Blackrock® Announces Estimated December Cash Distributions for the iShares® Funds

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 18, 2013) - (TSX:CAB)(TSX:CAB.A)(TSX:CBD)(TSX:CBD.A)(TSX:CBH)(TSX:CBH.A)(TSX:CBN)(TSX:CBN.A)(TSX:CBO)(TSX:CBO.A)(TSX:CBQ)(TSX:CBQ.A)(TSX:CBR)(TSX:CBR.A)(TSX:CDZ)(TSX:CDZ.A)(TSX:CEW)(TSX:CEW.A)(TSX:CGR)(TSX:CGR.A)(TSX:CGL)(TSX:CGL.C)(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:FIE)(TSX:FIE.A)(TSX:SVR)(TSX:SVR.C)(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:XEI)(TSX:XEM)(TSX:XEN)(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:XQQ)(TSX:XRB)(TSX:XRE)(TSX:XSB)(TSX:XSH)(TSX:XSP)(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 December 2013 cash distributions for the iShares funds listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Unitholders of record of a fund on December 31, 2013 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that fund on January 6, 2014. 

Details regarding the estimated "per unit" cash distribution amounts are as follows:

BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on December 24, 2013, which will provide the final amounts for all funds except the iShares Premium Money Market ETF, for which a press release will be issued on December 30, 2013. Generally, with the exception of the iShares Premium Money Market ETF, the Cash Distribution Per Unit is expected to increase if the net units outstanding of a fund decreases between December 16, 2013 and December 24, 2013 or may change for other unforeseen factors.

Further information on the iShares funds can be found at www.iShares.ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At September 30, 2013, BlackRock's AUM was US$4.096 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 September 30, 2013, the firm has approximately 11,200 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® 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. Fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurances that the fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount of that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you. The fund is not guaranteed, its 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. 

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. 

© 2013 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. All rights reserved. iSHARES® and BLACKROCK® are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used with permission.