LOGO

  OCTOBER 31, 2022

 

   2022 Annual Report

 

iShares U.S. ETF Trust

 

·  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF | NEAR | Cboe BZX

 

·  

BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF | MEAR | Cboe BZX

 

·  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF | ICSH | Cboe BZX


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Significant economic headwinds emerged during the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2022, disrupting the economic recovery and strong financial markets of 2021. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022 before returning to moderate growth in the third quarter, marking a shift to a more challenging post-reopening economic environment. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly weighing on relatively high-valuation growth stocks as inflation decreased the value of future cash flows and investors shifted focus to balance sheet resilience. Both large- and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, although declines for small-capitalization U.S. stocks were slightly steeper. Emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets also declined significantly, pressured by rising interest rates and a strengthening U.S. dollar.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose notably during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to higher inflation and attempted to anticipate its impact on future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, and increasing uncertainty led to higher corporate bond spreads (the difference in yield between U.S. Treasuries and similarly-dated corporate bonds).

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates five times while indicating that additional rate hikes were likely. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and is accelerating the reduction of its balance sheet. As investors attempted to assess the Fed’s future trajectory, the Fed’s statements late in the reporting period led markets to believe that additional tightening is likely in the near term.

The pandemic’s restructuring of the economy brought an ongoing mismatch between supply and demand, contributing to the current inflationary regime. While growth has slowed in 2022, we believe that taming inflation requires a more dramatic economic decline to bring demand back to a lower level that is more in line with the economy’s capacity. The Fed has been raising interest rates at the fastest pace in decades, and seems set to overtighten in its effort to get inflation back to target. With this in mind, we believe the possibility of a U.S. recession in the near-term is high, and the outlook for Europe and the U.K. is also troubling. Investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

In this environment, while we favor an overweight to equities in the long-term, the market’s concerns over excessive rate hikes from central banks moderate our outlook. Rising input costs and a deteriorating economic backdrop in China and Europe are likely to challenge corporate earnings, so we are underweight equities overall in the near term. However, we see better opportunities in credit, where higher spreads provide income opportunities and partially compensate for inflation risk. We believe that investment-grade corporates, local-currency emerging market debt, and inflation-protected bonds (particularly in Europe) offer strong opportunities for a six- to twelve-month horizon.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, 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.

 

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

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

U.S. large cap equities

(S&P 500® Index)

    (5.50 )%      (14.61 )% 
   

U.S. small cap equities

(Russell 2000® Index)

    (0.20     (18.54
   

International equities

(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

    (12.70     (23.00
   

Emerging market equities

(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (19.66     (31.03
   

3-month Treasury bills

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

    0.72       0.79  
   

U.S. Treasury securities

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

    (8.24     (17.68
   

U.S. investment grade bonds

(Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    (6.86     (15.68
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds

(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    (4.43     (11.98
   

U.S. high yield bonds

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

    (4.71     (11.76
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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Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Annual Report:

  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     11  

Disclosure of Expenses

     11  

Schedules of Investments

     12  

Financial Statements:

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     34  

Statements of Operations

     35  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     36  

Financial Highlights

     38  

Notes to Financial Statements

     41  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     50  

Important Tax Information

     51  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     52  

Supplemental Information

     58  

Trustee and Officer Information

     59  

General Information

     62  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     63  


Market Overview

 

iShares U.S. ETF Trust

U.S. Bond Market Overview

The U.S. bond market experienced a considerable decline for the 12 months ended October 31, 2022 (the “reporting period”). The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, a broad measure of U.S. fixed-income performance, returned -15.68%.

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) shift toward tighter monetary policy was the primary factor driving the market downturn. Annualized consumer price inflation, which had been under 3.0% for over a decade, began to rise throughout 2021 and ultimately climbed above 6.0% in the year’s fourth calendar quarter. The inflation picture soon grew even more challenging following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, which—together with the resulting sanctions—further snarled global supply chains and contributed to a spike in energy prices. Inflation exceeded 8.0% in March 2022 and remained above that level through the end of the reporting period, with a peak of 9.1% in June.

The Fed moved aggressively in an effort to calm price pressures, ending its stimulative quantitative easing program and boosting interest rates from a range of 0.0%-0.25% to 3.0-3.25% in five separate increases from March to September 2022. This marked the largest move in such a short interval since 1980. In addition, the Fed appeared set to continue raising rates until inflation showed signs of returning closer to its longer-term target of 2%. Some evidence began to emerge later in the period that the Fed’s rate hikes had begun to reduce activity in certain segments of the economy, but there was still no sign that consumer price inflation had started to decline in a meaningful fashion. As a result, market prices at the end of October indicated that the central bank would not stop tightening until rates reached the 4.5-5.0% range.

These circumstances weighed heavily on bond market performance. The yield on the two-year U.S. Treasury note rose from 0.50% at the beginning of the period to 4.48% by the end of October 2022, while the 10-year yield climbed from 1.55% to 4.05%. The yield curve inverted significantly as result, meaning that short-term yields were higher those on longer-term debt. In late September, the yield curve moved to its largest inversion since 1982.

The surge in U.S. Treasury yields, together with investors’ increased aversion to risk, fueled weakness across all sectors of the bond market. Mortgage-backed securities, which were hurt by concerns about the housing market and the loss of demand stemming from Fed’s decision to end its quantitative easing policy, posted negative returns. Still, the category held up better than the broader index.

Investment-grade corporate bonds were among the worst-performing segments of the market. In addition to being adversely affected by rising Treasury yields, the asset class was pressured by a pronounced increase in yield spreads. The latter trend reflected concerns that weaker economic growth could lead to a slowdown in corporate earnings. Notably, the yield on corporate bonds—as gauged by the ICE BofA US Corporate Index—closed the period at the highest level since 2009.

High yield bonds also experienced sizable losses. As was the case with investment-grade corporates, a rise in both prevailing yields and yield spreads weighed heavily on performance. However, the category outperformed the investment-grade market due to its lower interest-rate sensitivity and higher weighting in the energy sector. Higher-rated issuers in the category—which are seen as having the least vulnerability to slowing growth—generally outperformed their lower-quality counterparts.

 

 

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Fund Summary as of October 31, 2022    BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

 

Investment Objective

The BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to maximize current income by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade fixed income securities and maintain a weighted average maturity that is less than three years. The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

Performance

 

     Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
                  
      1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

     (0.75 )%       1.28      1.20       (0.75 )%       6.56      11.51

Fund Market

     (0.77      1.27        1.20         (0.77      6.49        11.47  

Bloomberg Short-Term Government/Corporate Index

     (0.11      1.23        0.91               (0.11      6.29        8.55  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSETVALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was September 25, 2013. The first day of secondary market trading was September 26, 2013.

The Bloomberg Short-Term Government/Corporate Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of government and corporate securities with less than 1 year remaining to maturity.

Past performance is not an indication 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” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      1,001.10          $      1.26               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.90          $      1.28          0.25

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (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 “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2022  (continued)    BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

The annual period was characterized by high volatility and poor performance for risk assets. In the United States, inflation reached 40-year highs following the lifting of COVID-related restrictions. This prompted a dramatic response from the U.S. Federal Reserve, including 300 basis points (three percentage points) of interest-rate hikes. Short-term bonds, while having less sensitivity than the overall market, were nonetheless adversely affected by these events. However, the -0.11% return for the Bloomberg Short-Term Government/Corporate Index (the Fund’s benchmark) was well ahead of the -15.68% return versus the broader fixed-income market, as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

The Fund underperformed its benchmark. In absolute terms, the bulk of the Fund’s negative absolute return occurred in the first half of the period. In the latter half, income helped offset the effect of declining prices.

The Fund’s largest allocations were to U.S. investment-grade corporate issues and non-U.S. investment-grade corporates, respectively. Both categories experienced negative total returns as yield spreads widened to reflect mounting recession concerns, detracting from Fund performance. Toward the end of the period, the Fund increased its allocations to U.S. investment-grade corporate bonds and asset-backed securities to capitalize on higher yields.

On the positive side, the Fund benefited from its defensive positioning. About 11% of the portfolio was held in cash-like securities during the period, helping relative performance. Holdings in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), which are better insulated against rising interest rates due to their floating-rate feature, were also beneficial.

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Investment Type    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Corporate Bonds & Notes

    66.8

Asset-Backed Securities

    21.9  

Collaterized Mortgage Obligations

    6.8  

Repurchase Agreements

    2.5  

Commercial Paper

    2.0  

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

 

Moody’s Credit Rating*    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Aaa

    17.1

Aa

    3.6  

A

    30.5  

Baa

    34.4  

Ba

    0.7  

P-1

    0.2  

P-2

    1.1  

P-3

    0.5  

Not Rated

    11.9  

 

  *

Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Moody’s credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Ba or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.

 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of October 31, 2022     BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF

 

Investment Objective

The BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to maximize tax-free current income by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities such that the interest on each bond is exempt from U.S. federal income taxes and the federal alternative minimum tax. Under normal circumstances, the effective duration of the Fund’s portfolio is expected to be 1.2 years or less, as calculated by the management team, and is not expected to exceed 1.5 years. The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

Performance

 

      Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    (0.51 )%       0.81      0.81       (0.51 )%       4.13      6.34

Fund Market

    (0.42      0.82        0.82         (0.42      4.17        6.42  

Bloomberg Municipal Bond: 1 Year (1-2) Index

    (2.20      0.72        0.73               (2.20      3.64        5.72  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was March 3, 2015. The first day of secondary market trading was March 5, 2015.

The Bloomberg Municipal Bond: 1 Year (1-2) Index is an unmanaged index comprised of national municipal bond issues having a maturity of at least one year and less than two years.

Past performance is not an indication 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” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
Beginning        Ending        Expenses           Beginning        Ending        Expenses        Annualized  
Account Value        Account Value        Paid During           Account Value        Account Value        Paid During        Expense  
  (05/01/22)          (10/31/22)          the Period (a)              (05/01/22)          (10/31/22)          the Period (a)         Ratio  
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,003.70        $ 1.26             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.90        $ 1.28          0.25

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (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 “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y   7


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2022  (continued)    BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

The annual period was characterized by high volatility and poor performance for risk assets. In the United States, inflation reached 40-year highs following the lifting of COVID-related restrictions. This prompted a dramatic response from the U.S. Federal Reserve, including 300 basis points (three percentage points) of interest-rate hikes. Short-term bonds, while having less rate sensitivity than the overall fixed-income market, were nonetheless adversely affected by these events. Bonds with lower credit quality lagged, as yield spreads widened to reflect mounting concerns that the economy would fall into a recession.

The -2.17% return for the Bloomberg the Bloomberg Municipal Bond: 1 Year (1-2) Index (the Fund’s benchmark) was well ahead of the -15.68% return versus the broader fixed-income market, as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

The Fund outperformed its benchmark. The Fund invests predominately in short-term, fixed-rate, investment-grade municipal bonds and variable-rate demand notes (“VRDNs”), which are longer-maturity securities with floating-rate coupons. VRDNs produced positive total returns in the 12-month period, so the Fund’s holdings in this area contributed to relative performance. The Fund increased its allocation to VRDNs from about 43% to 60% over the reporting period to better position the portfolio for rising rates.

From a sector perspective, tobacco, utility and education bonds delivered positive returns, while transportation issues lagged. Positions in higher-quality securities generally outperformed, with AA rated issues contributing positively. On the other hand, BBB rated bonds detracted due to widening yield spreads.

Portfolio Information

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

 

S&P Credit Rating*    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

AAA

    2.9

AA+

    12.5  

AA

    8.6  

AA-

    5.3  

A+

    5.7  

A

    5.4  

A-

    13.3  

BBB+

    5.4  

BBB

    0.7  

Not Rated

    40.2  

TEN LARGEST STATES

 

State    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Texas

    11.1

Pennsylvania

    9.5  

New Jersey

    7.6  

New York

    7.4  

Kentucky

    6.6  

Florida

    6.2  

Louisiana

    5.5  

Wisconsin

    5.1  

Georgia

    4.9  

Iowa

    4.0  

 

  *

Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by S&P Global Ratings, a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. S&P credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BBB or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BB or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.

 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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Fund Summary as of October 31, 2022     BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

 

Investment Objective

The BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade fixed- and floating-rate debt securities and maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity that is less than 180 days. The Fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index.

Performance

 

      Average Annual Total Returns             Cumulative Total Returns  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    0.03      1.49      1.19       0.03      7.67      11.10

Fund Market

    (0.03      1.48        1.19         (0.03      7.63        11.06  

ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index

    0.53        1.26        0.91               0.53        6.47        8.40  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSETVALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was December 11, 2013. The first day of secondary market trading was December 13, 2013.

On 3/1/2021 the Fund began referencing the 4pm pricing variant of the ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index. Historical index data prior to 3/1/2021 is for the 3pm pricing variant of the ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index. Index data on and after 3/1/2021 is for the 4pm pricing variant of the ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index.

Past performance is not an indication 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” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
Beginning        Ending        Expenses           Beginning        Ending        Expenses        Annualized  
Account Value        Account Value        Paid During           Account Value        Account Value        Paid During        Expense  
  (05/01/22)          (10/31/22)          the Period (a)              (05/01/22)          (10/31/22)          the Period (a)         Ratio  
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,005.30        $ 0.40             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.80        $ 0.41          0.08

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (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 “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2022  (continued)    BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

The annual period was characterized by high volatility and poor performance for risk assets. In the United States, inflation reached 40-year highs following the lifting of COVID-related restrictions. This prompted a dramatic response from the U.S. Federal Reserve, including 300 basis points (three percentage points) of interest-rate hikes. Short-term bonds, while having less sensitivity than the overall market, were nonetheless adversely affected by these events. Bonds with lower credit quality lagged, as yield spreads widened to reflect mounting concerns that the economy would fall into a recession.

The Fund’s benchmark, the ICE BofA US 6-Month Treasury Bill Index, returned 0.53% and strongly outperformed the -15.68% return of the overall fixed-income market, as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

The Fund posted a narrow gain, with income slightly outweighing the impact of falling prices. Relative to the broader market, the Fund benefitted from its defensive positioning. It had a shorter average duration (interest-rate sensitivity) and held a large position in cash and cash equivalents. Commercial paper, which represented about 39% of the Fund’s market value on average, was the primary source of positive total returns. Certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements, and a small allocation to municipal securities were also additive to Fund performance. Positions in these areas helped offset losses from holdings in investment-grade corporate bonds.

Over the course of the year, the Fund reduced its allocations to investment-grade corporate bonds and increased its weighting in commercial paper. Within corporates, the Fund added to floating-rate notes since they are better insulated against interest-rate increases than fixed-rate securities.

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Investment Type    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Commercial Paper

    39.5

Corporate Bonds & Notes

    36.8  

Certificates of Deposit

    15.7  

Repurchase Agreements

    3.4  

Municipal Debt Obligations

    2.4  

Asset-Backed Securities

    2.1  

U.S. Government & Agency Obligations

    0.1  

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

 

Moody’s Credit Rating*    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Aaa

    2.1

Aa

    8.0  

A

    23.3  

Baa

    10.2  

P-1

    35.3  

P-2

    17.4  

Not Rated

    3.7  

 

  *

Credit quality ratings shown reflect the ratings assigned by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), a widely used independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Moody’s credit ratings are opinions of the credit quality of individual obligations or of an issuer’s general creditworthiness. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of Ba or lower. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.

 
  (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. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. 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.

Disclosure of 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 the 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 the 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 / D I S C L O S U R E    O F    E X P E N S E S  

11


Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities

 

ACAS CLO Ltd., 5.08%, 10/18/28 (Call 01/18/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.890%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,617     $ 1,576,627  

AGL Core CLO 4 Ltd., 5.31%, 04/20/33 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.070%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,400       1,356,171  

AIG CLO Ltd., 5.36%, 04/20/32 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.120%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,000       973,018  

Ally Auto Receivables Trust, 2.67%, 04/15/25 (Call 11/15/23)

    USD       20,041       19,805,873  

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, Series 2018-9, Class A, 3.79%, 04/15/26, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.380%)(b)

    USD       17,650       17,653,025  

AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust 2022-2, 4.20%, 12/18/25 (Call 03/18/24)

    USD       8,903       8,830,302  

Anchorage Capital CLO 4-R Ltd., Series 2014-4RA, Class A, 5.42%, 01/28/31 (Call 01/28/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.050%)(a)(b)

    USD       4,500       4,419,555  

Anchorage Capital CLO 7 Ltd., Series 2015-7A, Class AR2, 5.46%, 01/28/31 (Call 01/28/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.090%)(a)(b)

    USD       13,840       13,579,249  

Apidos CLO XII, 5.16%, 04/15/31 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.080%)(a)(b)

    USD       500       487,605  

Arbor Realty Commercial Real Estate Notes Ltd., 4.48%, 08/15/34 (Call 03/15/24), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.070%)(a)(b)

    USD       14,450       13,804,425  

ASSURANT CLO Ltd., Series 2018-2A, Class A, 5.28%, 04/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.040%)(a)(b)

    USD       250       242,779  

Atlas Senior Loan Fund III Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class AR, 3.77%, 11/17/27 (Call 11/17/22), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.830%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,544       5,463,930  

Atrium XIII, Series 13A, Class A1, 5.50%, 11/21/30 (Call 01/23/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.180%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,500       2,459,023  

Autoflorence 2 SRL
1.64%, 12/24/44 (Call 10/24/26)(b)(c)

    EUR       10,320       10,087,571  

1.69%, 12/24/44 (Call 10/24/26)(b)(c)

    EUR       898       857,541  

Autonoria Spain FTA
1.82%, 01/25/40 (Call 03/25/28)(b)(c)

    EUR       8,500       8,379,962  

2.98%, 01/26/40 (Call 03/25/28)(b)(c)

    EUR       500       488,492  

Bain Capital Credit CLO Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class A1R, 5.21%, 07/20/30 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.970%)(a)(b)

    USD       3,149       3,085,944  

Barings CLO Ltd.

     

5.31%, 04/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.070%)(a)(b)

    USD       550       535,425  

5.41%, 01/15/33 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.330%)(a)(b)

    USD       3,850       3,735,114  

BDS 2021-FL9 Ltd., 4.51%, 11/16/38 (Call 10/16/23), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.070%)(a)(b)

    USD       8,750       8,316,272  

Benefit Street Partners CLO III Ltd., Series 2013-IIIA, Class A1R2, 5.24%, 07/20/29 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       258       254,191  

Benefit Street Partners CLO VIII Ltd., Series 2015-8A, Class A1AR, 5.34%, 01/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.100%)(a)(b)

    USD       750       732,375  

Benefit Street Partners Clo XII Ltd., 5.03%, 10/15/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.950%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,678       1,643,272  

BHG Securitization Trust, 3.75%, 06/18/35 (Call 04/17/24)(a)

    USD       1,264       1,244,048  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  

BMW Vehicle Owner Trust, 3.52%, 12/26/24 (Call 11/27/23), (30 day SOFR + 0.520%)(b)

    USD       13,636     $   13,631,282  

Capital One Prime Auto Receivables Trust, 2.71%, 06/16/25 (Call 02/15/24)

    USD       15,385       15,141,652  

Carlyle C17 CLO Ltd., Series C17A, Class A1AR, 5.44%, 04/30/31 (Call 01/30/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.030%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,000       975,000  

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class A1R2, 5.05%, 04/17/31 (Call 01/17/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.970%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,234       5,090,149  

Carmax Auto Owner Trust, 3.81%, 09/15/25 (Call 05/15/24)

    USD       8,777       8,660,188  

Cbam Ltd., Series 2018-7A, Class A, 5.34%, 07/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.100%)(a)(b)

    USD       750       723,750  

Cedar Funding IX CLO Ltd., 5.22%, 04/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.980%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,130       2,073,198  

Chesapeake Funding II LLC, Series 2020-1A, Class A2, 4.06%, 08/15/32 (Call 05/15/23), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.650%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,271       5,258,761  

CIFC Funding Ltd.

