LOGO

  AUGUST 31, 2023

 

   2023 Annual Report

 

iShares, Inc.

 

·  

iShares MSCI Russia ETF | ERUS |

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

Annual Report:

  

Market Overview

     3  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     6  

Disclosure of Expenses

     6  

Schedule of Investments

     7  

Financial Statements

  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     9  

Statement of Operations

     10  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     11  

Statement of Cash Flows

     12  

Financial Highlights

     13  

Notes to Financial Statements

     14  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     20  

Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

     21  

Supplemental Information

     24  

Director and Officer Information

     25  

General Information

     27  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     28  


Market Overview

 

iShares, Inc.

Global Market Overview

Global equity markets advanced during the 12 months ended August 31, 2023 (“reporting period”), supported by continued economic growth and moderating inflation. The MSCI ACWI, a broad global equity index that includes both developed and emerging markets, returned 13.95% in U.S. dollar terms for the reporting period. Despite concerns about the impact of higher interest rates and rising prices, the global economy continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace than during the initial post-coronavirus pandemic recovery. Inflation began to subside in most regions of the world, and lower energy prices reduced pressure on consumers, leading consumer and business sentiment to improve. While the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued to disrupt trade in Europe and elsewhere, market adaptation lessened the economic impact of the ongoing war. The prices of several key commodities, including oil, natural gas, and wheat, either stabilized or declined during the reporting period, easing pressure on the world’s economies.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) tightened monetary policy rapidly, raising short-term interest rates seven times over the course of the reporting period. The pace of tightening decelerated as the Fed twice lowered the increment of increase before pausing entirely in June 2023, the first time it declined to take action since the tightening cycle began. However, the Fed then raised interest rates again at its July 2023 meeting and stated that it would continue to monitor economic data. The Fed also continued to decrease the size of its balance sheet by reducing the store of U.S. Treasuries it had accumulated to stabilize markets in the early phases of the pandemic.

Despite the tightening financial conditions, the U.S. economy demonstrated continued strength, and U.S. equities advanced. The economy returned to growth in the third quarter of 2022 and showed robust, if slightly slower, growth thereafter. Consumers powered the economy, increasing their spending in both nominal and inflation-adjusted terms. A strong labor market bolstered spending, as unemployment remained low, and the number of employed persons reached an all-time high. Tightness in the labor market drove higher wages, although wage growth slowed as the reporting period continued.

European stocks outpaced their counterparts in most other regions of the globe, advancing strongly for the reporting period despite modest economic growth. European stocks benefited from a solid recovery following the early phases of the war in Ukraine. While the conflict disrupted critical natural gas supplies, new sources were secured and prices declined, while a warm winter helped moderate consumption. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) responded to the highest inflation since the introduction of the euro by raising interest rates eight times and beginning to reduce the size of its debt holdings.

Stocks in the Asia-Pacific region gained, albeit at a slower pace than other regions of the world. Japan returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2022 and first half of 2023, as strong business investment and exports helped boost the economy and support Japanese equities. However, Chinese stocks were negatively impacted by slowing economic growth. While investors were initially optimistic following China’s lifting of several pandemic-related lockdowns in December 2022, subsequent performance disappointed, and tensions with the U.S. increased. Emerging market stocks advanced modestly, as the resilient global economic environment reassured investors. The declining value of the U.S. dollar relative to many other currencies and the slowing pace of the Fed’s interest rate increases also supported emerging market stocks.

 

 

 

M A R K E T  O V E R V I E W   3


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2023    iShares® MSCI Russia ETF

 

Investment Objective

The iShares MSCI Russia ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of Russian equities, as represented by the MSCI Russia 25/50 Index (the “Index”). Effective June 1, 2022, the index was discontinued by the index provider, MSCI, Inc. Due to the discontinuation of the Fund’s underlying index and ongoing restrictions relating to Russian securities, the Fund will be unable to meet its investment objective. The Fund is in the process of liquidating its assets and winding up its business pursuant to a plan of liquidation.

