       937       16  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    19,670        1,313              

Dividends — unaffiliated

    7,973        201,638       604,991       1,539,056  

Dividends — affiliated

    13,022        93       237       1,220  

Tax reclaims

           30,094       106,877       289,124  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    571,735,190        43,424,854       124,549,334       391,606,237  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Bank overdraft

    1,377,117                     

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

           1,042,120       671,498       13,994  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

    575,897        6,581             923  

Payables:

        

Investments purchased

    8,579,726                     

Variation margin on futures contracts

                 41,134       9,366  

Investment advisory fees

    427,703        18,500       32,989       51,145  

Foreign taxes

           805              
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    10,960,443        1,068,006       745,621       75,428  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 560,774,747      $ 42,356,848     $ 123,803,713     $ 391,530,809  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Paid-in capital

  $ 305,905,988      $ 102,597,733     $ 164,574,521     $ 491,096,773  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    254,868,759        (60,240,885     (40,770,808     (99,565,964
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 560,774,747      $ 42,356,848     $ 123,803,713     $ 391,530,809  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

        

Shares outstanding

    13,250,000        1,700,000       4,800,000       7,750,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 42.32      $ 24.92     $ 25.79     $ 50.52  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None       None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 570,275,696      $ 67,870,955     $ 163,262,507     $ 471,372,757  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 785,985     $ 647,538     $ 13,613  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $      $ 1,051,276     $ 681,901     $ 203,994  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 8,567,373      $ 61,256     $ 270,421     $ 414,028  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $      $ 4,757     $ 40,384     $ 20,126  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

54  

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


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

 

    

iShares

Latin America 40

ETF

 

ASSETS

 

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

  $ 979,299,056  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    68,776,197  

Cash

    5,667  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    1,159,731  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    352,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

    145,535  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    26,356  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    8,302  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    39,527  

Capital shares sold

    4,514,619  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,405,762  

Dividends — affiliated

    12,298  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,055,745,050  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    53,131,921  

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    17,449,976  

Investment advisory fees

    400,064  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    70,981,961  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 984,763,089  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 2,271,463,764  

Accumulated loss

    (1,286,700,675
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 984,763,089  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

 

Shares outstanding

    41,500,000  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 23.73  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

    None  
 

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 1,238,069,459  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 53,259,024  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 68,765,147  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 1,165,221  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 146,520  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  55


Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

     

iShares

Asia 50 ETF

 

 

   

iShares
Blockchain
and Tech

ETF

 
 
 

(a)  

   



iShares
Emerging
Markets
Infrastructure
ETF
 
 
 
 
 
   

iShares

Europe ETF

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 33,716,095     $ 8,489     $ 544,477     $ 40,443,447  

Dividends — affiliated

    10,246       94       205       14,210  

Interest — unaffiliated

    1,144                    

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    1,095       8,406       5,967       23,242  

Other income — unaffiliated

                      3,190,494  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (3,685,986     (206     (36,315     (3,049,254

Foreign withholding tax claims

                      5,351,708  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

                      (1,687,524

Other foreign taxes

    (191                  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    30,042,403       16,783       514,334       44,286,323  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    4,164,133       11,736       64,084       4,904,700  

Commitment costs

    10,811             124        

Professional

                      854,235  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    4,174,944       11,736       64,208       5,758,935  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    25,867,459       5,047       450,126       38,527,388  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (8,874,051     (1,474,340     (1,824,546     (40,636,933

Investments — affiliated

          23       (315     (1,898

Foreign currency transactions

    (506,971     (555     (2,435     (713,676

Futures contracts

    (728,914           (11,081     (332,827

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(b)

    (27,215,081           354,069       29,533,679  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (37,325,017     (1,474,872     (1,484,308     (12,151,655
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (447,875,019     (1,703,561     (2,619,457     (437,753,779

Investments — affiliated

          255       777       1,180  

Foreign currency translations

    72,713       (30     77       (390,210

Futures contracts

    (464,208           (12,530     (483,506
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (448,266,514     (1,703,336     (2,631,133     (438,626,315
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (485,591,531     (3,178,208     (4,115,441     (450,777,970
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (459,724,072   $ (3,173,161   $ (3,665,315   $ (412,250,582
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

For the period from April 25, 2022 (commencement of operations) to September 30, 2022.

(b) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

56  

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


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

     

iShares

India 50 ETF

(Consolidated

 

 

) 

   


iShares
International
Developed
Property ETF
 
 
 
 
   


iShares
International
Developed

Small Cap

Value Factor

ETF

 
 
 

 

 

 

   


iShares
International
Dividend

Growth ETF

 
 
 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 5,660,575     $ 1,291,159     $ 3,825,355     $ 7,028,767  

Dividends — affiliated

    73,213       187       454       4,509  

Non-cash dividends — unaffiliated

                      423,148  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

          11,474       2,661       2,331  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,211,522     (110,667     (389,531     (723,452
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,522,266       1,192,153       3,438,939       6,735,303  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    2,668,636       132,111       293,119       282,159  

Commitment costs

    3,643                   760  

Interest expense

    253,126                    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,925,405       132,111       293,119       282,919  

Less:

       

Investment advisory fees waived

                (73,280      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    2,925,405       132,111       219,839       282,919  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,596,861       1,060,042       3,219,100       6,452,384  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated(a)

    342,379,960       (1,444,032     (524,906     (9,784,934

Investments — affiliated

          135       435       (400

Foreign currency transactions

    (2,407,639     (41,113     (111,420     (211,945

Futures contracts

    (315,679     (14,558     14,719       (342,255

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(b)

          (535,729            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    339,656,642       (2,035,297     (621,172     (10,339,534
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated(c)

    (399,104,888     (16,552,767     (40,204,639     (83,681,145

Investments — affiliated

          302       82        

Foreign currency translations

    (24,819     (4,678     (3,255     (34,422

Futures contracts

    4,761       (32,094     (51,008     (151,740
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (399,124,946     (16,589,237     (40,258,820     (83,867,307
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (59,468,304     (18,624,534     (40,879,992     (94,206,841
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (57,871,443   $ (17,564,492   $ (37,660,892   $ (87,754,457
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $ (20,028,935   $ (805   $     $ (25,302

(b) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

       

(c)  Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $ 23,961,891     $ 6,607     $     $ 165,681  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  57


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

    

iShares

Latin America

40 ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 97,070,483  

Dividends — affiliated

    22,192  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    36,809  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (2,870,687
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    94,258,797  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    3,055,990  

Commitment costs

    8,619  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,064,609  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    91,194,188  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (134,593,327

Investments — affiliated

    14,462  

Foreign currency transactions

    (249,757

Futures contracts

    (5,755,690

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    6,389,140  
 

 

 

 
    (134,195,172
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (301,422,920

Investments — affiliated

    2,231  

Foreign currency translations

    2,917  

Futures contracts

    (779,564
 

 

 

 
    (302,197,336
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (436,392,508
 

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (345,198,320
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

58  

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


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

Asia 50 ETF

           iShares
Blockchain and
Tech ETF
 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
      

Period From
04/25/22

to 09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
(a)  

 

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

        

OPERATIONS

        

Net investment income

  $ 25,867,459     $ 28,699,918        $ 5,047  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (37,325,017     100,321,770          (1,474,872

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (448,266,514     (756,399,361        (1,703,336
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (459,724,072     (627,377,673        (3,173,161
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

        

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (14,232,633     (35,774,281        (984
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

        

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

    (246,207,861     (624,392,740        8,983,970  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (720,164,566     (1,287,544,694        5,809,825  

Beginning of period

    1,885,125,182       3,172,669,876           
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,164,960,616     $ 1,885,125,182        $ 5,809,825  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  59


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF

          

iShares

Europe ETF

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
           Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

            

OPERATIONS

            

Net investment income

    $ 450,126     $ 655,382        $ 38,527,388     $ 46,610,305  

Net realized loss

               (1,484,308     (1,282,326        (12,151,655     (27,424,827

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      (2,631,133     76,169          (438,626,315     3,559,544  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (3,665,315     (550,775        (412,250,582     22,745,022  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

            

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (289,943     (642,264        (43,628,558     (56,175,033
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

            

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

      3,220,760       5,705,641          (145,974,513     311,464,772  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

            

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (734,498     4,512,602          (601,853,653     278,034,761  

Beginning of period

      20,595,195       16,082,593          1,943,979,233       1,665,944,472  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 19,860,697     $ 20,595,195        $ 1,342,125,580     $ 1,943,979,233  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

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


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

India 50 ETF

(Consolidated)

          

iShares

International Developed Property ETF

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
   

Six Months
Ended

09/30/22
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/22
           Six Months
Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 1,596,861     $ 661,178        $ 1,060,042     $ 2,144,487  

Net realized gain (loss)

    339,656,642       52,516,496          (2,035,297     (1,322,252

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (399,124,946     16,573,355          (16,589,237     1,609,503  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (57,871,443     69,751,029          (17,564,492     2,431,738  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

          (48,495,153        (977,169     (3,007,345
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (44,581,965     (49,311,607        (2,947,463     (18,963,064
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total decrease in net assets

