BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) announced today that the Board of Trustees of iShares Trust has authorized share splits for a number of iShares® iBonds® ETFs. The Board has approved a 4-for-1 split for ten iShares® iBonds® Corporate ETFs and a 2-1 split for two iShares® iBonds® Muni ETFs for shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 18, 2015, payable after the close of trading on May 20, 2015:

                     
Fund Name       Ticker   Inception Date  

NAV/Share
(as of 4/15/15)

  

Proposed
Forward Split
Ratio

iBonds® Dec 2016 Corporate ETF       IBDF   5/28/2014   100.1   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2017 Corporate ETF       IBDJ   3/10/2015   99.5   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2018 Corporate ETF       IBDH   5/28/2014   100.79   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2019 Corporate ETF       IBDK   3/10/2015   100.18   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2020 Corporate ETF       IBDL   12/2/2014   102.15   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2021 Corporate ETF       IBDM   3/10/2015   100.58   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2022 Corporate ETF       IBDN   3/10/2015   100.61   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2023 Corporate ETF       IBDO   3/11/2015   100.61   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2024 Corporate ETF       IBDP   3/11/2015   100.67   4 for 1
iBonds® Dec 2025 Corporate ETF       IBDQ   3/11/2015   100.78   4 for 1
iBonds® Sep 2016 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF       IBME   1/7/2010   53.29   2 for 1
iBonds® Sep 2017 AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF       IBMF   1/7/2010   54.95   2 for 1
           

The 4-for-1 and 2-for-1 splits will lower the share price and increase the number of outstanding shares. The total value of shares outstanding is not affected by a split.

Each iBonds ETF holds a portfolio of investment grade bonds that mature within a specified range of dates and trades on an exchange. iBonds ETFs can be used to build laddered bond portfolios, which can help diversify a portfolio’s exposure to bonds with different maturities.

About iShares

iShares is a global leader in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with more than a decade of expertise and commitment to individual and institutional investors of all sizes. With over 700 funds globally across multiple asset classes and strategies and more than $1 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2015, iShares helps clients around the world build the core of their portfolios, meet specific investment goals and implement market views. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm*.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At March 31, 2015, BlackRock’s AUM was $4.774 trillion. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include 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 March 31, 2015, the firm had approximately 12,300 employees in more than 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 | Twitter: @blackrock_news | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

*Based on $4.77T in AUM as of 3/31/15.

Carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds’ prospectuses and, if available, the summary prospectuses which may be obtained by visiting www.iShares.com or www.BlackRock.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

Fixed income risks include interest-rate and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in bond values. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the bond issuer will not be able to make principal and interest payments. Diversification may not protect against market risk or loss of principal.

Shares of ETFs trade at market price, which may be greater or less than net asset value. The iShares® iBonds® ETFs (“Funds”) will terminate within the month and year in each Fund’s name. An investment in the Fund(s) is not guaranteed, and an investor may experience losses and/or tax consequences, including near or at the termination date. In the final months of each Fund's operation, its portfolio will transition to cash and cash-like instruments. As a result, its yield will tend to move toward prevailing money market rates, and may be lower than the yields of the bonds previously held by the Fund and lower than prevailing yields in the bond market.

The Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, “BlackRock”).

©2015 BlackRock. All rights reserved. iSHARES, BLACKROCK, iBONDS and BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS are registered trademarks of BlackRock. All other marks are those of their respective owners. iS-15522-0515