Fixed Income

EMES

iShares J.P. Morgan ESG $ EM Bond UCITS ETF

Overview

Important Information: Capital at Risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Important Information: The value of your investment and the income from it will vary and your initial investment amount cannot be guaranteed. The value of equities and equity-related securities can be affected by daily stock market movements.

All currency hedged share classes of this fund use derivatives to hedge currency risk. The use of derivatives for a share class could pose a potential risk of contagion (also known as spill-over) to other share classes in the fund. The fund’s management company will ensure appropriate procedures are in place to minimise contagion risk to other share class. Using the drop down box directly below the name of the fund, you can view a list of all share classes in the fund – currency hedged share classes are indicated by the word “Hedged” in the name of the share class. In addition, a full list of all currency hedged share classes is available on request from the fund’s management company
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Performance

Performance

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Distributions

Record Date Ex-Date Payable Date
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This chart shows the fund's performance as the percentage loss or gain per year over the last 5 years.

  2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Total Return (%) 15.5 5.5 -2.8 -18.5 9.9
Benchmark (%) 15.9 5.8 -2.3 -18.9 10.3
  From
31/Dec/2018
To
31/Dec/2019
From
31/Dec/2019
To
31/Dec/2020
From
31/Dec/2020
To
31/Dec/2021
From
31/Dec/2021
To
31/Dec/2022
From
31/Dec/2022
To
31/Dec/2023
Total Return (%)

as of 31/Dec/2023

15.49 5.51 -2.82 -18.51 9.92
Benchmark (%)

as of 31/Dec/2023

15.94 5.78 -2.35 -18.92 10.26
  1y 3y 5y 10y Incept.
8.72 -3.27 0.17 - 0.88
Benchmark (%) 9.07 -3.20 0.35 - 1.11
  YTD 1m 3m 6m 1y 3y 5y 10y Incept.
-0.46 0.72 4.22 5.22 8.72 -9.49 0.87 - 4.89
Benchmark (%) -0.43 0.74 4.28 5.36 9.07 -9.29 1.78 - 6.20
Past performance is not a guide to future performance and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product. Performance data is based on the net asset value (NAV) of the ETF which may not be the same as the market price of the ETF. Individual shareholders may realise returns that are different to the NAV performance

The figures shown relate to past performance. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Markets could develop very differently in the future. It can help you to assess how the fund has been managed in the past

Share Class and Benchmark performance displayed in USD, hedged share class benchmark performance is displayed in USD.

Performance is shown on a Net Asset Value (NAV) basis, with gross income reinvested where applicable. Performance data is based on the net asset value (NAV) of the ETF which may not be the same as the market price of the ETF. Individual shareholders may realize returns that are different to the NAV performance.

The return of your investment may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations if your investment is made in a currency other than that used in the past performance calculation. Source: Blackrock

Key Facts

Key Facts

Net Assets as of 27/Mar/2024 USD 369’350’078
Net Assets of Fund as of 27/Mar/2024 USD 2’476’872’944
Share Class launch date 24/Sept/2018
Fund Launch Date 24/Sept/2018
Share Class Currency USD
Fund Base Currency USD
Asset Class Fixed Income
Benchmark Index JP Morgan ESG EMBI Global Diversified index
SFDR Classification Article 8
Shares Outstanding as of 27/Mar/2024 87’083’171
Total Expense Ratio 0.45%
ISIN IE00BDDRDW15
Distribution Frequency Semi-Annual
Use of Income Distributing
Securities Lending Return as of 31/Dec/2023 0.04 %
Domicile Ireland
Product Structure Physical
Rebalance Frequency Monthly
Methodology Sampled
UCITS Compliant Yes
Issuing Company iShares II plc
Fund Manager BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited
Administrator State Street Fund Services (Ireland) Limited
Custodian State Street Custodial Services (Ireland) Limited
Fiscal Year End 31 October
Bloomberg Ticker EMES BW
Valor 42800493

Portfolio Characteristics

Portfolio Characteristics

Number of Holdings as of 27/Mar/2024 771
Benchmark Level as of 27/Mar/2024 USD 131.60
Benchmark Ticker JESGEMGD
12 Month Trailing Dividend Distribution Yield as of 27/Mar/2024 5.34%
Standard Deviation (3y) as of 29/Feb/2024 11.07%
3y Beta as of 29/Feb/2024 1.00
Weighted Av YTM as of 27/Mar/2024 6.65%
Weighted Avg Coupon as of 27/Mar/2024 4.83%
Weighted Avg Maturity as of 27/Mar/2024 11.61 yrs
Effective Duration as of 27/Mar/2024 6.98

Sustainability Characteristics

Sustainability Characteristics

Sustainability Characteristics provide investors with specific non-traditional metrics. Alongside other metrics and information, these enable investors to evaluate funds on certain environmental, social and governance characteristics. Sustainability Characteristics do not provide an indication of current or future performance nor do they represent the potential risk and reward profile of a fund. They are provided for transparency and for information purposes only. Sustainability Characteristics should not be considered solely or in isolation, but instead are one type of information that investors may wish to consider when assessing a fund.


The metrics are not indicative of how or whether ESG factors will be integrated into a fund. Unless otherwise stated in fund documentation and included within a fund’s investment objective, the metrics do not change a fund’s investment objective or constrain the fund’s investable universe, and there is no indication that an ESG or Impact focused investment strategy or exclusionary screens will be adopted by a fund. For more information regarding a fund's investment strategy, please see the fund's prospectus.