    (102,453,408     (28,055,731        (21,489,124     (19,538,671

Beginning of period

    663,228,155       691,283,886          63,845,972       83,384,643  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 560,774,747     $ 663,228,155        $ 42,356,848     $ 63,845,972  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  61


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

International Developed Small Cap
Value Factor ETF

          

iShares

International Dividend Growth ETF

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Six Months
Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
           Six Months
Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 3,219,100     $ 1,194,731        $ 6,452,384     $ 6,718,910  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (621,172     (452,059        (10,339,534     5,289,828  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (40,258,820     (723,621        (83,867,307     (9,199,161
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (37,660,892     19,051          (87,754,457     2,809,577  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (2,716,766     (407,661        (6,398,818     (5,744,772
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

          157,695,420          163,812,951       134,951,001  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (40,377,658     157,306,810          69,659,676       132,015,806  

Beginning of period

    164,181,371       6,874,561          321,871,133       189,855,327  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 123,803,713     $ 164,181,371        $ 391,530,809     $ 321,871,133  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

62  

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


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

Latin America 40 ETF

 
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 91,194,188     $ 87,719,376  

Net realized loss

    (134,195,172     (97,985,906

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (302,197,336     277,163,233  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (345,198,320     266,896,703  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (62,590,275     (99,359,955
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (345,637,993     (199,937,506
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (753,426,588     (32,400,758

Beginning of period

    1,738,189,677       1,770,590,435  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 984,763,089     $ 1,738,189,677  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  63


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Asia 50 ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22 (unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 68.67     $ 90.91     $ 56.05     $ 61.05     $ 67.20     $ 52.54  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.96       0.93       1.31       1.42       1.48       1.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

                (18.90     (21.99     34.52       (4.94     (6.25     14.56  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (17.94     (21.06     35.83       (3.52     (4.77     15.62  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

       (0.52     (1.18     (0.97     (1.48     (1.38     (0.96
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 50.21     $ 68.67     $ 90.91     $ 56.05     $ 61.05     $ 67.20  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

       (26.30 )%(e)      (23.36 )%      64.22     (6.00 )%      (6.94 )%      29.86
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

       0.50 %(g)       0.50     0.50     0.50     0.50     0.50
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       3.11 %(g)       1.12     1.66     2.32     2.43     1.67
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 1,164,961     $ 1,885,125     $ 3,172,670     $ 1,059,289     $ 1,089,745     $ 947,500  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

       4     13     46     6     10     16
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

64  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares
Blockchain
and Tech
ETF
         
 

 

 

   
   

Period From
04/25/22

to 09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
(a)  

 

 

 

 

   

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.56    
 

 

 

   

Net investment income(b)

    0.02    

Net realized and unrealized loss(c)

    (11.06  
 

 

 

   

Net decrease from investment operations

    (11.04  
 

 

 

   

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.00 )(e)   
 

 

 

   

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.52    
 

 

 

   

Total Return(f)

   

Based on net asset value

    (43.15 )%(g)   
 

 

 

   

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

   

Total expenses

    0.47 %(i)   
 

 

 

   

Net investment income

    0.20 %(i)   
 

 

 

   

Supplemental Data

   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 5,810    
 

 

 

   

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    45  
 

 

 

   

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  65


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 22.88     $ 24.74     $ 19.80     $ 28.64     $ 32.07     $ 31.49  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.46       0.95       0.65       0.75       0.75       0.66  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       (4.12     (1.84     4.91       (8.94     (3.45     0.77  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (3.66     (0.89     5.56       (8.19     (2.70     1.43  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

                (0.31     (0.97     (0.62     (0.65     (0.73     (0.85
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 18.91     $ 22.88     $ 24.74     $ 19.80     $ 28.64     $ 32.07  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

       (16.27 )%(e)      (3.83 )%      28.33     (29.33 )%      (8.35 )%      4.55
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

       0.60 %(g)      0.60     0.60     0.75     0.75     0.75
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       4.21 %(g)      3.96     2.90     2.60     2.56     2.02
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 19,861     $ 20,595     $ 16,083     $ 12,870     $ 25,773     $ 41,686  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

       14     23     27     18     25     21
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

66  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Europe ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22 (unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 50.17     $ 50.25     $ 35.42     $ 43.40     $ 46.48     $ 41.82  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       1.04 (b)       1.24 (b)       0.85       1.24       1.42       1.10  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

                (12.28     0.21       14.82       (7.78     (3.16     4.69  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (11.24     1.45       15.67       (6.54     (1.74     5.79  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

       (1.18     (1.53     (0.84     (1.44     (1.34     (1.13
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 37.75     $ 50.17     $ 50.25     $ 35.42     $ 43.40     $ 46.48  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

              

Based on net asset value

       (22.78 )%(b)(f)      2.69 %(b)       44.70     (15.61 )%      (3.73 )%      13.96
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

              

Total expenses

       0.64 %(h)(i)       0.63     0.60     0.59     0.59     0.59
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

       0.59 %(h)       0.58     0.59     0.59     0.59     N/A  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       4.64 %(b)(h)       2.34 %(b)       1.94     2.84     3.23     2.39
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 1,342,126     $ 1,943,979     $ 1,665,944     $ 1,252,107     $ 2,002,860     $ 2,765,550  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

       4     5     5     5     7     3
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2022 and year ended March 31, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.12 and $0.18.

   

Total return by 0.26% and 0.36%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.27% and 0.34%.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Professional fees were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If this expense was annualized, the total expenses would have been 0.69%.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  67


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          

iShares India 50 ETF

 

(Consolidated)

 
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 46.38     $ 44.60     $ 25.87     $ 37.92     $ 35.00     $ 32.27  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.12       0.05       0.02       0.19       0.16       0.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

                (4.18     5.10       18.74       (12.01     2.97       2.68  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (4.06     5.15       18.76       (11.82     3.13       2.83  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

             (3.37     (0.03     (0.23     (0.21     (0.10
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 42.32     $ 46.38     $ 44.60     $ 25.87     $ 37.92     $ 35.00  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

       (8.75 )%(e)      11.57     72.59     (31.41 )%      9.04     8.76
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

       0.98 %(g)       0.89     0.90     0.93     0.94     0.92
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       0.53 %(g)       0.10     0.06     0.51     0.45     0.42
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 560,775     $ 663,228     $ 691,284     $ 483,841     $ 828,545     $ 1,120,132  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

       101     12     8     26     24     14
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

68  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares International Developed Property ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 35.47     $ 36.25     $ 27.97     $ 38.79     $ 38.95     $ 35.50  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

                0.60       1.06 (b)       0.94       1.14       1.19       1.17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

       (10.59     (0.35     8.19       (9.31     0.23       3.96  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (9.99     0.71       9.13       (8.17     1.42       5.13  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

       (0.56     (1.49     (0.85     (2.65     (1.58     (1.68
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 24.92     $ 35.47     $ 36.25     $ 27.97     $ 38.79     $ 38.95  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

              

Based on net asset value

       (28.34 )%(f)      1.79 %(b)      32.96     (22.52 )%      3.91     14.58
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

              

Total expenses

       0.48 %(h)      0.49     0.48     0.48     0.48     0.48
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

       N/A       0.48     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       3.85 %(h)      2.82 %(b)      2.92     3.01     3.16     3.04
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 42,357     $ 63,846     $ 83,385     $ 78,329     $ 131,871     $ 155,780  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

       4     12     16     8     9     11
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2021, respectively:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.04.

   

Total return by 0.12% respectively.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.09% respectively.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  69


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/22

(unaudited)

 
 

 

   
Year Ended
03/31/22
 
 
   

Period From

03/23/21

to 03/31/21

 

(a) 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 34.20     $ 34.37     $ 34.52  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

       0.67       1.59       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized loss(c)

       (8.51     (0.74     (0.31
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

                (7.84     0.85       (0.15
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

       (0.57     (1.02      
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 25.79     $ 34.20     $ 34.37  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

        

Based on net asset value

       (23.23 )%(f)      2.42     (0.43 )%(f) 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

        

Total expenses

       0.40 %(h)       0.40     0.40 %(h) 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

       0.30 %(h)       0.30     0.30 %(h) 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       4.39 %(h)       4.55     17.96 %(h) 
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

        

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 123,804     $ 164,181     $ 6,875  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

       10     35     0
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

70  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares International Dividend Growth ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 65.02     $ 64.36     $ 45.51     $ 53.81     $ 56.40     $ 51.23  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

                1.00       1.74       1.53       1.56       1.51       1.27  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       (14.55     0.39       18.87       (8.24     (2.58     5.31  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (13.55     2.13       20.40       (6.68     (1.07     6.58  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

       (0.95     (1.47     (1.55     (1.62     (1.52     (1.41
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 50.52     $ 65.02     $ 64.36     $ 45.51     $ 53.81     $ 56.40  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

       (20.97 )%(e)      3.28     45.29     (12.75 )%      (1.88 )%      12.93
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

