LOGO

  AUGUST 31, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

iShares Trust

·  iShares High Yield Bond Factor ETF | HYDB | Cboe BZX

·  iShares Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF | IGEB | Cboe BZX

·  iShares USD Bond Factor ETF | USBF | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Despite an uncertain economic landscape during the 12-month reporting period ended August 31, 2023, the resilience of the U.S. economy in the face of ever tighter financial conditions provided an encouraging backdrop for investors. While inflation was near multi-decade highs at the beginning of the period, it declined precipitously as commodity prices dropped. Labor shortages also moderated, although wages continued to grow and unemployment rates reached the lowest levels in decades. This robust labor market powered further growth in consumer spending, backstopping the economy.

Equity returns were solid, as the durability of consumer sentiment eased investors’ concerns about the economy’s trajectory. The U.S. economy resumed growth in the third quarter of 2022 and continued to expand thereafter. Most major classes of equities rose, as large-capitalization U.S. stocks and developed market equities advanced strongly. However, small-capitalization U.S. stocks and emerging market equities posted more modest gains.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate future interest rate changes. The corporate bond market also faced inflationary headwinds, although high-yield corporate bond prices fared significantly better than investment-grade bonds as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), acknowledging that inflation has been more persistent than expected, raised interest rates seven times during the 12-month period. Furthermore, the Fed wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity. However, the Fed declined to raise interest rates at its June 2023 meeting, the first time it paused its tightening in the current cycle, before again raising rates in July 2023.

Supply constraints appear to have become an embedded feature of the new macroeconomic environ-ment, making it difficult for developed economies to increase production without sparking higher inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and an aging population risk further exacerbating these constraints, keeping the labor market tight and wage growth high. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and recently opted for two pauses, we believe that the new economic regime means that the Fed will need to maintain high rates for an extended period to keep inflation under control. Furthermore, ongoing structural changes may mean that the Fed will be hesitant to cut interest rates in the event of faltering economic activity lest inflation accelerate again. We believe investors should expect a period of higher volatility as markets adjust to the new economic reality and policymakers attempt to adapt.

While we favor an overweight position to developed market equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance in the near term. Expectations for corporate earnings remain elevated, which seems inconsistent with macroeconomic constraints. Nevertheless, we are overweight on emerging market stocks in the near term as growth trends for emerging markets appear brighter. We also believe that stocks with an AI tilt should benefit from an investment cycle that is set to support revenues and margins. In credit, there are selective opportunities in the near term despite tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most attractive investments in short-term U.S. Treasuries, U.S. inflation-linked bonds, U.S. mortgage-backed securities, and hard-currency emerging market bonds.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

 

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2023  
 
      6-Month       12-Month  
 

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

    14.50%        15.94%  
 

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

    0.99           4.65     
 

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

    4.75           17.92     
 

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    3.62           1.25     
 

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

    2.47           4.25     
 

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

    0.11           (4.71)    
 

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

    0.95           (1.19)    
 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds (Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    1.04           1.70     
 

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

    4.55           7.19     
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

   

Page

 

 

 

 

The Markets in Review

    2  

Semi-Annual Report:

 

Fund Summary

    4  

About Fund Performance

    7  

Disclosure of Expenses

    7  

Schedules of Investments

    8  

Financial Statements

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

    32  

Statements of Operations

    33  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    34  

Financial Highlights

    36  

Notes to Financial Statements

    39  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

    47  

Supplemental Information

    51  

General Information

    52  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

    53  

 

 

 


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2023    iShares® High Yield Bond Factor ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares High Yield Bond Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds, as represented by the BlackRock High Yield Defensive Bond 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-Month

Total Returns

         1 Year      5 Years     Since  
Inception  
         1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    5.24 %         7.37      3.99 %       4.09%            7.37      21.60      27.94

Fund Market

    5.45         8.07        3.90       4.12             8.07        21.07        28.11  

Index

    5.46           7.72        4.36       4.40               7.72        23.81        30.28  

The inception date of the Fund was July 11, 2017. The first day of secondary market trading was July 13, 2017.

The Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index is an unmanaged index that measures the USD-denominated, high yield, fixed-rate corporate bond market.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual         Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
   

Beginning

Account Value

      

Ending

Account Value

      

Expenses

Paid During

       

Beginning

Account Value

      

Ending

Account Value

      

Expenses

Paid During

      

Annualized

Expense

 
      (03/01/23)          (08/31/23)          the Period (a)          (03/01/23)          (08/31/23)          the Period (a)         Ratio  
      $  1,000.00          $  1,052.40          $   1.81           $  1,000.00          $  1,023.40          $   1.78          0.35

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

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

Baa

    1.1

Ba

    40.4  

B

    46.5  

Caa

    5.7  

Ca

    1.4  

Not Rated

    4.9  

MATURITY ALLOCATION

 
   
    Percent of  
Maturity     Total Investments (a) 

1-5 Years

    54.5

5-10 Years

    41.9  

10-15 Years

    1.9  

15-20 Years

    0.2  

More than 20 Years

    1.5  

 

  *

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

 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

4  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2023    iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar denominated investment-grade corporate bonds, as represented by the BlackRock Investment Grade Enhanced Bond 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-Month

Total Returns

          1 Year      5 Years     Since  
Inception  
         1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    2.46 %          2.20      2.25     1.84%           2.20      11.79      11.88

Fund Market

    2.45          2.50        2.18       1.86              2.50        11.40        11.97  

Index

    2.55            2.44        2.42       2.01                2.44        12.71        12.97  

The inception date of the Fund was July 11, 2017. The first day of secondary market trading was July 13, 2017.

The Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Index is an unmanaged index that measures the USD-denominated, investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual         Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
   

Beginning

Account Value

      

Ending

Account Value

      

Expenses

Paid During

       

Beginning

Account Value

      

Ending

Account Value

      

Expenses

Paid During

      

Annualized

Expense

 
      (03/01/23)          (08/31/23)          the Period (a)          (03/01/23)          (08/31/23)          the Period (a)         Ratio  
      $  1,000.00          $  1,024.60          $   0.92           $  1,000.00          $  1,024.20          $   0.92          0.18

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

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

Aaa

    0.7

Aa

    3.0  

A

    20.1  

Baa

    69.6  

Ba

    6.0  

Not Rated

    0.6  

MATURITY ALLOCATION

 
   
    Percent of  
Maturity     Total Investments (a) 

1-5 Years

    17.2

5-10 Years

    56.9  

10-15 Years

    6.5  

15-20 Years

    4.3  

More than 20 Years

    15.1  

 

  *

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

 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2023    iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares USD Bond Factor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds that are rated either investment grade or high-yield, as represented by the BlackRock USD Bond Factor 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-Month

Total Returns

    1 Year    

Since   

Inception  

         1 Year      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    1.12     (0.69 )%      (6.80)%         (0.69 )%       (12.45 )% 

Fund Market

    1.15       (0.60     (6.74)            (0.60      (12.34

Index

    1.25       (0.45     (6.63)              (0.45      (12.13

The inception date of the Fund was October 12, 2021. The first day of secondary market trading was October 14, 2021.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

    Actual         Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
   

Beginning

Account Value

      

Ending

Account Value

      

Expenses

Paid During

       

Beginning

Account Value

      

Ending

Account Value

      

Expenses

Paid During

       Annualized
Expense
 
      (03/01/23)          (08/31/23)          the Period (a)          (03/01/23)          (08/31/23)          the Period (a)         Ratio  
      $  1,000.00          $  1,011.20          $  0.86           $  1,000.00          $  1,024.30          $   0.87          0.17

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

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

Aaa

    26.4

Aa

    15.3  

A

    16.9  

Baa

    30.2  

Ba

    3.2  

B

    1.9  

Caa

    0.2  

Not Rated

    5.9  

MATURITY ALLOCATION

 
   
    Percent of  
Maturity     Total Investments (a) 

0-1 Year

    0.8

1-5 Years

    30.0  

5-10 Years

    23.8  

10-15 Years

    3.9  

15-20 Years

    5.6  

More than 20 Years

    35.9  

 

  *

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

 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


About Fund Performance

 

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

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. Beginning August 10, 2020, the price used to calculate market return (“Market Price”) is the closing price. Prior to August 10, 2020, Market Price was determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest ask on the primary stock exchange on which shares of a fund are listed for trading, as of the time that such fund’s NAV is calculated. Since shares of a fund may not trade in the secondary market until after the fund’s inception, for the period from inception to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the fund, the NAV of the fund is used as a proxy for the Market Price to calculate market returns. Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested at Market Price and NAV, respectively.

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

Disclosure of Expenses

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

  7


 

Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® High Yield Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

   
Advertising — 0.6%            

Advantage Sales & Marketing Inc., 6.50%, 11/15/28 (Call 11/15/23)(a)

  $  1,285     $ 1,120,212  
   

 

 

 
Aerospace & Defense — 1.9%            

Rolls-Royce PLC

   

3.63%, 10/14/25 (Call 07/14/25)(a)

    275       257,813  

5.75%, 10/15/27 (Call 07/15/27)(a)

    1,465       1,422,244  

Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

   

7.50%, 04/15/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    1,375       1,357,960  

9.38%, 11/30/29 (Call 11/30/25)(a)

    430       448,109  

TransDigm UK Holdings PLC, 6.88%, 05/15/26
(Call 09/17/23)

    225       228,824  
   

 

 

 
      3,714,950  
Agriculture — 0.7%            

Vector Group Ltd., 5.75%, 02/01/29
(Call 02/01/24)(a)

    1,475       1,284,051  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 2.1%            

Air Canada, 3.88%, 08/15/26 (Call 02/15/26)(a)

    1,555       1,435,920  

American Airlines Inc., 11.75%, 07/15/25(a)

    1,155       1,264,198  

Delta Air Lines Inc.

   

4.38%, 04/19/28 (Call 01/19/28)(b)

    575       543,087  

7.38%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)(b)

    950       977,405  
   

 

 

 
      4,220,610  
Auto Manufacturers — 3.2%            

Allison Transmission Inc., 5.88%, 06/01/29
(Call 06/01/24)(a)

    386       372,809  

Aston Martin Capital Holdings Ltd., 10.50%,
11/30/25 (Call 11/01/24)(a)

    682       692,672  

Ford Motor Co.

   

5.29%, 12/08/46 (Call 06/08/46)(b)

    715       561,463  

7.45%, 07/16/31(b)

    45       47,441  

9.63%, 04/22/30 (Call 01/22/30)

    270       312,270  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC

   

4.13%, 08/04/25

    1,510       1,438,163  

5.13%, 06/16/25 (Call 05/16/25)

    1,145       1,114,671  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC

   

4.50%, 10/01/27 (Call 07/01/27)(a)

    800       698,007  

5.50%, 07/15/29 (Call 07/15/24)(a)

    690       599,528  

5.88%, 01/15/28 (Call 01/15/24)(a)

    325       299,335  

7.75%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    175       175,619  
   

 

 

 
       6,311,978  
Banks — 0.8%            

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

   

4.20%, 06/01/32 (Call 06/01/31),
(1-year CMT + 2.600%)(a)(c)

    100       76,210  

4.95%, 06/01/42 (Call 06/01/41),
(1-year CMT + 2.750%)(a)(b)(c)

    700       466,492  

5.71%, 01/15/26(a)(b)

    1,065       1,023,690  
   

 

 

 
      1,566,392  
Building Materials — 0.5%            

Builders FirstSource Inc., 6.38%, 06/15/32
(Call 06/15/27)(a)(b)

    1,040       1,013,933  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 2.7%            

Avient Corp., 5.75%, 05/15/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    65       64,135  

CVR Partners LP/CVR Nitrogen Finance Corp.,
6.13%, 06/15/28 (Call 06/15/24)(a)

    895       801,267  

EverArc Escrow Sarl, 5.00%, 10/30/29
(Call 10/30/24)(a)(b)

    1,210       994,100  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Chemicals (continued)            

Methanex Corp., 5.25%, 12/15/29 (Call 09/15/29)

  $ 245     $ 223,180  

Rain Carbon Inc., 12.25%, 09/01/29
(Call 03/01/26)(a)

    155       159,879  

Rain CII Carbon LLC/CII Carbon Corp., 7.25%,
04/01/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    18       17,683  

Sasol Financing USA LLC

   

5.50%, 03/18/31 (Call 03/18/30)

     1,450       1,160,515  

6.50%, 09/27/28 (Call 06/27/28)

    555       499,564  

8.75%, 05/03/29 (Call 03/03/29)(a)

    275       268,469  

Tronox Inc., 4.63%, 03/15/29 (Call 03/15/24)(a)

    1,375       1,133,049  
   

 

 

 
      5,321,841  
Coal — 0.5%            

SunCoke Energy Inc., 4.88%, 06/30/29
(Call 06/30/24)(a)

    810       689,277  

Warrior Met Coal Inc., 7.88%, 12/01/28
(Call 12/01/24)(a)

    345       351,941  
   

 

 

 
      1,041,218  
Commercial Services — 7.7%            

ADT Security Corp. (The)

   

4.13%, 08/01/29 (Call 08/01/28)(a)(b)

    762       665,089  

4.88%, 07/15/32(a)(b)

    1,220       1,052,372  

Adtalem Global Education Inc., 5.50%, 03/01/28
(Call 03/01/24)(a)

    428       398,895  

APX Group Inc.

   

5.75%, 07/15/29 (Call 07/15/24)(a)

    900       775,344  

6.75%, 02/15/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    852       827,888  

Cimpress PLC, 7.00%, 06/15/26 (Call 09/18/23)(b)

    1,175       1,101,562  

Deluxe Corp., 8.00%, 06/01/29 (Call 06/01/24)(a)

    825       696,194  

Graham Holdings Co., 5.75%, 06/01/26
(Call 09/11/23)(a)

    159       155,196  

Hertz Corp. (The), 5.00%, 12/01/29
(Call 12/01/24)(a)(b)

    1,767       1,452,816  

Korn Ferry, 4.63%, 12/15/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    345       320,871  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC

   

5.50%, 09/01/28 (Call 09/01/24)(a)

    1,750       1,486,160  

5.75%, 11/01/28 (Call 11/01/23)(a)

    340       254,684  

NESCO Holdings II Inc., 5.50%, 04/15/29
(Call 04/15/24)(a)(b)

    1,400       1,269,593  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance Inc.

   

5.75%, 04/15/26(a)

    1,078       1,057,890  

6.25%, 01/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)(b)

    1,005       957,163  

Rent-A-Center Inc./TX, 6.38%, 02/15/29
(Call 02/15/24)(a)

    725       658,663  

United Rentals North America Inc., 4.88%,
01/15/28 (Call 09/11/23)(b)

    640       608,929  

WW International Inc., 4.50%, 04/15/29
(Call 04/15/24)(a)

    1,005       695,963  

ZipRecruiter Inc., 5.00%, 01/15/30
(Call 01/15/25)(a)

    945       792,770  
   

 

 

 
       15,228,042  
Computers — 0.6%            

Conduent Business Services LLC/Conduent State & Local Solutions Inc., 6.00%, 11/01/29 (Call 11/01/24)(a)(b)

    930       767,464  

Unisys Corp., 6.88%, 11/01/27 (Call 11/01/23)(a)

    406       320,297  
   

 

 

 
      1,087,761  
Cosmetics & Personal Care — 0.8%            

Coty Inc., 5.00%, 04/15/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    960       922,829  

Coty Inc./HFC Prestige Products Inc./HFC Prestige International U.S. LLC, 4.75%, 01/15/29 (Call 01/15/25)(a)

    755       691,768  
   

 

 

 
      1,614,597  
Diversified Financial Services — 8.2%            

Burford Capital Global Finance LLC

   

6.25%, 04/15/28 (Call 04/15/24)(a)

    361       332,301  

6.88%, 04/15/30 (Call 04/15/25)(a)

    540       495,269  

Coinbase Global Inc.

   

3.38%, 10/01/28 (Call 10/01/24)(a)

    2,328       1,712,507  

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® High Yield Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Diversified Financial Services (continued)            

3.63%, 10/01/31 (Call 10/01/26)(a)

  $ 53     $ 35,682  

Credit Acceptance Corp., 6.63%, 03/15/26
(Call 09/11/23)(b)

    345       335,802  

goeasy Ltd., 5.38%, 12/01/24 (Call 10/03/23)(a)(b)

    780       769,239  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings Inc.

   

5.13%, 12/15/30 (Call 12/15/25)(a)(b)

    960       813,189  

5.50%, 08/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    215       194,829  

5.75%, 11/15/31 (Call 11/15/26)(a)

    985       850,106  

OneMain Finance Corp.

   

5.38%, 11/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)(b)

    25       21,595  

6.63%, 01/15/28 (Call 07/15/27)(b)

    115       107,525  

6.88%, 03/15/25

    995       990,002  

7.13%, 03/15/26(b)

    1,465       1,441,184  

PennyMac Financial Services Inc.

   

4.25%, 02/15/29 (Call 02/15/24)(a)

    400       331,106  

5.38%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    705       682,320  

5.75%, 09/15/31 (Call 09/15/26)(a)

    820       689,209  

Rocket Mortgage LLC/Rocket Mortgage Co-Issuer Inc.

   

3.63%, 03/01/29 (Call 03/01/24)(a)

    170       144,693  

3.88%, 03/01/31 (Call 03/01/26)(a)(b)

    1,800       1,465,137  

4.00%, 10/15/33 (Call 10/15/27)(a)

    475       375,561  

SLM Corp.

   

3.13%, 11/02/26 (Call 10/02/26)

    810       720,900  

4.20%, 10/29/25 (Call 09/29/25)(b)

    780       733,559  

Synchrony Financial, 7.25%, 02/02/33
(Call 11/02/32)(b)

    1,185       1,089,564  

United Wholesale Mortgage LLC

   

5.50%, 04/15/29 (Call 04/15/24)(a)

    1,190       1,032,325  

5.75%, 06/15/27 (Call 06/15/24)(a)(b)

    780       718,635  
   

 

 

 
      16,082,239  
Electric — 3.2%            

Drax Finco PLC, 6.63%, 11/01/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    711       697,309  

FirstEnergy Corp.

   

Series C, 3.40%, 03/01/50 (Call 09/01/49)(b)

    380       251,513  

Series C, 5.10%, 07/15/47 (Call 01/15/47)

    459       399,439  

Mercury Chile Holdco LLC, 6.50%, 01/24/27
(Call 01/24/24)(a)(b)

    345       319,059  

NRG Energy Inc.

   

3.88%, 02/15/32 (Call 02/15/27)(a)

    1,325       1,025,183  

5.75%, 01/15/28 (Call 09/18/23)(b)

    627       593,189  

PG&E Corp.

   

5.00%, 07/01/28 (Call 09/11/23)(b)

     1,515       1,393,660  

5.25%, 07/01/30 (Call 07/01/25)(b)

    360       319,832  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC

   

5.50%, 09/01/26 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    830       800,590  

5.63%, 02/15/27 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    480       462,101  
   

 

 

 
       6,261,875  
Electrical Components & Equipment — 0.8%            

Energizer Holdings Inc.

   

4.38%, 03/31/29 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    900       770,841  

4.75%, 06/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    1,010       891,776  
   

 

 

 
      1,662,617  
Engineering & Construction — 1.2%            

AECOM, 5.13%, 03/15/27 (Call 12/15/26)

    1,200       1,151,323  

Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping Holdings Inc.,
6.00%, 02/01/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    375       360,000  

Tutor Perini Corp., 6.88%, 05/01/25
(Call 09/18/23)(a)(b)

    860       777,754  
   

 

 

 
      2,289,077  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Entertainment — 1.7%            

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., 7.50%, 02/15/29
(Call 02/15/25)(a)(b)

  $ 633     $ 432,061  

Live Nation Entertainment Inc., 6.50%, 05/15/27
(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    1,195       1,195,926  

Resorts World Las Vegas LLC/RWLV Capital Inc.,
4.63%, 04/16/29 (Call 01/16/29)(a)(b)

    1,990       1,626,737  
   

 

 

 
      3,254,724  
Environmental Control — 0.7%            

GFL Environmental Inc.

   

3.50%, 09/01/28 (Call 03/01/28)(a)(b)

    1,078       952,304  

5.13%, 12/15/26 (Call 10/03/23)(a)(b)

    486       470,261  
   

 

 

 
      1,422,565  
Gas — 0.4%            

AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Finance Corp.

   

5.75%, 05/20/27 (Call 02/20/27)(b)

    661       611,234  

5.88%, 08/20/26 (Call 05/20/26)

    130       123,331  
   

 

 

 
      734,565  
Health Care - Products — 0.2%            

Garden Spinco Corp., 8.63%, 07/20/30
(Call 07/20/27)(a)

    445       475,091  
   

 

 

 
Health Care - Services — 1.4%            

DaVita Inc.

   

3.75%, 02/15/31 (Call 02/15/26)(a)

    610       485,769  

4.63%, 06/01/30 (Call 06/01/25)(a)

    1,735       1,488,202  

Fortrea Holdings Inc., 7.50%, 07/01/30
(Call 07/01/26)(a)

    840       822,150  
   

 

 

 
      2,796,121  
Holding Companies - Diversified — 0.2%            

Compass Group Diversified Holdings LLC, 5.25%,
04/15/29 (Call 04/15/24)(a)

    405       371,935  
   

 

 

 
Home Builders — 0.8%            

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc./Brookfield
Residential U.S. LLC

   

4.88%, 02/15/30 (Call 02/15/25)(a)

    925       763,950  

6.25%, 09/15/27 (Call 10/03/23)(a)(b)

    940       862,695  
   

 

 

 
      1,626,645  
Housewares — 0.4%            

Newell Brands Inc., 6.00%, 04/01/46 (Call 10/01/45)

    1,072       869,947  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.2%            

NMI Holdings Inc., 7.38%, 06/01/25
(Call 03/30/25)(a)

    336       338,275  
   

 

 

 
Internet — 0.8%            

Gen Digital Inc., 5.00%, 04/15/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    855       838,148  

GrubHub Holdings Inc., 5.50%, 07/01/27
(Call 09/11/23)(a)

     1,175       812,219  
   

 

 

 
      1,650,367  
Iron & Steel — 1.6%            

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., 5.88%, 06/01/27
(Call 10/02/23)(b)

    740       712,632  

Mineral Resources Ltd.