     

Series 2014-2RA, Class A1, 5.37%, 04/24/30 (Call 01/24/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.050%)(a)(b)

    USD       248       243,005  

Series 2018-1A, Class A, 5.19%, 04/18/31 (Call 01/18/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       13,000       12,642,500  

Series 2018-2A, Class A1, 5.28%, 04/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.040%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,250       1,216,960  

Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, Series 2019-A5, Class A5, 4.19%, 04/22/26, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.620%)(b)

    USD       40,505       40,456,378  

College Ave Student Loans LLC, Series 2021-A, Class A1, 4.69%, 07/25/51 (Call 02/25/32), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.100%)(a)(b)

    USD       216       206,452  

Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust, Series 2021-3A, Class A, 1.00%, 05/15/30 (Call 07/15/24)(a)

    USD       4,130       3,878,505  

Diameter Capital Clo 1 Ltd., 5.32%, 07/15/36 (Call 10/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.240%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,170       2,078,550  

Donlen Fleet Lease Funding 2 LLC, Series 2021-2, Class A2, 0.56%, 12/11/34(a)

    USD       8,581       8,256,661  

Dowson PLC

     

3.11%, 01/20/29 (Call 09/20/24)(b)(c)

    GBP       3,079       3,510,882  

3.94%, 01/20/29 (Call 04/22/25)(b)(c)

    GBP       646       716,789  

4.89%, 08/20/29 (Call 02/20/24)(b)(c)

    GBP       1,158       1,298,138  

Series 2021-2, Class A, 2.87%, 10/20/28 (Call 11/20/23), (Sterning Ovenight Index Average + 0.680%)(b)(c)

    GBP       4,398       5,027,201  

Series 2021-2, Class B, 3.39%, 10/20/28 (Call 05/20/24), (Sterning Ovenight Index Average + 1.200%)(b)(c)

    GBP       1,600       1,793,191  

Dryden 36 Senior Loan Fund, 5.10%, 04/15/29 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.020%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,680       1,650,797  

Dryden 49 Senior Loan Fund, Series 2017-49A, Class AR, 5.14%, 07/18/30 (Call 01/18/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.950%)(a)(b)

    USD       10,688       10,489,671  

Dryden 77 CLO Ltd., Series 2020-77A, Class XR, 3.98%, 05/20/34 (Call 05/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       234       233,015  

Dryden XXVI Senior Loan Fund, Series 2013-26A, Class AR, 4.98%, 04/15/29 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b)

    USD       14,728       14,456,080  

Dryden XXVIII Senior Loan Fund, 4.11%, 08/15/30 (Call 11/15/22), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.200%)(a)(b)

    USD       3,333       3,277,069  

 

 

12  

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


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  

Dutch Property Finance, Series 2021-2, Class A, 2.28%, 04/28/59
(Call 04/28/26)(b)(c)

    EUR       5,724     $ 5,524,773  

Dutch Property Finance BV, 0.96%, 10/28/59 (Call 01/28/27)(b)(c)

    EUR       7,979       7,681,099  

Elevation CLO Ltd., Series 2014-2A, Class A1R, 5.36%, 10/15/29 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.230%)(a)(b)

    USD       420       413,297  

Elmwood CLO X Ltd., Series 2021-3A, Class A, 5.28%, 10/20/34 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.040%)(a)(b)

    USD       13,000       12,497,213  

Elvet Mortgages PLC, Series 2021-1, Class A, 2.56%, 10/22/63
(Call 10/22/26)(b)(c)

    GBP       9,348       10,567,590  

Enterprise Fleet Funding LLC, Series 2021-1, Class A2, 0.44%, 12/21/26 (Call 04/20/24)(a)

    USD       7,327       7,066,531  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, 3.44%, 02/15/25 (Call 01/15/24)

    USD       27,812           27,537,284  

FS Rialto Issuer LLC, 4.79%, 01/19/39 (Call 04/17/24), (SOFR + 1.900%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,000       4,806,531  

Galaxy XV CLO Ltd., Series 2013-15A, Class ARR, 5.05%, 10/15/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.970%)(a)(b)

    USD       670       652,366  

Galaxy XXVII CLO Ltd., 3.94%, 05/16/31 (Call 11/16/22)(a)(b)

    USD       2,730       2,659,852  

Generate CLO 2 Ltd., 5.47%, 01/22/31 (Call 01/22/23)(a)(b)

    USD       1,605       1,572,969  

Gilbert Park CLO Ltd., 5.27%, 10/15/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.190%)(a)(b)

    USD       250       244,494  

GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust, 2.93%, 10/21/24 (Call 01/20/24)

    USD       18,952       18,667,605  

GoldenTree Loan Opportunities IX Ltd., Series 2014-9A, Class AR2, 5.52%, 10/29/29 (Call 01/29/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.110%)(a)(b)

    USD       15,721       15,411,730  

HGI CRE CLO Ltd., 4.41%, 09/17/36 (Call 09/19/23), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,380       5,135,561  

Highbridge Loan Management, Series 3A-2014, Class A1R, 5.37%, 07/18/29 (Call 01/18/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.180%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,087       1,068,193  

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 3.81%, 03/18/25 (Call 03/18/24)

    USD       12,396       12,257,683  

Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust, 3.41%, 10/15/24 (Call 11/15/23), (30 day SOFR + 0.620%)(a)(b)

    USD       23,490       23,485,435  

Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust, 3.64%, 05/15/25 (Call 04/15/24)

    USD       10,808       10,687,180  

John Deere Owner Trust, 3.73%, 06/16/25 (Call 04/15/24)

    USD       8,735       8,620,355  

KKR CLO 21 Ltd., 5.08%, 04/15/31 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,590       5,434,511  

KREF Ltd., 4.92%, 02/17/39 (Call 01/17/24)(a)(b)

    USD       9,360       9,009,000  

LCM 29 Ltd., Series 29A, Class AR, 5.15%, 04/15/31 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.070%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,600       2,528,503  

LoanCore Issuer Ltd., 4.71%, 11/15/38 (Call 11/15/23), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.300%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,640       2,521,379  

Madison Park Funding XIII Ltd., Series 2014-13A, Class AR2, 5.18%, 04/19/30 (Call 01/19/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.950%)(a)(b)

    USD       3,775       3,708,277  

Madison Park Funding XVII Ltd., Series 2015-17A, Class AR2, 5.28%, 07/21/30 (Call 01/21/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,784       1,748,624  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  

Madison Park Funding XXIII Ltd., Series 2017-23A, Class AR, 5.33%, 07/27/31 (Call 01/27/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.970%)(a)(b)

    USD       13,200     $     12,936,000  

Madison Park Funding XXVI Ltd., Series 2007-4A, Class AR,
5.61%, 07/29/30,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.200%)(a)(b)

    USD       4,875       4,788,264  

Madison Park Funding XXXVII Ltd., 5.15%, 07/15/33 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.070%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,750       1,694,704  

Mariner CLO LLC, Series 2016-3A, Class AR2, 5.31%, 07/23/29 (Call 01/23/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.990%)(a)(b)

    USD       951       933,134  

MF1 Multifamily Housing Mortgage Loan Trust, 4.54%, 07/16/36 (Call 07/16/23), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.100%)(a)(b)

    USD       4,520       4,333,109  

Multifamily Housing Mortgage Loan Trust, 4.24%, 02/19/37 (Call 02/17/24)(a)(b)

    USD       1,860       1,788,422  

Navient Private Education Loan Trust

     

Series 2017-A, Class A2B, 4.31%, 12/16/58 (Call 09/16/24), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b)

    USD       336       334,258  

Series 2020-IA, Class A1B, 4.41%, 04/15/69 (Call 05/15/31), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       6,104       5,899,653  

Navient Private Education Refi Loan Trust

     

Series 2021-BA, Class A, 0.94%, 07/15/69 (Call 09/15/28)(a)

    USD       5,997       5,028,998  

Series 2021-DA, Class A, 4.26%, 04/15/60 (Call 05/15/32), (PRIME - 1.990%)(a)(b)

    USD       7,421       6,520,625  

Nelnet Student Loan Trust

     

4.18%, 04/20/62 (Call 03/20/29), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.690%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,929       2,823,972  

4.23%, 04/20/62 (Call 08/20/29), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.740%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,622       5,378,625  

Series 2021-A, Class A1, 4.29%, 04/20/62 (Call 02/20/29), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.800%)(a)(b)

    USD       7,080       6,893,096  

Series 2021-BA, Class AFL, 4.27%, 04/20/62 (Call 07/20/29), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.780%)(a)(b)

    USD       12,259       11,817,611  

Neuberger Berman CLO Ltd., Series 2013-14A, Class AR2, 5.40%, 01/28/30 (Call 01/28/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.990%)(a)(b)

    USD       488       478,798  

Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO 33 Ltd., 5.16%, 10/16/33 (Call 01/16/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.080%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,050       1,986,636  

Niagara Park Clo Ltd., 5.08%, 07/17/32 (Call 01/17/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,500       2,408,750  

Nissan Auto Lease Trust, 3.45%, 08/15/24 (Call 11/15/23)

    USD       14,548       14,379,879  

NLY Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-FL2, Class A, 4.71%, 02/15/36 (Call 11/15/22), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.300%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,226       1,213,921  

OCP CLO Ltd., Series 2017-13A, 5.04%, 07/15/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.960%)(a)(b)

    USD       3,820       3,728,003  

Octagon Investment Partners XVII Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class A1R2, 5.36%, 01/25/31 (Call 01/25/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       3,000       2,936,579  

OneMain Direct Auto Receivables Trust, 4.37%, 03/14/29 (Call 09/15/25)(a)(b)

    USD       8,825       8,793,219  

OneMain Financial Issuance Trust

     

3.53%, 06/16/36 (Call 06/14/26), (SOFR + 0.760%)(a)(b

    USD       5,108       4,687,385  

3.84%, 05/14/32 (Call 11/14/22)(a)

    USD       2,893       2,857,277  

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security           Par
(000)
     Value  

Palmer Square CLO Ltd.

       

5.23%, 10/17/31 (Call 01/19/23),
(3 mo. LIBOR US +
1.000%)(a)(b)

 

 

USD

 

  

 

1,800

 

  

$

1,743,566

 

Series 2015-2, 5.34%, 07/20/30 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.100%)(a)(b)

    USD        3,603        3,524,968  

Series 2021-3A, Class A1, 5.23%, 01/15/35 (Call 01/15/24)(a)(b)

    USD        500        477,395  

Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd., 4.08%, 01/15/31
(Call 10/15/23)(a)(b)

    USD        5,080        5,075,539  

PCL Funding V PLC, 2.94%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/23)(b)(c)

    GBP        3,000        3,400,414  

PCL Funding VI PLC, 3.59%, 07/15/26 (Call 07/15/24)(b)(c)

    GBP        6,611        7,549,270  

PFS Financing Corp., 3.39%, 02/15/26, (SOFR + 0.600%)(a)(b)

    USD        22,642            22,467,638  

Pikes Peak CLO 1, Series 2018-1A, Class A, 5.50%, 07/24/31 (Call 01/24/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.180%)(a)(b)

    USD        1,500        1,459,420  

Prodigy Finance CM2021-1 DAC, Series 2021-1A, Class A, 4.84%, 07/25/51 (Call 02/25/27), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.250%)(a)(b)

    USD        1,424        1,371,513  

Red & Black Auto Germany 8 UG, Class B, 1.60%, 09/15/30 (Call 11/15/25)(b)(c)

    EUR        400        385,306  

Red & Black Auto Italy S.r.l., Class A, 1.81%, 12/28/31 (Call 09/28/25)(b)(c)

    EUR        12,452        12,186,057  

Romark WM-R Ltd., Series 2018-1A, Class A1, 5.27%, 04/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.030%)(a)(b)

    USD        3,879        3,799,051  

RR 3 Ltd., Series 2018-3A, Class A1R2, 5.17%, 01/15/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.090%)(a)(b)

    USD        2,000        1,958,902  

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust
2.76%, 03/17/25 (Call 08/15/23)

    USD        15,464        15,357,487  

4.05%, 07/15/25 (Call 11/15/23)

    USD        7,792        7,736,275  

Satus PLC

       

2.89%, 08/17/28 (Call 01/17/24), (Sterning Ovenight Index Average + 0.700%)(b)(c)

    GBP        524        597,791  

3.39%, 08/17/28 (Call 07/17/24), (Sterning Ovenight Index Average + 1.200%)(b)(c)

    GBP        400        453,215  

3.79%, 08/17/28 (Call 01/17/25), (Sterning Ovenight Index Average + 1.600%)(b)(c)

    GBP        300        334,838  

Shackleton Clo Ltd., Series 2017-11A, 4.00%, 08/15/30 (Call 11/15/22), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.090%)(a)(b)

    USD        2,750        2,697,770  

Shackleton CLO Ltd., Series 2015-7R, 5.23%, 07/15/31 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.150%)(a)(b)

    USD        2,750        2,678,804  

Signal Peak CLO 2 LLC, Series 2015-1A, Class AR2, 5.22%, 04/20/29 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.980%)(a)(b)

    USD        1,351        1,324,678  

Silver Creek CLO Ltd., 5.48%, 07/20/30 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.240%)(a)(b)

    USD        6,006        5,913,289  

Silverstone Master Issuer PLC, 2.48%, 01/21/70
(Call 04/21/27)(b)(c)

    GBP        3,485        3,906,323  

SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust

       

Series 2004-A, Class A3, 3.69%, 06/15/33 (Call 12/15/22), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.400%)(b)

    USD        3,121        3,035,675  

Series 2004-B, Class A3, 3.62%, 03/15/24 (Call 12/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.330%)(b)

    USD        2,121        2,113,180  

Series 2005-A, Class A4, 3.60%, 12/15/38 (Call 12/15/26), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.310%)(b)

    USD        6,900        6,534,510  
Security           Par
(000)
     Value  

Series 2005-B, Class A4, 3.62%, 06/15/39 (Call 09/15/26), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.330%)(b)

    USD        4,875      $ 4,649,147  

Series 2006-A, Class A5, 3.58%, 06/15/39 (Call 09/15/28), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.290%)(b)

    USD        10,897        10,207,584  

Series 2006-B, Class A5, 3.56%, 12/15/39 (Call 09/15/27), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.270%)(b)

    USD        7,801        7,336,079  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust

       

4.24%, 02/16/55, (30 day SOFR + 1.450%)(a)(b)

    USD        11,449        11,079,701  

4.64%, 05/16/50, (SOFR + 1.850%)(a)(b)

    USD        5,288        5,258,243  

4.75%, 10/15/58

    USD        21,335            21,012,963  

Series 2017-A, Class A2B, 4.31%, 09/15/34, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b)

    USD        9,903        9,765,437  

Series 2021-C, Class A1, 3.81%, 01/15/53, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.400%)(a)(b)

    USD        371        371,127  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC, Series 16-C, Class A1, 4.69%, 10/27/36 (Call 11/25/22), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.100%)(a)(b)

    USD        363        363,290  

Sound Point Clo XV Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class ARR, 5.22%, 01/23/29 (Call 01/23/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b)

    USD        2,124        2,090,942  

Sound Point CLO XXVIII Ltd., Series 2020 3A, Class A1, 5.64%, 01/25/32 (Call 01/25/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.280%)(a)(b)

    USD        1,250        1,210,180  

Southwick Park CLO LLC, 5.30%, 07/20/32 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.060%)(a)(b) 

    USD        8,760        8,447,705  

Symphony CLO XVI Ltd., Series 2015-16A, Class AR, 5.23%, 10/15/31 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.150%)(a)(b)

    USD        500        487,826  

TAGUS - Sociedade de Titularizacao de Creditos SA/Ulisses Finance No. 2, 1.64%, 09/23/38
(Call 02/23/28)(b)(c)

    EUR        11,819        11,635,220  

TCI-Symphony CLO Ltd.

       

4.96%, 10/13/32 (Call 01/13/23),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.020%)(a)(b)

    USD        5,235        5,069,056  

5.01%, 07/15/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US +
0.930%)(a)(b)

    USD        7,958        7,789,664  

TICP CLO IX Ltd., Series 2017-9A, Class A, 5.38%, 01/20/31 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.140%)(a)(b)

    USD        500        488,772  

Together Asset-Backed Securitisation PLC, 2.89%, 07/12/63 (Call 10/12/25)(b)(c)

    GBP        2,350        2,622,027  

Verizon Owner Trust, Series 2020-A, Class A1B, 3.76%, 07/22/24 (Call 04/20/23), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.270%)(b)

    USD        2,536        2,534,043  

Volkswagen Auto Lease Trust, 3.20%, 10/21/24 (Call 01/20/24)

    USD        20,878        20,536,561  

Voya CLO, Series 2017-2A, Class A1R, 5.06%, 06/07/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.980%)(a)(b)

    USD        5,122        5,017,154  

Voya CLO Ltd., 5.14%, 04/15/31 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.060%)(a)(b)

    USD        1,250        1,220,952  

Voya Ltd., Series 2012-4, 5.08%, 10/15/30 (Call 01/15/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b) 

    USD        13,000        12,726,176  

Wellfleet CLO Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class AR, 5.15%, 04/20/28 (Call 01/20/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.910%)(a)(b)

    USD        828        811,969  

Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust 3.36%, 08/15/25 (Call 12/15/23)(a)

    USD        7,738        7,634,673  

 

 

14  

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


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  

Series 2021-1A, Class A2A, 0.39%, 10/15/24 (Call 02/15/23)(a)

    USD       2,447     $ 2,434,300  
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities — 21.0%
(Cost: $919,686,367)

 

          890,030,231  
     

 

 

 

Collaterized Mortgage Obligations

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities — 6.5%

 

280 Park Avenue Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-280P, Class A, 4.18%, 09/15/34 (Call 11/15/22), (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.880%)(a)(b)

    USD       12,100       11,766,704  

AREIT Trust
4.14%, 01/16/37 (Call 01/15/25)(a)(b)

    USD       1,878       1,791,624  

Series 2019-CRE3, Class A, 4.76%, 09/14/36 (Call 08/14/23),
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.020%)(a)(b)

    USD       4,059       4,042,876  

BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust,
Series 2018-DSNY, Class A, 4.26%, 09/15/34,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.850%)(a)(b)

    USD       19,220       18,714,624  

BBCMS-TALL Mortgage Trust,
Series 2018-TALL, Class A, 4.13%, 03/15/37,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.722%)(a)(b)

    USD       8,630       8,111,995  

BX Commercial Mortgage Trust
4.10%, 10/15/38,

(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.690%)(a)(b)

    USD       9,063       8,572,413  

4.39%, 02/15/39(a)(b)

    USD       10,020       9,557,185  

Series 2019-XL, Class A,
4.33%, 10/15/36,

(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.920%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,398       5,289,335  

BX Trust
4.31%, 10/15/36,

(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.890%)(a)(b)

    USD       8,520       7,986,659  

Series 2019-CALM, Class A,
4.29%, 11/15/32,

(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.876%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,290       1,255,804  

Series 2021, Class A, 4.69%, 06/15/36,

(1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.280%)(a)(b)

    USD       2,070       1,959,238  

CEDR Commercial Mortgage Trust,
4.36%, 02/15/39(a)(b)

    USD       5,410       5,053,379  

Chase Home Lending Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-ATR2, Class A11,
4.49%, 07/25/49 (Call 01/25/26),
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,133       1,086,310  

Cold Storage Trust, Series 2020-ICE5, Class A, 4.31%, 11/15/37,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,843       1,786,745  

Commission Mortgage Trust
3.42%, 03/10/31 (Call 03/10/23)(a)

    USD       17,220       17,182,559  

3.73%, 03/10/31 (Call 03/10/23)(a)

    USD       10,000       9,980,750  

Series 2013- GAM, Class A2,
3.37%, 02/10/28 (Call 02/10/23)(a)

    USD       6,185       6,105,973  

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, Series 2019-ICE4, Class A,
4.39%, 05/15/36,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.980%)(a)(b)

    USD       6,333       6,214,042  

DBGS Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-5BP, Class A, 4.21%, 06/15/33 (Call 11/15/22), (1 mo. LIBOR
US + 0.645%)(a)(b)

    USD       4,200       4,000,221  

Extended Stay America Trust, Series 2021-ESH, Class A, 4.49%, 07/15/38,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.080%)(a)(b)

    USD       6,082       5,838,021  

Friary No. 7 PLC, 2.36%, 10/21/70
(Call 10/21/27)(b)

    GBP       1,544       1,762,950  

GCT Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2021-GCT, Class A, 4.21%, 02/15/38,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.800%)(a)(b)

    USD       8,600       8,081,223  

GS Mortgage Securities Corportation Trust, 4.36%, 10/15/36, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.950%)(a)(b)

    USD       10,360       9,623,515  

Hops Hill No. 1 PLC, 3.14%, 05/27/54
(Call 05/27/24)(b)(c)

    GBP       2,968       3,348,433  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  

Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)

 

J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 4.19%, 03/15/39(a)(b)

    USD       5,540     $ 5,380,560  

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2019-BKWD, Class A, 4.66%, 09/15/29,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.000%)(a)(b)

    USD       1,645       1,597,592  

KNDL Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-KNSQ, Class A, 4.21%, 05/15/36,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.800%)(a)(b)

    USD       8,533       8,362,341  

Med Trust, 4.36%, 11/15/38(a)(b)

    USD       4,260       4,057,320  

MF1 Multifamily Housing Mortgage Loan Trust
4.45%, 12/15/34, (SOFR + 1.070%)(a)(b)(d)

    USD       1,230       1,174,650  

4.75%, 12/15/34, (SOFR + 1.370%)(a)(b)(d)

    USD       480       456,000  

MHC Commercial Mortgage Trust, 4.21%, 04/15/38, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.801%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,925       5,676,382  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust

     

Series 2018-BOP, Class A,
4.26%, 08/15/33,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.850%)(a)(b)

    USD       4,330       4,242,065  

Series 2018-SUN, Class A,
4.31%, 07/15/35 (Call 07/15/23),
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b) .

