N-CSR 1 d512834dncsr.htm ISHARES TRUST iShares Trust

 

 

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 BlackRock Fund Advisors

400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105

(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: April 30, 2023

Date of reporting period: April 30, 2023

 

 

 

 


Item 1.

Reports to Stockholders.

(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


 

LOGO

  APRIL 30, 2023

 

 

2023 Annual Report

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Global Clean Energy ETF  |  ICLN  |  NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Investors faced an uncertain economic landscape during the 12-month reporting period ended April 30, 2023, amid mixed indicators and rapidly changing market conditions. The U.S. economy returned to modest growth beginning in the third quarter of 2022, although the pace of growth slowed thereafter. Inflation was elevated, reaching a 40-year high as labor costs grew rapidly and unemployment rates reached the lowest levels in decades. However, inflation moderated as the period continued, while continued strength in consumer spending backstopped the economy.

Equity returns varied substantially, as large-capitalization U.S. stocks gained for the period amid a rebound in big tech stocks, whereas small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined. International equities from developed markets advanced strongly, while emerging market stocks declined, pressured by higher interest rates and volatile commodities prices.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, although high-yield corporate bonds posted a positive return as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity. In addition, the Fed added liquidity to markets amid the failure of prominent regional banks.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth was modest in the last year, we believe that stickiness in services inflation and continued wage growth will keep inflation above central bank targets for some time. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and indicated a pause could be its next step, we believe that the Fed still seems determined 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, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe 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. Turmoil in the banking sector late in the period highlighted the potential for the rapid increase in interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as we believe a weakening U.S. dollar could provide a supportive backdrop. We also see selective, long-term opportunities in credit, where we believe that valuations are appealing, and higher yields offer attractive income. However, we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we’re concerned about tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most significant opportunities in short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

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 April 30, 2023
    

 

 6-Month  

 

 

 

 12-Month  

 

 

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

 

  8.63%   2.66%

 

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

 

  (3.45)   (3.65)

 

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

 

  24.19   8.42

 

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

  16.36   (6.51)

 

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

 

  2.09   2.83

 

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

 

  7.14   (1.68)

 

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

 

  6.91   (0.43)

 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

 

  7.65   2.87

 

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

 

  6.21   1.21

 

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

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Annual Report:

  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     7  

Disclosure of Expenses

     7  

Schedule of Investments

     8  

Financial Statements

  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     14  

Statement of Operations

     15  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     16  

Financial Highlights

     17  

Notes to Financial Statements

     18  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     27  

Important Tax Information

     28  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     29  

Supplemental Information

     30  

Trustee and Officer Information

     31  

General Information

     34  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     35  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global equity markets advanced during the 12 months ended April 30, 2023 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 2.06% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. In the first half of the reporting period, concerns about the state of the global economy in the face of high inflation and rapidly rising interest rates drove stocks sharply lower. However, stock prices recovered substantially in the reporting period’s second half to advance overall, as economic growth proved resilient despite its slower pace.

Inflation was a significant factor in equity markets, and while its impact varied by country, most major economies faced substantial inflation during the reporting period. This drove a wave of monetary tightening by most of the world’s central banks, which sent interest rates and borrowing costs sharply higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“Fed”) raised interest rates eight times in an attempt to bring down inflation. Commodities prices were volatile, and as the reporting period began, disruptions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine meant high prices for energy commodities and some food products. While oil, gas, and most other commodities declined as markets adjusted to the war’s disruption, elevated prices exacerbated inflationary pressure.

The U.S. economy recovered from a contraction in the first half of 2022 to post modest growth in the second half of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. Consumers continued to power the economy with growing spending, despite higher prices for many consumer goods and services. The strong labor market supported spending, as unemployment remained very low, at one point dropping to the lowest recorded level since 1969. Furthermore, the labor force participation rate — which measures the total proportion of working-age persons employed or looking for work — rose, indicating that more people were being drawn into the labor force. Amid tightening labor supply, wages rose significantly, with the largest gains at the lower end of the wage spectrum.

In addition to its interest rate increases, the Fed also started to reduce the size of its balance sheet by reducing the store of U.S. Treasuries it had accumulated to stabilize markets in the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic. While the Fed indicated that more tightening could be needed to achieve its long-term inflation goal, it sounded a more cautious note about the potential for further interest rate increases near the end of the reporting period.

European stocks outpaced most other regions of the globe, advancing strongly for the reporting period despite slowing economic growth. European stocks benefited from a solid recovery following the early phases of the war in Ukraine. The conflict disrupted critical natural gas supplies, but new sources were secured and prices began to decline, while a warm winter helped to moderate consumption. The ECB responded to the highest inflation since the introduction of the euro by raising interest rates six times.

While inflation was somewhat more moderate in the Asia-Pacific region, stocks there declined amid higher interest rates and disruption from coronavirus-related lockdowns in China. However, China relaxed its strict anti-coronavirus protocols in December 2022, boosting analysts’ expectations for future growth in the region. Emerging market stocks declined notably, pressured by slowing global economic growth. The Fed’s interest rate increases weighed on emerging market equities by making U.S. assets relatively more attractive.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023

 

   iShares® Global Clean Energy ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the clean energy sector, as represented by the S&P Global Clean Energy 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  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    0.04      15.20      10.50       0.04      102.90      171.34

Fund Market

    0.18        15.22        10.42         0.18        103.09        169.42  

Index

    (0.42      15.40        10.11               (0.42      104.65        161.96  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

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
(11/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 994.90        $ 2.03             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.80        $ 2.06          0.41

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (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.

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023 (continued)

 

   iShares® Global Clean Energy ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Clean energy stocks declined marginally for the reporting period, despite record growth in renewable energy generation capacity in 2022. Higher interest rates pressured clean energy companies, making access to financing more expensive for investments in new projects.

Indian stocks detracted the most from the Index’s return, driven by weakness in the utilities sector. A high-profile report from a U.S.-based finance firm accusing a large Indian conglomerate of fraud and market manipulation had a negative impact on India’s stock market. The report led to intensified investor scrutiny of Indian companies associated with the conglomerate, including a large company in the renewable electricity industry.

Chinese clean energy stocks detracted from the Index’s performance, most notably in the information technology sector, as higher raw material costs and lower product prices reduced the profitability of solar panel manufacturers in the semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industry. Canadian stocks in the utilities sector also declined, amid higher costs related to large wind power projects.

On the upside, U.S. stocks contributed the most to the Index’s performance, particularly the semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industry in the information technology sector. Strong demand for clean energy in the U.S. drove revenue gains for solar equipment manufacturers in the industry and allowed for favorable pricing even in the face of inflation. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, which included substantial subsidies for investments in renewable energy, also supported clean energy equipment makers. Revenue growth and improved profitability drove significant gains in the industry.

Spanish utilities stocks also contributed, boosted by strength in the electric utilities industry. Investments in expanding capacity in North and South America offset declining domestic earnings. The industry also benefited from the divestment of significant assets in Latin America to fund an investment plan aimed at increasing renewable energy capacity and expanding networks.

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

 

 

Industry

 

 

Percent of   
Total Investments(a)

 
 

 

 

Renewable Electricity

 

 

21.6%

 

Electric Utilities

 

 

19.8   

 

Semiconductor Materials & Equipment

 

 

17.7   

 

Semiconductors

 

 

11.4   

 

Electrical Components & Equipment

 

 

10.9   

 

Heavy Electrical Equipment

 

 

7.7   

 

Multi-Utilities

 

 

6.2   

 

Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing

 

 

1.5   

 

Commodity Chemicals

 

 

1.5   

 

Other (each representing less than 1%)

 

 

1.7   

 

 

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

 

 

Country/Geographic Region

 

 

Percent of   
Total Investments(a)

 
 

 

 

United States

 

 

43.3%

 

China

 

 

12.6   

 

Denmark

 

 

8.0   

 

Spain

 

 

6.8   

 

Brazil

 

 

4.9   

 

Canada

 

 

4.7   

 

Portugal

 

 

2.9   

 

South Korea

 

 

2.8   

 

Germany

 

 

2.2   

 

Japan

 

 

2.2   

 

Thailand

 

 

2.0   

 

Switzerland

 

 

1.8   

 

Other (each representing less than 1%)

 

 

5.8   

 

 

 
 

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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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

  7


Schedule of Investments

April 30, 2023

 

  

iShares® Global Clean Energy ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Austria — 0.8%  

Verbund AG

    434,638     $ 38,709,110  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 3.1%  

AES Brasil Energia SA

    5,238,116       11,215,983  

Auren Energia SA

    6,694,029       21,178,030  

CPFL Energia SA

    4,113,721       27,332,434  

EDP - Energias do Brasil SA

    4,084,853       18,426,800  

Energisa SA

    6,278,863       52,619,687  

Neoenergia SA

    3,250,080       10,067,311  
   

 

 

 
          140,840,245  
Canada — 4.6%  

Ballard Power Systems Inc.(a)(b)

    4,136,517       18,288,177  

Boralex Inc., Class A

    1,124,038       32,770,787  

Brookfield Renewable Corp., Class A

    923,087       30,843,376  

Canadian Solar Inc.(a)(b)

    849,682       31,795,100  

Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.

    1,838,501       18,861,988  

Northland Power Inc.

    3,197,489       78,494,656  
   

 

 

 
      211,054,084  
Chile — 0.4%  

Enel Americas SA

    117,103,935       15,957,179  
   

 

 

 
China — 12.5%  

CECEP Solar Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    6,978,200       7,024,951  

CECEP Wind Power Corp, Class A

    11,558,320       6,384,169  

China Conch Venture Holdings Ltd.

    16,060,000       25,624,138  

China Datang Corp. Renewable Power Co. Ltd., Class H

    51,901,000       20,155,710  

China Three Gorges Renewables Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    51,098,196       40,053,016  

China Yangtze Power Co. Ltd., Class A

    42,241,630       133,568,222  

Chongqing Sanfeng Environment Group Corp. Ltd.

    2,246,900       2,441,808  

Chongqing Three Gorges Water Conservancy & Electric Power Co. Ltd.

    2,560,000       3,375,510  

COFCO Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Class L

    2,497,295       2,848,296  

Dajin Heavy Industry Co. Ltd.

    1,138,400       5,018,129  

Flat Glass Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    8,836,000       24,840,667  

Ginlong Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A(a)

    708,150       11,669,460  

Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics Co. Ltd.

    2,177,800       5,984,102  

Huaneng Lancang River Hydropower Inc.

    12,049,257       12,102,955  

JA Solar Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,886,452       34,349,796  

Jiangsu Akcome Science & Technology Co. Ltd.(a)

    7,996,300       3,236,401  

Jiangsu GoodWe Power Supply Technology Co. Ltd., NVS

    220,011       8,280,716  

Jinlei Technology Co. Ltd., NVS(a)

    467,200       2,691,220  

LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    10,150,340       51,281,710  

Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd., Class A

    4,055,800       12,132,825  

Risen Energy Co. Ltd.(a)

    2,035,000       7,316,403  

Sichuan Chuantou Energy Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,971,900       12,413,931  

Sineng Electric Co. Ltd.

    424,100       3,397,450  

Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,651,200       43,310,685  

TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

    5,768,800       34,690,104  

Titan Wind Energy Suzhou Co. Ltd., Class A

    3,217,600       6,408,486  

Trina Solar Co. Ltd.

    3,879,400       27,614,925  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    17,261,200       14,155,167  

Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd.

    27,376,000       7,659,871  
Security   Shares     Value  
China (continued)  

Zhejiang Windey Co. Ltd., NVS

    1,253,270     $ 2,458,740  
   

 

 

 
      572,489,563  
Denmark — 7.9%  

Orsted AS(c)

    1,785,663       160,263,392  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S(a)

    7,320,609       202,565,546  
   

 

 

 
          362,828,938  
France — 0.4%  

Neoen SA(b)(c)

    626,824       18,819,308  
   

 

 

 
Germany — 2.2%  

Encavis AG(b)

    1,557,007       26,924,244  

Nordex SE(a)(b)

    2,790,253       33,603,476  

SMA Solar Technology AG(a)

    231,979       25,092,915  

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG(b)

    438,534       16,332,728  
   

 

 

 
      101,953,363  
India — 0.6%  

NHPC Ltd., NVS

    52,057,277       28,263,642  
   

 

 

 
Israel — 0.6%  

Energix-Renewable Energies Ltd.(b)

    3,784,834       11,263,424  

Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,067,263       17,687,128  
   

 

 

 
      28,950,552  
Italy — 0.6%  

ERG SpA

    907,284       27,398,345  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 2.2%  

Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc.

    7,837,000       87,401,009  

RENOVA Inc.(a)(b)

    970,400       13,745,131  
   

 

 

 
      101,146,140  
New Zealand — 0.5%  

Contact Energy Ltd.

    1,952,293       9,468,705  

Meridian Energy Ltd.

    4,080,800       13,820,397  
   

 

 

 
      23,289,102  
Norway — 0.7%  

NEL ASA(a)(b)

    14,999,760       20,613,220  

Scatec ASA(c)

    1,390,588       9,091,153  
   

 

 

 
      29,704,373  
Portugal — 2.9%  

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    22,709,197       125,127,632  

Greenvolt Energias Renovaveis SA(a)(b)

    838,442       5,698,155  
   

 

 

 
      130,825,787  
South Korea — 2.8%  

CS Wind Corp.(b)

    668,095       37,823,567  

Doosan Fuel Cell Co. Ltd.(a)(b)

    906,066       20,353,386  

Hanwha Solutions Corp.(a)

    1,841,041       66,246,099  

Hyundai Energy Solutions Co. Ltd.

    114,959       3,640,571  
   

 

 

 
      128,063,623  
Spain — 6.7%  

Corp. ACCIONA Energias Renovables SA

    1,119,406       40,194,644  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    2,176,471       48,377,913  

Iberdrola SA

    14,607,559       189,286,198  

Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente SA(a)

    1,812,257       28,591,453  
   

 

 

 
      306,450,208  
Sweden — 0.2%  

PowerCell Sweden AB(a)(b)

    998,230       8,473,404  
   

 

 

 
Switzerland — 1.8%  

BKW AG

    202,014       34,594,228  
 

 

 

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2 0 2 3   H A R E S  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   (continued)

April 30, 2023

 

  

iShares® Global Clean Energy ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Switzerland (continued)  

Meyer Burger Technology AG(a)(b)

    72,239,700     $ 46,529,042  
   

 

 

 
      81,123,270  
Taiwan — 0.8%  

Century Iron & Steel Industrial Co. Ltd.

    2,761,000       9,953,269  

TSEC Corp.(a)

    10,628,522       12,780,997  

United Renewable Energy Co. Ltd.(a)

    20,054,000       13,579,775  
   

 

 

 
      36,314,041  
Thailand — 2.0%  

Energy Absolute PCL, NVDR

    40,782,300       81,188,975  

Gunkul Engineering PCL, NVDR

    72,711,400       8,080,928  
   

 

 

 
      89,269,903  
United Kingdom — 0.2%  

ReNew Energy Global PLC(a)(b)

    1,861,411       9,530,424  
   

 

 

 
United States — 42.9%  

Altus Power Inc.(a)(b)

    815,510       3,702,415  

Array Technologies Inc.(a)(b)

    3,122,914       63,863,591  

Avangrid Inc.

    1,164,633       46,888,125  

Clearway Energy Inc., Class C

    1,375,707       41,780,222  

Consolidated Edison Inc

    2,867,419       282,354,749  

Enphase Energy Inc.(a)(b)

    1,924,777       316,048,383  

First Solar Inc.(a)(b)

    1,814,970       331,377,223  

FuelCell Energy Inc.(a)(b)

    6,789,809       12,764,841  

Gevo Inc.(a)(b)

    5,293,240       6,140,158  

Green Plains Inc.(a)(b)

    1,049,805       35,871,837  

Ormat Technologies Inc.(b)

    1,171,238       100,503,933  

Plug Power Inc.(a)(b)

    11,705,932       105,704,566  

REX American Resources Corp.(a)(b)

    341,467       9,660,101  

Shoals Technologies Group Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    3,579,232       74,770,156  

SolarEdge Technologies Inc.(a)(b)

    1,247,209       356,240,307  

Sunnova Energy International Inc.(a)(b)

    2,205,072       39,603,093  

SunPower Corp.(a)(b)

    1,904,444       25,176,750  

Sunrun Inc.(a)(b)

    4,755,083       100,046,946  

TPI Composites Inc.(a)(b)

    936,072       11,569,850  
   

 

 

 
          1,964,067,246  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.4%
(Cost: $4,640,408,383)

 

    4,455,521,850  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

 

Brazil — 1.8%  

Cia. Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, NVS

    32,700,850       80,968,663  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 1.8%
(Cost: $74,029,531)

 

    80,968,663  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Rights

 

China — 0.0%  

Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd., (Expires 05/30/23, Strike Price HKD 2.19)(a)

    2,438,800     $ 3  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $—)

 

    3  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.2%
(Cost: $4,714,437,914)

 

        4,536,490,516  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 15.8%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.02%(d)(e)(f)

    709,650,701       709,863,596  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.75%(d)(e)

    14,710,000       14,710,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 15.8%
(Cost: $724,327,055)

 

    724,573,596  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 115.0%
(Cost: $5,438,764,969)

 

    5,261,064,112  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (15.0)%

 

    (687,960,014
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 4,573,104,098  
   

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

 

  9


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

 

  

iShares® Global Clean Energy ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended April 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
04/30/22
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
04/30/23
     Shares Held
at 04/30/23
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 691,889,565      $ 17,662,562 (a)    $     $ 137,484      $ 173,985      $ 709,863,596        709,650,701      $ 4,202,436 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     27,160,000              (12,450,000 )(a)                    14,710,000        14,710,000        344,053        5  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
          $ 137,484      $ 173,985      $ 724,573,596         $ 4,546,489      $ 5  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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

     61        06/16/23      $ 2,909      $ 59,223  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     121        06/16/23        5,954        58,934  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     77        06/16/23        16,126        413,116  
           

 

 

 
            $ 531,273  
           

 

 

 

OTC Total Return Swaps

 

 

 
Reference Entity    Payment
Frequency
     Counterparty(a)      Termination
Date
     Net Notional      Accrued
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Net Value of
Reference
Entity
     Gross
Notional
Amount
Net Asset
Percentage
 

 

 

Equity Securities Long

     Monthly        HSBC Bank PLC (b)        02/10/28      $ 2,913,541      $ 238,300 (c)     $ 3,159,495        0.1
     Monthly        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA (d)        02/08/24        5,972,847        276,886 (e)       6,194,372        0.1  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    
               $ 515,186      $ 9,353,867     
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  (a) 

The Fund receives the total return on a portfolio of long positions underlying the total return swap. The Fund pays the total return on a portfolio of short positions underlying the total return swap. In addition, the Fund pays or receives a variable rate of interest, based on a specified benchmark. The benchmark and spread are determined based upon the country and/or currency of the individual underlying positions.

 
  (c) 

Amount includes $(7,654) of net dividends, payable for referenced securities purchased and financing fees.

 
  (e) 

Amount includes $ 55,361 of net dividends, payable for referenced securities purchased and financing fees.

 

The following are the specified benchmarks (plus or minus a range) used in determining the variable rate of interest:

 

Range:

 

(b)

40 basis points

 

(d)

40 basis points

Benchmarks:

 

USD - 1D Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR01)

 

USD - 1D Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR01)

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S  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  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global Clean Energy ETF

 

The following table represents the individual long positions and related values of equity securities underlying the total return swap with HSBC Bank PLC as of period end, termination date February 10, 2028.

 

     Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Long

 

Common Stocks
United States
       

Green Plains Inc.(a)

    92,464     $ 3,159,495       100.0
   

 

 

   

Net Value of Reference Entity — HSBC Bank PLC

    $ 3,159,495    
   

 

 

   

The following table represents the individual long positions and related values of equity securities underlying the total return swap with JPMorgan Chase Bank NA as of period end, termination date February 8, 2024.