   

8.13%, 05/01/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    938       935,672  

8.50%, 05/01/30 (Call 05/01/25)(a)(b)

    785       787,807  

U.S. Steel Corp., 6.88%, 03/01/29 (Call 03/01/24)

    665       662,440  
   

 

 

 
       3,098,551  
Leisure Time — 4.4%            

Carnival Corp.

   

6.00%, 05/01/29 (Call 11/01/24)(a)

    726       655,488  

7.63%, 03/01/26 (Call 03/01/24)(a)

    1,798       1,792,541  

9.88%, 08/01/27 (Call 02/01/24)(a)

    545       576,075  

10.50%, 06/01/30 (Call 06/01/25)(a)(b)

    195       207,700  

NCL Corp. Ltd., 5.88%, 02/15/27 (Call 02/15/24)(a)(b)

    1,545       1,497,179  

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® High Yield Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Leisure Time (continued)            

NCL Finance Ltd., 6.13%, 03/15/28
(Call 12/15/27)(a)

  $ 20     $ 18,032  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

   

4.25%, 07/01/26 (Call 01/01/26)(a)

    805       750,541  

5.50%, 08/31/26 (Call 02/28/26)(a)

    1,805       1,729,582  

11.63%, 08/15/27 (Call 08/15/24)(a)

    585       637,431  

Vista Outdoor Inc., 4.50%, 03/15/29
(Call 03/15/24)(a)(b)

    895       745,953  
   

 

 

 
      8,610,522  
Lodging — 1.5%            

Genting New York LLC, 3.30%, 02/15/26
(Call 01/15/26)(a)

    835       744,255  

Las Vegas Sands Corp., 3.20%, 08/08/24
(Call 07/08/24)

    66       63,899  

Travel + Leisure Co.

   

4.50%, 12/01/29 (Call 09/01/29)(a)(b)

    1,065       916,603  

6.63%, 07/31/26 (Call 04/30/26)(a)

    885       878,327  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.

   

5.25%, 05/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)(a)(b)

    175       165,641  

5.50%, 03/01/25 (Call 12/01/24)(a)

    187       184,734  
   

 

 

 
      2,953,459  
Machinery — 1.3%            

GrafTech Finance Inc., 4.63%, 12/15/28
(Call 12/15/23)(a)(b)

    902       708,070  

GrafTech Global Enterprises Inc., 9.88%,
12/15/28 (Call 12/15/25)(a)(b)

    635       619,125  

Vertiv Group Corp., 4.13%, 11/15/28
(Call 11/15/24)(a)

    1,335       1,198,512  
   

 

 

 
      2,525,707  
Manufacturing — 0.5%            

LSB Industries Inc., 6.25%, 10/15/28
(Call 10/15/24)(a)

    1,100       1,006,007  
   

 

 

 
Media — 7.5%            

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.

   

4.25%, 01/15/34 (Call 01/15/28)(a)

    1,670       1,278,881  

4.50%, 06/01/33 (Call 06/01/27)(a)(b)

    1,460       1,152,481  

4.75%, 02/01/32 (Call 02/01/27)(a)(b)

    200       165,500  

Directv Financing LLC/Directv Financing Co-Obligor Inc., 5.88%, 08/15/27
(Call 10/02/23)(a)

     1,605       1,422,380  

GCI LLC, 4.75%, 10/15/28 (Call 10/15/23)(a)

    971       842,343  

Sirius XM Radio Inc.

   

3.88%, 09/01/31 (Call 09/01/26)(a)(b)

    505       393,047  

4.13%, 07/01/30 (Call 07/01/25)(a)

    1,080       880,448  

5.50%, 07/01/29 (Call 07/01/24)(a)

    1,530       1,377,391  

TEGNA Inc.

   

4.63%, 03/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)

    1,675       1,496,048  

5.00%, 09/15/29 (Call 09/15/24)

    520       457,600  

Telenet Finance Luxembourg Notes Sarl, 5.50%,
03/01/28 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    1,600       1,460,800  

Townsquare Media Inc., 6.88%, 02/01/26
(Call 10/02/23)(a)(b)

    790       760,375  

UPC Broadband Finco BV, 4.88%, 07/15/31
(Call 07/15/26)(a)

    1,680       1,386,588  

UPC Holding BV, 5.50%, 01/15/28
(Call 09/11/23)(a)

    255       226,950  

Urban One Inc., 7.38%, 02/01/28
(Call 02/01/24)(a)

    1,360       1,182,594  

VTR Finance NV, 6.38%, 07/15/28
(Call 07/15/24)(a)

    500       227,574  
   

 

 

 
       14,711,000  
Mining — 4.2%            

Azul Secured Finance LLP

   

10.88%, 05/28/30(a)

    645       549,430  

11.93%, 08/28/28(a)(b)

    1,170       1,161,106  

Eldorado Gold Corp., 6.25%, 09/01/29
(Call 09/01/24)(a)

    900       768,843  

Endeavour Mining PLC, 5.00%, 10/14/26
(Call 10/14/23)(a)(b)

    855       750,262  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Mining (continued)            

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

   

6.88%, 03/01/26 (Call 09/11/23)(a)(b)

  $ 800     $ 788,096  

7.50%, 04/01/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    1,339       1,336,822  

Hecla Mining Co., 7.25%, 02/15/28 (Call 09/18/23)

    625       613,703  

IAMGOLD Corp., 5.75%, 10/15/28
(Call 10/15/23)(a)

    835       645,873  

Stillwater Mining Co.

   

4.00%, 11/16/26 (Call 11/16/23)(a)(b)

    980       861,175  

4.50%, 11/16/29 (Call 11/16/25)(a)(b)

    930       732,375  
   

 

 

 
      8,207,685  
Office Furnishings — 0.3%            

Steelcase Inc., 5.13%, 01/18/29 (Call 10/18/28)(b)

    750       663,241  
   

 

 

 
Oil & Gas — 10.1%            

Antero Resources Corp., 7.63%, 02/01/29
(Call 02/01/24)(a)

    546       559,545  

Baytex Energy Corp.

   

8.50%, 04/30/30(a)

    950       963,249  

8.75%, 04/01/27 (Call 10/03/23)(a)

    680       695,913  

California Resources Corp., 7.13%, 02/01/26
(Call 10/02/23)(a)(b)

    855       857,196  

Civitas Resources Inc., 5.00%, 10/15/26
(Call 10/15/23)(a)

    396       375,820  

CNX Resources Corp.

   

6.00%, 01/15/29 (Call 01/15/24)(a)(b)

    480       457,136  

7.25%, 03/14/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    469       468,520  

7.38%, 01/15/31 (Call 01/15/26)(a)(b)

    725       723,652  

Comstock Resources Inc., 6.75%, 03/01/29
(Call 03/01/24)(a)(b)

    695       650,295  

Crescent Energy Finance LLC, 9.25%, 02/15/28
(Call 02/15/25)(a)

    640       654,701  

Earthstone Energy Holdings LLC, 8.00%, 04/15/27
(Call 04/15/24)(a)

    820       836,966  

Energean PLC, 6.50%, 04/30/27 (Call 10/30/23)(a)

    710       648,122  

Gulfport Energy Corp., 8.00%, 05/17/26
(Call 05/17/24)(b)

    415       421,445  

Harbour Energy PLC, 5.50%, 10/15/26
(Call 10/15/23)(a)

    745       695,644  

Independence Energy Finance LLC, 7.25%, 05/01/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    1,055       1,039,301  

Ithaca Energy North Sea PLC, 9.00%, 07/15/26
(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    1,010       967,321  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.

   

7.13%, 04/04/26 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    1,045       958,787  

7.50%, 03/01/28 (Call 03/01/24)(a)

    770       677,677  

Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC/Magnolia Oil & Gas Finance Corp., 6.00%, 08/01/26
(Call 09/11/23)(a)

    165       159,843  

Matador Resources Co., 5.88%, 09/15/26
(Call 09/18/23)

     1,473       1,436,673  

Northern Oil and Gas Inc., 8.13%, 03/01/28
(Call 03/01/24)(a)

    1,100       1,102,651  

Oasis Petroleum Inc., 6.38%, 06/01/26
(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    365       359,751  

Patterson-UTI Energy Inc., 3.95%, 02/01/28
(Call 11/01/27)(b)

    500       458,735  

PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp.

   

6.00%, 02/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)(b)

    696       658,353  

7.25%, 06/15/25 (Call 09/13/23)(b)

    975       975,067  

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp.,
6.00%, 04/15/27 (Call 10/02/23)

    435       430,451  

Talos Production Inc., 12.00%, 01/15/26
(Call 09/18/23)(b)

    880       917,400  

Tullow Oil PLC, 10.25%, 05/15/26
(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    950       782,838  
   

 

 

 
       19,933,052  
Oil & Gas Services — 2.6%            

Archrock Partners LP/Archrock Partners Finance Corp.

   

6.25%, 04/01/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    280       267,301  

 

 

10  

 2 0 2 3  I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® High Yield Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil & Gas Services (continued)            

6.88%, 04/01/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

  $ 670     $ 658,711  

Bristow Group Inc., 6.88%, 03/01/28 (Call 03/01/24)(a)

    376       351,703  

CGG SA, 8.75%, 04/01/27 (Call 04/01/24)(a)(b)

    840       722,898  

USA Compression Partners LP/USA Compression

   

Finance Corp.

6.88%, 04/01/26 (Call 10/02/23)

    1,035       1,023,377  

6.88%, 09/01/27 (Call 10/02/23)

    595       580,022  

Weatherford International Ltd., 8.63%, 04/30/30
(Call 10/30/24)(a)

    1,445       1,479,979  
   

 

 

 
      5,083,991  
Packaging & Containers — 0.7%            

Berry Global Inc., 5.63%, 07/15/27
(Call 10/02/23)(a)(b)

    710       695,977  

Graham Packaging Co. Inc., 7.13%, 08/15/28

(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    820       715,085  
   

 

 

 
      1,411,062  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.5%            

Bausch Health Americas Inc., 8.50%, 01/31/27
(Call 10/03/23)(a)

    499       277,569  

Bausch Health Companies Inc.
6.13%, 02/01/27 (Call 02/01/24)(a)

    622       408,965  

6.25%, 02/15/29 (Call 02/15/24)(a)

    165       72,187  

Elanco Animal Health Inc., 6.65%, 08/28/28
(Call 05/28/28)(b)

    1,080       1,065,150  

Grifols Escrow Issuer SA, 4.75%, 10/15/28
(Call 10/15/24)(a)

    1,275       1,118,596  
   

 

 

 
      2,942,467  
Pipelines — 3.2%            

Antero Midstream Partners LP/Antero Midstream

   

Finance Corp.

5.75%, 03/01/27 (Call 09/18/23)(a)

    790       765,679  

7.88%, 05/15/26 (Call 09/18/23)(a)

    744       756,937  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.

   

5.75%, 04/01/25 (Call 10/02/23)

    557       552,282  

8.00%, 04/01/29 (Call 04/01/24)(a)

    635       656,156  

EnLink Midstream Partners LP, 4.15%, 06/01/25
(Call 03/01/25)

    595       575,853  

EQM Midstream Partners LP, 6.50%, 07/15/48
(Call 01/15/48)

    565       512,877  

Holly Energy Partners LP/Holly Energy Finance Corp.,
5.00%, 02/01/28 (Call 09/18/23)(a)

    750       703,549  

New Fortress Energy Inc.
6.50%, 09/30/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    1,570       1,459,351  

6.75%, 09/15/25 (Call 09/21/23)(a)

    438       423,318  
   

 

 

 
      6,406,002  
Real Estate — 0.6%            

Howard Hughes Corp. (The), 4.13%, 02/01/29
(Call 02/01/24)(a)

    260       214,500  

Kennedy-Wilson Inc.
4.75%, 03/01/29 (Call 03/01/24)

    1,055       847,713  

4.75%, 02/01/30 (Call 09/01/24)(b)

    245       188,741  
   

 

 

 
      1,250,954  
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 5.3%            

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc., 4.63%,
06/15/29 (Call 06/15/24)(a)(b)

    915       717,561  

Brookfield Property REIT Inc./BPR Cumulus LLC/BPR

   

Nimbus LLC/GGSI Sellco LL

4.50%, 04/01/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)(b)

    367       306,445  

5.75%, 05/15/26 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    1,521       1,395,266  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Real Estate Investment Trusts (continued)            

Iron Mountain Inc.
4.50%, 02/15/31 (Call 02/15/26)(a)(b)

  $ 270     $ 231,943  

5.25%, 03/15/28 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    120       112,508  

5.63%, 07/15/32 (Call 07/15/26)(a)

    315       282,675  

Office Properties Income Trust, 4.50%, 02/01/25
(Call 11/01/24)(b)

    1,100       983,483  

Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic

   

Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer

4.88%, 05/15/29 (Call 05/15/24)(a)

    140       121,450  

5.88%, 10/01/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)(b)

    1,014       937,927  

7.50%, 06/01/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    545       545,620  

RLJ Lodging Trust LP
3.75%, 07/01/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    735       673,444  

4.00%, 09/15/29 (Call 09/15/24)(a)(b)

    825       689,935  

Service Properties Trust, 4.75%, 10/01/26
(Call 08/01/26)

    765       664,955  

Uniti Group LP/Uniti Group Finance Inc./CSL Capital LLC
6.50%, 02/15/29 (Call 02/15/24)(a)

    975       665,438  

10.50%, 02/15/28 (Call 09/15/25)(a)

    1,415       1,411,653  

XHR LP, 6.38%, 08/15/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    697       688,631  
   

 

 

 
      10,428,934  
Retail — 5.7%            

Arko Corp., 5.13%, 11/15/29 (Call 11/15/24)(a)(b)

    775       636,500  

Bath & Body Works Inc.
6.75%, 07/01/36(b)

    690       636,950  

6.88%, 11/01/35(b)

    1,405       1,313,730  

Brinker International Inc., 8.25%, 07/15/30
(Call 06/27/26)(a)

    510       501,075  

Carvana Co.
5.50%, 04/15/27 (Call 04/15/24)(a)

    1,075       784,750  

5.63%, 10/01/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a).

    675       586,917  

5.88%, 10/01/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    950       584,250  

10.25%, 05/01/30 (Call 05/01/27)(a)

    375       290,702  

FirstCash Inc.
4.63%, 09/01/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    769       683,957  

5.63%, 01/01/30 (Call 01/01/25)(a)(b)

    860       780,735  

Gap Inc. (The)
3.63%, 10/01/29 (Call 10/01/24)(a)(b)

    1,590       1,210,440  

3.88%, 10/01/31 (Call 10/01/26)(a)(b)

    765       554,361  

Kohl’s Corp., 4.63%, 05/01/31 (Call 02/01/31)(b)

    650       478,563  

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC, 6.13%, 03/15/32
(Call 03/15/27)(a)(b)

    410       351,575  

Nordstrom Inc., 5.00%, 01/15/44
(Call 07/15/43)

    382       242,570  

QVC Inc.
4.38%, 09/01/28 (Call 06/01/28)

    1,140       644,999  

4.45%, 02/15/25 (Call 11/15/24)(b)

    215       193,292  

4.75%, 02/15/27 (Call 11/15/26)(b)

    1,300       858,125  
   

 

 

 
      11,333,491  
Software — 1.1%            

MicroStrategy Inc., 6.13%, 06/15/28
(Call 06/15/24)(a)(b)

    910       814,654  

ROBLOX Corp., 3.88%, 05/01/30
(Call 11/01/24)(a)(b)

    1,759       1,451,181  
   

 

 

 
      2,265,835  
Telecommunications — 1.0%            

Frontier Communications Holdings LLC
6.75%, 05/01/29 (Call 05/01/24)(a)

    1,290       1,001,124  

8.63%, 03/15/31 (Call 03/15/26)(a)

    200       192,610  

8.75%, 05/15/30 (Call 05/15/25)(a)

    853       829,060  
   

 

 

 
      2,022,794  

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® High Yield Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  
Trucking & Leasing — 0.9%            

Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC 5.50%, 05/01/28
(Call 05/01/24)(a)

  $ 1,555     $ 1,444,462  

6.50%, 10/01/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    285       281,418  
   

 

 

 
      1,725,880  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 96.3%
(Cost: $193,058,217)

      189,942,262  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 23.4%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency
Shares, 5.52%(d)(e)(f)

    43,391       43,403,529  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency
Shares, 5.31%(d)(e)

    2,680       2,680,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 23.4%
(Cost: $46,072,844)

      46,083,529  
   

 

 

 
Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  
Money Market Funds (continued)            

Total Investments — 119.7%
(Cost: $239,131,061)

    $ 236,025,791  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (19.7)%

      (38,897,444
   

 

 

 

NetAssets — 100.0%

    $ 197,128,347  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

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

(d)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended August 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
02/28/23
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
08/31/23
    Shares
Held at
08/31/23
(000)
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 24,449,304     $ 18,962,419 (a)    $     $ (4,647   $ (3,547)     $ 43,403,529       43,391     $ 132,996 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    1,280,000       1,400,000 (a)                         2,680,000       2,680       32,230        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (4,647)     $ (3,547)     $ 46,083,529       $ 165,226     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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 Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Corporate Bonds & Notes

   $        $ 189,942,262        $        $ 189,942,262  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     46,083,529                            46,083,529  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  46,083,529        $ 189,942,262        $        $  236,025,791  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3  I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

   
Aerospace & Defense — 2.0%            

Boeing Co. (The)
3.25%, 02/01/35 (Call 11/01/34)(a)

  $ 625     $ 501,770  

5.15%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    1,223       1,203,230  

5.71%, 05/01/40 (Call 11/01/39)

    164       159,438  

5.93%, 05/01/60 (Call 11/01/59)

    770       743,263  

L3Harris Technologies Inc., 4.40%, 06/15/28
(Call 03/15/28)

    1,200       1,153,773  

Northrop Grumman Corp., 4.75%, 06/01/43

    285       258,869  

RTX Corp.
4.50%, 06/01/42

    905       789,285  

4.88%, 10/15/40

    290       265,250  
   

 

 

 
      5,074,878  
Agriculture — 2.4%            

Altria Group Inc.
3.40%, 05/06/30 (Call 02/06/30)

    130       114,204  

5.38%, 01/31/44(a)

    1,023       949,882  

5.80%, 02/14/39 (Call 08/14/38)

    1,027       1,000,655  

BAT Capital Corp.
2.73%, 03/25/31 (Call 12/25/30)

    685       542,360  

4.74%, 03/16/32 (Call 12/16/31)

    110       99,454  

4.91%, 04/02/30 (Call 01/02/30)

    314       295,708  

7.75%, 10/19/32 (Call 07/19/32)

    270       292,986  

BAT International Finance PLC, 4.45%, 03/16/28
(Call 02/16/28)

    226       214,255  

Philip Morris International Inc.
5.38%, 02/15/33 (Call 11/15/32)

    620       612,227  

6.38%, 05/16/38

    995       1,068,876  

Reynolds American Inc.
5.70%, 08/15/35 (Call 02/15/35)

    397       367,194  

5.85%, 08/15/45 (Call 02/15/45)

    748       649,764  
   

 

 

 
      6,207,565  
Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.4%            

Aptiv PLC, 3.25%, 03/01/32 (Call 12/01/31)(a)

    1,150       975,172  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 15.2%            

Bank of America Corp.

