LOGO

  MARCH 31, 2022

 

  2022 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

· iShares Global 100 ETF | IOO | NYSE Arca

· iShares Global Infrastructure ETF | IGF | NASDAQ

· iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | WOOD | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of March 31, 2022 saw a continuation of the resurgent growth that followed the initial coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic reopening, albeit at a slower pace. The global economy weathered the emergence of several variant strains and the resulting peaks and troughs in infections amid optimism that increasing vaccinations and economic adaptation could help contain the pandemic’s disruptions. However, rapid changes in consumer spending led to supply constraints and elevated inflation. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the invasion has presented challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices were mixed, as persistently high inflation drove investors’ expectations for higher interest rates, which particularly weighed on relatively high valuation growth stocks and economically sensitive small-capitalization stocks. Overall, small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined, while large-capitalization U.S. stocks posted a strong advance. International equities from developed markets gained slightly, although emerging market stocks declined, pressured by rising interest rates and a strengthening U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) rose during the reporting period as the economy expanded rapidly and inflation reached its highest annualized reading in decades. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, although the improving economy assuaged credit concerns and high-yield corporate bonds consequently declined less than investment-grade corporate bonds.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation is growing faster than expected, raised interest rates in March 2022, the first increase of this business cycle. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and raised the prospect of reversing the flow and reducing its balance sheet. Continued high inflation and the Fed’s new tone led many analysts to anticipate that the Fed will continue to raise interest rates multiple times throughout the year.

Looking ahead, however, the horrific war in Ukraine has significantly clouded the outlook for the global economy, leading to major volatility in energy and metal markets. Sanctions on Russia, Europe’s top energy supplier, and general wartime disruption are likely to drive already-high commodity prices even higher. Sharp increases in energy prices will exacerbate inflationary pressure while also constraining economic growth. Combating inflation without stifling a recovery, while buffering against ongoing supply and price shocks amid the ebb and flow of the pandemic, will be an especially challenging environment for setting effective monetary policy. Despite the likelihood of more rate increases on the horizon, we believe the Fed will err on the side of protecting employment, even at the expense of higher inflation.

In this environment, we favor an overweight to equities, as valuations have become more attractive and inflation-adjusted interest rates remain low. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and health care, are particularly attractive in the long term. We favor U.S. equities due to strong earnings momentum, while Japanese equities should benefit from supportive monetary and fiscal policy. We are underweight credit overall, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries, Asian fixed income, and emerging market local-currency bonds offer potential opportunities for additional yield. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability and quality can help provide portfolio resilience.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

 

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of March 31, 2022
     
     6-Month     12-Month
   

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

  5.92%    15.65%
   

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

  (5.55)      (5.79)  
   

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

  (3.38)      1.16   
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (8.20)      (11.37)  
   

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

  0.05       0.07   
   

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

  (6.04)      (3.31)  
   

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

  (5.92)      (4.15)  
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  (5.55)      (4.47)  
   

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

  (4.16)      (0.66)  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

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H I S  A G E   I S   N O T  A R T   O F  O U R  U N D  E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     11  

Shareholder Expenses

     11  

Schedules of Investments

     12  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     20  

Statements of Operations

     21  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     22  

Financial Highlights

     24  

Notes to Financial Statements

     27  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     36  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     37  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     38  

Supplemental Information

     39  

Trustee and Officer Information

     40  

General Information

     43  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     44  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

  

 

iShares Trust

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced during the 12 months ended March 31, 2022 (“reporting period”). The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 7.28% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period.

Stocks were supported by economic recovery in most regions of the world, even as significant challenges emerged. The global economy continued to rebound from the impact of restrictions imposed at the beginning of the pandemic, as mitigation and adaptation allowed most activity to continue. Nonetheless, two highly contagious COVID-19 variants appeared during the reporting period, causing sharp increases in cases in many countries and in some instances leading to new restrictions, which acted as a drag on growth. Inflation was high in many countries, reducing consumers’ purchasing power and leading many central banks to tighten monetary policy. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine late in the reporting period presented a further challenge to the global economy, disrupting markets in important commodities such as oil, natural gas, and wheat.

The U.S. economy grew robustly, powered primarily by consumers, who were supported by strong household balance sheets. Prior to the beginning of the reporting period, fiscal stimulus and business closures led to record-high personal savings rates. This allowed consumers to spend at an elevated level throughout much of the reporting period, as pent-up demand was released. The ensuing acceleration in economic activity allowed the U.S. to reach and then surpass its pre-pandemic output level. Hiring increased as businesses restored capacity. Consequently, unemployment decreased substantially, falling to 3.6% in March 2022.

Rising inflation led to a shift in policy from the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“Fed”). As the reporting period began, the Fed was using accommodative monetary policy to stimulate the economy. Short-term interest rates were kept at near zero levels, and the Fed used bond-buying programs to stabilize debt markets. However, rising prices led the Fed to tighten monetary policy in the second half of the reporting period in an attempt to prevent runaway inflation. The Fed slowed and then ended its bond-buying activities and discussed plans to begin reducing its balance sheet by selling bonds later in 2022. In March 2022, it raised short-term interest rates, and indicated that further increases could be necessary.

Stocks in Europe posted modest gains, helped by a steadily growing economy and increasing vaccinations. However, inflation increased significantly, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine negatively impacted equities. Russia is an important trading partner with many other European countries, and new sanctions imposed limits on some types of trade with Russia. Investors became concerned that the sharp rise in energy prices during the reporting period would constrain economic growth, as Europe relies on imported energy for much of its industrial and heating needs. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) maintained ultra-low interest rates but started to wind down its bond buying programs.

Despite relatively low inflation by global standards, Asia-Pacific stocks declined significantly. Chinese stocks endured substantial declines, driving much of the negative performance in the region. Regulatory interventions by the Chinese government weighed on equity markets, particularly in the information technology sector. While China’s economy continued to expand at a solid pace, COVID-19 cases rose sharply late in the reporting period and analysts became concerned that the subsequent lockdowns would constrain growth.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of March 31, 2022    iShares® Global 100 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Global 100 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 100 large-capitalization global equities, as represented by the S&P Global 100TM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    17.11      15.51      11.84       17.11      105.67      206.06

Fund Market

    17.09        15.55        11.85         17.09        105.95        206.37  

Index

    17.48        15.48        11.75               17.48        105.35        203.62  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Index performance through January 30, 2013 is calculated using currency exchange (FX) rates corresponding to 5:15 P.M. ET. Index performance beginning on January 31, 2013 is calculated using FX rates corresponding to World Market Reuters 4:00 P.M. London.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
                                                                
      

Beginning
Account Value
(10/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(03/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(10/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(03/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $     1,000.00          $     1,076.90          $    2.07               $     1,000.00          $     1,022.90          $    2.02          0.40

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” for more information.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of March 31, 2022  (continued)    iShares® Global 100 ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Amid solid global economic growth as the recovery from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continued, large-capitalization global stocks posted a significant gain for the reporting period. Stocks from the U.S., which represented approximately 73% of the Index on average, constituted the majority of the Index’s return.

