BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) announced today that its US-listed iShares
Minimum Volatility suite of funds has crossed $4bn in AUM.1
Launched in October 2011, iShares Minimum Volatility funds are designed
to help investors reduce volatility and improve risk-adjusted returns in
popular domestic and international equity exposures. These funds provide
investors with exposure to the upside price movement of developed and
emerging equity markets, while seeking to provide a portfolio with
downside protection.
Since January, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility ETF
(NYSEArca: EEMV) and iShares MSCI U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (NYSEArca:
USMV) both crossed $1bn in assets, attracting $553.9mn and $787.8mn in
new flows, respectively.2 These products are the 6th
and 7th U.S. ETFs launched in the last two years to reach
$1bn in net assets.
iShares offers the following suite of minimum volatility products:
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iShares
MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility ETF (NYSEArca: EEMV)
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iShares
MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility ETF (NYSEArca: EFAV)
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iShares
MSCI USA Minimum Volatility ETF (NYSEArca: USMV)
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iShares
All Country World Minimum Volatility ETF (NYSEArca: ACWV)
Daniel Gamba, Head of iShares Americas Institutional Business at
BlackRock commented:
“In an environment in which macro uncertainty continues to lead to
financial market volatility, investors are complimenting their
portfolios with iShares Minimum Volatility suite of products. Clients
are attracted to iShares Minimum Volatility products for the risk-reward
trade-offs and ease of implementations these ETFs offer. Investors also
recognize there is significant evidence that Minimum Volatility funds
improve risk-adjusted returns, while also cushioning portfolios during
periods of heightened turbulence.”
For additional commentary on Minimum Volatility funds, please see iShares
Market Perspectives - A Smoother Ride?
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and
advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At
December 31, 2012, BlackRock’s AUM was $3.792 trillion. BlackRock offers
products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients’ needs, including
active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes.
Products are offered in a variety of structures including 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 December 31, 2012, the firm has approximately
10,500 employees in 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.
About iShares
iShares is a 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.
Carefully consider the iShares Funds’ investment objectives, risk
factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other
information can be found in the Funds’ prospectuses, which may be
obtained by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) or by visiting www.iShares.com.
Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
Transactions in shares of the iShares Funds will result in brokerage
commissions and will generate tax consequences. iShares Funds are
obliged to distribute portfolio gains to shareholders. Shares of the
iShares Funds may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any
brokerage account. However, shares may only be redeemed directly from a
Fund by Authorized Participants, in very large creation/redemption
units. Diversification may not protect against market risk. The Minimum
Volatility funds may experience more than minimum volatility as there is
no guarantee that the underlying index's strategy of seeking to lower
volatility will be successful.
The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC
(together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).
© 2013 BlackRock. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK
are registered trademarks of BlackRock. All other marks are those of
their respective owners.
1 Source: BlackRock, Bloomberg data as of 2/21/13
2 Source: BlackRock, Bloomberg data as of 2/21/13