 

     Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Long

 

Common Stocks        
United States        

Green Plains Inc.(a)

    181,281     $ 6,194,372       100.0
   

 

 

   

Net Value of Reference Entity — JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

    $ 6,194,372    
   

 

 

   

 

  (a) 

Non-income producing security.

 
 

 

Balances Reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for Total Return Swaps

 

 

 
Description    Swap Premiums
Paid
     Swap Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

 

 

Total Return Swaps

   $      $      $ 515,186      $  

 

 

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  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

                 

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 531,273      $      $      $      $ 531,273  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

   $      $      $ 515,186      $      $      $      $ 515,186  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 1,046,459      $      $      $      $ 1,046,459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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).

 

 

 

  11


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global Clean Energy ETF

 

For the period ended April 30, 2023, 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

   $      $      $ (3,930,339    $      $      $      $ (3,930,339

Swaps

                      2,045,355                                2,045,355  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (1,884,984    $      $      $      $ (1,884,984
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on                                                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 475,972      $      $      $      $ 475,972  

Swaps

                   1,414,532                             1,414,532  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 1,890,504      $      $      $      $ 1,890,504  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 17,554,710      

Total return swaps

  

Average notional value

   $ 5,257,750      

 

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

 

 
     Assets        Liabilities  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Futures contracts

   $ 531,273        $  

Swaps — OTC(a)

     515,186           
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     1,046,459           

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

     (531,273         
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     515,186           
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC swaps and swap premiums (paid/received) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

 
Counterparty     



Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
(a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 
 
(b) 

 

 

HSBC Bank PLC

   $ 238,300        $      $        $        $ 238,300  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     276,886                                   276,886  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 515,186        $      $        $        $ 515,186  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S  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  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global Clean 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  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,332,691,935        $ 2,122,829,915        $             —        $ 4,455,521,850  

Preferred Stocks

     80,968,663                            80,968,663  

Rights

              3                   3  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     724,573,596                            724,573,596  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,138,234,194        $ 2,122,829,918        $        $ 5,261,064,112  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 472,050        $ 574,409        $        $ 1,046,459  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

  13


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

April 30, 2023

 

    iShares
Global Clean
Energy ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

 

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

  $ 4,536,490,516  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    724,573,596  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    826,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

    206,056  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    6,314,648  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    165,859  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    235,186  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    13,481,536  

Dividends — affiliated

    29,967  

Tax reclaims

    1,993,028  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    134,297  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps

    515,186  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,284,965,875  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Bank overdraft

    142,441  

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    709,898,148  

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    349  

Capital shares redeemed

    207,587  

Investment advisory fees

    1,613,252  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    711,861,777  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,573,104,098  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 6,203,738,227  

Accumulated loss

    (1,630,634,129
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,573,104,098  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Shares outstanding

    244,200,000  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 18.73  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

    None  
 

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 4,714,437,914  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 690,159,701  

(c) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 724,327,055  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 203,532  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 6,304,084  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3   H A R E S  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

Year Ended April 30, 2023

 

    iShares
Global Clean
Energy ETF
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 60,848,712  

Dividends — affiliated

    344,053  

Interest — unaffiliated

    22,459  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    4,202,436  

Non-cash dividends — unaffiliated

    6,062,018  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (5,166,067
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    66,313,611  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    20,922,219  

Commitment costs

    47,070  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    20,969,289  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    45,344,322  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (668,093,671

Investments — affiliated

    137,484  

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

    5  

Foreign currency transactions

    1,414,924  

Futures contracts

    (3,930,339

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    138,550,915  

Swaps

    2,045,355  
 

 

 

 
    (529,875,327
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated(b)

    475,141,017  

Investments — affiliated

    173,985  

Foreign currency translations

    299,661  

Futures contracts

    475,972  

Swaps

    1,414,532  
 

 

 

 
    477,505,167  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (52,370,160
 

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (7,025,838
 

 

 

 

(a) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

(b) Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $ 176,025  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  15


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
Global Clean Energy ETF
 
    Year Ended
04/30/23
    Year Ended
04/30/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 45,344,322     $ 61,476,052  

Net realized loss

    (529,875,327     (160,644,573

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    477,505,167       (1,025,201,886
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (7,025,838     (1,124,370,407
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (44,565,129     (66,429,706
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

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

    (358,900,445     318,441,275  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (410,491,412     (872,358,838

Beginning of year

    4,983,595,510       5,855,954,348  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 4,573,104,098     $ 4,983,595,510  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

16  

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Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Clean Energy ETF  
    Year Ended
04/30/23
     Year Ended
04/30/22
     Period From
04/01/21
to 04/30/21
    Year Ended
03/31/21
     Year Ended
03/31/20
     Year Ended
03/31/19
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.88      $ 23.19      $ 24.07     $ 9.62      $ 9.75      $ 9.47  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18        0.23        0.06       0.13        0.11        0.19  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (0.15      (4.29      (0.94     14.42        (0.08      0.32  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.03        (4.06      (0.88     14.55        0.03        0.51  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.18      (0.25            (0.10      (0.16      (0.23
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 18.73      $ 18.88      $ 23.19     $ 24.07      $ 9.62      $ 9.75  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

               

Based on net asset value

    0.04      (17.64 )%       (3.66 )%(e)      151.73      0.12      5.69
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    0.41      0.40      0.41 %(g)      0.42      0.46      0.46
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.90      1.07      3.07 %(g)      0.57      1.01      2.13
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 4,573,104      $ 4,983,596      $ 5,855,954     $ 5,642,271      $ 499,227      $ 208,595  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    51      52      54     31      37      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   H I G H L I G H T S

  17


Notes to Financial Statements  

 

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    

Global Clean Energy

   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. 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.

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 April 30, 2023, 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.

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.

 

 

18  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (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.

 

   

Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by independent pricing services or through brokers, which are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades and values of the underlying reference instruments.

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.

 

 

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

  19


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 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  

 

 

Global Clean Energy

          

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 19,058,269      $ (19,058,269    $      $  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    9,823,692        (9,823,692              

BNP Paribas SA

    39,839,799        (39,839,799              

BofA Securities, Inc.

    61,958,554        (61,958,554              

Citadel Clearing LLC

    3,779,160        (3,779,160              

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    11,672,478        (11,672,478              

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    145,120,278        (145,120,278              

HSBC Bank PLC

    4,358,724        (4,358,724              

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    229,901,162        (229,901,162              

Jefferies LLC

    386,609        (386,609              

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

    335,195        (335,195              

Morgan Stanley

    109,707,364        (109,707,364              

National Financial Services LLC

    11,459,129        (11,459,129              

Natixis SA

    1,259,967        (1,259,967              

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    1,286,056        (1,286,056              

RBC Capital Markets LLC

    279,140        (279,140              

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    1,636,756        (1,636,756              

SG Americas Securities LLC

    2,776,488        (2,776,488              

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    3,663,729        (3,663,729              

Toronto-Dominion Bank

    4,921,628        (4,921,628              

UBS AG

    19,383,590        (19,383,590              

UBS Securities LLC

    489,070        (489,070              

Virtu Americas LLC

    6,518,740        (6,518,740              

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    544,124        (544,124              
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 690,159,701      $ (690,159,701    $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, 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 Statements 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

 

 

20  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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.

Swaps: Swap contracts are entered into to manage exposure to issuers, markets and securities. Such contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount or a net payment upon termination. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”).

For OTC swaps, any upfront premiums paid and any upfront fees received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received, respectively, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and amortized over the term of the contract. The daily fluctuation in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC Swaps in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Fund’s basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contract is the premium received or paid.

Total return swaps are entered into by the Fund to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in such market or to exchange the risk/return of one security or market (e.g., fixed-income) with another security or market (e.g., equity or commodity prices) (equity risk, commodity price risk and/or interest rate risk).

Total return swaps are agreements in which there is an exchange of cash flows whereby one party commits to make payments based on the total return (distributions plus capital gains/losses) of an underlying instrument, or basket or underlying instruments, in exchange for fixed or floating rate interest payments. If the total return of the instruments or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting fixed or floating interest rate obligation, the Fund receives payment from or makes a payment to the counterparty.

Certain total return swaps are designed to function as a portfolio of direct investments in long and short equity positions. This means that the Fund has the ability to trade in and out of these long and short positions within the swap and will receive the economic benefits and risks equivalent to direct investment in these positions, subject to certain adjustments due to events related to the counterparty. Benefits and risks include capital appreciation (depreciation), corporate actions and dividends received and paid, all of which are reflected in the swap’s market value. The market value also includes interest charges and credits (“financing fees”) related to the notional values of the long and short positions and cash balances within the swap. These interest charges and credits are based on a specified benchmark rate plus or minus a specified spread determined based upon the country and/or currency of the positions in the portfolio.

Positions within the swap and financing fees are reset periodically. During a reset, any unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on positions and accrued financing fees become available for cash settlement between the Fund and the counterparty. The amounts that are available for cash settlement are recorded as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations. Cash settlement in and out of the swap may occur at a reset date or any other date, at the discretion of the Fund and the counterparty, over the life of the agreement. Certain swaps have no stated expiration and can be terminated by either party at any time.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risks in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates and/or market values associated with these transactions.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help mitigate its counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of

 

 

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

  21


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement, and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Fund. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Fund on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from the counterparty are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Fund has delivered collateral to a counterparty and stands ready to perform under the terms of its agreement with such counterparty, the Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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, 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 $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 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 year endedApril 30, 2023, the Fund paid BTC $1,181,269 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 year ended April 30, 2023, 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)
 

Global Clean Energy

  $ 25,385,649              $ 1,569,227              $ (526,931

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 year ended April 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases             Sales      

Global Clean Energy

  $ 2,590,068,269              $ 2,634,267,710      

For the year ended April 30, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
            In-kind    
Sales    
 

Global Clean Energy

  $ 268,471,503              $ 579,744,833      

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 April 30, 2023, 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.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of April 30, 2023, permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital      Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)
 

Global Clean Energy

  $ 125,016,641      $ (125,016,641

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
04/30/23
     Year Ended
04/30/22
 

Global Clean Energy

    

Ordinary income

  $ 44,565,129      $ 66,429,706  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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  23


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

As of April 30, 2023, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
    Total  

Global Clean Energy

  $ 20,604,956      $ (1,384,410,420   $ (266,828,665   $ (1,630,634,129

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts and accounting for swap agreements.

 

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 April 30, 2023, 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 Clean Energy

  $ 5,528,040,187      $ 439,796,583      $ (706,772,659   $ (266,976,076

9.     LINE OF CREDIT

The Fund, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party 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 year ended April 30, 2023, the Fund did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

10.   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.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 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 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 securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the the Fund invests.

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.

11.   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:

 

 

 
    Year Ended
04/30/23
     Year Ended
04/30/22
 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 

 

Global Clean Energy

          

Shares sold

    16,300,000      $ 333,990,804        49,000,000      $ 1,087,738,922  

Shares redeemed

    (36,000,000      (692,891,249      (37,600,000      (769,297,647
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (19,700,000    $ (358,900,445      11,400,000      $ 318,441,275  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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  25


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

12.   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.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

  

 

To the Board of Trustees of

iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares Global Clean Energy ETF

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (one of the funds constituting iShares Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of April 30, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year ended April 30, 2023, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2023, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2023, for the period from April 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021 and for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2021 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of April 30, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2023 and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2023, for the period from April 1, 2021 to April 30, 2021 and for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of April 30, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 21, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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

  27


Important Tax Information (unaudited)

 

The following amount, or maximum amount allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023:

 

iShares ETF   Qualified Dividend    
Income    
 

Global Clean Energy

  $ 54,929,288      

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

iShares ETF   Dividends-Received
Deduction
 

Global Clean Energy

    28.05

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (the “Fund” or “ETF”), a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Fund, as the program administrator for the Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of the Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing the Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish the Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to the Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

a)  

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

b)  

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

c)  

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

d)  

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

e)  

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

T A T E M E N T   R E G A R D I N G   L I Q U I D I T Y   R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T   P R O G R A M

  29


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.

April 30, 2023

 

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

Global Clean Energy(a)

  $ 0.157993     $     $ 0.018709     $ 0.176702       89         11     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.

 

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 380 funds as of April 30, 2023. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001. The Board has designated John E. Kerrigan as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Robert S. Kapito (a)

(1957)

   Trustee
(since 2009).
   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Salim Ramji (b)

(1970)

   Trustee
(since 2019).
   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

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

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

 

 

Independent Trustees
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

John E. Kerrigan

(1955)

   Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2022).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2022).

Jane D. Carlin

(1956)

   Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).    Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L. Fagnani

(1954)

   Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).    Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016); Director of One Generation Away (since 2021).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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  31


Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Cecilia H. Herbert

(1949)

   Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2022).    Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018), Investment Committee (since 2011) and Personnel Committee (since 2022); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (1992-2021) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020); Director of the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts (since 2021); Member of the Wyoming State Investment Funds Committee (since 2022).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Drew E. Lawton

(1959)

   Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017); Director of Jackson Financial Inc. (since 2021).

John E. Martinez

(1961)

   Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Madhav V. Rajan

(1964)

   Trustee (since 2011); Fixed-Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
     

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Dominik Rohé

(1973)

   President (since 2023).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2005); Head of Americas ETF and Index Investments (since 2023); Head of Latin America (2019-2023).

Trent Walker

(1974)

   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

Charles Park

(1967)

   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Marisa Rolland

(1980)

   Secretary (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2023); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2018-2022); Vice President, BlackRock, Inc. (2010-2017).

Rachel Aguirre

(1982)

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2018); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2018); Head of U.S. iShares Product (since 2022); Head of EII U.S. Product Engineering (since 2021); Co-Head of EII’s Americas Portfolio Engineering (2020-2021); Head of Developed Markets Portfolio Engineering (2016-2019).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Officers (continued)
     
Name
(Year of
Birth)
   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Jennifer Hsui

(1976)

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Co-Head of Index Equity (since 2022).

James Mauro

(1970)

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2010); Head of Fixed Income Index Investments in the Americas and Head of San Francisco Core Portfolio Management (since 2020).

 

Effective June 15, 2022, Marisa Rolland replaced Deepa Damre Smith as Secretary.

Effective March 30, 2023, Dominik Rohé replaced Armando Senra as President.

 

 

R U S T E E   A N D   O F F I C E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

  33


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.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation

NVDR    Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

 

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

  35


 

 

 

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 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.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-AR-408-0423

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  APRIL 30, 2023

 

  

2023 Annual Report

 

 

iShares Trust

·  iShares International Select Dividend ETF | IDV | Cboe BZX


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Investors faced an uncertain economic landscape during the 12-month reporting period ended April 30, 2023, amid mixed indicators and rapidly changing market conditions. The U.S. economy returned to modest growth beginning in the third quarter of 2022, although the pace of growth slowed thereafter. Inflation was elevated, reaching a 40-year high as labor costs grew rapidly and unemployment rates reached the lowest levels in decades. However, inflation moderated as the period continued, while continued strength in consumer spending backstopped the economy.

Equity returns varied substantially, as large-capitalization U.S. stocks gained for the period amid a rebound in big tech stocks, whereas small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined. International equities from developed markets advanced strongly, while emerging market stocks declined, pressured by higher interest rates and volatile commodities prices.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, although high-yield corporate bonds posted a positive return as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity. In addition, the Fed added liquidity to markets amid the failure of prominent regional banks.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth was modest in the last year, we believe that stickiness in services inflation and continued wage growth will keep inflation above central bank targets for some time. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and indicated a pause could be its next step, we believe that the Fed still seems determined 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, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe 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. Turmoil in the banking sector late in the period highlighted the potential for the rapid increase in interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as we believe a weakening U.S. dollar could provide a supportive backdrop. We also see selective, long-term opportunities in credit, where we believe that valuations are appealing, and higher yields offer attractive income. However, we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we’re concerned about tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most significant opportunities in short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

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 April 30, 2023
     
     6-Month    12-Month 
     

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

  8.63%       2.66%
     

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

  (3.45)      (3.65)
     

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

 

24.19 

  8.42
     

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

16.36 

  (6.51)
     

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

 

2.09 

  2.83
     

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

 

7.14 

  (1.68)
     

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

 

6.91 

  (0.43)
     

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

 

7.65 

  2.87
     

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

 

6.21 

  1.21
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  

T 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  

Annual Report:

  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     7  

Disclosure of Expenses

     7  

Schedule of Investments

     8  

Financial Statements

  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     14  

Statement of Operations

     15  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     16  

Financial Highlights

     17  

Notes to Financial Statements

     18  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     27  

Important Tax Information

     28  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     29  

Trustee and Officer Information

     31  

General Information

     34  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     35  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global equity markets advanced during the 12 months ended April 30, 2023 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 2.06% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. In the first half of the reporting period, concerns about the state of the global economy in the face of high inflation and rapidly rising interest rates drove stocks sharply lower. However, stock prices recovered substantially in the reporting period’s second half to advance overall, as economic growth proved resilient despite its slower pace.

Inflation was a significant factor in equity markets, and while its impact varied by country, most major economies faced substantial inflation during the reporting period. This drove a wave of monetary tightening by most of the world’s central banks, which sent interest rates and borrowing costs sharply higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“Fed”) raised interest rates eight times in an attempt to bring down inflation. Commodities prices were volatile, and as the reporting period began, disruptions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine meant high prices for energy commodities and some food products. While oil, gas, and most other commodities declined as markets adjusted to the war’s disruption, elevated prices exacerbated inflationary pressure.

The U.S. economy recovered from a contraction in the first half of 2022 to post modest growth in the second half of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. Consumers continued to power the economy with growing spending, despite higher prices for many consumer goods and services. The strong labor market supported spending, as unemployment remained very low, at one point dropping to the lowest recorded level since 1969. Furthermore, the labor force participation rate — which measures the total proportion of working-age persons employed or looking for work — rose, indicating that more people were being drawn into the labor force. Amid tightening labor supply, wages rose significantly, with the largest gains at the lower end of the wage spectrum.

In addition to its interest rate increases, the Fed also started to reduce the size of its balance sheet by reducing the store of U.S. Treasuries it had accumulated to stabilize markets in the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic. While the Fed indicated that more tightening could be needed to achieve its long-term inflation goal, it sounded a more cautious note about the potential for further interest rate increases near the end of the reporting period.

European stocks outpaced most other regions of the globe, advancing strongly for the reporting period despite slowing economic growth. European stocks benefited from a solid recovery following the early phases of the war in Ukraine. The conflict disrupted critical natural gas supplies, but new sources were secured and prices began to decline, while a warm winter helped to moderate consumption. The ECB responded to the highest inflation since the introduction of the euro by raising interest rates six times.

While inflation was somewhat more moderate in the Asia-Pacific region, stocks there declined amid higher interest rates and disruption from coronavirus-related lockdowns in China. However, China relaxed its strict anti-coronavirus protocols in December 2022, boosting analysts’ expectations for future growth in the region. Emerging market stocks declined notably, pressured by slowing global economic growth. The Fed’s interest rate increases weighed on emerging market equities by making U.S. assets relatively more attractive.

 

4  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023      iShares® International Select Dividend ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares International Select Dividend ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of relatively high dividend paying equities in non-U.S. developed markets, as represented by the Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend 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  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (0.06 )%       2.28      3.08       (0.06 )%       11.92      35.48

Fund Market

    (0.18      2.31        3.06         (0.18      12.09        35.18  

Index

    (1.48      2.11        3.09               (1.48      11.02        35.53  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

 

 

LOGO

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

(11/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(04/30/23)

 

 

 

      


Expenses

Paid During
the Period

 

 
(a)  

           

Beginning

Account Value

(11/01/22)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(04/30/23)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a)  

    

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

         $        1,000.00                  $        1,213.80              $        2.74                     $        1,000.00                $        1,022.30              $        2.51        0.50

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (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.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023  (continued)    iShares® International Select Dividend ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

International dividend stocks declined moderately during the reporting period amid rapidly rising interest rates and a weakening global economy. Stocks in the U.K. detracted the most from the Index’s return, as supply chain-induced material shortages, rising labor costs, and planning delays weighed on homebuilding companies. Higher mortgage rates reduced affordability for many first-time home buyers, slowing sales and reducing the pool of prospective buyers. The reduction in the forecasted number of completed homes increased investor concerns of a slowdown in the pace of the housing market.

