LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

 

  

2020 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Focused Value Factor ETF  |  FOVL  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF  |  ITA  |  Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF  |  IAI  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF  |  IHF  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF  |  ITB  |  Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF  |  IFRA  |  Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares U.S. Insurance ETF  |  IAK  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF  |  IHI  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF  |  IEO  |  Cboe BZX

 

·  

iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF  |  IEZ  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF  |  IHE  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF  |  IYR  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF  |  IAT  |  NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF  |  IYZ  |  Cboe BZX

 

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of each Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you hold accounts through a financial intermediary, you can follow the instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, or contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with your financial intermediary.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive electronic delivery of shareholder reports and other communications by contacting your financial intermediary. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service.


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of September 30, 2020 has been a time of sudden change in global financial markets, as the emergence and spread of the coronavirus led to a vast disruption in the global economy and financial markets. Prior to the outbreak of the virus, U.S. equities and bonds both delivered impressive returns, despite fears and doubts about the economy that were ultimately laid to rest with unprecedented monetary stimulus and a sluggish yet resolute performance from the U.S. economy. But as the threat from the coronavirus became more apparent throughout February and March 2020, countries around the world took economically disruptive countermeasures. Stay-at-home orders and closures of non-essential businesses became widespread, many workers were laid off, and unemployment claims spiked, causing a global recession and a sharp fall in equity prices.

After markets hit their lowest point during the reporting period in late March 2020, a steady recovery ensued, as businesses began to re-open and governments learned to adapt to life with the virus. Equity prices continued to rise throughout the summer, fed by strong fiscal and monetary support and improving economic indicators. Many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs in early September 2020 before retreating amid concerns about a second wave of infections. In the United States, large-capitalization stocks advanced, outperforming small-capitalization stocks, which gained only marginally during the reporting period. International equities from developed economies were nearly flat, lagging emerging market stocks, which rebounded sharply.

During the market downturn, the performance of different types of fixed-income securities initially diverged due to a reduced investor appetite for risk. U.S. Treasuries benefited from the risk-off environment, and posted solid returns, as the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) touched an all-time low. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and both investment-grade and high-yield bonds recovered to post positive returns.

The Fed reduced short-term interest rates in late 2019 to support slowing economic growth. After the coronavirus outbreak, the Fed instituted an additional two emergency rate cuts, pushing short-term interest rates close to zero. To stabilize credit markets, the Fed also implemented a new bond-buying program, as did several other central banks around the world, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan.

Looking ahead, while coronavirus-related disruptions have clearly hindered worldwide economic growth, we believe that the global expansion is likely to continue as economic activity resumes. Several risks remain, however, including a potential resurgence of the coronavirus amid loosened restrictions, policy fatigue among governments already deep into deficit spending, and structural damage to the financial system from lengthy economic interruptions.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, and in particular toward credit given the extraordinary central bank measures taken in recent months. This support extends beyond investment-grade corporates and into high-yield, leading to attractive opportunities in that end of the market. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments. We remain neutral on equities overall while favoring European stocks, which are poised for cyclical upside as re-openings continue.

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of September 30, 2020
     6-Month   12-Month

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

  31.31%   15.15%

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

  31.60   0.39

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

  20.39   0.49

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  29.37   10.54

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

  0.06   1.10

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

  0.71   10.74

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

  3.53   6.98

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

  3.78   3.85

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

  15.18   3.20
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     18  

Shareholder Expenses

     18  

Schedules of Investments

     19  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     55  

Statements of Operations

     59  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     63  

Financial Highlights

     70  

Notes to Financial Statements

     84  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     96  

Supplemental Information

     104  

General Information

     105  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     106  

 

 

 


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® Focused Value Factor ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Focused Value Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks with prominent value characteristics, as represented by the Focused Value Select Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

                Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6 Months            1 Year     Since
Inception
           1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    7.54       (32.35 )%      (22.18 )%        (32.35 )%      (31.99 )% 

Fund Market

    7.74         (32.20     (22.12       (32.20     (31.90

Index

    7.70               (32.27     (22.07             (32.27     (31.76

The inception date of the Fund was 3/19/19. The first day of secondary market trading was 3/21/19.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value

(09/30/20)


 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,075.40        $ 1.30             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.80        $ 1.27          0.25

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Banks

    28.4

Materials

    19.9  

Diversified Financials

    13.1  

Insurance

    10.3  

Energy

    7.9  

Utilities

    5.1  

Retailing

    3.2  

Consumer Durables & Apparel

    2.5  

Telecommunication Services

    2.4  

Food, Beverage & Tobacco

    2.4  

Technology Hardware & Equipment

    2.4  

Capital Goods

    2.4  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Huntsman Corp.

    3.2

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

    3.2  

Westlake Chemical Corp.

    3.0  

Evercore Inc., Class A

    2.9  

Steel Dynamics Inc.

    2.8  

Olin Corp.

    2.8  

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

    2.8  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    2.8  

First American Financial Corp.

    2.7  

Regions Financial Corp.

    2.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  4


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the aerospace and defense sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    10.63       (28.28 )%      9.05     12.82       (28.28 )%      54.22     234.14

Fund Market

    10.63         (28.26     9.06       12.83         (28.26     54.29       234.44  

Index

    10.82               (27.96     9.54       13.29               (27.96     57.69       248.29  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)

 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,106.30        $ 2.22             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Aerospace & Defense

    97.9

Industrial Machinery

    1.3  

Leisure Products

    0.8  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    18.7

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    17.4  

Boeing Co. (The)

    9.3  

Teledyne Technologies Inc.

    4.6  

TransDigm Group Inc.

    4.4  

General Dynamics Corp.

    4.3  

L3Harris Technologies Inc.

    4.3  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    4.3  

Textron Inc.

    3.4  

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

    2.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

5  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the investment services sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Investment Services IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    21.83       (1.72 )%      11.91     11.27       (1.72 )%      75.51     190.91

Fund Market

    22.04         (1.48     11.96       11.30         (1.48     75.91       191.80  

Index

    21.65               (1.61     12.29       11.64               (1.61     78.56       200.86  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,218.30        $ 2.39             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.90        $ 2.18          0.43

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Investment Banking & Brokerage

    69.8

Financial Exchanges & Data

    30.0  

Asset Management & Custody Banks

    0.2  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    17.8

Morgan Stanley

    14.9  

CME Group Inc.

    11.9  

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

    4.8  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    4.7  

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

    4.7  

Raymond James Financial Inc.

    4.5  

Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

    4.5  

Cboe Global Markets Inc.

    4.5  

Nasdaq Inc.

    4.3  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  6


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the healthcare providers sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Health Care Providers IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    21.51       25.89     11.52     16.00       25.89     72.49     341.32

Fund Market

    21.43         25.78       11.51       16.00         25.78       72.41       340.97  

Index

    21.76               26.41       11.98       16.43               26.41       76.10       357.91  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period


 

 (a) 

           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,215.10        $ 2.33             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Managed Health Care

    45.6

Health Care Services

    34.0  

Health Care Facilities

    10.4  

Health Care Technology

    9.1  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    0.9  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

    22.4

CVS Health Corp.

    11.7  

Anthem Inc.

    10.3  

Centene Corp.

    4.6  

Humana Inc.

    4.5  

Cigna Corp.

    4.4  

HCA Healthcare Inc.

    4.2  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    3.9  

Teladoc Health Inc.

    3.8  

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

    3.3  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

7  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Home Construction ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the home construction sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Home Construction IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    96.10       31.56     17.32     17.33       31.56     122.29     394.23

Fund Market

    96.04         31.57       17.33       17.32         31.57       122.36       393.98  

Index

    96.63               32.17       17.83       17.84               32.17       127.10       416.25  

Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the six months period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period

 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,961.00        $ 3.12             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Homebuilding

    66.1

Building Products

    13.9  

Home Improvement Retail

    10.4  

Specialty Chemicals

    4.3  

Home Furnishings

    2.2  

Trading Companies & Distributors

    1.8  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.3  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

DR Horton Inc.

    14.6

Lennar Corp., Class A

    13.1  

NVR Inc.

    8.3  

PulteGroup Inc.

    7.2  

Lowe’s Companies Inc.

    4.5  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    4.3  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    4.3  

TopBuild Corp.

    3.3  

Toll Brothers Inc.

    3.3  

Masco Corp.

    2.8  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  8


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Infrastructure ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of equities of U.S. companies that have infrastructure exposure and that could benefit from a potential increase in domestic infrastructure activities, as represented by the NYSE® FactSet U.S. Infrastructure IndexSM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

                Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6 Months            1 Year     Since
Inception
           1 Year     Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    21.27       (10.02 )%      0.78       (10.02 )%      1.96

Fund Market

    21.52         (9.84     0.86         (9.84     2.16  

Index

    21.57               (9.82     1.13               (9.82     2.83  

The inception date of the Fund was 4/3/18. The first day of secondary market trading was 4/5/18.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,212.70        $ 2.22             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.10        $ 2.03          0.40

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Electric Utilities

    18.6

Construction & Engineering

    11.6  

Multi-Utilities

    11.6  

Building Products

    7.0  

Steel

    7.0  

Gas Utilities

    6.7  

Water Utilities

    6.1  

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

    4.3  

Commodity Chemicals

    4.2  

Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks

    3.6  

Construction Materials

    3.2  

Railroads

    3.2  

Specialty Chemicals

    2.0  

Trading Companies & Distributors

    1.5  

Industrial Machinery

    1.4  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    8.0  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Duke Energy Corp.

    0.9

Pool Corp.

    0.8  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    0.8  

Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.

    0.8  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    0.8  

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    0.8  

Avangrid Inc.

    0.8  

Southern Co. (The)

    0.8  

Vistra Corp.

    0.8  

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

    0.8  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

9  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Insurance ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the insurance sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Insurance IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    13.07       (20.70 )%      4.86     8.71       (20.70 )%      26.78     130.52

Fund Market

    13.19         (20.58     4.91       8.72         (20.58     27.07       130.81  

Index

    13.31               (20.38     5.28       9.18               (20.38     29.32       140.71  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period


 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio


 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,130.70        $ 2.30             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,022.90        $ 2.18          0.43

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Property & Casualty Insurance

    55.1

Life & Health Insurance

    25.1  

Multi-line Insurance

    10.4  

Insurance Brokers

    6.7  

Reinsurance

    1.5  

Other Diversified Financial Services

    1.2  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Progressive Corp. (The)

    11.1

Chubb Ltd.

    10.5  

Allstate Corp. (The)

    5.9  

MetLife Inc.

    5.8  

Travelers Companies Inc. (The)

    5.5  

Prudential Financial Inc.

    5.0  

Aflac Inc.

    4.6  

American International Group Inc.

    4.4  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    4.1  

Markel Corp.

    2.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  10


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Medical Devices ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the medical devices sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Medical Equipment IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    33.46     21.72     22.57     19.32       21.72     176.67     485.18

Fund Market

    33.06       21.49       22.52       19.31         21.49       176.12       484.36  

Index

    33.75       22.21       23.11       19.83               22.21       182.75       510.63  

Certain sectors and markets performed exceptionally well based on market conditions during the six months period. Achieving such exceptional returns involves the risk of volatility and investors should not expect that such exceptional returns will be repeated.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,334.60        $ 2.46             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Health Care Equipment

    84.4

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    15.3  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.3  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Abbott Laboratories

    14.2

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

    12.9  

Medtronic PLC

    10.3  

Danaher Corp.

    8.4  

Stryker Corp.

    4.5  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    4.4  

Intuitive Surgical Inc.

    4.4  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

    4.2  

Boston Scientific Corp.

    4.1  

Baxter International Inc.

    3.4  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

11  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the oil and gas exploration and production sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Exploration & Production IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    18.20     (46.08 )%      (12.17 )%      (5.21 )%        (46.08 )%      (47.72 )%      (41.42 )% 

Fund Market

    18.39       (46.05     (12.15     (5.20       (46.05     (47.66     (41.35

Index

    18.49       (45.88     (11.80     (4.83             (45.88     (46.63     (39.05

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,182.00        $ 2.30             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    66.7

Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing

    26.8  

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

    6.5  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

ConocoPhillips

    16.0

Phillips 66

    10.3  

EOG Resources Inc.

    9.5  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    8.7  

Cheniere Energy Inc.

    4.7  

Valero Energy Corp.

    4.5  

Concho Resources Inc.

    4.5  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    4.4  

Hess Corp.

    4.3  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    3.8  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  12


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the oil equipment and services sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Oil Equipment & Services IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    22.32     (57.52 )%      (25.97 )%      (15.20 )%        (57.52 )%      (77.76 )%      (80.76 )% 

Fund Market

    22.35       (57.53     (25.98     (15.21       (57.53     (77.78     (80.79

Index

    22.88       (57.39     (25.77     (14.96             (57.39     (77.46     (80.21

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,223.20        $ 2.34             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Oil & Gas Equipment & Services

    90.1

Oil & Gas Drilling

    9.9  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Schlumberger Ltd.

    22.3

Halliburton Co.

    21.4  

Helmerich & Payne Inc.

    5.2  

Baker Hughes Co.

    5.0  

TechnipFMC PLC.

    4.7  

ChampionX Corp.

    4.5  

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

    4.2  

Cactus Inc., Class A

    3.7  

Dril-Quip Inc.

    3.5  

Archrock Inc.

    2.8  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

13  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the pharmaceuticals sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Pharmaceuticals IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    21.92     18.53     3.46     11.87       18.53     18.55     207.08

Fund Market

    22.03       18.71       3.51       11.89         18.71       18.83       207.63  

Index

    22.21       19.04       3.76       12.24               19.04       20.27       217.32  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value

(09/30/20)


 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,219.20        $ 2.34             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Pharmaceuticals

    95.8

Biotechnology

    4.2  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Johnson & Johnson

    22.4

Merck & Co. Inc.

    19.1  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC

    4.8  

Zoetis Inc.

    4.7  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    4.6  

Pfizer Inc.

    4.6  

Catalent Inc.

    4.5  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    4.4  

Elanco Animal Health Inc.

    3.7  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC

    3.2  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  14


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Real Estate ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the real estate sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    16.05     (11.79 )%      6.17     8.14       (11.79 )%      34.93     118.75

Fund Market

    16.16       (11.83     6.17       8.14         (11.83     34.91       118.77  

Index

    16.27       (11.39     6.62       8.65               (11.39     37.80       129.34  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value

(09/30/20)


 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,160.50        $ 2.27             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Specialized REITs

    41.5

Residential REITs

    13.6  

Industrial REITs

    10.9  

Health Care REITs

    8.6  

Retail REITs

    7.0  

Office REITs

    6.7  

Research & Consulting Services

    3.2  

Mortgage REITs

    2.8  

Diversified REITs

    2.7  

Real Estate Services

    2.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.0  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

American Tower Corp.

    10.2

Prologis Inc.

    7.0  

Crown Castle International Corp.

    6.6  

Equinix Inc.

    4.7  

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    3.7  

SBA Communications Corp.

    3.4  

Public Storage

    3.2  

CoStar Group Inc.

    3.2  

Welltower Inc.

    2.2  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    2.0  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

15  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Regional Banks ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the regional banks sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Regional Banks IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    15.15     (27.00 )%      1.79     6.43       (27.00 )%      9.28     86.49

Fund Market

    15.19       (26.99     1.80       6.43         (26.99     9.31       86.48  

Index

    15.39       (26.78     2.21       6.90               (26.78     11.56       94.82  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value

(09/30/20)


 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,151.50        $ 2.27             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Regional Banks

    84.6

Diversified Banks

    13.4  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

    2.0  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Truist Financial Corp.

    14.0

U.S. Bancorp.

    13.4  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    12.7  

First Republic Bank/CA

    5.1  

Fifth Third Bancorp.

    4.1  

SVB Financial Group

    3.4  

M&T Bank Corp.

    3.2  

KeyCorp

    3.2  

Regions Financial Corp.

    3.0  

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

    2.9  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  16


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2020    iShares® U.S. Telecommunications ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities in the telecommunications sector, as represented by the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    10.82     (4.03 )%      2.72     4.97       (4.03 )%      14.36     62.43

Fund Market

    10.78       (4.03     2.73       4.97         (4.03     14.40       62.42  

Index

    10.97       (3.74     2.85       5.19               (3.74     15.06       65.92  

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value

(09/30/20)


 

 

      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/20)


 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/20)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 

 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $ 1,000.00        $ 1,108.20        $ 2.22             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.00        $ 2.13          0.42

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 18 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    59.4

Communications Equipment

    29.9  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

    6.4  

Household Durables

    4.3  

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Verizon Communications Inc.

    22.9

AT&T Inc.

    22.5  

Motorola Solutions Inc.

    4.7  

T-Mobile U.S. Inc.

    4.7  

Cisco Systems Inc.

    4.5  

Garmin Ltd.

    4.3  

Arista Networks Inc.

    4.2  

CenturyLink Inc.

    3.7  

GCI Liberty Inc., Class A

    3.1  

Liberty Global PLC, Class C

    2.8  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

17  

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


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 the 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. The price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is determined by 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.

Shareholder Expenses

As a shareholder of your Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of fund shares and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other fund expenses. The expense example, which is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period (or from the commencement of operations if less than 6 months) and held through the end of the period, is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars and cents) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other funds.

Actual Expenses — The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. To estimate the expenses that you paid on your account over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes — The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on your Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions and other fees paid on purchases and sales of fund shares. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

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

  18


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® Focused Value Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Asset Management & Custody Banks — 5.0%  

Affiliated Managers Group Inc.

    6,633     $ 453,564  

Ameriprise Financial Inc.

    3,296       507,947  
   

 

 

 
      961,511  
Automotive Retail — 3.2%            

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

    12,777       608,952  
   

 

 

 
Commodity Chemicals — 11.1%            

Cabot Corp.

