Funds seek to address need for investment income, with access to
dividend-paying companies in emerging markets and Asia/Pacific developed
markets
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) today announced that its iShares® Exchange
Traded Funds (ETFs) business, the world's largest manager of ETFs, has
launched two new dividend-focused equity funds designed to access the
fast-growing emerging markets and Asia/Pacific developed markets. Listed
on the NYSE Arca, the funds are the iShares Emerging Markets Dividend
Index Fund (NYSEArca: DVYE) and the iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend 30
Index Fund (NYSEArca: DVYA).
The launch of these funds expands the existing suite of iShares dividend
ETFs with the goal of delivering a global tool kit of equity income
solutions. iShares launched the first US-listed dividend ETF (NYSEArca:
DVY) in 2003; the fund currently has over $10 billion in assets1.
“In today’s market environment, traditional sources of income are
offering historically low yields,” said Darek Wojnar, Head of US iShares
Product Development and Management at BlackRock. “Emerging markets and
the developed markets in the Asia/Pacific region are expected to lead
global economic growth and offer an attractive opportunity for
investment income in the near term. Income-seeking investors can use our
dividend–paying funds to efficiently take advantage of potential
economic growth in these regions, and possibly reduce portfolio
volatility compared with growth-oriented stocks.”
“The new iShares funds are well positioned to marry international growth
potential with the value characteristics of dividend solutions in an
ETF,” Wojnar continued. “The funds also offer investors the added
benefit of a liquid investment approach, representing flexibility in
establishing and adjusting allocations. A basket of high dividend-paying
equities can often provide investors a cost-effective, transparent way
to diversify their global equity income stream.”
The iShares Emerging Market Dividend Index Fund is benchmarked to the
Dow Jones Emerging Market Select Dividend Index. The index offers
exposure to 100 dividend-paying emerging market companies, weighted by
indicated annual yield. The top sector holdings are Telecomm,
Industrials and Basic Materials.
The iShares Asia/Pacific Dividend 30 Index Fund is benchmarked to the
Dow Jones Asia/Pacific Select Dividend 30 Index. The index offers
exposure to 30 dividend-paying companies in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan,
New Zealand and Singapore, weighted by indicated annual yield. The top
sector holdings are Financials, Consumer Services and Telecomm.
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and
advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At
December 31, 2011, BlackRock’s AUM was $3.513 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, 2011, the firm has
approximately 10,100 employees in 27 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 the global product leader in exchange traded funds with over
500 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 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.
In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international
investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable
fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted
accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other
nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same
factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume.
Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. There
is no guarantee that dividends will be paid. Diversification may not
protect against market risk.
Holdings are subject to change.
This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a
specific time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a
guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon
by the reader as research or investment advice regarding the funds or
any security in particular.
The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational
purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or
sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any
security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be
effective.
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. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for
shares of an ETF will develop or be maintained.
The iShares Funds ("Funds") are distributed by SEI Investments
Distribution Co. ("SEI"). BlackRock Fund Advisors ("BFA") serves as the
investment advisor to the Funds. BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”),
assists in the marketing of the Funds. BFA and BRIL are affiliates of
BlackRock, Inc., none of which is affiliated with SEI.
The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted
by Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC, nor does this company make any
representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds.
Neither SEI, nor BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., nor any of
their affiliates, are affiliated with the company listed above.
* Not FDIC Insured * No Bank Guarantee * May Lose Value
1 BlackRock 2/22/12
Media Relations
BlackRock, Inc.
Christine Hudacko,
415-670-2687
christine.hudacko@blackrock.com
Source: BlackRock, Inc.