Review the MSCI methodologies behind Sustainability Characteristics using the links below.

MSCI ESG Fund Rating (AAA-CCC) as of 21/Mar/2024 BB
MSCI ESG % Coverage as of 21/Mar/2024 94.42
MSCI ESG Quality Score (0-10) as of 21/Mar/2024 4.20
MSCI ESG Quality Score - Peer Percentile as of 21/Mar/2024 48.60
Fund Lipper Global Classification as of 21/Mar/2024 Bond Emerging Markets Global HC
Funds in Peer Group as of 21/Mar/2024 430
MSCI Weighted Average Carbon Intensity (Tons CO2E/$M SALES) as of 21/Mar/2024 327.57
MSCI Weighted Average Carbon Intensity % Coverage as of 21/Mar/2024 5.93
All data is from MSCI ESG Fund Ratings as of 21/Mar/2024, based on holdings as of 29/Feb/2024. As such, the fund’s sustainable characteristics may differ from MSCI ESG Fund Ratings from time to time.

To be included in MSCI ESG Fund Ratings, 65% (or 50% for bond funds and money market funds) of the fund’s gross weight must come from securities with ESG coverage by MSCI ESG Research (certain cash positions and other asset types deemed not relevant for ESG analysis by MSCI are removed prior to calculating a fund’s gross weight; the absolute values of short positions are included but treated as uncovered), the fund’s holdings date must be less than one year old, and the fund must have at least ten securities.

Business Involvement

Business Involvement

Business Involvement metrics can help investors gain a more comprehensive view of specific activities in which a fund may be exposed through its investments.


Business Involvement metrics are not indicative of a fund’s investment objective, and, unless otherwise stated in fund documentation and included within a fund’s investment objective, do not change a fund’s investment objective or constrain the fund’s investable universe, and there is no indication that an ESG or Impact focused investment strategy or exclusionary screens will be adopted by a fund. For more information regarding a fund's investment strategy, please see the fund's prospectus.


Review the MSCI methodology behind the Business Involvement metrics, using links below.

MSCI - Controversial Weapons as of 27/Mar/2024 0.00%
MSCI - UN Global Compact Violators as of 27/Mar/2024 0.21%
MSCI - Nuclear Weapons as of 27/Mar/2024 0.00%
MSCI - Thermal Coal as of 27/Mar/2024 0.00%
MSCI - Civilian Firearms as of 27/Mar/2024 0.00%
MSCI - Oil Sands as of 27/Mar/2024 0.00%
MSCI - Tobacco as of 27/Mar/2024 0.00%

Business Involvement Coverage as of 27/Mar/2024 4.94%
Percentage of Fund not covered as of 27/Mar/2024 95.06%
BlackRock business involvement exposures as shown above for Thermal Coal and Oil Sands are calculated and reported for companies that generate more than 5% of revenue from thermal coal or oil sands as defined by MSCI ESG Research. For the exposure to companies that generate any revenue from thermal coal or oil sands (at a 0% revenue threshold), as defined by MSCI ESG Research, it is as follows: Thermal Coal 0.00% and for Oil Sands 0.00%.

Business Involvement metrics are calculated by BlackRock using data from MSCI ESG Research which provides a profile of each company’s specific business involvement. BlackRock leverages this data to provide a summed up view across holdings and translates it to a fund's market value exposure to the listed Business Involvement areas above.


While BlackRock calculates the business involvement metrics based on data from MSCI ESG Research, the fund seeks to replicate the performance of an index not provided by MSCI. As a result, MSCI may take a different view on the business involvement exposure of a fund’s underlying holdings than the fund’s index provider. The fund’s index provider may also implement business involvement screens with a similar exposure as the business involvement metrics but apply a different methodology. Consequently, the business involvement metrics may indicate exposure to a category that is subject to an exclusionary screen by the fund’s index methodology.


Business Involvement metrics are designed only to identify companies where MSCI has conducted research and identified as having involvement in the covered activity. As a result, it is possible there is additional involvement in these covered activities where MSCI does not have coverage. This information should not be used to produce comprehensive lists of companies without involvement. Business Involvement metrics are only displayed if at least 1% of the fund’s gross weight includes securities covered by MSCI ESG Research.

Sustainability-related Disclosure

Sustainability-related Disclosure

This section provides sustainability-related information about the Fund, pursuant to Article 10 SFDR.

A. Summary

This Fund promotes environmental or social characteristics, but does not have as its objective sustainable investment. This Fund does not commit to investing in sustainable investments. The Fund is passively managed and seeks to promote the following environmental and social characteristics by tracking the performance of the J.P. Morgan ESG EMBI Global Diversified Index, its Benchmark Index: (1) exclusion of issuers involved in certain activities deemed to have negative environmental and/or social outcomes; (2) exclusion of issuers deemed to have violated United Nations Global Compact principles; (3) exclusion of issuers deemed to have low ESG scores; and (4) exposure to bonds labelled as “Green” under the Climate Bonds Initiative (the “CBI”).

The investment policy of the Fund is to invest in a portfolio of securities that as far as possible and practicable consists of the component securities of the Benchmark Index and thereby comply with the ESG characteristics of its Benchmark Index (as further described in Section D. Investment strategy below). By investing in the constituents of its Benchmark Index, the Fund’s investment strategy enables it to comply with the ESG requirements of its Benchmark Index as determined by the index provider. ​The Fund takes into consideration principal adverse impacts on sustainability factors by tracking the Benchmark Index which incorporates certain ESG criteria in the selection of index constituents.