Performance

 

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

Fund NAV

    0.64     (69.69 )%      (45.14 )%         0.64     (99.74 )%      (99.75 )% 

Fund Market(a)

    N/A       (28.46     (13.28        N/A       (69.11     (70.23

Index(b)

    N/A       (96.62     (76.60              N/A       (99.99     (99.99

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

(AT NET ASSET VALUE)

 

LOGO

 

  (a) 

Effective March 4, 2022, the NYSE Arca, Inc. halted trading of the Fund and the Fund Market returns are as follows: 5 Years return and 10 Years return from September 1, 2018 and September 1, 2013, respectively through March 4, 2022. A 1 Year Fund Market Return is not shown as NYSE ARCA, Inc. halted trading of the Fund prior to September 1, 2022.

 
  (b)

Effective June 1, 2022, the Index was discontinued by the index provider, MSCI, Inc and the Index returns are as follows: 5 Years return and 10 Years return from September 1, 2018 and September 1, 2013, respectively through May 31, 2022. A 1 Year Index return is not shown as MSCI, Inc discontinued the Index prior to September 1, 2022.

 
  (c)

Rounds to less than $1 as of June 1, 2022.

 

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

Expense Example

 

Actual         Hypothetical 5% Return           

 

 

     

 

 

      
 

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(08/31/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

       

Beginning

Account Value

(03/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(08/31/23)

 

 

 

    


Expenses

Paid During
the Period

 


(a) 

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

  $  1,000.00        $  1,007.10        $  0.00           $ 1,000.00        $  1,025.20        $  0.00          0.00

 

  (a)

Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, may be paid which are not reflected in the tables and examples above. See “Disclosure of Expenses” for more information. Effective March 3, 2022, BFA implemented a voluntary waiver of its investment advisory fee for the Fund, which was applied to management fees for the year ended August 31, 2023.

 

Portfolio Management Commentary

On June 15, 2022, the Board unanimously voted to close and liquidate the Fund, contingent on receiving any necessary relief from the SEC, due to the discontinuation of the MSCI Russia 25/50 Index and ongoing restrictions relating to Russian securities. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted exemptive relief to the Fund permitting the Fund to suspend the right of redemption with respect to shares of the Fund. The Fund remains in the process of liquidating its assets and winding up its business pursuant to a plan of liquidation. Refer to Notes to Financial Statements for additional information about the plan of liquidation.

 

 

4   2 0 2 3  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 August 31, 2023 (continued)    iShares® MSCI Russia ETF

 

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

   
Security    

Percent of

Total Investments

 

 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

    94.1

Inter RAO UES PJSC

    3.0  

Gazprom PJSC

    0.5  

Surgutneftegas PJSC

    0.5  

Surgutneftegas PJSC (Preferred)

    0.5  

Sberbank of Russia PJSC

    0.4  

VTB Bank PJSC

    0.2  

Alrosa PJSC

    0.2  

United Co. RUSAL International PJSC

    0.1  

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC

    0.1  

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y   5


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 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. The NYSE ARCA, Inc. halted trading of the Fund effective March 4, 2022, and delisted the Fund effective August 29, 2022 therefore, there is no longer a Market Price.

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. Effective June 1, 2022, the index was discontinued by the index provider, MSCI, Inc.

Disclosure of Expenses

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

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

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

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

 

 

6   2 0 2 3  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

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Russia ETF

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security     Shares         Value  

Common Stocks

    
Banks — 0.6%             

Sberbank of Russia PJSC(a)(b)

    18,835,860      $    1,965  

TCS Group Holding PLC, GDR(a)(b)

    289,152        30  

VTB Bank PJSC(a)(b)

    8,307,845,016        866  
    

 

 

 
       2,861  
Broadline Retail — 0.0%             

Ozon Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(b)

    106,824        11  
    

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 0.1%             

Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC(a)(b)

    4,737,800        494  
    

 

 

 
Chemicals — 0.0%             

PhosAgro PJSC(a)(b)

    148,802        15  

PhosAgro PJSC, New(a)(b)

    2,875        29  

PhosAgro PJSC, GDR(a)(b)

    2         
    

 

 

 
       44  
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 0.0%             

Magnit PJSC, GDR(a)(b)

    1         

Magnit PJSC(a)(b)

    198,139        21  

X5 Retail Group NV, GDR(a)(b)

    374,475        39  
    

 

 

 
       60  
Electric Utilities — 2.9%             

Inter RAO UES PJSC(a)(b)