    13,349       480,964  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    7,526       530,508  

Olin Corp.

    43,046       532,910  

Westlake Chemical Corp.

    9,219       582,825  
   

 

 

 
          2,127,207  
Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks — 2.4%  

Trinity Industries Inc.

    23,231       453,005  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Banks — 2.6%            

Bank of America Corp.

    20,825       501,674  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Chemicals — 3.2%            

Huntsman Corp.

    27,523       611,286  
   

 

 

 
Gas Utilities — 2.5%            

National Fuel Gas Co.

    11,796       478,800  
   

 

 

 
Home Furnishings — 2.5%            

Mohawk Industries Inc.(a)

    4,860       474,287  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 2.6%  

Vistra Corp.

    26,562       500,959  
   

 

 

 
Integrated Oil & Gas — 4.1%            

Chevron Corp.

    5,543       399,096  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    11,060       379,690  
   

 

 

 
      778,786  
Integrated Telecommunication Services — 2.4%  

AT&T Inc.

    16,361       466,452  
   

 

 

 
Investment Banking & Brokerage — 8.1%            

Evercore Inc., Class A

    8,394       549,471  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    2,503       503,028  

Morgan Stanley

    10,240       495,104  
   

 

 

 
      1,547,603  
Life & Health Insurance — 2.6%            

Aflac Inc.

    13,727       498,977  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production — 3.8%            

ConocoPhillips

    11,770     $ 386,527  

EOG Resources Inc.

    9,763       350,882  
   

 

 

 
      737,409  
Packaged Foods & Meats — 2.4%            

Kraft Heinz Co. (The)

    15,509       464,495  
   

 

 

 
Property & Casualty Insurance — 7.7%            

First American Financial Corp.

    10,300       524,373  

Mercury General Corp.

    12,137       502,108  

Old Republic International Corp.

    30,325       446,990  
   

 

 

 
      1,473,471  
Regional Banks — 23.6%            

Associated Banc-Corp.

    36,154       456,263  

Bank OZK

    21,073       449,276  

East West Bancorp. Inc.

    13,648       446,836  

M&T Bank Corp.

    4,757       438,072  

People’s United Financial Inc.

    42,748       440,732  

Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc.

    11,779       419,215  

Popular Inc.

    13,306       482,609  

Regions Financial Corp.

    44,478       512,831  

Webster Financial Corp.

    17,287       456,550  

Zions Bancorp NA

    14,547       425,063  
   

 

 

 
      4,527,447  
Steel — 5.6%            

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

    5,210       531,628  

Steel Dynamics Inc.

    18,957       542,739  
   

 

 

 
      1,074,367  
Technology Distributors — 2.4%            

Avnet Inc.

    17,737       458,324  
   

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 2.1%            

New York Community Bancorp. Inc.

    48,490       401,012  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.9%
(Cost: $19,911,550)

 

    19,146,024  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.9%
(Cost: $19,911,550)

 

    19,146,024  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      26,192  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   19,172,216  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

 

 

19  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® Focused Value Factor ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

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

   $ 477,236      $      $ (478,246) (b)    $ 826      $ 184      $             $ 4,654 (c)    $  

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

     29,000               (29,000 )(b)                                  17        
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
           $ 826      $ 184      $         $ 4,671     $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 19,146,024        $             —        $             —        $ 19,146,024  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   20


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 97.8%  

AAR Corp.

    358,625     $ 6,742,150  

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    790,176       31,520,121  

Aerovironment Inc.(a)(b)

    237,056       14,225,731  

Axon Enterprise Inc.(a)(b)

    685,980       62,218,386  

Boeing Co. (The)

    1,459,897       241,262,578  

BWX Technologies Inc.

    1,029,781       57,986,968  

Cubic Corp.(b)

    338,571       19,694,675  

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

    449,320       41,903,583  

General Dynamics Corp.

    810,938       112,258,147  

HEICO Corp.(b)

    451,634       47,268,014  

HEICO Corp., Class A

    783,523       69,467,149  

Hexcel Corp.

    902,442       30,276,929  

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

    4,242,016       70,926,508  

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.

    437,594       61,591,356  

Kaman Corp.

    298,874       11,647,120  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Inc.(a)(b)

    1,326,214       25,569,406  

L3Harris Technologies Inc.

    655,469       111,324,855  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    1,258,716       482,440,669  

Maxar Technologies Inc.

    657,849       16,406,754  

Mercury Systems Inc.(a)(b)

    605,198       46,878,637  

Moog Inc., Class A

    324,239       20,598,904  

National Presto Industries Inc.

    56,118       4,593,819  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    349,238       110,181,097  

PAE Inc.(a)(b)

    667,686       5,675,331  

Parsons Corp.(a)(b)

    250,361       8,397,108  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    7,816,692       449,772,458  

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc.,
Class A(b)

    1,141,470       21,585,198  

Teledyne Technologies Inc.(a)(b)

    379,348       117,677,543  

Textron Inc.

    2,464,357       88,938,644  

TransDigm Group Inc.

    236,629       112,427,170  

Triumph Group Inc.

    562,095       3,659,238  

Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    1,390,875       26,746,526  
   

 

 

 
        2,531,862,772  
Security   Shares     Value  
Industrial Machinery — 1.2%            

RBC Bearings Inc.(a)(b)

    270,950     $ 32,841,849  
   

 

 

 
Leisure Products — 0.8%            

Smith & Wesson Brands Inc.(b)

    601,491       9,335,140  

Sturm Ruger & Co. Inc.

    189,078       11,564,011  
   

 

 

 
      20,899,151  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
(Cost: $3,043,185,773)

 

    2,585,603,772  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 5.5%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    136,895,259       137,018,465  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.04%(c)(d)

    4,340,000       4,340,000  
   

 

 

 
      141,358,465  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 5.5%
(Cost: $141,272,274)

 

    141,358,465  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 105.3%
(Cost: $3,184,458,047)

 

    2,726,962,237  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (5.3)%

      (137,382,810
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   2,589,579,427  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income    

Capital
Gain
Distributions
from

Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 98,605,172      $ 38,315,939 (a)    $      $ 22,540      $ 74,814      $ 137,018,465        136,895,259      $ 470,787 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

            4,340,000 (a)                           4,340,000        4,340,000        2,670        
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
           $ 22,540      $ 74,814      $ 141,358,465         $ 473,457     $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

21  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF

 

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

           

S&P Select Sector Industrial E-Mini Index

     49        12/18/20      $   3,788      $ 34,997  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 34,997  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 1,474,508  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Futures contracts

   $ 3,314  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 2,531,563  

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

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,585,603,772        $        $        $ 2,585,603,772  

Money Market Funds

     141,358,465                            141,358,465  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,726,962,237        $        $        $ 2,726,962,237  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 34,997        $                 —        $                 —        $ 34,997  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   22


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Asset Management & Custody Banks — 0.2%  

Diamond Hill Investment Group Inc.

    1,753     $ 221,439  
   

 

 

 
Financial Exchanges & Data — 30.0%            

Cboe Global Markets Inc.

    50,109       4,396,563  

CME Group Inc.

    70,584       11,809,409  

Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

    44,534       4,455,627  

MarketAxess Holdings Inc.

    9,827       4,732,585  

Nasdaq Inc.

    34,889       4,281,229  
   

 

 

 
        29,675,413  
Investment Banking & Brokerage — 69.7%            

BGC Partners Inc., Class A

    188,534       452,481  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    128,670       4,661,714  

Cowen Inc., Class A(a)

    16,592       269,952  

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

    85,140       4,261,257  

Evercore Inc., Class A

    24,383       1,596,111  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    87,395       17,563,773  

Houlihan Lokey Inc.

    30,476       1,799,608  

Interactive Brokers Group Inc., Class A

    47,487       2,295,047  

Lazard Ltd., Class A

    67,739       2,238,774  

LPL Financial Holdings Inc.

    47,510       3,642,592  

Moelis & Co., Class A

    33,186       1,166,156  

Morgan Stanley

    304,376       14,716,580  

Piper Sandler Cos

    8,253       602,469  

PJT Partners Inc., Class A

    14,437       875,027  

Raymond James Financial Inc.

    61,274       4,458,296  

Stifel Financial Corp.

    41,183       2,082,212  

StoneX Group Inc.(b)

    9,776       500,140  

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

    118,989       4,658,419  
Security   Shares     Value  
Investment Banking & Brokerage (continued)            

Virtu Financial Inc., Class A

    48,592     $ 1,118,102  
   

 

 

 
      68,958,710  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.9%
(Cost: $114,985,817)

 

    98,855,562  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 0.3%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    172,878       173,034  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.04%(c)(d)

    140,000       140,000  
   

 

 

 
          313,034  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.3%
(Cost: $312,884)

      313,034  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.2%
(Cost: $115,298,701)

 

    99,168,596  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.2)%

 

    (171,381
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   98,997,215  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income    

Capital
Gain
Distributions

from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 1,866,215      $     $ (1,694,300 )(a)    $ 1,017      $ 102      $ 173,034        172,878      $ 2,539 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

            140,000 (a)                          140,000        140,000        103        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 1,017      $ 102      $ 313,034         $ 2,642     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

           

S&P Select Sector Financial E-Mini Index

     1        12/18/20      $ 74      $ (1,077
           

 

 

 

 

 

23  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 1,077  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (2,478
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Futures contracts

   $ (2,221
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 93,329  

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

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 98,855,562        $             —        $             —        $ 98,855,562  

Money Market Funds

     313,034                            313,034  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 99,168,596        $        $        $ 99,168,596  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (1,077      $        $        $ (1,077
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   24


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Health Care Facilities — 10.4%            

Acadia Healthcare Co. Inc.(a)(b)

    173,728     $ 5,121,501  

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.(a)

    358,598       910,839  

Community Health Systems Inc.(a)(b)

    220,046       928,594  

Encompass Health Corp.

    194,199       12,619,051  

Ensign Group Inc. (The)

    98,704       5,632,050  

Hanger Inc.(a)

    74,564       1,179,603  

HCA Healthcare Inc.

    307,665       38,359,672  

National HealthCare Corp.

    24,043       1,498,119  

Pennant Group Inc. (The)(a)(b)

    49,042       1,891,060  

Select Medical Holdings Corp.(a)

    209,283       4,357,272  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

    205,804       5,044,256  

U.S. Physical Therapy Inc.

    25,032       2,174,780  

Universal Health Services Inc., Class B

    151,834       16,249,275  
   

 

 

 
      95,966,072  
Health Care Services — 33.9%            

1Life Healthcare Inc.(a)(b)

    140,481       3,984,041  

Addus HomeCare Corp.(a)

    29,028       2,743,436  

Amedisys Inc.(a)(b)

    63,401       14,989,898  

Chemed Corp.

    31,086       14,932,160  

Cigna Corp.(b)

    236,560       40,075,630  

CorVel Corp.(a)(b)

    17,897       1,528,941  

CVS Health Corp.

    1,833,873       107,098,183  

DaVita Inc.(a)

    147,213       12,608,793  

Guardant Health Inc.(a)(b)

    151,611       16,947,078  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

    190,416       35,849,620  

LHC Group Inc.(a)(b)

    61,689       13,112,614  

MEDNAX Inc.(a)(b)

    166,734       2,714,430  

Ontrak Inc.(a)(b)

    15,020       901,200  

Option Care Health Inc.(a)

    105,967       1,416,779  

Premier Inc., Class A

    138,033       4,531,623  

Providence Service Corp. (The)(a)(b)

    23,818       2,212,930  

Quest Diagnostics Inc.

    262,561       30,060,609  

R1 RCM Inc.(a)(b)

    225,612       3,869,246  

RadNet Inc.(a)

    83,772       1,285,900  

Tivity Health Inc.(a)

    73,174       1,025,900  
   

 

 

 
        311,889,011  
Health Care Technology — 9.1%            

Change Healthcare Inc.(a)(b)

    445,675       6,466,744  

Health Catalyst Inc.(a)

    58,026       2,123,752  

HealthStream Inc.(a)(b)

    50,095       1,005,407  

HMS Holdings Corp.(a)

    172,858       4,139,949  

Inovalon Holdings Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    148,527       3,928,539  

Inspire Medical Systems Inc.(a)(b)

    52,336       6,753,961  

Livongo Health Inc.(a)(b)

    125,854       17,625,853  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Technology (continued)            

Phreesia Inc.(a)

    48,663     $ 1,563,542  

Schrodinger Inc.(a)(b)

    64,002       3,040,735  

Tabula Rasa HealthCare Inc.(a)(b)

    40,889       1,667,044  

Teladoc Health Inc.(a)(b)

    159,621       34,995,308  
   

 

 

 
      83,310,834  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.9%            

NeoGenomics Inc.(a)(b)

    215,651       7,955,366  
   

 

 

 
Managed Health Care — 45.6%            

Anthem Inc.

    352,432       94,659,711  

Centene Corp.(a)

    717,849       41,872,132  

HealthEquity Inc.(a)(b)

    149,759       7,693,120  

Humana Inc.

    100,849       41,740,393  

Magellan Health Inc.(a)

    43,957       3,331,061  

Molina Healthcare Inc.(a)

    117,205       21,453,203  

Progyny Inc.(a)(b)

    70,671       2,079,848  

Triple-S Management Corp., Class B(a)

    45,868       819,661  

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

    659,711       205,678,098  
   

 

 

 
      419,327,227  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.9%
(Cost: $889,015,430)

        918,448,510  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 6.9%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    62,575,817       62,632,135  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.04%(c)(d)

    1,070,000       1,070,000  
   

 

 

 
      63,702,135  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 6.9%
(Cost: $63,661,895)

 

    63,702,135  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 106.8%
(Cost: $952,677,325)

 

    982,150,645  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (6.8)%

      (62,938,387
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 919,212,258  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

 

25  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/20
    Shares
Held at
09/30/20
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 56,705,982     $ 5,887,795 (a)    $     $ 15,354     $ 23,004     $ 62,632,135       62,575,817     $ 135,180 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    2,165,000             (1,095,000 )(a)                  1,070,000       1,070,000       1,097        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 15,354     $ 23,004     $ 63,702,135       $ 136,277     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
    

Notional
Amount

(000)

     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

           

S&P Select Sector Health Care E-Mini Index

     7        12/18/20      $ 746      $ 2,668  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 2,668  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 435,878  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Futures contracts

   $ (101,036
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,527,200  

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

Fair Value Measurements

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

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   26


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF

 

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 918,448,510        $        $        $ 918,448,510  

Money Market Funds

     63,702,135                            63,702,135  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 982,150,645        $        $        $ 982,150,645  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 2,668        $             —        $             —        $ 2,668  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

27  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Home Construction ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Building Products — 13.9%  

American Woodmark Corp.(a)

    79,460     $ 6,240,788  

AZEK Co. Inc. (The)(a)

    335,521       11,679,486  

Builders FirstSource Inc.(a)(b)

    545,015       17,778,389  

Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc.

    645,250       55,827,030  

JELD-WEN Holding Inc.(a)(b)

    315,050       7,120,130  

Lennox International Inc.

    162,584       44,322,024  

Masco Corp.

    1,221,541       67,343,555  

Masonite International Corp.(a)(b)

    114,521       11,268,866  

Owens Corning

    504,497       34,714,439  

PGT Innovations Inc.(a)

    275,715       4,830,527  

Quanex Building Products Corp.

    153,397       2,828,641  

Simpson Manufacturing Co. Inc.

    203,051       19,728,435  

Trex Co. Inc.(a)(b)

    540,658       38,711,113  

UFP Industries Inc.

    285,591       16,138,748  
   

 

 

 
      338,532,171  
Construction Materials — 0.7%            

Eagle Materials Inc.

    194,949       16,827,998  
   

 

 

 
Forest Products — 0.6%            

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

    524,358       15,473,805  
   

 

 

 
Home Furnishings — 2.2%            

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.

    101,902       1,379,753  

Leggett & Platt Inc.

    618,371       25,458,334  

Mohawk Industries Inc.(a)

    279,327       27,259,522  
   

 

 

 
          54,097,609  
Home Improvement Retail — 10.4%            

Floor & Decor Holdings Inc., Class A(a)

    484,503       36,240,824  

Home Depot Inc. (The)

    378,785       105,192,382  

Lowe’s Companies Inc.

    657,818       109,105,694  

Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    134,896       2,974,457  
   

 

 

 
        253,513,357  
Homebuilding — 66.0%            

Beazer Homes USA Inc.(a)(b)

    419,256       5,534,179  

Cavco Industries Inc.(a)(b)

    121,290       21,869,800  

Century Communities Inc.(a)(b)

    412,120       17,445,040  

DR Horton Inc.

    4,702,462       355,647,201  

Green Brick Partners Inc.(a)(b)

    683,816       11,009,438  

Installed Building Products Inc.(a)

    321,768       32,739,894  

KB Home

    1,251,167       48,032,301  

Lennar Corp., Class A(b)

    3,901,807       318,699,596  

Lennar Corp., Class B

    219,016       14,380,590  

LGI Homes Inc.(a)(b)

    313,692       36,441,600  
Security   Shares     Value  
Homebuilding (continued)            

M/I Homes Inc.(a)(b)

    405,472     $ 18,671,986  

MDC Holdings Inc.

    711,637       33,518,103  

Meritage Homes Corp.(a)(b)

    534,278       58,978,948  

NVR Inc.(a)

    49,440       201,869,453  

PulteGroup Inc.

    3,810,307       176,379,111  

Skyline Champion Corp.(a)

    740,708       19,828,753  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp.(a)

    1,842,728       45,312,681  

Toll Brothers Inc.

    1,631,463       79,386,989  

TopBuild Corp.(a)(b)

    470,012       80,226,348  

TRI Pointe Group Inc.(a)(b)

    1,851,685       33,589,566  
   

 

 

 
      1,609,561,577  
Specialty Chemicals — 4.3%            

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)(b)

    151,111       105,285,078  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.8%  

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc.(a)(b)

    254,349       7,902,623  

Watsco Inc.

