BlackRock Target Allocation Funds
JANUARY 27, 2023
 Prospectus
BlackRock Funds II  |  Investor, Institutional and Class R Shares
BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A: BACPX • Investor C: BCCPX • Institutional: BICPX • Class R: BRCPX
BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A: BAMPX • Investor C: BCMPX • Institutional: BIMPX • Class R: BRMPX
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A: BAGPX • Investor C: BCGPX • Institutional: BIGPX • Class R: BRGPX
BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A: BAAPX • Investor C: BCAPX • Institutional: BIAPX • Class R: BRAPX
This Prospectus contains information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


Table of Contents

    
Fund Overview Key facts and details about the Funds listed in this prospectus, including investment objectives, principal investment strategies, principal risk factors, fee and expense information and historical performance information  
 
3
 
13
 
23
 
33
    
Details About the Funds
43
 
47
 
74
    
Account Information Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments  
 
132
 
136
 
141
 
142
 
148
 
149
 
150
 
150
    
Management of the Funds Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers  
 
152
 
153
 
154
 
154
 
156
    
Financial Highlights
Financial Performance of the Funds

157
   
    
General Information
173
 
173
 
174
    
Glossary
Glossary of Investment Terms

175
   
    
Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies
A-1
    
For More Information
Inside Back Cover
 
Back Cover


Table of Contents
Fund Overview

Key Facts About BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund
Investment Objective

The investment objective of the BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund (“20/80 Fund”or the “Fund”) is to seek a balance between long term capital appreciation and high current income, with an emphasis on income.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to your financial professional or your selected securities dealer, broker, investment adviser, service provider or industry professional (including BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) and its affiliates) (each, a “Financial Intermediary”), which are not reflected in the table and example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the fund complex advised by BlackRock or its affiliates. More information about these and other discounts is available from your Financial Intermediary and in the “Details About the Share Classes” and the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” sections on pages 136 and A-1, respectively, of the Fund’s prospectus and in the “Purchase of Shares” section on page II-90 of Part II of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)   5.25%   None   None   None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)   None1   1.00%2   None   None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Management Fee   None   None   None   None
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees   0.25%   1.00%   None   0.50%
Other Expenses   0.23%   0.20%   0.25%   0.27%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses3   0.16%   0.16%   0.16%   0.16%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3   0.64%   1.36%   0.41%   0.93%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   (0.05)%   (0.02)%   (0.16)%   (0.03)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   0.59%   1.34%   0.25%   0.90%
  
1 A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more.
2 There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year.
3 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
4 As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus on page 152, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund (underlying fund) Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.43% (for Investor A Shares), 1.18% (for Investor C Shares), 0.09% (for Institutional Shares) and 0.74% (for Class R Shares) of average daily net assets through June 30, 2024. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of BlackRock Funds II or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
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return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor A Shares $582 $714 $858 $1,277
Investor C Shares $236 $429 $743 $1,436
Institutional Shares $26 $115 $214 $502
Class R Shares $92 $293 $512 $1,140
  
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor C Shares $136 $429 $743 $1,436
  
Portfolio Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 65% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 20% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 80% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 20%/80%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 30%/70% to 10%/90%. Although variations beyond the 10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
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Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Through its investments in underlying funds, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with the underlying funds’ investments. Please see “Details About the Funds — Investment Risks — Principal Risks of the Underlying Funds” for a description of these risks. The following is a summary description of principal risks of investing in the Fund. The relative significance of each risk factor below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully. 
Investments in Mutual Funds and ETFs Risk The Fund’s investments are concentrated in underlying BlackRock funds, so the Fund’s investment performance is directly related to the performance of the underlying funds. The Fund may also directly invest in ETFs. The Fund’s net asset value will change with changes in the equity and bond markets and the value of the mutual funds, ETFs and other securities in which it invests. An investment in the Fund will entail more direct and indirect costs and expenses than a direct investment in the underlying funds and ETFs. For example, the Fund indirectly pays a portion of the expenses (including operating expenses and management fees) incurred by the underlying funds and ETFs.
Allocation Risk — The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon BlackRock’s skill in determining the Fund’s strategic asset class allocation and in selecting the best mix of underlying funds and direct investments. There is a risk that BlackRock’s evaluations and assumptions regarding asset classes or underlying funds may be incorrect in view of actual market conditions. In addition, the asset allocation or the combination of underlying funds determined by BlackRock could result in underperformance as compared to funds with similar investment objectives and strategies.
Affiliated Fund Risk In managing the Fund, BlackRock will have authority to select and substitute underlying funds. BlackRock may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in selecting underlying funds because the fees paid to BlackRock by some underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other underlying funds. However, BlackRock is a fiduciary to the Fund and is legally obligated to act in the Fund’s best interests when selecting underlying funds. If an underlying fund holds interests in an affiliated fund, the Fund may be prohibited from purchasing shares of that underlying fund.
Commodities Related Investments Risk Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things.
  Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.
  The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low interest rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. (Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates.) The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management.
  To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.
  These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not 
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  its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.
  A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance.
  Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
  Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall.
  Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.
Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:
  Leverage Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives can magnify the Fund’s gains and losses. Relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a derivatives position and can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.
  Market Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value.
  Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will be unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligation, and the related risks of having concentrated exposure to such a counterparty.
  Illiquidity Risk — The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.
  Operational Risk — The use of derivatives includes the risk of potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate controls and human error.
  Legal Risk — The risk of insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract.
  Volatility and Correlation Risk — Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.
  Valuation Risk — Valuation for derivatives may not be readily available in the market. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them.
  Hedging Risk — Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences.
  Tax Risk — Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments.
  Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, with respect to uncleared swaps, swap dealers are required to collect variation margin from the Fund and may be required by applicable regulations to collect initial margin from the Fund. Both initial and variation margin may be comprised of cash and/or securities, subject to applicable regulatory haircuts. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not 
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  be posted as collateral under applicable regulations. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.
Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.
Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: 
The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.
The governments of certain countries, or the U.S. Government with respect to certain countries, may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions through capital controls and/or sanctions on foreign investments in the capital markets or certain industries in those countries, which may prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer currency, securities, derivatives or other assets.
Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.
Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.
The Fund’s claims to recover foreign withholding taxes may not be successful, and if the likelihood of recovery of foreign withholding taxes materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Fund’s net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value.
The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. 
Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and may cause income and principal losses for the Fund.
Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or 
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  issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
  An outbreak of an infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in December 2019 developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of the pandemic and its effects cannot be predicted with certainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies.
Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities.
Risk of Investing in the United States The Fund and certain Underlying Funds have significant exposure to United States issuers. Certain changes in the United States economy, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets decline, may have an adverse effect on the securities to which the Fund or the Underlying Funds have exposure.
Small Cap and Emerging Growth Securities Risk — Small cap or emerging growth companies may have limited product lines or markets. They may be less financially secure than larger, more established companies. They may depend on a more limited management group than larger capitalized companies. 
Performance Information

The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s returns prior to June 3, 2015 as reflected in the bar chart and the table are the returns of the Fund that followed a different investment objective and different investment strategies under the name “BlackRock Conservative Prepared Portfolio.” The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index and a customized weighted index comprised of the returns of the MSCI All Country World Index (the “MSCI ACWI Index”) (14%), MSCI USA Index (6%) and Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (80%).
To the extent that dividends and distributions have been paid by the Fund, the performance information for the Fund in the chart and table assumes reinvestment of the dividends and distributions. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart. If they were, returns would be less than those shown. However, the table includes all applicable fees and sales charges. If the Fund’s investment manager and its affiliates had not waived or reimbursed certain Fund expenses during these periods, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current net asset value, can be obtained by visiting http://www.blackrock.com or can be obtained by phone at 800-882-0052.
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Investor A Shares
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
20/80 Fund
As of 12/31
During the ten-year period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 7.20% (quarter ended June 30, 2020) and the lowest return for a quarter was -8.26% (quarter ended June 30, 2022).
For the periods ended 12/31/22
Average Annual Total Returns
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund — Investor A Shares      
Return Before Taxes (19.41)% 0.26% 3.01%
Return After Taxes on Distributions (20.37)% (1.00)% 1.59%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares (11.43)% (0.13)% 1.91%
BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund — Investor C Shares      
Return Before Taxes (16.42)% 0.58% 2.95%
BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund — Institutional Shares      
Return Before Taxes (14.66)% 1.69% 3.93%
BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund — Class R Shares      
Return Before Taxes (15.14)% 1.04% 3.27%
Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (12.99)% 0.18% 1.33%
MSCI ACWI Index (14%); MSCI USA Index (6%); Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (80%) (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (14.06)% 1.65% 3.02%
  
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Investor A Shares only, and the after-tax returns for Investor C, Institutional and Class R Shares will vary.
Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (previously defined as “BlackRock”).
Portfolio Managers

Name Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
Title
Michael Gates, CFA 2015 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
Lisa O’Connor, CFA 2019 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
  
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. To purchase or sell shares you should contact your Financial Intermediary, or, if you hold your shares through the Fund, you should contact the Fund by phone at (800) 441-7762, by mail (c/o BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019), or by the Internet at www.blackrock.com. The Fund’s initial and subsequent investment minimums generally are as follows, although the Fund may reduce or waive the minimums in some cases:
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  Investor A and Investor C Shares Institutional Shares Class R Shares
Minimum Initial
Investment
$1,000 for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan.
• There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs).
• There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs.
There is no minimum initial investment for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
• Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform.
• Clients investing through a self-directed IRA brokerage account program sponsored by a retirement plan record-keeper, provided that such program offers only mutual fund options and that the program maintains an account with the Fund on an omnibus basis.
$2 million for individuals and “Institutional Investors,” which include, but are not limited to, endowments, foundations, family offices, local, city, and state governmental institutions, corporations and insurance company separate accounts who may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
$1,000 for:
• Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund.
• Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons.
$100 for all accounts.
Minimum Additional
Investment
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). No subsequent minimum. No subsequent minimum.
  
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Tax Information

The Fund’s dividends and distributions may be subject to U.S. federal income taxes and may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or are investing through a qualified tax-exempt plan described in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in which case you may be subject to U.S. federal income tax when distributions are received from such tax-deferred arrangements.
Payments to Broker/Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary, the Fund and BlackRock Investments, LLC, the Fund’s distributor, or its affiliates may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment.
Ask your individual financial professional or visit your Financial Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Fund Overview

Key Facts About BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund
Investment Objective

The investment objective of the BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund (“40/60 Fund”or the “Fund”) is to seek a balance between long term capital appreciation and high current income, with an emphasis on income.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to your financial professional or your selected securities dealer, broker, investment adviser, service provider or industry professional (including BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) and its affiliates) (each, a “Financial Intermediary”), which are not reflected in the table and example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the fund complex advised by BlackRock or its affiliates. More information about these and other discounts is available from your Financial Intermediary and in the “Details About the Share Classes” and the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” sections on pages 136 and A-1, respectively, of the Fund’s prospectus and in the “Purchase of Shares” section on page II-90 of Part II of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)   5.25%   None   None   None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)   None1   1.00%2   None   None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Management Fee   None   None   None   None
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees   0.25%   1.00%   None   0.50%
Other Expenses   0.23%   0.20%   0.27%   0.30%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses3   0.18%   0.18%   0.18%   0.18%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3   0.66%   1.38%   0.45%   0.98%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   (0.05)%   (0.02)%   (0.18)%   (0.21)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   0.61%   1.36%   0.27%   0.77%
  
1 A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more.
2 There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year.
3 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
4 As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus on page 152, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund (underlying fund) Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.43% (for Investor A Shares), 1.18% (for Investor C Shares), 0.09% (for Institutional Shares) and 0.59% (for Class R Shares) of average daily net assets through June 30, 2024. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of BlackRock Funds II or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
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return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor A Shares $584 $720 $869 $1,300
Investor C Shares $238 $435 $753 $1,459
Institutional Shares $28 $126 $234 $549
Class R Shares $79 $291 $521 $1,182
  
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor C Shares $138 $435 $753 $1,459
  
Portfolio Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 63% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 40% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 60% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 40%/60%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 50%/50% to 30%/70%. Although variations beyond the 10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
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Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Through its investments in underlying funds, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with the underlying funds’ investments. Please see “Details About the Funds — Investment Risks — Principal Risks of the Underlying Funds” for a description of these risks. The following is a summary description of principal risks of investing in the Fund. The relative significance of each risk factor below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully. 
Investments in Mutual Funds and ETFs Risk The Fund’s investments are concentrated in underlying BlackRock funds, so the Fund’s investment performance is directly related to the performance of the underlying funds. The Fund may also directly invest in ETFs. The Fund’s net asset value will change with changes in the equity and bond markets and the value of the mutual funds, ETFs and other securities in which it invests. An investment in the Fund will entail more direct and indirect costs and expenses than a direct investment in the underlying funds and ETFs. For example, the Fund indirectly pays a portion of the expenses (including operating expenses and management fees) incurred by the underlying funds and ETFs.
Allocation Risk — The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon BlackRock’s skill in determining the Fund’s strategic asset class allocation and in selecting the best mix of underlying funds and direct investments. There is a risk that BlackRock’s evaluations and assumptions regarding asset classes or underlying funds may be incorrect in view of actual market conditions. In addition, the asset allocation or the combination of underlying funds determined by BlackRock could result in underperformance as compared to funds with similar investment objectives and strategies.
Affiliated Fund Risk In managing the Fund, BlackRock will have authority to select and substitute underlying funds. BlackRock may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in selecting underlying funds because the fees paid to BlackRock by some underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other underlying funds. However, BlackRock is a fiduciary to the Fund and is legally obligated to act in the Fund’s best interests when selecting underlying funds. If an underlying fund holds interests in an affiliated fund, the Fund may be prohibited from purchasing shares of that underlying fund.
Commodities Related Investments Risk Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things.
  Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.
  The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low interest rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. (Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates.) The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management.
  To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.
  These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not 
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  its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.
  A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance.
  Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
  Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall.
  Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.
Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:
  Leverage Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives can magnify the Fund’s gains and losses. Relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a derivatives position and can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.
  Market Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value.
  Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will be unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligation, and the related risks of having concentrated exposure to such a counterparty.
  Illiquidity Risk — The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.
  Operational Risk — The use of derivatives includes the risk of potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate controls and human error.
  Legal Risk — The risk of insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract.
  Volatility and Correlation Risk — Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.
  Valuation Risk — Valuation for derivatives may not be readily available in the market. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them.
  Hedging Risk — Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences.
  Tax Risk — Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments.
  Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, with respect to uncleared swaps, swap dealers are required to collect variation margin from the Fund and may be required by applicable regulations to collect initial margin from the Fund. Both initial and variation margin may be comprised of cash and/or securities, subject to applicable regulatory haircuts. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not 
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  be posted as collateral under applicable regulations. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.
Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.
Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: 
The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.
The governments of certain countries, or the U.S. Government with respect to certain countries, may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions through capital controls and/or sanctions on foreign investments in the capital markets or certain industries in those countries, which may prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer currency, securities, derivatives or other assets.
Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.
Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.
The Fund’s claims to recover foreign withholding taxes may not be successful, and if the likelihood of recovery of foreign withholding taxes materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Fund’s net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value.
The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. 
Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and may cause income and principal losses for the Fund.
Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or 
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  issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
  An outbreak of an infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in December 2019 developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of the pandemic and its effects cannot be predicted with certainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies.
Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities.
Risk of Investing in the United States The Fund and certain Underlying Funds have significant exposure to United States issuers. Certain changes in the United States economy, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets decline, may have an adverse effect on the securities to which the Fund or the Underlying Funds have exposure.
Small Cap and Emerging Growth Securities Risk — Small cap or emerging growth companies may have limited product lines or markets. They may be less financially secure than larger, more established companies. They may depend on a more limited management group than larger capitalized companies. 
Performance Information

The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s returns prior to June 3, 2015 as reflected in the bar chart and the table are the returns of the Fund that followed a different investment objective and different investment strategies under the name “BlackRock Moderate Prepared Portfolio.” The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the MSCI All Country World Index (the “MSCI ACWI Index”) and a customized weighted index comprised of the returns of the MSCI ACWI Index (28%), MSCI USA Index (12%) and Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (60%).
To the extent that dividends and distributions have been paid by the Fund, the performance information for the Fund in the chart and table assumes reinvestment of the dividends and distributions. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart. If they were, returns would be less than those shown. However, the table includes all applicable fees and sales charges. If the Fund’s investment manager and its affiliates had not waived or reimbursed certain Fund expenses during these periods, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current net asset value, can be obtained by visiting http://www.blackrock.com or can be obtained by phone at 800-882-0052.
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Investor A Shares
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
40/60 Fund
As of 12/31
During the ten-year period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 10.99% (quarter ended June 30, 2020) and the lowest return for a quarter was -9.99% (quarter ended June 30, 2022).
For the periods ended 12/31/22
Average Annual Total Returns
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund — Investor A Shares      
Return Before Taxes (19.54)% 2.00% 4.90%
Return After Taxes on Distributions (20.28)% 0.65% 3.33%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares (11.45)% 1.28% 3.46%
BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund — Investor C Shares      
Return Before Taxes (16.57)% 2.34% 4.83%
BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund — Institutional Shares      
Return Before Taxes (14.85)% 3.44% 5.82%
BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund — Class R Shares      
Return Before Taxes (15.21)% 2.95% 5.31%
MSCI ACWI Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (18.36)% 5.23% 7.98%
MSCI ACWI Index (28%); MSCI USA Index (12%); Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (60%) (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (15.17)% 3.01% 4.65%
  
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Investor A Shares only, and the after-tax returns for Investor C, Institutional and Class R Shares will vary.
Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (previously defined as “BlackRock”).
Portfolio Managers

Name Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
Title
Michael Gates, CFA 2015 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
Lisa O’Connor, CFA 2019 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
  
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. To purchase or sell shares you should contact your Financial Intermediary, or, if you hold your shares through the Fund, you should contact the Fund by phone at (800) 441-7762, by mail (c/o BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019), or by the Internet at www.blackrock.com. The Fund’s initial and subsequent investment minimums generally are as follows, although the Fund may reduce or waive the minimums in some cases:
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  Investor A and Investor C Shares Institutional Shares Class R Shares
Minimum Initial
Investment
$1,000 for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan.
• There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs).
• There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs.
There is no minimum initial investment for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
• Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform.
• Clients investing through a self-directed IRA brokerage account program sponsored by a retirement plan record-keeper, provided that such program offers only mutual fund options and that the program maintains an account with the Fund on an omnibus basis.
$2 million for individuals and “Institutional Investors,” which include, but are not limited to, endowments, foundations, family offices, local, city, and state governmental institutions, corporations and insurance company separate accounts who may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
$1,000 for:
• Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund.
• Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons.
$100 for all accounts.
Minimum Additional
Investment
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). No subsequent minimum. No subsequent minimum.
  
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Tax Information

The Fund’s dividends and distributions may be subject to U.S. federal income taxes and may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or are investing through a qualified tax-exempt plan described in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in which case you may be subject to U.S. federal income tax when distributions are received from such tax-deferred arrangements.
Payments to Broker/Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary, the Fund and BlackRock Investments, LLC, the Fund’s distributor, or its affiliates may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment.
Ask your individual financial professional or visit your Financial Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Fund Overview

Key Facts About BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund
Investment Objective

The investment objective of the BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund (“60/40 Fund”or the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation. Current income is also a consideration.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to your financial professional or your selected securities dealer, broker, investment adviser, service provider or industry professional (including BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) and its affiliates) (each, a “Financial Intermediary”), which are not reflected in the table and example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the fund complex advised by BlackRock or its affiliates. More information about these and other discounts is available from your Financial Intermediary and in the “Details About the Share Classes” and the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” sections on pages 136 and A-1, respectively, of the Fund’s prospectus and in the “Purchase of Shares” section on page II-90 of Part II of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)   5.25%   None   None   None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)   None1   1.00%2   None   None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Management Fee   None   None   None   None
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees   0.25%   1.00%   None   0.50%
Other Expenses   0.20%   0.18%   0.26%   0.30%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses3   0.19%   0.19%   0.19%   0.19%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3   0.64%   1.37%   0.45%   0.99%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   (0.02)%     (0.17)%   (0.18)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   0.62%   1.37%   0.28%   0.81%
  
1 A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more.
2 There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year.
3 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
4 As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus on page 152, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund (underlying fund) Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.43% (for Investor A Shares), 1.18% (for Investor C Shares), 0.09% (for Institutional Shares) and 0.62% (for Class R Shares) of average daily net assets through June 30, 2024. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of BlackRock Funds II or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
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return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor A Shares $585 $717 $861 $1,280
Investor C Shares $239 $434 $750 $1,446
Institutional Shares $29 $127 $235 $550
Class R Shares $83 $297 $530 $1,197
  
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor C Shares $139 $434 $750 $1,446
  
Portfolio Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 58% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 60% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 40% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 60%/40%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 70%/30% to 50%/50%. Although variations beyond the 10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
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Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Through its investments in underlying funds, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with the underlying funds’ investments. Please see “Details About the Funds — Investment Risks — Principal Risks of the Underlying Funds” for a description of these risks. The following is a summary description of principal risks of investing in the Fund. The relative significance of each risk factor below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully. 
Investments in Mutual Funds and ETFs Risk The Fund’s investments are concentrated in underlying BlackRock funds, so the Fund’s investment performance is directly related to the performance of the underlying funds. The Fund may also directly invest in ETFs. The Fund’s net asset value will change with changes in the equity and bond markets and the value of the mutual funds, ETFs and other securities in which it invests. An investment in the Fund will entail more direct and indirect costs and expenses than a direct investment in the underlying funds and ETFs. For example, the Fund indirectly pays a portion of the expenses (including operating expenses and management fees) incurred by the underlying funds and ETFs.
Allocation Risk — The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon BlackRock’s skill in determining the Fund’s strategic asset class allocation and in selecting the best mix of underlying funds and direct investments. There is a risk that BlackRock’s evaluations and assumptions regarding asset classes or underlying funds may be incorrect in view of actual market conditions. In addition, the asset allocation or the combination of underlying funds determined by BlackRock could result in underperformance as compared to funds with similar investment objectives and strategies.
Affiliated Fund Risk In managing the Fund, BlackRock will have authority to select and substitute underlying funds. BlackRock may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in selecting underlying funds because the fees paid to BlackRock by some underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other underlying funds. However, BlackRock is a fiduciary to the Fund and is legally obligated to act in the Fund’s best interests when selecting underlying funds. If an underlying fund holds interests in an affiliated fund, the Fund may be prohibited from purchasing shares of that underlying fund.
Commodities Related Investments Risk Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things.
  Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.
  The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low interest rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. (Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates.) The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management.
  To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.
  These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not 
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  its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.
  A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance.
  Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
  Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall.
  Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.
Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:
  Leverage Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives can magnify the Fund’s gains and losses. Relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a derivatives position and can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.
  Market Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value.
  Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will be unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligation, and the related risks of having concentrated exposure to such a counterparty.
  Illiquidity Risk — The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.
  Operational Risk — The use of derivatives includes the risk of potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate controls and human error.
  Legal Risk — The risk of insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract.
  Volatility and Correlation Risk — Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.
  Valuation Risk — Valuation for derivatives may not be readily available in the market. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them.
  Hedging Risk — Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences.
  Tax Risk — Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments.
  Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, with respect to uncleared swaps, swap dealers are required to collect variation margin from the Fund and may be required by applicable regulations to collect initial margin from the Fund. Both initial and variation margin may be comprised of cash and/or securities, subject to applicable regulatory haircuts. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not 
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  be posted as collateral under applicable regulations. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.
Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.
Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: 
The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.
The governments of certain countries, or the U.S. Government with respect to certain countries, may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions through capital controls and/or sanctions on foreign investments in the capital markets or certain industries in those countries, which may prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer currency, securities, derivatives or other assets.
Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.
Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.
The Fund’s claims to recover foreign withholding taxes may not be successful, and if the likelihood of recovery of foreign withholding taxes materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Fund’s net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value.
The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. 
Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and may cause income and principal losses for the Fund.
Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or 
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  issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
  An outbreak of an infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in December 2019 developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of the pandemic and its effects cannot be predicted with certainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies.
Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities.
Risk of Investing in the United States The Fund and certain Underlying Funds have significant exposure to United States issuers. Certain changes in the United States economy, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets decline, may have an adverse effect on the securities to which the Fund or the Underlying Funds have exposure.
Small Cap and Emerging Growth Securities Risk — Small cap or emerging growth companies may have limited product lines or markets. They may be less financially secure than larger, more established companies. They may depend on a more limited management group than larger capitalized companies. 
Performance Information

The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s returns prior to June 3, 2015 as reflected in the bar chart and the table are the returns of the Fund that followed different investment strategies under the name “BlackRock Growth Prepared Portfolio.” The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the MSCI All Country World Index (the “MSCI ACWI Index”) and a customized weighted index comprised of the returns of the MSCI ACWI Index (42%), MSCI USA Index (18%) and Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (40%).
To the extent that dividends and distributions have been paid by the Fund, the performance information for the Fund in the chart and table assumes reinvestment of the dividends and distributions. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart. If they were, returns would be less than those shown. However, the table includes all applicable fees and sales charges. If the Fund’s investment manager and its affiliates had not waived or reimbursed certain Fund expenses during these periods, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current net asset value, can be obtained by visiting http://www.blackrock.com or can be obtained by phone at 800-882-0052.
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Investor A Shares
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
60/40 Fund
As of 12/31
During the ten-year period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 14.55% (quarter ended June 30, 2020) and the lowest return for a quarter was -12.77% (quarter ended March 31, 2020).
For the periods ended 12/31/22
Average Annual Total Returns
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund — Investor A Shares      
Return Before Taxes (20.49)% 3.13% 6.35%
Return After Taxes on Distributions (21.06)% 1.74% 4.94%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares (11.98)% 2.17% 4.73%
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund — Investor C Shares      
Return Before Taxes (17.53)% 3.47% 6.29%
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund — Institutional Shares      
Return Before Taxes (15.80)% 4.61% 7.29%
BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund — Class R Shares      
Return Before Taxes (16.27)% 4.06% 6.72%
MSCI ACWI Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (18.36)% 5.23% 7.98%
MSCI ACWI Index (42%); MSCI USA Index (18%); Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (40%) (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (16.33)% 4.24% 6.22%
  
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Investor A Shares only, and the after-tax returns for Investor C, Institutional and Class R Shares will vary.
Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (previously defined as “BlackRock”).
Portfolio Managers

Name Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
Title
Michael Gates, CFA 2015 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
Lisa O’Connor, CFA 2019 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
  
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. To purchase or sell shares you should contact your Financial Intermediary, or, if you hold your shares through the Fund, you should contact the Fund by phone at (800) 441-7762, by mail (c/o BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019), or by the Internet at www.blackrock.com. The Fund’s initial and subsequent investment minimums generally are as follows, although the Fund may reduce or waive the minimums in some cases:
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  Investor A and Investor C Shares Institutional Shares Class R Shares
Minimum Initial
Investment
$1,000 for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan.
• There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs).
• There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs.
There is no minimum initial investment for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
• Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform.
• Clients investing through a self-directed IRA brokerage account program sponsored by a retirement plan record-keeper, provided that such program offers only mutual fund options and that the program maintains an account with the Fund on an omnibus basis.
$2 million for individuals and “Institutional Investors,” which include, but are not limited to, endowments, foundations, family offices, local, city, and state governmental institutions, corporations and insurance company separate accounts who may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
$1,000 for:
• Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund.
• Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons.
$100 for all accounts.
Minimum Additional
Investment
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). No subsequent minimum. No subsequent minimum.
  
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Tax Information

The Fund’s dividends and distributions may be subject to U.S. federal income taxes and may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or are investing through a qualified tax-exempt plan described in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in which case you may be subject to U.S. federal income tax when distributions are received from such tax-deferred arrangements.
Payments to Broker/Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary, the Fund and BlackRock Investments, LLC, the Fund’s distributor, or its affiliates may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment.
Ask your individual financial professional or visit your Financial Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Fund Overview

Key Facts About BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund
Investment Objective

The investment objective of the BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund (“80/20 Fund”or the “Fund”) is to seek long term capital appreciation. Current income is not a consideration.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to your financial professional or your selected securities dealer, broker, investment adviser, service provider or industry professional (including BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) and its affiliates) (each, a “Financial Intermediary”), which are not reflected in the table and example below. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the fund complex advised by BlackRock or its affiliates. More information about these and other discounts is available from your Financial Intermediary and in the “Details About the Share Classes” and the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” sections on pages 136 and A-1, respectively, of the Fund’s prospectus and in the “Purchase of Shares” section on page II-90 of Part II of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)   5.25%   None   None   None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)   None1   1.00%2   None   None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
  Investor A
Shares
  Investor C
Shares
  Institutional
Shares
  Class R
Shares
Management Fee   None   None   None   None
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees   0.25%   1.00%   None   0.50%
Other Expenses   0.25%   0.20%   0.30%   0.32%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses3   0.20%   0.20%   0.20%   0.20%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3   0.70%   1.40%   0.50%   1.02%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   (0.07)%   (0.02)%   (0.21)%   (0.23)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements4   0.63%   1.38%   0.29%   0.79%
  
1 A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more.
2 There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year.
3 Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
4 As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus on page 152, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund (underlying fund) Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.43% (for Investor A Shares), 1.18% (for Investor C Shares), 0.09% (for Institutional Shares) and 0.59% (for Class R Shares) of average daily net assets through June 30, 2024. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of BlackRock Funds II or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5%
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return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor A Shares $586 $730 $888 $1,344
Investor C Shares $240 $441 $764 $1,487
Institutional Shares $30 $139 $259 $608
Class R Shares $81 $302 $541 $1,227
  
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
  1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Investor C Shares $140 $441 $764 $1,487
  
Portfolio Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 51% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund

The Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 80% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 20% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 80%/20%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 90%/10% to 70%/30%. Although variations beyond the 10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
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Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. Through its investments in underlying funds, the Fund will be subject to the risks associated with the underlying funds’ investments. Please see “Details About the Funds — Investment Risks — Principal Risks of the Underlying Funds” for a description of these risks. The following is a summary description of principal risks of investing in the Fund. The relative significance of each risk factor below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully. 
Investments in Mutual Funds and ETFs Risk The Fund’s investments are concentrated in underlying BlackRock funds, so the Fund’s investment performance is directly related to the performance of the underlying funds. The Fund may also directly invest in ETFs. The Fund’s net asset value will change with changes in the equity and bond markets and the value of the mutual funds, ETFs and other securities in which it invests. An investment in the Fund will entail more direct and indirect costs and expenses than a direct investment in the underlying funds and ETFs. For example, the Fund indirectly pays a portion of the expenses (including operating expenses and management fees) incurred by the underlying funds and ETFs.
Allocation Risk — The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon BlackRock’s skill in determining the Fund’s strategic asset class allocation and in selecting the best mix of underlying funds and direct investments. There is a risk that BlackRock’s evaluations and assumptions regarding asset classes or underlying funds may be incorrect in view of actual market conditions. In addition, the asset allocation or the combination of underlying funds determined by BlackRock could result in underperformance as compared to funds with similar investment objectives and strategies.
Affiliated Fund Risk In managing the Fund, BlackRock will have authority to select and substitute underlying funds. BlackRock may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in selecting underlying funds because the fees paid to BlackRock by some underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other underlying funds. However, BlackRock is a fiduciary to the Fund and is legally obligated to act in the Fund’s best interests when selecting underlying funds. If an underlying fund holds interests in an affiliated fund, the Fund may be prohibited from purchasing shares of that underlying fund.
Commodities Related Investments Risk Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things.
  Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.
  The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low interest rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. (Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates.) The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management.
  To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.
  These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not 
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  its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.
  A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance.
  Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
  Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall.
  Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.
Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:
  Leverage Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives can magnify the Fund’s gains and losses. Relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a derivatives position and can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.
  Market Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value.
  Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will be unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligation, and the related risks of having concentrated exposure to such a counterparty.
  Illiquidity Risk — The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.
  Operational Risk — The use of derivatives includes the risk of potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate controls and human error.
  Legal Risk — The risk of insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract.
  Volatility and Correlation Risk — Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.
  Valuation Risk — Valuation for derivatives may not be readily available in the market. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them.
  Hedging Risk — Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences.
  Tax Risk — Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments.
  Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, with respect to uncleared swaps, swap dealers are required to collect variation margin from the Fund and may be required by applicable regulations to collect initial margin from the Fund. Both initial and variation margin may be comprised of cash and/or securities, subject to applicable regulatory haircuts. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not 
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  be posted as collateral under applicable regulations. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.
Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.
Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: 
The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.
The governments of certain countries, or the U.S. Government with respect to certain countries, may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions through capital controls and/or sanctions on foreign investments in the capital markets or certain industries in those countries, which may prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer currency, securities, derivatives or other assets.
Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.
Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.
The Fund’s claims to recover foreign withholding taxes may not be successful, and if the likelihood of recovery of foreign withholding taxes materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Fund’s net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value.
The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. 
Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and may cause income and principal losses for the Fund.
Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or 
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  issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
  An outbreak of an infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in December 2019 developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of the pandemic and its effects cannot be predicted with certainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies.
Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities.
Risk of Investing in the United States The Fund and certain Underlying Funds have significant exposure to United States issuers. Certain changes in the United States economy, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets decline, may have an adverse effect on the securities to which the Fund or the Underlying Funds have exposure.
Small Cap and Emerging Growth Securities Risk — Small cap or emerging growth companies may have limited product lines or markets. They may be less financially secure than larger, more established companies. They may depend on a more limited management group than larger capitalized companies. 
Performance Information

The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s returns prior to June 3, 2015 as reflected in the bar chart and the table are the returns of the Fund that followed different investment strategies under the name “BlackRock Aggressive Growth Prepared Portfolio.” The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the MSCI All Country World Index (the “MSCI ACWI Index”) and a customized weighted index comprised of the returns of the MSCI ACWI Index (56%), MSCI USA Index (24%) and Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (20%).
To the extent that dividends and distributions have been paid by the Fund, the performance information for the Fund in the chart and table assumes reinvestment of the dividends and distributions. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart. If they were, returns would be less than those shown. However, the table includes all applicable fees and sales charges. If the Fund’s investment manager and its affiliates had not waived or reimbursed certain Fund expenses during these periods, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. Updated information on the Fund’s performance, including its current net asset value, can be obtained by visiting http://www.blackrock.com or can be obtained by phone at 800-882-0052.
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Investor A Shares
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
80/20 Fund
As of 12/31
During the ten-year period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 17.53% (quarter ended June 30, 2020) and the lowest return for a quarter was -16.27% (quarter ended March 31, 2020).
For the periods ended 12/31/22
Average Annual Total Returns
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund — Investor A Shares      
Return Before Taxes (20.78)% 4.32% 7.74%
Return After Taxes on Distributions (21.20)% 3.35% 6.36%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares (12.09)% 3.20% 5.92%
BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund — Investor C Shares      
Return Before Taxes (17.79)% 4.67% 7.68%
BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund — Institutional Shares      
Return Before Taxes (16.16)% 5.81% 8.70%
BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund — Class R Shares      
Return Before Taxes (16.56)% 5.28% 8.15%
MSCI ACWI Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (18.36)% 5.23% 7.98%
MSCI ACWI Index (56%); MSCI USA Index (24%); Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (20%) (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) (17.54)% 5.33% 7.72%
  
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Investor A Shares only, and the after-tax returns for Investor C, Institutional and Class R Shares will vary.
Investment Manager

The Fund’s investment manager is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (previously defined as “BlackRock”).
Portfolio Managers

Name Portfolio Manager
of the Fund Since
Title
Michael Gates, CFA 2015 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
Lisa O’Connor, CFA 2019 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc.
  
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. To purchase or sell shares you should contact your Financial Intermediary, or, if you hold your shares through the Fund, you should contact the Fund by phone at (800) 441-7762, by mail (c/o BlackRock Funds, P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019), or by the Internet at www.blackrock.com. The Fund’s initial and subsequent investment minimums generally are as follows, although the Fund may reduce or waive the minimums in some cases:
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  Investor A and Investor C Shares Institutional Shares Class R Shares
Minimum Initial
Investment
$1,000 for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan.
• There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs).
• There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs.
There is no minimum initial investment for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
• Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform.
• Clients investing through a self-directed IRA brokerage account program sponsored by a retirement plan record-keeper, provided that such program offers only mutual fund options and that the program maintains an account with the Fund on an omnibus basis.
$2 million for individuals and “Institutional Investors,” which include, but are not limited to, endowments, foundations, family offices, local, city, and state governmental institutions, corporations and insurance company separate accounts who may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares.
$1,000 for:
• Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund.
• Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons.
$100 for all accounts.
Minimum Additional
Investment
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). No subsequent minimum. No subsequent minimum.
  
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Tax Information

The Fund’s dividends and distributions may be subject to U.S. federal income taxes and may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are a tax-exempt investor or are investing through a qualified tax-exempt plan described in section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, in which case you may be subject to U.S. federal income tax when distributions are received from such tax-deferred arrangements.
Payments to Broker/Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary, the Fund and BlackRock Investments, LLC, the Fund’s distributor, or its affiliates may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment.
Ask your individual financial professional or visit your Financial Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Details About the Funds

Included in this prospectus are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, management information, shareholder features of the BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund (the “20/80 Fund”), the BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund (the “40/60 Fund”), the BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund (the “60/40 Fund”) and the BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund (the “80/20 Fund”) (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) and your rights as a shareholder.
How Each Fund Invests

Investment Process
The Funds are intended to provide distinct investment programs to meet the different investment objective, time horizons and risk tolerances of a range of investors. Each Fund is created by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) in a two step process.
The first step is to define the scope of the underlying investible fund universe. Factors such as fund classifications, historical risk and performance, and the relationship to other underlying funds held by a Fund are considered when selecting underlying funds. The specific underlying funds selected for each Fund are determined at BlackRock’s discretion and may change as deemed appropriate to allow the Funds to meet their investment goals.
The second step is to determine an asset allocation for each Fund and implement such allocation by investing in underlying funds. The actual asset allocation for each Fund is established by the portfolio managers based on an assessment of what mix of general risk and return characteristics will allow the Fund to achieve its investment goal.
In general, each Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
BlackRock seeks to diversify each Fund’s exposure to equity and fixed-income securities. Each Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. Each Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors.
BlackRock regularly monitors the asset allocations of the Funds to ensure that they adhere over time to the target asset allocations. The asset allocation targets listed for each Fund are general, long-term targets. On a regular basis, the portfolio managers assess market conditions, review each Fund’s asset allocation, and determine whether any changes are required. BlackRock may periodically adjust the asset allocations in each Fund based on an assessment of the current market conditions and the potential contribution of each asset class to the expected risk and return characteristics of each Fund. In general, the adjustments will be limited to +/- 10% relative to the target asset allocations. Each Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced on a quarterly basis within 5% of the Fund’s target asset allocation. In between quarterly rebalancings, each Fund’s portfolio may be brought closer to the Fund’s target asset allocation either through the direction of daily cash flows to suitable underlying funds or by interim rebalancings, as determined by the portfolio managers.
See “Description of Underlying Funds” for a complete list of the underlying funds, their classification into equity, fixed-income or multi-asset funds and a brief description of their investment goals and primary investment strategies.
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20/80 Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the 20/80 Fund is to seek a balance between long term capital appreciation and high current income, with an emphasis on income.
Should the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of BlackRock Funds II (the “Trust”) determine that the investment objective of the Fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days’ notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.
Principal Investment Strategies
In pursuit of this objective, the Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 20% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 80% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 20%/80%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 30%/70% to 10%/90%. Although variations beyond the 10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
Within the prescribed percentage allocations to equity and fixed-income securities, the portfolio managers will select the allocations to various types of equity and fixed-income securities. The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The underlying funds are selected primarily to obtain exposure to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities in the Fund’s asset allocation. Factors such as fund classifications, historical risk and performance, and the relationship to other underlying funds are considered in the selection process.
The Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced on a quarterly basis within 5% of the Fund’s target asset allocation. In between quarterly rebalancings, the Fund’s portfolio may be brought closer to the Fund’s target asset allocation either through the direction of daily cash flows to suitable underlying funds or by interim rebalancings, as determined by the portfolio managers.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
40/60 Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the 40/60 Fund is to seek a balance between long term capital appreciation and high current income, with an emphasis on income.
Should the Board of the Trust determine that the investment objective of the Fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days’ notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.
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Principal Investment Strategies
In pursuit of this objective, the Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 40% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 60% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including ETFs. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 40%/60%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 50%/50% to 30%/70%. Although variations beyond the 10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
Within the prescribed percentage allocations to equity and fixed-income securities, the portfolio managers will select the allocations to various types of equity and fixed-income securities. The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The underlying funds are selected primarily to obtain exposure to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities in the Fund’s asset allocation. Factors such as fund classifications, historical risk and performance, and the relationship to other underlying funds are considered in the selection process.
The Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced on a quarterly basis within 5% of the Fund’s target asset allocation. In between quarterly rebalancings, the Fund’s portfolio may be brought closer to the Fund’s target asset allocation either through the direction of daily cash flows to suitable underlying funds or by interim rebalancings, as determined by the portfolio managers.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
60/40 Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the 60/40 Fund is to seek long term capital appreciation. Current income is also a consideration.
Should the Board of the Trust determine that the investment objective of the Fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days’ notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.
Principal Investment Strategies
In pursuit of this objective, the Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 60% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 40% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including ETFs. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in
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which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 60%/40%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 70%/30% to 50%/50%. Although variations beyond the 10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
Within the prescribed percentage allocations to equity and fixed-income securities, the portfolio managers will select the allocations to various types of equity and fixed-income securities. The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The underlying funds are selected primarily to obtain exposure to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities in the Fund’s asset allocation. Factors such as fund classifications, historical risk and performance, and the relationship to other underlying funds are considered in the selection process.
The Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced on a quarterly basis within 5% of the Fund’s target asset allocation. In between quarterly rebalancings, the Fund’s portfolio may be brought closer to the Fund’s target asset allocation either through the direction of daily cash flows to suitable underlying funds or by interim rebalancings, as determined by the portfolio managers.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
80/20 Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the 80/20 Fund is to seek long term capital appreciation. Current income is not a consideration.
Should the Board of the Trust determine that the investment objective of the Fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days’ notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.
Principal Investment Strategies
In pursuit of this objective, the Fund, which is a fund of funds, normally intends to obtain exposure to equity securities (and certain other instruments described below) in an amount equal to 80% of its assets and exposure to fixed-income securities in an amount equal to 20% of its assets. The Fund intends to obtain this exposure primarily through investments in underlying funds, including ETFs. Under normal circumstances, the Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs.
In general, the Fund invests in three different kinds of underlying funds: those that invest primarily in equity securities or certain other instruments described below (referred to as “equity funds”), those that invest primarily in fixed-income securities (referred to as “fixed-income funds”), and those that invest in a mix of securities and other instruments in which equity funds and fixed-income funds invest (referred to as “multi-asset funds”). Equity funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities or instruments and commodity-related securities or instruments. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in, among other things, domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, mortgage-backed securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity funds or fixed-income funds may invest.
Variations in the target asset allocation between equity and fixed-income securities, through investments in underlying funds, are permitted up to 10%. Therefore, based on a target equity/fixed-income allocation of 80%/20%, the Fund may have an equity/fixed-income allocation that ranges from 90%/10% to 70%/30%. Although variations beyond the
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10% range are generally not permitted, BlackRock may determine in light of market conditions or other factors that a greater variation is warranted to protect the Fund or achieve its investment goal.
Within the prescribed percentage allocations to equity and fixed-income securities, the portfolio managers will select the allocations to various types of equity and fixed-income securities. The Fund’s equity allocation may be further diversified by style (including both value and growth funds), market capitalization (including both large cap and small cap funds), globally (including domestic and international (including emerging market) funds), or other factors. The Fund’s fixed-income allocation may be further diversified by sector (including government, corporate, agency, mortgage-backed securities, and other sectors), duration (a calculation of the average life of a bond which measures its price risk), credit quality (including non-investment grade debt or “junk bonds”), geographic location, or other factors. The percentage allocation to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities are determined at the discretion of the portfolio managers and can be changed to reflect the current market environment.
The underlying funds are selected primarily to obtain exposure to the various types of equity and fixed-income securities in the Fund’s asset allocation. Factors such as fund classifications, historical risk and performance, and the relationship to other underlying funds are considered in the selection process.
The Fund’s portfolio will be rebalanced on a quarterly basis within 5% of the Fund’s target asset allocation. In between quarterly rebalancings, the Fund’s portfolio may be brought closer to the Fund’s target asset allocation either through the direction of daily cash flows to suitable underlying funds or by interim rebalancings, as determined by the portfolio managers.
The Fund may have indirect exposure to derivative instruments through its investments in certain underlying funds.
Other Strategies
Money Market Securities - As part of its normal operations, a Fund may hold high quality money market securities pending investments or when it expects to need cash to pay redeeming shareholders.
Temporary Defensive Strategies - For temporary defensive purposes, for example, to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, a Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies and may restrict the markets in which it invests and may invest without limitation in cash, cash equivalents, money market securities, such as U.S. Treasury and agency obligations, other U.S. Government securities, short-term debt obligations of corporate issuers, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, commercial paper (short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes of a domestic or foreign issuer) or other high quality fixed income securities. Temporary defensive positions may affect a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
Securities Lending - A Fund may lend securities with a value up to 33 13% of its total assets to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.
ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE FUNDS
The Funds are managed by a team of financial professionals. Michael Gates, CFA, and Lisa O’Connor, CFA, are the portfolio managers and are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds. Please see “Management of the Funds — Portfolio Manager Information” for additional information about the portfolio managers.
Investment Risks