    136,938,300        14,283  
    

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 0.0%             

VK Co. Ltd.(a)(b)

    393,252        41  

Yandex NV(a)(b)

    361,376        38  
    

 

 

 
       79  
Metals & Mining — 0.4%             

Alrosa PJSC(a)(b)

    7,486,250        781  

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC(a)(b)

    96,437        10  

Novolipetsk Steel PJSC(a)(b)

    4,388,590        458  

Polymetal International PLC(a)(b)

    834,056        87  

Polyus PJSC(a)(b)

    89,129        9  

Severstal PAO(a)(b)

    604,068        63  

United Co. RUSAL International PJSC(a)(b)

    5,811,330        606  
    

 

 

 
       2,014  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.2%             

Gazprom PJSC(a)(b)

    24,553,290        2,561  
Security     Shares         Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

    

LUKOIL PJSC(a)(b)

    856,438      $ 89  

Novatek PJSC(a)(b)

    1,250,860        130  

Rosneft Oil Co. PJSC(a)(b)

    2,566,222        268  

Surgutneftegas PJSC(a)(b)

    21,799,946        2,274  

Tatneft PJSC(a)(b)

    3,516,781        367  
    

 

 

 
       5,689  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1%             

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC(a)(b)

    2,776,444        290  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 5.3%

(Cost: $453,537,815)

       25,825  
    

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks

    
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.4%             

Surgutneftegas PJSC, Preference Shares, NVS(a)(b)

       21,745,700        2,268  
    

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.4%

(Cost: $11,913,761)

       2,268  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 5.7%

(Cost: $465,451,576)

       28,093  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 92.2%             

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

    450,000        450,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 92.2%

(Cost: $450,000)

       450,000  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 97.9%

(Cost: $465,901,576)

       478,093  
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 2.1%          10,011  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $  488,104  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

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

 

 

 

    
  Affiliated Issuer   Value at
08/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
   

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

    Value at
08/31/23
    Shares
Held at
08/31/23
    Income    

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds

        
 

 

    
 

BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury, SL Agency Shares

  $ 430,000     $ 20,000 (a)    $   —     $   —       $   —     $ 450,000       450,000     $ 18,999     $   —     
         

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments (continued)

August 31, 2023

  

iShares® MSCI Russia ETF

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $        $        $ 25,825        $ 25,825  

Preferred Stocks

                —          2,268          2,268  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     450,000                            450,000  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 450,000        $        $ 28,093        $ 478,093  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 financial instruments is presented when the Fund had a significant amount of Level 3 investments and derivative financial instruments at the beginning and/or end of the year in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

 

 
    Common
Stocks
    Preferred
Stocks
    Total  

 

 

Assets:

     

Opening balance, as of August 31, 2022

  $ 40,573     $ 3,565     $ 44,138  

Transfers into Level 3

                 

Transfers out of Level 3

                 

Accrued discounts/premiums

                 

Net realized gain (loss)

                 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

    (14,748     (1,297     (16,045

Purchases

                 

Sales

                 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of August 31, 2023

  $ 25,825     $ 2,268     $ 28,093  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at August 31, 2023

  $ (14,748   $ (1,297   $ (16,045
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statement of Operations.

(b)

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at August 31, 2023 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at year end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3  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


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

August 31, 2023

 

    iShares
MSCI Russia
ETF
 

 

 

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)

  $ 28,093  

Investments, at value — affiliated(b)

    450,000  

Cash

    7,664  

Foreign currency, at value(c)

    291  

Receivables:

 

Dividends — affiliated

    2,056  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    488,104  
 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 488,104  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 614,603,100  

Accumulated loss

    (614,114,996
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 488,104  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Shares outstanding

    13,750,000  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 0.04  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    1 billion  
 

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001  
 

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 465,451,576  

(b) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 450,000  

(c)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 272  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  9


Statement of Operations

Year Ended August 31, 2023

 

   

iShares
MSCI

Russia

ETF

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 18,999  

Interest — unaffiliated

    158  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    19,157  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    2,869  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,869  

Less:

 

Investment advisory fees waived

    (2,869
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

     
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    19,157  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (16,045

Foreign currency translations

    21  
 

 

 

 
    (16,024
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (16,024
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 3,133  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3  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
MSCI Russia ETF
 
