LOGO

  OCTOBER 31, 2021

 

   2021 Annual Report

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares CMBS ETF  |  CMBS  |  NYSE Arca

·  

iShares GNMA Bond ETF  |  GNMA  |  NASDAQ

·  

iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF  |  TFLO  |  NYSE Arca

·  

iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF  |  GOVT  |  Cboe BZX

 


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of October 31, 2021 was a remarkable period of adaptation and recovery, as the global economy dealt with the implications of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) pandemic. The United States began the reporting period as the initial reopening-led economic rebound was beginning to slow. Nonetheless, the economy continued to grow at a solid pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic. However, a rapid rebound in consumer spending pushed up against supply constraints and led to elevated inflation.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as the implementation of mass vaccination campaigns and passage of two additional fiscal stimulus packages further boosted stocks, and many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period. In the United States, returns of small-capitalization stocks, which benefited the most from the resumption of in-person activities, outpaced large-capitalization stocks. International equities also gained, as both developed and emerging markets continued to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) had fallen sharply prior to the beginning of the reporting period, which meant bonds were priced for extreme risk avoidance and economic disruption. Despite expectations of doom and gloom, the economy expanded rapidly, stoking inflation concerns in early 2021, which led to higher yields and a negative overall return for most U.S. Treasuries. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and led to solid returns for high-yield corporate bonds, outpacing investment-grade corporate bonds.

The Fed remained committed to accommodative monetary policy by maintaining near-zero interest rates and by reiterating that inflation could exceed its 2% target for a sustained period without triggering a rate increase. In response to rising inflation late in the period, the Fed changed its market guidance, raising the possibility of higher rates in 2022 and reducing bond purchasing beginning in late 2021.

Looking ahead, we believe that the global expansion will continue to broaden as Europe and other developed market economies gain momentum, although the Delta variant of the coronavirus remains a threat, particularly in emerging markets. While we expect inflation to remain elevated in the medium-term as the expansion continues, we believe the recent uptick owes more to temporary supply disruptions than a lasting change in fundamentals. The change in Fed policy also means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the economic expansion.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in equities. Sectors that are better poised to manage the transition to a lower-carbon world, such as technology and health care, are particularly attractive in the long-term. U.S. small-capitalization stocks and European equities are likely to benefit from the continuing vaccine-led restart, while Chinese equities stand to gain from a more accommodative monetary and fiscal environment as the Chinese economy slows. We are underweight long-term credit, but inflation-protected U.S. Treasuries, Asian fixed income, and emerging market local-currency bonds offer potential opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of October 31, 2021

 

     
    6-Month   12-Month

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

  10.91%   42.91%

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

  1.85   50.80  

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

  4.14   34.18  

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (4.87)   16.96  

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

  0.01   0.06

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

  1.59   (4.77)

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

  1.06   (0.48)

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

  0.33   2.76

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

  2.36   10.53  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Market Overview

     4  

Fund Summary

     5  

About Fund Performance

     13  

Shareholder Expenses

     13  

Schedules of Investments

     14  

Financial Statements

  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     31  

Statements of Operations

     32  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     33  

Financial Highlights

     35  

Notes to Financial Statements

     39  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     47  

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

     48  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     49  

Supplemental Information

     55  

Trustee and Officer Information

     56  

General Information

     58  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     59  

 

 

 


Market Overview

 

iShares Trust

U.S. Bond Market Overview

The U.S. bond market declined slightly for the 12 months ended October 31, 2021 (“reporting period”). The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, a broad measure of U.S. fixed-income performance, returned -0.48%.

The U.S. economy continued to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, growing at a brisk pace during the reporting period. Driven by strong consumer spending and significant fiscal and monetary stimulus, U.S. growth outpaced most other developed economies. An ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program helped accelerate the easing of pandemic-related restrictions, and consumers returned to activities that were previously curtailed, such as travel, restaurant dining, and in-person shopping. Spending on goods also remained elevated, leading imports to rise to an all-time high.

However, this robust consumer demand combined with continued pandemic-related disruptions to the global supply chain led to significantly higher inflation. Similarly, in the labor market, the reopening economy and pent-up demand meant that hiring accelerated, and the unemployment rate fell substantially. Nonetheless, total employment remained notably below pre-pandemic levels and job openings reached a record high despite rising wages. Elevated demand drove an increase in industrial production, although rising commodities prices and supply delays constrained growth, particularly late in the reporting period. The emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, which was responsible for a significant rise in cases beginning late in summer 2021, also weighed on the economy.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (“Fed”) continued to keep short-term interest rates at near-zero levels and maintained a significant bond-buying program for U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities, although it discontinued its corporate bond purchasing program. The Fed indicated that it would begin slowing its bond buying activities late in 2021 and signaled that an interest rate increase could be possible in 2022. However, the improving employment environment and a sharp rise in inflation led investors to anticipate a more accelerated tightening of monetary policy. Trading activity showed that investors view multiple interest rate increases as probable in 2022.

U.S. Treasuries declined, as inflation increased, and investors moved toward equities and lower-rated bonds. Rising domestic inflation expectations pressured U.S. Treasuries, which typically lose value in an inflationary environment. U.S. Treasury yields (which move inversely to prices) began the reporting period near historic lows, but generally rose as inflation increased and the economy continued to strengthen. Yields of U.S. Treasuries with intermediate- and long-term maturities, which are more sensitive to inflation, generally increased more than short-term U.S. Treasuries. However, long-term U.S. Treasury yields rose less than intermediate-term U.S. Treasury yields, with two-year, 10-year, and 30-year U.S. Treasury yields rising by 0.34%, 0.67%, and 0.28%, respectively.

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) declined slightly, despite ongoing support from Fed bond purchasing. MBS performance was constrained by prepayments, as homeowners took advantage of low mortgage rates to refinance their mortgages at a lower interest rate.

On the upside, most corporate bonds advanced for the reporting period, particularly lower-rated corporate bonds. A narrowing yield spread (the difference between yields on corporate bonds and U.S. Treasuries) buoyed the performance of corporate bonds compared to U.S. Treasuries. Investors’ ongoing search for yield in a low interest rate environment drove the decline in the yield spread and supported corporate bond prices. High-yield bonds gained the most, as investors’ concerns about solvency abated alongside the growing economy, and the Fed’s support led to high investor confidence. Corporate bond issuance was elevated by historical standards as companies took advantage of low yields to refinance and lock in advantageous borrowing costs.

 

 

4  

2 0 2 1    I S H A R E S    A N N U A L    R E P O R T    T O    S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021    iShares® CMBS ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares CMBS ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of investment-grade commercial mortgage-backed securities, as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. CMBS (ERISA Only) Index (the “Index”) (formerly the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. CMBS (ERISA Only) 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  
    

1 Year

    

5 Years

    

Since

Inception

           

1 Year

    

5 Years

    

Since

Inception

 

Fund NAV

    0.29      3.11      3.22        0.29      16.53      36.10

Fund Market

    0.15        3.15        3.23          0.15        16.75        36.20  

Index

    0.59        3.38        3.57                0.59        18.09        40.62  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 2/14/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/16/12.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning

Account Value

(05/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(10/31/21)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period 

 

 

(a) 

           

Beginning

Account Value

(05/01/21)

 

 

 

      

Ending

Account Value

(10/31/21)

 

 

 

      

Expenses

Paid During

the Period 

 

 

(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

$ 1,000.00        $ 1,003.40        $ 1.26             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,023.90        $ 1.28          0.25

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® CMBS ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) advanced modestly for the reporting period, as rising longer-term bond yields drove CMBS prices lower. However, the annual income from CMBS offset modest price declines.

From a supply and demand perspective, strong investor demand for yield supported CMBS, which have higher yields than U.S. Treasuries to compensate for the additional credit risk. Issuance was brisk during the first half of 2021, although the composition of issuance changed markedly. Bridge loans, which are loans intended to provide short-term financing for budget gaps, and single-asset, single-buyer loans drove issuance, while conduit loans, which pool borrowers to create securitized loans, became a much smaller portion of overall lending.

The credit environment improved significantly during the reporting period, as the commercial mortgage market continued to recover from the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic. The delinquency rate for CMBS loans declined sharply in every borrower segment, as policies like loan forbearance and pandemic relief for businesses early in the reporting period reduced credit distress, while the economic recovery helped restore the financial strength of many businesses.

The sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, including lodging and retail, continued to have the highest delinquency rates, but the rate of late payments also fell the most in those sectors. However, forbearance, loan modifications, and pandemic relief only forestalled credit stress, prompting Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to warn of the potential for loan defaults that could result from possible long-term shifts in demand for retail, lodging, and office space.

From a credit perspective, non-rated CMBS were the largest contributors to the Index’s return while the highest-rated lowest-yielding bonds detracted slightly from the Index’s performance. Intermediate-term bonds, which represented 90% of the Index on average, drove performance from a maturity perspective.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY CREDIT QUALITY

 

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

Aaa

    75.9

Aa

    4.0  

A

    0.6  

Baa

    0.1  

Not Rated

    19.4  
ALLOCATION BY MATURITY

 

Maturity    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

0-1 Year

    0.1

1-5 Years

    11.9  

5-10 Years

    29.7  

10-15 Years

    2.4  

20-25 Years

    3.8  

25-30 Years

    32.2  

30-35 Years

    14.2  

35-40 Years

    3.9  

More than 40 Years

    1.8  

 

  *

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

 
  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

6  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021    iShares® GNMA Bond ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares GNMA Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of mortgage-backed pass-through securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae), as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. GNMA Bond Index (the “Index”) (formerly the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. GNMA Bond 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  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    (1.14 )%       1.71      1.69       (1.14 )%       8.83      17.73

Fund Market

    (1.33      1.66        1.68         (1.33      8.60        17.59  

Index

    (0.96      1.87        2.00               (0.96      9.70        21.17  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 2/14/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/16/12.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/21)
 
 
 
   

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
    $ 1,000.00        $ 991.20        $ 0.65             $ 1,000.00     $ 1,024.60        $ 0.66          0.13

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® GNMA Bond ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) declined for the reporting period. During the reporting period, the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield, an important barometer for mortgage lending rates, increased from 0.88% to 1.55%. However, the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage increased by a smaller amount — from 2.81% at the beginning of the reporting period to 3.14% at the end of the reporting period. Rising interest rates typically lead to lower prices on fixed-rate bonds, including GNMA MBS, and this inverse relationship contributed to the Index’s overall decline.

GNMA issuance increased substantially during the reporting period amid strong growth in the mortgage market. The Fed’s mortgage purchasing program and elevated sales of new and existing homes were key sources of demand for MBS. COVID-19 relief policies, such as a moratorium on foreclosures and loan forbearance, also supported the mortgage market, in which loan delinquency fell sharply from a relatively high level.

Interest rates on mortgages began to increase in January 2021, which led to a surge in refinancing activity as homeowners sought to lock in historically low interest rates. Interest rates rose steadily before falling again during the summer, spurring another wave of refinancing until rising interest rates sharply curtailed mortgage refinancing. While the increase in interest rates decreased the price of existing MBS, it also decreased prepayment risk, which can negatively affect the value of the Index. Reflecting the decreased refinancing activity, the approximate weighted average life of the mortgages represented by the Index rose from 3.9 years to 4.4 years. Mortgages with a weighted average life between 3-7 years, which represented approximately 82% of the Index on average, detracted the most from the Index’s return.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY MATURITY

 

Maturity    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

0-1 Year

    2.1

5-10 Years

    1.5  

10-15 Years

    0.5  

15-20 Years

    0.1  

20-25 Years

    11.7  

25-30 Years

    66.8  

30-35 Years

    17.3  
FIVE LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

(a) 

Government National Mortgage Association, 2.00%, 11/18/51

    12.6

Government National Mortgage Association, 2.00%, 04/20/51

    10.3  

Government National Mortgage Association, 2.50%, 08/20/51

    6.3  

Government National Mortgage Association, 2.50%, 07/20/51

    4.7  

Government National Mortgage Association, 2.50%, 11/18/51

    3.9  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 1   H A R E S  N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S  


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021    iShares® Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury floating rate bonds, as represented by the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Bond Index (the “Index”) (formerly the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Bond 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  
     1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
           1 Year     5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Fund NAV

    (0.04 )%       1.06      0.76       (0.04 )%      5.43      6.00

Fund Market

    (0.04      1.07        0.75         (0.04     5.45        6.00  

Index

    0.11        1.21        0.86               0.11       6.18        6.85  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

The inception date of the Fund was 2/3/14. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/4/14.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual

         

Hypothetical 5% Return

          

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/21)
 
 
 
   

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period 
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 999.60        $ 0.76             $ 1,000.00     $ 1,024.40        $ 0.77          0.15

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

U N D  U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Investment-grade floating-rate bonds posted a modestly positive performance for the reporting period. The Index is composed of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds with interest rates that reset periodically. As a consequence of this reset, floating-rate bonds typically advance in a rising interest rate environment, as their yields reset at higher levels. However, while yields rose for many bonds, particularly long- and intermediate-term bonds, most floating-rate bonds are benchmarked to short-term interest rates. The Fed kept short-term interest rates unchanged during the reporting period, and yields of U.S. Treasuries dated less than one year declined slightly, which supported the Index’s performance. Additionally, strong investor demand for fixed-income instruments with variable yields that rise with interest rates also benefited the Index’s return.

Measures that are commonly used as a reference for resetting the yields of floating-rate bonds, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate and the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, declined slightly. Consequently, the overall impact of the interest rate environment varied depending on the particular measures used to reset yields, and the majority of the Index’s return came from interest earned on the bonds in the Index rather than price appreciation.

Corporate and government-related bonds both contributed to the Index’s performance, with corporate bonds driving the majority of the gain. Among corporate bonds, banks, which represented approximately 51% of the Index on average for the reporting period, were the leading contributors to the Index’s return. Banks are typically the largest issuers of floating-rate corporate bonds because they help reduce sensitivity to changing interest rates. Strong balance sheets and diverse revenue streams led to improving balance sheets and robust investor demand for bank floating-rate bonds. Consumer cyclicals company bonds also advanced as automotive company debt gained despite production cuts due to a semiconductor shortage.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY MATURITY

 

Maturity    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

0-1 Year

    52.1

1-2 Years

    47.9  
FIVE LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note, 0.11%, 10/31/22

    51.1

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note, 0.08%, 07/31/23

    21.6  

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note, 0.10%, 01/31/23

    16.9  

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note, 0.09%, 04/30/23

    9.3  

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note, 0.17%, 04/30/22

    0.4  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

10  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021    iShares® U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds, as represented by the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    (2.58 )%       2.32      2.08       (2.58 )%       12.17      22.12

Fund Market

    (2.33      2.34        2.09         (2.33      12.25        22.25  

Index

    (2.46      2.44        2.18               (2.46      12.83        23.32  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(SINCE INCEPTION AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

 

The inception date of the Fund was 2/14/12. The first day of secondary market trading was 2/16/12.

On 3/1/2021 the Fund began to track the 4pm pricing variant of the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index. Index data on and after 3/1/2021 is for the 4pm pricing variant of the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index. Historical index data from 7/1/2016 through 2/28/2021 is for the 3pm pricing variant of the ICE U.S. Treasury Core Bond Index. Historical index data prior to 7/1/2016 is for the Barclays U.S. Treasury Bond Index.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 13 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(10/31/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
$ 1,000.00        $ 1,009.50        $ 0.25             $ 1,000.00        $ 1,025.00        $ 0.26          0.05

 

  (a) 

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 13 for more information.

 

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary as of October 31, 2021  (continued)    iShares® U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

Intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury prices declined, and their yields rose, during the reporting period in response to rising inflation. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, increased to a 31-year high of 6.2% year-over-year as of October 2021, as disruptions related to the coronavirus pandemic led to a combination of pent-up consumer demand and supply-chain shortages. Specifically, costs linked to shelter, food, new vehicles, and energy drove the majority of price increases. Likewise, labor shortages and job resignations drove wage growth to a 40-year high, which added to inflationary pressure.

In addition to concerns about the possibility of longer-term inflation, U.S. Treasury bond yields increased following the Fed’s announcement that it plans to begin scaling back its bond-buying program as early as November 2021, with the goal of winding down the program entirely by mid-year 2022. The monthly bond-buying program, which provides liquidity to markets, has been one of the Fed’s key initiatives for providing support to the U.S. economy during the pandemic. The Fed also signaled the possibility of raising interest rates in 2022.

Massive issuance of U.S. Treasuries to finance the second largest, annual federal budget deficit, following record issuance in 2020, raised concerns about the market’s ability to absorb monthly auctions of U.S. Treasuries without higher interest rates. Growing revenue from income tax late in the reporting period allowed the U.S. Treasury to set expectations for smaller but still substantial auctions. In this environment, intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields increased more than those of shorter-term maturities. In contrast, yields of two- to three-year U.S. Treasury bonds declined slightly during the reporting period.