    153,308       35,703,900  
   

 

 

 
          43,606,523  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.9%
(Cost: $2,155,916,854)

      2,436,898,118  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 2.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    47,109,074       47,151,472  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,

   

SL Agency Shares,
0.04%(c)(d)

    1,063,000       1,063,000  
   

 

 

 
      48,214,472  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 2.0%
(Cost: $48,196,383)

 

    48,214,472  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 101.9%
(Cost: $2,204,113,237)

 

    2,485,112,590  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (1.9)%

      (47,045,236
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   2,438,067,354  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   28


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Home Construction ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 31,425,916      $ 15,704,444 (a)    $     $ 14,434      $ 6,678      $ 47,151,472        47,109,074      $ 82,204 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     2,223,000              (1,160,000 )(a)                    1,063,000        1,063,000        764        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 14,434      $ 6,678      $ 48,214,472         $ 82,968     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,436,898,118        $                 —        $                 —        $ 2,436,898,118  

Money Market Funds

     48,214,472                            48,214,472  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,485,112,590        $        $        $ 2,485,112,590  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

29  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 0.7%            

Howmet Aerospace Inc.

    11,226     $ 187,699  
   

 

 

 
Aluminum — 0.6%            

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

    3,083       165,218  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 7.0%            

Advanced Drainage Systems Inc.

    3,581       223,598  

Apogee Enterprises Inc.

    9,475       202,481  

Armstrong World Industries Inc.

    2,782       191,429  

Builders FirstSource Inc.(a)(b)

    6,618       215,879  

Gibraltar Industries Inc.(a)

    3,170       206,494  

Insteel Industries Inc.

    11,038       206,410  

Owens Corning

    3,010       207,118  

Simpson Manufacturing Co. Inc.

    2,074       201,510  

Trex Co. Inc.(a)

    2,900       207,640  
   

 

 

 
          1,862,559  
Commodity Chemicals — 4.2%            

AdvanSix Inc.(a)

    14,336       184,648  

Hawkins Inc.

    4,011       184,907  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    2,757       194,341  

Olin Corp.

    16,436       203,478  

Tredegar Corp.

    11,355       168,849  

Westlake Chemical Corp.

    3,162       199,901  
   

 

 

 
      1,136,124  
Construction & Engineering — 11.6%            

AECOM(a)

    5,178       216,648  

Aegion Corp.(a)

    12,419       175,480  

Argan Inc.

    4,699       196,935  

Construction Partners Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    10,665       194,103  

EMCOR Group Inc.

    2,740       185,525  

Fluor Corp.

    22,030       194,084  

Granite Construction Inc.

    10,569       186,120  

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.(a)

    21,413       203,638  

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

    2,160       200,383  

MasTec Inc.(a)

    4,423       186,651  

MYR Group Inc.(a)

    5,320       197,798  

NV5 Global Inc.(a)

    3,790       199,998  

Primoris Services Corp.

    10,144       182,998  

Quanta Services Inc.

    3,821       201,978  

Tutor Perini Corp.(a)(b)

    15,999       178,069  

Valmont Industries Inc.

    1,572       195,211  
   

 

 

 
      3,095,619  
Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks — 3.6%  

Astec Industries Inc.(b)

    3,724       202,027  

Greenbrier Companies Inc. (The)

    6,962       204,683  

Oshkosh Corp.

    2,532       186,102  

Terex Corp.

    9,787       189,476  

Trinity Industries Inc.

    9,489       185,036  
   

 

 

 
      967,324  
Construction Materials — 3.2%            

Eagle Materials Inc.

    2,423       209,153  

Martin Marietta Materials Inc.

    924       217,473  

Summit Materials Inc., Class A(a)

    13,175       217,915  

Vulcan Materials Co.

    1,589       215,373  
   

 

 

 
      859,914  
Distributors — 0.8%            

Pool Corp.

    672       224,811  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Diversified Chemicals — 0.7%            

Eastman Chemical Co.

    2,517     $ 196,628  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Metals & Mining — 0.8%            

Compass Minerals International Inc.

    3,435       203,867  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 18.6%            

Alliant Energy Corp.

    3,957       204,379  

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

    2,668       218,056  

Avangrid Inc.

    4,334       218,694  

Duke Energy Corp.

    2,604       230,610  

Edison International

    4,035       205,139  

Entergy Corp.

    2,153       212,135  

Evergy Inc.

    4,065       206,583  

Eversource Energy

    2,450       204,697  

Exelon Corp.

    5,686       203,331  

FirstEnergy Corp.

    7,175       205,994  

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

    6,147       204,326  

IDACORP Inc.

    2,395       191,361  

MGE Energy Inc.

    3,273       205,086  

NextEra Energy Inc.

    760       210,946  

NRG Energy Inc.

    6,319       194,246  

OGE Energy Corp.

    6,688       200,573  

Otter Tail Corp.

    5,523       199,767  

PG&E Corp.(a)

    22,953       215,529  

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

    2,913       217,164  

PNM Resources Inc.

    4,903       202,641  

Portland General Electric Co.

    5,491       194,931  

PPL Corp.

    7,455       202,851  

Southern Co. (The)

    4,033       218,669  

Xcel Energy Inc.

    3,011       207,789  
   

 

 

 
          4,975,497  
Environmental & Facilities Services — 0.8%            

Tetra Tech Inc.

    2,137       204,084  
   

 

 

 
Forest Products — 0.7%            

Boise Cascade Co.

    4,545       181,436  
   

 

 

 
Gas Utilities — 6.6%            

Atmos Energy Corp.

    2,169       207,335  

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

    2,602       219,348  

National Fuel Gas Co.

    4,774       193,777  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

    7,079       191,274  

Northwest Natural Holding Co.

    4,217       191,410  

ONE Gas Inc.

    2,883       198,956  

South Jersey Industries Inc.

    9,549       184,009  

Southwest Gas Holdings Inc.

    3,118       196,746  

Spire Inc.

    3,669       195,191  
   

 

 

 
      1,778,046  
Home Furnishings — 0.7%            

Leggett & Platt Inc.

    4,712       193,993  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 0.8%  

Vistra Corp.

    11,569       218,191  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.7%            

Carlisle Companies Inc.

    1,555       190,285  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Machinery — 1.4%            

EnPro Industries Inc.

    3,403       191,963  

Mueller Industries Inc.

    6,678       180,707  
   

 

 

 
      372,670  

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   30


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Multi-Utilities — 11.5%             

Ameren Corp.

    2,671      $ 211,223  

Avista Corp.

    5,685        193,972  

Black Hills Corp.

    3,768        201,550  

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

    10,615        205,400  

CMS Energy Corp.

    3,420        210,022  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    2,888        224,686  

Dominion Energy Inc.

    2,689        212,243  

DTE Energy Co.

    1,774        204,081  

MDU Resources Group Inc.

    8,197        184,433  

NiSource Inc.

    9,467        208,274  

NorthWestern Corp.

    4,070        197,965  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    4,015        220,464  

Sempra Energy

    1,744        206,420  

Unitil Corp.

    5,065        195,712  

WEC Energy Group Inc.

    2,185        211,726  
    

 

 

 
           3,088,171  
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation — 4.3%  

Antero Midstream Corp.

    35,157        188,793  

EnLink Midstream LLC

    79,005        185,662  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

    21,178        179,166  

Kinder Morgan Inc./DE

    15,602        192,372  

ONEOK Inc.

    7,882        204,774  

Williams Companies Inc. (The)

    10,195        200,332  
    

 

 

 
       1,151,099  
Railroads — 3.2%             

CSX Corp.

    2,794        217,010  

Kansas City Southern

    1,122        202,891  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    1,007        215,488  

Union Pacific Corp.

    1,103        217,148  
    

 

 

 
       852,537  
Specialized REITs — 0.7%             

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    6,843        195,162  
    

 

 

 
Specialty Chemicals — 2.0%             

Avient Corp.

    7,132        188,713  

Ingevity Corp.(a)

    3,354        165,822  

PQ Group Holdings Inc.(a)

    16,854        172,922  
    

 

 

 
       527,457  
Steel — 6.9%             

Allegheny Technologies Inc.(a)

    22,103        192,738  

Carpenter Technology Corp.

    9,211        167,272  

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

    30,153        193,582  

Commercial Metals Co.

    9,576        191,328  

Haynes International Inc.

    10,107        172,729  

Nucor Corp.

    4,236        190,027  
Security   Shares      Value  
Steel (continued)             

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

    1,839      $ 187,652  

Steel Dynamics Inc.

    6,480        185,522  

United States Steel Corp.

    25,217        185,093  

Worthington Industries Inc.

    4,731        192,930  
    

 

 

 
           1,858,873  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.5%  

BMC Stock Holdings Inc.(a)

    5,061        216,762  

H&E Equipment Services Inc.

    9,301        182,858  
    

 

 

 
       399,620  
Water Utilities — 6.1%             

American States Water Co.

    2,739        205,288  

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    1,471        213,119  

Cadiz Inc.(a)(b)

    20,341        201,986  

California Water Service Group

    4,598        199,783  

Essential Utilities Inc.

    5,071        204,108  

Middlesex Water Co.

    3,301        205,157  

SJW Group

    3,379        205,646  

York Water Co. (The)

    4,723        199,641  
    

 

 

 
       1,634,728  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $25,961,650)

       26,721,612  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

    
Money Market Funds — 2.4%             

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,

    

SL Agency Shares,
0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    605,100        605,644  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,

    

SL Agency Shares,
0.04%(c)(d)

    30,000        30,000  
    

 

 

 
       635,644  
    

 

 

 

Total Short -Term Investments — 2.4%
(Cost: $635,633)

 

     635,644  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 102.1%
(Cost: $26,597,283)

 

     27,357,256  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (2.1)%

       (560,155
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $ 26,797,101  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

 

31  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Infrastructure ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 114,457        $491,122 (a)     $      $ 103      $ (38    $ 605,644        605,100      $ 989 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     10,000        20,000 (a)                            30,000        30,000        14         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 103      $ (38    $ 635,644         $ 1,003      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 26,721,612        $             —        $             —        $ 26,721,612  

Money Market Funds

     635,644                            635,644  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 27,357,256        $        $        $ 27,357,256  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   32


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Insurance ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Common Stocks

   
Insurance Brokers — 6.7%            

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    24,861     $ 2,624,824  

Brown & Brown Inc.

    30,474       1,379,558  

eHealth Inc.(a)(b)

    3,381       267,099  
   

 

 

 
          4,271,481  
Life & Health Insurance — 25.0%            

Aflac Inc.

    80,318       2,919,559  

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

    11,939       262,539  

Athene Holding Ltd., Class A(a)

    16,392       558,639  

Brighthouse Financial Inc.(a)

    12,194       328,141  

CNO Financial Group Inc.

    18,589       298,168  

FBL Financial Group Inc., Class A

    1,294       62,371  

Genworth Financial Inc., Class A(a)

    66,459       222,638  

Globe Life Inc.

    12,722       1,016,488  

Lincoln National Corp.

    23,583       738,855  

MetLife Inc.

    98,842       3,673,957  

National Western Life Group Inc., Class A

    302       55,197  

Primerica Inc.

    5,131       580,521  

Principal Financial Group Inc.

    33,145       1,334,749  

Prudential Financial Inc.

    50,605       3,214,430  

Trupanion Inc.(a)

    3,837       302,739  

Unum Group

    26,427       444,766  
   

 

 

 
      16,013,757  
Multi-line Insurance — 10.4%            

American Financial Group Inc./OH

    9,311       623,651  

American International Group Inc.

    102,058       2,809,657  

American National Group Inc.

    1,195       80,698  

Assurant Inc.

    7,744       939,425  

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    46,503       1,714,101  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

    5,433       181,462  

National General Holdings Corp.

    8,775       296,156  
   

 

 

 
      6,645,150  
Other Diversified Financial Services — 1.2%            

Voya Financial Inc.

    16,382       785,189  
   

 

 

 
Property & Casualty Insurance — 54.8%            

Allstate Corp. (The)

    40,012       3,766,730  

Ambac Financial Group Inc.(a)

    6,083       77,680  

AMERISAFE Inc.

    2,543       145,866  

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(a)

    52,705       1,541,621  

Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.

    4,561       157,035  

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    10,974       235,722  

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

    10,398       457,928  

Chubb Ltd.

    57,826       6,714,755  

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

    19,421       1,514,255  

CNA Financial Corp.

    3,582       107,424  

Employers Holdings Inc.

    3,570       107,993  

Erie Indemnity Co., Class A, NVS

    3,238       680,887  

First American Financial Corp.

    14,478       737,075  

Hanover Insurance Group Inc. (The)

    4,897       456,302  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

Property & Casualty Insurance (continued)

           

James River Group Holdings Ltd.

    4,019     $ 178,966  

Kemper Corp.

    7,973       532,836  

Kinsale Capital Group Inc.

    2,755       523,946  

Lemonade Inc.(a)(b)

    1,647       81,889  

Loews Corp.

    30,947       1,075,408  

Markel Corp.(a)

    1,789       1,741,949  

MBIA Inc.(a)

    6,833       41,408  

Mercury General Corp.

    3,498       144,712  

Old Republic International Corp.

    36,708       541,076  

Palomar Holdings Inc.(a)

    2,840       296,042  

ProAssurance Corp.

    6,996       109,417  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    74,997       7,099,966  

RLI Corp.

    5,153       431,461  

Safety Insurance Group Inc.

    1,871       129,267  

Selective Insurance Group Inc.

    7,838       403,579  

State Auto Financial Corp.

    2,383       32,790  

Travelers Companies Inc. (The)

    32,437       3,509,359  

United Fire Group Inc.

    2,834       57,587  

Universal Insurance Holdings Inc.

    3,859       53,409  

White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.

    407       317,053  

WR Berkley Corp.

    18,256       1,116,354  
   

 

 

 
          35,119,747  
Reinsurance — 1.5%            

Alleghany Corp.

    1,858       966,996  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.6%
(Cost: $69,829,821)

      63,802,320  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    89,717       89,797  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(c)(d)

    140,000       140,000  
   

 

 

 
      229,797  
   

 

 

 

Total Short -Term Investments — 0.4%
(Cost: $229,789)

 

    229,797  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.0%
(Cost: $70,059,610)

 

    64,032,117  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.0)%

      (6,683
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 64,025,434  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

 

33  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Insurance ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/20
    Shares
Held at
09/30/20
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds:
Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 724,191     $       $(635,397 )(a)    $ 1,017     $ (14   $ 89,797       89,717     $ 2,242 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds:
Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    80,000       60,000 (a)                        140,000       140,000       83        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 1,017     $ (14   $ 229,797       $ 2,325     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

           

S&P Select Sector Financial E-Mini Index

     2        12/18/20      $ 148      $ (2,717
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 2,717  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $     28,837  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (7,244
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 160,438      

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

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   34


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Insurance ETF

 

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 63,802,320        $         —        $         —        $ 63,802,320  

Money Market Funds

     229,797                            229,797  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 64,032,117        $        $        $ 64,032,117  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (2,717      $        $        $ (2,717
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

35  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Medical Devices ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Common Stocks

   
Health Care Equipment — 84.2%            

Abbott Laboratories

    10,763,531     $     1,171,395,079  

ABIOMED Inc.(a)(b)

    310,597       86,054,005  

AngioDynamics Inc.(a)(b)

    261,708       3,156,198  

AtriCure Inc.(a)

    309,788       12,360,541  

Axogen Inc.(a)(b)

    240,457       2,796,515  

Axonics Modulation Technologies Inc.(a)

    201,537       10,286,448  

Baxter International Inc.

    3,490,462       280,702,954  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    1,555,555       361,946,537  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    8,825,180       337,210,128  

Cantel Medical Corp.

    257,532       11,315,956  

Cardiovascular Systems Inc.(a)(b)

    273,456       10,760,494  

CONMED Corp.(b)

    196,992       15,497,361  

CryoLife Inc.(a)(b)

    261,991       4,838,974  

CryoPort Inc.(a)(b)

    262,506       12,442,784  

Danaher Corp.

    3,213,161       691,889,958  

DexCom Inc.(a)(b)

    660,088       272,108,076  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)(b)

    4,286,829       342,174,691  

Envista Holdings Corp.(a)(b)

    1,097,817       27,094,124  

GenMark Diagnostics Inc.(a)(b)

    465,460       6,609,532  

Glaukos Corp.(a)(b)

    307,967       15,250,526  

Globus Medical Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    519,377       25,719,549  

Heska Corp.(a)(b)

    61,201       6,046,047  

Hill-Rom Holdings Inc.

    459,243       38,351,383  

Hologic Inc.(a)

    1,785,675       118,693,817  

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.(a)(b)

    586,444       230,537,001  

Inari Medical Inc.(a)(b)

    56,768       3,918,127  

Inogen Inc.(a)(b)

    127,048       3,684,392  

Insulet Corp.(a)(b)

    452,656       107,093,883  

Integer Holdings Corp.(a)(b)

    226,492       13,365,293  

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.(a)(b)

    488,069       23,046,618  

Intuitive Surgical Inc.(a)

    509,513       361,519,854  

iRhythm Technologies Inc.(a)(b)

    197,579       47,045,536  

LeMaitre Vascular Inc.

    114,881       3,737,079  

LivaNova PLC(a)(b)

    335,488       15,167,413  

Masimo Corp.(a)(b)

    348,546       82,277,769  

Medtronic PLC

    8,171,828       849,216,366  

Mesa Laboratories Inc.(b)

    33,417       8,513,315  

Natus Medical Inc.(a)(b)

    234,692       4,020,274  

Nevro Corp.(a)(b)

    236,587       32,956,569  

Novocure Ltd.(a)(b)

    577,445       64,275,403  

NuVasive Inc.(a)(b)

    353,392       17,164,249  

Orthofix Medical Inc.(a)(b)

    133,297       4,150,869  

Penumbra Inc.(a)(b)

    231,522       45,003,246  

ResMed Inc.

