LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

  

2022 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Russell Top 200 ETF  |  IWL  |  NYSE Arca

·  

iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF  |  IWY  |  NYSE Arca

·  

iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF  |  IWX  |  NYSE Arca

 


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of September 30, 2022 saw the emergence of significant challenges that disrupted the economic recovery and strong financial markets of 2021. The U.S. economy shrank in the first half of 2022, ending the run of robust growth that followed the reopening of global economies and the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Changes in consumer spending patterns and a tight labor market led to elevated inflation, which reached a 40-year high. Moreover, while the foremost effect of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a severe humanitarian crisis, the ongoing war continued to present challenges for both investors and policymakers.

Equity prices fell as interest rates rose, particularly weighing on relatively high-valuation growth stocks and economically sensitive small-capitalization stocks. While both large- and small-capitalization U.S. stocks fell, declines for small-capitalization U.S. stocks were steeper. Both emerging market stocks and international equities from developed markets fell significantly, pressured by rising interest rates and a strengthening U.S. dollar.

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of September 30, 2022  
     
     6-Month     12-Month  
   

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

    (20.20)     (15.47)
   

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

    (19.01)       (23.50)  
   

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

    (22.51)       (25.13)  
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    (21.70)       (28.11)  
   

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

    0.58       0.63  
   

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

    (10.81)       (16.20)  
   

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

    (9.22)       (14.60)  
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    (6.30)       (11.50)  
   

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

    (10.42)       (14.15)  

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  

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

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

     21  

Statements of Operations

     22  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     23  

Financial Highlights

     25  

Notes to Financial Statements

     28  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     35  

General Information

     41  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     42  

 

 

  3


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Russell Top 200 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares RussellTop 200 ETF(the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities, as represented by the Russell Top 200® 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      10 Years      1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (20.85 )%       (16.55 )%       9.79      11.91      (16.55 )%       59.55      208.15

Fund Market

    (20.84      (16.47      9.83        11.93        (16.47      59.79        208.56  

Index

    (20.79      (16.43      9.95        12.09        (16.43      60.69        212.99  

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
(04/01/22)
       Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period(a)

           Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
       Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period(a)

       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 791.50        $ 0.67             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.32        $ 0.76          0.15

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector  

Percent of

Total Investments(a)

 

Information Technology

    29.3

Health Care

    16.2  

Consumer Discretionary

    11.7  

Financials

    10.5  

Communication Services

    9.1  

Consumer Staples

    7.4  

Industrials

    6.3  

Energy

    4.5  

Utilities

    2.0  

Real Estate

    1.5  

Materials

    1.5  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security  

Percent of

Total Investments(a)

 

Apple Inc.

    8.5

Microsoft Corp.

    7.0  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    4.1  

Tesla, Inc.

    2.7  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    2.3  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS

    2.1  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    1.9  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    1.9  

Johnson & Johnson

    1.7  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1.5  

 

 

4  

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


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Russell Top 200 Growth ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities that exhibit growth characteristics, as represented by the Russell Top 200® Growth 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      10 Years      1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (24.32 )%       (21.17 )%       13.09      14.27      (21.17 )%       84.99      279.47

Fund Market

    (24.47      (21.19      13.10        14.27        (21.19      85.03        279.65  

Index

    (24.25      (21.01      13.29        14.49        (21.01      86.66        286.90  

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 the redemption of sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
       Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period(a)

           Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
       Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
      

Expenses
Paid During

the Period(a)

       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 756.80        $ 0.88             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,000.00        $ 0.00          0.20

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector  

Percent of

Total Investments(a)

 

Information Technology

    45.8

Consumer Discretionary

    17.6  

Health Care

    11.2  

Communication Services

    8.0  

Consumer Staples

    6.3  

Industrials

    5.4  

Financials

    2.5  

Real Estate

    1.5  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security  

Percent of

Total Investments(a)

 

Apple Inc.

    15.3

Microsoft Corp.

    12.6  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    7.3  

Tesla, Inc.

    4.9  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    3.6  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS

    3.3  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    3.1  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    2.1  

NVIDIA Corp.

    2.1  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    1.8  

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Russell Top 200 Value ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities that exhibit value characteristics, as represented by the Russell Top 200® Value 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      10 Years      1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (16.31 )%       (10.37 )%       5.34      8.84      (10.37 )%       29.71      133.34

Fund Market

    (16.25      (10.28      5.36        8.86        (10.28      29.82        133.62  

Index

    (16.21      (10.18      5.54        9.07        (10.18      30.93        138.31  

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
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)


 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/22)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/22)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 836.90        $ 0.92             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,024.07        $ 1.01          0.20

 

  (a) 

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector  

Percent of

Total Investments(a)

 

Health Care

    22.4

Financials

    20.7  

Communication Services

    10.4  

Energy

    9.2  

Consumer Staples

    8.9  

Information Technology

    8.5  

Industrials

    7.4  

Utilities

    4.4  

Consumer Discretionary

    4.1  

Materials

    2.5  

Real Estate

    1.5  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    4.4

Johnson & Johnson

    3.9  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    3.3  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    2.8  

Chevron Corp.

    2.6  

Pfizer, Inc.

    2.3  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    2.2  

Bank of America Corp.

    1.9  

Walmart, Inc.

    1.7  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    1.6  

 

 

6  

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


About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

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.

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.8%  

Boeing Co.(a)

    16,165     $ 1,957,258  

General Dynamics Corp.

    7,123       1,511,287  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    5,647       1,173,616  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    6,980       2,696,304  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    4,308       2,026,138  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    43,767       3,582,767  
   

 

 

 
          12,947,370  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.6%  

FedEx Corp.

    7,097       1,053,692  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    21,636       3,495,079  
   

 

 

 
      4,548,771  
Automobiles — 3.1%  

Ford Motor Co.

    115,835       1,297,352  

General Motors Co.

    42,849       1,375,024  

Tesla, Inc.(a)

    74,872       19,859,798  
   

 

 

 
      22,532,174  
Banks — 3.7%  

Bank of America Corp.

    206,720       6,242,944  

Citigroup, Inc.

    56,889       2,370,565  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    85,851       8,971,430  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    12,162       1,817,246  

Truist Financial Corp.

    39,161       1,705,070  

US Bancorp

    39,413       1,589,132  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    111,624       4,489,517  
   

 

 

 
      27,185,904  
Beverages — 2.2%  

Coca-Cola Co.

    114,922       6,437,930  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    4,476       1,028,048  

Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.

    25,285       905,709  

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

    10,886       946,647  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    40,690       6,643,049  
   

 

 

 
      15,961,383  
Biotechnology — 2.5%  

AbbVie, Inc.