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY MATURITY

 

Maturity    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

0-1 Year

    0.1

1-5 Years

    53.3  

5-10 Years

    25.4  

15-20 Years

    2.8  

More than 20 Years

    18.4  
FIVE LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments
 
(a) 

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond, 0.25%, 05/15/24

    6.2

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond, 0.38%, 08/15/24

    5.5  

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond, 1.88%, 02/15/51

    5.1  

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond, 3.75%, 11/15/43

    5.0  

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond, 0.38%, 04/15/24

    3.9  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 1   H A R  E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


About Fund Performance

 

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

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

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

Shareholder Expenses

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments  

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

Collaterized Mortgage Obligations

   
Mortgage-Backed Securities — 68.5%            

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2016-UB10, Class A4, 3.17%, 07/15/49 (Call 04/15/26)

  $ 800     $ 849,000  

Series 2016-UB10, Class B, 3.79%, 07/15/49 (Call 05/15/26)

    250       265,855  

Series 2017-BNK3, Class A3, 3.31%, 02/15/50 (Call 11/15/26)

    1,365       1,452,887  

Series 2017-BNK3, Class A4, 3.57%, 02/15/50 (Call 01/15/27)

    1,000       1,088,194  

Series 2017-BNK3, Class B, 3.88%, 02/15/50 (Call 01/15/27)(a)

    830       897,862  

BANK

   

Series 2017-BNK4, Class AS, 3.78%, 05/15/50 (Call 03/15/27)

    1,500       1,622,228  

Series 2017-BNK4, Class ASB, 3.42%, 05/15/50 (Call 10/15/26)

    300       316,977  

Series 2017-BNK4, Class C, 4.37%, 05/15/50 (Call 03/15/27)(a)

    485       524,655  

Series 2017-BNK5, Class A4, 3.13%, 06/15/60 (Call 05/15/27)

    1,960       2,085,932  

Series 2017-BNK7, Class A5, 3.44%, 09/15/60 (Call 09/15/27)

    220       239,116  

Series 2017-BNK7, Class B, 3.95%, 09/15/60 (Call 09/15/27)

    500       539,227  

Series 2017-BNK8, Class A3, 3.23%, 11/15/50 (Call 10/15/27)

    1,000       1,069,197  

Series 2017-BNK8, Class AS, 3.73%, 11/15/50 (Call 11/15/27)

    1,000       1,089,656  

Series 2018-BN10, Class A5, 3.69%, 02/15/61 (Call 01/15/28)

    1,500       1,651,610  

Series 2018-BN10, Class C, 4.16%, 02/15/61 (Call 02/15/28)(a)

    800       855,614  

Series 2018-BN14, Class A3, 3.97%, 09/15/60 (Call 07/15/28)

    600       666,346  

Series 2018-BN14, Class AS, 4.48%, 09/15/60 (Call 09/15/28)(a)

    500       569,020  

Series 2018-BN14, Class B, 4.58%, 09/15/60 (Call 09/15/28)(a)

    750       850,661  

Series 2019-BN16, Class AS, 4.27%, 02/15/52 (Call 01/15/29)

    262       296,999  

Series 2019-BN18, Class A2, 3.47%, 05/15/62 (Call 05/15/24)

    830       872,014  

Series 2019-BN19, Class A3, 2.93%, 08/15/61 (Call 05/15/29)

        3,000           3,147,205  

Series 2019-BN19, Class A3, 3.18%, 08/15/61 (Call 07/15/29)

    497       535,715  

Series 2019-BN20, Class A2, 2.76%, 09/15/62

    500       518,185  

Series 2019-BN20, Class A3, 3.01%, 09/15/62

    1,000       1,065,927  

Series 2019-BN20, Class B, 3.40%, 09/15/62(a)

    1,000       1,073,521  

Series 2019-BN21, Class A4, 2.60%, 10/17/52 (Call 08/15/29)

    2,000       2,065,940  

Series 2019-BN21, Class A5, 2.85%, 10/17/52 (Call 09/15/29)

    1,500       1,581,920  

Series 2019-BN21, Class B, 3.21%, 10/17/52 (Call 10/15/29)(a)

    1,000       1,054,047  

Series 2019-BN22, Class A3, 2.73%, 11/15/62 (Call 09/15/29)

    1,000       1,040,621  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

Series 2019-BN22, Class A4, 2.98%, 11/15/62 (Call 10/15/29)

  $ 820     $ 871,915  

Series 2019-BN24, Class ASB, 2.93%, 11/15/62 (Call 03/15/29)

    1,000       1,059,960  

Series 2019-BNK16, Class A4, 4.01%, 02/15/52 (Call 01/15/29)

    2,100       2,366,728  

Series 2020, Class A5, 2.65%, 01/15/63 (Call 01/15/30)

    1,000       1,039,512  

Series 2020-BN25, Class A3, 2.39%, 01/15/63 (Call 01/15/27)

    1,000       1,016,969  

Series 2020-BN26, Class B, 2.91%, 03/15/63 (Call 03/15/30)(a)

    250       260,466  

Series 2020-BN27, Class AS, 2.55%, 04/15/63 (Call 03/15/30)

    1,000       1,026,205  

Series 2020-BN28, Class A4, 1.84%, 03/15/63 (Call 09/15/30)

    500       487,841  

Series 2020-BN29, Class C, 3.03%, 11/15/53 (Call 12/15/30)(a)

    520       522,468  

Series 2021-BN32, Class AS, 2.64%, 04/15/54

    2,000       2,077,423  

Series 2021-BN34, Class A5, 2.44%, 06/15/63 (Call 06/15/31)

    244       249,158  

Series 2021-BN35, Class B, 2.53%, 06/15/64 (Call 07/15/31)

    1,000       998,366  

Series2017-BNK4, Class A4, 3.63%, 05/15/50 (Call 03/15/27)

    1,000       1,092,407  

Serise BN23, Class C, 3.62%, 12/15/52 (Call 12/15/29)(a)

    500       532,636  

Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2019-C3, Class A4, 3.58%, 05/15/52 (Call 04/15/29)

    1,746       1,923,583  

Series 2019-C4, Class A5, 2.92%, 08/15/52 (Call 07/15/29)

    2,000       2,115,124  

Series 2019-C5, Class A2, 3.04%, 11/15/52 (Call 10/15/24)

    678       705,307  

Series 2019-C5, Class A4, 3.06%, 11/15/52 (Call 10/15/29)

    2,000       2,137,300  

BBCMS Mortgage Trust

   

BBCMS 2020-C7, Class AS, 2.44%, 04/15/53 (Call 03/15/30)

    300       301,971  

Series 2017-C1, Class A2, 3.19%, 02/15/50 (Call 02/15/22)

    882       886,871  

Series 2017-C1, Class A4, 3.67%, 02/15/50 (Call 02/15/27)

    2,000       2,180,405  

Series 2018-C2, Class A5, 4.31%, 12/15/51 (Call 12/15/28)

    2,250       2,576,397  

Series 2018-C2, Class C, 4.97%, 12/15/51 (Call 12/15/28)(a)

    250       285,408  

Series 2020-C6, Class A4, 2.64%, 02/15/53 (Call 01/15/30)

    3,000       3,114,083  

Series 2020-C8, Class A5, 2.04%, 10/15/53 (Call 10/15/30)

    1,000       990,210  

BBCMS Trust

   

Class C, 2.84%, 07/15/54 (Call 06/15/31)

    500       495,364  

Series 2021-C10, Class A5, 2.49%, 07/15/54 (Call 06/15/31)

    3,000       3,075,576  

Series 2021-C10, Class AS, 2.68%, 07/15/54 (Call 06/15/31)

        1,000           1,024,112  

Series 2021-C10, Class B, 2.49%, 07/15/54 (Call 06/15/31)

    1,000       1,000,111  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust

   

BMARK 2020-B18 AM, Class AM, 2.34%, 07/15/53 (Call 07/11/30)

    430       429,210  

Series 2018-B1, Class A2, 3.57%, 01/15/51 (Call 01/15/23)

    1,250       1,283,971  

Series 2018-B1, Class A5, 3.67%, 01/15/51 (Call 12/15/27)(a)

    1,000       1,099,736  

Series 2018-B1, Class AM, 3.88%, 01/15/51 (Call 12/15/27)(a)

    500       548,924  

Series 2018-B2, Class A2, 3.66%, 02/15/51 (Call 12/15/24)

    600       614,592  

Series 2018-B2, Class A4, 3.61%, 02/15/51 (Call 11/15/27)

    1,350       1,473,623  

Series 2018-B2, Class A5, 3.88%, 02/15/51 (Call 01/15/28)(a)

    1,750       1,947,297  

 

 

14  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

Series 2018-B2, Class AS, 4.08%, 02/15/51 (Call 01/15/28)(a)

  $ 1,000     $ 1,109,759  

Series 2018-B2, Class C, 4.20%, 02/15/51 (Call 02/15/28)(a)

    500       541,505  

Series 2018-B3, Class A5, 4.03%, 04/10/51 (Call 02/10/28)

    1,000       1,122,011  

Series 2018-B4, Class A2, 3.98%, 07/15/51

    478       498,305  

Series 2018-B4, Class A5, 4.12%, 07/15/51(a)

    2,023       2,285,925  

Series 2018-B4, Class ASB, 4.06%, 07/15/51(a)

    464       510,862  

Series 2018-B4, Class C, 4.55%, 07/15/51(a)

    400       438,912  

Series 2018-B5, Class A4, 4.21%, 07/15/51 (Call 07/15/28)

    2,500       2,842,586  

Series 2018-B5, Class AS, 4.42%, 07/15/51 (Call 07/15/28)

    1,000       1,131,971  

Series 2018-B5, Class B, 4.57%, 07/15/51 (Call 07/15/28)

    500       568,386  

Series 2018-B7, Class A4, 4.51%, 05/15/53 (Call 10/15/28)(a)

    1,000       1,158,547  

Series 2018-B7, Class B, 4.86%, 05/15/53 (Call 11/15/28)(a)

    400       461,861  

Series 2018-B8, Class A4, 3.96%, 01/15/52 (Call 07/15/28)

    1,000       1,103,440  

Series 2018-B8, Class A5, 4.23%, 01/15/52 (Call 12/15/28)

    1,000       1,140,354  

Series 2018-B8, Class AS, 4.53%, 01/15/52 (Call 12/15/28)(a)

    1,563       1,788,725  

Series 2019-B10, Class AM, 3.98%, 03/15/62

    600       666,916  

Series 2019-B11, Class A5, 3.54%, 05/15/52 (Call 05/15/29)

    1,000       1,100,310  

Series 2019-B11, Class AS, 3.78%, 05/15/52 (Call 05/15/29)

    500       549,786  

Series 2019-B11, Class B, 3.96%, 05/15/52 (Call 05/15/29)(a)

    500       554,239  

Series 2019-B13, Class AM, 3.18%, 08/15/57 (Call 10/15/29)

    1,000       1,059,538  

Series 2019-B13, Class C, 3.84%, 08/15/57 (Call 10/15/29)(a)

    500       530,612  

Series 2019-B14, Class A5, 3.05%, 12/15/62 (Call 11/15/29)

    500       533,509  

Series 2019-B9, Class A5, 4.02%, 03/15/52 (Call 01/15/29)

    1,000       1,127,547  

Series 2019-B9, Class C, 4.97%, 03/15/52 (Call 01/15/29)(a)

    250       284,448  

Series 2020-B16, Class A5, 2.73%, 02/15/53 (Call 01/15/30)

    1,990       2,077,904  

Series 2020-B16, Class AM, 2.94%, 02/15/53 (Call 01/15/30)(a)

    1,000       1,041,852  

Series 2020-B17, Class C, 3.37%, 03/15/53 (Call 03/15/30)(a)

    250       259,074  

Series 2020-B19, Class B, 2.35%, 09/15/53 (Call 09/15/30)

    450       446,094  

Series 2020-B20, Class B, 2.53%, 10/15/53 (Call 10/15/30)

    500       505,562  

Series 2020-B21, Class A5, 2.25%, 12/17/53 (Call 12/15/30)

    500       494,566  

Series 2020-B22, Class A5, 1.97%, 01/15/54 (Call 12/15/30)

    1,000       983,460  

Series 2020-IG1, Class A3, 2.69%, 09/15/43 (Call 01/15/30)

    1,750       1,812,216  

Series 2021-B23, Class AS, 2.27%, 02/15/54 (Call 02/15/31)

    500       495,332  

Series 2021-B24, Class A4, 2.26%, 03/15/54 (Call 01/15/31)

    3,000       3,032,760  

Series 2021-B25, Class A5, 2.58%, 04/15/54 (Call 04/15/31)

        2,000           2,065,479  

Series 2021-B25, Class ASB, 2.27%, 04/15/54 (Call 03/15/31)

    650       660,400  

Series 2021-B26, Class A5, 2.61%, 06/15/54

    2,500       2,588,907  

Series 2021-B26, Class AM, 2.83%, 06/15/54

    500       520,313  

Series 2021-B28, Class AS, 2.43%, 08/15/54(a)

    500       501,498  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

Series 2021-B29, Class A5, 2.39%, 09/15/54 (Call 08/15/31)

  $ 830     $ 842,884  

Serise 2020-B17, Class A2, 2.21%, 03/15/53 (Call 03/15/25)

    1,000       1,016,497  

Serise 2020-B17, Class A5, 2.29%, 03/15/53 (Call 02/15/30)

    1,000       1,011,902  

CCUBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C1, Class A4, 3.54%, 11/15/50 (Call 11/15/27)(a)

    1,510       1,646,108  

CD Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2017-CD3, Class A4, 3.63%, 02/10/50 (Call 01/10/27)

    230       250,404  

Series 2017-CD3, Class AS, 3.83%, 02/10/50 (Call 01/10/27)

    750       808,676  

Series 2017-CD3, Class C, 4.55%, 02/10/50 (Call 01/10/27)(a)

    300       302,385  

Series 2017-CD4, Class A4, 3.51%, 05/10/50 (Call 04/10/27)(a)

    1,000       1,084,641  

Series 2017-CD5, Class A4, 3.43%, 08/15/50 (Call 07/15/27)

    750       813,856  

Series 2017-CD6, Class C, 4.27%, 11/13/50 (Call 11/13/27)(a)

    500       539,932  

Series 2018-CD7, Class ASB, 4.21%, 08/15/51 (Call 03/15/28)

    550       608,492  

Series 2019-CD8, Class A4, 2.91%, 08/15/57 (Call 08/15/29)

    1,000       1,054,342  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2016-C3, Class A3, 3.87%, 01/10/48 (Call 12/10/25)

    500       541,449  

Series 2016-C4, Class A4, 3.28%, 05/10/58

    1,650       1,756,169  

Series 2017-C8, Class ASB, 3.37%, 06/15/50 (Call 07/15/26)

    1,000       1,056,374  

Series 2017-C8, Class B, 4.20%, 06/15/50 (Call 05/15/27)(a)

    750       815,012  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 20116-P4, Class A4, 2.90%, 07/10/49 (Call 07/10/26)

    1,729       1,822,286  

Series 2013-GC11, Class A3, 2.82%, 04/10/46 (Call 01/10/23)

    811       829,773  

Series 2013-GC11, Class AS, 3.42%, 04/10/46 (Call 04/10/23)

    100       102,890  

Series 2013-GC15, Class A4, 4.37%, 09/10/46 (Call 09/10/23)(a)

    750       792,479  

Series 2014-GC19, Class A4, 4.02%, 03/10/47 (Call 01/10/24)

    500       530,724  

Series 2014-GC21, Class A5, 3.86%, 05/10/47

        2,085           2,214,765  

Series 2014-GC23, Class A4, 3.62%, 07/10/47 (Call 07/10/24)

    750       795,135  

Series 2014-GC23, Class AS, 3.86%, 07/10/47 (Call 07/10/24)

    250       265,873  

Series 2014-GC23, Class C, 4.43%, 07/10/47 (Call 07/10/24)(a)

    250       263,237  

Series 2014-GC25, Class A4, 3.64%, 10/10/47 (Call 09/10/24)

    1,000       1,065,397  

Series 2014-GC25, Class AS, 4.02%, 10/10/47 (Call 09/10/24)

    953       1,014,471  

Series 2014-GC25, Class B, 4.35%, 10/10/47 (Call 10/10/24)(a)

    100       106,328  

Series 2015-GC27, Class A5, 3.14%, 02/10/48 (Call 12/10/24)

    1,190       1,248,864  

Series 2015-GC29, Class C, 4.15%, 04/10/48 (Call 04/10/25)(a)

    250       265,158  

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

Series 2015-GC31, Class A4, 3.76%, 06/10/48 (Call 06/10/25)

  $ 750     $ 809,344  

Series 2015-GC33, Class A4, 3.78%, 09/10/58 (Call 09/10/25)

    1,500       1,619,276  

Series 2015-GC35, Class AAB, 3.61%, 11/10/48 (Call 04/10/25)

    428       447,354  

Series 2015-P1, Class A5, 3.72%, 09/15/48 (Call 07/15/25)

    356       384,527  

Series 2016-C1, Class A4, 3.21%, 05/10/49 (Call 05/10/26)

        2,374           2,530,543  

Series 2016-C2, Class A4, 2.83%, 08/10/49 (Call 08/10/26)

    1,000       1,051,018  

Series 2016-C3, Class A4, 3.15%, 11/15/49 (Call 10/15/26)

    1,466       1,567,004  

Series 2016-GC36, Class A4, 3.35%, 02/10/49 (Call 11/10/25)

    1,000       1,050,558  

Series 2016-P3, Class A3, 3.06%, 04/15/49 (Call 01/15/26)

    1,500       1,558,942  

Series 2016-P3, Class A4, 3.33%, 04/15/49 (Call 02/15/26)

    75       79,960  

Series 2016-P6, Class AS, 4.03%, 12/10/49 (Call 11/10/26)(a)

    1,000       1,077,130  

Series 2017-C4, Class A3, 3.21%, 10/12/50 (Call 08/12/27)

    1,000       1,061,342  

Series 2017-P8, Class A3, 3.20%, 09/15/50 (Call 07/15/27)

    885       944,847  

Series 2017-P8, Class AS, 3.79%, 09/15/50 (Call 09/15/27)(a)

    750       818,109  

Series 2018-B2, Class A2, 3.79%, 03/10/51 (Call 03/10/23)

    1,000       1,032,539  

Series 2018-B2, Class A4, 4.01%, 03/10/51 (Call 02/10/28)

    600       672,786  

Series 2018-C5, Class A4, 4.23%, 06/10/51 (Call 05/10/28)(a)

    3,000       3,412,269  

Series 2018-C6, Class A4, 4.41%, 11/10/51 (Call 11/10/28)

    1,199       1,381,148  

Series 2019-C7, Class A4, 3.10%, 12/15/72 (Call 12/15/29)

    2,000       2,145,835  

Series 2019-GC41, Class A5, 2.87%, 08/10/56 (Call 08/10/29)

    2,500       2,636,269  

Series 2019-GC41, Class AS, 3.02%, 08/10/56 (Call 08/10/29)

    750       785,330  

Series 2019-GC43, Class A2, 2.98%, 11/10/52 (Call 10/10/24)

    863       897,378  

Series 2019-GC43, Class A4, 3.04%, 11/10/52 (Call 10/10/29)

    750       799,134  

Series 2020-GC46, Class A5, 2.72%, 02/15/53 (Call 02/15/30)

    2,000       2,083,142  

Series 2020-GC46, Class AS, 2.92%, 02/15/53 (Call 02/15/30)(a)

    500       525,039  

Series 2020-GC46, Class B, 3.15%, 02/15/53 (Call 02/15/30)(a)

    234       246,820  

COMM Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2012-CR1, Class A3, 3.39%, 05/15/45 (Call 04/15/22)

    175       175,749  

Series 2013-CR11, Class AM, 4.72%, 08/10/50 (Call 09/10/23)(a)

    250       265,327  

Series 2013-CR6, Class ASB, 2.62%, 03/10/46 (Call 12/10/22)

    154       155,548  

Series 2013-CR8, Class A5, 3.61%, 06/10/46 (Call 05/10/23)(a)

    1,605       1,665,469  

Series 2013-CR9, Class A4, 4.25%, 07/10/45(a)

    1,200       1,256,661  

Series 2013-LC13, Class A5, 4.21%, 08/10/46 (Call 08/10/23)

    778       814,732  

Series 2013-LC6, Class AM, 3.28%, 01/10/46 (Call 01/10/23)

    100       102,209  

Series 2013-LC6, Class ASB, 2.48%, 01/10/46 (Call 09/10/22)

    60       60,697  

Series 2013-LC6, Class B, 3.74%, 01/10/46 (Call 01/10/23)

    430       440,523  

Series 2014-CR14, Class C, 4.61%, 02/10/47 (Call 01/10/24)(a)

    200       208,118  
Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2014-CR15, Class A4, 4.07%, 02/10/47 (Call 01/10/24)(a)

  $ 400      $ 423,843  

Series 2014-CR16, Class A4, 4.05%, 04/10/47 (Call 03/10/24)

    500        531,819  

Series 2014-CR16, Class ASB, 3.65%, 04/10/47 (Call 01/10/24)

    94        97,159  

Series 2014-CR17, Class A5, 3.98%, 05/10/47 (Call 04/10/24)