    999,083       171,272,799  

Shockwave Medical Inc.(a)(b)

    212,948       16,141,458  

Steris PLC

    586,431       103,323,278  

Stryker Corp.

    1,784,043       371,741,040  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment (continued)            

Surmodics Inc.(a)(b)

    94,485     $ 3,676,411  

Tactile Systems Technology Inc.(a)(b)

    133,534       4,886,009  

Tandem Diabetes Care Inc.(a)

    419,890       47,657,515  

Teleflex Inc.

    320,722       109,180,183  

Vapotherm Inc.(a)(b)

    147,821       4,286,809  

Varex Imaging Corp.(a)(b)

    271,466       3,453,048  

Varian Medical Systems Inc.(a)

    628,327       108,072,244  

Wright Medical Group NV(a)(b)

    888,678       27,140,226  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

    1,427,594       194,352,647  
   

 

 

 
      6,946,578,600  
Health Care Services — 0.1%            

BioTelemetry Inc.(a)(b)

    235,041       10,713,169  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Supplies — 0.2%            

STAAR Surgical Co.(a)(b)

    315,618       17,851,354  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 15.3%  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    147,479       76,019,525  

Bruker Corp.

    708,511       28,163,312  

NanoString Technologies Inc.(a)(b)

    261,877       11,705,902  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.(b)

    2,404,894       1,061,808,799  

Waters Corp.(a)

    426,972       83,549,881  
   

 

 

 
      1,261,247,419  
   

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
    (Cost: $6,986,034,808)
        8,236,390,542  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 2.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    171,986,464       172,141,252  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(c)(d)

    12,353,000       12,353,000  
   

 

 

 
    184,494,252  
   

 

 

 

Total Short -Term Investments — 2.2%
(Cost: $184,284,397)

 

    184,494,252  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 102.0%
(Cost: $7,170,319,205)

 

    8,420,884,794  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (2.0)%

 

    (165,015,743
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   8,255,869,051  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e)

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

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   36


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Medical Devices ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 168,274,046      $ 3,584,962 (a)     $      $ 167,356      $ 114,888      $ 172,141,252        171,986,464      $ 586,314 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     9,823,000        2,530,000 (a)                            12,353,000        12,353,000        9,144         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 167,356      $ 114,888      $ 184,494,252         $ 595,458      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

           

S&P Select Sector Health Care E-Mini Index

     132        12/18/20      $ 14,058      $ 225,121  

S&P Select Sector Technology E-Mini Index

     39        12/18/20        4,582        192,299  
           

 

 

 
            $ 417,420  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 417,420  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 3,636,639  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (102,199
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 14,943,507      

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

 

 

37  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Medical Devices ETF

 

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 8,236,390,542        $             —        $             —        $ 8,236,390,542  

Money Market Funds

     184,494,252                            184,494,252  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 8,420,884,794        $        $        $ 8,420,884,794  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 417,420        $        $        $ 417,420  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   38


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Common Stocks

 

Oil & Gas Exploration & Production — 66.5%  

Antero Resources Corp.(a)(b)

    165,167     $ 454,209  

Apache Corp.

    252,338       2,389,641  

Bonanza Creek Energy Inc.(a)

    12,428       233,646  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

    266,458       4,625,711  

Callon Petroleum Co.(a)

    26,284       126,689  

Cimarex Energy Co.

    68,220       1,659,792  

CNX Resources Corp.(a)

    150,130       1,417,227  

Concho Resources Inc.

    123,173       5,434,393  

ConocoPhillips

    589,521       19,359,870  

Continental Resources Inc./OK

    41,496       509,571  

Devon Energy Corp.

    255,908       2,420,890  

Diamondback Energy Inc.

    105,507       3,177,871  

EOG Resources Inc.

    320,022       11,501,591  

EQT Corp.

    170,875       2,209,414  

Hess Corp.

    128,027       5,240,145  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.

    270,531       263,930  

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    81,280       420,217  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    527,754       2,158,514  

Matador Resources Co.(a)(b)

    73,423       606,474  

Murphy Oil Corp.

    96,523       860,985  

Noble Energy Inc.

    323,997       2,770,174  

Ovintiv Inc.

    173,722       1,417,571  

Parsley Energy Inc., Class A

    199,467       1,867,011  

PDC Energy Inc.(a)(b)

    66,584       825,309  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    62,224       5,350,642  

Range Resources Corp.

    171,193       1,133,298  

SM Energy Co.

    71,344       113,437  

Southwestern Energy Co.(a)(b)

    404,781       951,235  

WPX Energy Inc.(a)

    270,023       1,323,113  
   

 

 

 
      80,822,570  
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing — 26.8%            

CVR Energy Inc.

    19,540       241,905  

Delek U.S. Holdings Inc.

    41,353       460,259  

HollyFrontier Corp.

    99,645       1,964,003  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    357,646       10,493,334  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing (continued)

           

Par Pacific Holdings Inc.(a)

    26,765     $ 181,199  

PBF Energy Inc., Class A

    64,222       365,423  

Phillips 66

    240,024       12,442,844  

Valero Energy Corp.

    125,883       5,453,252  

World Fuel Services Corp.

    42,444       899,388  
   

 

 

 
      32,501,607  
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation — 6.4%  

Cheniere Energy Inc.(a)

    121,850       5,637,999  

Targa Resources Corp.

    155,897       2,187,235  
   

 

 

 
      7,825,234  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $275,576,517)

      121,149,411  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 2.8%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    3,274,081       3,277,028  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(c)(d)

    197,000       197,000  
   

 

 

 
      3,474,028  
   

 

 

 
Total Short -Term Investments — 2.8%
    (Cost: $3,471,818)
        3,474,028  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 102.5%
(Cost: $279,048,335)

 

    124,623,439  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (2.5)%

 

    (3,081,023
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   121,542,416  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 3,061,984        $208,807 (a)    $     $ 4,973      $ 1,264      $ 3,277,028        3,274,081      $ 49,242 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     427,000              (230,000 )(a)                    197,000        197,000        289        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 4,973      $ 1,264      $ 3,474,028         $ 49,531     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

39  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
      

Notional
Amount

(000)

       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

S&P Select Sector Energy E-Mini Index

     11          12/18/20        $ 341        $ (25,390
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 25,390  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 58,442  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (29,878
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 268,053      

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

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 121,149,411        $             —        $             —        $ 121,149,411  

Money Market Funds

     3,474,028                            3,474,028  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 124,623,439        $        $        $ 124,623,439  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (25,390      $        $        $ (25,390
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   40


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

Common Stocks

 

Oil & Gas Drilling — 9.9%  

Helmerich & Payne Inc.

    170,707      $ 2,500,858  

Nabors Industries Ltd.

    12,488        305,207  

Patterson-UTI Energy Inc.

    364,233        1,038,064  

Transocean Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,122,847        906,025  
    

 

 

 
       4,750,154  
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services — 89.6%  

Archrock Inc.

    249,736        1,343,580  

Baker Hughes Co.

    180,507        2,398,938  

Bristow Group Inc.(a)(b)

    45,895        975,269  

Cactus Inc., Class A

    92,296        1,771,160  

ChampionX Corp.(a)

    266,695        2,130,893  

Core Laboratories NV(b)

    86,473        1,319,578  

DMC Global Inc.

    28,696        945,246  

Dril-Quip Inc.(a)(b)

    68,160        1,687,642  

Halliburton Co.

    846,410        10,199,240  

Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc.(a)(b)

    274,044        660,446  

Liberty Oilfield Services Inc., Class A

    115,392        921,982  

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

    221,627        2,007,941  

NexTier Oilfield Solutions Inc.(a)(b)

    312,219        577,605  

Oceaneering International Inc.(a)

    192,897        678,997  

Oil States International Inc.(a)(b)

    118,438        323,336  

ProPetro Holding Corp.(a)

    156,800        636,608  

Schlumberger Ltd.

    684,952        10,657,853  

SEACOR Holdings Inc.(a)

    37,159        1,080,584  

Select Energy Services Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    121,476        466,468  

TechnipFMC PLC(b)

    356,456        2,249,237  
    

 

 

 
       43,032,603  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.5%
(Cost: $83,194,001)

 

     47,782,757  
    

 

 

 
Security   Shares      Value  

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Money Market Funds — 5.0%  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    2,355,498      $ 2,357,618  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(c)(d)

    20,000        20,000  
    

 

 

 
       2,377,618  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 5.0%
(Cost: $2,374,683)

 

     2,377,618  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 104.5%
(Cost: $85,568,684)

 

     50,160,375  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (4.5)%

 

     (2,147,955
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

   $   48,012,420  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 2,792,356      $       $(437,083 )(a)    $ 118      $ 2,227      $ 2,357,618        2,355,498      $ 86,985 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

            20,000 (a)                          20,000        20,000        172        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 118      $ 2,227      $ 2,377,618         $ 87,157     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

41  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
      

Notional
Amount

(000)

       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

S&P Select Sector Energy E-Mini Index

     7          12/18/20        $ 217        $ (15,206
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 15,206  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 42,109  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (27,390
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 338,927      

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

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 47,782,757        $             —        $             —        $ 47,782,757  

Money Market Funds

     2,377,618                            2,377,618  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 50,160,375        $        $        $ 50,160,375  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (15,206      $        $        $ (15,206
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   42


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Common Stocks

   
Biotechnology — 4.2%            

Amicus Therapeutics Inc.(a)(b)

    367,408     $ 5,187,801  

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    136,132       404,312  

ChemoCentryx Inc.(a)

    70,421       3,859,071  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    227,037       2,042,198  

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    13,137       1,559,756  

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    207,138       845,123  

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    77,579       749,413  
   

 

 

 
      14,647,674  
Pharmaceuticals — 95.6%            

Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    66,045       777,350  

AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    42,901       403,269  

Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    161,221       625,537  

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)

    51,968       974,400  

Arvinas Inc.(a)(b)

    34,572       816,245  

Axsome Therapeutics Inc.(a)

    37,582       2,677,718  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    266,780       16,084,166  

Cara Therapeutics Inc.(a)(b)

    60,613       771,300  

Catalent Inc.(a)(b)

    185,865       15,921,196  

Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc.(a)(b)

    49,060       1,021,429  

Corcept Therapeutics Inc.(a)(b)

    147,629       2,569,483  

Elanco Animal Health Inc.(a)

    464,391       12,970,441  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    103,714       15,351,746  

Endo International PLC(a)

    326,670       1,078,011  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(a)

    217,368       16,885,146  

Innoviva Inc.(a)(b)

    89,355       933,760  

Intersect ENT Inc.(a)

    46,435       757,355  

Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc.(a)(b)

    98,660       2,531,616  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(a)(b)

    78,736       11,226,966  

Johnson & Johnson

    526,432       78,375,196  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    807,119       66,950,521  

Mylan NV(a)(b)

    733,922       10,884,063  

MyoKardia Inc.(a)

    75,230       10,256,106  

Omeros Corp.(a)(b)

    87,299       882,156  

Pacira BioSciences Inc.(a)(b)

    60,682       3,648,202  

Perrigo Co. PLC

    193,764       8,895,705  

Pfizer Inc.

    435,638       15,987,915  

Phathom Pharmaceuticals Inc.(a)(b)

    17,257       632,814  

Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A

    28,743       500,128  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

Pharmaceuticals (continued)

           

Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc.(a)

    71,241     $ 2,594,597  

Provention Bio Inc.(a)(b)

    67,983       872,222  

Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    34,059       3,318,028  

Relmada Therapeutics Inc.(a)(b)

    19,107       718,805  

Revance Therapeutics Inc.(a)(b)

    87,020       2,187,683  

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

    114,285       4,807,970  

TherapeuticsMD Inc.(a)(b)

    346,939       548,164  

Theravance Biopharma Inc.(a)(b)

    70,421       1,041,175  

Tricida Inc.(a)(b)

    42,119       381,598  

Zoetis Inc.

    99,184       16,402,058  

Zogenix Inc.(a)(b)

    78,816       1,413,171  
   

 

 

 
      335,675,411  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.8%
(Cost: $337,998,791)

      350,323,085  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 7.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    25,310,726       25,333,505  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(c)(d)

    346,000       346,000  
   

 

 

 
      25,679,505  
   

 

 

 

Total Short -Term Investments — 7.3%
(Cost: $25,668,258)

      25,679,505  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 107.1%
(Cost: $363,667,049)

      376,002,590  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (7.1)%

      (24,871,298
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   351,131,292  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

 

43  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 8,519,755      $ 16,806,876 (a)    $     $ 1,353      $ 5,521      $ 25,333,505        25,310,726      $ 78,923 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     676,000              (330,000 )(a)                    346,000        346,000        600        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 1,353      $ 5,521      $ 25,679,505         $ 79,523     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
      

Notional
Amount

(000)

       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

S&P Select Sector Health Care E-Mini Index

     7          12/18/20        $ 746        $ 2,395  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 2,395  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 102,718  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (73,194
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 871,010      

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

Fair Value Measurements

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

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   44


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF

 

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 350,323,085        $             —        $             —        $ 350,323,085  

Money Market Funds

     25,679,505                            25,679,505  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 376,002,590        $        $        $ 376,002,590  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 2,395        $        $        $ 2,395  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

45  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Common Stocks

   
Diversified REITs — 2.6%            

PS Business Parks Inc., Class A

    73,602     $ 9,008,149  

STORE Capital Corp.

    795,048       21,808,167  

VEREIT Inc.

    3,745,822       24,347,843  

WP Carey Inc.

    596,834       38,889,703  
   

 

 

 
      94,053,862  
Health Care REITs — 8.5%            

Healthcare Realty Trust Inc.

    483,100       14,550,972  

Healthcare Trust of America Inc., Class A(a)

    764,683       19,881,758  

Healthpeak Properties Inc.

    1,840,310       49,964,416  

Medical Properties Trust Inc.

    1,823,389       32,146,348  

National Health Investors Inc.

    162,178       9,774,468  

Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.

    787,713       23,584,127  

Physicians Realty Trust

    742,701       13,301,775  

Sabra Health Care REIT Inc.

    742,286       10,232,413  

Ventas Inc.

    1,273,887       53,452,299  

Welltower Inc.

    1,397,079       76,965,082  
   

 

 

 
      303,853,658  
Hotel & Resort REITs — 0.7%            

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.(a)

    2,443,822       26,368,839  
   

 

 

 
Industrial REITs — 10.9%            

Americold Realty Trust

    706,245       25,248,259  

Duke Realty Corp.

    1,267,658       46,776,580  

EastGroup Properties Inc.

    137,993       17,846,635  

First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.

    446,402       17,766,799  

Lexington Realty Trust

    1,002,476       10,475,874  

Prologis Inc.

    2,473,315       248,864,955  

Rexford Industrial Realty Inc.

    432,851       19,807,262  
   

 

 

 
          386,786,364  
Mortgage REITs — 2.8%            

AGNC Investment Corp.

    1,921,400       26,726,674  

Annaly Capital Management Inc.

    4,820,552       34,322,330  

Blackstone Mortgage Trust Inc., Class A

    523,941       11,510,984  

Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc.

    72       195  

New Residential Investment Corp.

    1,492,449       11,864,970  

Starwood Property Trust Inc.

    1,003,157       15,137,639  
   

 

 

 
      99,562,792  
Office REITs — 6.7%            

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc.

    392,660       62,825,600  

Boston Properties Inc.

    485,815       39,010,944  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    378,135       8,969,362  

Cousins Properties Inc.

    525,742       15,030,964  

Douglas Emmett Inc.

    583,621       14,648,887  

Equity Commonwealth

    433,324       11,539,418  

Highwoods Properties Inc.

    371,161       12,459,875  

Hudson Pacific Properties Inc.

    548,291       12,024,022  

JBG SMITH Properties

    406,004       10,856,547  

Kilroy Realty Corp.

    366,417       19,039,027  

SL Green Realty Corp.

    263,181       12,203,703  

Vornado Realty Trust

    548,950       18,505,105  
   

 

 

 
      237,113,454  
Real Estate Development — 0.3%            

Howard Hughes Corp. (The)(a)(b)

    164,595       9,480,672  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Services — 2.0%            

CBRE Group Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    1,144,379       53,751,482  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

Real Estate Services (continued)

           

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.

    181,713     $ 17,382,665  
   

 

 

 
      71,134,147  
Research & Consulting Services — 3.1%            

CoStar Group Inc.(a)(b)

    131,795       111,829,375  
   

 

 

 
Residential REITs — 13.5%            

American Campus Communities Inc.

    484,400       16,915,248  

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    923,045       26,288,321  

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A

    522,576       17,621,263  

AvalonBay Communities Inc.

    471,194       70,368,112  

Camden Property Trust

    336,199       29,914,987  

Equity LifeStyle Properties Inc.

    583,204       35,750,405  

Equity Residential

    1,146,425       58,845,995  

Essex Property Trust Inc.

    223,166       44,809,501  

Invitation Homes Inc.

    1,913,788       53,566,926  

Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc.

    391,504       45,394,889  

Sun Communities Inc.

    336,124       47,262,396  

UDR Inc.

    1,015,859       33,127,162  
   

 

 

 
          479,865,205  
Retail REITs — 6.9%            

Brixmor Property Group Inc.

    1,059,781       12,388,840  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    241,391       17,727,755  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    1,517,466       17,086,667  

National Retail Properties Inc.

    604,870       20,874,064  

Realty Income Corp.

    1,155,160       70,175,970  

Regency Centers Corp.

    551,747       20,977,421  

Simon Property Group Inc.

    1,024,109       66,239,370  

Spirit Realty Capital Inc.