The Fund seeks to invest in a portfolio of securities that as far as possible and practicable consists of the component securities of the Benchmark Index. It is expected that at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in either securities within the Benchmark Index or in securities that meet the ESG selection criteria of the Benchmark Index. This Fund does not currently commit to investing more than 0% of its assets in investments in environmentally sustainable economic activities within the meaning of the Taxonomy Regulation.

The Fund seeks to track the performance of the Benchmark Index which incorporates certain ESG criteria in the selection of constituents, according to its methodology. BlackRock monitors the Fund’s adherence to the environmental and social characteristics which the Fund seeks to promote. The objective of the Fund is to track the performance of the Benchmark Index. The environmental and/or social characteristics of the Fund are embedded into the Benchmark Index methodology and the Fund is monitored in a manner that seeks to identify exceptions to the Fund’s sustainable commitments being met as at each rebalance.

BlackRock Portfolio Managers have access to research, data, tools, and analytics to integrate ESG insights into their investment process. ESG datasets are sourced from external third-party data providers and index providers, including but not limited to MSCI, Sustainalytics, Refinitiv, S&P and Clarity AI. BlackRock’s internal processes are focused on delivering high-quality standardised and consistent data to be used by investment professionals and for transparency and reporting purposes. Data, including ESG data, received through our existing interfaces, is processed through a series of quality control and completeness checks which seeks to ensure that data is high-quality data before being made available for use downstream within BlackRock systems and applications, such as Aladdin.

BlackRock applies a comprehensive due diligence process to evaluate provider offerings with highly targeted methodology reviews and coverage assessments based on the sustainable investment strategy (and the environmental and social characteristics or sustainable investment objective) of the product. Our process entails both qualitative and quantitative analysis to assess the suitability of data products in line with regulatory standards as applicable.

Sustainable investing and understanding of sustainability is evolving along with the data environment. Industry participants, including index providers face challenges in identifying a single metric or set of standardized metrics to provide a complete view on a company or an investment. ESG data sets are constantly changing and improving as disclosure standards, regulatory frameworks and industry practice evolve. There may be some circumstances where data is unavailable, incomplete, or inaccurate. Despite reasonable efforts, information may not always be available in which case an assessment will be made by the index provider based on their knowledge of the investment or industry. In certain cases, data may reflect actions that issuers may have taken only after the fact, and do not reflect all potential instances of significant harm.

The Investment Manager carries out due diligence on the index providers and engages with them on an ongoing basis with regard to index methodologies including their assessment of good governance criteria set out by the SFDR which include sound management structures, employee relations, remuneration of staff and tax compliance at the level of investee companies.

The Investment Manager does not perform direct engagement with the companies / issuers within the Benchmark Index as part of the investment strategy of the Fund. The Investment Manager will engage directly with the index and data providers to ensure better analytics and stability in ESG metrics. Engagement with companies in which we invest our clients’ assets occurs at multiple levels within BlackRock. Where investment teams choose to leverage engagement, this can take a variety of forms but, in essence, the portfolio management team would seek to have regular and continuing dialogue with executives or board directors of engaged investee companies to advance sound governance and sustainable business practices targeted at the identified ESG characteristics and principal adverse indicators, as well as to understand the effectiveness of the company’s management and oversight of activities designed to address the identified ESG issues. Engagement also allows the portfolio management team to provide feedback on company practices and disclosures.

The Benchmark Index is designated as a reference benchmark to determine whether the Fund is aligned with the environmental and/or social characteristics that it promotes.

B. No sustainable investment objective

This Fund promotes environmental or social characteristics, but does not have as its objective sustainable investment.

The Fund does not commit to investing in sustainable investments.

C. Environmental or social characteristics of the financial product

The Fund is passively managed and seeks to promote the following environmental and social characteristics by tracking the performance of the J.P. Morgan ESG EMBI Global Diversified Index, its Benchmark Index:
1. exclusion of issuers involved in certain activities deemed to have negative environmental and/or social outcomes;
2. exclusion of issuers deemed to have violated United Nations Global Compact principles;
3. exclusion of issuers deemed to have low ESG scores; and
4. exposure to bonds labelled as “Green” under the Climate Bonds Initiative (the “CBI”).

These environmental and social characteristics are incorporated through the selection and weighting of constituents in the Fund’s Benchmark Index at each index rebalance (as described below).

The Benchmark Index excludes quasi-sovereign issuers from the J.P. Morgan EMBI Global Diversified Index (the “Parent Index”) based on their involvement in certain sectors deemed to have negative environmental or social outcomes. Issuers are excluded from the Benchmark Index based on their involvement in the following sectors (or related sectors):
• thermal coal
• tobacco
• weapons

The index provider defines what constitutes “involvement” in each restricted sector. This may be based on percentage of revenue, a defined total revenue threshold, or any connection to a restricted activity regardless of the amount of revenue received.

The Benchmark Index also excludes quasi-sovereign issuers from the Parent Index which are classified as violating United Nations Global Compact principles (which are widely accepted corporate sustainability principles that meet fundamental responsibilities in areas such as anti-corruption, human rights, labour and environmental).

The index provider uses an ESG methodology which involves scoring the ESG credentials of issuers within the Parent Index which, in turn, determine an issuer’s weighting in the Benchmark Index. The ESG scores range from 0-100 with 100 being classified as the best possible score (the “ESG Score”). The ESG Score determines what ESG rating band the issuers are allocated (the “ESG Rating Band”). The Benchmark Index excludes sovereign and quasi-sovereign issuers that have an ESG Score below a threshold set by the index provider , resulting in their inclusion in ESG Rating Band 5.

