LOGO

  SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

 

  

2021 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

iShares Trust

 

·  

iShares India 50 ETF | INDY | NASDAQ


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of September 30, 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 brisk pace for the reporting period, eventually regaining the output lost from the pandemic.

Equity prices rose with the broader economy, as strong fiscal and monetary support, as well as the development of vaccines, made investors increasingly optimistic about the economic outlook. 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, although investment-grade corporates declined slightly.

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,

Trust

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock, Inc.

 

Total Returns as of September 30, 2021

 

    

 

6-Month 

 

 

 

12-Month 

 

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

9.18

 

%

   

 

 

 

30.00

 

%

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

(0.25

 

)

   

 

 

 

47.68

 

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

4.70

 

   

 

 

 

25.73

 

 

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

   

 

 

 

(3.45

 

)

   

 

 

 

18.20

 

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

0.01

 

   

 

 

 

0.07

 

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

2.92

 

   

 

 

 

(6.22

 

)

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

1.88

 

   

 

 

 

(0.90

 

)

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

1.24

 

   

 

 

 

2.71

 

 

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

 

   

 

 

 

3.65

 

   

 

 

 

11.27

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

2  

H I S   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  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     5  

Shareholder Expenses

     5  

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

     6  

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     9  

Consolidated Statement of Operations

     10  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     11  

Consolidated Financial Highlights

     12  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     13  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     19  

Supplemental Information

     21  

General Information

     22  

 

 

 


Fund Summary as of September 30, 2021    iShares® India 50 ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares India 50 ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of 50 of the largest Indian equities, as represented by the Nifty 50 Index (the “Index”). The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Due to the use of representative sampling, the Fund may or may not hold all of the securities that are included in the Index.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    15.77 %(a)      49.10      12.11     8.87        49.10      77.13      133.86

Fund Market

    14.99       48.14        11.97       9.21          48.14        76.02        141.42  

Index

    19.00       57.59        14.31       10.27                57.59        95.15        165.72  

 

  (a)

The NAV total return presented in the table for the six-months period differs from the same period return disclosed in the financial highlights. The total return in the financial highlights is calculated in the same manner but differs due to certain adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares. See “About Fund Performance” on page 5 for more information.

Expense Example

 

Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(04/01/21)
 
 
 
      

Ending
Account Value
(09/30/21)
 
 
 
      

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
 (a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 
  $      1,000.00          $      1,157.70          $      4.81               $      1,000.00          $      1,020.60          $      4.51          0.89

 

  (a)

Expenses are calculated using the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (as disclosed in the table), multiplied by the average account value for the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183 days) and divided by the number of days in the year (365 days). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Shareholder Expenses” on page 5 for more information.

 

Portfolio Information

 

ALLOCATION BY SECTOR

 

Sector    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Financials

    37.2

Information Technology

    17.4  

Energy

    12.8  

Consumer Staples

    8.0  

Materials

    8.0  

Consumer Discretionary

    5.9  

Industrials

    3.4  

Health Care

    3.4  

Communication Services

    2.2  

Utilities

    1.7  

 

  (a) 

Excludes money market funds.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security    
Percent of
Total Investments

(a) 

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    10.7

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    9.1  

Infosys Ltd.

    8.1  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    6.5  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    6.4  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    5.1  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    3.8  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    3.2  

ITC Ltd.

    2.7  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    2.7  

 

 

4  

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


About Fund Performance

 

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

Net asset value or “NAV” is the value of one share of a fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. 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. 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.

 

 

A B O U T   F U N D   P 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

  5


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

September 30, 2021

  

iShares® India 50 ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Automobiles — 4.7%            

Bajaj Auto Ltd.

    92,416     $ 4,761,494  

Eicher Motors Ltd.