    500        532,322  

Series 2014-CR17, Class B, 4.38%, 05/10/47 (Call 05/10/24)

    292        306,868  

Series 2014-CR18, Class AM, 4.10%, 07/15/47 (Call 06/15/24)

    300        318,683  

Series 2014-CR19, Class A5, 3.80%, 08/10/47 (Call 08/10/24)

    438        466,998  

Series 2014-CR19, Class B, 4.70%, 08/10/47 (Call 08/10/24)(a)

    850        915,721  

Series 2014-CR20, Class AM, 3.94%, 11/10/47 (Call 10/10/24)

    250        265,350  

Series 2014-LC15, Class A4, 4.01%, 04/10/47

        1,945            2,064,117  

Series 2014-LC17, Class A5, 3.92%, 10/10/47 (Call 09/10/24)

    675        722,612  

Series 2014-UBS2, Class A5, 3.96%, 03/10/47 (Call 02/10/24)

    1,521        1,612,213  

Series 2014-UBS2, Class AM, 4.20%, 03/10/47 (Call 02/10/24)

    425        450,040  

Series 2014-UBS3, Class C, 4.74%, 06/10/47 (Call 05/10/24)(a)

    150        158,002  

Series 2014-UBS4, Class A4, 3.42%, 08/10/47 (Call 06/10/24)

    250        259,829  

Series 2014-UBS4, Class A5, 3.69%, 08/10/47 (Call 07/10/24)

    500        529,782  

Series 2014-UBS4, Class AM, 3.97%, 08/10/47 (Call 07/10/24)

    500        530,479  

Series 2014-UBS4, Class B, 4.35%, 08/10/47 (Call 07/10/24)

    250        262,802  

Series 2014-UBS5, Class A4, 3.84%, 09/10/47 (Call 09/10/24)

    730        778,441  

Series 2014-UBS6, Class A4, 3.38%, 12/10/47 (Call 10/10/24)

    1,000        1,052,468  

Series 2014-UBS6, Class A5, 3.64%, 12/10/47 (Call 11/10/24)

    500        531,141  

Series 2015-CR22, Class A5, 3.31%, 03/10/48

    500        529,121  

Series 2015-CR22, Class AM, 3.60%, 03/10/48(a)

    200        211,996  

Series 2015-CR22, Class ASB, 3.14%, 03/10/48

    1,690        1,747,110  

Series 2015-CR22, Class C, 4.11%, 03/10/48(a)

    300        314,599  

Series 2015-CR23, Class A4, 3.50%, 05/10/48

    500        533,217  

Series 2015-CR24, Class B, 4.38%, 08/10/48 (Call 07/10/25)(a)

    750        802,857  

Series 2015-CR24, Class D, 3.46%, 08/10/48 (Call 08/10/25)(a)

    200        185,869  

Series 2015-CR25, Class A4, 3.76%, 08/10/48 (Call 08/10/25)

    750        809,955  

Series 2015-CR25, Class ASB, 3.54%, 08/10/48 (Call 04/10/25)

    783        816,018  

Series 2015-CR25, Class B, 4.53%, 08/10/48 (Call 08/10/25)(a)

    300        322,128  

Series 2015-CR26, Class A4, 3.63%, 10/10/48 (Call 08/10/25)

    2,398        2,579,797  

Series 2015-DC1, Class A5, 3.35%, 02/10/48 (Call 01/10/25)

    750        793,252  

 

 

16  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

Series 2015-DC1, Class B, 4.04%, 02/10/48 (Call 01/10/25)(a)

  $ 1,000     $ 1,053,092  

Series 2015-DC1, Class C, 4.31%, 02/10/48 (Call 01/10/25)(a)

    250       252,431  

Series 2015-LC19, Class A4, 3.18%, 02/10/48 (Call 01/10/25)

    1,000       1,055,397  

Series 2015-LC21, Class A4, 3.71%, 07/10/48 (Call 05/10/25)

    500       536,629  

Series 2015-LC23, Class A4, 3.77%, 10/10/48

    1,000       1,082,880  

Series 2015-PC1, Class A5, 3.90%, 07/10/50 (Call 05/10/25)

    1,533       1,651,328  

Series 2015-PC1, Class ASB, 3.61%, 07/10/50 (Call 11/10/24)

    143       148,978  

Series 2016-CR28, Class A4, 3.76%, 02/10/49

        2,000           2,164,466  

Series 2016-CR28, Class C, 4.64%, 02/10/49(a)

    604       645,305  

Series 2016-DC2, Class A4, 3.50%, 02/10/49 (Call 12/10/25)

    418       443,976  

Series 2016-DC2, Class AM, 4.24%, 02/10/49 (Call 02/10/26)

    750       813,938  

Series 2016-DC2, Class ASB, 3.55%, 02/10/49 (Call 08/10/25)

    857       900,361  

Series 2016-DC2, Class C, 4.67%, 02/10/49 (Call 02/10/26)(a)

    250       264,959  

Series 2017-COR2, Class C, 4.56%, 09/10/50 (Call 08/10/27)(a)

    750       820,076  

Series 2018-COR3, Class A3, 4.23%, 05/10/51 (Call 04/10/28)

    750       845,489  

Series 2018-COR3, Class B, 4.51%, 05/10/51 (Call 04/10/28)(a)

    500       566,722  

Series 2018-COR3, Class C, 4.56%, 05/10/51 (Call 04/10/28)(a)

    500       540,757  

Series 2019-GC44, Class A5, 2.95%, 08/15/57 (Call 11/15/29)

    1,000       1,066,153  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2015-C1, Class A4, 3.51%, 04/15/50 (Call 01/15/25)

    500       529,821  

Series 2015-C1, Class AS, 3.79%, 04/15/50 (Call 01/15/25)(a)

    435       461,678  

Series 2015-C2, Class A4, 3.50%, 06/15/57 (Call 04/15/25)

    500       531,841  

Series 2015-C2, Class AS, 3.85%, 06/15/57 (Call 04/15/25)(a)

    700       735,071  

Series 2015-C3, Class A4, 3.72%, 08/15/48 (Call 07/15/25)

    650       697,472  

Series 2015-C4, Class A3, 3.54%, 11/15/48

    1,489       1,588,587  

Series 2015-C4, Class A4, 3.81%, 11/15/48

    1,464       1,583,311  

Series 2015-C4, Class D, 3.56%, 11/15/48(a)

    250       247,569  

Series 2016-C5, Class C, 4.65%, 11/15/48 (Call 11/15/25)(a)

    750       793,692  

Series 2016-C6, Class C, 4.92%, 01/15/49 (Call 04/15/26)(a)

    350       370,509  

Series 2016-C7, Class A4, 3.21%, 11/15/49 (Call 07/15/26)

    193       204,039  

Series 2016-C7, Class AS, 3.96%, 11/15/49 (Call 10/15/26)(a)

    1,000       1,075,545  

Series 2017-CX9, Class A5, 3.45%, 09/15/50

    1,000       1,080,605  

Series 2018-CX11, Class A5, 4.03%, 04/15/51 (Call 02/15/28)(a)

    1,000       1,116,054  

Series 2019-C15, Class A2, 3.45%, 03/15/52

    1,105       1,155,139  

Series 2019-C15, Class A3, 3.78%, 03/15/52

    1,000       1,094,082  

Series 2019-C15, Class B, 4.48%, 03/15/52

    1,000       1,111,911  

Series 2019-C17, Class A5, 3.02%, 09/15/52

    2,000       2,120,024  

Series 2019-C18, Class ASB, 2.87%, 12/15/52

    500       529,673  

Series 2020-C19, Class A3, 2.56%, 03/15/53

    500       514,260  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

DBGS Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C1, Class A4, 4.47%, 10/15/51

  $     1,400     $     1,611,871  

DBJPM Mortgage Trust

   

Series 2016-C1, Class A4, 3.28%, 05/10/49 (Call 02/10/26)

    1,000       1,061,948  

Series 2016-C1, Class ASB, 3.04%, 05/10/49 (Call 12/10/25)

    446       463,921  

Series 2016-C1, Class B, 4.20%, 05/10/49 (Call 03/10/26)(a)

    1,160       1,229,115  

Series 2016-C1, Class C, 3.33%, 05/10/49 (Call 03/10/26)(a)

    468       455,510  

Series 2017-C6, Class A3, 3.27%, 06/10/50 (Call 06/10/24)

    750       778,157  

Federal National Mortgage Association

   

Series 2016-M1, Class A2, 2.94%, 01/25/26(a)

    937       994,123  

Series 2016-M10, Class AV2, 3.00%, 11/25/45

    500       542,684  

Series 2016-M12, Class AV2, 2.31%, 10/25/23

    493       501,562  

Series 2016-M5, Class A2, 2.47%, 04/25/26

    500       522,186  

Series 2017-M1, Class A2, 2.41%, 10/25/26(a)

    856       896,650  

Series 2017-M14, Class A2, 2.87%, 11/25/27(a)

    1,830       1,975,071  

Series 2019-M1, Class A1, 3.36%, 09/25/28

    766       821,454  

Series 2020-M1, Class A1, 2.15%, 10/25/29

    2,016       2,088,591  

Series 2020-M1, Class A2, 2.44%, 10/25/29

    4,530       4,804,316  

Series 2020-M14, Class A2, 1.78%, 05/25/30

    1,000       1,010,105  

Series 2020-M20, Class A2, 1.44%, 10/25/29

    250       246,615  

Series 2020-M5, Class A3, 2.19%, 01/25/30

    1,000       1,040,734  

Series 2020-M8, Class A2, 1.82%, 02/25/30

    100       101,214  

Series 2021-M4, Class A2, 1.47%, 02/25/31(a)

    1,500       1,470,272  

Series 2019-M6, Class A2, 3.45%, 01/01/29

    1,000       1,123,658  

Serise 2015-M15, Class A2, 2.92%, 10/25/25(a)

    944       993,577  

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates

   

Series K039, Class A2, 3.30%, 07/25/24 (Call 07/25/24)

    263       278,319  

Series K056, Class A1, 2.20%, 07/25/25 (Call 05/25/25)

    1,091       1,117,174  

Series K057, Class A2, 2.57%, 07/25/26 (Call 07/25/26)

    1,725       1,818,624  

Series K070, Class A1, 3.03%, 04/25/27 (Call 04/25/27)

    1,694       1,775,261  

Series K078, Class A1, 3.67%, 01/25/28 (Call 01/25/28)

    1,369       1,488,810  

Series K089, Class A1, 3.34%, 10/25/28 (Call 10/25/28)

    3,260       3,539,059  

Series K095, Class A2, 2.79%, 06/25/29 (Call 06/25/29)

    1,175       1,271,989  

Series K098, Class A2, 2.43%, 08/25/29 (Call 08/25/29)

    500       529,244  

Series K099, Class A2, 2.60%, 09/25/29 (Call 09/25/29)

    1,811       1,939,639  

Series K104, Class A2, 2.25%, 01/25/30 (Call 01/25/30)

    2,005       2,095,334  

Series K106, Class A1, 1.78%, 10/25/29 (Call 10/25/29)

    4,425       4,522,127  

Series K107, Class A2, 1.64%, 01/25/30 (Call 01/25/30)

    3,250       3,253,923  

Series K109, Class A2, 1.56%, 04/25/30 (Call 04/25/30)

    2,000       1,987,984  

Series K110, Class A1, 1.02%, 09/25/29 (Call 09/25/29)

    988       965,097  

Series K114, Class A2, 1.37%, 06/25/30 (Call 06/25/30)

    4,010       3,920,230  

Series K118, Class A1, 0.79%, 03/25/30 (Call 03/25/30)

    1,955       1,877,846  

Series K118, Class A2, 1.49%, 09/25/30 (Call 09/25/30)

    2,500       2,466,617  

Series K119, Class A2, 1.57%, 09/25/30 (Call 09/25/30)

    3,000       2,977,375  

Series K120, Class A2, 1.50%, 10/25/30 (Call 10/25/30)

    4,000       3,946,229  

Series K121, Class A2, 1.55%, 10/25/30 (Call 10/25/30)

    1,500       1,485,547  

Series K123, Class A2, 1.62%, 12/25/30 (Call 12/25/30)

    600       597,726  

Series K124, Class A2, 1.66%, 12/25/30 (Call 12/25/30)

    2,300       2,297,801  

Series K126, Class A2, 2.07%, 01/25/31 (Call 01/25/31)

    2,000       2,066,085  

Series K127, Class A2, 2.11%, 01/25/31 (Call 01/25/31)

    7,500       7,784,596  

Series K128, Class A2, 2.02%, 03/25/31 (Call 03/25/31)

    4,000       4,110,188  

Series K131, Class A2, 1.85%, 07/25/31 (Call 07/25/31)

    3,000       3,040,289  

Series K132, Class A2, 2.02%, 08/25/31 (Call 08/25/31)

    1,000       1,028,590  

Series K-1511, Class A2, 3.47%, 03/25/31 (Call 03/25/31)

    1,000       1,150,525  

Series K-1516, Class A2, 1.72%, 05/25/35 (Call 05/25/35)

    1,825       1,749,115  

Series K-1517, Class A2, 1.72%, 07/25/35 (Call 07/25/35)

    500       479,412  

Series K-1518, Class A2, 1.86%, 10/25/35 (Call 10/25/35)

    2,500       2,434,226  

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)             

Series K152, Class A1, 2.83%, 05/25/30 (Call 05/25/30)

  $     1,218      $     1,307,014  

Series K-1520, Class A2, 2.44%, 02/25/36 (Call 02/25/36)

    2,000        2,079,959  

Series K-1521, Class A2, 2.18%, 08/25/36 (Call 08/25/36)

    1,000        1,010,900  

Series K155, Class A1, 3.75%, 11/25/29 (Call 11/25/29)

    494        549,778  

Series K156, Class A3, 3.70%, 06/25/33 (Call 06/25/33)(a)

    500        584,087  

Series K727, Class A2, 2.95%, 07/25/24 (Call 07/25/24)

    1,000        1,040,191  

Series K735, Class A2, 2.86%, 05/25/26 (Call 05/25/26)

    2,000        2,124,451  

Series K737, Class AM, 2.10%, 10/25/26 (Call 10/25/26)

    300        309,966  

Series K740, Class A2, 1.47%, 09/25/27 (Call 09/25/27)

    2,000        2,005,975  

Series K741, Class A2, 1.60%, 12/25/27 (Call 12/25/27)

    1,120        1,130,819  

Series K742, Class A2, 1.76%, 03/25/28 (Call 03/25/28)

    2,550        2,596,800  

Series K742, Class AM, 1.37%, 04/25/28 (Call 04/25/28)

    1,400        1,386,217  

Series K745, Class A2, 1.66%, 08/25/28 (Call 08/25/28)

    3,000        3,033,991  

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2013-GC10, Class A5, 2.94%, 02/10/46 (Call 01/10/23)

    400        409,066  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust

    

Series 2012-GCJ9, Class AS, 3.12%, 11/10/45 (Call 11/10/22)

    200        203,792  

Series 2013-GC12, Class AS, 3.38%, 06/10/46 (Call 05/10/23)

    300        309,460  

Series 2013-GC12, Class B, 3.78%, 06/10/46 (Call 05/10/23)(a)

    115        118,677  

Series 2013-GC14, Class A5, 4.24%, 08/10/46 (Call 07/10/23)

    550        578,346  

Series 2013-GC16, Class A4, 4.27%, 11/10/46 (Call 10/10/23)

    3,500        3,698,360  

Series 2013-GC16, Class AS, 4.65%, 11/10/46 (Call 11/10/23)

    150        158,904  

Series 2013-GC16, Class C, 5.31%, 11/10/46 (Call 11/10/23)(a)

    100        103,110  

Series 2014-GC18, Class AS, 4.38%, 01/10/47 (Call 01/10/24)

    650        673,418  

Series 2014-GC20, Class A5, 4.00%, 04/10/47

    400        424,501  

Series 2014-GC20, Class B, 4.53%, 04/10/47(a)

    250        256,106  

Series 2014-GC22, Class A5, 3.86%, 06/10/47 (Call 05/10/24)

    2,640        2,807,468  

Series 2014-GC22, Class AS, 4.11%, 06/10/47 (Call 05/10/24)

    250        264,541  

Series 2014-GC24, Class AAB, 3.65%, 09/10/47 (Call 06/10/24)

    340        352,890  

Series 2014-GC26, Class A5, 3.63%, 11/10/47 (Call 11/10/24)

    750        797,741  

Series 2015-GC30, Class AAB, 3.12%, 05/10/50 (Call 10/10/24)

    321        330,977  

Series 2015-GC30, Class AS, 3.78%, 05/10/50 (Call 05/10/25)(a)

    500        534,156  

Series 2015-GC32, Class A3, 3.50%, 07/10/48 (Call 06/10/25)

    600        632,768  

Series 2015-GC32, Class C, 4.42%, 07/10/48 (Call 07/10/25)(a)

    804        848,475  

Series 2015-GC34, Class A4, 3.51%, 10/10/48 (Call 09/10/25)

    2,500        2,676,044  

Series 2016-GS2, Class A4, 3.05%, 05/10/49 (Call 02/10/26)

    1,170        1,237,446  

Series 2016-GS3, Class A3, 2.59%, 10/10/49 (Call 08/10/26)

    1,291        1,338,783  

Series 2016-GS3, Class A4, 2.85%, 10/10/49 (Call 09/10/26)

    780        818,691  

Series 2016-GS4, Class A4, 3.44%, 11/10/49(a)

    39        42,049  
Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)             

Series 2017-GS7, Class A3, 3.17%, 08/10/50 (Call 05/10/27)

  $     1,000      $     1,066,575  

Series 2017-GS7, Class AAB, 3.20%, 08/10/50 (Call 03/10/27)

    910        960,428  

Series 2017-GS7, Class B, 3.88%, 08/10/50 (Call 07/10/27)

    500        540,270  

Series 2018-GS9, Class A4, 3.99%, 03/10/51 (Call 02/10/28)(a)

    1,000        1,117,321  

Series 2019-GC38, Class A4, 3.97%, 02/10/52 (Call 01/10/29)

    750        845,408  

Series 2019-GC40, Class A4, 3.16%, 07/10/52 (Call 06/10/29)

    1,131        1,215,995  

Series 2019-GSA1, Class C, 3.80%, 11/10/52 (Call 10/10/29)(a)

    500        532,566  

Series 2020-GC45, Class A4, 2.66%, 02/13/53 (Call 11/13/29)

    775        803,872  

JP Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust

    

Series 2015-JP1, Class A4, 3.65%, 01/15/49 (Call 11/15/25)

    1,000        1,074,456  

Series 2015-JP1, Class AS, 4.12%, 01/15/49 (Call 12/15/25)(a)

    750        812,597  

Series 2016-JP3, Class AS, 3.14%, 08/15/49 (Call 09/15/26)

    1,000        1,047,437  

Series 2016-JP3, Class B, 3.40%, 08/15/49 (Call 09/15/26)(a)

    108        110,890  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust

    

Series 2013-C12, Class AS, 4.04%, 07/15/45 (Call 05/15/23)(a)

    500        520,163  

Series 2013-C14, Class A4, 4.13%, 08/15/46 (Call 07/15/23)(a)