Each issuer within the Parent Index will be assigned an ESG Rating Band between 1 and 5 depending on their ESG Score. Issuers are then assigned a weight in the Benchmark Index, relative to their weighting in the Parent Index depending on the band into which they fall. The ESG Rating Bands function as a multiplier (i.e. Band 1 inherits 100% of their value from the Parent Index, Band 2 inherits 80% of their value from the Parent Index etc.). Securities which fall into ESG Rating Band 5 will be excluded from the Benchmark Index and not eligible for inclusion for the next 12 months.

The Benchmark Index applies an increased weighting for bonds labelled as “Green” under the CBI, the aim of which is to incentivize sustainable financing aligned with climate change solutions. Securities which are categorised as Green by the CBI will be upgraded to the ESG Rating Band above the one in which they would ordinarily have been included (save where the issuer has scored in the ESG Rating Band 5 in which case the increased weighting is not applied and the security will not be upgraded to ESG Rating Band 4 and will remain excluded from the Benchmark Index).

For more information on where details of the methodology of the Benchmark Index can be found see 'Section L - Designated reference benchmark.'

D. Investment strategy

The investment policy of the Fund is to invest in a portfolio of fixed income securities that as far as possible and practicable consists of the component securities of the Benchmark Index and thereby comply with the ESG characteristics of its Benchmark Index. The index methodology of its Benchmark Index is described above (see What environmental and/or social characteristics are promoted by this financial product? above).

By investing in the constituents of its Benchmark Index, the Fund’s investment strategy enables it to comply with the ESG requirements of its Benchmark Index as determined by the index provider. In the event that any investments cease to comply, the Fund may continue to hold such investments only until such time as the relevant securities cease to form part of the Benchmark Index and it is possible and practicable (in the Investment Manager’s view) to liquidate the position.

The Fund may use optimisation techniques in order to achieve a similar return to the Benchmark Index which means that it is permitted to invest in securities that are not underlying constituents of the Benchmark Index where such securities provide similar performance (with matching risk profile) to certain securities that make up the Benchmark Index. If the Fund does so, its investment strategy is to invest only in issuers in the Benchmark Index or in issuers that meet the ESG requirements of the Benchmark Index at the time of purchase. If such securities cease to comply with the ESG requirements of the Benchmark Index, the Fund may hold such securities only until the next portfolio rebalance and when it is possible and practicable (in the Investment Manager’s view) to liquidate the position.

The strategy is implemented at each portfolio rebalance of the Fund, which follows the index rebalance of its Benchmark Index.

The binding elements of the investment strategy are that the Fund will invest in a portfolio of fixed income securities that as far as possible and practicable consists of the component securities of the Benchmark Index and thereby comply with the ESG characteristics of its Benchmark Index.

As the Fund is able to use optimisation techniques and may invest in securities that are not underlying constituents of the Benchmark Index, where it does so, its investment strategy is to invest only in issuers in the Benchmark Index or in issuers that meet the ESG requirements of the Benchmark Index at the time of purchase.

In the event that any investments cease to comply with the ESG requirements of the Benchmark Index, the Fund may continue to hold such investments only until such time as the relevant securities cease to form part of the Benchmark Index and/or it is possible and practicable (in the Investment Manager’s view) to liquidate the position.

Consideration of principal adverse impacts (PAIs) on sustainability factors

The Fund takes into consideration principal adverse impacts on sustainability factors by tracking the Benchmark Index which incorporates certain ESG criteria in the selection of index constituents. The Investment Advisor has determined that those principal adverse impacts (PAIs) listed below are considered as part of the selection criteria of the Fund’s Benchmark Index at each index rebalance:
• Share of investments in companies active in the fossil fuel sector.
• Share of investments in investee companies that have been involved in violations of the UNGC principles or OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
• Share of investments in investee companies involved in the manufacture or selling of controversial weapons.
• GHG intensity of investee countries
• Investee countries subject to social volations

The Fund’s annual report will include information on the principal adverse impacts on sustainability factors set out below.

Good governance policy

Good governance checks are incorporated within the methodology of the Benchmark Index. At each index rebalance, the index provider excludes issuers from the Benchmark Index based on an ESG score (which measures an issuer’s involvement in ESG related controversies) and excludes issuers that are classified as violating United Nations Global Compact principles ee 'Section C - Environmental or social characteristics of the financial product.'

E. Proportion of Investments

The Fund seeks to invest in a portfolio of securities that as far as possible and practicable consists of the component securities of the Benchmark Index.

It is expected that at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in either securities within the Benchmark Index or in securities that meet the ESG selection criteria of the Benchmark Index. As such, at each index rebalance (or as soon as reasonably possible and practicable thereafter), the portfolio of the Fund will be rebalanced in line with its Benchmark Index so that at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be aligned with the ESG characteristics of the Benchmark Index (as determined at that rebalance).

In the event that any investments cease to comply with the ESG requirements of the Benchmark Index, the Fund may continue to hold such investments until such time as the relevant securities cease to form part of the Benchmark Index (or otherwise cease to meet the ESG selection criteria of the Benchmark Index) and it is possible and practicable (in the Investment Manager’s view) to liquidate the position.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other investments.

The Fund may use derivatives for investment purposes and for the purposes of efficient portfolio management in connection with the environmental or social characteristics promoted by the Fund. Where the Fund uses derivatives for promoting environmental or social characteristics, any ESG rating or analyses referenced above will apply to the underlying investment.