    368,255       12,428,606  

Taubman Centers Inc.

    228,198       7,596,712  
   

 

 

 
      245,495,405  
Specialized REITs — 41.3%            

American Tower Corp.

    1,485,024       358,974,852  

CoreSite Realty Corp.

    149,319       17,751,043  

Crown Castle International Corp.

    1,405,002       233,932,833  

CubeSmart

    674,843       21,804,177  

CyrusOne Inc.

    403,534       28,259,486  

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

    900,563       132,166,626  

Equinix Inc.

    220,754       167,801,738  

Extra Space Storage Inc.

    441,397       47,225,065  

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc.(a)

    706,339       26,085,099  

Iron Mountain Inc.

    996,530       26,697,039  

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A

    301,566       19,954,622  

Life Storage Inc.

    164,803       17,348,812  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    239,991       10,103,621  

Public Storage

    509,149       113,397,665  

Rayonier Inc.

    486,957       12,875,143  

SBA Communications Corp.

    374,754       119,351,654  

VICI Properties Inc.

    1,828,654       42,735,644  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    2,498,423       71,255,024  
   

 

 

 
      1,467,720,143  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.3%
(Cost: $4,294,768,207)

 

    3,533,263,916  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   

Money Market Funds — 0.5%

   

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares, 0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    9,324,385       9,332,777  

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   46


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Real Estate ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Money Market Funds (continued)

           

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(c)(d)

    8,330,000     $ 8,330,000  
   

 

 

 
      17,662,777  
   

 

 

 

Total Short -Term Investments — 0.5%
(Cost: $17,646,662)

 

    17,662,777  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.8%
(Cost: $4,312,414,869)

 

    3,550,926,693  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.2%

 

    7,169,409  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   3,558,096,102  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
03/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
09/30/20
    Shares
Held at
09/30/20
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional,
SL Agency Shares

  $ 15,872,514     $     $ (6,599,277 )(a)    $ 55,114     $ 4,426     $ 9,332,777       9,324,385     $ 140,916 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares

    7,010,000       1,320,000 (a)                        8,330,000       8,330,000       5,022        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 55,114     $ 4,426     $ 17,662,777       $ 145,938     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

           

DJ U.S. Real Estate Index

     788        12/18/20      $ 24,704      $ 29,936  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 29,936  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

47  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Real Estate ETF

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Equity
Contracts
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 2,624,572  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 95,625  
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 22,706,607  

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

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For 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 value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 3,533,263,916        $         —        $         —        $ 3,533,263,916  

Money Market Funds

     17,662,777                            17,662,777  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,550,926,693        $        $        $ 3,550,926,693  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ 29,936        $        $        $ 29,936  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   48


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Regional Banks ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Common Stocks

   
Diversified Banks — 13.4%            

U.S. Bancorp.

    793,645     $   28,452,173  
   

 

 

 
Regional Banks — 84.3%            

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

    23,187       1,171,407  

BankUnited Inc.

    53,390       1,169,775  

BOK Financial Corp.

    17,917       922,905  

Cathay General Bancorp.

    43,345       939,720  

CIT Group Inc.

    57,008       1,009,612  

Citizens Financial Group Inc.

    247,118       6,247,143  

Comerica Inc.

    80,498       3,079,048  

Commerce Bancshares Inc.

    58,116       3,271,350  

Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc.

    32,308       2,066,097  

East West Bancorp. Inc.

    81,916       2,681,930  

Fifth Third Bancorp.

    412,360       8,791,515  

First Citizens BancShares Inc./NC, Class A

    4,183       1,333,457  

First Financial Bankshares Inc.

    82,233       2,295,123  

First Hawaiian Inc.

    75,199       1,088,130  

First Horizon National Corp.

    320,324       3,020,655  

First Republic Bank/CA

    99,650       10,867,829  

FNB Corp.

    187,124       1,268,701  

Fulton Financial Corp.

    93,881       875,910  

Glacier Bancorp. Inc.

    55,238       1,770,378  

Hancock Whitney Corp.

    50,010       940,688  

Home BancShares Inc./AR

    87,996       1,334,019  

Huntington Bancshares Inc./OH

    588,983       5,400,974  

International Bancshares Corp.

    32,254       840,539  

Investors Bancorp. Inc.

    131,706       956,186  

KeyCorp.

    565,066       6,741,237  

M&T Bank Corp.

    74,269       6,839,432  

PacWest Bancorp.

    67,594       1,154,506  

People’s United Financial Inc.

    245,930       2,535,538  

Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc.

    43,911       1,562,792  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

    245,846       27,020,934  

Popular Inc.

    48,758       1,768,453  

Prosperity Bancshares Inc.

    53,647       2,780,524  

Regions Financial Corp.

    555,899       6,409,515  

Signature Bank/New York NY

    31,011       2,573,603  

Sterling Bancorp./DE

    112,595       1,184,499  

SVB Financial Group(a)

    29,968       7,210,900  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

Regional Banks (continued)

           

Synovus Financial Corp.

    85,289     $ 1,805,568  

TCF Financial Corp.

    88,138       2,058,904  

Texas Capital Bancshares Inc.(a)

    29,222       909,681  

Truist Financial Corp.

    780,253       29,688,627  

Trustmark Corp.

    36,748       786,775  

UMB Financial Corp.

    25,024       1,226,426  

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

    127,500       1,354,050  

United Bankshares Inc./WV

    75,123       1,612,891  

Valley National Bancorp.

    233,784       1,601,420  

Webster Financial Corp.

    52,218       1,379,077  

Western Alliance Bancorp.

    58,380       1,845,976  

Wintrust Financial Corp.

    33,349       1,335,627  

Zions Bancorp NA

    94,937       2,774,059  
   

 

 

 
      179,504,105  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 2.0%            

Capitol Federal Financial Inc.

    76,053       704,631  

New York Community Bancorp. Inc.

    268,586       2,221,206  

TFS Financial Corp.

    27,524       404,328  

Washington Federal Inc.

    43,847       914,648  
   

 

 

 
      4,244,813  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.7%
(Cost: $320,422,771)

      212,201,091  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(b)(c)

    237,000       237,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
(Cost: $237,000)

 

    237,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 99.8%
(Cost: $320,659,771)

 

    212,438,091  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.2%

      339,521  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   212,777,612  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

 

 

49  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Regional Banks ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

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

   $ 110,691      $      $ (110,165 )(b)    $ (446    $ (80    $             $ 2,277 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     317,000               (80,000 )(b)                    237,000        237,000        251        
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
           $ (446    $ (80    $ 237,000         $ 2,528     $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

S&P Select Sector Financial E-Mini Index

     7          12/18/20        $ 518        $ (12,578
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 12,578  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 197,943  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (44,194
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 664,550      

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

Fair Value Measurements

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

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   50


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Regional Banks ETF

 

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 212,201,091        $             —        $             —        $ 212,201,091  

Money Market Funds

     237,000                            237,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 212,438,091        $        $        $ 212,438,091  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (12,578      $        $        $ (12,578
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

51  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Telecommunications ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

Common Stocks

   
Alternative Carriers — 13.4%            

Anterix Inc.(a)

    15,736     $ 514,725  

CenturyLink Inc.

    1,341,033       13,531,023  

GCI Liberty Inc., Class A(a)

    137,562       11,274,582  

Globalstar Inc.(a)(b)

    875,528       268,612  

Iridium Communications Inc.(a)(b)

    158,334       4,050,184  

Liberty Global PLC, Class A(a)

    193,021       4,055,371  

Liberty Global PLC, Class C, NVS(a)(b)

    503,535       10,340,091  

Liberty Latin America Ltd., Class C, NVS(a)

    205,677       1,674,211  

ORBCOMM Inc.(a)

    105,886       360,012  

Vonage Holdings Corp.(a)(b)

    313,375       3,205,826  
   

 

 

 
      49,274,637  
Communications Equipment — 29.8%            

Acacia Communications Inc.(a)

    52,195       3,517,943  

ADTRAN Inc.

    65,129       667,898  

Applied Optoelectronics Inc.(a)

    28,463       320,208  

Arista Networks Inc.(a)

    74,315       15,378,003  

CalAmp Corp.(a)

    46,678       335,615  

Ciena Corp.(a)

    208,592       8,279,016  

Cisco Systems Inc.

    424,407       16,717,392  

CommScope Holding Co. Inc.(a)

    267,213       2,404,917  

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

    33,590       470,260  

EchoStar Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    68,303       1,700,062  

Extreme Networks Inc.(a)

    167,664       674,009  

F5 Networks Inc.(a)

    83,050       10,196,048  

Harmonic Inc.(a)(b)

    132,310       738,290  

Inseego Corp.(a)

    85,496       882,319  

Juniper Networks Inc.

    450,390       9,683,385  

Lumentum Holdings Inc.(a)(b)

    102,094       7,670,322  

Motorola Solutions Inc.

    110,904       17,390,856  

NETGEAR Inc.(a)

    40,606       1,251,477  

NetScout Systems Inc.(a)

    98,373       2,147,483  

Plantronics Inc.

    50,354       596,191  

Ribbon Communications Inc.(a)

    159,663       617,896  

Ubiquiti Inc.

    10,376       1,729,264  

ViaSat Inc.(a)(b)

    87,064       2,994,131  

Viavi Solutions Inc.(a)(b)

    309,979       3,636,054  
   

 

 

 
      109,999,039  
Consumer Electronics — 4.3%            

Garmin Ltd.

    168,395       15,973,950  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

Integrated Telecommunication Services — 46.0%

 

AT&T Inc.

    2,899,858     $ 82,674,951  

ATN International Inc.

    14,962       750,195  

Cincinnati Bell Inc.(a)

    67,774       1,016,610  

Consolidated Communications Holdings
Inc.(a)

    99,220       564,562  

Verizon Communications Inc.

    1,418,331       84,376,511  
   

 

 

 
      169,382,829  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 6.4%  

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.(b)

    67,684       3,007,538  

Spok Holdings Inc.

    23,779       226,138  

T-Mobile U.S. Inc.(a)(b)

    150,455       17,206,034  

Telephone and Data Systems Inc.

    135,148       2,492,129  

U.S. Cellular Corp.(a)

    20,128       594,380  
   

 

 

 
      23,526,219  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.9%
(Cost: $409,467,449)

      368,156,674  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 3.6%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 0.31%(c)(d)(e)

    12,948,141       12,959,795  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.04%(c)(d)

    470,000       470,000  
   

 

 

 
      13,429,795  
   

 

 

 

Total Short -Term Investments — 3.6%
(Cost: $13,424,007)

 

    13,429,795  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 103.5%
(Cost: $422,891,456)

 

    381,586,469  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (3.5)%

      (12,981,507
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 368,604,962  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period-end.

(e) 

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

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   52


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Telecommunications ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2020, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/20
     Shares
Held at
09/30/20
     Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 25,707,632      $     $ (12,765,687 )(a)    $ 17,591      $ 259      $ 12,959,795        12,948,141      $ 36,761 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     450,000        20,000 (a)                          470,000        470,000        267        
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 17,591      $ 259      $ 13,429,795         $ 37,028     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
      

Notional
Amount

(000)

       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

S&P Communication Services Select Sector E-Mini Index

     5          12/18/20        $ 388        $ (2,778
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of September 30, 2020, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 2,778  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 339,041  
  

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

  

Futures contracts

   $ (11,157
  

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 515,035      

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

Fair Value Measurements

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

 

 

53  

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Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

  

iShares® U.S. Telecommunications ETF

 

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The following table summarizes the value of the Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2020. The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 368,156,674        $             —        $             —        $ 368,156,674  

Money Market Funds

     13,429,795                            13,429,795  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 381,586,469        $        $        $ 381,586,469  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (2,778      $        $        $ (2,778
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Shown at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the contracts.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

C H E D U L E  O F  N V E S T M E N T  S   54


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
Focused Value
Factor ETF
 

iShares
U.S. Aerospace

& Defense ETF

 

iShares
U.S. Broker-Dealers
& Securities
Exchanges

ETF

  iShares
U.S. Healthcare
Providers ETF

ASSETS

                    

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

                    

Unaffiliated(b)

    $ 19,146,024     $ 2,585,603,772          $ 98,855,562     $ 918,448,510

Affiliated(c)

            141,358,465            313,034       63,702,135

Cash

      8,530       2,710            4,191       3,370

Cash pledged:

                    

Futures contracts

            332,000            8,000       56,000

Receivables:

                    

Securities lending income — Affiliated

      4       45,361            83       19,154

Variation margin on futures contracts

                       941       12,847

Dividends

      21,734       178,999            22,685       135,800
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

      19,176,292       2,727,521,307            99,204,496       982,377,816
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

                    

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

            136,996,716            172,926       62,617,132

Payables:

                    

Variation margin on futures contracts

            9,356                 

Capital shares redeemed

                             228,635

Investment advisory fees

      4,076       935,808            34,355       319,791
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      4,076       137,941,880            207,281       63,165,558
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 19,172,216     $ 2,589,579,427          $ 98,997,215     $ 919,212,258
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

                    

Paid-in capital

    $ 29,812,879     $ 3,736,510,869          $ 149,901,104     $ 1,000,797,854

Accumulated loss

      (10,640,663 )       (1,146,931,442 )            (50,903,889 )       (81,585,596 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 19,172,216     $ 2,589,579,427          $ 98,997,215     $ 919,212,258
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      600,000       16,350,000            1,600,000       4,550,000
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 31.95     $ 158.38          $ 61.87     $ 202.02
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited       Unlimited            Unlimited       Unlimited
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

      None       None            None       None
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

    $     $ 133,135,366          $ 170,510     $ 62,090,971

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

    $ 19,911,550     $ 3,043,185,773          $ 114,985,817     $ 889,015,430

(c) Investments, at cost — Affiliated

    $     $ 141,272,274          $ 312,884     $ 63,661,895

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

55   2 0 2 0  H A R E S  E M I -  A 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 Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
U.S. Home
Construction
ETF
   iShares
U.S. Infrastructure
ETF
   iShares
U.S. Insurance
ETF
  iShares
U.S. Medical
Devices ETF

ASSETS

                      

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

                      

Unaffiliated(b)

    $ 2,436,898,118           $ 26,721,612      $ 63,802,320     $ 8,236,390,542

Affiliated(c)

      48,214,472             635,644        229,797       184,494,252

Cash

      9,657             9,477        7,739       2,651

Cash pledged:

                      

Futures contracts

                         24,000       1,321,000

Receivables:

                      

Securities lending income — Affiliated

      12,183             278        415       37,218

Variation margin on futures contracts

                         2,710       284,956

Capital shares sold

      110,226             6,610             

Dividends

      826,689             36,846        93,773       8,072,518
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

      2,486,071,345             27,410,467        64,160,754       8,430,603,137
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

                      

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

      47,183,035             605,674        90,500       171,941,998

Payables:

                      

Investments purchased

                         22,678      

Capital shares redeemed

      57,434                          58,869

Investment advisory fees

      763,522             7,692        22,142       2,733,219
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      48,003,991             613,366        135,320       174,734,086
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 2,438,067,354           $ 26,797,101      $ 64,025,434     $ 8,255,869,051
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

                      

Paid-in capital

    $ 2,160,799,760           $ 26,721,054      $ 74,197,203     $ 6,831,171,035

Accumulated earnings (loss)

      277,267,594             76,047        (10,171,769 )       1,424,698,016
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 2,438,067,354           $ 26,797,101      $ 64,025,434     $ 8,255,869,051
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      43,050,000             1,100,000        1,150,000       27,500,000
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 56.63           $ 24.36      $ 55.67     $ 300.21
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited             Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

      None             None        None       None
   

 

 

           

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

    $ 46,935,300           $ 586,886      $ 88,944     $ 169,581,590

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

    $ 2,155,916,854           $ 25,961,650      $ 69,829,821     $ 6,986,034,808

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

    $ 48,196,383           $ 635,633      $ 229,789     $ 184,284,397

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S 

  56


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
U.S. Oil & Gas
Exploration &
Production ETF
  iShares
U.S. Oil
Equipment &
Services ETF
  iShares
U.S. Pharmaceuticals
ETF
  iShares
U.S. Real
Estate ETF

ASSETS

                    

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

                    

Unaffiliated(b)

    $ 121,149,411     $ 47,782,757          $ 350,323,085     $ 3,533,263,916

Affiliated(c)

      3,474,028       2,377,618            25,679,505       17,662,777

Cash

      2,343       8,189            7,245       9,453

Cash pledged:

                    

Futures contracts

      58,000       37,000            56,000       2,079,000

Receivables:

                    

Investments sold

            16,791                  694,422

Securities lending income — Affiliated

      1,487       1,607            12,447       8,879

Variation margin on futures contracts

                       12,850       64,388

Capital shares sold

      6,019                        161,094

Dividends

      170,619       193,236            482,894       15,177,759
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

      124,861,907       50,417,198            376,574,026       3,569,121,688
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

                    

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

      3,262,941       2,350,464            25,322,291       9,289,849

Payables:

                    

Variation margin on futures contracts

      803       524                 

Capital shares redeemed

            20,627                  528,092

Investment advisory fees

      55,747       33,163            120,443       1,207,645
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      3,319,491       2,404,778            25,442,734       11,025,586
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 121,542,416     $ 48,012,420          $ 351,131,292     $ 3,558,096,102
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

                    

Paid-in capital

    $ 453,883,921     $ 355,483,436          $ 518,827,175     $ 4,645,241,728

Accumulated loss

      (332,341,505 )       (307,471,016 )            (167,695,883 )       (1,087,145,626 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 121,542,416     $ 48,012,420          $ 351,131,292     $ 3,558,096,102
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      4,600,000       6,650,000            2,150,000       44,550,000
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 26.42     $ 7.22          $ 163.32     $ 79.87
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited       Unlimited            Unlimited       Unlimited
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