    99,363       3,716,869  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

    92,237       3,517,400  

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

    680,473       7,327,801  

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

    94,471       9,318,035  

Tata Motors Ltd.(a)

    1,274,451       5,664,126  
   

 

 

 
      34,305,725  
Banks — 25.0%  

Axis Bank Ltd.(a)

    1,831,758       18,778,954  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    3,109,803       66,482,145  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    4,930,567       46,331,111  

IndusInd Bank Ltd.

    429,130       6,371,644  

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

    1,043,004       28,069,773  

State Bank of India

    2,730,656       16,552,789  

Yes Bank Ltd., (Acquired 03/16/20, Cost: $3,310,481)(b)

    1,741,097       250,710  

Yes Bank Ltd.(a)

    46,465       7,806  
   

 

 

 
      182,844,932  
Chemicals — 2.4%  

Asian Paints Ltd.

    320,476       13,969,820  

UPL Ltd.

    390,742       3,714,226  
   

 

 

 
      17,684,046  
Construction & Engineering — 2.7%  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    858,733       19,641,955  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 2.4%  

Grasim Industries Ltd.

    270,871       6,068,367  

Shree Cement Ltd.

    9,520       3,701,627  

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

    82,162       8,152,604  
   

 

 

 
      17,922,598  
Consumer Finance — 2.7%  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    188,794       19,426,592  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 1.4%  

Bajaj Finserv Ltd.

    42,956       10,268,722  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 0.8%  

Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.

    2,425,312       6,183,995  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.1%  

Britannia Industries Ltd.

    83,863       4,453,030  

Nestle India Ltd.

    25,329       6,617,932  

Tata Consumer Products Ltd.

    427,085       4,667,425  
   

 

 

 
      15,738,387  
Household Products — 3.1%  

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

    634,696       23,078,932  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%  

NTPC Ltd.

    3,385,724       6,448,410  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 1.6%  

HDFC Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(c)

    661,564       6,423,480  

SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.(c)

    312,277       5,108,925  
   

 

 

 
      11,532,405  
IT Services — 17.3%  

HCL Technologies Ltd.

    771,624       13,234,465  

Infosys Ltd.

    2,635,410       59,086,487  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    736,272       37,312,980  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    441,178       8,167,977  

 

Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)            

Wipro Ltd.

    1,053,428     $ 8,948,246  
   

 

 

 
      126,750,155  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.8%  

Divi’s Laboratories Ltd.

    90,490       5,842,512  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 3.1%  

Hindalco Industries Ltd.

    1,039,022       6,801,009  

JSW Steel Ltd.

    704,514       6,294,346  

Tata Steel Ltd.

    555,526       9,560,115  
   

 

 

 
      22,655,470  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 12.8%  

Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

    678,504       3,933,969  

Coal India Ltd.

    1,492,654       3,709,270  

Indian Oil Corp. Ltd.

    1,809,069       3,035,855  

Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd.

    2,588,654       5,004,628  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

    2,298,322       77,786,213  
   

 

 

 
      93,469,935  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.6%  

Cipla Ltd.

    360,653       4,768,283  

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

    86,532       5,676,510  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

    767,526       8,446,311  
   

 

 

 
      18,891,104  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.2%  

Titan Co. Ltd.

    296,851       8,615,499  
   

 

 

 
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 6.5%  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

    1,283,014       47,417,478  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 2.7%  

ITC Ltd.

    6,218,279       19,715,356  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.7%  

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.

    522,249       5,171,227  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.1%  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    1,678,768       15,518,571  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.6%
(Cost: $269,913,785)

      729,124,006  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.0%  

Bharti Airtel Ltd., (Expires 10/21/21)(a)

    120,449       248,760  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $0)

      248,760  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Investments

   
Money Market Funds — 3.5%            

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury,
SL Agency Shares,

   

0.00%(d)(e)

    25,470,000       25,470,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments — 3.5%
(Cost: $25,470,000)

      25,470,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities — 103.1%
(Cost: $295,383,785)

      754,842,766  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (3.1)%

      (22,446,871
   

 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

   

 

$

 

