TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 08/17/12 -- (TSX: XBB)(TSX: XCB)(TSX: XDV)(TSX: XEB)(TSX: XEI)(TSX: XFN)(TSX: XFR)(TSX: XGB)(TSX: XHB)(TSX: XHY)(TSX: XIG)(TSX: XLB)(TSX: XPF)(TSX: XRE)(TSX: XSB)(TSX: XSH)(TSX: XTR)(TSX: XUT)

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the August 2012 cash distributions for iShares funds listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange which pay on a monthly basis. Unitholders of record on August 28, 2012 will receive cash distributions payable on August 31, 2012. Details of the "per unit" distribution amounts are as follows:

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                                                       Cash Distribution Per
Fund Name                               Fund Ticker                 Unit ($)
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iShares DEX Universe Bond Index Fund            XBB                 $0.08649
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iShares DEX All Corporate Bond Index
 Fund                                           XCB                 $0.06998
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iShares Dow Jones Canada Select
 Dividend Index Fund                            XDV                 $0.07950
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iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging
 Markets Bond Index Fund (CAD-
 Hedged)                                        XEB                 $0.06850
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iShares S&P®/TSX® Equity Income
 Index Fund                                     XEI                 $0.07750
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iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials
 Index Fund                                     XFN                 $0.06750
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iShares DEX Floating Rate Note Index
 Fund                                           XFR                 $0.02261
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iShares DEX All Government Bond
 Index Fund                                     XGB                 $0.05444
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iShares DEX HYBrid Bond Index Fund              XHB                 $0.09122
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iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index
 Fund (CAD-Hedged)                              XHY                 $0.10150
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iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index
 Fund (CAD-Hedged)                              XIG                 $0.06150
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iShares DEX Long Term Bond Index
 Fund                                           XLB                 $0.07429
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iShares S&P/TSX North American
 Preferred Stock Index Fund (CAD-
 Hedged)                                        XPF                 $0.09950
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iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index
 Fund                                           XRE                 $0.06150
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iShares DEX Short Term Bond Index
 Fund                                           XSB                 $0.06944
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iShares DEX Short Term Corporate
 Universe + Maple Bond Index Fund               XSH                 $0.06048
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iShares Diversified Monthly Income
 Fund                                           XTR                 $0.06000
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iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities
 Index Fund                                     XUT                 $0.07050
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For more information, investors should consult with their investment advisor or visit our website at www.iShares.ca.

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

The iShares business 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.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares Funds. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds 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.