BlackRockilta Euroopan ensimmäiset ESG-arvotettujen yhtiöiden high yield -joukkolainoihin sijoittavat ETF:t

Useat tekijät Euroopassa vaikuttavat yhdessä siihen, että vastuullisuusnäkökulmat otetaan huomioon perinteisessä sijoittamisessa. Näitä tekijöitä ovat muun muassa maakohtainen lainsäädäntö, kasvava yhteiskunnallinen tietoisuus, saatavissa olevan tiedon laadun parantuminen sekä sijoittajayhteisön ikärakenteen muuttuminen. Joukkolaina-ETF:iin globaalisti sijoitettujen varojen määrä ylitti 1 biljoonan dollarin rajan kesäkuussa 2019 [1]. Olemme optimistisia tulevaisuuden suhteen ja uskomme joukkolaina-ETF:iin globaalisti sijoitettujen varojen määrän voivan kaksinkertaistua vuoteen 2024 mennessä [2] kahteen biljoonaan dollariin, joista ennusteen mukaan 50 miljardia dollaria sijoitetaan EMEA-alueen korko-ESG-tuotteisiin.

Kahden uuden rahaston avulla sijoittajat voivat sijoittaa vahvimmin vastuullisuuteen sitoutuneiden yritysten liikkeeseen laskemiin high yield -joukkolainoihin ja samalla sulkea pois yritykset, jotka harjoittavat kiistanalaista liiketoimintaa. Rahastot seuraavat Bloomberg Barclays MSCI Euro CorporateHigh Yield SRI- ja Sustainable BB+ Bond -indeksejä. Verrattuna perinteisiin vertailukohtiin high yield-ESG-vertailuindekseissä painotukseen vaikuttavat ESG-pisteet ja hiilipäästöt.

Meaghan Muldoon, BlackRockin EMEA-alueen vastuullisen sijoittamisen johtaja sanoo: “On yhä enemmän näyttöä siitä, että vastuullisuuteen liittyvät tekijät voivat auttaa sijoittajia rakentamaan entistä kestokykyisempiä sijoitussalkkuja. Olemme siirtymässä aikaan, jossa vastuullinen sijoittaminen on normaali tapa sijoittaa. BlackRockissa olemme sitoutuneita tarjoamaan tuotevalikoiman, jonka avulla eri vaiheessa olevat sijoittajat voivat sijoittaa varojaan tehokkaasti eri markkinoille maksamatta tästä preemiota. Hakiessaan tuottoa yhä useampien sijoittajien on nyt mahdollista sijoittaa korkostrategioihin eri korkotuotteissa ja maantieteellisillä alueilla ja samalla saavuttaa vastuullisuustavoitteensa.”

Brett Olson, iSharesin korkotuotteiden johtaja EMEA-alueella sanoo: “Siirtyminen vastuulliseen sijoittamiseen alkoi osakkeista, mutta ESG-joukkolainaindeksi-innovaatiot lisääntyvät nopeasti. Tämä parantaa kykyä rakentaa moneen eri omaisuusluokkaan vastuullisesti sijoittavia sijoitussalkkuja, jotka keskittyvät ESG-tekijöihin. Samaan aikaan joukkolaina-ETF:t alkavat olla työkaluina tehokkaassa käytössä kaiken tyyppisillä sijoittajilla. Näiden kahden syyn takia tämä omaisuusluokka on valmis kasvamaan tulevaisuudessa.”

Molempien ETF:ien kulusuhde on 0,50 %. Kulusuhde on sama kuin vastaavien dollari- ja euromääräisten iShares ETF:ien, jotka eivät tee ESG-seulontaa.

1 BlackRock, GBI, Bloomberg (kesäkuu 2019).

2 BlackRock (kesäkuu 2019).

BlackRock
BlackRockin tarkoituksena on auttaa yhä useampia ihmisiä saavuttamaan taloudellista hyvinvointia. Sijoittajien varainhoitajana ja johtavana teknisten ratkaisujen tarjoajana asiakkaamme kääntyvät puoleemme tehdessään suunnitelmia tärkeimpien tavoitteidensa saavuttamiseksi. BlackRock hallinnoi asiakkaidensa puolesta maailmanlaajuisesti 6 964 miljardin dollarin varoja (30.9.2019). Lisätietoja: www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.