This section contains a discussion of the general risks of investing in each Fund. The “Investment Objectives and Policies” section in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) also includes more information about the Fund, its investments and the related risks. As with any fund, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective or that the Fund’s performance will be positive for any period of time. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any bank or governmental agency.
By owning shares of underlying funds, each Fund indirectly invests, to varying degrees, in fixed-income and equity securities. The Funds are subject to the same risks as the underlying funds in which they invest. Equity funds may include funds that invest in domestic and international equities, real estate-related securities and other similar securities or instruments, as well as commodities. Fixed-income funds may include funds that invest in domestic and non-U.S. bonds, U.S. Government securities, high yield (or junk) bonds, and cash or money market instruments. Multi-asset funds may include funds that invest in any of the securities or instruments in which equity or fixed-income funds
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may invest. In addition, the underlying funds may invest in derivatives. The risks set forth below are the principal risks of investing in the Funds and the underlying funds. In the following discussion, references to the “Fund” shall mean any one or more of the relevant underlying funds and the Funds, as applicable. The order of the below risk factors does not indicate the significance of any particular risk factor.
Principal Risks of the Funds’ Investment Strategies
Affiliated Fund Risk In managing the Fund, BlackRock will have authority to select and substitute underlying funds. BlackRock may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in selecting underlying funds because the fees paid to BlackRock by some underlying funds are higher than the fees paid by other underlying funds. However, BlackRock is a fiduciary to the Fund and is legally obligated to act in the Fund’s best interests when selecting underlying funds. If an underlying fund holds interests in an affiliated fund, the Fund may be prohibited from purchasing shares of that underlying fund.
Allocation Risk — The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon BlackRock’s skill in determining the Fund’s strategic asset class allocation and in selecting the best mix of underlying funds and direct investments. There is a risk that BlackRock’s evaluations and assumptions regarding asset classes or underlying funds may be incorrect in view of actual market conditions. In addition, there is no guarantee that the underlying funds will achieve their investment objectives, and the underlying funds’ performance may be lower than the performance of the asset class which they were selected to represent. The underlying funds may change their investment objectives or policies without the approval of the Fund. If an underlying fund were to change its investment objective or policies, the Fund might be forced to withdraw its investment from the underlying fund at a disadvantageous time and price. In addition, the asset allocation or the combination of underlying funds determined by BlackRock could result in underperformance as compared to funds with similar investment objectives and strategies.
Commodities Related Investments Risk Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things.
  Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.
  The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low interest rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. (Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates.) The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management.
  To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.
  These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.
  The Federal Reserve has recently begun to raise the federal funds rate as part of its efforts to address rising inflation. There is a risk that interest rates will continue to rise, which will likely drive down the prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from mutual funds that hold large
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  amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance.
  During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain countries have recently experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed-income instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates.
  Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
  Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The value of longer-term securities generally changes more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, securities may exhibit additional volatility and may lose value.
  Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets that were prepaid. Prepayment reduces the yield to maturity and the average life of the security.
Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:
  Leverage Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives can magnify the Fund’s gains and losses. Relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a derivatives position and can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.
  Market Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value.
  Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will be unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligation, and the related risks of having concentrated exposure to such a counterparty.
  Illiquidity Risk —The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.
  Operational Risk — The use of derivatives includes the risk of potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate controls and human error.
  Legal Risk — The risk of insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract.
  Volatility and Correlation Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.
  Valuation Risk — Valuation for derivatives may not be readily available in the market. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives may also expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund.
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  Hedging Risk — When a derivative is used as a hedge against a position that the Fund holds, any loss generated by the derivative generally should be substantially offset by gains on the hedged investment, and vice versa. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences noted below.
  Tax Risk — The federal income tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments. As a result, a larger portion of the Fund’s distributions may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as swaps, is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”).
  Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, with respect to uncleared swaps, swap dealers are required to collect variation margin from the Fund and may be required by applicable regulations to collect initial margin from the Fund. Both initial and variation margin may be comprised of cash and/or securities, subject to applicable regulatory haircuts. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under applicable regulations. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
  Future regulatory developments may impact the Fund’s ability to invest or remain invested in certain derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. BlackRock cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on the ability of the Fund to use swaps or any other financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
  Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund
Swaps — Swap agreements, including total return swaps that may be referred to as contracts for difference, are two-party contracts entered into for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which can be adjusted for an interest factor. Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. Swap agreements may also involve the risk that there is an imperfect correlation between the return on the Fund’s obligation to its counterparty and the return on the referenced asset. In addition, swap agreements are subject to market and illiquidity risk, leverage risk and hedging risk.
Credit Default Swaps — Credit default swaps may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund, the underlying funds and/or ETFs. The protection “buyer” may be obligated to pay the protection “seller” an up-front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided generally that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to illiquid investments risk and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Forward foreign currency exchange transactions are OTC contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of a specified currency or multinational currency unit at a price and future date set at the time of the contract. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate
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fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. securities but rather allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain.
Futures — Futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future date at a specified price. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are: (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract or option; (b) the possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the investment adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations.
Options — An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a “put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash in an amount based on an underlying asset, rate, or index) at a specified price (the “exercise price”) during a period of time or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered speculative. When the Fund purchases an option, it may lose the total premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or other assets decreased, remained the same or failed to increase to a level at or beyond the exercise price (in the case of a call option) or increased, remained the same or failed to decrease to a level at or below the exercise price (in the case of a put option). If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. To the extent that the Fund writes or sells an option, if the decline or increase in the underlying asset is significantly below or above the exercise price of the written option, the Fund could experience a substantial loss.
Commodity-Linked Derivatives — The value of a commodity-linked derivative investment typically is based upon the price movements of a commodity, a commodity futures contract or commodity index, or some other readily measurable economic variable. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, volatility of the underlying benchmark, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The value of commodity-linked derivatives will rise or fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or related index. Investments in commodity-linked derivatives may be subject to greater volatility than non-derivative based investments. A highly liquid secondary market may not exist for certain commodity-linked derivatives, and there can be no assurance
that one will develop. Commodity-linked derivatives also may be subject to credit and interest rate risks that in general affect the values of fixed-income securities. Therefore, at maturity, the Fund may receive more or less
principal than it originally invested. The Fund might receive interest payments that are more or less than the stated coupon interest payments. In connection with the Fund’s direct and indirect investments in commodity-linked derivatives, the Fund will attempt to manage its counterparty exposure so as to limit its exposure to any one counterparty. However, due to the limited number of entities that may serve as counterparties (and which the Fund believes are creditworthy) at any one time the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties and may invest in commodity-linked notes issued by a limited number of issuers that will act as counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to limit exposure to any one counterparty at all times.
Commodity-Linked Notes — Commodity-linked notes involve substantial risks, including the risk of loss of a significant portion of their principal value. In addition to commodity risk and general derivatives risk, they may be subject to additional special risks, such as risk of loss of interest and principal, lack of secondary market and risk of greater volatility, that do not affect traditional equity and debt securities.
Participation Notes — Investing in participation notes involves the same risks associated with a direct investment in the shares of the companies the notes seek to replicate. However, the performance results of participation notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. Investment in a participation note is not the same as investment in the constituent shares of the company and is subject to counterparty risk. A participation note represents only an obligation of the issuer to provide the Fund the economic performance equivalent to holding shares of an underlying security. A participation note does not provide any beneficial or equitable entitlement or interest in the relevant underlying security. In other words, shares of the underlying security are not in any way owned by the Fund. However each participation note synthetically replicates the economic benefit of holding shares in the underlying security. Because a participation note is an obligation of the issuer, rather than direct investment in shares of the underlying security, the Fund may suffer losses potentially equal to the full value of the participation note if the issuer fails to perform its obligations. The price, performance and liquidity of a participation note are all linked directly to the underlying security. The Fund’s ability to redeem or exercise a
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participation note generally is dependent on the liquidity in the local trading market for the security underlying the participation note.
Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets may include those in countries considered emerging or developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject.
  Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In such an event, it is possible that the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasive corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. National policies that may limit the Fund’s investment opportunities include restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests.
  Emerging markets may also have differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments. Sometimes, they may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Many emerging markets do not have income tax treaties with the United States, and as a result, investments by the Fund may be subject to higher withholding taxes in such countries. In addition, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors.
  Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because the Fund will need to use brokers and counterparties that are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by the issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. The Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation. In addition, communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates.
Equity Securities Risk — Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of equity securities purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, the value may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.
Foreign Securities Risk — Securities traded in foreign markets have often (though not always) performed differently from securities traded in the United States. However, such investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. In particular, the Fund is subject to the risk that because there may be fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of securities traded
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  each day, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell securities on those exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may go up and down more than prices of securities traded in the United States.
  Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States — The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories. Some foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In addition, there may be limited or no regulatory oversight of their operations. Also, the laws of certain countries limit the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank, depository or issuer of a security, or any of their agents, goes bankrupt. In addition, it is often more expensive for the Fund to buy, sell and hold securities in certain foreign markets than in the United States. The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount the Fund can earn on its investments and typically results in a higher operating expense ratio for the Fund than for investment companies invested only in the United States.
  Currency Risk — Securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests may be denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For this reason, changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
  Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk, generally known as “currency risk,” means that a strong U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors while a weak U.S. dollar will increase those returns.
  Should the Fund invest in a debt security denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by an issuer whose functional currency is a currency other than the U.S. dollar, and such currency decreases in value against the U.S. dollar, such issuer’s ability to repay its obligation under the U.S. dollar-denominated security may be negatively impacted.
  Foreign Economy Risk — The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. Certain foreign economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets or the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, economic conditions, such as volatile currency exchange rates and interest rates, political events, military action and other conditions may, without prior warning, lead to the governments of certain countries, or the U.S. Government with respect to certain countries, prohibiting or imposing substantial restrictions through capital controls and/or sanctions on foreign investments in the capital markets or certain industries in those countries. Capital controls and/or sanctions may include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities, derivatives or other assets and may also include retaliatory actions of one government against another government, such as seizure of assets. Any of these actions could severely impair the Fund’s ability to purchase, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to foreign securities and assets, including the ability to transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, and could negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such assets or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations, causing the Fund to decline in value.
  Other potential foreign market risks include foreign exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing legal judgments in foreign courts and political and social instability. Diplomatic and political developments, including rapid and adverse political changes, social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war, could affect the economies, industries and securities and currency markets, and the value of the Fund’s investments, in non-U.S. countries. These factors are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to predict and take into account with respect to the Fund’s investments.
  Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards — Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as such regulations exist in the United States. They also may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. For example, some foreign countries may have no laws or rules against insider trading. Insider trading occurs when a person buys or sells a company’s securities based on material non-public information about that company. In addition, some countries may have legal systems that may make it difficult for the Fund to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, and pursue legal remedies with respect to its foreign investments. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the United States. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for Fund management to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition.
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  Settlement Risk — Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement and clearance procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically associated with the settlement of U.S. investments.
  At times, settlements in certain foreign countries have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions. These problems may make it difficult for the Fund to carry out transactions. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or, if it has contracted to sell the security to another party, the Fund could be liable for any losses incurred.
  Withholding Tax Reclaims Risk — The Fund may file claims to recover foreign withholding taxes on dividend and interest income (if any) received from issuers in certain countries and capital gains on the disposition of stocks or securities where such withholding tax reclaim is possible. Whether or when the Fund will receive a withholding tax refund is within the control of the tax authorities in such countries. Where the Fund expects to recover withholding taxes, the net asset value of the Fund generally includes accruals for such tax refunds. The Fund regularly evaluates the probability of recovery. If the likelihood of recovery materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Fund’s net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value. Shareholders in the Fund at the time an accrual is written down will bear the impact of the resulting reduction in net asset value regardless of whether they were shareholders during the accrual period. Conversely, if the Fund receives a tax refund that has not been previously accrued, shareholders in the Fund at the time of the successful recovery will benefit from the resulting increase in the Fund’s net asset value. Shareholders who sold their shares prior to such time will not benefit from such increase in the Fund’s net asset value.
  European Economic Risk — The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments.
  Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world.The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but could be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.
Investments in Mutual Funds and ETFs Risk — The Fund will invest substantially all of its assets in underlying BlackRock funds, so the Fund’s investment performance is directly related to the performance of the underlying funds. The Fund may also directly invest in ETFs. The Fund’s net asset value will change with changes in the value of the mutual funds, ETFs and other securities in which it invests. An investment in the Fund will entail more direct and indirect costs and expenses than a direct investment in the underlying funds and ETFs. For example, the Fund indirectly pays a portion of the expenses (including operating expenses and management fees) incurred by the underlying funds and ETFs.
  One underlying fund may buy the same securities that another underlying fund sells. In addition, the Fund may buy the same securities that an underlying fund sells, or vice-versa. If this happens, an investor in the Fund would indirectly bear the costs of these transactions without accomplishing the intended investment purpose. Also, an investor in the Fund may receive taxable gains from portfolio transactions by an underlying fund, as well as taxable gains from transactions in shares of the underlying fund by the Fund. Certain of the underlying funds may hold common portfolio securities, thereby reducing the diversification benefits of the Fund
  As the underlying funds or the Fund’s allocations among the underlying funds change from time to time, or to the extent that the expense ratio of the underlying funds changes, the weighted average operating expenses borne by the Fund may increase or decrease.
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Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. The major risks of junk bond investments include:
Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders.
Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed-income securities.
Issuers of junk bonds may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations because of an economic downturn, specific issuer developments, or the unavailability of additional financing.
Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If the issuer redeems junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income.
Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions. There are fewer dealers in the junk bond market, and there may be significant differences in the prices quoted for junk bonds by the dealers. Because they are less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, judgment may play a greater role in valuing junk bonds than is the case with securities trading in a more liquid market.
The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer.
The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer.
Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. As an open-end investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and the rules thereunder. Under Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act, among other things, the Fund must either use derivatives in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet the applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
  An outbreak of an infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in December 2019 developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of the pandemic and its effects cannot be predicted with certainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies.
Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases
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  on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities.
Small Cap and Emerging Growth Securities Risk — Small cap or emerging growth companies may have limited product lines or markets. They may be less financially secure than larger, more established companies. They may depend on a small number of key personnel. If a product fails or there are other adverse developments, or if management changes, the Fund’s investment in a small cap or emerging growth company may lose substantial value. In addition, it is more difficult to get information on smaller companies, which tend to be less well known, have shorter operating histories, do not have significant ownership by large investors and are followed by relatively few securities analysts.
  The securities of small cap and emerging growth companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger cap securities or the market as a whole. In addition, small cap and emerging growth securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings. Investing in small cap and emerging growth securities requires a longer term view.
Principal Risks of the Underlying Funds
Asset Class Risk — The securities or other assets in the Underlying Index (as defined below) or in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to other securities or indexes that track other countries, groups of countries, regions, industries, groups of industries, markets, asset classes or sectors. Various types of securities, currencies and indexes or assets may experience cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to the general financial markets depending upon a number of factors including, among other things, inflation, interest rates, productivity, global demand for local products or resources, and regulation and governmental controls. This may cause the Fund to underperform other investment vehicles that invest in different asset classes.
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk Only an authorized participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund, and none of those authorized participants is obligated to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as authorized participants on an agency basis (i.e., on behalf of other market participants). To the extent that authorized participants exit the business or are unable to proceed with creation or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other authorized participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, Fund shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to net asset value and possibly face trading halts or delisting. Authorized Participant concentration risk may be heightened for ETFs, such as the Fund, that invest in securities issued by non-U.S. issuers or other securities or instruments that have lower trading volumes.
Calculation Methodology Risk — The Underlying Index (as defined below) relies on various sources of information to assess the criteria of issuers included in the Underlying Index (or its Parent Index (as defined below)), including information that may be based on assumptions and estimates. Neither the Fund nor BlackRock can offer assurances that the Underlying Index’s calculation methodology or sources of information will provide an accurate assessment of included issuers.
China Investments Risk Investment in Chinese securities subjects the Fund to risks specific to China. The Chinese economy is subject to a considerable degree of economic, political and social instability:
  Political and Social Risk — There is a greater risk in China than in many other countries of currency fluctuations, currency non-convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation as a result of internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries. Unanticipated political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Disparities of wealth and the pace of economic liberalization in China may lead to social turmoil, violence and labor unrest. China’s growing income inequality, rapidly aging population and worsening environmental conditions also are factors that may affect the Chinese economy.
  Government Control and Regulations — The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. There can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite recent reform and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, government control over certain sectors or enterprises and significant regulation of investment and industry is still pervasive, including the imposition of trading restrictions, a ban on “naked” short selling or the suspension of short selling for certain stocks, restrictions on investment in companies or industries deemed to be sensitive to particular national interests, trading of securities of Chinese issuers, foreign ownership of Chinese corporations in certain industries
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  and/or the repatriation of assets by foreign investors under certain circumstances. Limitations or restrictions on foreign ownership of A-shares may have adverse effects on the liquidity and performance of the Fund. Government market interventions may have a negative impact on market sentiment, which may in turn affect the performance of the Chinese securities markets and as a result the performance of the Fund. Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies that may be connected to governmental influence, lack of publicly available information, and political and social instability. Chinese companies, such as those in the financial services or technology sectors, and potentially other sectors in the future, are also subject to the risk that Chinese authorities can intervene in their operations and structure, which may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments.
  A-shares Market Suspension Risk — A-shares may only be bought from, or sold to, the Fund at times when the relevant A-shares may be sold or purchased on the relevant Chinese stock exchange. The A-shares market has a higher propensity for trading suspensions than many other global equity markets. In addition, A-shares can be “self-suspended” by the issuers themselves. Trading suspensions in certain stocks could lead to greater market execution risk and costs for the Fund. The SSE and SZSE currently apply a daily price limit, set at 10%, of the amount of fluctuation permitted in the prices of A-shares during a single trading day. The daily price limit refers to price movements only and does not restrict trading within the relevant limit. There can be no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular A-share or for any particular time. This could cause the Fund to trade in the market at greater bid-ask spreads or greater premiums or discounts to the Fund’s net asset value.
  Economic Risk — The Chinese economy has grown rapidly in the recent past and there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained. In fact, the Chinese economy may experience a significant slowdown as a result of, among other things, a deterioration in global demand for Chinese exports, as well as contraction in spending on domestic goods by Chinese consumers. In addition, China may experience substantial rates of inflation or economic recessions, which would have a negative effect on its economy and securities market. Delays in enterprise restructuring, slow development of well-functioning financial markets and widespread corruption have also hindered the performance of the Chinese economy. China continues to receive substantial pressure from trading partners to liberalize official currency exchange rates. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States, or a downturn in any of the economies of China’s key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. The United States and China have been engaged in an ongoing trade war with one another, which has led to trade frictions between their economies and negative flow-on consequences on global markets and other nations closely affiliated with those countries. The current political climate has intensified concerns about the ongoing trade war between China and the United States, as each country has imposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These actions may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of China’s export industry, which could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. In addition, there is a risk that further capital controls and/or sanctions may be imposed, which could include the prohibition of, or restrictions on, the ability to own or transfer currency, securities, derivatives or other assets and may also include retaliatory actions, such as seizure of assets. Any of these actions could severely impair the Fund’s ability to purchase, sell, transfer, receive, deliver or otherwise obtain exposure to Chinese securities and assets, including the ability to transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, and could negatively impact the value and/or liquidity of such assets or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations, causing the Fund to decline in value. Events such as these and their consequences are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future. From time to time, China has experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses, including the novel coronavirus known as “COVID-19.” The country may be subject to other public health threats, infectious illnesses, diseases or similar issues in the future. Any spread of an infectious illness, public health threat or similar issue could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the Chinese economy, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s investments.
  Expropriation and Privatization Risk — The Chinese government maintains a major role in economic policymaking and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, or confiscation of assets and property, the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. China has privatized, or has begun a process of privatizing, certain entities and industries. Newly privatized companies may face strong competition from government-sponsored competitors that have not been privatized. In some instances, investors in newly privatized entities have suffered losses due to the inability of the newly privatized entities to adjust quickly to a competitive environment or changing regulatory and legal standards or, in some cases, due to re-nationalization of such privatized entities. There is no assurance that similar losses will not recur.
  Security Risk — China has strained international relations with Taiwan, India, Russia and other neighbors due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, defense concerns and other security concerns. Additionally, China is
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  alleged to have participated in state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign companies and foreign governments. Actual and threatened responses to such activity and strained international relations, including purchasing restrictions, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may impact China’s economy and Chinese issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Relations between China’s Han ethnic majority and other ethnic groups in China, including Tibetans and Uighurs, are also strained and have been marked by protests and violence. These situations may cause uncertainty in the Chinese market and may adversely affect the Chinese economy. In addition, conflict on the Korean Peninsula could adversely affect the Chinese economy.
  Chinese Equity Markets — The SSE and SZSE are undergoing continued development and the market capitalization of, and trading volumes on, those exchanges are lower than those in more developed financial markets. Market volatility and settlement difficulties in the Chinese equity markets may result in significant fluctuation in the prices of securities traded on such markets and may consequently increase the volatility of the net asset value of the Fund. Securities listed on the SSE and SZSE are divided into two classes: A-shares, which are mostly limited to domestic investors and denominated in RMB, and B-shares, which are allocated for both international and domestic investors and denominated in U.S. dollars on the SSE and Hong Kong dollars on the SZSE. The A-shares market is generally subject to greater government restrictions, including trading suspensions (discussed above), which may lead to increased illiquidity risks. The B-shares market is generally smaller, less liquid and has a smaller issuer base than the A-shares market, which may lead to significant price volatility. B-shares and H shares (which are issued by companies incorporated in the PRC and derive substantial revenues from or allocate substantial assets in the PRC) of issuers that also issue A-shares may trade at significant discounts or premiums to their A-shares counterparts. While the Fund seeks to invest in A-shares, the Fund occasionally may invest in other securities or assets if it is not possible to acquire A-shares. These share mechanisms are subject to the political and economic policies in China. The Fund may also invest in Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges, such as American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which are subject to the investment risks associated with the underlying Chinese issuer or operating company.
  Hong Kong Political Risk — Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China under the principle of “one country, two systems.” Although China is obligated to maintain the current capitalist economic and social system of Hong Kong through June 30, 2047, the continuation of economic and social freedoms enjoyed in Hong Kong is dependent on the government of China. Since 1997, there have been tensions between the Chinese government and many people in Hong Kong who perceive China as tightening of control over Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous liberal political, economic, legal, and social framework. Recent protests and unrest have increased tensions even further. Due to the interconnected nature of the Hong Kong and Chinese economies, this instability in Hong Kong may cause uncertainty in the Hong Kong and Chinese markets. In addition, the Hong Kong dollar trades at a fixed exchange rate in relation to (or, is “pegged” to) the U.S. dollar, which has contributed to the growth and stability of the Hong Kong economy. However, it is uncertain how long the currency peg will continue or what effect the establishment of an alternative exchange rate system would have on the Hong Kong economy. Because the Fund’s NAV is denominated in U.S. dollars, the establishment of an alternative exchange rate system could result in a decline in the Fund’s NAV.
  Foreign Ownership Limits Risk — Under current PRC securities rules, there is a limit as to how many shares a single foreign investor is permitted to hold in a PRC listed company, and also a limit as to the maximum combined holdings of all foreign investors in a PRC listed company. Such foreign ownership limits apply on an aggregated basis, i.e., across both domestically and overseas issued shares of the listed company, and regardless of whether the relevant holdings are made through Stock Connect, QFII or Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“RQFII”) systems or other investment programs. If a single foreign investor’s shareholding in a listed company exceeds 10% of its total issued shares, the foreign investor is required to sell the exceeding shares in five trading days. If aggregate foreign shareholding in a listed company exceeds 30% of its total issued shares, the foreign investors concerned are required to sell the shares on a “last-in-first-out” basis within five trading days. As a result, the Fund may not be able to execute trading freely in accordance with its investment strategy and the profits that the Fund derives from such investments may be limited. This may adversely affect the performance of the Fund.
  Reliance on Trading Partners Risk — China’s economy is dependent on the economies of Asia, Europe and the United States. Reduction in spending by these economies on Chinese products and services or negative changes in any of these economies may cause an adverse impact on China’s economy and therefore, on the Fund’s investments.
  Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States — It is often more expensive for the Fund to buy, sell and hold securities in foreign markets than in the United States. The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount the Fund can earn on its investments and typically results in a higher operating expense ratio for the Fund than for investment companies invested only in the United States.
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  Limited Information and Legal Remedies — Chinese companies, including Chinese companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges, are not subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements, accounting standards or auditor oversight as companies in more developed countries. As a result, information about the Chinese securities in which the Fund invests may be less reliable or complete. Chinese companies with securities listed on U.S. exchanges may be delisted if they do not meet U.S. accounting standards and auditor oversight requirements, which would significantly decrease the liquidity and value of the securities. There may be significant obstacles to obtaining information necessary for investigations into or litigation against Chinese companies, and shareholders may have limited legal remedies.
China Risk — Risk of Investing through Stock Connect — Investing in A-shares through Stock Connect is subject to trading, clearance, settlement and other procedures, which could pose risks to the Fund.
  Although no individual investment quotas or licensing requirements apply to investors in Stock Connect, trading through Stock Connect is subject to the Daily Quota, which limits the maximum net purchases under Stock Connect each day. The Daily Quota does not belong to the Fund and is utilized on a first-come-first-serve basis. As such, buy orders for A-shares would be rejected once the Daily Quota is exceeded (although the Fund will be permitted to sell A-shares regardless of the Daily Quota balance). The Daily Quota may restrict the Fund’s ability to invest in A-shares through Stock Connect on a timely basis, which could affect the Fund’s ability to effectively pursue its investment strategy. The Daily Quota is also subject to change. A-shares purchased through Stock Connect generally may only be sold or otherwise transferred through Stock Connect and in accordance with applicable rules.
  While A-shares must be designated as eligible to be traded under Stock Connect (such eligible A-shares listed on the SSE, the “SSE Securities,” and such eligible A-shares listed on the SZSE, the “SZSE Securities”), those A-shares may also lose such designation, and if this occurs, such A-shares may be sold but could no longer be purchased through Stock Connect. With respect to sell orders under Stock Connect, SEHK carries out pre-trade checks to ensure an investor has sufficient A-shares in its account before the market opens on the trading day. Accordingly, if there are insufficient A-shares in an investor’s account before the market opens on the trading day, the sell order will be rejected, which may adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
  In addition, Stock Connect will only operate on days when both the Chinese and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. Therefore, an investment in A-shares through Stock Connect may subject the Fund to the risk of price fluctuations on days when the Chinese markets are open, but Stock Connect is not trading. Each of the SEHK, SSE and SZSE reserves the right to suspend trading through Stock Connect under certain circumstances. Where such a suspension of trading is effected, the Fund’s ability to access A-shares through Stock Connect will be adversely affected. In addition, if one or both of the Chinese and Hong Kong markets are closed on a U.S. trading day, the Fund may not be able to acquire or dispose of A-shares through Stock Connect in a timely manner, which could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.
  The Fund’s investments in A-shares though Stock Connect are held by its custodian in accounts in Central Clearing and Settlement System (“CCASS”) maintained by the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited (“HKSCC”), which in turn holds the A-shares, as the nominee holder, through an omnibus securities account in its name registered with the CSDCC. The precise nature and rights of the Fund as the beneficial owner of the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities through HKSCC as nominee is not well defined under PRC law. There is a lack of a clear definition of, and distinction between, legal ownership and beneficial ownership under PRC law and there have been few cases involving a nominee account structure in the PRC courts. The exact nature and methods of enforcement of the rights and interests of the Fund under PRC law is also uncertain. In the unlikely event that HKSCC becomes subject to winding up proceedings in Hong Kong, there is a risk that the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities may not be regarded as held for the beneficial ownership of the Fund or as part of the general assets of HKSCC available for general distribution to its creditors.
  Notwithstanding the fact that HKSCC does not claim proprietary interests in the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities held in its omnibus stock account in the CSDCC, the CSDCC as the share registrar for SSE- or SZSE-listed companies will still treat HKSCC as one of the shareholders when it handles corporate actions in respect of such SSE Securities or SZSE Securities. HKSCC monitors the corporate actions affecting SSE Securities and SZSE Securities and keeps participants of CCASS informed of all such corporate actions that require CCASS participants to take steps in order to participate in them. The Fund will therefore depend on HKSCC for both settlement and notification and implementation of corporate actions.
  The HKSCC is responsible for the clearing, settlement and provision of depositary, nominee and other related services of the trades executed by Hong Kong market participants and investors. Accordingly, investors do not hold SSE Securities or SZSE Securities directly; rather, they are held through their brokers’ or custodians’ accounts with CCASS. The HKSCC and the CSDCC establish clearing links and each has become a participant of the other to facilitate clearing and settlement of cross-border trades. Should the CSDCC default and the CSDCC be declared as
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  a defaulter, HKSCC’s liabilities in Stock Connect under its market contracts with clearing participants will be limited to assisting clearing participants in pursuing their claims against the CSDCC. In that event, the Fund may suffer delays in the recovery process or may not be able to fully recover its losses from the CSDCC.
  Market participants are able to participate in Stock Connect subject to meeting certain information technology capability, risk management and other requirements as may be specified by the relevant exchange and/or clearing house. Further, the “connectivity” in Stock Connect requires routing of orders across the borders of Hong Kong and the PRC. This requires the development of new information technology systems on the part of SEHK and exchange participants. There is no assurance that the systems of SEHK and market participants will function properly or will continue to be adapted to changes and developments in both markets. In the event that the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in A-shares through Stock Connect could be disrupted, and the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective may be adversely affected.
  The Shanghai Connect, launched in November 2014, and the Shenzhen Connect, launched in December 2016, do not have an extensive operating history. Stock Connect is subject to regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities and implementation rules made by the stock exchanges in the PRC and Hong Kong. There is no certainty as to how the current regulations will be applied or interpreted going forward, and new or revised regulations may be issued from time to time by the regulators and stock exchanges in China and Hong Kong in connection with operations, legal enforcement and cross-border trades under Stock Connect. In addition, there can be no assurance that Stock Connect will not be discontinued. The Fund may be adversely affected as a result of such changes. Furthermore, the securities regimes and legal systems of China and Hong Kong differ significantly and issues may arise from the differences on an on-going basis. Further, different fees, costs and taxes are imposed on foreign investors acquiring A-shares through Stock Connect, and these fees, costs and taxes may be higher than comparable fees, costs and taxes imposed on owners of other Chinese securities providing similar investment exposure.
China Tax Risk Withholding Income Tax Risk — Under the general taxing provision of the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law, a foreign investor, such as the Fund, is subject to a 10% withholding tax on passive income, including dividends, interest and capital gains on dispositions of PRC equity interests that are derived from the PRC, so long as the foreign investor is not considered to be a PRC tax resident, which can happen by virtue of the foreign investor being centrally managed or controlled in the PRC or by having a PRC “tax establishment.”
  Circular 79, which the PRC tax authorities released on November 14, 2014, temporarily exempts QFIIs and RQFIIs from the withholding tax imposed on capital gains on dispositions of PRC trading shares and other equity interests. Circular 81, released on November 14, 2014, and Circular 127, released on December 1, 2016, temporarily exempt investors from the withholding tax imposed on capital gains on dispositions of PRC equity interests in A-shares traded through Stock Connect. However, even if Circulars 79, 81 and 127 apply, a foreign investor, such as the Fund, will still be subject to a 10% withholding tax on dividend and interest derived from issuers domiciled in the PRC.
  Value Added Tax Risk — Beginning May 1, 2016, the Business Tax (“BT”) that was imposed on financial services (including the transfer of financial products) was replaced with the Value Added Tax (“VAT”). Prior to that date, capital gains derived by investors from the trading of PRC securities (including A-shares) were exempt from BT. With the expansion of VAT to financial services, the BT exemption was grandfathered and investors continue to enjoy an exemption on gains under the new VAT regime. Dividends received by investors from investments in A-shares are not subject to VAT.
  The duration of the temporary exemptions under Circulars 79, 81 and 127 is not stated in these circulars, and they are subject to termination by the PRC tax authorities without notice. Similarly, the duration of the exemption under the new VAT regime is subject to termination. If the exemptions are withdrawn or modified, the PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on gains realized on the Fund’s investments in A-shares or other Chinese investments, thereby subjecting the Fund to double taxation on such investments, and the resultant tax liability would adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value.
Collateralized Debt Obligations Risk — In addition to the typical risks associated with fixed-income securities and asset-backed securities, collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), including collateralized loan obligations, carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the risk that the collateral may default or decline in value or be downgraded, if rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches; (iv) the structure and complexity of the transaction and the legal documents could lead to disputes among investors regarding the characterization of proceeds; (v) the investment return achieved by the Fund could be significantly different than those predicted by financial models; (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market for CDOs; (vii) the risk of forced “fire sale” liquidation due to technical defaults such as coverage test failures; and (viii) the CDO’s manager may perform poorly.
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Concentration Risk — To the extent that the Fund’s portfolio reflects concentration in the securities of issuers in a particular region, market, industry, group of industries, country, group of countries, sector or asset class, the Fund may be adversely affected by the performance of those securities, may be subject to increased price volatility and may be more susceptible to adverse economic, market, political or regulatory occurrences affecting that region, market, industry, group of industries, country, group of countries, sector or asset class.
Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock.
Corporate Loans Risk — Commercial banks and other financial institutions or institutional investors make corporate loans to companies that need capital to grow or restructure. Borrowers generally pay interest on corporate loans at rates that change in response to changes in market interest rates such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the prime rates of U.S. banks. As a result, the value of corporate loan investments is generally less exposed to the adverse effects of shifts in market interest rates than investments that pay a fixed rate of interest. However, because the trading market for certain corporate loans may be less developed than the secondary market for bonds and notes, the Fund may experience difficulties in selling its corporate loans. Transactions in corporate loans may settle on a delayed basis. As a result, the proceeds from the sale of corporate loans may not be readily available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s redemption obligations. To the extent the extended settlement process gives rise to short-term liquidity needs, the Fund may hold additional cash, sell investments or temporarily borrow from banks and other lenders. Leading financial institutions often act as agent for a broader group of lenders, generally referred to as a syndicate. The syndicate’s agent arranges the corporate loans, holds collateral and accepts payments of principal and interest. If the agent develops financial problems, the Fund may not recover its investment or recovery may be delayed. By investing in a corporate loan, the Fund may become a member of the syndicate.
  The market for corporate loans may be subject to irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads.
  The corporate loans in which the Fund invests are subject to the risk of loss of principal and income. Although borrowers frequently provide collateral to secure repayment of these obligations they do not always do so. If they do provide collateral, the value of the collateral may not completely cover the borrower’s obligations at the time of a default. If a borrower files for protection from its creditors under the U.S. bankruptcy laws, these laws may limit the Fund’s rights to its collateral. In addition, the value of collateral may erode during a bankruptcy case. In the event of a bankruptcy, the holder of a corporate loan may not recover its principal, may experience a long delay in recovering its investment and may not receive interest during the delay.
Depositary Receipts Risk — Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Fund to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and the risk of an illiquid market for depositary receipts. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
Dividend-Paying Stock Risk — Investing in dividend-paying stocks involves the risk that such stocks may fall out of favor with investors and underperform the broader market. Companies that issue dividend-paying stocks are not required to pay or continue paying dividends on such stocks. It is possible that issuers of the stocks held by the Fund will not declare dividends in the future or will reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends (including reducing or eliminating anticipated accelerations or increases in the payment of dividends) in the future.
Dollar Rolls Risk — A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the Fund of a mortgage-backed, U.S. Treasury or other security (as permitted by the Fund’s investment strategies) concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The market value of the securities the Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. If the broker/dealer to whom the Fund sells securities becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of dollar rolls may depend upon the adviser’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments, depending on the underlying security. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed.
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ESG Investing Risk The Fund intends to screen out particular companies and industries pursuant to certain criteria established by BlackRock, and to incorporate environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) investment insights into its portfolio construction process. The Fund may forego certain investment opportunities by screening out certain companies and industries. The Fund’s results may be lower than other funds that do not apply certain exclusionary screens or use different ESG criteria to screen out certain companies or industries. The Fund’s incorporation of ESG investment insights may affect the Fund’s exposure to certain companies or industries. The Fund’s results may be lower than other funds that do not consider ESG characteristics or use a different methodology to identify and/or incorporate ESG characteristics. Further, investors may differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG characteristics of a security. As a result, the Fund may invest in securities that do not reflect the beliefs of any particular investor. In addition, the Fund may not be successful in its objective to invest in a portfolio of equity securities that, in BlackRock’s view, has an aggregate ESG assessment that is better than the aggregate ESG assessment of the Fund’s benchmark. There is no guarantee that this objective will be achieved, and such assessment is at BlackRock’s discretion.
Geographic Risk — Some of the companies in which the Fund invests are located in parts of the world that have historically been prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, floods, hurricanes or tsunamis, and are economically sensitive to environmental events. Any such event may adversely impact the economies of these geographic areas or business operations of companies in these geographic areas, causing an adverse impact on the value of the Fund.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. In addition, investment in mortgage dollar rolls and participation in to-be-announced (“TBA”) transactions may significantly increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later.
Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may not acquire any illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. There can be no assurance that a security or instrument that is deemed to be liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid for as long as it is held by the Fund, and any security or instrument held by the Fund may be deemed an illiquid investment pursuant to the Fund’s liquidity risk management program. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. In addition, if the Fund is limited in its ability to sell illiquid investments during periods when shareholders are redeeming their shares, the Fund will need to sell liquid securities to meet redemption requests and illiquid securities will become a larger portion of the Fund’s holdings. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to the risks associated with illiquid investments. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions.
Income Producing Stock Availability Risk Depending upon market conditions, income producing common stock that meets the Fund’s investment criteria may not be widely available and/or may be highly concentrated in only a few market sectors. This may limit the ability of the Fund to produce current income while remaining fully diversified.
Income Risk — The Fund’s yield will vary as the short-term securities in its portfolio mature and the proceeds are reinvested in securities with different interest rates.
Index-Related Risk — The Fund seeks to achieve a return that corresponds generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Underlying Index (as defined below) as published by the Index Provider (as defined below). There is no assurance that the Index Provider or any agents that may act on its behalf will compile the
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  Underlying Index accurately, or that the Underlying Index will be determined, composed or calculated accurately. While the Index Provider provides descriptions of what the Underlying Index is designed to achieve, neither the Index Provider nor its agents provide any warranty or accept any liability in relation to the quality, accuracy or completeness of the Underlying Index or its related data, and they do not guarantee that the Underlying Index will be in line with the Index Provider’s methodology. BlackRock does not provide any warranty or guarantee against the Index Provider’s or any agent’s errors. Errors in respect of the quality, accuracy and completeness of the data used to compile the Underlying Index may occur from time to time and may not be identified and corrected by the Index Provider for a period of time or at all, particularly where the indices are less commonly used as benchmarks by funds or managers. Such errors may negatively or positively impact the Fund and its shareholders. For example, during a period where the Underlying Index contains incorrect constituents, the Fund would have market exposure to such constituents and would be underexposed to the Underlying Index’s other constituents. Shareholders should understand that any gains from Index Provider errors will be kept by the Fund and its shareholders and any losses or costs resulting from Index Provider errors will be borne by the Fund and its shareholders.
  Unusual market conditions may cause or other unforeseen circumstances (such as natural disasters, political unrest or war) may impact the Index Provider or a third-party data providers and could cause the Index Provider to postpone a scheduled rebalance to the Underlying Index. This could cause the Underlying Index to vary from its normal or expected composition. The postponement of a scheduled rebalance could mean that constituents that would otherwise be removed at rebalance due to changes in market capitalizations, issuer credit ratings, or other reasons may remain, causing the performance and constituents of the Underlying Index to vary from those expected under normal conditions. Apart from scheduled rebalances, the Index Provider or its agents may carry out additional ad hoc rebalances to the Underlying Index due to reaching certain weighting constraints, unusual market conditions or in order, for example, to correct an error in the selection of index constituents. When the Underlying Index is rebalanced and the Fund in turn rebalances its portfolio to attempt to increase the correlation between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index, any transaction costs and market exposure arising from such portfolio rebalancing will be borne directly by the Fund and its shareholders. Therefore, errors and additional ad hoc rebalances carried out by the Index Provider or its agents to the Underlying Index may increase the costs to and the tracking error risk of the Fund.
  An index fund has operating and other expenses while an index does not. As a result, while the Fund will attempt to track the Underlying Index as closely as possible, it will tend to underperform the Underlying Index to some degree over time. If an index fund is properly correlated to its stated index, the fund will perform poorly when the index performs poorly.
Indexed and Inverse Securities Risk Indexed and inverse securities provide a potential return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. The Fund’s return on these securities will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. These securities are subject to leverage risk and correlation risk.Certain indexed and inverse securities have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates or index levels than other securities, and the Fund’s investment in such instruments may decline significantly in value if interest rates or index levels move in a way Fund management does not anticipate.
Investment Style Risk — Under certain market conditions, growth investments have performed better during the later stages of economic expansion and value investments have performed better during periods of economic recovery. Therefore, these investment styles may over time go in and out of favor. At times when the investment style used by the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other funds that use different investment styles.
Issuer Risk — The performance of the Fund depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Any issuer of these securities may perform poorly, causing the value of its securities to decline. Poor performance may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, changes in technology, expiration of patent protection, disruptions in supply, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, credit deterioration of the issuer or other factors. Issuers may, in times of distress or at their own discretion, decide to reduce or eliminate dividends, which may also cause their stock prices to decline.
Management Risk — If a passively managed ETF does not fully replicate the underlying index, it is subject to the risk that the manager’s investment management strategy may not produce the intended results.
Model Risk — The Fund seeks to pursue its investment objective by using proprietary models that incorporate quantitative analysis. Investments selected using these models may perform differently than as forecasted due to the factors incorporated into the models and the weighting of each factor, as well as the level and scope of changes from historical trends. In addition, issues in the construction and implementation of the models, including software or hardware malfunction, power loss, software bugs, malicious code, viruses, system crashes and other technological failures or various other events or circumstances within or beyond the control of BlackRock, may adversely impact the Fund. Please see also “Cyber Security Risk” below. There is no guarantee that BlackRock’s use of these models will result in effective investment decisions for the Fund.
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  Some of the models used by BlackRock rely on historical data and may not accurately predict future market movements. The Fund bears the risk that the models used by BlackRock will not be successful in forecasting movements in the market or in determining the size, direction, and/or weighting of investment positions that will enable the Fund to achieve its investment objective. In addition, the models may not be reliable in the event of unusual or disruptive events that cause market movements, which may be inconsistent with the historical performance of individual markets. In such instances, the models may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for the Fund. Furthermore, because predictive models may be constructed based on data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of such data.
Momentum Securities Risk Stocks that have previously exhibited high momentum characteristics may not experience positive momentum in the future or may experience more volatility than the market as a whole. The Index Provider may be unsuccessful in creating an index that emphasizes momentum securities. In addition, there may be periods when the momentum style of investing is out of favor and the investment performance of the Fund may suffer. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager can offer assurances that the Index Provider’s model will result in the Fund meeting its investment objective.
Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage-backed securities (residential and commercial) and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Although asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, like traditional fixed-income securities, are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks.
  Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities also are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgages or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Certain CMBS are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund’s investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.
  Mortgage-backed securities may be either pass-through securities or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). Pass-through securities represent a right to receive principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages, which are passed through to security holders. CMOs are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (“tranches”) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Certain CMO tranches may represent a right to receive interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”) or an amount that remains after floating-rate tranches are paid (an “inverse floater”). These securities are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rates on inverse floaters, for example, vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically). Interest rates on inverse floaters will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase when short-term rates decrease. These securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage. In response to changes in market interest rates or other market conditions, the value of an inverse floater may increase or decrease at a multiple of the increase or decrease in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund invests in CMO tranches (including CMO tranches issued by government agencies) and interest rates move in a manner not anticipated by Fund management, it is possible that the Fund could lose all or substantially all of its investment. Certain mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may also provide a degree of investment leverage, which could cause the Fund to lose all or substantially all of its investment.
  The mortgage market in the United States has experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on mortgage loans (including subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased and may continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of real estate values (as has been experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Also, a number of mortgage loan originators have experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy. Reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue or worsen.
  Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities.
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  In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults.
Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include:
  General Obligation Bonds Risks— The full faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality that issues a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base.
  Revenue Bonds Risks— Payments of interest and principal on revenue bonds are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax or other revenue source. These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source.
  Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment.
  Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality.
  Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of, and are secured by, tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money.
  Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. The issuer will generally appropriate municipal funds for that purpose, but is not obligated to do so. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. However, if the issuer does not fulfill its payment obligation it may be difficult to sell the property and the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund’s loss.
  Tax-Exempt Status Risk — In making investments, the Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal obligations and payments under tax-exempt derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions. If any of those tax opinions are ultimately determined to be incorrect or if events occur after the security is acquired that impact the security’s tax-exempt status, the Fund and its shareholders could be subject to substantial tax liabilities. The IRS has generally not ruled on the taxability of the securities. An assertion by the IRS that a portfolio security is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax (contrary to indications from the issuer) could affect the Fund’s and its shareholders’ income tax liability for the current or past years and could create liability for information reporting penalties. In addition, an IRS assertion of taxability may impair the liquidity and the fair market value of the securities.
National Closed Market Trading Risk To the extent that the underlying securities and/or other assets held by the ETF trade on foreign exchanges or in foreign markets that may be closed when the securities exchange on which the ETF’s shares trade is open, there are likely to be deviations between the current price of an underlying security and the last quoted price for the underlying security (i.e., the ETF’s quote from the closed foreign market). The impact of a closed foreign market on the Fund is likely to be greater where a large portion of the Fund’s underlying securities and/or other assets trade on that closed foreign market or when the foreign market is closed for unscheduled reasons. These deviations could result in premiums or discounts to the ETF’s net asset value (“NAV”) that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
“New Issues” Risk — “New issues” are initial public offerings (“IPOs”) of equity securities. Investments in companies that have recently gone public have the potential to produce substantial gains for the Fund. However, there is no assurance that the Fund will have access to profitable IPOs and therefore investors should not rely on these past gains as an indication of future performance. The investment performance of the Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as the Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Fund’s performance will generally decrease. Securities issued in IPOs are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for very limited periods. In addition, the prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile or may decline shortly after the IPO. When an IPO is brought to the market, availability may be limited and the Fund may not
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  be able to buy any shares at the offering price, or, if it is able to buy shares, it may not be able to buy as many shares at the offering price as it would like.
Non-U.S. Agency Debt Risk The Fund invests in uncollateralized bonds issued by agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities of foreign governments. Bonds issued by these foreign government agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities are generally backed only by the creditworthiness and reputation of the entities issuing the bonds and may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the foreign government. Moreover, a foreign government that explicitly provides its full faith and credit to a particular entity may be, due to changed circumstances, unable or unwilling to actually provide that support. If a non-U.S. agency is unable to meet its obligations, the performance of the Fund will be adversely impacted. A non-U.S. agency’s operations and financial condition are influenced by the foreign government’s economic and other policies. Changes to the financial condition or credit rating of a foreign government may cause the value of debt issued by that particular foreign government’s agencies, subdivisions or instrumentalities to decline. During periods of economic uncertainty, the trading of non-U.S. agency bonds may be less liquid while market prices may be more volatile than prices of U.S. agency bonds. Additional risks associated with non-U.S. agency investing include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability, which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, and potential restrictions of the flow of international capital.
Passive Investment Risk — The portfolios of certain ETFs are not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments relating to their respective indices. Such ETFs typically invest in securities included in, or representative of, their respective indices regardless of their investment merits and do not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets.
Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred securities of larger companies.
Reliance on Trading Partners Risk — The economies of many countries in which the Fund invests are highly dependent on trade with certain key trading partners. Reduction in spending on products and services by these key trading partners, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers or a slowdown in the economies of key trading partners may adversely affect the performance of any security in which the Fund invests and have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s performance.
Representative Sampling Risk Representative sampling is a method of indexing that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively have a similar investment profile to the index and resemble the index in terms of risk factors and other key characteristics. A passively managed ETF may or may not hold every security in the index. When an ETF deviates from a full replication indexing strategy to utilize a representative sampling strategy, the ETF is subject to an increased risk of tracking error, in that the securities selected in the aggregate for the ETF may not have an investment profile similar to those of its index.
Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the Fund may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value of the security declines, the Fund may lose money.
Restricted Securities Risk Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at advantageous prices. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. In order to sell such securities, the Fund may have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Other transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities than unrestricted securities. Restricted securities may be difficult to value because market quotations may not be readily available, and the securities may have significant volatility. Also, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a given restricted security, and therefore may be less able to predict a loss. Certain restricted securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses to the Fund.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities.
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  These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will be less than the interest expense.
Risk of Investing in Agriculture and Livestock — The agricultural and livestock sectors are subject to government subsidy policies and environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Specific governmental policies, such as taxes, tariffs, duties, subsidies and import and export restrictions on agricultural commodities, commodity products and livestock, can influence the profitability of investing in agriculture and livestock. These industries may also be adversely affected by changes in commercial and consumer demand for their products. A growing competitive landscape and increased availability of such commodities can influence: (i) the planting and raising of certain crops/livestock versus other uses of resources; (ii) the location and size of crop and livestock production; (iii) whether unprocessed or processed commodity products are traded; and (iv) the volume and types of imports and exports. Economic recession or labor difficulties may also lead to a decrease in demand for the products and services involved in agriculture. As a result, the price of agricultural or livestock commodities could decline, which would affect the performance of the Fund. The agricultural and livestock sectors also are particularly sensitive to changing weather conditions, such as floods or droughts, natural disasters and other factors, such as disease outbreaks and pollution.
Securities Lending Risk — Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.
Shares of an ETF May Trade at Prices Other Than Net Asset Value — Shares of an ETF trade on exchanges at prices at, above or below their most recent net asset value. The per share net asset value of an ETF is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the ETF’s holdings since the most recent calculation. The trading prices of an ETF’s shares fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than net asset value. The trading prices of an ETF’s shares may deviate significantly from net asset value during periods of market volatility. Any of these factors may lead to an ETF’s shares trading at a premium or discount to net asset value. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in creation units, which are aggregated blocks of shares that authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the ETF’s distributor can purchase or redeem directly from the ETF, at net asset value (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their net asset values), large discounts or premiums to the net asset value of an ETF are not likely to be sustained over the long-term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that an ETF’s shares normally trade on exchanges at prices close to the ETF’s next calculated net asset value, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with an ETF’s net asset value due to timing reasons as well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or the existence of extreme market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from net asset value. If a shareholder purchases at a time when the market price is at a premium to the net asset value or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the net asset value, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Sovereign Debt Risk — Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected.
Structured Notes Risk Structured notes and other related instruments purchased by the Fund are generally privately negotiated debt obligations where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a specific asset, benchmark asset, market or interest rate (“reference measure”). The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may increase or decrease, depending upon changes in the value of the reference measure. The terms of a structured note may provide that, in certain circumstances, no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in a loss of invested capital by the Fund. The interest and/or principal payments that may be made on a structured product may vary widely, depending on a variety of factors, including the volatility of the reference measure.
  Structured notes may be positively or negatively indexed, so the appreciation of the reference measure may produce an increase or a decrease in the interest rate or the value of the principal at maturity. The rate of return on
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  structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of reference measures. Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss.
  The purchase of structured notes exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the structured product. Structured notes may also be more volatile, less liquid, and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities and instruments or more traditional debt securities.
Subsidiary Risk By investing in a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund formed in the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”), the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The commodity-related instruments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund (see “Commodities Related Investments Risk” above). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by BlackRock, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund.
Tax Risk Although the Fund intends to invest primarily in securities the interest on which, in the opinion of counsel to the issuer, is exempt from federal income tax, IRS has generally not ruled on the taxability of the securities. An assertion by the IRS that a portfolio security is not exempt from Federal income tax (contrary to indications from the issuer) could affect the Fund’s and shareholder’s income tax liability for the current or past years and could create liability for information reporting penalties. In addition, an IRS assertion of taxability may impair the liquidity and the fair market value of the securities.
Thematic Investing Risk — The Fund relies on the Index Provider for the identification of securities for inclusion in the Underlying Index that reflect themes and sub-themes, and its performance may suffer if such securities are not correctly identified or if a theme or sub-theme develops in an unexpected manner. Performance may also suffer if the stocks included in the Underlying Index do not benefit from the development of such themes or sub-themes. Performance may also be impacted by the inclusion of non-theme-relevant exposures in the Underlying Index. There is no guarantee that the Underlying Index will reflect the theme and sub-theme exposures intended.
Tracking Error Risk — Imperfect correlation between a passively managed ETF’s portfolio securities and those in its index, rounding of prices, the timing of cash flows, the ETF’s size, changes to the index and regulatory requirements may cause tracking error, which is the divergence of an ETF’s performance from that of its underlying index. This risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Tracking error also may result because an ETF incurs fees and expenses while its underlying index does not.
U.S. Government Issuer Risk Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so.
U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk U.S. Treasury obligations may differ from other securities in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Similar to other issuers, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline. On August 5, 2011, S&P Global Ratings downgraded U.S. Treasury securities from AAA rating to AA+ rating. A further downgrade of the ratings of U.S. government debt obligations, which are often used as a benchmark for other borrowing arrangements, could result in higher interest rates for individual and corporate borrowers, cause disruptions in the international bond markets and have a substantial negative effect on the U.S. economy. A downgrade of U.S. Treasury securities from another ratings agency or a further downgrade below AA+ rating by S&P Global Ratings may cause the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.
Value Securities Risk Value securities are those issued by companies that may be perceived as undervalued. Value securities may fail to appreciate for long periods of time and may never realize their full potential value. Value securities have generally performed better than non-value securities during periods of economic recovery (although there is no assurance that they will continue to do so). Value securities may go in and out of favor over time.
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Volatility Risk — Although the Fund intends to implement strategies designed to limit volatility during times of market stress, the effectiveness of these strategies may depend on particular market conditions and other factors that are beyond the control of Fund management. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s efforts to limit volatility will be successful or that any particular level of volatility will be achieved.
Zero Coupon Securities Risk While interest payments are not made on such securities, holders of such securities are deemed to have received income (“phantom income”) annually, notwithstanding that cash may not be received currently. The effect of owning instruments that do not make current interest payments is that a fixed yield is earned not only on the original investment but also, in effect, on all discount accretion during the life of the obligations. This implicit reinvestment of earnings at a fixed rate eliminates the risk of being unable to invest distributions at a rate as high as the implicit yield on the zero coupon bond, but at the same time eliminates the holder’s ability to reinvest at higher rates in the future. For this reason, some of these securities may be subject to substantially greater price fluctuations during periods of changing market interest rates than are comparable securities that pay interest currently. Longer term zero coupon bonds are more exposed to interest rate risk than shorter term zero coupon bonds. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash.
Investment in a Particular Geographic Region or Country Risk
United States A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States are changing many aspects of financial, commercial, public health, environmental, and other regulation and may have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future. Although elevated debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, elevated public debt service costs may constrain future economic growth.
  The United States has developed increasingly strained relations with a number of foreign countries. If relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect U.S. issuers as well as non-U.S. issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord, as well as significant challenges in managing and containing the outbreak of COVID-19. If these trends were to continue, it may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which a Fund and the Underlying Funds invest.
Investments in a Particular Market Segment
Communication Services Sector Risk The communication services sector consists of both companies in the telecommunication services industry as well as those in the media and entertainment industry. Examples of companies in the telecommunication services industry group include providers of fiber-optic, fixed-line, cellular and wireless telecommunications networks. Companies in the media and entertainment industry group encompass a variety of services and products including television broadcasting, gaming products, social media, networking platforms, online classifieds, online review websites, and Internet search engines. Companies in the communication services sector may be affected by industry competition, substantial capital requirements, government regulation, and obsolescence of communications products and services due to technological advancement. Fluctuating domestic and international demand, shifting demographics and often unpredictable changes in consumer tastes can drastically affect a communication services company’s profitability. In addition, while all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the communication services sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses.
  The communication services sector of a country’s economy is often subject to extensive government regulation. The costs of complying with governmental regulations, delays or failure to receive required regulatory approvals, or the enactment of new regulatory requirements may negatively affect the business of communications companies. Government actions around the world, specifically in the area of pre-marketing clearance of products and prices, can be arbitrary and unpredictable. The communications services industry can also be significantly affected by intense competition for market share, including competition with alternative technologies such as wireless communications, product compatibility and standardization, consumer preferences, rapid product obsolescence, research and development of new products, lack of standardization or compatibility with existing technologies, and a dependency on patent and copyright protections. Companies in the communication services sector may encounter distressed cash flows due to the need to commit substantial capital to meet increasing competition, particularly in developing new products and services using new technology. Technological innovations may make the products and services of certain communications companies obsolete.
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  Telecommunications providers with exposure to the United States are generally required to obtain franchises or licenses in order to provide services in a given location. Licensing and franchise rights in the telecommunications sector are limited, which may provide an advantage to certain participants. Limited availability of such rights, high barriers to market entry and regulatory oversight, among other factors, have led to consolidation of companies within the sector, which could lead to further regulation or other negative effects in the future. Telecommunication providers investing in non-U.S. countries may be subject to similar risks. Additional risks include those related to competitive challenges in the United States from non-U.S. competitors engaged in strategic joint ventures with U.S. companies and in non-U.S. markets from both U.S. and non-U.S. competitors.
  Companies in the media and entertainment industries can be significantly affected by several factors, including competition, particularly in formulation of products and services using new technologies, cyclicality of revenues and earnings, a potential decrease in the discretionary income of targeted individuals, changing consumer tastes and interests, and the potential increase in government regulation. Companies in the media and entertainment industries may become obsolete quickly. Advertising spending can be an important revenue source for media and entertainment companies. During economic downturns advertising spending typically decreases and, as a result, media and entertainment companies tend to generate less revenue.
Consumer Cyclical Industry Risk The success of consumer cyclical companies is tied closely to the performance of domestic and international economies, exchange rates, interest rates, competition, consumer confidence, changes in demographics and preferences. Companies in the consumer cyclical industry depend heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending, and may be strongly affected by social trends and marketing campaigns. These companies may be subject to severe competition, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability.
Energy Sector Risk The performance of energy-related commodities is generally cyclical and highly dependent on energy prices. Energy prices may fluctuate significantly due to, among other things, national and international political changes, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and non-OPEC energy exporters, such as the Russian Federation, policies and relationships, and the economies of key energy-consuming countries. The market value of energy-related commodities may decline for many reasons, including, among other things: changes in the levels and volatility of global energy prices, energy supply and demand, and capital expenditures on exploration and production of energy sources; exchange rates, interest rates, economic conditions, and tax treatment; terrorism, natural disasters and other catastrophes; and energy conservation efforts, increased competition and technological advances. The energy sector may also be subject to substantial government regulation and contractual fixed pricing. In 2020, in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak and disputes among oil-producing countries regarding potential limits on the production of crude oil, the energy sector has experienced increased volatility. In particular, significant market volatility occurred and is continuing in the crude oil markets as well as the oil futures markets, which resulted in the market price of the front month futures contract falling below zero for a period of time.
Financials Sector Risk — Companies in the financials sector of an economy are subject to extensive governmental regulation and intervention, which may adversely affect the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge, the amount of capital they must maintain and, potentially, their size. The extent to which the Fund may invest in a company that engages in securities-related activities or banking is limited by applicable law. Governmental regulation may change frequently and may have significant adverse consequences for companies in the financials sector, including effects not intended by such regulation. Recently enacted legislation in the United States has relaxed capital requirements and other regulatory burdens on certain U.S. banks. While the effect of the legislation may benefit certain companies in the financials sector, including non-U.S. financials sector companies, increased risk taking by affected banks may also result in greater overall risk in the United States and global financials sector. The impact of changes in capital requirements, or recent or future regulation in various countries, on any individual financial company or on the financials sector as a whole cannot be predicted. Certain risks may impact the value of investments in the financials sector more severely than those of investments outside this sector, including the risks associated with companies that operate with substantial financial leverage. Companies in the financials sector may also be adversely affected by increases in interest rates and loan losses, decreases in the availability of money or asset valuations, credit rating downgrades and adverse conditions in other related markets. Insurance companies, in particular, may be subject to severe price competition and/or rate regulation, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability. The financials sector is particularly sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates. The financials sector is also a target for cyberattacks, and may experience technology malfunctions and disruptions. In recent years, cyberattacks and technology malfunctions and failures have become increasingly frequent in this sector and have reportedly caused losses to companies in this sector, which may negatively impact the Fund.
Healthcare Sector Risk — The profitability of companies in the healthcare sector may be adversely affected by the following factors, among others: extensive government regulations, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on
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  outpatient services, changes in the demand for medical products and services, a limited number of products, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. A number of issuers in the healthcare sector have recently merged or otherwise experienced consolidation. The effects of this trend toward consolidation are unknown and may be far-reaching. Many healthcare companies are heavily dependent on patent protection. The expiration of a company’s patents may adversely affect that company’s profitability. Many healthcare companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new products in the healthcare sector may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly, and such efforts ultimately may be unsuccessful. Companies in the healthcare sector may be thinly capitalized and may be susceptible to product obsolescence. In addition, a number of legislative proposals concerning healthcare have been considered by the U.S. Congress in recent years. It is unclear what proposals will ultimately be enacted, if any, and what effect they may have on companies in the healthcare sector.
Industrials Sector Risk — The value of securities issued by companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by supply and demand changes related to their specific products or services and industrials sector products in general. The products of manufacturing companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Global events, trade disputes and changes in government regulations, economic conditions and exchange rates may adversely affect the performance of companies in the industrials sector. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by liability for environmental damage and product liability claims. The industrials sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which may be influenced by unpredictable factors. Aerospace and defense companies, a component of the industrials sector, can be significantly affected by government spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely, to a significant extent, on government demand for their products and services. Thus, the financial condition of, and investor interest in, aerospace and defense companies are heavily influenced by governmental defense spending policies, which are typically under pressure from efforts to control government budgets. Transportation stocks, a component of the industrials sector, are cyclical and can be significantly affected by economic changes, fuel prices, labor relations and insurance costs. Transportation companies in certain countries may also be subject to significant government regulation and oversight, which may adversely affect their businesses. Companies in the industrials sector, particularly aerospace and defense companies, may also be adversely affected by government spending policies because companies in this sector tend to rely to a significant extent on government demand for their products and services.
Infrastructure Industry Risk Companies in the infrastructure industry may be subject to a variety of factors that could adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high degrees of leverage, costs associated with governmental, environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdowns, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning costs, the level of government spending on infrastructure projects, and other factors. Infrastructure companies may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, import controls, depletion of resources, technological developments, and labor relations. There is also the risk that corruption may negatively affect publicly funded infrastructure projects, especially in emerging markets, resulting in delays and cost overruns. Infrastructure issuers can be significantly affected by government spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely to a significant extent on U.S. and other government demand for their products.
  Customer Risk — Infrastructure companies can be dependent upon a narrow customer base. Additionally, if these customers fail to pay their obligations, significant revenues could be lost and may not be replaceable.
  Inflation Risk — Many infrastructure companies may have fixed income streams. Consequently, their market values may decline in times of higher inflation. Additionally, the prices that an infrastructure company is able to charge users of its assets may be linked to inflation, whether by government regulation, contractual arrangement or other factors. In this case, changes in the rate of inflation may affect the company’s profitability.
  Interest Rate Risk — Rising interest rates could result in higher costs of capital for infrastructure companies, which could negatively impact their ability to meet payment obligations.
  Leverage Risk — Infrastructure companies can be highly leveraged, which increases investment risk and other risks normally associated with debt financing, and could adversely affect an infrastructure company’s operations and market value in periods of rising interest rates.
  Operations Risk — The failure of an infrastructure company to carry adequate insurance or to operate its assets appropriately could lead to significant losses. Infrastructure may be adversely affected by environmental clean-up costs and catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist acts.
  Regulatory Risk — Infrastructure companies may be subject to significant regulation by various governmental authorities and also may be affected by regulation of rates charged to customers, service interruption due to
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  environmental, operational or other events, the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards.
  Strategic Asset Risk — Infrastructure companies may control significant strategic assets (e.g., major pipelines or highways), which are assets that have a national or regional profile, and may have monopolistic characteristics. Given their national or regional profile or irreplaceable nature, strategic assets could generate additional risk not common in other industry sectors and they may be targeted for terrorist acts or adverse political actions.
Insurance Industry Risk The insurance industry is subject to extensive government regulation in some countries and can be significantly affected by changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, price and market competition, the imposition of premium rate caps or other changes in government regulation or tax law. Certain segments of the insurance industry can be significantly affected by mortality and morbidity rates, environmental clean-up costs and catastrophic events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist acts.
Materials Sector Risk — Companies in the materials sector may be adversely affected by commodity price volatility, exchange rate fluctuations, social and political unrest, import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources, technical advances, labor relations, over-production, decreases in the demand for materials, litigation and government regulations, among other factors. Companies in the materials sector are also at risk of liability for environmental damage and product liability claims. Production of materials may exceed demand as a result of market imbalances or economic downturns, leading to poor investment returns.
Metals and Mining Industry Risk — The Fund will have exposure to various metals. Investments in metals may be speculative and subject to greater price volatility than investments in other types of assets. The price of metals is related to, among other things, worldwide metal prices and extraction and production costs. Worldwide metal prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time, and as a result, the Fund’s share price may be more volatile than other types of investments. In addition, metals may be significantly affected by changes in global demand for certain metals, economic developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, changes in exchange rates, interest rates, economic conditions, tax treatment, trade treaties, and government regulation and intervention, and events in the regions which the Fund has exposure (e.g., expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property of mining companies, the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments or repatriation of capital, military coups, social or political unrest, violence and labor unrest). Metals may also be subject to the effects of competitive pressures in the metals and mining industry.
Technology Sector Risk — Technology companies, including information technology companies, face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on a company’s profit margins. Technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of technology companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments, frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates, aggressive pricing, changes in demand, and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and other intellectual property rights. A technology company’s loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the company’s profitability. Companies in the technology sector are facing increased government and regulatory scrutiny and may be subject to adverse government or regulatory action. The technology sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors.
Utilities and Telecommunications Risk — When interest rates go up, the value of securities issued by utilities companies, such as electric, water and gas companies, and telecommunications companies historically has gone down. Although the average dividend yield of utilities and telecommunications industry stocks has been higher than those of other companies, the total return of utilities and telecommunications securities has historically underperformed those of industrial companies. In most countries and localities, the utilities and telecommunications industry is regulated by governmental entities, which can increase costs and delays for new projects and make it difficult to pass increased costs on to consumers. In certain areas, deregulation of utilities and telecommunications companies has resulted in increased competition and reduced profitability for certain companies, and increased the risk that a particular company will become bankrupt or fail completely. Reduced profitability, as well as new uses for or additional need of funds (such as for expansion, operations or stock buybacks), could result in reduced dividend payout rates for utilities and telecommunications companies. In addition, utilities and telecommunications companies face the risk of increases in the cost and reduced availability of fuel (such as oil, coal, natural gas or nuclear energy) and potentially high interest costs for borrowing to finance new projects.
The Funds may also be subject to certain other non-principal risks associated with their investments and investment strategies, including:
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Cyber Security Risk — Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, distributor, and other service providers, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders. While the Fund has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address system breaches or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems of the Fund’s service providers or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests.
Expense Risk — Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant.
Large Shareholder and Large-Scale Redemption Risk — Certain shareholders, including a third-party investor, the Fund’s adviser or an affiliate of the Fund’s adviser, or another entity, may from time to time own or manage a substantial amount of Fund shares or may invest in the Fund and hold its investment for a limited period of time. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder or large group of shareholders would not redeem their investment or that the size of the Fund would be maintained. Redemptions of a large number of Fund shares by these shareholders may adversely affect the Fund’s liquidity and net assets. These redemptions may force the Fund to sell portfolio securities to meet redemption requests when it might not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and increase the Fund’s brokerage costs and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income and cause the Fund to make taxable distributions to its shareholders earlier than the Fund otherwise would have. In addition, under certain circumstances, non-redeeming shareholders may be treated as receiving a disproportionately large taxable distribution during or with respect to such tax year. The Fund also may be required to sell its more liquid Fund investments to meet a large redemption, in which case the Fund’s remaining assets may be less liquid, more volatile, and more difficult to price. In addition, large redemptions can result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, which generally results in an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. Because large redemptions can adversely affect a portfolio manager’s ability to implement a fund’s investment strategy, each Fund also reserves the right to redeem in-kind, subject to certain conditions. In addition, large purchases of Fund shares may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would, diluting its investment returns.
LIBOR Risk — The Fund may be exposed to financial instruments that are tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The Fund’s investments may pay interest at floating rates based on LIBOR or may be subject to interest caps or floors based on LIBOR. The Fund may also obtain financing at floating rates based on LIBOR. Derivative instruments utilized by the Fund may also reference LIBOR.
  The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of LIBOR such that after June 30, 2023, the overnight, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will cease to be published or will no longer be representative. All other LIBOR settings and certain other interbank offered rates, such as the Euro Overnight Index Average (“EONIA”), ceased to be published or representative after December 31, 2021. The Fund may have investments linked to other interbank offered rates that may also cease to be published in the future. Various financial industry groups have been planning for the transition away from LIBOR, but there remain challenges to converting certain securities and transactions to a new reference rate (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), which is intended to replace the U.S. dollar LIBOR).
  Neither the effect of the LIBOR transition process nor its ultimate success can yet be known. The transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. While some existing LIBOR-based instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR is no longer available by providing for an alternative rate-setting methodology, there may be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such alternative methodologies to replicate LIBOR. Not all existing LIBOR-based instruments may have alternative rate-setting provisions and there remains uncertainty regarding the willingness and ability of issuers to add alternative rate-setting provisions in certain existing instruments. Global regulators have advised market participants to cease entering into new contracts using LIBOR as a reference rate, and it is possible that investments in LIBOR-based instruments could invite regulatory scrutiny. In addition, a liquid market for newly-issued instruments that use a reference rate other than LIBOR still may be developing. There may also be challenges for the Fund to enter into hedging transactions against such newly-issued instruments until a market for such hedging transactions develops. All of the aforementioned may adversely affect the Fund’s performance or NAV.
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Money Market Securities Risk — If market conditions improve while the Fund has invested some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities, this strategy could result in reducing the potential gain from the market upswing, thus reducing the Fund’s opportunity to achieve its investment objective.
Valuation Risk The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Pricing services that value fixed-income securities generally utilize a range of market-based and security-specific inputs and assumptions, as well as considerations about general market conditions, to establish a price. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but may be held or transactions may be conducted in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.
Information about Underlying Funds and ETFs

