LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

 

  

2022 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares Global 100 ETF | IOO | NYSE Arca

 

·  

iShares Global Infrastructure ETF | IGF | NASDAQ

 

·  

iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF | WOOD | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of 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, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit iShares.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of 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  N O T    A R T    O F    O U R    U N D     E P O R T


Table of Contents

 

     

Page

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

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

     16  

Statements of Operations

     17  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     18  

Financial Highlights

     20  

Notes to Financial Statements

     23  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     31  

Supplemental Information

     35  

General Information

     36  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     37  

 

 

      


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global 100 ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns            Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years     10 Years             1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (20.69 )%       (14.59 )%       8.31     9.27        (14.59 )%       49.08      142.75

Fund Market

    (20.83      (14.74      8.27       9.27          (14.74      48.81        142.63  

Index

    (20.75      (14.55      8.29       9.20                (14.55      48.92        141.12  

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          $      793.10          $      1.89               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.00          $      2.13          0.42

 

  (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

    29.7

Health Care

    13.6  

Consumer Discretionary

    12.4  

Consumer Staples

    12.0  

Financials

    8.9  

Communication Services

    8.2  

Energy

    7.0  

Industrials

    4.9  

Materials

    1.9  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.4  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    74.0

United Kingdom

    6.9  

Switzerland

    5.7  

France

    4.2  

Japan

    2.9  

Germany

    2.8  

South Korea

    1.3  

Australia

    1.2  

Spain

    0.7  

Netherlands

    0.3  

 

 

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® Global Infrastructure ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (16.67 )%       (6.76 )%       1.31      4.87       (6.76 )%       6.73      60.86

Fund Market

    (16.57      (6.60      1.31        4.91         (6.60      6.75        61.57  

Index

    (16.72      (6.72      1.22        4.76               (6.72      6.24        59.28  

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          $      833.30          $      1.88               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.00          $      2.08          0.41

 

  (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

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Electric Utilities

    24.7

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

    20.1  

Airport Services

    18.6  

Highways & Railtracks

    17.7  

Multi-Utilities

    11.4  

Marine Ports & Services

    4.3  

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders

    1.3  

Water Utilities

    1.3  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.6  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    41.3

Canada

    9.7  

Australia

    8.8  

Italy

    7.3  

Spain

    6.2  

Mexico

    4.9  

France

    4.8  

China

    4.7  

New Zealand

    2.4  

Japan

    1.9  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

U N D    U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary  as of September 30, 2022    iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 

Investment Objective

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

Performance

 

           Average Annual Total Returns           Cumulative Total Returns  
     6-Month
Total Returns
     1 Year      5 Years      10 Years            1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Fund NAV

    (25.17 )%       (21.36 )%       1.49      6.77       (21.36 )%       7.66      92.44

Fund Market

    (25.39      (21.41      1.41        6.74         (21.41      7.26        91.96  

Index

    (25.27      (21.43      1.40        6.64               (21.43      7.21        90.17  

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          $      748.30          $      1.80               $      1,000.00          $      1,023.00          $      2.08        0.41

 

  (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

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

Paper Products

    39.0

Paper Packaging

    20.8  

Forest Products

    19.4  

Specialized REITs

    17.7  

Homebuilding

    3.1  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

United States

    31.4

Sweden

    13.3  

Canada

    12.8  

Japan

    9.9  

Brazil

    9.3  

Finland

    8.1  

Ireland

    4.2  

United Kingdom

    4.0  

South Africa

    2.7  

Portugal

    2.3  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

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® Global 100 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

 

Australia — 1.2%  

BHP Group Ltd.

    1,112,995      $ 27,666,957  

Rio Tinto PLC

    234,909        12,709,950  
    

 

 

 
       40,376,907  
France — 4.2%             

AXA SA

    433,494        9,464,432  

Cie. de Saint-Gobain

    115,523        4,130,593  

Engie SA

    409,442        4,712,632  

L’Oreal SA

    55,807        17,843,842  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    58,698        34,606,854  

Orange SA

    414,677        3,750,560  

Sanofi

    255,159        19,429,459  

Schneider Electric SE

    125,150        14,135,787  

Societe Generale SA

    171,508        3,391,758  

TotalEnergies SE

    545,133        25,574,667  

Vivendi SE

    182,546        1,415,932  
    

 

 

 
           138,456,516  
Germany — 2.8%             

Allianz SE, Registered

    90,441        14,247,555  

BASF SE

    201,708        7,741,226  

Bayer AG, Registered

    214,954        9,903,900  

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered

    458,318        3,393,375  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered

    772,177        13,143,737  

E.ON SE

    496,376        3,813,544  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG

    182,738        9,240,517  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG in Muenchen, Registered

    30,768        7,406,492  

RWE AG

    148,650        5,463,778  

Siemens AG, Registered

    165,475        16,173,997  
    

 

 

 
       90,528,121  
Japan — 2.9%             

Bridgestone Corp.