   

2.88%, 10/22/30 (Call 10/22/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.452%)(b)

     1,473       1,263,702  

3.19%, 07/23/30 (Call 07/23/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.442%)(b)

    1,380       1,211,529  

3.71%, 04/24/28 (Call 04/24/27),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.774%)(b)

    1,000       936,075  

3.82%, 01/20/28 (Call 01/20/27),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.837%)(b)

    300       282,826  

3.97%, 03/05/29 (Call 03/05/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.332%)(b)

    603       563,512  

3.97%, 02/07/30 (Call 02/07/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.472%)(b)

    1,410       1,298,175  

4.30%, (Call 01/28/25),
(3-mo. SOFR + 2.926%)(a)(b)(c)

    1,090       988,724  

6.10%, (Call 03/17/25),
(3-mo. SOFR + 4.160%)(b)(c)

    1,215       1,194,269  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The),
Series F, 4.63%, (Call 09/20/26), (3-mo. SOFR + 3.393%)(b)(c)

    1,400       1,256,239  

Citigroup Inc.
3.30%, 04/27/25

    1,205       1,164,006  

3.98%, 03/20/30 (Call 03/20/29),

   

 (3-mo. SOFR + 1.600%)(b)

    359       330,618  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Banks (continued)            

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.,
3.81%, 04/23/29 (Call 04/23/28),
 (3-mo. SOFR + 1.420%)(b)

  $ 1,278     $ 1,182,540  

4.02%, 10/31/38 (Call 10/31/37),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.645%)(b)

    274       227,842  

4.22%, 05/01/29 (Call 05/01/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.563%)(b)

    1,323       1,246,471  

HSBC Holdings PLC

   

3.97%, 05/22/30 (Call 05/22/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.872%)(b)

    1,502       1,352,111  

4.04%, 03/13/28 (Call 03/13/27),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.808%)(b)

    1,320       1,239,721  

4.58%, 06/19/29 (Call 06/19/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.796%)(b)

    750       708,061  

5.40%, 08/11/33 (Call 08/11/32),
(1-day SOFR + 2.870%)(b)

    365       348,426  

7.39%, 11/03/28 (Call 11/03/27),
(1-day SOFR + 3.350%)(b)

    680       714,423  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

1.95%, 02/04/32 (Call 02/04/31),
(1-day SOFR + 1.065%)(b)

    1,545       1,217,729  

2.74%, 10/15/30 (Call 10/15/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.510%)(b)

    1,470       1,260,154  

3.96%, 11/15/48 (Call 11/15/47),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.642%)(b)

    522       414,374  

Series HH, 4.60%, (Call 02/01/25),
(3-mo. SOFR + 3.125%)(b)(c)

    1,396       1,309,727  

Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co.
4.70%, 01/27/28 (Call 12/27/27)

     1,398       1,306,898  

5.40%, 11/21/25 (Call 10/21/25)

    294       287,152  

Morgan Stanley

   

2.70%, 01/22/31 (Call 01/22/30),
(1-day SOFR + 1.143%)(b)

    1,274       1,072,295  

3.59%, 07/22/28 (Call 07/22/27),
(3-mo. LIBOR US + 1.340%)(b)

    1,261       1,166,579  

3.62%, 04/01/31 (Call 04/01/30),
(1-day SOFR + 3.120%)(b)

    1,360       1,208,533  

3.77%, 01/24/29 (Call 01/24/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.402%)(b)

    1,333       1,236,400  

4.43%, 01/23/30 (Call 01/23/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.890%)(b)

    1,310       1,244,045  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)

   

5.58%, 06/12/29 (Call 06/12/28),
(1-day SOFR + 1.841%)(b)

    1,200       1,190,165  

6.04%, 10/28/33 (Call 10/28/32),
(1-day SOFR + 2.140%)(b)

    1,193       1,211,924  

Regions Financial Corp., 2.25%, 05/18/25
(Call 04/18/25)

    1,013       946,548  

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

2.88%, 10/30/30 (Call 10/30/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.432%)(b)

    1,445       1,236,556  

3.20%, 06/17/27 (Call 06/17/26),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.432%)(b)

    1,165       1,089,114  

4.48%, 04/04/31 (Call 04/04/30),
(3-mo. SOFR + 4.032%)(b)

    580       542,621  

4.90%, 07/25/33 (Call 07/25/32),
(1-day SOFR + 2.100%)(b)

    1,270       1,194,990  

5.39%, 04/24/34, (1-day SOFR + 2.020%)(b)

    595       579,535  

5.88%, (Call 06/15/25),
(3-mo. LIBOR US + 3.990%)(a)(b)(c)

    1,210       1,199,413  
   

 

 

 
      38,424,022  

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Beverages — 0.7%            

Anheuser-Busch Companies LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., 4.70%, 02/01/36
(Call 08/01/35)

  $  1,145     $  1,095,890  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc.
5.45%, 01/23/39 (Call 07/23/38)

    100       101,512  

8.20%, 01/15/39

    412       526,570  
   

 

 

 
      1,723,972  
Biotechnology — 2.7%            

Amgen Inc., 4.40%, 05/01/45 (Call 11/01/44)

    504       424,077  

Biogen Inc., 2.25%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    1,540       1,267,771  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., 3.70%, 03/15/32

   

(Call 12/15/31)

    580       508,050  

Gilead Sciences Inc.

   

4.80%, 04/01/44 (Call 10/01/43)

    1,105       1,016,468  

5.65%, 12/01/41 (Call 06/01/41)

    520       530,311  

Illumina Inc.

   

2.55%, 03/23/31 (Call 12/23/30)

    490       393,200  

5.75%, 12/13/27 (Call 11/13/27)

    195       194,501  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1.75%, 09/15/30

   

(Call 06/15/30)

    1,505       1,197,748  

Royalty Pharma PLC

   

1.20%, 09/02/25 (Call 08/02/25)

    1,355       1,234,284  

1.75%, 09/02/27 (Call 07/02/27)

    105       90,589  

2.15%, 09/02/31 (Call 06/02/31)

    35       27,160  

3.55%, 09/02/50 (Call 03/02/50)(a)

    125       81,723  
   

 

 

 
      6,965,882  
Building Materials — 0.5%            

Eagle Materials Inc., 2.50%, 07/01/31 (Call 04/01/31)

    1,155       932,530  

Fortune Brands Innovations Inc., 5.88%, 06/01/33

   

(Call 03/01/33)

    395       393,430  
   

 

 

 
      1,325,960  
Chemicals — 1.4%            

Albemarle Corp., 5.05%, 06/01/32 (Call 03/01/32)(a)

    366       344,525  

Dow Chemical Co. (The), 5.55%, 11/30/48
(Call 05/30/48)

    552       526,450  

DuPont de Nemours Inc., 5.32%, 11/15/38
(Call 05/15/38)

    501       491,129  

Eastman Chemical Co., 5.75%, 03/08/33
(Call 12/08/32)

    315       310,680  

FMC Corp., 5.65%, 05/18/33 (Call 02/18/33)

    300       286,040  

Huntsman International LLC, 4.50%, 05/01/29

   

(Call 02/01/29)

    1,035       958,467  

LYB International Finance BV, 4.88%, 03/15/44

   

(Call 09/15/43)(a)

    499       422,651  

LYB International Finance III LLC, 5.63%, 05/15/33

   

(Call 02/15/33)

    150       148,560  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, 4.63%, 02/26/55

   

(Call 08/26/54)

    55       43,172  
   

 

 

 
      3,531,674  
Commercial Services — 1.5%            

Equifax Inc., 2.35%, 09/15/31 (Call 06/15/31)

    960       752,374  

Global Payments Inc. 2.15%, 01/15/27 (Call 12/15/26)

    950       846,664  

3.20%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)

    530       461,381  

5.30%, 08/15/29 (Call 06/15/29)

    325       317,215  

Quanta Services Inc. 2.35%, 01/15/32 (Call 10/15/31)

    155       122,613  

2.90%, 10/01/30 (Call 07/01/30)

    1,425       1,201,692  
   

 

 

 
      3,701,939  
Computers — 2.2%            

Apple Inc., 2.40%, 08/20/50 (Call 02/20/50)(a)

    868       558,275  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Computers (continued)            

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.
8.10%, 07/15/36 (Call 01/15/36)

  $  1,055     $  1,212,073  

8.35%, 07/15/46 (Call 01/15/46)

    590       723,611  

HP Inc.
3.40%, 06/17/30 (Call 03/17/30)

    180       157,175  

5.50%, 01/15/33 (Call 10/15/32)

    920       893,134  

6.00%, 09/15/41(a)

    535       526,849  

Leidos Inc.
2.30%, 02/15/31 (Call 11/15/30)

    502       397,578  

4.38%, 05/15/30 (Call 02/15/30)

    977       900,611  

5.75%, 03/15/33 (Call 12/15/32)

    50       49,687  

Teledyne FLIR LLC, 2.50%, 08/01/30 (Call 05/01/30)

    190       156,781  
   

 

 

 
      5,575,774  
Distribution & Wholesale — 0.5%            

LKQ Corp.
5.75%, 06/15/28 (Call 05/15/28)(d)

    925       917,129  

6.25%, 06/15/33 (Call 03/15/33)(d)

    365       362,381  
   

 

 

 
      1,279,510  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.8%            

American Express Co., 3.55%, (Call 09/15/26),

   

(5-year CMT + 2.854%)(b)(c)

    1,507       1,254,578  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
1.15%, 05/13/26 (Call 04/13/26)

    545       485,163  

2.45%, 03/03/27 (Call 02/03/27)

    64       57,596  

5.38%, (Call 06/01/25), (5-year CMT + 4.971%)(a)(b)(c)

    1,343       1,295,995  

5.85%, 05/19/34 (Call 05/19/33),

   

(1-day SOFR + 2.500%)(b)

    450       450,350  

Raymond James Financial Inc., 4.95%, 07/15/46

    585       509,606  

Visa Inc., 2.00%, 08/15/50 (Call 02/15/50)(a)

    815       481,939  
   

 

 

 
      4,535,227  
Electric — 11.7%            

Ameren Illinois Co.
3.85%, 09/01/32 (Call 06/01/32)

    340       307,243  

4.95%, 06/01/33 (Call 03/01/33)

    335       328,107  

Avangrid Inc.
3.20%, 04/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    615       588,545  

3.80%, 06/01/29 (Call 03/01/29)

    950       862,218  

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC
4.95%, 04/01/33 (Call 01/01/33)

    300       294,958  

Series ai., 4.45%, 10/01/32 (Call 07/01/32)

    105       99,548  

Commonwealth Edison Co.
3.00%, 03/01/50 (Call 09/01/49)

    275       182,080  

4.00%, 03/01/48 (Call 09/01/47)

    150       120,795  

Connecticut Light & Power Co. (The), 4.00%, 04/01/48

   

(Call 10/01/47)

    960       781,547  

Consumers Energy Co.,
3.10%, 08/15/50 (Call 02/15/50)

    168       115,544  

Dominion Energy Inc.
4.35%, (Call 01/15/27), (5-year CMT + 3.195%)(a)(b)(c)

    1,435       1,212,211  

Series B, 4.65%, (Call 12/15/24),

   

(5-year CMT + 2.993%)(a)(b)(c)

    1,135       1,032,850  

DTE Electric Co.
2.95%, 03/01/50 (Call 09/01/49)

    165       109,480  

5.20%, 04/01/33 (Call 01/01/33)

    360       361,343  

Series A, 3.00%, 03/01/32 (Call 12/01/31)

    245       209,198  

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC
2.85%, 03/15/32 (Call 12/15/31)

    330       278,467  

3.20%, 08/15/49 (Call 02/15/49)

    875       601,357  

Duke Energy Corp., 3.75%, 09/01/46 (Call 03/01/46)

    165       120,748  

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Electric (continued)            

Duke Energy Florida LLC, 2.40%, 12/15/31

   

(Call 09/15/31)

  $ 575     $ 469,265  

Duke Energy Indiana LLC

   

2.75%, 04/01/50 (Call 10/01/49)

    370       225,629  

5.40%, 04/01/53 (Call 10/01/52)

    285       277,011  

Series YYY, 3.25%, 10/01/49 (Call 04/01/49)

    265       180,501  

Duke Energy Progress LLC

   

2.00%, 08/15/31 (Call 05/15/31)

    480       382,132  

3.40%, 04/01/32 (Call 01/01/32)

    335       294,527  

3.45%, 03/15/29 (Call 12/15/28)

    330       303,143  

Edison International

   

5.25%, 11/15/28 (Call 10/15/28)

    380       370,987  

6.95%, 11/15/29 (Call 09/15/29)

    320       337,339  

Emera U.S. Finance LP, 4.75%, 06/15/46
(Call 12/15/45)

    1,500       1,174,037  

Enel Finance International NV, 4.63%, 06/15/27
(Call 05/15/27)(d)

    1,005       969,680  

Entergy Louisiana LLC

   

2.35%, 06/15/32 (Call 03/15/32)

    345       274,484  

4.00%, 03/15/33 (Call 12/15/32)

    683       612,798  

4.20%, 09/01/48 (Call 03/01/48)

    308       246,906  

Evergy Inc., 2.90%, 09/15/29 (Call 06/15/29)

    920       800,429  

Evergy Kansas Central Inc., 3.45%, 04/15/50

   

(Call 10/15/49)

    225       158,660  

Exelon Corp., 4.05%, 04/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)

    1,210       1,118,033  

Florida Power & Light Co. 2.45%, 02/03/32
(Call 11/03/31)

    1,325       1,098,579  

3.15%, 10/01/49 (Call 04/01/49)

    145       101,221  

3.95%, 03/01/48 (Call 09/01/47)

    895       726,719  

Fortis Inc./Canada, 3.06%, 10/04/26 (Call 07/04/26)

    1,245       1,154,770  

Georgia Power Co., 4.30%, 03/15/42

    90       75,322  

Kentucky Utilities Co., 3.30%, 06/01/50
(Call 12/01/49)

    238       163,886  

National Grid PLC, 5.81%, 06/12/33 (Call 03/12/33)

    990       991,943  

Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC
3.10%, 09/15/49 (Call 03/15/49)

    305       207,128  

4.55%, 09/15/32 (Call 06/15/32)

    440       419,116  

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

   

5.90%, 06/15/32 (Call 03/15/32)

    327       313,003  

6.10%, 01/15/29 (Call 12/15/28)

    1,070       1,057,434  

6.15%, 01/15/33 (Call 10/15/32)

    540       525,875  

6.40%, 06/15/33 (Call 03/15/33)

    305       300,839  

Public Service Co. of Colorado, 1.88%, 06/15/31

   

(Call 12/15/30)

    1,198       945,347  

Public Service Electric & Gas Co., 3.10%, 03/15/32

   

(Call 12/15/31)(a)

    262       227,339  

San Diego Gas & Electric Co.

   

Series WWW, 2.95%, 08/15/51 (Call 02/15/51)

    740       482,996  

Series XXX, 3.00%, 03/15/32 (Call 12/15/31)

    75       63,864  

Sempra Energy, 4.88%, (Call 10/15/25),

   

(5-year CMT + 4.550%)(a)(b)(c)

    1,144       1,081,984  

Southern California Edison Co., 5.95%, 11/01/32

   

(Call 08/01/32)

    875       906,936  

Southern California Gas Co., 5.20%, 06/01/33

   

(Call 03/01/33)

    450       441,895  

Southern Co. (The)
4.40%, 07/01/46 (Call 01/01/46)

    755       621,759  

Series B, 4.00%, 01/15/51 (Call 10/15/25),

   

(5-year CMT + 3.733%)(b)

    1,345       1,247,240  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Electric (continued)            

Union Electric Co.
2.15%, 03/15/32 (Call 12/15/31)

  $ 385     $ 304,584  

2.63%, 03/15/51 (Call 09/15/50)

    405       247,219  
   

 

 

 
      29,508,798  

Electronics — 0.8%

   

Jabil Inc., 4.25%, 05/15/27 (Call 04/15/27)

    300       286,616  

TD SYNNEX Corp.
1.75%, 08/09/26 (Call 07/09/26)

    520       458,370  

2.38%, 08/09/28 (Call 06/09/28)

    430       356,888  

Trimble Inc., 6.10%, 03/15/33 (Call 12/15/32)

    985       994,585  
   

 

 

 
      2,096,459  
Engineering & Construction — 0.3%            

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.
5.90%, 03/01/33 (Call 12/01/32)

    335       331,444  

6.35%, 08/18/28 (Call 07/18/28)

    330       335,557  
   

 

 

 
      667,001  
Food — 1.1%            

Conagra Brands Inc.
4.85%, 11/01/28 (Call 08/01/28)

    284       276,467  

5.30%, 11/01/38 (Call 05/01/38)

    1,015       937,530  

Sysco Corp.
5.95%, 04/01/30 (Call 01/01/30)

    825       854,424  

6.60%, 04/01/50 (Call 10/01/49)

    607       669,259  
      2,737,680  
Gas — 0.8%            

National Fuel Gas Co.
2.95%, 03/01/31 (Call 12/01/30)

    345       277,515  

5.50%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    145       143,615  

NiSource Inc. 3.60%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    615       551,176  

4.38%, 05/15/47 (Call 11/15/46)

    1,180       967,878  
   

 

 

 
      1,940,184  
Health Care - Products — 2.3%            

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc., 3.25%, 06/01/30
(Call 03/01/30).

    1,105       949,270  

HCA Inc. 3.13%, 03/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)

    70       64,332  

3.63%, 03/15/32 (Call 12/15/31)

    1,035       890,174  

Revvity Inc.
2.25%, 09/15/31 (Call 06/15/31)

    375       295,249  

3.30%, 09/15/29 (Call 06/15/29)

    1,196       1,063,396  

Smith & Nephew PLC, 2.03%, 10/14/30
(Call 07/14/30)(a)

    1,570       1,242,227  

STERIS Irish FinCo UnLtd Co.
2.70%, 03/15/31 (Call 12/15/30)(a)

    510       422,135  

3.75%, 03/15/51 (Call 09/15/50)

    495       361,043  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc., 2.60%, 11/24/31

   

(Call 08/24/31)

    780       635,402  
   

 

 

 
      5,923,228  
Health Care - Services — 2.0%            

Centene Corp.
2.45%, 07/15/28 (Call 05/15/28)

    1,423       1,218,327  

3.38%, 02/15/30 (Call 02/15/25)

    705       603,337  

Elevance Health Inc., 4.65%, 01/15/43

    300       266,567  

HCA Inc. 3.38%, 03/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    315       280,843  

4.13%, 06/15/29 (Call 03/15/29)

    1,300       1,200,819  

5.13%, 06/15/39 (Call 12/15/38)

    40       36,284  

Humana Inc.
3.13%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)

    140       124,449  

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Health Care - Services (continued)            

4.95%, 10/01/44 (Call 04/01/44)

  $ 342     $ 303,118  

IQVIA Inc., 5.70%, 05/15/28 (Call 04/15/28)(d)

    800       797,030  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, 4.70%, 02/01/45

   

(Call 08/01/44)

    173       148,223  
   

 

 

 
      4,978,997  
Holding Companies - Diversified — 2.4%            

Ares Capital Corp.
3.20%, 11/15/31 (Call 08/15/31)

    391       303,810  

3.88%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    1,363       1,274,892  

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund
2.85%, 09/30/28 (Call 07/30/28)

    470       388,207  

3.63%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    1,065       986,557  

Blue Owl Capital Corp.
2.88%, 06/11/28 (Call 04/11/28)

    165       136,328  

3.40%, 07/15/26 (Call 06/15/26)

    1,395       1,256,481  

FS KKR Capital Corp.
3.13%, 10/12/28 (Call 08/12/28)(a)

    1,140       931,121  

3.40%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    480       440,142  

Golub Capital BDC Inc.,
2.50%, 08/24/26 (Call 07/24/26)

    420       369,070  
   

 

 

 
      6,086,608  
Home Builders — 0.7%            

Lennar Corp., 4.75%, 11/29/27 (Call 05/29/27)

    765       741,762  

NVR Inc., 3.00%, 05/15/30 (Call 11/15/29)

    1,295       1,108,225  
   

 

 

 
      1,849,987  
Household Products & Wares — 0.1%            

Avery Dennison Corp., 4.88%, 12/06/28
(Call 09/06/28)

    150       146,632  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 3.7%            

American International Group Inc.
5.13%, 03/27/33 (Call 12/27/32)(a)

    915       885,038  

Series A-9, 5.75%, 04/01/48 (Call 04/01/28),

   

(3-mo. LIBOR US + 2.868%)(b)

    710       670,418  

Brown & Brown Inc.
2.38%, 03/15/31 (Call 12/15/30)

    475       379,717  

4.20%, 03/17/32 (Call 12/17/31)

    380       340,084  

CNA Financial Corp.
3.90%, 05/01/29 (Call 02/01/29)

    155       144,257  

5.50%, 06/15/33 (Call 03/15/33)

    300       293,775  

Everest Reinsurance Holdings Inc.,
3.50%, 10/15/50

   

(Call 04/15/50)

    925       633,837  

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
3.38%, 03/03/31 (Call 12/03/30)

    380       318,510  

5.63%, 08/16/32 (Call 05/16/32)

    1,015       979,621  

Fidelity National Financial Inc.
2.45%, 03/15/31 (Call 12/15/30)

    430       341,947  

3.40%, 06/15/30 (Call 03/15/30)(a)

    235       204,230  

First American Financial Corp., 2.40%, 08/15/31
(Call 05/15/31)

    475       364,211  

Markel Group Inc.
3.45%, 05/07/52 (Call 11/07/51)

    400       271,310  

5.00%, 05/20/49 (Call 11/20/48)

    190       166,294  

Old Republic International Corp.,
3.85%, 06/11/51

   

(Call 12/11/50)

    440       306,738  

Prudential Financial Inc.
3.70%, 10/01/50 (Call 07/01/30),

   

 (5-year CMT + 3.035%)(b)

    776       660,373  

5.70%, 09/15/48 (Call 09/15/28),

   

 (3-mo. LIBOR US + 2.665%)(b)

    1,200       1,136,208  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Insurance (continued)            

Willis North America Inc. 4.50%, 09/15/28
(Call 06/15/28)

  $ 178     $ 169,657  

4.65%, 06/15/27 (Call 05/15/27)

    915       886,090  

5.35%, 05/15/33 (Call 02/15/33)

    360       347,510  
   

 

 

 
      9,499,825  
Internet — 0.9%            

Alphabet Inc., 2.05%, 08/15/50 (Call 02/15/50)

    2,080       1,245,068  

VeriSign Inc., 2.70%, 06/15/31 (Call 03/15/31)

    1,135       929,235  
   

 

 

 
      2,174,303  
Iron & Steel — 0.6%            

ArcelorMittal SA 6.55%, 11/29/27 (Call 10/29/27)

    188       192,806  

6.80%, 11/29/32 (Call 08/29/32)

    1,200       1,232,829  
   

 

 

 
      1,425,635  
Lodging — 0.4%            

Marriott International Inc./MD, Series FF,
4.63%, 06/15/30 (Call 03/15/30)

    1,205       1,141,870  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 0.6%            

nVent Finance Sarl, 5.65%, 05/15/33 (Call 02/15/33)

    300       290,351  

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., 4.95%, 09/15/28
(Call 06/15/28)

    1,259       1,214,361  
   

 

 

 
      1,504,712  
Manufacturing — 1.0%            

Carlisle Companies Inc., 2.75%, 03/01/30
(Call 12/01/29)

    1,140       964,634  

General Electric Co.
5.88%, 01/14/38

    285       299,430  

6.75%, 03/15/32(a)

    1,059       1,180,977  

Textron Inc., 3.00%, 06/01/30 (Call 03/01/30)

    225       194,641  
   

 

 

 
      2,639,682  
Media — 0.7%            

Comcast Corp., 1.95%, 01/15/31 (Call 10/15/30)

    330       266,826  

FactSet Research Systems Inc., 3.45%, 03/01/32

   

 (Call 12/01/31)

    65       55,081  

Fox Corp.
4.71%, 01/25/29 (Call 10/25/28)

    80       77,174  

 5.48%, 01/25/39 (Call 07/25/38)

    1,158       1,050,940  

Walt Disney Co. (The), 6.65%, 11/15/37

    198       223,126  
   

 

 

 
      1,673,147  
Mining — 1.0%            

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
4.63%, 08/01/30 (Call 08/01/25)

