TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 17, 2011) -

(TSX:XAL)(TSX:XBB)(TSX:XBM)(TSX:XBZ)(TSX:XCB)(TSX:XCG)(TSX:XCH)(TSX:XCR)(TSX:XCS)(TSX:XCV)(TSX:XDV)(TSX:XEB)(TSX:XEG)(TSX:XEI)(TSX:XEM)(TSX:XEN)(TSX:XFN)(TSX:XGB)(TSX:XGC)(TSX:XGD)(TSX:XGR)(TSX:XHB)(TSX:XHC)(TSX:XHY)(TSX:XIC)(TSX:XID)(TSX:XIG)(TSX:XIN)(TSX:XIT)(TSX:XIU)(TSX:XLA)(TSX:XLB)(TSX:XMA)(TSX:XMD)(TSX:XPF)(TSX:XQQ)(TSX:XRB)(TSX:XRE)(TSX:XSB)(TSX:XSH)(TSX:XSP)(TSX:XST)(TSX:XSU)(TSX:XTR)(TSX:XUT)(TSX:XVX)(TSX:XWD)

BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), today announced the estimated annual capital gains distributions for the iShares^® Funds listed below for the 2011 tax year. Please note that these are estimatedamountsonly as of November 4, 2011 and include forward-looking information which may cause the estimates to changebefore the Funds' December 15, 2011 tax year-end. These estimates are for the year-end capital gains distributions only, which are typically reinvested rather than paid in cash, and do not include estimates of ongoing monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual cash distribution amounts.

We expect to announce the final year-end distribution amounts, as well as the monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual cash distribution amounts, on or about December 16, 2011. The ex-dividend date for the 2011 annual distributions will be December 23, 2011. The record date for the 2011 annual distributions will be December 29, 2011. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested and cash distributions for 2011, including the tax characteristics of the distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. or "CDS") in early 2012.

Reasons for some of the larger estimated capital gains distributions

XCS

The iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index Fund ("XCS") experienced capital gains in 2011 due mostly to the disposition of securities that were removed from its underlying index. Large contributors to realized capital gains included Fronteer Gold, Inc. and Western Coal Corporation, which were each acquired during the year. Other significant contributors to realized capital gains were First Majestic Silver Corporation, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Alacer Gold Corporation, and Trilogy Energy Corporation, which were removed from XCS's underlying index (and therefore sold by XCS), as a result of increases in their respective share prices and market capitalizations.

XRE

The iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index Fund ("XRE") experienced capital gains in 2011 due mostly to the increase in value of the securities held in its portfolio. XRE must periodically buy and sell securities as a result of changes to its underlying index and in order to manage cash.

XSP

The iShares S&P 500 Index Fund (CAD-Hedged) ("XSP") experienced capital gains in 2011 due mostly to realized gains on forward contracts used to hedge currency exposure to the U.S. dollar.

Forward-looking information

This notice contains forward-looking statements with respect to the estimated annual distributions for the iShares Funds. By their nature, these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual distributions to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Material factors that could cause the actual distributions to differ from the estimated distributions between now and December 15, 2011 (the iShares Funds' tax year ends)include, but are not limited to: the actual amounts of distributions received by the iShares Funds; the actual amounts of capital gains generated from sales of securities; trading activity within the iShares Funds, including buying and selling of securities; index changes which cause rebalancing within the iShares Funds; and subscription and redemption activity.

Further information on iShares Funds can be found 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 September 30, 2011, BlackRock's AUM was US$3.345 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 September 30, 2011, the firm has approximately 10,200 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^®ETFs

The iShares business is a global product leader in ETFs with over 410 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 16 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.

Contributing Sources

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