BlackRock(R) Canada Launches U.S. High Dividend Equity Fund

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada) (TSX:XHD), an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., today launched the iShares
U.S. High Dividend Equity Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) (XHD) in the Canadian
marketplace. XHD seeks to provide investors with access to high-quality,
dividend paying U.S. companies as another way to help them better meet their
income needs. The fund will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today. 


"In today's investing environment, income generation and higher yield equities
are top of mind for many investors," said Mary Anne Wiley, Managing Director,
Head of iShares, BlackRock Canada. "Our most recent investor survey found that
93 per cent believe that generating income is an important factor in making
investment decisions. To help investors access those income-oriented performers,
we have introduced the iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index Fund
(CAD-Hedged). It offers investors higher yield and lower risk by focusing on
companies that are likely to pay higher than average dividends for the
foreseeable future." 


XHD seeks to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent
possible, the performance of The Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index
(CAD-Hedged), net of expenses. It offers investors access to first-class,
dividend-paying U.S. companies that have been screened for superior company
quality and financial health, with the added benefit of liquidity. The fund's US
dollar exposure is hedged back to Canadian dollars to remove the impact of
currency volatility and keep the fund's risk profile as low as possible. 


"The companies XHD tracks are the 75 highest dividend paying stocks in the
Morningstar US Market Index that also meet a list of financial health
criteria'," said Oliver McMahon, Head of iShares Product Management at BlackRock
Canada. "This approach helps decrease equity risk in a portfolio given the
historically high-quality, low-volatility characteristics of its dividend stock
holdings and offers compelling potential for both capital appreciation and
income distribution."


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 June 30, 2012,
BlackRock's AUM was $3.560 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 June 30, 2012, the firm has approximately 9,900 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 ETFs

iShares is the global product leader in exchange traded funds with over 500
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(R) Funds are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited and
BlackRock Investments Canada Inc. Commissions, management fees and expenses all
may be associated with investing in iShares Funds. Please read the relevant
prospectus before investing. The indicated rates of return are the historical
annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment
of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption,
distribution or operational charges or income taxes payable by any security
holder that would have reduced returns. 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.