       0.15 %(g)       0.15     0.19     0.22     0.22     0.22
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       3.43 %(g)       2.60     2.66     2.81     2.80     2.26
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 391,531     $ 321,871     $ 189,855     $ 79,644     $ 75,329     $ 56,397  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

       12     40     66     35     34     42
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  71


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

           iShares Latin America 40 ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

     $ 30.36     $ 27.56     $ 18.34     $ 33.24     $ 37.28     $ 31.58  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

                1.82       1.70       0.68       0.98       0.88       0.83  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       (7.35     3.09       9.09       (14.83     (3.96     5.49  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (5.53     4.79       9.77       (13.85     (3.08     6.32  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

       (1.10     (1.99     (0.55     (1.05     (0.96     (0.62
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 23.73     $ 30.36     $ 27.56     $ 18.34     $ 33.24     $ 37.28  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

       (18.48 )%(e)      19.25     53.62     (43.05 )%      (7.93 )%      20.38
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

       0.48 %(g)       0.47     0.48     0.48     0.48     0.48
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

       14.21 %(g)      6.07     2.78     3.08     2.68     2.43
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 984,763     $ 1,738,190     $ 1,770,590     $ 797,877     $ 1,529,164     $ 1,770,599  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

       14     27     20     22     20     16
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

72  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

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

 

iShares ETF   Diversification    
Classification    

Asia 50

  Non-diversified    

Blockchain and Tech(a)

  Non-diversified    

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

  Non-diversified    

Europe

  Diversified    

India 50

  Non-diversified    

International Developed Property

  Diversified    

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

  Non-diversified    

International Dividend Growth

  Diversified    

Latin America 40

  Non-diversified    

 

  (a) 

The Fund commenced operations on April 25, 2022.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the iShares India 50 ETF includes the accounts of its subsidiary in the Republic of Mauritius, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Fund that invests in Indian securities. Through this investment structure, the Fund expects to obtain certain benefits under a current tax treaty between Mauritius and India. The net assets of the Subsidiary as of period end were $319,416, which is 0.1% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated.

Effective August 8, 2022, iShares India 50 ETF no longer invests in the Subsidiary. iShares India 50 ETF transferred substantially all of the assets of iShares India 50 ETF’s wholly owned Mauritius Subsidiary to iShares India 50 ETF through on-exchange transactions in India. iShares India 50 ETF recognized a net realized gain of $348,862,956 as a result of this transaction. After the transfer, iShares India 50 ETF began making new investments in India directly.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  73


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 September 30, 2022, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

The iShares India 50 ETF has conducted investment activities in India through its Subsidiary and expects to obtain benefits under the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (“DTAA”) between India and Mauritius. In order to be eligible to claim benefits under the DTAA, the Subsidiary must have commercial substance, on an annual basis, to satisfy certain tests and conditions, including the establishment and maintenance of valid tax residence in Mauritius, have the place of effective management outside of India, and related requirements. The Fund has obtained a current tax residence certificate issued by the Mauritian Revenue Authorities.

Based upon current interpretation and practice of the current tax laws in India and Mauritius and the DTAA, the Subsidiary is subject to tax in Mauritius on its net income at the rate of 15%. However, the Subsidiary is entitled to a tax credit equivalent to the higher of the actual foreign tax incurred or 80% of the Mauritius tax on its foreign source income, thus reducing its maximum effective tax rate to 3% up to June 30, 2021. After June 30, 2021, under the new tax regime and subject to meeting the necessary substance requirements as required under the Financial Services Act 2007 (as amended by the Finance Act 2018) and such guidelines issued by the Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”), the Subsidiary is entitled to either (a) a foreign tax credit equivalent to the actual foreign tax suffered on its foreign income against the Subsidiary’s tax liability computed at 15% on such income, or (b) a partial exemption of 80% of some of the income derived, including interest income or foreign source dividends. Taxes on income, if any, are paid by the Subsidiary and are disclosed in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any dividends paid by a Subsidiary to its Fund are not subject to tax in Mauritius. The Subsidiary is currently exempt from tax in Mauritius on any gains from the sale of securities.

The DTAA provides that capital gains will be taxable in India with respect to the sale of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017. Capital gains arising from shares acquired before April 1, 2017, regardless of when they are sold, will continue to be exempt from taxation under the amended DTAA, assuming requirements for eligibility under the DTAA are satisfied. There can be no assurance, however, that the DTAA will remain in effect during the Subsidiary’s existence or that it will continue to enjoy its benefits on the shares acquired prior to April 1, 2017.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

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

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

 

 

74  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  75


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)
 
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a)
 
    Net Amount  

 

 

Blockchain and Tech

        

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

  $ 762,037      $ (747,778   $     $ 14,259 (b) 

BNP Paribas SA

    4,347        (4,347            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    623,404        (623,404            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    267,010        (267,010            

Jefferies LLC

    10,286        (10,286            

UBS AG

    64,102        (64,102            

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    18,715        (18,533           182 (b)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 1,749,901      $ (1,735,460   $     $ 14,441  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 342,040      $ (342,040   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    380,956        (380,956            

Morgan Stanley

    76,687        (76,687            

UBS Securities LLC

    2,720        (2,720            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 802,403      $ (802,403   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Europe

        

BNP Paribas SA

  $ 74,013      $ (69,866   $     $ 4,147 (b)  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    368,579        (368,579            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    46,546        (43,783           2,763 (b)  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    801,595        (801,595            

Morgan Stanley

    626,948        (589,724           37,224 (b)  

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    421,617        (421,617            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 2,339,298      $ (2,295,164   $     $ 44,134  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International Developed Property

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 18,884      $ (18,884   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    247,993        (247,993            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    161,075        (161,075            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    25,607        (25,607            

HSBC Bank PLC

    23,859        (23,859            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    19,274        (19,274            

Morgan Stanley

    187,770        (187,770            

SG Americas Securities LLC

    25,097        (25,097            

UBS AG

    76,426        (73,119           3,307 (b)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 785,985      $ (782,678   $     $ 3,307  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 189,365      $ (189,365   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    116,087        (116,087            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    100,536        (100,536            

UBS AG

    241,550        (241,550            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 647,538      $ (647,538   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International Dividend Growth

        

Morgan Stanley

  $ 13,613      $ (13,613   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Latin America 40

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 118,975      $ (118,975   $     $  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    192,348        (192,348            

BNP Paribas SA

    17,229,132        (16,946,523           282,609 (b) 

Citadel Clearing LLC

    10,757,232        (10,574,065           183,167 (b) 

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    102,478        (102,478            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    2,466,412        (2,466,412            

Morgan Stanley

    9,466,017        (9,466,017            

SG Americas Securities LLC

    1,243,098        (1,222,955           20,143 (b)  

UBS AG

    11,054,016        (10,867,755           186,261 (b) 

UBS Securities LLC

    412,920        (405,889           7,031 (b)  

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    216,396        (214,628           1,768 (b)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 53,259,024      $ (52,578,045   $     $ 680,979  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

76  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

  (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.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of September 30, 2022. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

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

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

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

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

 

iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fees      

Asia 50

    0.50%   

Blockchain and Tech

    0.47      

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

    0.60      

India 50

    0.89      

International Developed Property

    0.48      

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

    0.40      

International Dividend Growth

    0.15      

For its investment advisory services to the iShares Europe ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees      

First $12 billion

    0.6000%   

Over $12 billion, up to and including $18 billion

    0.5700      

Over $18 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.5415      

Over $24 billion, up to and including $30 billion

    0.5145      

Over $30 billion

    0.4888      

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  77


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

For its investment advisory services to the iShares Latin America 40 ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees      

First $46 billion

    0.5000%   

Over $46 billion, up to and including $81 billion

    0.4750      

Over $81 billion, up to and including $111 billion

    0.4513      

Over $111 billion, up to and including $141 billion

    0.4287      

Over $141 billion, up to and including $171 billion

    0.4073      

Over $171 billion

    0.3869      

The Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract with BFA under which BFA provides investment advisory services to the Subsidiary but does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing it with such services. The Subsidiary has also entered into separate arrangements that provide for the provision of other services to the Subsidiary (including administrative, custody, transfer agency and other services), and BFA pays the costs and expenses related to the provision of those services.

Expense Waivers: A fund may incur its pro rata share of fees and expenses attributable to its investments in other investment companies (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). The total of the investment advisory fee and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statement of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through July 31, 2027 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other iShares funds. For the iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee through March 31, 2023 in order to limit the Fund’s total annual operating expenses after fee waiver to 0.30% of average daily net assets.