Financials stocks in the Republic of Korea also detracted from the Index’s return as the South Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar amid a downturn in the country’s economy following a slump in semiconductor chip demand. Dividends of South Korean diversified banks were lower than expected. Lastly, stocks in Australia further detracted from the Index’s return as high interest rates and rising inflation slowed growth and increased investors’ concerns over possible bank failures.

On the other hand, Japanese stocks were the most significant contributors to the Index’s return during the reporting period. Japan’s marine transportation companies maintained high dividend payouts as they continued to benefit from the increase in global shipping demand that began during the pandemic, despite a declining import trend for retail goods.

Spanish stocks also contributed, with construction and engineering companies benefiting from the largest annual increase in housing prices since the global financial crisis. Spain’s largest construction company also reported higher sales growth in global markets, particularly in Australia and the U.S.

French energy companies further contributed as high oil and gas prices allowed integrated oil and gas companies to raise dividends and record all-time high profits. Europe’s embargo on Russian oil products following the invasion of Ukraine led to higher production demand and sales of French natural gas.

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

 

Sector  

Percent of   

Total Investments(a)

 

Financials

  26.1%

Utilities

  16.1   

Industrials

  16.0   

Materials

  15.6   

Consumer Discretionary

  6.6   

Energy

  6.3   

Communication Services

  4.9   

Real Estate

  4.5   

Consumer Staples

  3.6   

Information Technology

  0.3   

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

 

Country/Geographic Region  

Percent of   

Total Investments(a)

 

United Kingdom

  14.9%

Canada

  10.4   

Australia

  8.7   

South Korea

  8.6   

Spain

  7.6   

Japan

  7.3   

Hong Kong

  7.1   

Italy

  7.0   

France

  5.9   

Belgium

  3.0  

Norway

  2.8   

Netherlands

  2.8   

Sweden

  2.2   

Denmark

  2.2   

Finland

  2.1   

Switzerland

  2.0   

Germany

  1.8   

Israel

  1.6   

New Zealand

  1.2   

Other (each representing less than 1%)

  0.8   

 

 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S    A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S 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.

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Select Dividend ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Australia — 8.6%

   

APA Group

    3,577,333     $ 24,423,991  

BHP Group Ltd.

    5,525,392       163,979,675  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    6,025,245       84,302,932  

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd.

    5,449,055       13,086,488  

JB Hi-Fi Ltd.

    1,964,673       58,145,901  

Magellan Financial Group Ltd.

    2,642,727       14,322,262  

Perpetual Ltd.

    1,944,075       31,771,753  

Super Retail Group Ltd.

    2,993,337       27,013,639  

Viva Energy Group Ltd.(a)

      6,046,930       12,498,995  
   

 

 

 
          429,545,636  
Austria — 0.4%            

Oesterreichische Post AG

    564,954       21,762,728  
   

 

 

 

Belgium — 2.9%

   

Ageas SA/NV

    2,738,223       122,003,061  

Proximus SADP

    2,962,267       25,252,084  
   

 

 

 
      147,255,145  
Canada — 10.2%            

Bank of Nova Scotia (The)

    2,184,676       109,052,395  

Birchcliff Energy Ltd.

    3,321,155       20,125,241  

Canadian Utilities Ltd., Class A, NVS

    1,849,910       53,482,655  

Emera Inc.

    1,861,050       79,189,233  

Great-West Lifeco Inc.

    2,069,205       58,829,964  

IGM Financial Inc.

    1,418,174       43,523,397  

Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corp.

    1,265,532       28,536,002  

Manulife Financial Corp.

    1,963,938       38,775,762  

Peyto Exploration & Development Corp.

    3,142,738       28,624,119  

Power Corp. of Canada

    1,930,162       51,699,878  
   

 

 

 
      511,838,646  
Denmark — 2.2%            

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    55,213       98,676,260  

D/S Norden A/S

    151,309       9,507,754  
   

 

 

 
      108,184,014  
Finland — 2.1%            

Fortum OYJ

    5,502,933       82,191,701  

Metsa Board OYJ, Class B

    3,168,553       22,847,935  
   

 

 

 
      105,039,636  
France — 5.7%            

ALD SA(a)

    2,001,965       24,117,413  

Bouygues SA

    1,748,409       64,025,406  

Nexity SA

    931,737       24,444,001  

Orange SA

    2,054,382       26,739,661  

Rubis SCA

    1,764,326       52,142,444  

TotalEnergies SE

    1,517,351       96,958,594  
   

 

 

 
      288,427,519  
Germany — 1.7%            

Freenet AG

    432,890       12,341,266  

Hapag-Lloyd AG(a)(b)

    120,416       37,443,585  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    427,417       33,332,545  
   

 

 

 
      83,117,396  
Hong Kong — 7.0%            

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

    13,316,500       89,026,493  

CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

    10,755,000       61,232,347  

Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd.

    15,335,000       54,603,714  

Hysan Development Co. Ltd.

    11,713,000       33,101,471  

Kerry Properties Ltd.

    10,608,000       27,369,757  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

    21,071,750       56,195,752  
Security   Shares     Value  
Hong Kong (continued)            

PCCW Ltd.

    22,593,000     $ 11,785,141  

VTech Holdings Ltd.

    2,751,700       16,519,930  
   

 

 

 
      349,834,605  
Israel — 1.6%            

ICL Group Ltd.

    12,858,150       79,859,699  
   

 

 

 

Italy — 6.8%

   

A2A SpA

    7,187,974       12,682,354  

Anima Holding SpA(a)

    4,351,440       18,082,045  

Azimut Holding SpA

    2,121,235       47,380,062  

Enel SpA

    8,029,729       54,860,028  

Eni SpA

    7,679,992       116,024,847  

Italgas SpA

    6,137,216       40,072,827  

Snam SpA

      6,290,009       34,957,833  

UnipolSai Assicurazioni SpA

    7,242,274       19,483,179  
   

 

 

 
          343,543,175  
Japan — 7.2%            

Haseko Corp.

    1,756,700       21,446,363  

Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

    5,506,800       136,516,917  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

    1,558,500       51,153,557  

Nippon Yusen KK

    5,021,300       118,697,958  

Sojitz Corp.

    1,628,080       34,289,825  
   

 

 

 
      362,104,620  
Netherlands — 2.7%            

Flow Trades Ltd., NVS

    604,170       14,965,727  

NN Group NV

    2,338,946       87,220,145  

SBM Offshore NV

    2,455,372       34,705,729  
   

 

 

 
      136,891,601  
New Zealand — 1.1%            

Spark New Zealand Ltd.

    17,738,781       57,476,324  
   

 

 

 

Norway — 2.8%

   

Norsk Hydro ASA

    1,963,093       14,446,520  

Yara International ASA

    3,076,702       123,895,180  
   

 

 

 
      138,341,700  
Singapore — 0.4%            

Golden Agri-Resources Ltd.

    106,490,500       22,023,626  
   

 

 

 
South Korea — 7.4%            

BNK Financial Group Inc.

    3,104,927       15,446,747  

DB Insurance Co. Ltd.

    947,953       59,589,793  

DGB Financial Group Inc.

    2,719,839       13,947,601  

Hana Financial Group Inc.

    2,515,145       79,034,997  

Industrial Bank of Korea

    3,129,997       23,571,268  

KB Financial Group Inc.

    1,901,647       70,581,906  

Samsung Securities Co. Ltd.

    1,225,830       31,117,380  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

    1,844,119       48,279,786  

Woori Financial Group Inc.

    3,163,816       27,826,545  
   

 

 

 
      369,396,023  
Spain — 7.4%            

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

    3,548,792       122,015,944  

Cia. de Distribucion Integral Logista Holdings SA

    1,214,843       32,991,353  

Enagas SA

    3,174,475       63,555,167  

Mapfre SA

    3,649,864       7,311,138  

Naturgy Energy Group SA

    2,330,935       72,576,668  

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    3,200,159       58,183,171  

Telefonica SA

    3,866,163       17,560,843  
   

 

 

 
      374,194,284  
 

 

8  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Select Dividend ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Sweden — 2.2%

   

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB(b)

    21,243,847     $ 24,989,267  

Telia Co. AB

      30,272,262       84,283,125  
   

 

 

 
      109,272,392  
Switzerland — 2.0%            

Swiss Re AG

    186,727       18,804,139  

Zurich Insurance Group AG

    164,394       79,723,231  
   

 

 

 
      98,527,370  
United Kingdom — 14.6%            

abrdn PLC

    3,611,822       9,678,702  

Ashmore Group PLC

    3,750,690       11,496,606  

British American Tobacco PLC

    4,201,888       155,242,093  

Centamin PLC

    3,510,872       4,556,686  

IG Group Holdings PLC

    3,131,746       28,910,771  

Jupiter Fund Management PLC

    3,379,504       5,531,072  

Legal & General Group PLC

    4,116,669       12,146,322  

National Grid PLC

    2,836,611       40,671,116  

Persimmon PLC

    6,781,658       112,234,398  

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

    4,477,473       33,359,648  

Rio Tinto PLC

    3,921,372       249,290,880  

SSE PLC

    2,845,764       65,660,762  

Vodafone Group PLC

    4,554,390       5,470,393  
   

 

 

 
      734,249,449  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.0%
(Cost: $5,061,101,440)

      4,870,885,588  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

   

Germany — 0.0%

   

Schaeffler AG, Preference Shares, NVS

    438,788       3,187,565  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

South Korea — 1.1%

   

Hyundai Motor Co., Series 2, Preference Shares, NVS

    663,814     $ 55,064,677  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 1.1%
(Cost: $51,694,454)

      58,252,242  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.1%
(Cost: $5,112,795,894)

      4,929,137,830  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 1.5%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.02%(c)(d)(e)

      68,472,457       68,492,998  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.75%(c)(d)

    4,300,000       4,300,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.5%
(Cost: $72,777,323)

      72,792,998  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.6%
(Cost: $5,185,573,217)

        5,001,930,828  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.4%

      20,645,970  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 5,022,576,798  
   

 

 

 

 

(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)

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 year ended April 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

04/30/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

04/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

04/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $     $ 68,470,737 (a)    $     $ 6,586     $ 15,675     $ 68,492,998       68,472,457     $ 3,336,320 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    2,240,000       2,060,000 (a)                         4,300,000       4,300,000       152,066       4  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 6,586     $ 15,675     $ 72,792,998       $ 3,488,386     $ 4  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Select Dividend 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

          

SPI 200 Index

    118        06/15/23      $ 14,392      $ 411,133  

Euro STOXX 50 Index

    366        06/16/23        17,451        383,238  

FTSE 100 Index

    294        06/16/23        29,052        776,766  
          

 

 

 
           $ 1,571,137  
          

 

 

 

OTC Total Return Swaps

 

 

 
Reference Entity  

Payment

Frequency

   Counterparty(a)  

Termination

Date

     Net Notional     

Accrued

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Net Value of

Reference

Entity

    

Gross

Notional

Amount

Net Asset

Percentage

 

 

 

Equity Securities Long

  Monthly    Goldman Sachs Bank USA(b)     08/19/26      $ 16,540,736      $ 1,007,109 (c)    $ 16,701,887        0.3
  Monthly    HSBC Bank PLC(d)     02/10/28        2,538,998        (1,381 )(e)       2,540,699        0.1  
  Monthly    JPMorgan Chase Bank
NA(f)
    02/08/24        9,177,075        (41,087 )(g)       9,148,731        0.2  
            

 

 

   

 

 

    
             $ 964,641     $ 28,391,317     
            

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

  (a) 

The Fund receives the total return on a portfolio of long positions underlying the total return swap. The Fund pays the total return on a portfolio of short positions underlying the total return swap. In addition, the Fund pays or receives a variable rate of interest, based on a specified benchmark. The benchmark and spread are determined based upon the country and/or currency of the individual underlying positions.

 
  (c) 

Amount includes $845,958 of net dividends and financing fees.

 
  (e) 

Amount includes $(3,082) of net dividends, payable for referenced securities purchased and financing fees.

 
  (g) 

Amount includes $(12,743) of net dividends, payable for referenced securities purchased and financing fees.

 

The following are the specified benchmarks (plus or minus a range) used in determining the variable rate of interest:

 

  (b)      (d)      (f)

Range:

  45 basis points      45 basis points      40 basis points

Benchmarks:

  EUR - 1D Euro Short Term Rate (ESTR)      EUR - 1D Euro Short Term Rate (ESTR)      EUR - 1D Euro Short Term Rate (ESTR)

 

10  

2 0 2 3   I S H A R E S    A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Select Dividend ETF

 

The following table represents the individual long positions and related values of equity securities underlying the total return swap with Goldman Sachs Bank USA as of period end, termination date August 19, 2026.

 

     Shares      Value      % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Long

 

  

Common Stocks

       
Spain                    

Enagas SA

    818,546      $ 16,257,491        97.3

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    24,480        444,396        2.7  
    

 

 

    

Net Value of Reference Entity — Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

   $ 16,701,887     
    

 

 

    

The following table represents the individual long positions and related values of equity securities underlying the total return swap with HSBC Bank PLC as of period end, termination date February 10, 2028.

 

     Shares      Value      % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Long

 

  

Common Stocks

       
Spain                    

Enagas SA

    122,781      $ 2,442,086        96.1

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    5,476        98,613        3.9  
    

 

 

    

Net Value of Reference Entity — HSBC Bank PLC

     $ 2,540,699     
    

 

 

    

The following table represents the individual long positions and related values of equity securities underlying the total return swap with JPMorgan Chase Bank NA as of period end, termination date February 8, 2024.

 

     Shares      Value      % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Long

 

  

Common Stocks

       
Spain                    

Enagas SA

    461,283      $ 9,146,930        100.0

Red Electrica Corp. SA

    100        1,801        0.0  
    

 

 

    

Net Value of Reference Entity — JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     $ 9,148,731     
    

 

 

    
 

 

Balances Reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for Total Return Swaps

 

         
Description   Swap Premiums
Paid
     Swap Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

Total Return Swaps

  $      $      $ 1,007,109      $ (42,468

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  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                   

Futures contracts

                   

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $      $      $ 1,571,137      $      $      $      $ 1,571,137  

Swaps — OTC

                   

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

  $      $      $ 1,007,109      $      $      $      $ 1,007,109  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $      $ 2,578,246      $      $      $      $ 2,578,246  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                   

Swaps — OTC

                   

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums received

  $      $      $ 42,468      $      $      $      $ 42,468  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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).

 

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Select Dividend ETF

 

For the period ended April 30, 2023, 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

  $      $      $ 1,325,441      $      $      $      $ 1,325,441  

Swaps

                  178,131                             178,131  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $      $ 1,503,572      $      $      $      $ 1,503,572  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                   

Futures contracts

  $      $      $ 2,408,585      $      $      $      $ 2,408,585  

Swaps

                  964,641                             964,641  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $      $ 3,373,226      $      $      $      $ 3,373,226  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 41,946,557      

Total return swaps

 

Average notional value

  $ 14,332,456      

 

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

 

 
    Assets     Liabilities  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments:

   

Futures contracts

  $ 1,571,137     $  

Swaps - OTC

    1,007,109       42,468  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    2,578,246       42,468  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

    (1,571,137      
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

    1,007,109       42,468  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

 

 
 

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

 

 

 

 

   

Derivatives

Available

 

 

   

Non-Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Net Amount

of Derivative

 

 

Counterparty

      Counterparty       for Offset (a)      Received       Received (b)        Assets (c) 

 

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

        

  $ 1,007,109     $     $     $ (460,000            $   547,109  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

   

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

 

 

 

 

   

Derivatives

Available

 

 

   

Non-Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Cash

Collateral

 

 

   

Net Amount

of Derivative

 

 

Counterparty

  Counterparty

 

      for Offset (a)        Pledged         Pledged (b)        Liabilities (d) 

 

 

HSBC Bank PLC

    $ 1,381              $              $              $              $ 1,381  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

  

    41,087                                 41,087  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    $ 42,468       $       $       $       $ 42,468  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (c) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

 

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Schedule of Investments (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Select Dividend 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  

 

 

Assets

         

Investments

         

Long-Term Investments

         

Common Stocks

  $ 526,804,373      $ 4,344,081,215     $      $ 4,870,885,588  

Preferred Stocks

           58,252,242              58,252,242  

Short-Term Securities

         

Money Market Funds

    72,792,998                     72,792,998  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 599,597,371      $ 4,402,333,457     $      $ 5,001,930,828  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

         

Assets

         

Equity Contracts

  $      $ 2,578,246     $      $ 2,578,246  

Liabilities

         

Equity Contracts

           (42,468            (42,468
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $ 2,535,778     $        2,535,778  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  13


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

April 30, 2023

 

   

iShares

International Select

Dividend ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

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

  $ 4,929,137,830  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    72,792,998  

Cash

    5,103  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

    4,196,165  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    36,865,222  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    771,334  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    891,500  

Capital shares sold

    89,573  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    35,845,580  

Dividends — affiliated

    12,700  

Tax reclaims

    17,938,019  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    249,554  

Foreign withholding tax claims

    1,587,309  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps

    1,007,109  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,101,389,996  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Cash received as collateral for OTC swaps

    460,000  

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    68,470,737  

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    2,941,571  

Investment advisory fees

    2,015,804  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    4,707,032  

Professional fees

    175,586  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps

    42,468  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    78,813,198  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 5,022,576,798  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 6,342,615,968  

Accumulated loss

    (1,320,039,170
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 5,022,576,798  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

 

Shares outstanding

    178,500,000  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 28.14  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

    None  
 

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 5,112,795,894  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 61,383,400  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 72,777,323  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 4,266,186  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 36,707,904  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of Operations

Year Ended April 30, 2023

 

   

iShares

International

Select

Dividend ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 388,837,483  

Dividends — affiliated

    152,066  

Interest — unaffiliated

    55,840  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    3,336,320  

Other income — unaffiliated

    1,411,787  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (33,024,469

Foreign withholding tax claims

    7,652,801  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    1,145,924  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    369,567,752  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    22,491,400  

Professional

    906,474  

Commitment costs

    24,105  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    23,421,979  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    346,145,773  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (169,332,940

Investments — affiliated

    6,586  

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

    4  

Foreign currency transactions

    (3,474,919

Futures contracts

    1,325,441  

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    12,609,063  

Swaps

    178,131  
 

 

 

 
    (158,688,634
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (225,308,156

Investments — affiliated

    15,675  

Foreign currency translations

    2,404,292  

Futures contracts

    2,408,585  

Swaps

    964,641  
 

 

 

 
    (219,514,963
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (378,203,597
 

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (32,057,824
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  15


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

International Select Dividend ETF

 
 

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

04/30/23

    

    Year Ended

04/30/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    

OPERATIONS

    

Net investment income

  $ 346,145,773      $ 275,040,603  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (158,688,634      150,212,849  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (219,514,963      (530,587,837
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (32,057,824      (105,334,385
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

    

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (304,367,747      (239,788,045
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

    

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    749,314,980        624,868,028  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    

Total increase in net assets

    412,889,409        279,745,598  

Beginning of year

    4,609,687,389        4,329,941,791  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 5,022,576,798      $ 4,609,687,389  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares International Select Dividend ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
04/30/23
    Year Ended
04/30/22
    Year Ended
04/30/21
    Year Ended
04/30/20
    Year Ended
04/30/19
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 30.17     $ 32.41     $ 24.14     $ 31.59     $ 34.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    2.06 (b)       1.95 (b)       1.35       1.83       1.71  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (2.25     (2.48     8.19       (7.10     (2.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.19     (0.53     9.54       (5.27     (0.77
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (1.84     (1.71     (1.27     (2.18     (1.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 28.14     $ 30.17     $ 32.41     $ 24.14     $ 31.59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    (0.06 )%(b)       (1.76 )%(b)       40.57     (17.15 )%      (2.13 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

         

Total expenses

    0.51     0.54     0.49     0.49     0.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    0.51     0.54     0.49     0.49     0.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.49     0.49     N/A       N/A       0.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    7.58 %(b)       6.12 %(b)       4.87     6.06     5.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 5,022,577     $ 4,609,687     $ 4,329,942     $ 3,421,123     $ 4,377,418  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    29     36     86     12     35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Reflects the positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended April 30 2023 and April 30 2022 respectively:

• Net investment income per share by $0.04 and $0.13.