    131,800        4,262,532  

Canon Inc.

    227,850        4,976,820  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    376,100        8,163,541  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.

    2,772,800        12,561,128  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

    536,600        1,729,264  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    511,600        3,592,475  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

    175,020        7,030,559  

Sony Group Corp.

    279,200        17,984,505  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    2,779,100        36,324,069  
    

 

 

 
       96,624,893  
Netherlands — 0.3%             

ING Groep NV

    861,504        7,381,734  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    195,124        3,004,226  
    

 

 

 
       10,385,960  
South Korea — 1.3%             

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    1,135,752        41,703,952  
    

 

 

 
Spain — 0.7%             

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA

    1,478,420        6,631,963  

Banco Santander SA

    3,805,579        8,855,197  

Repsol SA

    337,892        3,882,464  

Telefonica SA

    1,247,633        4,124,569  
    

 

 

 
       23,494,193  
Switzerland — 5.7%             

ABB Ltd., Registered

    391,133        10,098,830  

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered

    552,443        2,185,233  

Nestle SA, Registered

    608,358        65,798,366  

Novartis AG, Registered

    531,754        40,539,288  
Security   Shares      Value  
Switzerland (continued)             

Roche Holding AG, Bearer

    6,044      $ 2,360,971  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    155,562        50,640,498  

Swiss Re AG

    63,606        4,691,196  

UBS Group AG, Registered

    812,842        11,792,682  
    

 

 

 
       188,107,064  
United Kingdom — 6.9%             

Anglo American PLC

    293,524        8,813,299  

AstraZeneca PLC

    342,781        37,681,717  

Aviva PLC

    637,106        2,732,445  

Barclays PLC

    3,427,815        5,454,117  

BP PLC

    4,614,920        22,051,869  

Diageo PLC

    516,222        21,729,587  

GSK PLC

    881,738        12,734,675  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    4,496,010        23,279,704  

National Grid PLC

    853,500        8,786,016  

Prudential PLC

    607,434        5,945,341  

Shell PLC

    1,692,345        41,983,576  

Standard Chartered PLC

    540,471        3,380,405  

Unilever PLC

    578,447        25,416,873  

Vodafone Group PLC

    5,877,549        6,578,150  
    

 

 

 
           226,567,774  
United States — 73.7%             

3M Co.

    122,581        13,545,200  

Abbott Laboratories

    387,409        37,485,695  

Alphabet Inc., Class A(a)

    1,327,635        126,988,288  

Alphabet Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    1,187,213        114,150,530  

Amazon.com Inc.(a)

    1,962,485        221,760,805  

American Tower Corp.

    102,998        22,113,671  

Aon PLC, Class A

    46,650        12,496,135  

Apple Inc.

    3,344,885        462,263,107  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    472,365        33,580,428  

Caterpillar Inc.

    116,991        19,195,883  

Chevron Corp.

    398,386        57,236,117  

Citigroup Inc.

    428,827        17,869,221  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    861,030        48,234,901  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

    184,073        12,931,128  

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

    111,891        5,639,306  

Emerson Electric Co.

    130,125        9,527,752  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    925,118        80,772,053  

Ford Motor Co.

    867,301        9,713,771  

General Electric Co.

    241,983        14,981,168  

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (The)

    75,333        22,076,336  

Honeywell International Inc.

    149,678        24,991,736  

HP Inc.

    201,323        5,016,969  

Intel Corp.

    908,333        23,407,741  

International Business Machines Corp.

    199,804        23,738,713  

Johnson & Johnson

    582,230        95,113,093  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    153,546        7,557,534  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    648,745        67,793,852  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    74,275        8,358,909  

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

    110,732        16,531,180  

McDonald’s Corp.

    162,903        37,588,238  

Merck & Co. Inc.

    560,414        48,262,854  

Microsoft Corp.

