BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) today announced its Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) platform, iShares, has reached a significant milestone with its European business surpassing US$100 billion in assets under management. The figures cap a successful 2010 for iShares, which saw European ETF assets rising 18.3 per cent[1].

From a product perspective, significant milestones for iShares in 2010 included:

·iShares’ 41 strong fixed income product range surpassing $25 billion in assets under management in August

·Launching a new-model swap-based ETF platform, setting a new standard for ETF transparency in September·        

Launching the world’s first European high yield bond ETF in September (iShares Markit iBoxx Euro High Yield Bond fund), which has raised over $400 million in assets in its first four months after launch

David Gardner, Head of Sales for iShares EMEA, comments:

“Surpassing $100 billion in European assets under management is an important milestone for the business.  It underpins our depth and breadth of expertise in the ETF market and showcases our transparent, innovative and liquid ETF product range available to investors throughout Europe.   “We believe of paramount importance to ETF investors in 2011 will be two key issues including (i) does the ETF product have consistent levels of liquidity in all economic conditions and (ii) does the ETF investor understand what they own in terms of structure and index exposure. Importantly, serious money requires serious solutions, knowing what you own is absolutely essential.  iShares will endeavour to help investors navigate the ETF landscape by helping them conduct their due diligence process and give independent guidance when selecting ETFs as potential investments.“Looking ahead, iShares has ambitious plans to build out its presence and product set throughout Europe, and to continue to offer the investment community market leading, and compelling investment products with which to invest.”