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BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), announced today that the tax characteristics for all 2012 distributions for the iShares Funds have been finalized and provided to CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. (CDS) for use by brokers in preparing tax reports, including T3 slips, for their clients. This information replaces any estimated tax characteristics that were provided periodically by BlackRock Canada during 2013 to help investors in iShares Funds with preliminary tax planning.

A listing of tax characteristics by individual distribution period will be available at www.iShares.ca (and has been provided to CDS as noted above).

For more information about the iShares Funds, including information about the tax efficiency of the funds, please visit www.iShares.ca.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At December 31, 2012, BlackRock's AUM was US$3.792 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 December 31, 2012, the firm has approximately 10,500 employees in 30 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(R) ETFs

The iShares business is the global product leader in exchange traded funds with over 600 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(R) Funds are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. 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.

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.

Contact:

Media Relations Contact:

Veritas Communications

Tara Wood

T - 416-955-4571 or C - 416-301-5724

wood@veritascanada.com