TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 26, 2014) - (TSX:CBD)(TSX:CBD.A)(TSX:CBH)(TSX:CBH.A)(TSX:CBN)(TSX:CBN.A)(TSX:CBO)(TSX:CBO.A)(TSX:CBR)(TSX:CBR.A)(TSX:CBQ)(TSX:CBQ.A)(TSX:CDZ)(TSX:CDZ.A)(TSX:CEW)(TSX:CEW.A)(TSX:CGL)(TSX:CGL.C)(TSX:CGR)(TSX:CGR.A)(TSX:CHB)(TSX:CHB.A)(TSX:CHI)(TSX:CHI.A)(TSX:CIE)(TSX:CIE.A)(TSX:CIF)(TSX:CIF.A)(TSX:CJP)(TSX:CJP.A)(TSX:CLF)(TSX:CLF.A)(TSX:CLG)(TSX:CLG.A)(TSX:CLO)(TSX:CLO.A)(TSX:CLU)(TSX:CLU.A)(TSX:CLU.B)(TSX:CLU.C)(TSX:CMR)(TSX:CMR.A)(TSX:CMW)(TSX:CMW.A)(TSX:COW)(TSX:COW.A)(TSX:CPD)(TSX:CPD.A)(TSX:CRQ)(TSX:CRQ.A)(TSX:CSD)(TSX:CSD.A)(TSX:CUD)(TSX:CUD.A)(TSX:CVD)(TSX:CVD.A)(TSX:CWO)(TSX:CWO.A)(TSX:CWW)(TSX:CWW.A)(TSX:CYH)(TSX:CYH.A)(TSX:SVR)(TSX:SVR.C)(TSX:FIE)(TSX:FIE.A)(TSX:XAL)(TSX:XBB)(TSX:XBM)(TSX:XBZ)(TSX:XCB)(TSX:XCD)(TSX:XCG)(TSX:XCH)(TSX:XCR)(TSX:XCS)(TSX:XCV)(TSX:XDV)(TSX:XEB)(TSX:XEC)(TSX:XEF)(TSX:XEG)(TSX:XEH)(TSX:XEI)(TSX:XEM)(TSX:XEN)(TSX:XEU)(TSX:XFN)(TSX:XFR)(TSX:XGB)(TSX:XGC)(TSX:XGD)(TSX:XGI)(TSX:XGR)(TSX:XHB)(TSX:XHC)(TSX:XHD)(TSX:XHY)(TSX:XIC)(TSX:XID)(TSX:XIG)(TSX:XIN)(TSX:XIT)(TSX:XIU)(TSX:XLA)(TSX:XLB)(TSX:XMA)(TSX:XMD)(TSX:XMI)(TSX:XMM)(TSX:XMU)(TSX:XMV)(TSX:XMW)(TSX:XPF)(TSX:XQB)(TSX:XQB.A)(TSX:XQQ)(TSX:XRB)(TSX:XRE)(TSX:XSB)(TSX:XSH)(TSX:XSP)(TSX:XSQ)(TSX:XST)(TSX:XSU)(TSX:XTR)(TSX:XUS)(TSX:XUT)(TSX:XVX)(TSX:XWD) -
BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited ("BlackRock Canada"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), today announced the estimated annual reinvested capital gains distributions for the iShares Funds listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the 2014 tax year. Please note that these are estimated amounts only as of October 31, 2014 and may reflect forward-looking assumptions made by management. As these are estimated amounts, the final capital gains distributions may change by the Funds' December 15, 2014 tax year-end.
These estimates are for the annual non-cash capital gains distributions, which are typically reinvested in additional units of the respective funds at the year-end, and do not include estimates of ongoing monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual cash distribution amounts. The additional units will be immediately consolidated with the previously outstanding units such that the number of outstanding units following the distribution will equal the number of units outstanding prior to the distribution.