    52,018       6,981,336  

Amgen, Inc.

    15,716       3,542,386  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    36,890       2,275,744  

Moderna, Inc.(a)(b)

    9,988       1,181,081  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    3,041       2,094,854  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    7,532       2,180,815  
   

 

 

 
      18,256,216  
Building Products — 0.1%  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    20,424       1,005,269  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 2.8%  

BlackRock, Inc.(c)

    4,421       2,432,788  

Blackstone, Inc., NVS.

    20,573       1,721,960  

Charles Schwab Corp.

    44,633       3,207,774  

CME Group, Inc.

    10,551       1,868,898  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    9,814       2,875,993  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    16,148       1,458,972  

Moody’s Corp.

    4,724       1,148,452  

Morgan Stanley

    36,842       2,910,886  

S&P Global, Inc.

    9,804       2,993,651  
   

 

 

 
      20,619,374  
Chemicals — 1.2%  

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

    6,529       1,519,494  

Dow, Inc.

    21,232       932,722  

Ecolab, Inc.

    7,333       1,059,032  
Security   Shares     Value  
Chemicals (continued)  

Linde PLC

    14,787     $ 3,986,427  

Sherwin-Williams Co.

    7,030       1,439,393  
   

 

 

 
      8,937,068  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.3%  

Waste Management, Inc.

    12,173       1,950,236  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 0.7%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    122,376       4,895,040  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.5%  

American Express Co.

    17,760       2,396,002  

Capital One Financial Corp.

    11,249       1,036,820  
   

 

 

 
      3,432,822  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.9%  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)

    53,101           14,179,029  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.1%  

AT&T Inc.

    210,669       3,231,662  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    123,707       4,697,155  
   

 

 

 
      7,928,817  
Electric Utilities — 1.5%  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    15,196       1,313,694  

Duke Energy Corp.

    22,626       2,104,671  

Exelon Corp.

    29,169       1,092,671  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    57,786       4,531,000  

Southern Co.

    31,171       2,119,628  
   

 

 

 
      11,161,664  
Electrical Equipment — 0.4%  

Eaton Corp. PLC

    11,722       1,563,246  

Emerson Electric Co.

    17,326       1,268,610  
   

 

 

 
      2,831,856  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.2%  

Schlumberger NV

    41,645       1,495,056  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 1.3%  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    22,879       1,700,825  

Netflix, Inc.(a)

    12,864       3,028,700  

Walt Disney Co.(a)

    53,629       5,058,824  
   

 

 

 
      9,788,349  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.5%  

American Tower Corp.

    13,656       2,931,943  

Crown Castle, Inc.

    12,685       1,833,617  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    8,365       829,641  

Equinix, Inc.

    2,672       1,519,941  

Prologis, Inc.

    27,042       2,747,467  

Public Storage

    4,572       1,338,727  
   

 

 

 
      11,201,336  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.8%  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    13,031       6,154,150  

Sysco Corp.

    14,855       1,050,397  

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    21,236       666,811  

Walmart, Inc.

    42,430       5,503,171  
   

 

 

 
      13,374,529  
Food Products — 0.8%  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    16,523       1,329,275  

General Mills, Inc.

    17,607       1,348,872  

Kraft Heinz Co.

    20,391       680,040  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    40,666       2,229,717  
   

 

 

 
      5,587,904  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.5%  

Abbott Laboratories

    50,470       4,883,477  

 

 

8  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

Baxter International, Inc.

    14,767     $ 795,351  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    8,337       1,857,734  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    41,791       1,618,565  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    18,130       1,498,082  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    10,556       1,978,617  

Medtronic PLC

    39,339       3,176,624  

Stryker Corp.

    10,360       2,098,314  
   

 

 

 
          17,906,764  
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.0%  

Centene Corp.(a)

    16,795       1,306,819  

Cigna Corp.

    8,795       2,440,349  

CVS Health Corp.

    38,581       3,679,470  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    7,095       3,222,833  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    6,474       1,189,856  

Humana, Inc.

    3,726       1,807,818  

McKesson Corp.

    4,266       1,449,885  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    27,531       13,904,256  
   

 

 

 
      29,001,286  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.7%  

Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a)

    11,542       1,212,372  

Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)

    1,164       1,912,696  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    8,087       1,133,312  

McDonald’s Corp.

    21,751       5,018,826  

Starbucks Corp.

    33,750       2,843,775  
   

 

 

 
      12,120,981  
Household Products — 1.6%  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    24,364       1,711,571  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    9,884       1,112,346  

Procter & Gamble Co.

    70,345       8,881,056  
   

 

 

 
      11,704,973  
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.0%  

3M Co.

    16,734       1,849,107  

General Electric Co.

    32,140       1,989,787  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    19,835       3,311,850  
   

 

 

 
      7,150,744  
Insurance — 1.6%  

American International Group, Inc.

    22,479       1,067,303  

Aon PLC, Class A

    6,191       1,658,383  

Chubb Ltd.

    12,201       2,219,118  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    14,779       2,206,357  

MetLife, Inc.

    19,849       1,206,422  

Progressive Corp.

    17,181       1,996,604  

Travelers Cos., Inc.

    7,000       1,072,400  
   

 

 

 
      11,426,587  
Interactive Media & Services — 5.7%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    177,048       16,934,641  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    158,996       15,287,465  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    67,488       9,156,772  
   

 

 

 
      41,378,878  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 4.1%  

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    261,607       29,561,591  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 4.9%  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    18,650       4,798,645  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    12,289       2,779,649  

Block, Inc.(a)

    15,605       858,119  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    15,366       882,623  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    17,914       1,353,761  

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

    17,363       1,624,656  

International Business Machines Corp.

    26,438       3,141,099  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    25,337     $ 7,204,323  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)

    34,075       2,932,835  

Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)

    8,971       1,524,711  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    48,456       8,608,208  
   

 

 

 
      35,708,629  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.6%  

Danaher Corp.

    19,053       4,921,199  

Illumina, Inc.(a)

    4,644       886,029  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    11,516       5,840,800  
   

 

 

 
          11,648,028  
Machinery — 1.0%  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    15,515       2,545,701  

Deere & Co.

    8,272       2,761,938  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    9,078       1,639,941  
   

 

 

 
      6,947,580  
Media — 0.7%  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A(a)

    3,271       992,258  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    128,893       3,780,432  
   

 

 

 
      4,772,690  
Metals & Mining — 0.3%  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    42,105       1,150,730  

Newmont Corp.

    23,147       972,868  

Southern Copper Corp.