This Fund does not currently commit to investing more than 0% of its assets in investments in environmentally sustainable economic activities within the meaning of the Taxonomy Regulation.

This Fund does not currently commit to investing more than 0% of its assets in investments in transitional and enabling activities within the meaning of the Taxonomy Regulation.

The Fund does not commit to investing in sustainable investments with an environmental objective.

Other holdings may include cash, money market funds and derivatives. Such investments may only be used for the purpose of efficient portfolio management, except for derivatives used for currency hedging for any currency hedged share class.

Any ESG rating or analyses applied by the index provider will apply only to the derivatives relating to individual issuers used by the Fund. Derivatives based on financial indices, interest rates, or foreign exchange instruments will not be considered against minimum environment or social safeguards.

F. Monitoring of enviromental or social characteristics

Ongoing product integrity monitoring

BlackRock monitors the Fund’s adherence to the environmental and social characteristics which the Fund seeks to promote. The objective of the Fund is to track the performance of the Benchmark Index. The environmental and/or social characteristics of the Fund are embedded into the Benchmark Index methodology and the Fund is monitored in a manner that seeks to identify exceptions to the Fund’s sustainable commitments being met as at each rebalance.

BlackRock monitors Fund and index-level data to track the Fund’s adherence to these characteristics as at each rebalance.

BlackRock also monitors the tracking error of the Fund and reports this to investors as part of the annual and semi-annual report and accounts. Information on the anticipated tracking error is also published in the Fund’s prospectus.

G. Methodologies

The Fund seeks to track the performance of the Benchmark Index which incorporates certain ESG criteria in the selection of constituents, according to its methodology (outlined above in Section C and detailed in section L).

Methodologies

In addition, the following methodologies are used to measure how the social or environmental characteristics promoted by the Fund are met:

The Benchmark Index uses RepRisk and Sustainalytics Business involvement and UNGC screens. For further information, please see the index methodology.

The Benchmark Index uses JSEG Score data. For further information, https://www.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpm/cib/complex/content/markets/composition-docs/pdf-30.pdf

H. Data sources and processing

Data Sources

BlackRock Portfolio Managers have access to research, data, tools, and analytics to integrate ESG insights into their investment process. Aladdin is the operating system that connects the data, people, and technology necessary to manage portfolios in real time, as well as the engine behind BlackRock’s ESG analytics and reporting capabilities. BlackRock’s Portfolio Managers use Aladdin to make investment decisions, monitor portfolios and to access index information that informs the investment process to attain ESG characteristics of the Fund.

ESG datasets are sourced from external third-party data providers and index providers, including but not limited to MSCI, Sustainalytics, Refinitiv, S&P and Clarity AI. These datasets may include headline ESG scores, carbon emissions data, business involvement metrics or controversies and have been incorporated into Aladdin tools that are available to Portfolio Managers and employed in BlackRock investment strategies. Such tools support the full investment process, from research, to portfolio construction and modelling, to reporting.

Measures taken to ensure Data Quality

BlackRock applies a comprehensive due diligence process to evaluate provider offerings with highly targeted methodology reviews and coverage assessments based on the sustainable investment strategy (and the environmental and social characteristics or sustainable investment objective) of the product. Our process entails both qualitative and quantitative analysis to assess the suitability of data products in line with regulatory standards as applicable.

We assess ESG providers and data across five core areas outlined below:
1. Data Collection: this includes but is not limited to assessing the data providers underlying data sources, technology used to capture data, process to identify misinformation and any use of machine learning or human data collection approaches. We will also consider planned improvements.
2.Data Coverage: our assessment includes but is not limited to the extent to which a data package provides coverage across our investible universe of issuers and asset classes. This will include consideration of the treatment of parent companies and their subsidiaries as well as use of estimated data or reported data.
3. Methodology: our assessment includes but is not limited consideration of the third-party providers methodologies employed, including considering the collection and calculation approaches, alignment to industry or regulatory standards or frameworks, materiality thresholds and their approach to data gaps.
4. Data Verification: our assessment will include but is not limited to the third-party providers approach to verification of data collected and quality assurance processes including their engagement with issuers.
5. Operations: we will assess a variety of aspects of a data vendors’ operations, including but not limited to their policies and procedures (including consideration of any conflicts of interest) the size and experience of their data research teams, their training programs, and their use of third-party outsourcers.

Additionally, BlackRock, actively participates in any relevant provider consultations regarding proposed changes to methodologies as it pertains to third party data sets or index methodologies and submits comprehensive feedback and recommendations to data provider technical teams. BlackRock often has ongoing engagement with ESG data providers including index providers to keep abreast of industry developments.

How data is processed

At BlackRock, our internal processes are focused on delivering high-quality standardised and consistent data to be used by investment professionals and for transparency and reporting purposes. Data, including ESG data, received through our existing interfaces, and then processed through a series of quality control and completeness checks which seeks to ensure that data is high-quality data before being made available for use downstream within BlackRock systems and applications, such as Aladdin. BlackRock’s integrated technology enables us to compile data about issuers and investments across a variety of environmental, social and governance metrics and a variety of data providers and make those available to investment teams and other support and control functions such as risk management.