We expect to announce the final annual reinvested distribution amounts, as well as the monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual cash distribution amounts, as applicable, for 2014, on or about December 18, 2014. The record date for the 2014 annual distributions will be December 31, 2014, payable on January 6, 2015. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2014, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or "CDS") in early 2015.
| Fund Name | Fund Ticker | Net asset value (NAV) per unit at Oct 31, 2014 | Estimated annual reinvested capital gains as % of NAV at Oct 31, 2014 | |||
| iShares Balanced Income CorePortfolio™ Index ETF | CBD | 21.522993 | 3.15 | % | ||
| CBD.A | 21.412299 | 3.34 | % | |||
| iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF | CBH | 19.769638 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CBH.A | 19.748471 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Balanced Growth CorePortfolio™ Index ETF | CBN | 18.453687 | 3.47 | % | ||
| CBN.A | 18.582077 | 3.60 | % | |||
| iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF | CBO | 19.511979 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CBO.A | 19.493593 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares BRIC Index ETF | CBQ | 24.484893 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CBQ.A | 24.488702 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Broad Commodity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | CBR | 20.230028 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CBR.A | 19.569972 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares S&P®/TSX® Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF | CDZ | 26.367314 | 4.94 | % | ||
| CDZ.A | 26.213245 | 3.89 | % | |||
| iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF | CEW | 10.363722 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CEW.A | 8.219069 | 0.29 | % | |||
| iShares Global Real Estate Index ETF | CGR | 24.689863 | 0.20 | % | ||
| CGR.A | 24.607859 | 1.03 | % | |||
| iShares Gold Bullion ETF | CGL | 10.385379 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CGL.C | 11.721737 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Advantaged U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | CHB | 20.826961 | 5.45 | % | ||
| CHB.A | 20.773079 | 6.86 | % | |||
| iShares China All-Cap Index ETF | CHI | 23.224023 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CHI.A | 22.797907 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares International Fundamental Index ETF | CIE | 16.790603 | 2.25 | % | ||
| CIE.A | 16.793097 | 1.64 | % | |||
| iShares Global Infrastructure Index ETF | CIF | 24.279240 | 2.75 | % | ||
| CIF.A | 24.267678 | 2.75 | % | |||
| iShares Japan Fundamental Index ETF (CAD- Hedged) | CJP | 12.401447 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CJP.A | 12.165834 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF | CLF | 19.227833 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CLF.A | 19.180087 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF | CLG | 19.432732 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CLG.A | 19.395063 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Oil Sands Index ETF | CLO | 12.036471 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CLO.A | 11.929464 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares US Fundamental Index ETF | CLU | 27.370647 | 3.61 | % | ||
| CLU.A | 27.143119 | 3.59 | % | |||
| CLU.B | 25.460562 | 8.32 | % | |||
| CLU.C | 25.658941 | 8.32 | % | |||
| iShares Premium Money Market ETF | CMR | 50.003237 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CMR.A | 50.002321 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares S&P/TSX Global Mining Index ETF | CMW | 13.081279 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CMW.A | 13.081488 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Global Agriculture Index ETF | COW | 30.070138 | 0.00 | % | ||
| COW.A | 29.480476 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF | CPD | 16.303065 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CPD.A | 16.287027 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Canadian Fundamental Index ETF | CRQ | 14.065975 | 4.03 | % | ||
| CRQ.A | 14.005930 | 4.31 | % | |||
| iShares Advantaged Short Duration High Income ETF (CAD-Hedged) | CSD | 19.900916 | 3.55 | % | ||
| CSD.A | 19.858712 | 3.25 | % | |||
| iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | CUD | 31.923617 | 3.01 | % | ||
| CUD.A | 31.826493 | 3.13 | % | |||
| iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF | CVD | 19.358373 | 1.78 | % | ||
| CVD.A | 19.344274 | 1.78 | % | |||
| iShares Emerging Markets Fundamental Index ETF | CWO | 31.023107 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CWO.A | 30.875934 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Global Water Index ETF | CWW | 23.964022 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CWW.A | 23.951222 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | CYH | 17.716489 | 0.00 | % | ||
| CYH.A | 17.667959 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF | FIE | 7.402915 | 0.00 | % | ||
| FIE.A | 7.049483 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Silver Bullion ETF | SVR | 9.366833 | 0.00 | % | ||