iShares
iShares vastaa sijoittajien muuttuviin tarpeisiin avaamalla mahdollisuuksia eri markkinoilla. iSharesilla on yli kahdenkymmenen vuoden kokemus ETF-rahastoista, joita sillä on maailmanlaajuisesti yli 900. iSharesin hallinnoimat varat ovat yli 2 000 miljardia dollaria (30.9.2019). iShares vie finanssialaa jatkuvasti eteenpäin. BlackRockin ammattimainen salkunhoito ja riskinhallinta ovat iShares-rahastojen taustalla. BlackRockin hallinnoitavaksi on uskottu enemmän varoja kuin millekään muulle sijoitusyhtiölle.[1]

[1] BlackRockin hallinnoimat varat olivat 6 964 miljardia dollaria 30.9.2019.

Alkuperäinen lehdistötiedote kokonaisuudessaan alla. Mikäli käännöksessä on eroja alkuperäiseen tiedotteeseen, alkuperäinen tiedote pätee.

 

 

BlackRock launches Europe’s first ESG high yield bond UCITS ETFs
in collaboration with Dutch insurer a.s.r.

Amsterdam, 14 November 2019 – BlackRock has launched the iShares € High Yield Corp Bond ESG UCITS ETF (EHYD) and the iShares $ High Yield Corp Bond ESG UCITS ETF (DHYD), to offer investors a larger toolbox to reflect their sustainability objectives, as a growing number of bond investors seek to integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into their investments.

The two new funds will enable investors to achieve a more sustainable high yield exposure through debt issued by companies with the strongest commitment to ESG, while also screening out companies involved in controversial business activities. The funds will track the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI Euro Corporate High Yield SRI and Sustainable BB+ Bond Index and the Bloomberg Barclays MSCI US Corporate High Yield SRI and Sustainable BB+ Bond Index respectively. The high-yield ESG benchmarks deliver an ESG score uplift as well as carbon emissions reduction, compared to standard parent benchmarks.

Meaghan Muldoon, Head of Sustainable investing EMEA at BlackRock said: “As evidence increasingly shows that sustainability-related factors can help investors build more resilient portfolios, we are moving into an era where sustainable investing will be the standard way to invest. Our commitment at BlackRock is to provide the choice of products that allow investors at different stages of this journey to allocate to different markets efficiently and without paying a premium. Against a backdrop of a search for yield, and enhanced coverage across the credit and geographic spectrum, more and more investors can now invest in fixed income strategies while meeting their sustainability goals.”

Brett Olson, Head of iShares Fixed Income EMEA commented: “While the conversation around sustainability started out in equities, innovation in ESG bond indices is picking up pace and with it the ability to build ESG-centered multi-asset portfolios. In tandem, bond ETFs themselves are becoming ubiquitous as efficient tools for all types of investors. These two factors make this asset class ripe for future growth.

Both ETFs will have a total expense ratio of 0.50%, the same as corresponding iShares ETFs in € and $ high yield with no ESG screens.

1 BlackRock, GBI, Bloomberg (as of June 2019).
2 BlackRock (as of June 2019).

-ENDS-

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of September 30, 2019, the firm managed approximately $6.96 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 900+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and $2 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2019, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm¹.

 ¹ Based on $6.96 trillion in AUM as of 9/30/19

 

Risk Warnings

Investment in the products mentioned in this document may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product or strategy. Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. You may not get back the amount originally invested. The value of investments involving exposure to foreign currencies can be affected by exchange rate movements. We remind you that the levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation can change.

BlackRock has not considered the suitability of this investment against your individual needs and risk tolerance. The data displayed provides summary information. Investment should be made on the basis of the relevant Prospectus which is available from the manager.

In respect of the products mentioned this document is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described within. This document may not be distributed without authorisation from BlackRock.

Fund Risks

iShares $ High Yield Corp Bond ESG UCITS ETF USD (Acc)

Concentration Risk, Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk, Liquidity Risk, Non-Investment Grade Risk

iShares $ High Yield Corp Bond ESG UCITS ETF USD (Dist)

Concentration Risk, Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk, Liquidity Risk, Non-Investment Grade Risk

iShares € High Yield Corp Bond ESG UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)

Concentration Risk, Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk, Liquidity Risk, Non-Investment Grade Risk

iShares € High Yield Corp Bond ESG UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)

Concentration Risk, Counterparty Risk, Credit Risk, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk, Liquidity Risk, Non-Investment Grade Risk

Description of Fund Risks

Concentration Risk

Investment risk is concentrated in specific sectors, countries, currencies or companies. This means the Fund is more sensitive to any localised economic, market, political or regulatory events.