    2,630       117,929  
   

 

 

 
      2,241,527  
Multiline Retail — 0.5%  

Dollar General Corp.

    6,729       1,614,018  

Target Corp.

    13,661       2,027,156  
   

 

 

 
      3,641,174  
Multi-Utilities — 0.4%  

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    24,405       1,686,630  

Sempra Energy

    9,284       1,392,043  
   

 

 

 
      3,078,673  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.3%  

Chevron Corp.

    57,842       8,310,160  

ConocoPhillips

    37,480       3,835,703  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    17,242       1,926,449  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    122,747       10,717,040  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    58,639       975,753  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    14,713       1,461,442  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.(b)

    23,933       1,470,683  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    6,955       1,505,966  

Valero Energy Corp.

    11,616       1,241,170  
   

 

 

 
      31,444,366  
Personal Products — 0.2%  

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A

    6,717       1,450,200  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 5.6%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    62,684       4,456,206  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    24,800       8,019,080  

Johnson & Johnson

    77,462       12,654,192  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    74,457       6,412,237  

Pfizer, Inc.

    166,354       7,279,651  

Zoetis, Inc.

    13,869       2,056,634  
   

 

 

 
      40,878,000  
Road & Rail — 1.1%  

CSX Corp.

    62,842       1,674,111  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    6,926       1,452,036  

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Road & Rail (continued)            

Uber Technologies, Inc.(a)

    55,812     $ 1,479,018  

Union Pacific Corp.

    18,478       3,599,884  
   

 

 

 
      8,205,049  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 5.1%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)

    47,539       3,012,071  

Analog Devices, Inc.

    15,403       2,146,254  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    25,490       2,088,396  

Broadcom, Inc.

    11,625       5,161,616  

Intel Corp.

    120,445       3,103,868  

KLA Corp.

    4,142       1,253,493  

Lam Research Corp.

    4,019       1,470,954  

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    25,007       1,073,050  

Micron Technology, Inc.

    32,480       1,627,248  

NVIDIA Corp.

    70,882       8,604,366  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    32,963       3,724,160  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    27,138       4,200,420  
   

 

 

 
          37,465,896  
Software — 10.1%            

Adobe, Inc.(a)

    13,889       3,822,253  

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A(a)

    4,047       852,258  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)

    6,432       1,201,498  

Intuit, Inc.

    8,111       3,141,552  

Microsoft Corp.

    220,233       51,292,266  

Oracle Corp.

    44,646       2,726,531  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)

    8,621       1,412,033  

Roper Technologies, Inc.

    3,108       1,117,761  

Salesforce, Inc.(a)

    28,308       4,071,823  

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

    5,902       2,228,654  

VMware, Inc., Class A

    6,133       652,919  

Workday, Inc., Class A(a)

    5,831       887,595  
   

 

 

 
      73,407,143  
Specialty Retail — 1.9%            

Home Depot, Inc.

    30,412       8,391,887  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    18,820       3,534,584  

TJX Cos., Inc.

    34,429       2,138,730  
   

 

 

 
      14,065,201  
Security   Shares     Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 8.5%  

Apple Inc.

    450,066     $ 62,199,121  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.4%            

Nike, Inc., Class B

    36,064       2,997,640  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 0.8%            

Altria Group, Inc.

    53,403       2,156,413  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    45,608       3,785,920  
   

 

 

 
      5,942,333  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.3%            

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

    17,578       2,358,440  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $787,900,537)

        728,523,661  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities(c)(d)(e)

   
Money Market Funds — 0.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%

    32,129       32,139  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.0%
(Cost: $32,139)

      32,139  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $787,932,676)

 

    728,555,800  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

 

    813,315  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 729,369,115  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan. (c) Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

03/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

09/30/22

   

Shares

Held at

09/30/22

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL
Agency Shares

  $ 249,903     $     $ (220,803 )(a)    $ 3,004     $ 35     $ 32,139       32,129     $ 10,004 (b)    $  

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

    1,385,000             (1,385,000 )(a)                              9,096        

BlackRock, Inc.

    3,604,590       610,421       (788,687     152,336       (1,145,872     2,432,788       4,421       44,340        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 155,340     $ (1,145,837   $ 2,464,927       $ 63,440     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

 

 

 

10  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     4          12/16/22        $ 720        $ (61,748
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 61,748      $      $      $      $  61,748  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $  (263,919    $      $      $      $  (263,919
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on         

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (160,272    $      $      $      $ (160,272
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,307,650  

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

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 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

                                                                                            

Common Stocks

   $ 728,523,661        $        $        $ 728,523,661  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     32,139                            32,139  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $       728,555,800        $        $        $       728,555,800  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (61,748      $        $        $ (61,748
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

12  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Growth ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.9%  

Boeing Co.(a)(b)

    51,914     $ 6,285,747  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    72,596       28,043,109  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    5,211       2,450,837  
   

 

 

 
             36,779,693  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.8%  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    200,560       32,398,462  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 4.9%  

Tesla, Inc.(a)

    778,066       206,382,007  
   

 

 

 
Beverages — 2.8%  

Coca-Cola Co.

    895,699       50,177,058  

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

    104,758       9,109,756  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    357,305       58,333,614  
   

 

 

 
      117,620,428  
Biotechnology — 3.0%  

AbbVie, Inc.

    540,574       72,550,436  

Amgen, Inc.

    137,194       30,923,528  

Moderna, Inc.(a)(b)

    6,284       743,083  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    4,622       3,183,957  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    73,868       21,387,741  
   

 

 

 
      128,788,745  
Capital Markets — 1.1%  

Blackstone, Inc., NVS

    214,214       17,929,712  

Charles Schwab Corp.

    258,506       18,578,826  

Moody’s Corp.(b)

    45,882       11,154,373  
   

 

 

 
      47,662,911  
Chemicals — 0.8%  

Ecolab, Inc.

    66,700       9,632,814  

Linde PLC

    32,146       8,666,240  

Sherwin-Williams Co.

    73,258       14,999,576  
   

 

 

 
      33,298,630  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.4%  

Waste Management, Inc.

    119,081       19,077,967  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.0%  

American Express Co.

    11,551       1,558,345  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 0.1%  

Emerson Electric Co.

    57,389       4,202,023  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 0.4%  

Netflix, Inc.(a)

    60,214       14,176,784  

Walt Disney Co.(a)(b)

    37,213       3,510,302  
   

 

 

 
      17,687,086  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.5%  

American Tower Corp.

    108,847       23,369,451  

Crown Castle, Inc.

    131,958       19,074,529  

Equinix, Inc.

