The iShares NASDAQ 100 Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) Launched by BlackRock(R) Canada

   BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., today announced that iShares, the world's largest provider of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), is launching the iShares NASDAQ 100 Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) (XQQ). XQQ has closed the initial offering of its units and will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today.

XQQ will provide exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market based on modified market capitalization. The fund will seek to hedge any resulting U.S. dollar currency exposure back to Canadian dollars. XQQ invests in companies across major industry groups, including in the healthcare, information technology and consumer discretionary sectors, with a management fee of 0.35%.

"This new ETF is an ideal complement to our product line-up in Canada and provides investors access to a number of sectors not widely available here," said Mary Anne Wiley, Managing Director, Head of iShares Distribution at BlackRock Canada. "XQQ meets the need for portfolio diversification by allowing investors access to US equities and industries, like healthcare and technology, that can withstand economic cycle transitions."

The iShares NASDAQ 100 Index Fund (CAD Hedged) seeks to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Currency Hedged CAD Index, net of expenses. XQQ provides exposure to sectors that are generally underrepresented in Canada, and as a result can be used to diversify an investor's equity portfolio.

For more information about XQQ, 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, 2010, BlackRock's AUM was US$3.561 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, 2010, the firm has approximately 9,100 employees in 25 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

The iShares business is a global product leader in ETFs with over 410 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 16 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.

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