    1,651,328        384,594,291  

Morgan Stanley

    296,244        23,406,238  

Nike Inc., Class B

    278,867        23,179,425  

PepsiCo Inc.

    305,306        49,844,258  

Pfizer Inc.

    1,243,838        54,430,351  

Philip Morris International Inc.

    343,237        28,492,103  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    528,620        66,738,275  

 

 

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® Global 100 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

    326,846     $ 26,755,614  

Texas Instruments Inc.

    202,345       31,318,959  

Walmart Inc.

    315,331       40,898,431  
   

 

 

 
      2,430,580,259  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%
(Cost: $2,875,388,678)

 

    3,286,825,639  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.2%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(b)(c)

    4,780,000       4,780,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.2%
(Cost: $4,780,000)

 

    4,780,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $2,880,168,678)

      3,291,605,639  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      4,817,363  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   3,296,423,002  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(c) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the 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(a)

  $     $ 80 (b)    $     $ (80   $     $           $ 41,052 (c)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    8,396,000             (3,616,000 )(b)                  4,780,000       4,780,000       34,959        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (80   $     $ 4,780,000       $ 76,011     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

                 

Euro STOXX 50 Index

     16          12/16/22        $ 513        $ (48,853

FTSE 100 Index

     16          12/16/22          1,223          (117,719

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     35          12/16/22          6,303          (848,383
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (1,014,955
                 

 

 

 

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global 100 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)

   $      $      $ 1,014,955      $      $      $      $ 1,014,955  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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

   $      $      $ (1,237,840    $      $      $      $ (1,237,840
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (2,008,505    $      $      $      $ (2,008,505
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 8,709,352  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,430,580,259        $ 856,245,380        $        $ 3,286,825,639  

Money Market Funds

     4,780,000                            4,780,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,435,360,259        $     856,245,380        $        $ 3,291,605,639  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (848,383      $ (166,572      $             —        $ (1,014,955
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 8.7%            

Atlas Arteria Ltd.

    18,891,493     $ 75,226,945  

Qube Holdings Ltd.

    27,371,919       43,459,451  

Transurban Group

    19,943,460       157,501,815  
   

 

 

 
          276,188,211  
Belgium — 0.1%            

Euronav NV

    311,703       4,896,917  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 0.7%            

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, ADR

    1,805,482       14,498,020  

Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo, ADR(a)

    484,587       4,414,588  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA, ADR

    1,532,672       3,356,552  
   

 

 

 
      22,269,160  
Canada — 9.7%            

Enbridge Inc.

    4,281,273       158,748,184  

Gibson Energy Inc.

    310,048       4,931,230  

Keyera Corp.

    467,338       9,621,814  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    1,173,962       35,660,365  

TC Energy Corp.

    2,139,661       86,184,340  

Westshore Terminals Investment Corp.

    568,743       10,919,075  
   

 

 

 
      306,065,008  
China — 4.7%            

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

    25,928,000       13,988,591  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    4,242,800       5,074,621  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    4,736,000       5,918,089  

China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.

    20,756,000       26,069,749  

China Power International Development Ltd.

    7,066,000       2,797,257  

China Resources Gas Group Ltd.

    1,279,600       4,057,144  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

    2,524,000       3,897,538  

COSCO SHIPPING Ports Ltd.

    26,222,000       16,504,258  

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

    3,986,000       3,184,096  

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

    2,638,000       6,302,840  

Jiangsu Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    19,068,000       14,315,766  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

    5,648,000       4,065,006  

Shenzhen Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    9,502,000       6,944,662  

Shenzhen International Holdings Ltd.

    21,468,500       16,365,043  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd.

    14,654,000       5,951,290  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

    21,116,000       14,349,069  
   

 

 

 
      149,785,019  
France — 4.8%            

Aeroports de Paris(b)

    429,531       49,636,803  

Gaztransport Et Technigaz SA

    46,255       5,100,234  

Getlink SE

    6,223,839       96,515,197  
   

 

 

 
      151,252,234  
Germany — 1.9%            

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(b)

    574,671       20,664,386  

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG

    348,468       3,787,602  

RWE AG

    958,836       35,242,966  
   

 

 

 
      59,694,954  
Hong Kong — 0.6%            

Atlas Corp.