732,395,895

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

6   2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2021

  

iShares® India 50 ETF

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $250,710, representing less than 0.05% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $3,310,481.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended September 30, 2021 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
03/31/21
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
09/30/21
     Shares
Held at
09/30/21
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

   $ 9,980,000      $ 15,490,000 (a)     $      $      $      $ 25,470,000        25,470,000      $ 680      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

SGX Nifty 50 Index

     54          10/28/21        $ 1,893        $ (32,558
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

  

Futures contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $ 32,558  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

For the period ended September 30, 2021, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

 

 
     Equity
Contracts
 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

  

Futures contracts

   $ 176,782  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:       

Futures contracts

   $ (32,749
  

 

 

 

 

 

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

  7


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2021

  

iShares® India 50 ETF

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Futures contracts:

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 819,197      

 

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Investments

                 

Assets

                 

Common Stocks

   $        $ 729,124,006        $        $ 729,124,006  

Rights

              248,760                   248,760  

Money Market Funds

     25,470,000                            25,470,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 25,470,000        $ 729,372,766        $        $ 754,842,766  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Futures Contracts

   $        $ (32,558      $        $ (32,558
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

8  

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Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

September 30, 2021

 

 

     iShares
India 50 ETF
 

ASSETS

 

Investments in securities, at value:

 

Unaffiliated(a)

  $ 729,372,766  

Affiliated(b)

    25,470,000  

Cash

    58,212  

Foreign currency, at value(c)

    3,171,619  

Cash pledged:

 

Futures contracts

    84,000  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    1,208,823  

Dividends

    613,388  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    759,978,808  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

    26,026,123  

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    994,916  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    22,468  

Investment advisory fees

    539,406  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    27,582,913  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 732,395,895  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 342,877,926  

Accumulated earnings

    389,517,969  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 732,395,895  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    14,200,000  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 51.58  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

    None  
 

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — Unaffiliated

  $ 269,913,785  

(b) Investments, at cost — Affiliated

  $ 25,470,000  

(c)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 3,171,619  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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

  9


Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended September 30, 2021

 

 

     iShares
India 50 ETF
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — Unaffiliated

  $ 5,601,930  

Dividends — Affiliated

    680  

Interest — Unaffiliated

    447  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,179,511
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,423,546  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory fees

    3,062,125  

Mauritius income taxes

    291  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,062,416  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,361,130  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — Unaffiliated(a)

    33,935,818  

Futures contracts

    176,782  

Foreign currency transactions

    (261,973
 

 

 

 

Net realized gain

    33,850,627  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — Unaffiliated(b)

    62,951,642  

Futures contracts

    (32,749

Foreign currency translations

    4,916  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    62,923,809  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    96,774,436  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 98,135,566  
 

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable

  $ 26,268  

(b) Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $ (12,122,932

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    iShares
India 50 ETF
 
     Six Months
Ended
09/30/21
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/21
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 1,361,130     $ 333,331  

Net realized gain

    33,850,627       29,664,191  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    62,923,809       282,365,983  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    98,135,566       312,363,505  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (101,923     (570,041
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (56,921,634     (104,350,309
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase in net assets

    41,112,009       207,443,155  

Beginning of period

    691,283,886       483,840,731  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 732,395,895     $ 691,283,886  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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

  11


Consolidated Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

 

    iShares India 50 ETF  
    Six Months Ended
09/30/21
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
03/31/21
    Year Ended
03/31/20
    Year Ended
03/31/19
    Year Ended
03/31/18
    Year Ended
03/31/17
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

               $ 44.60     $ 25.87     $ 37.92     $ 35.00     $ 32.27     $ 26.81  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

      0.09       0.02       0.19       0.16       0.15       0.12  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)

      6.90       18.74       (12.01     2.97       2.68       5.47  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

      6.99       18.76       (11.82     3.13       2.83       5.59  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

      (0.01     (0.03     (0.23     (0.21     (0.10     (0.13
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