    220       203,465  

5.45%, 03/15/43 (Call 09/15/42)

    425       381,456  

Newmont Corp., 4.88%, 03/15/42 (Call 09/15/41)

    783       702,673  

Southern Copper Corp.
5.25%, 11/08/42

    65       60,118  

5.88%, 04/23/45(a)

    678       667,273  

6.75%, 04/16/40

    535       580,539  
   

 

 

 
      2,595,524  
Office & Business Equipment — 0.6%            

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.
2.67%, 12/01/26 (Call 11/01/26)

    108       97,898  

3.28%, 12/01/28 (Call 10/01/28)

    370       324,461  

3.57%, 12/01/31 (Call 09/01/31)

    1,230       1,040,053  
   

 

 

 
      1,462,412  
Oil & Gas — 3.0%            

BP Capital Markets PLC
4.38%, (Call 06/22/25), (5-year CMT + 4.036%)(a)(b)(c)

    1,280       1,224,640  

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Oil & Gas (continued)            

4.88%, (Call 03/22/30),
(5-year CMT + 4.398%)(b)(c)

  $ 1,317     $ 1,192,694  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., 3.85%, 06/01/27

   

(Call 03/01/27)

    1,315       1,244,026  

Diamondback Energy Inc., 6.25%, 03/15/33

   

(Call 12/15/32)

    66       68,202  

EQT Corp., 5.70%, 04/01/28 (Call 03/01/28)

    300       298,669  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.
7.50%, 05/01/31

    560       606,761  

8.88%, 07/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)

    1,088       1,247,338  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 2.15%, 01/15/31

   

(Call 10/15/30)(a)

    585       474,082  

Valero Energy Corp., 6.63%, 06/15/37

    1,065       1,133,525  
   

 

 

 
      7,489,937  
Packaging & Containers — 0.5%            

Amcor Finance USA Inc.
3.63%, 04/28/26 (Call 01/28/26)

    184       174,416  

5.63%, 05/26/33 (Call 02/26/33)

    230       228,229  

Amcor Flexibles North America Inc., 2.69%, 05/25/31

   

(Call 02/25/31)

    1,172       953,565  
   

 

 

 
      1,356,210  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.9%            

AbbVie Inc. 4.50%, 05/14/35 (Call 11/14/34)

    597       561,654  

4.70%, 05/14/45 (Call 11/14/44)

    455       409,192  

4.85%, 06/15/44 (Call 12/15/43)

    100       91,420  

AstraZeneca PLC, 6.45%, 09/15/37

    923       1,038,220  

Cencora Inc., 2.70%, 03/15/31 (Call 12/15/30)

     1,414        1,189,417  

Cigna Group (The)
4.80%, 08/15/38 (Call 02/15/38)

    20       18,436  

4.80%, 07/15/46 (Call 01/16/46)

    1,109       984,647  

4.90%, 12/15/48 (Call 06/15/48)

    91       81,147  

CVS Health Corp.
3.25%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)

    545       487,129  

4.78%, 03/25/38 (Call 09/25/37)

    1,114       997,651  

5.13%, 07/20/45 (Call 01/20/45)

    152       135,404  

Johnson & Johnson
2.25%, 09/01/50 (Call 03/01/50)(a)

    1,905       1,200,508  

2.45%, 09/01/60 (Call 03/01/60)

    100       61,390  

Zoetis Inc., 4.70%, 02/01/43 (Call 08/01/42)

    200       181,323  
   

 

 

 
      7,437,538  
Pipelines — 8.4%            

Boardwalk Pipelines LP
3.40%, 02/15/31 (Call 11/15/30)

    185       157,726  

3.60%, 09/01/32 (Call 06/01/32)

    335       281,671  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC
3.70%, 11/15/29 (Call 05/18/29)(a)

    265       240,909  

5.13%, 06/30/27 (Call 01/01/27)

    1,235       1,221,871  

Cheniere Energy Inc., 4.63%, 10/15/28 (Call 10/15/23)

    1,330       1,251,939  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP
4.00%, 03/01/31 (Call 03/01/26)

    270       238,371  

4.50%, 10/01/29 (Call 10/01/24)

    1,345       1,241,027  

Enbridge Inc.
5.50%, 07/15/77 (Call 07/15/27),
(3-mo. SOFR + 3.680%)(b)

    1,245       1,117,833  

6.25%, 03/01/78 (Call 03/01/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 3.903%)(b)

    885       824,347  

Energy Transfer LP
4.95%, 05/15/28 (Call 02/15/28)

    746       724,711  

5.25%, 04/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    1,235       1,206,631  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Pipelines (continued)            

5.75%, 02/15/33 (Call 11/15/32)

  $ 515     $ 512,030  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC,
Series E, 5.25%, 08/16/77 (Call 08/16/27),
(3-mo. SOFR + 3.295%)(b)

    1,445       1,271,369  

Kinder Morgan Inc.
4.30%, 03/01/28 (Call 12/01/27)

    1,124       1,071,441  

5.30%, 12/01/34 (Call 06/01/34)

    326       310,063  

MPLX LP
2.65%, 08/15/30 (Call 05/15/30)

    100       82,993  

4.50%, 04/15/38 (Call 10/15/37)

    1,090       923,463  

ONEOK Inc. 3.10%, 03/15/30 (Call 12/15/29)

    430       369,172  

3.40%, 09/01/29 (Call 06/01/29)

    345       304,747  

4.55%, 07/15/28 (Call 04/15/28)

    635       605,490  

6.10%, 11/15/32 (Call 08/15/32)

    440       446,947  

Plains All American Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp., 3.55%, 12/15/29 (Call 09/15/29)

    320       281,325  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC
4.20%, 03/15/28 (Call 09/15/27)

    1,300       1,231,119  

4.50%, 05/15/30 (Call 11/15/29)

    360       338,779  

Targa Resources Corp.
4.88%, 02/01/31 (Call 02/01/26)

    1,455       1,336,387  

5.50%, 03/01/30 (Call 03/01/25)

    185       177,344  

Transcanada Trust
5.30%, 03/15/77 (Call 03/15/27),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.208%)(b)

    1,492       1,298,040  

Series 16-A, 5.88%, 08/15/76 (Call 08/15/26),

   

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 4.640%)(b)

    843       777,375  

Western Midstream Operating LP
4.05%, 02/01/30 (Call 11/01/29)

     1,360       1,213,128  

6.15%, 04/01/33 (Call 01/01/33)

    290       288,552  
   

 

 

 
      21,346,800  
Real Estate — 0.1%            

CBRE Services Inc., 5.95%, 08/15/34
(Call 05/15/34)

    140       138,478  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 7.0%            

American Homes 4 Rent LP, 3.63%, 04/15/32
(Call 01/15/32)

    435       372,676  

American Tower Corp.
2.90%, 01/15/30 (Call 10/15/29)

    600       511,124  

3.38%, 10/15/26 (Call 07/15/26)

    77       72,130  

3.55%, 07/15/27 (Call 04/15/27)

    180       166,904  

3.80%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)

    1,333       1,212,300  

3.95%, 03/15/29 (Call 12/15/28)

    65       59,804  

Brixmor Operating Partnership LP
4.05%, 07/01/30 (Call 04/01/30)

    450       406,535  

4.13%, 05/15/29 (Call 02/15/29)

    1,050       955,114  

Crown Castle International Corp.
3.65%, 09/01/27 (Call 06/01/27)

    65       60,553  

3.80%, 02/15/28 (Call 11/15/27)

    245       227,868  

CubeSmart LP,
2.25%, 12/15/28 (Call 10/15/28)

    405       342,967  

Digital Realty Trust LP
3.60%, 07/01/29 (Call 04/01/29)

    100       90,177  

3.70%, 08/15/27 (Call 05/15/27)

    1,165       1,085,428  

5.55%, 01/15/28 (Call 12/15/27)

    80       79,781  

Equinix Inc.
2.15%, 07/15/30 (Call 04/15/30)

    1,040       839,144  

3.20%, 11/18/29 (Call 08/18/29)

    516       452,040  

Extra Space Storage LP
3.50%, 07/01/26 (Call 04/01/26)

    380       356,234  

5.70%, 04/01/28 (Call 03/01/28)

    300       301,319  

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Real Estate Investment Trusts (continued)            

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II Inc.
3.25%, 01/15/32 (Call 10/15/31)

  $ 70     $ 56,440  

5.25%, 06/01/25 (Call 03/01/25)

    495       485,881  

5.30%, 01/15/29 (Call 10/15/28)

    946       891,986  

Healthpeak Properties Inc., 3.50%, 07/15/29

   

(Call 04/15/29)

    220       197,570  

Host Hotels & Resorts LP, Series I, 3.50%, 09/15/30

   

(Call 06/15/30)

    1,090       929,886  

Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP
2.00%, 08/15/31 (Call 05/15/31)

    480       367,291  

2.30%, 11/15/28 (Call 09/15/28)

    425       361,123  

4.15%, 04/15/32 (Call 01/15/32)(a)

    405       360,449  

Physicians Realty LP,
2.63%, 11/01/31 (Call 08/01/31)

    340       264,118  

Sun Communities Operating LP
2.70%, 07/15/31 (Call 04/15/31)

    1,070       849,563  

4.20%, 04/15/32 (Call 01/15/32)

    520       457,275  

Ventas Realty LP, 4.40%, 01/15/29 (Call 10/15/28)

    685       643,137  

VICI Properties LP
4.75%, 02/15/28 (Call 01/15/28)

    1,307       1,242,875  

4.95%, 02/15/30 (Call 12/15/29)

    196       184,358  

Welltower Inc., 3.85%, 06/15/32 (Call 03/15/32)

    185       162,573  

Welltower OP LLC 2.80%, 06/01/31
(Call 03/01/31)

    145       119,605  

3.10%, 01/15/30 (Call 10/15/29)

    1,035       899,352  

4.25%, 04/15/28 (Call 01/15/28)

    501       474,342  

Weyerhaeuser Co., 4.00%, 11/15/29
(Call 08/15/29)

    990       913,590  

WP Carey Inc., 2.40%, 02/01/31 (Call 11/01/30)(a)

    360       287,736  
   

 

 

 
      17,741,248  
Retail — 1.7%            

Dollar General Corp., 5.45%, 07/05/33
(Call 04/05/33)

    1,270       1,232,266  

Dollar Tree Inc., 4.20%, 05/15/28 (Call 02/15/28)

    1,172       1,112,164  

McDonald’s Corp.
4.70%, 12/09/35 (Call 06/09/35)

    279       266,577  

4.88%, 12/09/45 (Call 06/09/45)

    165       152,394  

O’Reilly Automotive Inc., 3.90%, 06/01/29

   

(Call 03/01/29)(a)

    180       168,886  

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. 3.45%, 06/01/26 (Call 03/01/26)

    1,018       961,636  

 4.10%, 04/15/50 (Call 10/15/49)

    68       46,436  

 4.80%, 11/18/44 (Call 05/18/44)(a)

    517       404,525  
   

 

 

 
      4,344,884  
Semiconductors — 3.0%            

Broadcom Corp./Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd.,
3.88%, 01/15/27 (Call 10/15/26)

    321       305,001  

Broadcom Inc. 4.00%, 04/15/29 (Call 02/15/29)(d)

    450       415,018  

4.15%, 11/15/30 (Call 08/15/30)

    1,000       914,337  

4.75%, 04/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    692       667,361  

5.00%, 04/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)(a)

    372       366,553  

Micron Technology Inc.

   

4.66%, 02/15/30 (Call 11/15/29)(a)

    1,022       957,976  

5.33%, 02/06/29 (Call 11/06/28)

    230       225,492  

6.75%, 11/01/29 (Call 09/01/29)

    343       356,945  

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC, 5.55%, 12/01/28

   

(Call 09/01/28)(a)

    300       300,554  

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC/NXP USA Inc.
3.40%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    87       76,432  

4.30%, 06/18/29 (Call 03/18/29)

     1,324       1,239,885  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Semiconductors (continued)            

Qorvo Inc.
1.75%, 12/15/24 (Call 09/11/23)(d)

  $ 235     $ 220,392  

4.38%, 10/15/29 (Call 10/15/24)

    1,185       1,073,627  

Skyworks Solutions Inc.
1.80%, 06/01/26 (Call 05/01/26)

    312       278,883  

3.00%, 06/01/31 (Call 03/01/31)

    355       288,847  
   

 

 

 
      7,687,303  

Shipbuilding — 0.3%

   

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.
2.04%, 08/16/28 (Call 06/16/28)

    410       347,722  

4.20%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)(a)

    320       295,550  
   

 

 

 
      643,272  
Software — 2.7%            

Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc.
2.60%, 05/01/31 (Call 02/01/31)

    520       424,361  

2.90%, 12/01/29 (Call 09/01/29)(a)

    930       801,698  

Oracle Corp.
2.95%, 04/01/30 (Call 01/01/30)

    759       657,909  

3.90%, 05/15/35 (Call 11/15/34)

    215       183,583  

4.30%, 07/08/34 (Call 01/08/34)

     1,230       1,102,891  

5.38%, 07/15/40

    1,315       1,225,715  

6.25%, 11/09/32 (Call 08/09/32)

    830       868,733  

VMware Inc.
3.90%, 08/21/27 (Call 05/21/27)

    1,256       1,183,564  

4.70%, 05/15/30 (Call 02/15/30)

    370       348,725  
   

 

 

 
      6,797,179  
Telecommunications — 5.2%            

AT&T Inc.
4.35%, 03/01/29 (Call 12/01/28)

    251       237,475  

5.54%, 02/20/26 (Call 02/20/24)

    46       45,922  

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV,
8.75%, 06/15/30

    1,025       1,206,844  

Juniper Networks Inc.,
3.75%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)(a)

    165       150,048  

Motorola Solutions Inc.
2.30%, 11/15/30 (Call 08/15/30)

    375       298,834  

2.75%, 05/24/31 (Call 02/24/31)

    254       206,036  

4.60%, 05/23/29 (Call 02/23/29)(a)

    935       900,950  

Orange SA, 9.00%, 03/01/31

    968       1,174,490  

Rogers Communications Inc., 3.80%, 03/15/32

   

(Call 12/15/31)

    1,433       1,225,608  

Sprint Capital Corp. 6.88%, 11/15/28

    315       332,767  

8.75%, 03/15/32

    1,030       1,227,616  

TELUS Corp., 3.40%, 05/13/32 (Call 02/13/32)

    1,318       1,109,789  

T-Mobile USA Inc.

   

2.40%, 03/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    150       128,942  

2.55%, 02/15/31 (Call 11/15/30)

    725       597,415  

2.70%, 03/15/32 (Call 12/15/31)

    95       77,357  

3.60%, 11/15/60 (Call 05/15/60)

    155       103,802  

3.75%, 04/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)

    930       881,449  

3.88%, 04/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)

    1,295       1,181,979  

4.38%, 04/15/40 (Call 10/15/39)

    290       249,223  

4.50%, 04/15/50 (Call 10/15/49)

    11       9,086  

Verizon Communications Inc.

   

4.27%, 01/15/36

    358       317,835  

4.40%, 11/01/34 (Call 05/01/34)

    366       331,607  

4.50%, 08/10/33

    77       71,142  

5.25%, 03/16/37

    1,034       1,007,266  
   

 

 

 
      13,073,482  

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 20223

  

iShares® Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  

 

 
Transportation — 0.3%            

United Parcel Service Inc., 6.20%, 01/15/38

  $ 800     $ 894,242  

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.1%
(Cost: $260,133,046)

      248,324,832  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 6.6%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.52%(e)(f)(g)

    15,462       15,466,591  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 5.31%(e)(f)

    1,090       1,090,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 6.6%
(Cost: $16,552,461)

      16,556,591  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 104.7%
(Cost: $276,685,507)

      264,881,423  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (4.7)%

      (11,830,846
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 253,050,577  
   

 

 

 
(a)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(b)

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

(c)

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(d)

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

(e)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended August 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

   
    Affiliated Issuer    Value at
02/28/23
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/23
     Shares
Held at
08/31/23
(000)
     Income     Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
     
 

 

   

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 13,118,282      $ 2,354,331 (a)    $     $ (5,105    $ (917    $ 15,466,591        15,462      $ 25,536 (b)    $   —    
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     2,043,000              (953,000 )(a)                    1,090,000        1,090        34,841          
            $ (5,105    $ (917    $ 16,556,591         $ 60,377     $    
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(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 Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

 Corporate Bonds & Notes

   $        $ 248,324,832        $    —        $ 248,324,832  

Short-Term Securities

                 

 Money Market Funds

     16,556,591                            16,556,591  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  16,556,591        $ 248,324,832        $        $ 264,881,423  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

Collaterized Mortgage Obligations

   
Mortgage-Backed Securities — 1.5%            

Bank, Series 2017, Class A5, 3.44%, 09/15/60
(Call 09/15/27)

  $ 40     $ 36,803  

COMM Mortgage Trust, 2.87%, 08/15/57
(Call 11/15/29)

    50       45,418  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2.91%, 02/13/53

   

(Call 01/13/30)

    75       64,504  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2015-C23, Class A4, 3.72%, 07/15/50

    25       23,913  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, 3.79%, 12/15/49 (Call 12/15/26)

    10       9,381  
   

 

 

 
      180,019  
   

 

 

 

Total Collaterized Mortgage Obligations — 1.5%
(Cost: $213,110)

      180,019  
   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds & Notes

   
Advertising — 0.1%            

Advantage Sales & Marketing Inc., 6.50%, 11/15/28
(Call 11/15/23)(a)(b)

    5       4,359  

Omnicom Group Inc., 3.65%, 11/01/24 (Call 08/01/24)

    6       5,858  
   

 

 

 
      10,217  
Aerospace & Defense — 1.1%            

Boeing Co. (The)

   

2.20%, 02/04/26 (Call 09/11/23)

    45       41,513  

3.25%, 02/01/35 (Call 11/01/34)

    8       6,423  

4.88%, 05/01/25 (Call 04/01/25)

    10       9,862  

5.15%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    15       14,758  

5.71%, 05/01/40 (Call 11/01/39)

    2       1,944  

5.93%, 05/01/60 (Call 11/01/59)

    9       8,687  

General Dynamics Corp., 3.25%, 04/01/25
(Call 03/01/25)

    10       9,689  

L3Harris Technologies Inc. 4.40%, 06/15/28
(Call 03/15/28)

    15       14,422  

Northrop Grumman Corp., 4.75%, 06/01/43

    3       2,725  

Rolls-Royce PLC, 5.75%, 10/15/27 (Call 07/15/27)(a)

    5       4,854  

RTX Corp.

   

3.95%, 08/16/25 (Call 06/16/25)

    10       9,722  

4.88%, 10/15/40

    11       10,061  

Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

   

7.50%, 04/15/25 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    5       4,938  

9.38%, 11/30/29 (Call 11/30/25)(a)

    2       2,084  
   

 

 

 
       141,682  
Agriculture — 1.0%            

Altria Group Inc.

   

3.40%, 05/06/30 (Call 02/06/30)

    10       8,785  

5.38%, 01/31/44(b)

    10       9,285  

5.80%, 02/14/39 (Call 08/14/38)

    13       12,666  

BAT Capital Corp.

   

2.73%, 03/25/31 (Call 12/25/30)

    15       11,876  

3.22%, 08/15/24 (Call 06/15/24)

    3       2,926  

3.56%, 08/15/27 (Call 05/15/27)

    3       2,783  

4.91%, 04/02/30 (Call 01/02/30)

    4       3,767  

BAT International Finance PLC, 4.45%, 03/16/28
(Call 02/16/28)

    10       9,480  

Philip Morris International Inc.

   

3.25%, 11/10/24

    10       9,738  

3.38%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)

    5       4,498  

5.00%, 11/17/25

    10       9,941  

5.38%, 02/15/33 (Call 11/15/32)

    8       7,900  

6.38%, 05/16/38(b)

    10       10,742  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Agriculture (continued)            

Reynolds American Inc.

   

4.45%, 06/12/25 (Call 03/12/25)

  $ 5     $ 4,892  

5.70%, 08/15/35 (Call 02/15/35)

    5       4,625  

5.85%, 08/15/45 (Call 02/15/45)

    10       8,687  

Vector Group Ltd., 5.75%, 02/01/29 (Call 02/01/24)(a)

    5       4,353  
   

 

 

 
       126,944  
Airlines — 0.1%            

Air Canada, 3.88%, 08/15/26 (Call 02/15/26)(a)

    3       2,770  

American Airlines Inc., 11.75%, 07/15/25(a)

    3       3,284  

Delta Air Lines Inc., 7.38%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    3       3,086  
   

 

 

 
      9,140  
Auto Manufacturers — 1.1%            

American Honda Finance Corp., 5.25%, 07/07/26

    18       18,029  

Ford Motor Co.

   

5.29%, 12/08/46 (Call 06/08/46)

    2       1,571  

7.45%, 07/16/31

    5       5,271  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 4.13%, 08/04/25

    5       4,762  

General Motors Financial Co. Inc.

   

2.90%, 02/26/25 (Call 01/26/25)

    20       19,097  

5.40%, 04/06/26

    15       14,813  

6.05%, 10/10/25

    5       5,005  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC

   

4.50%, 10/01/27 (Call 07/01/27)(a)

    2       1,745  

5.50%, 07/15/29 (Call 07/15/24)(a)

    2       1,738  

PACCAR Financial Corp., 4.95%, 10/03/25

    15       14,955  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

   

1.45%, 01/13/25

    20       18,988  

3.95%, 06/30/25

    10       9,769  

4.80%, 01/10/25

    15       14,894  
   

 

 

 
      130,637  
Auto Parts & Equipment — 0.1%            

Aptiv PLC, 3.25%, 03/01/32 (Call 12/01/31)

    15       12,720  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 11.6%            

Bank of America Corp.

