UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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iShares, Inc.
iShares Trust
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
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Re: iShares ETF Special Meetings of Shareholders
Dear Institutional Investor:
On October 20, 2009, Barclays Global Fund Advisors (“BGFA”), the investment adviser to iShares, Inc. and iShares Trust (the “Companies”), announced that RiskMetrics Group – ISS and Glass Lewis & Co., two influential proxy advisory firms, recommended that institutional clients vote FOR the new investment advisory agreement proposal and the change in classification of investment objective proposal at the Special Meeting of the Companies to occur on November 4, 2009. The full text of the BGFA press release of October 20 is reproduced below for your convenience.
Your vote is very important at the Special Meeting of the Companies. Please assist us by voting promptly to ensure your vote is counted well before the meeting date. If you have sold your shares after the August 25, 2009 record date, you still retain voting rights at the Special Meeting. Please help us with your vote.
If you have already voted all of your shares, please accept our thanks for your participation in this important matter.
If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, please call us collect at +1 646-378-4860.
Sincerely,
D. F. King & Co., Inc.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Proxy Advisory Firms RiskMetrics Group and Glass-Lewis & Co. Recommend iShares ETF Shareholders Support Proposals at iShares Special Meeting in Connection with Proposed BlackRock Merger
SAN FRANCISCO – October 20, 2009 – Barclays Global Fund Advisors (“BGFA”), the investment adviser to iShares, Inc. and iShares Trust (the “Companies”), today announced that RiskMetrics Group’s ISS Governance Services Unit and Glass-Lewis & Co., two independent proxy advisory firms, have recommended that their clients vote FOR the new investment advisory agreement proposal and the change in classification of investment objective proposal at the Special Meeting of the Companies to be held on November 4, 2009.
In its analysis, RiskMetrics concluded about the investment advisory agreement proposal, “The most significant aspect of the proposal for shareholders in this context is that the fee rate will remain the same, and [each] Fund will continue to be managed by the same personnel. As such, there would be no material impact to investors in connection with the approval of this proposal.”
Glass-Lewis highlights that the “New investment advisory agreement is in the best interests of shareholders, who should directly benefit from the services and duties of the Advisor [BlackRock].”
“We are excited to have the support of RiskMetrics and Glass-Lewis for these proposals to be voted upon at the Special Meeting,” said Geoffrey D. Flynn, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of BGFA’s U.S. iShares unit. “The Boards of the Companies have unanimously approved both proposals and recommended that shareholders vote in favor of the proposals. We request that all shareholders vote promptly to ensure their vote is counted.”
Institutional shareholders that have questions or need assistance with voting procedures should call D.F. King & Co., Inc. collect at +1 646-378-4860. Retail shareholders should contact Broadridge Financial Services at 866-450-8471 to vote their proxy directly.
About iShares
iShares is the exchange traded funds business of Barclays Global Investors (“BGI”), one of the world’s largest asset managers and a leading global provider of investment management products and services with more than 2,900 institutional clients and US$1.7 trillion of assets under management as of 30 June 2009. BGI transformed the investment industry by creating the first index strategy in 1971 and the first quantitative active strategy in 1979. BGI is the global product leader in exchange traded funds (iShares) with over 380 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities which trade on 16 exchanges worldwide. iShares customer base consists of the institutional segment of pension plans and fund managers, as well as the retail segment of financial advisors and high net worth individuals.
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Contacts for Press: | ||
Lance Berg 415 597.2045 | lance.berg@barclaysglobal.com | |
Christine Hudacko 415 597.2687 | christine.hudacko@barclaysglobal.com |
All other US inquiries: | ||
1-800-iShares | 1 800 474.2737 |
Carefully consider the iShares Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds’ prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737) or by visiting www.iShares.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
The iShares Funds (“Funds”) are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as the investment advisor to the Funds. BGFA is a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investors, N.A., neither of which is affiliated with SEI.
©2009 Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All rights reserved. iShares® is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. iS-1516-1009
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