    1,351,539       18,786,392  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 7.2%            

Atlantia SpA

    7,722,418       170,400,291  

Enav SpA(b)(c)

    3,955,570       14,393,651  

Enel SpA

    10,955,930       44,932,717  
   

 

 

 
      229,726,659  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan — 1.9%            

Japan Airport Terminal Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,443,900     $ 60,343,146  
   

 

 

 
Mexico — 4.9%            

Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte SAB de CV, ADR

    527,583       26,453,012  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, ADR

    562,699       71,338,979  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste SAB de CV, ADR

    292,038       57,289,094  
   

 

 

 
      155,081,085  
New Zealand — 2.4%            

Auckland International Airport Ltd.(b)

    18,719,612       75,034,138  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 1.3%            

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, Class U(a)

    78,704,400       14,458,943  

SATS Ltd.(b)

    10,099,200       21,165,251  

SIA Engineering Co. Ltd.(b)

    4,056,100       6,297,095  
   

 

 

 
      41,921,289  
Spain — 6.2%            

Aena SME SA(b)(c)

    1,139,358       118,242,127  

Iberdrola SA

    8,306,525       77,451,559  
   

 

 

 
      195,693,686  
Switzerland — 1.4%            

Flughafen Zurich AG, Registered(b)

    295,074       43,613,644  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 1.8%            

National Grid PLC

    5,496,314       56,579,614  
   

 

 

 
United States — 41.1%            

American Electric Power Co. Inc.

    728,442       62,973,813  

American Water Works Co. Inc.

    257,761       33,550,172  

Cheniere Energy Inc.

    528,149       87,625,201  

Consolidated Edison Inc.

    502,774       43,117,898  

Constellation Energy Corp.

    463,445       38,553,990  

Dominion Energy Inc.

    1,180,436       81,579,932  

DTE Energy Co.

    274,709       31,605,270  

DTE Midstream LLC(b)

    204,537       10,613,425  

Duke Energy Corp.

    1,091,766       101,556,073  

Edison International

    540,846       30,601,067  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

    915,086       6,844,843  

Eversource Energy

    491,234       38,296,603  

Exelon Corp.

    1,406,247       52,678,013  

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    4,192,158       69,757,509  

NextEra Energy Inc.

    2,064,089       161,845,218  

ONEOK Inc.

    944,859       48,414,575  

Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

    707,351       39,774,347  

Sempra Energy

    445,671       66,823,910  

Southern Co. (The)

    1,507,267       102,494,156  

Targa Resources Corp.

    479,039       28,905,213  

WEC Energy Group Inc.

    447,266       39,998,998  

Williams Companies Inc. (The)

    2,576,498       73,765,138  

Xcel Energy Inc.

    775,598       49,638,272  
   

 

 

 
      1,301,013,636  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.4%
(Cost: $3,283,581,379)

      3,147,944,792  
   

 

 

 

 

 

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

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks

   
Brazil — 0.1%            

Cia. Energetica de Minas Gerais, Preference Shares, ADR

    2,078,017     $ 4,197,594  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.1%
(Cost: $3,557,236)

      4,197,594  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $3,287,138,615)

      3,152,142,386  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.3%            

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

    4,205,431       4,206,693  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(d)(e)

    4,090,000       4,090,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $8,294,602)

      8,296,693  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost: $3,295,433,217)

      3,160,439,079  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

      7,362,031  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   3,167,801,110  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended 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

  $ 1,940,677     $ 2,269,034 (a)    $     $ (4,046   $ 1,028     $ 4,206,693       4,205,431     $ 64,792 (b)    $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    6,110,000             (2,020,000 )(a)                  4,090,000       4,090,000       26,651        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (4,046   $ 1,028     $ 8,296,693       $ 91,443     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

 

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

 

 

Long Contracts

           

IBEX 35 Index

     30        10/21/22      $ 2,148      $ (189,394

S&P/TSX 60 Index

     35        12/15/22        5,655        (282,806

SPI 200 Index

     26        12/15/22        2,698        (164,713

Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index

     51        12/16/22        1,620        (212,913
           

 

 

 
            $ (849,826
           

 

 

 

 

 

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) (continued)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Infrastructure 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)

   $      $      $ 849,826      $      $      $      $ 849,826  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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

   $      $      $ (746,848    $      $      $      $ (746,848
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,024,991    $      $      $      $ (1,024,991
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 16,145,102  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 1,803,215,281        $ 1,344,729,511        $        $ 3,147,944,792  