| SVR.C | 7.403131 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares Alternatives Completion Portfolio Builder Fund | XAL | 28.086225 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF | XBB | 30.987701 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF | XBM | 12.989277 | 1.67 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI® Brazil Index ETF | XBZ | 13.501834 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF | XCB | 21.265344 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XCD | 25.386695 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF | XCG | 27.363983 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares China Index ETF | XCH | 21.757014 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Conservative Core Portfolio Builder Fund | XCR | 23.555533 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF | XCS | 14.770154 | 5.41 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Value Index ETF | XCV | 24.078276 | 3.71 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF | XDV | 25.250516 | 0.77 | % | ||
| iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XEB | 21.715820 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF | XEC | 22.251246 | 0.01 | % | ||
| iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF | XEF | 23.700168 | 3.56 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF | XEG | 16.442806 | 6.99 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XEH | 20.008348 | 2.52 | % | ||
| iShares Core S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF | XEI | 22.551156 | 4.05 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF | XEM | 26.855759 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Jantzi Social Index® ETF | XEN | 21.784826 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF | XEU | 19.303276 | 0.05 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF | XFN | 31.607924 | 2.01 | % | ||
| iShares Floating Rate Index ETF | XFR | 20.136167 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Government Bond Index ETF | XGB | 21.506216 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Global Completion Portfolio Builder Fund | XGC | 29.114427 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF | XGD | 8.395615 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P Global Industrials Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XGI | 25.119765 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Growth Core Portfolio Builder Fund | XGR | 26.940348 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF | XHB | 21.060922 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Global Healthcare Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XHC | 38.503207 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XHD | 25.329116 | 3.17 | % | ||
| iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XHY | 21.528260 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF | XIC | 23.147176 | 1.77 | % | ||
| iShares India Index ETF | XID | 27.171461 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XIG | 23.177353 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI EAFE® Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XIN | 22.485214 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF | XIT | 10.428657 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF | XIU | 21.407197 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Latin America Index ETF | XLA | 17.406595 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF | XLB | 22.893393 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETF | XMA | 11.299876 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Completion Index ETF | XMD | 24.280349 | 0.40 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index ETF | XMI | 28.018868 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility Index ETF | XMM | 25.014062 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index ETF | XMU | 30.269927 | 2.11 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI Canada Minimum Volatility Index ETF | XMV | 25.930269 | 1.33 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI All Country World Minimum Volatility Index ETF | XMW | 28.039044 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XPF | 19.781420 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF | XQB | 20.519525 | 0.18 | % | ||
| XQB.A | 20.501712 | 0.00 | % | |||
| iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XQQ | 34.623271 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF | XRB | 24.123226 | 1.53 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF | XRE | 16.596685 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF | XSB | 28.533960 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate + Maple Bond Index ETF | XSH | 19.795126 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XSP | 23.320705 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core Short Term High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF | XSQ | 19.987151 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF | XST | 38.811772 | 0.43 | % | ||
| iShares U.S. Small Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | XSU | 25.385077 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF | XTR | 12.141399 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF | XUS | 28.447630 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF | XUT | 20.390229 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares S&P/TSX Venture Index ETF | XVX | 9.421475 | 0.00 | % | ||
| iShares MSCI World Index ETF | XWD | 35.557167 | 0.27 | % |
Reasons for some of the larger estimated annual reinvested capital gains distributions are as follows:
CDZ
The iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF ("CDZ") experienced capital gains in 2014 primarily due to the appreciation of securities held in its portfolio, and realized on the sale of securities in connection with quarterly index rebalances. Some of the larger components of the gains were realized on the disposition of shares in AG Growth International Inc., Keyera Corp., and Constellation Software Inc.