    513        534,562  

Series 2013-C14, Class AS, 4.41%, 08/15/46 (Call 07/15/23)(a)

    150        155,106  

Series 2013-C14, Class B, 4.55%, 08/15/46 (Call 07/15/23)(a)

    500        510,016  

Series 2013-C15, Class B, 4.93%, 11/15/45 (Call 10/15/23)(a)

    200        211,898  

Series 2013-C15, Class C, 5.19%, 11/15/45 (Call 10/15/23)(a)

    110        116,723  

Series 2013-C17, Class A4, 4.20%, 01/15/47 (Call 12/15/23)

    490        519,848  

Series 2013-C17, Class C, 4.89%, 01/15/47 (Call 12/15/23)(a)

    100        103,559  

Series 2014-C18, Class A5, 4.08%, 02/15/47 (Call 02/15/24)

    1,400        1,486,670  

Series 2014-C18, Class AS, 4.44%, 02/15/47 (Call 02/15/24)(a)

    1,200        1,263,763  

Series 2014-C18, Class ASB, 3.57%, 02/15/47 (Call 07/15/23)

    618        634,788  

Series 2014-C18, Class B, 4.80%, 02/15/47 (Call 02/15/24)(a)

    225        236,340  

Series 2014-C19, Class C, 4.66%, 04/15/47 (Call 04/15/24)(a)

    200        211,349  

Series 2014-C21, Class A4, 3.49%, 08/15/47 (Call 05/15/24)

    646        672,042  

Series 2014-C21, Class A5, 3.77%, 08/15/47 (Call 06/15/24)

    2,835        3,008,146  

Series 2014-C21, Class ASB, 3.43%, 08/15/47 (Call 02/15/24)

    205        211,558  

Series 2014-C22, Class A4, 3.80%, 09/15/47 (Call 08/15/24)

    750        798,361  

Series 2014-C22, Class C, 4.55%, 09/15/47 (Call 08/15/24)(a)

    200        195,007  

 

 

18  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2014-C23, Class A5, 3.93%, 09/15/47 (Call 09/15/24)

  $     1,144      $     1,224,445  

Series 2014-C23, Class ASB, 3.66%, 09/15/47 (Call 07/15/24)

    206        213,956  

Series 2014-C25, Class AS, 4.07%, 11/15/47 (Call 10/15/24)

    222        237,875  

Series 2014-C25, Class B, 4.35%, 11/15/47 (Call 11/15/24)(a)

    185        194,488  

Series 2015-C27, Class AS, 3.63%, 02/15/48 (Call 01/15/25)

    500        528,109  

Series 2015-C28, Class A3, 2.91%, 10/15/48 (Call 01/15/25)

    978        1,003,009  

Series 2015-C28, Class ASB, 3.04%, 10/15/48 (Call 11/15/24)

    347        357,743  

Series 2015-C29, Class A4, 3.61%, 05/15/48 (Call 04/15/25)

    2,500        2,673,550  

Series 2015-C29, Class ASB, 3.30%, 05/15/48 (Call 11/15/24)

    358        371,403  

Series 2015-C29, Class B, 4.12%, 05/15/48 (Call 05/15/25)(a)

    250        259,770  

Series 2015-C30, Class AS, 4.23%, 07/15/48 (Call 07/15/25)(a)

    635        687,669  

Series 2015-C31, Class A3, 3.80%, 08/15/48 (Call 08/15/25)

    1,085        1,163,238  

Series 2015-C33, Class A4, 3.77%, 12/15/48 (Call 11/15/25)

    1,000        1,086,458  

Series 2016-C1, Class A5, 3.58%, 03/15/49 (Call 01/15/26)

    822        884,005  

Series 2016-C1, Class B, 4.73%, 03/15/49 (Call 02/15/26)(a)

    450        486,690  

Series 2016-C1, Class C, 4.73%, 03/15/49 (Call 02/15/26)(a)

    400        421,410  

JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust

    

JPMCC 2017-JP5, Class ASB, 3.55%, 03/15/50

    130        138,053  

Series 2017-JP5, Class A3, 3.34%, 03/15/50

    250        253,951  

Series 2017-JP5, Class A5, 3.72%, 03/15/50

    1,300        1,421,508  

Series 2017-JP5, Class AS, 3.88%, 03/15/50(a)

    650        708,107  

Series 2017-JP6, Class A5, 3.49%, 07/15/50 (Call 04/15/27)

    300        325,272  

Series 2017-JP6, Class AS, 3.74%, 07/15/50 (Call 05/15/27)

    400        433,966  

Series 2017-JP7, Class A5, 3.45%, 09/15/50 (Call 07/15/27)

    1,000        1,082,461  

Series 2019-COR4, Class ASB, 3.94%, 03/10/52 (Call 03/10/28)

    1,000        1,096,629  

Series 2019-COR5, Class A2, 3.15%, 06/13/52 (Call 05/13/24)

    360        374,993  

Series 2019-COR5, Class A4, 3.39%, 06/13/52 (Call 04/13/29)

    1,200        1,298,847  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust

    

Series 2016-C2, Class A4, 3.14%, 06/15/49 (Call 04/15/26)

    1,000        1,057,370  

Series 2016-C2, Class B, 3.99%, 06/15/49 (Call 05/15/26)(a)

    750        768,177  

Series 2017-C5, Class A5, 3.69%, 03/15/50 (Call 01/15/27)

    2,100        2,285,940  

Series 2017-C7, Class A3, 3.05%, 10/15/50 (Call 07/15/24)

    1,200        1,244,748  

Series 2017-C7, Class A5, 3.41%, 10/15/50 (Call 08/15/27)

    3,050        3,305,118  

Series 2019-COR6, Class A4, 3.06%, 11/13/52 (Call 10/13/29)

    955        1,017,311  

Series 2020-COR7, Class A5, 2.18%, 05/13/53 (Call 03/13/30)

    539        540,609  
Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust

    

Series 2012-C8, Class ASB, 2.38%, 10/15/45 (Call 05/15/22)

  $ 45      $ 44,852  

Series 2013-C10, Class A5, 3.14%, 12/15/47 (Call 02/15/23)

    589        602,909  

Series 2013-C10, Class AS, 3.37%, 12/15/47 (Call 02/15/23)

    1,100        1,128,707  

Series 2013-C10, Class B, 3.67%, 12/15/47 (Call 02/15/23)(a)

    1,100        1,130,538  

Series 2013-C10, Class C, 4.10%, 12/15/47 (Call 02/15/23)(a)

    200        202,053  

Series 2013-C13, Class A4, 3.99%, 01/15/46 (Call 06/15/23)(a)

    205        214,132  

Series 2013-C13, Class ASB, 3.41%, 01/15/46 (Call 03/15/23)

    17        17,035  

Series 2013-LC11, Class A5, 2.96%, 04/15/46 (Call 04/15/23)

    500        513,207  

Series 2014-C20, Class A5, 3.80%, 07/15/47 (Call 05/15/24)

    500        529,912  

Series 2014-C20, Class B, 4.40%, 07/15/47 (Call 06/15/24)(a)

    100        105,882  

Series 2015-JP1, Class A5, 3.91%, 01/15/49 (Call 12/15/25)

        2,462            2,677,594  

Series 2016-JP2, Class A4, 2.82%, 08/15/49 (Call 07/15/26)

    1,023        1,072,814  

Series 2016-JP2, Class AS, 3.06%, 08/15/49 (Call 07/15/26)

    700        717,921  

Series 2016-JP4, Class A4, 3.65%, 12/15/49 (Call 11/15/26)(a)

    1,090        1,185,782  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust

    

Series 2012-C6, Class A4, 2.86%, 11/15/45 (Call 09/15/22)

    1,131        1,143,895  

Series 2012-C6, Class AS, 3.48%, 11/15/45 (Call 09/15/22)

    500        509,814  

Series 2013-C09, Class A4, 3.10%, 05/15/46 (Call 04/15/23)

    1,500        1,537,159  

Series 2013-C10, Class A4, 4.08%, 07/15/46 (Call 06/15/23)(a)

    1,000        1,041,661  

Series 2013-C10, Class ASB, 3.91%, 07/15/46 (Call 01/15/23)(a)

    71        72,616  

Series 2013-C11, Class A3, 3.96%, 08/15/46 (Call 05/15/23)

    479        491,762  

Series 2013-C11, Class A4, 4.15%, 08/15/46 (Call 07/15/23)(a)

    800        836,268  

Series 2013-C13, Class A4, 4.04%, 11/15/46 (Call 11/15/23)

    1,100        1,161,390  

Series 2013-C13, Class C, 4.90%, 11/15/46 (Call 11/15/23)(a)

    230        231,014  

Series 2013-C7, Class AAB, 2.47%, 02/15/46 (Call 11/15/22)

    34        34,538  

Series 2013-C7, Class AS, 3.21%, 02/15/46 (Call 01/15/23)

    1,621        1,656,255  

Series 2013-C7, Class B, 3.77%, 02/15/46 (Call 01/15/23)

    200        201,374  

Series 2013-C8, Class B, 3.53%, 12/15/48 (Call 02/15/23)(a)

    200        204,055  

Series 2014-C14, Class A5, 4.06%, 02/15/47 (Call 12/15/23)

    1,000        1,057,737  

Series 2014-C14, Class AS, 4.38%, 02/15/47 (Call 01/15/24)(a)

    200        212,192  

Series 2014-C14, Class B, 4.86%, 02/15/47 (Call 01/15/24)(a)

    200        213,846  

Series 2014-C15, Class ASB, 3.65%, 04/15/47 (Call 12/15/23)

    110        113,530  

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2014-C16, Class A5, 3.89%, 06/15/47 (Call 05/15/24)

  $ 500      $ 530,101  

Series 2014-C17, Class A5, 3.74%, 08/15/47 (Call 07/15/24)

        2,220            2,355,127  

Series 2014-C18, Class A3, 3.65%, 10/15/47

    358        372,951  

Series 2014-C18, Class A4, 3.92%, 10/15/47

    1,150        1,228,821  

Series 2014-C19, Class A4, 3.53%, 12/15/47 (Call 11/15/24)

    1,275        1,352,485  

Series 2015-C20, Class A4, 3.25%, 02/15/48 (Call 12/15/24)

    3,500        3,690,832  

Series 2015-C20, Class AS, 3.61%, 02/15/48 (Call 01/15/25)

    500        529,087  

Series 2015-C21, Class A4, 3.34%, 03/15/48 (Call 02/15/25)

    901        949,008  

Series 2015-C22, Class A4, 3.31%, 04/15/48 (Call 04/15/25)

    1,000        1,056,633  

Series 2015-C22, Class C, 4.21%, 04/15/48 (Call 04/15/25)(a)

    250        249,509  

Series 2015-C23, Class A3, 3.45%, 07/15/50 (Call 05/15/25)

    730        774,632  

Series 2015-C24, Class A3, 3.48%, 05/15/48 (Call 05/15/25)

    369        390,833  

Series 2015-C24, Class A4, 3.73%, 05/15/48 (Call 07/15/25)

    950        1,023,910  

Series 2015-C25, Class ASB, 3.38%, 10/15/48 (Call 06/15/25)

    514        533,775  

Series 2015-C27, Class A4, 3.75%, 12/15/47 (Call 10/15/25)

    1,373        1,480,344  

Series 2016-C28, Class A4, 3.54%, 01/15/49 (Call 01/15/26)

    2,900        3,106,918  

Series 2016-C30, Class A5, 2.86%, 09/15/49 (Call 08/15/26)

    500        524,640  

Series 2016-C31, Class A5, 3.10%, 11/15/49 (Call 10/15/26)

    2,250        2,383,456  

Series 2016-C32, Class A4, 3.72%, 12/15/49 (Call 12/15/26)

    1,000        1,091,114  

Series 2016-C32, Class ASB, 3.51%, 12/15/49 (Call 07/15/26)

    310        328,631  

Series 2017-C33, Class A5, 3.60%, 05/15/50 (Call 04/15/27)

    1,100        1,198,720  

Series 2017-C34, Class A4, 3.54%, 11/15/52 (Call 09/15/27)

    1,000        1,091,134  

Series 2017-C34, Class AS, 3.86%, 11/15/52 (Call 10/15/27)

    500        547,470  

Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2017-HR2, Class A4, 3.59%, 12/15/50 (Call 12/15/27)

    2,010        2,192,170  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust

    

Series 2015-MS1, Class A4, 3.78%, 05/15/48 (Call 05/15/25)(a)

    500        536,140  

Series 2015-UBS8, Class AS, 4.11%, 12/15/48

    250        266,733  

Series 2016-BNK2, Class A4, 3.05%, 11/15/49 (Call 10/15/26)

    1,250        1,326,206  

Series 2016-UB11, Class A4, 2.78%, 08/15/49 (Call 08/15/26)

    1,000        1,045,015  

Series 2017-H1, Class A5, 3.53%, 06/15/50 (Call 05/15/27)

    1,000        1,085,815  

Series 2018-H3, Class A4, 3.91%, 07/15/51 (Call 05/15/28)

    500        553,375  

Series 2019-H7, Class A4, 3.26%, 07/15/52

    1,000        1,077,934  

Series 2020-HR8, Class A4, 2.04%, 07/15/53 (Call 07/15/30)

    1,120        1,108,692  

Series 2020-L4, Class A3, 2.70%, 02/15/53 (Call 02/15/30)

    1,500        1,561,394  
Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2021-L6, Class A2, 2.13%, 06/15/54 (Call 07/15/26)

  $ 1,500      $ 1,523,814  

Series 2021-L7, Class A5, 2.57%, 10/15/54 (Call 09/15/31)

        3,000            3,079,376  

SG Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-C5, Class A4, 3.06%, 10/10/48 (Call 06/10/26)

    1,000        1,047,180  

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust

    

Series 2017-C2, Class A4, 3.49%, 08/15/50 (Call 07/15/27)

    1,000        1,080,010  

Series 2017-C6, Class AS, 3.93%, 12/15/50(a)

    500        546,873  

Series 2017-C7, Class A4, 3.68%, 12/15/50 (Call 12/15/27)

    1,000        1,095,027  

Series 2018-C08, Class A4, 3.98%, 02/15/51 (Call 02/15/28)

    1,325        1,472,335  

Series 2018-C12, Class ASB, 4.19%, 08/15/51 (Call 01/15/28)

    1,765        1,951,959  

Series 2018-C15, Class B, 4.92%, 12/15/51 (Call 12/15/28)(a)

    750        863,114  

Series 2019-C16, Class AS, 3.89%, 04/15/52 (Call 03/15/29)

    1,334        1,469,950  

Series 2019-C17, Class A4, 2.92%, 10/15/52 (Call 09/15/29)

    1,000        1,051,502  

UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust

    

Series 2012-C4, Class AAB, 2.46%, 12/10/45 (Call 06/10/22)

    47        47,725  

Series 2013-C5, Class A4, 3.18%, 03/10/46 (Call 01/10/23)

    1,222        1,246,847  

Series 2013-C6, Class A4, 3.24%, 04/10/46 (Call 03/10/23)

    677        694,737  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust

    

Series 2013-LC12, Class A4, 4.22%, 07/15/46 (Call 06/15/23)(a)

    2,975        3,115,142  

Series 2013-LC12, Class AS, 4.31%, 07/15/46 (Call 07/15/23)(a)

    473        489,068  

Series 2014-LC16, Class ASB, 3.48%, 08/15/50 (Call 03/15/24)

    728        750,895  

Series 2015-C26, Class AS, 3.58%, 02/15/48 (Call 01/15/25)

    820        864,868  

Series 2015-C27, Class A5, 3.45%, 02/15/48 (Call 02/15/25)

    1,000        1,062,350  

Series 2015-C27, Class B, 4.14%, 02/15/48 (Call 03/15/25)(a)

    330        342,168  

Series 2015-C28, Class A4, 3.54%, 05/15/48 (Call 04/15/25)

    500        534,177  

Series 2015-C28, Class AS, 3.87%, 05/15/48 (Call 04/15/25)(a)

    250        267,681  

Series 2015-C30, Class A4, 3.66%, 09/15/58 (Call 07/15/25)

    817        878,642  

Series 2015-C30, Class ASB, 3.41%, 09/15/58 (Call 03/15/25)

    372        386,628  

Series 2015-C31, Class A4, 3.70%, 11/15/48 (Call 10/15/25)

    500        539,389  

Series 2015-C31, Class B, 4.48%, 11/15/48 (Call 10/15/25)(a)

    1,000        1,077,175  

Series 2015-C31, Class C, 4.60%, 11/15/48 (Call 11/15/25)(a)

    450        470,442  

Series 2015-LC20, Class A3, 3.09%, 04/15/50

    600        601,204  

Series 2015-LC20, Class B, 3.72%, 04/15/50

    750        779,154  

Series 2015-LC22, Class A4, 3.84%, 09/15/58 (Call 09/15/25)

    1,000        1,082,207  

Series 2015-NXS2, Class A5, 3.77%, 07/15/58 (Call 06/15/25)(a)

    750        808,155  

Series 2016-C32, Class ASB, 3.32%, 01/15/59 (Call 06/15/25)

    940        978,809  

Series 2016-C34, Class A4, 3.10%, 06/15/49 (Call 04/15/26)

    1,000        1,054,728  

 

 

20  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2016-C35, Class A4, 2.93%, 07/15/48 (Call 06/15/26)

  $     1,000      $     1,048,462  

Series 2016-C36, Class AS, 3.42%, 11/15/59 (Call 10/15/26)

    500        520,153  

Series 2016-C37, Class ASB, 3.62%, 12/15/49 (Call 06/15/26)

    1,000        1,058,215  

Series 2016-LC24, Class A4, 2.94%, 10/15/49 (Call 08/15/26)

    1,680        1,772,722  

Series 2016-LC25, Class B, 4.35%, 12/15/59 (Call 11/15/26)(a)

    198        216,713  

Series 2016-NXS4, Class A4, 3.72%, 12/15/48

    1,000        1,080,237  

Series 2016-NXS6, Class B, 3.81%, 11/15/49 (Call 09/15/26)

    500        520,036  

Series 2017-C38, Class A4, 3.19%, 07/15/50 (Call 05/15/27)

    500        531,466  

Series 2017-C38, Class A5, 3.45%, 07/15/50 (Call 06/15/27)

    2,000        2,172,247  

Series 2017-C39, Class A5, 3.42%, 09/15/50 (Call 07/15/27)

    2,500        2,708,741  

Series 2017-C39, Class ASB, 3.21%, 09/15/50 (Call 12/15/26)

    1,000        1,054,373  

Series 2017-C39, Class C, 4.12%, 09/15/50 (Call 08/15/27)

    500        529,691  

Series 2017-C42, Class A4, 3.59%, 12/15/50

    1,250        1,368,110  

Series 2017-C42, Class B, 4.00%, 12/15/50(a)

    500        540,811  

Series 2018-C44, Class A5, 4.21%, 05/15/51 (Call 04/15/28)

    1,000        1,128,622  

Series 2018-C45, Class AS, 4.41%, 06/15/51 (Call 06/15/28)(a)