Description of Underlying Funds
Under normal circumstances, each Fund intends to invest primarily in affiliated open-end funds and affiliated ETFs. Each Fund may invest in any of the underlying funds. The following tables set forth (i) the names of the underlying funds, and (ii) brief descriptions of the underlying funds’ investment objectives and principal investment strategies. The list of underlying funds is subject to change at the discretion of BlackRock without notice to shareholders. In addition, the investment objective and principal investment strategies of each underlying fund are subject to change without notice to shareholders.
Prospectuses for the open-end funds can be accessed at http://www.blackrock.com/prospectus or obtained by calling (800) 441-7762. Prospectuses for the ETFs can be accessed at www.iShares.com or obtained by calling (800) 474-2737.
EQUITY FUNDS
Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities issued by, or tied economically to, companies in emerging markets and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. BlackRock considers an emerging market country to include any country that is: (1) generally recognized to be an emerging market country by the international financial community, including the World Bank; (2) classified by the United Nations as a developing country; or (3) included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the “MSCI EM Index”). BlackRock determines that an investment is tied economically to an emerging market if such investment satisfies one or more of the following conditions: (1) the issuer’s primary trading market is in an emerging market; (2) the issuer is organized under the laws of, derives at least 50% of its revenue from, or has at least 50% of its assets in emerging markets; and (3) the investment is included in an index representative of emerging markets. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and depositary receipts. Generally, the Fund will invest in equities or other financial instruments that are components of, or have characteristics similar to, the securities included in the MSCI EM Index. The MSCI EM Index is a capitalization-weighted index from a broad range of industries chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. The Fund primarily seeks to buy common stock and may also invest in preferred stock and convertible securities. From time to time, the Fund may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings. The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps, some of which may be referred to as contracts for difference) and forward contracts, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts or options on such contracts.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (continued) Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a currency or an index, including but not limited to the MSCI EM Index. The use of options, futures, swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps, some of which may be referred to as contracts for difference) and forward contracts can be effective in protecting or enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
BlackRock Advantage Global Fund, Inc. The investment objective of BlackRock Advantage Global Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
The Fund primarily intends to invest in equity securities or other financial instruments that are components of, or have characteristics similar to, the securities included in the MSCI All Country World Index (the “MSCI ACWI Index”). The MSCI ACWI Index is a capitalization-weighted index of equity securities from a broad range of industries chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. The equity securities in which the Fund invests primarily consist of common stock, but may also include preferred stock and convertible securities. From time to time, the Fund may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings. The Fund may invest in issuers of any capitalization.
The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps, some of which may be referred to as contracts for difference) and forward contracts, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts or options on such contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a currency or an index, including but not limited to the MSCI ACWI Index.
The Fund will invest in securities of issuers from a variety of countries, including those in emerging markets. The Fund may also invest in equity securities issued by emerging growth companies, which are companies of any market capitalization without a long or consistent history of earnings but that Fund management believes have the potential for earnings growth over an extended period of time.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund anticipates it will allocate a substantial amount (approximately 40% or more — unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by Fund management, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30%) of its total assets in foreign securities, which may include securities (i) of foreign government issuers, (ii) of issuers organized or located outside the United States, (iii) of issuers which primarily trade in a market located outside the United States, or (iv) of issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States, which the Fund considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the United States or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no fewer than three different countries).
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities of U.S. issuers and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, large cap equity securities are equity securities that at the time of purchase have a market capitalization within the range of companies included in the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the “Russell 1000 Growth Index”). The Fund is a growth fund and primarily intends to invest in equity securities, which include common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities, or other financial instruments that are components of, or have characteristics similar to, the securities included in the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The Russell 1000 Growth Index is a capitalization-weighted index from a broad range of industries chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. The Fund primarily seeks to buy common stock and may also invest in preferred stock and convertible securities. From time to time, the Fund may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings. The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps, some of which may be referred to as contracts for difference) and forward contracts, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in interest rates
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (continued) and movements in the securities markets. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts or options on such contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a currency or an index, including but not limited to the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The use of options, futures, swaps and forward contracts can be effective in protecting or enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc., is to seek long-term capital growth. In other words, the Fund tries to choose investments that will increase in value.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities of U.S. issuers and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, large cap equity securities are equity securities that at the time of purchase have a market capitalization within the range of companies included in the Russell 1000® Value Index (the “Russell 1000 Value Index”). The Fund primarily intends to invest in equity securities, which include common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities, or other financial instruments that are components of, or have characteristics similar to, the securities included in the Russell 1000 Value Index. The Russell 1000 Value Index is a capitalization-weighted index from a broad range of industries chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. The Fund primarily seeks to buy common stock and may also invest in preferred stock and convertible securities. From time to time, the Fund may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings. The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps, some of which may be referred to as contracts for difference) and forward contracts, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts or options on such contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a currency or an index, including but not limited to the Russell 1000 Value Index. The use of options, futures, swaps and forward contracts can be effective in protecting or enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
The Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investment in commodity-linked derivative instruments and investment vehicles such as exchange-traded funds that invest exclusively in commodities and are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities.
BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to seek capital appreciation over the long term.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities or other financial instruments that are components of, or have market capitalizations similar to, the securities included in the Russell 2000® Index. The companies included in the Russell 2000® Index have market capitalizations that range from approximately $6.4 million to $10.5 billion as of August 31, 2022. The Fund primarily seeks to buy common stock and may also invest in preferred stock and convertible securities. From time to time the Fund may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings.
The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps and forward contracts both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts or options on such contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a commodity (such as oil or gas), a currency or an index, including but not limited to the Russell 2000® Index. The use of options, futures, swaps and forward contracts can be effective in protecting or enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. The investment objective of BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing in securities, principally equity securities, of issuers in countries having smaller capital markets.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (continued) Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities of issuers located in countries with developing capital markets. Equity securities consist primarily of common and preferred stocks and depositary receipts, and include securities convertible into common stock, and securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stock. A developing capital market is the market of any country that the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the United Nations or its authorities have determined to have a low or middle income economy. Countries with developing capital markets can be found in regions such as Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa. For this purpose, developing capital markets include, but are not limited to, the markets of all countries that comprise the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The Fund may also consider an issuer to be located in a country that has a developing capital market if at least 50% of the issuer’s assets, gross revenues or profits in any one of the last two years represents assets or activities located in such countries.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities of issuers domiciled in the People’s Republic of China (“China” and, for the purpose of this policy, excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) and listed in China that are accessible through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program. The Fund may also invest in fixed income securities issued by companies and governments in these countries, as well as mezzanine investments. The Fund normally invests in at least three countries at any given time. The Fund can invest in securities denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies. The Fund has not established any rating or maturity criteria for the debt securities in which it may invest. From time to time the Fund may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings.
Fund management may, when consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). The Fund’s exposure to certain markets may be effected through investments in participation notes or other structured or derivative instruments that are designed to replicate, or otherwise provide exposure to, the performance of securities listed in such markets.
BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek long-term total return and current income.
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in equity securities and at least 80% of its assets in dividend paying securities. The Fund may invest in securities of companies with any market capitalization, but will generally focus on large cap securities. The Fund may also invest in convertible securities and non-convertible preferred stock. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common stock, or securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stock.
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of foreign issuers. The Fund may invest in securities from any country. The Fund may invest in securities denominated in both U.S. dollars and non-U.S. dollar currencies. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts, European Depositary Receipts or other securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers.
BlackRock chooses investments for the Fund that it believes will both increase in value over the long term and provide current income, focusing on investments that will do both instead of those that will favor current income over capital appreciation.
BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio The investment objective of BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock Funds II, is to seek to provide a level of current income that exceeds the average yield on global stocks generally. Additionally, the Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying equity securities and at least 40% of its assets outside of the United States (unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by Fund management, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30% of its assets outside of the United States). The Fund will primarily invest in common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common and preferred stock and non-convertible preferred stock. The Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers that can be U.S. dollar based or non-U.S. dollar based. The Fund may invest in securities of companies of any market capitalization, but intends to invest primarily in securities of large capitalization
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio (continued) companies. The combination of equity securities will be varied from time to time both with respect to types of securities and markets in response to changing market and economic trends. The Fund may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings and “new issues.”
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in global fixed-income securities, including corporate bonds, U.S. Government debt securities, non-U.S. Government and supranational debt securities (an example of such an entity is the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate loans, emerging market debt securities and non-investment grade debt securities (high yield or junk bonds). Investment in fixed-income securities will be made on an opportunistic basis. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities of any duration or maturity.
The Fund has no geographic limits in where it may invest and has no specific policy on the number of different countries in which it will invest. The Fund may invest in both developed and emerging markets. The Fund may emphasize foreign securities when Fund management expects these investments to outperform U.S. securities. The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps and forward contracts both to seek to increase the return of the Fund or to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. The Fund may enter into currency transactions on a hedged or unhedged basis in order to seek total return. The Fund may use indexed and inverse securities.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund anticipates it will allocate a substantial amount (at least 40% or more — unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by Fund management, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30%) of its total assets in foreign securities, which may include securities (i) of foreign government issuers, (ii) of issuers organized or located outside the United States, (iii) of issuers which primarily trade in a market located outside the United States, or (iv) of issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States, which the Fund considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the United States or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no less than three different countries). For temporary defensive purposes the Fund may deviate very substantially from this allocation.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its principal investment strategies.
BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund (the “Fund”), formerly known as BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund, a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to seek total return over the long term.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity instruments and related derivative instruments issued by, or tied economically to, companies located in developed markets. The Fund determines that an investment is tied economically to a developed market if such investment satisfies one or more of the following conditions: 1) the issuer’s primary trading market is in a developed market; 2) the issuer is organized under the laws of, derives at least 50% of its revenue from, or has at least 50% of its assets in developed markets; 3) the investment is included in an index representative of developed markets; and 4) the investment is exposed to the economic risks and returns of developed markets. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers of any market capitalization and in securities denominated in either U.S. dollars or foreign currencies.
The Fund intends to be market-neutral, which means that the Fund seeks to produce returns that have a low correlation to the returns of the equity markets in which the Fund invests. The Fund pursues this market-neutral strategy by taking both long and short positions in a variety of developed market equity instruments. The Fund expects to maintain long and short positions primarily through the use of swap agreements and other derivative instruments, such as futures, and may invest in such instruments without limitation. Although the Fund intends to maintain an overall long position in its portfolio investments, the Fund generally expects to maintain significant short positions in equity securities and equity-related instruments. In certain circumstances, these short positions may approach or reach the size of the overall long position. A long position arises where the Fund holds a security in its portfolio or maintains a position through a derivative instrument that provides economic exposure similar to direct ownership of the
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Global Equity Market Neutral Fund (continued) security. The Fund will have a short position where it sells a security it does not own by delivery of a borrowed security or has entered into a derivative instrument that provides economic exposure similar to a short sale of the security. The Fund looks to identify overvalued, undervalued or mispriced stocks and other equity instruments through proprietary ranking techniques. The Fund takes long positions primarily in securities that BlackRock has identified as attractive and short positions in such securities that BlackRock has identified as overvalued or poised for underperformance.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund anticipates it will allocate a substantial amount (approximately 40% or more —unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by BlackRock, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30%) of its total assets in securities (or derivatives with similar economic characteristics) of (i) foreign government issuers, (ii) issuers organized or located outside the United States, (iii) issuers whose securities primarily trade in a market located outside the United States, or (iv) issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States, which the Fund considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the United States or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no less than three different countries).For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may deviate very substantially from the allocation described above.
The Fund may utilize derivative instruments as a significant part of its strategy.
When consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund’s investments may include short-term investments, such as cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Government and agency securities, money market funds (including funds that may be affiliated with or sponsored or managed by BlackRock), commercial paper, certificates of deposit and other bank deposits and bankers’ acceptances.
Equity instruments consist of:
• Common stock
• Depositary receipts
• Derivative securities or instruments such as futures, options, forward contracts and swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps, some of which may be referred to as contracts for difference), the value of which is based on a common stock or group of common stocks. A contract for difference offers exposure to price changes in an underlying security without ownership of such security, typically by providing investors the ability to trade on margin.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio The investment objective of BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to provide long-term growth of capital.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities, primarily common stock, of companies in health sciences and related industries. The health sciences sector can include companies in health care equipment and supplies, health care providers and services, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Health sciences and related industries can include, but are not limited to, businesses involved in the development, production, and distribution or delivery of medical and pharmaceutical products and services, companies engaged in biotechnology and medical research and development, companies that may design, manufacture or distribute medical, dental and optical equipment and supplies, including diagnostic equipment, and companies that may also provide diagnostic services or operate health facilities and hospitals, or provide related administrative, management and financial support. The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., invest more than 25% of its assets) in health sciences or related industries, and may invest in companies located in non-U.S. countries. The Fund reserves the right to invest up to 20% of its total assets in other types of securities. These may include stocks of companies not associated with health sciences.
BlackRock International Dividend Fund The investment objective of BlackRock International Dividend Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to seek long-term total return and current income.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in dividend-paying equity securities issued by foreign companies of any market capitalization and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. Foreign securities may include
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock International Dividend Fund (continued) securities of (i) foreign government issuers, (ii) issuers organized or located outside the United States, (iii) issuers which primarily trade in a market located outside the United States, or (iv) issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States, which the Fund considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the United States or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries (but in no less than three different countries). For temporary defensive purposes the Fund may deviate very substantially from this allocation.
The Fund will primarily invest in equity securities, which include common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common and preferred stock and non-convertible preferred stock. The Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers that can be U.S. dollar based or non-U.S. dollar based. The Fund may invest in securities of companies of any market capitalization, but intends to invest primarily in securities of large capitalization companies. The combination of equity securities will be varied from time to time both with respect to types of securities and markets in response to changing market and economic trends. The Fund may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings or “new issues.”
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in global fixed-income securities, including corporate bonds, U.S. Government debt securities, non-U.S. Government and supranational debt securities (an example of such an entity is the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate loans, emerging market debt securities and non-investment grade debt securities (high yield or junk bonds). Investment in fixed-income securities will be made on an opportunistic basis. The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities of any duration or maturity.
The Fund has no geographic limits in where it may invest outside of the United States. The Fund may invest in both developed and emerging markets.
The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps and forward contracts, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund or to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. The Fund may enter into currency transactions on a hedged or unhedged basis in order to seek total return. The Fund may, when consistent with its investment objective, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities and may buy options on a currency or a basket of currencies, or enter into foreign currency transactions, including swaps. The Fund may also use forward foreign currency exchange contracts, which are obligations to buy or sell a currency at a pre-determined rate in the future. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a currency or an index. The use of options, futures, indexed securities, inverse securities, swaps and forward contracts can be effective in protecting or enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets. The Fund may, but under normal market conditions generally does not intend to, use derivatives for speculation to increase returns.
The Fund may invest in indexed and inverse securities.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its principal investment strategies.
The Fund is classified as diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
BlackRock International Fund The investment objective of BlackRock International Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock Series, Inc., is to seek long-term capital growth through investments primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of companies located outside the United States.
The Fund invests primarily in stocks of companies located outside the United States. The Fund may purchase common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and other instruments.
The Fund will invest at least 75% of its total assets in global equity securities of any market capitalization, selected for their above average return potential. The Fund may invest in securities issued by companies of all sizes but will focus mainly on medium and large capitalization companies. Companies will be located in developed countries of Europe and the Far East, and in countries with emerging capital markets anywhere in the world. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in global fixed income securities, including corporate bonds, U.S. Government debt securities, non-U.S.
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BlackRock International Fund (continued) Government and supranational debt securities, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, emerging market debt securities and non-investment grade debt securities (high yield or junk bonds).
Fund management selects companies that it believes are undervalued or have good prospects for earnings growth. The Fund chooses investments predominantly using a “bottom up” investment style using a global sector-based investment process. The Fund’s allocations to particular countries are based on Fund management’s evaluation of individual companies.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will allocate a substantial amount (approximately 40% or more — unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by Fund management, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30%) of its total assets in securities (i) of foreign government issuers, (ii) of issuers organized or located outside the United States, (iii) of issuers which primarily trade in a market located outside the United States, or (iv) of issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States, which the Fund considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the United States or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no less than three different countries). For temporary defensive purposes the Fund may deviate very substantially from the allocation described above.
Fund management may, when consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives).
BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund, Inc. The investment objective of BlackRock Large Cap Focus Value Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is to seek capital appreciation and, secondarily, income by investing in securities, primarily equity securities, that management of the Fund believes are undervalued and therefore represent basic investment value.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, large cap equity securities are equity securities that at the time of purchase have a market capitalization within the range of companies included in the Russell 1000® Value Index (the “Russell 1000 Value Index”). The Russell 1000 Value Index is a capitalization-weighted index from a broad range of industries chosen for market size, liquidity and industry group representation. Equity securities consist of common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities, other financial instruments that are components of, or have characteristics similar to, the securities included in the Russell 1000 Value Index, and American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), which are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company that evidence underlying securities issued by a foreign company.
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities that Fund management believes are undervalued, which means that their prices are less than Fund management believes they are worth. Fund management places particular emphasis on companies with below average price/earnings ratios that may pay above average dividends. The Fund invests primarily in common stock of U.S. companies, but the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the securities of foreign companies and ADRs. The Fund generally intends to invest in not less than 30 to not more than 50 companies.
BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio The investment objective of BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is long-term capital appreciation.
The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities issued by U.S. mid-capitalization companies which Fund management believes have above-average earnings growth potential. Equity securities consist primarily of common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common stock and securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stock. Although a universal definition of mid-capitalization companies does not exist, the Fund generally defines these companies, at the time of the Fund’s investment, as those with market capitalizations comparable in size to the companies in the Russell Midcap® Growth Index (between approximately $247 thousand and $52.7 million as of August 31, 2022). In the future, the Fund may define mid-capitalization companies using a different index or classification system. The Fund seeks to buy primarily common stock but also can invest
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio (continued) in preferred stock, convertible securities and other equity securities. From time to time the Fund may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings.
The Fund may, when consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities (commonly known as derivatives). The primary purpose of using derivatives is to attempt to reduce risk to the Fund as a whole (hedge), but they may also be used to maintain liquidity and commit cash pending investment. Fund management also may, but under normal market conditions generally does not intend to, use derivatives for speculation to increase returns.
BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to seek total return comprised of long-term growth of capital and dividend income.
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in a portfolio of equity investments in issuers that are primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry inside the United States. An issuer is primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry if it derives at least 50% of its gross revenues or net profits from the ownership, development, construction, financing, management or sale of commercial, industrial or residential real estate or interests therein or has 50% of its assets in real estate or real estate interests. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of purchase) in a portfolio of equity investments in issuers that are primarily engaged in or related to the real estate industry outside the United States and fixed-income investments, such as government, corporate and bank debt obligations.
Real estate industry companies may include real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), REIT-like structures, or real estate operating companies whose businesses and services are related to the real estate industry. The Fund primarily buys common stock but also can invest in preferred stock and convertible securities.
The Fund concentrates its investments in securities of issuers in the real estate industry.
The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Large Cap Core Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (formerly known as BlackRock Advantage ESG U.S. Equity Fund) (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to seek to provide total return while seeking to maintain certain environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) characteristics, climate risk exposure and climate opportunities relative to the Fund’s benchmark.Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, large cap equity securities are equity securities that at the time of purchase have a market capitalization within the range of companies included in the Russell 1000® Index (the “Benchmark”). The companies included in the Benchmark have market capitalizations that range from approximately $242 million to $2.4 trillion as of August 31, 2022. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock and convertible securities. The Fund primarily seeks to buy common stock.The Fund seeks to maintain certain ESG characteristics, climate risk exposure and climate opportunities relative to the Benchmark. Specifically, the Fund generally seeks to invest in a portfolio of equity securities that, in BlackRock’s view, (i) has an aggregate environmental, social and governance assessment that is better than the aggregate ESG assessment of the Benchmark, (ii) has an aggregate carbon emissions assessment that is lower than that of the Benchmark, and (iii) in the aggregate, includes issuers that BlackRock believes are better positioned to capture climate opportunities relative to the issuers in the Benchmark.BlackRock seeks to utilize exclusionary screens in determining the investment universe and to incorporate investment insights related to ESG characteristics in the portfolio construction process.To determine the Fund’s investable universe, Fund management will first seek to screen out certain issuers based on ESG criteria determined by BlackRock. Such screening criteria principally includes: (i) issuers that derive any revenue from the production of controversial weapons; (ii) issuers that derive any revenue from the production of civilian firearms; (iii) issuers that derive any revenue from the production of tobacco-related products; (iv) issuers that derive more
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BlackRock Sustainable Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (continued) than five percent of revenue from thermal coal generation, unless such issuers either (a) have made certain commitments to reduce climate impact or (b) derive at least fifty percent of revenue from alternative energy sources; (v) issuers that derive more than five percent of revenue from thermal coal mining; and (vi) issuers that derive more than five percent of revenue from oil sands extraction. The Fund relies on third-party ratings agencies to identify issuers for purposes of the above screening criteria.The Fund’s screening criteria is measured at the time of investment and is dependent upon information and data that may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable. Where the Fund’s screening criteria looks solely to third-party ratings or data, issuers are only screened to the extent such ratings or data have been assigned or made available by the third parties. This screening criteria is subject to change over time at BlackRock’s discretion.In addition, the Fund may gain indirect exposure (through, including but not limited to, derivatives and investments in other investment companies) to issuers with exposures that are inconsistent with the ESG-related criteria used by Fund management.The Fund then seeks to pursue its investment objective by investing in equity securities in a disciplined manner, by using proprietary return forecast models that incorporate quantitative analysis. These forecast models are designed to identify aspects of mispricing across stocks which the Fund can seek to capture by over- and under-weighting particular equities while seeking to control incremental risk. The investment process is driven with systematic and quantitative implementation based on an issuer’s expected returns, which include measurable ESG characteristics, risk and transaction costs, as determined by BlackRock’s proprietary research.BlackRock then constructs and rebalances the portfolio’s weightings by integrating its investment insights with the model-based optimization process. Certain of the investment insights relate to ESG characteristics in BlackRock-defined categories, including, but not limited to, (i) superior growth characteristics of issuers, (ii) risk mitigation characteristics of issuers, (iii) themes related to social matters and (iv) economic transition, which includes, but is not limited to, environmental considerations. Examples of such ESG characteristics include management quality, governance, controversies at issuers, public health analytics and an issuer’s innovation-oriented research and development. The ESG characteristics utilized in the portfolio construction process may change over time and one or more characteristics may not be relevant to all issuers that are eligible for investment.From time to time the Fund may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings.The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps, some of which may be referred to as contracts for difference) and forward contracts, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts or options on such contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a currency or an index, including but not limited to the Benchmark. The use of options, futures, swaps and forward contracts can be effective in protecting or enhancing the value of the Fund’s assets.
BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, is to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. technology companies in all market capitalization ranges, selected for their rapid and sustainable growth potential from the development, advancement and use of technology.
Technology companies may include those companies in the businesses of, among others: software, IT consulting, IT services, interactive home entertainment, interactive media and services, networking equipment, telecom services, communications equipment, technology hardware, storage and peripherals, electronic equipment, instruments and components, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment, and internet and direct marketing retail. The Fund may invest in both developed and emerging markets.The Fund seeks to invest primarily in common stock but may also invest in preferred stock and convertible securities. The Fund may also invest in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers. From time to time the Fund may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings.
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BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (continued) The Fund may, when consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities and may buy options on a currency or a basket of currencies, or enter into foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). An option is the right to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on or before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on a specific date. A swap is an agreement whereby one party exchanges its right to receive or its obligation to pay one type of currency for another party’s obligation to pay or its right to receive another type of currency in the future or for a period of time. The Fund typically uses derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as currency risk. The Fund may also use derivatives to enhance returns, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The Fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques. The Fund may also use forward foreign currency exchange contracts (obligations to buy or sell a currency at a set rate in the future).
International Tilts Master Portfolio The investment objective of the International Tilts Master Portfolio (the “Master Portfolio”) is to seek to provide long-term returns in excess of the total rate of return of the MSCI Europe Australasia Far East (“EAFE”) Index.
Under normal circumstances, the Master Portfolio seeks to invest a majority of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes in non-U.S. equity securities and equity like instruments of companies that are components of, or have characteristics similar to, the companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The Master Portfolio primarily seeks to buy common stock and may also invest in preferred stock and convertible securities. From time to time the Master Portfolio may invest in shares of companies through “new issues” or initial public offerings. The Master Portfolio may also invest in securities denominated in both U.S. dollars and non-U.S. dollar currencies. The Master Portfolio may invest in securities of any market capitalization.
Equity securities include securities representing shares of ownership of a corporation (“common stock”), preferred stock, securities convertible into common stock and securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stock. Preferred stock is a class of stock that often pays dividends at a specified rate and has preference over common stock in dividend payments and liquidation of assets. Convertible securities typically pay current income as either interest (debt security convertibles) or dividends (preferred stock), and their value usually reflects both the stream of current income payments and the market value of the underlying common stock.
The Master Portfolio may use derivatives, including futures, contracts for difference, swap agreements and/or foreign exchange transactions, to manage the risk and return of the Master Portfolio. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Master Portfolio effectively, the Master Portfolio may buy and sell financial futures contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a commodity (such as oil or gas), a currency or an index, including but not limited to the MSCI EAFE Index. The use of futures, contracts for difference, swaps or foreign exchange transactions can be effective in managing the risk and return of the Master Portfolio.
The Master Portfolio may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.
The Master Portfolio is classified as diversified under the Investment Company Act.
S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio (the “Master Portfolio”) seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the total return performance of publicly-traded common stocks in the aggregate, as represented by the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (“S&P 500 Index”).
Under normal circumstances, at least 90% of the value of the Master Portfolio’s assets, plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes, is invested in securities comprising the S&P 500 Index. The Master Portfolio attempts to achieve, in both rising and falling markets, a correlation of at least 95% between the total return of its net assets before fees and expenses and the total return of the Master Portfolio’s
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S&P 500 Index Master Portfolio (continued) benchmark index, the S&P 500 Index. Notwithstanding the factors described below, perfect (100%) correlation would be achieved if the total return of the Master Portfolio’s net assets, before fees and expenses, increased or decreased exactly as the total return of the Master Portfolio’s benchmark index increased or decreased. The Master Portfolio’s ability to match its investment performance to the investment performance of its benchmark index may be affected by, among other things, the Master Portfolio’s expenses, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the Master Portfolio, the manner in which the total return of the Master Portfolio’s benchmark index is calculated; the size of the Master Portfolio’s investment portfolio; and the timing, frequency and size of purchases of interests and withdrawals.
The Master Portfolio seeks to replicate the total return performance of the S&P 500 Index by investing the Master Portfolio’s assets so that the percentage of assets of the Master Portfolio invested in a given stock is approximately the same as the percentage such stock represents in the S&P 500 Index. No attempt is made to manage the Master Portfolio using economic, financial or market analysis. In addition, at times, the portfolio composition of the Master Portfolio may be altered (or “rebalanced”) to reflect changes in the characteristics of the index that the Master Portfolio tracks.
The Master Portfolio also may engage in futures and other derivative securities transactions and lend its portfolio securities, each of which involves risk. The Master Portfolio may use futures contracts and other derivative transactions to manage its short-term liquidity and/or as substitutes for comparable market positions in the securities in its benchmark index. The Master Portfolio may also invest in high-quality money market instruments, including shares of money market funds advised by BlackRock Fund Advisors or its affiliates.
  