Among U.S. stocks, the information technology sector contributed the most to the Index’s return. Large companies in the sector benefited from network effects, which allowed them to use existing products and services to make their offerings more attractive to new customers. The technology hardware and equipment industry was the top contributor amid strong growth in sales and profits. Increased sales of smartphones with 5G capability drove profits in the industry, as demand for these products outstripped supply, helped by discounts from wireless carriers. Increased sales of services, such as digital downloads and payment processing, also boosted the industry. The software and services industry was another source of strength, reflecting continued growth in demand for cloud computing services and operating system software amid a rapid increase in personal computer sales. Businesses continued the migration of their processes to cloud providers, moving away from more expensive in-house platforms. Elevated demand allowed for product price increases, which further boosted stock prices in the industry.

The U.S. communication services sector made a solid contribution to the Index’s return. Continued growth in revenues from digital advertising, improved cost management, and strength in sales of cloud services all benefited the interactive media and services industry. Synergies from control of a mobile operating system helped make advertising revenues more resilient to changes on competing platforms.

Stocks from the U.K. also aided the Index’s performance, primarily stocks from the energy sector. Rising oil prices led to higher profits, and healthy cash flow allowed companies in the integrated oil and gas industry to increase dividends and repurchase stock. Swiss stocks gained due to strength in the healthcare sector, as development of COVID-19 antibody treatments and home tests bolstered the pharmaceuticals industry.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Information Technology

    30.7

Consumer Discretionary

    13.4  

Health Care

    12.3  

Consumer Staples

    10.7  

Communication Services

    9.3  

Financials

    9.0  

Energy

    5.8  

Industrials

    5.2  

Materials

    2.3  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.3  

TEN LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

United States

    73.4

United Kingdom

    6.7  

Switzerland

    5.5  

France

    4.1  

Japan

    3.2  

Germany

    3.0  

South Korea

    1.5  

Australia

    1.5  

Spain

    0.7  

Netherlands

    0.4  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of March 31, 2022    iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

 

Investment Objective

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, as represented by the S&P Global Infrastructure IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    15.54      6.87      6.99       15.54      39.40      96.46

Fund Market

    15.65        6.82        6.99         15.65        39.07        96.59  

Index

    15.86        6.76        6.87               15.86        38.71        94.30  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
                                                                
      

Beginning
Account Value
(10/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(03/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(10/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(03/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $     1,000.00          $     1,119.00          $     2.11               $     1,000.00          $    1,022.90          $    2.02          0.40

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of March 31, 2022  (continued)    iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Global infrastructure stocks advanced strongly for the reporting period. The continued global economic recovery provided tailwinds for infrastructure-related companies, as greater international trade and industrial production increased the demand for related infrastructure.

Infrastructure stocks in the U.S. contributed the most to the Index’s return, helped by the passage of a significant bill funding infrastructure development. In November 2021, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law, benefiting companies that provide products and services related to infrastructure. The $1.2 trillion bill funds investments in bridges and roads, broadband internet, water and energy systems, and other projects.

Within the U.S., utilities stocks contributed the most to the Index’s return, led by the electric utilities industry. As the economy improved and business activity accelerated, demand for power increased, benefiting electric utilities companies. While the cost of energy commodities rose substantially, most utilities companies were able to pass along these higher costs to their customers. Utilities providers also increased their investments in renewable energy, and in 2021 the share of energy produced from solar and wind sources grew at the fastest rate on record. The industry also made investments in grid modernization and distribution networks to manage increased demand as more devices and vehicles use electric power.

Energy infrastructure stocks also contributed significantly to the Index’s performance, with both U.S. and Canadian energy stocks posting strong gains. The energy stocks represented in the Index are in the oil and gas storage and transportation industry, which provides pipeline and other transportation services to producers of oil and gas. While companies in this industry typically do not sell oil and gas directly, they can indirectly benefit from higher prices for energy products. Higher oil and gas prices motivate additional production and higher production drives increased revenues for pipeline companies that transport the extra product. Oil and gas prices rose sharply during the reporting period, and oil production began to rise in both the U.S. and Canada after declining significantly in the early part of the coronavirus pandemic.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Electric Utilities

    23.4

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

    19.9  

Airport Services

    19.2  

Highways & Railtracks

    16.4  

Multi-Utilities

    14.2  

Marine Ports & Services

    4.4  

Water Utilities

    1.5  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.0  

TEN LARGEST GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

United States

    37.4

Canada

    10.2  

Australia

    8.7  

Spain

    7.4  

Italy

    6.7  

France

    5.8  

China

    5.4  

Mexico

    4.8  

Germany

    3.2  

United Kingdom

    2.6  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of March 31, 2022    iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares GlobalTimber & Forestry ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global equities in or related to the timber and forestry industry, as represented by the S&P Global Timber & Forestry IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

    Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    6.04      11.05      9.89       6.04      68.88      156.72

Fund Market

    6.13        11.01        9.89         6.13        68.58        156.68  

Index

    6.28        10.99        9.74               6.28        68.44        153.36  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 11 for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
                                                                
      

Beginning
Account Value
(10/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(03/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(10/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(03/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
      $     1,000.00          $     1,050.90          $    2.15               $     1,000.00          $     1,022.80          $    2.12          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of March 31, 2022  (continued)    iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Global timber and forestry stocks advanced during the reporting period, as a resurgence in housing construction and a lumber shortage combined to triple timber prices relative to pre-pandemic levels. Labor shortages in the supply chain for wood construction materials, both at sawmills and in the transportation network, contributed to the increase in lumber prices. Higher U.S. tariffs on softwood lumber imported from Canada also drove timber price increases. Historically low housing inventory levels and low mortgage rates fueled solid demand for new housing construction. However, timber and forestry companies faced challenges from growing deforestation and increasing levels of drought.

U.S.-based lumber companies, particularly specialized real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) engaged in logging and forest management, contributed the most to the Index’s return. Timber REITs are highly sensitive to the price of timber and prevailing homebuilding conditions, so the industry benefited from a housing shortage that drove sales of products used in residential construction, such as structural lumber and engineered wood. Even as U.S. home sales soared during the reporting period, new residential construction projects languished due to delays in the supply chain and labor shortages.

Canadian stocks also contributed to the Index’s performance, led by paper and forest products companies that produce wood materials such as lumber, plywood, pulp, and newsprint. The rise in lumber prices led to sharply higher profits early in the reporting period. Earnings for these companies later slowed when restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic eased and sales for home renovations and do-it-yourself projects diminished. In November 2021, severe weather and flooding in the Canadian province of British Columbia disrupted transportation networks and reduced lumber shipments.