• Total return by 0.13% and 0.39%.

• Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.15% and 0.41%.

(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) 

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

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  17


Notes to Financial Statements  

 

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    

International Select Dividend

  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.

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 April 30, 2023, 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.

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.

 

 

18  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (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.

 

   

Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by independent pricing services or through brokers, which are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades and values of the underlying reference instruments.

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.

 

 

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

  19


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 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  

International Select Dividend

         

BofA Securities, Inc.

   $ 6,338,755      $ (6,338,755   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

     37,910,261        (37,910,261            

Morgan Stanley

     17,134,384        (17,134,384            
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 61,383,400      $ (61,383,400   $     $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, 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 Statements 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Swaps: Swap contracts are entered into to manage exposure to issuers, markets and securities. Such contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount or a net payment upon termination. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”).

For OTC swaps, any upfront premiums paid and any upfront fees received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received, respectively, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and amortized over the term of the contract. The daily fluctuation in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC Swaps in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Fund’s basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contract is the premium received or paid.

Total return swaps are entered into by the Fund to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in such market or to exchange the risk/return of one security or market (e.g., fixed-income) with another security or market (e.g., equity or commodity prices) (equity risk, commodity price risk and/or interest rate risk).

Total return swaps are agreements in which there is an exchange of cash flows whereby one party commits to make payments based on the total return (distributions plus capital gains/losses) of an underlying instrument, or basket or underlying instruments, in exchange for fixed or floating rate interest payments. If the total return of the instruments or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting fixed or floating interest rate obligation, the Fund receives payment from or makes a payment to the counterparty.

Certain total return swaps are designed to function as a portfolio of direct investments in long and short equity positions. This means that the Fund has the ability to trade in and out of these long and short positions within the swap and will receive the economic benefits and risks equivalent to direct investment in these positions, subject to certain adjustments due to events related to the counterparty. Benefits and risks include capital appreciation (depreciation), corporate actions and dividends received and paid, all of which are reflected in the swap’s market value. The market value also includes interest charges and credits (“financing fees”) related to the notional values of the long and short positions and cash balances within the swap. These interest charges and credits are based on a specified benchmark rate plus or minus a specified spread determined based upon the country and/or currency of the positions in the portfolio.

Positions within the swap and financing fees are reset periodically. During a reset, any unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on positions and accrued financing fees become available for cash settlement between the Fund and the counterparty. The amounts that are available for cash settlement are recorded as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations. Cash settlement in and out of the swap may occur at a reset date or any other date, at the discretion of the Fund and the counterparty, over the life of the agreement. Certain swaps have no stated expiration and can be terminated by either party at any time.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risks in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates and/or market values associated with these transactions.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help mitigate its counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement, and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Fund. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Fund on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from the counterparty are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Fund has delivered collateral to a counterparty and stands ready to perform under the terms of its agreement with such counterparty, the Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

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

  21


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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, 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

    0.5000

Over $12 billion, up to and including $18 billion

    0.4750  

Over $18 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.4513  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $30 billion

    0.4287  

Over $30 billion

    0.4073  

Expense Waivers: BFAmay from time to time voluntarily waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, if any). BFA has elected to implement a voluntary fee waiver for the Fund 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 year ended April 30, 2023, there were no fees waived by BFA pursuant to this arrangement.

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 year endedApril 30, 2023, the Fund paid BTC $724,550 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 year ended April 30, 2023, 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)

 

International Select Dividend

  $ 1,321,033        $ 15,820,782        $ (11,975,646

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 year ended April 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Purchases        Sales    

International Select Dividend

  $ 1,532,613,021        $ 1,297,284,682    

For the year ended April 30, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF  

In-kind

Purchases

       In-kind  
Sales  
 

International Select Dividend

  $ 601,070,121        $ 90,552,600    

 

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 April 30, 2023, 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.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of April 30, 2023, permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

     
iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital     

Accumulated

Earnings (Loss)

 

International Select Dividend

  $ 2,007,072      $ (2,007,072

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Year Ended
04/30/23
     Year Ended
04/30/22
 

International Select Dividend

    

Ordinary income

  $ 304,367,747      $ 239,788,045  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of April 30, 2023, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF

   

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

 

 

    

Non-expiring

Capital Loss

Carryforwards

 

 

(a) 

   

Net Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

 

(b) 

    Total  

International Select Dividend

  $ 84,097,354      $ (1,155,168,435   $ (248,968,089   $ (1,320,039,170

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts, accounting for swap agreements and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 

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.

 

 

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

  23


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

As of April 30, 2023, 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)

 

International Select Dividend

  $ 5,250,940,887        $ 360,156,099        $ (608,755,023    $ (248,598,924

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The Fund, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party 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 year ended April 30, 2023, the Fund did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

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.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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 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 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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 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 Fund’s 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. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. 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 have been, and may continue to 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.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its 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. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of 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.

 

11.

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:

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

04/30/23

   

Year Ended

04/30/22

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

International Select Dividend

       

Shares sold

    29,750,000     $ 855,301,402       21,900,000     $ 708,294,656  

Shares redeemed

    (4,050,000     (105,986,422     (2,700,000     (83,426,628
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    25,700,000     $ 749,314,980       19,200,000     $ 624,868,028  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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

  25


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

12.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The iShares International Select Dividend ETF has 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 Fund has 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 Fund. The Fund continues 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Collection of this receivable, and any subsequent payment of associated liabilities, depends upon determinations made by Swedish tax authorities.

The iShares International Select Dividend ETF is seeking 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 Statement 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 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.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

iShares Trust and Shareholders of iShares International Select Dividend ETF

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of iShares International Select Dividend ETF (one of the funds constituting iShares Trust, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of April 30, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year ended April 30, 2023, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2023, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended April 30, 2023 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of April 30, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2023 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended April 30, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of April 30, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 21, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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

  27


Important Tax Information (unaudited)   

 

The following amount, or maximum amount allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023:

 

   
iShares ETF  

Qualified Dividend

Income

 

International Select Dividend

  $ 339,437,836  

The Fund intends to pass through to its shareholders the following amount, or maximum amount allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023:

 

     
iShares ETF  

Foreign Source

Income Earned

      

Foreign

Taxes Paid

 

International Select Dividend

  $ 389,743,958        $ 24,730,575  

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares International Select Dividend ETF (the “Fund” or “ETF”), a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Fund, as the program administrator for the Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of the Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing the Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish the Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to the Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether the Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

S T A T E M E N T   R E G A R D I N G   L I Q U I D I T Y   R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T   P R O G R A M

  29


Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 380 funds as of April 30, 2023. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001. The Board has designated John E. Kerrigan as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Robert S. Kapito(a)

(1957)

   Trustee (since 2009).    President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Salim Ramji(b)

(1970)

   Trustee (since 2019).    Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

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

 

Independent Trustees
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

John E. Kerrigan

(1955)

   Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2022).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2022).

Jane D. Carlin

(1956)

   Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).    Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L. Fagnani

(1954)

   Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).    Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016); Director of One Generation Away (since 2021).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

T R U S T E E   A N D   O F F I C E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

  31


Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

          Independent Trustees (continued)     
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Cecilia H. Herbert

(1949)

   Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2022).    Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018), Investment Committee (since 2011) and Personnel Committee (since 2022); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (1992-2021) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020); Director of the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts (since 2021); Member of the Wyoming State Investment Funds Committee (since 2022).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Drew E. Lawton

(1959)

   Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017); Director of Jackson Financial Inc. (since 2021).

John E. Martinez

(1961)

   Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Madhav V. Rajan

(1964)

   Trustee (since 2011); Fixed-Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
     

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Dominik Rohé

(1973)

   President (since 2023).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2005); Head of Americas ETF and Index Investments (since 2023); Head of Latin America (2019-2023).

Trent Walker

(1974)

   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

Charles Park

(1967)

   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Marisa Rolland

(1980)

   Secretary (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2023); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2018-2022); Vice President, BlackRock, Inc. (2010-2017).

Rachel Aguirre

(1982)

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2018); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2018); Head of U.S. iShares Product (since 2022); Head of EII U.S. Product Engineering (since 2021); Co-Head of EII’s Americas Portfolio Engineering (2020-2021); Head of Developed Markets Portfolio Engineering (2016-2019).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Officers (continued)
     

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Jennifer Hsui

(1976)

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Co-Head of Index Equity (since 2022).

James Mauro

(1970)

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2010); Head of Fixed Income Index Investments in the Americas and Head of San Francisco Core Portfolio Management (since 2020).
           
 

Effective June 15, 2022, Marisa Rolland replaced Deepa Damre Smith as Secretary.

 

Effective March 30, 2023, Dominik Rohé replaced Armando Senra as President.

 

 

T R U S T E E   A N D   O F F I C E R   I N F O R M A T I O N

  33


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.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation

NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

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

  35


 

 

 

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 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 companies listed above

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-AR-406-0423

 

 

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  APRIL 30, 2023

 

   2023 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

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iShares Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF | ERET | NASDAQ

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The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Investors faced an uncertain economic landscape during the 12-month reporting period ended April 30, 2023, amid mixed indicators and rapidly changing market conditions. The U.S. economy returned to modest growth beginning in the third quarter of 2022, although the pace of growth slowed thereafter. Inflation was elevated, reaching a 40-year high as labor costs grew rapidly and unemployment rates reached the lowest levels in decades. However, inflation moderated as the period continued, while continued strength in consumer spending backstopped the economy.

Equity returns varied substantially, as large-capitalization U.S. stocks gained for the period amid a rebound in big tech stocks, whereas small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined. International equities from developed markets advanced strongly, while emerging market stocks declined, pressured by higher interest rates and volatile commodities prices.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, although high-yield corporate bonds posted a positive return as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates eight times. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity. In addition, the Fed added liquidity to markets amid the failure of prominent regional banks.

Restricted labor supply kept inflation elevated even as other inflation drivers, such as goods prices and energy costs, moderated. While economic growth was modest in the last year, we believe that stickiness in services inflation and continued wage growth will keep inflation above central bank targets for some time. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and indicated a pause could be its next step, we believe that the Fed still seems determined 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, but the dimming economic outlook has not yet been fully reflected in current market prices. We believe 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. Turmoil in the banking sector late in the period highlighted the potential for the rapid increase in interest rates to disrupt markets with little warning.

While we favor an overweight to equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance on equities overall in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with the possibility of a recession. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks as we believe a weakening U.S. dollar could provide a supportive backdrop. We also see selective, long-term opportunities in credit, where we believe that valuations are appealing, and higher yields offer attractive income. However, we are neutral on credit in the near term, as we’re concerned about tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most significant opportunities in short-term U.S. Treasuries, global inflation-linked bonds, and emerging market bonds denominated in local currency.

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 April 30, 2023  
     
     6-Month     12-Month  
   

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

    8.63%       2.66%  
   

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

    (3.45)          (3.65)    
   

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

    24.19           8.42     
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    16.36           (6.51)    
   

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

    2.09           2.83     
   

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

    7.14           (1.68)    
   

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

    6.91           (0.43)    
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    7.65           2.87     
   

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

    6.21           1.21     
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  

Annual Report:

  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     10  

Disclosure of Expenses

     10  

Schedules of Investments

     11  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     28  

Statements of Operations

     29  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     30  

Financial Highlights

     32  

Notes to Financial Statements

     35  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     44  

Important Tax Information

     45  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     46  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     48  

Supplemental Information

     49  

Trustee and Officer Information

     50  

General Information

     53  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     54  

 

 

      


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

Global equity markets advanced during the 12 months ended April 30, 2023 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 2.06% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. In the first half of the reporting period, concerns about the state of the global economy in the face of high inflation and rapidly rising interest rates drove stocks sharply lower. However, stock prices recovered substantially in the reporting period’s second half to advance overall, as economic growth proved resilient despite its slower pace.

Inflation was a significant factor in equity markets, and while its impact varied by country, most major economies faced substantial inflation during the reporting period. This drove a wave of monetary tightening by most of the world’s central banks, which sent interest rates and borrowing costs sharply higher. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“Fed”) raised interest rates eight times in an attempt to bring down inflation. Commodities prices were volatile, and as the reporting period began, disruptions in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine meant high prices for energy commodities and some food products. While oil, gas, and most other commodities declined as markets adjusted to the war’s disruption, elevated prices exacerbated inflationary pressure.

The U.S. economy recovered from a contraction in the first half of 2022 to post modest growth in the second half of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. Consumers continued to power the economy with growing spending, despite higher prices for many consumer goods and services. The strong labor market supported spending, as unemployment remained very low, at one point dropping to the lowest recorded level since 1969. Furthermore, the labor force participation rate — which measures the total proportion of working-age persons employed or looking for work — rose, indicating that more people were being drawn into the labor force. Amid tightening labor supply, wages rose significantly, with the largest gains at the lower end of the wage spectrum.

In addition to its interest rate increases, the Fed also started to reduce the size of its balance sheet by reducing the store of U.S. Treasuries it had accumulated to stabilize markets in the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic. While the Fed indicated that more tightening could be needed to achieve its long-term inflation goal, it sounded a more cautious note about the potential for further interest rate increases near the end of the reporting period.

European stocks outpaced most other regions of the globe, advancing strongly for the reporting period despite slowing economic growth. European stocks benefited from a solid recovery following the early phases of the war in Ukraine. The conflict disrupted critical natural gas supplies, but new sources were secured and prices began to decline, while a warm winter helped to moderate consumption. The ECB responded to the highest inflation since the introduction of the euro by raising interest rates six times.

While inflation was somewhat more moderate in the Asia-Pacific region, stocks there declined amid higher interest rates and disruption from coronavirus-related lockdowns in China. However, China relaxed its strict anti-coronavirus protocols in December 2022, boosting analysts’ expectations for future growth in the region. Emerging market stocks declined notably, pressured by slowing global economic growth. The Fed’s interest rate increases weighed on emerging market equities by making U.S. assets relatively more attractive.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023    iShares® Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of developed market real estate equities while targeting increased exposure to green certification and energy efficiency relative to the parent index as represented by FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Green Target 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 that Index.

Performance

 

                                                                                                                                                                                      Cumulative Total Returns  
                   Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

        1.64

Fund Market

        1.99  

Index

                    1.24  

For the fiscal period ended April 30, 2023, the Fund did not have six months of performance and therefore line graphs are not presented.

The inception date of the Fund was November 15, 2022. The first day of secondary market trading was November 17, 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
Account Value
(11/15/22)
 
 
(a)  
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(b) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(b) 
      

    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $    1,016.40          $        1.38               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.30          $        1.51          0.30

 

  (a) 

Commencement of operations.

 
  (b) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 166/365 for actual expenses and 181/365 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

 

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION  

Industry

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Retail REITs

    15.3

Industrial REITs

    15.0  

Multi-Family Residential REITs

    11.5  

Data Center REITs

    8.2  

Office REITs

    8.2  

Real Estate Operating Companies

    8.2  

Diversified REITs

    6.8  

Diversified Real Estate Activities

    5.4  

Health Care REITs

    5.4  

Self Storage REITs

    4.8  

Single-Family Residential REITs

    3.4  

Other Specialized REITs

    3.0  

Hotel & Resort REITs

    2.3  

Real Estate Development

    1.6  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.9  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    57.7

Japan

    10.5  

Hong Kong

    6.9  

Singapore

    6.0  

Australia

    4.6  

United Kingdom

    3.7  

Canada

    2.1  

Germany

    1.8  

Sweden

    1.7  

France

    1.5  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023    iShares® Global REIT ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global REIT ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global real estate equities in developed and emerging markets, as represented by the FTSE EPRA Nareit Global REITS 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  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    (14.12 )%       2.60      3.23       (14.12 )%       13.70      32.38

Fund Market

    (13.74      2.64        3.25         (13.74      13.92        32.53  

Index

    (15.02      1.78        2.44               (15.02      9.21        23.67  

 

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was July 8, 2014. The first day of secondary market trading was July 10, 2014.

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
(11/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      1,061.10          $        0.72               $      1,000.00          $      1,024.10          $        0.70          0.14

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (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.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023   (continued)    iShares® Global REIT ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) declined sharply during the reporting period amid a slowing economy, higher inflation and rising interest rates. REITs typically take on substantial debt in order to finance the purchase of the properties they manage and the sharp rise in interest rates made financing more expensive for REITs. Furthermore, higher interest rates meant increased bond yields, making dividend yields from REITs comparatively less attractive to income-oriented investors, although many REITs raised dividends during the reporting period.

U.S. REITs detracted the most from the Index’s performance, particularly diversified REITs. Diversified REITs with significant investments in residential properties declined notably, as owners and operators of apartment buildings in desirable urban markets were pressured by lingering impacts of the pandemic and a weaker economic outlook. Investors questioned the sustainability of rental growth rates in already high-rent areas, especially amid recession concerns. Diversified REITs with a substantial office property component contended with weak office leasing rates, as some businesses allowed workers to continue to work from home and many technology companies laid off employees. In addition, REITs that build and manage offices and laboratories for the biotechnology industry scaled back development due to high input costs and supply shortages. A slowdown in e-commerce weighed on diversified REITs focused on industrial properties, particularly warehouses and logistics facilities used for order fulfilment. Growth prospects for data centers, which house computer servers and other equipment that organizations use to store, process, and distribute data, also dimmed amid forecasts that large technology companies may increasingly build their own facilities.

REITs in the U.K. further weighed on the Index’s performance. Diversified REITs invested in warehouse properties declined after e-commerce companies warned against excess warehouse capacity. Australian diversified REITs also detracted slightly from the Index’s return.

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION  

Industry

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Retail REITs

    18.8

Industrial REITs

    18.2  

Multi-Family Residential REITs

    11.0  

Diversified REITs

    9.0  

Health Care REITs

    8.5  

Office REITs

    8.4  

Self Storage REITs

    7.2  

Data Center REITs

    7.2  

Single-Family Residential REITs

    4.4  

Other Specialized REITs

    4.0  

Hotel & Resort REITs

    3.1  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.2  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    70.0

Japan

    7.6  

United Kingdom

    4.8  

Australia

    4.2  

Singapore

    3.5  

Canada

    2.8  

France

    1.7  

Hong Kong

    1.4  

Belgium

    1.1  

Mexico

    0.6  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023    iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares International Developed Real Estate 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 FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed ex-U.S. 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  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (13.44 )%       (3.02 )%       (0.27 )%        (13.44 )%       (14.23 )%       (2.68 )% 

Fund Market

    (13.17      (2.90      (0.30       (13.17      (13.67      (2.97

Index

    (14.12      (2.95      (0.09             (14.12      (13.89      (0.92

 

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

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
(11/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(04/30/23)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      1,124.50          $        2.53               $      1,000.00          $      1,022.40          $        2.41          0.48

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (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.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of April 30, 2023   (continued)    iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

International developed real estate stocks declined sharply during the reporting period amid a slowing global economy, higher inflation, and rising interest rates. The sharp rise in interest rates made financing more expensive for real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), which typically take on substantial debt in order to finance the purchase of the properties they manage. Furthermore, higher interest rates meant increased bond yields, making dividend yields from REITs comparatively less attractive to income-oriented investors.

REITs in the U.K. detracted the most from the Index’s performance. Diversified REITs invested in industrial properties declined after e-commerce companies warned about excess warehouse capacity even as the industry continued to build more units. The suspension of trading in a REIT specializing in homeless shelters further weighed on U.K. diversified REITs. A short-selling firm questioned the REIT’s finances, including its property valuations, leading to a delayed annual report and delisting from several benchmarks.