    Year
Ended
08/31/23
    Year Ended
08/31/22
 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 19,157     $ 11,545,224  

Net realized loss

          (1,223,228

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (16,024     (606,314,168
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    3,133       (595,992,172
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

From net investment income

          (22,039,990

Liquidating distribution

          (450,000
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

          (22,489,990
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

          32,469,779  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    3,133       (586,012,383

Beginning of year

    484,971       586,497,354  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 488,104     $ 484,971  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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

  11


Statement of Cash Flows

Year Ended August 31, 2023

 

    iShares
MSCI Russia ETF
 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 3,133  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used for operating activities:

 

Net purchases of short-term securities

    (20,000

Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments

    16,045  

(Increase) decrease in assets:

 

Receivables:

 

Dividends — affiliated

    (910
 

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

    (1,732
 

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     
 

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

 

Net decrease in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

  $ (1,732

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

    9,687  
 

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year

  $ 7,955  
 

 

 

 
RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  

Cash

  $ 7,664  

Foreign currency, at value

    291  
 

 

 

 
  $ 7,955  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

12  

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Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    iShares MSCI Russia ETF  
    Year Ended
08/31/23
     Year Ended
08/31/22
     Year Ended
08/31/21
     Year Ended
08/31/20
     Year Ended
08/31/19
 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 0.04      $ 45.29      $ 34.87      $ 37.81      $ 32.47  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.00 (b)       0.86        2.05        1.87        2.33  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.00 )(b)       (44.38 )(c)       10.24 (c)        (1.99 )(c)        5.04 (c)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.00 (b)       (43.52      12.29        (0.12      7.37  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

             

From net investment income

           (1.70      (1.87      (2.82      (2.03

Liquidating distribution

           (0.03                     
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (1.73      (1.87      (2.82      (2.03
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 0.04      $ 0.04      $ 45.29      $ 34.87      $ 37.81  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

             

Based on net asset value

    0.64      (99.85 )%       36.07      (1.28 )%       23.64
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

    0.59      0.58      0.57      0.59      0.59
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived(g)

    0.00      0.50      0.57      0.59      0.59
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.94      4.01      5.26      4.97      6.60
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 488      $ 485      $ 586,497      $ 467,203      $ 627,581  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    0      7      25      30      18
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Rounds to less than $0.01.

(c)

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

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

(g) 

Effective March 3, 2022, BFA implemented a voluntary waiver of its investment advisory fee for the Fund which was applied to management fees starting with February 1, 2022 for the year ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2023.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  13


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

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

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

 

   
iShares ETF  

Diversification 

Classification 

MSCI Russia

  Non-diversified 

2. PLAN OF LIQUIDATION

Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, creating circumstances that have significantly impacted the Fund’s operations. The United States, and many other countries, imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and Russian corporate and banking entities, including banning Russia from global payment systems that facilitate cross-border payments. In response, the Russian government imposed capital controls to restrict movements of capital from entering and exiting the country and has closed trading sessions for local Russian equities to non-residents. In addition, trading of depository receipts for Russian-based companies halted on primary trading platforms subsequent to Russia’s invasion.

The consequences of Russia’s invasion and unprecedented market and policy responses of various governments and regulators precipitated the absence of a functioning or orderly market to facilitate the liquidation and repatriation of securities for any Russian-based company held by the Fund. As a result, the fair value of Russian securities and currency experienced significant declines.

Additionally, since February 24, 2022, the following events occurred: (i) the Fund suspended new creations of its shares; (ii) NYSE Arca, Inc. announced a trading halt of the Fund; (iii) BFA wrote down the value of all Russian equity securities to a nominal investment value; (iv) BFA implemented a voluntary waiver of its investment advisory fee for the Fund; (v) Russia signed into law a requirement of Russian issuers to terminate deposit agreements related to their depository receipt program, with holders receiving local shares of most Russian issuers in place of the depository receipts; (vi) the Fund was removed as a borrower from the line of credit facility as the trading halt by NYSE Arca, Inc. resulted in technical default under the Syndicated Credit Agreement; (vii) the Fund’s underlying index, the MSCI Russia 25/50 Index, was discontinued by the index provider, (viii) the Fund suspended redemptions pursuant to an order of the SEC; (ix) NYSE Arca, Inc. delisted the Fund.