These amounts are included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to these arrangements were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts Waived      

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

  $ 73,280      

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

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

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

 

 

78  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts      

Asia 50

  $ 280      

Blockchain and Tech

    1,944      

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

    1,515      

Europe

    6,310      

International Developed Property

    2,768      

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

    724      

International Dividend Growth

    385      

Latin America 40

    12,830      

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

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

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized   
Gain (Loss)   
 

Asia 50

  $   10,507,522      $   5,289,276      $ (2,758,519)    

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

    34,575        437,039        (916,303)    

Europe

    1,681,638        1,442,411        (1,028,180)    

International Developed Property

           64,380        (45,399)    

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

    1,191,785        2,888,669        (41,976)    

International Dividend Growth

    7,267,452        3,207,176        (628,083)    

Latin America 40

    482,525        342,615        (393,134)    

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales    

Asia 50

  $ 61,345,933      $ 146,967,343    

Blockchain and Tech

    3,071,782        2,448,014    

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

    5,636,870        2,981,211    

Europe

    58,223,399        63,681,653    

India 50

      605,965,548          649,845,142    

International Developed Property

    2,594,350        2,418,232    

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

    15,634,554        14,477,319    

International Dividend Growth

    66,468,327        43,022,204    

Latin America 40

    178,527,888        231,939,215    

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind  

Sales  

 

Asia 50

  $ 587,707      $ 144,395,498    

Blockchain and Tech

    8,349,861        —    

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

    1,914,839        1,029,160    

Europe

             142,412,123    

International Developed Property

           2,816,122    

International Dividend Growth

    139,328,082        —    

Latin America 40

      190,070,343        458,518,060    

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  79


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2022, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of March 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts    

Asia 50

  $ 68,873,468    

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

    31,626,395    

Europe

      330,810,465    

India 50

    7,613,251    

International Developed Property

    29,854,811    

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

    357,587    

International Dividend Growth

    7,114,242    

Latin America 40

    861,526,464    

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of September 30, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized   
Appreciation   
(Depreciation)   
 

Asia 50

  $ 1,537,767,948      $ 146,298,224      $ (522,608,099   $   (376,309,875)    

Blockchain and Tech

    9,420,631        105,373        (1,808,679     (1,703,306)    

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

    24,327,171        2,422,010        (6,035,313     (3,613,303)    

Europe

      1,802,148,443        133,833,240        (593,707,683       (459,874,443)    

India 50

    624,969,204        325,926,851        (392,098,261     (66,171,410)    

International Developed Property

    71,369,336        771,869        (29,050,340     (28,278,471)    

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

    164,582,247        1,060,463        (42,707,443     (41,646,980)    

International Dividend Growth

    472,290,239        2,919,671        (86,138,213     (83,218,542)    

Latin America 40

    1,381,152,844        47,563,107        (380,790,414     (333,227,307)    

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The iShares Asia 50 ETF, iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, iShares India 50 ETF, iShares International Dividend Growth ETF and iShares Latin America 40 ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

Effective April 21, 2022, iShares India 50 ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Mauritius Participating Funds”), is a party to a $1.50 billion unsecured and uncommitted line of credit (“Uncommitted Liquidity Facility”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which may be used solely to facilitate trading associated with the closure of the Fund’s Mauritius subsidiary. The Uncommitted Liquidity Facility has interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Overnight Bank Funding rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Each Mauritius Participating Fund will be removed from the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility once trading out of its holdings in the Mauritius subsidiary is complete.

 

 

80  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the maximum amount borrowed, the average daily borrowing and the weighted average interest rate, if any, under the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Maximum
Amount
Borrowed
     Average
Borrowing
     Weighted   
Average   
Interest Rates   
 

India 50

  $ 151,350,000      $ 15,207,923        3.27%  

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

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

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: Investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or nonexistent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities; (ii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; (iii) lack of publicly available or reliable information about issuers as a result of not being subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements and accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; and (iv) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments.

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  81


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

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

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but could be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in China or with significant exposure to Chinese issuers or countries. Investments in Chinese securities, including certain Hong Kong-listed securities, involves risks specific to China. China may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries may disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation. Incidents involving China’s or the region’s security may cause uncertainty in Chinese markets and may adversely affect the Chinese economy and a fund’s investments. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, measures may be taken to limit the flow of capital and/or sanctions may be imposed, which could prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer fund assets and may also include retaliatory actions, such as seizure of fund assets.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial ConductAuthority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”).Although many LIBOR rates ceased to be published or no longer are representative of the underlying market they seek to measure after December 31, 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

 

82  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

09/30/22

        

Year Ended

03/31/22

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares          Amount          Shares          Amount  

 

 

Asia 50

                   

Shares sold

    350,000          $ 23,464,091          550,000          $ 50,293,530  

Shares redeemed

    (4,600,000        (269,671,952        (8,000,000        (674,686,270
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (4,250,000      $ (246,207,861        (7,450,000      $ (624,392,740
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
                

 

 
                         

Period Ended

09/30/22

 
      

 

 

 
iShares ETF                         Shares          Amount  

 

 

Blockchain and Tech

                

Shares sold

              400,000        $ 8,983,970  
           

 

 

      

 

 

 

    

                

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

09/30/22

        

Year Ended

03/31/22

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares          Amount          Shares          Amount  

 

 

Emerging Markets Infrastructure

                

Shares sold

    200,000        $ 4,326,610          250,000        $ 5,705,641  

Shares redeemed

    (50,000        (1,105,850                  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    150,000        $ 3,220,760          250,000        $ 5,705,641  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Europe

                

Shares sold

           $ 1,959          6,250,000        $ 340,588,053  

Shares redeemed

    (3,200,000        (145,976,472        (650,000        (29,123,281
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (3,200,000      $ (145,974,513        5,600,000        $ 311,464,772  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

India 50

                

Shares sold

           $ 3,840          850,000        $ 44,660,162  

Shares redeemed

    (1,050,000        (44,585,805        (2,050,000        (93,971,769
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (1,050,000      $ (44,581,965        (1,200,000      $ (49,311,607
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

International Developed Property

                

Shares sold

           $                 $ 58  

Shares redeemed

    (100,000        (2,947,463        (500,000        (18,963,122
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (100,000      $ (2,947,463        (500,000      $ (18,963,064
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

International Developed Small Cap Value Factor

                

Shares sold

           $          4,600,000        $ 157,695,420  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

International Dividend Growth

                

Shares sold

    2,800,000        $ 163,812,951          2,450,000        $ 165,044,172  

Shares redeemed

                      (450,000        (30,093,171
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    2,800,000        $ 163,812,951          2,000,000        $ 134,951,001  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Latin America 40

                

Shares sold

    8,750,000        $ 244,609,132          25,250,000        $ 664,304,225  

Shares redeemed

    (24,500,000        (590,247,125        (32,250,000        (864,241,731
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (15,750,000      $ (345,637,993        (7,000,000      $ (199,937,506
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  83


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The iShares Europe ETF is expected to seek a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Fund paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Fund has accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

84  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Asia 50 ETF, iShares International Developed Property ETF (each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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 within range of the median of the investment advisory fee rate 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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

  85


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required to consider and approve the proposed Investment

 

 

86  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Advisory Contract between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) on behalf of the Fund. The Independent Trustees requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the proposed Advisory Contract. At a meeting held on December 9 – December 10, 2021, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, approved the selection of BFA as investment adviser and approved the proposed Advisory Contract for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA. The Board also considered information previously provided by BFA, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), and BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), as applicable, at prior Board meetings. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the Advisory Contract for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services to be provided to the Fund and the availability of information related to profits to be realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, no one of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the Advisory Contract are discussed below.

Expenses of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board further noted that due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances.

The Board also noted that the overall fund expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the Advisory Contract.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services: The Board reviewed the scope of services to be provided by BFA under the Advisory Contract. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time and have made significant investments into the iShares business to support the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board considered representations by BFA, BTC, and BlackRock that the scope and quality of services to be provided to the Fund would be similar to the scope and quality of services provided to other iShares funds. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to other iShares funds. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and relevant, and has provided information and made appropriate officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons who will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources that will be available to them in managing the Fund. The Board also considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies, which were provided throughout the year with respect to other iShares funds.

Based on review of this information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided to the Fund under the Advisory Contract supported the Board’s approval of the Advisory Contract.

Costs of Services to be Provided to the Fund and Profits to be Realized by BFA and Affiliates: The Board did not consider the profitability of the Fund to BFA based on the fees payable under the Advisory Contract or revenue to be received by BFA or its affiliates in connection with services to be provided to the Fund since the proposed relationship had not yet commenced. The Board noted that it expects to receive profitability information from BFA periodically following the Fund’s launch and will thus be in a position to evaluate whether any new or additional breakpoints or other adjustments in Fund fees would be appropriate.

Economies of Scale: The Board considered information that it had previously received regarding economies of scale, efficiencies and scale benefits shared with the iShares funds through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints and waivers or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Contract for the Fund did not provide for any breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

This consideration of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the Advisory Contract.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”), and acknowledged BFA’s assertion that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA previously provided the Board with detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) generally differ from the iShares funds, including in terms of the different and generally more extensive services provided to the iShares funds, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other

 

 

B O A R D   R E V I E W   A N D   A P P R O V A L   O F   I N V E S T M E N T   A D V I S O R Y   C O N T R A C T

  87


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: Except as noted below, the Board did not consider the “fallout” benefits or ancillary revenue to be received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services to be provided to the Fund by BFA since the proposed relationship had not yet commenced. However, the Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board considered the potential payment of advisory fees and/or administration fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services and/or administration services. The Board also noted the potential revenue to be received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that would permit a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board also considered the potential for revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, and its affiliates in the event of any loaning of portfolio securities of the Fund. The Board further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates (including associated commissions), will be reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the Advisory Contract.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services to be rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the Advisory Contract.

iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF, iShares India 50 ETF (each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

88  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), 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 methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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.

