iShares
iShares Institutional
Committed to the needs of institutional investors

iShares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have long been embraced by institutional investors for their liquidity, flexibility and diversification opportunities. Learn more about why 9 out of 10 institutional investors choose iShares for their ETFs¹.


iShares offers our clients more than just ETFs. Our dedicated institutional services team provides education, consulting, thought leadership and best execution guidance.

ETF Education: iShares.com provides a library of content to help educate institutional investors on the benefits, structure and strategies behind ETFs, including tools, demonstrations, videos, market commentary and insights.

Product & Investment Consulting: Designed to help you address a wide range of services, the dedicated Institutional iShares team provides asset allocation and blending analytics, firm-specific risk management, objective insights regarding iShares and other investment products, and detailed product comparison analysis.

To reach this team, please call 1-800-743-9285.

Thought Leadership: the BlackRock Investment Institute (BII) is a global platform that leverages BlackRock’s expertise in markets, asset classes and client segments, and delivers research and insights that iShares clients may utilize.

Access the latest BII whitepapers »

Best Execution Trading Guidance: The iShares Capital Markets team provides trading guidance and works continuously with market makers, authorized participants (APs) and exchanges to tap into greater liquidity and achieve tighter spreads on institutional-sized trades.

To reach this team, please call 415-670-7091.

Institutional uses of ETFs²

Institutions which were once using ETFs solely for transitions or rebalancing are now using them for increasingly strategic purposes with longer holding periods, such as liquidity overlay strategies.

Institutional uses of ETFs
  1. Source: 2012 Greenwich Associates – U.S. ETF Research. Base: 62 pensions, foundations and endowments using ETF’s between Feb and Apr 2012; nearly 90% (89%) use iShares, compared to 60%, 47% and 40%, that use other ETF providers.
  2. Source: 2012 Greenwich Associates – US ETF Research. Base: 62 pensions, foundations and endowments. Interviews conducted between February and April 2012.

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 viewing or downloading a prospectus. 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 should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective.

Buying and selling of iShares Funds will result in brokerage commissions. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares of an ETF will develop or be maintained.

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

© 2000-2013 BlackRock. All rights reserved. iSHARES® and BLACKROCK® are registered trademarks of BlackRock. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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