FIXED-INCOME FUNDS
Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio The primary investment objective of the BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio (the “Fund”) is to seek to provide high current income, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation.
The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in floating rate investments and investments that are the economic equivalent of floating rate investments, which effectively enables the Fund to achieve a floating rate of income. These investments may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following securities: (i) senior secured floating rate loans or debt; (ii) second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate loans or debt; and (iii) fixed-rate loans or debt with respect to which the Fund has entered into derivative instruments to effectively convert the fixed-rate interest payments into floating rate interest payments. The Fund may also purchase, without limitation, participations or assignments in senior floating rate loans or second lien floating rate loans.
For purposes of the Fund’s investments, the term debt includes investments in convertible or preferred securities. The Fund may invest in investments of any credit quality without limitation, including investments rated below investment grade. The Fund anticipates that, under current market conditions, a substantial portion of its portfolio will consist of leveraged loans rated below investment grade and similar investments. These investments are expected to exhibit credit risks similar to high yield securities, which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.”
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in fixed-income securities with respect to which the Fund has not entered into derivative instruments to effectively convert the fixed-rate interest payments into floating-rate interest payments. Such fixed-income securities include, but are not limited to, corporate bonds, preferred securities, convertible securities, mezzanine investments, collateralized loan obligations, senior loans, second lien loans, structured products and U.S. government debt securities.
The Fund’s investments in any floating rate and fixed-income securities may be of any duration or maturity. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers, including issuers located in emerging markets, without limitation. The Fund may also invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments.
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BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio (continued) The Fund may also invest in companies whose financial condition is uncertain, where the borrower has defaulted in the payment of interest or principal or in the performance of its covenants or agreements, or that may be involved in bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations or financial restructurings.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in common stocks or other equity securities. In addition, the Fund may acquire and hold such securities (or rights to acquire such securities) in unit offerings with fixed-income securities, in connection with an amendment, waiver, conversion or exchange of fixed-income securities, in connection with the bankruptcy or workout of a distressed fixed-income security, or upon the exercise of a right or warrant obtained on account of a fixed-income security.
The Fund may buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, buy or sell options on futures or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps and forward contracts (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). The Fund may use derivatives for hedging purposes, but is not required to, as well as to increase the total return on its portfolio investments.
BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund The investment objective of BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock Funds IV, is to seek absolute total returns over a complete market cycle.
The Fund seeks to provide absolute total returns over a complete market cycle through diversified long and short exposure to the global fixed-income markets. A complete market cycle for fixed-income funds such as the Fund is typically three to five years.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in credit-related instruments. Credit-related instruments include, but are not limited to, U.S. Government and agency securities, foreign government and supranational debt securities, corporate bonds, including bonds of companies principally engaged in the aircraft or air transportation industries, mortgage-related securities and asset-backed securities, collateralized debt and loan obligations, including bonds collateralized by aircraft and/or aircraft equipment, emerging market debt securities, preferred securities, structured products, mezzanine securities, senior secured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt, second lien or other subordinated or unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans or debt, convertible debt securities, and derivatives with similar economic characteristics. The Fund may invest in fixed, variable and floating rate instruments, including participations and assignments, of any duration or maturity.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund anticipates it will allocate a substantial amount (approximately 40% or more, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by BlackRock, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30%) of its total assets in securities (or derivatives with similar economic characteristics) of (i) foreign government issuers, (ii) issuers organized or located outside the United States, (iii) issuers whose securities primarily trade in a market located outside the United States, or (iv) issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States, which the Fund considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the United States or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no less than three different countries).
The Fund may invest in credit-related instruments rated below investment grade or deemed equivalent by Fund management, which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds.”
The Fund may invest in non-U.S. dollar denominated investments, including investments denominated in European and Asian currencies and in other non-U.S. and emerging market currencies. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. dollar based assets may be made on a currency hedged or unhedged basis.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity instruments, including common stock, depositary receipts, rights, warrants and other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stock. The Fund may hold long or short positions in equity instruments, and may invest in equity instruments of issuers of any market capitalization.
The Fund may also gain both long and short exposure to credit-related instruments by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by investing in, among other instruments, swaps, including total return, credit default, index and interest rate swaps; options; forward contracts; futures contracts and options on futures contracts that provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; credit-linked notes that
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund (continued) provide long or short exposure to other credit obligations; repurchase agreements; reverse repurchase agreements; dollar rolls; exchange-traded funds and closed-end registered investment companies, which may be managed by BlackRock or one of its affiliates; and other similar transactions.
The Fund may engage in short sales for hedging purposes or to enhance total return. The Fund also may make short sales “against the box” without limitation. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale, the Fund owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire the identical security at no additional cost.
As part of its normal operations, the Fund may hold high quality money market securities and invest in money market funds, including affiliated money market funds, pending investments or when it expects to need cash to pay redeeming shareholders. The Fund also may invest in these securities in order to achieve its investment goal. Money market securities are short term securities consisting primarily of short term U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government agency securities, securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored enterprises and U.S. Government instrumentalities, bank obligations, commercial paper, including asset backed commercial paper, corporate notes and repurchase agreements.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.
The Fund may borrow from banks for investment purposes.
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio The investment objective of the BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio (the “High Yield Fund” or the “Fund”) is to seek to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.
The High Yield Fund invests primarily in non-investment grade bonds with maturities of ten years or less. The High Yield Fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in high yield bonds. The high yield securities (commonly called “junk bonds”) acquired by the High Yield Fund will generally be in the lower rating categories of the major rating agencies (BB or lower by S&P Global Ratings or Fitch Ratings, Inc. or Ba or lower by Moody’s Investor Services) or will be determined by the High Yield Fund management team to be of similar quality. Split rated bonds and other fixed-income securities (securities that receive different ratings from two or more rating agencies) are valued as follows: if three agencies rate a security, the security will be considered to have the median credit rating; if two of the three agencies rate a security, the security will be considered to have the lower credit rating. The Fund may invest up to 30% of its assets in non-dollar denominated bonds of issuers located outside of the United States. The High Yield Fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated bonds may be on a currency hedged or unhedged basis. The Fund may also invest in convertible and preferred securities. Convertible debt securities will be counted toward the Fund’s 80% policy to the extent they have characteristics similar to the securities included within that policy.
To add additional diversification, the management team can invest in a wide range of securities including corporate bonds, mezzanine investments, collateralized bond obligations, bank loans and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The High Yield Fund can also invest, to the extent consistent with its investment objective, in non-U.S. and emerging market securities and currencies. The High Yield Fund may invest in securities of any rating, and may invest up to 10% of its assets (measured at the time of investment) in distressed securities that are in default or the issuers of which are in bankruptcy.
The High Yield Fund may buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). The Fund may use derivative instruments to hedge its investments or to seek to enhance returns. The High Yield Fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls).
The High Yield Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its principal investment strategies.
BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio The investment objective of the BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio (the “Fund”) is to seek to maximize real return, consistent with preservation of real capital and prudent investment management.
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BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio (continued) Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in inflation-indexed bonds of varying maturities issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, and U.S. and non-U.S. corporations.
The Fund maintains an average portfolio duration that is within ±40% of the duration of the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Index (the benchmark).
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds) or securities of emerging market issuers. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its assets in non-dollar denominated securities of non-U.S. issuers, and may invest without limit in U.S. dollar denominated securities of non-U.S. issuers.
The Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investment in commodity-linked derivative instruments and investment vehicles such as exchange-traded funds that exclusively invest in commodities and are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities. The Fund may also gain exposure to commodity markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund formed in the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodity-related instruments.
The Fund also makes investments in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities.
Non-investment grade bonds acquired by the Fund will generally be in the lower rating categories of the major rating agencies (BB or lower by S&P Global Ratings or Ba or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.) or will be determined by the management team to be of similar quality. Split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher credit rating. Split rated bonds are bonds that receive different ratings from two or more rating agencies.
The Fund may buy or sell options or futures, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). The Fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls).
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio The investment objective of the BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio (the “Low Duration Fund” or the “Fund”) is to seek total return in excess of the reference benchmark in a manner that is consistent with preservation of capital.
The Low Duration Fund invests primarily in investment grade bonds and maintains an average portfolio duration that is between 0 and 3 years. The Low Duration Fund’s benchmark is the ICE BofA 1-3 Year US Corporate & Government Index.
The Low Duration Fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in debt securities. The Low Duration Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in non-investment grade bonds (commonly called “high yield” or “junk bonds”). The Low Duration Fund may also invest up to 35% of its assets in assets of foreign issuers, of which 10% (as a percentage of the Fund’s assets) may be invested in emerging markets issuers. Up to 10% of the Low Duration Fund’s assets may be exposed to non-US currency risk. A bond of a foreign issuer, including an emerging market issuer, will not count toward the 10% limit on non-US currency exposure if the bond is either (i) US dollar-denominated or (ii) non-US dollar-denominated, but hedged back to US dollars.
The management team evaluates sectors of the bond market and individual securities within these sectors. The management team selects bonds from several sectors including: U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities and corporate bonds.
The Low Duration Fund may buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). The Fund may use derivative instruments to hedge its investments or to seek to enhance returns. The Fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily
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BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio (continued) invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements and mortgage dollar rolls).
The Low Duration Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its principal investment strategies.
BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio The BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio (the “Fund”) seeks total return as is consistent with preservation of capital.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest in a combination of fixed-income securities, including, but not limited to: high yield securities, international securities, emerging markets debt and mortgages. Depending on market conditions, the Fund may invest in other market sectors. Fixed-income securities are debt obligations such as bonds and debentures, U.S. Government securities, debt obligations of domestic and non-U.S. corporations, debt obligations of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions, asset-backed securities, various mortgage-backed securities (both residential and commercial), other floating or variable rate obligations, convertible securities, municipal obligations and zero coupon debt securities. The Fund may invest in preferred securities, illiquid investments, ETFs, including affiliated ETFs, and corporate loans. The Fund may have short positions in to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities without limit.
The Fund may invest significantly in non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds). Non-investment grade bonds acquired by the Fund will generally be in the lower rating categories of the major rating agencies (BB or lower by S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., or Ba or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.) or will be determined by the management team to be of similar quality. Split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher credit rating. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in collateralized debt obligations, of which 10% (as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets) may be in collateralized loan obligations.
The Fund may also invest significantly in non-dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. The Fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated bonds may be on a currency hedged or unhedged basis.
The management team may, when consistent with the Fund’s investment goal, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into swap agreements, including total return, interest rate and credit default swaps, or foreign currency transactions (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). The Fund typically uses derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as currency risk. The Fund may also use derivatives for leverage, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The Fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or mortgage dollar rolls, which involve a sale by the Fund of a mortgage-backed security concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price). The Fund may invest in indexed and inverse floating rate securities.
The Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investment in commodity-linked derivative instruments and investment vehicles that exclusively invest in commodities such as ETFs, which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities. The Fund may also gain exposure to commodity markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund formed in the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodity-related instruments.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.
BlackRock Sustainable Emerging Markets Flexible Bond Fund The BlackRock Sustainable Emerging Markets Flexible Bond Fund (formerly known as BlackRock Emerging Markets Flexible Dynamic Bond Portfolio) (the “Fund”) seeks maximum long term total return, while seeking to maintain certain environmental, governance and social (“ESG”) characteristics, climate risk exposure and climate opportunities relative to the Fund’s benchmark.
To determine the Fund’s investable universe, Fund management will first seek to screen out certain issuers based on ESG criteria determined by BlackRock. Such screening criteria principally include: (i) issuers engaged in the production of controversial weapons; (ii) issuers engaged in the production of civilian firearms; (iii) issuers deriving
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Sustainable Emerging Markets Flexible Bond Fund (continued) revenue from direct involvement in the production of nuclear weapons or nuclear weapon components or delivery platforms, or the provision of auxiliary services related to nuclear weapons; (iv) issuers engaged in the production of tobacco-related products; (v) issuers that derive certain revenue from thermal coal generation, unless such issuers either (a) have made certain commitments to reduce climate impact or (b) derive revenue from alternative energy sources, and issuers that derive more than five percent of revenue from thermal coal mining. In addition, the Fund may invest in green bonds of issuers that derive certain revenue from thermal coal generation or issuers that derive more than five percent of revenue from thermal coal mining; (vi) issuers that derive more than five percent of revenue from oil sands extraction, unless the Fund is investing in green bonds of such issuers; and (vii) issuers identified by recognized third-party rating agencies as violators of the United Nations Global Compact, which are globally accepted principles covering corporate behavior in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
The Fund’s screening criteria is measured at the time of investment and is dependent upon information and data that may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable. Where the Fund’s criteria looks solely to third-party rating agencies, issuers are only screened to the extent they have been assigned ratings, which may not be available in all circumstances. This screening criteria is subject to change over time at BlackRock’s discretion. In addition, the Fund may gain indirect exposure (through, including but not limited to, derivatives and investments in other investment companies) to issuers with exposures that are inconsistent with the ESG-related criteria used by BlackRock as described above.
The Fund seeks to maintain certain ESG characteristics, climate risk exposure and climate opportunities relative to a customized weighted index comprised of the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified (50%) and the J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Diversified (50%) (the “Benchmark”). Specifically, with respect to the Fund’s investments, the Fund generally seeks to invest in a portfolio that, in BlackRock’s view, (i) has an aggregate ESG assessment that is better than that of the Benchmark, (ii) has, with respect to corporate and quasi-sovereign issuers, which for these purposes are entities that are fully controlled or owned by the national government, an aggregate carbon emissions assessment that is lower than that of the Benchmark, and (iii) in the aggregate, includes issuers that BlackRock believes are better positioned to capture climate opportunities relative to the issuers in the Benchmark. Fund management makes such assessments based on BlackRock’s fundamental research, which includes due diligence of ESG risks and opportunities facing an issuer, as well as third-party ESG ratings. The Fund may invest in other sectors that are not included in such assessments.
BlackRock utilizes a fundamental country and sector research and third-party ESG data in constructing the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund intends to invest primarily in issuers included in the J.P. Morgan ESG GBI-EM Global Diversified or the J.P. Morgan ESG EMBI Global Diversified Index, but may invest in issuers that are not included in such indexes. Each index applies an ESG scoring and screening methodology to tilt toward issuers ranked higher on ESG criteria and green bond issues, and to underweight and remove issuers that rank lower and is based on the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified and J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Diversified, as applicable.
While Fund management considers ESG characteristics as well as climate risk exposure and climate opportunities, Fund management may, with respect to its investments, weigh such characteristics differently.
The Fund invests primarily in a global portfolio of fixed-income securities and derivatives of any maturity of issuers located in emerging markets that may be denominated in any currency (on a hedged or un-hedged basis). BlackRock considers an emerging market country to include any country that is: 1) generally recognized to be an emerging market country by the international financial community, including the World Bank; 2) classified by the United Nations as a developing country; or 3) included in the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified.
The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in fixed-income securities issued by governments, their political subdivisions (states, provinces and municipalities), agencies and companies tied economically to an emerging market. Fund management considers securities to be tied economically to an emerging market if (1) the issuer is organized under the laws of or maintains its principal place of business in an emerging market country, (2) the issuer’s securities are traded principally in an emerging market country or (3) the issuer, during its most recent fiscal year, derived at least 50% of its revenues
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BlackRock Sustainable Emerging Markets Flexible Bond Fund (continued) or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in an emerging market country or has at least 50% of its assets in an emerging market country. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in one country. The 80% policy noted above is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.
The full spectrum of available investments, including non-investment grade (high yield or junk) securities (including distressed securities) or securities determined by Fund management to be of similar credit quality, securities of small cap issuers and derivatives may be utilized in satisfying the Fund’s 80% policy. It is possible that up to 100% of the Fund’s assets may be invested in non-investment grade (high yield or junk) securities or securities determined by Fund management to be of similar credit quality. Many of the countries in which the Fund invests will have sovereign ratings that are below investment grade or will be unrated.
The Fund may gain exposure to currencies by investing in bonds of emerging market issuers denominated in any currency. The Fund may also gain exposure to currencies through the use of cash and derivatives. The Fund may also buy when-issued securities and participate in delayed delivery transactions.
The Fund is a non-diversified portfolio under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The management team may, when consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, buy or sell options or futures, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). The Fund typically uses derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or currency risk. The Fund may also use derivatives to enhance returns, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The Fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls, which involve a sale by the Fund of a mortgage-backed or other security concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price).
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in equity securities.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.
BlackRock U.S. Mortgage Portfolio The investment objective of the BlackRock U.S. Mortgage Portfolio (the “Fund”) is to seek high total return.
The Fund invests primarily in mortgage-related securities. The securities in which the Fund may invest include U.S. government securities, U.S. government agency securities, securities issued by U.S. government instrumentalities and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, and other mortgage-backed securities or mortgage-related securities issued by the U.S. government or by private issuers. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in mortgage-backed securities and other mortgage-related securities that are issued by issuers located in the United States.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by selecting securities of any maturity issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, by various agencies of the U.S. government, by various instrumentalities that have been established or are sponsored by the U.S. government, or securities issued by banks or other financial institutions. Some of these securities are issued and/or guaranteed by the U.S. government and are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. Other securities are issued or guaranteed by Federal agencies or government-sponsored enterprises and are not direct obligations of the United States, and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but involve sponsorship or guarantees by government agencies or enterprises.
The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., invest at least 25% of its total assets) in non-agency mortgage-backed securities and may invest in other non-agency securities issued by banks and other financial institutions. Non-agency securities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and do not involve sponsorship or guarantees by government agencies or enterprises. The non-agency mortgage-related securities in which the Fund will invest may be rated below investment grade (commonly
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock U.S. Mortgage Portfolio (continued) known as “junk bonds”) or securities determined by Fund management to be of similar quality. For purposes of determining a bond’s credit rating, split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher credit rating.
The Fund may also participate in to be announced (“TBA”) transactions and enter into dollar rolls. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. The actual pools of mortgage-backed securities delivered in a TBA transaction typically are not determined until two days prior to settlement date. A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the Fund of a mortgage-backed or other security concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same interest rate and stated maturity as those sold, but pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.
The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps and forward foreign exchange transactions, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in interest rates and movements in the securities markets. In order to manage cash flows into or out of the Fund effectively, the Fund may buy and sell financial futures contracts or options on such contracts. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security, a currency or an index such as the Bloomberg U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index. The Fund may also invest in indexed and inverse securities.
The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.
Master Total Return Portfolio The primary objective of the Master Total Return Portfolio (the “Total Return Portfolio”) is to realize a total return that exceeds that of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.
The Total Return Portfolio invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities, such as corporate bonds and notes, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, convertible securities, preferred securities and government debt obligations. The Total Return Portfolio has no stated minimum holding period for investments and will buy or sell securities whenever the Portfolio management sees an appropriate opportunity.
The Total Return Portfolio typically invests more than 90% of its assets in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities. The fixed-income securities in which the Total Return Portfolio invests include:
• U.S. Government debt securities
• Corporate debt securities issued by U.S. and foreign companies
• Asset-backed securities
• Mortgage-backed securities
• Preferred securities issued by U.S. and foreign companies
• Corporate debt securities and preferred securities convertible into common stock
• Foreign sovereign debt instruments
• Money market securities
Under normal circumstances, the Total Return Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in bonds. This 80% policy is a non-fundamental policy of the Total Return Portfolio and may not be changed without 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The Total Return Portfolio invests primarily in fixed-income securities that are rated in the four highest rating categories by at least one of the recognized rating agencies (including Baa or better by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or BBB or better by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”)) or determined by the Total Return Portfolio’s management team to be of similar quality. Securities rated in any of the four highest rating categories are known as “investment grade” securities.
The Total Return Portfolio may invest up to 30% of its net assets in securities of foreign issuers, of which 20% (as a percentage of the Total Return Portfolio’s net assets) may be in emerging markets issuers. Investments in U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers, excluding issuers from emerging markets, are permitted beyond the 30% limit. This means that the Total Return Portfolio may invest in such U.S. dollar-denominated securities of foreign issuers without limit.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
Master Total Return Portfolio (continued) The Total Return Portfolio may invest in various types of mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent the right to receive a portion of principal and/or interest payments made on a pool of residential or commercial mortgage loans. Mortgage-backed securities frequently react differently to changes in interest rates than other fixed-income securities. The Portfolio may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements and mortgage dollar rolls.
The Total Return Portfolio may invest in fixed-income securities of any duration or maturity. Fixed-income securities frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Total Return Portfolio at certain times prior to maturity at a specified price, which is generally the amount due at maturity. In many cases, when interest rates go down, issuers redeem fixed-income securities that allow for redemption. When an issuer redeems fixed-income securities, the Total Return Portfolio may receive less than the market value of the securities prior to redemption. In addition, the Total Return Portfolio may have to invest the proceeds in new fixed-income securities with lower yields and therefore lose expected future income.
The Total Return Portfolio may use derivatives, including, but not limited to, interest rate, total return and credit default swaps, options, futures, options on futures and swaps, for hedging purposes, as well as to increase the return on its portfolio investments. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security or an index such as the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index or the CSFB High Yield Index. The Total Return Portfolio may also invest in credit-linked notes, credit-linked trust certificates, structured notes, or other instruments evidencing interests in special purpose vehicles, trusts, or other entities that hold or represent interests in fixed-income securities.
The Total Return Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed-income securities that are rated below investment grade by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, including Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or in unrated securities of equivalent credit quality. Split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher credit rating.
The Total Return Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), of which 10% (as a percentage of the Total Return Portfolio’s net assets) may be in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). CDOs are types of asset-backed securities. CLOs are ordinarily issued by a trust or other special purpose entity and are typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and non-U.S. senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans, held by such issuer.
The Total Return Portfolio may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investment in commodity-linked derivative instruments and investment vehicles that exclusively invest in precious metals, which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities.
U.S. Total Bond Index Master Portfolio U.S. Total Bond Index Master Portfolio (the “Master Portfolio”) seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the total return performance of fixed-income securities in the aggregate, as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index”).
Under normal circumstances, at least 90% of the value of the Master Portfolio’s assets, plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes, is invested in securities comprising the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index, which, for the Master Portfolio, are considered bonds. The Master Portfolio attempts to achieve, in both rising and falling markets, a correlation of at least 95% between the total return of its net assets before fees and expenses and the total return of the Master Portfolio’s benchmark index, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index. Notwithstanding the factors described below, perfect (100%) correlation would be achieved if the total return of the Master Portfolio’s net assets, before fees and expenses, increased or decreased exactly as the total return of the Master Portfolio’s benchmark index increased or decreased. The Master Portfolio’s ability to match its investment performance to the investment performance of its benchmark index may be affected by, among other things, the Master Portfolio’s expenses, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the Master Portfolio, the
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
U.S. Total Bond Index Master Portfolio (continued) manner in which the total return of the Master Portfolio’s benchmark index is calculated, the size of the Master Portfolio’s investment portfolio, and the timing, frequency and size of purchases of interests and withdrawals.
The Master Portfolio utilizes sampling techniques that are designed to allow the Master Portfolio to duplicate substantially the investment performance of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index. However, the Master Portfolio is not expected to track the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index with the same degree of accuracy that complete replication of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index would provide. No attempt is made to manage the Master Portfolio using economic, financial or market analysis. In addition, at times, the portfolio composition of the Master Portfolio may be altered (or “rebalanced”) to reflect changes in the characteristics of the index that the Master Portfolio tracks.
The Master Portfolio may invest in mortgage dollar rolls and participate in to-be-announced transactions on a regular basis to obtain exposure to mortgage-backed securities.
The Master Portfolio also may engage in futures and options transactions and other derivative securities transactions and lend its portfolio securities, each of which involves risk. The Master Portfolio may use futures contracts, options and other derivative transactions to manage its short-term liquidity and/or as substitutes for comparable market positions in the securities in its benchmark index. The Master Portfolio may also invest in high-quality money market instruments, including shares of money market funds advised by BlackRock Fund Advisors or its affiliates.
  
MULTI-ASSET FUNDS
Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. The investment objective of the BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is to provide high total investment return through a fully managed investment policy utilizing United States and foreign equity securities, debt and money market securities, the combination of which will be varied from time to time both with respect to types of securities and markets in response to changing market and economic trends.
Total return means the combination of capital growth and investment income.
The Fund invests in a portfolio of equity, debt and money market securities. Generally, the Fund’s portfolio will include both equity and debt securities. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common stock, rights and warrants or securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stock. At any given time, however, the Fund may emphasize either debt securities or equity securities. In selecting equity investments, the Fund mainly seeks securities that Fund management believes are undervalued. The Fund may buy debt securities of varying maturities, debt securities paying a fixed or fluctuating rate of interest, and debt securities of any kind, including, by way of example, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, by foreign governments or international agencies or supranational entities, or by domestic or foreign private issuers, debt securities convertible into equity securities, inflation-indexed bonds, structured notes, credit-linked notes, loan assignments and loan participations. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in “junk bonds,” corporate loans and distressed securities. The Fund may also invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) and securities related to real assets (like real estate- or precious metals-related securities) such as stock, bonds or convertible bonds issued by REITs or companies that mine precious metals.
When choosing investments, Fund management considers various factors, including opportunities for equity or debt investments to increase in value, expected dividends and interest rates. The Fund generally seeks diversification across markets, industries and issuers as one of its strategies to reduce volatility. The Fund has no geographic limits on where it may invest. This flexibility allows Fund management to look for investments in markets around the world, including emerging markets, that it believes will provide the best asset allocation to meet the Fund’s objective. The Fund may invest in the securities of companies of any market capitalization.
Generally, the Fund may invest in the securities of corporate and governmental issuers located anywhere in the world. The Fund may emphasize foreign securities when Fund management expects these investments to outperform U.S. securities. When choosing investment markets, Fund management considers various factors, including economic
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (continued) and political conditions, potential for economic growth and possible changes in currency exchange rates. In addition to investing in foreign securities, the Fund actively manages its exposure to foreign currencies through the use of forward currency contracts and other currency derivatives. The Fund may own foreign cash equivalents or foreign bank deposits as part of the Fund’s investment strategy. The Fund will also invest in non-U.S. currencies. The Fund may underweight or overweight a currency based on the Fund management team’s outlook.
The Fund’s composite Reference Benchmark has at all times since the Fund’s formation included a 40% weighting in non-U.S. securities. The Reference Benchmark is an unmanaged weighted index comprised as follows: 36% of the S&P 500® Index; 24% FTSE World (ex U.S.) Index; 24% ICE BofA Current 5-Year U.S. Treasury Index; and 16% FTSE Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index. Throughout its history, the Fund has maintained a weighting in non-U.S. securities, often exceeding the 40% Reference Benchmark weighting and rarely falling below this allocation. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will continue to allocate a substantial amount (approximately 40% or more — unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by BlackRock, in which case the Fund would invest at least 30%) of its total assets in securities of (i) foreign government issuers, (ii) issuers organized or located outside the United States, (iii) issuers which primarily trade in a market located outside the United States, or (iv) issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the United States, which the Fund considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the United States or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the United States. The Fund will allocate its assets among various regions and countries including the United States (but in no less than three different countries). For temporary defensive purposes the Fund may deviate very substantially from the allocation described above.
The Fund may use derivatives, including options, futures, swaps (including, but not limited to, total return swaps that may be referred to as contracts for difference) and forward contracts, both to seek to increase the return of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) the value of its assets against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. The Fund may invest in indexed securities and inverse securities.
The Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investment in commodity-linked derivative instruments and investment vehicles such as exchange traded funds that invest exclusively in commodities and are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities. The Fund may also gain exposure to commodity markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in BlackRock Cayman Global Allocation Fund I, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fund formed in the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodity-related instruments. The Subsidiary may also hold cash and invest in other instruments, including fixed income securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivative positions. The Subsidiary (unlike the Fund) may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments.
  
Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”)
BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), an affiliate of BlackRock, is each ETF’s investment adviser. BFA utilizes either a “passive” or active investment approach to try to achieve an ETF’s investment objective.
Passively Managed ETFs
Unlike many investment companies, a passively managed ETF does not try to “beat” the index it seeks to track (the “Underlying Index”) and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued. Indexing may eliminate the chance that the ETF will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by keeping portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.
For some ETFs, BFA may invest in all securities included in the Underlying Index in roughly the same proportions as each security is weighted in such Underlying Index in an indexing strategy known as “full replication.” For other ETFs, BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the ETFs. “Representative sampling” is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Underlying Index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment
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characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of the Underlying Index. The ETF may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index. ETFs that employ a representative sampling strategy may incur tracking error risk to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index.
Actively Managed ETFs
Unlike passively managed ETFs, actively managed ETFs do not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index. Accordingly, BFA has discretion on a daily basis to manage an ETF’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objective. Actively managed ETFs may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than ETFs that are passively managed.
EQUITY ETFs
Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® Core Dividend Growth ETF The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities with a history of consistently growing dividends.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar® US Dividend Growth IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”), which is a dividend dollar-weighted index that seeks to measure the performance of U.S. companies selected based on a consistent history of growing dividends. The Underlying Index is a subset of the Morningstar® US Market IndexSM, which is a broad market index that represents approximately 97% of the market capitalization of publicly-traded U.S. stocks. Eligible companies must pay a qualified dividend, must have at least five years of uninterrupted annual dividend growth and their earnings payout ratio must be less than 75%. Companies that are in the top decile based on dividend yield are excluded from the Underlying Index prior to the dividend growth and payout ratio screens. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of April 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials, healthcare and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core High Dividend ETF The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of relatively high dividend paying U.S. equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar® Dividend Yield Focus IndexSM (the “Underlying Index”), which offers exposure to high quality U.S.-domiciled companies that have had strong financial health and an ability to sustain above average dividend payouts. The Underlying Index is a subset of the Morningstar® US Market IndexSM, a broad market index that represents approximately 97% of the market capitalization of publicly-traded U.S. stocks. The Underlying Index is composed of qualified income paying securities that are screened for superior company quality and financial health as determined by Morningstar, Inc.’s (“Morningstar” or the “Index Provider”) proprietary index methodology. Stocks in the Underlying Index represent the top 75 high-yielding stocks meeting the screening requirements. The Morningstar index methodology determines “company quality” in accordance with the Morningstar Economic MoatTM rating system, in which companies are assigned a moat rating of “none,” “narrow” or “wide” based on the prospect of earning above average returns on capital and the strength of the company’s competitive advantage. Additionally, companies are screened for “financial health” using Morningstar’s Distance to Default measure, a quantitative option pricing approach that estimates a company’s probability of default. To qualify for inclusion in the Underlying Index, constituents must have a Morningstar Economic Moat rating of “narrow” or “wide” and have a Morningstar Distance to Default score in the top 50% of eligible dividend-paying companies within their sector. Companies that are not assigned a Morningstar Economic Moat rating must have a Morningstar Distance to Default score in the top 30% of eligible dividend-paying companies within their sector. Additionally, each constituent’s dividend must be deemed to be qualified income. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid-and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of April 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer defensive, energy and healthcare industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core MSCI EAFE ETF The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-, mid- and small-capitalization developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
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iShares® Core MSCI EAFE ETF (continued) The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. The Underlying Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index designed to measure large-, mid- and small-capitalization equity market performance and includes stocks from Europe, Australasia and the Far East. As of July 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following 21 developed market countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-, mid- and small-capitalization emerging market equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI) (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to measure large-, mid- and small-capitalization equity market performance in the global emerging markets. As of August 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following 24 emerging market countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. As of August 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was comprised of 3,206 constituents. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core MSCI Europe ETF The iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-, mid- and small-capitalization European equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Europe IMI (the “Underlying Index”), a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index which consists of securities from the following 15 developed market countries or regions: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials, healthcare and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core S&P 500 ETF The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P 500 (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index included approximately 82% of the market capitalization of all publicly-traded U.S. equity securities. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The Underlying Index consists of securities from a broad range of industries. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of mid-capitalization U.S. equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P MidCap 400 (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider” or “SPDJI”). As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index included approximately 5% of the market capitalization of all publicly-traded U.S. equity securities. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares, and have, as of March 31, 2022, a market capitalization between $1.631 billion and $17.28 billion at the time of inclusion in the Underlying Index, which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets. The securities are
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iShares® Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (continued) selected by SPDJI based on certain factors including the Index Provider’s liquidity measures. The Underlying Index consists of securities from a broad range of industries. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer discretionary, financials and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core S&P Small-Cap ETF The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-capitalization U.S. equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P SmallCap 600 (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider” or “SPDJI”). As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index included approximately 2% of the market capitalization of all publicly-traded U.S. equity securities. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares, and have, as of March 31, 2022, a market capitalization between $186.13 million and $7.98 billion at the time of inclusion in the Underlying Index, which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets. The securities are selected by SPDJI based on certain factors including the Index Provider’s liquidity measures. The Underlying Index consists of securities from a broad range of industries. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF The iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of U.S. equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Total Market Index™ (TMI) (the “Underlying Index”), which is comprised of the common equities included in the S&P 500® and the S&P Completion Index™. The Underlying Index consists of all U.S. common equities listed on the New York Stock Exchange (including NYSE Arca, Inc. and NYSE American), the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the NASDAQ Select Market, the NASDAQ Capital Market, Cboe BZX, Cboe BYX, Cboe EDGA and Cboe EDGX, Inc. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. Securities with higher float-adjusted market value have a larger representation in the Underlying Index. The S&P 500 measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The S&P Completion Index measures the performance of the U.S. mid-, small- and micro-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market excluding S&P 500 constituents. As of March 31, 2022, the S&P 500 and the S&P Completion Index included approximately 82% and 18%, respectively, of the market capitalization of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid-, small- and micro-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and healthcare industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF The iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”). The Underlying Index is an optimized index that is designed to reflect the equity performance of developed market companies (excluding the U.S. and Canada) that have favorable environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) characteristics (as determined by the Index Provider), while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the MSCI EAFE Index (the “Parent Index”). The Index Provider begins with the Parent Index and excludes securities of companies involved in the business of tobacco, companies involved with controversial weapons, producers and retailers of civilian firearms, and companies involved in certain fossil fuels-related activity such as the production of thermal coal, thermal coal-based power generation and extraction of oil sands based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds for certain categories (e.g., $20 million or 5%) and categorical exclusions for others (e.g., controversial weapons). The Index Provider also excludes companies that are directly
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iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (continued) involved in very severe, ongoing business controversies (in each case as determined by the Index Provider), and then follows a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to securities of companies with higher ESG ratings, subject to maintaining risk and return characteristics similar to the Parent Index. For each industry, the Index Provider identifies key ESG issues that can lead to unexpected costs for companies in the medium to long term. The Index Provider then calculates the size of each company’s exposure to each key issue based on the company’s business segment and geographic risk and analyzes the extent to which companies have developed robust strategies and programs to manage ESG risks and opportunities. Using a sector-specific key issue weighting model, companies are rated and ranked in comparison to their industry peers. As of August 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following 21 developed market countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF The iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization emerging market equities that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Emerging Markets Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”). The Underlying Index is an optimized equity index designed to reflect the equity performance of companies that have favorable environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) characteristics (as determined by the Index Provider), while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the “Parent Index”). The Index Provider begins with the Parent Index and excludes securities of companies involved in the business of tobacco, companies involved with controversial weapons, producers and retailers of civilian firearms, companies involved in certain fossil fuels-related activity such as the production of thermal coal, thermal coal-based power generation and extraction of oil sands based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds for certain categories (e.g. $20 million or 5%) and categorical exclusions for others (e.g. controversial weapons). The Index Provider also excludes companies that are directly involved in very severe, ongoing business controversies (in each case as determined by the Index Provider), and then follows a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to securities of companies with higher ESG ratings, subject to maintaining risk and return characteristics similar to the Parent Index. For each industry, the Index Provider identifies key ESG issues that can lead to unexpected costs for companies in the medium to long term. The Index Provider then calculates the size of each company’s exposure to each key issue based on the company’s business segment and geographic risk, and analyzes the extent to which companies have developed robust strategies and programs to manage ESG risks and opportunities. Using a sector-specific key issue weighting model, companies are rated and ranked in comparison to their industry peers. As of August 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following 23 countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF The iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. companies that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index.
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iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (continued) The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”). The Underlying Index is an optimized equity index that is designed to reflect the equity performance of U.S. companies that have favorable environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) characteristics (as determined by the Index Provider), while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to those of the MSCI USA Index (the “Parent Index”). The Index Provider begins with the Parent Index and excludes securities of companies involved in the business of tobacco, companies involved with controversial weapons, producers and retailers of civilian firearms, and companies included in certain fossil fuels-related activity such as the production of thermal coal, thermal coal-based power generation and extraction of oil sands based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds for certain categories (e.g., $20 million or 5%) and categorical exclusions for others (e.g., controversial weapons). The Index Provider also excludes companies involved in very severe business controversies (in each case as determined by the Index Provider), and then follows a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to securities of companies with higher ESG ratings, subject to maintaining risk and return characteristics similar to the Parent Index.
For each industry, the Index Provider identifies key ESG issues that can lead to unexpected costs for companies in the medium- to long-term. The Index Provider then calculates the size of each company’s exposure to each key issue based on the company’s business segment and geographic risk and analyzes the extent to which companies have developed robust strategies and programs to manage ESG risks and opportunities. Using a sector-specific key issue weighting model, companies are rated and ranked in comparison to their industry peers. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF The iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an optimized index designed to produce investment results comparable to a capitalization weighted index of small-capitalization U.S. companies, while reflecting a higher allocation to those companies with favorable environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) profiles (as determined by the index provider).
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”). The Underlying Index is an optimized equity index that is designed to produce investment results comparable to the MSCI USA Small Cap Index (the “Parent Index”), while reflecting a higher allocation than that of the Parent Index to companies with favorable ESG profiles (as determined by MSCI). The Parent Index represents the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market (as determined by MSCI).
In constructing the Underlying Index, the Index Provider begins with the Parent Index and excludes securities of companies involved in the business of tobacco, companies involved with controversial weapons, producers and retailers of civilian firearms, and companies involved in certain fossil fuels-related activity such as the production of thermal coal, thermal coal-based power generation and extraction of oil sands based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds for certain categories (e.g., $20 million or 5%) and categorical exclusions for others (e.g., controversial weapons). The Index Provider also excludes companies involved in very severe business controversies (in each case as determined by the Index Provider), and then follows a quantitative process that is designed to determine optimal weights for securities in the Underlying Index to maximize exposure to companies with higher ESG ratings, subject to maintaining risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Parent Index.
For each industry, the Index Provider identifies key ESG issues that can lead to substantial costs or opportunities for companies (e.g., climate change, resource scarcity, demographic shifts). The Index Provider then rates each company’s exposure to each key issue based on the company’s business segment and geographic risk and analyzes the extent to which companies have developed robust strategies and programs to manage ESG risks and opportunities. The Index Provider scores companies based on both their risk exposure and risk management. To score well on a key issue, the Index Provider assesses management practices, management performance(through
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iShares® ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (continued) demonstrated track record and other quantitative performance indicators), governance structures, and/or implications in controversies, which all may be taken as a proxy for overall management quality. Controversies, including, among other things, issues involving anti-competitive practices, toxic emissions and waste, and health and safety, occurring within the last three years lead to a deduction from the overall management score on each issue. Using a sector-specific key issue weighting model, companies are rated and ranked in comparison to their industry peers. Key issues and weights are reviewed at the end of each calendar year.
As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the industrials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Global Comm Services ETF The iShares Global Comm Services ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the communication services sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Communication Services 4.5/22.5/45 Capped IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to measure the performance of global equities in the communication services sector (as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”)). The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to limit the weight of the securities of any single issuer (as determined by SPDJI) to a maximum of 25% of the Underlying Index. Additionally, the capping methodology limits the sum of the weights of the securities of all issuers that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index to a maximum of 50% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. In order to implement this capping methodology, the Underlying Index constrains at quarterly rebalance: (i) the weight of any single issuer to a maximum of 22.5%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.5% of the index weight to maximum of 45%. In implementing this capping methodology, SPDJI may consider two or more companies as belonging to the same issuer where there is reasonable evidence of common control. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200TM. The Underlying Index includes large-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the communication services and media industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was composed of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF The iShares Global Consumer Discretionary ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the consumer discretionary sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Discretionary (Sector) Capped IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to measure the performance of global equities in the consumer discretionary sector. The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to limit the weight of the securities of any single issuer (as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”)) to a maximum of 10% of the Underlying Index. Additionally, the capping methodology limits the sum of the weights of the securities of all issuers that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index to a maximum of 25% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. In order to implement this capping methodology, the Underlying Index rebalances quarterly to limit: (i) the weight of any single issuer to a maximum of 10%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.50% of the Underlying Index weight to maximum of 22.50%. Between scheduled quarterly reviews, the Underlying Index is rebalanced at the end of any day on which issuers that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index collectively represent more than 25% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. In implementing this capping methodology, SPDJI may consider two or more companies as belonging to the same issuer where there is reasonable evidence of common control. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200TM, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. Component companies include consumer product manufacturing, service and retail companies. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer discretionary , consumer durables and consumer services industries or sectors. The
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iShares® Global Consumer Discretionary ETF (continued) components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was composed of securities of companies in the following countries or regions: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chilé, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Consumer Staples ETF The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the consumer staples sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Consumer Staples (Sector) Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to measure the performance of global equities in the consumer staples sector (as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”)). The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to limit the weight of the securities of any single issuer (as determined by SPDJI) to a maximum of 10% of the Underlying Index. Additionally, the capping methodology limits the sum of the weights of the securities of all issuers that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index to a maximum of 25% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. In order to implement this capping methodology, the Underlying Index rebalances quarterly to limit: (i) the weight of any single issuer to a maximum of 10%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.50% of the Underlying Index weight to maximum of 22.50%. Between scheduled quarterly index reviews, the Underlying Index is rebalanced at the end of any day on which all issuers that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index collectively represent more than 25% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. In implementing this capping methodology, SPDJI may consider two or more companies as belonging to the same issuer where there is reasonable evidence of common control. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200TM, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer staples industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was composed of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Energy ETF The iShares Global Energy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the energy sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Energy IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of companies that S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc., deems to be part of the energy sector of the economy and that SPDJI believes are important to global markets. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the energy industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was comprised of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chilé, Colombia, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Financials ETF The iShares Global Financials ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the financials sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Financials IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of companies that S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc., deems to be part of the financials sector of the economy and that SPDJI believes are important to global markets. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the banking, financials and insurance industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was comprised of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil,
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iShares® Global Financials ETF (continued) Canada, Chilé, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Healthcare ETF The iShares Global Healthcare ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the healthcare sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Health Care IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of companies that S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc., deems to be a part of the healthcare sector of the economy and that SPDJI believes are important to global markets. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the biotechnology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was composed of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF The iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of developed market equities in the infrastructure industry.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global Infrastructure IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to track performance of the stocks of large infrastructure companies in developed or emerging markets (only developed market listings are eligible for stocks of issuers domiciled in emerging markets). The Underlying Index includes companies involved in utilities, energy and transportation infrastructure, such as the management or ownership of oil and gas storage and transportation; airport services; highways and rail tracks; marine ports and services; and electric, gas and water utilities. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was comprised of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chilé, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the U.S. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the energy, industrials, infrastructure and utilities industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Global Materials ETF The iShares Global Materials ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the materials sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Materials IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of companies that S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc., deems to be part of the materials sector of the economy and that SPDJI believes are important to global markets. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the materials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was composed of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chilé, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Tech ETF The iShares Global Tech ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the technology sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Information Technology IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of all members of the S&P Global 1200 that are classified within the GICS® information technology sector. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the information technology , semiconductor and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® Global Tech ETF (continued) composed of securities of companies in the following countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® Global Utilities ETF The iShares Global Utilities ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in the utilities sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Global 1200 Utilities (Sector) Capped IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of companies that S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc., deems to be part of the utilities sector of the economy. The Underlying Index is a subset of the S&P Global 1200, which is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization stocks from major global markets, as determined by SPDJI. The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to limit the weight of the securities of any single issuer (as determined by SPDJI) to a maximum of 10% of the Underlying Index. Additionally, the capping methodology limits the sum of the weights of the securities of all issuers that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index to a maximum of 25% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. In order to implement this capping methodology, the Underlying Index constrains at quarterly rebalance: (i) the weight of any single issuer to a maximum of 10%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.5% of the index weight to a maximum of 22.5%. Between scheduled quarterly index reviews, the Underlying Index is rebalanced at the end of any day on which all issuers that individually constitute more than 5% of the weight of the Underlying Index constitute more than 25% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. In implementing this capping methodology, SPDJI considers two or more companies as belonging to the same issuer where more than 20% of all voting shares in a subsidiary are controlled by the same issuer control group.
As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the utilities industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index was comprised of securities of companies in the following countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF The iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of a broad range of commodity exposures with enhanced roll selection, on a total return basis.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P GSCI Dynamic Roll (USD) Total Return Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of futures contracts such as aluminum, Brent crude oil, cocoa, coffee, copper, corn, cotton, gas oil, feeder cattle, gold, heating oil, lean hogs, lead, live cattle, natural gas, nickel, silver, soybeans, sugar, unleaded gasoline, wheat, West Texas Intermediate crude oil and zinc. The Underlying Index is rebalanced on an annual basis.
In seeking to achieve its investment objective, the Fund may invest in a combination of exchange-traded commodity futures contracts, exchange-traded options on commodity-related futures contracts and exchange-cleared commodity related swaps (together, “Commodity-Linked Investments”), thereby obtaining exposure to the commodities markets. Commodity-Linked Investments may also include exchange-cleared swaps on commodities and exchange-traded options on futures that provide exposure to the investment returns of the commodities markets, without investing directly in physical commodities. Investing in Commodity-Linked Investments may have a leveraging effect on the Fund.
The Fund also seeks to generate interest income and capital appreciation on the cash balances arising from its investment in Commodity-Linked Investments through a cash management strategy consisting primarily of investments in short-term, investment-grade fixed-income securities that include U.S. government and agency securities, treasury inflation-protected securities, sovereign debt obligations of non-U.S. countries, and repurchase agreements, money market instruments and cash and other cash equivalents (collectively, “Fixed-Income Investments”). The Fund uses Fixed-Income Investments as investments and to provide sufficient assets to account for (or “cover”) mark-to-market changes and to collateralize the Subsidiary’s (as defined below) Commodity-Linked Investments exposure on a day-to-day basis. As of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index was comprised of 24 components.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (continued) The Fund will seek to gain exposure to Commodity-Linked Investments by investing through a wholly-owned subsidiary organized in the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by BFA and has the same investment objective as the Fund. Unlike the Fund, the Subsidiary is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Subsidiary will invest solely in Commodity-Linked Investments and cash.
In compliance with Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The Fund’s Commodity-Linked Investments held in the Subsidiary are intended to provide the Fund with exposure to commodity markets within the limits of current U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to investment companies such as the Fund, which limit the ability of investment companies to invest directly in Commodity-Linked Investments.
The remainder of the Fund’s assets will be invested directly by the Fund, primarily in Fixed-Income Investments. The Fund or the Subsidiary may from time to time invest in other exchange-traded funds, exchange-traded notes or commodity-linked notes.
iShares® International Developed Real Estate ETF The iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of real estate equities in developed non-U.S. markets.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed ex US Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of companies engaged in the ownership and development of real estate markets in developed countries (except for the U.S.) as defined by FTSE EPRA Nareit. As of April 30, 2022, the Underlying Index was composed of securities of companies in the following countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. As of April 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index includes companies offering various real estate services, real estate operating companies and real estate investment trusts. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI ACWI ETF The iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed and emerging market equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI ACWI (the “Underlying Index”), which is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure the combined equity market performance of developed and emerging markets countries. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of July 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
iShares® MSCI EAFE Growth ETF The iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada, that exhibit growth characteristics.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI EAFE Growth Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index has been developed by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”) to measure the equity market performance of developed markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. Constituents of the Underlying Index include securities of companies located in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Underlying Index generally represents approximately 50% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI EAFE Index and consists of those securities classified by MSCI as most representing the growth style. MSCI uses five variables to identify growth style securities: long-term forward earnings per share (“EPS”) growth rate, short-term forward EPS growth rate, current internal growth rate, long-term historical EPS growth trend and long-term historical sales per share growth trend. MSCI uses a specialized framework to attribute both value and growth style characteristics to
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iShares® MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (continued) each security within the MSCI EAFE Index. Each security is evaluated based on certain value factors and growth factors, which are then used to calculate a value score and a growth score. Based upon these two scores, MSCI determines the extent to which each security is assigned to the value or growth style. It is possible for a single security to have representation in both the value and growth style indexes; however, no more than 100% of a security’s float-adjusted market capitalization will be included within the combined style framework. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time.
As of July 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the healthcare and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of developed market equities that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility characteristics relative to the broader developed equity markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. to measure the performance of international equity securities (excluding the U.S. and Canada) that in the aggregate have lower volatility relative to the MSCI EAFE Index, which is a capitalization-weighted index.
The Underlying Index includes stocks from Europe, Australasia, the Middle East and the Far East and, as of July 31, 2022, consisted of securities from the following 20 developed market countries or regions: Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer staples and healthcare industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI EAFE Value ETF The iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada, that exhibit value characteristics.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI EAFE Value Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index has been developed by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”) to measure the equity market performance of developed markets outside of the U.S. and Canada. Constituents of the Underlying Index include securities from Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Underlying Index targets approximately 50% coverage of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI EAFE Index and consists of those securities classified by MSCI as most representing the value style of investing. Securities classified in this style generally tend to have higher value characteristics (i.e., higher book value to price, 12-month forward earnings to price and dividend yield). MSCI uses a specialized framework to attribute both value and growth style characteristics to each security within the MSCI EAFE Index. Each security is evaluated based on certain value factors and growth factors, which are then used to calculate a value score and growth score. Based upon these two scores, MSCI determines the extent to which each security is assigned to the value or growth style. It is possible for a single security to have representation in both the value and growth style indexes; however, no more than 100% of a security’s float-adjusted market capitalization will be included within the combined style framework. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time.
As of July 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Min Vol Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of emerging market equities that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility characteristics relative to the broader emerging equity markets.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Emerging Markets Minimum Volatility (USD) Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. to measure the performance of equity securities in global emerging markets that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility relative to the broader large- and mid-capitalization global emerging market equities. The Underlying Index is designed by selecting securities from the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which is a capitalization-weighted index, and then follows a rules-based methodology to optimize the Underlying Index and determine weights for securities in the index having the lowest total risk.
As of August 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities of companies in the following 21 countries: Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the communication services, financials and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF The iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities of companies primarily engaged in the business of gold mining.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”) to target a minimum of 30 companies in developed and emerging markets that are involved in the business of gold mining. MSCI begins with the MSCI ACWI Investable Market Index, and then selects securities of companies that are primarily focused on the extraction and production of gold, and state as a general policy that they do not hedge their exposure to gold prices as long as no indication of hedging activities is found in their annual reports or such hedging activities are identified but represent less than 10% of the business. If the number of constituents from the selection universe is less than 30, MSCI will include additional securities from the selection universe according to a criteria based on a company’s hedging activities. If after that application there remains less than 30 constituents, MSCI will select securities outside of the selection universe from the MSCI ACWI Investable Market Index in the following order: (i) companies in the gold sector that do not generate revenues from gold but are involved in gold exploration, (ii) companies in the precious metals and minerals sectors that do not generate revenues from gold but are involved in gold exploration and (iii) certain gold companies of the MSCI World Micro Cap Index. The price of the equity securities of these companies and the price of gold may not always be closely correlated. The Underlying Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index with a capping methodology that limits all issuer weights so that no single issuer of a component exceeds 25% of the Underlying Index weight, and all issuers with a weight above 5% do not cumulatively exceed 50% of the Underlying Index weight. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the materials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of August 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities of companies in the following nine countries or regions: Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the U.S. The Fund, under normal market conditions, will invest at least 40% of its assets in issuers organized or located outside the U.S. or doing business outside the U.S.
iShares® MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of developed and emerging market equities that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility characteristics relative to the broader developed and emerging equity markets.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility (USD) Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. to measure the combined performance of equity securities in both developed and emerging markets that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility relative to the broader large- and mid-capitalization developed and emerging markets. The Underlying Index is designed by
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (continued) selecting securities from the MSCI All Country World Index, which is a capitalization-weighted index, and then follows a rules-based methodology to optimize the Underlying Index and determine weights for securities in the index having the lowest total risk.
As of August 31, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of securities of companies in 32 countries or regions. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the health care and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® International Equity Factor ETF The iShares International Equity Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global developed market large- and mid-capitalization stocks, excluding the U.S., that have favorable exposure to target style factors subject to constraints.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the STOXX International Equity Factor Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a rules-based equity index provided by STOXX Ltd. (the “Index Provider”). The Underlying Index is composed of large- and mid-capitalization equity securities from the STOXX Global 1800 ex USA index (the “Parent Index”) that are selected and weighted using an optimization process designed to maximize exposure to five target factors: momentum, quality, value, low volatility and size. The Underlying Index also seeks to mitigate exposure to unintended systematic exposures, limit turnover and maintain a level of risk similar to that of the Parent Index. The Parent Index measures the performance of the largest companies of the developed equity market excluding the U.S., as defined by the Index Provider.
As of April 22, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of approximately 477 constituents from companies from the following countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. As of April 22, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI Japan ETF The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Japanese equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Japan Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to measure the performance of the large- and mid-capitalization segments of the Japanese equity market. As of August 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer discretionary and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF The iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. companies that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to provide exposure to U.S. companies that have positive environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) characteristics. As of April 30, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of 400 securities identified by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”) from the universe of companies included in the MSCI USA IMI Index, which targets 99% of the market coverage of stocks that are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market. MSCI analyzes each eligible company’s ESG performance using proprietary ratings covering ESG criteria. When selecting companies for the Underlying Index, MSCI also considers market capitalization and liquidity. Companies that MSCI determines have significant involvement in the following businesses are not eligible for the Underlying Index: fossil fuel extraction, fossil fuel reserve ownership, unconventional oil and gas extraction, thermal coal-based power generation, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, civilian firearms, nuclear power, controversial weapons, nuclear weapons, conventional weapons, adult entertainment and genetically modified organisms. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid, and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of April 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI USA ESG Select ETF The iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. companies that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® MSCI USA ESG Select ETF (continued) The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Extended ESG Select Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is an optimized index designed to maximize exposure to positive environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) characteristics, while exhibiting risk and return characteristics similar to the MSCI USA Index. As of April 30, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of 183 securities included in the MSCI USA Index. MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”) analyzes each eligible company’s ESG performance using proprietary ratings covering ESG and ethics criteria. The index methodology is designed so that companies with relatively high overall ratings have a higher representation in the Underlying Index than in the MSCI USA Index and companies with relatively low overall ratings have a lower representation in the Underlying Index than in the MSCI USA Index. Exceptions may result from the Underlying Index’s objective of having risk and return characteristics similar to the MSCI USA Index. The Index Provider excludes securities of companies involved in the business of tobacco, alcohol, gambling, nuclear power and weapons, fossil fuel extraction, thermal coal power and unconventional oil and gas businesses (e.g., thermal coal extraction and generation or oil sands extraction), companies involved with conventional and controversial weapons, producers and major retailers of civilian firearms, as well as companies involved in very severe business controversies. The Index Provider defines a controversy as an instance or ongoing situation in which company operations and/or products allegedly have a negative environmental, social and/or governance impact. Each controversy case is assessed for the severity of its impact on society. The Index Provider generally classifies companies as “involved” in a particular business based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds (e.g., 10%) for certain products and activities in an excluded industry. The securities of certain companies will be excluded regardless of revenue measures (e.g., all companies involved in the manufacturing of controversial weapons are excluded).
The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of April 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility characteristics relative to the broader U.S. equity market.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. to measure the performance of large- and mid-capitalization equity securities listed on stock exchanges in the U.S. that, in the aggregate, have lower volatility relative to the large- and mid-cap U.S. equity market.
The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the healthcare and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks exhibiting relatively higher price momentum.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant Index (the “Underlying Index”), which consists of stocks exhibiting relatively higher momentum characteristics than the traditional market capitalization-weighted parent index, the MSCI USA Index (the “Parent Index”), as determined by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”). The Parent Index includes U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks, as defined by MSCI. The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of an equity momentum strategy by emphasizing stocks with high price momentum, while maintaining reasonably high trading liquidity, investment capacity and moderate index turnover, each as determined by the Index Provider.
The Underlying Index is a variant of the MSCI USA Momentum Index, which employs a different reconstitution process. All constituent changes due to the semi-annual reconstitution of the Underlying Index are distributed over multiple days leading into the reconstitution effective date with an aim of facilitating easier implementation of the changes resulting from the reconstitution. A risk-adjusted price momentum metric, defined by MSCI as the excess return over the risk-free rate divided by the annualized standard deviation of weekly returns over the past three years, is calculated for each
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (continued) security in the Parent Index over 6- and 12-month time periods. The 6- and 12-month risk-adjusted price momentum calculations are then standardized at +/- 3 standard deviations and translated into an average momentum score. The weight of each Underlying Index constituent is determined by multiplying the security’s momentum score by its market capitalization weight in the Parent Index. Additionally, each individual issuer is capped at 5% at reconstitution. MSCI uses an algorithm to determine the number of components in the Underlying Index based on the number of constituents in the Parent Index. The Underlying Index is reconstituted semi-annually. After the constituent changes are determined at each semi-annual reconstitution, the Index Provider distributes those changes over three days (generally, the reconstitution effective date and the two prior business days) to reconstitute the Underlying Index. As of July 31, 2022, there were 124 securities in the Underlying Index. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer staples, energy and healthcare industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Equity Factor ETF The iShares U.S. Equity Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks that have favorable exposure to target style factors subject to constraints.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the STOXX U.S. Equity Factor Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a rules-based equity index provided by STOXX Ltd. (the “Index Provider”). The Underlying Index is composed of large- and mid-capitalization equity securities from the STOXX USA 900 index (the “Parent Index”) that are selected and weighted using an optimization process designed to maximize exposure to five target factors: momentum, quality, value, low volatility and size. The Underlying Index also seeks to mitigate exposure to unintended systematic exposures, limit turnover and maintain a level of risk similar to that of the Parent Index. The Parent Index measures the performance of the largest 900 companies of the U.S. equity market, as defined by the Index Provider.
As of April 22, 2022, the Underlying Index consisted of approximately 313 constituents, and a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer discretionary and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks with quality characteristics as identified through certain fundamental metrics.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is based on a traditional market capitalization-weighted parent index, the MSCI USA Index (the “Parent Index”). The Parent Index includes U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks, as defined by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider”). The Underlying Index seeks to measure the performance of securities in the Parent Index that exhibit higher quality characteristics relative to their peers within the corresponding Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) sector. To construct the Underlying Index, the Index Provider determines the quality score of each security in the Parent Index based on three fundamental variables: high return on equity, low earnings variability and low leverage. The Underlying Index is weighted based on a component’s quality score multiplied by its weight in the Parent Index. Weights in the Underlying Index are next normalized so that sectors in the Underlying Index represent the same weight as in the Parent Index. Additionally, each individual issuer is capped at 5%. The Underlying Index is rebalanced on a semi-annual basis. As of July 31, 2022, there were 125 securities in the Underlying Index. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI USA Size Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks with relatively smaller average market capitalization.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Low Size Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is based on a traditional market capitalization-weighted parent index, the MSCI USA Index (the “Parent Index”). The Parent Index includes U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks, as defined by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider”). The Underlying Index is constructed by applying a mathematical formula at each rebalancing that reweights the components of its market capitalization-weighted Parent Index, such
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iShares® MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (continued) that the representation of smaller capitalization companies is increased relative to larger capitalization companies. In addition, at each rebalancing, the Index Provider calculates a “constraint factor” for each component. The constraint factor is the ratio of the component’s weight in the Underlying Index to that component’s weight in the Parent Index. The constraint factor is held constant between each rebalancing, except in the case of corporate events (as defined by the Index Provider). Changes in the relative weight of an individual component in the Parent Index due to market appreciation/depreciation result in that component increasing/decreasing in weight in the Underlying Index to hold the constraint factor for that component constant between each rebalancing. The Underlying Index is rebalanced semi-annually in May and November. As of July 31, 2022, there are 627 component securities in the Underlying Index. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® MSCI USA Value Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks with value characteristics and relatively lower valuations.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is based on a traditional market capitalization-weighted parent index, the MSCI USA Index (the “Parent Index”). The Parent Index includes U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks, as defined by MSCI Inc. (the “Index Provider” or “MSCI”). The Underlying Index is designed to measure the performance of securities in the Parent Index that exhibit higher value characteristics relative to their peers within the corresponding Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) sector. To construct the Underlying Index, the Index Provider calculates a “value score” for each security in the Parent Index using three variables: price-to-book value, price-to-forward earnings and enterprise value-to-cash flow from operations. MSCI assigns weights by multiplying a component’s value score by its market capitalization. Weights in the Underlying Index are next normalized so that sectors in the Underlying Index represent the same weight as in the Parent Index. MSCI uses an algorithm to determine the number of components in the Underlying Index based on the number of constituents in the Parent Index. The number of components is evaluated semi-annually.
As of July 31, 2022, there were 150 securities in the Underlying Index. As of July 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Biotechnology ETF The iShares Biotechnology ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S.-listed equities in the biotechnology sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE Biotechnology Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of U.S.-listed securities of companies that are classified according to the ICE Uniform Sector Classification schema within the Biotechnology Sub-Industry Group (as determined by ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates (collectively “Index Provider”)) and that also meet other eligibility criteria determined by the Index Provider, including minimum market capitalization and liquidity requirements. Companies classified within the Biotechnology Sub-Industry Group include those companies that are engaged in the research and development of therapeutic treatments but that are not focused on the commercialization and mass production of pharmaceutical drugs. The Biotechnology Sub-Industry Group also includes those companies that are engaged in the production of tools or systems that enable biotechnology processes. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the biotechnology and healthcare industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Preferred and Income Securities ETF The iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated preferred and hybrid securities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE Exchange-Listed Preferred & Hybrid Securities Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of a select group of exchange-listed, U.S. dollar-denominated preferred securities, hybrid securities and convertible preferred securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or
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iShares® Preferred and Income Securities ETF (continued) the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Underlying Index includes issuances of preferred stocks with amounts outstanding over $100 million, convertible preferred stock with at least $50 million face amount outstanding, and hybrid securities with at least $250 million face amount outstanding, that meet minimum maturity and other requirements, as applicable, as determined by ICE Data Indices. In general, preferred stock is a class of equity security that pays a specified dividend that must be paid before any dividends can be paid to common stockholders and takes precedence over common stock in the event of a company’s liquidation. In general, a “hybrid” security refers to a security which combines both debt and equity characteristics. In general, hybrid securities included in the Underlying Index, like traditional preferred stock, have preference over the common stock within an issuer’s capital structure, and are issued and traded in a similar manner to traditional preferred stock. Like debt securities and preferred stock (but unlike common stock), issuers of hybrid securities included in the Underlying Index may make fixed, periodic payments to the holders of such securities. Like preferred stock, issuers of hybrid securities included in the Underlying Index have the ability to defer dividend payments and to extend such securities’ maturity dates. Although preferred stocks represent a partial ownership interest in a company, preferred stocks generally do not carry voting rights. Preferred stocks have economic characteristics similar to fixed-income securities. Preferred stocks and hybrid securities generally are issued with a fixed par value and pay dividends based on a percentage of that par value at a fixed or variable rate. Additionally, preferred stocks and hybrid securities often have a liquidation value that generally equals the original purchase price of such security at the date of issuance. The Underlying Index may include many different categories of preferred stock and hybrid securities, such as floating and fixed rate preferreds, fixed-to-floating rate securities, callable preferreds, convertible preferreds, cumulative and non-cumulative preferreds, certain capital securities, trust preferreds or various other preferred stock and hybrid securities. The total allocation to an individual issuer across the entire Underlying Index is limited to 4.75%. The Underlying Index uses a market capitalization weighted methodology subject to certain constraints and is rebalanced monthly. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies and includes preferred stocks and hybrid securities of non-U.S. issuers. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF The iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of the S&P SmallCap 600 Value IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the small-capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P SmallCap 600® (the “Parent Index”) and consists of those stocks in the Parent Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics, as determined by S&P DowJones Indices LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc. The value characteristics used by the Index Provider (as defined below) are book value to price ratio, earnings to price ratio and sales to price ratio. The Underlying Index represented approximately 51.86% of the market capitalization of the Parent Index as of March 31, 2022. As of March 4, 2022, stocks must have a market capitalization between $850 million and $3.7 billion for initial inclusion in the Parent Index; this range and constituents’ market capitalization may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets). As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® S&P 100 ETF The iShares S&P 100 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 100 large-capitalization U.S. equities.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P 100® (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P 500® and consists of blue chip stocks from a diverse range of industries in the S&P 500 with exchange listed options. As of March 31, 2022, the Underlying Index represented approximately 56% of the market capitalization of U.S. equities. As of March 4, 2022, stocks must have a market capitalization of at least $14.6 billion for initial inclusion in the S& P 500; this threshold and constituents’ market capitalization may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® S&P 500 Growth ETF The iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities that exhibit growth characteristics.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P 500 Growth IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the large-capitalization growth sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P 500® and consists of those stocks in the S&P 500 exhibiting the strongest growth characteristics, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc. The growth characteristics used by the Index Provider include three-year change in earnings per share over price per share, three-year sales-per-share growth rate and momentum (12-month percentage share price change). To the extent that earnings, sales and price data is not available for the above-listed time periods, the Index Provider will use shorter time periods in accordance with the Index Provider’s methodology. The Underlying Index represented approximately 50.61% of the market capitalization of the S&P 500 as of March 31, 2022. As of March 4, 2022, stocks must have a market capitalization of at least $14.6 billion for initial inclusion in the S&P 500; this threshold and constituents’ market capitalization may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the healthcare and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® S&P 500 Value ETF The iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities that exhibit value characteristics.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P 500 Value IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the large-capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market. It is a subset of the S&P 500® and consists of those stocks in the S&P 500 exhibiting the strongest value characteristics, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider”), a subsidiary of S&P Global, Inc. The value characteristics used by the Index Provider are book value to price ratio, earnings to price ratio and sales to price ratio. The Underlying Index represented approximately 49.38% of the market capitalization of the S&P 500 as of March 31, 2022. As of March 4, 2022, stocks must have a market capitalization of at least $14.6 billion for initial inclusion in the S&P 500; this threshold and constituents’ market capitalization may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the industrials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Energy ETF The iShares U.S. Energy ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the energy sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Russell 1000 Energy RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the energy sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by FTSE Russell (“Russell”). The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies.
The Underlying Index is a subset of the Russell 1000 Index, which is a float-adjusted capitalization-weighted index of equity securities issued by approximately the 1,000 largest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the broad U.S. equity market, as defined by Russell.
The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to constrain at quarterly rebalance: (i) the weights of any single issuer (as determined by Russell) to a maximum of 22.5%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.5% of the index weight to a maximum of 45%. The weight of one or more securities in the Underlying Index may exceed these constraints due to fluctuations in market value, corporate actions, or other events that change the index composition between quarterly rebalance dates.
Substantially all of the Underlying Index is expected to be represented by securities of companies in the energy industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Financials ETF The iShares U.S. Financials ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the financials sector.
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iShares® U.S. Financials ETF (continued) The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Russell 1000 Financials 40 Act 15/22.5 Daily Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the financials sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by FTSE Russell (“Russell”).
The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies. The Underlying Index is a subset of the Russell 1000 Index, which is a float-adjusted capitalization-weighted index of equity securities issued by approximately the 1,000 largest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the broad U.S. equity market, as defined by Russell.
The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to constrain at quarterly rebalance: (i) the weights of any single issuer (as determined by Russell) to a maximum of 15%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.5% of the index weight to a maximum of 22.5%. Between scheduled quarterly index reviews, the Underlying Index is monitored daily using constituent weights and forward looking information to ensure all companies that constitute more than 4.8% of the weight of the Underlying Index do not constitute more than 24% of the weight of the Underlying Index in the aggregate. On the calculation day where the threshold has been breached, the index is recapped using the quarterly capping methodology.
Substantially all of the Underlying Index is expected to be represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Financial Services ETF The iShares U.S. Financial Services ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the financial services sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Dow Jones U.S. Financial Services Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the financial services sector of the U.S. equity market. The Underlying Index is a subset of the Dow Jones U.S. Index (“Parent Index”) and includes components of the following subsectors in the Parent Index: banks, asset managers, consumer finance, specialty finance, investments services and mortgage finance. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid-, and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of April 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Healthcare ETF The iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the healthcare sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Russell 1000 Health Care RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the healthcare sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by FTSE Russell (“Russell”). The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies.
The Underlying Index is a subset of the Russell 1000 Index, which is a float-adjusted capitalization-weighted index of equity securities issued by approximately the 1,000 largest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the broad U.S. equity market, as defined by Russell.
The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to constrain at quarterly rebalance: (i) the weights of any single issuer (as determined by Russell) to a maximum of 22.5%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.5% of the index weight to a maximum of 45%. The weight of one or more securities in the Underlying Index may exceed these constraints due to fluctuations in market value, corporate actions, or other events that change the index composition between quarterly rebalance dates.
Substantially all of the Underlying Index is expected to be represented by securities of companies in the healthcare industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Infrastructure ETF The iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of the NYSE® FactSet U.S. Infrastructure IndexTM (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to measure the performance of equity securities of U.S. companies involved in U.S. -focused infrastructure activities (as determined by ICE Data Indices, LLC or its affiliates.
The Underlying Index is composed of equity securities primarily listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), NYSE American or NASDAQ (excluding master limited
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® U.S. Infrastructure ETF (continued) partnerships (MLPs), royalty trusts, business development companies (BDCs), and American depositary receipts) that are classified to be under one of the 95 infrastructure-related industries as defined by FactSet Revere Business Industry Classification System. Each company in the Underlying Index is classified as either Category 1 or Category 2, where Category 1 companies are infrastructure enablers and Category 2 are infrastructure asset owners and operators.
Infrastructure enablers are potential beneficiaries of infrastructure investment in the U.S. Category 1 companies in the Underlying Index include companies in construction and engineering services, machineries and materials. Infrastructure asset owners and operators are companies associated with traditional equity infrastructure investing. Category 2 companies in the Underlying Index include companies in energy transportation and storage, railroad transportation, and utilities.
At the time of inclusion, eligible companies must derive 50% or more of their annual revenues from the U.S. The Underlying Index applies an equal weighting to Category 1 and Category 2, and within each category, an equal weighting is also applied to all individual securities.
The Underlying Index is reviewed and reconstituted annually in March. Constituent weights of the Underlying Index are rebalanced quarterly. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the industrials, infrastructure, materials and utilities industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Medical Devices ETF The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the medical devices sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Medical Equipment Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the medical equipment sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the “Index Provider” or “SPDJI”). The Underlying Index includes medical equipment companies, including manufacturers and distributors of medical devices such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, prosthetics, pacemakers, X-ray machines, and other non-disposable medical devices. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- or small-capitalization companies. As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the healthcare and medical equipment industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Real Estate ETF The iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the real estate sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the real estate sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
As of March 31, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the real estate investment trust industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Technology ETF The iShares U.S. Technology ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the technology sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Russell 1000 Technology RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the technology sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by FTSE Russell (“Russell”). The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies. The Underlying Index is a subset of the Russell 1000 Index, which is a float-adjusted capitalization-weighted index of equity securities issued by approximately the 1,000 largest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the broad U.S. equity market, as defined by Russell. The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to constrain at quarterly rebalance: (i) the weights of any single issuer (as determined by Russell) to a maximum of 22.5%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.5% of the index weight to a maximum of 45%. The weight of one or more securities in the Underlying Index may exceed these constraints due to fluctuations in market value, corporate actions, or other events that change the index composition between quarterly rebalance dates. Substantially all of the Underlying
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iShares® U.S. Technology ETF (continued) Index is expected to be represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares U.S. Transportation ETF The iShares U.S. Transportation ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the transportation sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Transportation Select Industry FMC Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of companies within the transportation sector of the U.S. equity market as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”). The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies. Securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The Underlying Index uses a capping methodology to constrain at quarterly rebalance: (i) the weight of any single issuer (as determined by SPDJI) to a maximum of 22.5%, and (ii) the aggregate weight of all issuers that individually exceed 4.5% of the index weight to a maximum of 45%. The weight of one or more securities in the Underlying Index may exceed these constraints due to fluctuations in market value, corporate actions, or other events that change the index composition between quarterly rebalance dates. As of April 30, 2022, substantially all of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the transportation industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® U.S. Utilities ETF The iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the utilities sector.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Russell 1000 Utilities RIC 22.5/45 Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the utilities sector of the U.S. equity market, as defined by FTSE Russell. The Underlying Index includes large- and mid-capitalization companies. Substantially all of the Underlying Index is expected to be represented by securities of companies in the utilities industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
  