On the downside, investments in Japan’s materials sector, including paper products manufacturers, detracted from the Index’s return. The weakening Japanese yen, which in the past aided the country’s export-driven economy, more recently pressured profits due to increased overseas manufacturing. However, the shift to eco-conscious packaging as a replacement for plastic helped the Japanese pulp and paper market to position itself as an alternative source of packaging materials.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Paper Products

    30.9

Specialized REITs

    24.4  

Forest Products

    22.7  

Paper Packaging

    18.7  

Homebuilding

    3.3  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

United States

    33.8

Sweden

    15.4  

Canada

    14.3  

Finland

    9.8  

Japan

    9.0  

Brazil

    7.7  

Ireland

    3.9  

United Kingdom

    3.9  

South Africa

    2.2  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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About Fund Performance

 

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end is available at iShares.com. Performance results assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. The investment return and principal value of shares will vary with changes in market conditions. Shares may be worth more or less than their original cost when they are redeemed or sold in the market. Performance for certain funds may reflect a waiver of a portion of investment advisory fees. Without such a waiver, performance would have been lower.

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

An index is a statistical composite that tracks a specified financial market or sector. Unlike a fund, an index does not actually hold a portfolio of securities and therefore does not incur the expenses incurred by a fund. These expenses negatively impact fund performance. Also, market returns do not include brokerage commissions that may be payable on secondary market transactions. If brokerage commissions were included, market returns would be lower.

Shareholder Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (1) transactional expenses, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing expenses, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in a Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

A B O U T    F U N D    P E R F O R M A N C E / S H A R E H O L D E R    E X P E N S E S

  11


Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global 100 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 1.5%  

BHP Group Ltd.

    1,012,183     $ 39,017,113  

Rio Tinto PLC

    211,879       16,938,992  
   

 

 

 
      55,956,105  
France — 4.1%  

AXA SA

    413,171       12,095,302  

Cie. de Saint-Gobain

    105,052       6,250,631  

Engie SA

    355,108       4,668,604  

L’Oreal SA

    47,047       18,792,692  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    53,489       38,180,378  

Orange SA

    374,563       4,435,312  

Sanofi

    229,897       23,504,575  

Schneider Electric SE

    113,519       19,058,741  

Societe Generale SA

    158,391       4,246,040  

TotalEnergies SE

    491,234       24,856,204  

Vivendi SE

    160,425       2,095,873  
   

 

 

 
      158,184,352  
Germany — 3.0%            

Allianz SE, Registered

    81,855       19,547,636  

BASF SE

    183,800       10,487,722  

Bayer AG, Registered

    197,215       13,489,322  

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered(a)

    413,825       5,211,788  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    676,889       12,606,464  

E.ON SE

    449,085       5,217,533  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    166,096       11,658,192  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    28,066       7,503,155  

RWE AG

    135,128       5,883,810  

Siemens AG, Registered

    159,756       22,120,974  
   

 

 

 
      113,726,596  
Japan — 3.2%  

Bridgestone Corp.

    120,800       4,688,945  

Canon Inc.

    210,550       5,131,945  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    343,000       9,722,622  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    2,516,600       15,555,451  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.(a)

    479,100       2,128,798  

Panasonic Corp.

    466,200       4,527,770  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    158,920       7,576,861  

Sony Group Corp.

    252,400       25,965,810  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    2,579,500       46,529,009  
   

 

 

 
      121,827,211  
Netherlands — 0.3%  

ING Groep NV

    776,841       8,110,939  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    176,174       5,372,195  
   

 

 

 
      13,483,134  
South Korea — 1.5%  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    1,026,517       58,740,348  
   

 

 

 
Spain — 0.7%  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    1,325,032       7,565,833  

Banco Santander SA

    3,453,990       11,743,310  

Repsol SA

    282,608       3,701,936  

Telefonica SA

    1,097,714       5,319,804  
   

 

 

 
      28,330,883  
Switzerland — 5.4%  

ABB Ltd., Registered

    357,053       11,583,046  

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered

    498,525       3,924,445  

Nestle SA, Registered

    562,843       73,180,095  
Security   Shares     Value  
Switzerland (continued)  

Novartis AG, Registered

    486,749     $ 42,732,426  

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    5,350       2,339,827  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    140,474       55,580,182  

Swiss Re AG

    57,577       5,480,980  

UBS Group AG, Registered

    739,596       14,452,669  
   

 

 

 
      209,273,670  
United Kingdom — 6.7%            

Anglo American PLC

    268,420       13,947,726  

AstraZeneca PLC

    309,794       41,082,681  

Aviva PLC

    749,370       4,433,955  

Barclays PLC

    3,167,223       6,139,583  

BP PLC

    3,924,652       19,240,126  

Diageo PLC

    467,055       23,691,146  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    1,001,965       21,679,459  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    4,130,072       28,210,716  

National Grid PLC

    774,680       11,905,443  

Prudential PLC

    546,219       8,063,976  

Shell PLC

    1,529,875       41,931,867  

Standard Chartered PLC

    519,024       3,445,284  

Unilever PLC

    525,702       23,868,317  

Vodafone Group PLC

    5,362,718       8,793,700  
   

 

 

 
      256,433,979  
United States — 73.1%            

3M Co.

    114,882       17,103,632  

Abbott Laboratories

    353,559       41,847,243  

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    60,134       167,253,701  

Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    55,537       155,114,286  

Amazon.com Inc.(a)

    87,497       285,235,845  

American Tower Corp.

    90,964       22,851,976  

Aon PLC, Class A

    42,829       13,946,407  

Apple Inc.

    3,099,831       541,261,491  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    434,860       31,757,826  

Caterpillar Inc.

    108,158       24,099,766  

Chevron Corp.

    385,430       62,759,567  

Citigroup Inc.

    396,770       21,187,518  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    777,279       48,191,298  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    168,850       12,803,896  

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

    103,156       7,590,218  

Emerson Electric Co.

    119,174       11,685,011  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    846,478       69,910,618  

Ford Motor Co.

    786,460       13,299,039  

General Electric Co.

    219,803       20,111,975  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    67,873       22,404,877  

Honeywell International Inc.

    137,335       26,722,644  

HP Inc.

    216,038       7,842,179  

Intel Corp.

    814,173       40,350,414  

International Business Machines Corp.

    179,310       23,313,886  

Johnson & Johnson

    526,373       93,289,087  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    142,154       9,321,038  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    590,889       80,549,988  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    67,171       8,272,780  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

    101,129       17,234,404  

McDonald’s Corp.

    149,407       36,945,363  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    504,072       41,359,108  

Microsoft Corp.

    1,498,956       462,143,124  

Morgan Stanley

    283,138       24,746,261  

Nike Inc., Class B

    255,187       34,337,963  

PepsiCo Inc.

    276,613       46,299,484  

Pfizer Inc.

    1,122,261       58,099,452  

 

 

12  

2 0 2 2    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global 100 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)  

Philip Morris International Inc.

    309,978     $ 29,119,333  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    479,280       73,233,984  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    297,929       29,515,826  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    184,658       33,881,050  

Walmart Inc.