German real estate operating companies further detracted from the Index’s return. The stock price of one of Germany’s largest housing developers fell sharply after police raided its offices and arrested several employees on charges of bribery. Declining property valuations, particularly among office buildings, and higher interest rates significantly constrained real estate operating companies, pressuring profitability and leading to lowered dividends.

Declines among Sweden’s real estate operating companies also weighed on the Index’s performance. Rising interest rates, high levels of debt, financing challenges, and declining property values weakened the industry, leading to sales of some property assets to pay down debt and strengthen balance sheets.

Japanese diversified real estate activities firms detracted slightly from the Index amid weaker commercial rents. Additionally, many new office buildings neared completion, adding supply into the market at a time of modest demand.

Portfolio Information

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION  

Industry

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Real Estate Operating Companies

    18.8

Retail REITs

    16.0  

Diversified REITs

    13.5  

Industrial REITs

    13.1  

Diversified Real Estate Activities

    13.0  

Office REITs

    9.6  

Multi-Family Residential REITs

    5.0  

Real Estate Development

    2.9  

Health Care REITs

    2.4  

Homebuilding

    1.9  

Hotel & Resort REITs

    1.6  

Self Storage REITs

    1.2  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.0  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  

Country/Geographic Region

   
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Japan

    27.7

Hong Kong

    12.9  

United Kingdom

    11.3  

Australia

    9.7  

Singapore

    9.6  

Canada

    6.9  

Sweden

    4.3  

Germany

    4.2  

France

    3.8  

Switzerland

    3.0  
 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  9


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.

 

 

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Schedule of Investments  

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Data Center REITs — 8.2%  

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    1,854     $ 183,824  

Equinix Inc.

    753       545,232  

Keppel DC REIT

    7,500       12,127  
   

 

 

 
      741,183  
Diversified Real Estate Activities — 5.4%            

Allreal Holding AG, Registered

    63       11,180  

City Developments Ltd.

    2,100       10,986  

Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd.

    300       8,584  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    7,800       96,130  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    5,100       101,296  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

    12,000       32,002  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    600       14,951  

Peach Property Group AG

    50       781  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    1,800       42,029  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    10,000       139,233  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

    1,200       15,198  

UOL Group Ltd.

    3,000       15,651  
   

 

 

 
      488,021  
Diversified REITs — 6.8%            

Abacus Property Group

    2,697       4,775  

Abrdn Property Income Trust

    1,956       1,352  

Activia Properties Inc.

    3       8,742  

Alexander & Baldwin Inc.

    387       7,442  

American Assets Trust Inc.

    351       6,388  

Argosy Property Ltd.

    4,323       2,996  

Armada Hoffler Properties Inc.

    363       4,254  

Artis REIT

    420       2,182  

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

    1,929       1,998  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    7,263       36,593  

Broadstone Net Lease Inc.

    780       12,613  

Charter Hall Long Wale REIT

    3,477       10,065  

Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust

    2,400       4,073  

CT Property Trust Ltd.

    813       677  

Custodian Reit PLC

    2,010       2,387  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp

    15       31,915  

Empire State Realty Trust Inc., Class A

    1,641       10,026  

Essential Properties Realty Trust Inc.

    795       19,676  

Global Net Lease Inc.

    540       6,080  

GPT Group (The)

    13,347       39,247  

Growthpoint Properties Australia Ltd.

    1,524       3,303  

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,257       10,901  

Heiwa Real Estate REIT Inc.

    6       7,027  

Hulic Reit Inc.

    6       6,913  

ICADE

    144       6,763  

Land Securities Group PLC

    2,919       24,770  

Lar Espana Real Estate SOCIMI SA

    891       5,037  

LXI REIT PLC

    3,807       5,050  

Merlin Properties SOCIMI SA

    3,687       32,600  

Mirvac Group

    27,093       43,496  

NIPPON REIT Investment Corp

    3       7,042  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    21       24,572  

NTT UD REIT Investment Corp

    6       5,782  

OUE Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

    25,200       6,153  

Picton Property Income Ltd. (The)

    2,436       2,338  

Schroder REIT Ltd.

    3,483       2,036  

Sekisui House Reit Inc.

    24       13,604  

Star Asia Investment Corp

    6       2,456  

Stockland

    15,504       45,960  
Security   Shares     Value  
Diversified REITs (continued)            

Stride Property Group

    2,178     $ 1,739  

Sunlight REIT

    9,000       3,490  

Suntec REIT

    21,600       21,896  

Takara Leben Real Estate Investment Corp

    3       2,018  

Tokyu REIT Inc.

    6       8,016  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

    4,029       2,720  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, New(a)

    477       25,580  

United Urban Investment Corp

    12       13,324  

WP Carey Inc.

    879       65,222  
   

 

 

 
      613,289  
Health Care Facilities — 0.1%            

Chartwell Retirement Residences

    1,506       9,848  
   

 

 

 
Health Care REITs — 5.4%            

Aedifica SA

    228       19,045  

Assura PLC

    6,840       4,375  

CareTrust REIT Inc.

    393       7,660  

Cofinimmo SA

    129       12,324  

Community Healthcare Trust Inc.

    57       2,040  

Healthcare Realty Trust Inc.

    870       17,209  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    1,995       43,830  

Impact Healthcare Reit PLC

    741       913  

LTC Properties Inc.

    93       3,111  

Medical Properties Trust Inc.

    1,614       14,155  

National Health Investors Inc.

    222       11,049  

NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT

    379       2,280  

Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.

    600       16,056  

Parkway Life REIT

    1,500       4,369  

Physicians Realty Trust

    468       6,748  

Primary Health Properties PLC

    3,189       4,278  

Sabra Health Care REIT Inc.

    615       7,011  

Target Healthcare REIT PLC

    1,497       1,452  

Universal Health Realty Income Trust

    54       2,349  

Ventas Inc.

    2,655       127,573  

Vital Healthcare Property Trust

    1,299       1,873  

Welltower Inc.

    2,238       177,294  
   

 

 

 
      486,994  
Homebuilding — 0.7%            

Sekisui House Ltd.

    3,300       67,844  
   

 

 

 
Hotel & Resort REITs — 2.3%            

Apple Hospitality REIT Inc.

    885       13,178  

CapitaLand Ascott Trust

    8,080       6,560  

CDL Hospitality Trusts

    4,500       4,269  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co

    1,293       10,486  

Far East Hospitality Trust

    4,800       2,235  

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.

    4,112       66,491  

Hotel Property Investments Ltd.

    2,010       4,564  

Invincible Investment Corp

    12       5,181  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp

    9       5,085  

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

    1,041       12,544  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust(b)

    678       9,648  

RLJ Lodging Trust

    801       8,090  

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc.

    294       26,360  

Service Properties Trust

    447       3,920  

Summit Hotel Properties Inc.

    465       2,995  

Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc.

    1,422       13,552  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts Inc.

    779       9,862  
   

 

 

 
      205,020  
 

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Industrial REITs — 15.0%            

Advance Logistics Investment Corp.

    3     $ 3,041  

AIMS APAC REIT

    4,200       4,327  

Americold Realty Trust Inc.

    1,410       41,722  

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT

    27,600       59,393  

Centuria Industrial REIT

    2,742       5,702  

CRE Logistics REIT Inc.

    3       4,131  

Dexus Industria REIT

    1,230       2,279  

Dream Industrial REIT

    966       10,581  

EastGroup Properties Inc.

    234       38,975  

ESR Kendall Square REIT Co. Ltd.

    861       2,424  

ESR-LOGOS REIT

    54,100       13,207  

First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.

    594       31,167  

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust

    20,100       20,400  

GLP J-Reit

    45       51,416  

Goodman Property Trust

    5,502       7,442  

Granite REIT

    267       16,605  

Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp.

    12       13,752  

Innovative Industrial Properties Inc.

    105       7,198  

Intervest Offices & Warehouses NV

    171       3,531  

Japan Logistics Fund Inc.

    6       14,249  

LaSalle Logiport REIT

    12       14,256  

LondonMetric Property PLC

    4,419       10,717  

LXP Industrial Trust

    1,500       14,100  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

    15,600       27,887  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

    20,700       27,089  

Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment Corp.

    2       6,133  

Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park Inc.

    6       22,545  

Montea NV

    57       4,994  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    33       75,176  

Prologis Inc.

    4,806       601,952  

Rexford Industrial Realty Inc.

    705       39,318  

Segro PLC

    5,646       59,441  

SOSiLA Logistics REIT Inc.

    3       2,983  

STAG Industrial Inc.

    846       28,654  

Terreno Realty Corp.

    360       22,172  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

    11,322       22,120  

Urban Logistics REIT PLC

    2,208       3,924  

Warehouse REIT PLC

    1,995       2,743  

Warehouses De Pauw CVA

    666       19,915  
   

 

 

 
      1,357,661  
Multi-Family Residential REITs — 11.4%            

Advance Residence Investment Corp.

    9       23,351  

Apartment Income REIT Corp.

    963       35,612  

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

    804       6,295  

AvalonBay Communities Inc.

    1,098       198,046  

Boardwalk REIT

    171       7,320  

Camden Property Trust

    675       74,284  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

    846       30,990  

Centerspace

    84       4,736  

Civitas Social Housing PLC

    2,811       1,883  

Comforia Residential REIT Inc.

    3       7,506  

Daiwa Securities Living Investments Corp.

    9       7,652  

Elme Communities

    831       14,318  

Empiric Student Property PLC

    3,342       3,881  

Equity Residential

    3,279       207,397  

Essex Property Trust Inc.

    462       101,515  

Independence Realty Trust Inc.

    939       15,634  

Ingenia Communities Group

    2,661       7,584  

InterRent REIT

    627       5,998  

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC

    2,940       3,346  
Security   Shares     Value  
Multi-Family Residential REITs (continued)            

Kenedix Residential Next Investment Corp.

    6     $ 9,413  

Killam Apartment REIT

    543       6,745  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc.

    714       109,813  

NexPoint Residential Trust Inc.

    129       5,538  

Nippon Accommodations Fund Inc.

    3       14,583  

Residential Secure Income PLC, NVS(c)

    819       684  

Samty Residential Investment Corp.

    3       2,554  

Triple Point Social Housing REIT PLC(c)

    1,578       933  

UDR Inc.

    2,322       95,968  

UNITE Group PLC (The)

    2,181       26,317  

Veris Residential Inc.(a)

    270       4,415  

Xior Student Housing NV

    100       3,176  
   

 

 

 
      1,037,487  
Office REITs — 8.2%            

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    951       118,095  

Allied Properties REIT

    483       8,121  

Boston Properties Inc.

    1,600       85,376  

Brandywine Realty Trust

    1,653       6,496  

Centuria Office REIT

    1,968       1,863  

Champion REIT

    24,000       10,018  

CLS Holdings PLC

    663       1,130  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    672       15,382  

Cousins Properties Inc.

    1,755       38,276  

Covivio

    243       13,817  

Cromwell Property Group

    9,939       3,766  

Daiwa Office Investment Corp.

    1       4,347  

Derwent London PLC

    486       14,672  

Dexus

    6,747       34,970  

Douglas Emmett Inc.

    993       12,790  

Easterly Government Properties Inc.

    519       7,302  

Gecina SA

    282       31,393  

Global One Real Estate Investment Corp.

    3       2,321  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    1,170       7,845  

Highwoods Properties Inc.

    804       18,428  

Hudson Pacific Properties Inc.

    1,780       9,897  

Ichigo Office REIT Investment Corp.

    6       3,883  

Inmobiliaria Colonial SOCIMI SA

    3,096       19,791  

Japan Excellent Inc.

    6       5,134  

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.

    3       7,800  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    6       23,774  

JBG SMITH Properties

    1,617       23,075  

JR REIT XXVII

    770       2,543  

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.

    6       13,265  

Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT

    6,900       2,484  

Keppel REIT

    28,800       18,834  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    1,062       31,053  

Mirai Corp.

    6       2,004  

Mori Hills REIT Investment Corp.

    18       20,343  

Mori Trust Sogo REIT Inc.

    6       3,158  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    6       25,159  

NSI NV

    93       2,137  

One REIT Inc.

    1       1,769  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    15       19,390  

Paramount Group Inc.

    1,926       8,340  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc., Class A

    1,359       8,847  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

    6,618       5,075  

Prime U.S. REIT

    2,400       626  

Prosperity REIT

    9,000       2,183  

Regional REIT Ltd.(c)

    909       634  

Sankei Real Estate Inc.

    3       1,848  
 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S  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  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Office REITs (continued)            

SL Green Realty Corp.

    768     $ 18,179  

Vornado Realty Trust

    1,369       20,549  

Workspace Group PLC

    357       2,142  
   

 

 

 
      740,324  
Other Specialized REITs — 3.0%            

Arena REIT

    2,172       5,399  

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT

    822       1,654  

EPR Properties

    267       11,203  

Four Corners Property Trust Inc.

    450       11,480  

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.

    1,041       54,132  

Safehold Inc.

    189       5,239  

VICI Properties Inc.

    5,472       185,720  
   

 

 

 
      274,827  
Real Estate Development — 1.6%            

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

    16,500       97,566  

Lifestyle Communities Ltd.(b)

    627       7,099  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

    28,000       37,732  
   

 

 

 
      142,397  
Real Estate Operating Companies — 8.1%            

Aberdeen Standard European Logistics Income PLC(c)

    2,172       1,948  

ADLER Group SA(a)(c)

    888       540  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

    600       8,089  

Amot Investments Ltd.

    978       5,183  

Aroundtown SA

    5,828       7,940  

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

    504       9,373  

Azrieli Group Ltd.

    270       15,745  

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG(a)

    327       9,487  

Capitaland Investment Ltd/Singapore

    20,700       57,944  

Castellum AB(b)

    1,704       20,714  

Catena AB

    159       6,099  

Cibus Nordic Real Estate AB

    210       2,246  

Citycon OYJ

    900       6,801  

Corem Property Group AB, Class B

    2,706       2,147  

Deutsche EuroShop AG

    81       1,830  

Deutsche Wohnen SE

    315       7,132  

Dios Fastigheter AB

    510       3,640  

Entra ASA(c)

    393       3,993  

Fabege AB

    2,124       17,034  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B(a)

    3,795       17,669  

Grainger PLC

    3,561       11,573  

Grand City Properties SA

    591       4,936  

Helical PLC

    384       1,448  

Hiag Immobilien Holding AG

    15       1,395  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

    10,500       46,729  

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

    1,461       20,834  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    1,800       15,498  

Hysan Development Co. Ltd.

    6,000       16,956  

Intershop Holding AG

    6       4,213  

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings Inc.

    645       10,823  

Kojamo OYJ

    912       11,324  

LEG Immobilien SE

    423       26,329  

Mobimo Holding AG, Registered

    30       8,046  

NP3 Fastigheter AB

    99       1,906  

Nyfosa AB

    909       6,229  

Pandox AB

    237       2,824  

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Ltd.

    375       952  

Platzer Fastigheter Holding AB, Class B

    249       2,098  

PSP Swiss Property AG, Registered

    165       19,431  

Sagax AB, Class B

    732       17,955  
Security   Shares     Value  
Real Estate Operating Companies (continued)            

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB(b)

    5,823     $ 6,850  

Shurgard Self Storage Ltd.

    117       6,050  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

    5,184       5,248  

Stendorren Fastigheter AB, NVS(a)

    69       1,356  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    16,200       43,541  

Swiss Prime Site AG, Registered

    294       26,613  

TAG Immobilien AG

    966       8,272  

Tricon Residential Inc.

    852       6,829  

VGP NV

    36       3,769  

Vonovia SE

    4,605       99,876  

Wallenstam AB, Class B

    1,788       7,095  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

    13,000       74,967  

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB

    1,380       11,154  
   

 

 

 
      738,673  
Retail REITs — 15.2%            

Acadia Realty Trust

    148       1,999  

AEON REIT Investment Corp.

    6       6,879  

Agree Realty Corp.

    347       23,592  

Ascencio

    36       1,997  

Brixmor Property Group Inc.

    983       20,967  

BWP Trust

    3,828       9,868  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

    6,962       10,307  

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    81,000       123,682  

Carmila SA

    420       7,109  

Charter Hall Retail REIT

    3,765       9,692  

Choice Properties REIT

    1,200       12,967  

Crombie REIT

    501       5,702  

Eurocommercial Properties NV

    399       9,569  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    492       48,654  

First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,284       15,078  

Fortune REIT

    9,000       7,529  

Frasers Centrepoint Trust

    15,900       26,421  

Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.

    2       7,226  

Fukuoka REIT Corp.

    3       3,605  

Getty Realty Corp.

    134       4,466  

Hamborner REIT AG

    456       3,597  

Hammerson PLC

    33,168       11,696  

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT

    7,716       6,168  

Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ SpA

    348       1,139  

InvenTrust Properties Corp.

    261       5,886  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    12       8,787  

Kenedix Retail REIT Corp.

    3       5,398  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    2,787       53,482  

Kite Realty Group Trust

    1,134       23,496  

Kiwi Property Group Ltd.

    5,787       3,300  

Klepierre SA

    1,800       45,594  

Lendlease Global Commercial REIT

    27,600       14,521  

Link REIT

    16,200       105,962  

LOTTE Reit Co. Ltd.

    1,115       3,007  

Macerich Co. (The)

    858       8,571  

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust

    31,800       42,124  

Mercialys SA

    516       5,189  

National Retail Properties Inc.

    532       23,142  

Necessity Retail REIT Inc. (The)

    675       3,719  

NETSTREIT Corp.

    480       8,746  

NewRiver REIT PLC

    2,121       2,159  

PARAGON REIT

    13,800       9,686  

Phillips Edison & Co. Inc.(b)

    942       29,711  

Prinmaris REIT

    330       3,254  

Realty Income Corp.

    2,031       127,628  
 

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Retail REITs (continued)            

Regency Centers Corp.

    727     $ 44,660  

Region RE Ltd.

    8,112       13,275  

Retail Estates NV

    60       4,445  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

    489       6,372  

RioCan REIT

    1,497       23,181  

RPT Realty

    354       3,292  

Scentre Group

    38,487       73,860  

Simon Property Group Inc.

    1,284       145,503  

SITE Centers Corp.

    735       9,070  

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust

    540       10,434  

Spirit Realty Capital Inc.

    438       16,845  

Starhill Global REIT

    12,300       4,848  

Supermarket Income Reit PLC

    9,084       9,996  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc.

    678       13,296  

Urban Edge Properties

    450       6,601  

Vastned Retail NV

    81       1,845  

Vicinity Ltd.

    45,096       63,043  

Waypoint REIT Ltd.

    5,403       9,384  

Wereldhave NV

    282       4,331  
   

 

 

 
      1,377,552  
Self Storage REITs — 4.7%            

Big Yellow Group PLC

    837       12,884  

CubeSmart

    945       42,988  

Extra Space Storage Inc.

    588       89,400  

Life Storage Inc.

    348       46,764  

National Storage Affiliates Trust

    366       14,109  

National Storage REIT

    5,769       9,609  

Public Storage

    687       202,548  

Safestore Holdings PLC

    945       11,780  
   

 

 

 
      430,082  
Single-Family Residential REITs — 3.4%            

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    1,429       47,529  
Security   Shares     Value  
Single-Family Residential REITs (continued)            

Equity LifeStyle Properties Inc.

    1,038     $ 71,518  

Invitation Homes Inc.

    3,072       102,513  

PRS REIT PLC (The)

    2,934       3,178  

Sun Communities Inc.