Preferred Stocks

     4,197,594                            4,197,594  

Money Market Funds

     8,296,693                            8,296,693  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,815,709,568        $ 1,344,729,511        $        $ 3,160,439,079  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (495,719      $ (354,107      $             —        $ (849,826
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  13


 

Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

  

iShares® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Brazil — 9.2%            

Dexco SA

    992,523     $ 1,720,335  

Klabin SA

    2,407,017       8,098,725  

Suzano SA

    1,136,781       9,377,730  
   

 

 

 
      19,196,790  
Canada — 12.7%            

Canfor Corp.(a)

    334,435       4,868,779  

Interfor Corp.(a)(b)

    266,911       4,672,174  

Stella-Jones Inc.

    148,248       4,161,912  

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

    174,532       12,626,042  
   

 

 

 
        26,328,907  
China — 1.9%            

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.

    6,478,000       4,027,267  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 8.1%            

Stora Enso OYJ, Class R

    701,277       8,908,631  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    248,636       7,890,321  
   

 

 

 
      16,798,952  
Ireland — 4.1%            

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    301,651       8,626,974  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 9.8%            

Daio Paper Corp.

    335,300       2,689,594  

Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd.

    603,200       3,921,863  

Oji Holdings Corp.

    2,028,100       7,525,562  

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd.

    416,800       6,344,756  
   

 

 

 
      20,481,775  
Portugal — 2.3%            

Altri SGPS SA

    408,757       2,073,117  

Navigator Co. SA (The)

    766,342       2,618,173  
   

 

 

 
      4,691,290  
South Africa — 2.7%            

Sappi Ltd.(a)

    2,318,366       5,587,460  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 13.2%            

BillerudKorsnas AB(b)

    530,496       6,228,166  

Holmen AB, Class B

    242,146       9,188,644  

Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA, Class B

    951,400       12,071,820  
   

 

 

 
      27,488,630  
Security   Shares      Value  
United Kingdom — 4.0%             

Mondi PLC

    542,275      $ 8,330,660  
    

 

 

 
United States — 31.1%             

International Paper Co.

    345,400        10,949,180  

Mercer International Inc.

    284,156        3,495,119  

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    242,727        9,961,516  

Rayonier Inc.

    412,128        12,351,476  

Sylvamo Corp.

    141,062        4,782,002  

Westrock Co.

    291,242        8,996,465  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

    496,329        14,175,156  
    

 

 

 
       64,710,914  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.1%
(Cost: $253,040,349)

       206,269,619  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 1.5%             

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

    2,772,598        2,773,430  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 2.81%(c)(d)

    460,000        460,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.5%
(Cost: $3,233,430)

       3,233,430  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.6%
(Cost: $256,273,779)

       209,503,049  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.6)%

       (1,274,292
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $   208,228,757  
    

 

 

 

 

(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

   $      $ 2,773,186 (a)     $      $ 244      $      $ 2,773,430        2,772,598      $ 15,376 (b)     $  

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

     470,000               (10,000 )(a)                     460,000        460,000        1,751         
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 244      $      $ 3,233,430         $ 17,127      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

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® Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     9          12/16/22        $ 1,621        $ (112,341
                 

 

 

 

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)

   $        $        $ 112,341        $        $        $        $ 112,341  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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

   $        $        $ (184,344      $        $        $        $ (184,344
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ (163,871      $        $        $        $ (163,871
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,378,763  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 110,236,611        $ 96,033,008        $        $ 206,269,619  

Money Market Funds

     3,233,430                            3,233,430  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 113,470,041        $ 96,033,008        $        $ 209,503,049  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $ (112,341      $        $        $ (112,341
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  15


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

September 30, 2022

 

    

iShares

Global 100 ETF

    

iShares

Global

Infrastructure ETF

   

iShares

Global
Timber &

Forestry ETF

 

ASSETS

      

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

  $ 3,286,825,639      $ 3,152,142,386     $ 206,269,619  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    4,780,000        8,296,693       3,233,430  

Cash

    5,874        3,202       1,190  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    1,780,330        2,286,099       322,414  

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    354,000        152,999       51,000  

Foreign currency collateral pledged for futures contracts(e)

    134,294        884,020        

Receivables:

      

Investments sold

           203,579,728       36,509,739  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    40,305        13,917       2,361  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    3,488,206        6,129,986       291,041  

