RBC iShares Expands its Sustainable ETF Offering

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, RBC iShares has announced that it is creating more choice for investors looking to invest sustainably, by filing a preliminary prospectus for three fossil fuel-screened ETFs. The new funds will be managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.

Demand for sustainable investment solutions is growing rapidly, as investors increasingly recognize the impact of climate change and other sustainability risks on their long-term investment returns.

“RBC iShares is delivering on our commitment to increase access to sustainable investing options, building upon the successful launch of our first sustainable suite in 2019,” said Pat Chiefalo, Head of iShares, BlackRock Canada. “To better enable investor choice, these new products will aim to provide investors with advanced ESG screens, including fossil fuels.”

New Fossil Fuel-Screened ETFs

BlackRock Canada has filed a preliminary prospectus for three new iShares “Advanced” ESG ETFs:

• iShares ESG MSCI Canada Advanced Index ETF
• iShares ESG MSCI USA Advanced Index ETF
• iShares ESG MSCI EAFE Advanced Index ETF

Each ETF will seek to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the performance, net of expenses, of an ESG-oriented index selected at the discretion of BlackRock Canada. The current index methodology requires constituent issuers to meet minimum ESG score requirements and will exclude issuers with material involvement in a range of businesses with elevated ESG risks (as determined by the index provider), including fossil fuels, palm oil, for-profit prisons, controversial weapons, nuclear weapons, civilian firearms, and tobacco, among others.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2019, the firm managed approximately US$7.43 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/ca | Twitter: @BlackRockCA | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.