    21,010       11,951,329  

Public Storage

    37,798       11,067,632  
   

 

 

 
      65,462,941  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.8%  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    135,420       63,954,804  

Sysco Corp.

    155,768       11,014,355  
   

 

 

 
      74,969,159  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.3%  

Abbott Laboratories

    68,969       6,673,440  

Baxter International, Inc.

    23,917       1,288,170  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    189,143       15,628,886  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    100,864     $ 18,905,948  

Stryker Corp.

    57,314       11,608,378  
   

 

 

 
      54,104,822  
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.8%  

Cigna Corp.

    14,593       4,049,120  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    22,341       10,148,176  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    4,193       770,631  

Humana, Inc.

    27,221       13,207,357  

McKesson Corp.(b)

    8,658       2,942,594  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    260,350       131,487,164  
   

 

 

 
           162,605,042  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.6%  

Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    119,710       12,574,338  

Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)

    12,117       19,910,776  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    84,229       11,803,852  

McDonald’s Corp.

    55,102       12,714,236  

Starbucks Corp.

    125,935       10,611,283  
   

 

 

 
      67,614,485  
Household Products — 1.3%  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    156,298       10,979,935  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    60,787       6,840,969  

Procter & Gamble Co.

    311,417       39,316,396  
   

 

 

 
      57,137,300  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%  

General Electric Co.

    18,679       1,156,417  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    60,750       10,143,427  
   

 

 

 
      11,299,844  
Insurance — 1.3%  

Aon PLC, Class A

    60,725       16,266,406  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    136,968       20,447,953  

Progressive Corp.

    155,577       18,079,603  
   

 

 

 
      54,793,962  
Interactive Media & Services — 7.4%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,600,694       153,106,381  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS(a)(b)

    1,437,484       138,214,086  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    149,385       20,268,557  
   

 

 

 
      311,589,024  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 7.3%  

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    2,718,618       307,203,834  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 6.8%  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    193,807       49,866,541  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    117,240       26,518,516  

Fiserv, Inc.(a)(b)

    16,491       1,543,063  

International Business Machines Corp.

    183,872       21,845,832  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    263,301       74,867,006  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)

    108,732       9,358,563  

Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    87,484       14,868,781  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    503,551       89,455,835  
   

 

 

 
      288,324,137  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.3%  

Danaher Corp.

    13,416       3,465,219  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    14,558       7,383,672  
   

 

 

 
      10,848,891  
Machinery — 1.6%  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    140,972       23,130,686  

Deere & Co.

    85,738       28,627,061  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    85,373       15,422,632  
   

 

 

 
      67,180,379  

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Growth ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Media — 0.2%  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A(a)

    33,922     $ 10,290,239  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 0.0%  

Southern Copper Corp.

    17,104       766,943  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.7%  

Dollar General Corp.

    70,044       16,800,754  

Target Corp.

    77,787       11,542,813  
   

 

 

 
      28,343,567  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.8%  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    131,099       14,647,691  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    206,057       12,662,203  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    39,997       8,660,550  
   

 

 

 
             35,970,444  
Personal Products — 0.4%  

Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A

    70,259       15,168,918  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 2.8%  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    209,788       67,834,950  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    324,204       27,920,448  

Zoetis, Inc.

    144,006       21,354,650  
   

 

 

 
      117,110,048  
Road & Rail — 1.3%  

CSX Corp.

    163,806       4,363,792  

Uber Technologies, Inc.(a)

    499,491       13,236,511  

Union Pacific Corp.

    192,018       37,408,947  
   

 

 

 
      55,009,250  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 6.9%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)

    389,293       24,665,604  

Analog Devices, Inc.

    31,970       4,454,700  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    265,182       21,726,361  

Broadcom, Inc.

    120,806       53,639,072  

KLA Corp.

    43,463       13,153,208  

Lam Research Corp.

    41,945       15,351,870  

Micron Technology, Inc.

    64,236       3,218,224  

NVIDIA Corp.

    736,604       89,416,360  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    342,726       38,721,183  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    193,181       29,900,555  
   

 

 

 
      294,247,137  
Software — 16.7%  

Adobe, Inc.(a)

    144,303       39,712,186  

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A(a)

    41,611       8,762,860  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)

    66,761       12,470,955  
Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)  

Intuit, Inc.

    84,288     $ 32,646,428  

Microsoft Corp.

    2,288,655       533,027,750  

Oracle Corp.

    318,002       19,420,382  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)

    90,104       14,758,134  

Salesforce, Inc.(a)

    63,254       9,098,455  

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

    61,240       23,124,836  

VMware, Inc., Class A

    30,982       3,298,344  

Workday, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    60,494       9,208,397  
   

 

 

 
      705,528,727  
Specialty Retail — 2.5%  

Home Depot, Inc.

    183,304       50,580,906  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    168,717       31,686,740  

TJX Cos., Inc.

    359,295       22,319,405  
   

 

 

 
      104,587,051  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 15.3%  

Apple Inc.

    4,677,080       646,372,456  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.7%  

Nike, Inc., Class B

    374,779       31,151,630  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $4,261,018,613)

 

    4,223,136,527  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities(c)(d)

   
Money Market Funds — 1.3%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(e)

    35,646,701       35,657,395  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%

    16,872,752       16,872,752  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.3% (Cost: $52,526,575)

      52,530,147  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.1%
(Cost: $4,313,545,188)

      4,275,666,674  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.1)%

 

    (45,428,166
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   4,230,238,508  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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

 

 

14  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Growth ETF

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

03/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

09/30/22

   

Shares

Held at

09/30/22

    Income    

Capital Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $  8,926,531     $  26,725,181 (a)    $     $ 3,305     $ 2,378     $  35,657,395       35,646,701     $ 63,161 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    6,166,000       10,706,752 (a)                        16,872,752       16,872,752       47,443        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 3,305     $ 2,378     $ 52,530,147       $  110,604     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

E-Mini Technology Select Sector Index

     10          12/16/22        $ 1,204        $ (153,238

Nasdaq 100 E-Mini Index

     24          12/16/22          5,297          (624,629
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (777,867
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

  

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $  777,867      $      $      $      $  777,867  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (507,517    $      $      $      $ (507,517
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

 

  

Futures contracts

   $      $      $  (1,280,003    $      $      $      $  (1,280,003
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Growth ETF

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 6,608,270  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                                                                         

Common Stocks

   $ 4,223,136,527        $        $        $ 4,223,136,527  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     52,530,147                            52,530,147  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $       4,275,666,674        $        $        $       4,275,666,674  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (777,867      $        $        $ (777,867
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

16  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 2.9%  

Boeing Co.(a)

    43,712     $ 5,292,649  

General Dynamics Corp.