   

2.88%, 10/22/30 (Call 10/22/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.452%)(c)

    10       8,579  

3.19%, 07/23/30 (Call 07/23/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.442%)(c)

    20       17,558  

3.37%, 01/23/26 (Call 01/23/25),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.072%)(c)

    20       19,288  

3.97%, 03/05/29 (Call 03/05/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.332%)(c)

    10       9,345  

3.97%, 02/07/30 (Call 02/07/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.472%)(c)

    18       16,572  

4.20%, 08/26/24

    25       24,555  

4.30%, (Call 01/28/25), (3-mo. SOFR + 2.926%)(c)(d)

    11       9,978  

5.13%, (Call 06/20/24), (3-mo. SOFR + 3.554%)(c)(d)

    50       48,719  

6.10%, (Call 03/17/25), (3-mo. SOFR + 4.160%)(c)(d)

    16       15,727  

Series L, 3.95%, 04/21/25

    10       9,679  

Bank of Montreal

   

1.50%, 01/10/25

    15       14,190  

3.70%, 06/07/25

    15       14,489  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)

   

0.75%, 01/28/26 (Call 12/28/25)

    14       12,641  

3.35%, 04/25/25 (Call 03/25/25)

    20       19,280  

Series F, 4.63%, (Call 09/20/26),
(3-mo. SOFR + 3.393%)(c)(d)

    16       14,357  

Bank of Nova Scotia (The), 3.45%, 04/11/25

    40       38,638  

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
     Value  
Banks (continued)             

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

    

1.00%, 10/18/24

  $ 10      $ 9,484  

3.95%, 08/04/25

    5        4,845  

Citigroup Inc.

    

2.01%, 01/25/26 (Call 01/25/25),
(1-day SOFR + 0.694%)(c)

    15        14,190  

3.98%, 03/20/30 (Call 03/20/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.600%)(c)

    15        13,814  

4.40%, 06/10/25

    55        53,631  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.,

    

0.86%, 02/12/26 (Call 02/12/25),
(1-day SOFR + 0.609%)(c)

    30        27,828  

2.62%, 04/22/32 (Call 04/22/31),
(1-day SOFR + 1.281%)(c)

    25        20,229  

3.27%, 09/29/25 (Call 09/29/24),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.463%)(c)

    10        9,698  

3.81%, 04/23/29 (Call 04/23/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.420%)(c)

    22        20,357  

4.22%, 05/01/29 (Call 05/01/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.563%)(c)

    17        16,017  

5.70%, 11/01/24

    30        29,943  

HSBC Holdings PLC, 2.10%, 06/04/26 (Call 06/04/25),
(1-day SOFR + 1.929%)(c)

     200         186,418  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    

4.95%, 06/01/42 (Call 06/01/41),
(1-year CMT + 2.750%)(a)(c)

    2        1,333  

5.71%, 01/15/26(a)

    2        1,922  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    

1.95%, 02/04/32 (Call 02/04/31),
(1-day SOFR + 1.065%)(c)

    42        33,103  

2.01%, 03/13/26 (Call 03/13/25),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.585%)(c)

    40        37,735  

2.30%, 10/15/25 (Call 10/15/24),
(1-day SOFR + 1.160%)(c)

    25        23,983  

2.74%, 10/15/30 (Call 10/15/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.510%)(c)

    8        6,858  

5.00%, (Call 08/01/24),
(3-mo. SOFR + 3.380%)(c)(d)

    10        9,794  

Series HH, 4.60%, (Call 02/01/25),
(3-mo. SOFR + 3.125%)(c)(d)

    25        23,455  

M&T Bank Corp., 4.55%, 08/16/28
(Call 08/16/27),
(1-day SOFR + 1.780%)(c)

    20        18,707  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.,
3.78%, 03/02/25

    45        43,699  

Morgan Stanley

    

2.70%, 01/22/31 (Call 01/22/30),
(1-day SOFR + 1.143%)(c)

    15        12,625  

2.72%, 07/22/25 (Call 07/22/24),
(1-day SOFR + 1.152%)(c)

    32        31,054  

3.62%, 04/01/31 (Call 04/01/30),
(1-day SOFR + 3.120%)(c)

    15        13,329  

3.77%, 01/24/29 (Call 01/24/28),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.402%)(c)

    60        55,652  

4.00%, 07/23/25

    10        9,700  

4.43%, 01/23/30 (Call 01/23/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.890%)(c)

    10        9,497  

5.00%, 11/24/25

    40        39,394  

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (The)
2.20%, 11/01/24 (Call 10/02/24)

    10        9,598  

5.58%, 06/12/29 (Call 06/12/28),
(1-day SOFR + 1.841%)(c)

    41        40,664  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Banks (continued)            

6.04%, 10/28/33 (Call 10/28/32),
(1-day SOFR + 2.140%)(c)

  $ 15     $ 15,238  

Royal Bank of Canada

   

2.25%, 11/01/24

    20       19,230  

3.38%, 04/14/25

    20       19,348  

4.88%, 01/12/26

    10       9,879  

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)

   

0.70%, 09/10/24

    5       4,756  

1.45%, 01/10/25

    30       28,434  

3.77%, 06/06/25

    5       4,854  

4.11%, 06/08/27

    14       13,370  

Truist Financial Corp., 4.00%, 05/01/25
(Call 03/01/25)

    25       24,213  

U.S. Bancorp, 1.45%, 05/12/25 (Call 04/11/25)

    20       18,703  

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

2.16%, 02/11/26 (Call 02/11/25),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.012%)(c)

    13       12,291  

2.41%, 10/30/25 (Call 10/30/24),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.087%)(c)

    10       9,589  

2.88%, 10/30/30 (Call 10/30/29),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.432%)(c)

    15       12,836  

3.00%, 04/22/26

    20       18,747  

3.20%, 06/17/27 (Call 06/17/26),
(3-mo. SOFR + 1.432%)(c)

    20       18,697  

3.55%, 09/29/25

    25       23,985  

3.91%, 04/25/26 (Call 04/25/25),
(1-day SOFR + 1.320%)(c)

    18       17,402  

4.90%, 07/25/33 (Call 07/25/32),
(1-day SOFR + 2.100%)(c)

    16       15,055  

5.39%, 04/24/34, (1-day SOFR + 2.020%)(c)

    7       6,818  

5.88%, (Call 06/15/25),
(3-mo. LIBOR US + 3.990%)(c)(d)

    13       12,886  

Westpac Banking Corp., 1.02%, 11/18/24

    10       9,478  
   

 

 

 
       1,437,960  
Beverages — 0.4%            

Anheuser-Busch Companies LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., 4.70%, 02/01/36
(Call 08/01/35)

     24       22,971  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., 8.20%, 01/15/39

    5       6,390  

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc., 4.42%, 05/25/25
(Call 03/25/25)

    6       5,884  

PepsiCo Inc., 2.25%, 03/19/25 (Call 02/19/25)

    20       19,137  
   

 

 

 
      54,382  
Biotechnology — 1.1%            

Amgen Inc.

   

3.13%, 05/01/25 (Call 02/01/25)

    5       4,810  

4.40%, 05/01/45 (Call 11/01/44)

    7       5,890  

5.25%, 03/02/25

    9       8,962  

Biogen Inc.

   

2.25%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    15       12,348  

4.05%, 09/15/25 (Call 06/15/25)

    18       17,457  

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., 3.70%, 03/15/32
(Call 12/15/31)

    10       8,760  

Gilead Sciences Inc.

   

3.65%, 03/01/26 (Call 12/01/25)

    8       7,697  

4.80%, 04/01/44 (Call 10/01/43)

    17       15,638  

5.65%, 12/01/41 (Call 06/01/41)

    7       7,139  

Illumina Inc.

   

2.55%, 03/23/31 (Call 12/23/30)

    5       4,012  

5.75%, 12/13/27 (Call 11/13/27)

    6       5,985  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 1.75%, 09/15/30
(Call 06/15/30)

    15       11,938  

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Biotechnology (continued)            

Royalty Pharma PLC

   

1.20%, 09/02/25 (Call 08/02/25)

  $ 20     $ 18,218  

3.55%, 09/02/50 (Call 03/02/50)

    3       1,961  
   

 

 

 
       130,815  
Building Materials — 0.2%            

Builders FirstSource Inc., 6.38%, 06/15/32
(Call 06/15/27)(a)

    2       1,950  

Carrier Global Corp., 2.24%, 02/15/25 (Call 01/15/25)

    7       6,659  

Eagle Materials Inc., 2.50%, 07/01/31 (Call 04/01/31)

    12       9,688  

Fortune Brands Innovations Inc., 5.88%, 06/01/33
(Call 03/01/33)

    5       4,980  
   

 

 

 
      23,277  
Chemicals — 0.7%            

Albemarle Corp., 5.05%, 06/01/32 (Call 03/01/32)(b)

    5       4,707  

CVR Partners LP/CVR Nitrogen Finance Corp.,
6.13%, 06/15/28 (Call 06/15/24)(a)

    2       1,790  

Dow Chemical Co. (The), 5.55%, 11/30/48
(Call 05/30/48)

    7       6,676  

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

   

4.49%, 11/15/25 (Call 09/15/25)

    5       4,895  

5.32%, 11/15/38 (Call 05/15/38)

    5       4,901  

Eastman Chemical Co., 5.75%, 03/08/33
(Call 12/08/32)

    9       8,877  

EverArc Escrow Sarl, 5.00%, 10/30/29
(Call 10/30/24)(a)

    3       2,465  

FMC Corp., 5.65%, 05/18/33 (Call 02/18/33)

    4       3,814  

Huntsman International LLC, 4.50%, 05/01/29
(Call 02/01/29)

    15       13,891  

LYB International Finance BV, 4.88%, 03/15/44
(Call 09/15/43)

    5       4,235  

LYB International Finance III LLC, 5.63%, 05/15/33
(Call 02/15/33)

    3       2,971  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, 4.63%, 02/26/55
(Call 08/26/54)

    5       3,925  

Sasol Financing USA LLC, 5.50%, 03/18/31
(Call 03/18/30)

    5       4,002  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The), 4.05%, 08/08/24

     20        19,677  

Tronox Inc., 4.63%, 03/15/29 (Call 03/15/24)(a)

    4       3,296  
   

 

 

 
      90,122  
Coal — 0.0%            

SunCoke Energy Inc., 4.88%, 06/30/29
(Call 06/30/24)(a)

    2       1,702  
   

 

 

 
Commercial Services — 1.0%            

ADT Security Corp. (The)

   

4.13%, 08/01/29 (Call 08/01/28)(a)

    3       2,618  

4.88%, 07/15/32(a)

    2       1,725  

APX Group Inc.

   

5.75%, 07/15/29 (Call 07/15/24)(a)

    2       1,723  

6.75%, 02/15/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    5       4,859  

Block Financial LLC, 5.25%, 10/01/25 (Call 07/01/25)

    10       9,847  

Cimpress PLC, 7.00%, 06/15/26 (Call 09/18/23)

    3       2,813  

Deluxe Corp., 8.00%, 06/01/29 (Call 06/01/24)(a)

    2       1,688  

Equifax Inc.

   

2.35%, 09/15/31 (Call 06/15/31)

    10       7,837  

2.60%, 12/01/24 (Call 11/01/24)

    7       6,728  

Global Payments Inc.

   

2.15%, 01/15/27 (Call 12/15/26)

    24       21,389  

3.20%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)

    7       6,094  

Hertz Corp. (The), 5.00%, 12/01/29 (Call 12/01/24)(a)

    5       4,111  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 5.50%, 09/01/28
(Call 09/01/24)(a)

    5       4,246  

NESCO Holdings II Inc., 5.50%, 04/15/29
(Call 04/15/24)(a)

    5       4,534  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance Inc., 6.25%, 01/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)(b)

    7       6,667  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Commercial Services (continued)            

Quanta Services Inc., 2.90%, 10/01/30 (Call 07/01/30)

  $ 20     $ 16,866  

United Rentals North America Inc., 4.88%, 01/15/28
(Call 09/11/23)

    2       1,903  

Verisk Analytics Inc., 4.00%, 06/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    10       9,724  

WW International Inc., 4.50%, 04/15/29
(Call 04/15/24)(a)

    2       1,385  

ZipRecruiter Inc., 5.00%, 01/15/30 (Call 01/15/25)(a)

    2       1,678  
   

 

 

 
       118,435  
Computers — 1.4%            

Apple Inc.

   

0.55%, 08/20/25 (Call 07/20/25)

    20       18,372  

2.40%, 08/20/50 (Call 02/20/50)

    10       6,432  

2.75%, 01/13/25 (Call 11/13/24)

    40       38,759  

Conduent Business Services LLC/Conduent State & Local Solutions Inc., 6.00%, 11/01/29
(Call 11/01/24)(a)

    2       1,650  

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.

   

6.02%, 06/15/26 (Call 03/15/26)

    12       12,126  

8.10%, 07/15/36 (Call 01/15/36)

    13       14,935  

8.35%, 07/15/46 (Call 01/15/46)

    7       8,585  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

   

4.90%, 10/15/25 (Call 07/15/25)

    5       4,934  

5.90%, 10/01/24

    12       12,011  

HP Inc.

   

3.40%, 06/17/30 (Call 03/17/30)

    25       21,830  

6.00%, 09/15/41

    5       4,924  

Leidos Inc.

   

2.30%, 02/15/31 (Call 11/15/30)

    5       3,960  

4.38%, 05/15/30 (Call 02/15/30)

    11       10,140  

5.75%, 03/15/33 (Call 12/15/32)

    4       3,975  

Teledyne FLIR LLC, 2.50%, 08/01/30 (Call 05/01/30)

    5       4,126  

Western Digital Corp., 4.75%, 02/15/26 (Call 11/15/25)

    6       5,721  
   

 

 

 
      172,480  
Cosmetics & Personal Care — 0.1%            

Colgate-Palmolive Co., 3.10%, 08/15/25

    15       14,458  

Coty Inc., 5.00%, 04/15/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    2       1,923  

Coty Inc./HFC Prestige Products Inc./HFC Prestige
International U.S. LLC, 4.75%, 01/15/29
(Call 01/15/25)(a)

    2       1,832  
   

 

 

 
      18,213  
Distribution & Wholesale — 0.1%            

LKQ Corp., 6.25%, 06/15/33 (Call 03/15/33)(a)

    13       12,907  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.4%            

Air Lease Corp., 3.38%, 07/01/25 (Call 06/01/25)

    10       9,527  

American Express Co.

   

2.25%, 03/04/25 (Call 02/01/25)

    5       4,754  

3.55%, (Call 09/15/26), (5-year CMT + 2.854%)(c)(d)

     20       16,650  

3.95%, 08/01/25 (Call 07/01/25)

    21       20,376  

4.99%, 05/01/26, (1-day SOFR + 0.999%)(c)

    16       15,772  

Ameriprise Financial Inc., 3.00%, 04/02/25
(Call 03/02/25)

    10       9,616  

Burford Capital Global Finance LLC, 6.88%, 04/15/30
(Call 04/15/25)(a)

    2       1,834  

Capital One Financial Corp., 4.25%, 04/30/25
(Call 03/31/25)

    20       19,388  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

   

1.15%, 05/13/26 (Call 04/13/26)

    16       14,243  

3.63%, 04/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)

    5       4,844  

3.85%, 05/21/25 (Call 03/21/25)

    6       5,818  

5.38%, (Call 06/01/25), (5-year CMT + 4.971%)(c)(d)

    15       14,475  

Coinbase Global Inc., 3.38%, 10/01/28
(Call 10/01/24)(a)

    7       5,149  

Discover Financial Services, 4.10%, 02/09/27
(Call 11/09/26)

    50       46,385  

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Diversified Financial Services (continued)            

goeasy Ltd., 5.38%, 12/01/24 (Call 10/03/23)(a)

  $ 2     $ 1,973  

Nasdaq Inc., 3.85%, 06/30/26 (Call 03/30/26)

    25       24,058  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings Inc.

   

5.13%, 12/15/30 (Call 12/15/25)(a)

    3       2,541  

5.75%, 11/15/31 (Call 11/15/26)(a)

    5       4,315  

OneMain Finance Corp.

   

6.88%, 03/15/25

    2       1,990  

7.13%, 03/15/26

    7       6,886  

PennyMac Financial Services Inc., 5.75%, 09/15/31
(Call 09/15/26)(a)

    2       1,681  

Radian Group Inc., 4.50%, 10/01/24 (Call 07/01/24)

    20       19,375  

Raymond James Financial Inc., 4.95%, 07/15/46

    8       6,969  

Rocket Mortgage LLC/Rocket Mortgage Co-Issuer Inc., 3.88%, 03/01/31
(Call 03/01/26)(a)

    8       6,512  

SLM Corp., 3.13%, 11/02/26 (Call 10/02/26)

    2       1,780  

Synchrony Financial

   

4.25%, 08/15/24 (Call 05/15/24)

    10       9,740  

7.25%, 02/02/33 (Call 11/02/32)

    2       1,839  

United Wholesale Mortgage LLC, 5.50%, 04/15/29
(Call 04/15/24)(a)

    5       4,338  

Visa Inc.

   

2.00%, 08/15/50 (Call 02/15/50)

    8       4,731  

3.15%, 12/14/25 (Call 09/14/25)

    10       9,590  
   

 

 

 
       297,149  
Electric — 4.4%            

Avangrid Inc.

   

3.20%, 04/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    5       4,785  

3.80%, 06/01/29 (Call 03/01/29)

    15       13,614  

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 4.05%, 04/15/25
(Call 03/15/25)

    10       9,784  

Commonwealth Edison Co., 3.00%, 03/01/50
(Call 09/01/49)

    6       3,973  

Connecticut Light & Power Co. (The), 4.00%,
04/01/48 (Call 10/01/47)

    15       12,212  

Dominion Energy Inc.

   

4.35%, (Call 01/15/27),
(5-year CMT + 3.195%)(c)(d)

    10       8,447  

Series A, 3.30%, 03/15/25 (Call 02/15/25)

    15       14,483  

Series B, 4.65%, (Call 12/15/24),
(5-year CMT + 2.993%)(c)(d)

    10       9,100  

Series C, 3.38%, 04/01/30 (Call 01/01/30)

    19       16,754  

DTE Electric Co., 5.20%, 04/01/33 (Call 01/01/33)

    16       16,060  

DTE Energy Co., 4.22%, 11/01/24(e)

    5       4,904  

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC

   

2.85%, 03/15/32 (Call 12/15/31)

    10       8,438  

3.20%, 08/15/49 (Call 02/15/49)

    10       6,873  

Duke Energy Corp., 3.15%, 08/15/27 (Call 05/15/27)

    20       18,492  

Duke Energy Indiana LLC

   

2.75%, 04/01/50 (Call 10/01/49)

    10       6,098  

5.40%, 04/01/53 (Call 10/01/52)

    8       7,776  

Edison International

   

4.70%, 08/15/25

    15       14,667  

6.95%, 11/15/29 (Call 09/15/29)

    4       4,217  

Emera U.S. Finance LP, 4.75%, 06/15/46
(Call 12/15/45)

     20       15,654  

Entergy Corp., 1.90%, 06/15/28 (Call 04/15/28)

    10       8,566  

Entergy Louisiana LLC, 4.00%, 03/15/33
(Call 12/15/32)

    20       17,944  

Evergy Inc., 2.90%, 09/15/29 (Call 06/15/29)

    15       13,050  

Exelon Corp., 4.05%, 04/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)

    15       13,860  

FirstEnergy Corp.

   

Series C, 3.40%, 03/01/50 (Call 09/01/49)

    3       1,986  

Series C, 5.10%, 07/15/47 (Call 01/15/47)

    2       1,740  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Electric (continued)            

Florida Power & Light Co.

   

2.45%, 02/03/32 (Call 11/03/31)

  $ 26     $ 21,557  

3.95%, 03/01/48 (Call 09/01/47)

    10       8,120  

Fortis Inc./Canada, 3.06%, 10/04/26 (Call 07/04/26)

    20       18,551  

Kentucky Utilities Co., 3.30%, 06/01/50 (Call 12/01/49)

    5       3,443  

National Grid PLC, 5.81%, 06/12/33 (Call 03/12/33)

    13       13,026  

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp.,
5.45%, 10/30/25

    15       15,043  

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings Inc., 4.45%, 06/20/25

    25       24,484  

NRG Energy Inc.
3.88%, 02/15/32 (Call 02/15/27)(a)

    7       5,416  

5.75%, 01/15/28 (Call 09/18/23)

    3       2,838  

Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC, 3.10%, 09/15/49
(Call 03/15/49)

    10       6,791  

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

   

3.15%, 01/01/26

    20       18,635  

4.95%, 06/08/25

    10       9,781  

5.90%, 06/15/32 (Call 03/15/32)

    4       3,829  

6.15%, 01/15/33 (Call 10/15/32)

    10       9,738  

6.75%, 01/15/53 (Call 07/15/52)

    2       1,944  

PG&E Corp., 5.00%, 07/01/28 (Call 09/11/23)(b)

    5       4,600  

Public Service Co. of Colorado, 1.88%, 06/15/31
(Call 12/15/30)

    10       7,891  

Public Service Electric & Gas Co., 3.10%, 03/15/32
(Call 12/15/31)

    5       4,339  

San Diego Gas & Electric Co., Series WWW,
2.95%, 08/15/51 (Call 02/15/51)

    10       6,527  

Sempra Energy

   

3.25%, 06/15/27 (Call 03/15/27)

    10       9,242  

3.40%, 02/01/28 (Call 11/01/27)

    15       13,880  

4.88%, (Call 10/15/25), (5-year CMT + 4.550%)(c)(d)

    15       14,187  

Southern California Edison Co., 5.95%, 11/01/32
(Call 08/01/32)

    12       12,438  

Southern Co. (The)

   

3.25%, 07/01/26 (Call 04/01/26)

    5       4,730  

4.40%, 07/01/46 (Call 01/01/46)

    15       12,353  

Series B, 4.00%, 01/15/51 (Call 10/15/25),
(5-year CMT + 3.733%)(c)

    20       18,546  

Union Electric Co., 2.63%, 03/15/51 (Call 09/15/50)

    10       6,104  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC, 5.50%, 09/01/26
(Call 09/11/23)(a)

    2       1,929  

Wisconsin Public Service Corp., 5.35%, 11/10/25
(Call 10/10/25)

    10       9,998  
   

 

 

 
       543,437  
Electrical Components & Equipment — 0.1%            

Energizer Holdings Inc.