    283,085       42,157,018  
   

 

 

 
      2,809,150,576  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.5%
(Cost: $2,535,641,930)

 

    3,825,106,854  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.2%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares,
0.25%(b)(c)

    8,396,000       8,396,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.2%
(Cost: $8,396,000)

 

    8,396,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.7%
(Cost: $2,544,037,930)

 

    3,833,502,854  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    10,106,761  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 3,843,609,615  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended March 31, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/21
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
03/31/22
    Shares
Held at
03/31/22
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

  $     $ 0 (b)     $     $     $     $           $ 14,813 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    2,816,000       5,580,000 (b)                        8,396,000       8,396,000       1,334        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $     $     $ 8,396,000       $ 16,147     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 
  (b)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c)

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

        

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

     28       06/17/22     $ 1,177     $ 39,269  

FTSE 100 Index

     23       06/17/22       2,250       69,408  

 

 

S C H E D U L E    O F    I N V E S T M E N T S

  13


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global 100 ETF

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
(000)
    Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     62       06/17/22     $ 14,045     $ 884,873  
        

 

 

 
         $ 993,550  
        

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 993,550  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended March 31, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 734,273  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Futures contracts

   $ 881,588  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 11,797,392  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,813,585,888        $ 1,011,520,966        $        $ 3,825,106,854  

Money Market Funds

     8,396,000                            8,396,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,821,981,888        $ 1,011,520,966        $        $ 3,833,502,854  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 884,873        $ 108,677        $        $ 993,550  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

14  

2 0 2 2    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 8.7%            

Atlas Arteria Ltd.

    13,164,141     $ 64,068,300  

Qube Holdings Ltd.

    26,358,000       61,423,519  

Transurban Group

    17,035,260       172,123,405  
   

 

 

 
      297,615,224  
Brazil — 0.1%            

Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, ADR

    455,088       4,473,515  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 10.2%            

Enbridge Inc.

    3,672,730       169,072,200  

Gibson Energy Inc.

    289,637       5,794,362  

Keyera Corp.

    436,573       11,066,671  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    1,086,446       40,819,397  

TC Energy Corp.

    1,937,345       109,268,644  

Westshore Terminals Investment Corp.

    513,985       13,621,024  
   

 

 

 
      349,642,298  
China — 5.4%            

Anhui Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    4,128,000       4,031,404  

Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    22,444,000       13,047,046  

CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

    13,656,000       3,573,819  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    3,257,400       4,151,825  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    4,440,000       9,979,987  

China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.

    18,708,000       33,692,797  

China Power International Development Ltd.

    7,135,000       3,798,265  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    1,236,000       5,202,168  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,392,000       4,451,589  

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.

    22,754,000       17,633,102  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    3,850,000       5,245,395  

Hainan Meilan International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H(a)

    1,838,000       4,188,584  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    16,774,000       17,517,906  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    5,320,000       4,597,732  

Shenzhen Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    9,542,000       10,027,688  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    18,046,500       18,981,723  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd.

    12,862,000       8,659,665  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    19,682,000       16,532,950  
   

 

 

 
      185,313,645  
Denmark — 0.9%            

Orsted AS(b)

    254,283       31,828,961  
   

 

 

 
France — 5.7%            

Aeroports de Paris(a)

    353,186       52,814,760  

Engie SA

    2,389,646       31,416,670  

Gaztransport Et Technigaz SA

    50,534       5,674,177  

Getlink SE

    5,935,425       106,894,932  
   

 

 

 
      196,800,539  
Germany — 3.2%            

E.ON SE

    3,017,872       35,062,064  

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(a)

    507,717       28,144,469  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    320,077       5,693,553  

RWE AG

    908,969       39,578,777  
   

 

 

 
      108,478,863  
Italy — 6.7%            

Atlantia SpA(a)

    6,914,520       143,770,430  

Enav SpA(a)(b)

    3,495,085       16,117,598  

Enel SpA

    10,386,129       69,345,580  
   

 

 

 
      229,233,608  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan — 1.8%            

Iwatani Corp.

    105,300     $ 4,437,753  

Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd.(a)

    1,278,600       58,237,360  
   

 

 

 
      62,675,113  
Mexico — 4.8%            

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV, ADR

    467,180       27,885,974  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, ADR

    476,044       76,752,574  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR(c)

    270,012       59,834,659  
   

 

 

 
      164,473,207  
Netherlands — 0.1%            

Koninklijke Vopak NV

    129,152       4,178,634  
   

 

 

 
New Zealand — 2.6%            

Auckland International Airport Ltd.(a)

    16,575,944       89,686,176  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 0.7%            

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U(c)

    69,353,200       16,905,883  

SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.(a)

    3,543,900       6,667,610  
   

 

 

 
      23,573,493  
Spain — 7.4%            

Aena SME SA(a)(b)

    1,008,455       168,109,610  

Iberdrola SA

    7,874,516       86,068,214  
   

 

 

 
      254,177,824  
Switzerland — 1.4%            

Flughafen Zurich AG, Registered(a)

    261,291       46,898,291  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 2.6%            

James Fisher & Sons PLC(a)

    219,833       999,191  

John Menzies PLC(a)

    1,150,160       8,968,726  

National Grid PLC

    5,210,459       80,075,411  
   

 

 

 
      90,043,328  
United States — 37.4%            

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

    677,004       67,544,689  

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    244,022       40,392,962  

Cheniere Energy Inc.

    465,834       64,587,884  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    475,506       45,020,908  

Dominion Energy Inc.

    1,088,795       92,514,911  

DTE Midstream LLC(a)

    191,069       10,367,404  

Duke Energy Corp.

    1,033,977       115,453,872  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

    803,035       6,777,615  

Eversource Energy

    462,141       40,756,215  

Exelon Corp.

    1,316,635       62,711,325  

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    3,851,786       72,837,273  

NextEra Energy Inc.

    1,997,491       169,207,463  

ONEOK Inc.

    880,831       62,213,094  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    679,709       47,579,630  

Sempra Energy

    429,250       72,165,510  

Southern Co. (The)

    1,424,579       103,296,223  

Targa Resources Corp.

    452,274       34,133,119  

WEC Energy Group Inc.

    424,005       42,319,939  

Williams Companies Inc. (The)

    2,399,973       80,183,098  

Xcel Energy Inc.

    724,083       52,257,070  
   

 

 

 
      1,282,320,204  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%

   

(Cost: $2,944,119,778)

      3,421,412,923  
   

 

 

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E    O F    I N V E S T M E N T S

  15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 0.1%            

Cia. Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, ADR

    1,494,602     $ 4,812,619  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $3,205,563)

      4,812,619  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.34%(d)(e)(f)

    1,941,066       1,940,677  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.25%(d)(e)

    6,110,000       6,110,000  
   

 

 

 
      8,050,677  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.2%
(Cost: $8,049,614)

      8,050,677  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.0%
(Cost: $2,955,374,955)

      3,434,276,219  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.0)%

      (1,286,908
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 3,432,989,311  
   

 

 

 

    

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended March 31, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

    Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/21
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
03/31/22
     Shares
Held at
03/31/22
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

    

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 5,584,799      $      $ (3,642,164 )(a)     $ (791    $ (1,167    $ 1,940,677        1,941,066      $ 376,476 (b)     $  
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     5,458,000        652,000 (a)                            6,110,000        6,110,000        968         
             

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
              $ (791    $ (1,167    $ 8,050,677         $ 377,444      $  
             

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
  Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Long Contracts                             