      (0.01     (0.03     (0.23     (0.21     (0.10     (0.13
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

    $ 51.58     $ 44.60     $ 25.87     $ 37.92     $ 35.00     $ 32.27  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

      15.67 %(e)      72.59     (31.41 )%      9.04     8.76     20.94
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

      0.89 %(f)       0.90     0.93     0.94     0.92     0.93
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

      0.40 %(f)       0.06     0.51     0.45     0.42     0.43
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

    $ 732,396     $ 691,284     $ 483,841     $ 828,545     $ 1,120,132     $ 846,994  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

      1 %(e)      8     26     24     14     11
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

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

(c)

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

(d)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Not annualized.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.     ORGANIZATION

iShares Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios.

These consolidated financial statements relate only to the following fund (the “Fund”):

 

iShares ETF   Diversification    
Classification    

India 50

  Non-diversified    

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the Fund includes the accounts of its subsidiary in the Republic of Mauritius, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) of the Fund that invests in Indian securities. Through this investment structure, the Fund expects to obtain certain benefits under a current tax treaty between Mauritius and India. The net assets of the Subsidiary as of period end were $705,272,153, which is 96.3% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated.

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. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

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

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

Foreign Taxes: The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Fund and are reflected in its Consolidated Statement of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Other foreign taxes”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of September 30, 2021, if any, are disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

The Fund has conducted its investment activities in India through its Subsidiary and expects to obtain benefits under the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (“DTAA”) between India and Mauritius. In order to be eligible to claim benefits under the DTAA, the Subsidiary must have commercial substance, on an annual basis, to satisfy certain tests and conditions, including the establishment and maintenance of valid tax residence in Mauritius, have the place of effective management outside of India, and related requirements. The Fund has obtained a current tax residence certificate issued by the Mauritian Revenue Authorities.

Based upon current interpretation and practice of the current tax laws in India and Mauritius and the DTAA, the Subsidiary is subject to tax in Mauritius on its net income at the rate of 15%. However, the Subsidiary is entitled to a tax credit equivalent to the higher of the actual foreign tax incurred or 80% of the Mauritius tax on its foreign source income, thus reducing its maximum effective tax rate to 3% up to June 30, 2021. After June 30, 2021, under the new tax regime and subject to meeting the necessary

 

 

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  13


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

substance requirements as required under the Financial Services Act 2007 (as amended by the Finance Act 2018) and such guidelines issued by the Financial Services Commission (the “FSC”), the Subsidiary is entitled to either (a) a foreign tax credit equivalent to the actual foreign tax suffered on its foreign income against the Subsidiary’s tax liability computed at 15% on such income, or (b) a partial exemption of 80% of some of the income derived, including interest income or foreign source dividends. Taxes on income, if any, are paid by the Subsidiary and are disclosed in its Consolidated Statement of Operations. Any dividends paid by the Subsidiary to its Fund are not subject to tax in Mauritius. The Subsidiary is currently exempt from tax in Mauritius on any gains from the sale of securities.

The DTAA provides that capital gains will be taxable in India with respect to the sale of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017. Capital gains arising from shares acquired before April 1, 2017, regardless of when they are sold, will continue to be exempt from taxation under the amended DTAA, assuming requirements for eligibility under the DTAA are satisfied. There can be no assurance, however, that the DTAA will remain in effect during the Subsidiary’s existence or that it will continue to enjoy its benefits on the shares acquired prior to April 1, 2017.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where the Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, the 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 Fund 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 Fund. Because such gains or losses are not taxable to the Fund 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 Fund’s tax year. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by the 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 Fund. 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, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

3.     INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund’s listing exchange is open and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The 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 the Fund’s assets and liabilities:

   

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

   

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

   

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

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

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

 

 

14   2 0 2 1   I S H A R E S   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 the 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.     DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

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

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

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

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

For its investment advisory services to the Fund, BFA is entitled to an annual investment advisory fee of 0.89%, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Fund, based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.

The Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract with BFA under which BFA provides investment advisory services to the Subsidiary but does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing it with such services. The Subsidiary has also entered into separate arrangements that provide for the provision of other services to the Subsidiary (including administrative, custody, transfer agency and other services), and BFA pays the costs and expenses related to the provision of those services.

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

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

The 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 Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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

 

 

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

  15


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

6.     PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended September 30, 2021, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments and in-kind transactions, were as follows:

 

iShares ETF   Purchases      Sales  

India 50

  $ 5,062,662      $ 76,430,436  

There were no in-kind transactions for the six months ended September 30, 2021.

7.     INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Trust’s other funds for federal income tax purposes. It is the 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 Fund as of September 30, 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 Fund’s consolidated financial statements.

As of March 31, 2021, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains of $53,304,225.

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

As of September 30, 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)     
 

India 50

  $ 320,949,401        $ 464,774,163        $ (30,913,356      $ 433,860,807      

8.     LINE OF CREDIT

The Fund, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $300 million credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which expires on October 15, 2021. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Credit Agreement sets specific sub limits on aggregate borrowings based on two tiers of Participating Funds: $300 million with respect to the funds within Tier 1 and $200 million with respect to Tier 2, including the Fund. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement was terminated on August 12, 2021.

Effective August 13, 2021, the Fund, along with certain other iShares funds (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a $800 million credit agreement (“Syndicated Credit Agreement”) with a group of lenders, which expires on August 12, 2022. The line of credit may be used for temporary or emergency purposes, including redemptions, settlement of trades and rebalancing of portfolio holdings in certain target markets. The Funds may borrow up to the aggregate commitment amount subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the Syndicated Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Credit Agreement has the following terms: a commitment fee of 0.15% per annum on the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum or (b) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.00% per annum on amounts borrowed. The commitment fee is generally allocated to each Participating Fund based on the lesser of a Participating Fund’s relative exposure to certain target markets or a Participating Fund’s maximum borrowing amount as set forth by the terms of the Syndicated Credit Agreement.

During the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Fund did not borrow under the Credit Agreement or Syndicated Credit Agreement.

Effective August 26, 2021, iShares India 50 ETF, along with certain other iShares funds (“Mauritius Participating Funds”), is a party to a $750,000,000 unsecured and uncommitted line of credit (“Uncommitted Liquidity Facility”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company, which may be used solely to facilitate trading associated with the closure of the Fund’s Mauritius subsidiary. The Uncommitted Liquidity Facility has interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the U.S. Federal Funds rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum or (b) the Overnight Bank Funding rate (not less than zero) plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. Each Mauritius Participating Fund will be removed from the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility once trading out of its holdings in the Mauritius subsidiary is complete. During the six months ended September 30, 2021, the Fund did not borrow under the Uncommitted Liquidity Facility.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

9.     PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

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

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Fund 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 Fund manages 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 Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.

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

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

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 the Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

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

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments.

 

 

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

  17


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

10.     CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Capital shares are issued and redeemed by the 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 the Fund are not redeemable.

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
    Six Months Ended
09/30/21
    Year Ended
03/31/21
 
iShares ETF   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

 

 

India 50

       

Shares sold

        $ 188,156           $ 249,464  

Shares redeemed

    (1,300,000     (57,109,790     (3,200,000     (104,599,773
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (1,300,000   $ (56,921,634     (3,200,000   $ (104,350,309
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

11.     SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

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

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

 

iShares India 50 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 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, 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

 

 

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

  19


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 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)

 

 

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Fund will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

 

 

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

  21


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 Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, the 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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Want to know more?

iShares.com    |    1-800-474-2737

This report is intended for the Fund’s 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 India Index Services & Products Ltd., nor does this company make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the iShares Funds. BlackRock is not affiliated with the company listed above.

©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-SAR-307-0921

 

 

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