BlackRock Updates Certain Disclosure

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary
of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), announced today that prospectus disclosures
related to the impact of U.S. withholding taxes on certain iShares funds have
been updated. Section 871(k) of the U.S. tax code, which exempts certain cash
distributions made by U.S. investment funds from U.S. withholding tax, has
ceased applying for tax periods of the distributing U.S. investment fund
beginning after December 31, 2011. As a result, the income earned by certain
iShares funds may be subject to an increased overall level of U.S. withholding
tax.


While the provisions of section 871(k) have historically been extended following
their expiry, at this time the status of a possible extension is not certain. 


Further information on iShares funds can be found at www.ishares.ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory
services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At December 31, 2011,
BlackRock's AUM was US $3.513 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(R)
(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(R).
Headquartered in New York City, as of December 31, 2011, the firm has
approximately 10,100 employees in 27 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(R) ETFs

The iShares business is a global product leader in ETFs with over 460 funds
globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 19
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 securities 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 individual investors.