IBEX 35 Index

     20          04/14/22        $  1,852   $ 13,471  

S&P/TSX 60 Index

     21          06/16/22            4,425     39,112  

SPI 200 Index

     13          06/16/22            1,811     64,842  

 

 

16  

2 0 2 2    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

 

         
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index

     45          06/17/22        $ 1,888        $ 57,740  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 175,165  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 175,165  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended March 31, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 2,060,312  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 168,256  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 13,052,718  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 1,818,441,365        $ 1,602,971,558        $                 —        $ 3,421,412,923  

Preferred Stocks

     4,812,619                            4,812,619  

Money Market Funds

     8,050,677                            8,050,677  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,831,304,661        $ 1,602,971,558        $        $ 3,434,276,219  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 96,852        $ 78,313        $        $ 175,165  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E    O F    I N V E S T M E N T S

  17


Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Brazil — 7.7%  

Klabin SA

    2,419,962     $ 12,259,792  

Suzano SA

    1,038,348       12,027,786  
   

 

 

 
      24,287,578  
Canada — 14.3%  

Canfor Corp.(a)

    378,094       7,790,826  

Interfor Corp.

    376,866       10,481,647  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    285,162       23,462,595  

Western Forest Products Inc.

    2,037,764       3,276,332  
   

 

 

 
          45,011,400  
Finland — 9.8%  

Metsa Board OYJ, Class B

    550,050       5,569,009  

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    661,252       12,972,057  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    377,637       12,331,732  
   

 

 

 
      30,872,798  
Ireland — 3.9%  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    275,008       12,215,124  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 8.9%            

Daio Paper Corp.

    392,800       5,073,875  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    2,560,900       12,705,087  

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd.

    586,100       10,327,309  
   

 

 

 
      28,106,271  
South Africa — 2.2%  

Sappi Ltd.(a)

    1,757,086       6,841,964  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 15.3%  

BillerudKorsnas AB

    567,846       8,414,889  

Holmen AB, Class B

    244,514       13,648,405  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    1,346,072       26,137,588  
   

 

 

 
      48,200,882  

Security   Shares     Value  
United Kingdom — 3.8%            

Mondi PLC

    626,407     $ 12,175,991  
   

 

 

 
United States — 33.6%            

CatchMark Timber Trust Inc., Class A

    303,010       2,484,682  

International Paper Co.

    285,703       13,185,193  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    428,062       22,571,709  

Rayonier Inc.

    628,396       25,839,644  

Sylvamo Corp.(a)

    109,346       3,639,035  

Westrock Co.

    272,124       12,797,992  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    674,456       25,561,882  
   

 

 

 
      106,080,137  
   

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 99.5%        

(Cost: $297,553,964)

 

    313,792,145  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares,
0.25%(b)(c)

    470,000       470,000  
   

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
    (Cost: $470,000)
    470,000  
   

 

 

 
Total Investments in Securities — 99.6%
    (Cost: $298,023,964)
    314,262,145  
Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.4%         1,191,423  
   

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%         $315,453,568  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended March 31, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/21
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
03/31/22
    Shares
Held at
03/31/22
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares(a)

  $     $ 1 (b)    $     $ (1   $     $           $  1,153 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    530,000             (60,000 )(b)                  470,000       470,000       55        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (1   $     $ 470,000       $ 1,208     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held.

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 2    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

March 31, 2022

  

iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

             

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     10        06/17/22      $ 2,265        $ 51,530  
             

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 51,530  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended March 31, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 269,234  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Futures contracts

   $ 38,089  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,983,601  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 182,221,079        $ 131,571,066        $        $ 313,792,145  

Money Market Funds

     470,000                            470,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 182,691,079        $ 131,571,066        $        $ 314,262,145  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 51,530        $        $        $ 51,530  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E    O F    I N V E S T M E N T S

  19


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

March 31, 2022

 

     iShares
Global 100 ETF
     iShares
Global
Infrastructure ETF
     iShares
Global
Timber &
Forestry ETF
 

ASSETS

       

Investments in securities, at value (including securities on loan)(a):

       

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 3,825,106,854      $ 3,426,225,542      $ 313,792,145  

Affiliated(c)

    8,396,000        8,050,677        470,000  

Cash

    7,110        9,097        5,895  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    2,629,950        7,576,422        472,757  

Cash pledged:

       

Futures contracts

    752,000        182,000        110,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged:

       

Futures contracts(e)

    282,990        998,649         

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

           151,637,237        16,431,213  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

           749         

Dividends

    6,572,805        4,139,839        1,118,764  

Tax reclaims

    1,451,132        226,794        421,996  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,845,198,841        3,599,047,006        332,822,770  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

           1,934,723         

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

           162,846,222        17,205,092  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    243,217        139,451        29,423  

Investment advisory fees

    1,276,224        1,137,299        107,386  

Professional fees

    36,095               27,193  

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    33,690               108  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,589,226        166,057,695        17,369,202  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,843,609,615      $ 3,432,989,311      $ 315,453,568  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 2,692,966,380      $ 3,255,815,135      $ 310,635,823  

Accumulated earnings

    1,150,643,235        177,174,176        4,817,745  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,843,609,615      $ 3,432,989,311      $ 315,453,568  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    50,600,000        67,600,000        3,540,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 75.96      $ 50.78      $ 89.11  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None        None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 345,124      $  

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 2,535,641,930      $ 2,947,325,341      $ 297,553,964  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 8,396,000      $ 8,049,614      $ 470,000  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 2,625,797      $ 7,470,702      $ 471,274  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 290,800      $ 1,011,334      $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

20  

2 0 2 2    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended March 31, 2022

 

     iShares
Global 100
ETF
     iShares
Global
Infrastructure
ETF
     iShares
Global
Timber &
Forestry ETF
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 74,226,639      $ 88,342,854      $ 7,534,287  

Dividends — Affiliated

    1,334        1,945        55  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

    14,813        375,499        1,153  

Other income — Unaffiliated

    1,958               5,093  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (4,410,102      (5,683,840      (480,758

Foreign withholding tax claims

    136,709               275,723  

IRS Compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    (23,050             (108
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

    69,948,301        83,036,458        7,335,445  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory fees

    14,118,970        12,708,539        1,348,420  

Commitment fees

    1,470        5,178        1,880  

Professional fees

    47,391        217        28,299  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

    14,167,831        12,713,934        1,378,599  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    55,780,470        70,322,524        5,956,846  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    (12,859,829      31,677,803        3,509,321  

Investments — Affiliated

           (791      (1

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

    129,075,365        68,578,399        37,382,306  

Futures contracts

    734,273        2,060,312        269,234  

Foreign currency transactions

    (133,806      (185,797      (58,674
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    116,816,003        102,129,926        41,102,186  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    345,069,624        293,086,004        (34,759,366

Investments — Affiliated

           (1,167       

Futures contracts

    881,588        168,256        38,089  

Foreign currency translations

    (51,228      (358,590      31,865  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    345,899,984        292,894,503        (34,689,412
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    462,715,987        395,024,429        6,412,774  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 518,496,457      $ 465,346,953      $ 12,369,620  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L    S T A T E M E N T S

