TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 08/20/12

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 iSharesCanada@blackrock.com.

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® (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 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® 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.

Contacts:
Veritas Communications
Maeve Hannigan
416-955-4570
C - 647-618-8621
hannigan@veritascanada.com