    585       81,274  

Tritax EuroBox PLC(c)

    5,097       4,199  
   

 

 

 
      310,211  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $9,023,526)

      9,021,413  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.7%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.02%(d)(e)(f)

    66,715       66,735  
   

 

 

 

Total Short -Term Investments — 0.7%
(Cost: $66,735)

      66,735  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.2%
(Cost: $9,090,261)

      9,088,148  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)%

      (19,094
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 9,069,054  
   

 

 

 

 

(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 period ended April 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer     

Value at

11/15/22

 

(a) 

    
Purchases
at Cost
 
 
    
Proceeds
from Sale
 
 
    
Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 
 
    


Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
 
 
 
    
Value at
04/30/23
 
 
    

Shares
Held at
04/30/23
 
 
 
     Income       




Capital

Gain
Distributions

from
Underlying
Funds

 

 
 

 
 
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $      $ 66,735 (b)     $      $      $      $ 66,735        66,715      $ 65 (c)     $  

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

                                                      151         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $      $      $ 66,735         $ 216      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 
  (d) 

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

 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S  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  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Environmentally Aware Real Estate 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

                 

Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index

     1          06/16/23        $ 33        $ 851  
                 

 

 

 

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  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 851      $      $      $      $ 851  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 April 30, 2023, 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

   $      $      $ (975    $      $      $      $ (975
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 851      $      $      $      $ 851  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 34,655  

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  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 5,502,602        $ 3,518,811        $        $ 9,021,413  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     66,735                            66,735  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 5,569,337        $ 3,518,811        $        $ 9,088,148  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 851        $        $        $ 851  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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 3  H A R E S  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  

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global REIT ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Common Stocks            
Australia — 4.1%            

Abacus Property Group

    1,104,225     $ 1,955,209  

Arena REIT

    708,059       1,760,177  

BWP Trust

    1,060,180       2,732,857  

Centuria Industrial REIT

    1,149,430       2,390,361  

Centuria Office REIT

    1,019,885       965,269  

Charter Hall Long Wale REIT

    1,431,478       4,143,815  

Charter Hall Retail REIT

    1,099,128       2,829,292  

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT

    727,316       1,463,101  

Cromwell Property Group

    3,139,390       1,189,623  

Dexus

    2,345,152       12,154,888  

Dexus Industria REIT

    462,384       856,789  

GPT Group (The)

    4,176,243       12,280,333  

Growthpoint Properties Australia Ltd.

    615,747       1,334,725  

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT

    3,771,127       3,014,583  

Hotel Property Investments Ltd.

    427,056       969,765  

Mirvac Group

    8,648,905       13,885,174  

National Storage REIT

    2,507,817       4,176,969  

Region RE Ltd.

    2,512,767       4,112,041  

Scentre Group

    11,364,640       21,809,819  

Stockland

    5,233,526       15,514,136  

Vicinity Ltd.

    8,287,581       11,585,786  

Waypoint REIT Ltd.

    1,464,961       2,544,298  
   

 

 

 
      123,669,010  
Belgium — 1.1%            

Aedifica SA

    88,108       7,359,828  

Ascencio

    11,252       624,284  

Cofinimmo SA

    71,444       6,825,379  

Home Invest Belgium SA, NVS

    21,242       459,226  

Intervest Offices & Warehouses NV

    51,839       1,070,455  

Montea NV

    31,956       2,799,762  

Retail Estates NV

    24,302       1,800,503  

Warehouses De Pauw CVA

    343,007       10,256,485  

Xior Student Housing NV

    60,015       1,905,996  
   

 

 

 
      33,101,918  
Canada — 2.7%            

Allied Properties REIT

    275,628       4,634,318  

Artis REIT

    173,250       900,233  

Boardwalk REIT

    81,904       3,506,242  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

    368,998       13,516,899  

Choice Properties REIT

    558,456       6,034,466  

Crombie REIT

    231,115       2,630,397  

Dream Industrial REIT(a)

    533,455       5,843,062  

First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust

    466,990       5,483,862  

Granite REIT

    130,036       8,087,119  

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

    572,259       4,962,943  

InterRent REIT

    287,089       2,746,188  

Killam Apartment REIT

    247,689       3,076,802  

NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT

    472,393       2,841,645  

Prinmaris REIT

    220,384       2,173,178  

RioCan REIT

    655,383       10,148,677  

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust

    285,812       5,522,795  
   

 

 

 
      82,108,826  
China — 0.0%            

Yuexiu REIT(a)

    4,122,000       1,083,944  
   

 

 

 
France — 1.7%            

ARGAN SA, NVS

    21,478       1,675,687  

Carmila SA

    130,348       2,206,222  
Security   Shares     Value  
France (continued)            

Covivio

    109,217     $ 6,209,962  

Gecina SA

    113,242       12,606,396  

ICADE

    70,882       3,329,038  

Klepierre SA

    408,006       10,334,841  

Mercialys SA

    201,114       2,022,278  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, New(b)

    225,450       12,089,983  
   

 

 

 
      50,474,407  
Germany — 0.0%            

Hamborner REIT AG

    157,525       1,242,653  
   

 

 

 
Guernsey — 0.1%            

Shurgard Self Storage Ltd.(a)

    55,205       2,854,467  
   

 

 

 
Hong Kong — 1.4%            

Champion REIT(a)

    4,329,000       1,806,965  

Fortune REIT

    3,085,000       2,580,811  

Link REIT

    5,541,620       36,247,106  

Prosperity REIT

    2,601,000       630,919  

Sunlight REIT

    2,460,000       953,946  
   

 

 

 
      42,219,747  
India — 0.3%            

Brookfield India Real Estate Trust(c)

    331,285       1,118,062  

Embassy Office Parks REIT

    1,328,328       5,351,375  

Mindspace Business Parks REIT(c)

    268,709       1,043,131  
   

 

 

 
      7,512,568  
Ireland — 0.0%            

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC

    972,658       1,106,901  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 0.0%            

Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ SpA

    144,085       471,393  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 7.6%            

Activia Properties Inc.

    1,602       4,667,997  

Advance Logistics Investment Corp.

    1,433       1,452,480  

Advance Residence Investment Corp.

    2,816       7,306,401  

AEON REIT Investment Corp.

    3,857       4,421,853  

Comforia Residential REIT Inc.

    1,475       3,690,182  

CRE Logistics REIT Inc.

    1,153       1,587,620  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    4,687       9,972,381  

Daiwa Office Investment Corp.

    588       2,555,926  

Daiwa Securities Living Investments Corp.

    4,520       3,843,141  

Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.

    1,056       3,815,292  

Fukuoka REIT Corp.

    1,583       1,901,992  

Global One Real Estate Investment Corp.

    2,256       1,745,644  

GLP J-Reit

    9,780       11,174,382  

Hankyu Hanshin REIT Inc.

    1,452       1,556,043  

Health Care & Medical Investment Corp.

    769       924,279  

Heiwa Real Estate REIT Inc.

    2,109       2,470,145  

Hoshino Resorts REIT Inc.

    573       2,984,089  

Hulic Reit Inc.

    2,838       3,269,955  

Ichigo Office REIT Investment Corp.

    2,579       1,668,999  

Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp.

    4,140       4,744,508  

Invincible Investment Corp.

    10,623       4,586,560  

Japan Excellent Inc.(a)

    2,676       2,289,787  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

    9,764       5,516,593  

Japan Logistics Fund Inc.

    1,955       4,642,817  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    15,111       11,064,507  

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.

    1,996       5,189,937  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    2,831       11,217,551  

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.

    1,642       3,630,180  

Kenedix Residential Next Investment Corp.

    2,320       3,639,755  
 

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global REIT ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

Kenedix Retail REIT Corp.

    1,369     $ 2,463,126  

LaSalle Logiport REIT(a)

    3,899       4,632,021  

Mirai Corp.

    3,583       1,196,585  

Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment Corp.

    1,062       3,256,772  

Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park Inc.

    1,166       4,381,329  

Mori Hills REIT Investment Corp.

    3,449       3,898,047  

Mori Trust Sogo REIT Inc.

    5,570       2,931,606  

Nippon Accommodations Fund Inc.

    1,018       4,948,518  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    3,355       14,068,240  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    5,196       11,836,861  

NIPPON REIT Investment Corp.

    948       2,225,350  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    9,793       11,458,846  

NTT UD REIT Investment Corp.

    2,939       2,832,461  

One REIT Inc.

    534       944,842  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    5,799       7,496,319  

Samty Residential Investment Corp.

    877       746,711  

Sankei Real Estate Inc.

    1,007       620,245  

Sekisui House Reit Inc.

    9,037       5,122,525  

SOSiLA Logistics REIT Inc.

    1,545       1,536,425  

Star Asia Investment Corp.

    3,774       1,544,813  

Starts Proceed Investment Corp.

    539       912,726  

Takara Leben Real Estate Investment Corp.(a)

    1,296       871,573  

Tokyu REIT Inc.

    2,101       2,806,796  

United Urban Investment Corp.

    6,462       7,174,882  
   

 

 

 
      227,438,615  
Malaysia — 0.1%            

Axis Real Estate Investment Trust

    2,734,600       1,164,833  

Sunway REIT

    4,271,100       1,543,107  
   

 

 

 
      2,707,940  
Mexico — 0.6%            

Concentradora Fibra Danhos SA de CV(a)

    520,715       692,761  

FIBRA Macquarie Mexico(c)

    1,586,950       2,609,096  

Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV

    6,254,231       8,640,680  

PLA Administradora Industrial S. de RL de CV(a)

    1,696,409       3,179,676  

Prologis Property Mexico SA de CV

    1,183,406       4,088,064  
   

 

 

 
      19,210,277  
Netherlands — 0.2%            

Eurocommercial Properties NV

    112,029       2,686,669  

NSI NV

    39,085       897,963  

Vastned Retail NV

    37,561       855,719  

Wereldhave NV

    88,506       1,359,236  
   

 

 

 
      5,799,587  
New Zealand — 0.3%            

Argosy Property Ltd.

    1,837,537       1,273,654  

Goodman Property Trust

    2,461,855       3,329,684  

Kiwi Property Group Ltd.

    3,450,522       1,967,559  

Stride Property Group

    1,058,948       845,394  

Vital Healthcare Property Trust

    1,046,880       1,509,772  
   

 

 

 
      8,926,063  
Philippines — 0.0%            

AREIT Inc.

    1,345,520       818,706  
   

 

 

 
Saudi Arabia — 0.2%            

Al Maather REIT Fund

    102,839       248,961  

Al Rajhi REIT

    250,815       661,541  

Alahli REIT Fund 1

    98,457       256,728  

Alinma Retail REIT Fund, NVS

    197,034       267,391  

Al-Jazira Reit Fund

    27,392       121,484  

Alkhabeer REIT

    223,181       403,760  
Security   Shares     Value  
Saudi Arabia (continued)            

Bonyan REIT, NVS

    142,576     $ 370,628  

Derayah REIT

    241,900       634,228  

Jadwa REIT Saudi Fund

    388,343       1,397,222  

Musharaka Real Estate Income Fund, NVS

    179,196       366,741  

Riyad REIT Fund

    322,939       793,851  

Sedco Capital REIT Fund

    155,646       418,584  

Taleem REIT

    69,164       210,831  
   

 

 

 
      6,151,950  
Singapore — 3.5%            

AIMS APAC REIT

    1,226,000       1,263,019  

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT

    7,432,514       15,994,201  

CapitaLand Ascott Trust(a)

    4,312,732       3,501,524  

CapitaLand China Trust

    2,487,630       2,074,665  

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    11,091,826       16,936,533  

CDL Hospitality Trusts

    1,910,300       1,812,040  

Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust(a)

    688,100       1,167,655  

ESR-LOGOS REIT(a)

    12,536,142       3,060,252  

Far East Hospitality Trust

    2,142,600       997,849  

First REIT(a)

    2,477,000       501,210  

Frasers Centrepoint Trust

    2,345,370       3,897,234  

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust

    6,248,200       6,341,543  

Keppel DC REIT

    2,764,233       4,469,380  

Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT

    1,886,800       679,248  

Keppel REIT(a)

    4,771,600       3,120,520  

Lendlease Global Commercial REIT

    4,139,291       2,177,738  

Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust

    3,558,200       639,056  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

    4,101,010       7,331,036  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

    7,043,813       9,218,017  

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust

    5,036,291       6,671,316  

OUE Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

    4,754,700       1,160,847  

PARAGON REIT

    2,355,100       1,653,066  

Parkway Life REIT

    839,300       2,444,402  

Prime U.S. REIT

    1,414,900       368,865  

Sasseur Real Estate Investment Trust

    1,119,500       605,806  

Starhill Global REIT

    3,138,100       1,237,004  

Suntec REIT

    4,646,000       4,709,575  
   

 

 

 
      104,033,601  
South Africa — 0.5%            

Attacq Ltd.

    1,569,085       775,050  

Emira Property Fund Ltd.

    516,387       283,424  

Equites Property Fund Ltd.

    1,628,869       1,389,113  

Growthpoint Properties Ltd.

    7,501,668       5,220,513  

Hyprop Investments Ltd.

    778,089       1,358,598  

Investec Property Fund Ltd.

    1,296,876       623,890  

Redefine Properties Ltd.

    14,383,535       3,051,402  

SA Corporate Real Estate Ltd.

    5,456,150       557,770  

Stor-Age Property REIT Ltd.(a)

    883,236       637,346  
   

 

 

 
      13,897,106  
South Korea — 0.1%            

ESR Kendall Square REIT Co. Ltd.

    265,016       746,064  

JR REIT XXVII

    253,138       836,188  

LOTTE Reit Co. Ltd.

    266,969       719,918  

SK REITs Co. Ltd.

    242,953       896,406  
   

 

 

 
      3,198,576  
Spain — 0.4%            

Inmobiliaria Colonial SOCIMI SA

    753,551       4,817,059  

Lar Espana Real Estate SOCIMI SA

    133,749       756,050  

Merlin Properties SOCIMI SA

    725,408       6,413,912  
   

 

 

 
      11,987,021  
 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S  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  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global REIT ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Turkey — 0.1%            

AKIS Gayrimenkul Yatirimi AS(b)

    836,092     $ 184,829  

Alarko Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi AS

    66,039       199,725  

Emlak Konut Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi AS

    4,067,783       1,259,542  

Is Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi AS(b)

    937,097       396,489  

Ozak Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi(b)

    412,788       227,949  
   

 

 

 
      2,268,534  
United Kingdom — 4.7%            

Abrdn Property Income Trust

    834,773       577,006  

Assura PLC

    6,321,788       4,043,959  

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

    1,184,390       1,226,466  

Big Yellow Group PLC

    369,404       5,686,204  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    2,015,473       10,154,437  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

    2,958,536       4,379,970  

Civitas Social Housing PLC

    1,347,218       902,431  

CLS Holdings PLC

    362,348       617,497  

CT Property Trust Ltd.

    534,549       444,913  

Custodian Reit PLC

    890,712       1,057,835  

Derwent London PLC

    242,027       7,306,812  

Empiric Student Property PLC

    1,283,125       1,490,013  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    480,314       3,220,391  

Hammerson PLC

    8,712,578       3,072,440  

Helical PLC

    223,555       842,858  

Home Reit PLC(d)

    1,719,812       729,161  

Impact Healthcare Reit PLC

    679,500       836,883  

Land Securities Group PLC

    1,619,099       13,739,398  

LondonMetric Property PLC

    2,063,739       5,005,081  

LXI REIT PLC

    3,286,108       4,358,655  

NewRiver REIT PLC

    664,204       676,138  

Picton Property Income Ltd. (The)

    1,181,631       1,133,900  

Primary Health Properties PLC

    2,866,506       3,845,254  

PRS REIT PLC (The)

    1,128,905       1,222,964  

Regional REIT Ltd.(c)

    957,809       668,068  

Residential Secure Income PLC, NVS(c)

    405,211       338,141  

Safestore Holdings PLC

    462,358       5,763,444  

Schroder REIT Ltd.

    1,094,380       639,812  

Segro PLC

    2,629,574       27,683,956  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

    2,512,056       2,542,985  

Supermarket Income Reit PLC

    2,700,372       2,971,457  

Target Healthcare REIT PLC

    1,338,903       1,299,019  

Triple Point Social Housing REIT PLC(c)

    812,906       480,672  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

    4,118,896       8,047,315  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

    1,615,790       1,090,836  

UNITE Group PLC (The)

    702,526       8,476,873  

Urban Logistics REIT PLC

    1,009,821       1,794,497  

Warehouse REIT PLC

    867,621       1,192,879  

Workspace Group PLC

    309,145       1,854,785  
   

 

 

 
      141,415,405  
United States — 69.6%            

Acadia Realty Trust

    173,334       2,341,742  

Agree Realty Corp.

    190,671       12,963,721  

Alexander & Baldwin Inc.

    158,208       3,042,340  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    375,780       46,664,360  

American Assets Trust Inc.

    110,303       2,007,515  

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    673,133       22,388,404  

Americold Realty Trust Inc.

    588,935       17,426,587  

Apartment Income REIT Corp.

    327,344       12,105,181  

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

    324,722       2,542,573  

Apple Hospitality REIT Inc.

    466,718       6,949,431  

Armada Hoffler Properties Inc.

    145,218       1,701,955  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

AvalonBay Communities Inc.

    305,535     $ 55,109,348  

Boston Properties Inc.

    343,081       18,306,802  

Brandywine Realty Trust

    356,340       1,400,416  

Brixmor Property Group Inc.

    653,636       13,942,056  

Broadstone Net Lease Inc.

    380,174       6,147,414  

Camden Property Trust

    226,607       24,938,100  

CareTrust REIT Inc.

    215,065       4,191,617  

Centerspace

    33,313       1,878,187  

Community Healthcare Trust Inc.

    51,693       1,850,092  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    243,456       5,572,708  

Cousins Properties Inc.

    332,835       7,259,131  

CubeSmart

    488,833       22,237,013  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

    454,328       3,684,600  

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    627,581       62,224,656  

Douglas Emmett Inc.

    373,807       4,814,634  

Easterly Government Properties Inc.(a)

    198,604       2,794,358  

EastGroup Properties Inc.

    90,164       15,017,716  

Elme Communities

    188,982       3,256,160  

Empire State Realty Trust Inc., Class A(a)

    292,950       1,789,925  

EPR Properties

    161,219       6,764,749  

Equinix Inc.

    202,182       146,395,943  

Equity LifeStyle Properties Inc.

    389,177       26,814,295  

Equity Residential

    810,040       51,235,030  

Essential Properties Realty Trust Inc.

    304,130       7,527,217  

Essex Property Trust Inc.

    140,378       30,845,258  

Extra Space Storage Inc.

    289,823       44,064,689  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    175,697       17,374,676  

First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.

    288,597       15,142,685  

Four Corners Property Trust Inc.

    184,658       4,710,626  

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.

    533,360       27,734,720  

Getty Realty Corp.(a)

    86,985       2,899,210  

Global Net Lease Inc.

    224,684       2,529,942  

Healthcare Realty Trust Inc.

    830,760       16,432,433  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    1,197,089       26,300,045  

Highwoods Properties Inc.

    229,682       5,264,311  

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.

    1,546,925       25,013,777  

Hudson Pacific Properties Inc.

    307,930       1,712,091  

Independence Realty Trust Inc.

    491,361       8,181,161  

Innovative Industrial Properties Inc.

    60,699       4,160,916  

InvenTrust Properties Corp.

    150,523       3,394,294  

Invitation Homes Inc.

    1,334,805       44,542,443  

JBG SMITH Properties

    233,533       3,332,516  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    252,657       7,387,691  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    1,319,770       25,326,386  

Kite Realty Group Trust

    476,320       9,869,350  

Life Storage Inc.

    183,852       24,706,032  

LTC Properties Inc.

    86,175       2,882,554  

LXP Industrial Trust

    590,538       5,551,057  

Macerich Co. (The)

    462,971       4,625,080  

Medical Properties Trust Inc.

    1,301,302       11,412,419  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc.

    251,256       38,643,173  

National Health Investors Inc.

    90,735       4,515,881  

National Retail Properties Inc.

    394,837       17,175,409  

National Storage Affiliates Trust

    185,291       7,142,968  

Necessity Retail REIT Inc. (The)

    290,249       1,599,272  

NETSTREIT Corp.

    119,830       2,183,303  

NexPoint Residential Trust Inc.

    49,252       2,114,388  

Office Properties Income Trust

    104,278       679,893  

Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.