      None       None            None       None
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

    $ 3,073,238     $ 2,220,438          $ 24,771,880     $ 9,122,722

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

    $ 275,576,517     $ 83,194,001          $ 337,998,791     $ 4,294,768,207

(c) Investments, at cost — Affiliated

    $ 3,471,818     $ 2,374,683          $ 25,668,258     $ 17,646,662

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

57  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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 Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
U.S. Regional
Banks ETF
  iShares
U.S. Telecommunications
ETF

ASSETS

            

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

            

Unaffiliated(b)

    $ 212,201,091          $ 368,156,674

Affiliated(c)

      237,000            13,429,795

Cash

      19,458            5,897

Cash pledged:

            

Futures contracts

      56,000            40,000

Receivables:

            

Investments sold

                 954,011

Securities lending income — Affiliated

      318            4,274

Variation margin on futures contracts

      6,703            546

Capital shares sold

                 20,039

Dividends

      787,309            72,730
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Total assets

      213,307,879            382,683,966
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

            

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

                 12,967,036

Payables:

            

Investments purchased

      453,213            987,873

Investment advisory fees

      77,054            124,095
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      530,267            14,079,004
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 212,777,612          $ 368,604,962
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

            

Paid-in capital

    $ 349,424,255          $ 633,368,207

Accumulated loss

      (136,646,643 )            (264,763,245 )
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

    $ 212,777,612          $ 368,604,962
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      6,500,000            13,550,000
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 32.74          $ 27.20
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited            Unlimited
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Par value

      None            None
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

    $          $ 12,147,309

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

    $ 320,422,771          $ 409,467,449

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

    $ 237,000          $ 13,424,007

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S 

  58


 

Statements of Operations  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
Focused Value
Factor ETF
  iShares
U.S. Aerospace
& Defense ETF
 

iShares
U.S. Broker-Dealers
& Securities
Exchanges

ETF

  iShares
U.S. Healthcare
Providers ETF

INVESTMENT INCOME

                    

Dividends — Unaffiliated

    $ 370,840     $ 20,299,065          $ 1,196,517     $ 4,678,559

Dividends — Affiliated

      17       2,670            103       1,097

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

      4,654       470,787            2,539       135,180

Foreign taxes withheld

      (1,059 )                       
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

      374,452       20,772,522            1,199,159       4,814,836
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

EXPENSES

                    

Investment advisory fees

      24,716       6,242,325            255,820       1,955,211

Miscellaneous

            264            264       264
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

      24,716       6,242,589            256,084       1,955,475
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      349,736       14,529,933            943,075       2,859,361
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

                    

Net realized gain (loss) from:

                    

Investments — Unaffiliated

      (9,401,408 )       (397,934,012 )            (1,157,727 )       (17,323,209 )

Investments — Affiliated

      826       22,540            1,017       15,354

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

            40,789,484            762,470       33,468,180

Futures contracts

            1,474,508            (2,478 )       435,878
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

      (9,400,582 )       (355,647,480 )            (396,718 )       16,596,203
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

                    

Investments — Unaffiliated

      10,422,876       635,620,834            26,594,326       144,875,409

Investments — Affiliated

      184       74,814            102       23,004

Futures contracts

            3,314            (2,221 )       (101,036 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      10,423,060       635,698,962            26,592,207       144,797,377
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

      1,022,478       280,051,482            26,195,489       161,393,580
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    $ 1,372,214     $ 294,581,415          $ 27,138,564     $ 164,252,941
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

59  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
U.S. Home
Construction
ETF
  iShares
U.S. Infrastructure
ETF
  iShares
U.S. Insurance
ETF
  iShares
U.S. Medical
Devices ETF

INVESTMENT INCOME

                    

Dividends — Unaffiliated

    $ 6,878,057          $ 201,326     $ 791,285     $ 25,930,780

Dividends — Affiliated

      764            14       83       9,144

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

      82,204            989       2,242       586,314
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

      6,961,025            202,329       793,610       26,526,238
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

EXPENSES

                    

Investment advisory fees

      3,197,551            28,911       132,576       14,611,682

Miscellaneous

      264            264       264       264
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

      3,197,815            29,175       132,840       14,611,946
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      3,763,210            173,154       660,770       11,914,292
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

                    

Net realized gain (loss) from:

                    

Investments — Unaffiliated

      (27,561,758 )            (827,335 )       (1,321,376 )       (37,722,530 )

Investments — Affiliated

      14,434            103       1,017       167,356

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

      85,953,962            241,608       (206,738 )       283,521,849

Futures contracts

                       28,837       3,636,639
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

      58,406,638            (585,624 )       (1,498,260 )       249,603,314
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

                    

Investments — Unaffiliated

      756,345,381            1,889,246       7,978,820       1,504,148,755

Investments — Affiliated

      6,678            (38 )       (14 )       114,888

Futures contracts

                       (7,244 )       (102,199 )
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      756,352,059            1,889,208       7,971,562       1,504,161,444
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

      814,758,697            1,303,584       6,473,302       1,753,764,758
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    $ 818,521,907          $ 1,476,738     $ 7,134,072     $ 1,765,679,050
   

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S 

  60


 

Statements of Operations  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
U.S. Oil & Gas
Exploration &
Production ETF
  iShares
U.S. Oil
Equipment &
Services ETF
  iShares
U.S. Pharmaceuticals
ETF
  iShares
U.S. Real
Estate ETF

INVESTMENT INCOME

                    

Dividends — Unaffiliated

    $ 3,465,744     $ 1,386,138          $ 2,858,052     $ 42,694,291

Dividends — Affiliated

      289       172            600       5,022

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

      49,242       86,985            78,923       140,916

Foreign taxes withheld

            (427 )                 
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

      3,515,275       1,472,868            2,937,575       42,840,229
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

EXPENSES

                    

Investment advisory fees

      413,042       244,341            737,093       6,841,720

Miscellaneous

      264       264            264       264
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

      413,306       244,605            737,357       6,841,984
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      3,101,969       1,228,263            2,200,218       35,998,245
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

                    

Net realized gain (loss) from:

                    

Investments — Unaffiliated

      (53,398,810 )       (55,818,784 )            (13,034,175 )       (262,406,921 )

Investments — Affiliated

      4,973       118            1,353       55,114

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

      965,263       25,167,564            8,072,302       15,195,839

Futures contracts

      58,442       42,109            102,718       2,624,572
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized loss

      (52,370,132 )       (30,608,993 )            (4,857,802 )       (244,531,396 )
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

                    

Investments — Unaffiliated

      54,092,246       53,215,113            67,884,000       673,959,554

Investments — Affiliated

      1,264       2,227            5,521       4,426

Futures contracts

      (29,878 )       (27,390 )            (73,194 )       95,625
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      54,063,632       53,189,950            67,816,327       674,059,605
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

      1,693,500       22,580,957            62,958,525       429,528,209
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    $ 4,795,469     $ 23,809,220          $ 65,158,743     $ 465,526,454
   

 

 

     

 

 

          

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

61  

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Statements of Operations  (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

     iShares
U.S. Regional
Banks ETF
  iShares
U.S. Telecommunications
ETF

INVESTMENT INCOME

            

Dividends — Unaffiliated

    $ 4,791,959          $ 5,476,404

Dividends — Affiliated

      251            267

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

      2,277            36,761

Foreign taxes withheld

      (4,330 )           
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Total investment income

      4,790,157            5,513,432
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

EXPENSES

            

Investment advisory fees

      478,009            744,458

Miscellaneous

      264            264
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Total expenses

      478,273            744,722
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net investment income

      4,311,884            4,768,710
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

            

Net realized gain (loss) from:

            

Investments — Unaffiliated

      (6,785,434 )            (23,155,722 )

Investments — Affiliated

      (446 )            17,591

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

      (5,720,031 )            11,070,120

Futures contracts

      197,943            339,041
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net realized loss

      (12,307,968 )            (11,728,970 )
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

            

Investments — Unaffiliated

      35,334,281            36,114,467

Investments — Affiliated

      (80 )            259

Futures contracts

      (44,194 )            (11,157 )
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      35,290,007            36,103,569
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

      22,982,039            24,374,599
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

    $ 27,293,923          $ 29,143,309
   

 

 

          

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S 

  62


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    iShares
Focused Value Factor ETF
    iShares
U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF
 
     Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 349,736     $ 832,369     $ 14,529,933     $ 81,215,346  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (9,400,582     (432,465     (355,647,480     109,238,230  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    10,423,060       (10,638,834     635,698,962       (1,414,745,761
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1,372,214       (10,238,930     294,581,415       (1,224,292,185
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (340,913     (886,738     (14,703,578     (84,797,489
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

          (2,340,510     (524,701,762     (876,138,639
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    1,031,301       (13,466,178     (244,823,925     (2,185,228,313

Beginning of period

    18,140,915       31,607,093       2,834,403,352       5,019,631,665  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 19,172,216     $ 18,140,915     $ 2,589,579,427     $ 2,834,403,352  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

63  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities
Exchanges ETF
    iShares
U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF
 
    

Six Months

Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/20
   

Six Months

Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 943,075     $ 3,738,366     $ 2,859,361     $ 6,024,680  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (396,718     (9,305,911     16,596,203       13,349,638  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    26,592,207       (15,164,462     144,797,377       (29,986,685
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    27,138,564       (20,732,007     164,252,941       (10,612,367
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,039,372     (3,658,799     (3,152,914     (6,589,181
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

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

    (68,187,530     (52,164,741     (26,088,470     3,493,153  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (42,088,338     (76,555,547     135,011,557       (13,708,395

Beginning of period

    141,085,553       217,641,100       784,200,701       797,909,096  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 98,997,215     $ 141,085,553     $ 919,212,258     $ 784,200,701  

 

(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 

  64


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
U.S. Home Construction ETF
          iShares
U.S. Infrastructure ETF
 
    

Six Months Ended

09/30/20

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

03/31/20

          

Six Months Ended

09/30/20

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

03/31/20

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 3,763,210     $ 6,602,053       $ 173,154     $ 118,869  

Net realized gain (loss)

    58,406,638       23,568,879         (585,624     (59,602

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    756,352,059       (288,252,650       1,889,208       (1,428,430
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    818,521,907       (258,081,718       1,476,738       (1,369,163
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

From net investment income

    (3,825,560     (6,569,106       (159,910     (118,715

Return of capital

                        (14,204
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (3,825,560     (6,569,106       (159,910     (132,919
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

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

    915,731,322       (175,366,107       20,412,183       1,308,263  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    1,730,427,669       (440,016,931       21,729,011       (193,819

Beginning of period

    707,639,685       1,147,656,616         5,068,090       5,261,909  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 2,438,067,354     $ 707,639,685       $ 26,797,101     $ 5,068,090  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

65  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
U.S. Insurance ETF
          iShares
U.S. Medical Devices ETF
 
     Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
           Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 660,770     $ 1,970,351       $ 11,914,292     $ 16,366,543  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (1,498,260     2,454,215         249,603,314       386,292,194  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    7,971,562       (19,077,696       1,504,161,444       (576,646,130
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    7,134,072       (14,653,130       1,765,679,050       (173,987,393
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (666,247     (2,042,667       (10,063,370     (15,429,791
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

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

    (4,648,119     (19,735,135       2,355,394,246       677,542,405  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    1,819,706       (36,430,932       4,111,009,926       488,125,221  

Beginning of period

    62,205,728       98,636,660         4,144,859,125       3,656,733,904  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 64,025,434     $ 62,205,728       $ 8,255,869,051     $ 4,144,859,125  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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 

  66


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
ETF
          iShares
U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF
 
    

Six Months

Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/20
          

Six Months

Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 3,101,969     $ 4,070,586       $ 1,228,263     $ 2,322,858  

Net realized loss

    (52,370,132     (41,687,293       (30,608,993     (70,893,405

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    54,063,632       (101,502,258       53,189,950       (16,271,815
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    4,795,469       (139,118,965       23,809,220       (84,842,362
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (3,076,145     (4,636,142       (1,268,360     (2,287,708
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

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

    29,654,331       (42,525,842       (197,167     (42,439,650
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS(a)

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    31,373,655       (186,280,949       22,343,693       (129,569,720

Beginning of period

    90,168,761       276,449,710         25,668,727       155,238,447  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 121,542,416     $ 90,168,761       $ 48,012,420     $ 25,668,727  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

67  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF
          iShares
U.S. Real Estate ETF
 
     Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
           Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 2,200,218     $ 4,885,667       $ 35,998,245     $ 106,092,992  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (4,857,802     9,942,498         (244,531,396     508,188,551  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    67,816,327       (49,495,781       674,059,605       (1,210,119,563
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    65,158,743       (34,667,616       465,526,454       (595,838,020
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (2,230,271     (4,902,342       (42,206,457     (140,400,588
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

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

    11,799,246       (69,140,296       67,678,320       (794,268,827
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    74,727,718       (108,710,254       490,998,317       (1,530,507,435

Beginning of period

    276,403,574       385,113,828         3,067,097,785       4,597,605,220  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 351,131,292     $ 276,403,574       $ 3,558,096,102     $ 3,067,097,785  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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 

  68


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares
U.S. Regional Banks ETF
          iShares
U.S. Telecommunications ETF
 
     Six Months
Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
           Six Months
Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/20
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 4,311,884     $ 10,867,181       $ 4,768,710     $ 10,048,913  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (12,307,968     (10,789,970       (11,728,970     16,874,423  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    35,290,007       (79,981,534       36,103,569       (80,288,889
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    27,293,923       (79,904,323       29,143,309       (53,365,553
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (4,506,727     (11,196,908       (4,853,219     (9,996,669
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

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

    (7,191,891     (230,804,722       51,935,939       (108,015,033
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS(a)

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    15,595,305       (321,905,953       76,226,029       (171,377,255

Beginning of period

    197,182,307       519,088,260         292,378,933       463,756,188  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 212,777,612     $ 197,182,307       $ 368,604,962     $ 292,378,933  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

69  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Focused Value Factor ETF  
     

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
    

Period From

03/19/19

to 03/31/19

 

(a) 

 

       

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 30.23     $ 48.63      $ 49.43  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.58       1.33        0.04  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    1.71       (18.31      (0.84
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.29       (16.98      (0.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

      

From net investment income

    (0.57     (1.42       
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.57     (1.42       
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 31.95     $ 30.23      $ 48.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return

      

Based on net asset value

    7.54 %(e)      (35.71 )%       (1.62 )%(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

      

Total expenses

    0.25 %(f)      0.25      0.25 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.54 %(f)      2.76      2.36 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

      

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 19,172     $ 18,141      $ 31,607  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    85 %(e)      149      0 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

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 

  70


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From

05/01/15

to 03/31/16

 

 

 (a) 

   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 143.88     $ 199.59      $ 197.93      $ 148.79      $ 116.90      $ 120.15     $ 108.61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.80       3.37        1.78        1.55        1.71        1.05       1.46  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    14.53       (55.46      2.00        49.41        31.69        (3.26     11.76  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    15.33       (52.09      3.78        50.96        33.40        (2.21     13.22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.83     (3.62      (1.83      (1.82      (1.51      (1.04     (1.68

From net realized gain

                 (0.29                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.83     (3.62      (2.12      (1.82      (1.51      (1.04     (1.68
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 158.38     $ 143.88      $ 199.59      $ 197.93      $ 148.79      $ 116.90     $ 120.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    10.63 %(e)      (26.58 )%       1.91      34.40      28.70      (1.84 )%(e)      12.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.99 %(f)      1.57      0.90      0.87      1.24      0.99 %(f)      1.29
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 2,589,579     $ 2,834,403      $ 5,019,632      $ 5,749,730      $ 2,574,090      $ 637,129     $ 546,702  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    33 %(e)      20      38      14      14      17 %(e)      15
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) 

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e) 

Not annualized.

 

(f) 

Annualized.

 

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

71   2 0 2 0  H A R E S  E M I -  A 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)

 

    iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
                 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $ 51.30     $ 58.82      $ 65.50      $ 51.31      $ 37.44      $ 42.46     $ 37.45  
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

      0.47       1.03        0.88        0.83        0.83        0.58       0.46  

Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss)(c)

      10.71       (7.46      (6.51      14.15        13.77        (4.89     5.02  
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      11.18       (6.43      (5.63      14.98        14.60        (4.31     5.48  
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                   

From net investment income

      (0.61     (1.09      (1.05      (0.79      (0.73      (0.71     (0.47
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.61     (1.09      (1.05      (0.79      (0.73      (0.71     (0.47
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 61.87     $ 51.30      $ 58.82      $ 65.50      $ 51.31      $ 37.44     $ 42.46  
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                   

Based on net asset value

      21.83 %(e)      (11.15 )%       (8.63 )%       29.39      39.27      (10.23 )%(e)      14.68
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                   

Total expenses

      0.43 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      1.57 %(f)      1.60      1.38      1.44      1.83      1.53 %(f)      1.14
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 98,997     $ 141,086      $ 217,641      $ 347,155      $ 171,887      $ 112,313     $ 297,222  
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

      15 %(e)      15      27      13      17      26 %(e)      19
   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e)

Not annualized.

 

(f)

Annualized.

 

(g)

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 

  72


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 166.85     $ 167.98      $ 157.08      $ 134.12      $ 121.98      $ 128.59     $ 94.83  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.61       1.25        0.54        0.35        0.31        0.24       0.21  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    35.24       (1.04      16.99        22.97        12.14        (6.58     33.76  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    35.85       0.21        17.53        23.32        12.45        (6.34     33.97  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.68     (1.34      (6.63      (0.36      (0.31      (0.27     (0.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.68     (1.34      (6.63      (0.36      (0.31      (0.27     (0.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 202.02     $ 166.85      $ 167.98      $ 157.08      $ 134.12      $ 121.98     $ 128.59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    21.51 %(e)      0.10      11.25      17.40      10.23      (4.94 )%(e)      35.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.43      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.62 %(f)      0.70      0.29      0.24      0.25      0.20 %(f)      0.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 919,212     $ 784,201      $ 797,909      $ 471,251      $ 529,775      $ 676,989     $ 822,992  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    14 %(e)      30      48      20      12      16 %(e)      12
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e)

Not annualized.