  21


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
Global 100 ETF
    iShares
Global Infrastructure ETF
 
   

Year Ended

03/31/22

   

Year Ended

03/31/21

   

Year Ended

03/31/22

   

Year Ended

03/31/21

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 55,780,470     $ 43,191,067     $ 70,322,524     $ 78,913,924  

Net realized gain (loss)

    116,816,003       102,579,128       102,129,926       (62,569,876

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    345,899,984       815,086,813       292,894,503       916,470,827  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    518,496,457       960,857,008       465,346,953       932,814,875  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (56,448,560     (40,952,429     (76,469,201     (76,623,860
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    408,496,678       197,592,141       (19,508,370     (534,217,723
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase in net assets

    870,544,575       1,117,496,720       369,369,382       321,973,292  

Beginning of year

    2,973,065,040       1,855,568,320       3,063,619,929       2,741,646,637  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 3,843,609,615     $ 2,973,065,040     $ 3,432,989,311     $ 3,063,619,929  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    iShares
Global Timber & Forestry ETF
 
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 5,956,846     $ 2,792,041  

Net realized gain (loss)

    41,102,186       (6,301,390

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (34,689,412     136,206,632  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    12,369,620       132,697,283  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (4,841,317     (2,647,161
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (24,124,346     28,821,616  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (16,596,043     158,871,738  

Beginning of year

    332,049,611       173,177,873  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 315,453,568     $ 332,049,611  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L    S T A T E M E N T S

  23


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global 100 ETF  
   

Year Ended

03/31/22

 

 

   

Year Ended

03/31/21

 

 

   

Year Ended

03/31/20

 

 

   

Year Ended

03/31/19

 

(a) 

   

Year Ended

03/31/18

 

(a)  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 65.92     $ 44.71     $ 47.57     $ 45.54     $ 40.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    1.16       0.99       1.06       1.14       1.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    10.08       21.16       (2.83     1.97       4.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    11.24       22.15       (1.77     3.11       5.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

         

From net investment income

    (1.20     (0.94     (1.09     (1.08     (1.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.20     (0.94     (1.09     (1.08     (1.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 75.96     $ 65.92     $ 44.71     $ 47.57     $ 45.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    17.11     49.88     (3.91 )%      7.00     13.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

         

Total expenses

    0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.40     N/A       0.40     N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.58     1.71     2.11     2.46     2.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 3,843,610     $ 2,973,065     $ 1,855,568     $ 2,031,281     $ 1,780,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    2     3     5     9     8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Per share amounts reflect a two-for-one stock split effective after the close of trading on May 1, 2018.

 

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

 

(d) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

 

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

2 0 2 2    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Infrastructure ETF  
   

Year Ended

03/31/22

    

Year Ended

03/31/21

   

Year Ended

03/31/20

    

Year Ended

03/31/19

    

Year Ended

03/31/18

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 45.05      $ 33.89     $ 44.78      $ 42.73      $ 42.18  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.04        1.04       1.54        1.34        1.44  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    5.84        11.14       (10.86      2.10        0.45  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    6.88        12.18       (9.32      3.44        1.89  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

            

From net investment income

    (1.15      (1.02     (1.57      (1.39      (1.34
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.15      (1.02     (1.57      (1.39      (1.34
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 50.78      $ 45.05     $ 33.89      $ 44.78      $ 42.73  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

            

Based on net asset value

    15.54      36.27 %(e)       (21.75 )%       8.40      4.37
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

            

Total expenses

    0.40      0.43     0.46      0.46      0.47
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.23      2.57     3.38      3.15      3.24
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 3,432,989      $ 3,063,620     $ 2,741,647      $ 2,825,830      $ 2,503,687  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    16      25     9      19      11
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

 

(c) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

 

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 

(e) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

 

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L    H I G H L I G H T S

  25


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF  
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
     Year Ended
03/31/20
     Year Ended
03/31/19
     Year Ended
03/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 85.14     $ 48.10      $ 63.82      $ 78.11      $ 57.39  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.58 (b)       0.78        0.79        1.57        0.82  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    3.53       37.04        (15.27      (14.25      20.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.11       37.82        (14.48      (12.68      21.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

            

From net investment income

    (1.14     (0.78      (1.24      (1.61      (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.14     (0.78      (1.24      (1.61      (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 89.11     $ 85.14      $ 48.10      $ 63.82      $ 78.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

            

Based on net asset value

    6.04 %(b)       79.23      (23.04 )%       (16.22 )%       37.92
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

            

Total expenses

    0.41     0.43      0.46      0.46      0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.40     N/A        N/A        0.46      N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.78 %(b)       1.15      1.30      2.17      1.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 315,454     $ 332,050      $ 173,178      $ 279,553      $ 440,542  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    18     14      10      18      31
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(b) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the year ended March 31, 2022:

• Net investment income per share by $0.07.

• Total return by 0.09%.

• Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.07%.

 

(c) 

The amounts reported for a share outstanding may not accord with the change in aggregate gains and losses in securities for the fiscal period due to the timing of capital share transactions in relation to the fluctuating market values of the Fund’s underlying securities.

 

(d) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

 

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

2 0 2 2    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements   

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These financial statements relate only to the following funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”):

 

iShares ETF  

Diversification  

Classification  

Global 100

  Diversified  

Global Infrastructure

  Diversified  

Global Timber & Forestry

  Non-diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using prevailing market rates as quoted by one or more data service providers. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of March 31, 2022, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments or obligations.

In-kind Redemptions: For financial reporting purposes, in-kind redemptions are treated as sales of securities resulting in realized capital gains or losses to the Funds. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Funds and are not distributed to existing Fund shareholders, the gains or losses are reclassified from accumulated net realized gain (loss) to paid-in capital at the end of the Funds’ tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

 

N O T E S    T O    F I N A N C I A L    S T A T E M E N T S

  27


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and net realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Dividends and distributions are paid in U.S. dollars and cannot be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, each Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Funds, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Fund’s assets and liabilities:

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last traded price.

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: Each Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an approved bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. The initial collateral received by each Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund or excess collateral is returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, each Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, or its affiliates is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are also disclosed in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of any related cash collateral are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”) which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency) for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Funds, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Funds can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty     
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received
 
 
     Net Amount  

Global Infrastructure

          

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 288,080      $ 288,080     $      $  

HSBC Bank PLC

     57,044        57,044               
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 345,124      $ 345,124     $      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, each Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value of the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of the loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by each Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are exchange-traded agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

6.  