    350        394,435  

Series 2018-C46, Class AS, 4.38%, 08/15/51

    500        563,822  

Series 2018-C47, Class A4, 4.44%, 09/15/61 (Call 09/15/28)

    2,250        2,583,888  

Series 2018-C48, Class A5, 4.30%, 01/15/52 (Call 12/15/28)

    1,000        1,142,833  

Series 2019-C49, Class A5, 4.02%, 03/15/52 (Call 02/15/29)

    1,625        1,830,654  

Series 2019-C49, Class C, 4.87%, 03/15/52 (Call 02/15/29)(a)

    665        746,703  

Series 2019-C50, Class A5, 3.73%, 05/15/52 (Call 04/15/29)

    750        831,793  

Series 2019-C50, Class AS, 4.02%, 05/15/52 (Call 04/15/29)

    1,000        1,109,638  

Series 2019-C51, Class AS, 3.58%, 06/15/52 (Call 06/15/29)

    492        532,779  

Series 2019-C52, Class AS, 3.14%, 08/15/52 (Call 08/15/29)

    1,074        1,132,891  

Series 2019-C53, Class A4, 3.04%, 10/15/52 (Call 10/15/29)

    1,400        1,492,686  

Series 2020-C55, Class A5, 2.73%, 02/15/53 (Call 01/15/30)

    1,000        1,042,919  

Series 2020-C56, Class ASB, 2.42%, 06/15/53 (Call 11/15/29)

    2,000        2,068,499  

Series 2020-C56, Class B, 3.75%, 06/15/53 (Call 03/15/30)(a)

    345        380,884  

Series 2020-C56, Class C, 3.75%, 06/15/53 (Call 04/15/30)(a)

    800        857,242  

Series 2020-C57, Class A4, 2.12%, 08/15/53 (Call 08/15/30)

    2,919        2,911,237  

Series 2020-C58, Class A4, 2.09%, 07/15/53 (Call 11/15/30)

    1,000        993,029  
Security  

Par

(000)

     Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2021-C59, Class A5, 2.63%, 04/15/54 (Call 04/15/31)

  $     1,000      $ 1,034,863  

Series 2021-C59, Class ASB, 2.30%, 04/15/54 (Call 01/15/30)

    354        360,110  

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust

    

Series 2012-C10, Class A3, 2.88%, 12/15/45 (Call 12/15/22)

    200        203,143  

Series 2012-C10, Class AS, 3.24%, 12/15/45 (Call 12/15/22)

    250        251,821  

Series 2012-C6, Class AS, 3.84%, 04/15/45 (Call 02/15/22)

    145        145,489  

Series 2012-C8, Class ASB, 2.56%, 08/15/45 (Call 12/15/21)

    10        9,851  

Series 2013-C13, Class C, 3.91%, 05/15/45 (Call 05/15/23)(a)

    110        112,964  

Series 2013-C14, Class B, 3.84%, 06/15/46 (Call 05/15/23)(a)

    500        514,075  

Series 2013-C15, Class A4, 4.15%, 08/15/46 (Call 07/15/23)(a)

    2,000        2,095,614  

Series 2013-C17, Class A3, 3.75%, 12/15/46 (Call 10/15/23)

    756        789,576  

Series 2013-C17, Class ASB, 3.56%, 12/15/46 (Call 08/15/23)

    320        329,126  

Series 2013-C18, Class A4, 3.90%, 12/15/46 (Call 12/15/23)

    543        569,127  

Series 2013-C18, Class A5, 4.16%, 12/15/46 (Call 12/15/23)(a)

    2,000        2,120,722  

Series 2013-UBS1, Class A4, 4.08%, 03/15/46 (Call 11/15/23)(a)

    797        841,281  

Series 2014-C19, Class A4, 3.83%, 03/15/47 (Call 02/15/24)

    300        313,578  

Series 2014-C19, Class B, 4.72%, 03/15/47 (Call 03/15/24)(a)

    300        316,630  

Series 2014-C20, Class ASB, 3.64%, 05/15/47 (Call 01/15/24)

    187        193,488  

Series 2014-C22, Class A4, 3.49%, 09/15/57

    4,070        4,252,713  

Series 2014-C22, Class A5, 3.75%, 09/15/57

    400        425,235  

Series 2014-C22, Class AS, 4.07%, 09/15/57(a)

    480        511,491  

Series 2014-C24, Class A5, 3.61%, 11/15/47 (Call 10/15/24)

    100        106,096  

Series 2014-C25, Class A5, 3.63%, 11/15/47 (Call 11/15/24)

    1,050        1,119,578  

Series 2014-LC14, Class A5, 4.05%, 03/15/47 (Call 01/15/24)

    950        1,007,423  
    

 

 

 
         561,691,167  
    

 

 

 

Total Collaterized Mortgage Obligations — 68.5%

  

(Cost: $558,406,210)

       561,691,167  
    

 

 

 

U.S. Government & Agency Obligations

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities — 30.8%             

Federal National Mortgage Association

    

Series 2012-M9, Class A2, 2.48%, 04/25/22

    111        111,235  

Series 2013-M12, Class APT, 2.41%, 03/25/23(a)

    402        407,994  

Series 2013-M14, Class A2, 3.33%, 10/25/23(a)

    2,638        2,729,168  

Series 2013-M6, Class 1A2, 3.30%, 02/25/43(a)

    332        364,570  

Series 2013-M7, Class A2, 2.28%, 12/27/22

    338        340,921  

Series 2014-M11, Class 1A, 3.12%, 08/25/24(a)

    644        675,105  

Series 2014-M11, Class 2A, 3.30%, 08/25/26(a)

    577        625,005  

Series 2014-M13, Class A2, 3.02%, 08/25/24(a)

    138        144,089  

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

Series 2014-M3, Class A2, 3.49%, 01/25/24(a)

  $ 573     $ 597,971  

Series 2014-M4, Class A2, 3.35%, 03/25/24(a)

    484       508,479  

Series 2015-M1, Class A2, 2.53%, 09/25/24

    667       688,546  

Series 2015-M10, Class A2, 3.09%, 04/25/27(a)

    2,467       2,661,557  

Series 2015-M11, Class A2, 2.82%, 04/25/25(a)

    800       837,666  

Series 2015-M13, Class A2, 2.71%, 06/25/25(a)

    931       971,997  

Series 2015-M2, Class A, 2.62%, 12/25/24

    335       347,141  

Series 2015-M8, Class A2, 2.90%, 01/25/25(a)

    1,250       1,305,319  

Series 2016-M6, Class A2, 2.49%, 05/25/26

    310       324,275  

Series 2016-M9, Class A2, 2.29%, 06/25/26

    2,000       2,074,648  

Series 2017, Class A2, 2.96%, 09/25/27(a)

    1,000       1,081,577  

Series 2017-M15, Class AV2, 2.62%, 11/25/24(a)

    977       1,011,907  

Series 2017-M2, Class A2, 2.78%, 02/25/27(a)

    1,927       2,053,967  

Series 2017-M3, Class A2, 2.47%, 12/25/26(a)

    839       881,476  

Series 2017-M4, Class A2, 2.56%, 12/25/26(a)

    908       957,962  

Series 2017-M7, Class A2, 2.96%, 02/25/27(a)

    1,038       1,108,857  

Series 2017-M8, Class A2, 3.06%, 05/25/27(a)

    2,400           2,593,208  

Series 2018-M1, Class A2, 2.99%, 12/25/27(a)

    919       991,663  

Series 2018-M10, Class A2, 3.37%, 07/25/28(a)

    1,040       1,161,286  

Series 2018-M13, Class A2, 3.70%, 09/25/30(a)

    100       115,123  

Series 2018-M7, Class A2, 3.06%, 03/25/28(a)

    800       874,610  

Series 2019-M1, Class A2, 3.55%, 09/25/28(a)

    3,000       3,392,118  

Series 2019-M2, Class A2, 3.63%, 11/25/28(a)

    2,000       2,272,574  

Series 2019-M5, Class A2, 3.27%, 02/25/29

    2,450       2,715,973  

Series 2019-M6, Class A1, 3.30%, 08/01/28

    1,299       1,392,174  

Series 2019-M7, Class A2, 3.14%, 04/25/29

    1,300       1,437,261  

Series 2019-M9, Class A2, 2.94%, 06/25/29

    1,970       2,151,949  

Series 2020-M5, Class A2, 2.21%, 01/25/30

    2,600       2,707,579  

Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates

   

Series K027, Class A2, 2.64%, 01/25/23 (Call 01/25/23)

    1,000       1,019,554  

Series K028, Class A2, 3.11%, 02/25/23 (Call 02/25/23)

    2,710       2,783,418  

Series K029, Class A2, 3.32%, 02/25/23 (Call 02/25/23)(a)

    2,985       3,076,075  

Series K031, Class A2, 3.30%, 04/25/23 (Call 04/25/23)(a)

    2,000       2,069,034  

Series K032, Class A2, 3.31%, 05/25/23 (Call 05/25/23)(a)

    180       186,631  

Series K033, Class A2, 3.06%, 07/25/23 (Call 07/25/23)(a)

    2,000       2,066,443  

Series K034, Class A2, 3.53%, 07/25/23 (Call 07/25/23)(a)

    2,271       2,368,893  

Series K035, Class A2, 3.46%, 08/25/23 (Call 08/25/23)(a)

    375       391,023  

Series K036, Class A2, 3.53%, 10/25/23 (Call 10/25/23)(a)

    3,150       3,289,047  

Series K037, Class A2, 3.49%, 01/25/24 (Call 01/25/24)

    3,000       3,157,908  

Series K038, Class A2, 3.39%, 03/25/24 (Call 03/25/24)

    500       526,935  

Series K040, Class A2, 3.24%, 09/25/24 (Call 09/25/24)

    1,120       1,187,241  

Series K041, Class A2, 3.17%, 10/25/24 (Call 10/25/24)

    1,250       1,325,155  

Series K043, Class A2, 3.06%, 12/25/24 (Call 12/25/24)

    1,000       1,058,572  

Series K044, Class A2, 2.81%, 01/25/25 (Call 01/25/25)

    3,820       4,019,418  

Series K046, Class A2, 3.21%, 03/25/25 (Call 03/25/25)

    1,285       1,370,874  

Series K048, Class A1, 2.69%, 12/25/24 (Call 10/25/24)

    256       262,471  

Series K049, Class A2, 3.01%, 07/25/25 (Call 07/25/25)

    3,800       4,041,823  

Series K050, Class A2, 3.33%, 08/25/25 (Call 08/25/25)(a)

        3,450       3,710,696  

Series K051, Class A2, 3.31%, 09/25/25 (Call 09/25/25)

    2,630       2,830,106  

Series K052, Class A2, 3.15%, 11/25/25 (Call 11/25/25)

    800       857,369  

Series K053, Class A2, 3.00%, 12/25/25 (Call 12/25/25)

    2,200       2,344,720  

Series K054, Class A2, 2.75%, 01/25/26 (Call 01/25/26)

    700       740,571  

Series K056, Class A2, 2.53%, 05/25/26 (Call 05/25/26)

    1,725       1,813,988  

Series K057, Class A1, 2.21%, 06/25/25 (Call 04/25/25)

    577       587,828  

Series K058, Class A1, 2.34%, 07/25/26 (Call 06/25/26)

    1,165       1,197,827  

Series K058, Class A2, 2.65%, 08/25/26 (Call 08/25/26)

    1,527       1,618,091  

Series K059, Class A2, 3.12%, 09/25/26 (Call 09/25/26)(a)

    3,280       3,545,296  

Series K060, Class A2, 3.30%, 10/25/26 (Call 10/25/26)

    2,797       3,051,633  

Series K061, Class A1, 3.01%, 08/25/26 (Call 12/25/25)

    670       695,920  

Series K061, Class A2, 3.35%, 11/25/26 (Call 11/25/26)(a)

    1,300       1,421,191  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

Series K062, Class A2, 3.41%, 12/25/26 (Call 12/25/26)

  $ 1,000     $     1,098,329  

Series K063, Class A2, 3.43%, 01/25/27 (Call 01/25/27)(a)

    1,345       1,478,317  

Series K064, Class A1, 2.89%, 10/25/26 (Call 10/25/26)

    786       818,017  

Series K064, Class A2, 3.22%, 03/25/27 (Call 03/25/27)

    325       354,201  

Series K065, Class A1, 2.86%, 10/25/26 (Call 10/25/26)

    1,845       1,919,365  

Series K065, Class A2, 3.24%, 04/25/27 (Call 04/25/27)

    2,570       2,808,268  

Series K066, Class A2, 3.12%, 06/25/27 (Call 06/25/27)

    1,610       1,751,671  

Series K067, Class A1, 2.90%, 03/25/27 (Call 03/25/27)

    871       908,176  

Series K067, Class A2, 3.19%, 07/25/27 (Call 07/25/27)

    1,600       1,749,269  

Series K068, Class A2, 3.24%, 08/25/27 (Call 08/25/27)

    1,000       1,096,751  

Series K069, Class A2, 3.19%, 09/25/27 (Call 09/25/27)(a)

    1,960       2,145,990  

Series K070, Class A2, 3.30%, 11/25/27 (Call 11/25/27)(a)

    5,541       6,110,602  

Series K071, Class A2, 3.29%, 11/25/27 (Call 11/25/27)

    1,500       1,653,978  

Series K072, Class A2, 3.44%, 12/25/27 (Call 12/25/27)

    3,450       3,837,619  

Series K073, Class A2, 3.35%, 01/25/28 (Call 01/25/28)

    3,937       4,361,154  

Series K074, Class A1, 3.60%, 09/25/27 (Call 09/25/27)

    924       998,254  

Series K074, Class A2, 3.60%, 01/25/28 (Call 01/25/28)

    3,000       3,367,805  

Series K075, Class A2, 3.65%, 02/25/28 (Call 02/25/28)(a)

    1,000       1,125,361  

Series K076, Class A1, 3.73%, 12/25/27 (Call 12/25/27)

    1,024       1,116,108  

Series K076, Class A2, 3.90%, 04/25/28 (Call 04/25/28)

    3,525       4,023,247  

Series K077, Class A2, 3.85%, 05/25/28 (Call 05/25/28)(a)

    1,000       1,139,095  

Series K078, Class A2, 3.85%, 06/25/28 (Call 06/25/28)

    1,000       1,141,827  

Series K079, Class A2, 3.93%, 06/25/28 (Call 06/25/28)

    2,000       2,293,613  

Series K080, Class A2, 3.93%, 07/25/28 (Call 07/25/28)(a)

    700       803,184  

Series K081, Class A2, 3.90%, 08/25/28 (Call 08/25/28)(a)

    1,500       1,720,139  

Series K082, Class A2, 3.92%, 09/25/28 (Call 09/25/28)(a)

        2,000       2,297,344  

Series K083, Class A2, 4.05%, 09/25/28 (Call 09/25/28)(a)

    1,195       1,382,738  

Series K084, Class A2, 3.78%, 10/25/28 (Call 10/25/28)(a)

    1,000       1,134,600  

Series K085, Class A2, 4.06%, 10/25/28 (Call 10/25/28)(a)

    1,000       1,153,844  

Series K086, Class A2, 3.86%, 11/25/28 (Call 11/25/28)(a)

    1,725       1,978,919  

Series K087, Class A2, 3.77%, 12/25/28 (Call 12/25/28)

    4,571       5,219,154  

Series K088, Class A1, 3.48%, 09/25/28 (Call 09/25/28)

    342       372,423  

Series K088, Class A2, 3.69%, 01/25/29 (Call 01/25/29)

    2,010       2,286,878  

Series K089, Class A2, 3.56%, 01/25/29 (Call 01/25/29)

    2,400       2,713,115  

Series K090, Class A2, 3.42%, 02/25/29 (Call 02/25/29)

    2,500       2,807,914  

Series K091, Class A2, 3.51%, 03/25/29 (Call 03/25/29)

    6,517       7,354,468  

Series K092, Class A2, 3.30%, 04/25/29 (Call 04/25/29)

    3,010       3,358,317  

Series K094, Class A2, 2.90%, 06/25/29 (Call 06/25/29)

    1,420       1,549,285  

Series K096, Class A2, 2.52%, 07/25/29 (Call 07/25/29)

    1,215       1,293,925  

Series K100, Class A2, 2.67%, 09/25/29 (Call 09/25/29)

    1,000       1,076,980  

Series K101, Class A2, 2.52%, 10/25/29 (Call 10/25/29)

    250       266,574  

Series K102, Class A1, 2.18%, 05/25/29 (Call 04/25/29)

    971       1,010,089  

Series K102, Class A2, 2.54%, 10/25/29 (Call 10/25/29)

    2,000       2,134,275  

Series K103, Class A2, 2.65%, 11/25/29 (Call 11/25/29)

    2,720       2,924,570  

Series K105, Class A2, 1.87%, 03/25/53 (Call 01/25/30)

    2,060       2,095,241  

Series K106, Class A2, 2.07%, 01/25/30 (Call 01/25/30)

    3,500       3,612,067  

Series K108, Class A2, 1.52%, 03/25/30 (Call 03/25/30)

    4,153       4,117,572  

Series K110, Class A2, 1.48%, 04/25/30 (Call 04/25/30)

    4,640       4,584,236  

Series K111, Class A2, 1.35%, 05/25/30 (Call 05/25/30)

    1,500       1,466,058  

Series K115, Class A2, 1.38%, 06/25/30 (Call 06/25/30)

    1,000       979,065  

Series K116, Class A2, 1.38%, 07/25/30 (Call 07/25/30)

    2,000       1,956,659  

Series K117, Class A2, 1.41%, 08/25/30 (Call 08/25/30)

    1,500       1,470,074  

Series K125, Class A2, 1.85%, 01/25/31 (Call 01/25/31)

    2,000       2,027,609  

Series K130, Class A2, 1.72%, 06/25/31 (Call 06/25/31)

    2,500       2,503,759  

Series K1510, Class A2, 3.72%, 01/25/31 (Call 01/25/31)

    250       290,038  

Series K1510, Class A3, 3.79%, 01/25/34 (Call 01/25/34)

    500       586,198  

Series K-1512, Class A2, 2.99%, 05/25/31 (Call 05/25/31)

    1,230       1,343,349  

Series K-1512, Class A3, 3.06%, 04/25/34 (Call 04/25/34)

    1,450       1,594,830  

Series K-1513, Class A3, 2.80%, 08/25/34 (Call 08/25/34)

    1,015       1,091,806  

Series K-1514, Class A2, 2.86%, 10/25/34 (Call 10/25/34)

    1,000       1,083,549  

 

 

22  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® CMBS ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series K152, Class A2, 3.08%, 01/25/31 (Call 01/25/31)

  $ 250     $ 274,846  

Series K153, Class A3, 3.12%, 10/25/31 (Call 10/25/31)(a)

    500       558,183  

Series K154, Class A2, 3.42%, 04/25/32 (Call 11/25/31)

    1,500       1,689,214  

Series K154, Class A3, 3.46%, 11/25/32 (Call 11/25/32)

    1,345       1,545,014  

Series K157, Class A2, 3.99%, 05/25/33 (Call 05/25/33)(a)