 

(f)

Annualized.

 

(g)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

73   2 0 2 0  H A R E S  E M I -  A 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)

 

    iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17
 
 
    

Period From
05/01/15 to
03/31/16
 
 
 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15
 
 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 28.94     $ 35.26      $ 39.24      $ 31.97      $ 27.09      $ 25.90     $ 23.36  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.12       0.23        0.19        0.13        0.11        0.10       0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    27.67       (6.31      (3.97      7.28        4.89        1.19       2.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    27.79       (6.08      (3.78      7.41        5.00        1.29       2.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.10     (0.24      (0.20      (0.14      (0.12      (0.10     (0.09
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.10     (0.24      (0.20      (0.14      (0.12      (0.10     (0.09
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 56.63     $ 28.94      $ 35.26      $ 39.24      $ 31.97      $ 27.09     $ 25.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    96.10 %(e)      (17.40 )%       (9.60 )%       23.19      18.50      5.00 %(e)      11.28
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.50 %(f)      0.55      0.53      0.34      0.41      0.39 %(f)      0.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 2,438,067     $ 707,640      $ 1,147,657      $ 1,618,817      $ 1,426,069      $ 1,476,333     $ 2,011,455  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    10 %(e)      15      17      18      12      14 %(e)      13
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) 

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

 

(d) 

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

 

(e) 

Not annualized.

 

(f) 

Annualized.

 

(g) 

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 

  74


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
    

Period From
04/03/18

to 03/31/19

 
(a)  

 

       

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.27     $ 26.31      $ 25.31  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.29       0.49        0.43  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    4.01       (6.00      1.24  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    4.30       (5.51      1.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

      

From net investment income

    (0.21     (0.47      (0.34

From net realized gain

                 (0.33

Return of capital

          (0.06      (0.00 )(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.21     (0.53      (0.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 24.36     $ 20.27      $ 26.31  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return

      

Based on net asset value

    21.27 %(f)      (21.26 )%       6.78 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

      

Total expenses

    0.40 %(g)      0.40      0.40 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.40 %(g)      1.84      1.67 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

      

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 26,797     $ 5,068      $ 5,262  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    28 %(f)      23      43 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

 

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) 

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

 

(d) 

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

 

(e) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

 

(f) 

Not annualized.

 

(g) 

Annualized.

 

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

75   2 0 2 0  H A R E S  E M I -  A 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)

 

    iShares U.S. Insurance ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17
 
 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16
 
 
 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15
 
 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 49.76     $ 63.64      $ 64.54      $ 60.46      $ 49.91      $ 49.04     $ 46.26  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.58       1.35        1.23        1.18        1.03        0.87       0.75  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    5.91       (13.77      (0.89      4.20        10.48        0.90       2.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    6.49       (12.42      0.34        5.38        11.51        1.77       3.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.58     (1.46      (1.24      (1.30      (0.96      (0.90     (0.76
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.58     (1.46      (1.24      (1.30      (0.96      (0.90     (0.76
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 55.67     $ 49.76      $ 63.64      $ 64.54      $ 60.46      $ 49.91     $ 49.04  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    13.07 %(e)      (19.92 )%       0.60      8.93      23.25      3.60 %(e)      7.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.43 %(f)      0.42      0.43      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.12 %(f)      1.95      1.94      1.85      1.86      1.89 %(f)      1.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 64,025     $ 62,206      $ 98,637      $ 132,302      $ 166,264      $ 99,823     $ 120,146  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    4 %(e)      8      17      12      14      10 %(e)      12
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) 

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

 

(d) 

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

 

(e) 

Not annualized.

 

(f) 

Annualized.

 

(g) 

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 

  76


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17
 
 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16
 
 
 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15
 
 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 225.26     $ 231.44      $ 184.88      $ 151.42      $ 122.48      $ 116.87     $ 95.07  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.48       0.97        0.69        0.66        0.69        0.67       0.73  

Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss)(c)

    74.86       (6.25      46.38        33.33        29.06        6.47       21.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    75.34       (5.28      47.07        33.99        29.75        7.14       22.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.39     (0.90      (0.51      (0.53      (0.81      (1.53     (0.72
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.39     (0.90      (0.51      (0.53      (0.81      (1.53     (0.72
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 300.21     $ 225.26      $ 231.44      $ 184.88      $ 151.42      $ 122.48     $ 116.87  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    33.46 %(e)      (2.32 )%       25.50      22.48      24.36      6.13 %(e)      23.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.43      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.35 %(f)      0.39      0.33      0.38      0.49      0.61 %(f)      0.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 8,255,869     $ 4,144,859      $ 3,656,734      $ 1,719,373      $ 1,052,380      $ 857,337     $ 765,524  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    8 %(e)      9      36      15      20      17 %(e)      19
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c) 

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

 

(d) 

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

 

(e) 

Not annualized.

 

(f) 

Annualized.

 

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

77  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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)

 

    iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 22.83     $ 58.20      $ 63.55      $ 61.16      $ 51.96      $ 78.75     $ 90.37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.51       0.95        0.67        0.56        0.55        0.96       1.00  

Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss)(c)

    3.70       (35.22      (5.11      2.49        9.25        (26.76     (11.65
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    4.21       (34.27      (4.44      3.05        9.80        (25.80     (10.65
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.62     (1.10      (0.91      (0.66      (0.60      (0.99     (0.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.62     (1.10      (0.91      (0.66      (0.60      (0.99     (0.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.42     $ 22.83      $ 58.20      $ 63.55      $ 61.16      $ 51.96     $ 78.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    18.20 %(e)      (59.65 )%       (7.06 )%       5.09      18.88      (32.89 )%(e)      (11.80 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.18 %(f)      1.87      1.00      0.96      0.93      1.74 %(f)      1.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 121,542     $ 90,169      $ 276,450      $ 365,406      $ 418,955      $ 368,947     $ 543,362  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    11 %(e)      25      12      17      8      18 %(e)      7
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e)

Not annualized.

 

(f)

Annualized.

 

(g)

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 

  78


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
   
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 5.97     $ 25.24      $ 32.41      $ 42.09     $ 35.72      $ 54.16     $ 70.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.09       0.47        0.34        1.18 (c)      0.33        0.71       0.93  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(d)

    1.25       (19.27      (7.14      (9.61     6.39        (18.42     (16.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.34       (18.80      (6.80      (8.43     6.72        (17.71     (15.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(e)

                

From net investment income

    (0.09     (0.47      (0.37      (1.25     (0.35      (0.73     (0.94
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.09     (0.47      (0.37      (1.25     (0.35      (0.73     (0.94
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 7.22     $ 5.97      $ 25.24      $ 32.41     $ 42.09      $ 35.72     $ 54.16  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                

Based on net asset value

    22.32 %(f)      (75.48 )%       (21.10 )%       (20.19 )%(g)      18.88      (32.83 )%(f)      (22.07 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                

Total expenses

    0.42 %(h)      0.42      0.42      0.43     0.44      0.44 %(h)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.13 %(h)      2.44      1.09      3.37 %(c)      0.81      1.91 %(h)      1.52
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 48,012     $ 25,669      $ 155,238      $ 204,188     $ 250,434      $ 233,938     $ 389,980  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    47 %(f)      23      35      25     27      18 %(f)      14
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

Includes a one-time special distribution from Baker Hughes Inc. Excluding such special distribution, the net investment income would have been $0.37 per share and 1.05% of average net assets.

 

(d)

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.

 

(e)

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

 

(f)

Not annualized.

 

(g)

Includes proceeds received from a class action litigation, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Not including these proceeds, the Fund’s total return would have been (20.37)% for the year ended March 31, 2018.

 

(h)

Annualized.

 

(i)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

79  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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)

 

    iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 134.83     $ 154.05      $ 147.20      $ 150.97      $ 137.03      $ 168.05     $ 129.31  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.99       2.14        1.73        2.25        1.28        1.54       1.53  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    28.52       (19.09      6.91        (3.75      14.01        (29.40     39.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    29.51       (16.95      8.64        (1.50      15.29        (27.86     40.53  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (1.02     (2.27      (1.79      (2.27      (1.35      (1.52     (1.61

From net realized gain

                                      (1.64     (0.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.02     (2.27      (1.79      (2.27      (1.35      (3.16     (1.79
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 163.32     $ 134.83      $ 154.05      $ 147.20      $ 150.97      $ 137.03     $ 168.05  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    21.92 %(e)      (11.06 )%       5.88      (1.05 )%       11.19      (16.84 )%(e)      31.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.27 %(f)      1.45      1.12      1.47      0.87      1.03 %(f)      1.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 351,131     $ 276,404      $ 385,114      $ 390,088      $ 717,098      $ 637,189     $ 1,167,951  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    18 %(e)      40      51      23      33      31 %(e)      37
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e)

Not annualized.

 

(f)

Annualized.

 

(g)

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 

  80


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 69.71     $ 86.99      $ 75.48      $ 78.51      $ 77.88      $ 75.44     $ 69.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.88       2.16        2.28        2.22        2.19        1.84       1.92  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    10.29       (16.61      11.86        (2.36      1.67        3.79       6.47  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    11.17       (14.45      14.14        (0.14      3.86        5.63       8.39  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (1.01     (2.83      (2.63      (2.89      (3.23      (2.60     (2.55

From net realized gain

                                      (0.59     (0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.01     (2.83      (2.63      (2.89      (3.23      (3.19     (2.70
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 79.87     $ 69.71      $ 86.99      $ 75.48      $ 78.51      $ 77.88     $ 75.44  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    16.05 %(e)      (17.14 )%       19.09      (0.29 )%       5.03      7.77 %(e)      12.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.23 %(f)      2.39      2.85      2.80      2.77      2.72 %(f)      2.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 3,558,096     $ 3,067,098      $ 4,597,605      $ 3,596,742      $ 4,608,522      $ 4,466,380     $ 4,937,495  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    9 %(e)      8      11      13      18      13 %(e)      21
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e)

Not annualized.

 

(f)

Annualized.

 

(g)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

81  

2 0 2 0  H A R E S   E M I - A 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)

 

    iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 29.00     $ 43.44      $ 50.39      $ 44.79      $ 31.79      $ 34.87     $ 33.02  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.64       1.20        1.01        0.80        0.71        0.63       0.61  

Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss)(c)

    3.75       (14.32      (6.91      5.60        12.95        (3.04     1.84  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    4.39       (13.12      (5.90      6.40        13.66        (2.41     2.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.65     (1.32      (1.05      (0.80      (0.66      (0.67     (0.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.65     (1.32      (1.05      (0.80      (0.66      (0.67     (0.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 32.74     $ 29.00      $ 43.44      $ 50.39      $ 44.79      $ 31.79     $ 34.87  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    15.15 %(e)      (31.09 )%       (11.79 )%       14.42      43.37      (7.08 )%(e)      7.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.83 %(f)      2.60      2.08      1.68      1.79      1.99 %(f)      1.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 212,778     $ 197,182      $ 519,088      $ 902,061      $ 747,957      $ 410,119     $ 543,990  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    4 %(e)      5      10      4      6      11 %(e)      5
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e)

Not annualized.

 

(f)

Annualized.

 

(g)

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 

  82


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF  
   

Six Months Ended
09/30/20
(unaudited)


 
   
Year Ended
03/31/20

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/19

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/18

 
    
Year Ended
03/31/17

 
    

Period From
05/01/15
to 03/31/16


 (a) 
   
Year Ended
04/30/15

 
               

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 24.88     $ 29.73      $ 27.06      $ 32.38      $ 30.71      $ 30.75     $ 29.34  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.38       0.71        0.49        0.74        0.66        0.44       0.64  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    2.31       (4.80      2.71        (5.08      1.87        0.12       1.43  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.69       (4.09      3.20        (4.34      2.53        0.56       2.07  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

                 

From net investment income

    (0.37     (0.76      (0.53      (0.98      (0.86      (0.60     (0.66
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.37     (0.76      (0.53      (0.98      (0.86      (0.60     (0.66
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 27.20     $ 24.88      $ 29.73      $ 27.06      $ 32.38      $ 30.71     $ 30.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

                 

Based on net asset value

    10.82 %(e)      (13.99 )%       11.91      (13.63 )%       8.25      1.93 %(e)      7.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    0.42 %(f)      0.42      0.42      0.43      0.44      0.44 %(f)      0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.72 %(f)      2.40      1.73      2.41      2.02      1.67 %(f)      2.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 368,605     $ 292,379      $ 463,756      $ 316,596      $ 519,768      $ 560,382     $ 713,380  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    32 %(e)      41      35      86      47      24 %(e)      49
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

The Fund’s fiscal year-end changed from April 30 to March 31.

 

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

(c)

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

 

(d)

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

 

(e)

Not annualized.

 

(f)

Annualized.

 

(g)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

83   2 0 2 0  H A R E S  E M I -  A 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  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

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

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

 

iShares ETF  

Diversification

Classification

 

Focused Value Factor

    Non-diversified    

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Healthcare Providers

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Home Construction

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Infrastructure

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Insurance

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Medical Devices

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Real Estate

    Diversified  

U.S. Regional Banks

    Non-diversified  

U.S. Telecommunications

    Non-diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value.

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 statement 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 September 30, 2020, if any, are disclosed in the statement of assets and liabilities.

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

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

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

  84


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (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. A fund determines the fair value of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

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

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

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

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

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

As of September 30, 2020, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. government obligations. Cash collateral received was invested in money market funds managed by BlackRock FundAdvisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, or its affiliates and is disclosed in the schedules of investments. Any non-cash collateral

 

 

85   2 0 2 0  H A R E S  E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

 

received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan for each Fund, if any, are also disclosed in its schedule of investments. The market value of any securities on loan as of September 30, 2020 and the value of the related cash collateral are disclosed in the statements of assets and liabilities.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by a fund 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 fund, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. The value of the collateral is typically greater than the market value of the securities loaned, leaving the lender 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 fund can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities.

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 as of September 30, 2020:

 

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

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 16,183,028      $ 16,183,028     $      $  

Barclays Capital Inc.

    33,883        33,883               

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

    3,494,027        3,494,027               

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

    57        57               

BofA Securities, Inc.

    4,866,047        4,866,047               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,204,836        1,204,836               

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    751,797        751,797               

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    4,626,899        4,626,899               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    73,881,515        73,881,515               

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    2,311,085        2,311,085               

National Financial Services LLC

    1,794,299        1,794,299               

SG Americas Securities LLC

    293,048        293,048               

State Street Bank & Trust Company

    253,068        253,068               

TD Prime Services LLC

    620,800        620,800               

UBS AG

    22,574,884        22,574,884               

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

    246,093        246,093               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 133,135,366      $ 133,135,366     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

         

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

  $ 170,510      $ 170,510     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Healthcare Providers

         

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

  $ 3,806,563      $ 3,806,563     $      $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    1,880,460        1,880,460               

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    837,316        837,316               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    350,217        350,217               

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    8,177,959        8,177,959               

HSBC Bank PLC

    704,185        704,185               

Jefferies LLC

    6,776,751        6,776,751               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    9,869,797        9,869,797               

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    3,386,006        3,386,006               

National Financial Services LLC

    1,278,360        1,278,360               

Nomura Securities International Inc.

    524,428        524,428               

SG Americas Securities LLC

    148,656        146,835              (1,821 )(b) 

State Street Bank & Trust Company

    71,413        71,413               

UBS AG

    13,044,149        13,044,149               

UBS Securities LLC

    11,124,712        11,105,480              (19,232 )(b) 

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    109,999        109,999               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 62,090,971      $ 62,069,918     $      $ (21,053
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  86


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

U.S. Home Construction

         

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

  $ 1,166,668      $ 1,153,932     $      $ (12,736 )(b) 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    9,429,790        9,429,790               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    954,542        940,168              (14,374 )(b) 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    3,565,038        3,563,450              (1,588 )(b) 

HSBC Bank PLC

    5,861,579        5,861,579               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    13,218,204        13,218,204               

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    11,944,739        11,944,739               

SG Americas Securities LLC

    35,420        35,420               

State Street Bank & Trust Company

    72,304        72,304               

UBS AG

    58,080        58,080               

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

    628,936        621,362              (7,574 )(b) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 46,935,300      $ 46,899,028     $      $ (36,272
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Infrastructure

         

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 164,939      $ 164,939     $      $  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    9,688        9,688               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    10,742        10,742               

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    401,517        401,517               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 586,886      $ 586,886     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Insurance

         

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 81,044      $ 81,044     $      $  

HSBC Bank PLC

    7,900        7,715              (185 )(b) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 88,944      $ 88,759     $      $ (185
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Medical Devices

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 9,007,599      $ 9,007,599     $      $  

Barclays Capital Inc.

    6,035,396        6,035,396               

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

    13,570,027        13,570,027               

BofA Securities, Inc.

    15,350,574        15,350,574               

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    22,069,667        22,069,667               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    4,055,940        4,055,940               

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    210,090        210,090               

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    8,215,929        8,215,929               

HSBC Bank PLC

    141,797        141,797               

Jefferies LLC

    34,647        34,647               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    27,554,395        27,554,395               

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    6,474,626        6,474,626               

National Financial Services LLC

    1,839,866        1,839,866               

Nomura Securities International Inc.