    USD       19,045       18,449,758  

MSCG Trust, 4.31%, 10/15/37,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.900%)(a)(b)

    USD       5,300       5,140,776  

MTN Commercial Mortgage Trust,
4.77%, 03/15/39(a)(b)

    USD       8,930       8,662,118  

Ready Capital Mortgage Financing LLC, 4.67%, 01/25/37 (Call 02/25/24),
(SOFR + 1.650%)(a)(b)

    USD       8,560       8,215,570  

RIAL Issuer Ltd.,
5.72%, 01/19/37 (Call 05/19/24)(a)(b)

    USD       6,955       6,728,962  

Taubman Centers Commercial Mortgage Trust, 5.56%, 05/15/37(a)(b)

    USD       2,900       2,823,755  

Taurus UK DAC, 2.87%, 08/17/31 (Call 08/17/26), (SOFR + 0.950%)(b)(c)

    GBP       6,837       7,454,332  

TPGI Trust, Series 2021 DGWD, Class A, 4.11%, 06/15/26, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.700%)(a)(b)

    USD       6,320       5,998,308  

Vita Scientia DAC, 1.82%, 02/27/33(b)(c)

    EUR       5,708       5,329,732  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-SMP, Class A, 4.29%, 12/15/34, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.750%)(a)(b)

    USD       17,280       17,069,327  
     

 

 

 

Total Collaterized Mortgage Obligations — 6.5%
(Cost: $286,921,058)

 

        275,932,126  
     

 

 

 

Commercial Paper

 

Enel Finance America LLC
4.17%, 11/21/22(e)

  $         20,000       19,951,467  

6.44%, 08/09/23(e)

      10,000       9,519,660  

6.58%, 09/06/23(e)

      15,000       14,195,550  

General Motors Financial Co. Inc., 4.09%, 11/14/22(e)

      20,000       19,968,274  

HSBC USA Inc., 5.57%, 08/23/23(e)

      10,000       9,562,167  

National Australia Bank Ltd., 4.84%, 03/15/23(e)

      10,000       9,821,875  
     

 

 

 

Total Commercial Paper — 2.0%
(Cost: $83,460,375)

 

      83,018,993  
     

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds & Notes

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.3%

 

L3Harris Technologies Inc., 3.85%, 06/15/23

     

(Call 05/15/23)

      15,000       14,865,970  
     

 

 

 
Auto Manufacturers — 7.6%  

American Honda Finance Corp., 0.88%, 07/07/23(f)

      10,000       9,716,100  

BMW U.S. Capital LLC 0.80%, 04/01/24(a)

      11,565       10,880,857  

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Auto Manufacturers (continued)

 

3.00%, 08/12/24, (SOFR + 0.380%)(a)(b)

  $     21,435     $ 21,204,122  

3.87%, 04/01/25, (SOFR + 0.840%)(a)(b)

    11,100       11,042,815  

Daimler Finance North America LLC
0.75%, 03/01/24(a)(f)

    11,005       10,364,949  

1.75%, 03/10/23(a)(f)

    17,650       17,465,044  

Daimler Trucks Finance North America LLC, 1.13%, 12/14/23(a)(f)

    15,000       14,293,961  

General Motors Financial Co. Inc.
1.05%, 03/08/24

    20,000       18,754,349  

3.65%, 10/15/24, (SOFR + 0.620%)(b)

    15,000       14,555,789  

Hyundai Capital America
0.80%, 04/03/23(a)(f)

    17,710       17,355,087  

1.00%, 09/17/24(a)(f)

    18,105       16,388,797  

Nissan Motor Acceptance Co. LLC,
1.13%, 09/16/24(a)(f)

    10,520       9,392,907  

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp.
1.05%, 03/08/24(a)(f)

    12,515       11,518,423  

3.81%, 03/08/24,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.640%)(a)(b)

    4,375       4,302,926  

3.88%, 09/21/23(a)(f)

    4,000       3,916,772  

Stellantis NV, 5.25%, 04/15/23

    9,400       9,364,938  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.
3.68%, 12/29/23(b)

    15,000       15,006,414  

4.40%, 09/20/24

    7,125       7,060,199  

Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC
0.75%, 11/23/22(a)(f)

    44,345       44,219,953  

0.88%, 11/22/23(a)

    22,000       20,942,450  

3.72%, 06/07/24(a)(b)

    19,465       19,401,953  

4.25%, 11/13/23(a)

    13,000       12,843,008  
   

 

 

 
          319,991,813  
Banks — 21.7%  

Banco Santander SA
0.70%, 06/30/24 (Call 06/30/23)(b)(f)

    21,200       20,356,150  

3.85%, 04/12/23(f)

    9,291       9,206,600  

5.04%, 04/12/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.120%)(b)

    10,000       9,986,142  

Bank of America Corp.
3.00%, 12/20/23 (Call 12/20/22),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.790%)(b)

    72,625       72,363,492  

3.55%, 03/05/24 (Call 03/05/23),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.780%)(b)

    30,000       29,751,493  

3.86%, 07/23/24 (Call 07/23/23),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.940%)(b)(f)

    10,000       9,852,480  

Bank of Montreal, 3.82%, 06/07/25(b)

    20,000       19,826,378  

Banque Federative du Credit Mutuel SA,
2.13%, 11/21/22(a)

    20,000       19,976,402  

Barclays PLC, 4.30%, 05/16/24 (Call 05/16/23),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.380%)(b)

    41,000       40,496,393  

BPCE SA
3.60%, 01/14/25, (SOFR + 0.570%)(a)(b)

    3,110       3,033,815  

4.48%, 09/12/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.240%)(a)(b)

    15,000       14,995,080  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
0.45%, 06/22/23

    26,320       25,533,290  

Citigroup Inc.
1.68%, 05/15/24 (Call 05/15/23),

(SOFR + 1.667%)(b)

    15,000       14,672,867  

3.78%, 05/24/25 (Call 05/24/24),
(SOFR + 1.372%)(b)

    23,300       23,272,148  

Credit Suisse AG/New York NY, 0.52%, 08/09/23

    25,000       23,687,500  

Credit Suisse Group AG, 3.80%, 06/09/23(f)

    8,500       8,287,500  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Banks (continued)  

Deutsche Bank AG/New York NY
2.22%, 09/18/24 (Call 09/18/23),

(SOFR + 2.159%)(b)

  $     17,000     $ 16,106,245  

Series E, 3.10%, 11/08/23, (SOFR + 0.500%)(b)

    13,790       13,617,211  

DNB Bank ASA, 3.86%, 03/28/25 (Call 03/28/24),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.390%)(a)(b)(f)

    15,000             14,871,827  

Federation des Caisses Desjardins du Quebec, 2.71%, 05/21/24, (SOFR + 0.430%)(a)(b)

    20,000       19,703,893  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)
0.52%, 03/08/23(f)

    25,000       24,605,128  

1.22%, 12/06/23 (Call 12/06/22)

    28,860       27,612,267  

4.64%, 11/29/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.600%)(b)

    12,060       12,096,141  

0.63%, 11/17/23 (Call 11/17/22),
(SOFR + 0.538%)(b)

    3,000       2,992,296  

HSBC Holdings PLC
0.73%, 08/17/24 (Call 08/17/23),

(SOFR + 0.534%)(b)

    13,500       12,800,970  

3.60%, 05/25/23(f)

    10,000       9,895,924  

4.47%, 03/11/25 (Call 03/11/24),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.230%)(b)

    13,000       12,808,173  

3.23%, 11/22/24 (Call 11/22/23),
(SOFR + 0.580%)(b)

    6,570       6,342,003  

Huntington National Bank (The), 3.82%, 05/16/25

   

(Call 05/16/24), (SOFR + 1.190%)(b)(f)

    22,900       22,722,067  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
0.70%, 03/16/24 (Call 03/16/23),

(SOFR + 0.580%)(b)

    12,000       11,767,309  

1.51%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/23),
(SOFR + 1.455%)(b)(f)

    33,590       32,795,549  

3.56%, 04/23/24 (Call 04/23/23),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.730%)(b)(f)

    48,480       48,011,198  

KeyBank NA/Cleveland OH, 0.43%, 06/14/24

   

(Call 06/14/23), (SOFR + 0.320%)(b)

    4,625       4,478,403  

KeyCorp, 3.88%, 05/23/25 (Call 05/23/24)(b)(f)

    7,195       6,977,401  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc., 4.68%, 07/18/25

   

(Call 07/18/24)(b)

    19,100       19,138,263  

Mizuho Financial Group Inc.
3.55%, 03/05/23(f)

    20,000       19,905,962  

3.63%, 05/25/24 (Call 05/25/23),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.630%)(b)

    10,000       9,916,899  

3.95%, 03/05/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.790%)(b)

    3,000       3,000,423  

Morgan Stanley
0.53%, 01/25/24 (Call 01/25/23),

   

(SOFR + 0.455%)(b)

    66,100       65,110,281  

0.56%, 11/10/23 (Call 11/10/22),

   

(SOFR + 0.466%)(b)(f)

    5,500       5,492,901  

3.74%, 04/24/24 (Call 04/24/23),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.847%)(b)(f)

    20,000       19,803,309  

3.75%, 02/25/23(f)

    25,000       24,902,428  

National Bank of Canada, 3.09%, 08/06/24,

   

(SOFR + 0.490%)(b)(f)

    8,695       8,518,490  

Natwest Group PLC, 5.19%, 06/25/24 (Call 06/25/23), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.550%)(b)

    3,000       2,987,950  

Nordea Bank Abp, 3.71%, 06/06/25(a)(b)(f)

    19,885       19,727,217  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB,
3.88%, 12/12/22, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.645%)(a)(b)

    15,000       14,990,046  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.,
4.88%, 10/16/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.800%)(b)

    4,000       3,997,169  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The), 4.29%, 09/13/24

    20,330       19,919,372  

 

 

16  

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


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Banks (continued)  

U.S. Bank NA/Cincinnati OH, 3.40%, 07/24/23 (Call 06/23/23)

  $     20,000     $ 19,757,573  

UBS AG/London, 3.05%, 08/09/24,
(SOFR + 0.450%)(a)(b)

    15,725       15,592,263  
   

 

 

 
          918,262,281  
Beverages — 0.5%  

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., 0.75%, 03/15/24
(Call 12/01/22)(f)

    21,520       20,273,537  
   

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 0.6%  

Gilead Sciences Inc.
0.75%, 09/29/23 (Call 11/14/22)

    23,988       23,087,283  

2.50%, 09/01/23 (Call 07/01/23)(f)

    4,000       3,912,395  
   

 

 

 
      26,999,678  
Building Materials — 0.2%  

Martin Marietta Materials Inc., 0.65%, 07/15/23 (Call 12/01/22)(f)

    8,800       8,511,776  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 1.1%  

DuPont de Nemours Inc., 4.21%, 11/15/23
(Call 10/15/23)

    38,000       37,582,883  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.,
3.20%, 05/01/23 (Call 02/01/23)(f)

    9,000       8,910,422  
   

 

 

 
      46,493,305  
Computers — 0.2%  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,
5.45%, 06/15/23 (Call 04/15/23)

    8,783       8,768,714  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 6.2%  

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 1.15%, 10/29/23

    35,000       33,154,353  

Air Lease Corp.
0.80%, 08/18/24 (Call 07/18/24)(f)

    3,325       3,027,679  

2.25%, 01/15/23(f)

    10,637       10,564,402  

3.64%, 12/15/22, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.350%)(b)

    28,600       28,579,454  

3.88%, 07/03/23 (Call 06/03/23)(f)

    6,138       6,068,064  

American Express Co.
2.51%, 11/03/23, (SOFR + 0.230%)(b)

    6,765       6,716,410  

3.38%, 05/03/24(f)

    15,000       14,548,517  

3.40%, 02/22/24 (Call 01/22/24)(f)

    34,465       33,620,777  

3.68%, 03/04/25 (Call 02/01/25),

   

(SOFR + 0.930%)(b)

    8,930       8,903,529  

3.69%, 02/27/23 (Call 01/27/23),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.650%)(b)(f)

    4,000       3,997,286  

Aviation Capital Group LLC, 3.88%, 05/01/23
(Call 04/01/23)(a)

    19,660       19,352,059  

Capital One Financial Corp.
2.60%, 05/11/23 (Call 04/11/23)(f)

    12,550       12,383,151  

3.20%, 01/30/23 (Call 12/30/22)(f)

    10,000       9,954,165  

3.50%, 12/06/24 (Call 12/06/23),

   

(SOFR + 0.690%)(b)

    9,000       8,768,160  

3.99%, 05/09/25 (Call 05/09/24),

   

(SOFR + 1.350%)(b)

    22,285       21,965,234  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The), 3.40%, 03/18/24 (Call 02/18/24), (SOFR + 0.500%)(b)

    33,050       32,838,958  

Synchrony Financial, 4.38%, 03/19/24
(Call 02/19/24)

    6,250       6,110,090  
   

 

 

 
      260,552,288  
Electric — 3.2%  

Dominion Energy Inc., Series D, 3.82%, 09/15/23 (Call 11/21/22), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.530%)(b)(f)

    10,105       10,073,469  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Electric (continued)  

Duke Energy Corp., 3.07%, 06/10/23,
(SOFR + 0.250%)(b)(f)

  $     13,415     $ 13,329,190  

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings Inc.
0.65%, 03/01/23

    23,495       23,166,909  

2.69%, 11/03/23 (Call 12/01/22),

   

(SOFR + 0.400%)(b)

    24,300       24,010,769  

3.25%, 02/22/23 (Call 12/01/22),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.270%)(b)

    26,954       26,905,652  

3.28%, 03/01/23, (SOFR + 0.540%)(b)

    5,580       5,572,565  

4.20%, 06/20/24(f)

    6,105       6,008,105  

Southern California Edison Co., 0.70%, 04/03/23(f)

    25,212       24,726,088  
   

 

 

 
          133,792,747  
Food — 0.1%  

General Mills Inc., 5.09%, 10/17/23,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.010%)(b)(f)

    2,696       2,709,246  
   

 

 

 
Gas — 0.3%  

Atmos Energy Corp., 0.63%, 03/09/23
(Call 11/16/22)(f)

    7,875       7,761,330  

ONE Gas Inc., 0.85%, 03/11/23
(Call 12/01/22)(f)

    5,046       4,971,396  
   

 

 

 
      12,732,726  
Health Care - Products — 1.1%  

Baxter International Inc., 3.14%, 11/29/24(b)

    5,705       5,558,887  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
0.80%, 10/18/23 (Call 12/01/22)(f)

    30,000       28,787,479  

3.56%, 10/18/24 (Call 12/01/22), (SOFR + 0.530%)(b)

    11,980       11,850,376  
   

 

 

 
      46,196,742  
Health Care - Services — 1.4%  

Elevance Health Inc., 2.95%, 12/01/22

   

(Call 11/16/22)(f)

    4,555       4,549,304  

Humana Inc., 0.65%, 08/03/23 (Call 11/08/22)

    55,230       53,351,717  
   

 

 

 
      57,901,021  
Home Builders — 0.3%  

Lennar Corp., 4.50%, 04/30/24
(Call 01/31/24)(f)

    11,500       11,290,789  
   

 

 

 
Household Products & Wares — 0.2%  

Avery Dennison Corp., 0.85%, 08/15/24

   

(Call 12/01/22)(f)

    10,440       9,652,769  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.7%  

MassMutual Global Funding II, 3.84%, 03/21/25, (SOFR + 0.270%)(a)(b)

    3,996       3,962,956  

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I, 3.88%, 03/21/25, (SOFR + 0.910%)(a)(b)

    8,745       8,677,048  

New York Life Global Funding
2.90%, 01/17/24(a)(f)

    5,000       4,876,150  

3.15%, 06/06/24(a)(f)

    12,605       12,228,111  
   

 

 

 
      29,744,265  
Machinery — 0.9%  

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.
2.74%, 11/13/23, (SOFR + 0.450%)(b)(f)

    25,000       24,986,735  

3.42%, 05/15/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.510%)(b)

    9,020       9,028,195  

Rockwell Automation Inc., 0.35%, 08/15/23

   

(Call 11/14/22)(f)

    3,870       3,730,789  
   

 

 

 
      37,745,719  
Manufacturing — 0.7%  

Carlisle Companies Inc., 0.55%, 09/01/23

   

(Call 12/01/22)(f)

    8,390       8,074,230  

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

    

Par

(000)

    Value  
Manufacturing (continued)  

Parker-Hannifin Corp., 3.65%, 06/15/24(f)

  $       22,400     $ 21,785,568  
   

 

 

 
          29,859,798  
Media — 0.8%  

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital
4.50%, 02/01/24 (Call 01/01/24)

    10,000       9,848,798  

6.09%, 02/01/24 (Call 01/01/24),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.650%)(b)

    17,640       17,755,717  

Sky Ltd., 3.75%, 09/16/24(a)(f)

    7,910       7,687,591  
   

 

 

 
      35,292,106  
Oil & Gas — 0.4%  

Phillips 66, 0.90%, 02/15/24
(Call 12/01/22)(f)