Use of Estimated Data

BlackRock strives to capture as much reported data from companies via 3rd party data providers as practicable, however, industry standards around disclosure frameworks are still evolving, particularly with respect to forward looking indicators. As a result, in certain cases we rely on estimated or proxy measures from data providers to cover our broad investible universe of issuers. Due to current challenges in the data landscape, while BlackRock relies on material amount of estimated data across our investible universe, the levels of which may vary from data set to data set, we seek to ensure that use of estimates is in line with regulatory guidance and that we have necessary documentation and transparency from data providers on their methodologies. BlackRock recognizes the importance in improving its data quality and data coverage and continues to evolve the data sets available to its investment professionals and other teams. Where required by local country-level regulations, funds may state explicit data coverage levels. BlackRock seeks to understand the use of estimated data in index methodologies and ensure that their approaches are robust and in line with applicable regulatory requirements and index methodologies.

I. Limitations to methodologies and data

Limitations to Methodology

Sustainable investing is an evolving space, both in terms of industry understanding but also the regulatory frameworks on both a regional and global basis. BlackRock continues to monitor developments in the EU's ongoing implementation of its framework for sustainable investing and its investment methodologies seeking to ensure alignment as the regulatory environment changes. As a result, BlackRock may update these disclosures, and the methodologies and sources of data used, at any time in the future as market practice evolves or further regulatory guidance becomes available.

Screening of a Benchmark Index against its ESG criteria is generally carried out by an index provider only at index rebalances. Companies which have previously met the screening criteria of a Benchmark Index and have therefore been included in the Benchmark Index and the Fund, may unexpectedly or suddenly be impacted by an event of serious controversy which negatively impacts their price and, hence, the performance of the Fund. Where these companies are existing constituents of the Benchmark Index, they will remain in the Benchmark Index and therefore continue to be held by the Fund until the next scheduled rebalancing (or periodic review) when the relevant company ceases to form part of the Benchmark Index and it is possible and practicable (in the Investment Manager’s view) to liquidate the position. A Fund tracking such Benchmark Index may therefore cease to meet the ESG criteria between index rebalances (or index periodic reviews) until the Benchmark Index is rebalanced back in line with its index criteria, at which point the Fund will also be rebalanced in line with its Benchmark Index. Similarly index methodologies that commit to investing in a minimum percentage of Sustainable Investments may also fall below that level in between rebalances but will be brought back into line at the point of rebalance (or as soon as practicable thereafter).

Limitations in relation to the data sources are noted below.

Limitations to Data

ESG data sets are constantly changing and improving as disclosure standards, regulatory frameworks and industry practice evolve. BlackRock continues to work with a broad range of market participants to improve data quality.

Whilst each ESG metric may come with its own individual limitations, data limitations may broadly be considered to include, but not be limited to:
• Lack of availability of certain ESG metrics due to differing reporting and disclosure standards impacting issuers, geographies, or sectors.
• Nascent statutory corporate reporting standards regarding sustainability leading to differences in the extent to which companies themselves can report against regulatory criteria and therefore some metric coverage levels may be low.
• Inconsistent use and levels of reported vs estimated ESG data across different data providers, taken at varied time periods which makes comparability a challenge.
• Estimated data by its nature may vary from realized figures due to the assumptions or hypothesis employed by data providers.
• Differing views or assessments of issuers due to differing provider methodologies or use of subjective criteria. • Most corporate ESG reporting, and disclosure takes place on an annual basis and takes significant time to produce meaning that this data is produced on a lag relative to financial data. There may also be inconsistent data refresh frequencies across different data providers incorporating such data into their data sets.
• Coverage and applicability of data across asset classes and indicators may vary.
• Forward looking data, such as climate related targets may vary significantly from historic and current point in time metrics.

For more information about how metrics that are presented with sustainability indicators are calculated, please see the Fund's annual report.

Sustainable Investments and Environmental and Social criteria

Sustainable investing and understanding of sustainability is evolving along with the data environment. Industry participants, including index provider face challenges in identifying a single metric or set of standardized metrics to provide a complete view on a company or an investment. BlackRock has therefore established a framework to identify sustainable investments, taking into account the regulatory requirements and index provider methodologies.

BlackRock leverages third-party index provider methodologies and data in assessing whether investments cause significant harm and have good governance practices. There may be some circumstances where data is unavailable, incomplete, or inaccurate. Despite reasonable efforts, information may not always be available in which case an assessment will be made by the index provider based on their knowledge of the investment or industry. In certain cases, data may reflect actions that issuers may have taken only after the fact, and do not reflect all potential instances of significant harm.

BlackRock undertakes thorough due diligence on index provider sustainable investment methodologies to ensure that they align with BlackRock’s views on Sustainable Investments.

J. Due Diligence

The Investment Manager carries out due diligence on the index providers and engages with them on an ongoing basis with regard to index methodologies including their assessment of good governance criteria set out by the SFDR which include sound management structures, employee relations, remuneration of staff and tax compliance at the level of investee companies.

K. Engagement Policies

The Fund

The Fund does not use engagement as a means of meeting its binding commitments to environmental or social characteristics or sustainable investment objectives. The Investment Manager does not perform direct engagement with the companies / issuers within the index but does engage directly with the index and data providers to ensure better analytics and stability in ESG metrics.

General

Engagement with companies in which we invest our clients’ assets occurs at multiple levels within BlackRock.

Where engagement is specifically identified by a particular portfolio management team as one of the means by which they seek to demonstrate a commitment to environment, social and governance issues within the context of SFDR, the methods by which the effectiveness of such engagement policy and the ways in which such an engagement policy may be adapted in the event that they do not achieve the desired impact (usually expressed as a reduction in specified principal adverse indicators) would be described in the prospectus and website disclosures particular to that fund.