Dividends — affiliated

    12,246        8,391       839  

Tax reclaims

    1,766,090        251,216       373,943  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,299,186,984        3,373,748,637       247,055,576  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

      

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

           4,203,757       2,773,291  

Payables:

      

Investments purchased

           200,496,256       35,962,562  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    97,082        40,686       12,817  

Capital shares redeemed

    15               

Investment advisory fees

    1,170,913        1,177,291       78,149  

Professional fees

    22,667        29,537        

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    1,473,305               
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,763,982        205,947,527       38,826,819  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,296,423,002      $ 3,167,801,110     $ 208,228,757  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 3,018,290,563      $ 3,662,492,420     $ 282,423,523  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    278,132,439        (494,691,310     (74,194,766
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,296,423,002      $ 3,167,801,110     $ 208,228,757  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

      

Shares outstanding

    55,350,000        75,900,000       3,180,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 59.56      $ 41.74     $ 65.48  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 2,875,388,678      $ 3,287,138,615     $ 253,040,349  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 2,705,700     $ 2,704,257  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 4,780,000      $ 8,294,602     $ 3,233,430  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 1,801,764      $ 2,290,922     $ 324,257  

(e) Foreign currency collateral pledged, at cost

  $ 146,417      $ 949,635     $  

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


 

Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

    

iShares

Global 100

ETF

   

iShares

Global

Infrastructure

ETF

   

iShares

Global

Timber &

Forestry ETF

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 42,940,647     $ 72,366,317     $ 2,516,227  

Dividends — affiliated

    34,959       26,651       1,751  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    41,052       64,792       15,376  

Other income — unaffiliated

    901,649       64,110        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,990,014     (4,761,499     (176,626

Foreign withholding tax claims

    2,347,966       234,723        

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

    (1,439,615     (48     195  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    42,836,644       67,995,046       2,356,923  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    7,191,024       7,116,273       564,149  

Commitment costs

    1,768       2,666       881  

Professional

    325,234       29,883        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    7,518,026       7,148,822       565,030  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    35,318,618       60,846,224       1,791,893  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (10,027,048     (85,124,354     (14,562,362

Investments — affiliated

    (80     (4,046     244  

Foreign currency transactions

    (914,741     (1,120,670     (99,564

Futures contracts

    (1,237,840     (746,848     (184,344

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    24,671,582       19,619,556       2,639,267  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    12,491,873       (67,376,362     (12,206,759
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    (878,027,963     (613,896,430     (63,008,911

Investments — affiliated

          1,028        

Foreign currency translations

    (187,062     (10,744     (59,044

Futures contracts

    (2,008,505     (1,024,991     (163,871
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (880,223,530     (614,931,137     (63,231,826
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (867,731,657     (682,307,499     (75,438,585
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (832,413,039   $ (621,461,275   $ (73,646,692
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L    T A T E M E N T  S

  17


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

Global 100 ETF

          

iShares

Global Infrastructure 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

  $ 35,318,618     $ 55,780,470        $ 60,846,224     $ 70,322,524  

Net realized gain (loss)

    12,491,873       116,816,003          (67,376,362     102,129,926  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (880,223,530     345,899,984          (614,931,137     292,894,503  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (832,413,039     518,496,457          (621,461,275     465,346,953  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (40,097,757     (56,448,560        (50,404,211     (76,469,201
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

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

    325,324,183       408,496,678          406,677,285       (19,508,370
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (547,186,613     870,544,575          (265,188,201     369,369,382  

Beginning of period

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

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 3,296,423,002     $ 3,843,609,615        $ 3,167,801,110     $ 3,432,989,311  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

Global Timber & Forestry ETF

 
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months
Ended

09/30/22
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
03/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 1,791,893     $ 5,956,846  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (12,206,759     41,102,186  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (63,231,826     (34,689,412
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (73,646,692     12,369,620  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (5,365,819     (4,841,317
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (28,212,300     (24,124,346
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (107,224,811     (16,596,043

Beginning of period

    315,453,568       332,049,611  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 208,228,757     $ 315,453,568  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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

  19


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global 100 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
 
(a)  
   
Year Ended
03/31/18
 
(a)  

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 75.96     $ 65.92     $ 44.71     $ 47.57     $ 45.54     $ 40.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.67 (c)       1.16       0.99       1.06       1.14       1.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(d)

    (16.29     10.08       21.16       (2.83     1.97       4.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (15.62     11.24       22.15       (1.77     3.11       5.67  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(e)

