XSH iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corp Bond Index ETF

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock), today announced the launch of two new iShares exchange traded funds (ETFs). The iShares DEX Short Term Corporate Universe + Maple Bond Index Fund (XSH) seeks to provide investors with a regular stream of income, while the iShares S&P/TSX Venture Index Fund (XVX) is the first ETF in Canada to provide exposure exclusively to securities listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Both ETFs have closed the initial offering of their units and will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today.

"As economic conditions remain challenging and markets react with ongoing volatility, investors are placing a clear premium on investments that provide consistent income generation," said Mary Anne Wiley, Managing Director, Head of iShares Distribution at BlackRock Canada.

"XSH is built with an eye to delivering investors the liquidity and flexibility they crave while allowing them to enhance yield through corporate issuers."

XSH will provide exposure to the DEX Universe + Maple Short Term Corporate Bond Index, which contains over 300 short-term corporate bonds. With a management fee of 0.25%, XSH allows investors to manage interest rate risk by offering access to a diversified portfolio of corporate bonds with terms to maturity of between one and five years. XSH's expected income distribution frequency is monthly.

For more aggressive investors, XVX seeks to provide long-term capital growth by replicating to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P/TSX Venture Select Index, net of expenses. As this index provides exposure to securities issued by companies with an average market capitalization of $145 million, investors are now able to express a view on micro-cap ("junior") metals and mining companies and micro-cap ("junior") oil companies in a single trade, thus managing single stock risk. XVX will have a management fee of 0.79%.

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, 2011, BlackRock's AUM was US$3.659 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, 2011, the firm has approximately 9,700 employees in 26 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 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.

Contacts: Contact for Media: Veritas Communications Lisa An T - 416-955-4587 C - 647-292-2478 an@veritascanada.com