Counterparty Risk

The insolvency of any institutions providing services such as safekeeping of assets or acting as counterparty to derivatives or other instruments, may expose the Share Class to financial loss.

Credit Risk

The issuer of a financial asset held within the Fund may not pay income or repay capital to the Fund when due. If a financial institution is unable to meet its financial obligations, its financial assets may be subject to a write down in value or converted (i.e. “bail-in”) by relevant authorities to rescue the institution.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Risk

The benchmark index only excludes companies engaging in certain activities inconsistent with ESG criteria if such activities exceed the thresholds determined by the index provider. Investors should therefore make a personal ethical assessment of the benchmark index’s ESG screening prior to investing in the Fund. Such ESG screening may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments compared to a fund without such screening.

Liquidity Risk

Lower liquidity means there are insufficient buyers or sellers to allow the Fund to sell or buy investments readily.

Non-Investment Grade Risk

Non-investment grade fixed income securities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates and present greater ‘Credit Risk’ than higher rated fixed income securities.

Regulatory Information

Issued by BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA'), having its registered office at 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL, England, Tel +44 (0)20 7743 3000, has issued this document for access by Professional Clients only and no other person should rely upon the information contained within it. For your protection, calls are usually recorded. BlackRock is a trading name of BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.

In the event where the United Kingdom leaves the European Union without entering into an arrangement with the European Union which permits firms in the United Kingdom to offer and provide financial services into the European Union (“No Deal Brexit Event”), the issuer of this material is:

-BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited for all outside of the European Economic Area ; and

-BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. for in the European Economic Area,

however, prior to a No Deal Brexit Event and where a No Deal Brexit Event does not occur, BlackRock Advisor (UK) Limited will be the issuer.

BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V.: Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Trade Register No. 17068311. For more information, please see the website: www.blackrock.com. For your protection, telephone calls are usually recorded. BlackRock is a trading name of BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V.

iShares plc, iShares II plc, iShares III plc, iShares IV plc, iShares V plc, iShares VI plc and iShares VII plc (together 'the Companies') are open-ended investment companies with variable capital having segregated liability between their funds organised under the laws of Ireland and authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Further information about the Fund and the Share Class, such as details of the key underlying investments of the Share Class and share prices, is available on the iShares website at www.ishares.com or by calling +44 (0)845 357 7000 or from your broker or financial adviser. The indicative intra-day net asset value of the Share Class is available at http://deutsche-boerse.com and/or http://www.reuters.com. A UCITS ETF’s units / shares that have been acquired on the secondary market cannot usually be sold directly back to the UCITS ETF itself. Investors who are not Authorised Participants must buy and sell shares on a secondary market with the assistance of an intermediary (e.g. a stockbroker) and may incur fees and additional taxes in doing so. In addition, as the market price at which the Shares are traded on the secondary market may differ from the Net Asset Value per Share, investors may pay more than the then current Net Asset Value per Share when buying shares and may receive less than the current Net Asset Value per Share when selling them.

For investors in Austria

The funds mentioned in this document are registered for public offer in Austria. The Sales Prospectuses for the Companies, Key Investor Information Document and other documents as well as the annual and semi-annual reports have been published in Austria and are available free of charge from UniCredit Bank AG Vienna Branch, Julius Tandler Platz 3, 1090 Vienna, Austria, the Austrian paying and information agent and are also available on the website www.ishares.at. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. The Companies intend to fulfil the requirements for treatment of all of their sub-funds as reporting funds. Therefore the Companies have an Austrian tax representative who calculates the Austrian Deemed Distributed Income figures once a year and files an electronic tax return with the Austrian Control Bank. However, it cannot be guaranteed that the requirements will be met in the future. The Companies reserve the right to give up the reporting fund status and to not undertake such tax filings.

