XST iShares S&P TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., today announced the launch of six new iShares Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). Several of these funds have been constructed to meet investor demand for income while others offer access to local and global sectors-in some cases, for the first time in Canada. The six new ETFs have closed the initial offering of their units and will begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange today.

"Investor appetite for sector-specific exposure remains strong as many seek to diversify portfolios by industry," said Mary Anne Wiley, Managing Director, Head of iShares Distribution at BlackRock Canada. "These new funds will offer investors even greater opportunity to target their portfolios by sector both within and beyond our market."

The six new ETFs offer sector concentration, income generation or both including:

--  The iShares S&P® Global Healthcare Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) (XHC), with
    a management fee of 0.63%, seeks to provide long-term capital growth by
    replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P Global
    1200 Health Care Canadian Dollar Hedged Index, net of expenses. XHC
    delivers access to a sector that is virtually unrepresented in the
    Canadian equity market, yet is considered a good defensive sector. XHC's
    expected income distribution frequency is semi-annually.

--  The iShares S&P/TSX® Global Base Metals Index Fund (XBM), with a
    management fee of 0.55%, seeks to provide long-term capital growth by
    replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P/TSX
    Global Base Metals Index, net of expenses and invests in companies that
    are involved in the extraction/production of industrial metals (copper,
    iron, zinc, nickel, etc.). XBM's expected income distribution frequency
    is quarterly.

--  The iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index Fund (XUT), with a management
    fee of 0.55%, seeks to provide long-term capital growth by replicating,
    to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P/TSX Capped Utilities
    Index. XUT will allow investors to implement their outlook on
    infrastructure spending and energy prices, and is also considered a
    defensive sector. XUT's expected income distribution frequency is
    monthly.

--  The iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index Fund (XST), with a
    management fee of 0.55%, seeks to provide long-term capital growth by
    replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P/TSX
    Capped Consumer Staples Index and is the first ETF in Canada to offer
    exposure to the consumer staples sector, including grocery stores,
    pharmacies and food companies. It allows investors to implement their
    outlook on economic conditions and employment. XST's expected income
    distribution frequency is quarterly.

--  The iShares S&P/TSX Equity Income Index Fund (XEI) with a management fee
    of 0.55%, seeks to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to
    the extent possible, the performance of the S&P/TSX Equity Income Index,
    net of expenses. XEI is the first ETF in Canada to offer clients
    exposure to the S&P/TSX Equity Income Index, consisting of 50 to 75
    stocks selected from the S&P/TSX Composite Index that focus on dividend
    yield. XEI offers investors access to companies with higher dividend
    yields. XEI's expected income distribution frequency is monthly.

--  The iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index Fund (CAD-
    Hedged) (XEB) with a management fee of 0.72%, seeks to provide income
    and long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the
    performance of the J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Core Hedged in CAD Index, net
    of expenses. XEB allows investors to get exposure to USD-denominated
    government bonds issued by emerging markets, which can offer greater
    yield potential and allow investors to further diversify the fixed-
    income components of their portfolios. XEB's expected income
    distribution frequency is monthly.

"These new ETFs offer investors sector exposure and greater yield potential, allowing clients to further diversify asset classes and the fixed income components of their portfolios," said Oliver McMahon, Director of iShares Product Management at BlackRock Canada. "We saw a need for sectors not available to Canadian investors and delivered a global opportunity to complete our comprehensive suite of products."

The funds also enable sector rotation strategies, inviting investors to move in and out of sectors based on their own assumptions about ongoing performance. Sector rotation strategies are especially effective in adapting to changing economic cycles, which favour companies in various sectors as each phase of the cycle expands and contracts.

"As our economy moves into an early growth phase, sectors like consumer discretionary, materials and energy tend to outperform other sectors. Therefore, investors may want to consider the iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index Fund (XBM) for their portfolio as the material sector tends to outperform as large infrastructure projects get underway," said Wiley.

For investors seeking steady income, the iShares S&P/TSX Equity Income Index Fund (XEI) and the iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) (XEB) are expected to satisfy that need while offering exposure to broader markets. These ETFs are especially attractive for those who place high priority on preserving initial capital and view income generation as a cornerstone to any sound personal investment strategy.

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 December 31, 2010, BlackRock's AUM was US$3.561 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 December 31, 2010, the firm has approximately 9,100 employees in 25 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 416-955-4587 or C - 647-292-2478 an@veritascanada.com