CHB
The iShares Advantaged U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) ("CHB") is expected to, and does, realize capital gains in connection with its legacy forward agreement through which it obtains exposure to its reference fund.
CLU
The iShares US Fundamental Index ETF experienced capital gains in 2014 primarily due to appreciation of securities held in its portfolio due to the strong performance of US equity markets, with gains realized on the sale of certain portfolio securities, such as Bank of America Corp., Sprint Corp., Rite Aid Corp., Wells Fargo and Co., and Exxon Mobil Corp. Gains in the currency hedged classes of units (CLU and CLU.A) were lower than those experienced in the non-hedged classes of units of the fund (CLU.B and CLU.C) due to the existence of realized losses on foreign currency hedging instruments in the currency hedged classes of units.
CRQ
The iShares Canadian Fundamental Index ETF ("CRQ") experienced capital gains in 2014 as a result of the appreciation of securities held in its portfolio, with gains realized on the sale of certain securities, such as Manulife Financial Corp., Magna International Inc., and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.
CSD
The iShares Advantaged Short Duration High Income ETF (CAD-Hedged) ("CSD") is expected to, and does, realize capital gains in connection with its legacy forward agreement through which it obtains exposure to its reference fund.
XCS
The iShares S&P/TSX Small Cap Index ETF ("XCS") realized capital gains in 2014 on the disposition of securities held as part of the normal course of operations, including index rebalances, for which there were embedded gains based on strong past performance.
XCV
The iShares Canadian Value Index ETF ("XCV") experienced capital gains in 2014 primarily due to the appreciation of securities held in its portfolio, and realized on the sale of securities in connection with semi-annual index rebalances. Some of the larger components of the gains were realized on the disposition of shares in Magna International Inc., Toronto Dominion Bank, and Royal Bank of Canada.
XEF
The iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF ("XEF") realized capital gains in 2014 in connection with changes implemented to its portfolio, which moved from a fund-of-fund investment to directly-held investments.
XEG
The iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF ("XEG") realized capital gains in 2014 on the disposition of securities held as part of the normal course of operations, including index rebalances, for which there were embedded gains based on strong past performance. Some of the larger components of the gains were realized on the disposition of shares in Suncor Energy Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
XEI
The iShares Core S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF ("XEI") experienced capital gains in 2014 primarily due to the appreciation of securities held in its portfolio, and realized on the sale of securities in connection with quarterly index rebalances. Some of the larger components of the gains were realized on the disposition of shares in Pembina Pipeline Corp., Vermilion Energy Inc., and Aimia Inc.
Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at www.blackrock.com/ca.
Forward-looking information
This notice contains forward-looking statements with respect to the annual reinvested capital gains distributions for the iShares Funds. By their nature, these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual distributions to differ materially from the estimated distributions set forth in this notice. Factors that could cause the actual distributions to differ from the estimated distributions between now and December 15, 2014 (the iShares Funds' tax year end) include, but are not limited to: the actual amounts of distributions received by the iShares Funds; the actual amounts of capital gains generated from sales of securities; trading activity within the iShares Funds, including buying and selling of securities; index changes which cause rebalancing within the iShares Funds; and subscription and redemption activity.
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At September 30, 2014, BlackRock's AUM was US$4.525 trillion. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of September 30, 2014, the firm had approximately 12,100 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com/ca / Twitter: @BlackRockCA / Blog: www.blackrockblog.com/can
About iShares ETFs
The iShares business is the global product leader in exchange traded funds with over 600 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 20 exchanges worldwide. The iShares Funds are bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges. The iShares Funds are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relative low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. The iShares customer base consists of the institutional segment of pension plans and fund managers, as well as the retail segment of financial advisors and high net worth individuals.
iShares® Funds are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.
Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares Funds. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.
Maeve Hannigan
416-643-4058
Maeve.Hannigan@blackrock.com