FIXED-INCOME ETFs
Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF The BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to maximize current income.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade fixed-income securities. The Fund primarily invests in investment-grade fixed-income securities that are rated BBB- or higher by S&P Global Ratings and/or Fitch Ratings, Inc., or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or, if unrated, determined by the Fund’s management team to be of equivalent quality. The Fund primarily invests in fixed- and floating-rate securities of varying maturities, such as corporate and government bonds, agency securities, instruments of non-U.S. issuers, privately issued securities, asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities, structured securities, municipal bonds, repurchase agreements, money market instruments and investment companies. The Fund invests in securities issued by financial institutions such as banks, broker-dealers and insurance companies. The Fund may enter into to-be-announced transactions on a regular basis with respect to the percentage of the portfolio (if any) that consists of mortgage-backed pass-through securities. BFA or its affiliates may advise the money market funds and investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
iShares® 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF The iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds with remaining maturities of less than five years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx® USD Liquid High Yield 0-5 Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to reflect the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated high yield (as determined by Markit Indices Limited (the “Index Provider” or “Markit”)) corporate debt. High yield bonds are also known as “junk bonds” and are generally rated below investment-grade. The Underlying Index offers exposure to liquid (according to Markit’s liquidity screens, which could vary from other measures of liquidity) high yield corporate bonds maturing between zero and five years of U.S. issuers and is rebalanced on a monthly basis. Only bonds with $350 million minimum face value per bond are included in the Underlying Index, provided they are trading at a minimum
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iShares® 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (continued) price in accordance with Markit’s liquidity screens. The Underlying Index uses a market-value weighted methodology with a cap on each issuer of 3%. As of October 31, 2021, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer services and oil and gas industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF The iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of inflation-protected U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities of less than five years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) 0-5 Years Index (Series-L) (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the inflation-protected public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, commonly known as “TIPS,” that have a remaining maturity of less than five years. TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation—a sustained increase in prices that erodes the purchasing power of money. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, the non-seasonally adjusted Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI”), and TIPS’ principal payments are adjusted according to changes in the CPI. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment. Because of this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds.
The Underlying Index includes all TIPS that have less than five years remaining to maturity, are rated investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and have a notional coupon that is fixed-rate or zero. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares® 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF The iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities between one and three years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Bond Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than three years. As of February 28, 2022, there were 93 issues in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index consists of publicly-issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than three years and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked securities, Treasury bills, cash management bills, any government agency debt issued with or without a government guarantee and zero-coupon issues that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds. The Underlying Index is market value weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares® 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF The iShares 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities between three and seven years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® U.S. Treasury 3-7 Year Bond Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to three years and less than seven years. As of February 28, 2022, there were 97 issues in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index consists of publicly-issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to three years and less than seven years and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked securities, Treasury bills, cash management bills,
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® 3-7 Year Treasury Bond ETF (continued) any government agency debt issued with or without a government guarantee and zero-coupon issues that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds. The Underlying Index is market value weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares® 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF The iShares 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade corporate bonds with remaining maturities between five and ten years. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® BofA® 5-10 Year US Corporate Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are U.S. dollar-denominated and publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to five years and less than ten years. As of February 28, 2022, there were 2,684 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The Underlying Index consists of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to five years and less than ten years, have been publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. The Index Provider (as defined below) deems securities as “investment grade” based on the average rating of Fitch Ratings, Inc. (BBB or better), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Baa or better) and/or Standard & Poor’s® Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global (BBB or better). In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate. Excluded from the Underlying Index are equity-linked securities, securities in legal default, hybrid securitized corporate bonds, Eurodollar bonds (U.S. dollar-denominated securities not issued in the U.S. domestic market), taxable and tax-exempt U.S. municipal securities and dividends-received deduction-eligible securities. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will seek to maintain a weighted average maturity that is greater than three years and lower than 10 years. Weighted average maturity is a U.S. dollar-weighted average of the remaining term to maturity of the underlying securities in the Fund’s portfolio.
iShares® 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF The iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities between seven and ten years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® U.S. Treasury 7-10 Year Bond Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to seven years and less than ten years. As of February 28, 2022, there were 15 issues in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index consists of publicly-issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to seven years and less than ten years and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked securities, Treasury bills, cash management bills, any government agency debt issued with or without a government guarantee and zero-coupon issues that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds. The Underlying Index is market value weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF The iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities between ten and twenty years. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® U.S. Treasury 10-20 Year Bond Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to ten years and less than twenty years. As of February 28, 2022, there were 26 issues in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index consists of publicly-issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to ten years and less than twenty years and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System (the “Fed”). In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked securities, Treasury
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iShares 10-20 Year Treasury Bond ETF (continued) bills, cash management bills, any government agency debt issued with or without a government guarantee and zero-coupon issues that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds. The Underlying Index is market value weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares® 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF The iShares 10+ Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade corporate bonds with remaining maturities greater than ten years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® BofA® 10+ Year US Corporate Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are U.S. dollar-denominated and publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to ten years. As of February 28, 2022, there were 3,406 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the energy, financials, healthcare and utilities industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The Underlying Index consists of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to ten years, have been publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. The Index Provider (as defined below) deems securities as “investment grade” based on the average rating of Fitch Ratings, Inc. (BBB or better), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Baa or better) and/or Standard & Poor’s® Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global (BBB or better). In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate. Excluded from the Underlying Index are equity-linked securities, securities in legal default, hybrid securitized corporate bonds, Eurodollar bonds (U.S. dollar-denominated securities not issued in the U.S. domestic market), taxable and tax-exempt U.S. municipal securities and dividends-received deduction-eligible securities. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will seek to maintain a weighted average maturity that is greater than ten years. Weighted average maturity is a U.S. dollar-weighted average of the remaining term to maturity of the underlying securities in the Fund’s portfolio.
iShares® 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities greater than twenty years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity greater than or equal to twenty years. As of February 28, 2022, there were 40 issues in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index consists of publicly-issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity greater than or equal to twenty years and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked securities, Treasury bills, cash management bills, any government agency debt issued with or without a government guarantee and zero-coupon issues that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds. The Underlying Index is market value weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares® Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF The iShares Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Aaa to A, or equivalently rated, fixed rate U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued by U.S. and non-U.S. corporations.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Aaa - A Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a subset of the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Index, which measures the performance of the Aaa – A rated range of the fixed-rate, U.S. dollar-denominated taxable, corporate bond market. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted with a 3% cap on any one issuer and a pro rata distribution of any excess weight across the remaining issuers in the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index includes U.S. dollar-denominated securities publicly-issued by U.S. and non-U.S. industrials, utility and financial corporate issuers, with maturities of one year or more, that have $500 million or more of outstanding face value. Each corporate
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iShares® Aaa - A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (continued) bond must be registered with the SEC, have been exempt from registration at issuance, or have been offered pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with registration rights. In addition, only securities rated A3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or higher (or the equivalent on another rating agency’s scale) will be included in the Underlying Index. When ratings from each of Fitch Ratings, Inc., Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings are available, the median rating is used to determine eligibility. When ratings from only two of the three rating agencies are available, the lower rating is used to determine eligibility. When a rating from only one of these agencies is available, that rating is used to determine eligibility. The securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month.
The Fund will invest in non-U.S. issuers to the extent necessary for it to track the Underlying Index. As of October 31, 2021, 18.30% of the Underlying Index was composed of bonds issued by non-U.S. issuers from the following countries: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. As of October 31, 2021, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF The iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a rules-based index consisting of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield (as determined by ICE Data Indices, LLC (“Index Provider” or “IDI”)) corporate bonds for sale in the U.S. The Underlying Index is designed to provide a broad representation of the U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bond market. The Underlying Index is a modified market value-weighted index with a cap on each issuer of 2%. There is no limit to the number of issues in the Underlying Index, but as of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index included approximately 2,137 constituents and the issuers in the Underlying Index are principally located in the U.S. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. As of the date of the prospectus, the bonds eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index include U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds that: (i) are issued by companies having “risk exposure” to countries (i.e., issuers that are subject to the risks of one or more of these countries as a result of the principal country of domicile of the issuers (as determined by the Index Provider)) that are members of the FX-G10, which include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. and their respective territories; (ii) have an average rating of below investment grade (ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or S&P Global Ratings are considered; if more than one agency provides a rating, the average rating is attached to the bond); (iii) are registered with the SEC, exempt from registration at issuance, or offered pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with or without registration rights; (iv) have at least $250 million of outstanding face value; (v) have an original maturity date of at least 18 months; and (vi) have at least one year to maturity.
iShares® Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF The iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade corporate bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® BofA® US Corporate Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are U.S. dollar-denominated and publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. As of February 28, 2022, there were 9,445 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. The Underlying Index consists of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year, have been publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. The Index Provider (as defined below) deems securities as “investment grade” based on the average rating of Fitch Ratings, Inc. (BBB or better), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Baa or better) and/or Standard & Poor’s® Financial
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (continued) Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global (BBB or better). In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate. Excluded from the Underlying Index are equity-linked securities, securities in legal default, hybrid securitized corporate bonds, Eurodollar bonds (U.S. dollar-denominated securities not issued in the U.S. domestic market), taxable and tax-exempt U.S. municipal securities and dividends-received deduction-eligible securities. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month.
iShares® Convertible Bond ETF The iShares Convertible Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated convertible securities, specifically cash pay bonds, with outstanding issue sizes greater than $250 million.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Convertible Cash Pay Bond > $250MM Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Underlying Index is a subset of the Bloomberg U.S. Convertibles: Cash Pay Bonds Index, which is one of the four classes of the Bloomberg U.S. Convertibles Index (i.e., cash pay, zero coupon, preferred and mandatory convertible bonds) and measures the performance of the U.S. dollar-denominated convertibles market. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted and consists of only cash pay convertible bonds. Cash pay convertible bonds allow the holder of the bond the option to convert into a pre-specified number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, but do not require conversion.
The universe of securities that are eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index includes U.S. dollar-denominated securities with maturities of 31 days or more and $250 million or more of outstanding face value issued by financials, industrials and utilities corporations. The securities may be investment-grade, high yield (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited) (i.e., non-investment-grade and commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) or non-rated. The Underlying Index is rebalanced on the last business day of each month. Securities eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index must be convertible tranches registered with the SEC or issued under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Fund will invest in only U.S. dollar-denominated securities in order to track the Underlying Index. As of October 31, 2021, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the communication services, consumer cyclical and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time. The methodology used to construct the Underlying Index does not provide for the conversion of the bonds constituting the Underlying Index into the associated common stock regardless of the current price of the common stock.
iShares® Core Total USD Bond Market ETF The iShares Core Total USD Bond Market ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds that are rated either investment-grade or high yield.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated taxable bonds that are rated either investment-grade or high yield (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited). The Underlying Index includes U.S. Treasury bonds, government-related bonds (i.e., U.S. and non-U.S. agencies, sovereign, quasi-sovereign, supranational and local authority debt), investment-grade and high yield U.S. corporate bonds, mortgage-backed pass-through securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, Eurodollar bonds, bonds registered with the SEC or exempt from registration at the time of issuance or offered pursuant to Rule 144A with or without registration rights and U.S. dollar-denominated emerging market bonds. The securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars. The Underlying Index consisted of securities from 114 countries or regions as of October 31, 2021. As of October 31, 2021, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury bonds. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF The iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of the total U.S. investment-grade bond market.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the total U.S. investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited (“Bloomberg”)) bond market. As of February 28, 2022, there were 12,364 issues in the Underlying Index.
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iShares® Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (continued) The Underlying Index includes investment-grade U.S. Treasury bonds, government-related bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed pass-through securities (“MBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) that are publicly offered for sale in the U.S. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by MBS and U.S. Treasury securities. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The securities in the Underlying Index must have $300 million or more of outstanding face value and must have at least one year remaining to maturity, with the exception of amortizing securities such as ABS and MBS, which have lower thresholds as defined by Bloomberg. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate and non-convertible. Certain types of securities, such as state and local government series bonds, structured notes with embedded swaps or other special features, private placements, floating-rate securities and bonds that have been issued in one country’s currency but are traded outside of that country in a different monetary and regulatory system (e.g.,Eurobonds), are excluded from the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
As of February 28, 2022, approximately 24% of the bonds represented in the Underlying Index were U.S. fixed-rate agency MBS. Such securities are issued by entities such as the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and are backed by pools of mortgages. Most transactions in fixed-rate MBS occur through standardized contracts for future delivery in which the exact mortgage pools to be delivered are not specified until a few days prior to settlement (to-be-announced transactions). The Fund may enter into such contracts on a regular basis. The Fund, pending settlement of such contracts, will invest its assets in high quality, liquid short-term instruments, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates. The Fund will assume its pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any money market fund that it may invest in, in addition to the Fund’s own fees and expenses. The Fund may also acquire interests in mortgage pools through means other than such standardized contracts for future delivery.
iShares® ESG Aware 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF The iShares ESG Aware 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds having remaining maturities between one and five years and issued by companies that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics while seeking to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index of such index.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate 1-5 Year ESG Focus Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (the “Index Provider” or “Bloomberg”) with environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) rating inputs from MSCI ESG Research LLC (“MSCI ESG Research”) pursuant to an agreement between MSCI ESG Research and Bloomberg Index Services Limited, a subsidiary of Bloomberg. The Underlying Index is an optimized fixed-income index designed to reflect the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg) corporate bonds having remaining maturities between one and five years and issued by companies that have positive ESG characteristics (as determined by MSCI ESG Research ratings), while seeking to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Bloomberg US Corporate 1-5 Years Index (the “Parent Index”). As of February 28, 2022, the Underlying Index included issuers from the following countries: Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macau, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
The Index Provider begins with the Parent Index and excludes companies involved in the business of tobacco, companies involved with controversial weapons, producers and retailers of civilian firearms, companies involved in certain fossil fuels-related activity such as the production of thermal coal, thermal coal-based power generation and extraction of oil sands based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds for certain categories (e.g., $20 million or 5%) and categorical exclusions for others (e.g., controversial weapons). The Index Provider also excludes companies involved in very severe business controversies (in each case as determined by MSCI ESG Research),
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iShares® ESG Aware 1-5 Year USD Corporate Bond ETF (continued) and then follows a quantitative process in an effort to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to securities of companies with higher ESG ratings subject to seeking to maintain risk and return characteristics similar to the Parent Index.
For each industry, MSCI ESG Research identifies key ESG issues that can lead to substantial costs or opportunities for companies (e.g., climate change, resource scarcity, demographic shifts). MSCI ESG Research then rates each company’s exposure to each key issue based on the company’s business segment and geographic risk and analyzes the extent to which companies have developed robust strategies and programs to manage ESG risks and opportunities. MSCI ESG Research scores companies based on both their risk exposure and risk management. To score well on a key issue, MSCI ESG Research assesses management practices, management performance (through demonstrated track record and other quantitative performance indicators), governance structures, and/or implications in controversies, which all may be taken as a proxy for overall management quality. Controversies, including, among other things, issues involving anti-competitive practices, toxic emissions and waste, and health and safety, occurring within the last three years lead to a deduction from the overall management score on each issue. Using a sector-specific key issue weighting model, companies are rated and ranked in comparison to their industry peers. Key issues and weights are reviewed at the end of each calendar year. Corporate governance is always weighted and analyzed for all companies.
As of February 28, 2022, there were 1,180 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The Underlying Index consists of U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds that are investment-grade, fixed-rate and taxable and have remaining effective maturities between one and five years. As of February 28, 2022, the average maturity of the securities in the Underlying Index was 3.3 years and the average credit rating was BBB+. The securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares® ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF The iShares ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade bonds from issuers generally evaluated for favorable environmental, social and governance practices while seeking to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the broad U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade bond market.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg MSCI US Aggregate ESG Focus Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (the “Index Provider” or “Bloomberg”) with environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) rating inputs from MSCI ESG Research LLC (“MSCI ESG Research”) pursuant to an agreement between MSCI ESG Research and Bloomberg Index Services Limited (a subsidiary of Bloomberg) or an affiliate. The Underlying Index is an optimized fixed-income index designed to reflect the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade (as determined by the Index Provider) bonds from issuers generally evaluated for favorable ESG practices (as determined by MSCI ESG Research), while seeking to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (the “Parent Index”).
The Underlying Index includes investment-grade U.S. Treasury bonds, non-securitized government-related bonds (“government-related bonds”), corporate bonds, mortgage-backed pass-through securities (“MBS”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) that are publicly offered for sale in the U.S.
To construct the Underlying Index, the Index Provider begins with the Parent Index and replicates its U.S. Treasury bond, MBS, CMBS and ABS exposures. These exposures are preserved at the weights of the Parent Index and are not subject to the Index Provider’s optimization process, which is a quantitative process that seeks to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to securities of entities with higher MSCI ESG Research ratings subject to seeking to maintain risk and return characteristics similar to the Parent Index. For the remaining constituents of the Parent Index (i.e., corporate bonds and government-related bonds), the Index Provider excludes securities of entities involved in the business of tobacco, entities involved with controversial weapons, producers and retailers of civilian firearms, companies involved in certain fossil fuels-related activity such as the production of thermal coal, thermal coal-based
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iShares® ESG Aware U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (continued) power generation and extraction of oil sands based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds for certain categories (e.g., $20 million or 5%) and categorical exclusions for others (e.g., controversial weapons).The Index Provider also excludes entities involved in very severe business controversies (in each case as determined by MSCI ESG Research), and then follows the Index Provider’s optimization process.
For each industry, MSCI ESG Research identifies key ESG issues that can lead to substantial costs or opportunities for entities (e.g., climate change, resource scarcity, demographic shifts). MSCI ESG Research then rates each entity’s exposure to each key issue based on the entity’s business segment and geographic risk and analyzes the extent to which entities have developed robust strategies and programs to manage ESG risks and opportunities. MSCI ESG Research scores entities based on both their risk exposure and risk management. To score well on a key issue, MSCI ESG Research assesses management practices, management performance (through demonstrated track record and other quantitative performance indicators), governance structures, and/or implications in controversies, which all may be taken as a proxy for overall management quality. Controversies, including, among other things, issues involving anti-competitive practices, toxic emissions and waste, and health and safety, occurring within the last three years lead to a deduction from the overall management score on each issue. Using a sector-specific key issue weighting model, entities are rated and ranked in comparison to their industry peers. Key issues and weights are reviewed at the end of each calendar year. Corporate governance is always weighted and analyzed for all entities.
The securities in the Underlying Index must have at least one year remaining to maturity, with the exception of amortizing securities such as ABS and MBS, which have lower thresholds as defined by the Index Provider. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate and nonconvertible. Certain types of securities, such as state and local government series bonds, structured notes with embedded swaps or other special features, private placements (other than those offered pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, floating rate securities and bonds that have been issued in one country’s currency but are traded outside of that country in a different monetary and regulatory system (e.g.,Eurobonds), are excluded from the Underlying Index. The securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
As of February 28, 2022, bonds that are subject to the Index Provider’s optimization process, which composed approximately 71% of the bonds in the Underlying Index, received an MSCI ESG Research weighted average score of 6.21 on a scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest score. As of February 28, 2022, U.S. Treasury bonds, which composed approximately 40% of the bonds in the Underlying Index, received an MSCI ESG Research score of 6.34. As of February 28, 2022, there were 7,415 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by MBS and U.S. Treasury securities. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
As of February 28, 2022, approximately 28% of the bonds in the Underlying Index were U.S. fixed-rate agency MBS. U.S. fixed-rate agency MBS are securities issued by entities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and are backed by pools of mortgages. Per the index methodology, U.S. fixed-rate agency MBS exposure does not receive any MSCI ESG Research rating as the Index Provider believes that U.S. fixed-rate agency MBS exposure is neither additive nor decremental to the Underlying Index’s ESG rating profile. As such, based on currently available data, the Index Provider believes U.S. fixed-rate agency MBS exposure is ESG neutral and not inconsistent with an ESG focused exposure. Most transactions in fixed-rate MBS occur through standardized contracts for future delivery in which the exact mortgage pools to be delivered are not specified until a few days prior to settlement (to-be-announced (“TBA”) transactions). The Fund may enter into such contracts on a regular basis. The Fund, pending settlement of such contracts, will invest its assets in high-quality, liquid short-term instruments, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates. The Fund will assume its pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any money market fund that it may invest in, in addition to the Fund’s own fees and expenses. The Fund may also acquire interests in mortgage pools through means other than such standardized contracts for future delivery.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF The iShares ESG Aware USD Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds issued by companies that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics while seeking to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the parent index of such index.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg MSCI US Corporate ESG Focus Index (the “Underlying Index”), which has been developed by Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (the “Index Provider” or “Bloomberg”) with environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) rating inputs from MSCI ESG Research LLC (“MSCI ESG Research”) pursuant to an agreement between MSCI ESG Research and Bloomberg Index Services Limited, a subsidiary of Bloomberg. The Underlying Index is an optimized fixed-income index designed to reflect the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg) corporate bonds issued by companies that have positive ESG characteristics (as determined by MSCI ESG Research ratings), while seeking to exhibit risk and return characteristics similar to those of the Bloomberg US Corporate Index (the “Parent Index”). As of February 28, 2022, the Underlying Index included issuers from the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macau, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.
The Index Provider begins with the Parent Index and excludes companies involved in the business of tobacco, companies involved with controversial weapons, producers and retailers of civilian firearms, companies involved in certain fossil fuels-related activity such as the production of thermal coal, thermal coal-based power generation and extraction of oil sands based on revenue or percentage of revenue thresholds for certain categories (e.g., $20 million or 5%) and categorical exclusions for others (e.g., controversial weapons). The Index Provider also excludes companies involved in very severe business controversies (in each case as determined by MSCI ESG Research), and then follows a quantitative process in an effort to determine optimal weights for securities to maximize exposure to securities of companies with higher ESG ratings subject to seeking to maintain risk and return characteristics similar to the Parent Index.
For each industry, MSCI ESG Research identifies key ESG issues that can lead to substantial costs or opportunities for companies (e.g., climate change, resource scarcity, demographic shifts). MSCI ESG Research then rates each company’s exposure to each key issue based on the company’s business segment and geographic risk and analyzes the extent to which companies have developed robust strategies and programs to manage ESG risks and opportunities. MSCI ESG Research scores companies based on both their risk exposure and risk management. To score well on a key issue, MSCI ESG Research assesses management practices, management performance (through demonstrated track record and other quantitative performance indicators), governance structures, and/or implications in controversies, which all may be taken as a proxy for overall management quality. Controversies, including, among other things, issues involving anti-competitive practices, toxic emissions and waste, and health and safety, occurring within the last three years lead to a deduction from the overall management score on each issue. Using a sector-specific key issue weighting model, companies are rated and ranked in comparison to their industry peers. Key issues and weights are reviewed at the end of each calendar year. Corporate governance is always weighted and analyzed for all companies.
As of February 28, 2022, there were 3,565 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer staples and financials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The Underlying Index consists of U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds that are investment-grade, fixed-rate and taxable and have remaining maturities of greater than or equal to one year. As of February 28, 2022, the average maturity of the securities in the Underlying Index was 12.2 years and the average credit rating was A-. The securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
iShares® Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF The iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds that were previously rated investment grade.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF (continued) The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg US High Yield Fallen Angel 3% Capped Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is designed to reflect the performance of U.S. dollar denominated, high yield (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited (the “Index Provider”)) corporate bonds that were previously rated investment grade. Bonds are market value weighted with a 3% cap on each issuer.
The bonds eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index are U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds that: (i) are issued by companies domiciled in countries classified as developed markets by the Index Provider (based primarily on World Bank income classifications); (ii) have an average rating of below-investment grade (as determined by the Index Provider); (iii) previously had an average rating of investment grade; (iv) have at least $150 million of outstanding face value; (v) have a fixed-rate coupon; and (vi) have at least one year to maturity. In determining whether a bond has an average rating of investment grade or below-investment grade, ratings from Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) are considered. Securities in the Underlying Index must be rated below-investment grade (lower than “BBB-” by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch, or “Baa3” by Moody’s) using the middle rating of Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings, or Fitch after dropping the highest and lowest available ratings. When a rating from only two agencies is available, the lower “more conservative” rating is used. When a rating from only one agency is available, that rating is used to determine eligibility in the Underlying Index. If an issue is unrated, the Index Provider may consider expected ratings and/or issuer-level ratings adopted by a ratings agency. There is no limit to the number of issues in the Underlying Index, but as of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index included approximately 346 constituents. As of October 31, 2021, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer cyclical and energy industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
iShares® Floating Rate Bond ETF The iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade floating rate bonds with remaining maturities between one month and five years.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg US Floating Rate Note < 5 Years Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited) floating rate notes. Securities in the Underlying Index have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one month and less than five years, and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value. As of October 31, 2021, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. As of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index was composed of securities of companies in the following countries or regions: Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the U.S. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The Underlying Index consists of debt instruments that pay a variable coupon rate, based on a reference rate such as the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate and a fixed spread. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month. The Underlying Index may include U.S. registered, dollar-denominated bonds of non-U.S. corporations, governments and supranational entities.
iShares® iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF The iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx® USD Liquid High Yield Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a rules-based index consisting of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield (as determined by Markit Indices Limited (“Markit”)) corporate bonds for sale in the U.S. The Underlying Index is designed to provide a broad representation of the U.S. dollar-denominated liquid high yield corporate bond market. The Underlying Index is a modified market-value weighted index with a cap on each issuer of 3%. There is no limit to the number of issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, the Underlying Index included approximately 1,267 constituents. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer services industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (continued) Bonds in the Underlying Index are selected from the universe of eligible bonds in the Markit iBoxx USD Corporate Bond Index using defined rules. As of the date of the prospectus, the bonds eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index include U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds that: (i) are issued by companies domiciled in countries classified as developed markets by Markit; (ii) have an average rating of sub-investment grade (ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc., Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s® Global Ratings, a subsidiary of S&P Global are considered; if more than one agency provides a rating, the average rating is attached to the bond); (iii) are from issuers with at least $1 billion outstanding face value; (iv) have at least $400 million of outstanding face value; (v) have an original maturity date of less than 15 years; (vi) have at least one year to maturity; and (vii) have at least one year and 6 months to maturity for new index insertions.
iShares® iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF The iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx® USD Liquid Investment Grade Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a rules-based index consisting of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade (as determined by Markit Indices Limited (“Markit”)) corporate bonds for sale in the U.S. The Underlying Index is designed to provide a broad representation of the U.S. dollar-denominated liquid investment-grade corporate bond market. The Underlying Index is a modified market-value weighted index with a cap on each issuer of 3%. There is no limit to the number of issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2022, the Underlying Index included approximately 2,464 constituents. As of February 28, 2022, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The Underlying Index is a subset of the Markit iBoxx USD Corporate Bond Index, which as of February 28, 2022 is an index of 7,276 investment-grade bonds. Bonds in the Underlying Index are selected from the universe of eligible bonds in the Markit iBoxx USD Corporate Bond Index using defined rules. As of the date of the prospectus, the bonds eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index consist of U.S. dollar-denominated corporate bonds that: (i) are issued by companies domiciled in countries classified as developed markets by Markit; (ii) have an average rating of investment grade (ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc., Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s® Global Ratings, a subsidiary of S&P Global are considered; if more than one agency provides a rating, the average rating is attached to the bond); (iii) are from issuers with at least $2 billion outstanding face value; (iv) have at least $750 million of outstanding face value; (v) have at least three years to maturity; and (vi) have at least three years and 6 months to maturity for new index insertions.
iShares® International Treasury Bond ETF The iShares International Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of non-U.S. developed market government bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the FTSE World Government Bond Index – Developed Markets Capped Select Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of fixed-rate, local currency, investment-grade, sovereign bonds from certain developed markets, and is a subset of the FTSE World Government Bond Index – Developed Markets (WGBI-DM) Index (the “Parent Index”). For a security to be eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index, the issuing country must be classified by the International Monetary Fund or by the World Bank as a developed country, must meet market accessibility standards (as determined by FTSE Fixed Income LLC), and must have a minimum market size greater than each of USD 50 billion, EUR 40 billion and JPY 5 trillion. Market size is defined as the total outstanding market value of eligible securities. However, the Underlying Index excludes the U.S. The minimum credit rating for entry to the Underlying Index is A- by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and A3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. The Underlying Index includes bonds having a remaining maturity greater than one year. The market value-based weights of each individual country in the Underlying Index are capped at 21%. Furthermore, the total market weights of the countries with more than 4.6% market weight in the index cannot exceed 47% of the total index weight. Constituent securities of each country are assigned weights in proportion to their market value. The Underlying Index is rebalanced on a monthly basis at month end. As of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index was composed of 787 components.
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF The iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, emerging market corporate bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the J.P. Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified Core Index (the “Underlying Index”), which tracks the performance of the U.S. dollar-denominated emerging market corporate bond market. All bonds included in the Underlying Index are selected according to a set of rule-based inclusion criteria regarding issue size, bond type, maturity, and liquidity. The securities included in the Underlying Index are rebalanced on the last business day of each month. Eligible countries included in the Underlying Index are determined by JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates (the “Index Provider” or “J.P. Morgan”) based on the Index Provider’s definition of emerging market countries.
The Underlying Index includes bonds issued by corporations based in Latin American, Eastern European, Middle Eastern/African, and Asian countries (excluding Japan). Once the universe of emerging markets countries has been defined, the eligible securities from these countries must be selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index. Bonds are eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index if (i) the issuer is headquartered in an emerging market country, (ii) the issue is 100% guaranteed by an entity within an emerging market economy, or (iii) 100% of the issuer’s operating assets are located within emerging market economies. Eligible individual securities must have a minimum outstanding face value of $500 million or more. All component securities included in the Underlying Index must be U.S. dollar-denominated bonds with a minimum of 2.5 years to maturity or greater to be eligible for the Underlying Index and a remaining maturity of one year or greater at the time of rebalancing to remain eligible for the Underlying Index. There are no ratings restrictions on either the individual bonds or the country of risk. As a result, the Underlying Index consists of both investment-grade and non-investment-grade bonds (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”).
The Underlying Index uses J.P. Morgan’s proprietary market capitalization weighted methodology. The methodology is designed to distribute the weight of each country within the Underlying Index by limiting the weights of countries with higher debt outstanding and reallocating this excess to countries with lower debt outstanding. As of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index included issuers located in 47 emerging and frontier market countries. Components of the Underlying Index primarily include companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.
The Fund will invest in privately issued securities, including those that are normally purchased pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
iShares® J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF The iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of local currency denominated, emerging market sovereign bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global Diversified 15% Cap 4.5% Floor Index (the “Underlying Index”), which tracks the performance of local currency-denominated sovereign bond markets of emerging market countries. All bonds included in the Underlying Index are selected according to a set of rule-based inclusion criteria regarding issue size, bond type, maturity, and liquidity. The securities included in the Underlying Index are rebalanced on the last weekday of the month. Eligible countries included in the Underlying Index are determined by JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates (the “Index Provider” or “J.P. Morgan”) based on the Index Provider’s definition of emerging market countries.
Eligible issuer countries must have (1) gross national income (“GNI”) below the Index Income Ceiling (“IIC”) for three consecutive years or (2) an Index Purchasing Power Parity Ratio (the “IPR”) below the EM IPR threshold, each as defined by the Index Provider, for three consecutive years. An existing country may be considered for removal from the Underlying Index if its GNI per capita is above the IIC for three consecutive years and its long-term sovereign credit rating from Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and Fitch Ratings, Inc. is A-/A3/A- or above for three consecutive years. For purposes of compiling the Underlying Index, individual country weights are capped at maximum 15% and floored at minimum 4.5%. Eligible individual securities must have a minimum face amount outstanding of U.S. $1 billion equivalent for onshore local currency bonds and U.S. $500 million for global bonds (offshore currency linked
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (continued) bonds). All component securities must have at least 2.5 years to maturity from the inclusion date and a remaining maturity of 6 months or greater at the time of rebalancing to remain eligible for the Underlying Index.
Floating-rate issues, capitalization/amortizing bonds, and bonds with callable, puttable or convertible features are not eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index.
As of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index included securities issued by Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Uruguay.
iShares® J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF The iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, emerging market bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the J.P. Morgan EMBI® Global Core Index (the “Underlying Index”), which is a broad, diverse U.S. dollar-denominated emerging markets debt benchmark that tracks the total return of actively traded external debt-instruments in emerging market countries. The methodology is designed to distribute the weight of each country within the Underlying Index by limiting the weights of countries with higher debt outstanding and reallocating this excess to countries with lower debt outstanding.
The Underlying Index was composed of 58 countries as of October 31, 2021. As of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index’s five highest weighted countries were Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Underlying Index may change its composition and weighting monthly upon rebalancing. The Underlying Index includes both fixed-rate and floating-rate instruments issued by sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities from index-eligible countries. Quasi-sovereign entities are defined as entities that are 100% guaranteed or 100% owned by the national government and reside in the index eligible country. To be considered for inclusion in the Underlying Index, instruments must (i) be denominated in U.S. dollars, (ii) have a current face amount outstanding of $1 billion or more, (iii) have at least 2.5 years until maturity to be eligible for inclusion and, at each subsequent rebalance, have at least one year until maturity to remain in the index, (iv) be able to settle internationally through Euroclear or another institution domiciled outside the issuing country and (v) have bid and offer prices that are available on a daily and timely basis sourced from a third party valuation vendor. As of October 31, 2021, the Underlying Index consisted of both investment-grade and non-investment-grade bonds (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”), each as defined by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (the “Index Provider”). Convertible bonds are not eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is market value weighted and is rebalanced monthly on the last business day of the month.
Eligible issuer countries must have (1) gross national income below the Index Income Ceiling for three consecutive years or (2) an Index Purchasing Power Parity Ratio (the “IPR”) below the emerging market IPR threshold, each as defined by the Index Provider, for three consecutive years.
iShares® MBS ETF The iShares MBS ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of investment-grade mortgage-backed pass-through securities issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. MBS Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited mortgage-backed pass-through securities (“MBS”) issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or sponsored entities. The Underlying Index includes fixed-rate MBS issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation that have 30-, 20-, or 15-year maturities. All securities in the Underlying Index must have a remaining weighted average maturity of at least one year. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be non-convertible. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
As of February 28, 2022, approximately 100% of the bonds represented in the Underlying Index were U.S. agency MBS. Most transactions in MBS occur through standardized contracts for future delivery in which the exact mortgage pools to be delivered are not specified until a few days prior to settlement (to-be-announced
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® MBS ETF (continued) transactions). The Fund may enter into such contracts for fixed-rate pass-through securities on a regular basis. The Fund, pending settlement of such contracts, will invest its assets in liquid, short-term instruments, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates. The Fund will assume its pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any money market fund that it may invest in, in addition to the Fund’s own fees and expenses. The Fund may also acquire interests in mortgage pools through means other than such standardized contracts for future delivery.
iShares® Short Treasury Bond ETF The iShares Short Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities of one year or less.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE® Short US Treasury Securities Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity of less than or equal to one year. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will seek to maintain a weighted average maturity of less than one year. Weighted average maturity is the U.S. dollar weighted average of the remaining term to maturity of the underlying securities in the Fund’s portfolio. As of February 28, 2022, there were 104 components in the Underlying Index.
The Underlying Index is market value-weighted based on amounts outstanding of issuances consisting of publicly issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining term to final maturity of less than or equal to one year as of the rebalance date and $1 billion or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System Open Market Account. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must have a fixed coupon schedule and be denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked debt and zero-coupon bonds that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds (e.g., Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities). However, the amounts outstanding of qualifying coupon securities in the Underlying Index are not reduced by any individual components of such securities (i.e., coupon or principal) that have been stripped after inclusion in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is rebalanced on the last calendar day of each month.
iShares® TIPS Bond ETF The iShares TIPS Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of inflation-protected U.S. Treasury bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Index (Series-L) (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of the inflation-protected public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, commonly known as “TIPS.” TIPS are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation — a sustained increase in prices that erodes the purchasing power of money. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”), and TIPS’ principal payments are adjusted according to changes in the CPI. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises, both the principal value and the interest payments increase. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment. Because of this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds.
The Underlying Index includes all publicly-issued U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities that have at least one year remaining to maturity, are rated investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited) and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System (the “Fed”) Open Market Account or bought at issuance by the Fed. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate and non-convertible. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month.
iShares® U.S. Treasury Bond ETF The iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds.
The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index (the “Underlying Index”), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury. As of October 31, 2021, there were 267 issues in the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index includes publicly-issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity greater than one year and less than or equal to thirty years and have
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Fund Name Investment Objective and Principal Investment Strategies
iShares® U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (continued) $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System (the “Fed”) Open Market Account or bought at issuance by the Fed. As of October 31, 2021, the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Underlying Index was 8.32 years. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked securities, cash management bills, Treasury bills, any government agency debt issued with or without a government guarantee and zero coupon issues that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds. The Underlying Index is weighted by market capitalization excluding amounts held by the Fed Open Market Account or bought at issuance by the Fed, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.
  
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Account Information

How to Choose the Share Class that Best Suits Your Needs

Each Fund currently offers multiple share classes (Investor A, Investor C, Institutional and Class R Shares in this prospectus), each with its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to invest in the way that best suits your needs. Each share class represents an ownership interest in the same investment portfolio. When you choose your class of shares, you should consider the size of your investment and how long you plan to hold your shares. Either your financial professional or your selected securities dealer, broker, investment adviser, service provider or industry professional (including BlackRock and its affiliates) (each a “Financial Intermediary”) can help you determine which share class is best suited to your personal financial goals. Investor A Shares and Investor C Shares are sometimes referred to herein collectively as “Investor Shares.”
For example, if you select Institutional Shares, you will not pay any sales charge. However, only certain investors may buy Institutional Shares. If you select Investor A Shares, you generally pay a sales charge at the time of purchase and an ongoing service fee of 0.25% per year. You may be eligible for a sales charge reduction or waiver.
If you select Investor C or Class R Shares, you will invest the full amount of your purchase price, but you will be subject to a distribution fee of 0.75% per year for Investor C Shares and 0.25% per year for Class R Shares and a service fee of 0.25% per year for both classes of shares under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. Because these fees are paid out of each Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. In addition, you may be subject to a deferred sales charge when you sell Investor C Shares within one year. Classes with lower expenses will have higher net asset values and dividends relative to other share classes.
Each Fund’s shares are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of BlackRock.
The table below summarizes key features of each of the share classes of the Funds.
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Share Classes at a Glance1
  Investor A Investor C2,3 Institutional Class R
Availability Generally available through Financial Intermediaries. Generally available through Financial Intermediaries. Must be held through a Financial Intermediary. Limited to certain investors, including:
• Individuals and “Institutional Investors,” which include, but are not limited to, endowments, foundations, family offices, local, city, and state governmental institutions, corporations and insurance company separate accounts, who may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares.
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares.
• Employees, officers and directors/trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates and immediate family members of such persons, if they open an account directly with BlackRock.
• Participants in certain programs sponsored by BlackRock or its affiliates or other Financial Intermediaries.
• Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons.
• Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund.
• Clients investing through a self-directed IRA brokerage account program sponsored by a retirement plan record-keeper, provided that such program offers only mutual fund options and that the program maintains an account with the Fund on an omnibus basis.
Available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
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  Investor A Investor C2,3 Institutional Class R
Minimum Investment $1,000 for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan(“AIP”).
• There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs).
• There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs.
$1,000 for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an AIP.
• There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs).
• There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs.
There is no investment minimum for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies.
• Employees, officers and directors/trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates and immediate family members of such persons, if they open an account directly with BlackRock.
• Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform.
• Clients investing through a self-directed IRA brokerage account program sponsored by a retirement plan record-keeper, provided that such program offers only mutual fund options and that the program maintains an account with the Fund on an omnibus basis.
$2 million for individuals and Institutional Investors.
$1,000 investment minimum for:
• Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund.
• Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons.
$100 for all accounts.
Initial Sales Charge? Yes. Payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges are available for larger investments. No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund.
Deferred Sales Charge? No. (May be charged for purchases of $1 million or more that are redeemed within 18 months.) Yes. Payable if you redeem within one year of purchase. No. No.
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  Investor A Investor C2,3 Institutional Class R
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees? No Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee.
0.75% Annual Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee.
No. 0.25% Annual Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee.
Redemption Fees? No. No. No. No.
Conversion to Investor A Shares? N/A Yes, automatically approximately eight years after the date of purchase. It is the Financial Intermediary’s responsibility to ensure that the shareholder is credited with the proper holding period. As of the Effective Date (as defined below), certain Financial Intermediaries, including group retirement recordkeeping platforms, may not have been tracking such holding periods and therefore may not be able to process such conversions. In such instances, the automatic conversion of Investor C Shares to Investor A Shares will occur approximately eight years after the Effective Date.
In addition, accounts that do not have a Financial Intermediary
associated with them are not eligible to hold Investor C Shares, and any
Investor C Shares held in such accounts will be automatically converted to Investor A Shares.
No. No.
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  Investor A Investor C2,3 Institutional Class R
Advantage Makes sense for investors who are eligible to have the sales charge reduced or eliminated or who have a long-term investment horizon because there are no ongoing distribution fees. No up-front sales charge so you start off owning more shares. These shares may make sense for investors who have a shorter investment horizon relative to Investor A Shares. No up-front sales charge so you start off owning more shares. No distribution or service fees. No up-front sales charge so you start off owning more shares.
Disadvantage You pay a sales charge up-front, and therefore you start off owning fewer shares. You pay ongoing distribution fees each year you own Investor C Shares, which means that over the long term you can expect higher total fees per share than Investor A Shares and, as a result, lower total performance. Limited availability. Limited availability. You pay ongoing distribution fees each year you own Class R Shares, which means that over the long term you can expect higher total fees per share than Investor A Shares and, as a result, lower total performance.
  
