Statement re Merger of Share Classes

 
TIDMBARS TIDMBARE TIDMBARU 
 
BlackRock Absolute Return Strategies Ltd (the "Company") 
 
9 March 2012 
 
Merger of share classes 
 
Further to the Company's announcement of 1 March, the table below summarises 
the conversion of shares that will take place to execute the share class 
merger at 5pm today: 
 
Currency of Share to be   Total number of shares to  Total number of new 
converted                 be converted               Sterling shares 
 
Euro                      441,405                    366,762 
 
US dollar                 457,729                    296,763 
 
Conversion Ratios 
 
The Currency Conversion ratios were calculated in accordance with the Company's 
Articles of Association in respect of share conversions taking the NAV ratios 
as per the Estimated February Monthly NAVs and the spot currency exchange rates 
as at 29 February 2012. The conversion ratios are as follows: 
 
0.83092 Sterling denominated Shares for every one Euro denominated Share 
 
0.64836 Sterling denominated Shares for every one US Dollar denominated Share 
 
The following foreign exchange rates as at 29 February 2012 were used: 
 
GBP / Euro 1.19430 
 
GBP / US Dollar 1.59135 
 
Shareholder CREST accounts will be credited with the new Sterling shares on 12 
March 2012. 
 
The Company has made an application to admit 663,525 Sterling denominated 
Shares to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the 
London Stock Exchange on 12 March 2012. 
 
All enquiries: 
For BlackRock (Channel Islands) Limited 
Secretary 
 
Will Rogers - 020 7397 1920 
Tommy O'Sullivan - 020 7397 1922 
Cenkos Securities plc 
 
 
 
END