   

4.38%, 03/31/29 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    3       2,569  

4.75%, 06/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    5       4,415  
   

 

 

 
      6,984  
Electronics — 0.4%            

Flex Ltd., 3.75%, 02/01/26 (Call 01/01/26)

    6       5,730  

Honeywell International Inc., 1.35%, 06/01/25
(Call 05/01/25)

     20       18,746  

TD SYNNEX Corp.

   

1.25%, 08/09/24 (Call 09/11/23)

    8       7,626  

1.75%, 08/09/26 (Call 07/09/26)

    5       4,407  

2.38%, 08/09/28 (Call 06/09/28)

    5       4,150  

Trimble Inc., 6.10%, 03/15/33 (Call 12/15/32)

    14       14,136  
   

 

 

 
      54,795  

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Engineering & Construction — 0.1%            

AECOM, 5.13%, 03/15/27 (Call 12/15/26)

  $ 3     $ 2,878  

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., 5.90%, 03/01/33
(Call 12/01/32)

    4       3,958  

Tutor Perini Corp., 6.88%, 05/01/25 (Call 09/18/23)(a)

    2       1,809  
   

 

 

 
      8,645  
Entertainment — 0.1%            

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., 7.50%, 02/15/29
(Call 02/15/25)(a)

    2       1,365  

Live Nation Entertainment Inc., 6.50%, 05/15/27
(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    3       3,003  

Resorts World Las Vegas LLC / RWLV Capital Inc., 8.45%,
07/27/30 (Call 05/27/30)(a)

    5       4,937  
   

 

 

 
      9,305  
Environmental Control — 0.0%            

GFL Environmental Inc., 3.50%, 09/01/28 (Call 03/01/28)(a)

    2       1,767  
   

 

 

 
Food — 0.8%            

Campbell Soup Co., 3.95%, 03/15/25 (Call 01/15/25)

    10       9,734  

Conagra Brands Inc.

   

4.60%, 11/01/25 (Call 09/01/25)

    5       4,895  

4.85%, 11/01/28 (Call 08/01/28)

    5       4,867  

5.30%, 11/01/38 (Call 05/01/38)

     10       9,237  

General Mills Inc., 4.00%, 04/17/25 (Call 02/17/25)

    10       9,747  

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., 3.00%, 06/01/26 (Call 03/01/26)

    15       14,140  

Sysco Corp.

   

5.95%, 04/01/30 (Call 01/01/30)

    20       20,713  

6.60%, 04/01/50 (Call 10/01/49)

    5       5,513  

Tyson Foods Inc., 3.95%, 08/15/24 (Call 05/15/24)

    5       4,911  

Walmart Inc., 3.90%, 09/09/25

    15        14,671  
   

 

 

 
      98,428  
Gas — 0.2%            

AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Finance Corp., 5.75%,
05/20/27 (Call 02/20/27)

    3       2,774  

National Fuel Gas Co., 2.95%, 03/01/31 (Call 12/01/30)

    5       4,022  

NiSource Inc.

   

0.95%, 08/15/25 (Call 07/15/25)

    5       4,583  

3.60%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    10       8,962  

4.38%, 05/15/47 (Call 11/15/46)

    12       9,843  
   

 

 

 
      30,184  
Hand & Machine Tools — 0.1%            

Stanley Black & Decker Inc., 2.30%, 02/24/25
(Call 09/11/23)

    10       9,520  
   

 

 

 
Health Care - Products — 1.0%            

Abbott Laboratories, 2.95%, 03/15/25 (Call 12/15/24)

    5       4,843  

Baxter International Inc., 1.32%, 11/29/24

    10       9,474  

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc., 3.25%, 06/01/30 (Call 03/01/30)

    15       12,886  

HCA Inc.

   

3.13%, 03/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)

    5       4,595  

3.63%, 03/15/32 (Call 12/15/31)

    30       25,802  

Revvity Inc.

   

2.25%, 09/15/31 (Call 06/15/31)

    5       3,937  

3.30%, 09/15/29 (Call 06/15/29)

    15       13,337  

Smith & Nephew PLC, 2.03%, 10/14/30
(Call 07/14/30)

    19       15,033  

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.,

   

1.22%, 10/18/24 (Call 09/11/23)

    10       9,533  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Health Care - Products (continued)            

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

   

2.60%, 11/24/31 (Call 08/24/31)

  $ 15     $ 12,219  

3.55%, 04/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)

    15       14,508  
   

 

 

 
       126,167  
Health Care - Services — 1.0%            

Centene Corp., 4.63%, 12/15/29 (Call 12/15/24)

    30       27,585  

DaVita Inc.

   

3.75%, 02/15/31 (Call 02/15/26)(a)

    2       1,593  

4.63%, 06/01/30 (Call 06/01/25)(a)

    5       4,289  

Elevance Health Inc.

   

2.38%, 01/15/25 (Call 12/15/24)

    5       4,781  

4.65%, 01/15/43

    4       3,554  

5.35%, 10/15/25 (Call 09/15/25)

    10       9,986  

HCA Inc.

   

3.38%, 03/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    10       8,916  

4.13%, 06/15/29 (Call 03/15/29)

     17       15,703  

5.38%, 02/01/25

    5       4,967  

Humana Inc., 4.95%, 10/01/44 (Call 04/01/44)

    5       4,431  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

   

1.55%, 06/01/26 (Call 05/01/26)

    22       19,795  

3.60%, 02/01/25 (Call 11/01/24)

    15       14,550  

UnitedHealth Group Inc., 3.75%, 07/15/25

    10       9,744  
   

 

 

 
      129,894  
Holding Companies — Diversified — 1.1%            

Ares Capital Corp.

   

3.88%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    30       28,061  

4.20%, 06/10/24 (Call 05/10/24)

    25       24,562  

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund, 3.63%, 01/15/26
(Call 12/15/25)

    30       27,790  

Blue Owl Capital Corp., 3.40%, 07/15/26 (Call 06/15/26)

    21       18,915  

FS KKR Capital Corp., 3.13%, 10/12/28 (Call 08/12/28)

    20       16,336  

Goldman Sachs BDC Inc., 2.88%, 01/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    10       9,289  

Golub Capital BDC Inc., 2.50%, 08/24/26 (Call 07/24/26)

    10       8,787  
   

 

 

 
      133,740  
Home Builders — 0.3%            

Brookfield Residential Properties Inc./Brookfield Residential

   

U.S. LLC

   

4.88%, 02/15/30 (Call 02/15/25)(a)

    2       1,652  

6.25%, 09/15/27 (Call 10/03/23)(a)

    2       1,835  

Lennar Corp., 4.75%, 11/29/27 (Call 05/29/27)

    15       14,544  

NVR Inc., 3.00%, 05/15/30 (Call 11/15/29)

    15       12,837  
   

 

 

 
      30,868  
Housewares — 0.0%            

Newell Brands Inc., 6.00%, 04/01/46 (Call 10/01/45)

    3       2,435  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 1.3%            

American International Group Inc.

   

2.50%, 06/30/25 (Call 05/30/25)

    13       12,305  

5.13%, 03/27/33 (Call 12/27/32)

    12       11,607  

Series A-9, 5.75%, 04/01/48 (Call 04/01/28),
(3-mo. LIBOR US + 2.868%)(c)

    10       9,443  

Berkshire Hathaway Inc., 3.13%, 03/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    7       6,712  

Brown & Brown Inc.

   

2.38%, 03/15/31 (Call 12/15/30)

    5       3,997  

4.20%, 03/17/32 (Call 12/17/31)

    5       4,475  

Everest Reinsurance Holdings Inc., 3.50%, 10/15/50
(Call 04/15/50)

    10       6,852  

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Insurance (continued)            

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

   

3.38%, 03/03/31 (Call 12/03/30)

  $ 6     $ 5,029  

5.63%, 08/16/32 (Call 05/16/32)

    13       12,547  

Fidelity National Financial Inc.

   

2.45%, 03/15/31 (Call 12/15/30)

    5       3,976  

3.40%, 06/15/30 (Call 03/15/30)

    5       4,345  

First American Financial Corp., 2.40%, 08/15/31
(Call 05/15/31)

    5       3,834  

Markel Group Inc.

   

3.45%, 05/07/52 (Call 11/07/51)

    5       3,391  

5.00%, 05/20/49 (Call 11/20/48)

    2       1,750  

Old Republic International Corp., 3.85%, 06/11/51
(Call 12/11/50)

    5       3,486  

Prudential Financial Inc.

   

1.50%, 03/10/26 (Call 02/10/26)

    8       7,326  

3.70%, 10/01/50 (Call 07/01/30),
(5-year CMT + 3.035%)(c)

    10       8,510  

5.38%, 05/15/45 (Call 05/15/25),
(3-mo. LIBOR US + 3.031%)(c)

     15        14,666  

5.70%, 09/15/48 (Call 09/15/28),
(3-mo. LIBOR US + 2.665%)(c)

    15       14,203  

Willis North America Inc.

   

4.65%, 06/15/27 (Call 05/15/27)

    20       19,368  

5.35%, 05/15/33 (Call 02/15/33)

    5       4,827  
   

 

 

 
      162,649  
Internet — 0.4%            

Alphabet Inc., 2.05%, 08/15/50 (Call 02/15/50)

    3       1,796  

Amazon.com Inc., 3.00%, 04/13/25

    25       24,195  

Gen Digital Inc., 5.00%, 04/15/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    2       1,961  

GrubHub Holdings Inc., 5.50%, 07/01/27 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    2       1,382  

Netflix Inc., 5.88%, 02/15/25

    10       10,048  

VeriSign Inc., 2.70%, 06/15/31 (Call 03/15/31)

    15       12,281  
   

 

 

 
      51,663  
Iron & Steel — 0.2%            

ArcelorMittal SA, 6.55%, 11/29/27 (Call 10/29/27)

    20       20,511  

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., 5.88%, 06/01/27 (Call 10/02/23)

    3       2,889  

Mineral Resources Ltd., 8.50%, 05/01/30 (Call 05/01/25)(a)

    2       2,007  

U.S. Steel Corp., 6.88%, 03/01/29 (Call 03/01/24)(b)

    2       1,993  
   

 

 

 
      27,400  
Leisure Time — 0.1%            

Carnival Corp.

   

7.63%, 03/01/26 (Call 03/01/24)(a)

    3       2,991  

10.50%, 06/01/30 (Call 06/01/25)(a)

    2       2,130  

NCL Corp. Ltd., 5.88%, 02/15/27 (Call 02/15/24)(a)

    3       2,907  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

   

4.25%, 07/01/26 (Call 01/01/26)(a)

    2       1,865  

5.50%, 08/31/26 (Call 02/28/26)(a)

    7       6,707  

Vista Outdoor Inc., 4.50%, 03/15/29 (Call 03/15/24)(a)

    2       1,667  
   

 

 

 
      18,267  
Lodging — 0.3%            

Hyatt Hotels Corp., 1.80%, 10/01/24 (Call 09/18/23)

    8       7,658  

Marriott International Inc./MD

   

Series EE, 5.75%, 05/01/25 (Call 04/01/25)

    5       5,008  

Series FF, 4.63%, 06/15/30 (Call 03/15/30)

    15       14,214  

Travel + Leisure Co.

   

4.50%, 12/01/29 (Call 09/01/29)(a)

    2       1,721  

6.63%, 07/31/26 (Call 04/30/26)(a)

    3       2,977  
   

 

 

 
      31,578  
Security   Par
(000)
     Value  
Machinery — 0.9%             

Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.

    

0.60%, 09/13/24

  $ 20      $ 19,035  

4.90%, 01/17/25

    10        9,961  

GrafTech Finance Inc., 4.63%, 12/15/28 (Call 12/15/23)(a)

    2        1,570  

GrafTech Global Enterprises Inc., 9.88%, 12/15/28
(Call 12/15/25)(a)

    2        1,950  

John Deere Capital Corp.

    

1.25%, 01/10/25

    20        18,952  

2.13%, 03/07/25

    10        9,544  

4.05%, 09/08/25

    15        14,699  

nVent Finance Sarl, 5.65%, 05/15/33 (Call 02/15/33)

    7        6,775  

Otis Worldwide Corp., 2.06%, 04/05/25 (Call 03/05/25)

    10        9,476  

Vertiv Group Corp., 4.13%, 11/15/28 (Call 11/15/24)(a)

    2        1,796  

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp.
3.20%, 06/15/25 (Call 05/15/25)

    10        9,539  

4.95%, 09/15/28 (Call 06/15/28)

     13        12,539  
    

 

 

 
        115,836  
Manufacturing — 0.2%             

Carlisle Companies Inc., 2.75%, 03/01/30 (Call 12/01/29)

    7        5,923  

General Electric Co.

    

5.88%, 01/14/38

    4        4,202  

6.75%, 03/15/32

    14        15,613  

LSB Industries Inc., 6.25%, 10/15/28 (Call 10/15/24)(a)

    5        4,573  
    

 

 

 
       30,311  
Media — 1.0%             

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. 4.25%, 01/15/34 (Call 01/15/28)(a)

    5        3,829  

4.50%, 06/01/33 (Call 06/01/27)(a)

    5        3,947  

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter
Communications Operating Capital, 4.91%,
07/23/25 (Call 04/23/25)

    12        11,785  

Comcast Corp. 2.99%, 11/01/63 (Call 05/01/63)

    5        3,023  

3.95%, 10/15/25 (Call 08/15/25)

    10        9,740  

5.25%, 11/07/25

    20        20,026  

Directv Financing LLC/Directv Financing Co-Obligor Inc.,
5.88%, 08/15/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    4        3,545  

Fox Corp.
4.71%, 01/25/29 (Call 10/25/28)

    10        9,647  

5.48%, 01/25/39 (Call 07/25/38)

    15        13,613  

GCI LLC, 4.75%, 10/15/28 (Call 10/15/23)(a)

    2        1,735  

Sirius XM Radio Inc.
3.88%, 09/01/31 (Call 09/01/26)(a)

    5        3,891  

4.13%, 07/01/30 (Call 07/01/25)(a)

    3        2,446  

5.50%, 07/01/29 (Call 07/01/24)(a)

    2        1,800  

TEGNA Inc., 4.63%, 03/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)

    5        4,466  

Townsquare Media Inc., 6.88%, 02/01/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    2        1,925  

UPC Broadband Finco BV, 4.88%, 07/15/31
(Call 07/15/26)(a)

    5        4,127  

Urban One Inc., 7.38%, 02/01/28 (Call 02/01/24)(a)

    2        1,739  

VTR Finance NV, 6.38%, 07/15/28 (Call 07/15/24)(a)

    2        910  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    

3.35%, 03/24/25

    20        19,407  

6.65%, 11/15/37

    5        5,634  
    

 

 

 
       127,235  
Mining — 0.5%             

Azul Secured Finance LLP, 11.93%, 08/28/28(a)

    5        4,962  

Eldorado Gold Corp., 6.25%, 09/01/29 (Call 09/01/24)(a)

    2        1,708  

Endeavour Mining PLC, 5.00%, 10/14/26 (Call 10/14/23)(a)

    2        1,755  

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

Mining (continued)

   

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
6.88%, 03/01/26 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

  $ 2     $ 1,970  

7.50%, 04/01/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    4       3,993  

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
4.63%, 08/01/30 (Call 08/01/25)

    15       13,873  

5.45%, 03/15/43 (Call 09/15/42)

    3       2,693  

IAMGOLD Corp., 5.75%, 10/15/28 (Call 10/15/23)(a)

    2       1,547  

Newmont Corp., 4.88%, 03/15/42 (Call 09/15/41)

    10       8,974  

Southern Copper Corp., 5.88%, 04/23/45

    15       14,763  

Stillwater Mining Co., 4.50%, 11/16/29 (Call 11/16/25)(a)

    4       3,150  
   

 

 

 
      59,388  
Office & Business Equipment — 0.1%            

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.
3.28%, 12/01/28 (Call 10/01/28)

    5       4,385  

3.57%, 12/01/31 (Call 09/01/31)

    15       12,683  
   

 

 

 
      17,068  
Office Furnishings — 0.0%            

Steelcase Inc., 5.13%, 01/18/29 (Call 10/18/28)

    2       1,769  
   

 

 

 
Oil & Gas — 2.0%            

Baytex Energy Corp., 8.50%, 04/30/30(a)

    7       7,098  

BP Capital Markets PLC
4.38%, (Call 06/22/25), (5-year CMT + 4.036%)(c)(d)

    25       23,919  

4.88%, (Call 03/22/30), (5-year CMT + 4.398%)(c)(d)

    13       11,773  

California Resources Corp., 7.13%, 02/01/26

   

(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    2       2,005  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., 3.85%, 06/01/27

   

(Call 03/01/27)(b)

    20        18,921  

Chevron Corp., 1.55%, 05/11/25 (Call 04/11/25)

    5       4,703  

Chevron USA Inc., 0.69%, 08/12/25 (Call 07/12/25)

    10       9,202  

CNX Resources Corp.
7.25%, 03/14/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    5       4,995  

7.38%, 01/15/31 (Call 01/15/26)(a)

    2       1,996  

Comstock Resources Inc., 6.75%, 03/01/29

   

(Call 03/01/24)(a)

    5       4,678  

Coterra Energy Inc., 3.90%, 05/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)

     10       9,508  

Crescent Energy Finance LLC, 9.25%, 02/15/28

   

(Call 02/15/25)(a)

    2       2,046  

Earthstone Energy Holdings LLC, 8.00%, 04/15/27

   

(Call 04/15/24)(a)

    2       2,041  

Energean PLC, 6.50%, 04/30/27 (Call 10/30/23)(a)

    2       1,826  

EOG Resources Inc., 4.15%, 01/15/26 (Call 10/15/25)

    2       1,958  

EQT Corp., 6.13%, 02/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)

    2       1,996  

Exxon Mobil Corp. 2.99%, 03/19/25 (Call 02/19/25)

    10       9,682  

3.04%, 03/01/26 (Call 12/01/25)

    19       18,153  

Gulfport Energy Operating Corp., 8.00%, 05/17/26

   

(Call 05/17/24)(a)

    1       1,016  

Harbour Energy PLC, 5.50%, 10/15/26 (Call 10/15/23)(a)

    2       1,867  

Ithaca Energy North Sea PLC, 9.00%, 07/15/26

   

(Call 10/02/23)(a)

    3       2,873  

Kosmos Energy Ltd., 7.50%, 03/01/28 (Call 03/01/24)(a)

    5       4,400  

Marathon Petroleum Corp., 4.70%, 05/01/25 (Call 04/01/25)

    15       14,738  

Matador Resources Co., 5.88%, 09/15/26 (Call 09/18/23)

    3       2,926  

Northern Oil and Gas Inc., 8.13%, 03/01/28

   

(Call 03/01/24)(a)

    2       2,005  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.
5.55%, 03/15/26 (Call 12/15/25)

    2       1,983  

5.88%, 09/01/25 (Call 06/01/25)

    8       7,982  

7.50%, 05/01/31

    6       6,501  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil & Gas (continued)            

8.88%, 07/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)

  $ 14     $ 16,050  

PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp.
6.00%, 02/15/28 (Call 10/02/23)

    2       1,892  

7.25%, 06/15/25 (Call 09/13/23)

    2       2,000  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 2.15%, 01/15/31

   

(Call 10/15/30)

    10       8,104  

Shell International Finance BV
2.00%, 11/07/24 (Call 10/07/24)

    5       4,808  

3.25%, 05/11/25

    5       4,840  

Talos Production Inc., 12.00%, 01/15/26 (Call 09/18/23)

    3       3,127  

TotalEnergies Capital International SA, 2.43%, 01/10/25

   

 (Call 10/10/24)

    5       4,808  

Valero Energy Corp., 6.63%, 06/15/37

    21       22,351  
   

 

 

 
      250,771  
Oil & Gas Services — 0.1%            

Archrock Partners LP/Archrock Partners Finance Corp.,
6.88%, 04/01/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    3       2,949  

CGG SA, 8.75%, 04/01/27 (Call 04/01/24)(a)

    2       1,721  

USA Compression Partners LP/USA Compression

   

Finance Corp.
6.88%, 04/01/26 (Call 10/02/23)

    2       1,977  

6.88%, 09/01/27 (Call 10/02/23)

    2       1,950  

Weatherford International Ltd., 8.63%, 04/30/30

   

(Call 10/30/24)(a)

    3       3,073  
   

 

 

 
      11,670  
Packaging & Containers — 0.4%            

Amcor Finance USA Inc., 5.63%, 05/26/33 (Call 02/26/33)

    15       14,884  

Amcor Flexibles North America Inc., 2.69%, 05/25/31

   

 (Call 02/25/31)

    15       12,204  

Berry Global Inc., 5.63%, 07/15/27 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    2       1,961  

Graham Packaging Co. Inc., 7.13%, 08/15/28

   

 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    2       1,744  

WRKCo Inc., 3.75%, 03/15/25 (Call 01/15/25)

     15       14,549  
   

 

 

 
       45,342  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.1%            

AbbVie Inc.
2.60%, 11/21/24 (Call 10/21/24)

    10       9,648  

3.60%, 05/14/25 (Call 02/14/25)

    10       9,698  

3.80%, 03/15/25 (Call 12/15/24)

    10       9,737  

4.50%, 05/14/35 (Call 11/14/34)

    7       6,586  

4.70%, 05/14/45 (Call 11/14/44)

    10       8,993  

Astrazeneca Finance LLC, 1.20%, 05/28/26 (Call 04/28/26)

    7       6,319  

AstraZeneca PLC
3.38%, 11/16/25

    5       4,806  

6.45%, 09/15/37

    10       11,248  

Cencora Inc., 2.70%, 03/15/31 (Call 12/15/30)

