TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 17, 2012) - (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)(TSX:XHD)

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), today announced the October 2012 cash distributions for iShares funds listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange which pay on a monthly basis. Unitholders of record on October 26, 2012 will receive cash distributions payable on October 31, 2012. Details of the "per unit" distribution amounts are as follows:

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Cash Distribution

Fund Name Fund Ticker Per Unit ($)

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iShares DEX Universe Bond Index Fund XBB 0.08198

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iShares DEX All Corporate Bond Index Fund XCB 0.06616

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iShares Dow Jones Canada Select Dividend

Index Fund XDV 0.07974

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iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets

Bond Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) XEB 0.06715

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iShares S&P(R)/TSX(R) Equity Income Index

Fund XEI 0.07918

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iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index

Fund XFN 0.06606

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iShares DEX Floating Rate Note Index Fund XFR 0.02138

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iShares DEX All Government Bond Index Fund XGB 0.05187

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iShares DEX HYBrid Bond Index Fund XHB 0.08373

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iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index Fund

(CAD-Hedged) XHY 0.09577

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iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index Fund

(CAD-Hedged) XIG 0.05940

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iShares DEX Long Term Bond Index Fund XLB 0.07074

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iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred

Stock Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) XPF 0.08247

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iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index Fund XRE 0.06168

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iShares DEX Short Term Bond Index Fund XSB 0.06554

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iShares DEX Short Term Corporate Universe +

Maple Bond Index Fund XSH 0.05811

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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 0.07009

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iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index

Fund (CAD-Hedged) XHD 0.05225

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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(R) (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(R). 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, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.