    (0.78     (1.20     (0.94     (1.09     (1.08     (1.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 59.56     $ 75.96     $ 65.92     $ 44.71     $ 47.57     $ 45.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

           

Based on net asset value

    (20.69 )%(c)(g)       17.11     49.88     (3.91 )%      7.00     13.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.42 %(i)       0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40     0.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.40 %(i)       0.40     N/A       0.40     N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.96 %(c)(i)       1.58     1.71     2.11     2.46     2.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 3,296,423     $ 3,843,610     $ 2,973,065     $ 1,855,568     $ 2,031,281     $ 1,780,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    1     2     3     5     9     8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2022:

   

Net investment income per share by $0.04.

   

Total return by 0.05%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.11%.

(d) 

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

(e) 

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

(f) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

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


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Infrastructure 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

  $ 50.78     $ 45.05     $ 33.89     $ 44.78     $ 42.73     $ 42.18  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.85       1.04       1.04       1.54       1.34       1.44  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (9.19     5.84       11.14       (10.86     2.10       0.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (8.34     6.88       12.18       (9.32     3.44       1.89  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.70     (1.15     (1.02     (1.57     (1.39     (1.34
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 41.74     $ 50.78     $ 45.05     $ 33.89     $ 44.78     $ 42.73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

           

Based on net asset value

    (16.67 )%(e)(f)      15.54     36.27 %(g)       (21.75 )%      8.40     4.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(i)       0.40     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    0.41 %(i)       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.52 %(f)(i)       2.23     2.57     3.38     3.15     3.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 3,167,801     $ 3,432,989     $ 3,063,620     $ 2,741,647     $ 2,825,830     $ 2,503,687  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    7     16     25     9     19     11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Reflects the one-time, positive effect of foreign withholding tax claims, net of the associated professional fees, which resulted in the following increases for the six months ended September 30, 2022:

   

Total return by 0.01%.

   

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets by 0.01%.

(g) 

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

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

(j) 

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

  21


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Global Timber & Forestry 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

  $ 89.11     $ 85.14     $ 48.10     $ 63.82     $ 78.11     $ 57.39  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.53       1.58 (b)       0.78       0.79       1.57       0.82  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(c)

    (22.62     3.53       37.04       (15.27     (14.25     20.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (22.09     5.11       37.82       (14.48     (12.68     21.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (1.54     (1.14     (0.78     (1.24     (1.61     (0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 65.48     $ 89.11     $ 85.14     $ 48.10     $ 63.82     $ 78.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

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

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    0.41 %(h)       0.41     0.43     0.46     0.46     0.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding professional fees for foreign withholding tax claims

    N/A       0.40     N/A       N/A       0.46     N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.30 %(h)       1.78 %(b)       1.15     1.30     2.17     1.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 208,229     $ 315,454     $ 332,050     $ 173,178     $ 279,553     $ 440,542  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    16     18     14     10     18     31
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

   

Net investment income per share by $0.07.

   

Total return by 0.09%.

   

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

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


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  

Global 100

  Diversified  

Global Infrastructure

  Diversified  

Global Timber & Forestry

  Non-diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

  23


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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

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

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

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

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

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  

Global Infrastructure

        

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 233,072      $ (233,072   $     $  

HSBC Bank PLC

    42,991        (42,991            

Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

    2,429,637        (2,429,637            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 2,705,700      $ (2,705,700   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Timber & Forestry

        

Morgan Stanley

  $ 2,704,257      $ (2,704,257   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

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

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations

 

 

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  25


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

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

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

 

Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees  

First $10 billion

    0.4800

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

    0.4300  

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

    0.3800  

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

    0.3420  

Over $40 billion

    0.3078  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  

Global 100

  $ 9,917  

Global Infrastructure

    16,461  

Global Timber & Forestry

    4,435  

 

 

26  

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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)
 

Global 100

  $ 7,635,321      $ 3,319,335      $ (2,025,835

Global Infrastructure

        2,880,915            12,936,087        (3,027,619

Global Timber & Forestry

    824,952        737,915        (195,978

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

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

7. PURCHASES AND SALES

For the 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  

Global 100

  $ 85,352,183      $ 36,054,417  

Global Infrastructure

        314,393,172            251,092,170  

Global Timber & Forestry

    43,141,972        48,258,996  

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

 

iShares ETF   In-kind
Purchases
    

In-kind

Sales

 