    18       15,141  

Cigna Group (The)
4.13%, 11/15/25 (Call 09/15/25)

    6       5,846  

4.38%, 10/15/28 (Call 07/15/28)

    13       12,520  

4.80%, 07/15/46 (Call 01/16/46)

    15       13,318  

CVS Health Corp.
3.88%, 07/20/25 (Call 04/20/25)

    10       9,701  

4.30%, 03/25/28 (Call 12/25/27)

    20       19,209  

4.78%, 03/25/38 (Call 09/25/37)

    15       13,433  

Elanco Animal Health Inc., 6.65%, 08/28/28

   

(Call 05/28/28)(b)

    2       1,973  

GlaxoSmithKline Capital Inc., 3.63%, 05/15/25

    5       4,875  

Grifols Escrow Issuer SA, 4.75%, 10/15/28 (Call 10/15/24)(a)

    4       3,509  

 

 

26  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)            

Johnson & Johnson
2.25%, 09/01/50 (Call 03/01/50)

  $ 24     $ 15,125  

2.45%, 03/01/26 (Call 12/01/25)

    5       4,718  

Merck & Co. Inc., 2.75%, 02/10/25 (Call 11/10/24)

    5       4,834  

Novartis Capital Corp., 3.00%, 11/20/25 (Call 08/20/25)

    15       14,348  

Pfizer Inc., 0.80%, 05/28/25 (Call 04/28/25)

    10       9,276  

Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte Ltd., 4.45%, 05/19/26

   

 (Call 04/19/26)

    13       12,790  

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC, 3.20%, 09/23/26

   

 (Call 06/23/26)

     15       14,090  

Zoetis Inc., 5.40%, 11/14/25 (Call 10/14/25)

    15        15,003  
   

 

 

 
      256,744  
Pipelines — 3.2%            

Antero Midstream Partners LP/Antero Midstream Finance

   

Corp., 5.75%, 03/01/27 (Call 09/18/23)(a)

    3       2,908  

Boardwalk Pipelines LP

 3.40%, 02/15/31 (Call 11/15/30)

    7       5,968  

3.60%, 09/01/32 (Call 06/01/32)

    5       4,204  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC
3.70%, 11/15/29 (Call 05/18/29)

    3       2,727  

5.13%, 06/30/27 (Call 01/01/27)

    16       15,830  

Cheniere Energy Inc., 4.63%, 10/15/28 (Call 10/15/23)

    15       14,120  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP, 4.50%, 10/01/29

   

(Call 10/01/24)

    20       18,454  

Columbia Pipeline Group Inc., 4.50%, 06/01/25

   

(Call 03/01/25)

    10       9,757  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream

   

Finance Corp., 8.00%, 04/01/29 (Call 04/01/24)(a)

    2       2,067  

Enbridge Inc.
4.25%, 12/01/26 (Call 09/01/26)

    7       6,757  

5.50%, 07/15/77 (Call 07/15/27),

   

 (3-mo. SOFR + 3.680%)(c)

    15       13,468  

6.25%, 03/01/78 (Call 03/01/28),

   

 (3-mo. SOFR + 3.903%)(c)

    10       9,315  

Energy Transfer LP
4.95%, 05/15/28 (Call 02/15/28)

    10       9,715  

5.25%, 04/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    16       15,632  

5.75%, 02/15/33 (Call 11/15/32)

    6       5,965  

EnLink Midstream Partners LP, 4.15%, 06/01/25

   

(Call 03/01/25)

    2       1,936  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC
3.70%, 02/15/26 (Call 11/15/25)

    6       5,786  

Series E, 5.25%, 08/16/77 (Call 08/16/27),

   

 (3-mo. SOFR + 3.295%)(c)

    19       16,717  

EQM Midstream Partners LP, 6.50%, 07/15/48

   

(Call 01/15/48)

    2       1,815  

Holly Energy Partners LP/Holly Energy Finance Corp.,
5.00%, 02/01/28 (Call 09/18/23)(a)

    2       1,876  

Kinder Morgan Inc.
4.30%, 06/01/25 (Call 03/01/25)

    5       4,889  

4.30%, 03/01/28 (Call 12/01/27)

    15       14,299  

5.30%, 12/01/34 (Call 06/01/34)

    4       3,804  

MPLX LP
4.50%, 04/15/38 (Call 10/15/37)

    14       11,861  

4.88%, 12/01/24 (Call 09/01/24)

    10       9,870  

4.88%, 06/01/25 (Call 03/01/25)

    13       12,789  

New Fortress Energy Inc., 6.50%, 09/30/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    7       6,507  

ONEOK Inc.
3.10%, 03/15/30 (Call 12/15/29)

    5       4,293  

3.40%, 09/01/29 (Call 06/01/29)

    3       2,650  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Pipelines (continued)            

4.55%, 07/15/28 (Call 04/15/28)

  $ 13     $ 12,396  

6.10%, 11/15/32 (Call 08/15/32)

    7       7,110  

Plains All American Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp.,
4.65%, 10/15/25 (Call 07/15/25)

    10       9,752  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC
4.20%, 03/15/28 (Call 09/15/27)

    17       16,099  

4.50%, 05/15/30 (Call 11/15/29)

    10       9,410  

5.63%, 03/01/25 (Call 12/01/24)

    10       9,967  

Targa Resources Corp., 4.88%, 02/01/31 (Call 02/01/26)

    20       18,370  

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., 4.10%, 04/15/30

   

 (Call 01/15/30)

    20       18,321  

Transcanada Trust, 5.30%, 03/15/77 (Call 03/15/27),

   

 (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.208%)(c)

    12       10,440  

Western Midstream Operating LP
3.10%, 02/01/25 (Call 01/01/25)

     13       12,449  

4.05%, 02/01/30 (Call 11/01/29)

    16       14,272  

6.15%, 04/01/33 (Call 01/01/33)

    4       3,980  

Williams Companies Inc. (The), 4.00%, 09/15/25

   

(Call 06/15/25)

    15        14,527  
   

 

 

 
      393,072  
Real Estate — 0.0%            

Kennedy-Wilson Inc., 4.75%, 03/01/29 (Call 03/01/24)

    2       1,607  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 2.9%            

American Homes 4 Rent LP, 3.63%, 04/15/32

   

(Call 01/15/32)

    5       4,284  

American Tower Corp.
1.50%, 01/31/28 (Call 11/30/27)

    5       4,199  

2.40%, 03/15/25 (Call 02/15/25)

    20       18,981  

3.80%, 08/15/29 (Call 05/15/29)

    15       13,642  

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc.,
4.63%, 06/15/29 (Call 06/15/24)(a)

    2       1,568  

AvalonBay Communities Inc., 3.50%, 11/15/25

   

(Call 08/15/25)

    15       14,356  

Boston Properties LP, 3.20%, 01/15/25 (Call 10/15/24)

    15       14,384  

Brixmor Operating Partnership LP
3.85%, 02/01/25 (Call 11/01/24)

    10       9,646  

4.13%, 05/15/29 (Call 02/15/29)

    14       12,735  

Brookfield Property REIT Inc./BPR Cumulus LLC/BPR

   

Nimbus LLC/GGSI Sellco LL, 5.75%, 05/15/26

   

(Call 09/11/23)(a)

    5       4,587  

Crown Castle International Corp.
3.80%, 02/15/28 (Call 11/15/27)

    15       13,951  

4.45%, 02/15/26 (Call 11/15/25)

    5       4,870  

CubeSmart LP, 2.25%, 12/15/28 (Call 10/15/28)

    5       4,234  

Digital Realty Trust LP
3.60%, 07/01/29 (Call 04/01/29)

    10       9,018  

3.70%, 08/15/27 (Call 05/15/27)

    5       4,658  

5.55%, 01/15/28 (Call 12/15/27)

    24       23,934  

Equinix Inc.
2.15%, 07/15/30 (Call 04/15/30)

    10       8,069  

3.20%, 11/18/29 (Call 08/18/29)

    10       8,760  

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II Inc.
5.25%, 06/01/25 (Call 03/01/25)

    10       9,816  

5.30%, 01/15/29 (Call 10/15/28)

    15       14,144  

Host Hotels & Resorts LP, Series I, 3.50%, 09/15/30

   

(Call 06/15/30)

    15       12,797  

Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP
2.30%, 11/15/28 (Call 09/15/28)

    10       8,497  

4.15%, 04/15/32 (Call 01/15/32)

    5       4,450  

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Real Estate Investment Trusts (continued)            

Iron Mountain Inc., 5.63%, 07/15/32 (Call 07/15/26)(a)

  $ 5     $ 4,487  

Office Properties Income Trust, 4.50%, 02/01/25

   

 (Call 11/01/24)

    2       1,788  

Park Intermediate Holdings LLC/PK Domestic

   

Property LLC/PK Finance Co-Issuer, 5.88%, 10/01/28

   

 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    3       2,775  

Physicians Realty LP, 2.63%, 11/01/31 (Call 08/01/31)

    5       3,884  

RLJ Lodging Trust LP
3.75%, 07/01/26 (Call 10/02/23)(a)

    5       4,581  

4.00%, 09/15/29 (Call 09/15/24)(a)

    2       1,673  

Service Properties Trust, 4.75%, 10/01/26 (Call 08/01/26)

    2       1,738  

Simon Property Group LP
2.00%, 09/13/24 (Call 06/13/24)

     10       9,618  

3.38%, 06/15/27 (Call 03/15/27)

    10       9,327  

Sun Communities Operating LP
2.70%, 07/15/31 (Call 04/15/31)

    15        11,910  

4.20%, 04/15/32 (Call 01/15/32)

    5       4,397  

Uniti Group LP/Uniti Group Finance Inc./CSL Capital LLC
6.50%, 02/15/29 (Call 02/15/24)(a)

    2       1,365  

10.50%, 02/15/28 (Call 09/15/25)(a)

    5       4,988  

Ventas Realty LP, 4.40%, 01/15/29 (Call 10/15/28)

    13       12,205  

VICI Properties LP
4.75%, 02/15/28 (Call 01/15/28)

    20       19,019  

4.95%, 02/15/30 (Call 12/15/29)

    10       9,406  

Welltower Inc., 3.85%, 06/15/32 (Call 03/15/32)

    10       8,788  

Welltower OP LLC, 3.10%, 01/15/30 (Call 10/15/29)

    14       12,165  

Weyerhaeuser Co., 4.00%, 11/15/29 (Call 08/15/29)

    10       9,228  

WP Carey Inc., 2.40%, 02/01/31 (Call 11/01/30)

    5       3,996  

XHR LP, 6.38%, 08/15/25 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    2       1,976  
   

 

 

 
      364,894  
Retail — 1.3%            

Arko Corp., 5.13%, 11/15/29 (Call 11/15/24)(a)

    2       1,643  

Bath & Body Works Inc.
6.75%, 07/01/36

    2       1,846  

6.88%, 11/01/35

    5       4,675  

Carvana Co., 10.25%, 05/01/30 (Call 05/01/27)(a)

    3       2,326  

Dollar General Corp., 5.45%, 07/05/33 (Call 04/05/33)

    16       15,525  

Dollar Tree Inc.
4.00%, 05/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    5       4,851  

4.20%, 05/15/28 (Call 02/15/28)

    15       14,234  

FirstCash Inc., 5.63%, 01/01/30 (Call 01/01/25)(a)

    5       4,539  

Gap Inc. (The)
3.63%, 10/01/29 (Call 10/01/24)(a)

    2       1,523  

3.88%, 10/01/31 (Call 10/01/26)(a)

    5       3,623  

Home Depot Inc. (The), 2.70%, 04/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    10       9,605  

Kohl’s Corp., 4.63%, 05/01/31 (Call 02/01/31)

    2       1,472  

Lowe’s Companies Inc., 4.00%, 04/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    10       9,773  

McDonald’s Corp.
3.30%, 07/01/25 (Call 06/01/25)

    15       14,487  

4.70%, 12/09/35 (Call 06/09/35)

    5       4,777  

Nordstrom Inc., 5.00%, 01/15/44 (Call 07/15/43)

    2       1,270  

QVC Inc.
4.38%, 09/01/28 (Call 06/01/28)(b)

    5       2,829  

4.75%, 02/15/27 (Call 11/15/26)

    2       1,320  

Ross Stores Inc., 4.60%, 04/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    25       24,563  

Target Corp., 2.25%, 04/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    10       9,546  

Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.
3.45%, 06/01/26 (Call 03/01/26)

    13       12,280  

3.80%, 11/18/24 (Call 08/18/24)

    5       4,882  

4.80%, 11/18/44 (Call 05/18/44)

    5       3,912  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Retail (continued)            

Walmart Inc., 3.55%, 06/26/25 (Call 04/26/25)

  $ 10     $ 9,735  
   

 

 

 
      165,236  
Semiconductors — 1.6%            

Broadcom Corp./Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd.,
3.88%, 01/15/27 (Call 10/15/26)

    10       9,502  

Broadcom Inc.
3.15%, 11/15/25 (Call 10/15/25)

    10       9,517  

4.00%, 04/15/29 (Call 02/15/29)(a)

    18        16,601  

4.15%, 11/15/30 (Call 08/15/30)

    10       9,143  

4.75%, 04/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    10       9,644  

5.00%, 04/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)

    5       4,927  

Intel Corp., 3.40%, 03/25/25 (Call 02/25/25)

     20       19,421  

Marvell Technology Inc.
2.45%, 04/15/28 (Call 02/15/28)

    10       8,770  

2.95%, 04/15/31 (Call 01/15/31)

    10       8,344  

Microchip Technology Inc., 4.25%, 09/01/25 (Call 10/02/23)

    15       14,598  

Micron Technology Inc.
4.66%, 02/15/30 (Call 11/15/29)

    15       14,060  

6.75%, 11/01/29 (Call 09/01/29)

    5       5,203  

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC/NXP USA Inc.
3.40%, 05/01/30 (Call 02/01/30)

    15       13,178  

4.30%, 06/18/29 (Call 03/18/29)

    16       14,984  

Qorvo Inc.
1.75%, 12/15/24 (Call 09/11/23)(a)

    10       9,379  

4.38%, 10/15/29 (Call 10/15/24)

    13       11,778  

QUALCOMM Inc., 3.45%, 05/20/25 (Call 02/20/25)

    5       4,857  

Skyworks Solutions Inc.
1.80%, 06/01/26 (Call 05/01/26)

    5       4,469  

3.00%, 06/01/31 (Call 03/01/31)

    5       4,068  
   

 

 

 
      192,443  
Shipbuilding — 0.1%            

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc.
2.04%, 08/16/28 (Call 06/16/28)

    10       8,481  

3.84%, 05/01/25 (Call 04/01/25)

    10       9,675  
   

 

 

 
      18,156  
Software — 1.5%            

Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., 2.90%, 12/01/29

   

(Call 09/01/29)

    10       8,620  

Fiserv Inc., 3.85%, 06/01/25 (Call 03/01/25)

    10       9,706  

Microsoft Corp., 2.70%, 02/12/25 (Call 11/12/24)

    30       29,014  

MicroStrategy Inc., 6.13%, 06/15/28 (Call 06/15/24)(a)

    3       2,686  

Oracle Corp.
2.50%, 04/01/25 (Call 03/01/25)

    10       9,521  

2.88%, 03/25/31 (Call 12/25/30)

    15       12,673  

2.95%, 11/15/24 (Call 09/15/24)

    30       29,052  

2.95%, 04/01/30 (Call 01/01/30)

    9       7,801  

4.30%, 07/08/34 (Call 01/08/34)

    15       13,450  

5.38%, 07/15/40

    15       13,982  

6.25%, 11/09/32 (Call 08/09/32)

    21       21,980  

ROBLOX Corp., 3.88%, 05/01/30 (Call 11/01/24)(a)

    3       2,475  

Roper Technologies Inc., 1.00%, 09/15/25 (Call 08/15/25)

    10       9,159  

VMware Inc.
3.90%, 08/21/27 (Call 05/21/27)

    15       14,135  

4.50%, 05/15/25 (Call 04/15/25)

    5       4,896  
   

 

 

 
      189,150  
Telecommunications — 2.0%            

AT&T Inc.
5.25%, 03/01/37 (Call 09/01/36)

    10       9,479  

5.54%, 02/20/26 (Call 02/20/24)

    25       24,958  

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Telecommunications (continued)            

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV,
8.75%, 06/15/30

  $ 10     $ 11,774  

Frontier Communications Holdings LLC
6.75%, 05/01/29 (Call 05/01/24)(a)

    3       2,328  

8.75%, 05/15/30 (Call 05/15/25)(a)

    5       4,860  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., 5.25%, 08/01/26

    2       1,839  

Motorola Solutions Inc.
2.30%, 11/15/30 (Call 08/15/30)

    5       3,985  

2.75%, 05/24/31 (Call 02/24/31)

      15       12,168  

4.60%, 05/23/29 (Call 02/23/29)

    10       9,636  

Orange SA, 9.00%, 03/01/31

    10       12,133  

Rogers Communications Inc., 3.80%, 03/15/32

   

(Call 12/15/31)

    18       15,395  

Sprint Capital Corp.
6.88%, 11/15/28

    10       10,564  

8.75%, 03/15/32

    12       14,302  

TELUS Corp., 3.40%, 05/13/32 (Call 02/13/32)

    17       14,314  

T-Mobile USA Inc.
2.25%, 02/15/26 (Call 09/11/23)

    5       4,623  

2.40%, 03/15/29 (Call 01/15/29)

    2       1,719  

2.55%, 02/15/31 (Call 11/15/30)

    15       12,360  

3.50%, 04/15/25 (Call 03/15/25)

    6       5,800  

3.60%, 11/15/60 (Call 05/15/60)

    2       1,339  

3.75%, 04/15/27 (Call 02/15/27)

    10       9,478  

3.88%, 04/15/30 (Call 01/15/30)

    17       15,516  

4.38%, 04/15/40 (Call 10/15/39)

    5       4,297  

Verizon Communications Inc.
0.85%, 11/20/25 (Call 10/20/25)

    10       9,069  

1.45%, 03/20/26 (Call 02/20/26)

    5       4,536  

3.38%, 02/15/25

    6       5,821  

4.27%, 01/15/36

    3       2,663  

4.40%, 11/01/34 (Call 05/01/34)

    5       4,530  

5.25%, 03/16/37

    15       14,612  

Vodafone Group PLC, 4.13%, 05/30/25

    5       4,886  
   

 

 

 
      248,984  
Transportation — 0.4%            

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 3.00%, 04/01/25

   

(Call 01/01/25)

    7       6,760  

Canadian Pacific Railway Co., 1.35%, 12/02/24

   

(Call 10/03/23)

    10       9,479  

Ryder System Inc., 3.35%, 09/01/25 (Call 08/01/25)

    5       4,784  

Union Pacific Corp., 3.75%, 07/15/25 (Call 05/15/25)

    10       9,715  

United Parcel Service Inc.
3.90%, 04/01/25 (Call 03/01/25)

    10       9,793  

6.20%, 01/15/38

    10       11,178  
   

 

 

 
      51,709  
Trucking & Leasing — 0.0%            

Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC,
5.50%, 05/01/28 (Call 05/01/24)(a)

    3       2,787  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes — 54.7%

   

(Cost: $6,946,884)

       6,810,680  
   

 

 

 

U.S. Government & Agency Obligations

   
Mortgage-Backed Securities — 29.4%            

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 4.00%, 02/01/53

    48       44,981  

Federal National Mortgage Association
1.50%, 09/01/52(f)

    25       18,851  

2.50%, 09/01/38(f)

    100       89,926  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

3.00%, 09/01/38(f)

  $ 50     $ 46,199  

3.50%, 09/01/38(f)

    25       23,572  

3.50%, 07/01/50

    17       15,509  

4.00%, 09/01/38(f)

    25       24,002  

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass

   

Through Certificates

   

Series K081, Class A2, 3.90%, 08/25/28(c)

    30       28,812  

Series K108, Class A2, 1.52%, 03/25/30

    16       13,117  

Series K123, Class A2, 1.62%, 12/25/30 (Call 01/25/31)

    47       37,609  

Government National Mortgage Association
2.00%, 09/21/53(f)

    50       41,238  

2.50%, 09/21/53(f)

     125       106,338  

3.00%, 08/20/51

    46       40,684  

3.00%, 02/20/52

    70       61,977  

3.50%, 03/20/49

    27       24,521  

3.50%, 09/21/53(f)

    71       64,469  

4.00%, 09/21/53(f)

    50       46,586  

4.50%, 03/20/49

    24       23,386  

4.50%, 08/20/52

    28       26,426  

5.00%, 09/21/53(f)

    75       72,980  

5.50%, 12/20/52

    18       18,251  

5.50%, 07/20/53

    9       9,202  

5.50%, 09/21/53(f)

    75       74,238  

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities 1.50%, 03/01/36

    3       2,472  

1.50%, 02/01/37

    61       52,654  

1.50%, 03/01/37

    46       39,769  

1.50%, 07/01/51

    20       15,104  

1.50%, 11/01/51

    24       18,073  

2.00%, 11/01/35

    64       56,477  

2.00%, 09/19/37(f)

    108       94,280  

2.00%, 08/01/50

    294       235,430  

2.00%, 10/01/50

    25       20,181  

2.00%, 12/01/51

    24       18,841  

2.00%, 02/01/52

    26       20,663  

2.00%, 03/01/52

    471       375,956  

2.00%, 09/14/53(f)

    125       99,526  

2.50%, 09/01/51

    170       141,027  

2.50%, 11/01/51

    43       35,571  

2.50%, 01/01/52

    179       148,472  

2.50%, 09/14/53(f)

    250       207,090  

3.00%, 12/01/49

    97       84,346  

3.00%, 09/01/53(f)

    225       193,843  

3.50%, 05/01/50

    21       18,715  

3.50%, 06/01/50

    11       9,579  

3.50%, 09/14/53(f)

    200       178,758  

4.00%, 05/01/52

    26       23,981  

4.00%, 09/14/53(f)

    97       89,528  

4.50%, 09/14/53(f)

    125       118,516  

5.00%, 09/14/53(f)

    125       121,204  

5.50%, 01/01/53

    24       24,113  

5.50%, 09/14/53(f)

    135       133,291  

6.00%, 09/14/53(f)

    125       125,327  
   

 

 

 
      3,655,661  
U.S. Government Obligations — 13.6%            

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond
0.63%, 08/15/30

    58       45,700  

1.13%, 08/15/40

    67       41,134  

1.38%, 11/15/31

    100       81,043  

1.38%, 11/15/40

    106       67,670  

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  

 

 
U.S. Government Obligations (continued)            

1.38%, 08/15/50

  $ 187     $ 100,751  

1.63%, 11/15/50

    177       102,615  

1.75%, 08/15/41

    145       97,427  

1.88%, 02/15/32

    159       133,641  

1.88%, 02/15/41

    136       94,521  

1.88%, 02/15/51

    79       48,736  

1.88%, 11/15/51

    101       61,814  

2.25%, 08/15/46

    39       26,864  

2.50%, 02/15/45

    130       95,464  

2.50%, 02/15/46

    38       27,627  

2.50%, 05/15/46

    38       27,593  

2.75%, 08/15/32

    149       133,745  

2.88%, 08/15/45

    88       68,857  

3.00%, 11/15/45

    45       35,951  

3.50%, 02/15/33

    70       66,664  

3.63%, 05/15/53

    70       63,131  

4.00%, 11/15/42

    109       103,418  

4.13%, 11/15/32

    140       139,934  

4.13%, 08/15/53

    35       34,530  
   

 

 

 
      1,698,830  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations — 43.0%
(Cost: $5,773,407)

      5,354,491  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.2%
(Cost: $12,933,401)

      12,345,190  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 16.5%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 5.52%(g)(h)

    1,893       1,893,436  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 5.31%(g)(h)(i)

    159       158,735  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 16.5%
(Cost: $2,051,593)

      2,052,171  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before TBA Sales Commitments — 115.7%
(Cost: $14,984,994)

      14,397,361  
   

 

 

 
Security  
Par
(000)
    Value  

 

 

TBA Sales Commitments

   
Mortgage-Backed Securities — (0.7)%            

Government National Mortgage Association, 5.50%, 09/21/53(f)

  $ (25   $ (24,746

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities, 2.00%, 09/14/53(f)

  $ (75     (59,716
   

 

 

 

Total TBA Sales Commitments — (0.7)%
(Proceeds: $(83,535))

      (84,462
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of TBA Sales
Commitments — 115.0%
(Cost: $14,901,459)

 

     14,312,899  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (15.0)%

              (1,872,280
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 12,440,619  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

(b)

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c)

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

(d)

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(e)

Step coupon security. Coupon rate will either increase (step-up bond) or decrease (step-down bond) at regular intervals until maturity. Interest rate shown reflects the rate currently in effect.