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to the iShares Global 100 ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.40%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

For its investment advisory services to each of the iShares Global Infrastructure and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETFs, BFA is entitled to annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds as follows:

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $10 billion

    0.4800

Over $10 billion, up to and including $20 billion

    0.4300  

Over $20 billion, up to and including $30 billion

    0.3800  

Over $30 billion, up to and including $40 billion

    0.3420  

Over $40 billion

    0.3078  

Prior to July 14, 2021, for its investment advisory services to each of the iShares Global Infrastructure and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETFs, BFA was entitled to annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds as follows:

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $10 billion

    0.480

Over $10 billion, up to and including $20 billion

    0.430  

Over $20 billion, up to and including $30 billion

    0.380  

Over $30 billion

    0.342  

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, is the distributor for each Fund. Pursuant to the distribution agreement, BFA is responsible for any fees or expenses for distribution services provided to the Funds.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), an affiliate of BFA, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BTC bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending, including any custodial costs. Each Fund is responsible for fees in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment fees”). The cash collateral is invested in a money market fund, BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional or BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, managed by BFA, or its affiliates. However, BTC has agreed to reduce the amount of securities lending income it receives in order to effectively limit the collateral investment fees each Fund bears to an annual rate of 0.04%. The SL Agency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money market fund in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the money market fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment fees. Each Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits the remaining portion to BTC as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the iShares Global 100 ETF (the “Group 1 Fund”), retains 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the iShares Global Infrastructure ETF and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (the “Group 2 Fund”), retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across all 1940 Act iShares exchange-traded funds (the “iShares ETF Complex”) in a given calendar year exceeds a specified threshold: (1) the Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund will retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

Prior to January 1, 2022, the Group 1 Fund retained 77% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained was not less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees. Each Group 2 Fund retained 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained was not less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees. In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees generated across the iShares ETF Complex in a calendar year exceeded a specified threshold: (1) the Group 1 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, retained for the remainder of that calendar year 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained could never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees, and (2) each Group 2 Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, retained for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained could never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the year ended March 31, 2022, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Fees Paid
to BTC
 

Global 100

  $ 4,049  

Global Infrastructure

    91,794  

Global Timber & Forestry

    493  

Officers and Trustees: Certain officers and/or trustees of the Trust are officers and/or trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Other Transactions: Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds to which BFA (or an affiliate) serves as investment adviser. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7.

For the year ended March 31, 2022, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

Global 100

  $   12,461,887      $   2,801,840      $ (834,699

Global Infrastructure

    28,851,595        6,374,181        (503,910

Global Timber & Forestry

    4,061,545        224,733        (29,959

Each Fund may invest its positive cash balances in certain money market funds managed by BFA or an affiliate. The income earned on these temporary cash investments is shown as dividends – affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

A fund, in order to improve its portfolio liquidity and its ability to track its underlying index, may invest in shares of other iShares funds that invest in securities in the fund’s underlying index.

 

7.  

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended March 31, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Global 100

  $   121,781,714      $ 73,931,168  

Global Infrastructure

    618,541,702          493,465,484  

Global Timber & Forestry

    60,511,015        60,125,200  

For the year ended March 31, 2022, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind
Sales
 

Global 100

  $   570,803,911      $   212,006,853  

Global Infrastructure

    206,708,260        279,124,658  

Global Timber & Forestry

    119,017,903        137,848,023  

 

8.  

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of March 31, 2022, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of March 31, 2022, permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital      Accumulated
Earnings
 

Global 100

  $ 128,000,549      $ (128,000,549

Global Infrastructure

    55,246,336        (55,246,336

Global Timber & Forestry

    36,094,783        (36,094,783

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Year Ended
03/31/22
     Year Ended
03/31/21
 

Global 100

    

Ordinary income

  $ 56,448,560      $ 40,952,429  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Global Infrastructure

    

Ordinary income

  $ 76,469,201      $ 76,623,860  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Global Timber & Forestry

    

Ordinary income

  $ 4,841,317      $ 2,647,161  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2022, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

iShares ETF    
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss

Carryforwards

 
 

(a) 

    

Net Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

 

(b) 

     Total  

Global 100

  $ 17,773,529      $ (114,796,914    $ 1,247,666,620      $ 1,150,643,235  

Global Infrastructure

    7,975,162        (279,792,184      448,991,198        177,174,176  

Global Timber & Forestry

    1,261,095        (11,070,882      14,627,532        4,817,745  

 

  (a)

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

  (b)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures contracts and characterization of corporate actions.

 

For the year ended March 31, 2022, the Funds listed below utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:

 

iShares ETF   Utilized  

Global Infrastructure

  $ 36,718,485  

Global Timber & Forestry

    3,987,315  

A fund may own shares in certain foreign investment entities, referred to, under U.S. tax law, as “passive foreign investment companies.” Such fund may elect to mark-to-market annually the shares of each passive foreign investment company and would be required to distribute to shareholders any such marked-to-market gains.

As of March 31, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Global 100

  $ 2,585,786,283      $ 1,435,165,553      $ (187,448,982   $ 1,247,716,571  

Global Infrastructure

    2,985,037,670        585,823,057        (136,467,083     449,355,974  

Global Timber & Forestry

    299,661,232        34,833,531        (20,232,618     14,600,913  

 

9.  

LINE OF CREDIT

The Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $300 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which expires on October 15, 2021. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Credit Agreement sets specific sub limits on aggregate borrowings based on two tiers of Participating Funds:

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

$300 million with respect to the funds within Tier 1, including the Funds, and $200 million with respect to Tier 2. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was terminated on August 12, 2021.

Effective August 13, 2021, the Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 12, 2022. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the year ended March 31, 2022, the Funds did not borrow under the Credit Agreement or Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, each Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including, among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate or price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

BFA uses a “passive” or index approach to try to achieve each Fund’s investment objective following the securities included in its underlying index during upturns as well as downturns. BFA does not take steps to reduce market exposure or to lessen the effects of a declining market. Divergence from the underlying index and the composition of the portfolio is monitored by BFA.

The Funds may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a 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. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in that country or those countries may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. 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 Funds’ 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.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the fund’s portfolio.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a Fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates ceased to be published or no longer are representative of the underlying market they seek to measure after December 31, 2021, a selection of widely used USD LIBOR rates will continue to be published through June 2023 in order to assist with the transition. The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR 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. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by each Fund only in aggregations of a specified number of shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) at NAV. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares of each Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

Global 100

       

Shares sold

    8,550,000     $ 627,959,649       7,400,000     $ 411,867,144  

Shares redeemed

    (3,050,000     (219,462,971     (3,800,000     (214,275,003
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    5,500,000     $ 408,496,678       3,600,000     $ 197,592,141  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)   

 

 

 
    Year Ended
03/31/22
    Year Ended
03/31/21
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

Global Infrastructure

       

Shares sold

    5,600,000     $ 265,747,265       3,300,000     $ 125,731,306  

Shares redeemed

    (6,000,000     (285,255,635     (16,200,000     (659,949,029
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (400,000   $ (19,508,370     (12,900,000   $ (534,217,723
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Timber & Forestry

       

Shares sold

    1,380,000     $ 129,168,563       1,020,000     $ 70,906,482  

Shares redeemed

    (1,740,000     (153,292,909     (720,000     (42,084,866
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (360,000   $ (24,124,346     300,000     $ 28,821,616  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Trust generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Trust may be offered in Creation Units solely or partially for cash in U.S. dollars. Investors purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay a purchase transaction fee and a redemption transaction fee directly to State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Trust’s administrator, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

From time to time, settlement of securities related to in-kind contributions or in-kind redemptions may be delayed. In such cases, securities related to in-kind transactions are reflected as a receivable or a payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

12.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The iShares Global 100 ETF and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF have filed claims to recover taxes withheld by Sweden on dividend income based upon certain provisions in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Funds have recorded a receivable for all recoverable taxes withheld by Sweden based upon determinations made by Swedish tax authorities. Professional and other fees associated with the filing of tax claims in Sweden that result in the recovery of foreign withholding taxes have been approved by the Board as appropriate expenses of the Funds. The Funds continue to evaluate developments in Sweden, for potential impacts to the receivables and associated professional fees payable. Swedish tax claims receivable and related liabilities are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Collection of this receivable, and any subsequent payment of associated liabilities, depends upon determinations made by Swedish tax authorities.