On June 15, 2022, the Board unanimously voted to close and liquidate the Fund, contingent on receiving any necessary relief from the SEC, due to the discontinuation of the MSCI Russia 25/50 Index and ongoing restrictions relating to Russian securities. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted exemptive relief to the Fund permitting the Fund to suspend the right of redemption with respect to shares of the Fund. On August 17, 2022, the Fund made an initial liquidating distribution to shareholders of available cash, less a reserve estimated to meet the Fund’s expected transaction costs associated with the liquidation.

BFA intends to recommend to the Board that the Fund remain in liquidation through December 31, 2024, to allow the Fund to sell its securities, if conditions permit. There are no assurances that the Board will accept BFA’s recommendation or that the securities will become liquid during that time. If the Fund’s Russian securities have not been sold or are unable to be converted as of the date the Fund is terminated, the Fund’s remaining portfolio assets will be permanently written off, in each case as determined by BFA and approved by the Board. The Fund may be terminated sooner if all of the Russian securities have been sold before that date (or they cease to represent valid interests in their issuers). While the Fund is in the process of liquidating its portfolio, the Fund will hold cash and securities that may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and prior investment strategies. As a result of the delisting by NYSE Arca, Inc. the Fund is no longer considered an exchange-traded fund.

3. 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. Certain Russian securities held by the Fund declared dividends during the period, however there is no assurance these dividends can be collected by the Fund due to restrictions imposed by the Russian government. As a result, the Fund has not accrued any investment income associated with these Russian securities.

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

 

 

14  

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Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

 

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 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.

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.

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.

4. 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 Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) of the Fund has approved the designation of BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), the Fund’s investment adviser, as the valuation designee for the Fund. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under BFA’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. BFA has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of 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.

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, war or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with BFA’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that 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 Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

Fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a fund’s NAV and the prices used by the fund’s underlying index, which in turn could result in a difference between the fund’s performance and the performance of the fund’s underlying index.

During the period, the Valuation Committee determined that the local Russian equities and Russian exposed ADR and GDR securities did not have a market for which the Fund could transact and deemed them illiquid. As of August 31, 2023, the securities are being fair valued at a nominal value using a discount of 99% or higher due to illiquidity and uncertainty measures.

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;

 

 

 

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

  15


Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

 

   

Level 2 – Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs); and

 

   

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, (including the Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments).

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

5. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory Fees: Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Company, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) manages the investment of the Fund’s assets. BFA is a California corporation indirectly owned by BlackRock, Inc. (“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 directors).

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

 

   
Aggregate Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fees  

First $2 billion

    0.7400

Over $2 billion, up to and including $4 billion

    0.6900  

Over $4 billion, up to and including $8 billion

    0.6400  

Over $8 billion, up to and including $16 billion

    0.5700  

Over $16 billion, up to and including $24 billion

    0.5100  

Over $24 billion, up to and including $32 billion

    0.4800  

Over $32 billion, up to and including $40 billion

    0.4500  

Over $40 billion

    0.4275  

Expense Waivers: Effective March 3, 2022, BFA implemented a voluntary waiver of its investment advisory fee for the Fund, which was applied to management fees for the year ended August 31, 2023.

This amount is included in investment advisory fees waived in the Statement of Operations. For the year ended August 31, 2023, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement were as follows:

 

   
iShares ETF   Amounts Waived  

MSCI Russia

  $ 2,869  

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 Directors: Certain officers and/or directors of the Company are officers and/or directors 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 Statement of Operations.

6. PURCHASES AND SALES

There were no purchases and sales transactions for the year ended August 31, 2023.

There were no in-kind transactions for the year ended August 31, 2023.

 

 

 

16  

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Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

 

7. INCOME TAX INFORMATION

The Fund is treated as an entity separate from the Company’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 August 31, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s financial statements.

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 August 31, 2023, permanent differences attributable to net operating loss were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

     
iShares ETF   Paid-in Capital     Accumulated
Earnings (Loss)
 

MSCI Russia

  $ (659,024   $ 659,024  

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     
iShares ETF   Year Ended
08/31/23
     Year Ended
08/31/22
 

MSCI Russia

    

Ordinary income

  $      $ 22,039,990  

Liquidating distribution

           450,000  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $ 22,489,990  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of August 31, 2023, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

       
iShares ETF    

Non-expiring
Capital Loss
Carryforwards
 
 
(a) 
   
Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
(b) 
    Total  

MSCI Russia

  $ (122,219,861   $ (491,895,135   $ (614,114,996

 

  (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.