 

 

O A R D  E V I E W   A N D  P P R O V A L   O F  N V E S T M E N T  D V I S O R Y  O N T R A C T

  89


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

iShares Europe ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services,

 

 

90  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), 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 methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services,

 

 

O A R D  E V I E W   A N D  P P R O V A L   O F  N V E S T M E N T  D V I S O R Y  O N T R A C T

  91


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

iShares International Developed Small Cap Value Factor ETF, iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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.

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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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

 

 

92  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), 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 methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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

 

 

O A R D  E V I E W   A N D  P P R O V A L   O F  N V E S T M E N T  D V I S O R Y  O N T R A C T

  93


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

iShares Latin America 40 ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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.

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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them

 

 

94  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), 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 methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

O A R D  E V I E W   A N D  P P R O V A L   O F  N V E S T M E N T  D V I S O R Y  O N T R A C T

  95


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

96  

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


Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

September 30, 2022

 

     
    Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

Asia 50(a)

  $   0.469052     $     $   0.049441     $   0.518493       90         10     100

Europe(a)

    1.157702             0.026248       1.183950       98             2       100  

International Developed Property(a)

    0.554360             0.003517       0.557877       99             1       100  

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

U P P L E M E N T A L    N F O R M  A T I O N

  97


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

98  

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


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation

ADR    American Depositary Receipt
CPO    Certificates of Participation (Ordinary)
GDR    Global Depositary Receipt
JSC    Joint Stock Company
NVDR    Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

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

  99


 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com  |  1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by ICE Data Indices, LLC, FTSE International Limited, India Index Services & Products Ltd., Morningstar Inc. or S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.

©2022 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-304-0922

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

  

2022 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF | JPXN | NYSE Arca


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of September 30, 2022 saw the emergence of significant challenges that disrupted the economic recovery and strong financial markets of 2021. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022, ending the run of robust growth that followed the reopening of global economies and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly weighing on relatively high-valuation growth stocks and economically sensitive small-capitalization stocks. While both large- and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, declines for small-capitalization U.S. stocks were steeper. Both emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets fell significantly, pressured by rising interest rates and a strengthening U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) rose notably during the reporting period as investors reacted to higher inflation and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and increasing uncertainty led to higher corporate bond spreads (the difference in yield between U.S. Treasuries and similarly-dated corporate bonds).

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation is proving more persistent than expected, raised interest rates five times while indicating that additional rate hikes were likely. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and is accelerating the reduction of its balance sheet. As investors attempted to assess the Fed’s future trajectory, the Fed’s statements late in the reporting period led markets to believe that additional tightening is likely in the near term.

The pandemic’s restructuring of the economy brought an ongoing mismatch between supply and demand, contributing to the current inflationary regime. While growth has slowed in 2022, we believe that taming inflation requires a more dramatic economic decline to bring demand back to a lower level that is more in line with the economy’s capacity. The Fed has been raising interest rates at the fastest pace in decades, and seems set to overtighten in its effort to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, and the outlook for Europe and the U.K. is also troubling. Investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

In this environment, while we favor an overweight to equities in the long-term, the market’s concerns over excessive rate hikes from central banks moderate our outlook. Rising input costs and a deteriorating economic backdrop in China and Europe are likely to challenge corporate earnings, so we are underweight equities overall in the near term. However, we see better opportunities in credit, where higher spreads provide income opportunities and partially compensate for inflation risk. We believe that investment-grade corporates, local-currency emerging market debt, and inflation-protected bonds (particularly in Europe) offer strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon.

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

 

 

LOGO

 

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

 

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of September 30, 2022
     
     6-Month   12-Month
   

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

  (20.20)%   (15.47)%
   

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

  (19.01)      (23.50)   
   

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

  (22.51)   (25.13)
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (21.70)   (28.11)
   

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

  0.58   0.63
   

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

  (10.81)   (16.20)
   

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

  (9.22)   (14.60)
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  (6.30)   (11.50)
   

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

  (10.42)   (14.15)
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     5  

Disclosure of Expenses

     5  

Schedule of Investments

     6  

Financial Statements:

  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     12  

Statement of Operations

     13  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     14  

Financial Highlights

     15  

Notes to Financial Statements

     16  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     23  

Supplemental Information

     25  

General Information

     26  

 

 

 


Fund Summary as of September 30, 2022     iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based benchmark composed of Japanese equities, as represented by the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (19.42 )%       (28.75 )%       (1.13 )%       4.48        (28.75 )%       (5.51 )%       55.03

Fund Market

    (19.35      (28.73      (1.12      4.60          (28.73      (5.48      56.73  

Index

    (20.40      (28.98      (0.84      4.81                (28.98      (4.13      59.90  

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

Index performance through September 3, 2015 reflects the performance of the S&P/TOPIX 150TM. Index performance beginning on September 4, 2015 reflects the performance of the JPX-Nikkei Index 400.

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

Expense Example

 

                                      Actual                                                                                          Hypothetical 5% Return                                                 
 

Beginning
  Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $        1,000.00          $        805.80          $        2.17               $        1,000.00          $        1,022.70          $       2.43          0.48

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector  

 

 

 

Percent of
Total Investments

 

 
(a) 

Industrials

    23.4

Consumer Discretionary

    13.1  

Information Technology

    12.8  

Health Care

    11.6  

Financials

    10.5  

Communication Services

    9.2  

Consumer Staples

    8.5  

Materials

    5.6  

Real Estate

    2.9  

Utilities

    1.3  

Energy

    1.1  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security  

 

 

 

Percent of
Total Investments

 

 
(a) 

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    1.7

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1.6  

Keyence Corp.

    1.6  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    1.6  

Hoya Corp.

    1.5  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1.5  

KDDI Corp.

    1.5  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1.5  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    1.5  

Hitachi Ltd.

    1.5  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

4  

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


About Fund Performance

 

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

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

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

Disclosure of Expenses

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

B O U T  U N D  E R F O R M A N C E / D I S C L O S U R E   O F  X P E N S E S

  5


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.6%            

Hitachi Transport System Ltd.

    600     $ 35,867  

Maruwa Unyu Kikan Co. Ltd.

    600       6,036  

Mitsui-Soko Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       12,730  

Nippon Express Holdings Inc.

    1,200       60,995  

SG Holdings Co. Ltd.

    6,000       82,180  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

    5,400       81,094  
   

 

 

 
      278,902  
Auto Components — 2.5%            

Aisin Corp.

    3,000       77,219  

Bridgestone Corp.

    10,200       329,877  

Denso Corp.

    7,800       356,641  

Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    3,600       49,220  

NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd.

    3,000       53,207  

Nifco Inc./Japan

    1,200       25,078  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    13,800       140,091  

Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.

    3,000       23,886  

Toyo Tire Corp.

    1,800       19,592  

Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

    1,200       18,169  

Toyota Boshoku Corp.

    1,200       14,708  

TS Tech Co. Ltd.

    1,800       17,659  

Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (The)

    1,800       27,666  
   

 

 

 
          1,153,013  
Automobiles — 4.0%            

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    28,800       625,126  

Isuzu Motors Ltd.

    11,400       126,055  

Subaru Corp.

    10,200       154,146  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    7,800       242,815  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    49,220       643,327  

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd.

    4,800       89,932  
   

 

 

 
      1,881,401  
Banks — 5.3%            

Aozora Bank Ltd.

    2,400       42,908  

Chiba Bank Ltd. (The)

    10,800       58,486  

Concordia Financial Group Ltd.

    19,200       59,585  

Fukuoka Financial Group Inc.

    3,000       53,428  

Mebuki Financial Group Inc.

    15,000       29,300  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    140,400       636,029  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

    46,250       500,639  

Resona Holdings Inc.

    40,800       149,306  

Seven Bank Ltd.

    11,400       20,424  

Shinsei Bank Ltd.

    2,400       34,470  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

    25,200       698,581  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc.

    6,604       187,816  
   

 

 

 
      2,470,972  
Beverages — 1.2%            

Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

    7,200       224,468  

Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd.

    14,400       221,843  

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.

    2,400       85,414  

Takara Holdings Inc.

    2,400       17,531  
   

 

 

 
      549,256  
Biotechnology — 0.1%            

PeptiDream Inc.(a)

    1,800       20,055  

Takara Bio Inc.

    1,200       14,077  
   

 

 

 
      34,132  
Building Products — 1.9%            

AGC Inc.

    3,600       112,075  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

    4,200       646,250  
Security   Shares      Value  
Building Products (continued)  

Nichias Corp.

    1,200      $ 18,611  

Sanwa Holdings Corp.

    3,600        30,919  

TOTO Ltd.

    2,400        80,144  
    

 

 

 
       887,999  
Capital Markets — 0.9%             

Daiwa Securities Group Inc.

