iShares™ Launches Asia ETF Series in Hong Kong

iShares™ Launches Asia ETF Series in Hong Kong

Four New Funds Providing Efficient and Diversified Access to Markets in Asia

[Hong Kong, April 22, 2009] iShares, the world leader in Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”)1, is pleased to announce the launch of a new iShares Asia ETF Series that includes four new iShares ETFs in Hong Kong. The new iShares ETFs will provide investors with a better way to invest in Asia by offering efficient access to market segments across the region. They will begin trading on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (“SEHK”) on April 23, 2009. The four new iShares ETFs are:
 iShares MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index ETF (Stock Code: 3010)
 iShares MSCI Asia APEX Mid Cap Index ETF (Stock Code: 3032)
 iShares MSCI Asia APEX Small Cap Index ETF (Stock Code: 3004)
 iShares MSCI Emerging Asia Index ETF (Stock Code: 2802)
1 Source: In terms of assets under management as of 31/12/08. Barclays Global Investors, Bloomberg.
iShares Launches Asia ETF Series in Hong Kong
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The three new APEX ETFs aim to deliver instant, diversified exposure to markets across Asia by providing investors with opportunities to invest in baskets of large, mid and small cap Asian companies. The fourth ETF, the iShares MSCI Emerging Asia Index ETF, provides diversified exposure to large and mid cap companies in emerging Asian countries like South Korea, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. Commenting on the new products, Nick Good, CEO of iShares Asia Pacific said, “The launch of the iShares Asia ETF Series showcases our commitment to offering products and services relevant to the Asian market. Investors in Asia are seeking products with region-wide exposure while, at the same time, they want to know exactly what they have invested in and that their investments can be traded easily. These are the unique benefits shared by all iShares ETFs, including our four new products.” Jane Leung, Senior Director of Product for iShares Asia ex-Japan commented, “We pride ourselves on developing products that are versatile enough to meet varying investor needs – both short term and long term. Going forward, iShares will continue to provide tools for investors in Asia that help them achieve their investment objectives while managing risk in a cost-effective manner.” With the launch of these new ETFs , iShares is more than doubling its ETF offering in Hong Kong which currently includes:
 iShares FTSE/Xinhua A50 China Tracker (Stock Code: 2823)
 iShares MSCI China Tracker (Stock Code: 2801)
 iShares BSE SENSEX India Tracker (Stock Code: 2836)
iShares is the world’s largest provider of ETFs with nearly US$325 billion2 in assets under management in ETFs. More than 360 iShares ETFs 3 are currently available in markets around the world covering a comprehensive range of asset classes, market sectors and segments. ENDS
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