    28,161       5,974,919  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    22,239       4,621,931  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

    14,966       7,038,809  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    171,861       14,068,542  
   

 

 

 
           36,996,850  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.5%  

FedEx Corp.

    27,789       4,125,833  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    9,164       1,480,352  
   

 

 

 
      5,606,185  
Automobiles — 0.8%  

Ford Motor Co.

    456,255       5,110,056  

General Motors Co.

    168,354       5,402,480  
   

 

 

 
      10,512,536  
Banks — 8.4%  

Bank of America Corp.

    811,960       24,521,192  

Citigroup, Inc.

    224,120       9,339,080  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    337,208       35,238,236  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.

    47,624       7,115,978  

Truist Financial Corp.

    153,901       6,700,850  

US Bancorp

    155,355       6,263,914  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    438,442       17,634,137  
   

 

 

 
      106,813,387  
Beverages — 1.4%  

Coca-Cola Co.

    113,022       6,331,493  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    17,531       4,026,520  

Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.

    99,131       3,550,872  

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

    3,229       280,794  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    24,808       4,050,154  
   

 

 

 
      18,239,833  
Biotechnology — 1.8%  

Amgen, Inc.

    9,813       2,211,850  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    144,935       8,941,040  

Moderna, Inc.(a)

    36,772       4,348,289  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    10,247       7,058,851  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    1,647       476,873  
   

 

 

 
      23,036,903  
Building Products — 0.3%  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    80,349       3,954,778  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 5.0%  

BlackRock, Inc.(c)

    17,371       9,558,914  

Charles Schwab Corp.

    77,959       5,602,913  

CME Group, Inc.

    41,517       7,353,906  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    38,430       11,261,912  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    63,880       5,771,558  

Moody’s Corp.

    1,066       259,155  

Morgan Stanley

    144,682       11,431,325  

S&P Global, Inc.

    38,504       11,757,196  
   

 

 

 
      62,996,879  
Chemicals — 1.8%  

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

    25,630       5,964,870  

Dow, Inc.

    83,031       3,647,552  

Ecolab, Inc.

    3,345       483,085  

Linde PLC

    45,856       12,362,319  
   

 

 

 
      22,457,826  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.0%            

Waste Management, Inc.

    2,958       473,901  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Communications Equipment — 1.5%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    480,671     $ 19,226,840  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 1.0%  

American Express Co.

    65,127       8,786,284  

Capital One Financial Corp.

    44,055       4,060,549  
   

 

 

 
      12,846,833  
Diversified Financial Services — 4.4%  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)

    208,572       55,692,896  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.5%  

AT&T Inc.

    827,345       12,691,472  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    485,902       18,449,699  
   

 

 

 
             31,141,171  
Electric Utilities — 3.5%  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    59,510       5,144,640  

Duke Energy Corp.

    88,886       8,268,176  

Exelon Corp.

    114,918       4,304,828  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    226,973       17,796,953  

Southern Co.

    122,512       8,330,816  
   

 

 

 
      43,845,413  
Electrical Equipment — 0.8%  

Eaton Corp. PLC

    46,208       6,162,299  

Emerson Electric Co.

    46,497       3,404,510  
   

 

 

 
      9,566,809  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%  

Schlumberger NV

    162,794       5,844,305  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 2.5%  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    89,912       6,684,058  

Netflix, Inc.(a)

    27,825       6,551,118  

Walt Disney Co.(a)

    196,530       18,538,675  
   

 

 

 
      31,773,851  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.5%  

American Tower Corp.

    12,505       2,684,824  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    32,793       3,252,410  

Equinix, Inc.

    2,562       1,457,368  

Prologis, Inc.

    106,259       10,795,914  

Public Storage

    3,732       1,092,767  
   

 

 

 
      19,283,283  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.9%  

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    82,513       2,590,908  

Walmart, Inc.

    166,656       21,615,283  
   

 

 

 
      24,206,191  
Food Products — 1.7%  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    64,814       5,214,286  

General Mills, Inc.

    68,957       5,282,796  

Kraft Heinz Co.

    80,774       2,693,813  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    159,527       8,746,865  
   

 

 

 
      21,937,760  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.9%  

Abbott Laboratories

    172,072       16,649,687  

Baxter International, Inc.

    48,999       2,639,086  

Becton Dickinson and Co.

    32,875       7,325,536  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    165,193       6,397,925  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    3,290       616,678  

Medtronic PLC

    154,442       12,471,191  

Stryker Corp.

    18,915       3,831,044  
   

 

 

 
      49,931,147  
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.1%  

Centene Corp.(a)

    65,776       5,118,030  

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

Cigna Corp.

    29,053     $ 8,061,336  

CVS Health Corp.

    151,509       14,449,413  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    19,367       8,797,266  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    23,811       4,376,224  

Humana, Inc.

    4,300       2,086,317  

McKesson Corp.

    13,478       4,580,768  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    9,746       4,922,120  
   

 

 

 
             52,391,474  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.7%  

McDonald’s Corp.

    64,662       14,920,110  

Starbucks Corp.

    84,970       7,159,572  
   

 

 

 
      22,079,682  
Household Products — 1.9%  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    36,624       2,572,836  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    15,744       1,771,830  

Procter & Gamble Co.

    158,598       20,022,997  
   

 

 

 
      24,367,663  
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.9%  

3M Co.

    65,705       7,260,402  

General Electric Co.

    119,288       7,385,120  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    54,940       9,173,332  
   

 

 

 
      23,818,854  
Insurance — 1.9%  

American International Group, Inc.

    88,036       4,179,949  

Aon PLC, Class A

    1,374       368,053  

Chubb Ltd.

    47,970       8,724,784  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    6,224       929,181  

MetLife, Inc.

    77,738       4,724,916  

Progressive Corp.

    8,716       1,012,886  

Travelers Cos., Inc.

    27,415       4,199,978  
   

 

 

 
      24,139,747  
Interactive Media & Services — 3.5%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    90,284       8,635,665  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    81,311       7,818,053  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    208,621       28,305,697  
   

 

 

 
      44,759,415  
IT Services — 2.5%  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    3,945       892,320  

Block, Inc.(a)

    61,033       3,356,205  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    59,986       3,445,596  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    70,614       5,336,300  

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

    61,955       5,797,129  

International Business Machines Corp.

    34,535       4,103,103  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)

    92,475       7,959,323  

Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,285       388,359  
   

 

 

 
      31,278,335  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 3.3%  

Danaher Corp.