 

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 August 31, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

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

MSCI Russia

  $ 492,373,246      $      $ (491,895,153   $ (491,895,153

8. 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.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

 

 

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

  17


Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

 

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.

The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs.

Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within the Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its 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 Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments.

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

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers located in Russia or with significant exposure to Russian issuers or countries. Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Governments in the U.S. and many other countries have imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and Russian corporate and banking entities. Jurisdictions have instituted broader sanctions on Russia, including banning Russia from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions, including declines in Russia’s stock markets and the value of the ruble against the U.S. dollar, are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be, significant. Any such disruptions caused by the Russian military action or any response to such activity from the international community may negatively impact Russia’s economy and Russian issuers of securities in which the Fund invests.

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 Schedule of Investments.

9. 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements(continued)

 

Transactions in capital shares were as follows:

 

 

 
    Year Ended
08/31/23
     Year Ended
08/31/22
 
iShares ETF   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 

 

MSCI Russia

          

Shares sold

         $        800,000      $ 32,469,779  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of a fund in the Company generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash. Certain funds in the Company 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 Company’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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund 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.

 

 

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

  19


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of

iShares, Inc. and Shareholders of iShares MSCI Russia ETF

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of iShares MSCI Russia ETF (one of the funds constituting iShares, Inc., referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of August 31, 2023, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended August 31, 2023, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2023, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2023 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of August 31, 2023, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 2023 and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended August 31, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s 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 Fund 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 August 31, 2023 by correspondence with the custodian and transfer agent. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Emphasis of Matter

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, due to the Russia invasion of Ukraine, the Board unanimously voted to close and liquidate the Fund, and management is in process of executing its liquidation plan.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 2000.

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract

 

iShares MSCI Russia ETF (the “Fund”)

Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), including a majority of Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Company (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) (the “Independent Board Members”), is required annually to consider the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and BFA (the “Advisory Agreement”) on behalf of the Fund. The Board’s consideration entails a year-long process whereby the Board and its committees (composed solely of Independent Board Members) assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund, including investment management; fund accounting; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The Independent Board Members requested, and BFA provided, such information as the Independent Board Members, with advice from independent counsel, deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Advisory Agreement. At meetings on May 2, 2023 and May 15, 2023, a committee composed of all of the Independent Board Members (the “15(c) Committee”), with independent counsel, met with management and reviewed and discussed information provided in response to initial requests of the 15(c) Committee and/or its independent counsel, and requested certain additional information, which management agreed to provide. At a meeting held on June 7-8, 2023, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the additional information provided by management in response to these requests.

After extensive discussions and deliberations, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, approved the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, based on a review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by BFA and their cumulative experience as Board Members. The Board noted its satisfaction with the extent and quality of information provided and its frequent interactions with management, as well as the detailed responses and other information provided by BFA. The Independent Board Members were advised by their independent counsel throughout the process, including about the legal standards applicable to their review. In approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered various factors, including: (i) the expenses and performance of the Fund; (ii) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BFA; (iii) the costs of services provided to the Fund and profits realized by BFA and its affiliates; (iv) potential economies of scale and the sharing of related benefits; (v) the fees and services provided for other comparable funds/accounts managed by BFA and its affiliates; and (vi) other benefits to BFA and/or its affiliates. The Independent Board Members additionally considered factors unique to the Fund, including: (i) that the Fund is currently in the process of liquidation, subject to a Board-approved Plan of Liquidation, SEC exemptive relief and other relevant law and regulation; and (ii) BFA began voluntarily waiving management fees paid pursuant to Advisory Agreement beginning on March 3, 2022, which was applied to management fees from February 1, 2022 to present. The material factors, none of which was controlling, and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board, including the Independent Board Members, to approve the continuance of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

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

In addition, to the extent that any of the comparison funds included in the Peer Group, excluding iShares funds, track the same index as the Fund, Broadridge also provided, and the Board reviewed, a comparison of the Fund’s performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and since inception periods, as applicable, and for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, to that of such relevant comparison fund(s) for the same periods. The Board noted that the Fund seeks to track its specified underlying index and that, during the year, the Board received periodic reports on the Fund’s short- and longer-term performance in comparison with its underlying index. Such periodic comparative performance information, including additional detailed information as requested by the Board, was also considered. The Board noted that the Fund generally performed in line with its underlying index over the relevant periods.