For investors in Belgium

Some of the funds mentioned in this document are not registered for public distribution in Belgium. Unless indicated otherwise, any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts copies of which can be obtained free of charge from www.ishares.com. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. Summary of Belgian tax information for private investors: the tax on stock exchange transactions (TSET) is due on every sale and purchase on the secondary market, concluded or executed in Belgium: 0.12% (max. 1.300 EUR per transaction) for distributing shares and 1,32%(max. 4.000 EUR per transaction) for accumulating shares. Dividends received from distributing iShares ETF are subject to the Belgian withholding tax of 30%. For iShares ETFs investing directly or indirectly more than 25 % in interest-bearing assets (no taxation should occur for funds investing less than 25% directly or indirectly in interest-bearing assets for holdings bought prior to 1 January 2018 and sold after this date,). For new holdings bought from 1 January 2018 investing directly or indirectly the rate is now more than 10% in interest-bearing assets. A 30 % tax applies (again, via a withholding or assessment notice) on the part of the amount corresponding to the so-called ‘interest component’ received (i.e. all the income deriving directly or indirectly, in the form of interest, capital gains or losses, from the return on assets invested in the debts), to the extent that this interest component relates to the period during which the beneficiary has held the shares.

For investors in Denmark

This document is directed at Professional Investors in Denmark only and the Funds are authorised by Finanstilsynet, the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts and the Danish country supplements. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. Copies of all documentation can be obtained free of charge from offices of the paying agent at BlackRock (Netherlands) BV, Copenhagen Branch, Harbour House, Sundkrogsgade 21, 2100 København Ø, Denmark. This document is strictly confidential and may not be distributed without authorisation from BlackRock.

For investors in Finland

The funds mentioned are registered for public distribution in Finland and are authorised by the Finanssivalvonta (Fiva), the Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN-FSA), in Finland. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. This document is strictly confidential and may not be distributed without authorisation from BlackRock.

For investors in France

Any subscription for shares in a sub-fund of one of the companies will be carried out according to the conditions specified in the full Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document, the French Addendum and in the Supplements of Companies as the case may be. These documents can be obtained by contacting the paying agent of the Company: BNP Paribas Securities Services, 3 rue d'Antin, 75002 Paris, tel: 00 33 1 42 98 10 00 or by visiting the French part of the site www.iShares.eu. The companies are undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) governed by foreign laws and approved by the Financial Regulator in the home state as a UCITS complying with European regulations. The European Directive 2009/65/EC of July 13, 2009 on UCITS, as amended, establishes common rules in order to allow the cross-border marketing of UCITS which comply with it. This common foundation did not prohibit different methods of implementation. This is why a European UCITS may be marketed in France even though the activity of such scheme would not respect rules identical to those which govern the approval of this type of product in France. This sub fund has been authorized for marketing in France by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Please note that the distribution of shares of some sub funds of funds is not allowed in France. This document does not constitute an offer or a solicitation in relation to the shares of the funds.

For investors in Germany

The Sales Prospectus and Key Investor Information Document, as well as the annual and semi-annual reports are available free of charge from Commerzbank Kaiserplatz, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The Companies intend to fulfil the prerequisites for treatment of their sub-funds as so-called "transparent funds" pursuant to §§ 2 and 4 of the German Investment Tax Act (Investmentsteuergesetz – InvStG). However, it cannot be guaranteed that the requirements will be met. The Companies reserve the right to give up the "transparent status" and to not undertake the necessary publications. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. Please note that important information about iShares VII funds is available in the current prospectus and other documents that can be obtained free of charge from the paying agent, Deutsche Bank AG Taunusanlage 12, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany.

For investors in Ireland

This document is strictly confidential and may not be distributed without authorisation from BlackRock. With respect to funds that are registered for public offer in Ireland, important information on the Companies is contained in the relevant Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document, and the most recent financial reports, which are available on our website www.iShares.com. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus.

For investors in Italy

Any application for shares in the funds is on the terms of the Prospectus for the Companies. The Shares of certain sub-funds in the Companies have been admitted to listing in Italy and are currently listed on the Mercato Telematico Fondi of Borsa Italiana S.p.A. The list of the sub-funds listed in Italy, the Prospectus, of the Companies, the Documento di quotazione of the iShares funds, the latest annual and semi annual report of the Companies are published (i) on the Companies' internet website at the address www.iShares.com (ii) on Borsa Italiana S.p.A's website at the address www.borsaitalia.it. These documents are available for the public in Italian version with certification that such documents are a faithful translation of the original documents. Investors are entitled to receive free of charge, even at home, a copy of the above documents, upon written request forwarded to the Companies. For comprehensive information on the expenses charged to a fund and fees applicable to investors, see the Documento di quotazione and the Prospectus. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. Further information about the Fund and the Share Class, such as details of the key underlying investments of the Share Class and share prices, is available on the iShares website at www.ishares.com or by calling +44 (0)845 357 7000 or from your broker or financial adviser. The indicative intra-day net asset value of the Share Class is available at http://deutsche-boerse.com and/or http://www.reuters.com. Investors who are not Authorised Participants must buy and sell shares on a secondary market with the assistance of an intermediary (e.g. a stockbroker) and may incur fees and additional taxes in doing so. In addition, as the market price at which the Shares are traded on the secondary market may differ from the Net Asset Value per Share, investors may pay more than the then current Net Asset Value per Share when buying shares and may receive less than the current Net Asset Value per Share when selling them.

For investors in Luxembourg

The Companies have been notified to the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier in Luxembourg in order to market their shares for sale to the public in Luxembourg and the Companies are notified Undertaking in Collective Investment for Transferable Securities (UCITS). The Companies have not been listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, investors should contact their broker for further information. Investment is subject to the Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and all documents (the main/umbrella Prospectus, the Supplement[s], the latest and any previous annual and semi-annual reports of the Companies and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Companies) will be available in the Luxembourg, free of charge, from the offices of the Local Agent, BNP Paribas Securities Services, Luxembourg Branch 33, rue de Gasperich Howald – Hesperange L-2085 Luxembourg or by visiting the website on www.iShares.com. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus.

For investors in Norway

The funds mentioned are registered for public distribution in Norway and are authorised by Kredittilsynet, the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway. Any application for shares in the funds is on the terms of the Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document for the Companies. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. This document is strictly confidential and may not be distributed without authorisation from BlackRock.

For investors in Spain

The funds mentioned are registered for public distribution in Spain.The sales Prospectus has been registered with the Spanish Securities Market Commission (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores ('CNMV')). The funds which are registered in the official registry of the Spanish Securities and Exchange Commission (CNMV) are iShares plc (registration number 801), iShares II plc (registration number 802) and iShares III plc (registration number 806), iShares IV plc (registration number 1402), iShares V plc (registration number 977), iShares VI plc (registration number 1091), iShares VII plc (registration number 886) and iShares (Lux) (registration number 905). The official registry, CNMV, must always be checked to see which sub funds of the funds mentioned are registered for public distribution in Spain. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts, copies of which can be obtained free of charge at www.iShares.es.   Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus. This document contains products or services of BlackRock, Inc. (or affiliates thereof) that might be offered directly or indirectly within the Andorran jurisdiction, and it should not be regarded as solicitation of business in any jurisdiction including the Principality of Andorra.

For investors in Sweden

The Funds mentioned herein are registered for public distribution in Sweden and are authorised by Finansinspektionen, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority. Any application for shares in the funds is on the terms of the Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document, for the Companies. Important information relating to the Companies is contained in the relevant Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and other documents, copies of which can be obtained free of charge from offices of the paying agent BlackRock (Netherlands) BV, Stockholm Filial Norrlandsgatan 16, 1 floor, SE-111 43 Stockholm, Sweden. Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus.

For investors in the UK

Any decision to invest must be based solely on the information contained in the Company’s Prospectus, Key Investor Information Document and the latest half-yearly report and unaudited accounts and/or annual report and audited accounts. Investors should read the fund specific risks in the Key Investor Information Document and the Company’s Prospectus.

Restricted Investors

This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares in the United States or Canada. This document is not aimed at persons who are resident in the United States, Canada or any province or territory thereof, where the companies/securities are not authorised or registered for distribution and where no prospectus has been filed with any securities commission or regulatory authority. The companies/securities may not be acquired or owned by, or acquired with the assets of, an ERISA Plan.

Index Disclaimers

The funds or securities referred to herein are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by MSCI ESG Research, Bloomberg, or Barclays, and MSCI ESG Research, Bloomberg and Barclays bear no liability with respect to any such funds or securities or any index on which such funds or securities are based.  The Prospectus contains a more detailed description of the limited relationship MSCI ESG Research, Bloomberg, and Barclays have with BlackRock and any related funds.

© 2019 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights reserved. BLACKROCK, BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS, iSHARES, BUILD ON BLACKROCK and SO WHAT DO I DO WITH MY MONEY are registered and unregistered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. All other trademarks are those of their respective o