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MANAGE YOUR TAX COSTS
Investors know that exchange traded funds (ETFs) offer low fees and liquidity, but many overlook another key benefit: tax-efficiency. iShares ETFs can help investors build tax-aware portfolios and keep more of what they earn.
How are ETFs tax efficient?
Structure
Unlike mutual funds, ETFs generally don’t sell securities to raise cash to meet redemptions. They instead employ an “in-kind” mechanism that allows them to meet redemptions without selling securities and realizing capital gains.
Strategy
Nearly all U.S. ETFs seek to track the performance of an index. Index funds typically trade less frequently than active strategies, resulting in fewer capital gains distributions than most active funds.
iShares builds ETFs with taxes in mind
Amy Whitelaw, Head of Americas iShares ETF Portfolio Engineering, discusses iShares’ differentiated approach to building tax-efficient ETFs.
Taxes: A bigger drag than management fees
The potential effects of taxes can be more detrimental to portfolio returns than fees. Over the past decade, the average annual fund tax cost for U.S. large cap equity mutual funds was almost twice that of their average fund expense ratio (1.77% vs. 0.91%).1 Yet ignoring this tax drag can be costly.
Looking to tax loss harvest?
Input a stock, or ETF or fund from any fund provider, and explore iShares ETFs based on correlation and holdings overlap data. (for financial professionals only)
Access capital gains distributions
2020 iShares ETF capital gains distributions are now live.
1 Morningstar as of Dec. 31, 2019. Tax Cost measures how much a fund's annualized return is reduced by the taxes investors pay on distributions (Difference between total annualized pre and post-tax returns over 10 years.) Data calculated using the oldest share class of all Active US large cap Equity Open-End Mutual Funds available in the U.S. 1.77% figure is the difference between total annualized pre-tax and post-tax (pre-liquidation) returns over 10 years for all Active US large cap Equity Open End Mutual Funds available in the U.S.
2 BlackRock as of Dec. 31, 2019. 12% represents the average pre-tax return over the same 10 year period for large cap equity mutual funds (12.08%). The hypothetical growth of $100,000 over ten years at an 12% return is $310,584.81. The hypothetical growth over ten years at an 12% return with a 1.77% tax cost is $264,848.84, resulting in a tax cost of $45,735.98.
For more information on the differences between ETFs and mutual funds, click here.
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 or, if available, the summary prospectuses, which may be obtained by visiting the iShares Fund and BlackRock Fund prospectus pages. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and are not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective.
Transactions in shares of ETFs may result in brokerage commissions and will generate tax consequences. All regulated investment companies are obliged to distribute portfolio gains to shareholders.
Shares of ETFs may be bought and sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. Shares are not individually redeemable from an ETF, however, shares may be redeemed directly from an ETF by Authorized Participants, in very large creation/redemption units.
Certain traditional mutual funds can also be tax efficient.
Investment comparisons are for illustrative purposes only. To better understand the similarities and differences between investments, including investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses, it is important to read the products' prospectuses.
The information provided is not intended to be tax advice. Investors should be urged to consult their tax professionals or financial professionals for more information regarding their specific tax situations.
The Funds are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (together with its affiliates, "BlackRock").
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