Where investment teams chooses to leverage engagement, this can take a variety of forms but, in essence, the portfolio management team would seek to have regular and continuing dialogue with executives or board directors of engaged investee companies to advance sound governance and sustainable business practices targeted at the identified ESG characteristics and principal adverse indicators, as well as to understand the effectiveness of the company’s management and oversight of activities designed to address the identified ESG issues. Engagement also allows the portfolio management team to provide feedback on company practices and disclosures.

Where a relevant portfolio management team has concerns about a company’s approach to the identified ESG characteristics and/or principal adverse indicators, they may choose to explain their expectations to the company’s board or management and may signal through voting at general meetings that they have outstanding concerns, generally by voting against the re-election of directors they view as having responsibility for improvements in the identified ESG characteristics or principal adverse indicators.

Separate from the activities of any particular portfolio management team, at the highest level, as part of its fiduciary approach, BlackRock has determined that it is in the best long-term interest of its clients to promote sound corporate governance as an informed, engaged shareholder. At BlackRock, this is the responsibility of BlackRock Investment Stewardship. Principally through the work of BIS team, BlackRock meets the requirements in the Shareholder Rights Directive II (‘SRD II”) relating to engagement with public companies and other parties in the investment ecosystem. A copy of BlackRock’s SRD II engagement policy can be found at https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/literature/publication/blk-shareholder-rights-directiveii-engagement-policy-2022.pdf.

BlackRock’s approach to investment stewardship is outlined in the BIS Global Principles and market-level voting guidelines. The BIS Global Principles set out our stewardship philosophy and our views on corporate governance and sustainable business practices that support long-term value creation by companies. We recognize that accepted standards and norms of corporate governance differ between markets; however, we believe there are certain fundamental elements of governance practice that are intrinsic globally to a company’s ability to create long-term value. Our market-specific voting guidelines provide detail on how BIS implements the Global Principles – taking into consideration local market standards and norms – and inform our voting decisions in relation to specific ballot items for shareholder meetings. BlackRock’s overall approach to investment stewardship and engagement can be found at: https://www.blackrock.com/uk/professionals/solutions/shareholder-rights-directive and https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/about-us/investment-stewardship

In undertaking its engagement, BIS may focus on particular ESG themes, which are outlined in BlackRock’s voting priorities https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/literature/publication/blk-stewardship-priorities-final.pdf

I. Designated reference benchmark

This Fund seeks to achieve the environmental and social characteristics it promotes by tracking the performance of the J.P. Morgan ESG EMBI Global Diversified Index, its Benchmark Index, which incorporates the index provider’s ESG selection criteria.

At each index rebalance (or as soon as reasonably possible and practicable thereafter), the index provider applies the ESG selection criteria to the Parent Index to exclude issuers that do not meet such ESG criteria.

At each index rebalance, the portfolio of the Fund is also rebalanced in line with its Benchmark Index.

As a result of the application of the ESG selection criteria of the Benchmark Index, the portfolio of the Fund is expected to be reduced compared to the S&P Eurozone BMI, a broad market index comprised of equity securities.

The methodology of the Fund’s Benchmark Index can be found by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser: https://www.jpmorgan.com/content/dam/jpm/cib/complex/content/markets/composition-docs/pdf-30.pdf

Ratings

Registered Locations

Registered Locations

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Hungary

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Luxembourg

  • Netherlands

  • Norway

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Singapore

  • Slovak Republic

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • United Kingdom

Holdings

Holdings

as of 27/Mar/2024
Issuer Weight (%)
ROMANIA (REPUBLIC OF) 3.99
SAUDI ARABIA (KINGDOM OF) 3.95
BRAZIL FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF (GOVERNMENT) 3.72
POLAND (REPUBLIC OF) 3.64
HUNGARY (GOVERNMENT) 3.63
Issuer Weight (%)
PHILIPPINES (REPUBLIC OF) 3.45
URUGUAY (ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF) 3.43
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (GOVERNMENT) 3.37
COLOMBIA (REPUBLIC OF) 3.26
MEXICO (UNITED MEXICAN STATES) (GOVERNMENT) 3.18
Issuer Ticker Name Sector Asset Class Market Value Weight (%) Notional Value Nominal Par Value ISIN Price Location Exchange Duration Maturity Coupon (%) Market Currency Effective Date
Detailed Holdings and Analytics contains detailed portfolio holdings information and select analytics.

Exposure Breakdowns

Exposure Breakdowns

as of 27/Mar/2024

% of Market Value

Type Fund
as of 27/Mar/2024

% of Market Value

Type Fund
Geographic exposure relates principally to the domicile of the issuers of the securities held in the product, added together and then expressed as a percentage of the product’s total holdings. However, in some instances it can reflect the location where the issuer of the securities carries out much of their business.
as of 27/Mar/2024

% of Market Value

Type Fund
as of 27/Mar/2024

% of Market Value

Type Fund
Credit quality ratings on underlying securities of the fund are received from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch and converted to the equivalent S&P major rating category. This breakdown is provided by BlackRock and takes the median rating of the three agencies when all three agencies rate a security the lower of the two ratings if only two agencies rate a security and one rating if that is all that is provided. Unrated securities do not necessarily indicate low quality. Below investment-grade is represented by a rating of BB and below. Ratings and portfolio credit quality may change over time.

Allocations are subject to change.