Based on this review, the other factors considered at the meeting, and their general knowledge of ETF pricing, the Board concluded that the investment advisory fee rate and expense level and the historical performance of the Fund supported the Board’s approval of the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided: Based on management’s representations, including information about ongoing enhancements and initiatives with respect to the iShares business, including with respect to capital markets support and analysis, technology, portfolio management, product design and quality, compliance and risk management, global public policy and other services, the Board expected that there would be no diminution in the scope of services required of or provided by BFA under the Advisory Agreement for the coming year as compared with the scope of services provided by BFA during prior years. In reviewing the scope of these services, the Board considered BFA’s investment philosophy and experience, noting that BFA and its affiliates have committed significant resources over time, including during the past year, to support the iShares funds and their shareholders and have made significant investments into the iShares business. The Board also considered BFA’s compliance program and its compliance record with respect to the Fund, including related programs implemented pursuant to regulatory requirements. In that regard, the Board noted that BFA reports to the Board about portfolio management and compliance matters on a periodic basis in connection with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, and on other occasions as necessary and appropriate, and has provided information and made relevant officers and other employees of BFA (and its affiliates) available as needed to provide further assistance with these matters. The Board also reviewed the background and experience of the persons responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, as well as the resources available to them in managing the Fund. In addition to the above considerations, the Board reviewed and considered detailed presentations regarding BFA’s investment performance, investment and risk management processes and strategies provided at the May 2, 2023 meeting and throughout the year, and matters related to BFA’s portfolio compliance program and other compliance programs and services.

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

 

 

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

  21


Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Benefits to BFA and/or its Affiliates: The Board reviewed other benefits or ancillary revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by BFA, both direct and indirect, including, but not limited to, payment of revenue to BTC, the Fund’s securities lending agent, for loaning portfolio securities, as applicable (which was included in the profit margins reviewed by the Board pursuant to BFA’s estimated profitability methodology), payment of advisory fees or other fees to BFA (or its affiliates) in connection with any investments by the Fund in other funds for which BFA (or its affiliates) provides investment advisory services or other services, and BlackRock’s profile in the investment community. The Board further considered other direct benefits that might accrue to BFA, including the potential for reduction in the Fund’s expenses that are borne by BFA under the “all-inclusive” management fee arrangement, due in part to the size and scope of BFA’s investment operations servicing the Fund (and other funds in the iShares complex) as well as in response to a changing market environment. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided by BFA concerning authorized participant primary market order processing services that are provided by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BFA, and paid for by authorized participants under the ETF Servicing Platform. The Board also noted the revenue received by BFA and/or its affiliates pursuant to an agreement that permits a service provider to use certain portions of BlackRock’s technology platform to service accounts managed by BFA and/or its affiliates, including the iShares funds. The Board noted that BFA generally does not use soft dollars or consider the value of research or other services that may be provided to BFA (including its affiliates) in selecting brokers for portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Board concluded that any such ancillary benefits would not be disadvantageous to the Fund and thus would not alter the Board’s conclusion with respect to the appropriateness of approving the continuance of the Advisory Agreement for the coming year.

Conclusion: Based on a review of the factors described above, as well as such other factors as deemed appropriate by the Board, the Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that the Fund’s investment advisory fee rate under the Advisory Agreement does not constitute a fee that is so disproportionately

 

 

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Board Review and Approval of Investment Advisory Contract (continued)

 

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.

 

 

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

  23


Supplemental Information (unaudited)

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and ETFs

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

Net Asset Value Information

Information on the Fund’s net asset value can be found at iShares.com.

 

 

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Director and Officer Information (unaudited)

 

The Board of Directors 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 Director 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. Directors who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company are referred to as independent directors (“Independent Directors”).