1 Please see “Details About the Share Classes” for more information about each share class.
2 If you establish a new account, or have an existing account, directly with a Fund and do not have a Financial Intermediary associated with your account, you may only invest in Investor A Shares. Applications without a Financial Intermediary that select Investor C Shares will not be accepted and accounts without an associated Financial Intermediary will not be eligible to hold Investor C Shares.
3 A Fund will not accept a purchase order of $500,000 or more for Investor C Shares (may be lower on funds that have set a lower breakpoint for purchasing Investor A Shares without a front-end sales charge). Your Financial Intermediary may set a lower maximum for Investor C Shares.
The following pages will cover the additional details of each share class, including the Institutional Shares requirements, the sales charge table for Investor A Shares, reduced sales charge information, Investor C Share contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) information, and sales charge waivers.
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and reductions will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from a Fund or through a Financial Intermediary. Financial Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales charge waivers or deferred sales charge waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it is your responsibility to notify the Fund or your Financial Intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying you for sales charge waivers or reductions. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular Financial Intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares directly from the Fund or through another Financial Intermediary to receive these waivers or reductions. Please see the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” section beginning on page A-1 of the Funds’ prospectus to determine any sales charge waivers and reductions that may be available to you through your Financial Intermediary.
More information about existing sales charge reductions and waivers is available free of charge in a clear and prominent format via hyperlink at www.blackrock.com and in the SAI, which is available on the website or on request.
Details About the Share Classes

Investor A Shares — Initial Sales Charge Option
The following table shows the front-end sales charges that you may pay if you buy Investor A Shares. The offering price for Investor A Shares includes any front-end sales charge. The front-end sales charge expressed as a percentage of the offering price may be higher or lower than the charge described below due to rounding. Similarly, any contingent deferred sales charge paid upon certain redemptions of Investor A Shares expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount may be higher or lower than the charge described below due to rounding. You may qualify for a reduced front-end sales charge. Purchases of Investor A Shares at certain fixed dollar levels, known as “breakpoints,” cause a reduction in the front-end sales charge. Once you achieve a breakpoint, you pay that sales
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charge on your entire purchase amount (and not just the portion above the breakpoint). If you select Investor A Shares, you will pay a sales charge at the time of purchase as shown in the following table.
Your Investment Sales Charge
as a % of
Offering Price
Sales Charge
as a % of
Your Investment1
Dealer
Compensation
as a % of
Offering Price
Less than $25,000 5.25% 5.54% 5.00%
$25,000 but less than $50,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.50%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 4.00% 4.17% 3.75%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.00% 3.09% 2.75%
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50% 2.56% 2.25%
$500,000 but less than $750,000 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$750,000 but less than $1,000,000 1.50% 1.52% 1.25%
$1,000,000 and over2 0.00% 0.00% 2
  
1 Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent.
2 If you invest $1,000,000 or more in Investor A Shares, you will not pay an initial sales charge. In that case, BlackRock compensates the Financial Intermediary from its own resources. However, if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds. Such deferred sales charge may be waived in connection with certain fee-based programs.
No initial sales charge applies to Investor A Shares that you buy through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gains.
Sales Charges Reduced or Eliminated for Investor A Shares
There are several ways in which the sales charge can be reduced or eliminated. Purchases of Investor A Shares at certain fixed dollar levels, known as “breakpoints,” cause a reduction in the front-end sales charge (as described above in the “Investor A Shares — Initial Sales Charge Option” section). Additionally, the front-end sales charge can be reduced or eliminated through one or a combination of the following: a Letter of Intent, the right of accumulation, the reinstatement privilege (described under “Account Services and Privileges”), or a waiver of the sales charge (described below).
Reductions or eliminations through a Letter of Intent or right of accumulation will apply to the value of all qualifying holdings in shares of mutual funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates (“BlackRock Funds”) owned by (a) the investor, or (b) the investor’s spouse and any children and a trust, custodial account or fiduciary account for the benefit of any such individuals. For this purpose, the value of an investor’s holdings means the offering price of the newly purchased shares (including any applicable sales charge) plus the current value (including any sales charges paid) of all other shares the investor already holds taken together.
See the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” section beginning on page A-1 of the Funds’ prospectus for sales charge reductions and waivers that may be available to customers of certain Financial Intermediaries.
Qualifying Holdings — Investor A and A1, Investor C, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and Premier Shares (in most BlackRock Funds), investments in certain unlisted closed-end management investment companies sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates (“Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds”) and investments in the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program.
Qualifying Holdings may include shares held in accounts held at a Financial Intermediary, including personal accounts, certain retirement accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, Joint Tenancy accounts, trust accounts and Transfer on Death accounts, as well as shares purchased by a trust of which the investor is a beneficiary. For purposes of the Letter of Intent and right of accumulation, the investor may not combine with the investor’s other holdings shares held in pension, profit sharing or other employer-sponsored retirement plans if those shares are held in the name of a nominee or custodian.
In order to receive a reduced sales charge, at the time an investor purchases shares of the Fund, the investor should inform the Financial Intermediary and/or BlackRock Funds of any other shares of the Fund or any other BlackRock Fund or Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Fund that qualify for a reduced sales charge. Failure by the investor to notify the Financial Intermediary or BlackRock Funds may result in the investor not receiving the sales charge reduction to which the investor is otherwise entitled.
The Financial Intermediary or BlackRock Funds may request documentation — including account statements and records of the original cost of the shares owned by the investor, the investor’s spouse and/or children showing that the investor qualifies for a reduced sales charge. The investor should retain these records because — depending on
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where an account is held or the type of account — the Fund and/or the Financial Intermediary, BlackRock Funds or Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds may not be able to maintain this information.
For more information, see the SAI or contact your Financial Intermediary.
Letter of Intent
An investor may qualify for a reduced front-end sales charge immediately by signing a “Letter of Intent” stating the investor’s intention to make one or more of the following investments within the next 13 months which would, if bought all at once, qualify the investor for a reduced sales charge:
i. Buy a specified amount of Investor A, Investor C, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and/or Premier Shares,
ii. Make an investment in one or more Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds and/or
iii. Make an investment through the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program in one or more BlackRock Funds.
The initial investment must meet the minimum initial purchase requirement. The 13-month Letter of Intent period commences on the day that the Letter of Intent is received by the Fund.
The market value of current holdings in the BlackRock Funds (including Investor A, Investor C, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and Premier Shares, Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds and the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program Class A and Class C Units) as of the date of commencement that are eligible under the Right of Accumulation may be counted towards the sales charge reduction.
The investor must notify the Fund of (i) any current holdings in the BlackRock Funds, Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds and/or the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program that should be counted towards the sales charge reduction and (ii) any subsequent purchases that should be counted towards the Letter of Intent.
During the term of the Letter of Intent, the Fund will hold Investor A Shares representing up to 5% of the indicated amount in an escrow account for payment of a higher sales load if the full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent is not purchased. If the full amount indicated is not purchased within the 13-month period, and the investor does not pay the higher sales load within 20 days, the Fund will redeem enough of the Investor A Shares held in escrow to pay the difference.
Right of Accumulation
Investors have a “right of accumulation” under which any of the following may be combined with the amount of the current purchase in determining whether an investor qualifies for a breakpoint and a reduced front-end sales charge:
i. The current value of an investor’s existing Investor A and A1, Investor C, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and Premier Shares in most BlackRock Funds,
ii. The current value of an investor’s existing shares of Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds and
iii. The investment in the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program by the investor or by or on behalf of the investor’s spouse and children.
Financial Intermediaries may value current holdings of their customers differently for purposes of determining whether an investor qualifies for a breakpoint and a reduced front-end sales charge, although customers of the same Financial Intermediary will be treated similarly. In order to use this right, the investor must alert BlackRock to the existence of any previously purchased shares.
Other Front-End Sales Charge Waivers
The following persons may also buy Investor A Shares without paying a sales charge:
Certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. For purposes of this waiver, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs;
Rollovers of current investments through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, provided the shares are transferred to the same BlackRock Fund as either a direct rollover, or subsequent to distribution, the rolled-over proceeds are contributed to a BlackRock IRA through an account directly with the Fund; or purchases by IRA programs that are sponsored by Financial Intermediary firms provided the Financial Intermediary firm has entered into a Class A Net Asset Value agreement with respect to such program with the Distributor;
Insurance company separate accounts;
Registered investment advisers, trust companies and bank trust departments exercising discretionary investment authority with respect to amounts to be invested in the Fund;
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Persons participating in a fee-based program (such as a wrap account) under which they pay advisory fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution;
Financial Intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the Distributor and have been approved by the Distributor to offer Fund shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee;
Persons associated with the Fund, the Fund’s manager, the Fund’s sub-adviser, transfer agent, Distributor, fund accounting agents, Barclays PLC (“Barclays”) and their respective affiliates (to the extent permitted by these firms) including: (a) officers, directors and partners; (b) employees and retirees; (c) employees of firms who have entered into selling agreements to distribute shares of BlackRock Funds; (d) immediate family members of such persons; and (e) any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for any of the persons set forth in (a) through (d);
State sponsored 529 college savings plans; and
Accounts opened directly with a Fund that do not have a Financial Intermediary associated with the account.
In addition, a sales charge waiver may be available for investors exchanging Investor P Shares of another BlackRock Fund for Investor A Shares of the Fund through an intermediary-processed exchange, provided that the investor had previously paid a sales charge with respect to such shares.
In addition, Financial Intermediaries may, in connection with a change in account type or otherwise in accordance with a Financial Intermediary’s policies and procedures, exchange one class of shares for Investor A Shares of the same Fund. In such cases, such exchange would not be subject to an Investor A Shares sales charge. The availability of Investor A Shares sales charge waivers may depend on the policies, procedures and trading platforms of your Financial Intermediary; consult your financial adviser.
See the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” section beginning on page A-1 of the Funds’ prospectus for sales charge reductions and waivers that may be available to customers of certain Financial Intermediaries.
Investor A Shares at Net Asset Value
If you invest $1,000,000 or more in Investor A Shares, you will not pay any initial sales charge. However, if you redeem your Investor A Shares within 18 months after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds. For a discussion on waivers, see “Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers.”
If you are eligible to buy both Investor A and Institutional Shares, you should buy Institutional Shares since Investor A Shares are subject to a front-end sales charge and an annual 0.25% service fee, while Institutional Shares are not. The Distributor normally pays the annual Investor A Shares service fee to dealers as a shareholder servicing fee on a monthly basis.
Investor C Shares — Deferred Sales Charge Option
If you select Investor C Shares, you do not pay an initial sales charge at the time of purchase. However, if you redeem your Investor C Shares within one year after purchase, you may be required to pay a deferred sales charge of 1.00%. The charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. When you redeem Investor C Shares, the redemption order is processed so that the lowest deferred sales charge is charged. Investor C Shares that are not subject to the deferred sales charge are redeemed first. In addition, you will not be charged a deferred sales charge when you redeem shares that you acquire through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gains. Any CDSC paid on the redemptions of Investor C Shares expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount may be higher or lower than the charge described due to rounding.
Effective November 23, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), Investor C Shares will automatically convert to Investor A Shares approximately eight years after the date of purchase. It is the Financial Intermediary’s responsibility to ensure that the shareholder is credited with the proper holding period. As of the Effective Date, certain Financial Intermediaries, including group retirement recordkeeping platforms, may not have been tracking such holding periods and therefore may not be able to process such conversions. In such instances, the automatic conversion of Investor C Shares to Investor A Shares will occur approximately eight years after the Effective Date. The automatic conversion of Investor C Shares to Investor A Shares is not a taxable event for Federal income tax purposes. Please consult your Financial Intermediary for additional information.
In addition, accounts that do not have a Financial Intermediary associated with them are not eligible to hold Investor C Shares, and any Investor C Shares held in such accounts will be automatically converted to Investor A Shares.
See the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” section beginning on page A-1 of the Funds’ prospectus for sales charge reductions and waivers that may be available to customers of certain Financial Intermediaries.
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You will also pay distribution fees of 0.75% and service fees of 0.25% for Investor C Shares each year. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The Distributor uses the money that it receives from the deferred sales charges and the distribution fees to cover the costs of marketing, advertising and compensating the Financial Intermediary who assists you in purchasing Fund shares.
The Distributor currently pays dealers a sales concession of 1.00% of the purchase price of Investor C Shares from its own resources at the time of sale. The Distributor pays the annual Investor C Shares distribution fee and the annual Investor C Shares service fee as an ongoing concession and as a shareholder servicing fee, respectively, to dealers for Investor C Shares held for over a year and normally retains the Investor C Shares distribution fee and service fee during the first year after purchase. For certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, the Distributor will pay the full Investor C Shares distribution fee and service fee to dealers beginning in the first year after purchase in lieu of paying the sales concession. This may depend on the policies, procedures and trading platforms of your Financial Intermediary; consult your financial adviser.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers
The deferred sales charge relating to Investor A and Investor C Shares may be reduced or waived in certain circumstances, such as:
Redemptions of shares purchased through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and rollovers of current investments in a Fund through such plans;
Exchanges pursuant to the exchange privilege, as described in “How to Buy, Sell, Exchange and Transfer Shares — How to Exchange Shares or Transfer Your Account”;
Redemptions made in connection with minimum required distributions from IRA or 403(b)(7) accounts due to the shareholder reaching the age of 72;
Certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan if you are over 59½ years old and you purchased your shares prior to October 2, 2006;
Redemptions made with respect to certain retirement plans sponsored by a Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate;
Redemptions resulting from shareholder death as long as the waiver request is made within one year of death or, if later, reasonably promptly following completion of probate (including in connection with the distribution of account assets to a beneficiary of the decedent);
Withdrawals resulting from shareholder disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) as long as the disability arose subsequent to the purchase of the shares;
Involuntary redemptions made of shares in accounts with low balances;
Certain redemptions made through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”) offered by a Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate;
Redemptions related to the payment of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company custodial IRA fees; and
Redemptions when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship, in the absolute discretion of the Fund.
See the “Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies” section beginning on page A-1 of the Funds’ prospectus for sales charge reductions and waivers that may be available to customers of certain Financial Intermediaries. More information about existing sales charge reductions and waivers is available free of charge in a clear and prominent format via hyperlink at www.blackrock.com and in the SAI, which is available on the website or on request.
Institutional Shares
Institutional Shares are not subject to any sales charge. Only certain investors are eligible to buy Institutional Shares. Your Financial Intermediary can help you determine whether you are eligible to buy Institutional Shares. The Fund may permit a lower initial investment for certain investors if their purchase, combined with purchases by other investors received together by the Fund, meets the minimum investment requirement.
Institutional Shares may also be available on certain brokerage platforms. An investor transacting in Institutional Shares on such brokerage platforms through a broker acting as an agent for the investor may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
Eligible Institutional Share investors include the following:
Individuals and “Institutional Investors” with a minimum initial investment of $2 million who may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares;
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Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform, in each case, with no minimum initial investment;
Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund, with a minimum initial investment of $1,000;
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which is not subject to any minimum initial investment and may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares;
Trust department clients of Bank of America, N.A. and its affiliates for whom they (i) act in a fiduciary capacity (excluding participant directed employee benefit plans); (ii) otherwise have investment discretion; or (iii) act as custodian for at least $2 million in assets, who are not subject to any minimum initial investment;
Holders of certain Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”) sponsored unit investment trusts (“UITs”) who reinvest dividends received from such UITs in shares of a Fund, who are not subject to any minimum initial investment;
Employees, officers and directors/trustees of BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Funds, BofA Corp., Barclays or their respective affiliates and immediate family members of such persons, if they open an account directly with BlackRock, who are not subject to any minimum initial investment;
Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons; and
Clients investing through a self-directed IRA brokerage account program sponsored by a retirement plan record-keeper, provided that such program offers only mutual fund options and that the program maintains an account with a Fund on an omnibus basis.
The Funds reserve the right to modify or waive the above-stated policies at any time.
Class R Shares
Class R Shares are available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. For this purpose, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs. If you buy Class R Shares, you will pay neither an initial sales charge nor a CDSC. However, Class R Shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Class R Shares do not offer a conversion privilege.
The Distributor currently pays the annual Class R Shares distribution fee and annual Class R Shares service fee to dealers as an ongoing concession and as a shareholder servicing fee, respectively, on a monthly basis.
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Payments

Plan Payments
The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has adopted a plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act with respect to the Investor Shares and Class R Shares that allows a Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale of its shares and/or shareholder servicing fees for certain services provided to its shareholders.
Under the Plan, Investor C and Class R Shares pay a distribution fee to the Distributor and/or its affiliates for distribution and sales support services. The distribution fees may be used to pay the Distributor for distribution and sales support services and to pay the Distributor and BlackRock and its affiliates for sales support services provided and related expenses incurred in connection with the sale of Investor C and Class R Shares. The distribution fees may also be used to pay Financial Intermediaries for sales support services and related expenses. All Investor C and Class R Shares pay a maximum distribution fee per year that is a percentage of the average daily net asset value of the Investor C and Class R Shares of the Fund. Institutional and Investor A Shares do not pay distribution fees.
Under the Plan, a Fund also pays shareholder servicing fees (also referred to as general shareholder liaison services fees) to Financial Intermediaries for providing support services to their customers who own Investor Shares and/or Class R Shares of the Fund. The shareholder servicing fee payment is calculated as a percentage of the average daily
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net asset value of Investor Shares and Class R Shares of each Fund. All Investor Shares and Class R Shares pay this shareholder servicing fee. Institutional Shares do not pay a shareholder servicing fee.
In return for the shareholder servicing fee, Financial Intermediaries (including BlackRock) may provide one or more of the following services to their customers who own Investor Shares and Class R Shares:
Answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, the manner in which purchases, exchanges and redemptions or repurchases of shares may be effected and certain other matters pertaining to the customers’ investments;
Assisting customers in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and
Providing other similar shareholder liaison services.
The shareholder servicing fees payable pursuant to the Plan are paid to compensate Financial Intermediaries for the administration and servicing of shareholder accounts and are not costs which are primarily intended to result in the sale of a Fund’s shares.
Because the fees paid by a Fund under the Plan are paid out of Fund assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. In addition, the distribution fees paid by Investor C and Class R Shares may over time cost investors more than the front-end sales charge on Investor A Shares.
For more information on the Plan, including a complete list of services provided thereunder, see the SAI.
Other Payments by the Funds
In addition to fees that a Fund may pay to a Financial Intermediary pursuant to the Plan and fees a Fund pays to its transfer agent, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), BlackRock, on behalf of a Fund, may enter into non-Plan agreements with affiliated and unaffiliated Financial Intermediaries pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Financial Intermediary for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and/or shareholder services. These non-Plan payments are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a Financial Intermediary or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a Financial Intermediary. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.
Other Payments by BlackRock
From time to time, BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates also may pay a portion of the fees for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and shareholder services described above at its or their own expense and out of its or their profits. BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may also compensate affiliated and unaffiliated Financial Intermediaries for the sale and distribution of shares of the Funds. These payments would be in addition to the Fund payments described in this prospectus and may be a fixed dollar amount, may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the Financial Intermediary, may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Financial Intermediary or may be calculated on another basis. The aggregate amount of these payments by BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may be substantial and, in some circumstances, may create an incentive for a Financial Intermediary, its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of a Fund to you.
Please contact your Financial Intermediary for details about payments it may receive from a Fund or from BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates. For more information, see the SAI.
How to Buy, Sell, Exchange and Transfer Shares

The chart on the following pages summarizes how to buy, sell, exchange and transfer shares through your Financial Intermediary. You may also buy, sell, exchange and transfer shares through BlackRock if your account is held directly with BlackRock. To learn more about buying, selling, exchanging or transferring shares through BlackRock, call (800) 441-7762. Because the selection of a mutual fund involves many considerations, your Financial Intermediary may help you with this decision.
With certain limited exceptions, the Funds are generally available only to investors residing in the United States and may not be distributed by a foreign Financial Intermediary. Under this policy, in order to accept new accounts or additional investments (including by way of exchange from another BlackRock Fund) into existing accounts, a Fund generally requires that (i) a shareholder that is a natural person be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, in each case residing within the United States or a U.S. territory (including APO/FPO/DPO addresses), and have a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number, and (ii) a Financial Intermediary or a shareholder that is an entity be domiciled in the United States and have a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number or be domiciled in a U.S. territory and have a valid
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U.S. taxpayer identification number or IRS Form W-8. Any existing account that is updated to reflect a non-U.S. address will also be restricted from making additional investments.
Each Fund may reject any purchase order, modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for any shareholders and suspend and resume the sale of any share class of the Fund at any time for any reason. In addition, a Fund may waive certain requirements regarding the purchase, sale, exchange or transfer of shares described below.
Under certain circumstances, if no activity occurs in an account within a time period specified by state law, a shareholder’s shares in a Fund may be transferred to that state.
How to Buy Shares
  Your Choices Important Information for You to Know
Initial Purchase First, select the share class appropriate for you Refer to the “Share Classes at a Glance” table in this prospectus (be sure to read this prospectus carefully). When you place your initial order, you must indicate which share class you select (if you do not specify a share class and do not qualify to purchase Institutional Shares, you will receive Investor A Shares).
Certain factors, such as the amount of your investment, your time frame for investing, and your financial goals, may affect which share class you choose. Your Financial Intermediary can help you determine which share class is appropriate for you. Class R Shares are available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
  Next, determine the amount of your investment Refer to the minimum initial investment in the “Share Classes at a Glance” table of this prospectus. Be sure to note the maximum investment amounts in Investor C Shares.
See “Account Information — Details About the Share Classes” for information on a lower initial investment requirement for certain Fund investors if their purchase, combined with purchases by other investors received together by the Fund, meets the minimum investment requirement.
  Have your Financial Intermediary submit your purchase order The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of the Fund’s net asset value after your order is placed. Any purchase orders placed prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will be priced at the net asset value determined that day. Certain Financial Intermediaries, however, may require submission of orders prior to that time. Purchase orders placed after that time will be priced at the net asset value determined on the next business day.
A broker-dealer or financial institution maintaining the account in which you hold shares may charge a separate account, service or transaction fee on the purchase or sale of Fund shares that would be in addition to the fees and expenses shown in the Fund’s “Fees and Expenses” table.
The Fund may reject any order to buy shares and may suspend the sale of shares at any time. Certain Financial Intermediaries may charge a processing fee to confirm a purchase.
  Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) To purchase shares directly from BlackRock, call (800) 441-7762 and request a new account application. Mail the completed application along with a check payable to “BlackRock Funds” to the Transfer Agent at the address on the application. The Fund limits purchases by personal check to $500,000 per trade.
Add to Your Investment Purchase additional shares For Investor A and Investor C Shares, the minimum investment for additional purchases is generally $50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum for additional purchases). The minimums for additional purchases may be waived under certain circumstances. Institutional and Class R Shares have no minimum for additional purchases.
  Have your Financial Intermediary submit your purchase order for additional shares To purchase additional shares you may contact your Financial Intermediary.

For more details on purchasing by Internet see below.
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  Your Choices Important Information for You to Know
Add to Your Investment (continued) Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) Purchase by Telephone: Call (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.
Purchase in Writing: You may send a written request to BlackRock at the address on the back cover of this prospectus.
Purchase by VRU: Investor Shares may also be purchased by use of the Fund’s automated voice response unit (“VRU”) service at (800) 441-7762.
Purchase by Internet: You may purchase your shares and view activity in your account by logging onto the BlackRock website at www.blackrock.com. Purchases made on the Internet using the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) will have a trade date that is the day after the purchase is made.
Certain institutional clients’ purchase orders of Institutional Shares placed by wire prior to the close of business on the NYSE will be priced at the net asset value determined that day. Contact your Financial Intermediary or BlackRock for further information. The Fund limits Internet purchases in shares of the Fund to $25,000 per trade. Different maximums may apply to certain institutional investors.
Please read the On-Line Services Disclosure Statement and User Agreement, the Terms and Conditions page and the Consent to Electronic Delivery Agreement (if you consent to electronic delivery), before attempting to transact online.
The Fund employs reasonable procedures to confirm that transactions entered over the Internet are genuine. By entering into the User Agreement with the Fund in order to open an account through the website, the shareholder waives any right to reclaim any losses from the Fund or any of its affiliates incurred through fraudulent activity.
  Acquire additional shares by reinvesting dividends and capital gains All dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested without a sales charge. To make any changes to your dividend and/or capital gains distributions options, please call (800) 441-7762, or contact your Financial Intermediary (if your account is not held directly with BlackRock).
  Participate in the AIP BlackRock’s AIP allows you to invest a specific amount on a periodic basis from your checking or savings account into your investment account.
Refer to the “Account Services and Privileges” section of this prospectus for additional information.
How to Pay for Shares Making payment for purchases Payment for an order must be made in Federal funds or other immediately available funds by the time specified by your Financial Intermediary, but in no event later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the second business day (in the case of Investor Shares) or the first business day (in the case of Institutional Shares) following BlackRock’s receipt of the order. If payment is not received by this time, the order will be canceled and you and your Financial Intermediary will be responsible for any loss to the Fund.
For shares purchased directly from the Fund, a check payable to BlackRock Funds which bears the name of the Fund must accompany a completed purchase application. The Fund limits purchases by personal check to $500,000 per trade. There is a $20 fee for each purchase check that is returned due to insufficient funds. The Fund does not accept third-party checks. You may also wire Federal funds to the Fund to purchase shares, but you must call (800) 441-7762 before doing so to confirm the wiring instructions.
  
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How to Sell Shares
  Your Choices Important Information for You to Know
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares Have your Financial Intermediary submit your sales order You can make redemption requests through your Financial Intermediary. Shareholders should indicate whether they are redeeming Investor A, Investor C, Institutional or Class R Shares. The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of the Fund’s net asset value after your order is placed. For your redemption request to be priced at the net asset value on the day of your request, you must submit your request to your Financial Intermediary prior to that day’s close of business on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Certain Financial Intermediaries, however, may require submission of orders prior to that time. Any redemption request placed after that time will be priced at the net asset value at the close of business on the next business day.
Regardless of the method the Fund uses to make payment of your redemption proceeds (check, wire or ACH), your redemption proceeds typically will be sent one to two business days after your request is submitted, but in any event, within seven days.
Certain Financial Intermediaries may charge a fee to process a redemption of shares.
The Fund may reject an order to sell shares under certain circumstances.
  Selling shares held directly with BlackRock Methods of Redeeming
Redeem by Telephone: You may redeem Investor Shares held directly with BlackRock by telephone request if certain conditions are met and if the amount being sold is less than (i) $100,000 for payments by check or (ii) $250,000 for payments through ACH or wire transfer. Certain redemption requests, such as those in excess of these amounts, must be in writing with a medallion signature guarantee. For Institutional Shares, certain redemption requests may require written instructions with a medallion signature guarantee. Call (800) 441-7762 for details.
You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee stamp from a bank, securities dealer, securities broker, credit union, savings and loan association, national securities exchange or registered securities association. A notary public seal will not be acceptable.
The Fund, its administrators and the Distributor will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. The Fund and its service providers will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense for acting upon telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine in accordance with such procedures. The Fund may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so.
During periods of substantial economic or market change, telephone redemptions may be difficult to complete. Please find alternative redemption methods below.
Redeem by VRU: Investor Shares may also be redeemed by use of the Fund’s automated VRU service. Payment for Investor Shares redeemed by the VRU service may be made for non-retirement accounts in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire.
Redeem by Internet: You may redeem in your account, by logging onto the BlackRock website at www.blackrock.com. Proceeds from Internet redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record. Payment for Investor Shares redeemed by Internet may be made for non-retirement accounts in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire. Different maximums may apply to investors in Institutional Shares.
Redeem in Writing: You may sell shares held at BlackRock by writing to BlackRock, P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019 or for overnight delivery, 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581. All shareholders on the account must sign the
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  Your Choices Important Information for You to Know
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) letter. A medallion signature guarantee will generally be required but may be waived in certain limited circumstances. You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee stamp from a bank, securities dealer, securities broker, credit union, savings and loan association, national securities exchange or registered securities association. A notary public seal will not be acceptable. If you hold stock certificates, return the certificates with the letter. Proceeds from redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record.
Payment of Redemption Proceeds
Redemption proceeds may be paid by check or, if the Fund has verified banking information on file, through ACH or by wire transfer.
Payment by Check: BlackRock will normally mail redemption proceeds within three business days following receipt of a properly completed request, but in any event within seven days. Shares can be redeemed by telephone and the proceeds sent by check to the shareholder at the address on record. Shareholders will pay $15 for redemption proceeds sent by check via overnight mail. You are responsible for any additional charges imposed by your bank for this service.
The Fund reserves the right to reinvest any dividend or distribution amounts (e.g., income dividends or capital gains) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned as undeliverable or remain uncashed for more than 6 months. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed checks. Your check will be reinvested in your account at the net asset value next calculated, on the day of the investment. When reinvested, those amounts are subject to the risk of loss like any Fund investment. If you elect to receive distributions in cash and a check remains undeliverable or uncashed for more than 6 months, your cash election may also be changed automatically to reinvest and your future dividend and capital gains distributions will be reinvested in the Fund at the net asset value as of the date of payment of the distribution.
Payment by Wire Transfer: Payment for redeemed shares for which a redemption order is received before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on a business day is normally made in Federal funds wired to the redeeming shareholder on the next business day, provided that the Fund’s custodian is also open for business. Payment for redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) or on a day when the Fund’s custodian is closed is normally wired in Federal funds on the next business day following redemption on which the Fund’s custodian is open for business. The Fund reserves the right to wire redemption proceeds within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgment of the Fund, an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund.
If a shareholder has given authorization for expedited redemption, shares can be redeemed by Federal wire transfer to a single previously designated bank account. Shareholders will pay $7.50 for redemption proceeds sent by Federal wire transfer. You are responsible for any additional charges imposed by your bank for this service. No charge for wiring redemption payments with respect to Institutional Shares is imposed by the Fund.
The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the Federal wire system or the shareholder’s firm or bank. To change the name of the single, designated bank account to receive wire redemption proceeds, it is necessary to send a written request to the Fund at the address on the back cover of this prospectus.
Payment by ACH: Redemption proceeds may be sent to the shareholder’s bank account (checking or savings) via ACH. Payment for redeemed shares for which a redemption order is received before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on a business day is normally sent to the redeeming shareholder the next business day, with receipt at the receiving bank within the next two business days (48-72 hours); provided that the Fund’s custodian is also open for business. Payment
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  Your Choices Important Information for You to Know
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) for redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) or on a day when the Fund’s custodian is closed is normally sent on the next business day following redemption on which the Fund’s custodian is open for business.
The Fund reserves the right to send redemption proceeds within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgment of the Fund, an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund. No charge for sending redemption payments via ACH is imposed by the Fund.
***

If you make a redemption request before the Fund has collected payment for the purchase of shares, the Fund may delay mailing your proceeds. This delay will usually not exceed ten days.
Redemption Proceeds   Under normal circumstances, the Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio or by selling portfolio assets to generate cash. During periods of stressed market conditions, when a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, the Fund may be more likely to limit cash redemptions and may determine to pay redemption proceeds by (i) borrowing under a line of credit it has entered into with a group of lenders, (ii) borrowing from another BlackRock Fund pursuant to an interfund lending program, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions as set forth in the SAI, and/or (iii) transferring portfolio securities in-kind to you. The SAI includes more information about the Fund’s line of credit and interfund lending program, to the extent applicable.
If the Fund pays redemption proceeds by transferring portfolio securities in-kind to you, you may pay transaction costs to dispose of the securities, and you may receive less for them than the price at which they were valued for purposes of redemption.
  
How to Exchange Shares or Transfer Your Account
  Your Choices Important Information for You to Know
Exchange Privilege Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) Investor or Institutional Shares of the Fund are generally exchangeable for shares of the same class of another BlackRock Fund, to the extent such shares are offered by your Financial Intermediary. No exchange privilege is available for Class R Shares.
You can exchange $1,000 or more of Investor Shares from one fund into the same class of another fund which offers that class of shares (you can exchange less than $1,000 of Investor Shares if you already have an account in the fund into which you are exchanging). Investors who currently own Institutional Shares of the Fund may make exchanges into Institutional Shares of other BlackRock Funds except for investors holding shares through certain client accounts at Financial Intermediaries that are omnibus with the Fund and do not meet applicable minimums. There is no required minimum amount with respect to exchanges of Institutional Shares.
You may only exchange into a share class and fund that are open to new investors or in which you have a current account if the fund is closed to new investors.
Some of the BlackRock Funds impose a different initial or deferred sales charge schedule. The CDSC will continue to be measured from the date of the original purchase. The CDSC schedule applicable to your original purchase will apply to the shares you receive in the exchange and any subsequent exchange.
To exercise the exchange privilege, you may contact your Financial Intermediary. Alternatively, if your account is held directly with BlackRock, you may: (i) call (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives, (ii) make the exchange via the Internet by accessing your account online at www.blackrock.com, or (iii) send a written request to the Fund at the address on the back cover of this
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  Your Choices Important Information for You to Know
Exchange Privilege (continued) Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) (continued) prospectus. Please note, if you indicated on your new account application that you did not want the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you will not be able to place exchanges via the telephone until you update this option either in writing or by calling (800) 441-7762. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.
Although there is currently no limit on the number of exchanges that you can make, the exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time in the future. The Fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege at any time for any reason, including if the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that you are engaging in market timing activities. See “Short-Term Trading Policy” below. For U.S. federal income tax purposes a share exchange is a taxable event and a capital gain or loss may be realized. Please consult your tax adviser or other Financial Intermediary before making an exchange request.
Transfer Shares to Another Financial Intermediary Transfer to a participating Financial Intermediary You may transfer your shares of the Fund only to another Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor. Certain shareholder services may not be available for the transferred shares. All future trading of these assets must be coordinated by the receiving firm.
If your account is held directly with BlackRock, you may call (800) 441-7762 with any questions; otherwise please contact your Financial Intermediary to accomplish the transfer of shares.
  Transfer to a non-participating Financial Intermediary You must either:
• Transfer your shares to an account with the Fund; or
• Sell your shares, paying any applicable deferred sales charge.
If your account is held directly with BlackRock, you may call (800) 441-7762 with any questions; otherwise please contact your Financial Intermediary to accomplish the transfer of shares.
  
Account Services and Privileges

The following table provides examples of account services and privileges available in your BlackRock account. Certain of these account services and privileges are only available to shareholders of Investor Shares whose accounts are held directly with BlackRock. If your account is held directly with BlackRock, please call (800) 441-7762 or visit www.blackrock.com for additional information as well as forms and applications. Otherwise, please contact your Financial Intermediary for assistance in requesting one or more of the following services and privileges.
Automatic Investment Plan Allows systematic investments on a periodic basis from your checking or savings account. BlackRock’s AIP allows you to invest a specific amount on a periodic basis from your checking or savings account into your investment account. You may apply for this option upon account opening or by completing the AIP application. The minimum investment amount for an automatic investment is $50 per portfolio.
Dividend Allocation Plan Automatically invests your distributions into another BlackRock Fund of your choice pursuant to your instructions, without any fees or sales charges. Dividend and capital gains distributions may be reinvested in your account to purchase additional shares or paid in cash. Using the Dividend Allocation Plan, you can direct your distributions to your bank account (checking or savings), to purchase shares of another fund at BlackRock without any fees or sales charges, or by check to a special payee. Please call (800) 441-7762 for details. If investing in another fund at BlackRock, the receiving fund must be open to new purchases.
EZ Trader Allows an investor to purchase or sell Investor Shares by telephone or over the Internet through ACH. (NOTE: This option is offered to shareholders whose accounts are held directly with BlackRock. Please speak with your Financial Intermediary if your account is held elsewhere.)
Prior to establishing an EZ Trader account, please contact your bank to confirm that it is a member of the ACH system. Once confirmed, complete an application, making sure to include the appropriate bank information, and return the application to the address listed on the form.
Prior to placing a telephone or Internet purchase or sale order, please call (800) 441-7762 to confirm that your bank information has been
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EZ Trader (continued) Allows an investor to purchase or sell Investor Shares by telephone or over the Internet through ACH. (continued) updated on your account. Once this is established, you may place your request to sell shares with a Fund by telephone or Internet. Proceeds will be sent to your pre-designated bank account.
Systematic Exchange Plan This feature can be used by investors to systematically exchange money from one fund to up to four other funds. A minimum of $10,000 in the initial BlackRock Fund is required, and investments in any additional funds must meet minimum initial investment requirements.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
This feature can be used by investors who want to receive regular distributions from their accounts. To start an SWP, a shareholder must have a current investment of $10,000 or more in a BlackRock Fund.
Shareholders can elect to receive cash payments of $50 or more at any interval they choose. Shareholders may sign up by completing the SWP Application Form, which may be obtained from BlackRock. Shareholders should realize that if withdrawals exceed income the invested principal in their account will be depleted.
To participate in the SWP, shareholders must have their dividends reinvested. Shareholders may change or cancel the SWP at any time, with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. If a shareholder purchases additional Investor A Shares of a fund at the same time he or she redeems shares through the SWP, that investor may lose money because of the sales charge involved. No CDSC will be assessed on redemptions of Investor A or Investor C Shares made through the SWP that do not exceed 12% of the account’s net asset value on an annualized basis. For example, monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual SWP redemptions of Investor A or Investor C Shares will not be subject to the CDSC if they do not exceed 1%, 3% and 6%, respectively, of an account’s net asset value on the redemption date. SWP redemptions of Investor A or Investor C Shares in excess of this limit will still pay any applicable CDSC.
Ask your Financial Intermediary for details.
Reinstatement Privilege   If you redeem Investor A or Institutional Shares and buy new Investor A Shares of the same or another BlackRock Fund (equal to all or a portion of the redemption amount) within 90 days of such redemption, you will not pay a sales charge on the new purchase amount. This right may be exercised within 90 days of the redemption, provided that the Investor A Share class of that fund is currently open to new investors or the shareholder has a current account in that closed fund. Shares will be purchased at the net asset value calculated at the close of trading on the day the request is received. To exercise this privilege, the Fund must receive written notification from the shareholder of record or the Financial Intermediary of record, at the time of purchase. Investors should consult a tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of exercising this reinstatement privilege.
  
Funds’ Rights

Each Fund may:
Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act;
Postpone the date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or if a redemption request is made before the Fund has collected payment for the purchase of shares;
Redeem shares for property other than cash as may be permitted under the Investment Company Act; and
Redeem shares involuntarily in certain cases, such as when the value of a shareholder account falls below a specified level.
Note on Low Balance Accounts. Because of the high cost of maintaining smaller shareholder accounts, BlackRock has set a minimum balance of $500 in each Fund position you hold within your account (“Fund Minimum”), and may redeem the shares in your account if the net asset value of those shares in your account falls below $500 for any reason, including market fluctuation.
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You will be notified that the value of your account is less than the Fund Minimum before the Fund makes any involuntary redemption. This notification will provide you with a 90 calendar day period to make an additional investment in order to bring the value of your account to at least $500 before the Fund makes an involuntary redemption. This involuntary redemption will not charge any deferred sales charge, and may not apply to accounts of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including IRAs), qualified state tuition plan (529 Plan) accounts, and select fee-based programs at your Financial Intermediary.
Participation in Fee-Based Programs

If you participate in certain fee-based programs offered by BlackRock or an affiliate of BlackRock or by Financial Intermediaries that have agreements with the Distributor or in certain fee-based programs in which BlackRock participates, you may be able to buy Institutional Shares, including by exchanges from other share classes. Sales charges on the shares being exchanged may be reduced or waived under certain circumstances. You generally cannot transfer shares held through a fee-based program into another account. Instead, if you choose to leave the fee-based program, you may have to redeem your shares held through the program and purchase shares of another class, which may be subject to distribution and service fees. This may be a taxable event and you may pay any applicable sales charges or redemption fee. Please speak to your Financial Intermediary for information about specific policies and procedures applicable to your account.
Generally, upon termination of a fee-based program, the shares may be liquidated, or the shares can be held in an account. In certain instances, when a shareholder chooses to continue to hold the shares, whatever share class was held in the program can be held after termination. Shares that have been held for less than specified periods within the program may be subject to a fee upon redemption. Shareholders that held Investor A or Institutional Shares in the program may be eligible to purchase additional shares of the respective share class of the Fund, but may be subject to upfront sales charges with respect to Investor A Shares. Additional purchases of Institutional Shares are permitted only if you have an existing position at the time of purchase or are otherwise eligible to purchase Institutional Shares. Please speak to your Financial Intermediary for more information.
Certain Financial Intermediaries may, in connection with a change in account type (for example, due to leaving a fee-based program or upon termination of the fee-based program) or otherwise in accordance with the Financial Intermediary’s policies and procedures, exchange the share class held in the program for another share class of the same fund, provided that the exchanged shares are not subject to a sales charge and the shareholder meets the eligibility requirements of the new share class. Please speak to your Financial Intermediary for information about specific policies and procedures applicable to your account.
Details about the features of each fee-based program and the relevant charges, terms and conditions are included in the client agreement for each fee-based program and are available from your Financial Intermediary. Please speak to your Financial Intermediary for more information.
Short-Term Trading Policy

The Board has determined that the interests of long-term shareholders and a Fund’s ability to manage its investments may be adversely affected when shares are repeatedly bought, sold or exchanged in response to short-term market fluctuations — also known as “market timing.” The Funds are not designed for market timing organizations or other entities using programmed or frequent purchases and sales or exchanges. The exchange privilege for Investor Shares and Institutional Shares is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive purchase and sale or exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management, increase expenses and taxes and may have an adverse effect on the performance of a Fund and its returns to shareholders. For example, large flows of cash into and out of a Fund may require the management team to allocate a significant amount of assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining such assets in securities selected to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. Frequent trading may cause a Fund to sell securities at less favorable prices, and transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions, can reduce a Fund’s performance.
A fund’s investment in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk that an investor may seek to take advantage of a delay between the change in value of a fund’s portfolio securities and the determination of the fund’s net asset value as a result of different closing times of U.S. and non-U.S. markets by buying or selling fund shares at a price that does not reflect their true value. A similar risk exists for funds that invest in securities of small capitalization companies, securities of issuers located in emerging markets or high yield securities (junk bonds) that are thinly traded and therefore may have actual values that differ from their market prices. This short-term arbitrage activity can reduce the return received by long-term shareholders. A Fund will seek to eliminate these opportunities by using fair value pricing, as described in “Management of the Funds — Valuation of Fund Investments” below.
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Each Fund discourages market timing and seeks to prevent frequent purchases and sales or exchanges of Fund shares that it determines may be detrimental to a Fund or long-term shareholders. The Board has approved the policies discussed below to seek to deter market timing activity. The Board has not adopted any specific numerical restrictions on purchases, sales and exchanges of Fund shares because certain legitimate strategies will not result in harm to a Fund or its shareholders.
If as a result of its own investigation, information provided by a Financial Intermediary or other third party, or otherwise, a Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market timing activity, it reserves the right to reject any specific purchase or exchange order. If a Fund rejects your purchase or exchange order, you will not be able to execute that transaction, and the Fund will not be responsible for any losses you therefore may suffer. For transactions placed directly with a Fund, the Fund may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control for the purpose of enforcing these policies. Transactions placed through the same Financial Intermediary on an omnibus basis may be deemed part of a group for the purpose of this policy and may be rejected in whole or in part by a Fund. Certain accounts, such as omnibus accounts and accounts at Financial Intermediaries, however, include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide a Fund with net purchase or redemption and exchange requests on any given day where purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers, redeemers and exchangers whose orders are aggregated may not be known by a Fund. While the Fund monitors for market timing activity, the Fund may be unable to identify such activities because the netting effect in omnibus accounts often makes it more difficult to locate and eliminate market timers from the Fund. The Distributor has entered into agreements with respect to Financial Intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the Transfer Agent pursuant to which such Financial Intermediaries undertake to cooperate with the Distributor in monitoring purchase, exchange and redemption orders by their customers in order to detect and prevent short-term or excessive trading in the Fund’s shares through such accounts. Identification of market timers may also be limited by operational systems and technical limitations. In the event that a Financial Intermediary is determined by a Fund to be engaged in market timing or other improper trading activity, the Fund’s Distributor may terminate such Financial Intermediary’s agreement with the Distributor, suspend such Financial Intermediary’s trading privileges or take other appropriate actions.
There is no assurance that the methods described above will prevent market timing or other trading that may be deemed abusive.
The Fund may from time to time use other methods that it believes are appropriate to deter market timing or other trading activity that may be detrimental to the Fund or long-term shareholders.
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Management of the Funds

BlackRock

BlackRock, each Fund’s investment adviser, manages each Fund’s investments and its business operations subject to the oversight of the Board of the Trust. While BlackRock is ultimately responsible for the management of the Funds, it is able to draw upon the trading, research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. BlackRock is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.
BlackRock, a registered investment adviser, was organized in 1994 to perform advisory services for investment companies. BlackRock and its affiliates had approximately $8.594 trillion in investment company and other portfolio assets under management as of December 31, 2022.
BlackRock will not receive any management fees from the Funds for its investment advisory services.
BlackRock has agreed to cap net expenses (excluding (i) interest, taxes, dividends tied to short sales, brokerage commissions, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (ii) a Fund’s pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund as a result of investing in other investment companies; (iii) other expenses attributable to, and incurred as a result of, a Fund’s investments; and (iv) extraordinary expenses (including litigation expenses) not incurred in the ordinary course of a Fund’s business, if any) of each share class of the Funds at the levels shown below and in each Fund’s fees and expenses table in the “Fund Overview” section of this prospectus. Items (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) in the preceding sentence are referred to in this prospectus as “Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses.” To achieve these expense caps, BlackRock has agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses if these operating expenses exceed a certain limit.
With respect to the 20/80 Fund, 40/60 Fund, 60/40 Fund and 80/20 Fund, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses* to the amounts noted in the table below.
  Contractual Caps1 on
Total Annual Fund
Operating Expenses*
(excluding Dividend
Expense, Interest
Expense, Acquired Fund
Fees and Expenses and
certain other
Fund expenses)
20/80 Fund  
Investor A 0.43%
Investor C 1.18%
Institutional 0.09%
Class R 0.74%
40/60 Fund  
Investor A 0.43%
Investor C 1.18%
Institutional 0.09%
Class R 0.59%
60/40 Fund  
Investor A 0.43%
Investor C 1.18%
Institutional 0.09%
Class R 0.62%
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  Contractual Caps1 on
Total Annual Fund
Operating Expenses*
(excluding Dividend
Expense, Interest
Expense, Acquired Fund
Fees and Expenses and
certain other
Fund expenses)
80/20 Fund  
Investor A 0.43%
Investor C 1.18%
Institutional 0.09%
Class R 0.59%
  
*
As a percentage of average daily net assets.
1 The contractual caps are in effect through June 30, 2024. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund.
A discussion of the basis for the Board’s approval of the Management Agreement with BlackRock with respect to each of the Funds is included in the Fund’s annual shareholder report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.
From time to time, a manager, analyst, or other employee of BlackRock or its affiliates may express views regarding a particular asset class, company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of BlackRock or any other person within the BlackRock organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and BlackRock disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for each Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of a Fund.
Portfolio Manager Information

Information regarding the portfolio managers of the Funds is set forth below. Further information regarding the portfolio managers, including other accounts managed, compensation, ownership of Fund shares, and possible conflicts of interest, is available in the Funds’ SAI.
Each Fund is managed by a team of financial professionals. Michael Gates, CFA, and Lisa O’Connor, CFA, are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund.
Portfolio Manager Primary Role Since Title and Recent Biography
Michael Gates, CFA Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds, including setting each Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Funds. 2015 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2009 to 2017; portfolio manager and member of BlackRock’s Multi-Asset Strategies Group since 2012; lead portfolio manager for U.S. strategic and income models since 2011; employee of BlackRock, Inc. and legacy Barclays Global Investors since 1999.
Lisa O’Connor, CFA Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds, including setting each Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Funds. 2019 Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2017; Managing Director of State Street Global Advisors from 2013 to 2017; Managing Director of Mellon Capital Management from 2001 to 2013; Director of BuySide Direct in 2000; Derivatives portfolio manager and trader at Mellon Capital Management from 1998 to 2000; Vice President of Coutts & Co. from 1996 to 1998; equity derivatives analyst from 1993 to 1996.
  