    24,600        96,552  

GMO Financial Holdings Inc.

    600        2,968  

JAFCO Group Co. Ltd.

    1,200        17,670  

Japan Exchange Group Inc.

    9,000        121,635  

Monex Group Inc.

    3,000        9,341  

Nomura Holdings Inc.

    59,400        196,785  
    

 

 

 
       444,951  
Chemicals — 4.2%             

Aica Kogyo Co. Ltd.

    1,200        25,991  

Air Water Inc.

    3,000        35,435  

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    24,000        159,055  

Daicel Corp.

    4,800        28,261  

Denka Co. Ltd.

    1,200        26,387  

Kansai Paint Co. Ltd.

    3,600        51,041  

Kuraray Co. Ltd.

    5,400        37,752  

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.

    24,000        109,941  

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. Inc.

    3,000        39,446  

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

    3,000        58,475  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    14,400        97,271  

Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp.

    3,000        47,421  

Nissan Chemical Corp.

    1,800        80,413  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    2,400        129,950  

NOF Corp.

    1,200        43,347  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

    6,000        593,741  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    26,400        90,805  

Teijin Ltd.

    3,600        34,910  

Tokai Carbon Co. Ltd.

    3,000        20,330  

Tokuyama Corp.

    1,200        14,455  

Toray Industries Inc.

    24,000        118,124  

Tosoh Corp.

    4,800        53,498  

UBE Corp.

    1,800        24,042  

Zeon Corp.

    3,000        26,513  
    

 

 

 
           1,946,604  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.6%             

Aeon Delight Co. Ltd.

    600        11,775  

Japan Elevator Service Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,200        15,702  

Pilot Corp.

    600        22,685  

Secom Co. Ltd.

    3,600        205,269  

Sohgo Security Services Co. Ltd.

    1,200        30,195  
    

 

 

 
       285,626  
Construction & Engineering — 1.2%             

COMSYS Holdings Corp.

    1,800        30,542  

EXEO Group Inc.

    1,800        26,024  

Hazama Ando Corp.

    2,400        13,856  

INFRONEER Holdings Inc.

    4,200        28,468  

Kajima Corp.

    8,400        79,619  

Kandenko Co. Ltd.

    1,800        10,348  

Kumagai Gumi Co. Ltd.

    600        10,458  

Kyudenko Corp.

    600        11,400  

Mirait One Co.

    1,800        18,244  

Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd.

    600        15,698  

Obayashi Corp.

    11,400        73,165  

Penta-Ocean Construction Co. Ltd.

    4,800        24,099  

Shimizu Corp.

    10,800        52,802  
 

 

 

6  

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


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Construction & Engineering (continued)  

SHO-BOND Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600     $ 25,925  

Taisei Corp.

    3,600       99,841  

Toda Corp.

    4,800       24,692  
   

 

 

 
      545,181  
Construction Materials — 0.1%            

Taiheiyo Cement Corp.

    2,400       33,891  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.2%            

Acom Co. Ltd.

    6,600       14,172  

AEON Financial Service Co. Ltd.

    2,400       23,816  

Marui Group Co. Ltd.

    3,000       49,717  

Orient Corp.

    900       7,139  
   

 

 

 
      94,844  
Containers & Packaging — 0.1%            

FP Corp.

    600       14,719  

Rengo Co. Ltd.

    3,000       17,469  
   

 

 

 
      32,188  
Distributors — 0.0%            

Paltac Corp.

    600       18,464  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 1.0%            

Fuyo General Lease Co. Ltd.

    600       32,754  

Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

    12,000       51,579  

Mizuho Leasing Co. Ltd.

    600       12,921  

ORIX Corp.

    22,800       319,406  

Tokyo Century Corp.

    600       19,197  

Zenkoku Hosho Co. Ltd.

    600       19,956  
   

 

 

 
      455,813  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.6%            

Internet Initiative Japan Inc.

    2,400       36,735  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    26,400       712,069  
   

 

 

 
      748,804  
Electric Utilities — 0.6%            

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    10,800       97,131  

Hokkaido Electric Power Co. Inc.

    3,600       11,282  

Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. (The)

    13,800       115,456  

Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    7,800       41,583  
   

 

 

 
          265,452  
Electrical Equipment — 1.9%            

Fuji Electric Co. Ltd.

    1,800       65,972  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    36,600       331,158  

Nidec Corp.

    9,000       503,785  
   

 

 

 
      900,915  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 5.1%  

Anritsu Corp.

    2,400       26,091  

Azbil Corp.

    2,400       62,561  

Daiwabo Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       23,209  

Dexerials Corp.

    1,200       26,865  

Hamamatsu Photonics KK

    2,400       102,869  

Horiba Ltd.

    600       23,271  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    1,800       49,210  

Keyence Corp.

    2,244       741,777  

Kyocera Corp.

    5,400       272,045  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    10,800       497,093  

Omron Corp.

    3,000       137,452  

Shimadzu Corp.

    4,800       125,934  

Taiyo Yuden Co. Ltd.

    1,800       46,454  

TDK Corp.

    6,000       185,222  
Security   Shares     Value  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)  

Yokogawa Electric Corp.

    3,600     $ 56,715  
   

 

 

 
      2,376,768  
Entertainment — 2.7%            

Capcom Co. Ltd.

    3,600       90,639  

GungHo Online Entertainment Inc.

    1,290       19,816  

Koei Tecmo Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,480       40,823  

Konami Group Corp.

    1,200       55,562  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

    8,400       148,409  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    18,000       726,017  

Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       77,582  

Toho Co. Ltd./Tokyo

    2,400       87,271  
   

 

 

 
          1,246,119  
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.1%            

Cosmos Pharmaceutical Corp.

    400       39,552  

Create SD Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       13,037  

Kobe Bussan Co. Ltd.

    3,000       72,172  

Kusuri no Aoki Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       28,282  

Lawson Inc.

    600       19,629  

MatsukiyoCocokara & Co.

    2,400       102,944  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    13,200       530,245  

Sugi Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       24,095  

Sundrug Co. Ltd.

    1,200       29,200  

Tsuruha Holdings Inc.

    600       35,130  

Welcia Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       37,984  

Yaoko Co. Ltd.

    600       27,206  
   

 

 

 
      959,476  
Food Products — 2.1%            

Ajinomoto Co. Inc.

    7,800       213,184  

Calbee Inc.

    2,400       51,393  

Kagome Co. Ltd.

    1,200       24,995  

Kewpie Corp.

    1,800       29,625  

Kikkoman Corp.

    2,400       136,058  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,400       106,537  

Morinaga & Co. Ltd./Japan

    600       16,419  

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd.

    600       17,590  

NH Foods Ltd.

    1,200       31,630  

Nichirei Corp.

    1,200       19,770  

Nippon Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    4,800       18,063  

Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,200       83,412  

Prima Meat Packers Ltd.

    600       8,679  

Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd.

    1,800       74,229  

Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd.

    2,400       139,355  
   

 

 

 
      970,939  
Gas Utilities — 0.5%            

Nippon Gas Co. Ltd.

    1,800       25,636  

Osaka Gas Co. Ltd.

    6,600       99,502  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

    7,200       121,544  
   

 

 

 
      246,682  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.5%            

Asahi Intecc Co. Ltd.

    4,200       66,983  

Hoya Corp.

    7,400       713,053  

Nihon Kohden Corp.

    1,800       38,243  

Olympus Corp.

    19,200       369,364  

Sysmex Corp.

    3,000       160,309  

Terumo Corp.

    10,800       303,590  
   

 

 

 
      1,651,542  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.3%            

Alfresa Holdings Corp.

    4,200       48,949  

BML Inc.

    600       13,544  
 

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

H.U. Group Holdings Inc.

    1,200     $ 21,846  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

    3,600       45,782  

Ship Healthcare Holdings Inc.

    1,200       22,542  
   

 

 

 
      152,663  
Health Care Technology — 0.4%            

M3 Inc.

    6,600       184,284  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.3%            

Food & Life Companies Ltd.

    1,800       27,605  

McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan Ltd.

    1,800       62,717  

Zensho Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       44,502  
   

 

 

 
      134,824  
Household Durables — 3.1%            

Casio Computer Co. Ltd.

    2,400       21,065  

ES-Con Japan Ltd.

    600       3,396  

Haseko Corp.

    3,000       32,541  

Iida Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,000       40,609  

Open House Group Co. Ltd.

    1,200       40,540  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    42,000       294,926  

Pressance Corp.

    600       6,048  

Rinnai Corp.

    600       43,115  

Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd.

    7,200       88,084  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    11,400       188,810  

Sharp Corp./Japan

    3,600       21,466  

Sony Group Corp.

    9,600       618,378  

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd.

    2,400       36,534  
   

 

 

 
      1,435,512  
Household Products — 0.6%            

Lion Corp.

    4,200       47,462  

Pigeon Corp.

    2,400       35,086  

Unicharm Corp.

    6,600       216,512  
   

 

 

 
      299,060  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.2%  

Electric Power Development Co. Ltd.

    3,000       42,424  

eRex Co. Ltd.

