BlackRock Expands and Enhances iShares Sustainable ETF Product Line

Will Launch New Fossil Fuel-Screened ETFs

Enhances and Renames Suite of Core ESG ETFs

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iShares, the world’s largest ETF provider, is creating even more choice for clients who wish to invest sustainably. Expanding its environmental, social and governance (ESG) ETF line-up and enhancing its existing ESG funds are the most recent steps iShares is taking to deliver against BlackRock’s commitment to making sustainability its standard for investing.

Client demand for sustainable investment solutions is growing exponentially, as investors increasingly recognize the impact of climate change and other sustainability risks on their portfolios. The $5 billion in U.S. iShares ESG ETF flows in 2019 and more than double year-over-year asset growth highlight the growing demand.

“Sustainable investing has reached an inflection point as investors better understand the increasing impact that ESG-related risks have on asset pricing, and account for these risks in their portfolios,” said Armando Senra, Head of Americas iShares at BlackRock. “That has translated into growing demand for iShares sustainable ETFs and the need to offer greater choice to make sustainability our standard for investing.”

Plans to Launch Fossil Fuel Screened ETFs

iShares plans to debut three fossil fuel screened ETFs under a new ‘Advanced’ product range that seek to track indices with extensive screens, including palm oil, for-profit prisons, controversial weapons, and increased controversy score requirements.¹ These proposed funds will apply the most screens of any iShares ESG ETFs in the U.S. and will offer exposure to U.S., developed and emerging markets companies.

“Our clients’ growing preference for investing in top ESG companies is quickly driving an evolution in fund design and index construction,” said Carolyn Weinberg, Managing Director and Global Head of Product for iShares. “We are stepping forward with our proposed Advanced range, which will enable investors to aggressively pursue companies with strong ESG scores while also avoiding those with riskier ESG business involvement, including fossil fuel reserves or ties to thermal coal or oil sands.”

Enhancing and Renaming Core ESG ETFs as Aware Range

iShares is rebranding its Sustainable Core ETFs as ‘Aware’. Aware ETFs seek to track indices that include companies that exhibit favorable ESG characteristics and are then optimized to offer a similar risk and return profile to broad market indices. The Aware range was introduced in October 2018 with seven ESG ETFs across equities and fixed income, designed to offer low-cost building blocks for investors to construct broad, diversified sustainable portfolios.

As a further enhancement to our iShares ESG Aware equity funds, MSCI is implementing, to the indices of these funds, additional screens to exclude companies with thermal coal and oil sands revenue exposure. The new screens will be effective on March 2.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2019, the firm managed approximately $7.43 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @blackrock | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 900+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $2.24 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2019, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm².

¹ The specific exclusion criteria, such as revenue thresholds, vary by screen.

² Based on $7.43 trillion in AUM as of 12/31/19.

Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses or, if available, the summary prospectuses which may be obtained by visiting www.iShares.com or www.blackrock.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

A fund's environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) investment strategy limits the types and number of investment opportunities available to the fund and, as a result, the fund may underperform other funds that do not have an ESG focus. A fund's ESG investment strategy may result in the fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole or underperform other funds screened for ESG standards.

This information should not be relied upon as research, investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any security in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change.

Diversification and asset allocation may not protect against market risk or loss of principal. Buying and selling shares of ETFs may result in brokerage commissions.

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

©2020 BlackRock. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.