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Conflicts of Interest

The investment activities of BlackRock and its affiliates (including BlackRock, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Affiliates”)), and their respective directors, officers or employees, in the management of, or their interest in, their own accounts and other accounts they manage, may present conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Funds and their shareholders.
BlackRock and its Affiliates provide investment management services to other funds and discretionary managed accounts that may follow investment programs similar to that of the Funds. BlackRock and its Affiliates are involved worldwide with a broad spectrum of financial services and asset management activities and may engage in the ordinary course of business in activities in which their interests or the interests of their clients may conflict with those of the Funds. BlackRock or one or more Affiliates act or may act as an investor, research provider, investment manager, commodity pool operator, commodity trading advisor, financier, underwriter, adviser, trader, lender, index provider, agent and/or principal, and have other direct and indirect interests in securities, currencies, commodities, derivatives and other instruments in which the Funds may directly or indirectly invest. The Funds may invest in securities of, or engage in other transactions with, companies with which an Affiliate has significant debt or equity investments or other interests. The Funds may also invest in issuances (such as structured notes) by entities for which an Affiliate provides and is compensated for cash management services relating to the proceeds from the sale of such issuances. The Funds also may invest in securities of, or engage in other transactions with, companies for which an Affiliate provides or may in the future provide research coverage. An Affiliate may have business relationships with, and purchase, or distribute or sell services or products from or to, distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Funds or who engage in transactions with or for the Funds, and may receive compensation for such services. BlackRock or one or more Affiliates may engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds that have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or that engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and other instruments as the Funds. This may include transactions in securities issued by other open-end and closed-end investment companies (which may include investment companies that are affiliated with the Funds and BlackRock, to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act). The trading activities of BlackRock and these Affiliates are carried out without reference to positions held directly or indirectly by the Funds and may result in BlackRock or an Affiliate having positions in certain securities that are senior or junior to, or have interests different from or adverse to, the securities that are owned by the Funds.
Neither BlackRock nor any Affiliate is under any obligation to share any investment opportunity, idea or strategy with the Funds. As a result, an Affiliate may compete with the Funds for appropriate investment opportunities. The results of a Fund’s investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of an Affiliate and of other accounts managed by BlackRock or an Affiliate, and it is possible that a Fund could sustain losses during periods in which one or more Affiliates and other accounts achieve profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. The opposite result is also possible.
In addition, the Funds may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which BlackRock or an Affiliate or their directors, officers or employees or other clients have an adverse interest. Furthermore, transactions undertaken by clients advised or managed by BlackRock or its Affiliates may adversely impact the Funds. Transactions by one or more clients or BlackRock or its Affiliates or their directors, officers or employees, may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Funds. The Funds’ activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to BlackRock or one or more Affiliates and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions.
Under a securities lending program approved by the Board, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has retained BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, an Affiliate of BlackRock, to serve as the securities lending agent for the Funds to the extent that the Funds participate in the securities lending program. For these services, the securities lending agent will receive a fee from the Funds, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Funds’ investment of the cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, one or more Affiliates may be among the entities to which the Funds may lend their portfolio securities under the securities lending program.
The activities of BlackRock, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers or employees, may give rise to other conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Funds and their shareholders. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts of interest. See the SAI for further information.
Valuation of Fund Investments

When you buy shares, you pay the net asset value, plus any applicable sales charge. This is the offering price. Shares are also redeemed at their net asset value, minus any applicable deferred sales charge or redemption fee. The net asset value used in determining your share price is the next one calculated after your purchase or redemption order is
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received. The net asset value of each class of shares normally is determined once daily Monday through Friday, generally as of the close of regular trading hours of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time), on each day that the NYSE is open for trading, based on prices at the time of closing, provided that any Fund assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more data service providers. The net asset value of shares is calculated by dividing the value of the net assets of each class of shares (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of the class, generally rounded to the nearest cent.
Generally, Institutional Shares will have the highest net asset value because that class has the lowest expenses. Investor A Shares will have a higher net asset value than Investor C or Class R Shares, and Class R Shares will have a
higher net asset value than Investor C Shares. Also, dividends paid on Investor A, Institutional and Class R Shares will generally be higher than dividends paid on Investor C Shares because Investor A, Institutional and Class R Shares have lower expenses.
The value of the securities and other assets and liabilities held by the Fund are determined pursuant to BlackRock’s valuation policies and procedures. BlackRock has been designated by the Board as the valuation designee for the Fund pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act.
Equity securities and other equity instruments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at market value, which is generally determined using the last reported official closing price or, if a reported closing price is not available, the last traded price on the exchange or market on which the security or instrument is primarily traded at the time of valuation. Shares of underlying open-end funds (including money market funds) are valued at net asset value. Shares of underlying exchange-traded closed-end funds or other ETFs are valued at their most recent closing price.
The Fund values fixed-income portfolio securities using last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by dealers or prices (including evaluated prices) supplied by the Fund’s approved independent third-party pricing services, each in accordance with BlackRock’s valuation policies and procedures. Pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but the Fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. An amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with 60 days or less remaining to maturity unless BlackRock determines in good faith that such method does not represent fair value.
Generally, trading in non-U.S. securities, U.S. government securities, money market instruments and certain fixed-income securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of business on the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of the Fund’s shares are determined as of such times.
When market quotations are not readily available or are believed by BlackRock to be unreliable, BlackRock will fair value the Fund’s investments in accordance with its policies and procedures. BlackRock may conclude that a market quotation is not readily available or is unreliable if a security or other asset or liability does not have a price source due to its lack of trading or other reasons, if a market quotation differs significantly from recent price quotations or otherwise no longer appears to reflect fair value, where the security or other asset or liability is thinly traded, when there is a significant event subsequent to the most recent market quotation, or if the trading market on which a security is listed is suspended or closed and no appropriate alternative trading market is available. A “significant event” is deemed to occur if BlackRock determines, in its reasonable business judgment prior to or at the time of pricing the Fund’s assets or liabilities, that the event is likely to cause a material change to the closing market price of one or more assets held by, or liabilities of, the Fund.
For certain foreign assets, a third-party vendor supplies evaluated, systematic fair value pricing based upon the movement of a proprietary multi-factor model after the relevant foreign markets have closed. This systematic fair value pricing methodology is designed to correlate the prices of foreign assets following the close of the local markets to the price that might have prevailed as of the Fund’s pricing time.
Fair value represents a good faith approximation of the value of an asset or liability. The fair value of an asset or liability held by the Fund is the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive from the current sale of that asset or the cost to extinguish that liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Valuing the Fund’s investments using fair value pricing will result in prices that may differ from current market valuations and that may not be the prices at which those investments could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used.
The Fund may accept orders from certain authorized Financial Intermediaries or their designees. The Fund will be deemed to receive an order when accepted by the Financial Intermediary or designee, and the order will receive the net asset value next computed by the Fund after such acceptance. If the payment for a purchase order is not made by a designated later time, the order will be canceled and the Financial Intermediary could be held liable for any losses.
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Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

BUYING A DIVIDEND
Unless your investment is in a tax-deferred account, you may want to avoid buying shares shortly before a Fund pays a dividend. The reason? If you buy shares when a Fund has declared but not yet distributed ordinary income or capital gains, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable dividend. Before investing you may want to consult your tax adviser.
Each Fund will distribute net investment income, if any, and net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. Each Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements. Dividends may be reinvested automatically in shares of a Fund at net asset value without a sales charge or may be taken in cash. If you would like to receive dividends in cash, contact your Financial Intermediary or the applicable Fund. Although this cannot be predicted with any certainty, each Fund anticipates that a significant amount of its dividends, if any, will consist of capital gains. Capital gains may be taxable to you at different rates depending on how long the Fund held the assets sold.
You will pay tax on dividends from a Fund whether you receive them in cash or additional shares. If you redeem Fund shares or exchange them for shares of another fund, you generally will be treated as having sold your shares and any gain on the transaction may be subject to tax. Fund distributions derived from qualified dividend income, which consists of dividends received from U.S. corporations and qualifying foreign corporations, and long-term capital gains, are eligible for taxation at a maximum rate of 15% or 20% for individuals, depending on whether their income exceeds certain threshold amounts, which are adjusted annually for inflation.
A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on the net investment income (which includes, but is not limited to, interest, dividends and net gain from investments) of U.S. individuals with income exceeding $200,000, or $250,000 if married filing jointly, and of trusts and estates.
Your dividends and redemption proceeds will be subject to backup withholding tax if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number or the number you have provided is incorrect.
Short term capital gains earned by an underlying fund will be ordinary income when distributed to a Fund and will not be offset by the Fund’s capital losses. Upon the sale or other disposition by a Fund of shares of an underlying fund, the Fund will realize a capital gain or loss which will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on the Fund’s holding period for the shares. Losses realized upon such redemptions may result in a substantial number of “wash sales” and deferral, perhaps indefinitely, of realized losses to a Fund.
If you are neither a tax resident nor a citizen of the United States or if you are a foreign entity (other than a pass-through entity to the extent owned by U.S. persons), a Fund’s ordinary income dividends will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies. However, certain distributions reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends, interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends and paid to a foreign shareholder may be eligible for an exemption from U.S. withholding tax.
Separately, a 30% withholding tax is currently imposed on U.S.-source dividends, interest and other income items paid to (i) certain foreign financial institutions and investment funds, and (ii) certain other foreign entities. To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions and investment funds will generally either need to (a) collect and report to the IRS detailed information identifying their U.S. accounts and U.S. account holders, comply with due diligence procedures for identifying U.S. accounts and withhold tax on certain payments made to noncomplying foreign entities and account holders or (b) if an intergovernmental agreement is entered into and implementing legislation is adopted, comply with the agreement and legislation. Other foreign entities will generally either need to provide detailed information identifying each substantial U.S. owner or certify there are no such owners.
This section summarizes some of the consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Consult your tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an investment in a Fund under all applicable tax laws.
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Financial Highlights

The Financial Highlights tables are intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the past five years. Certain information reflects the financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions). The information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report, along with each Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s Annual Report, which is available upon request.
  BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund
  Institutional
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  12.83 $  12.44 $  11.85 $ 11.62 $ 11.67
Net investment income(a)    0.34    0.25    0.29   0.36   0.30
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.25)    0.70    0.59   0.42  (0.04)
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (1.91) 0.95 0.88 0.78 0.26
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.27)   (0.20)   (0.28)  (0.40)  (0.31)
From net realized gain   (0.34)   (0.36)   (0.01)  (0.15)     —
Total distributions (0.61) (0.56) (0.29) (0.55) (0.31)
Net asset value, end of year $  10.31 $  12.83 $  12.44 $ 11.85 $ 11.62
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (15.72)% 7.71% 7.56% 7.23% 2.27%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.25% 0.25% 0.26% 0.28% 0.31%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.11% 0.11% 0.12% 0.12% 0.16%
Net investment income 2.86% 1.96% 2.44% 3.17% 2.63%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $111,382 $170,274 $101,480 $46,017 $42,461
Portfolio turnover rate 65% 72% 88% 62% 64%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  12.63 $  12.26 $  11.68 $  11.46 $  11.51
Net investment income(a)    0.29    0.21    0.25    0.32    0.26
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.22)    0.68    0.59    0.41   (0.04)
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (1.93) 0.89 0.84 0.73 0.22
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.23)   (0.16)   (0.25)   (0.36)   (0.27)
From net realized gain   (0.34)   (0.36)   (0.01)   (0.15)      —
Total distributions (0.57) (0.52) (0.26) (0.51) (0.27)
Net asset value, end of year $  10.13 $  12.63 $  12.26 $  11.68 $  11.46
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (16.06)% 7.36% 7.27% 6.82% 1.94%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.48% 0.47% 0.51%(e) 0.54%(e) 0.56%(e)
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.44% 0.43% 0.45% 0.46% 0.50%
Net investment income 2.51% 1.65% 2.10% 2.82% 2.29%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $216,422 $266,615 $189,930 $137,115 $122,394
Portfolio turnover rate 65% 72% 88% 62% 64%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no financial impact to the expense ratios.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor C
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 12.46 $ 12.10 $ 11.54 $ 11.30 $ 11.34
Net investment income(a)   0.21   0.11   0.16   0.23   0.17
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (2.20)   0.68   0.57   0.42  (0.04)
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (1.99) 0.79 0.73 0.65 0.13
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.13)  (0.07)  (0.16)  (0.26)  (0.17)
From net realized gain  (0.34)  (0.36)  (0.01)  (0.15)     —
Total distributions (0.47) (0.43) (0.17) (0.41) (0.17)
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.00 $ 12.46 $ 12.10 $ 11.54 $ 11.30
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (16.64)% 6.55% 6.37% 6.10% 1.14%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 1.20% 1.21% 1.25%(e) 1.28%(e) 1.31%(e)
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 1.18% 1.18% 1.19% 1.22% 1.25%
Net investment income 1.78% 0.91% 1.35% 2.09% 1.54%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $55,438 $81,679 $82,134 $79,944 $91,279
Portfolio turnover rate 65% 72% 88% 62% 64%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the ratios would have been 1.27% and 1.30%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratio for the year ended September 30, 2020.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund
  Class R
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 12.58 $12.20 $11.62 $ 11.39 $ 11.44
Net investment income(a)   0.26  0.17  0.21   0.28   0.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (2.22)  0.69  0.58   0.42  (0.03)
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (1.96) 0.86 0.79 0.70 0.19
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.19) (0.12) (0.20)  (0.32)  (0.24)
From net realized gain  (0.34) (0.36) (0.01)  (0.15)     —
Total distributions (0.53) (0.48) (0.21) (0.47) (0.24)
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.09 $12.58 $12.20 $ 11.62 $ 11.39
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (16.31)% 7.07% 6.87% 6.58% 1.64%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.77% 0.77% 0.79%(e) 0.85%(e) 0.89%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.74% 0.73% 0.74% 0.78% 0.81%
Net investment income 2.22% 1.37% 1.81% 2.55% 1.97%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $ 6,833 $7,585 $8,656 $11,241 $14,079
Portfolio turnover rate 65% 72% 88% 62% 64%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no financial impact to the expense ratios.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund
  Institutional
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  13.89 $  12.86 $  11.95 $ 12.17 $ 11.91
Net investment income(a)    0.36    0.25    0.26   0.31   0.28
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.43)    1.38    0.97   0.31   0.28
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.07) 1.63 1.23 0.62 0.56
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.30)   (0.18)   (0.32)  (0.27)  (0.30)
From net realized gain   (0.56)   (0.42)      —  (0.57)     —
Total distributions (0.86) (0.60) (0.32) (0.84) (0.30)
Net asset value, end of year $  10.96 $  13.89 $  12.86 $ 11.95 $ 12.17
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (16.08)% 12.91% 10.48% 6.00% 4.74%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.27% 0.26% 0.31% 0.34% 0.32%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.11% 0.11% 0.13% 0.14% 0.15%
Net investment income 2.80% 1.84% 2.15% 2.69% 2.37%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $149,551 $233,289 $152,244 $73,817 $66,357
Portfolio turnover rate 63% 69% 98% 68% 79%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  13.73 $  12.73 $  11.83 $  12.06 $  11.80
Net investment income(a)    0.31    0.20    0.22    0.27    0.24
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.39)    1.36    0.96    0.30    0.28
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.08) 1.56 1.18 0.57 0.52
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.26)   (0.14)   (0.28)   (0.23)   (0.26)
From net realized gain   (0.56)   (0.42)      —   (0.57)      —
Total distributions (0.82) (0.56) (0.28) (0.80) (0.26)
Net asset value, end of year $  10.83 $  13.73 $  12.73 $  11.83 $  12.06
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (16.31)% 12.48% 10.15% 5.57% 4.42%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.48% 0.46% 0.50%(e) 0.53%(e) 0.54%(e)
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.44% 0.44% 0.46% 0.48% 0.49%
Net investment income 2.46% 1.51% 1.80% 2.36% 2.02%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $259,984 $306,177 $222,510 $178,719 $169,126
Portfolio turnover rate 63% 69% 98% 68% 79%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the ratios would have been 0.52% and 0.53%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratio for the year ended September 30, 2020.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor C
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 13.52 $ 12.54 $ 11.66 $ 11.87 $  11.60
Net investment income(a)   0.22   0.10   0.13   0.18    0.15
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (2.37)   1.35   0.94   0.31    0.27
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.15) 1.45 1.07 0.49 0.42
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.15)  (0.05)  (0.19)  (0.13)   (0.15)
From net realized gain  (0.56)  (0.42)     —  (0.57)      —
Total distributions (0.71) (0.47) (0.19) (0.70) (0.15)
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.66 $ 13.52 $ 12.54 $ 11.66 $  11.87
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (16.93)% 11.68% 9.30% 4.78% 3.63%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 1.20% 1.21% 1.25%(e) 1.28%(e) 1.29%(e)
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 1.18% 1.18% 1.21% 1.23% 1.24%
Net investment income 1.73% 0.76% 1.06% 1.63% 1.26%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $69,423 $95,825 $84,541 $87,646 $101,711
Portfolio turnover rate 63% 69% 98% 68% 79%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2019 the ratio would have been 1.27%. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2018.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund
  Class R
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 13.70 $ 12.69 $ 11.78 $ 12.00 $ 11.75
Net investment income(a)   0.29   0.18   0.19   0.25   0.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (2.39)   1.36   0.97   0.31   0.27
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.10) 1.54 1.16 0.56 0.49
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.24)  (0.11)  (0.25)  (0.21)  (0.24)
From net realized gain  (0.56)  (0.42)     —  (0.57)     —
Total distributions (0.80) (0.53) (0.25) (0.78) (0.24)
Net asset value, end of year $ 10.80 $ 13.70 $ 12.69 $ 11.78 $ 12.00
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (16.48)% 12.27% 9.99% 5.45% 4.18%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.80% 0.80% 0.82% 0.85% 0.84%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.61% 0.61% 0.63% 0.64% 0.65%
Net investment income 2.31% 1.34% 1.61% 2.21% 1.84%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $10,805 $10,705 $10,205 $16,778 $18,302
Portfolio turnover rate 63% 69% 98% 68% 79%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund
  Institutional
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  16.38 $  14.43 $  13.37 $  13.74 $  13.20
Net investment income(a)    0.39    0.26    0.27    0.30    0.30
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.97)    2.29    1.30    0.19    0.67
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.58) 2.55 1.57 0.49 0.97
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.36)   (0.21)   (0.35)   (0.21)   (0.30)
From net realized gain   (0.85)   (0.39)   (0.16)   (0.65)   (0.13)
Total distributions (1.21) (0.60) (0.51) (0.86) (0.43)
Net asset value, end of year $  12.59 $  16.38 $  14.43 $  13.37 $  13.74
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (17.30)% 17.94% 12.00% 4.22% 7.42%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.26% 0.24% 0.28% 0.34%(e) 0.29%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.10% 0.11% 0.13% 0.15% 0.15%
Net investment income 2.61% 1.63% 2.00% 2.36% 2.22%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $260,346 $296,407 $215,674 $161,196 $108,221
Portfolio turnover rate 58% 68% 98% 69% 88%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes non-recurring expenses of board realignment and consolidation and reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses would have been 0.32%.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  16.05 $  14.15 $  13.13 $  13.50 $  12.98
Net investment income(a)    0.33    0.20    0.22    0.26    0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (2.90)    2.25    1.27    0.19    0.65
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.57) 2.45 1.49 0.45 0.90
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.31)   (0.16)   (0.31)   (0.17)   (0.25)
From net realized gain   (0.85)   (0.39)   (0.16)   (0.65)   (0.13)
Total distributions (1.16) (0.55) (0.47) (0.82) (0.38)
Net asset value, end of year $  12.32 $  16.05 $  14.15 $  13.13 $  13.50
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (17.56)% 17.58% 11.54% 3.94% 7.03%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.45% 0.45% 0.49% 0.55%(e)(f) 0.51%(f)
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.44% 0.44% 0.47% 0.49% 0.49%
Net investment income 2.27% 1.28% 1.66% 2.03% 1.85%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $564,789 $699,130 $576,079 $555,513 $280,970
Portfolio turnover rate 58% 68% 98% 69% 88%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes non-recurring expenses of board realignment and consolidation and reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses would have been 0.53%.
(f) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018 the ratio would have been 0.50%. There was no financial impact to the expense ratio for the year ended September 30, 2019.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor C
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 15.64 $ 13.79 $ 12.81 $ 13.17 $  12.66
Net investment income(a)   0.22   0.08   0.12   0.15    0.14
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (2.84)   2.20   1.23   0.20    0.64
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.62) 2.28 1.35 0.35 0.78
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.19)  (0.04)  (0.21)  (0.06)   (0.14)
From net realized gain  (0.85)  (0.39)  (0.16)  (0.65)   (0.13)
Total distributions (1.04) (0.43) (0.37) (0.71) (0.27)
Net asset value, end of year $ 11.98 $ 15.64 $ 13.79 $ 12.81 $  13.17
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (18.18)% 16.74% 10.69% 3.15% 6.23%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 1.18% 1.20% 1.23% 1.30%(e)(f) 1.28%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 1.18% 1.19% 1.22% 1.24% 1.24%
Net investment income 1.55% 0.53% 0.91% 1.23% 1.10%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $69,416 $99,500 $85,371 $94,713 $105,283
Portfolio turnover rate 58% 68% 98% 69% 88%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes non-recurring expenses of board realignment and consolidation and reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses would have been 1.27%.
(f) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2019 the ratio would have been 1.29%.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund
  Class R
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 16.01 $ 14.12 $ 13.08 $ 13.45 $ 12.93
Net investment income(a)   0.30   0.17   0.19   0.23   0.22
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (2.90)   2.24   1.28   0.19   0.66
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.60) 2.41 1.47 0.42 0.88
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.28)  (0.13)  (0.27)  (0.14)  (0.23)
From net realized gain  (0.85)  (0.39)  (0.16)  (0.65)  (0.13)
Total distributions (1.13) (0.52) (0.43) (0.79) (0.36)
Net asset value, end of year $ 12.28 $ 16.01 $ 14.12 $ 13.08 $ 13.45
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (17.76)% 17.31% 11.42% 3.68% 6.85%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.80% 0.79% 0.82% 0.87%(e) 0.84%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.63% 0.64% 0.66% 0.68% 0.68%
Net investment income 2.06% 1.07% 1.45% 1.80% 1.66%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $17,164 $16,815 $13,425 $15,930 $18,740
Portfolio turnover rate 58% 68% 98% 69% 88%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes non-recurring expenses of board realignment and consolidation and reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses would have been 0.84%.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund
  Institutional
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  17.10 $  14.16 $  12.83 $  13.26 $  12.47
Net investment income(a)    0.37    0.24    0.23    0.25    0.25
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.22)    3.03    1.43    0.01    0.93
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.85) 3.27 1.66 0.26 1.18
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.32)   (0.18)   (0.27)   (0.16)   (0.22)
From net realized gain   (0.71)   (0.15)   (0.06)   (0.53)   (0.17)
Total distributions (1.03) (0.33) (0.33) (0.69) (0.39)
Net asset value, end of year $  13.22 $  17.10 $  14.16 $  12.83 $  13.26
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (18.02)% 23.26% 13.11% 2.81% 9.65%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.30% 0.28% 0.34% 0.39% 0.36%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.10% 0.10% 0.14% 0.18% 0.16%
Net investment income 2.35% 1.45% 1.76% 2.00% 1.94%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $325,725 $240,529 $168,065 $124,885 $115,594
Portfolio turnover rate 51% 56% 116% 64% 80%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor A
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $  16.72 $  13.85 $  12.56 $  13.00 $  12.23
Net investment income(a)    0.31    0.18    0.18    0.20    0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (3.15)    2.97    1.40    0.01    0.93
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.84) 3.15 1.58 0.21 1.12
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income   (0.27)   (0.13)   (0.23)   (0.12)   (0.18)
From net realized gain   (0.71)   (0.15)   (0.06)   (0.53)   (0.17)
Total distributions (0.98) (0.28) (0.29) (0.65) (0.35)
Net asset value, end of year $  12.90 $  16.72 $  13.85 $  12.56 $  13.00
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (18.32)% 22.93% 12.72% 2.39% 9.32%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.50% 0.47% 0.53% 0.57%(e) 0.57%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.44% 0.44% 0.48% 0.52% 0.50%
Net investment income 2.03% 1.10% 1.41% 1.66% 1.54%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $255,281 $283,943 $203,561 $173,105 $163,604
Portfolio turnover rate 51% 56% 116% 64% 80%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
(e) Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no financial impact to the expense ratios.
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Financial Highlights (continued)

  BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund
  Investor C
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 16.09 $ 13.35 $ 12.12 $ 12.55 $ 11.82
Net investment income(a)   0.19   0.06   0.08   0.11   0.10
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (3.04)   2.86   1.35   0.01   0.90
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.85) 2.92 1.43 0.12 1.00
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.15)  (0.03)  (0.14)  (0.02)  (0.10)
From net realized gain  (0.71)  (0.15)  (0.06)  (0.53)  (0.17)
Total distributions (0.86) (0.18) (0.20) (0.55) (0.27)
Net asset value, end of year $ 12.38 $ 16.09 $ 13.35 $ 12.12 $ 12.55
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (18.92)% 21.95% 11.90% 1.63% 8.55%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 1.20% 1.23% 1.30% 1.35% 1.36%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 1.19% 1.19% 1.23% 1.27% 1.25%
Net investment income 1.29% 0.36% 0.66% 0.91% 0.80%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $56,149 $74,750 $50,977 $51,002 $55,986
Portfolio turnover rate 51% 56% 116% 64% 80%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
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Financial Highlights (concluded)

  BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund
  Class R
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) Year Ended
09/30/22
Year Ended
09/30/21
Year Ended
09/30/20
Year Ended
09/30/19
Year Ended
09/30/18
Net asset value, beginning of year $ 16.61 $ 13.77 $12.47 $12.90 $ 12.14
Net investment income(a)   0.28   0.14  0.15  0.18   0.17
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)  (3.13)   2.96  1.40  0.01   0.92
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations (2.85) 3.10 1.55 0.19 1.09
Distributions(b)          
From net investment income  (0.24)  (0.11) (0.19) (0.09)  (0.16)
From net realized gain  (0.71)  (0.15) (0.06) (0.53)  (0.17)
Total distributions (0.95) (0.26) (0.25) (0.62) (0.33)
Net asset value, end of year $ 12.81 $ 16.61 $13.77 $12.47 $ 12.90
Total Return(c)          
Based on net asset value (18.43)% 22.69% 12.53% 2.22% 9.15%
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)          
Total expenses 0.82% 0.80% 0.84% 0.89% 0.90%
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed 0.60% 0.60% 0.64% 0.68% 0.66%
Net investment income 1.85% 0.87% 1.17% 1.51% 1.39%
Supplemental Data          
Net assets, end of year (000) $11,823 $10,224 $7,058 $9,631 $11,832
Portfolio turnover rate 51% 56% 116% 64% 80%
  
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
(c) Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.
(d) Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.
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Table of Contents
General Information

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Delivery of Shareholder Documents
Each Fund delivers only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is known as “householding” and is intended to eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762.
Certain Fund Policies

Anti-Money Laundering Requirements
Each Fund is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act (the “Patriot Act”). The Patriot Act is intended to prevent the use of the U.S. financial system in furtherance of money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities. Pursuant to requirements under the Patriot Act, each Fund is required to obtain sufficient information from shareholders to enable it to form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of its shareholders. This information will be used to verify the identity of investors or, in some cases, the status of Financial Intermediaries. Such information may be verified using third-party sources. This information will be used only for compliance with the Patriot Act or other applicable laws, regulations and rules in connection with money laundering, terrorism or economic sanctions.
Each Fund reserves the right to reject purchase orders from persons who have not submitted information sufficient to allow the Fund to verify their identity. Each Fund also reserves the right to redeem any amounts in the Fund from persons whose identity it is unable to verify on a timely basis. It is each Fund’s policy to cooperate fully with appropriate regulators in any investigations conducted with respect to potential money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities.
BlackRock Privacy Principles
BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.
If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.
BlackRock obtains or verifies personal non-public information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your Financial Intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our website.
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BlackRock does not sell or disclose to non-affiliated third parties any non-public personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law, or as is necessary to respond to regulatory requests or to service Client accounts. These non-affiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.
We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to non-public personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the non-public personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.
Statement of Additional Information

If you would like further information about each Fund, including how it invests, please see the SAI.
For a discussion of each Fund’s policies and procedures regarding the selective disclosure of its portfolio holdings, please see the SAI. The Funds make their top ten holdings available on a monthly basis at www.blackrock.com generally within 5 business days after the end of the month to which the information applies.
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Glossary

This glossary contains an explanation of some of the common terms used in this prospectus. For additional information about a Fund, please see the SAI.
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses — a Fund’s pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund as a result of investing in other investment companies.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses — expenses that cover the costs of operating a Fund.
Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index — an index that represents the union of the U.S. Aggregate Index, U.S. Corporate High-Yield, Investment Grade 144A Index, Eurodollar Index, U.S. Emerging Markets Index, and the non-ERISA eligible portion of the CMBS Index. The index covers USD denominated taxable bonds that are rated either investment-grade or below investment-grade.
Distribution Fees — fees used to support each Fund’s marketing and distribution efforts, such as compensating Financial Intermediaries, advertising and promotion.
Management Fee — a fee paid to BlackRock for managing a Fund.
MSCI All Country World Index — an index that captures large and mid-cap representation across 23 Developed Markets and 24 Emerging Markets countries. With 2,933 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set.
MSCI USA Index— an index designed to measure the performance of the large and mid cap segments of the U.S. market. With 626 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in the United States.
Other Expenses — include accounting, transfer agency, custody, professional fees and registration fees.
Service Fees — fees used to compensate Financial Intermediaries for certain shareholder servicing activities.
Shareholder Fees — fees paid directly by a shareholder, including sales charges that you may pay when you buy or sell shares of a Fund.
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Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies

Intermediary-Defined Sales Charge Waiver Policies

Ameriprise Financial:
Investor A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers Available at Ameriprise Financial:
The following information applies to Investor A Shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase Fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Ameriprise Financial retail brokerage account are eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI:
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any other fund within BlackRock Funds).
Shares exchanged from Investor C Shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 7-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Investor C Shares or conversion of Investor C Shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply.
Employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.
Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within BlackRock Funds, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (i.e. Rights of Reinstatement).
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D.A. Davidson & Co. (“D.A. Davidson”):
Effective March 1, 2021, shareholders purchasing Fund shares including existing Fund shareholders, through a D.A. Davidson platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment advisor for which D.A. Davidson provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus or the Fund’s SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Investor A Shares Available at D.A. Davidson
Shares purchased of the same Fund or another BlackRock Fund through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions.
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of D.A. Davidson or its affiliates and their family members as designated by D.A. Davidson.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions of the same Fund or another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C Shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Investor A Shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is consistent with D.A. Davidson’s policies and procedures.
CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C Shares Available at D.A. Davidson
Shares sold due to the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus.
Shares bought due to return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA or other qualifying retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
Shares acquired through a Right of Reinstatement.
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at D.A. Davidson: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation and/or Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this Prospectus.
Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at D.A. Davidson. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at D.A. Davidson may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of BlackRock Funds, over a 13-month time period. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at D.A. Davidson may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
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Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. (“Edward Jones”):
Policies Regarding Transactions Through Edward Jones
The following information has been provided by Edward Jones:
Effective on or after January 15, 2021, the following information supersedes prior information with respect to transactions and positions held in fund shares through an Edward Jones system. Clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which may differ from discounts and waivers described elsewhere in this prospectus or statement of additional information (“SAI”) or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of BlackRock Funds, or other facts qualifying the purchaser for discounts or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance. Shareholders should contact Edward Jones if they have questions regarding their eligibility for these discounts and waivers.
Breakpoints
Breakpoint pricing, otherwise known as volume pricing, at dollar thresholds as described in the prospectus.
Rights of Accumulation (“ROA”)
The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Investor A Shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except certain money market funds and any assets held in group retirement plans) of BlackRock Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). If grouping assets as a shareholder, this includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the ROA calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Money market funds are included only if such shares were sold with a sales charge at the time of purchase or acquired in exchange for shares purchased with a sales charge.
The employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan may elect to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping as opposed to including all share classes at a shareholder or pricing group level.
ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost minus redemptions or market value (current shares multiplied by NAV).
Letter of Intent (“LOI”)
Through a LOI, a shareholder can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases such shareholder intends to make over a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible BlackRock Funds assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not adjusted under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charges previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if the LOI is not met.
If the employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan has elected to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping, LOIs will also be at the plan-level and may only be established by the employer.
Sales Charge Waivers
Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations:
Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing and remains in good standing pursuant to Edward Jones’ policies and procedures.
Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based advisory program.
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of BlackRock Funds so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase
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  are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.
Shares exchanged into Investor A Shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSCs due to BlackRock, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.
Exchanges from Investor C Shares to Investor A Shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) Waivers
If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions:
The death or disability of the shareholder.
Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.
Return of excess contributions from an IRA.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.
Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.
Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.
Shares acquired through a Right of Reinstatement.
Shares redeemed at the discretion of Edward Jones for Minimum Balances, as described below.
Other Important Information Regarding Transactions Through Edward Jones
Minimum Purchase Amounts for Investor A and Investor C Shares
Initial purchase minimum: $250
Subsequent purchase minimum: none
Minimum Balances
Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:
A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform
A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform
An account with an active systematic investment plan or LOI
Exchanging Share Classes
At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Investor A Shares of the same fund at NAV, provided that Edward Jones will be responsible for any remaining CDSC due to BlackRock, if applicable, and that the shareholders meet the eligibility requirements of the new share class.
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Janney Montgomery Scott LLC:
Effective May 1, 2020, if you purchase fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end sales charge* waivers on Investor A shares available at Janney
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other BlackRock Fund).
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (i.e., right of reinstatement).
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Investor C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Investor A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
CDSC waivers on Investor A and C shares available at Janney
Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney: breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and/or letters of intent
Breakpoints as described in the Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a BlackRock Fund, over a 13-month time period. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
*Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”
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Merrill Lynch:
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account (excluding shares purchased from or through the Fund, the Fund’s distributor or any non-Merrill Lynch platform or account, even if Merrill Lynch serves as broker-dealer of record for such shares) will be eligible only for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Investor A Shares available at Merrill Lynch
Shares purchased by employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan/plan participants
Shares purchased by a 529 Plan (does not include 529 Plan units or 529-specific share classes or equivalents)
Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program
Exchanges of shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program due to the holdings moving from such Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales charge discounts and waivers
Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform
Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform (if applicable)
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other BlackRock Fund)
Shares exchanged from Investor C (i.e. level-load) shares of the same Fund pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales charge discounts and waivers
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members
Shares purchased by directors of the Fund, and employees of BlackRock or any of its affiliates, as described in the prospectus
Eligible shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e., systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill Lynch’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for reinstatement.
CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C Shares available at Merrill Lynch
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus
Shares bought due to return of excess contributions from an IRA Account
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code
Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch
Shares acquired through a Right of Reinstatement
Investor A and C Shares of a Fund held in the following IRA or other retirement brokerage accounts: Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Rollover IRAs, Inherited IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, BASIC Plans, Educational Savings Account and Medical Savings Accounts that are exchanged for Institutional shares of the same Fund due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms
Investor A Shares sold, where such Investor A Shares were received as a result of exchanges of shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program due to the holdings moving from the program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales charge discounts and waivers
Front-end Sales Charge Discounts Available at Merrill Lynch: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus
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Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets
Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of BlackRock Funds, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time
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Morgan Stanley Wealth Management:
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Investor A Share Front-End Sales Charge Waiver
Effective July 1, 2018, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management clients purchasing Investor A Shares of the Fund through Morgan Stanley’s transactional brokerage accounts are entitled to a waiver of the front-end sales charge in the following circumstances:
Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans does not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans
Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules
Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund
Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account
Investor C Shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are exchanged for Investor A Shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within BlackRock Funds under a Rights of Reinstatement provision, provided the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge
Unless specifically described above, no other front-end sales charge waivers are available to mutual fund purchases by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management clients through Morgan Stanley’s transactional brokerage accounts.
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Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.:
Effective May 1, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“OPCO”) platform or account are eligible only for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Investor A Shares available at OPCO
Shares purchased by employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan
Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan
Shares purchased through an OPCO affiliated investment advisory program
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other BlackRock Fund)
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement)
A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C Shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Investor A Shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members
Shares purchased by directors or trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus
CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C Shares available at OPCO
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus
Shares bought due to return of excess contributions from an IRA account
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the prospectus
Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus
Rights of Accumulation (“ROA”) and Letters of Intent (“LOI”) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA or LOI calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets
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Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and Each Entity’s Affiliates (“Raymond James”):
Effective March 1, 2019, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment adviser for which Raymond James provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible only for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus or the SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Investor A Shares Available at Raymond James
Shares purchased in a Raymond James investment advisory program.
Shares purchased of the same Fund or another BlackRock Fund through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend distributions.
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement).
A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Investor A shares of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.
CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C Shares Available at Raymond James
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus.
Shares bought due to return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.
Shares acquired through a Right of Reinstatement.
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at Raymond James: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation and/or Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of BlackRock Funds over a 13-month time period. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
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Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”):
Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Baird platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Investor A Shares Available at Baird
Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund
Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Baird or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Baird
Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement)
A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird
Shares purchased by employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs
CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C Shares Available at Baird
Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder
Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus
Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA account
Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations as described in the Fund’s prospectus
Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird
Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation, & Letters of Intent
Breakpoints as described in this prospectus
Rights of Accumulation (“ROA”) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Baird may be included in ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets
Letters of Intent (“LOI”) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of BlackRock Funds through Baird, over a 13-month period of time
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Table of Contents
For More Information

Funds and Service Providers

FUNDS
BlackRock Funds II
    BlackRock 20/80 Target Allocation Fund
    BlackRock 40/60 Target Allocation Fund
    BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation Fund
    BlackRock 80/20 Target Allocation Fund
100 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
Written Correspondence:
P.O. Box 9819
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019
Overnight Mail:
4400 Computer Drive
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581
(800) 441-7762
MANAGER AND ADMINISTRATOR
BlackRock Advisors, LLC
100 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
TRANSFER AGENT
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP
200 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
ACCOUNTING SERVICES PROVIDER
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
301 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, Delaware 19809
DISTRIBUTOR
BlackRock Investments, LLC
40 East 52nd Street
New York, New York 10022
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10286
COUNSEL
Sidley Austin LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019


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Additional Information

For more information:
This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. More information about the Funds is available at no charge upon request. This information includes:
Annual/Semi-Annual Reports
These reports contain additional information about a Fund’s investments. The annual report describes a Fund’s performance, lists portfolio holdings, and discusses recent market conditions, economic trends and Fund investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance for the last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information
A Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), dated January 27, 2023, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SAI, which includes additional information about a Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with a Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, by calling (800) 441-7762. The SAI, as amended and/or supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
BlackRock Investor Services
Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), on any business day. Call: (800) 441-7762.
Purchases and Redemptions
Call your Financial Intermediary or BlackRock Investor Services at (800) 441-7762.
World Wide Web
General Fund information and specific Fund performance, including the SAI and annual/semi-annual reports, can be accessed free of charge at www.blackrock.com/prospectus. Mutual fund prospectuses and literature can also be requested via this website.
Written Correspondence
BlackRock Funds II
P.O. Box 9819
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019
Overnight Mail
BlackRock Funds II
4400 Computer Drive
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581
Internal Wholesalers/Broker Dealer Support
Available on any business day to support investment professionals. Call: (800) 882-0052.
Portfolio Characteristics and Holdings
A description of a Fund’s policies and procedures related to disclosure of portfolio characteristics and holdings is available in the SAI.
For information about portfolio holdings and characteristics, BlackRock fund shareholders and prospective investors may call (800) 882-0052.
Securities and Exchange Commission
You may also view and copy public information about each Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of this information can be obtained, for a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: [email protected].
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. No one is authorized to provide you with information that is different from information contained in this prospectus.
The SEC has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE # 811-22061
 
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