    966,692        966,692               

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

    84,184        84,184               

SG Americas Securities LLC

    7,699,707        7,699,707               

State Street Bank & Trust Company

    882,275        882,275               

TD Prime Services LLC

    1,388,028        1,388,028               

UBS AG

    26,565,571        26,565,571               

UBS Securities LLC

    4,759,018        4,759,018               

Virtu Americas LLC

    76,428        76,428               

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

    1,356        1,329              (27 )(b) 

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    12,597,778        12,597,778               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 169,581,590      $ 169,581,563     $      $ (27
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 343,255      $ 343,255     $      $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    101,525        101,525               

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    955,431        955,431               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    1,673,027        1,673,027               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 3,073,238      $ 3,073,238     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

87   2 0 2 0  H A R E S  E M I - A 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  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 369,538      $ 369,538     $      $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    1,536        1,536               

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    55,149        55,149               

Jefferies LLC

    119,536        119,536               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    374,923        374,923               

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    651,131        651,131               

Nomura Securities International Inc.

    9,904        9,904               

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

    384        384               

SG Americas Securities LLC

    25,530        25,530               

State Street Bank & Trust Company

    109,407        109,407               

UBS AG

    85,087        85,087               

Virtu Americas LLC

    139,451        139,451               

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    278,862        278,862               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 2,220,438      $ 2,220,438     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 52,361      $ 52,361     $      $  

Barclays Capital Inc.

    29,973        29,973               

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

    209,157        209,157               

BofA Securities, Inc.

    440,154        440,154               

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

    5,429,433        5,429,433               

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    17,699        17,699               

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    2,649,180        2,649,180               

HSBC Bank PLC

    4,024,800        4,024,800               

Jefferies LLC

    250,038        250,038               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    984,765        984,765               

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    4,358,870        4,351,997              (6,873 )(b) 

National Financial Services LLC

    551,364        551,364               

SG Americas Securities LLC

    262,434        262,434               

State Street Bank & Trust Company

    1,335,808        1,335,808               

TD Prime Services LLC

    865,728        865,728               

UBS AG

    1,705,297        1,705,297               

UBS Securities LLC

    961,484        961,484               

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    643,335        643,335               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 24,771,880      $ 24,765,007     $      $ (6,873
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Real Estate

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 956,160      $ 956,160     $      $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    1,757,691        1,757,691               

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    1,864,560        1,864,560               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    1,008,688        1,008,688               

Nomura Securities International Inc.

    23,738        23,738               

Virtu Americas LLC

    424,255        424,255               

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    3,087,630        3,087,630               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 9,122,722      $ 9,122,722     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Telecommunications

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 594,273      $ 594,273     $      $  

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International Ltd.

    151,333        151,333               

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    247,566        247,566               

JPMorgan Securities LLC

    8,092,709        8,092,709               

SG Americas Securities LLC

    1,006,368        1,006,368               

UBS AG

    1,950,522        1,950,522               

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

    104,538        104,538               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 12,147,309      $ 12,147,309     $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by a counterparty.

 

 

 

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

  88


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Futures Contracts: Each Fund’s use of futures contracts is generally limited to cash equitization. This involves the use of available cash to invest in index futures contracts in order to gain exposure to the equity markets represented in or by the Fund’s underlying index and is intended to allow the Fund to better track its underlying index. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded agreements to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a set price on a future date. Depending on the terms of a contract, a futures contract is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date.

Upon entering into a futures contract, a fund is required to pledge to the executing broker which holds segregated from its own assets, an amount of cash, U.S. government securities or other high-quality debt and equity securities equal to the minimum initial margin requirements of the exchange on which the contract is traded. Securities deposited as initial margin, if any, are designated in the schedule of investments and cash deposited, if any, is shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the statement of assets and liabilities.

Pursuant to the contract, a fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable or payable on futures contracts in the statement of assets and liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the statement of operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. Losses may arise if the notional value of a futures contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument during the term of the contract or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and the assets underlying such contracts.

 

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 Fund, except for the iShares Focused Value Factor ETF and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on each Fund’s allocable portion of the aggregate of the average daily net assets of the Fund and certain other iShares funds, as follows:

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $10 billion

    0.48

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

    0.43  

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

    0.38  

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

    0.34  

Over $40 billion, up to and including $50 billion

    0.33  

Over $50 billion

    0.31  

For its investment advisory services to the iShares Focused Value Factor ETF and iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.25% and 0.40%, respectively, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

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. 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 SLAgency Shares of such money market fund will not be subject to a sales load, distribution fee or service fee. The money

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 75% 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 80% 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 statement of operations. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Fees Paid
to BTC
 

Focused Value Factor

  $ 1,663    

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

      175,780  

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

    1,008  

U.S. Healthcare Providers

    55,022  

U.S. Home Construction

    33,468  

U.S. Infrastructure

    357  

U.S. Insurance

    873  

U.S. Medical Devices

    236,573  

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    17,398  

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

    30,496  

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

    30,550  

U.S. Real Estate

    51,977  

U.S. Regional Banks

    937  

U.S. Telecommunications

    14,748  

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 six months ended September 30, 2020, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

  $   126,222,243      $ 54,152,746      $ (2,254,685 )   

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

    2,978,644        2,689,907        (759,076

U.S. Healthcare Providers

    32,378,994        28,384,565         

U.S. Home Construction

    75,685,480        12,429,672        (1,835,719

U.S. Infrastructure

    711,095        420,479        (79,792

U.S. Insurance

    1,076,182        841,994        (635,520

U.S. Medical Devices

    48,952,595          172,136,994        (11,327,810

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    10,029,525        8,929,156          (22,979,382

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

    26,013,059        7,394,286        (3,207,554

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

    16,399,647        17,892,396        (7,572,080

U.S. Real Estate

    112,685,270        21,593,450        (22,434,402

U.S. Regional Banks

    2,595,271        2,221,400        (1,474,061

U.S. Telecommunications

    48,675,967        26,063,160        (1,237,125

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 statement of operations.

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Focused Value Factor

  $ 16,671,413      $ 16,633,327    

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

      944,166,374          948,921,945  

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

    17,728,851        17,734,031  

U.S. Healthcare Providers

    132,825,892        130,667,351  

U.S. Home Construction

    149,407,257        148,239,746  

U.S. Infrastructure

    4,159,890        4,087,256  

U.S. Insurance

    2,653,789        2,715,163  

U.S. Medical Devices

    523,994,741        518,644,215  

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    20,761,786        20,870,916  

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

    48,042,959        46,105,405  

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

    63,009,541        62,619,933  

U.S. Real Estate

    315,111,726        303,864,153  

U.S. Regional Banks

    9,729,630        9,677,008  

U.S. Telecommunications

    110,483,148        110,615,523  

For the six months ended September 30, 2020, purchases and sales related to in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

iShares ETF  

In-kind

Purchases

    

In-kind

Sales

 

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

  $ 197,410,112      $ 718,628,451    

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

    47,514,919        115,362,381  

U.S. Healthcare Providers

    220,036,635        246,473,155  

U.S. Home Construction

    1,704,806,336        790,867,308  

U.S. Infrastructure

    21,459,961        1,154,877  

U.S. Insurance

    8,292,943        12,895,656  

U.S. Medical Devices

    3,623,602,604        1,278,427,533  

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    207,553,710        177,928,939  

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

    178,891,377        180,931,237  

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

    50,636,932        38,834,364  

U.S. Real Estate

      4,789,909,402          4,724,058,222  

U.S. Regional Banks

    56,404,643        63,499,066  

U.S. Telecommunications

    227,141,496        175,652,491  

 

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 the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the provisions applicable to regulated investment companies, as defined under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to annually distribute substantially all of its ordinary income and any net capital gains (taking into account any capital loss carryforwards) sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income and excise taxes. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2020, 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  (unaudited) (continued)

 

As of March 31, 2020, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Non-Expiring  

Focused Value Factor

  $ 338,591    

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

      196,788,244  

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

    32,126,015  

U.S. Healthcare Providers

    97,142,424  

U.S. Home Construction

    36,301,853  

U.S. Infrastructure

    29,247  

U.S. Insurance

    1,667,808  

U.S. Medical Devices

    37,052,155  

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    103,489,644  

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

    202,655,454  

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

    161,449,195  

U.S. Real Estate

    41,177,503  

U.S. Regional Banks

    11,593,640  

U.S. Telecommunications

    202,192,179  

As of September 30, 2020, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

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

Focused Value Factor

  $ 20,056,337      $ 1,020,890      $ (1,931,203   $ (910,313

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

    3,258,280,990        123,284,631        (654,568,387     (531,283,756

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

    116,232,924        2,895,015        (19,960,420     (17,065,405

U.S. Healthcare Providers

    967,387,270        89,273,483        (74,507,440     14,766,043    

U.S. Home Construction

    2,205,096,938        304,525,635        (24,509,983     280,015,652  

U.S. Infrastructure

    26,665,427        1,737,266        (1,045,437     691,829  

U.S. Insurance

    70,698,611        6,816,929        (13,486,140     (6,669,211

U.S. Medical Devices

      7,174,197,378          1,347,666,096        (100,561,260       1,247,104,836  

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

    286,544,018        423,934        (162,369,903     (161,945,969

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

    91,505,829        81,279        (41,441,939     (41,360,660

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

    368,619,012        41,697,513        (34,311,540     7,385,973  

U.S. Real Estate

    4,332,459,312        77,778,901          (859,281,584     (781,502,683

U.S. Regional Banks

    323,615,957        923,418        (112,113,862     (111,190,444

U.S. Telecommunications

    425,784,301        7,280,347        (51,480,957     (44,200,610

 

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.

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

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

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

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

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

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

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

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

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

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) by the end of 2021, and it is expected that LIBOR will cease to be published after that time. 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.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
03/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Focused Value Factor

       

Shares redeemed

        $       (50,000   $ (2,340,510
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Aerospace & Defense

       

Shares sold

    1,200,000     $ 198,141,088       6,200,000     $ 1,376,639,641  

Shares redeemed

    (4,550,000     (722,842,850     (11,650,000       (2,252,778,280
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (3,350,000   $   (524,701,762     (5,450,000   $ (876,138,639
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges

       

Shares sold

    750,000     $ 47,605,256       600,000     $ 38,074,129  

Shares redeemed

    (1,900,000     (115,792,786     (1,550,000     (90,238,870
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,150,000   $ (68,187,530     (950,000   $ (52,164,741
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Six Months Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
03/31/20
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

U.S. Healthcare Providers

       

Shares sold

    1,150,000     $ 225,601,537       4,650,000     $ 821,661,091  

Shares redeemed

    (1,300,000     (251,690,007     (4,700,000     (818,167,938
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (150,000   $ (26,088,470     (50,000   $ 3,493,153  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Home Construction

       

Shares sold

    36,750,000     $ 1,708,233,890       77,750,000     $ 3,359,582,082  

Shares redeemed

    (18,150,000     (792,502,568     (85,850,000     (3,534,948,189
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    18,600,000     $ 915,731,322       (8,100,000   $ (175,366,107
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Infrastructure

       

Shares sold

    900,000     $ 21,580,302       50,000     $ 1,308,263  

Shares redeemed

    (50,000     (1,168,119            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    850,000     $ 20,412,183       50,000     $ 1,308,263  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Insurance

       

Shares sold

    150,000     $ 8,482,303       50,000     $ 3,430,500  

Shares redeemed

    (250,000     (13,130,422     (350,000     (23,165,635
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (100,000   $ (4,648,119     (300,000   $ (19,735,135
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Medical Devices

       

Shares sold

    13,850,000     $ 3,638,071,504       14,250,000     $ 3,411,818,792  

Shares redeemed

    (4,750,000     (1,282,677,258     (11,650,000     (2,734,276,387
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    9,100,000     $ 2,355,394,246       2,600,000     $ 677,542,405  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

       

Shares sold

    6,400,000     $ 208,429,405       1,750,000     $ 70,874,410  

Shares redeemed

    (5,750,000     (178,775,074     (2,550,000     (113,400,252
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    650,000     $ 29,654,331       (800,000   $ (42,525,842
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Oil Equipment & Services

       

Shares sold

    22,950,000     $ 185,825,534       2,050,000     $ 31,187,835  

Shares redeemed

    (20,600,000     (186,022,701     (3,900,000     (73,627,485
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    2,350,000     $ (197,167     (1,850,000   $ (42,439,650
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Pharmaceuticals

       

Shares sold

    350,000     $ 50,727,832       1,550,000     $ 231,697,191  

Shares redeemed

    (250,000     (38,928,586     (2,000,000     (300,837,487
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    100,000     $ 11,799,246       (450,000   $ (69,140,296
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Real Estate

       

Shares sold

    62,150,000     $ 4,814,909,199       183,100,000     $ 16,374,841,039  

Shares redeemed

    (61,600,000       (4,747,230,879     (191,950,000       (17,169,109,866
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    550,000     $ 67,678,320       (8,850,000   $ (794,268,827
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Regional Banks

       

Shares sold

    1,700,000     $ 56,626,036       800,000     $ 34,265,228  

Shares redeemed

    (2,000,000     (63,817,927     (5,950,000     (265,069,950
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (300,000   $ (7,191,891     (5,150,000   $ (230,804,722
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Telecommunications

       

Shares sold

    8,200,000     $ 228,541,552       20,900,000     $ 610,783,233  

Shares redeemed

    (6,400,000     (176,605,613     (24,750,000     (718,798,266
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    1,800,000     $ 51,935,939       (3,850,000   $ (108,015,033
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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  94


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 statement of assets and liabilities.

 

11.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On June 16, 2016, investors in certain iShares funds (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF, iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF, iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF, iShares Select Dividend ETF, iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF, iShares Morningstar Large-Cap ETF, iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) filed a class action lawsuit against iShares Trust, BlackRock, Inc. and certain of its advisory affiliates, and certain directors/trustees and officers of the Funds (collectively, “Defendants”) in California State Court. The lawsuit alleges the Defendants violated federal securities laws by failing to adequately disclose in the prospectuses issued by the funds noted above the risks of using stop-loss orders in the event of a ‘flash crash’, such as the one that occurred on May 6, 2010. On September 18, 2017, the court issued a Statement of Decision holding that the Plaintiffs lack standing to assert their claims. On October 11, 2017, the court entered final judgment dismissing all of the Plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice. In an opinion dated January 23, 2020, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal of Plaintiffs’ claims. On March 3, 2020, plaintiffs filed a petition for review by the California Supreme Court. On May 27, 2020, the California Supreme Court denied Plaintiff’s petition for review. The case is now closed.

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were available to be issued and the following items were noted:

On September 17, 2020, the Board approved a two-for-one stock split for the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, effective after the close of trading on December 4, 2020. The impact of the stock split will be to increase the number of shares outstanding by a factor of two, while decreasing the NAV per share by a factor of two, resulting in no effect on the net assets of the Fund.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Focused Value Factor ETF, iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF (each 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 Contract between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) 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 Contract. At meetings on April 17, 2020 and May 19, 2020, 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 8-10, 2020, 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements ) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, to that of relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods.

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. 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 its underlying index over the relevant periods.

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 Contract for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements 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 Contract 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, which were provided at the June 8-10, 2020 meeting and throughout the year.

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 Contract supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract 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 Contract), 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

 

 

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

  96


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 profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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 Contract 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 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 Contract for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract 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, such as 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 further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates (including associated commissions) are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract for the coming year.

iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (each 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 Contract between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) 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;

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 Contract. At meetings on April 17, 2020 and May 19, 2020, 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 8-10, 2020, 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements ) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, to that of relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods.

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. 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 its underlying index over the relevant periods.

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 Contract for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements 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 Contract 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, which were provided at the June 8-10, 2020 meeting and throughout the year.

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 Contract supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract 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 Contract), 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,

 

 

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

  98


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 profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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 Contract for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised 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 Contract for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract 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, such as 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 further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates (including associated commissions) are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract for the coming year.

iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF, iShares U.S. Healthcare Providers ETF, iShares U.S. Insurance ETF, iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF, iShares U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF, iShares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF, iShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF, iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF, iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF, (each 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 Contract between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) 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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Contract. At meetings on April 17, 2020 and May 19, 2020, 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 8-10, 2020, 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements ) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, to that of relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods.

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. 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 its underlying index over the relevant periods.

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 Contract for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements 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 Contract 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, which were provided at the June 8-10, 2020 meeting and throughout the year.

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 Contract supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract 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 Contract), 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 profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

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 Contract for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised 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 Contract for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract 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, such as 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 further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates (including associated commissions) are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract for the coming year.

iShares U.S. Telecommunications 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 Contract between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Contract”) 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 Contract. At meetings on April 17, 2020 and May 19, 2020, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 8-10, 2020, 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable 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 overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements ) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, to that of relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods.

The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. 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 its underlying index over the relevant periods.

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 Contract for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Qu of alityServices Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements 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 Contract 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, which were provided at the June 8-10, 2020 meeting and throughout the year.

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 Contract supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Contract 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 Contract), 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, 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 profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Contract and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 Contract for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board further noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised 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 Contract for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board 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 noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board further noted that BFA provided the Board with 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Contract 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, such as 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 further noted that any portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund placed through a BFA affiliate or purchased from an underwriting syndicate in which a BFA affiliate participates (including associated commissions) are reported to the Board pursuant to Rule 17e-1 or Rule 10f-3, as applicable, under the 1940 Act. 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 Contract 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 Contract 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 Contract 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.

September 30, 2020

 

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

Focused Value Factor(a)

  $ 0.555821     $     $ 0.012367     $ 0.568188       98         2     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.

 

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email 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 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 iShares 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 its reports on Form N-PORT. The iShares Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The iShares Funds also disclose their complete schedule of portfolio holdings on a daily basis on the iShares website at iShares.com.

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 Company’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 Abbreviations - Equity
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |    1-800-474-2737

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

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

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

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell, ICE Data Indices, LLC or S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.

©2020 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-SAR-311-0920

 

 

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