    515,109       13,784,317  

Paramount Group Inc.

    416,662       1,804,146  
 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global REIT ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc.

    485,691     $ 5,852,577  

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust(a)

    282,426       4,018,922  

Phillips Edison & Co. Inc.(a)

    254,039       8,012,390  

Physicians Realty Trust

    493,042       7,109,666  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc., Class A

    266,154       1,732,663  

Prologis Inc.

    2,015,424       252,431,856  

Public Storage

    342,067       100,851,614  

Realty Income Corp.

    1,372,919       86,274,230  

Regency Centers Corp.

    374,600       23,011,678  

Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

    267,098       3,480,287  

Rexford Industrial Realty Inc.(a)

    428,203       23,880,881  

RLJ Lodging Trust

    348,505       3,519,900  

RPT Realty

    180,316       1,676,939  

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc.

    117,476       10,532,898  

Sabra Health Care REIT Inc.

    506,490       5,773,986  

Safehold Inc.

    85,967       2,383,005  

Service Properties Trust

    357,457       3,134,898  

Simon Property Group Inc.

    713,602       80,865,379  

SITE Centers Corp.

    422,608       5,214,983  

SL Green Realty Corp.

    141,992       3,360,951  

Spirit Realty Capital Inc.

    305,503       11,749,645  

STAG Industrial Inc.

    393,434       13,325,610  

Summit Hotel Properties Inc.(a)

    229,242       1,476,318  

Sun Communities Inc.

    266,258       36,991,224  

Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc.

    459,086       4,375,090  

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc.

    220,215       4,318,416  

Terreno Realty Corp.

    174,976       10,776,772  

UDR Inc.

    717,762       29,665,103  

Universal Health Realty Income Trust

    28,040       1,219,740  

Urban Edge Properties

    248,788       3,649,720  

Ventas Inc.

    873,696       41,981,093  

Veris Residential Inc.(b)

    185,107       3,026,499  

VICI Properties Inc.

    2,193,119       74,434,459  

Vornado Realty Trust

    388,464       5,830,845  

Welltower Inc.

    1,034,852       81,980,975  

WP Carey Inc.

    456,902       33,902,128  

Xenia Hotels & Resorts Inc.

    244,400       3,094,104  
   

 

 

 
      2,085,242,532  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.3%
(Cost: $3,271,198,228)

      2,978,941,747  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Bermuda — 0.0%            

Brookfield Property Partners LP, 6.25%

    4,436     $ 66,629  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.0%
(Cost: $109,587)

      66,629  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.3% (Cost: $3,271,307,815)

      2,979,008,376  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.8%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.02%(e)(f)(g)

    15,713,276       15,717,990  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.75%(e)(f)

    7,630,000       7,630,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.8%
(Cost: $23,348,735)

      23,347,990  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.1%
(Cost: $3,294,656,550)

 

    3,002,356,366  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

 

    (4,453,467
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 2,997,902,899  
   

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S  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  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global REIT ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended April 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
04/30/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
04/30/23
     Shares
Held at
04/30/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 3,161,788      $ 12,550,591 (a)     $      $ 9,686      $ (4,075    $ 15,717,990        15,713,276      $ 188,280 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     6,030,000        1,600,000 (a)                             7,630,000        7,630,000        204,615        4  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 9,686      $ (4,075    $ 23,347,990         $ 392,895      $ 4  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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

           

SPI 200 Index

     22        06/15/23      $ 2,684      $ 89,365  

Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index

     460        06/16/23        15,304        308,603  
           

 

 

 
            $ 397,968  
           

 

 

 

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  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 397,968      $      $      $      $ 397,968  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 April 30, 2023, 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

   $      $      $ (2,501,710    $      $      $      $ (2,501,710
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 933,461      $      $      $      $ 933,461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® Global REIT ETF

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 16,072,800  

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  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,246,887,213        $ 731,325,373        $ 729,161        $ 2,978,941,747  

Preferred Stocks

     66,629                            66,629  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     23,347,990                            23,347,990  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,270,301,832        $   731,325,373        $         729,161        $ 3,002,356,366  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 308,603        $ 89,365        $        $ 397,968  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S  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

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Common Stocks             
Australia — 9.6%             

Abacus Property Group

    121,865      $ 215,782  

Arena REIT

    79,579        197,827  

BWP Trust

    118,637        305,814  

Centuria Industrial REIT

    126,818        263,731  

Centuria Office REIT

    113,428        107,354  

Charter Hall Long Wale REIT

    159,092        460,536  

Charter Hall Retail REIT

    119,439        307,451  

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT

    81,333        163,613  

Cromwell Property Group

    350,899        132,968  

Dexus

    261,798        1,356,895  

Dexus Industria REIT

    52,108        96,555  

GPT Group (The)

    466,619        1,372,103  

Growthpoint Properties Australia Ltd.

    68,145        147,715  

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT

    418,597        334,620  

Hotel Property Investments Ltd.

    46,421        105,413  

Ingenia Communities Group

    89,234        254,332  

Lifestyle Communities Ltd.

    22,751        257,591  

Mirvac Group

    958,639        1,539,024  

National Storage REIT

    278,964        464,637  

Region RE Ltd.

    278,216        455,289  

Scentre Group

    1,261,687        2,421,297  

Stockland

    579,611        1,718,185  

Vicinity Ltd.

    918,835        1,284,503  

Waypoint REIT Ltd.

    162,612        282,419  
    

 

 

 
       14,245,654  
Austria — 0.2%             

CA Immobilien Anlagen AG(a)

    10,132        293,946  
    

 

 

 
Belgium — 2.7%             

Aedifica SA

    9,671        807,837  

Ascencio

    1,293        71,738  

Cofinimmo SA

    8,015        765,710  

Home Invest Belgium SA, NVS

    2,357        50,955  

Intervest Offices & Warehouses NV

    6,346        131,042  

Montea NV

    3,538        309,975  

Retail Estates NV

    2,746        203,448  

VGP NV

    2,417        253,035  

Warehouses De Pauw CVA

    38,013        1,136,653  

Xior Student Housing NV

    6,697        212,688  
    

 

 

 
       3,943,081  
Canada — 6.9%             

Allied Properties REIT

    30,880        519,206  

Artis REIT

    19,150        99,506  

Boardwalk REIT

    9,094        389,307  

Canadian Apartment Properties REIT

    41,127        1,506,538  

Chartwell Retirement Residences

    57,147        373,711  

Choice Properties REIT

    62,422        674,509  

Crombie REIT

    24,920        283,623  

Dream Industrial REIT(b)

    59,860        655,661  

First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust

    51,566        605,539  

Granite REIT

    14,495        901,464  

H&R Real Estate Investment Trust

    63,692        552,372  

InterRent REIT

    31,580        302,083  

Killam Apartment REIT

    27,488        341,457  

NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT

    51,764        311,382  

Prinmaris REIT

    23,655        233,259  

RioCan REIT

    72,701        1,125,783  

SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust

    31,343        605,646  
Security   Shares      Value  
Canada (continued)             

StorageVault Canada Inc., NVS

    58,267      $ 249,006  

Tricon Residential Inc.

    58,652        470,134  
    

 

 

 
       10,200,186  
Finland — 0.5%             

Citycon OYJ

    17,708        133,806  

Kojamo OYJ

    47,600        591,029  
    

 

 

 
       724,835  
France — 3.8%             

ARGAN SA, NVS

    2,369        184,826  

Carmila SA

    13,835        234,166  

Covivio

    12,198        693,565  

Gecina SA

    12,574        1,399,771  

ICADE

    7,932        372,534  

Klepierre SA

    45,471        1,151,786  

Mercialys SA

    21,407        215,256  

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, New(a)

    24,911        1,335,877  
    

 

 

 
       5,587,781  
Germany — 4.2%             

ADLER Group SA(a)(b)(c)

    20,569        12,511  

Aroundtown SA(b)

    166,428        226,740  

Deutsche EuroShop AG

    2,886        65,189  

Deutsche Wohnen SE

    11,994        271,574  

DIC Asset AG

    12,643        96,241  

Grand City Properties SA

    23,098        192,904  

Hamborner REIT AG

    17,482        137,909  

LEG Immobilien SE

    17,998        1,120,254  

TAG Immobilien AG

    36,708        314,327  

Vonovia SE

    172,122        3,733,072  
    

 

 

 
       6,170,721  
Guernsey — 0.2%             

Shurgard Self Storage Ltd.

    6,095        315,152  
    

 

 

 
Hong Kong — 12.8%             

Champion REIT

    483,000        201,609  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

    475,000        2,808,733  

Fortune REIT

    332,000        277,740  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.(b)

    270,400        1,203,398  

Hysan Development Co. Ltd.

    148,000        418,255  

Link REIT

    615,140        4,023,561  

New World Development Co. Ltd.

    342,333        912,960  

Prosperity REIT

    282,000        68,404  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

    920,800        1,240,843  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    345,500        4,810,493  

Sunlight REIT(b)

    262,000        101,599  

Swire Properties Ltd.

    256,000        688,059  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

    376,900        2,173,475  
    

 

 

 
       18,929,129  
Ireland — 0.1%             

Irish Residential Properties REIT PLC

    108,406        123,368  
    

 

 

 
Israel — 0.5%             

Amot Investments Ltd.

    40,855        216,510  

Azrieli Group Ltd.

    8,887        518,256  
    

 

 

 
       734,766  
Italy — 0.0%             

Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione SIIQ SpA

    16,657        54,495  
    

 

 

 
Japan — 27.4%             

Activia Properties Inc.

    177        515,753  
 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Japan (continued)             

Advance Logistics Investment Corp.

    161      $ 163,189  

Advance Residence Investment Corp.

    314        814,705  

Aeon Mall Co. Ltd.

    28,900        389,645  

AEON REIT Investment Corp.

    426        488,387  

Comforia Residential REIT Inc.

    162        405,295  

CRE Logistics REIT Inc.

    129        177,626  

Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.

    517        1,100,004  

Daiwa Office Investment Corp.

    65        282,543  

Daiwa Securities Living Investments Corp.

    501        425,977  

Frontier Real Estate Investment Corp.

    118        426,330  

Fukuoka REIT Corp.

    173        207,861  

Global One Real Estate Investment Corp.

    248        191,897  

GLP J-Reit

    1,077        1,230,553  

Hankyu Hanshin REIT Inc.

    162        173,608  

Health Care & Medical Investment Corp.

    87        104,567  

Heiwa Real Estate Co. Ltd.

    7,700        220,332  

Heiwa Real Estate REIT Inc.

    235        275,241  

Hoshino Resorts REIT Inc.

    61        317,678  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    100,500        865,310  

Hulic Reit Inc.

    311        358,335  

Ichigo Office REIT Investment Corp.

    285        184,438  

Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp.

    460        527,168  

Invincible Investment Corp.

    1,182        510,337  

Japan Excellent Inc.

    300        256,703  

Japan Hotel REIT Investment Corp.

    1,086        613,583  

Japan Logistics Fund Inc.

    216        512,966  

Japan Metropolitan Fund Invest

    1,667        1,220,603  

Japan Prime Realty Investment Corp.

    224        582,438  

Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.

    315        1,248,156  

Kenedix Office Investment Corp.

    182        402,371  

Kenedix Residential Next Investment Corp.

    255        400,059  

Kenedix Retail REIT Corp.

    147        264,485  

LaSalle Logiport REIT

    435        516,781  

Mirai Corp.

    392        130,913  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    270,600        3,334,956  

Mitsubishi Estate Logistics REIT Investment Corp.

    117        358,797  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    221,000        4,389,504  

Mitsui Fudosan Logistics Park Inc.

    130        488,484  

Mori Hills REIT Investment Corp.

    382        431,735  

Mori Trust Sogo REIT Inc.

    614        323,161  

Nippon Accommodations Fund Inc.

    113        549,295  

Nippon Building Fund Inc.

    371        1,555,683  

Nippon Prologis REIT Inc.

    578        1,316,725  

NIPPON REIT Investment Corp.

    105        246,479  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings Inc.

    26,300        655,370  

Nomura Real Estate Master Fund Inc.

    1,092        1,277,756  

NTT UD REIT Investment Corp.

    326        314,182  

One REIT Inc.

    60        106,162  

Orix JREIT Inc.

    638        824,737  

Samty Residential Investment Corp.

    105        89,401  

Sankei Real Estate Inc.

    116        71,448  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    134,800        2,771,305  

Sekisui House Reit Inc.

    997        565,139  

SOSiLA Logistics REIT Inc.

    170        169,056  

Star Asia Investment Corp.

    417        170,691  

Starts Proceed Investment Corp.

    61        103,296  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    96,100        2,243,861  

Takara Leben Real Estate Investment Corp.

    144        96,841  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

    47,900        606,653  

Tokyu REIT Inc.

    225        300,585  
Security   Shares      Value  
Japan (continued)             

United Urban Investment Corp.

    721      $ 800,540  
    

 

 

 
       40,667,679  
Netherlands — 0.4%             

Eurocommercial Properties NV

    12,381        296,920  

NSI NV

    4,350        99,940  

Vastned Retail NV

    4,243        96,665  

Wereldhave NV

    9,885        151,809  
    

 

 

 
       645,334  
New Zealand — 0.8%             

Argosy Property Ltd.

    205,146        142,193  

Goodman Property Trust

    267,635        361,979  

Kiwi Property Group Ltd.

    380,126        216,756  

Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd.

    323,580        248,126  

Stride Property Group

    117,715        93,976  

Vital Healthcare Property Trust

    116,134        167,484  
    

 

 

 
       1,230,514  
Norway — 0.1%             

Entra ASA(c)

    13,275        134,895  
    

 

 

 
Singapore — 9.5%             

AIMS APAC REIT(b)

    137,900        142,064  

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT

    830,390        1,786,936  

CapitaLand Ascott Trust

    521,623        423,508  

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust

    1,230,007        1,878,145  

Capitaland Investment Ltd/Singapore

    619,700        1,734,679  

CDL Hospitality Trusts

    210,121        199,313  

City Developments Ltd.

    113,600        594,274  

Cromwell European Real Estate Investment Trust

    75,900        128,797  

ESR-LOGOS REIT

    1,389,020        339,080  

Far East Hospitality Trust

    239,600        111,586  

Frasers Centrepoint Trust(b)

    262,849        436,769  

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust

    685,600        695,842  

Keppel DC REIT(b)

    309,571        500,533  

Keppel Pacific Oak US REIT

    208,000        74,880  

Keppel REIT

    526,900        344,581  

Lendlease Global Commercial REIT

    438,747        230,831  

Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust

    385,200        69,182  

Mapletree Industrial Trust

    458,845        820,239  

Mapletree Logistics Trust

    780,360        1,021,233  

Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust

    554,517        734,540  

OUE Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust

    526,600        128,568  

PARAGON REIT

    261,365        183,454  

Parkway Life REIT

    94,500        275,224  

Prime U.S. REIT

    158,500        41,321  

Starhill Global REIT

    349,200        137,651  

Suntec REIT

    510,400        517,384  

UOL Group Ltd.

    119,600        623,938  
    

 

 

 
       14,174,552  
South Korea — 0.2%             

ESR Kendall Square REIT Co. Ltd.

    29,946        84,303  

JR REIT XXVII

    28,012        92,532  

LOTTE Reit Co. Ltd.

    29,130        78,553  

SK REITs Co. Ltd.

    27,069        99,874  
    

 

 

 
       355,262  
Spain — 0.9%             

Inmobiliaria Colonial SOCIMI SA

    82,494        527,341  

Lar Espana Real Estate SOCIMI SA

    13,908        78,619  

Merlin Properties SOCIMI SA

    81,189        717,857  
    

 

 

 
       1,323,817  
 

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S  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  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Sweden — 4.2%             

Atrium Ljungberg AB, Class B

    10,880      $ 202,342  

Castellum AB(b)

    62,620        761,215  

Catena AB

    8,064        309,337  

Cibus Nordic Real Estate AB

    11,536        123,390  

Corem Property Group AB, Class B

    162,365        128,849  

Dios Fastigheter AB

    21,597        154,126  

Fabege AB

    61,224        490,998  

Fastighets AB Balder, Class B(a)

    150,941        702,754  

Hufvudstaden AB, Class A

    26,047        371,428  

NP3 Fastigheter AB

    6,711        129,179  

Nyfosa AB

    44,044        301,828  

Pandox AB

    21,607        257,457  

Platzer Fastigheter Holding AB, Class B

    13,393        112,836  

Sagax AB, Class B

    41,720        1,023,340  

Samhallsbyggnadsbolaget i Norden AB(b)

    269,343        316,830  

Stendorren Fastigheter AB, NVS(a)

    3,359        66,017  

Wallenstam AB, Class B

    80,731        320,347  

Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB

    64,865        524,300  
    

 

 

 
       6,296,573  
Switzerland — 2.9%             

Allreal Holding AG, Registered

    3,562        632,109  

Hiag Immobilien Holding AG

    861        80,071  

Intershop Holding AG

    264        185,378  

Mobimo Holding AG, Registered

    1,723        462,088  

Peach Property Group AG(b)

    2,956        46,179  

PSP Swiss Property AG, Registered

    10,967        1,291,487  

Swiss Prime Site AG, Registered

    18,439        1,669,091  
    

 

 

 
       4,366,403  
United Kingdom — 11.2%             

Aberdeen Standard European Logistics Income PLC(c)

    95,628        85,781  

Abrdn Property Income Trust

    96,076        66,409  

Assura PLC

    703,549        450,050  

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd.

    131,701        136,380  

Big Yellow Group PLC

    41,259        635,096  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    224,601        1,131,594  

Capital & Counties Properties PLC

    329,666        488,055  

Civitas Social Housing PLC

    146,285        97,989  

CLS Holdings PLC

    40,112        68,357  

CT Property Trust Ltd.

    56,604        47,112  

Custodian Reit PLC

    100,385        119,220  

Derwent London PLC

    27,062        817,004  

Empiric Student Property PLC

    141,470        164,280  

Grainger PLC

    177,999        578,489  

Great Portland Estates PLC

    51,900        347,977  

Hammerson PLC

    954,113        336,462  

Helical PLC

    24,824        93,593  

Home Reit PLC(d)

    191,393        81,146  

Impact Healthcare Reit PLC

    77,273        95,171  

Land Securities Group PLC

    179,304        1,521,543  

LondonMetric Property PLC

    229,654        556,968  

LXI REIT PLC

    369,654        490,305  
Security   Shares      Value  
United Kingdom (continued)             

NewRiver REIT PLC

    76,684      $ 78,062  

Phoenix Spree Deutschland Ltd.

    22,301        56,614  

Picton Property Income Ltd. (The)

    129,794        124,551  

Primary Health Properties PLC

    318,748        427,582  

PRS REIT PLC (The)

    125,722        136,197  

Regional REIT Ltd.(c)

    107,091        74,696  

Residential Secure Income PLC, NVS(c)

    44,828        37,408  

Safestore Holdings PLC

    51,171        637,863  

Schroder REIT Ltd.

    113,962        66,626  

Segro PLC

    291,731        3,071,322  

Sirius Real Estate Ltd.

    278,176        281,601  

Supermarket Income Reit PLC

    299,727        329,816  

Target Healthcare REIT PLC

    150,983        146,485  

Triple Point Social Housing REIT PLC(c)

    88,057        52,068  

Tritax Big Box REIT PLC

    452,364        883,809  

Tritax EuroBox PLC(c)

    199,674        164,487  

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd.