    69,749       18,015,469  

Illumina, Inc.(a)

    18,166       3,465,891  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    39,714       20,142,544  
   

 

 

 
      41,623,904  
Machinery — 0.2%  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    7,879       1,292,786  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    3,635       656,663  
   

 

 

 
      1,949,449  
Media — 1.2%  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    506,209       14,847,110  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Metals & Mining — 0.7%  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    164,993     $ 4,509,259  

Newmont Corp.

    91,912       3,863,061  

Southern Copper Corp.

    3,005       134,744  
   

 

 

 
      8,507,064  
Multiline Retail — 0.3%  

Target Corp.

    24,029       3,565,663  
   

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 1.0%  

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    96,346       6,658,472  

Sempra Energy

    36,414       5,459,915  
   

 

 

 
             12,118,387  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 8.7%  

Chevron Corp.

    227,194       32,640,962  

ConocoPhillips

    147,187       15,063,118  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    18,095       2,021,754  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    482,127       42,094,508  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    229,844       3,824,604  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    57,626       5,723,991  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

    16,466       1,011,836  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    12,340       2,671,980  

Valero Energy Corp.

    45,494       4,861,034  
   

 

 

 
      109,913,787  
Pharmaceuticals — 9.2%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    246,209       17,502,998  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    18,136       5,864,276  

Johnson & Johnson

    304,257       49,703,424  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    169,878       14,629,893  

Pfizer, Inc.

    653,411       28,593,265  
   

 

 

 
      116,293,856  
Road & Rail — 0.9%  

CSX Corp.

    185,244       4,934,900  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    27,012       5,663,066  

Uber Technologies, Inc.(a)

    29,266       775,549  
   

 

 

 
      11,373,515  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.8%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)

    39,578       2,507,662  

Analog Devices, Inc.

    48,291       6,728,868  

Intel Corp.

    472,858       12,185,551  

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    98,049       4,207,282  

Micron Technology, Inc.

    103,446       5,182,645  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    33,625       5,204,477  
   

 

 

 
      36,016,485  
Software — 1.7%  

Oracle Corp.

    54,766       3,344,560  

Roper Technologies, Inc.

    12,197       4,386,529  

Salesforce, Inc.(a)

    87,411       12,573,198  

VMware, Inc., Class A

    12,401       1,320,210  
   

 

 

 
      21,624,497  
Specialty Retail — 1.2%  

Home Depot, Inc.

    50,154       13,839,495  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    10,074       1,891,998  
   

 

 

 
      15,731,493  
Tobacco — 1.8%  

Altria Group, Inc.

    209,079       8,442,610  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    179,120       14,868,751  
   

 

 

 
      23,311,361  

 

 

18  

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


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Value ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.7%        

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

    68,787     $ 9,229,152  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.8% (Cost: $1,357,661,271)

      1,265,326,470  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities(c)(d)

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares, 3.18%(e)

    142,121       142,164  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%

    931,637       931,637  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $1,073,787)

 

    1,073,801  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $1,358,735,058)

 

    1,266,400,271  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

 

    1,559,582  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   1,267,959,853  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2022 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

03/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

09/30/22

   

Shares

Held at

09/30/22

    Income    

Capital
Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional, SL Agency Shares

  $ 1,178,770     $     $ (1,037,571 )(a)    $ 756     $ 209     $ 142,164       142,121     $ 14,449 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    1,740,000             (808,363 )(a)                   931,637       931,637       13,981        

BlackRock, Inc.

    10,349,918       4,072,298        (1,627,533     438,998       (3,674,767     9,558,914       17,371       164,739        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $  439,754     $ (3,674,558   $  10,632,715       $  193,169     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b)

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

DIJA Mini e-CBOT Index

     9          12/16/22        $ 1,296        $ (121,091

E-Mini Consumer Staples Select Sector Index

     4          12/16/22          270          (22,371

E-Mini Financials Select Sector Index

     9          12/16/22          843          (90,499
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (233,961
                 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Russell Top 200 Value ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

  

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $   233,961      $      $      $      $   233,961  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2022, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

     

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (10,286    $      $      $      $ (10,286
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on         

Futures contracts

   $      $      $   (330,091    $      $      $      $ (330,091
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 2,742,404  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                                                                         

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 1,265,326,470        $        $        $ 1,265,326,470  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     1,073,801                            1,073,801  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $       1,266,400,271        $        $        $       1,266,400,271  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (233,961      $        $        $ (233,961
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

20  

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


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

 

     iShares
Russell Top
200 ETF
   

iShares
Russell Top 200

Growth ETF

    iShares
Russell Top 200
Value ETF
 

ASSETS

     

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 726,090,873     $ 4,223,136,527     $ 1,255,767,556  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    2,464,927       52,530,147       10,632,715  

Cash

    934,119             619,451  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    71,000       465,000       145,000  

Receivables:

     

Investments sold

    329       2,399,602       4,819,073  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    4,438       3,987       9,411  

Capital shares sold

    4,240,522             8,645,182  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    479,937       1,360,415       1,372,870  

Dividends — affiliated

    2,634       14,544       4,298  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    734,288,779       4,279,910,222       1,282,015,556  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Bank overdraft

          10,738,509        

Collateral on securities loaned

    32,139       35,652,625       141,474  

Payables:

     

Investments purchased

    4,771,825       2,399,602       10,733,887  

Capital shares redeemed

                2,921,496  

Investment advisory fees

    97,237       765,658       222,809  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    18,463       115,320       36,037  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,919,664       49,671,714       14,055,703  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 729,369,115     $ 4,230,238,508     $ 1,267,959,853  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

     

Paid-in capital

  $ 744,229,928     $ 4,277,271,499     $ 1,364,118,531  

Accumulated loss

    (14,860,813     (47,032,991     (96,158,678
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 729,369,115     $ 4,230,238,508     $ 1,267,959,853  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

     

Shares outstanding

    8,600,000       35,400,000       22,000,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 84.81     $ 119.50     $ 57.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None       None       None  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 784,982,801     $ 4,261,018,613     $ 1,346,266,715  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 31,113     $ 34,445,581     $ 137,774  

(c) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 2,949,875     $ 52,526,575     $ 12,468,343  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  21


 

Statements of Operations  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

     iShares
Russell Top
200 ETF
    iShares
Russell Top 200
Growth ETF
    iShares
Russell Top
200 Value ETF
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 7,034,198     $ 23,577,454     $ 15,923,645  

Dividends — affiliated

    53,436       47,443       178,720  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    10,004       63,161       14,449  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,106     (3,089     (2,692
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    7,096,532       23,684,969       16,114,122  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    668,351       4,613,234       1,387,327  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    668,351       4,613,234       1,387,327  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    6,428,181       19,071,735       14,726,795  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (10,186,073     (195,834,470     (5,876,892