Securities Lending

Securities Lending

Securities lending is an established and well regulated activity in the investment management industry. It involves the transfer of securities (such as shares or bonds) from a Lender (in this case, the iShares fund) to a third-party (the Borrower). The Borrower will give the Lender collateral (the Borrower’s pledge) in the form of shares, bonds or cash, and will also pay the Lender a fee. This fee provides additional income for the fund and thus can help to reduce the total cost of ownership of an ETF.

 

At BlackRock, securities lending is a core investment management function with dedicated trading, research and technology capabilities. The lending programme is designed to deliver superior absolute returns to clients, whilst maintaining a low risk profile. Funds participating in securities lending retain 62.5% of the income, while BlackRock receives 37.5% of the income and covers all the operational costs resulting from securities lending transactions.

  From
31/Dec/2013
To
31/Dec/2014
From
31/Dec/2014
To
31/Dec/2015
From
31/Dec/2015
To
31/Dec/2016
From
31/Dec/2016
To
31/Dec/2017
From
31/Dec/2017
To
31/Dec/2018
From
31/Dec/2018
To
31/Dec/2019
From
31/Dec/2019
To
31/Dec/2020
From
31/Dec/2020
To
31/Dec/2021
From
31/Dec/2021
To
31/Dec/2022
From
31/Dec/2022
To
31/Dec/2023
Securities Lending Return (%) 0.04
Average on-loan (% of AUM) 11.44
Maximum on-loan (% of AUM) 17.59
Collateralisation (% of Loan) 108.78
The above table summarises the lending data available for the fund.

The information in the Lending Summary table will not be displayed for the funds that have participated in securities lending for less than 12 months. The figures shown relate to past performance. Past performance is not a reliable indication of current or future results.
BlackRock’s policy is to disclose performance information quarterly subject to a one-month delay. This means that returns from 01/01/2019 to 31/12/2019 can be publicly disclosed from 01/02/2020.

Maximum on-loan figure may increase or decrease over time.

With securities lending there is a risk of loss should the borrower default before the securities are returned, and due to market movements, the value of collateral held has fallen and/or the value of the securities on loan has risen.
as of 26/Mar/2024
Ticker Name Asset Class Weight % ISIN SEDOL Exchange Location
Collateral Holdings shown on this page are provided on days where the fund participating in securities lending had an open loan.

The information in the Collateral Holdings table relates to securities obtained in the collateral basket under the securities lending programme for the fund in question. The information contained in this material is derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources deemed by BlackRock to be reliable, is not necessarily all inclusive and is not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. The primary risk in securities lending is that a borrower will default on their commitment to return lent securities while the value of the liquidated collateral does not exceed the cost of repurchasing the securities and the fund suffers a loss in respect of the short-fall.

The below table shows the Loan/Collateral Combinations and Collateral Levels for our European Lending funds.

Collateral Types
Loan Type Equities Government, Supranational and Agency Bonds Cash (Not for Reinvestment)
Equities 105%-112% 105%-106% 105%-108%
Government Bonds 110%-112% 102.5%-106% 102.5%-105%
Corporate Bonds 110%-112% 104%-106% 103.5%-105%

We also accept selected physically replicating Equity, Government Bond, Credit and Commodity ETFs as collateral.

Collateral parameters depend on the collateral and the loan combination, and the over collateralisation level may range from 102.5% to 112%. In this context, “Over Collateralisation” means that the aggregate market value of collateral taken will exceed the overall on-loan value. Collateral parameters are reviewed on an ongoing bases and are subject to change.
With securities lending there is a risk of loss should the borrower default before the securities are returned, and due to market movements, the value of collateral held has fallen and/or the value of the securities on loan has risen.

Listings

Listings

Exchange Ticker Currency Listing Date SEDOL Bloomberg Ticker RIC WKN
London Stock Exchange EMES USD 26/Sept/2018 BDDRDW1 EMES LN EMES.L -
Berne Stock Exchange EMES USD 02/Feb/2021 BMT9SC9 EMES BW EMES.BN A2JQ2J
Xetra 36B1 EUR 27/Feb/2019 BGDXWW3 - 36B1.DE A2JQ2J

PRIIPs Performance Scenarios

PRIIPs Performance Scenarios

The EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-Based Products Regulation (PRIIPs) prescribes the calculation methodology, and publication of the outcomes, of four hypothetical performance scenarios regarding how the product may perform under certain conditions and for such to be published on a monthly basis. The figures shown include all the costs of the product itself, but may not include all the costs that you pay to your advisor or distributor. The figures do not take into account your personal tax situation, which may also affect how much you get back. What you will get from this product depends on future market performance. Market developments in the future are uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted. The unfavourable, moderate, and favourable scenarios shown are illustrations using the worst, average, and best performance of the product, which may include input from benchmark(s) / proxy, over the last ten years.
Recommended holding period : 3 years
Example Investment USD 10’000
Scenario
If you exit after 1 year
If you exit after 3 years

Minimum

There is no minimum guaranteed return. You could lose some or all of your investment.

Stress

What you might get back after costs
Average return each year
7’370 USD
-26.3%
5’980 USD
-15.7%

Unfavourable

What you might get back after costs
Average return each year
7’520 USD
-24.8%
7’870 USD
-7.7%

Moderate

What you might get back after costs
Average return each year
10’360 USD
3.6%
11’400 USD
4.5%

Favourable

What you might get back after costs
Average return each year
11’560 USD
15.6%
12’200 USD
6.9%

The stress scenario shows what you might get back in extreme market circumstances.



Literature

Literature