    18,530       17,532,122  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 5.1%  

AbbVie Inc. 2.30%, 11/21/22

    33,924       33,878,335  

2.90%, 11/06/22(f)

    48,550       48,532,523  

Bayer U.S. Finance II LLC
3.88%, 12/15/23 (Call 11/15/23)(a)(f)

    25,000       24,514,842  

4.30%, 12/15/23 (Call 11/15/23),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.010%)(a)(b)

    32,500       32,335,422  

Cigna Corp.
0.61%, 03/15/24 (Call 12/01/22)(f)

    8,490       7,989,111  

3.00%, 07/15/23 (Call 05/16/23)(f)

    10,000       9,859,570  

3.05%, 11/30/22 (Call 11/16/22)

    19,937       19,913,287  

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC, 2.88%, 09/23/23 (Call 07/23/23)

    33,015       32,272,913  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., 4.40%, 11/26/23 (Call 10/26/23)

    6,662       6,593,524  
   

 

 

 
          215,889,527  
Pipelines — 2.1%  

Enbridge Inc.
0.55%, 10/04/23(f)

    2,805       2,681,285  

2.15%, 02/16/24

    6,820       6,557,567  

3.05%, 02/17/23, (SOFR + 0.400%)(b)

    3,130       3,124,230  

4.00%, 10/01/23 (Call 07/01/23)(f)

    6,000       5,917,573  

Energy Transfer LP
3.45%, 01/15/23 (Call 12/01/22)(f)

    10,000       9,968,204  

3.60%, 02/01/23 (Call 12/01/22)(f)

    6,400       6,375,726  

4.25%, 03/15/23 (Call 12/15/22)

    6,550       6,516,167  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP
3.50%, 09/01/23 (Call 06/01/23)(f)

    20,091       19,810,205  

4.30%, 05/01/24 (Call 02/01/24)(f)

    4,820       4,731,675  

MPLX LP, 4.50%, 07/15/23 (Call 04/15/23)(f)

    25,000       24,782,655  
   

 

 

 
      90,465,287  
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 0.3%  

American Tower Corp., 3.38%, 05/15/24

   

(Call 04/15/24)(f)

    15,000       14,535,458  
   

 

 

 
Retail — 1.7%  

7-Eleven Inc.
0.63%, 02/10/23 (Call 12/01/22)(a)

    40,909       40,408,010  

0.80%, 02/10/24(a)

    29,600       27,913,954  

Starbucks Corp., 3.05%, 02/14/24 (Call 02/14/23), (SOFR + 0.420%)(b)(f)

    4,130       4,112,778  
   

 

 

 
      72,434,742  
Semiconductors — 0.5%  

Analog Devices Inc., 3.28%, 10/01/24,

   

(SOFR + 0.250%)(b)(f)

    5,025       4,945,220  
Security  

Par

Shares

(000)

    Value  
Semiconductors (continued)  

Broadcom Corp./Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd., 3.63%, 01/15/24 (Call 11/15/23)

  $     17,000     $ 16,649,316  
   

 

 

 
      21,594,536  
Software — 3.0%  

Fidelity National Information Services Inc., 0.38%, 03/01/23(f)

    31,909       31,411,201  

Fiserv Inc., 3.80%, 10/01/23 (Call 09/01/23)(f)

    15,539       15,307,500  

Oracle Corp.
2.40%, 09/15/23 (Call 07/15/23)(f)

    23,000       22,433,782  

2.63%, 02/15/23 (Call 01/15/23)(f)

    20,753       20,613,037  

VMware Inc., 0.60%, 08/15/23

    37,339       35,948,804  
   

 

 

 
          125,714,324  
Telecommunications — 1.6%  

AT&T Inc.
3.66%, 03/25/24 (Call 12/01/22),

   

(SOFR + 0.640%)(b)

    22,000       21,867,086  

4.42%, 06/12/24, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.180%)(b)

    14,350       14,396,760  

Rogers Communications Inc., 2.95%, 03/15/25

   

(Call 03/15/23)(a)(f)

    8,950       8,438,321  

Verizon Communications Inc.
3.48%, 03/22/24, (SOFR + 0.500%)(b)

    11,715       11,617,811  

4.01%, 05/15/25 (Call 03/15/25),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.100%)(b)

    10,000       9,993,399  
   

 

 

 
      66,313,377  
Transportation — 0.5%  

Ryder System Inc.
3.65%, 03/18/24 (Call 02/18/24)(f)

    17,550       17,135,953  

3.88%, 12/01/23 (Call 11/01/23)

    5,000       4,929,433  
   

 

 

 
      22,065,386  
Trucking & Leasing — 0.7%  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP/PTL Finance Corp.
2.70%, 03/14/23 (Call 02/14/23)(a)(f)

    10,000       9,897,345  

3.90%, 02/01/24 (Call 01/01/24)(a)

    6,000       5,846,818  

4.13%, 08/01/23 (Call 07/01/23)(a)(f)

    15,000       14,805,483  
   

 

 

 
      30,549,646  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes — 64.0%
(Cost: $2,766,429,233)

 

    2,708,731,695  
   

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements(b)(g)

   

Goldman Sachs & Co., 3.05%,
11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $100,008,472, collateralized by Government agency mortgage-backed security, 2.50% to 6.00%, due 04/01/26 to 08/15/57, par and fair value of $115,684,459 and $101,616,391, respectively)

    100,000       100,000,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Repurchase Agreements — 2.4%
(Cost: $100,000,000)

 

    100,000,000  
   

 

 

 

Money Market Funds

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.29%(h)(i)(j)

    77,908       77,892,775  

 

 

18  

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


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares
(000)
    Value  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.97%(h)(i)

    190,200     $ 190,200,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Money Market Funds — 6.4%
(Cost: $268,096,491)

      268,092,775  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 102.3%
(Cost: $4,424,593,524)

      4,325,805,820  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (2.3)%

 

    (95,640,199
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   4,230,165,621  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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.

(b) 

Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of period end. Security description also includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.

(c)

This security may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

 

(d) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(e) 

Rates are discount rates or a range of discount rates as of period end.

(f) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(g) 

Maturity date represents next reset date.

(h) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(i) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(j) 

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 October 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
10/31/21
 
 
   
Purchases
at Cost
 
 
   
Proceeds
from Sale
 
 
   
Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 
 
   


Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
 
 
 
   
Value at
10/31/22
 
 
   


Shares
Held at
10/31/22
(000)
 
 
 
 
    Income      




Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares

  $ 49,889,059     $ 28,059,224 (a)    $     $ (43,078   $ (12,430   $ 77,892,775       77,908     $ 157,553 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

    208,310,000             (18,110,000 )(a)                  190,200,000       190,200       2,215,596        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (43,078   $ (12,430   $ 268,092,775       $ 2,373,149     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency Purchased       

Currency Sold

       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     56,929,972        EUR     56,714,000        HSBC Bank PLC        12/21/22        $ 653,287  
USD     49,073,169        GBP     42,688,000        HSBC Bank PLC        12/21/22          34,922  
                       

 

 

 
                          688,209  
                       

 

 

 
USD     8,836,063        EUR     8,994,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        12/21/22          (88,586
USD     4,998,995        GBP     4,479,000        Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.        12/21/22          (146,299
USD     2,416,122        GBP     2,234,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        12/21/22          (150,207
                       

 

 

 
                          (385,092
                       

 

 

 
                        $ 303,117  
                       

 

 

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

 

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:

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $     —      $     —      $     —      $ 688,209      $     —      $     —      $ 688,209  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 385,092      $      $      $ 385,092  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

 

 
     Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 18,266,401      $      $      $ 18,266,401  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ (168,618    $      $      $ (168,618
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts       

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 760,188  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 117,089,408  

 

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 688,209        $ 385,092  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     688,209          385,092  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     688,209          385,092  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

Counterparty     



Derivative
Assets
Subject to an
MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
(a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
      

Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 
 
(b)(c) 

HSBC Bank PLC

   $ 688,209        $      $        $        $ 688,209  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

20  

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


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments - Offsetting as of Period End (continued)

 

 

 
Counterparty     

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

      


Derivatives

Available
for Offset

 


(a) 

    

Non-Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

 

      

Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

 

      

Net Amount

of Derivative

Liabilities

 

 

(c)(d) 

 

 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc

   $ 146,299        $      $        $        $ 146,299  

State Street Bank and Trust Co

     238,793                                   238,793  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 385,092        $      $        $        $ 385,092  
  

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (c) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

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

                 

Asset-Backed Securities

   $        $ 890,030,231        $        $ 890,030,231  

Collaterized Mortgage Obligations

              274,301,476          1,630,650          275,932,126  

Commercial Paper

              83,018,993                   83,018,993  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

              2,708,731,695                   2,708,731,695  

Repurchase Agreements

              100,000,000                   100,000,000  

Money Market Funds

     268,092,775                            268,092,775  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   268,092,775        $   4,056,082,395        $        1,630,650        $   4,325,805,820  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ 688,209        $        $ 688,209  

Liabilities

                 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

              (385,092                 (385,092
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ 303,117        $        $ 303,117  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Municipal Debt Obligations            
Alabama — 1.8%            

Black Belt Energy Gas District RB 4.00%, 12/01/22

  $ 240     $ 239,969  

4.00%, 12/01/22

    750       749,650  

4.00%, 06/01/23

    240       239,773  

4.00%, 06/01/23

    1,500       1,497,663  

4.00%, 12/01/24

    1,250       1,228,015  

5.00%, 12/01/23

    1,000       1,004,817  

5.25%, 12/01/24

    2,745       2,765,316  

Southeast Energy Authority A Cooperative District RB

   

Series A, 4.00%, 10/01/23

    450       448,305  

Series B, 4.00%, 06/01/24

    1,200       1,190,672  
   

 

 

 
        9,364,180  
California — 0.4%            

California Community Choice Financing Authority RB

   

4.00%, 02/01/24

    500       498,715  

4.00%, 08/01/24

    350       348,401  

State of California GO, 5.00%, 12/01/24

    1,190       1,232,430  
   

 

 

 
      2,079,546  
Colorado — 0.6%            

Adams & Arapahoe Joint School District 28J Aurora, 5.00%, 12/01/22 (SAW)

    1,000       1,001,457  

City & County of Denver Co. Airport System Revenue RB, Series A, 5.00%, 11/15/23

    250       254,392  

City of Colorado Springs Co. Utilities System Revenue RB, 2.19%, 11/01/40 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,000       2,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      3,255,849  
Connecticut — 3.7%            

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority RB, 2.19%, 05/15/50 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    5,000       5,000,000  

State of Connecticut GO

   

3.23%, 03/01/25 (a)(b)

    4,600       4,667,947  

Series A, 3.00%, 01/15/23

    2,000       1,999,652  

Series C, VRDN, 2.30%, 05/15/34
(Put 11/07/22)(a)

    7,820       7,820,000  
   

 

 

 
      19,487,599  
District of Columbia — 1.8%            

District of Columbia, 2.20%, 05/01/72

    4,000       3,999,333  

District of Columbia RB, 2.31%, 04/01/38
(Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,890       2,890,000  

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates RB, 2.29%, 10/01/53 (Put 11/07/22)(a)(c)

    2,355       2,355,000  
   

 

 

 
      9,244,333  
Florida — 6.5%            

City of Gainesville Utilities System Revenue, 1.64%, 10/01/42 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    7,800       7,800,000  

County of Escambia FL RB, 1.63%, 04/01/39
(Put 11/01/22)(a)

    2,300       2,300,000  

County of Martin FL RB, 2.28%, 07/01/52
(Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,500       2,500,000  

County of Miami-Dade FL Aviation Revenue RB, Series A, 5.00%, 10/01/23

    2,500       2,535,107  

County of Palm Beach FL RB, 2.28%, 07/01/32 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,800       2,800,000  

County of St Lucie FL RB, 1.79%, 09/01/28
(Put 11/01/22)(a)

    11,790       11,790,000  

Miami-Dade County Industrial Development Authority RB, 0.40%, 08/01/23

    1,000       971,286  

Pinellas County Housing Finance Authority RB, 2.24%, 10/01/48 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    3,070       3,070,000  
   

 

 

 
        33,766,393  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Georgia — 5.2%            

Burke County Development Authority RB, 2.25%, 10/01/32 (Put 05/25/23)(a)

  $ 2,000     $ 1,983,832  

City of Atlanta GA TA RB, 5.00%, 12/01/22

    3,975       3,979,543  

Main Street Natural Gas Inc. RB

   

5.00%, 06/01/27

    1,750       1,744,969  

VRDN, 2.81%, 08/01/48 (Put 09/01/23)(a)(b)

    5,000       4,941,005  

Series A, VRDN, 4.00%, 04/01/48
(Put 09/01/23)(a)

    5,685       5,654,028  

Series D, VRDN, 2.93%, 08/01/48
(Put 12/01/23)(b)

    5,000       4,958,120  

Monroe County Development Authority RB, 1.80%, 06/01/49 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    3,700       3,700,000  
   

 

 

 
        26,961,497  
Illinois — 1.9%            

Chicago Midway International Airport, 5.00%, 01/01/23

    970       971,870  

County of Cook IL GO, 4.00%, 11/15/22

    1,395       1,395,314  

Illinois Development Finance Authority RB

   

VRDN, 2.27%, 07/01/33 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,600       2,600,000  

VRDN, 2.28%, 02/01/33 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,000       2,000,000  

Illinois Finance Authority RB, 2.25%, 01/01/37 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    3,100       3,100,000  
   

 

 

 
      10,067,184  
Indiana — 3.8%            

Indiana Finance Authority RB, 4.50%, 12/15/46 (Put 05/15/23)

    12,000       12,043,032  

Indianapolis Local Public Improvement Bond Bank RB, Series A, 5.00%, 06/01/23

    1,800       1,816,659  

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates RB, 2.39%, 04/01/30 (Put 11/07/22)(a)(c)

    6,000       6,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      19,859,691  
Iowa — 4.1%            

Iowa Finance Authority RB

   

VRDN, 2.23%, 01/01/47 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    8,400       8,400,000  

VRDN, 2.34%, 12/01/41 (Put 11/07/22)(a)(c)

    3,200       3,200,000  

VRDN, 2.28%, 05/01/23 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    10,000       10,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      21,600,000  
Kansas — 1.3%            

City of Burlington KS RB

   

Series A, VRDN, 2.41%, 09/01/35
(Put 11/07/22)(a)

    4,000       4,000,000  

Series B, VRDN, 2.41%, 09/01/35
(Put 11/07/22)(a)

    3,000       3,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      7,000,000  
Kentucky — 6.9%            

County of Meade KY RB

   

VRDN, 2.33%, 08/01/61 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    6,600       6,600,000  

VRDN, 2.35%, 08/01/61 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    18,900       18,900,000  

Kentucky Public Energy Authority RB

   

4.00%, 02/01/23

    1,000       999,444  

4.00%, 12/01/49 (Put 06/01/25)

    4,000       3,926,856  

Series A, VRDN, 4.00%, 04/01/48
(Put 04/01/24)(a)

    3,930       3,900,301  

Kentucky State Property & Building Commission RB,

   

Series A, 5.00%, 11/01/22

    1,000       1,000,000  

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates RB, 2.27%, 12/01/41 (Put 11/07/22) (AGM)(a)(c)

    500       500,000  
   

 

 

 
      35,826,601  
Louisiana — 5.8%            

Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District RB, 1.00%, 12/01/51 (Put 12/01/24)(a)

    4,325       4,069,535  

Louisiana Offshore Terminal Authority RB, 1.65%, 09/01/27 (Put 12/01/23)(a)

    400       390,246  

 

 

22  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Louisiana (continued)            

Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District RB, 4.00%, 07/03/23 (Call 04/01/23)

  $ 2,325     $ 2,330,596  

Parish of St James LA RB, Series B1, 2.61%, 11/01/40 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    23,400       23,400,000  
   

 

 

 
        30,190,377  
Massachusetts — 0.9%            

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority RB, 5.00%, 01/01/24

    2,500       2,533,332  

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency RB

   

Series A, 0.30%, 12/01/23 (Call 11/21/22)

    1,000       962,812  

Series A, 0.40%, 06/01/24 (Call 06/01/23)

    1,000       952,749  
   

 

 

 
      4,448,893  
Michigan — 2.7%            

Michigan Finance Authority RB
0.40%, 10/15/23

    665       646,068  

5.00%, 11/01/22

    240       240,000  

5.00%, 12/01/22

    1,390       1,391,857  

Michigan State Housing Development Authority RB, 2.22%, 04/01/62 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    12,000       12,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      14,277,925  
Minnesota — 3.8%            

City of Minneapolis MN RB, 2.24%, 12/01/40 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    9,450       9,450,000  

City of Rochester MN RB, 2.23%, 05/01/61
(Put 11/07/22)(a)

    4,800       4,800,000  

Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission RB, 5.00%, 01/01/23

    410       410,791  

University of Minnesota RB, 2.24%, 12/06/22

    5,175       5,175,237  
   

 

 

 
      19,836,028  
Mississippi — 2.6%            

Mississippi Business Finance Corp. RB

   

VRDN, 1.66%, 11/01/35 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    4,970       4,970,000  

VRDN, 1.66%, 11/01/35 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    3,800       3,800,000  

Series A, VRDN, 2.20%, 12/01/30
(Put 11/07/22)(a)

    5,000       5,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      13,770,000  
Missouri — 0.4%            

County of Greene MO COP, Series A, 3.00%, 03/01/23

    350       349,864  

RBC Municipal Products Inc. Trust RB, 2.29%, 09/01/39 (Put 11/07/22)(a)(c)

    2,000       2,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      2,349,864  
Nebraska — 0.6%            

Central Plains Energy Project RB, 5.00%, 03/01/50 (Put 01/01/24)(a)

    1,000       1,000,450  

County of Douglas NE RB, 2.77%, 07/01/35 (Put 09/01/26)(a)(b)

    1,980       1,936,945  
   

 

 

 
      2,937,395  
Nevada — 0.5%            

County of Clark Department of Aviation RB, 2.27%, 07/01/40 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,600       2,600,000  
   

 

 

 
New Jersey — 8.0%            

Borough of Berlin NJ GO, 4.50%, 09/26/23

    2,212       2,223,120  

Borough of Park Ridge NJ GO, 4.50%, 04/28/23

    1,000       1,003,137  

Borough of Wood-Ridge NJ GO, 4.50%, 03/01/23

    1,640       1,643,655  

New Jersey Economic Development Authority RB
5.25%, 09/01/24 (c)

    7,600       7,799,743  

Series B, 5.00%, 11/01/23 (SAP)

    1,450       1,466,062  

Series B, 5.00%, 11/01/24

    1,010       1,030,670  

Series N-1, 5.50%, 09/01/24 (AMBAC)

    1,460       1,500,452  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
New Jersey (continued)            

Series NN, 5.00%, 03/01/23

  $ 1,000     $ 1,004,164  

Series UU, 5.00%, 06/15/23

    1,575       1,586,704  

New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority RB, 5.00%, 10/01/23

    1,500       1,515,463  

New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority RB, 5.00%, 12/01/24

    500       509,253  

New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency RB, 4.00%, 04/01/23

    1,290       1,289,781  

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority RB

   

Series A, 5.00%, 06/15/24

    1,575       1,606,635  

Series A, 5.00%, 12/15/24

    1,000       1,021,502  

Series A, 5.50%, 12/15/22

    1,430       1,432,979  

Series A, 5.50%, 12/15/22 (AGM-CR)

    1,735       1,739,764  

Series A, 5.50%, 12/15/23

    155       157,743  

Series B, 5.25%, 12/15/22 (AMBAC)