Investments — affiliated

    3,004       3,305       756  

Futures contracts

    (263,919     (507,517     (10,286

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    68,802,297       279,929,786       49,631,554  

In-kind redemptions — affiliated(a)

    152,336             438,998  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    58,507,645       83,591,104       44,184,130  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (272,100,747     (1,365,080,353     (292,076,482

Investments — affiliated

    (1,145,837     2,378       (3,674,558

Futures contracts

    (160,272     (1,280,003     (330,091
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (273,406,856     (1,366,357,978     (296,081,131
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (214,899,211     (1,282,766,874     (251,897,001
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (208,471,030   $ (1,263,695,139   $ (237,170,206
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

22  

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


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

     iShares Russell Top 200 ETF            iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF  
      Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
            Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

           

OPERATIONS

           

Net investment income

   $ 6,428,181     $ 11,557,048        $ 19,071,735     $ 24,224,459  

Net realized gain

     58,507,645       88,803,279          83,591,104       438,653,331  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (273,406,856     31,330,490          (1,366,357,978     169,212,054  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (208,471,030     131,690,817          (1,263,695,139     632,089,844  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

           

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

     (6,293,314     (11,546,241        (18,499,947     (24,456,769
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

           

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

     (97,955,769     56,024,466          692,061,612       682,843,598  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

           

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     (312,720,113     176,169,042          (590,133,474     1,290,476,673  

Beginning of period

     1,042,089,228       865,920,186          4,820,371,982       3,529,895,309  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 729,369,115     $ 1,042,089,228        $ 4,230,238,508     $ 4,820,371,982  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  23


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF  
     Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 14,726,795     $ 22,977,803  

Net realized gain

    44,184,130       132,334,923  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (296,081,131     (24,705,658
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (237,170,206     130,607,068  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (14,365,160     (22,928,866
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    231,772,554       26,107,292  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (19,762,812     133,785,494  

Beginning of period

    1,287,722,665       1,153,937,171  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $     1,267,959,853     $ 1,287,722,665  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

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


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Russell Top 200 ETF  
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
     Year Ended
03/31/21
     Year Ended
03/31/20
     Year Ended
03/31/19
     Year Ended
03/31/18
 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 107.99     $ 94.64      $ 61.54      $ 65.66      $ 60.63      $ 53.88  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.70       1.26        1.23        1.28        1.21        1.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (23.18     13.37        33.09        (3.94      4.97        6.71  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (22.48     14.63        34.32        (2.66      6.18        7.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.70     (1.28      (1.22      (1.46      (1.15      (1.04
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 84.81     $ 107.99      $ 94.64      $ 61.54      $ 65.66      $ 60.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return

               

Based on net asset value

    (20.85 )%(d)      15.48      56.06      (4.24 )%       10.27      14.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

               

Total expenses

    0.15 %(f)       0.15      0.15      0.15      0.15      0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.44 %(f)       1.20      1.48      1.82      1.91      1.84
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 729,369     $ 1,042,089      $ 865,920      $ 369,243      $ 213,382      $ 136,411  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    4     4      5      5      5      5
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

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

(f)

Annualized.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  25


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF  
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
     Year Ended
03/31/21
     Year Ended
03/31/20
     Year Ended
03/31/19
     Year Ended
03/31/18
 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 158.56     $ 134.47      $ 84.14      $ 82.24      $ 73.61      $ 61.44  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.56       0.89        0.93        1.04        1.00        0.92  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (39.09     24.09        50.31        1.90        8.60        12.18  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (38.53     24.98        51.24        2.94        9.60        13.10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.53     (0.89      (0.91      (1.04      (0.97      (0.93
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 119.50     $ 158.56      $ 134.47      $ 84.14      $ 82.24      $ 73.61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return

               

Based on net asset value

    (24.32 )%(d)      18.58      61.04      3.55      13.11      21.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

               

Total expenses

    0.20 %(f)       0.20      0.20      0.20      0.20      0.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.83 %(f)       0.57      0.77      1.16      1.27      1.33
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 4,230,239     $ 4,820,372      $ 3,529,895      $ 1,678,603      $ 1,377,486      $ 978,981  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    11     10      11      20      15      11
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

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

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

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


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF  
    Six Months Ended
09/30/22
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/22
     Year Ended
03/31/21
     Year Ended
03/31/20
     Year Ended
03/31/19
     Year Ended
03/31/18
 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 69.61     $ 63.58      $ 44.04      $ 52.57      $ 50.39      $ 48.20  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.69       1.30        1.26        1.40        1.31        1.17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (12.02     6.01        19.49        (8.38      2.13        2.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (11.33     7.31        20.75        (6.98      3.44        3.32  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.65     (1.28      (1.21      (1.55      (1.26      (1.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 57.63     $ 69.61      $ 63.58      $ 44.04      $ 52.57      $ 50.39  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return

               

Based on net asset value

    (16.31 )%(d)      11.56      47.63      (13.72 )%       6.92      6.93
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

               

Total expenses

    0.20 %(f)       0.20      0.20      0.20      0.20      0.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.12 %(f)       1.91      2.31      2.56      2.54      2.33
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,267,960     $ 1,287,723      $ 1,153,937      $ 389,726      $ 425,831      $ 284,724  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    17     15      17      17      14      13
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

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

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    I G H L I G H T  S

  27


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

Russell Top 200

  Diversified

Russell Top 200 Growth(a)

  Diversified

Russell Top 200 Value

  Diversified

 

  (a) 

The Fund intends to be diversified in approximately the same proportion as its underlying index is diversified. The Fund may become non-diversified, as defined in the 1940 Act, solely as a result of a change in relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of its underlying index. Shareholder approval will not be sought if the Fund crosses from diversified to non-diversified status due solely to a change in its relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of its underlying index.

 

 

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. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers or as estimated by management, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdiction in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2022, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

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

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

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

 

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 Fund’s 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

 

 

28  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

Warrants: Warrants entitle a fund to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date of the warrants, if any. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the strike price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and a fund will lose any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

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.

 

 

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

  29


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

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

 

iShares ETF and Counterparty   Securities
Loaned at Value
    

Cash

Collateral Received(a)

   

Non-Cash
Collateral Received,

at Fair Value(a)

     Net
Amount
 

Russell Top 200

         

HSBC Bank PLC

  $ 1,064      $ (1,064   $      $  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

    30,049        (30,049             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 31,113      $ (31,113   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Russell Top 200 Growth

         

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 15,192      $ (15,192   $      $  

BNP Paribas SA

    4,052,985        (4,052,985             

BofA Securities, Inc.