The iShares Global 100 ETF is expected to seek a closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to address any prior years’ U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to Fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes. The closing agreement would result in the Fund paying a compliance fee to the IRS, on behalf of its shareholders, representing the estimated tax savings generated from foreign tax credits claimed by Fund shareholders on their tax returns in prior years. The Fund has accrued a liability for the estimated IRS compliance fee related to foreign withholding tax claims, which is disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The actual IRS compliance fee may differ from the estimate and that difference may be material.

 

13.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

N O T E S    T O    F I N A N C I A L    S T A T E M E N T S

  35


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and

Shareholders of iShares Global 100 ETF, iShares Global Infrastructure ETF and iShares Global Timber &

Forestry ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares Global 100 ETF, iShares Global Infrastructure ETF and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (three of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of March 31, 2022, the related statements of operations for the year ended March 31, 2022, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of March 31, 2022, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2022 and each of the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended March 31, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 24, 2022

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022:

 

iShares ETF  

Qualified Dividend    

Income    

Global 100

  $        77,000,091    

Global Infrastructure

  88,038,120    

Global Timber & Forestry

  6,034,080    

The Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022:

 

iShares ETF   Foreign Source
Income Earned
    

Foreign    

Taxes Paid    

Global Infrastructure

  $ 61,901,265      $  5,577,546    

Global Timber & Forestry

    5,758,002      172,307    

The following percentage, or maximum percentage allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

iShares ETF   Dividends-Received    
Deduction    

Global 100

  58.79%

Global Infrastructure

  44.16%

Global Timber & Forestry

  12.42%

 

 

I M P O R T A N T    T A X    I N F O R M A T I O N

  37


Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), iShares Trust (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for iShares Global 100 ETF, iShares Global Infrastructure ETF and iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (the “Funds” or “ETFs”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on December 9, 2021 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program. BlackRock also previously delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the management of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including extended market holidays and the imposition of capital controls in certain non-U.S. countries.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure, with a focus on funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Derivative exposure was also considered in the calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. Finally, a factor for consideration under the Liquidity Rule is a Fund’s use of borrowings for investment purposes. However, the Funds do not borrow for investment purposes.

 

  b)

Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each ETF’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). The Committee may also take into consideration a fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

 

  c)

Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements. The Committee considered that ETFs generally do not hold more than de minimis amounts of cash. While the ETFs generally do not engage in borrowing, certain of the ETFs have the flexibility to draw on a line of credit to meet redemption requests or facilitate settlements.

 

  d)

The relationship between an ETF’s portfolio liquidity and the way in which, and the prices and spreads at which, ETF shares trade, including the efficiency of the arbitrage function and the level of active participation by market participants, including authorized participants. The Committee monitored the prevailing bid/ask spread and the ETF price premium (or discount) to NAV for all ETFs and reviewed any persistent deviations from long-term averages.

 

  e)

The effect of the composition of baskets on the overall liquidity of an ETF’s portfolio. In reviewing the linkage between the composition of custom baskets accepted by an ETF and any significant change in the liquidity profile of such ETF, the Committee reviewed changes in the proportion of each ETF’s portfolio comprised of less liquid and illiquid holdings to determine if applicable thresholds were met requiring enhanced review.

As part of BlackRock’s continuous review of the effectiveness of the Program, the Committee made the following material changes to the Program: (1) updates to certain model components in the Program’s methodology; and (2) certain iShares Funds entered into a $800 million credit agreement with a group of lenders that replaced a previous liquidity facility. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Funds will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will inform them how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

March 31, 2022

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
iShares ETF   Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Capital Gains
    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Share
 

Global 100(a)

  $ 1.191091     $     $ 0.005075     $ 1.196166       100         0 %(b)      100

Global Infrastructure(a)

    1.104536             0.046910       1.151446       96             4       100  

Global Timber & Forestry(a)

    0.991504             0.146704       1.138208       87             13       100  

 

(a) 

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will incrementally reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

(b) 

Rounds to less than 1%.

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

S U P P L E M E N T A L    I N F O R M A T I O N

  39


Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 378 funds as of March 31, 2022. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated John E. Kerrigan as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

     Interested Trustees     
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Robert S. Kapito(a) (65)    Trustee (since 2009).    President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).    Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2009).

Salim Ramji(b)

(51)

   Trustee (since 2019).    Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2019).

 

(a) 

Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b) 

Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

 

Independent Trustees
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E. Kerrigan (66)    Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2022).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares Trust and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2022).
Jane D. Carlin (66)    Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).    Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).
Richard L. Fagnani (67)    Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).    Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)

       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Cecilia H. Herbert (73)    Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2022).    Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).
Drew E. Lawton (63)    Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).    Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017).
John E. Martinez (60)    Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).    Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003).
Madhav V. Rajan (57)    Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).    Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2011).
Officers
  Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past 5 Years
Armando Senra (50)    President (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).
Trent Walker (47)    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.
Charles Park (54)    Chief Compliance Officer (iShares, Inc. and iShares Trust, since 2006; iShares U.S. ETF Trust, since 2011).    Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).
Deepa Damre Smith (46)    Secretary (since 2019).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).
Rachel Aguirre (39)    Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2018); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2018); Head of U.S. iShares Product (since 2022); Head of EII U.S. Product Engineering (since 2021); Co-Head of EII’s Americas Portfolio Engineering (2020-2021); Head of Developed Markets Portfolio Engineering 2021); Head of Developed Markets Portfolio Engineering (2016-2019).
Jennifer Hsui (45)    Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Co-Head of Index Equity (since 2022).

 

 

T R U S T E E    A N D    O F F I C E R    I N F O R M A T I O N

  41


Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Officers (continued)
  Name (Age)    Position(s)   

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

James Mauro (51)    Executive Vice President (since 2021).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2010); Head of Fixed Income Index Investments in the Americas and Head of San Francisco Core Portfolio Management (since 2020).

 

 

 

Effective March 18, 2022, Rachel Aguirre, Jennifer Hsui, and James Mauro have replaced Scott Radell, Alan Mason, and Marybeth Leithead as Executive Vice Presidents.

 

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at iShares.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the iShares Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the iShares Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ending June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737; (2) on the iShares website at iShares.com; and (3) on the SEC website at sec.gov.

A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

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  43


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Equity
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com  |   1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

The iShares Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©2022 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-AR-303-0322

 

 

 

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