    1,076       1,250,992  

Series K159, Class A1, 3.95%, 12/25/29 (Call 12/25/29)

    1,552       1,742,573  

Series K159, Class A2, 3.95%, 11/25/30 (Call 11/25/30)(a)

    833       966,665  

Series K159, Class A3, 3.95%, 11/25/33 (Call 11/25/33)(a)

        2,000       2,375,116  

Series K720, Class A2, 2.72%, 06/25/22 (Call 06/25/22)

    742       747,530  

Series K723, Class A2, 2.45%, 08/25/23 (Call 08/25/23)

    439       449,428  

Series K724, Class A2, 3.06%, 11/25/23 (Call 11/25/23)(a)

    1,400       1,443,920  

Series K725, Class A2, 3.00%, 01/25/24 (Call 01/25/24)

    1,010       1,050,740  

Series K728, Class A2, 3.06%, 08/25/24 (Call 08/25/24)(a)

    2,000       2,094,994  

Series K729, Class A1, 2.95%, 02/25/24 (Call 02/25/24)

    369       376,053  

Series K730, Class A2, 3.59%, 01/25/25 (Call 01/25/25)(a)

    2,000       2,130,195  

Series K731, Class A2, 3.60%, 02/25/25 (Call 02/25/25)(a)

    1,000       1,060,103  

Series K733, Class A2, 3.75%, 08/25/25 (Call 08/25/25)

    1,000       1,079,444  

Series K734, Class A2, 3.21%, 02/25/26 (Call 02/25/26)

    2,455       2,628,559  

Series K739, Class A2, 1.34%, 09/25/27 (Call 09/25/27)

    2,150       2,142,985  

Series KS03, Class A4, 3.16%, 05/25/25 (Call 05/25/25)(a)

    1,000       1,054,934  
   

 

 

 
      252,832,051  
U.S. Government Obligations — 0.2%  

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond, 1.25%, 08/15/31

    1,500       1,457,578  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations — 31.0%

 

(Cost: $249,151,841)

 

        254,289,629  
   

 

 

 
Security  

Shares

(000)

    Value  

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.7%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(b)(c)

    6,210     $ 6,210,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.7%
(Cost: $6,210,000)

 

    6,210,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 100.2%
(Cost: $813,768,051)

 

    822,190,796  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.2)%

 

    (1,804,880
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   820,385,916  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(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 year ended October 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
10/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
10/31/21
    Shares
Held at
10/31/21
(000)
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 3,540,000     $ 2,670,000 (a)    $     $     $     $ 6,210,000       6,210     $ 833     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Collaterized Mortgage Obligations

   $        $ 561,691,167        $        $ 561,691,167  

U.S. Government & Agency Obligations

              254,289,629                   254,289,629  

Money Market Funds

     6,210,000                            6,210,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   6,210,000        $ 815,980,796        $         —        $ 822,190,796  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® GNMA Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

U.S. Government Agency Obligations

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities — 100.8%  

Government National Mortgage Association

   

1.50%, 11/18/21(a)

  $ 1,575     $ 1,543,838  

2.00%, 04/20/51

    48,859       49,523,401  

2.00%, 10/20/51

    2,320       2,351,542  

2.00%, 11/18/51(a)

    59,680       60,434,159  

2.50%, 01/15/28

    5       4,756  

2.50%, 02/20/28

    8       8,611  

2.50%, 01/20/31

    126       130,663  

2.50%, 07/20/35

    1,840       1,915,202  

2.50%, 04/20/43

    18       18,518  

2.50%, 12/20/46

    1,702       1,761,016  

2.50%, 01/20/47

    163       168,147  

2.50%, 08/20/50

    18,575       19,093,309  

2.50%, 09/20/50

    5,333       5,481,196  

2.50%, 01/20/51

    4,627       4,756,283  

2.50%, 02/20/51

    5,367       5,521,135  

2.50%, 05/20/51

    7,253       7,461,913  

2.50%, 07/20/51

    21,724       22,349,114  

2.50%, 08/20/51

        29,651           30,503,505  

2.50%, 11/18/51(a)

    18,446       18,961,551  

3.00%, 11/18/21(a)

    6,925       7,190,639  

3.00%, 07/15/27

    5       5,319  

3.00%, 09/15/27

    8       8,137  

3.00%, 01/20/31

    166       174,781  

3.00%, 07/20/31

    272       285,706  

3.00%, 02/20/32

    205       215,463  

3.00%, 09/15/42

    5       5,629  

3.00%, 10/15/42

    41       43,002  

3.00%, 01/20/43

    421       445,437  

3.00%, 07/15/43

    73       76,848  

3.00%, 09/20/43

    882       933,141  

3.00%, 01/15/44

    2,126       2,245,779  

3.00%, 08/20/44

    508       537,764  

3.00%, 05/20/45

    376       395,830  

3.00%, 07/20/45

    102       107,320  

3.00%, 10/20/45

    165       173,185  

3.00%, 11/20/45

    2,567       2,701,233  

3.00%, 12/20/45

    2,036       2,143,147  

3.00%, 01/20/46

    677       712,043  

3.00%, 02/20/46

    688       723,897  

3.00%, 03/20/46

    2,626       2,750,966  

3.00%, 04/20/46

    1,743       1,825,896  

3.00%, 05/20/46

    2,196       2,301,233  

3.00%, 06/20/46

    781       817,904  

3.00%, 07/20/46

    796       833,825  

3.00%, 08/20/46

    5,096       5,339,427  

3.00%, 09/20/46

    3,401       3,563,233  

3.00%, 12/15/46

    176       185,754  

3.00%, 12/20/46

    583       611,350  

3.00%, 02/15/47

    200       210,935  

3.00%, 02/20/47

    648       679,123  

3.00%, 06/20/47

    77       80,727  

3.00%, 07/20/47

    1,359       1,419,363  

3.00%, 10/20/47

    446       465,460  

3.00%, 12/20/47

    850       887,484  

3.00%, 01/20/48

    1,204       1,257,628  

3.00%, 02/20/48

    63       65,860  

3.00%, 04/20/49

    2,763       2,885,997  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

3.00%, 07/20/49

  $ 595     $ 618,315  

3.00%, 09/20/49

    46       48,213  

3.00%, 10/15/49

    1,124       1,172,338  

3.00%, 11/20/49

    1,784       1,852,273  

3.00%, 01/20/50

    4,479       4,647,776  

3.00%, 02/15/50

    808       843,017  

3.00%, 02/20/50

    1,877       1,947,252  

3.00%, 04/20/50

    13,635       14,142,623  

3.00%, 07/20/50

    17,304       17,950,114  

3.00%, 08/20/50

    1,828       1,896,391  

3.00%, 01/20/51

        11,694           12,132,935  

3.50%, 02/15/26

    3       3,270  

3.50%, 11/15/26

    2       2,452  

3.50%, 02/20/27

    7       7,348  

3.50%, 01/20/31

    54       57,822  

3.50%, 07/20/32

    148       157,904  

3.50%, 09/15/41

    5       5,859  

3.50%, 06/20/42

    3,496       3,684,937  

3.50%, 09/15/42

    15       16,730  

3.50%, 09/20/42

    150       161,230  

3.50%, 10/15/42

    6       6,329  

3.50%, 10/20/42

    351       378,613  

3.50%, 11/15/42

    28       29,741  

3.50%, 11/20/42

    1,166       1,256,749  

3.50%, 12/20/42

    124       133,283  

3.50%, 02/20/43

    975       1,054,431  

3.50%, 03/15/43

    584       632,155  

3.50%, 05/15/43

    41       43,882  

3.50%, 06/15/43

    137       148,203  

3.50%, 04/20/45

    370       393,590  

3.50%, 09/20/45

    4,070       4,326,478  

3.50%, 11/20/45

    15       15,605  

3.50%, 12/20/45

    101       107,708  

3.50%, 03/20/46

    525       555,907  

3.50%, 04/20/46

    83       87,809  

3.50%, 06/20/46

    815       862,748  

3.50%, 07/20/46

    4,817       5,100,791  

3.50%, 11/20/46

    15       15,354  

3.50%, 12/20/46

    197       209,074  

3.50%, 01/20/47

    72       76,004  

3.50%, 02/20/47

    176       186,393  

3.50%, 03/20/47

    366       385,730  

3.50%, 04/20/47

    1,549       1,634,548  

3.50%, 08/20/47

    640       688,950  

3.50%, 09/20/47

    1,419       1,495,410  

3.50%, 10/20/47

    10,558       11,136,607  

3.50%, 11/20/47

    1,375       1,449,033  

3.50%, 12/15/47

    528       569,904  

3.50%, 12/20/47

    615       662,482  

3.50%, 01/20/48

    455       479,595  

3.50%, 02/20/48

    1,959       2,064,812  

3.50%, 04/20/48

    138       149,303  

3.50%, 11/20/48

    996       1,049,146  

3.50%, 01/20/50

    4,482       4,685,140  

3.50%, 03/20/50

    3,827       3,998,273  

3.50%, 04/20/50

    14,503       15,147,300  

3.50%, 05/20/50

    9,457       9,876,503  

3.50%, 06/20/50

    912       953,596  

3.50%, 08/20/50

    3,989       4,170,045  

3.50%, 11/19/50(a)

    920       962,334  

 

 

24  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® GNMA Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security       
Par
(000)
    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

3.50%, 05/20/51

  $ 2,675     $ 2,812,548  

4.00%, 03/20/26

    2       2,387  

4.00%, 07/20/26

    2       1,900  

4.00%, 02/15/41

    8       8,837  

4.00%, 03/15/41

    8       9,287  

4.00%, 04/15/41

    36       38,744  

4.00%, 05/15/41

    8       8,266  

4.00%, 12/15/41

    9       9,893  

4.00%, 01/15/42

    5       5,558  

4.00%, 02/15/42

    20       22,265  

4.00%, 03/15/42

    53       58,435  

4.00%, 05/15/42

    9       9,761  

4.00%, 08/15/42

    10       11,173  

4.00%, 09/20/42

    250       273,770  

4.00%, 04/15/44

    45       48,327  

4.00%, 05/15/44

    52       56,094  

4.00%, 08/20/44

    33       35,580  

4.00%, 10/20/44

    356       387,883  

4.00%, 03/20/45

    1,403       1,526,308  

4.00%, 08/15/45

    3,305       3,610,813  

4.00%, 08/20/45

    585       635,390  

4.00%, 09/20/45

    804       873,671  

4.00%, 10/20/45

    7       7,846  

4.00%, 01/20/46

    12       13,377  

4.00%, 03/20/46

    144       156,264  

4.00%, 07/20/46

    14       15,172  

4.00%, 09/20/46

    409       441,993  

4.00%, 11/20/46

    165       178,835  

4.00%, 12/15/46

    27       28,812  

4.00%, 06/20/47

    2,494       2,678,842  

4.00%, 07/20/47

    522       560,755  

4.00%, 08/20/47

    10       10,373  

4.00%, 11/20/47

    153       163,869  

4.00%, 03/20/48

    1,484       1,585,063  

4.00%, 04/20/48

    622       673,078  

4.00%, 05/20/48

    3,502       3,791,282  

4.00%, 07/20/48

    559       596,352  

4.00%, 09/20/48

    2,641       2,813,070  

4.00%, 10/20/48

    1,881       2,004,257  

4.00%, 11/20/48

        11,324       12,088,736  

4.00%, 09/15/49

    301       324,686  

4.00%, 01/20/50

    802       850,525  

4.00%, 02/20/50

    17       18,392  

4.00%, 09/20/50

    519       550,893  

4.00%, 11/18/51(a)

    3,055       3,237,703  

4.50%, 11/18/21(a)

    1,500       1,599,785  

4.50%, 07/20/24

    1       1,381  

4.50%, 08/15/39

    113       125,701  

4.50%, 07/15/40

    26       29,314  

4.50%, 08/15/40

    44       49,535  

4.50%, 11/20/45

    256       283,708  

4.50%, 08/20/46

    460       510,746  

4.50%, 09/20/46

    68       76,083  

4.50%, 10/20/46

    78       87,008  

4.50%, 11/20/46

    80       89,215  

4.50%, 04/20/47

    8       8,969  

4.50%, 06/20/47

    10       10,474  

4.50%, 07/20/47

    3,517           3,814,139  

4.50%, 02/20/48

    532       574,943  

4.50%, 06/20/48

    34       36,202  
Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

4.50%, 07/20/48

  $ 216     $ 231,520  

4.50%, 08/20/48

    180       192,631  

4.50%, 09/20/48

    5,185       5,543,687  

4.50%, 10/20/48

    176       187,715  

4.50%, 12/20/48

    1,568       1,674,180  

4.50%, 01/20/49

    1,061       1,131,206  

4.50%, 03/20/49

    27       28,481  

4.50%, 06/20/49

    1,028       1,095,000  

4.50%, 08/20/49

    318       338,934  

4.50%, 10/20/49

    235       250,936  

4.50%, 01/20/50

    1,269       1,351,852  

5.00%, 07/15/39

    25       28,497  

5.00%, 07/20/42

    137       156,911  

5.00%, 07/20/46

    53       61,118  

5.00%, 04/20/48

    72       78,000  

5.00%, 05/20/48

    383       415,703  

5.00%, 11/20/48

    95       102,006  

5.00%, 12/20/48

    90       96,767  

5.00%, 01/20/49

    266       287,131  

5.00%, 04/20/49

    17       18,195  

5.00%, 09/20/50

    328       358,735  

5.00%, 11/18/51(a)

    6,037       6,524,953  

5.50%, 10/15/38

    16       18,239  

5.50%, 07/20/40

    231       264,917  

5.50%, 11/18/51(a)

    625       692,969  

6.00%, 09/20/38

    22       25,478  

6.00%, 11/18/51(a)

    200       223,906  
   

 

 

 
      487,736,616  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Agency Obligations — 100.8%

 

(Cost: $489,482,502)

          487,736,616  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Investments            
Money Market Funds — 20.0%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(b)(c)

    96,704       96,704,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 20.0%
(Cost: $96,704,000)

 

    96,704,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before TBA Sales Commitments — 120.8%

 

(Cost: $586,186,502)

 

    584,440,616  
   

 

 

 

TBA Sales Commitments(a)

   
Mortgage-Backed Securities — (1.4)%            

Government National Mortgage Association

   

1.50%, 11/18/51

    (75     (73,516

2.00%, 11/18/51

    (2,550     (2,582,224

2.50%, 11/18/51

    (1,300     (1,336,334

3.00%, 11/18/51

    (1,550     (1,609,457

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® GNMA Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)            

3.50%, 11/19/50

    (920   $ (962,334
   

 

 

 
      (6,563,865
   

 

 

 

Total TBA Sales Commitments — (1.4)%
(Proceeds: $(6,538,355))

      (6,563,865
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of TBA Sales Commitments — 119.4%
(Cost: $579,648,147)

      577,876,751  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (19.4)%

      (94,029,469
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $     483,847,282  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Represents or includes a TBA transaction.

(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 year ended October 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
10/31/20
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
10/31/21
     Shares
Held at
10/31/21
(000)
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 97,794,000      $      $ (1,090,000 )(a)     $      $      $ 96,704,000        96,704      $ 31,589      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

U.S. Government Agency Obligations

   $        $ 487,736,616        $        $ 487,736,616  

Money Market Funds

     96,704,000                            96,704,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     96,704,000          487,736,616                   584,440,616  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Liabilities

                 

TBA Sales Commitments

              (6,563,865                 (6,563,865
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   96,704,000        $ 481,172,751        $         —        $ 577,876,751  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

U.S. Government Obligations

 

U.S. Government Obligations — 97.1%  

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note

   

0.08%, 07/31/23,

   

(3 mo.Treasury money market yield + 0.029%)(a)

  $ 54,943     $ 54,941,929  

0.09%, 04/30/23,

   

(3 mo.Treasury money market yield + 0.034%)(a)

    23,604       23,606,367  

0.10%, 01/31/23,

   

(3 mo.Treasury money market yield + 0.049%)(a)

    42,988       43,000,880  

0.11%, 07/31/22,

   

(3 mo.Treasury money market yield + 0.055%)(a)

    877       877,038  

0.11%, 10/31/22,

   

(3 mo.Treasury money market yield + 0.055%)(a)

        129,624       129,677,833  

0.17%, 04/30/22,

   

(3 mo.Treasury money market yield + 0.114%)(a)

    920       920,291  

0.21%, 01/31/22,

   

(3 mo.Treasury money market yield + 0.154%)(a)

    808       808,299  
   

 

 

 
      253,832,637  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Obligations — 97.1%
(Cost: $253,820,527)

 

        253,832,637  
   

 

 

 
Security  

Shares

(000)

    Value  

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 0.1%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(b)(c)

    200     $ 200,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
(Cost: $200,000)

      200,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 97.2%
(Cost: $254,020,527)

      254,032,637  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 2.8%

      7,331,496  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   261,364,133  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(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 year ended October 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
10/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
10/31/21
    Shares
Held at
10/31/21
(000)
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 40,490,250     $     $ (40,290,250 )(a)    $     $     $ 200,000       200     $ 14,222 (b)    $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

(b) 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

U.S. Government Obligations

   $        $ 253,832,637        $        $ 253,832,637  

Money Market Funds

     200,000                            200,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 200,000        $ 253,832,637        $             —        $ 254,032,637  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

U.S. Government Obligations

   
U.S. Government Obligations — 99.2%            

U.S. Treasury Note/Bond

   

0.13%, 08/31/22

  $ 163     $ 163,000  

0.13%, 09/30/22

    4,807       4,806,249  

0.13%, 10/31/22(a)

    254       253,921  

0.13%, 12/31/22

    2,618       2,614,625  

0.13%, 01/31/23

    1,808       1,804,822  

0.13%, 02/28/23

    483       481,906  

0.13%, 03/31/23

    1,244       1,240,453  

0.13%, 04/30/23

    760       757,269  

0.13%, 07/15/23

    1,354       1,347,494  

0.13%, 07/31/23

    367       365,079  

0.13%, 08/15/23

    486,408       483,709,953  

0.13%, 08/31/23

    1,059       1,052,919  

0.13%, 09/15/23

    1,662       1,651,418  

0.13%, 10/15/23

    1,233       1,224,282  

0.13%, 12/15/23

        299,850           297,156,034  

0.13%, 01/15/24

    13,994       13,855,700  

0.25%, 04/15/23

    131,000       130,836,250  

0.25%, 09/30/23(a)

    110       109,553  

0.25%, 11/15/23

    22,383       22,191,095  

0.25%, 05/15/24

    965,028       954,887,669  

0.25%, 06/15/24

    6,089       6,018,358  

0.25%, 05/31/25

    64,480       62,895,706  

0.25%, 07/31/25

    10,673       10,385,746  

0.25%, 08/31/25

    78,303       76,060,965  

0.25%, 10/31/25

    310,390       300,702,436  

0.38%, 10/31/23

    901       898,853  

0.38%, 04/15/24

    605,377       601,238,679  

0.38%, 07/15/24(a)