    3,263,720        (3,263,720             

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    11,631,816        (11,631,816             

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    2,934,019        (2,934,019             

HSBC Bank PLC

    731,376        (731,376             

SG Americas Securities LLC

    547,992        (547,992             

UBS AG

    4,293,825        (4,293,825             

UBS Securities LLC

    6,974,656        (6,974,656             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 34,445,581      $ (34,445,581   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Russell Top 200 Value

         

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

  $ 137,774      $ (137,774   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Fund is disclosed in the Funds’ Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

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

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

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

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

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and

 

 

30  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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  

Russell Top 200

    0.15

Russell Top 200 Growth

    0.20  

Russell Top 200 Value

    0.20  

Distributor: BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), 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.

ETF Servicing Fees: Each Fund has entered into an ETF Services Agreement with BRIL to perform certain order processing, Authorized Participant communications, and related services in connection with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units (“ETF Services”). BRIL is entitled to a transaction fee from Authorized Participants on each creation or redemption order for the ETF Services provided. Each Fund does not pay BRIL for ETF Services.

Prior to April 25, 2022, ETF Services were performed by State Street Bank and Trust Company.

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 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees) and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

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 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

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 September 30, 2022, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

Russell Top 200

  $ 3,292  

Russell Top 200 Growth

    26,141  

Russell Top 200 Value

    3,973  

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

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

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

Russell Top 200

  $ 15,257,118      $ 16,993,460      $ (6,437,795

Russell Top 200 Growth

    392,525,568        310,992,440        (148,788,257

Russell Top 200 Value

    181,743,810        192,989,322        549,219  

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.

 

 

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

  31


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

Russell Top 200

  $ 31,616,019      $ 31,089,773  

Russell Top 200 Growth

    515,195,842        514,960,340  

Russell Top 200 Value

    235,392,087        234,583,812  

For the six months ended September 30, 2022, in-kind transactions were as follows:    

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
     In-kind
Sales
 

Russell Top 200

  $ 137,941,262      $ 235,650,930  

Russell Top 200 Growth

    1,273,318,475        582,791,814  

Russell Top 200 Value

    430,859,294        199,828,370  

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

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

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of September 30, 2022, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds’ financial statements.

As of March 31, 2022, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Amounts  

Russell Top 200

  $ 11,215,984  

Russell Top 200 Growth

    87,537,359  

Russell Top 200 Value

    43,326,562  

As of September 30, 2022, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

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

Russell Top 200

  $ 790,789,511      $ 36,543,801      $ (98,783,239   $ (62,239,438

Russell Top 200 Growth

    4,318,045,195        250,260,434        (293,416,822     (43,156,388

Russell Top 200 Value

    1,363,785,182        51,353,571        (148,972,443     (97,618,872

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

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

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

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the

 

 

32  

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


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause a fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a fund invests.

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

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

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

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

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

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

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

 

10.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

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

 

 

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

  33


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
09/30/22
    Year Ended
03/31/22
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Russell Top 200

       

Shares sold

    1,450,000     $ 138,268,068       2,650,000     $ 283,025,557  

Shares redeemed

    (2,500,000     (236,223,837     (2,150,000     (227,001,091
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,050,000   $ (97,955,769     500,000     $ 56,024,466  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Russell Top 200 Growth

       

Shares sold

    9,300,000     $     1,276,035,942       10,200,000     $     1,599,356,266  

Shares redeemed

    (4,300,000     (583,974,330     (6,050,000     (916,512,668
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    5,000,000     $ 692,061,612       4,150,000     $ 682,843,598  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Russell Top 200 Value

       

Shares sold

    6,600,000     $ 432,194,352       6,300,000     $ 425,716,600  

Shares redeemed

    (3,100,000     (200,421,798     (5,950,000     (399,609,308
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    3,500,000     $ 231,772,554       350,000     $ 26,107,292  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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 BRIL, to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units, including Creation Units for cash. Investors transacting in Creation Units for cash may also pay an additional variable charge to compensate the relevant fund for certain transaction costs (i.e., stamp taxes, taxes on currency or other financial transactions, and brokerage costs) and market impact expenses relating to investing in portfolio securities. Such variable charges, if any, are included in shares sold in the table above.

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

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

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

 

 

34  

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

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, 2021, 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 recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies, provided at the May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  35


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates manage Other Accounts with 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 (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

iShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in

 

 

36  

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T     D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

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, 2021, 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 recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies, provided at the May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  37


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

iShares Russell Top 200 Value ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 3, 2022 and May 18, 2022, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 13-15, 2022, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

 

 

38  

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T     D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Expenses and Performance of the Fund: The Board reviewed statistical information prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent provider of investment company data, regarding the expense ratio components, including gross and net total expenses, fees and expenses of another fund in which the Fund invests (if applicable), and waivers/reimbursements (if applicable) of the Fund in comparison with the same information for other ETFs, objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable expense peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the investment advisory fee rate and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the investment advisory fee rates and overall expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

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, 2021, 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 recent enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies, provided at the May 3, 2022 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board reviewed information about the estimated profitability to BlackRock in managing the Fund, based on the fees payable to BFA and its affiliates (including fees under the Advisory Agreement), and other sources of revenue and expense to BFA and its affiliates from the Fund’s operations for the last calendar year. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology for calculating estimated profitability of the iShares funds, noting that the 15(c) Committee and the Board had focused on the methodology and profitability presentation. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the information considered with respect to the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund did not provide for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund increase. However, the Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding breakpoints in the future.

The Board concluded that this review of potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits, as well as the other factors considered at the meeting, supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Fees and Services Provided for Other Comparable Funds/Accounts Managed by BFA and its Affiliates: The Board received and considered information regarding the investment advisory/management fee rates for other funds/accounts in the U.S. for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory/management services, including open-end funds registered under the 1940 Act (including sub-advised funds), collective trust funds, and institutional separate accounts (collectively, the “Other Accounts”). The Board acknowledged BFA’s representation that the iShares funds are fundamentally different investment vehicles from the Other Accounts.

 

 

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T    D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T

  39


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to the services rendered and that could not have been the product of arm’s-length bargaining, and concluded to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

 

 

40  

O A R D    E V I E W    A N D     P P R O V A L    O F    N V E S T M E N T     D V I S O R Y    O N T R A C T


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.

 

 

E N E R A L    N F O R M A T I O  N

  41


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
S&P    Standard & Poor’s

 

 

42  

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


 

 

 

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.


 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com   |    1-800-474-2737

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

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

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

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell, nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

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

iS-SAR-305-0922

 

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO