BlackRock(R) Canada Launches Two New iShares(R) Global Sector ETFs

Today BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., announced that its iShares business will launch two global sector exchange traded funds (ETFs) in the Canadian marketplace. The iShares S&P Global Industrials Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) (TSX:XGI) and iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) (TSX:XCD) will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today. They will also be available to Sun Life Global Investments within several of their mutual funds that are sub-advised by BlackRock.

This new fund launch speaks to the success of incorporating iShares in the Sun Life BlackRock mutual funds. "In less than two years, the Sun Life BlackRock funds have secured more than $800 million in assets," said Greg Walker, Managing Director, Head of iShares Institutional Business at BlackRock Canada. "This success highlights that the industry is continuing to recognize the benefits ETFs can bring to investment portfolios and as proof more and more asset managers like Sun Life Global Investments are using ETFs as an important component of their own active asset allocation strategies."

In April 2011, BlackRock partnered with Sun Life Global Investments to bring to market two Canadian mutual funds-comprised of index strategies and iShares ETFs-which have drawn on the strong approach to risk management of both Sun Life Global Investments and BlackRock. This partnership has given clients the opportunity to improve asset allocation and reduce portfolio risk. The launch of these two new ETFs should contribute further to the success of the Sun Life Global Investments BlackRock funds.

"It's great to see that our Sun Life Global Investments BlackRock funds are being embraced by our clients. With these two additional ETF products, our funds will be able to offer greater portfolio diversification," said Rick Headrick, President, Sun Life Global Investments. "Our clients recognize the benefit that our funds deliver by combining a core allocation to Canadian holdings along with a complementary global sector exposure to provide diversification."

For more information about the new iShares funds, please visit www.iShares.ca.

All other inquiries: 1-866-iShares (1-866-474-2737) or email [e-mail].

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At December 31, 2012, BlackRock's AUM was $3.792 trillion. BlackRock offers products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients' needs, including active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes. Products are offered in a variety of structures including separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of December 31, 2012, the firm has approximately 10,500 employees in 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com.

About iShares

iShares is the global product leader in exchange traded funds with over 600 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 20 exchanges worldwide. The iShares Funds are bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges. The iShares Funds are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relative low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. The iShares customer base consists of the institutional segment of pension plans and fund managers, as well as the retail segment of financial advisors and high net worth individuals.

iShares® Funds are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares Funds. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P"). Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc., ("TSX"). All of the above trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. ("BTC"), which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited ("BlackRock Canada"), on behalf of the applicable fund(s). The index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BTC and by extension, BlackRock Canada and the applicable fund(s). The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as "S&P Dow Jones Indices") or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices or TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such funds.

© 2013 BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. All rights reserved. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. Used with permission. iS-0639-0313

Contacts: Contact for Media: Veritas Communications Maeve Hannigan 416-955-4570 C - [e-mail]