    215,876       213,944,922  

0.38%, 08/15/24

    864,842       856,734,106  

0.38%, 09/15/24

    456       451,369  

0.38%, 11/30/25

    321,898       312,970,164  

0.50%, 02/28/26

    226,317       220,482,265  

0.63%, 10/15/24

    456       454,254  

0.63%, 07/31/26

    39,562       38,559,042  

0.63%, 11/30/27

    483       462,171  

0.63%, 12/31/27

    1,630       1,557,032  

0.63%, 08/15/30

    302,426       280,252,032  

0.75%, 03/31/26

    82,237       80,900,649  

0.75%, 04/30/26

    27,792       27,321,924  

0.75%, 05/31/26

    43,038       42,279,791  

0.75%, 08/31/26

    268,286       262,899,321  

0.88%, 06/30/26

    80,610       79,551,994  

0.88%, 09/30/26(a)

    2,219       2,186,582  

1.00%, 07/31/28

    89,265       86,677,709  

1.13%, 02/28/25

    72,980       73,592,918  

1.13%, 10/31/26

    1,988       1,981,477  

1.13%, 08/31/28

    10,781       10,546,850  

1.13%, 08/15/40

    114,242       98,694,378  

1.25%, 08/31/24

    1,973       2,001,670  

1.25%, 03/31/28

    125,966       124,730,942  

1.25%, 06/30/28

    135,781       134,110,257  

1.25%, 09/30/28

    40,186       39,627,163  

1.25%, 08/15/31(a)

    53,684       52,165,944  

1.38%, 10/15/22

    4,264       4,313,969  

1.38%, 02/15/23

    1,848       1,874,060  

1.38%, 06/30/23

    2,615       2,657,800  

1.38%, 11/15/40

    183,897       165,952,676  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
U.S. Government Obligations (continued)            

1.38%, 08/15/50

  $ 2,431     $ 2,119,813  

1.50%, 02/28/23

    528       536,477  

1.50%, 02/15/30(a)

    109,279       109,389,485  

1.63%, 08/31/22

    10       10,124  

1.63%, 11/15/22

    10       10,152  

1.63%, 05/31/23

    32       32,632  

1.63%, 02/15/26

    109,074       111,498,340  

1.63%, 05/15/26

        356,740           364,446,141  

1.63%, 08/15/29

    2,240       2,265,219  

1.63%, 05/15/31

    482,316       485,707,284  

1.63%, 11/15/50

    291       269,717  

1.75%, 07/15/22

    160       161,844  

1.75%, 09/30/22

    1,625       1,649,007  

1.75%, 01/31/23

    1,682       1,713,012  

1.75%, 08/15/41

    364       350,407  

1.88%, 07/31/22

    2,871       2,908,906  

1.88%, 08/31/22

    3,476       3,526,105  

1.88%, 09/30/22

    1,424       1,446,361  

1.88%, 10/31/22

    144       146,464  

1.88%, 02/15/51

    801,624       788,597,610  

2.00%, 10/31/22

    100       101,840  

2.00%, 11/30/22

    100       101,973  

2.00%, 04/30/24

    4,000       4,133,594  

2.00%, 05/31/24

    21,691       22,423,918  

2.00%, 02/15/25

    317,744       329,659,400  

2.00%, 08/15/25

    251,051       260,553,568  

2.00%, 11/15/26

    197,956       205,673,192  

2.00%, 02/15/50

    3,394       3,432,308  

2.00%, 08/15/51

    113       114,607  

2.13%, 12/31/22

    4,899       5,006,766  

2.13%, 11/30/23

    1,063       1,097,963  

2.13%, 03/31/24

    5,000       5,177,148  

2.13%, 09/30/24

    1,696       1,762,846  

2.13%, 05/15/25

    214,203       223,081,126  

2.25%, 12/31/23

    261       270,431  

2.25%, 04/30/24

    1,867       1,940,586  

2.25%, 10/31/24

    262       273,514  

2.25%, 11/15/24

    5,744       5,997,992  

2.25%, 11/15/25

    16,877       17,689,970  

2.25%, 02/15/27

    320,078       336,519,613  

2.25%, 08/15/27

    330,904       348,043,479  

2.25%, 11/15/27

    191,221       201,208,341  

2.25%, 05/15/41

    2       2,088  

2.25%, 08/15/49

    46,031       49,061,094  

2.38%, 02/29/24

    324,838       338,097,988  

2.38%, 08/15/24

    500,060       522,875,447  

2.38%, 05/15/27

    168,974       178,848,947  

2.38%, 05/15/29

    17,836       18,975,997  

2.38%, 11/15/49

    351       384,043  

2.50%, 02/15/46

    4,943       5,441,409  

2.50%, 05/15/46

    180,738       199,214,224  

2.63%, 02/28/23

    2,082       2,146,087  

2.63%, 06/30/23

    90       93,312  

2.63%, 12/31/23

    150,557       157,202,679  

2.63%, 02/15/29

    14,816       16,003,232  

2.75%, 07/31/23

    170,550       177,445,284  

2.75%, 08/31/23

    29       30,209  

2.75%, 02/15/24

    169,916       178,259,141  

2.75%, 06/30/25

    97,142       103,406,900  

2.75%, 02/15/28

    359,771       389,424,002  

 

 

28  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets

 

Security  

    

Par

(000)

    Value  

U.S. Government Obligations (continued)

 

2.75%, 11/15/42

  $ 357,530     $ 404,037,282  

2.88%, 11/30/23

    410       429,811  

2.88%, 04/30/25

    2,896       3,090,607  

2.88%, 05/31/25

        193,740           207,029,353  

2.88%, 11/30/25

    23,741       25,476,133  

2.88%, 05/15/28

    270,337       295,078,954  

2.88%, 08/15/28

    14,280       15,616,530  

2.88%, 05/15/43

    28,684       33,129,015  

2.88%, 08/15/45

    63,998       74,937,892  

2.88%, 11/15/46

    170,915       202,300,602  

2.88%, 05/15/49

    8,610       10,333,009  

3.00%, 10/31/25

    19,066       20,537,657  

3.00%, 11/15/44

    6,737       8,001,767  

3.00%, 02/15/47

    3,000       3,636,445  

3.00%, 02/15/48

    89,356       108,783,950  

3.00%, 08/15/48

    12,509       15,263,912  

3.00%, 02/15/49

    14,237       17,443,662  

3.13%, 11/15/28

    540,089       600,616,942  

3.13%, 11/15/41

    20,338       24,256,720  

3.13%, 02/15/43

    62,881       75,329,114  

3.13%, 05/15/48

    3,296       4,107,511  

3.38%, 05/15/44

    39,150       49,082,156  

3.63%, 08/15/43

    2,345       3,027,432  

3.75%, 11/15/43

    584,252       768,929,879  

3.88%, 08/15/40

    60,553       79,463,986  

4.38%, 11/15/39

    36,325       50,365,464  

4.50%, 05/15/38

    241       336,214  

5.50%, 08/15/28

    219       276,761  

7.13%, 02/15/23

    747       812,734  

Security   Par/
Shares
(000)
    Value  

U.S. Government Obligations (continued)

 

U.S. Treasury STRIPS
0.00%, 05/15/26(b)

  $ 96     $ 91,318  

0.00%, 02/15/27(b)

    2       1,867  

0.00%, 08/15/36(b)

    142       107,927  

0.00%, 05/15/37(b)

      61,766       45,993,540  
   

 

 

 
      15,534,533,369  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Obligations — 99.2%
(Cost: $15,634,620,021)

 

    15,534,533,369  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 2.7%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares, 0.00%(c)(d)(e)

    426,475       426,474,749  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 2.7%
(Cost: $426,474,749)

 

    426,474,749  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 101.9%
(Cost: $16,061,094,770)

 

    15,961,008,118  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (1.9)%

 

    (295,826,721
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   15,665,181,397  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(b) 

Zero-coupon bond.

(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 year ended October 31, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
10/31/20
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
10/31/21
    Shares
Held at
10/31/21
(000)
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions from
Underlying Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 516,571,506     $     $ (90,096,757 )(a)    $     $     $ 426,474,749       426,475     $ 557,382 (b)    $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
(b) 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2021

  

iShares® U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

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

                 

U.S. Government Obligations

   $        $ 15,534,533,369        $        $ 15,534,533,369  

Money Market Funds

     426,474,749                            426,474,749  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 426,474,749        $ 15,534,533,369        $             —        $ 15,961,008,118  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   TO   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  

October 31, 2021

 

   

iShares

CMBS ETF

    

iShares

GNMA Bond

ETF

   

iShares

Treasury

Floating Rate
Bond ETF

   

iShares

U.S. Treasury
Bond ETF

 

 

 

ASSETS

        

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

        

Unaffiliated(b)

  $ 815,980,796      $ 487,736,616     $ 253,832,637     $ 15,534,533,369  

Affiliated(c)

    6,210,000        96,704,000       200,000       426,474,749  

Cash

    9,671        389       1,343       2,717  

Receivables:

        

Investments sold

    10,264,610        7,712       7,297,100       832,019,014  

Securities lending income — Affiliated

                 50       84,777  

TBA sales commitments

           6,538,355              

Dividends

    19        427             1,781  

Interest

    2,041,199        1,038,107       67,231       80,508,108  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    834,506,295        592,025,606       261,398,361       16,873,624,515  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

                       153,589,749  

TBA sales commitments, at value(d)

           6,563,865              

Payables:

        

Investments purchased

    13,947,570        101,564,475             1,054,188,683  

Investment advisory fees

    172,809        49,984       34,228       664,686  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    14,120,379        108,178,324       34,228       1,208,443,118  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 820,385,916      $ 483,847,282     $ 261,364,133     $ 15,665,181,397  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

        

Paid-in capital

  $ 808,648,854      $ 489,565,888     $ 261,437,612     $ 15,883,083,206  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    11,737,062        (5,718,606     (73,479     (217,901,809
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 820,385,916      $ 483,847,282     $ 261,364,133     $ 15,665,181,397  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    15,300,000        9,700,000       5,200,000       592,100,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 53.62      $ 49.88     $ 50.26     $ 26.46  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited       Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Par value

    None        None       None       None  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $     $     $ 150,110,605  

(b) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 807,558,051      $ 489,482,502     $ 253,820,527     $ 15,634,620,021  

(c)  Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 6,210,000      $ 96,704,000     $ 200,000     $ 426,474,749  

(d) Proceeds from TBA sales commitments

  $      $ 6,538,355     $     $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  31


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

    iShares
CMBS ETF
    iShares
GNMA Bond
ETF
    iShares
Treasury
Floating Rate
Bond ETF
    iShares
U.S. Treasury
Bond ETF
 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — Affiliated

  $ 833     $ 31,589     $ 5,228     $ 63,044  

Interest — Unaffiliated

    16,006,190       1,017,230       425,139       159,294,251  

Securities lending income — Affiliated — net

                8,994       494,338  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    16,007,023       1,048,819       439,361       159,851,633  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory fees

    1,592,431       745,546       494,120       13,705,632  

Miscellaneous

    173       173       173       173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,592,604       745,719       494,293       13,705,805  

Less:

       

Investment advisory fees waived

          (82,659            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    1,592,604       663,060       494,293       13,705,805  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    14,414,419       385,759       (54,932     146,145,828  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    2,035,608       (1,301,515     43,117       (126,707,461

In-kind redemptions — Unaffiliated

                148,484       184,251,977  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,035,608       (1,301,515     191,601       57,544,516  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — Unaffiliated

    (16,946,499     (4,933,632     (231,479     (549,141,099
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (16,946,499     (4,933,632     (231,479     (549,141,099
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (14,910,891     (6,235,147     (39,878     (491,596,583
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (496,472   $ (5,849,388   $ (94,810   $ (345,450,755
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

iShares

CMBS ETF

   

iShares

GNMA Bond ETF

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

10/31/21

    Year Ended
10/31/20
    Year Ended
10/31/21
    Year Ended
10/31/20
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 14,414,419     $ 11,438,349     $ 385,759     $ 4,637,731  

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,035,608       3,283,936       (1,301,515     1,401,127  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (16,946,499     9,268,077       (4,933,632     (16,364
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (496,472     23,990,362       (5,849,388     6,022,494  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (15,800,694     (11,396,821     (590,997     (4,719,036

Return of capital

                (4,165,344     (1,059,609
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (15,800,694     (11,396,821     (4,756,341     (5,778,645
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    345,487,641       56,577,750       13,169,725       302,286,876  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase in net assets

    329,190,475       69,171,291       2,563,996       302,530,725  

Beginning of year

    491,195,441       422,024,150       481,283,286       178,752,561  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 820,385,916     $ 491,195,441     $ 483,847,282     $ 481,283,286  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  33


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

   

iShares

Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF

   

iShares

U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Year Ended
10/31/21
    Year Ended
10/31/20
   

Year Ended

10/31/21

   

Year Ended

10/31/20

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (54,932   $ 2,922,918     $ 146,145,828     $ 218,424,996  

Net realized gain

    191,601       279,190       57,544,516       914,519,738  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (231,479     621,247       (549,141,099     5,624,404  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (94,810     3,823,355       (345,450,755     1,138,569,138  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

       

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (77,549     (3,673,140     (270,729,481     (229,963,044
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

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

    (145,814,606     (100,629,285     1,243,723,778       (1,090,179,532
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (145,986,965     (100,479,070     627,543,542       (181,573,438

Beginning of year

    407,351,098       507,830,168       15,037,637,855       15,219,211,293  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 261,364,133     $ 407,351,098     $ 15,665,181,397     $ 15,037,637,855  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34  

2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares CMBS ETF  
     Year Ended
10/31/21
    Year Ended
10/31/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
    Year Ended
10/31/17
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 54.88     $ 53.42     $ 49.36     $ 51.60     $ 52.43  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    1.23       1.39       1.45       1.37       1.28  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (1.06     1.47       4.04       (2.26     (0.88
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.17       2.86       5.49       (0.89     0.40  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (1.22     (1.40     (1.43     (1.35     (1.23

From net realized gain

    (0.21                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.43     (1.40     (1.43     (1.35     (1.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 53.62     $ 54.88     $ 53.42     $ 49.36     $ 51.60  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    0.29     5.42     11.27     (1.74 )%      0.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25     0.25
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.26     2.58     2.81     2.72     2.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 820,386     $ 491,195     $ 422,024     $ 310,990     $ 250,247  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    13     26     21     13     19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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

  35


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares GNMA Bond ETF  
     Year Ended
10/31/21
    Year Ended
10/31/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
    Year Ended
10/31/17
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 50.93     $ 50.35     $ 47.67     $ 49.74     $ 50.83  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.04       0.77       1.34       1.12       0.80  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (0.61     0.82       2.69       (2.05     (0.72
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.57     1.59       4.03       (0.93     0.08  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.06     (0.82     (1.35     (1.14     (0.79

From net realized gain

                            (0.26

Return of capital

    (0.42     (0.19           (0.00 )(d)       (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.48     (1.01     (1.35     (1.14     (1.17
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 49.88     $ 50.93     $ 50.35     $ 47.67     $ 49.74  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    (1.14 )%      3.18     8.55     (1.90 )%      0.18
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    0.13     0.12     0.13     0.12     0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.08     1.51     2.71     2.31     1.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 483,847     $ 481,283     $ 178,753     $ 102,483     $ 126,827  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)(g)

    498     699     529     834     917
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

(g) 

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”).

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF  
    Year Ended
10/31/21
    Year Ended
10/31/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
    Year Ended
10/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 50.29     $ 50.28     $ 50.31     $ 50.24     $ 50.14  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.01     0.31       1.08       0.92       0.39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (0.01     0.08       (0.04     (0.07     0.01  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.02     0.39       1.04       0.85       0.40  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.01     (0.38     (1.07     (0.78     (0.30

From net realized gain

    (0.00 )(d)                          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.01     (0.38     (1.07     (0.78     (0.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 50.26     $ 50.29     $ 50.28     $ 50.31     $ 50.24  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    (0.04 )%      0.78     2.09     1.70     0.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.02 )%      0.62     2.15     1.83     0.77
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 261,364     $ 407,351     $ 507,830     $ 306,913     $ 25,122  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    74     44     20     17     68
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  37


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF  
     Year Ended
10/31/21
    Year Ended
10/31/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
    Year Ended
10/31/17
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 27.66     $ 26.28     $ 24.17     $ 25.16     $ 25.74  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.25       0.39       0.53       0.48       0.40  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

    (0.96     1.40       2.10       (1.00     (0.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.71     1.79       2.63       (0.52     (0.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.25     (0.41     (0.52     (0.47     (0.37

From net realized gain

    (0.24                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.49     (0.41     (0.52     (0.47     (0.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 26.46     $ 27.66     $ 26.28     $ 24.17     $ 25.16  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    (2.58 )%      6.84     10.99     (2.10 )%      (0.82 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.09     0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.95     1.43     2.09     1.95     1.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 15,665,181     $ 15,037,638     $ 15,219,211     $ 6,747,196     $ 5,211,634  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(e)

    128     91     22     27     47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38  

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Notes to Financial Statements

 

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
 

CMBS

    Diversified  

GNMA Bond

    Diversified  

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

    Diversified  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    Diversified  

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed (the “trade dates”). Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., dollar rolls and TBA sale commitments ) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and record cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments or obligations.

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

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

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

 

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. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

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

   

Fixed-income investments for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid price or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third-party pricing services. Pricing services generally value fixed income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), market data, credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information. Certain fixed-income

 

 

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

  39


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

 

securities, including asset-backed and mortgage related securities may be valued based on valuation models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. The amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless the Manager determines such method does not represent fair value.

   

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

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access;

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Global Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of 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 Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates or as debt instruments. Asset-backed securities issued as pass-through certificates represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities issued as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations, are typically issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. The yield characteristics of certain asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An increased prepayment rate with respect to an asset-backed security will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. In addition, a fund may subsequently have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates. If a fund has purchased such an asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid.

For mortgage pass-through securities (the “Mortgage Assets”) there are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. For example, mortgage-related securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However, mortgage-related securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates, which are solely the obligations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury.

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are securities issued by non-governmental issuers and have no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks. Non-agency mortgage loans are obligations of the borrowers thereunder only and are not typically insured or guaranteed by any other person or entity. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general economic downturn, acts of God, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair a borrower’s ability to repay its loans.

 

 

40  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Stripped Bonds: A stripped bond is a bond that has had its coupon payments and principal repayment stripped into two separate components then selling the separate parts as a zero-coupon bond and an interest paying coupon bond. Once stripped, each component trades as a separate security. Stripped bonds have a greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates than similar maturity debt obligations which provide for regular interest payments.

Zero-Coupon Bonds: Zero-coupon bonds are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. These bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than other debt obligations of similar maturity which provide for regular interest payments.

TBA Commitments: TBA commitments are forward agreements for the purchase or sale of securities, including mortgage-backed securities for a fixed price, with payment and delivery on an agreed upon future settlement date. The specific securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date. However, delivered securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate and mortgage terms. When entering into TBA commitments, a fund may take possession of or deliver the underlying mortgage-backed securities but can extend the settlement or roll the transaction. TBA commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased or sold declines or increases, respectively, prior to settlement date, if there are expenses or delays in connection with the TBA transactions, or if the counterparty fails to complete the transaction.