(f)

Represents or includes a TBA transaction.

(g)

Affiliate of the Fund.

(h)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(i)

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended August 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
02/28/23
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
08/31/23
     Shares
Held at
08/31/23
(000)
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

   $ 2,172,145      $      $ (278,265 )(a)     $ 188      $ (632    $ 1,893,436        1,893      $ 43,222      $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     126,506        32,229 (a)                            158,735        159        2,829 (b)         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 188      $ (632    $ 2,052,171         $ 46,051      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

30  

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

August 31, 2023

   iShares® USD Bond Factor ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3     Total  

 

 

Assets

         

Investments

         

Long-Term Investments

         

Collaterized Mortgage Obligations

   $      $ 180,019     $     $ 180,019  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

            6,810,680             6,810,680  

U.S. Government & Agency Obligations

            5,354,491                5,354,491  

Short-Term Securities

         

Money Market Funds

     2,052,171                    2,052,171  

Liabilities

         

Investments

         

TBA Sales Commitments

            (84,462 )              (84,462
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2,052,171      $ 12,260,728     $    —     $ 14,312,899  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  31


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

August 31, 2023

 

    iShares
High Yield
Bond Factor
ETF
    iShares
Investment
Grade Bond
Factor ETF
   

iShares
USD Bond
Factor

ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

     

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 189,942,262     $ 248,324,832     $ 12,345,190  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    46,083,529       16,556,591       2,052,171  

Cash

    3,714       8,958       49  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    270              

Receivables:

     

Investments sold

    9,859,933       13,941,681       187,244  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    32,989       3,143       70  

TBA sales commitments

                83,535  

Dividends — affiliated

    10,442       4,625       9,292  

Interest — unaffiliated

    3,448,130       3,213,127       94,636  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    249,381,269       282,052,957       14,772,187  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

    43,410,138       15,469,752       58,735  

TBA sales commitments, at value(e)

                84,462  

Payables:

     

Investments purchased

    8,784,013       13,494,369       2,186,637  

Investment advisory fees

    58,771       38,259       1,734  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    52,252,922       29,002,380       2,331,568  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

     

NET ASSETS

  $ 197,128,347     $ 253,050,577     $ 12,440,619  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

     

Paid-in capital

  $ 214,675,261     $ 280,536,103     $ 15,600,945  

Accumulated loss

    (17,546,914     (27,485,526     (3,160,326
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 197,128,347     $ 253,050,577     $ 12,440,619  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETVALUE

     

Shares outstanding

    4,400,000       5,800,000       150,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 44.80     $ 43.63     $ 82.94  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)  Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 193,058,217     $ 260,133,046     $ 12,933,401  

(b)  Securities loaned, at value

  $ 39,541,641     $ 12,883,176     $ 53,016  

(c)   Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 46,072,844     $ 16,552,461     $ 2,051,593  

(d)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 242     $     $  

(e)  Proceeds from TBA sales commitments

  $     $     $ 83,535  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Operations (unaudited)

August 31, 2023

 

    iShares
High Yield
Bond Factor
ETF
    iShares
Investment
Grade Bond
Factor ETF
    iShares
USD Bond
Factor
ETF
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 32,230     $ 34,841     $ 45,682  

Interest — unaffiliated

    6,421,943       6,217,402       234,818  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    132,996       25,536       369  

Other income — unaffiliated

    400              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    6,587,569       6,277,779       280,869  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    289,662       224,576       11,412  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    289,662       224,576       11,412  

Less:

     

Investment advisory fees waived

                (790
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    289,662       224,576       10,622  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    6,297,907       6,053,203       270,247  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (3,689,459     (3,993,816     (423,667

Investments — affiliated

    (4,647     (5,105     188  

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    408,438       137,486        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (3,285,668     (3,861,435     (423,479
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    5,409,536       3,745,746       296,078  

Investments — affiliated

    (3,547     (917     (632

Foreign currency translations

    6              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    5,405,995       3,744,829       295,446  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2,120,327       (116,606     (128,033
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 8,418,234     $ 5,936,597     $ 142,214  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  33


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

High Yield Bond Factor ETF

    

iShares

Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
    Six Months
Ended
08/31/23
(unaudited)
       Year Ended
02/28/23
     Six Months
Ended
08/31/23
(unaudited)
       Year Ended
02/28/23
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

              

OPERATIONS

              

Net investment income

  $ 6,297,907        $ 7,368,573      $ 6,053,203        $ 6,466,133  

Net realized loss

    (3,285,668        (11,636,097      (3,861,435        (12,729,043

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    5,405,995          (3,713,812      3,744,829          (10,147,353
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    8,418,234          (7,981,336      5,936,597          (16,410,263
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

              

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (5,796,298        (7,711,884      (5,872,323        (6,064,177
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

              

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

    59,891,172          (24,604,285      17,526,500          95,924,836  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

              

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    62,513,108          (40,297,505      17,590,774          73,450,396  

Beginning of period

    134,615,239          174,912,744        235,459,803          162,009,407  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 197,128,347        $ 134,615,239      $ 253,050,577        $ 235,459,803  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

USD Bond Factor ETF

 
 

 

 

 
    Six Months
Ended
       
    08/31/23      
Year Ended
02/28/23
 
 
    (unaudited)  

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 270,247     $ 499,798  

Net realized loss

    (423,479     (2,155,687

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    295,446       (289,682
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    142,214       (1,945,571
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (267,234     (482,791
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

          (4,233,961
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (125,020     (6,662,323

Beginning of period

    12,565,639       19,227,962  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 12,440,619     $ 12,565,639  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  35


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

          iShares High Yield Bond Factor ETF  
 

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended                                                              
    08/31/23       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended       Year Ended  
    (unaudited)           02/28/23     02/28/22     02/28/21     02/29/20     02/28/19  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

           $ 44.14       $ 49.27           $ 51.32           $ 49.43           $ 49.03           $ 49.99  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      1.69         2.66         2.23         2.90         2.88         2.92  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      0.57         (5.00       (1.90       1.97         0.39         (0.98
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      2.26         (2.34       0.33         4.87         3.27         1.94  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

      (1.60       (2.79       (2.38       (2.98       (2.87       (2.90
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 44.80       $ 44.14       $ 49.27       $ 51.32       $ 49.43       $ 49.03  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                       

Based on net asset value

      5.24 %(e)         (4.73 )%        0.63       10.38       6.78       4.08
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                       

Total expenses

      0.35 %(g)         0.35       0.35       0.35       0.35       0.35
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      7.61 %(g)         5.89       4.37       5.97       5.77       5.99
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 197,128       $ 134,615       $ 174,913       $ 79,541       $ 39,545       $ 17,162  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      30       60       67       67       46       59
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

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

(c)

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

(d)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Not annualized.

(f)

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

(g)

Annualized.

(h)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

2 0 2 3I S H A R E S  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

                               
 

 

08/31/23

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

      Year Ended  
          (unaudited)    

02/28/23

   

02/28/22

   

02/28/21

   

02/29/20

   

02/28/19

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

        $ 43.60       $ 49.85           $ 53.69           $ 53.44           $ 48.32           $ 48.85  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      1.07         1.70         1.36         1.56         1.88         1.88  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      0.01         (6.35       (3.19       0.76         6.14         (0.69
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      1.08         (4.65       (1.83       2.32         8.02         1.19  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                       

From net investment income

      (1.05       (1.59       (1.39       (1.59       (1.85       (1.72

From net realized gain

              (0.01       (0.62       (0.48       (1.05        
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (1.05       (1.60       (2.01       (2.07       (2.90       (1.72
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 43.63       $ 43.60       $ 49.85       $ 53.69       $ 53.44       $ 48.32  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                       

Based on net asset value

      2.46 %(e)         (9.35 )%        (3.57 )%        4.41       16.96       2.54
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                       

Total expenses

      0.18 %(g)         0.18       0.18       0.18       0.18       0.18
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

      4.85 %(g)         3.80       2.57       2.90       3.67       3.95
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                       

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 253,051       $ 235,460       $ 162,009       $ 158,379       $ 93,520       $ 96,648  
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

      39       87       59       46       75       63
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

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

(c)

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

(d)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Not annualized.

(f)

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

(g)

Annualized.

(h)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  37


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

     iShares USD Bond Factor ETF  
  
    

Six Months Ended
08/31/23
(unaudited)

   

Year Ended
02/28/23

   

Period From
10/12/21(a)

to 02/28/22

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

         $ 83.77            $ 96.14            $ 100.00  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

       1.80          2.62          0.54  

Net realized and unrealized loss(c)

       (0.85        (12.51        (3.96
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

       0.95          (9.89        (3.42
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

       (1.78        (2.48        (0.44
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

     $ 82.94        $ 83.77        $ 96.14  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

              

Based on net asset value

       1.12 %(f)         (10.34 )%         (3.43 )%(f) 
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

              

Total expenses

       0.18 %(h)         0.18        0.18 %(h) 
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

       0.17 %(h)         0.16        0.16 %(h) 
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

       4.26 %(h)         3.02        1.43 %(h) 
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

     $ 12,441        $ 12,566        $ 19,228  
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)(j)

       168        519        243
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(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)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f)

Not annualized.

(g)

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

(h)

Annualized.

(i)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

(j)

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”).

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38  

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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
 

High Yield Bond Factor

    Diversified  

Investment Grade Bond Factor

    Diversified  

USD Bond Factor

    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. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

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

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

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

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

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

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

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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

 

 

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

  39


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

 

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

 

   

Fixed-income investments for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid price or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third-party pricing services. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), market data, credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information. Certain fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage related securities may be valued based on valuation models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. The amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless BFA determines such method does not represent fair value.

 

   

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

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

Fair value 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 Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

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

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates or as debt instruments. Asset-backed securities issued as pass-through certificates represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities issued as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations, are typically issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. The yield characteristics of certain asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An increased prepayment rate with respect to an asset-backed security will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. In addition, a fund may subsequently have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates. If a fund has purchased such an asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid.

For mortgage pass-through securities (the “Mortgage Assets”) there are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. For example, mortgage-related securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae are

 

 

40  

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However, mortgage-related securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates, which are solely the obligations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury.

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are securities issued by non-governmental issuers and have no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks. Non-agency mortgage loans are obligations of the borrowers thereunder only and are not typically insured or guaranteed by any other person or entity. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general economic downturn, acts of God, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair a borrower’s ability to repay its loans.

TBA Commitments: TBA commitments are forward agreements for the purchase or sale of securities, including mortgage-backed securities for a fixed price, with payment and delivery on an agreed upon future settlement date. The specific securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date. However, delivered securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate and mortgage terms. When entering into TBA commitments, a fund may take possession of or deliver the underlying mortgage-backed securities but can extend the settlement or roll the transaction. TBA commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased or sold declines or increases, respectively, prior to settlement date, if there are expenses or delays in connection with the TBA transactions, or if the counterparty fails to complete the transaction.

To mitigate counterparty risk, a fund enters into a two-way collateral agreement for TBA transactions with certain counterparties. Under such agreement, the “in-the-money” party of a TBA transaction may at any time require the other party to pledge collateral assets (in the form of cash or securities) to offset any loss the in-the-money party would incur upon cancellation of the TBA transaction. A party is in-the-money if they are the buyer and the market value of the TBA transaction increases or if they are the seller and the market value of the TBA transaction decreases. Cash collateral received from the counterparty may be reinvested in money market funds, including those managed by the Funds’ investment adviser, or its affiliates. Such collateral, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments and the obligation to return the collateral is presented as a liability in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral by a fund, if any, are noted in the Schedule of Investments.

Mortgage Dollar Roll Transactions: Certain Funds may sell TBA mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously contract to repurchase substantially similar (i.e., same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specific future date at an agreed upon price. During the period between the sale and repurchase, a fund is not entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Mortgage dollar roll transactions are treated as purchases and sales and a fund realizes gains and losses on these transactions. Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that a fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities.

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

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

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

 

 

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

  41


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

 

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty

   
Securities Loaned
at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
    Net Amount  

 

 

High Yield Bond Factor

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 2,926,966      $ (2,926,966   $     $  

BNP Paribas SA

    3,395,760        (3,395,760            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    1,833,524        (1,833,524            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    573,560        (573,560            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    9,543,556        (9,543,556            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    8,274,582        (8,274,582            

Jefferies LLC

    1,000,322        (1,000,322            

Morgan Stanley

    3,186,206        (3,186,206            

Pershing LLC

    18,115        (18,115            

RBC Capital Markets LLC

    1,223,857        (1,223,857            

Scotia Capital (USA), Inc.

    1,265,040        (1,265,040            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    6,300,153        (6,300,153            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 39,541,641      $ (39,541,641   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Grade Bond Factor

        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 4,161,209      $ (4,161,209   $     $  

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

    366,626        (366,626            

BNP Paribas SA

    487,347        (487,347            

BofA Securities, Inc.

    1,034,826        (1,034,826            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    959,887        (959,887            

Jefferies LLC

    324,314        (324,314            

Morgan Stanley

    2,088,130        (2,088,130            

Pershing LLC

    1,143,265        (1,143,265            

RBC Capital Markets LLC

    797,612        (797,612            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    1,491,812        (1,491,812            

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    28,148        (28,148            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 12,883,176      $ (12,883,176   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

USD Bond Factor

        

BNP Paribas SA

  $ 2,263      $ (2,263   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    42,380        (42,380            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    996        (996            

Morgan Stanley

    2,615        (2,615            

Wells Fargo Securities LLC

    4,762        (4,762            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 53,016      $ (53,016   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

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

 

5.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

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

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Investment Advisory Fees  

High Yield Bond Factor

    0.35

Investment Grade Bond Factor

    0.18  

USD Bond Factor

    0.18  

 

 

42  

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Expense Waivers: A fund may incur its pro rata share of fees and expenses attributable to its investments in other investment companies (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). The total of the investment advisory fee and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statements of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the iShares USD Bond Factor ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fee for the Fund through June 30, 2026 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to investments by the Fund in other funds advised by BFA or its affiliates.

This amount is included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended August 31, 2023, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts Waived   

USD Bond Factor

  $ 790   

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.

Index Provider: BlackRock Index Services, LLC, an affiliate of BFA, created, sponsors and publishes the underlying index used by each Fund. Each Fund uses its underlying index at no charge pursuant to a license agreement between BlackRock Index Services, LLC (or one or more of its affiliates) and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds.

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

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

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

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

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the six months ended August 31, 2023, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts  

High Yield Bond Factor

  $ 35,698  

Investment Grade Bond Factor

    8,727  

USD Bond Factor

    89  

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

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

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

 

 

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

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

6.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended August 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, including mortgage dollar rolls and excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
    U.S. Government Securities      Other Securities  
iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Purchases      Sales   

High Yield Bond Factor

  $      $      $ 48,192,473      $ 49,124,091   

Investment Grade Bond Factor.

                  94,388,605        95,037,462   

USD Bond Factor

    18,485,874        18,968,514        2,409,588        1,987,555   

For the six months ended August 31, 2023, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind 

Sales 

 

High Yield Bond Factor

  $ 75,742,736      $  17,098,718   

Investment Grade Bond Factor

    26,267,010        8,704,509   

 

7.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

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

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of August 31, 2023, 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.

As of February 28, 2023, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF  

Non-Expiring 

Capital Loss 

Carryforwards(a)

 

High Yield Bond Factor

  $ (11,986,708)   

Investment Grade Bond Factor

    (12,519,533)   

USD Bond Factor

    (1,966,331)   

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 

As of August 31, 2023, 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) 

 

High Yield Bond Factor

    $ 239,442,967      $ 2,955,798      $ (6,372,974   $ (3,417,176)   

Investment Grade Bond Factor

    277,030,210        531,214        (12,680,001     (12,148,787)   

USD Bond Factor

    15,224,443        23,924        (851,933     (828,009)   

 

8.

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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

Market Risk: Each Fund may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force each Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Each Fund may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from each Fund’s portfolio will decline if each Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below each Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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

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

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in high yield securities. High yield securities that are rated below investment-grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) or are unrated may be deemed speculative, involve greater levels of risk than higher-rated securities of similar maturity and are more likely to default. High yield securities may be issued by less creditworthy issuers, and issuers of high yield securities may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations. High yield securities are subject to extreme price fluctuations, may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions, and frequently have redemption features.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in fixed-income securities and/or use derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will decrease as interest rates rise and increase as interest rates fall. The Funds may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the period of historically low interest rates that ended in March 2022. The Federal Reserve has recently been raising the federal funds rate as part of its efforts to address inflation. There is a risk that interest rates will continue to rise, which will likely drive down the prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities, and could negatively impact the Funds’ performance.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities backed by commercial or residential mortgage loans or in issuers that hold mortgage and other asset-backed securities. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes a greater risk of prepayment or payment extension by securities issuers. Changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults on assets underlying these securities, can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions. Investment percentages in these securities are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

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

LIBOR Transition Risk: The Funds may be exposed to financial instruments that recently transitioned from, or continue to be tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has ceased publishing all LIBOR settings, but some USD LIBOR settings will continue to be published under a synthetic methodology until September 30, 2024 for certain legacy contracts. The Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) has been used increasingly on a voluntary basis in new instruments and transactions. Under U.S. regulations that implement a statutory fallback mechanism to replace LIBOR, benchmark rates based on SOFR have replaced LIBOR in certain financial contracts. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Funds is uncertain.

 

9.

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.

 

 

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

  45


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

08/31/23

   

Year Ended

02/28/23

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

High Yield Bond Factor

       

Shares sold

    1,750,000     $ 77,576,640       700,000     $ 31,145,415  

Shares redeemed

    (400,000     (17,685,468     (1,200,000     (55,749,700
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,350,000     $ 59,891,172       (500,000   $ (24,604,285
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment Grade Bond Factor

       

Shares sold

    600,000     $   26,350,075       2,150,000     $ 95,924,836  

Shares redeemed

    (200,000     (8,823,575            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    400,000     $ 17,526,500       2,150,000     $
 
 
 95,924,836
 
 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

USD Bond Factor

       

Shares redeemed

        $       (50,000   $ (4,233,961
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

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

 

10.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract 

 

iShares High Yield Bond Factor 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 the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 2, 2023 and May 15, 2023, 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 7-8, 2023, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any 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, 2022, to that of such 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 Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 2, 2023 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA

 

 

B O A R D  R E V I E W  A N D  A P P R O V A LO F  I N V E S T M E N T  A D V I S O R Y  C O N T R A C T

  47


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates 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 also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (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 further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including the potential for reduction in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

iShares Investment Grade Bond Factor ETF, iShares USD Bond Factor 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 the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 2, 2023 and May 15, 2023, 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 7-8, 2023, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of other fund(s) in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of any waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of any 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, 2022, to that of such 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 Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 2, 2023 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability (as discussed above), including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts withsubstantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (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 further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including the potential for reduction in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and ETFs

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

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

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

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

Householding

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

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

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

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Proxy Voting Records

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

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

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
CMT    Constant Maturity Treasury
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
SOFR    Secured Overnight Financing Rate
TBA    To-Be-Announced

 

 

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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 BlackRock Index Services LLC, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is affiliated with the company listed above.

©2023 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-208-0823

 

 

 

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