Blackrock® Announces Revised Estimated Annual Reinvested 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 annual reinvested distributions for the iShares^® Funds listed below for the 2013 tax year. Please note that these are estimated amounts only as of December 15, 2013 and could change if the iShares Funds experience subscriptions or redemptions prior to the ex-dividend date.

These estimates generally represent the year-end capital gains distributions, which will be reinvested in additional units of the respective iShares Funds rather than paid in cash, and do not include estimates of ongoing monthly, quarterly, or semi-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 year-end reinvested distribution amounts, as well as the monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual cash distribution amounts, on or about December 24, 2013. The ex-dividend date for the 2013 annual distributions will be December 27, 2013. The record date for the 2013 annual distributions will be December 31, 2013, payable on January 6, 2014. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2013, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or "CDS") in early 2014.

Please refer to the press release on November 19, 2013 for additional information regarding iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF and iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF.

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.