    600       11,493  

RENOVA Inc.(a)

    600       14,054  

West Holdings Corp.

    600       17,148  
   

 

 

 
      85,119  
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.5%            

Hitachi Ltd.

    16,200       689,408  

TOKAI Holdings Corp.

    1,800       10,835  
   

 

 

 
      700,243  
Insurance — 3.0%            

Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc.

    19,200       305,286  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    7,800       206,565  

Sompo Holdings Inc.

    5,400       216,061  

T&D Holdings Inc.

    9,000       85,545  

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.

    32,400       575,850  
   

 

 

 
          1,389,307  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.4%            

Infocom Corp.

    600       7,906  

Kakaku.com Inc.

    3,000       50,839  

Z Holdings Corp.

    54,600       144,726  
   

 

 

 
      203,471  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.1%            

ZOZO Inc.

    2,400       48,042  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 3.1%            

Bell System24 Holdings Inc.

    600       5,740  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)  

BIPROGY Inc.

    1,200     $ 26,005  

Change Inc.

    600       8,116  

Digital Garage Inc.

    600       14,386  

DTS Corp.

    600       14,263  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    3,600       394,747  

GMO internet group Inc.

    1,200       21,064  

GMO Payment Gateway Inc.

    600       41,131  

Information Services International-Dentsu Ltd.

    600       18,404  

Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.

    1,800       42,194  

NEC Corp.

    4,800       153,697  

NEC Networks & System Integration Corp.

    1,200       13,027  

NET One Systems Co. Ltd.

    1,200       23,295  

Nomura Research Institute Ltd.

    6,664       162,756  

NS Solutions Corp.

    600       14,474  

NSD Co. Ltd.

    1,200       20,427  

NTT Data Corp.

    10,200       131,754  

Obic Co. Ltd.

    1,200       160,912  

Otsuka Corp.

    1,800       56,137  

SCSK Corp.

    2,400       36,334  

TIS Inc.

    3,600       95,579  

Transcosmos Inc.

    600       15,581  
   

 

 

 
      1,470,023  
Leisure Products — 1.0%            

Bandai Namco Holdings Inc.

    3,000       195,505  

Shimano Inc.

    1,300       203,404  

Yamaha Corp.

    2,400       85,283  
   

 

 

 
      484,192  
Machinery — 5.9%            

Amada Co. Ltd.

    6,000       40,769  

Daifuku Co. Ltd.

    1,800       84,667  

DMG Mori Co. Ltd.

    2,400       27,411  

Ebara Corp.

    1,200       39,102  

FANUC Corp.

    3,400       477,408  

Fuji Corp./Aichi

    1,800       23,556  

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd.

    1,800       33,453  

Hoshizaki Corp.

    2,400       66,937  

IHI Corp.

    2,400       51,332  

Komatsu Ltd.

    17,400       316,824  

Kubota Corp.

    17,400       241,806  

Makita Corp.

    4,200       81,502  

MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.

    6,000       88,763  

MISUMI Group Inc.

    4,800       103,356  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

    6,000       199,556  

Miura Co. Ltd.

    1,800       36,673  

Nabtesco Corp.

    1,800       36,822  

NGK Insulators Ltd.

    3,600       44,808  

SMC Corp.

    1,200       488,364  

Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.

    1,800       33,339  

Takeuchi Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    600       11,075  

Toyota Industries Corp.

    3,000       143,312  

Yaskawa Electric Corp.

    3,600       103,601  
   

 

 

 
          2,774,436  
Marine — 0.7%            

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd.

    3,600       50,196  

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

    6,000       107,355  

Nippon Yusen KK

    9,000       152,765  
   

 

 

 
      310,316  
Media — 0.2%            

CyberAgent Inc.

    7,800       65,677  
 

 

 

8  

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


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Media (continued)  

Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc.

    4,800     $ 33,795  
   

 

 

 
      99,472  
Metals & Mining — 1.1%            

Asahi Holdings Inc.

    1,800       25,281  

Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd.

    900       32,272  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    9,000       83,569  

Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd.

    1,200       25,177  

Nippon Steel Corp.

    16,200       224,828  

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.

    4,200       120,357  

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    1,200       10,505  
   

 

 

 
      521,989  
Multiline Retail — 0.4%            

Izumi Co. Ltd.

    600       12,933  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

    7,800       137,598  

Ryohin Keikaku Co. Ltd.

    4,200       35,144  

Seria Co. Ltd.

    1,200       20,956  
   

 

 

 
      206,631  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.1%            

Cosmo Energy Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       46,440  

ENEOS Holdings Inc.

    57,000       183,834  

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.

    4,200       91,280  

Inpex Corp.

    17,400       162,291  

Iwatani Corp.

    600       22,593  
   

 

 

 
      506,438  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.1%            

Daio Paper Corp.

    1,800       14,439  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    14,400       53,433  
   

 

 

 
      67,872  
Personal Products — 1.7%            

Fancl Corp.

    1,800       35,823  

Kao Corp.

    8,400       341,799  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,200       70,323  

Kose Corp.

    600       61,863  

Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    1,800       57,758  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    6,600       231,311  
   

 

 

 
      798,877  
Pharmaceuticals — 7.1%            

Astellas Pharma Inc.

    33,640       445,639  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    10,200       254,827  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    28,209       788,466  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    4,200       225,368  

JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.

    1,200       17,898  

Kaken Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    600       15,806  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    3,600       82,772  

Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd.

    1,200       61,226  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    7,800       182,198  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    7,200       227,987  

Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    6,600       44,361  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

    4,800       231,812  

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.

    2,400       17,070  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    27,000       701,130  

Towa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    600       8,819  
   

 

 

 
          3,305,379  
Professional Services — 2.2%            

BayCurrent Consulting Inc.

    300       77,830  

Benefit One Inc.

    1,200       16,820  

Dip Corp.

    600       15,242  

en Japan Inc.

    600       9,257  
Security   Shares     Value  
Professional Services (continued)  

Meitec Corp.

    1,200     $ 18,987  

Persol Holdings Co. Ltd.

    3,600       66,594  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    25,800       743,185  

SMS Co. Ltd.

    1,200       24,243  

TechnoPro Holdings Inc.

    2,400       51,124  

UT Group Co. Ltd.

    600       9,852  
   

 

 

 
      1,033,134  
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.8%  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

    1,800       20,053  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    1,200       112,251  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    9,600       195,193  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    7,800       57,468  

Katitas Co. Ltd.

    1,200       26,717  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    22,200       292,511  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    15,000       285,750  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    1,800       40,652  

Relo Group Inc.

    1,800       27,276  

Starts Corp. Inc.

    600       10,869  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    7,200       163,743  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

    3,000       42,685  

Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corp.

    10,200       52,965  
   

 

 

 
      1,328,133  
Road & Rail — 0.8%            

Central Japan Railway Co.

    3,000       352,173  

Sankyu Inc.

    600       17,425  

Senko Group Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,800       11,894  
   

 

 

 
      381,492  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.0%  

Advantest Corp.

    3,000       138,542  

Disco Corp.

    600       132,271  

Ferrotec Holdings Corp.

    600       9,782  

Japan Material Co. Ltd.

    1,200       15,343  

Lasertec Corp.

    1,700       170,989  

Optorun Co. Ltd.

    600       8,663  

Renesas Electronics Corp.(a)

    19,800       165,988  

SCREEN Holdings Co. Ltd.

    600       32,555  

Shinko Electric Industries Co. Ltd.

    1,200       25,725  

SUMCO Corp.

    6,600       76,897  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    2,400       591,348  

Tokyo Seimitsu Co. Ltd.

    600       17,650  

Ulvac Inc.

    600       21,202  
   

 

 

 
          1,406,955  
Software — 0.4%            

Justsystems Corp.

    600       13,839  

Oracle Corp. Japan

    600       31,803  

Rakus Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,800       16,902  

Systena Corp.

    5,400       15,072  

Trend Micro Inc/Japan

    1,800       96,953  
   

 

 

 
      174,569  
Specialty Retail — 1.4%            

ABC-Mart Inc.

    600       25,886  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    500       264,972  

Hikari Tsushin Inc.

    600       70,481  

Kohnan Shoji Co. Ltd.

    600       14,024  

K’s Holdings Corp.

    3,000       24,734  

Nextage Co. Ltd.

    600       13,014  

Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,500       125,880  

Nojima Corp.

    1,200       11,172  

T-Gaia Corp.

    600       6,800  
 

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Specialty Retail (continued)            

USS Co. Ltd.

    4,200     $ 64,865  

Workman Co. Ltd.

    600       19,006  
   

 

 

 
      640,834  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.1%  

Brother Industries Ltd.

    4,200       72,562  

Elecom Co. Ltd.

    1,200       11,959  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

    7,200       328,859  

MCJ Co. Ltd.

    1,200       8,230  

Seiko Epson Corp.

    4,200       57,349  

Wacom Co. Ltd.

    3,000       14,690  
   

 

 

 
      493,649  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.1%  

Goldwin Inc.

    600       31,717  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 0.7%            

Japan Tobacco Inc.

    21,000       345,088  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 5.8%            

Hanwa Co. Ltd.

    600       14,210  

ITOCHU Corp.

    23,400       564,827  

Kanematsu Corp.

    1,200       11,812  

Marubeni Corp.

    33,600       293,177  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    25,200       689,226  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    28,200       600,089  

MonotaRO Co. Ltd.

    4,800       73,655  

Sojitz Corp.

    3,620       53,039  

Sumitomo Corp.

    22,800       281,680  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    3,600       111,509  
   

 

 

 
          2,693,224  
Security   Shares     Value  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 4.2%  

KDDI Corp.

    24,000     $ 701,671  

SoftBank Corp.

    58,200       581,181  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    19,800       671,043  
   

 

 

 
      1,953,895  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.8%
(Cost: $52,362,023)

 

    46,140,774  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 
Money Market Funds — 0.1%        

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(c)(d)(e)

    18,376       18,381  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(c)(d)

    20,000       20,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $38,381)

 

    38,381  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 98.9%
(Cost: $52,400,404)

 

    46,179,155  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 1.1%

 

    500,644  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  46,679,799  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/22
     Shares
Held at
09/30/22
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 97,990      $      $ (80,257 )(a)     $ 651      $ (3    $ 18,381        18,376      $ 467 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

     30,000               (10,000 )(a)                     20,000        20,000        148         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 651      $ (3    $ 38,381         $ 615      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Mini TOPIX Index

     43          12/08/22        $ 546        $ (11,989
                 

 

 

 

 

 

10  

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


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

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

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 11,989      $      $      $      $ 11,989  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (23,011    $      $      $      $ (23,011
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (12,816    $      $      $      $ (12,816
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 479,928    

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $        $ 46,140,774        $             —        $ 46,140,774  

Money Market Funds

     38,381                            38,381  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $       38,381        $ 46,140,774        $        $ 46,179,155  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ (11,989      $        $ (11,989
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  11


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) 

September 30, 2022

 

     iShares
JPX-Nikkei
400 ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

  

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

   $ 46,140,774  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

     38,381  

Cash

     4,261  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

     56,707  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

     3,331  

Receivables:

  

Investments sold

     10,619  

Securities lending income — affiliated

     2  

Dividends — unaffiliated

     477,538  

Dividends — affiliated

     33  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     46,731,646  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

     17,730  

Payables:

  

Investments purchased

     6,054  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     8,601  

Investment advisory fees

     19,462  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     51,847  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 46,679,799  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 76,037,494  

Accumulated loss

     (29,357,695
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 46,679,799  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

  

Shares outstanding

     900,000  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value

   $ 51.87  
  

 

 

 

Shares authorized

     Unlimited  
  

 

 

 

Par value

     None  
  

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

   $ 52,362,023  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

   $ 16,733  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

   $ 38,381  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

   $ 57,805  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

   $ 3,624  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

12  

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


 

Statement of Operations (unaudited) 

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

     iShares
JPX-Nikkei
400 ETF
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends — unaffiliated

   $ 744,761  

Dividends — affiliated

     148  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

     467  

Foreign taxes withheld

     (74,212
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     671,164  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Investment advisory

     144,848  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     144,848  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     526,316  
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated

     (1,329,703

Investments — affiliated

     651  

Foreign currency transactions

     (91,511

Futures contracts

     (23,011

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

     2,395,202  
  

 

 

 
     951,628  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments — unaffiliated

     (14,842,554

Investments — affiliated

     (3

Foreign currency translations

     (1,338

Futures contracts

     (12,816
  

 

 

 
     (14,856,711
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

     (13,905,083
  

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (13,378,767
  

 

 

 

(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  13


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

 
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

09/30/22
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 526,316     $ 1,349,510  

Net realized gain (loss)

    951,628       (1,794,704

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (14,856,711     (7,233,344
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (13,378,767     (7,678,538
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (651,191     (2,229,146
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (17,344,758      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (31,374,716     (9,907,684

Beginning of period

    78,054,515       87,962,199  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 46,679,799     $ 78,054,515  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

14  

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


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

                      $   65.05                     $   73.30                     $   53.52                     $   58.88                     $   65.42                     $   55.69  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

       0.51          1.12          0.88          0.96          1.06          0.95  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

       (13.07        (7.51        19.82          (5.10        (6.73        9.76  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       (12.56        (6.39        20.70          (4.14        (5.67        10.71  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

       (0.62        (1.86        (0.92        (1.22        (0.87        (0.98
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $   51.87        $   65.05        $   73.30        $   53.52        $   58.88        $   65.42  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                             

Based on net asset value

       (19.42 )%(e)         (8.94 )%         38.91        (7.29 )%         (8.67 )%         19.32
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                             

Total expenses

       0.48 %(g)         0.48        0.48        0.48        0.48        0.48
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

       1.74 %(g)         1.57        1.36        1.61        1.73        1.54
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                             

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 46,680        $ 78,055        $ 87,962        $ 80,279        $ 114,817        $ 107,940  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

       8        11        10        7        11        8
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  15


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following fund (the “Fund”):

 

   
iShares ETF   Diversification    
Classification    

JPX-Nikkei 400

  Diversified    

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest.

Foreign Currency Translation: The Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statement of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. 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. However, the currency hedged fund has elected to treat realized gains (losses) from certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain (loss) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The 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 September 30, 2022, if any, are disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund files withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Fund may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statement of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Fund may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Fund. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Fund and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Fund’s tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

Distributions: 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. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

 

16  

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


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of the Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Fund’s investment adviser, as the valuation designee for the Fund. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Fund uses current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access;

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  17


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BFA, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Fund, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Fund can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

         
iShares ETF and Counterparty     
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

JPX-Nikkei 400

         

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 16,733      $ (16,733   $     $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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 the Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities.

 

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

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of the 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 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 trustees).

For its investment advisory services to the Fund, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.48%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

 

18  

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


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Distributor: 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.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Fund, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. The Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees the Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. The Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

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

The share of securities lending income earned by the Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statement of Operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Fund paid BTC $182 for securities lending agent services.

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

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

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, transactions executed by the Fund pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized  
Gain (Loss)  
 

JPX-Nikkei 400

  $ 26,255      $ 79,686      $ (19,324)    

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 shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statement of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

                                       
     
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales    

JPX-Nikkei 400

  $ 5,078,589      $ 5,659,508    

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

                                       

iShares ETF

   
In-kind
Purchases
 
 
    
In-kind
Sales  
 
 

JPX-Nikkei 400

  $      $ 16,667,500    

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  19


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Fund as of September 30, 2022, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s financial statements.

As of March 31, 2022, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards of $23,004,645 available to offset future realized capital gains.

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of September 30, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

         
iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

JPX-Nikkei 400

  $ 53,642,826      $ 5,269,820      $ (12,745,480   $ (7,475,660 )   

 

9.

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. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. 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.

The Fund may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Fund manages counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that BFA believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and

 

 

20  

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


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

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

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates ceased to be published or no longer are representative of the underlying market they seek to measure after December 31, 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Fund may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Fund is uncertain.

 

10.

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 were as follows:

 

       
   

Six Months Ended

09/30/22

          

Year Ended

03/31/22

 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount             Shares      Amount  

JPX-Nikkei 400

           

Shares redeemed

    (300,000   $ (17,344,758             $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  21


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

11.

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 additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

22  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. 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 Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense 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 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-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) 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 additional detailed information as requested by the Board, 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 expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy 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 Agreement for the coming year as compared with 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 support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. 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 relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons 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 May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  23


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated 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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement 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 (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services 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 investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, 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 estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. 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 concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement 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 Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

24  

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


Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

September 30, 2022

 

       
    Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
          % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year-to-Date
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
                 Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

JPX-Nikkei 400(a)

  $ 0.329898     $     $ 0.290284     $ 0.620182               53         47     100

 

  (a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

 

 

U P P L E M E N T A L  N F O R M A T I O N

  25


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, the Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

26  

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


 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.


 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     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 the Japan Exchange Group, Inc., JPX Market Innovation & Research, Inc. or Nikkei, Inc., nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.

©2022 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-SAR-310-0922

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


(b) Not Applicable

 

Item 2.

Code of Ethics.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

 

Item 3.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

 

Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

 

Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to this semi-annual report.


Item 6.

Investments.

(a) Schedules of investments are included as part of the reports to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 8.

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 10.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.

 

Item 11.

Controls and Procedures.

(a) The President (the registrant’s Principal Executive Officer) and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (the registrant’s Principal Financial Officer) have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act of 1934.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 13.

Exhibits.

(a) (1) Not applicable to this semi-annual report.

(a) (2) Section 302 Certifications are attached.

(a) (3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 – Not Applicable

(a) (4) Change in Registrant’s independent public accountant – Not Applicable

(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

iShares Trust

 

   By:     

/s/ Armando Senra                            

       Armando Senra, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 21, 2022

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/ Armando Senra                            

       Armando Senra, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: November 21, 2022

 

   By:     

/s/ Trent Walker                            

       Trent Walker, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 21, 2022


ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906