    910       911,629  

Series D, 5.00%, 12/15/23

    470       475,769  

Series D, 5.25%, 12/15/23

    1,275       1,294,106  

State of New Jersey GO, Series A, 4.00%, 06/01/23

    1,290       1,294,960  

Township of Cranford NJ GO, 4.75%, 07/20/23

    1,940       1,949,570  

Township of Deptford NJ RB, 4.00%, 07/11/23

    1,800       1,797,233  

Township of Plainsboro NJ GO, 4.50%, 07/26/23

    1,500       1,506,303  

Township of Plainsboro NJ RB, 4.00%, 07/26/23

    1,340       1,337,816  

Township of River Vale NJ RB, 4.00%, 07/14/23

    1,258       1,256,707  

Township of Voorhees NJ GO, 4.00%, 09/27/23

    1,145       1,147,390  
   

 

 

 
      41,502,310  
New York — 7.8%            

Albany Industrial Development Agency RB, 2.34%, 07/01/32 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    800       800,000  

Amherst Development Corp. RB, 2.31%, 02/01/35 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    1,720       1,720,000  

City of New York GO

   

VRDN, 1.60%, 09/01/49 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    4,700       4,700,000  

Series F-5, VRDN, 1.60%, 06/01/44
(Put 11/01/22)(a)

    7,300       7,300,000  

Genesee County Funding Corp. (The) RB
5.00%, 12/01/22

    150       150,140  

5.00%, 12/01/23

    150       151,679  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 1.62%, 11/01/32 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    4,500       4,500,000  

Nassau Health Care Corp. RB, Series C, 5.00%, 08/01/23 (GTD)

    1,425       1,440,813  

New York City Housing Development Corp. RB 0.45%, 11/01/25 (FHA)

    1,560       1,398,244  

VRDN, 2.20%, 05/01/61 (Put 11/07/22)
(FHA 542 (C))(a)

    4,165       4,165,000  

New York Transportation Development Corp. RB
5.00%, 12/01/22

    495       495,558  

Series A, 5.00%, 12/01/23

    1,250       1,259,106  

Town of Oyster Bay NY GOL, 4.00%, 03/01/23

    425       426,193  

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority RB, 1.00%, 04/01/26

    11,000       10,537,637  

Village of Hamburg NY, 3.50%, 07/20/23

    1,506       1,498,797  
   

 

 

 
      40,543,167  
North Carolina — 0.6%            

North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency RB, Series A, 2.75%, 07/01/34 (Put 12/01/22)(a)

    3,000       3,000,000  
   

 

 

 
North Dakota — 1.2%            

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency RB, 2.22%, 07/01/36 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    6,520       6,520,000  
   

 

 

 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security       
Par
(000)
    Value  
Ohio — 0.4%            

Akron Bath Copley Joint Township Hospital District RB
5.00%, 11/15/22

  $ 225     $ 225,127  

5.00%, 11/15/23

    325       329,832  

City of Cleveland OH GOL, Series A, 2.00%, 12/01/22

    300       299,733  

County of Miami OH GOL, 3.25%, 07/27/23

    1,050       1,041,185  
   

 

 

 
      1,895,877  
Pennsylvania — 9.9%            

Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority RB, 2.61%, 11/15/23(a)(b)

    1,500       1,499,070  

Butler County Industrial Development Authority/PA RB, 2.31%, 05/01/34 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,100       2,100,000  

Ephrata Area School District GO, 3.00%, 03/01/24

    1,000       993,284  

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, 3.25%, 12/01/38 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    23,000       23,000,000  

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority RB

   

VRDN, 2.64%, 06/01/41 (Put 06/03/24)(a)(b)

    3,000       2,878,851  

VRDN, 3.25%, 12/01/37 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    9,070       9,070,000  

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency RB, 5.00%, 10/01/25

    500       517,466  

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission RB, 2.84%, 12/01/23 (Call 06/01/23)(a)(b)

    10,000       9,967,080  

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates RB, 2.27%, 10/01/41 (Put 11/07/22)(a)(c)

    1,620       1,620,000  
   

 

 

 
      51,645,751  
Puerto Rico — 0.6%            

Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority RB, 5.00%, 12/01/22

    3,000       3,003,342  
   

 

 

 
South Carolina — 0.4%            

South Carolina Public Service Authority RB, 2.26%, 01/01/36 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    900       900,000  

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates RB, 2.36%, 12/01/55 (Put 11/07/22) (BAM-TCRS)(a)(c)

    1,000       1,000,000  
   

 

 

 
      1,900,000  
South Dakota — 0.3%            

South Dakota Housing Development Authority RB, 2.26%, 11/01/62 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    1,770       1,770,000  
   

 

 

 
Tennessee — 2.5%            

Johnson City Health & Educational Facilities Board RB, 2.28%, 07/01/45 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,030       2,030,000  

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County Water & Sewer Revenue, 2.27%, 11/08/22

    10,000       9,999,413  

Tennergy Corp./TN RB

   

Series A, 4.00%, 03/01/23

    375       374,384  

Series A, 4.00%, 09/01/23

    320       318,482  

Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp. RB, Series A, 5.00%, 11/01/23

    250       250,029  
   

 

 

 
      12,972,308  
Texas — 11.6%            

Bexar County Housing Finance Corp. RB, 2.24%, 12/15/25 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,305       2,305,000  

Board of Regents of the University of Texas System RB, 2.10%, 01/05/23

    2,000       1,996,028  

Harris County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. RB, 1.80%, 11/01/22

    15,000       15,000,000  

Harris County Health Facilities Development Corp. RB, 1.64%, 12/01/41 (Put 11/01/22)(a)

    2,100       2,100,000  

Pasadena Independent School District GO, 2.20%, 02/01/35 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,400       2,400,000  
Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  
Texas (continued)            

Port of Arthur Navigation District Industrial Development Corp. RB

   

VRDN, 2.29%, 12/01/40 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

  $ 7,000     $ 7,000,000  

VRDN, 2.29%, 06/01/41 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    3,000       3,000,000  

Red River Education Finance Corp. RB, 2.25%, 03/01/30 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    3,300       3,300,000  

State of Texas GO

   

VRDN, 2.30%, 06/01/50 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    3,560       3,560,000  

VRDN, 2.35%, 12/01/43 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    9,700       9,700,000  

Series A, VRDN, 2.35%, 06/01/44 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    400       400,000  

Series A, VRDN, 2.35%, 06/01/45 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,670       2,670,000  

State of Texas GOL, 2.26%, 06/01/53 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,500       2,500,000  

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates RB, 2.34%, 06/15/27 (Put 11/07/22)(a)(c)

    1,155       1,155,000  

Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. III RB
5.00%, 12/15/22

    2,000       2,001,472  

5.00%, 12/15/23

    1,150       1,156,685  
   

 

 

 
      60,244,185  
Virginia — 0.4%            

Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority RB, 5.00%, 05/15/23

    300       302,924  

Loudoun County Economic Development Authority RB, 2.19%, 02/15/38 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    2,025       2,025,000  
   

 

 

 
      2,327,924  
Washington — 0.2%            

Washington Health Care Facilities Authority RB, 5.00%, 08/01/49 (Put 08/01/25)(a)

    800       818,554  
   

 

 

 
Wisconsin — 5.4%            

State of Wisconsin GO, 2.66%, 05/01/25 (Call 11/01/24)(a)(b)

    19,990       19,816,987  

Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority RB,
2.42%, 08/15/54 (Put 07/01/26)(a)(b)

    2,000       1,963,166  

Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority RB

   

VRDN, 2.24%, 03/01/41 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    1,000       1,000,000  

VRDN, 2.24%, 04/01/46 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    765       765,000  

Series C, VRDN, 2.20%, 05/01/46 (Put 11/07/22)(a)

    4,355       4,355,000  
   

 

 

 
      27,900,153  
   

 

 

 

Total Municipal Debt Obligations — 104.6%
(Cost $548,774,446)

      544,966,926  
   

 

 

 

Money Market Funds

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds: MuniCash,
1.83%(d)(e)

    29       28,912  
   

 

 

 

Total Money Market Funds — 0.0%
(Cost: $28,912)

      28,912  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 104.6%
(Cost: $548,803,358)

        544,995,838  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (4.6)%

      (24,036,223
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 520,959,615  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of period end and maturity is the date the principal owed can be recovered through demand.

(b) 

Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of period end. Security description also includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.

 

 

24  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF

 

(c) 

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.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended October 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
10/31/21
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
10/31/22
    Shares
Held at
10/31/22
(000)
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds: MuniCash

  $     $ 29,740 (a)    $     $ 828   $     $ 28,912       29     $ 3,902     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

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

                 

Municipal Debt Obligations

   $        $ 544,966,926        $        $ 544,966,926  

Money Market Funds

     28,912                            28,912  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   28,912        $ 544,966,926        $        $ 544,995,838  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities

 

American Express Credit Account Master Trust, 5.18%, 10/15/27

  $ 14,709     $ 14,708,270  

BMW Vehicle Owner Trust, 2.52%, 12/26/24 (Call 11/25/23)

    13,523       13,353,620  

CarMax Auto Owner Trust

   

2.81%, 05/15/25 (Call 09/15/23)

    3,470       3,427,373  

5.61%, 12/15/25

    12,861       12,859,925  

Chase Issuance Trust, 3.97%, 09/15/27

    14,100       13,701,346  

Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust

   

0.24%, 04/15/24 (Call 02/15/23)

    3,231       3,207,073  

2.78%, 10/15/24 (Call 09/15/23)

    4,065       4,009,888  

Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust

   

0.73%, 09/15/24 (Call 07/15/23)

    6,860       6,769,009  

3.44%, 02/15/25 (Call 01/15/24)

    9,988       9,889,343  

Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 1.44%, 10/15/24 (Call 11/15/23)

    13,886       13,654,487  

Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust

   

0.24%, 01/16/24 (Call 04/15/23)(a)

    8,123       8,042,676  

0.81%, 04/15/24 (Call 08/15/23)(a)

    7,368       7,224,975  

2.75%, 10/15/24 (Call 12/15/23)(a)

    18,449       18,135,688  

4.34%, 01/15/25 (Call 04/15/24)(a)

    2,378       2,352,825  

Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 4.50%, 08/15/25 (Call 06/15/24)

    9,440       9,353,333  

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 2.35%, 01/15/25 (Call 09/15/23)

    9,153       9,018,834  
   

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities — 2.1%
(Cost: $151,594,938)

      149,708,665  
   

 

 

 

Certificates of Deposit

   

Banco Santander SA, 3.82%, 05/03/23, (SOFR + 0.800%)(b)

    10,000       9,999,809  

Banco Santander SA/New York, 3.67%, 01/18/23, (SOFR + 0.620%)(b)

    8,000       8,000,910  

Bank of Montreal

   

0.50%, 11/28/22

    7,000       6,982,316  

5.40%, 10/13/23

    25,000       24,982,160  

Bank of Montreal/Chicago IL, 3.75%, 07/13/23, (SOFR + 0.700%)(b)

    7,000       6,997,951  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The), 4.05%, 07/14/23

    20,000       19,816,692  

Barclays Bank PLC/NY 1.65%, 03/03/23

    15,000       14,831,890  

2.98%, 06/01/23

    8,750       8,636,518  

3.28%, 02/03/23, (SOFR + 0.300%)(b)

    30,000       29,978,106  

3.70%, 06/08/23, (SOFR + 0.650%)(b)

    15,000       14,983,689  

4.00%, 07/13/23

    15,000       14,871,236  

Bayerische Landesbank/New York

   

0.90%, 06/27/23

    15,000       14,584,074  

4.52%, 01/27/23,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.160%)(b)

    22,500       22,499,796  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 0.35%, 11/02/22

    6,000       5,999,069  

3.26%, 03/03/23, (SOFR + 0.280%)(b)

    30,000       29,980,341  

3.34%, 01/06/23, (SOFR + 0.300%)(b)

    10,000       9,997,930  

4.65%, 09/14/23

    17,000       16,882,033  

CDP Financial Inc., 5.24%, 06/27/23

    7,900       7,634,565  

Citibank NA 3.61%, 09/21/23(b)

    10,000       9,979,607  

3.77%, 05/01/23

    15,000       14,896,236  

3.85%, 07/28/23

    10,000       9,888,641  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Kookmin Bank/New York

   

3.28%, 12/02/22, (3 mo. LIBOR US +
0.180%)(b)

  $ 10,000     $ 9,999,740  

3.29%, 01/30/23, (SOFR + 0.300%)(b)

    25,000       24,982,896  

3.30%, 02/09/23, (SOFR + 0.320%)(b)

    10,000       9,992,289  

3.36%, 02/21/23, (SOFR + 0.320%)(b)

    20,000       19,980,880  

Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg, 3.53%, 02/03/23, (SOFR + 0.490%)(b)

    17,500       17,496,643  

Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets PLC

   

5.14%, 05/15/23

    8,000       7,782,396  

5.24%, 10/12/23

    15,000       14,975,584  

Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets PLC/New York NY

   

0.40%, 12/01/22

    16,000       15,953,127  

2.81%, 05/11/23

    15,000       14,819,173  

3.33%, 02/03/23, (SOFR + 0.280%)(b)

    25,000       24,990,907  

Mizuho Bank Ltd.

   

3.83%, 04/26/23, (SOFR + 0.800%)(b)

    25,000       25,000,091  

3.85%, 04/27/23, (SOFR + 0.800%)(b)

    12,500       12,499,618  

Mizuho Bank Ltd./New York NY, 3.61%, 02/01/23,

   

(SOFR + 0.570%)(b)

    30,000       30,003,611  

MUFG Bank Ltd./New York NY

   

3.27%, 01/27/23, (SOFR + 0.280%)(b)

    25,000       24,984,835  

3.32%, 01/24/23, (SOFR + 0.280%)(b)

    15,000       14,991,209  

Natixis SA/New York NY

   

2.13%, 11/18/22

    10,600       10,592,249  

3.26%, 02/07/23, (SOFR + 0.280%)(b)

    10,000       9,995,503  

Nordea Bank Abp, 2.21%, 12/05/22

    40,000       39,940,222  

Royal Bank of Canada

   

0.37%, 11/10/22

    10,000       9,991,282  

0.40%, 11/15/22

    15,000       14,980,274  

3.29%, 01/11/23, (SOFR + 0.250%)(b)

    18,000       17,992,083  

4.05%, 08/22/23

    25,000       24,726,662  

Standard Chartered Bank PLC, 2.15%, 11/22/22

    25,000       24,976,722  

Standard Chartered Bank/New York

   

3.34%, 05/01/23, (SOFR + 0.350%)(b)

    25,000       24,959,703  

3.35%, 03/13/23, (SOFR + 0.300%)(b)

    30,000       29,973,116  

3.41%, 07/28/23, (SOFR + 0.420%)(b)

    15,000       14,967,428  

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

   

2.70%, 04/25/23

    50,000       49,412,276  

3.05%, 11/25/22

    14,500       14,493,662  

3.74%, 09/28/23(b)

    15,000       14,970,016  

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp./New York

   

3.32%, 01/23/23, (SOFR + 0.280%)(b)

    20,000       19,989,681  

3.49%, 01/25/23, (SOFR + 0.450%)(b)

    20,000       19,997,216  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd./New York, 3.59%, 01/06/23, (SOFR + 0.550%)(b)

    35,000       35,009,092  

Swedbank AB, 3.68%, 04/25/23, (SOFR + 0.650%)(b)

    35,000       34,995,035  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

0.73%, 12/30/22

    8,000       7,957,699  

2.69%, 04/28/23

    10,000       9,875,131  

3.70%, 05/01/23

    10,000       9,923,467  

4.35%, 09/13/23

    17,000       16,835,421  

4.99%, 05/01/23

    15,000       15,000,000  

5.20%, 10/11/23

    25,000       24,926,970  

Westpac Banking Corp. 2.25%, 01/23/23

    30,000       29,866,832  

4.22%, 09/06/23

    17,000       16,831,270  
   

 

 

 

Total Certificates of Deposit — 15.8%
(Cost: $1,117,883,336)

      1,114,055,580  
   

 

 

 

 

 

26  

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Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Commercial Paper

   

Alinghi Funding Co. LLC

   

4.36%, 01/12/23(a)

  $ 6,500     $ 6,443,060  

5.18%, 04/18/23(a)

    33,500       32,705,031  

Amcor Finance USA Inc., 3.87%, 11/16/22

    13,500       13,476,792  

Amcor Flexibles North America Inc.

   

3.62%, 11/04/22

    10,000       9,995,979  

3.62%, 12/01/22

    35,000       34,878,691  

3.91%, 11/18/22

    22,000       21,957,100  

3.95%, 11/22/22

    12,865       12,834,024  

4.05%, 12/02/22

    15,000       14,946,253  

Ameren Corp., 3.77%, 11/07/22

    9,939       9,931,714  

Ameren Illinois Co., 3.94%, 11/22/22

    23,000       22,944,719  

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

   

3.50%, 11/03/22

    22,840       22,833,336  

3.57%, 11/04/22

    13,539       13,533,631  

3.86%, 11/15/22

    25,000       24,959,823  

3.94%, 11/22/22

    35,000       34,915,877  

Amphenol Corp., 3.79%, 11/14/22

    40,000       39,941,107  

ASB Bank Ltd.

   

5.35%, 08/11/23

    20,000       19,189,969  

5.39%, 09/12/23

    15,000       14,322,707  

AT&T Inc.

   

3.94%, 11/23/22

    40,500       40,398,311  

4.12%, 12/16/22

    25,000       24,869,155  

Avery Dennison Corp., 3.85%, 11/22/22

    9,470       9,447,760  

Banco Santander SA, 3.81%, 12/06/22

    25,000       24,905,000  

Bank of Montreal, 2.80%, 05/12/23

    12,000       11,859,649  

Bell Canada, 3.65%, 11/14/22

    25,000       24,964,553  

Bell Telephone Co. of Canada or Bell Canada, 3.70%, 11/18/22

    20,000       19,963,100  

BPCE SA

   

3.12%, 11/01/22

    30,000       29,997,397  

4.76%, 02/22/23

    10,000       9,851,610  

4.80%, 03/01/23

    13,500       13,285,558  

Brookfield BRP Holdings Canada Inc.

   

3.50%, 11/03/22

    50,000       49,985,412  

3.81%, 11/10/22

    23,841       23,815,815  

Brookfield Infrastructure Holdings Canada Inc., 3.79%, 11/08/22

    25,000       24,978,967  

CDP Financial Inc.

   

3.77%, 08/10/23

    25,000       23,978,055  

5.49%, 09/07/23

    10,000       9,547,063  

Ciesco LLC, 3.96%, 12/20/22

    23,500       23,371,305  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   

4.14%, 01/03/23

    20,000       19,853,760  

4.20%, 01/09/23

    20,000       19,838,106  

5.13%, 04/11/23

    30,000       29,323,650  

Collateralized Commercial Paper V Co. LLC

   

3.59%, 02/21/23, (SOFR + 0.540%)(b)

    28,200       28,195,544  

4.40%, 01/13/23

    20,000       19,820,632  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 3.65%, 07/13/23, (SOFR + 0.600%)(a)(b)

    35,000       34,975,597  

Credit Industriel et Commercial/New York

   

4.60%, 03/08/23

    25,000       24,597,867  

5.07%, 05/04/23

    15,500       15,106,436  

Crown Point Capital Co. LLC, 3.73%, 11/21/22

    10,000       9,978,277  

DBS Bank Ltd., 3.09%, 11/01/22

    25,000       24,997,851  

DNB Bank ASA

   

3.36%, 11/07/22

    5,000       4,996,735  

4.60%, 03/02/23

    10,000       9,846,517  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

4.94%, 04/28/23

  $ 10,000     $ 9,760,140  

Duke Energy Corp.