Mortgage Dollar Roll Transactions: Certain Funds may sell TBA mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously contract to repurchase substantially similar (i.e., same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specific future date at an agreed upon price. During the period between the sale and repurchase, a fund is not entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Mortgage dollar roll transactions are treated as purchases and sales and a fund realizes gains and losses on these transactions. Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that a fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities.

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

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested in money market funds managed by BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Funds’ investment adviser, 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

    
Market Value of
Securities on Loan
 
 
      
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
      

Non-Cash Collateral

Received

 

 

       Net Amount  

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bond

                 

Barclays Capital, Inc.

   $ 50,050,781        $ 50,050,781        $        $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

     108,458          108,458                    

Credit Suisse AG

     48,949,331          48,949,331                    

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     51,002,035          51,002,035                    
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 150,110,605        $ 150,110,605        $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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 the 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.

 

 

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

  41


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

5.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, BFA manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, BFA is responsible for substantially all expenses of the Funds, except (i) interest and taxes; (ii) brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with the execution of portfolio transactions; (iii) distribution fees; (iv) the advisory fee payable to BFA; and (v) litigation expenses and any extraordinary expenses (in each case as determined by a majority of the independent trustees).

For its investment advisory services to each of the following Funds, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Funds, based on the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF    Investment Advisory Fee  

CMBS

     0.25

GNMA Bond

     0.10  

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     0.15  

U.S. Treasury Bond

     0.05  

Effective October 20, 2021, for its investment advisory services to the iShares GNMA Bond ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.10%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Prior to October 20, 2021, BFA was entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.15%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Effective April 1, 2021, for its investment advisory services to the iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.05%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Prior to April 1, 2021, BFA was entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.15%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Expense Waivers: A fund may incur its pro rata share of fees and expenses attributable to its investments in other investment companies (“acquired fund fees and expenses”). The total of the investment advisory fee and acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, is a fund’s total annual operating expenses. Total expenses as shown in the Statement of Operations does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

For the iShares GNMA Bond ETF, BFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fees for the Fund through February 29, 2024 in an amount equal to the acquired fund fees and expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund’s investments in other registered investment companies.

This amount is included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF    Amounts waived  

GNMA Bond

   $ 82,659  

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

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

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

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment fees), and the amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment fees.

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income – affiliated – net in its Statements of Operations. For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Funds paid BTC the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
iShares ETF   

Fees Paid

to BTC

 

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

   $ 3,852  

U.S. Treasury Bond

     208,745  

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

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

For the year ended October 31, 2021, transactions executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF    Purchases        Sales        Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

U.S. Treasury Bond

   $ 9,111,235,783        $ 11,140,571,545        $ (23,389,777

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.

 

6.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended October 31, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, including mortgage dollar rolls and excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

     
     U.S. Government Securities        Other Securities  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
iShares ETF    Purchases        Sales        Purchases        Sales  

CMBS

   $ 197,797,301        $ 39,635,178        $   210,674,239        $   45,769,387  

GNMA Bond

     2,500,100,350          2,479,499,506                    

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     303,064,305          221,321,886                    

U.S. Treasury Bond

     19,660,191,258          19,408,423,407                    

For the year ended October 31, 2021, in-kind transactions were as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   

In-kind

Purchases

      

In-kind

Sales

 

CMBS

   $ 22,390,434        $  

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     154,172,027          295,445,069  

U.S. Treasury Bond

     5,640,591,090          4,434,889,440  

 

7.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

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

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of October 31, 2021, 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.

 

 

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

  43


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. As of October 31, 2021, permanent differences attributable to certain deemed distributions and realized gains (losses) from in-kind redemptions were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

 

 
iShares ETF    Paid-in Capital       

Accumulated    

Earnings (Loss)    

 

 

 

CMBS

   $ 116,576        $ (116,576)      

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     148,484          (148,484)      

U.S. Treasury Bond

     183,220,406          (183,220,406)      

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

 

 
iShares ETF   

Year Ended

10/31/21

      

Year Ended

10/31/20

 

 

 

CMBS

       

Ordinary income

   $ 14,025,497        $ 11,396,821  

Long-term capital gains

     1,775,197           
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 15,800,694        $ 11,396,821  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

GNMA Bond

       

Ordinary income

   $ 590,997        $ 4,719,036  

Return of capital

     4,165,344          1,059,609  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 4,756,341        $ 5,778,645  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

       

Ordinary income

   $ 70,173        $ 3,673,140  

Long-term capital gains

     7,376           
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 77,549        $ 3,673,140  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bond

       

Ordinary income

   $ 248,085,194        $ 229,963,044  

Long-term capital gains

     22,644,287           
  

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   270,729,481        $   229,963,044  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of October 31, 2021, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

 

 

iShares ETF

   
Undistributed
Ordinary Income
 
 
   
Undistributed
Long-Term Capital Gains
 
 
   

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   

Net Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

 

(b) 

   

Qualified

Late-Year Losses

 

(c) 

    Total       

 

 

CMBS

  $ 1,412,074     $ 1,910,925     $     $ 8,414,063     $     $ 11,737,062       

GNMA Bond

                (3,701,329     (1,812,039     (205,238     (5,718,606)      

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

                      12,110       (85,589     (73,479)      

U.S. Treasury Bond

    12,901,895             (122,194,650     (108,609,054           (217,901,809)      

 

 

 

  (a)

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 
  (c)

The Funds have elected to defer certain qualified late-year losses and recognize such losses in the next taxable year.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2021, the Funds listed below utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:    

 

 

 
iShares ETF    Utilized      

 

 

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

   $ 20,703      

 

 

As of October 31, 2021, 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)     

 

 

 

CMBS

   $ 813,776,733        $ 15,062,569        $ (6,648,506      $ 8,414,063       

GNMA Bond

     586,227,145          2,210,118          (4,022,157        (1,812,039)      

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     254,020,527          19,504          (7,394        12,110       

U.S. Treasury Bond

     16,069,617,172          79,086,475          (187,695,529        (108,609,054)      

 

 

 

 

44  

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

8.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

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

Market Risk: Each Fund may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force each Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Each Fund may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from each Fund’s portfolio will decline if each Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below each Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.

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

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

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in fixed-income securities and/or use derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Funds may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities backed by commercial or residential mortgage loans or in issuers that hold mortgage and other asset-backed securities. When a Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes a greater risk of prepayment or payment extension by securities issuers. Changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults on assets underlying these securities, can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions. Investment percentages in these securities are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Although many LIBOR rates will be phased out by the end of 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.

 

9.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

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

 

 

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

  45


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Year Ended

10/31/21

   

Year Ended

10/31/20

 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

CMBS

       

Shares sold

    6,950,000     $ 378,337,893       2,150,000     $ 116,484,415  

Shares redeemed

    (600,000     (32,850,252     (1,100,000     (59,906,665
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    6,350,000     $ 345,487,641       1,050,000     $ 56,577,750  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GNMA Bond

       

Shares sold

    1,550,000     $ 78,612,344       6,700,000     $ 342,951,025  

Shares redeemed

    (1,300,000     (65,442,619     (800,000     (40,664,149
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    250,000     $ 13,169,725       5,900,000     $ 302,286,876  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

       

Shares sold

    3,200,000     $ 160,881,792       3,600,000     $ 180,980,299  

Shares redeemed

    (6,100,000     (306,696,398     (5,600,000     (281,609,584
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (2,900,000   $ (145,814,606     (2,000,000   $ (100,629,285
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Bond

       

Shares sold

    220,600,000     $ 5,882,272,810       279,100,000     $ 7,601,212,924  

Shares redeemed

    (172,200,000     (4,638,549,032     (314,600,000     (8,691,392,456
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    48,400,000     $ 1,243,723,778       (35,500,000   $  (1,090,179,532
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

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

 

10.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

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

 

 

46  

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust and

Shareholders of iShares CMBS ETF, iShares GNMA Bond ETF,

iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF and iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of iShares CMBS ETF, iShares GNMA Bond ETF, iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF and iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (four of the funds constituting iShares Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of October 31, 2021, the related statements of operations for the year ended October 31, 2021, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2021 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of October 31, 2021, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2021 and each of the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2021 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

December 21, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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

  47


Important Tax Information  (unaudited)        

 

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as interest income eligible to be treated as a Section 163(j) interest dividend for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021:

 

   
iShares ETF    Interest Dividends    

CMBS

   $ 14,414,026    

GNMA Bond

     494,275    

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     36,419    

U.S. Treasury Bond

     145,693,830    

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as interest-related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021:

 

     
iShares ETF   

Interest-Related

Dividends

      

Qualified Short-Term

Capital Gain

 

CMBS

   $ 14,408,928        $ 77,176  

GNMA Bond

     494,275           

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     34,675          15,038  

U.S. Treasury Bond

     139,883,654          103,234,771  

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of distributions from direct federal obligation interest for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021:

 

   
iShares ETF   

Federal Obligation

Interest

 

CMBS

   $ 4,596  

GNMA Bond

     9,517  

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     34,516  

U.S. Treasury Bond

     139,862,865  

The law varies in each state as to whether and what percent of ordinary income dividends attribute to federal obligations is exempt from state income tax. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisers to determine if any portion of the dividends received is exempt from state income tax.

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as capital gain dividends, subject to a long-term capital gains tax rate of not greater than 20%, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021:

 

   
iShares ETF   

20% Rate Long-Term

Capital Gain Dividends

 

CMBS

   $ 1,891,281  

Treasury Floating Rate Bond

     7,376  

U.S. Treasury Bond

     22,644,287  

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares CMBS ETF, iShares GNMA Bond ETF (each the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members), is required annually to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) 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 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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 15-16, 2021, 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 (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were higher than the median of overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements ) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, to that of relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory 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

 

 

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

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

by numerous factors, including, among other things, fee waivers by BFA, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is challenging. The Board discussed with management the sources of direct and ancillary revenue, including the revenues to BTC, a BlackRock affiliate, from securities lending by the Fund. The Board also discussed BFA’s estimated profit margin as reflected in the Fund’s profitability analysis and reviewed information regarding potential economies of scale (as discussed below).

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory 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 (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (the “Fund”)

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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 15-16, 2021, 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 (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were lower than the median of the overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements ) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

Based on review of this information, and the performance information discussed above, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund under the Advisory 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,

 

 

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

  51


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

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

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the profits realized by BFA and its affiliates under the Advisory Agreement and from other relationships between the Fund and BFA and/or its affiliates, if any, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory 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 (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further 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 U.S. Treasury Bond ETF (the “Fund”)

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 7, 2021 and May 14, 2021, 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 15-16, 2021, 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 (including, where applicable, funds sponsored by an “at cost” service provider), objectively selected by Broadridge as comprising the Fund’s applicable peer group pursuant to Broadridge’s proprietary ETF methodology (the “Peer Group”). The Board was provided with a detailed description of the proprietary ETF methodology used by Broadridge to determine the Fund’s Peer Group. The Board noted that, due to the limitations in providing comparable funds in the Peer Group, the statistical information provided in Broadridge’s report may or may not provide meaningful direct comparisons to the Fund in all instances. The Board also noted that the overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements) for the Fund were within range of the median of the overall fund expenses (net of waivers and reimbursements ) of the funds in its Peer Group, excluding iShares funds.

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, to that of relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about recent and proposed enhancements to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory 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, which were provided at the May 7, 2021 meeting and throughout the year.

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

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

Based on this review, the Board concluded that the 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, were within a reasonable range in light of the factors and other information considered.

 

 

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

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract  (continued)

 

Economies of Scale: The Board reviewed information and considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, noting that the issue of potential economies of scale had been focused on by the 15(c) Committee and the Board during their meetings and addressed by management. The 15(c) Committee and the Board received information regarding BlackRock’s historical estimated profitability, including BFA’s and its affiliates’ estimated costs in providing services. The estimated cost information distinguished, among other things, between fixed and variable costs, and showed how the level and nature of fixed and variable costs may impact the existence or size of scale benefits, with the Board recognizing that potential economies of scale are difficult to measure. The 15(c) Committee and the Board reviewed information provided by BFA regarding the sharing of scale benefits with the iShares funds through various means, including, as applicable, through relatively low fee rates established at inception, breakpoints, waivers, or other fee reductions, as well as through additional investment in the iShares business and the provision of improved or additional infrastructure and services to the iShares funds and their shareholders. The Board noted that the Advisory 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 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 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 also considered the “all-inclusive” nature of the Fund’s advisory fee structure, and the Fund’s expenses borne by BFA under this arrangement. The Board noted that the investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory 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 (i) 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 and (ii) other technology-related initiatives aimed to better support the iShares funds. The Board further noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

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

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

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

October 31, 2021

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year
    % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Year
 
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
 

CMBS(a)

  $ 1.214707     $ 0.206969     $ 0.005566     $ 1.427242       85     15     0 %(b)      100

GNMA Bond(a)

    0.022499             0.454158       0.476657       5             95       100  

Treasury Floating Rate Bond(a)

                0.009828       0.009828                   100       100  

U.S. Treasury Bond

    0.252850       0.241148             0.493998       51       49             100  

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

  (b)

Rounds to less than 1%.

 

Premium/Discount Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

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

  55


Trustee and Officer Information

 

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the overall management and operations of the Funds, including general supervision of the duties performed by BFA and other service providers. Each Trustee serves until he or she resigns, is removed, dies, retires or becomes incapacitated. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her death, resignation or removal. Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust are referred to as independent trustees (“Independent Trustees”).

The registered investment companies advised by BFA or its affiliates (the “BlackRock-advised Funds”) are organized into one complex of open-end equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds and ETFs (the “BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex”), one complex of closed-end funds and open-end non-index fixed-income funds (including ETFs) (the “BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex”) and one complex of ETFs (“Exchange-Traded Fund Complex”) (each, a “BlackRock Fund Complex”). Each Fund is included in the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex. Each Trustee also serves as a Director of iShares, Inc. and a Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust and, as a result, oversees all of the funds within the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex, which consists of 375 funds as of October 31, 2021. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Charles Park, the address of each Trustee and officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 400 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105. The address of Mr. Kapito, Mr. Ramji and Mr. Park is c/o BlackRock, Inc., Park Avenue Plaza, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. The Board has designated Cecilia H. Herbert as its Independent Board Chair. Additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and officers may be found in the Funds’ combined Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737).

 

Interested Trustees
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years    Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Robert S. Kapito(a) (64)    Trustee (since 2009).   

President, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group (since its formation in 1998) and BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities (since 1988); Trustee, University of Pennsylvania (since 2009); President of Board of Directors, Hope & Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund (since 2002).

   Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2006); Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2009); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Salim Ramji(b) (51)    Trustee (since 2019).   

Senior Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Global Head of BlackRock’s ETF and Index Investments Business (since 2019); Head of BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Business (2015-2019); Global Head of Corporate Strategy, BlackRock, Inc. (2014-2015); Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company (2010-2014).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2019); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019).

(a) Robert S. Kapito is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

(b) Salim Ramji is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust due to his affiliations with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

Independent Trustees
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years    Other Directorships Held by Trustee
Cecilia H. Herbert (72)    Trustee (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2016).   

Chair of the Finance Committee (since 2019) and Trustee and Member of the Finance, Audit and Quality Committees of Stanford Health Care (since 2016); Trustee of WNET, New York’s public media company (since 2011) and Member of the Audit Committee (since 2018) and Investment Committee (since 2011); Chair (1994-2005) and Member (since 1992) of the Investment Committee, Archdiocese of San Francisco; Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018); Director (1998-2013) and President (2007-2011) of the Board of Directors, Catholic Charities CYO; Trustee (2002-2011) and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (2006-2010) of the Thacher School; Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole (since 2020).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Independent Board Chair of iShares, Inc. and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2016); Trustee of Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund (since 2019).
Jane D. Carlin (65)    Trustee (since 2015); Risk Committee Chair (since 2016).   

Consultant (since 2012); Member of the Audit Committee (2012-2018), Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee (2017-2018) and Director of PHH Corporation (mortgage solutions) (2012-2018); Managing Director and Global Head of Financial Holding Company Governance & Assurance and the Global Head of Operational Risk Management of Morgan Stanley (2006-2012).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2015); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Member of the Audit Committee (since 2016), Chair of the Audit Committee (since 2020) and Director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (since 2016).
Richard L. Fagnani (66)    Trustee (since 2017); Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).   

Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (continued)
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years    Other Directorships Held by Trustee
John E. Kerrigan (66)    Trustee (since 2005); Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2019).   

Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2005); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Drew E. Lawton (62)    Trustee (since 2017); 15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).   

Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2017); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017).
John E. Martinez (60)    Trustee (since 2003); Securities Lending Committee Chair (since 2019).   

Director of Real Estate Equity Exchange, Inc. (since 2005); Director of Cloudera Foundation (2017-2020); and Director of Reading Partners (2012-2016).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2003); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Madhav V. Rajan (57)    Trustee (since 2011); Fixed Income Plus Committee Chair (since 2019).   

Dean, and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 2017); Advisory Board Member (since 2016) and Director (since 2020) of C.M. Capital Corporation; Chair of the Board for the Center for Research in Security Prices, LLC (since 2020); Robert K. Jaedicke Professor of Accounting, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2001-2017); Professor of Law (by courtesy), Stanford Law School (2005-2017); Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Head of MBA Program, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2010-2016).

   Director of iShares, Inc. (since 2011); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011).
Officers
       
Name (Age)    Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s) During the Past 5 Years      
Armando Senra (50)    President (since 2019).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2007); Head of U.S., Canada and Latam iShares, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2019); Head of Latin America Region, BlackRock, Inc. (2006-2019); Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch (1994-2006).

Trent Walker (47)    Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2020).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since September 2019); Chief Financial Officer of iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC, BlackRock Funds, BlackRock Funds II, BlackRock Funds IV, BlackRock Funds V and BlackRock Funds VI (since 2021); Executive Vice President of PIMCO (2016-2019); Senior Vice President of PIMCO (2008-2015); Treasurer (2013-2019) and Assistant Treasurer (2007-2017) of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

Charles Park (54)    Chief Compliance Officer (since 2006).   

Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex (since 2014); Chief Compliance Officer of BFA (since 2006).

Deepa Damre Smith (46)    Secretary (since 2019).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2014); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2013).

    
Scott Radell (52)    Executive Vice President (since 2012).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Head of Portfolio Solutions, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

Alan Mason (60)    Executive Vice President (since 2016).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009).

    
Marybeth Leithead (58)    Executive Vice President (since 2019).   

Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2017); Chief Operating Officer of Americas iShares (since 2017); Portfolio Manager, Municipal Institutional & Wealth Management (2009-2016).

 

 

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  57


General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for email notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents 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 Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund Prospectus. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings daily and provides information regarding its top holdings in Fund fact sheets at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviations - Fixed Income
STRIPS    Separate Trading of Registered Interest & Principal of Securities
TBA    To-Be-Announced

 

 

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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |     1-800-474-2737

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

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

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

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Bloomberg Index Services Limited or Interactive Data Pricing and Reference Data LLC, nor do these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the companies listed above.

©2021 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-AR-1005-1021

 

 

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