Global 100

  $     323,540,700      $ 44,145,644  

Global Infrastructure

    432,452,842            83,802,219  

Global Timber & Forestry

           26,096,631  

 

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  

Global 100

  $ 114,796,914  

Global Infrastructure

        279,792,184  

Global Timber & Forestry

    11,070,882  

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

 

 

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  27


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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)
 

Global 100

  $ 2,925,645,162      $ 701,771,403      $ (336,825,881    $ 364,945,522  

Global Infrastructure

      3,325,095,932        246,669,575        (412,176,254        (165,506,679

Global Timber & Forestry

    257,911,047        7,120,803        (55,641,142      (48,520,339

 

9.

LINE OF CREDIT

The Funds, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), are parties to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 11, 2023. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 0.10% and 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended September 30, 2022, the Funds did not borrow under the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

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

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

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

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

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

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

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

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

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but could be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

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

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

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

11.  CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

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

 

 

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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  

 

 

Global 100

       

Shares sold

    5,450,000     $ 370,556,400       8,550,000     $ 627,959,649  

Shares redeemed

    (700,000     (45,232,217     (3,050,000     (219,462,971
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    4,750,000     $ 325,324,183       5,500,000     $ 408,496,678  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Infrastructure

       

Shares sold

    10,100,000     $ 491,749,504       5,600,000     $ 265,747,265  

Shares redeemed

    (1,800,000     (85,072,219     (6,000,000     (285,255,635
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    8,300,000     $ 406,677,285       (400,000   $ (19,508,370
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Global Timber & Forestry

       

Shares sold

        $ (4,767     1,380,000     $ 129,168,563  

Shares redeemed

    (360,000     (28,207,533     (1,740,000     (153,292,909
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (360,000   $ (28,212,300     (360,000   $ (24,124,346
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

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

12.  FOREIGN WITHHOLDING TAX CLAIMS

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which the iShares Global Infrastructure ETF is able to pass through to its shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, the Fund will be able to offset the prior years’ withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the Fund.

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

13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

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

 

 

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares Global 100 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

 

 

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

  31


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract    (continued)

 

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

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

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

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

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

The Board received detailed information regarding how the Other Accounts generally differ from the Fund, including in terms of the types of services and generally more extensive services provided to the Fund, as well as other significant differences. In that regard, the Board considered that the pricing of services to institutional clients is typically based on a number of factors beyond the nature and extent of the specific services to be provided and often depends on the overall relationship between the client and its affiliates and the adviser and its affiliates. In addition, the Board considered the relative complexity and inherent risks and challenges of managing and providing other services to the Fund, as a publicly traded investment vehicle, as compared to the Other Accounts, particularly those that are institutional clients, in light of differing regulatory requirements and client-imposed mandates. The Board noted that BFA and its affiliates do not manage Other Accounts with substantially the same investment objective and strategy as the Fund and that track the same index as the Fund. The Board also acknowledged management’s assertion that, for certain iShares funds, and for client segmentation purposes, BlackRock has launched an iShares fund that may provide a similar investment exposure at a lower investment advisory fee rate.

The Board considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement and noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement for the Fund was generally higher than the investment advisory/management fee rates for certain of the Other Accounts (particularly institutional clients) and concluded that the differences appeared to be consistent with the factors discussed.

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities (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 Global Infrastructure ETF, iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider and approve the

 

 

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


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract    (continued)

 

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,

 

 

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

  33


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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

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

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory Agreement for the Fund already provided for breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate as the assets of the Fund, on an aggregated basis with the assets of certain other iShares funds, increase. The Board noted that it would continue to assess the appropriateness of adding new or revised breakpoints in the future.

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

 

 

34  

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

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

September 30, 2022

 

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

Global 100(a)

  $  0.779557     $     $  0.000555     $  0.780112       100         0 %(b)      100

Global Infrastructure(a)

    0.510028             0.194926       0.704954       72             28       100  

Global Timber & Forestry(a)

    0.880104             0.661798       1.541902       57             43       100  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Rounds to less than 1%.

 

 

 

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

  35


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.

 

 

36  

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


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

 

 

L O S S A R Y    O F    E R M S     S E D    I N    T H I S    E P O R T

  37


 

 

 

Want to know more?

iShares.com    |    1-800-474-2737

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

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

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

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

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

iS-SAR-303-0922

 

 

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