   

3.35%, 11/01/22

    55,000       54,994,887  

3.85%, 11/14/22

    25,000       24,962,628  

E.ON SE, 4.01%, 11/28/22

    30,000       29,906,713  

Enbridge U.S. Inc., 4.29%, 12/16/22

    35,000       34,809,125  

Enel Finance America LLC

   

3.80%, 11/03/22

    15,000       14,995,574  

4.06%, 11/17/22

    35,000       34,933,013  

4.17%, 11/21/22

    20,000       19,951,467  

4.27%, 12/05/22

    10,000       9,958,651  

5.12%, 01/19/23

    20,000       19,774,978  

Evergy Kansas Central Inc., 3.77%, 11/07/22

    10,636       10,628,203  

Evergy Missouri West Inc., 3.77%, 11/07/22

    32,264       32,240,349  

Fidelity National Information Services Inc., 3.89%, 11/18/22

    4,000       3,992,240  

Fiserv Inc., 3.87%, 11/14/22

    48,840       48,766,686  

Goldman Sachs International, 3.51%, 11/10/22

    10,000       9,990,269  

GTA Funding LLC, 4.44%, 01/17/23

    20,000       19,809,247  

HSBC USA Inc.

   

5.55%, 08/14/23

    15,000       14,364,295  

5.59%, 09/07/23

    20,000       19,078,576  

Kookmin Bank, 5.08%, 04/25/23

    25,000       24,393,900  

Korea Development Bank (The), 5.15%, 05/26/23

    12,500       12,140,625  

Korea Development Bank/New York NY, 4.36%, 02/06/23

    7,500       7,411,984  

La Fayette Asset Securitization LLC

   

4.71%, 02/01/23

    13,666       13,501,661  

4.72%, 02/03/23

    16,304       16,103,291  

Legacy Capital Co. LLC, 3.75%, 11/23/22

    16,700       16,660,118  

Liberty Street Funding LLC

   

3.50%, 11/07/22

    25,000       24,982,986  

4.58%, 01/19/23

    35,000       34,647,433  

4.60%, 01/20/23

    20,000       19,794,980  

4.99%, 02/28/23

    10,000       9,836,333  

Lloyds Bank PLC, 4.68%, 02/07/23

    21,250       20,979,727  

LMA-Americas LLC

   

3.55%, 11/08/22

    28,287       28,264,716  

4.46%, 01/13/23

    20,000       19,818,494  

5.23%, 05/02/23

    18,700       18,215,868  

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

   

3.13%, 11/01/22, (SOFR + 0.350%)

    10,000       9,999,129  

3.36%, 02/28/23, (SOFR + 0.300%)(a)(b)

    25,000       24,977,041  

3.39%, 01/10/23, (SOFR + 0.350%)(a)(b)

    15,000       14,999,141  

3.78%, 04/25/23, (SOFR + 0.750%)(a)(b)

    25,000       25,000,018  

5.50%, 08/17/23

    10,000       9,575,553  

Matchpoint Finance PLC, 3.85%, 12/08/22

    25,000       24,898,693  

Mitsubishi HC Capital America Inc.

   

3.54%, 11/03/22

    23,042       23,035,201  

4.38%, 01/03/23

    25,000       24,806,800  

National Australia Bank Ltd.

   

3.45%, 04/05/23, (SOFR + 0.400%)(a)(b)

    25,000       24,975,700  

3.55%, 03/14/23, (SOFR + 0.500%)(a)(b)

    10,000       9,998,888  

4.45%, 02/01/23

    15,000       14,829,655  

4.66%, 02/24/23

    17,000       16,748,296  

Natixis SA/New York NY

   

3.07%, 11/01/22

    37,500       37,496,802  

3.46%, 11/10/22

    10,000       9,990,389  

Nutrien Ltd. 3.58%, 11/03/22

    23,364       23,357,028  

3.89%, 11/14/22

    5,783       5,774,274  

3.90%, 11/15/22

    25,000       24,959,479  

3.91%, 11/16/22

    16,844       16,814,804  

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

3.96%, 11/21/22

  $ 23,320     $ 23,266,267  

Pricoa Short Term Funding LLC, 5.46%, 09/13/23

    15,000       14,311,846  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

   

3.78%, 11/08/22

    20,000       19,983,196  

4.83%, 02/06/23

    34,500       34,052,111  

Regatta Funding Co. LLC, 4.52%, 01/18/23

    10,000       9,901,864  

Ridgefield Funding Co. LLC, 4.35%, 01/12/23

    35,000       34,693,968  

Salisbury Receivables Co. LLC, 4.33%, 02/02/23

    30,000       29,664,655  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

   

0.16%, 06/01/23

    35,000       35,000,000  

3.42%, 04/05/23, (SOFR + 0.380%)(a)(b)

    25,000       24,975,300  

3.46%, 11/10/22

    25,000       24,975,972  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB/New York NY, 3.55%, 04/12/23, (SOFR + 0.510%)(b)

    20,000       19,986,944  

Sony Capital Corp.

   

3.47%, 11/01/22

    40,000       39,996,149  

3.54%, 11/02/22

    20,000       19,996,066  

Spire Inc.

   

3.89%, 11/17/22

    19,875       19,838,594  

3.90%, 11/18/22

    5,000       4,990,275  

3.93%, 11/21/22

    21,150       21,101,612  

Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

   

3.72%, 11/21/22

    30,000       29,935,075  

3.73%, 11/22/22

    11,000       10,974,993  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd., 3.50%, 11/14/22

    16,700       16,677,282  

Suncorp-Metway Ltd., 3.77%, 11/07/22

    10,500       10,492,303  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB

   

3.80%, 07/28/23, (SOFR + 0.750%)(a)(b)

    25,000       24,996,279  

4.37%, 02/27/23

    30,000       29,572,988  

4.48%, 03/06/23

    25,000       24,613,950  

TELUS Corp.

   

4.41%, 01/10/23

    4,365       4,327,354  

4.49%, 01/18/23

    42,700       42,283,304  

4.64%, 02/02/23

    23,850       23,564,594  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

   

3.79%, 12/09/22

    15,000       14,938,640  

4.47%, 02/17/23

    20,000       19,732,647  

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.

   

3.37%, 11/01/22

    9,091       9,090,150  

3.77%, 11/07/22

    25,000       24,981,673  

4.14%, 12/12/22

    27,500       27,367,817  

UBS AG/London, 3.64%, 09/26/23(a)(b)

    10,000       9,984,864  

Versailles Commercial Paper LLC, 4.41%, 01/11/23

    15,000       14,868,840  

Victory Receivables Corp.

   

4.37%, 01/09/23

    20,000       19,831,339  

4.80%, 02/01/23

    15,000       14,816,325  

4.83%, 02/08/23

    15,000       14,801,542  

Virginia Electric & Power Co., 3.58%, 11/08/22

    18,232       18,217,491  

Volvo Treasury North America LP, 3.89%, 11/17/22

    33,655       33,593,352  

Vulcan Materials Co., 3.93%, 11/08/22

    7,876       7,869,120  

Westpac Banking Corp., 4.53%, 03/03/23

    5,000       4,923,860  
   

 

 

 

Total Commercial Paper — 39.8%
(Cost: $2,812,073,261)

      2,807,656,144  
   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds & Notes

   

Aerospace & Defense — 0.2%

   

Lockheed Martin Corp., 4.95%, 10/15/25(c)

    6,195       6,200,162  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Aerospace & Defense (continued)

   

Raytheon Technologies Corp., 3.65%, 08/16/23
(Call 07/16/23)(c)

  $ 4,000     $ 3,958,041  
   

 

 

 
      10,158,203  
Agriculture — 0.4%            

Cargill Inc.

   

0.40%, 02/02/24 (Call 01/02/24)(a)

    10,165       9,589,634  

3.50%, 04/22/25 (Call 04/22/23)(a)(c)

    6,825       6,579,149  

4.88%, 10/10/25

    14,235       14,114,856  
   

 

 

 
      30,283,639  
Auto Manufacturers — 4.6%            

American Honda Finance Corp.

   

0.65%, 09/08/23(c)

    20,000       19,249,296  

0.75%, 08/09/24(c)

    3,235       3,000,506  

0.88%, 07/07/23(c)

    7,025       6,825,560  

3.13%, 02/22/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US
+ 0.150%)(b)(c)

    8,820       8,805,317  

3.59%, 09/08/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.420%)(b)

    5,790       5,778,112  

BMW U.S. Capital LLC

   

0.75%, 08/12/24(a)

    2,925       2,701,275  

0.80%, 04/01/24(a)

    3,350       3,151,826  

3.00%, 08/12/24, (SOFR + 0.380%)(a)(b)

    19,960       19,745,009  

3.56%, 04/01/24, (SOFR + 0.530%)(a)(b)

    15,615       15,545,505  

Daimler Finance North America LLC

   

0.75%, 03/01/24(a)

    26,690       25,137,710  

1.75%, 03/10/23(a)

    13,184       13,045,844  

Daimler Trucks Finance North America LLC, 1.13%, 12/14/23(a)

    4,000       3,811,723  

Hyundai Capital America

   

0.80%, 04/03/23(a)

    21,620       21,186,729  

0.80%, 01/08/24(a)

    3,000       2,831,482  

2.38%, 02/10/23(a)

    7,560       7,498,555  

2.85%, 11/01/22(a)(c)

    8,440       8,440,000  

Hyundai Capital Services Inc., 0.75%, 09/15/23(a)

    20,000       19,151,164  

PACCAR Financial Corp.

   

0.80%, 06/08/23(c)

    2,760       2,696,214  

3.15%, 06/13/24

    8,865       8,604,552  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

   

0.50%, 06/18/24

    4,000       3,720,730  

2.50%, 03/22/24

    15,000       14,494,946  

2.90%, 03/30/23(c)

    10,000       9,924,873  

3.12%, 09/13/24, (SOFR + 0.290%)(b)

    12,000       11,855,570  

3.24%, 02/13/23, (SOFR + 0.200%)(b)(c)

    22,277       22,257,853  

3.60%, 03/22/24, (SOFR + 0.320%)(b)

    10,000       9,968,849  

3.65%, 08/18/25

    13,145       12,653,065  

4.40%, 09/20/24

    15,000       14,863,577  

Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC

   

0.75%, 11/23/22(a)

    15,025       14,982,631  

3.72%, 06/07/24(a)(b)

    12,380       12,339,901  
   

 

 

 
      324,268,374  
Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.0%            

Aptiv PLC/Aptiv Corp., 2.40%, 02/18/25
(Call 02/18/23)(c)

    3,275       3,051,425  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 12.4%            

Banco Santander SA

   

0.70%, 06/30/24 (Call 06/30/23)(b)

    8,200       7,873,605  

3.89%, 05/24/24

    15,800       15,319,073  

Bank of America Corp.

   

0.52%, 06/14/24 (Call 06/14/23), (SOFR + 0.410%)(b)

    18,580       17,935,784  

3.00%, 12/20/23 (Call 12/20/22), (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.790%)(b)

    10,000       9,963,992  

 

 

28  

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


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Banks (continued)            

3.30%, 01/11/23

  $   10,000     $   9,979,615  

Series 2025, 3.28%, 02/04/25 (Call 02/04/24), (SOFR + 0.660%)(b)

    15,000       14,749,238  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The), 3.43%, 06/13/25 (Call 06/13/24)(b)(c)

    16,100       15,617,834  

BPCE SA, 2.75%, 01/11/23(a)(c)

    4,000       3,976,994  

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 3.50%, 09/13/23(c)

    4,500       4,439,534  

Citigroup Inc., 4.14%, 05/24/25 (Call 05/24/24), (SOFR + 1.372%)(b)(c)

    4,770       4,637,267  

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA/NY, 3.88%, 08/22/24

    16,800       16,421,428  

Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank SA, 0.40%, 01/15/23

    12,000       11,911,918  

Credit Suisse AG/New York NY

   

0.50%, 02/02/24

    5,335       4,880,701  

1.00%, 05/05/23

    5,000       4,848,232  

2.97%, 02/02/24, (SOFR + 0.390%)(b)

    15,000       14,400,000  

3.47%, 07/10/23, (SOFR + 0.420%)(b)

    14,000       13,962,865  

3.59%, 01/19/24, (SOFR + 0.540%)(b)

    10,000       9,955,035  

Deutsche Bank AG/New York NY

   

4.16%, 05/13/25(c)

    6,905       6,569,431  

Series E, 0.96%, 11/08/23

    20,815       19,796,672  

Series E, 3.10%, 11/08/23, (SOFR + 0.500%)(b)

    16,220       16,016,763  

DNB Bank ASA

   

2.15%, 12/02/22(a)

    14,382       14,355,685  

3.72%, 12/02/22, (3 mo. LIBOR US
+ 0.620%)(a)(b)

    5,000       4,998,536  

Fifth Third Bank NA, 1.80%, 01/30/23 (Call 12/30/22)

    4,560       4,527,936  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

   

0.52%, 03/08/23(c)

    20,000       19,684,102  

1.22%, 12/06/23 (Call 12/06/22)

    12,000       11,481,192  

0.63%, 11/17/23 (Call 11/17/22), (SOFR + 0.538%)(b)

    10,000       9,974,320  

3.19%, 11/17/23 (Call 11/17/22), (SOFR + 0.540%)(b)

    7,000       6,965,840  

HSBC Holdings PLC, 1.16%, 11/22/24 (Call 11/22/23), (SOFR + 0.580%)(b)

    6,995       6,564,506  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

0.70%, 03/16/24 (Call 03/16/23), (SOFR + 0.580%)(b)

    4,000       3,922,436  

3.47%, 03/16/24 (Call 03/16/23), (SOFR + 0.580%)(b)

    20,000       19,838,485  

3.85%, 06/14/25 (Call 06/14/24)(b)

    16,100       15,599,993  

KeyBank NA/Cleveland OH

   

0.43%, 06/14/24 (Call 06/14/23), (SOFR + 0.320%)(b)

    10,000       9,683,034  

3.18%, 06/14/24 (Call 06/14/23), (SOFR + 0.320%)(b)

    15,565       15,386,021  

4.15%, 08/08/25(c)

    5,370       5,185,808  

Kookmin Bank, 2.60%, 11/03/22, (SOFR +
0.320%)(a)(b)

    11,000       10,999,992  

Korea Development Bank (The), 3.31%, 02/18/23, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.350%)(b)

    16,455       16,432,374  

Macquarie Bank Ltd., 3.34%, 04/06/23, (SOFR + 0.300%)(a)(b)

    15,000       14,966,933  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

   

4.79%, 07/18/25 (Call 07/18/24)(b)

    9,010       8,838,122  

5.06%, 09/12/25 (Call 09/12/24)(b)

    15,675       15,447,220  

Morgan Stanley

   

0.53%, 01/25/24 (Call 01/25/23), (SOFR + 0.455%)(b)

    10,000       9,850,269  

0.56%, 11/10/23 (Call 11/10/22), (SOFR + 0.466%)(b)

    15,000       14,980,640  

0.73%, 04/05/24 (Call 04/05/23), (SOFR + 0.616%)(b)

    30,000       29,268,014  

3.62%, 04/17/25 (Call 04/17/24), (SOFR + 1.160%)(b)(c)

    6,865       6,631,523  

3.66%, 01/24/25 (Call 01/24/24),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.140%)(b)

    15,000       14,722,634  

3.75%, 02/25/23(c)

    15,384       15,323,958  

4.20%, 04/17/25 (Call 04/17/24), (SOFR + 0.950%)(b)

    10,000       9,934,000  

MUFG Bank Ltd., 3.59%, 05/31/23(b)

    25,000       24,957,251  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Banks (continued)            

National Australia Bank Ltd., 3.66%, 12/13/22, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.410%)(a)(b)

  $ 3,500     $ 3,496,448  

National Australia Bank Ltd./New York, 1.88%, 12/13/22(c)

    4,460       4,448,166  

Nordea Bank Abp

   

1.00%, 06/09/23(a)

    3,135       3,052,916  

3.60%, 06/06/25(a)

    10,665       10,182,514  

4.75%, 09/22/25(a)(c)

    16,900       16,554,980  

Nordea Bank Abp/New York NY, 0.30%, 01/27/23

    8,000       7,922,257  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc., 5.67%, 10/28/25(c)

    15,526       15,541,719  

Santander UK PLC, 2.10%, 01/13/23

    2,105       2,090,829  

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB

   

2.20%, 12/12/22(a)

    2,845       2,837,405  

3.88%, 12/12/22, (3 mo. LIBOR US +
0.645%)(a)(b)

    3,000       2,998,009  

Societe Generale SA, 4.35%, 06/13/25(a)(c)

    15,000       14,472,284  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

   

0.51%, 01/12/24

    3,580       3,373,308  

3.10%, 01/17/23(c)

    2,659       2,650,094  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd.

   

0.80%, 09/12/23, (SOFR + 0.44%)(a)

    12,744       12,246,453  

0.80%, 09/16/24(a)(c)

    12,000       10,990,685  

2.55%, 03/10/25(a)(c)

    10,000       9,318,188  

3.29%, 09/16/24, (SOFR + 0.440%)(a)(b)

    15,000       14,868,115  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB

   

0.63%, 06/30/23(a)

    6,310       6,117,645  

3.65%, 06/10/25(a)

    15,900       15,167,620  

Swedbank AB

   

0.60%, 09/25/23(a)(c)

    14,500       13,874,180  

1.30%, 06/02/23(a)

    6,680       6,519,279  

Truist Bank

   

1.25%, 03/09/23 (Call 02/06/23)

    15,000       14,809,660  

3.24%, 01/17/24 (Call 01/17/23), (SOFR + 0.200%)(b)

    45,000       44,518,270  

UBS AG/London

   

0.38%, 06/01/23(a)

    4,440       4,315,460  

0.45%, 02/09/24(a)

    7,000       6,573,252  

0.70%, 08/09/24(a)

    4,330       3,978,120  

1.38%, 01/13/25 (Call 12/13/24), (SOFR + 0.300%)(a)

    6,970       6,377,011  

2.96%, 02/09/24, (SOFR + 0.360%)(a)(b)

    5,000       4,961,940  

3.05%, 08/09/24, (SOFR + 0.450%)(a)(b)

    8,470       8,398,504  

3.06%, 06/01/23, (SOFR + 0.320%)(a)(b)

    8,470       8,451,281  

UBS Group AG, 4.49%, 08/05/25
(Call 08/05/24)(a)(b)

    8,810       8,510,680  

Westpac Banking Corp.

   

1.02%, 11/18/24

    3,550       3,272,471  

2.00%, 01/13/23(c)

    2,375       2,363,746  

2.95%, 11/18/24, (SOFR + 0.300%)(b)

    12,445       12,253,266  
   

 

 

 
      871,283,560  
Beverages — 0.8%            

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC, 0.50%, 05/05/23(a)

    52,207       50,933,348  

PepsiCo Inc., 0.75%, 05/01/23

    1,615       1,584,085  
   

 

 

 
      52,517,433  
Biotechnology — 0.2%            

Gilead Sciences Inc., 0.75%, 09/29/23 (Call 11/14/22)

    15,971       15,371,310  
   

 

 

 

Chemicals — 0.2%

   

Ecolab Inc., 0.90%, 12/15/23 (Call 12/15/22)(c)

    8,800       8,413,574  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The), 4.05%, 08/08/24

    7,310       7,171,795  
   

 

 

 
      15,585,369  
Cosmetics & Personal Care — 0.2%            

GSK Consumer Healthcare Capital U.S. LLC, 3.02%, 03/24/24

    9,235       8,909,979  

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Cosmetics & Personal Care (continued)

   

Unilever Capital Corp., 0.63%, 08/12/24 (Call 12/01/22)(c)

  $     5,975     $ 5,558,414  
   

 

 

 
          14,468,393  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.8%            

American Express Co.
0.75%, 11/03/23

    10,000       9,581,158  

2.51%, 11/03/23, (SOFR + 0.230%)(b)

    10,000       9,928,175  

3.38%, 05/03/24

    7,600       7,371,249  

3.68%, 03/04/25 (Call 02/01/25), (SOFR + 0.930%)(b)

    8,235       8,210,589  

Capital One Financial Corp., 4.17%, 05/09/25
(Call 05/09/24)(b)

    15,800       15,184,039  

LSEGA Financing PLC, 0.65%, 04/06/24 (Call 03/06/24)(a)

    3,895       3,636,066  
   

 

 

 
      53,911,276  
Electric — 3.9%            

Dominion Energy Inc., Series D, 3.82%, 09/15/23
(Call 11/21/22), (3 mo. LIBOR US
+ 0.530%)(b)

    30,560       30,464,644  

Duke Energy Corp., 3.07%, 06/10/23, (SOFR + 0.250%)(b)

    14,765       14,670,554  

Eversource Energy, 2.88%, 08/15/23, (SOFR + 0.250%)(b)

    23,850       23,719,643  

Florida Power & Light Co.

   

2.87%, 05/10/23 (Call 11/14/22), (SOFR + 0.250%)(b)

    11,020       10,982,171  

3.42%, 01/12/24 (Call 11/14/22), (SOFR + 0.250%)(b)

    8,240       8,152,007  

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp.
3.00%, 08/07/23, (SOFR + 0.330%)(b)

    16,150       16,106,129  

Series D, 3.36%, 10/18/24, (SOFR +
0.330%)(b)

    5,000       4,931,771  

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings Inc.
0.65%, 03/01/23

    6,888       6,791,814  

2.69%, 11/03/23 (Call 12/01/22), (SOFR + 0.400%)(b)

    30,000       29,642,925  

2.94%, 03/21/24 (Call 12/01/22)(c)

    15,000       14,522,552  

3.25%, 02/22/23 (Call 12/01/22),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.270%)(b)

    45,000       44,919,283  

3.28%, 03/01/23, (SOFR + 0.540%)(b)

    9,305       9,292,602  

4.26%, 09/01/24

    10,000       9,805,314  

PPL Electric Utilities Corp.
3.35%, 06/24/24 (Call 11/14/22), (SOFR + 0.330%)(b)

    8,065       7,953,685  

3.89%, 09/28/23 (Call 11/14/22),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.250%)(b)

    8,710       8,683,081  

WEC Energy Group Inc.
0.55%, 09/15/23(c)

    21,955       21,064,829  

5.00%, 09/27/25 (Call 08/27/25)

    7,465       7,435,667  

Xcel Energy Inc., 0.50%, 10/15/23 (Call 09/15/23)

    7,560       7,214,975  
   

 

 

 
      276,353,646  
Food — 1.1%            

Hormel Foods Corp., 0.65%, 06/03/24 (Call 12/01/22)(c)

    12,125       11,324,746  

Nestle Holdings Inc.
0.61%, 09/14/24 (Call 09/14/23)(a)

    35,000       32,360,182  

4.00%, 09/12/25(a)(c)

    17,000       16,674,970  

Walmart Inc., 3.90%, 09/09/25(c)

    20,000       19,581,146  
   

 

 

 
      79,941,044  
Gas — 0.7%            

Atmos Energy Corp.
0.63%, 03/09/23 (Call 11/16/22)

    8,175       8,056,999  

3.57%, 03/09/23 (Call 12/01/22),
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.380%)(b)

    23,770       23,713,826  

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., 0.70%, 03/02/23
(Call 12/01/22)(c)

    15,935       15,713,844  
   

 

 

 
      47,484,669  
Health Care - Products — 0.8%            

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
0.80%, 10/18/23 (Call 12/01/22)

    30,000       28,787,479  

3.38%, 04/18/23 (Call 12/01/22), (SOFR + 0.350%)(b)

    20,000       19,968,418  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Health Care - Products (continued)

   

3.56%, 10/18/24 (Call 12/01/22), (SOFR + 0.530%)(b)

  $     9,215     $ 9,115,293  
   

 

 

 
          57,871,190  
Health Care - Services — 0.9%            

Roche Holdings Inc.
1.88%, 03/08/24(a)

    15,000       14,416,650  

2.99%, 03/05/24, (SOFR + 0.240%)(a)(b)

    5,370       5,333,207  

3.15%, 09/11/23, (SOFR + 0.240%)(a)(b)

    15,000       14,971,677  

UnitedHealth Group Inc.
0.55%, 05/15/24 (Call 11/14/22)(c)

    15,135       14,161,540  

5.00%, 10/15/24

    17,600       17,607,744  
   

 

 

 
      66,490,818  
Insurance — 3.4%            

Athene Global Funding, 2.51%, 03/08/24(a)

    10,000       9,529,939  

Brighthouse Financial Global Funding
1.20%, 12/15/23(a)(c)

    17,000       16,185,475  

2.99%, 02/24/23, (SOFR + 0.310%)(a)(b)

    23,890       23,858,057  

Jackson National Life Global Funding, 3.64%, 01/06/23,
(SOFR + 0.600%)(a)(b)

    26,000       25,987,069  

MassMutual Global Funding II
0.85%, 06/09/23, (SOFR + 0.55%)(a)

    8,328       8,124,702  

4.15%, 08/26/25(a)

    7,302       7,079,857  

MET Tower Global Funding, 3.58%, 01/17/23,
(SOFR + 0.550%)(a)(b)

    22,000       21,994,391  

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I
0.55%, 06/07/24(a)(c)

    3,590       3,321,573  

3.36%, 01/07/24, (SOFR + 0.320%)(a)(b)

    27,000       26,770,999  

3.61%, 01/13/23, (SOFR + 0.570%)(a)(b)

    16,460       16,464,214  

New York Life Global Funding
3.15%, 06/06/24(a)

    8,400       8,148,840  

3.18%, 06/06/24(a)(b)

    9,130       9,065,698  

3.60%, 08/05/25(a)(c)

    16,500       15,786,208  

Northwestern Mutual Global Funding, 4.00%, 07/01/25(a)(c) .

    16,300       15,773,938  

Principal Life Global Funding II
0.75%, 08/23/24(a)

    660       606,590  

3.07%, 08/23/24, (SOFR + 0.380%)(a)(b)

    635       626,312  

Protective Life Global Funding
0.33%, 12/09/22(a)

    15,000       14,941,066  

0.63%, 10/13/23(a)(c)

    4,820       4,619,099  

3.58%, 03/31/23(a)(b)

    9,525       9,517,465  
   

 

 

 
      238,401,492  
Internet — 0.5%            

Amazon.com Inc.
0.25%, 05/12/23(c)

    9,205       8,991,084  

2.73%, 04/13/24(c)

    20,000       19,473,228  

3.00%, 04/13/25(c)

    10,000       9,622,976  
   

 

 

 
      38,087,288  
Machinery — 1.3%            

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.
0.95%, 01/10/24(c)

    20,000       19,093,498  

2.89%, 05/17/24, (SOFR + 0.245%)(b)

    10,000       9,932,710  

3.10%, 09/13/24, (SOFR + 0.270%)(b)

    15,620       15,443,214  

John Deere Capital Corp.
0.90%, 01/10/24

    3,605       3,441,344  

3.16%, 07/10/23, (SOFR + 0.120%)(b)

    7,330       7,296,404  

3.24%, 10/11/24, (SOFR + 0.200%)(b)

    14,290       14,106,802  

3.40%, 06/06/25(c)

    10,390       10,021,311  

Rockwell Automation Inc., 0.35%, 08/15/23 (Call 11/14/22)

    9,050       8,724,455  
   

 

 

 
      88,059,738  

 

 

30  

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


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

Manufacturing — 0.3%

   

Siemens Financieringsmaatschappij NV, 3.25%, 03/11/24, (SOFR + 0.430%)(a)(b)(c)

  $      18,980     $     18,921,490  
   

 

 

 
Media — 0.0%            

Comcast Corp., 5.25%, 11/07/25

    2,950       2,949,203  
   

 

 

 
Oil & Gas — 0.8%            

Chevron Corp., 1.14%, 05/11/23(c)

    4,510       4,425,890  

Chevron USA Inc., 3.12%, 08/11/23,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.200%)(b)

    37,065       36,973,779  

ConocoPhillips Co., 2.13%, 03/08/24
(Call 12/01/22)

    16,000       15,406,091  
   

 

 

 
      56,805,760  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.4%            

AstraZeneca PLC, 0.30%, 05/26/23

    24,000       23,393,932  

GSK Consumer Healthcare Capital U.S. LLC,
3.93%, 03/24/24(a)

    2,150       2,143,209  
   

 

 

 
      25,537,141  
Pipelines — 0.8%            

Enbridge Inc.
0.55%, 10/04/23

    5,380       5,142,715  

2.15%, 02/16/24

    5,530       5,317,206  

3.05%, 02/17/23, (SOFR + 0.400%)(b)

    11,350       11,329,076  

3.26%, 02/16/24, (SOFR + 0.630%)(b)

    10,125       10,013,060  

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., 1.00%, 10/12/24
(Call 09/12/24)

    27,205       24,974,741  
   

 

 

 
      56,776,798  
Retail — 0.4%            

Home Depot Inc. (The), 4.00%, 09/15/25 (Call 08/15/25)

    5,170       5,061,018  

Lowe’s Companies Inc., 4.40%, 09/08/25

    11,510       11,282,509  

McDonald’s Corp., 3.35%, 04/01/23 (Call 03/01/23)(c)

    1,263       1,256,104  

Starbucks Corp., 3.05%, 02/14/24 (Call 02/14/23), (SOFR + 0.420%)(b)

    11,515       11,466,983  
   

 

 

 
      29,066,614  
Savings & Loans — 0.4%            

Nationwide Building Society
0.55%, 01/22/24(a)

    16,520       15,497,785  

2.00%, 01/27/23(a)

    15,890       15,766,524  
   

 

 

 
      31,264,309  
Semiconductors — 0.7%            

Analog Devices Inc., 3.28%, 10/01/24,
(SOFR + 0.250%)(b)

    15,330       15,086,611  

NVIDIA Corp.
0.31%, 06/15/23 (Call 12/01/22)

    28,000       27,231,500  

0.58%, 06/14/24 (Call 06/14/23)

    5,305       4,949,202  
   

 

 

 
      47,267,313  
Software — 0.2%            

Adobe Inc., 1.70%, 02/01/23

    4,010       3,980,127  

salesforce.com Inc., 0.63%, 07/15/24 (Call 12/01/22)(c)

    9,415       8,769,183  
   

 

 

 
      12,749,310  
Telecommunications — 0.7%            

Bell Telephone Co. of Canada or Bell Canada (The), Series US-3, 0.75%, 03/17/24

    21,081       19,829,491  

NTT Finance Corp.
0.58%, 03/01/24(a)(c)

    6,005       5,647,819  

4.14%, 07/26/24(a)

    2,830       2,776,969  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Telecommunications (continued)            

Verizon Communications Inc.
0.75%, 03/22/24(c)

  $ 3,580     $ 3,380,363  

3.48%, 03/22/24, (SOFR + 0.500%)(b)

        16,955       16,814,339  
   

 

 

 
      48,448,981  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes — 37.1% (Cost: $2,674,281,467)

 

        2,613,375,786  
   

 

 

 

Municipal Debt Obligations

   
Alabama — 0.0%            

Alabama Federal Aid Highway Finance Authority RB, 0.45%, 09/01/23

    3,545       3,413,948  
   

 

 

 
Arizona — 0.0%            

County of Pima AZ COP, 0.48%, 12/01/22

    1,020       1,016,675  
   

 

 

 
California — 0.0%            

Port of Oakland RB, 0.82%, 05/01/23

    400       391,369  
   

 

 

 
New York — 2.4%            

Deutsche Bank Spears/Lifers Trust RB, 3.27%, 04/01/31 (Put 11/07/22)(a)(d)

    51,500       51,500,000  

Long Island Power Authority RB
0.36%, 03/01/23 (Call 12/01/22)

    6,800       6,703,080  

0.76%, 03/01/23 (Call 12/01/22)

    1,290       1,273,227  

Mizuho Floater/Residual Trust RB

   

VRDN, 3.34%, 02/01/23
(Put 12/05/22)(a)(d)

    13,000       13,000,000  

VRDN, 3.34%, 07/01/25
(Put 12/05/22)(a)(d)

    27,180       27,180,000  

VRDN, 3.49%, 09/01/27
(Put 01/29/23)(a)(d)

    11,000       11,000,000  

VRDN, 3.34%, 02/15/41
(Put 12/05/22)(a)(d)

    4,918       4,918,091  

VRDN, 3.49%, 09/01/26
(Put 01/29/23)(a)(d)

    6,000       6,000,000  

VRDN, 3.49%, 03/01/31
(Put 01/29/23)(a)(d)

    18,000       18,000,000  

VRDN, 3.49%, 03/01/31
(Put 01/29/23)(a)(d)

    8,640       8,640,000  

New York State Dormitory Authority RB, 2.01%, 03/15/23

    1,765       1,747,444  

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey RB, Series AAA, 1.09%, 07/01/23

    12,570       12,251,124  

Taxable Municipal Funding Trust RB

   

VRDN, 3.81%, 01/16/25
(Put 12/05/22)(a)(d)

    1,085       1,085,000  

VRDN, 3.81%, 09/01/30
(Put 12/05/22)(a)(d)

    4,350       4,350,000  
   

 

 

 
      167,647,966  
   

 

 

 

Total Municipal Debt Obligations — 2.4%
(Cost $173,063,091)

 

    172,469,958  
   

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreements(b)(e)

   

Bank of America Securities Inc., 3.57%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $7,000,694, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 0.00% to 3.64%, due 10/25/59 to 07/25/60, par and fair value of $32,537,811 and $8,289,226, respectively)

    7,000       7,000,000  

Bank of America Securities Inc., 3.39%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $35,003,296, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 3.96% to 8.00%, due 08/27/29 to 09/26/50, par and fair value of $52,685,123 and $41,165,226, respectively)

    35,000       35,000,000  

 

 

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

  31


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

    
Par

(000)

    Value  

BNP Paribas, 3.42%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $20,001,900, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 2.05% to 11.50%, due 09/15/23 to 01/01/99, par and fair value of $24,383,960 and $21,576,005, respectively)

  $     20,000     $     20,000,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 3.36%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $9,000,840, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 1.75% to 5.81%, due 10/21/30 to 07/25/68, par and fair value of $11,283,863 and $10,306,011, respectively)

    9,000       9,000,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 3.38%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $12,001,127, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 1.75% to 5.81%, due 10/21/30 to 07/25/68, par and fair value of $16,627,953 and $12,655,003, respectively)

    12,000       12,000,000  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, 3.66%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $35,003,558, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 0.00% to 9.50%, due 11/25/35 to 03/25/67, par and fair value of $735,783,974 and $40,140,106, respectively)

    35,000       35,000,000  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 3.57%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $60,005,950, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 0.0% to 10.29%, due 10/09/26 to 11/25/51, par and fair value of $104,066,912 and 68,896,183, respectively)

    60,000       60,000,000  

Mizuho Securities USA Inc., 3.52%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $6,000,587, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 4.00%, due 10/31/29, par and fair value of $6,158,900 and $6,119,421, respectively)

    6,000       6,000,000  

Mizuho Securities USA Inc., 3.62%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $30,003,017, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 1.99% to 7.95%, due 04/1/24 to 10/25/59, par and fair value of $53,899,995 and $34,414,869, respectively)

    30,000       30,000,000  

Wells Fargo Securities, 3.55%, 11/01/22 (Purchased on 10/31/22 to be repurchased at $25,002,465, collateralized by non-agency mortgage-backed security, 0.00% to 7.16%, due 01/15/25 to 10/25/59, par and fair value of $43,695,081 and $28,710,683, respectively)

    25,000       25,000,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Repurchase Agreements — 3.4%
(Cost: $239,000,000)

      239,000,000  
   

 

 

 
Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  

U.S. Government Obligations

   
U.S. Government Obligations — 0.1%            

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond, 0.25%, 09/30/23

  $   10,000     $ 9,609,375  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Obligations — 0.1%
(Cost: $9,994,540)

 

    9,609,375  
   

 

 

 
Money Market Funds            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.29%(f)(g)(h)

    56,999       56,987,823  
   

 

 

 

Total Money Market Funds — 0.8%
(Cost: $56,989,604)

 

    56,987,823  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.5%
(Cost: $7,234,880,237)

 

    7,162,863,331  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.5)%

 

    (109,322,152
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   7,053,541,179  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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.

(b)

Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of period end. Security description also includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.

(c)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(d)

Variable rate security. Rate as of period end and maturity is the date the principal owed can be recovered through demand.

(e)

Maturity date represents next reset date.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(g)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h)

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 October 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
10/31/21
   

Purchases

at Cost

    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
10/31/22
    Shares
Held at
10/31/22
(000)
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 17,719,634     $ 39,302,794 (a)    $     $ (32,824   $ (1,781   $ 56,987,823       56,999     $ 108,258 (b)    $  

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

          0 (a)                                     18,753        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (32,824   $ (1,781   $ 56,987,823       $ 127,011     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

32  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

October 31, 2022

  

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

 

Affiliates (continued)

 

(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.

(c)

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

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

                 

Asset-Backed Securities

   $        $ 149,708,665        $        $ 149,708,665  

Certificates of Deposit

              1,114,055,580                   1,114,055,580  

Commercial Paper

              2,807,656,144                   2,807,656,144  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

              2,613,375,786                   2,613,375,786  

Municipal Debt Obligations

              172,469,958                   172,469,958  

Repurchase Agreements

              239,000,000                   239,000,000  

U.S. Government Obligations

              9,609,375                   9,609,375  

Money Market Funds

     56,987,823                            56,987,823  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $     56,987,823        $ 7,105,875,508        $                     —        $ 7,162,863,331  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  33


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2022

 

    

BlackRock
Short Maturity

Bond ETF

   

BlackRock

Short

Maturity
Municipal

Bond ETF

    BlackRock
Ultra Short-Term
Bond ETF
 

ASSETS

     

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 3,957,713,045     $ 544,966,926     $ 6,866,875,508  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    268,092,775       28,912       56,987,823  

Repurchase agreements, at value — unaffiliated(d)

    100,000,000             239,000,000  

Cash

    13,021,129       15,037,302       677,029  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    4,216,591              

Receivables:

     

Investments sold

    289,551              

Securities lending income — affiliated

    32,373             15,289  

Dividends — unaffiliated

          394        

Dividends — affiliated

    617,117       254       5,987,359  

Interest — unaffiliated

    18,762,395       2,184,344       12,362,310  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    688,209              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    4,363,433,185       562,218,132       7,181,905,318  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    77,913,142             57,022,457  

Payables:

     

Investments purchased

          41,149,848       70,865,872  

Capital shares redeemed

    54,063,878              

Investment advisory fees

    905,452       108,669       475,810  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    385,092              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    133,267,564       41,258,517       128,364,139  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,230,165,621     $ 520,959,615     $ 7,053,541,179  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

     

Paid-in capital

  $ 4,341,331,077     $ 524,069,902     $ 7,109,872,054  

Accumulated loss

    (111,165,456     (3,110,287     (56,330,875
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 4,230,165,621     $ 520,959,615     $ 7,053,541,179  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

     

Shares outstanding

    86,050,000       10,500,000       141,100,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 49.16     $ 49.62     $ 49.99  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 4,056,497,033     $ 548,774,446     $ 6,938,890,633  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 75,001,180     $     $ 55,410,058  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 268,096,491     $ 28,912     $ 56,989,604  

(d) Repurchase agreements, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 100,000,000     $     $ 239,000,000  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 4,201,675     $     $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34  

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


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2022

 

    

BlackRock
Short

Maturity

Bond ETF

    BlackRock
Short
Maturity
Municipal
Bond ETF
   

BlackRock
Ultra

Short-Term
Bond ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 2,217,681     $ 3,902     $ 21,639  

Interest — unaffiliated

    61,794,349       3,545,804       83,104,140  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    155,468             105,372  

Other income — unaffiliated

    210,325              

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,327            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    64,376,496       3,549,706       83,231,151  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    11,379,383       884,889       5,125,738  

Professional

    217       217       217  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    11,379,600       885,106       5,125,955  

Less:

     

Investment advisory fees waived

    (158,671            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    11,220,929       885,106       5,125,955  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    53,155,567       2,664,600       78,105,196  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (4,074,552     (66     22,739  

Investments — affiliated

    (43,078     (828     (32,824

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    18,266,401              

Foreign currency transactions

    507,944              

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    (658,147            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    13,998,568       (894     (10,085
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (102,444,008     (4,216,983     (73,933,604

Investments — affiliated

    (12,430           (1,781

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (168,618            

Foreign currency translations

    11,875              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (102,613,181     (4,216,983     (73,935,385
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (88,614,613     (4,217,877     (73,945,470
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $  (35,459,046   $ (1,553,277   $ 4,159,726  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  35


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

BlackRock

Short Maturity Bond ETF

          

BlackRock

Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

10/31/22

   

Year Ended

10/31/21

           Year Ended
10/31/22
    Year Ended
10/31/21
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 53,155,567     $ 35,445,063        $ 2,664,600     $ 964,192  

Net realized gain (loss)

    13,998,568       5,840,631          (894     (4,755

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (102,613,181     (9,550,521        (4,216,983     (395,104
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (35,459,046     31,735,173          (1,553,277     564,333  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (49,011,290     (39,578,305        (1,873,888     (1,005,763
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

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

    (539,564,075     464,293,661          231,217,779       2,519,567  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (624,034,411     456,450,529          227,790,614       2,078,137  

Beginning of year

    4,854,200,032       4,397,749,503          293,169,001       291,090,864  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 4,230,165,621     $ 4,854,200,032        $ 520,959,615     $ 293,169,001  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

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


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

BlackRock

Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

 
 

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

10/31/22

   

Year Ended

10/31/21

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 78,105,196     $ 23,822,908  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (10,085     115,920  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (73,935,385     (9,452,665
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    4,159,726       14,486,163  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (62,518,287     (24,852,336
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    1,305,237,758       894,302,572  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase in net assets

    1,246,879,197       883,936,399  

Beginning of year

    5,806,661,982       4,922,725,583  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 7,053,541,179     $ 5,806,661,982  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  37


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
10/31/22
          Year Ended
10/31/21
     Year Ended
10/31/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 50.07       $ 50.15      $ 50.36     $ 50.12     $ 50.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.58         0.38        0.91       1.37       1.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (0.95       (0.03      (0.16     0.21       (0.23
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.37       0.35        0.75       1.58       0.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.54       (0.43      (0.96     (1.34     (1.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 49.16       $ 50.07      $ 50.15     $ 50.36     $ 50.12  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

            

Based on net asset value

    (0.75 )%        0.70      1.51     3.19     1.78
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

            

Total expenses

    0.25       0.25      0.25     0.25     0.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    0.25       0.25      0.25     0.25     0.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.17       0.76      1.81     2.73     2.21
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 4,230,166       $ 4,854,200      $ 4,397,750     $ 6,260,259     $ 4,981,818  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    44       55      67 %(g)       58 %(g)       48
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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

 

(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

(g) 

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”).

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38  

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
10/31/22
          Year Ended
10/31/21
     Year Ended
10/31/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
     Year Ended
10/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 50.11       $ 50.19      $ 50.13      $ 49.85      $ 50.01  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.37         0.17        0.51        0.81        0.68  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (0.62       (0.07      0.13        0.26        (0.21
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.25       0.10        0.64        1.07        0.47  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.24       (0.18      (0.58      (0.79      (0.63
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 49.62       $ 50.11      $ 50.19      $ 50.13      $ 49.85  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    (0.51 )%        0.19      1.29      2.16      0.95
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

              

Total expenses

    0.25       0.25      0.25      0.25      0.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.75       0.34      1.02      1.63      1.35
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 520,960       $ 293,169      $ 291,091      $ 210,532      $ 127,111  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    98       52      108      170      221
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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

 

(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  39


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Year Ended
10/31/22
          Year Ended
10/31/21
     Year Ended
10/31/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
     Year Ended
10/31/18
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 50.45       $ 50.54      $ 50.41      $ 50.15      $ 50.12  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.61         0.22        0.69        1.38        1.16  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (0.60       (0.07      0.25        0.23        (0.16
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    0.01         0.15        0.94        1.61        1.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.47       (0.24      (0.81      (1.35      (0.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 49.99       $ 50.45      $ 50.54      $ 50.41      $ 50.15  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    0.03       0.29      1.89      3.25      2.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

              

Total expenses

    0.08       0.08      0.08      0.08      0.08
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.22       0.44      1.36      2.74      2.33
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 7,053,541       $ 5,806,662      $ 4,922,726      $ 2,195,391      $ 601,794  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    27       47      54      16      32
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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

 

(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40  

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


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

iShares U.S. ETF 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”):

 

 

 
BlackRock ETF   Diversification  
Classification  
 

 

 

Short Maturity Bond

    Diversified    

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

    Diversified    

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    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 (the “trade dates”). 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. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

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 October 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.

Collateralization: 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.

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.

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.

 

 

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

  41


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) of each Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. 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 BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

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

 

   

Fixed-income investments for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid price or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third-party pricing services. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), market data, credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information. Certain fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage related securities may be valued based on valuation models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. The amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless BFA determines such method does not represent fair value.

 

   

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

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies.

 

   

Repurchase agreements are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

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 Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the 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 Valuation Committee 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 Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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 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 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.

 

 

42  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Repurchase Agreements: Repurchase agreements are commitments to purchase a security from a counterparty who agrees to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed upon date and price. On a daily basis, the counterparty is required to maintain collateral subject to the agreement and in value no less than the agreed upon repurchase amount. Repurchase agreements may be traded bilaterally, in a tri-party arrangement or may be centrally cleared through a sponsoring agent. Subject to the custodial undertaking associated with a tri-party repurchase arrangement and for centrally cleared agreements, a third party custodian maintains accounts to hold collateral for a fund and its counterparties. Typically, a fund and counterparty are not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use the collateral absent a default by the counterparty or the fund. In the event the counterparty defaults and the fair value of the collateral declines, a fund could experience losses, delays and costs in liquidating the collateral.

Repurchase agreements are entered into by a fund under Master Repurchase Agreements (each, an “MRA”). The MRA permits the fund, under certain circumstances including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset payables and/or receivables with collateral held by and/or posted to the counterparty. As a result, one single net payment is created. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of the MRA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Based on the terms of the MRA, the fund receives securities as collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price at maturity. Upon a bankruptcy or insolvency of the MRA counterparty, the fund would recognize a liability with respect to such excess collateral. The liability reflects the fund’s obligation under bankruptcy law to return the excess to the counterparty.

The following table summarizes the open repurchase agreements as of October 31, 2022 which are subject to offset under an MRA:

 

BlackRock ETF and Counterparty    

Market Value of
Repurchase
Agreements
 
 
 
    


Cash

Collateral
Received at value

 


 

    


Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
at Fair Value
 
 
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

Short Maturity Bond

         

Goldman Sachs & Co.

  $ 100,000,000      $      $ 100,000,000     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ultra Short-Term Bond

         

Bank of America Securities Inc.

  $ 42,000,000      $      $ 42,000,000     $  

BNP Paribas

    20,000,000               20,000,000        

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    21,000,000               21,000,000        

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    35,000,000               35,000,000        

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    60,000,000               60,000,000        

Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

    36,000,000               36,000,000        

Wells Fargo Securities

    25,000,000               25,000,000        
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 239,000,000      $      $ 239,000,000     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received in excess of the market value of repurchase agreements 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.

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 BFA, 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.

 

 

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

  43


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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:

 

BlackRock ETF and Counterparty    
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

Short Maturity Bond

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 4,271,324      $ (4,271,324   $     $  

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    297,977        (297,977            

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

    153,618        (153,618            

BNP Paribas SA

    1,006,672        (1,006,672            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    5,914,556        (5,914,556            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    4,976        (4,976            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    16,176,524        (16,176,524            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    25,527,615        (25,527,615            

Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Holdings Co., Ltd.

    6,335,756        (6,335,756            

Morgan Stanley

    14,136,992        (14,136,992            

Pershing LLC

    38,951        (38,951            

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    1,136,219        (1,136,219            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 75,001,180      $ (75,001,180   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ultra Short-Term Bond

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 2,718,766      $ (2,718,766   $     $  

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

    625,802        (625,802            

BNP Paribas SA

    157,779        (157,779            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    13,145,713        (13,145,713            

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,552,814        (1,552,814            

HSBC Securities (USA), Inc.

    6,204,138        (6,204,138            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    26,406,788        (26,406,788            

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

    1,370,607        (1,370,607            

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    3,227,651        (3,227,651            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 55,410,058      $ (55,410,058   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, 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 Funds’ Statements 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

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Funds are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market. The contracts are traded over-the-counter (“OTC”) and not on an organized exchange.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation 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 value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. A fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help mitigate its counterparty risk, a fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency, or other events.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement, and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Funds, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Funds. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Funds on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from the counterparty are not fully collateralized, each Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Funds have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, each Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, each Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

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 each of the following Funds, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

BlackRock ETF   Investment Advisory Fees  

Short Maturity Bond

    0.25

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

    0.25  

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    0.08  

Expense Waivers: A fund may incur its pro rata share of fees and expenses attributable to its investments in other investment companies (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). The total of the investment advisory fee and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statements of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fees for the Fund through February 28, 2025 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates.

This amount is included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended October 31, 2022, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

BlackRock ETF   Amounts Waived    

Short Maturity Bond

  $           158,671    

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

 

 

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  45


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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, each 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 that calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, 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.

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 October 31, 2022, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

BlackRock ETF   Amounts  

Short Maturity Bond

  $ 55,682  

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    37,569  

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

 

BlackRock ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

  $ 24,826,755      $ 18,406,316      $  

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.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

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

 

   
    Other Securities  
BlackRock ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Short Maturity Bond

  $   1,746,164,355      $   2,011,521,849  

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

    543,494,993        327,942,050  

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    1,100,706,982        711,842,432  

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

 

     
BlackRock ETF   In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind
Sales
 

Short Maturity Bond

  $      $ 59,866,441  

 

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.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of October 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 October 31, 2022, permanent differences attributable to realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

BlackRock ETF   Paid-in Capital     Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)
 

Short Maturity Bond

  $ (658,147   $ 658,147  

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

BlackRock ETF   Year Ended
10/31/22
     Year Ended
10/31/21
 

Short Maturity Bond

    

Ordinary income

  $ 49,011,290      $ 39,578,305  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

    

Tax-exempt income(a)

  $ 1,873,888      $ 1,005,763  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    

Ordinary income

  $ 62,518,287      $ 24,852,336  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The Funds designate these amounts paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as exempt-interest dividends.

 

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

 

BlackRock ETF    
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
    Total  

Short Maturity Bond

  $ 11,678,920      $ (37,653,426   $ (85,190,950   $  (111,165,456

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

    846,909        (120,691     (3,836,505     (3,110,287

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    18,032,965        (2,189,489     (72,174,351     (56,330,875

 

  (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 foreign currency contracts and amortization methods for premiums and discounts on fixed income securities.

 

As of October 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:

 

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

Short Maturity Bond

  $   4,427,456,118      $ 4,046,916      $ (89,252,990   $ (85,206,074

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

    548,832,343        90,951        (3,927,456     (3,836,505

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    7,235,037,682        379,648        (72,553,999     (72,174,351

 

9.

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.

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: Each Fund may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force each Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Each Fund may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from each Fund’s portfolio will decline if each Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below each Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Municipal securities are subject to the risk that litigation, legislation or other political events, local business or economic conditions, credit rating downgrades, or the bankruptcy of the issuer could have a significant effect on an issuer’s ability to make payments of principal and/or interest or otherwise affect the value of such securities. Municipal securities can be significantly affected by political or economic changes, including changes made in the law after issuance of the securities, as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to, taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders, including in connection with an issuer insolvency. Municipal securities backed by current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets can be negatively affected by the discontinuance of the tax benefits supporting the project or assets or the inability to collect revenues for the project or from the assets. Municipal securities may be less liquid than taxable bonds, and there may be less publicly available information on the financial condition of municipal security issuers than for issuers of other securities.

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 price each Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from each Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

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 BFA 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.

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 high yield securities. High yield securities that are rated below investment-grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) or are unrated may be deemed speculative, involve greater levels of risk than higher-rated securities of similar maturity and are more likely to default. High yield securities may be issued by less creditworthy issuers, and issuers of high yield securities may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations. High yield securities are subject to extreme price fluctuations, may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions, and frequently have redemption features.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in fixed-income securities and/or use derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates fall. The Funds may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low interest rates. The Federal Reserve has recently begun to raise the federal funds rate as part of its efforts to address inflation. There is a risk that interest rates will continue to rise, which will likely drive down the prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities, and could negatively impact the Funds’ performance.

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.

 

10.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
    Year Ended
10/31/22
    Year Ended
10/31/21
 
BlackRock ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

Short Maturity Bond

       

Shares sold

    17,200,000     $ 852,350,848       18,900,000     $ 948,305,065  

Shares redeemed

    (28,100,000     (1,391,914,923     (9,650,000     (484,011,404
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (10,900,000   $ (539,564,075     9,250,000     $ 464,293,661  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short Maturity Municipal Bond

       

Shares sold

    4,900,000     $ 243,687,671       1,250,000     $ 62,769,891  

Shares redeemed

    (250,000     (12,469,892     (1,200,000     (60,250,324
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    4,650,000     $ 231,217,779       50,000     $ 2,519,567  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ultra Short-Term Bond

       

Shares sold

    42,250,000     $ 2,119,194,220       30,000,000     $ 1,515,394,891  

Shares redeemed

    (16,250,000     (813,956,462     (12,300,000     (621,092,319
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    26,000,000     $ 1,305,237,758       17,700,000     $ 894,302,572  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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.

 

11.

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.

 

 

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  49


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of

iShares U.S. ETF Trust and Shareholders of each of the three funds listed in the table below

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of each of the funds listed in the table below (three of the funds constituting iShares U.S. ETF Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of October 31, 2022, the related statements of operations for the year ended October 31, 2022, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 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 October 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 October 31, 2022 and each of the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2022 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 
BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF
 
BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF
 
BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF

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 October 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

December 22, 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 Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of distributions from direct federal obligation interest for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022:

 

iShares ETF  

Federal Obligation  

Interest  

 

Short Maturity Bond

  $ 48,290    

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    28,739    

The law varies in each state as to whether and what percent of ordinary income dividends attributable to federal obligations is exempt from state income tax. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisers to determine if any portion of the dividends received is exempt from state income tax.

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as interest income eligible to be treated as a Section 163(j) interest dividend for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022:

 

iShares ETF   Interest Dividends    

Short Maturity Bond

  $ 52,524,087    

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    72,136,164    

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as interest-related dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022:

 

iShares ETF  

Interest-Related  

Dividends  

 

Short Maturity Bond

  $ 42,331,444    

Ultra Short-Term Bond

    66,656,361    

 

 

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

  51


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

BlackRock Short Maturity Bond ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

The Board noted that the Fund is an actively managed ETF that does not seek to track the performance of a specified index and that the management team for the Fund manages the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objective. The Board further noted that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its reference benchmark. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with expectations relative to the Fund’s peer group (where applicable) and reference benchmark.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies, provided at the May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates manage Other Accounts with a similar investment strategy or investment mandate as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

BlackRock Short Maturity Municipal Bond ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  53


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

The Board noted that the Fund is an actively managed ETF that does not seek to track the performance of a specified index and that the management team for the Fund manages the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objective. The Board further noted that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its reference benchmark. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with expectations relative to the Fund’s peer group (where applicable) and reference benchmark.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies, provided at the May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue,

 

 

54  

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates manage Other Accounts with a similar investment strategy or investment mandate as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

BlackRock Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”), and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between BFA and BlackRock International Limited, (together the Advisory Agreements”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  55


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreements. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA and BlackRock International Limited; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFAand its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFAand/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements are discussed below.

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds. The Board further noted that BFA pays BlackRock International Limited for sub-advisory services, and that there are no additional fees imposed on the Fund in respect of the services provided under the Sub-Advisory Agreement(s).

The Board noted that the Fund is an actively managed ETF that does not seek to track the performance of a specified index and that the management team for the Fund manages the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with its investment objective. The Board further noted that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its reference benchmark. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with expectations relative to the Fund’s peer group (where applicable) and reference benchmark.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA and BlackRock International Limited under the Advisory Agreements for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, including those of the Sub-Advisor(s), as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies for BFA and BlackRock International Limited, which were provided at the May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreements supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue,

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreements and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates manage Other Accounts with a similar investment strategy or investment mandate as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreements for the coming year.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

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.

October 31, 2022

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
BlackRock 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
 

Short Maturity Bond

  $   0.537617     $       $         —     $   0.537617       100             100

Ultra Short-Term Bond(a)

    0.474723             0.000244       0.474967       100             0 (b)      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.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

 

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. The President, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer and Secretary shall each hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify, and all other officers shall hold office until he or she resigns or is removed. 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 BFAor 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 Trust, and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 379 funds as of October 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 Cecilia H. Herbert 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 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 Trust (since 2009).
Salim Ramji(b) (52)    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 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 Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E. Kerrigan (67)    Trustee (since 2011); Independent Board Chair (since 2022).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares 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 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 Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       
  Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Cecilia H. Herbert (73)    Trustee (since 2011); 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 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 Trust (since 2017).
John E. Martinez (61)    Trustee (since 2011); 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 Trust (since 2003).
Madhav V. Rajan (58)    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 Trust (since 2011).

 

Officers
     
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Armando Senra (51)    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 (48)    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 (55)    Chief Compliance Officer (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).
Marisa Rolland (42)    Secretary (since 2022).    Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2018); Vice President, BlackRock, Inc. (2010-2017).
Rachel Aguirre (40)    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 (2016-2019).
Jennifer Hsui (46)    Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Co-Head of Index Equity (since 2022).
James Mauro (52)    Executive Vice President (since 2022).    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).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

Effective June 15, 2022, Marisa Rolland replaced Deepa Damre Smith as Secretary.

 

 

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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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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation

 

AGM    Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.
AGM-CR    AGM Insured Custodial Receipt
AMBAC    Ambac Assurance Corp.
CLO    Collateralized Loan Obligation
COP    Certificates of Participation
CR    Custodian Receipt
FHA    Federal Housing Administration
GO    General Obligation
GOL    General Obligation Limited

Currency Abbreviations

EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
USD    United States Dollar

Portfolio Abbreviation (continued)

 

GTD    Guaranteed
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
MO    Moral Obligation
RB    Revenue Bond
SAP    Subject to Appropriations
SAW    State Aid Withholding
SOFR    Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TA    Tax Allocation

 

 

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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”).

©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-1008-1022

 

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