    180,865        122,104  

UNITE Group PLC (The)

    77,763        938,310  

Urban Logistics REIT PLC

    112,829        200,502  

Warehouse REIT PLC

    95,981        131,963  

Workspace Group PLC

    34,615        207,681  
    

 

 

 
       16,578,728  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $202,946,144)

       147,096,871  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 1.6%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.02%(e)(f)(g)

    2,371,017        2,371,728  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 4.75%(e)(f)

    50,000        50,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.6%
(Cost: $2,422,059)

       2,421,728  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.7%
(Cost: $205,368,203)

       149,518,599  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.7)%

 

     (1,009,183
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $ 148,509,416  
    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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   I N V E S  T M E N T S

  25


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended April 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
04/30/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
04/30/23
     Shares
Held at
04/30/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions

from

Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 11,157,806      $      $ (8,786,482 )(a)     $ 757      $ (353    $ 2,371,728        2,371,017      $ 70,377 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     80,000               (30,000 )(a)                      50,000        50,000        1,844         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 757      $ (353    $ 2,421,728         $ 72,221      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 Singapore Index

     11        05/30/23      $ 247      $ (2,705

TOPIX Index

     2        06/08/23        303        5,526  

Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index

     18        06/16/23        599        17,888  

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     5        06/16/23        238        6,278  
           

 

 

 
            $ 26,987  
           

 

 

 

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  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 29,692      $      $      $      $ 29,692  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 2,705      $      $      $      $ 2,705  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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).

 

 

 

26  

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Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2023

  

iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF

 

For the period ended April 30, 2023, 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

   $      $      $ (82,702    $      $      $      $ (82,702
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 27,253      $      $      $      $ 27,253  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,194,211      

 

 

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  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 15,598,582        $ 131,417,143        $ 81,146        $ 147,096,871  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     2,421,728                            2,421,728  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   18,020,310        $ 131,417,143        $         81,146        $ 149,518,599  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 17,888        $ 11,804        $        $ 29,692  

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

              (2,705                 (2,705
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 17,888        $ 9,099        $          26,987  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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   I N V E S  T M E N T S

  27


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

April 30, 2023

 

    iShares
Environmentally
Aware Real
Estate ETF
     iShares
Global REIT ETF
    iShares
International
Developed
Real Estate
ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

      

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

  $ 9,021,413      $ 2,979,008,376     $ 147,096,871  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    66,735        23,347,990       2,421,728  

Cash

    6,172        41,460       18,868  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    3,000        1,083,000       51,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(d)

           179,983       39,784  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    16,845        2,708,593       296,236  

Receivables:

      

Securities lending income — affiliated

    65        6,040       4,250  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    23,629        6,698,543       837,032  

Dividends — affiliated

    25        28,848       156  

Tax reclaims

    623        696,213       163,023  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    390        180,715       13,327  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    9,138,897        3,013,979,761       150,942,275  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

      

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    66,735        15,736,144       2,375,353  

Payables:

      

Investments purchased

    913               

Investment advisory fees

    2,195        340,718       57,506  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    69,843        16,076,862       2,432,859  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 9,069,054      $ 2,997,902,899     $ 148,509,416  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 8,978,314      $ 3,454,846,599     $ 300,525,700  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    90,740        (456,943,700     (152,016,284
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 9,069,054      $ 2,997,902,899     $ 148,509,416  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

      

Shares outstanding

    360,000        128,950,000       6,900,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 25.19      $ 23.25     $ 21.52  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 9,023,526      $ 3,271,307,815     $ 202,946,144  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 64,928      $ 14,719,268     $ 2,306,280  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 66,735      $ 23,348,735     $ 2,422,059  

(d) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $      $ 186,400     $ 40,184  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 16,862      $ 2,723,634     $ 298,207  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

28  

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Statements of Operations

Year Ended April 30, 2023

 

   

iShares
Environmentally
Aware

Real

Estate

ETF

 
 
 

 

 

(a)  

   


iShares

Global REIT
ETF

 

 
 

   



iShares
International
Developed
Real Estate
ETF
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 178,720     $ 125,613,187     $ 7,960,782  

Dividends — affiliated

    151       204,615       1,844  

Interest — unaffiliated

    110       39,168       728  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    65       188,280       70,377  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (9,266     (5,487,046     (735,965
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    169,780       120,558,204       7,297,766  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    12,353       4,130,419       815,345  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    12,353       4,130,419       815,345  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    157,427       116,427,785       6,482,421  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (7,571     (53,261,972     (7,947,539

Investments — affiliated

          9,686       757  

Capital gain distributions from underlying funds — affiliated

          4        

Foreign currency transactions

    (71     (368,330     (90,912

Futures contracts

    (975     (2,501,710     (82,702

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(b)

          63,447,019       (7,069,009
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (8,617     7,324,697       (15,189,405
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated(c)

    (2,113     (586,130,301     (20,529,801

Investments — affiliated

          (4,075     (353

Foreign currency translations

    (11     292,623       57,052  

Futures contracts

    851       933,461       27,253  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,273     (584,908,292     (20,445,849
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (9,890     (577,583,595     (35,635,254
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 147,537     $ (461,155,810   $ (29,152,833
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) For the period from November 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2023.

     

(b) See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

     

(c)  Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $     $ 3,433     $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  29


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
Environmentally
Aware Real Estate
ETF
    iShares
Global REIT ETF
 
     

Period From
11/15/22

to 04/30/23

 
(a)  

 

   
Year Ended
04/30/23
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/22
 
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income

  $ 157,427     $ 116,427,785     $ 79,321,859  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (8,617     7,324,697       95,039,341  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (1,273     (584,908,292     (24,496,433
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    147,537       (461,155,810     149,864,767  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

     

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (56,797     (69,453,870     (101,720,806
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    8,978,314       66,934,776       330,213,243  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    9,069,054       (463,674,904     378,357,204  

Beginning of period

          3,461,577,803       3,083,220,599  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 9,069,054     $ 2,997,902,899     $ 3,461,577,803  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
International Developed Real Estate
ETF
 
    Year Ended
04/30/23
    Year Ended
04/30/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 6,482,421     $ 7,050,272  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (15,189,405     2,984,182  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (20,445,849     (31,835,406
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

    (29,152,833     (21,800,952
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (3,488,984     (8,046,901
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (31,833,293     (13,681,531
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (64,475,110     (43,529,384

Beginning of year

    212,984,526       256,513,910  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 148,509,416     $ 212,984,526  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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

  31


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

    iShares
Environmentally
Aware Real
Estate ETF
 
   

Period From

11/15/22

to 04/30/23

 

(a) 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 24.94  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.44  

Net realized and unrealized loss(c)

    (0.03
 

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    0.41  
 

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.16
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.19  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

 

Based on net asset value

    1.64 %(f)  
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

 

Total expenses

    0.30 %(h)  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.82 %(h)  
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 9,069  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    4
 

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

32  

2 0 2 3  H A R E S  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 REIT ETF  
   
Year Ended
04/30/23
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/19
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 27.77     $ 27.22     $ 20.42     $ 26.53     $ 24.82  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.94       0.68       0.66       0.88       0.98  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (4.89     0.74       6.75       (5.54     2.08  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (3.95     1.42       7.41       (4.66     3.06  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.57     (0.87     (0.61     (1.45     (1.35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 23.25     $ 27.77     $ 27.22     $ 20.42     $ 26.53  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    (14.12 )%      5.14     36.95     (18.47 )%      12.77
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

         

Total expenses

    0.14     0.14     0.14     0.14     0.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.95     2.36     2.91     3.36     3.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 2,997,903     $ 3,461,578     $ 3,083,221     $ 1,900,334     $ 1,637,157  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    7     13     6     8     9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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

(f) 

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

  33


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF  
   
Year Ended
04/30/23
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/21
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/20
 
 
   
Year Ended
04/30/19
 
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 25.36     $ 28.82     $ 22.75     $ 29.65     $ 30.40  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.83       0.79 (b)       0.78       0.86       0.93  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (4.25     (3.35     5.86       (5.47     (0.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (3.42     (2.56     6.64       (4.61     0.38  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.42     (0.90     (0.57     (2.29     (1.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 21.52     $ 25.36     $ 28.82     $ 22.75     $ 29.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    (13.44 )%      (9.24 )%(b)      29.62     (16.93 )%      1.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

         

Total expenses

    0.48     0.50     0.48     0.48     0.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.48     0.48     N/A       0.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.82     2.75 %(b)       3.08     2.99     3.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 148,509     $ 212,985     $ 256,514     $ 259,384     $ 477,332  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    9     16     9     10     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 April 30, 2022:

 

Net investment income per share by $0.04.

 

Total return by 0.17%.

 

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.15%.

(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) 

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

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements

 

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
 

Environmentally Aware Real Estate(a)

    Non-Diversified  

Global REIT

    Diversified  

International Developed Real Estate

    Diversified  

 

  (a) 

The Fund commenced operations on November 15, 2022.

 

 

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 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 April 30, 2023, 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.

 

 

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  35


Notes to Financial Statements  (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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (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  

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

        

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

  $ 55,380      $ (55,380   $     $  

TD Prime Services LLC

    9,548        (9,548            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 64,928      $ (64,928   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global REIT

        

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

  $ 1,994,993      $ (1,994,993   $     $  

BNP Paribas SA

    262,965        (262,965            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    2,856,296        (2,856,296            

Citadel Clearing LLC

    562,085        (562,085            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    3,081,262        (3,081,262            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    3,751,391        (3,751,391            

HSBC Bank PLC

    40,595        (40,595            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    330,923        (330,923            

Jefferies LLC

    773,441        (773,441            

National Financial Services LLC

    906,721        (906,721            

Natixis Securities Americas LLC

    27,071        (27,071            

UBS AG

    131,525        (131,525            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 14,719,268      $ (14,719,268   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International Developed Real Estate

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 12,386      $ (12,386   $     $  

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    229,332        (229,332            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    354,510        (354,510            

HSBC Bank PLC

    124,301        (124,301            

Morgan Stanley

    834,552        (834,552            

SG Americas Securities LLC

    751,199        (725,839           25,360 (b)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 2,306,280      $ (2,280,920   $     $ 25,360  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, 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 Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of April 30, 2023. 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.

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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, BFAis 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  

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

    0.30

Global REIT

    0.14  

International Developed Real Estate

    0.48  

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 REIT 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 the iShares Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF and iShares International Developed Real Estate 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 year ended April 30, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

  $ 15  

Global REIT

    51,474  

International Developed Real Estate

    16,361  

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 year ended April 30, 2023, 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 REIT

  $ 14,885,693      $ 25,916,558      $ (11,001,976)  

International Developed Real Estate

    164,774        154,574        (76,326)  

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 year ended April 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    Purchases      Sales  

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

   $ 416,011      $ 342,897  

Global REIT

     267,386,097        207,704,357  

International Developed Real Estate

     16,597,048        14,487,248  

For the year ended April 30, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind
Sales
 

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

   $ 8,964,814      $  

Global REIT

     303,412,237        244,693,946  

International Developed Real Estate

     4,238,010        34,700,759  

 

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 April 30, 2023, 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of April 30, 2023, permanent differences attributable to distributions paid in excess of taxable income and realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF    Paid-in Capital     Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)
 

Global REIT

   $ 57,167,763     $ (57,167,763

International Developed Real Estate

     (9,193,029     9,193,029  

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

iShares ETF            Period Ended
04/30/23
 

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

     

Ordinary income

      $ 56,797  
     

 

 

 
     
iShares ETF    Year Ended
04/30/23
     Year Ended
04/30/22
 

Global REIT

     

Ordinary income

   $ 69,453,870      $ 101,720,806  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

International Developed Real Estate

     

Ordinary income

   $ 3,488,984      $ 8,046,901  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of April 30, 2023, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
    Total  

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

  $ 145,907      $ (6,160   $ (49,007   $ 90,740  

Global REIT

    16,500,604        (118,241,339     (355,202,965     (456,943,700

International Developed Real Estate

           (92,810,171     (59,206,113     (152,016,284

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts, timing and recognition of partnership income, characterization of corporate actions, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies and the timing and recognition of realized gains/losses for tax purposes.

 

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 April 30, 2023, 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)
 
 
 

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

  $ 9,137,144      $ 352,809      $ (401,805   $ (48,996

Global REIT

    3,357,632,047        196,678,753        (551,865,069     (355,186,316

International Developed Real Estate

    208,724,226        2,184,076        (61,386,275     (59,202,199)  

 

9.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (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.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the the Funds invest.

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. These events and

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. 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 have been, and may continue to 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 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. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of 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.

 

10.

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:

 

     Period Ended
04/30/23
 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount  

Environmentally Aware Real Estate(a)

    

Shares sold

    360,000      $ 8,978,314  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended
04/30/23
    Year Ended
04/30/22
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Global REIT

       

Shares sold

    14,400,000     $ 325,705,239       24,250,000     $ 697,331,384  

Shares redeemed

    (10,100,000     (258,770,463     (12,850,000     (367,118,141
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    4,300,000     $ 66,934,776       11,400,000     $ 330,213,243  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

International Developed Real Estate

       

Shares sold

    200,000     $ 4,481,991       900,000     $ 25,486,316  

Shares redeemed

    (1,700,000     (36,315,284     (1,400,000     (39,167,847
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,500,000   $ (31,833,293     (500,000   $ (13,681,531
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The Fund commenced operations on November 15, 2022.

 

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

11.

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.

 

 

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  43


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

iShares Trust and Shareholders of each of the three funds listed in the table below

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of each of the funds listed in the table below (three of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of April 30, 2023, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of April 30, 2023, the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of their net assets for the periods indicated in the table below, and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

iShares Environmentally Aware Real Estate ETF(1)

iShares Global REIT ETF(2)

iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF(2)

 

(1)  

Statement of operations and statement of changes in net assets for the period November 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2023.

(2)  

Statements of operations for the year ended April 30, 2023 and statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2023.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of April 30, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 21, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Important Tax Information (unaudited)

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023:

 

iShares ETF   Qualified Dividend
Income
 

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

  $ 38,864  

Global REIT

    31,287,497  

International Developed Real Estate

    3,905,705  

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified business income for individuals for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023:

 

iShares ETF   Qualified Business
Income
 

Environmentally Aware Real Estate

  $ 14,734  

Global REIT

    35,179,912  

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023:

 

iShares ETF   Foreign Source
Income Earned
   

Foreign

Taxes Paid

 

International Developed Real Estate

  $ 7,939,930       $509,552  

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

iShares ETF   Dividends-Received
Deduction
 

Global REIT

    10.82

 

 

M P O R T A N T  A X  N F O R  M A T I O N

  45


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Environmentally Aware Real Estate 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 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 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 June 13-15, 2022, 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 reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale or other efficiencies that may result from increases in the Fund’s assets. 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 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.

 

 

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

  47


Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program  (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares Global REIT ETF and iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2022 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”).At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays, the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries, Russian sanctions and the closure of the Russian securities market.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. The Committee also considered that ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing.

 

d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs. However, there were no ETFs with persistent deviations of fund premium/discount or bid/ask spreads from long-term averages over the Program Reporting Period.

 

e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

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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.

April 30, 2023

 

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

Environmentally Aware Real Estate(a)

  $ 0.157769     $     $ 0.000001     $ 0.157770       100         0 %(b)      100

Global REIT

    0.569726                   0.569726       100                   100  

International Developed Real Estate

    0.420115                   0.420115       100                   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%.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

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

  49


Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited)

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 380 funds as of April 30, 2023. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001. The Board has designated John E. Kerrigan as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

     Interested Trustees     
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Robert S. Kapito(a)

(1957)

  

Trustee (since

2009).

   President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Salim Ramji(b)
(1970)
  

Trustee (since

2019).

   Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

 

(a)

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

 
(b)

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

 

 

     Independent Trustees     
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

John E. Kerrigan

(1955)

  

Trustee (since

2005);

Independent

Board Chair

(since 2022).

   Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2022).

Jane D. Carlin

(1956)

  

Trustee (since

2015); Risk

Committee Chair

(since 2016).

   Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).

Richard L. Fagnani

(1954)

  

Trustee (since

2017); Audit

Committee Chair

(since 2019).

   Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016); Director of One Generation Away (since 2021).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee

Cecilia H. Herbert

(1949)

   Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2022).   

Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018), Investment Committee (since 2011) and Personnel Committee (since 2022); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (1992-2021) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020); Director of the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts (since 2021); Member of the Wyoming State Investment Funds Committee (since 2022).

 

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Drew E. Lawton

(1959)

 

  

Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).

 

   Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).   

Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017); Director of Jackson Financial Inc. (since 2021).

 

John E. Martinez

(1961)

  

Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).

 

   Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).

Madhav V. Rajan

(1964)

   Trustee (since 2011); Fixed-Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).   

Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).

 

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
     

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Dominik Rohé

(1973)

   President (since 2023).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2005); Head of Americas ETF and Index Investments (since 2023); Head of Latin America (2019-2023).

 

Trent Walker

(1974)

   Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

 

Charles Park

(1967)

 

   Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).   

Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

 

Marisa Rolland

(1980)

 

   Secretary (since 2022).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2023); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2018-2022); Vice President, BlackRock, Inc. (2010-2017).

 

Rachel Aguirre

(1982)

 

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2018); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2018); Head of U.S. iShares Product (since 2022); Head of EII U.S. Product Engineering (since 2021); Co-Head of EII’s Americas Portfolio Engineering (2020-2021); Head of Developed Markets Portfolio Engineering (2016-2019).

 

 

 

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  51


Trustee and Officer Information  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Officers (continued)
     

Name

(Year of

Birth)

   Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past 5 Years

Jennifer Hsui

(1976)

 

  

Executive Vice President (since 2022).

 

   Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Co-Head of Index Equity (since 2022).

James Mauro

(1970)

 

   Executive Vice President (since 2022).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2010); Head of Fixed Income Index Investments in the Americas and Head of San Francisco Core Portfolio Management (since 2020).

 

 

Effective June 15, 2022, Marisa Rolland replaced Deepa Damre Smith as Secretary.

Effective March 30, 2023, Dominik Rohé replaced Armando Senra as President.

 

 

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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   I N F O R M A T I O N

  53


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

    

 

 

 

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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 FTSE International Limited, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-AR-405-0423

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


(b) Not Applicable

 

Item 2.

Code of Ethics.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the registrant has not amended the code of ethics and there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-474-2737.

 

Item 3.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has more than one audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined under Item 3(b) and 3(c), serving on its audit committee. The audit committee financial experts serving on the registrant’s audit committee are Richard L. Fagnani and Madhav V. Rajan, all of whom are independent, as that term is defined under Item 3(a)(2).


Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The principal accountant fees disclosed in items 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 4(d) and 4(g) are for the five series of the registrant for which the fiscal year-end is April 30, 2023 (the “Funds”), and whose annual financial statements are reported in Item 1.

(a) Audit Fees – The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Funds’ annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were $62,600 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 and $81,400 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023.

(b) Audit-Related Fees – There were no fees billed for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2023 for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that were reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under (a) of this Item.

(c) Tax Fees – The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the Funds were $38,800 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 and $48,500 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023. These services related to the review of the Funds’ tax returns and excise tax calculations.

(d) All Other Fees – There were no other fees billed in each of the fiscal years ended April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2023 for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in (a) through (c) of this Item.

(e) (1) The registrant’s audit committee charter, as amended, provides that the audit committee is responsible for the approval, prior to appointment, of the engagement of the principal accountant to annually audit and provide their opinion on the registrant’s financial statements. The audit committee must also approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the principal accountant to provide non-audit services to the registrant or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser (“Adviser Affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

(2) There were no services described in (b) through (d) above that were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not Applicable

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for services rendered to the Funds, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser, and any Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the last two fiscal years were $38,800 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 and $48,500 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023.

(h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, if any, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence, and has determined that the provision of these services, if any, does not compromise the principal accountant’s independence.

(i) Not Applicable

(j) Not Applicable


Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

(a) The registrant is a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act of 1934 and has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act of 1934. The registrant’s audit committee members are Richard L. Fagnani, Cecilia H. Herbert and Madhav V. Rajan.

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

Investments.

(a) Schedules of investments are included as part of the reports to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 8.

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable to the registrant.

 

Item 10.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of 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) Code of Ethics is not filed as an exhibit; please refer to Item 2.

(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/ Dominik Rohe                             

       Dominik Rohe, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 21, 2023

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/ Dominik Rohe                             

       Dominik Rohe, President (Principal Executive Officer)

Date: June 21, 2023

 

   By:     

/s/ Trent Walker                            

       Trent Walker, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: June 21, 2023