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 Director also serves as a Trustee of iShares Trust 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 387 funds as of August 31, 2023. With the exception of Robert S. Kapito, Salim Ramji and Aaron Wasserman, 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. Wasserman is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001. The Board has designated John E. Kerrigan 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 Directors
       
Name (Year
of Birth)
   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Director
Robert S. Kapito(a) (1957)    Director (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); Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2009).
Salim Ramji(b) (1970)    Director (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).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2019); Trustee of iShares 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 Directors
       
Name (Year
of Birth)
   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Director
John E. Kerrigan (1955)    Director (since 2005); Independent Board Chair (since 2022).    Chief Investment Officer, Santa Clara University (since 2002).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005); Independent Board Chair of iShares Trust and iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2022).
Jane D. Carlin (1956)    Director (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).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2015); Trustee of iShares 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 (1954)    Director (since 2017);
Audit Committee Chair (since 2019).
   Partner, KPMG LLP (2002-2016); Director of One Generation Away (since 2021).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017).
Cecilia H. Herbert (1949)    Director (since 2005);
Nominating and Governance and Equity Plus Committee Chairs (since 2022).
   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), Investment Committee (since 2011) and Personnel Committee (since 2022); Member of the Wyoming State Investment Funds Committee (since 2022); Director of the Jackson Hole Center for the Arts (since 2021); Trustee of Forward Funds (14 portfolios) (2009-2018); Trustee of Salient MF Trust (4 portfolios) (2015-2018).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2005).

 

 

D I R E C T O R  A N D  O F F I C E R  I N F O R M A T I O N

  25


Director and Officer Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Independent Directors (continued)
       
Name (Year
of Birth)
   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
   Other Directorships Held by Director
Drew E. Lawton (1959)    Director (since 2017);
15(c) Committee Chair (since 2017).
   Senior Managing Director of New York Life Insurance Company (2010-2015).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2017); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2017); Director of Jackson Financial Inc. (since 2021).
John E. Martinez (1961)    Director (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).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2003).
Madhav V. Rajan (1964)    Director (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).    Trustee of iShares U.S. ETF Trust (since 2011); Trustee of iShares Trust (since 2011).
Officers
     
Name (Year
of Birth)
   Position(s)    Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Dominik Rohé (1973)    President (since 2023).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2005); Head of Americas ETF and Index Investments (since 2023); Head of Latin America (2019-2023).
Trent Walker (1974)    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.
Aaron Wasserman (1974)    Chief Compliance Officer (iShares, Inc. and iShares Trust, since 2023; iShares U.S. ETF Trust, since 2023).    Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2018); Chief Compliance Officer of the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex, the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex and the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex (since 2023); Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex, the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex and the Exchange-Traded Fund Complex (2014-2023).
Marisa Rolland (1980)    Secretary (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2023); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2018-2022); Vice President, BlackRock, Inc. (2010-2017).
Rachel Aguirre (1982)    Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2018); Director, BlackRock, Inc. (2009-2018); Head of U.S. iShares Product (since 2022); Head of EII U.S. Product Engineering (since 2021); Co-Head of EII’s Americas Portfolio Engineering (2020-2021); Head of Developed Markets Portfolio Engineering (2016-2019).
Jennifer Hsui (1976)    Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2009); Co-Head of Index Equity (since 2022).
James Mauro (1970)    Executive Vice President (since 2022).    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2010); Head of Fixed Income Index Investments in the Americas and Head of San Francisco Core Portfolio Management (since 2020).

 

Effective March 30, 2023, Dominik Rohé replaced Armando Senra as President.

Effective July 1, 2023, Aaron Wasserman replaced Charles Park as Chief Compliance Officer.

 

 

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General Information

 

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications announcing that the shareholder report or prospectus has been posted on the iShares website at iShares.com. Once you have enrolled, you will no longer receive prospectuses and shareholder reports in the mail.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

 

   

Go to icsdelivery.com.

 

   

If your brokerage firm is not listed, electronic delivery may not be available. Please contact your broker-dealer or financial advisor.

Householding

Householding is an option available to certain fund investors. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents and Rule 30e-3 notices can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Please contact your broker-dealer if you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, or if you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The 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 at iShares.com.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
GDR    Global Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company

 

 

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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 MSCI Inc., 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.

©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

iS-AR-821-0823

 

 

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