BlackRock Launches Suite of Munibond ETFs
January 11, 2010

SAN DIEGO (ETFguide.com) – BlackRock has added six new munibond ETFs to its exchange-traded fund (ETF) lineup.

Each of the six new funds within the iShares Muni Series holds a basket of AMT-free, investment grade, noncallable, national municipal bonds that mature in a targeted year. When each fund reaches its planned distribution date, it will distribute substantially all of its net assets to then-current investors.

In the future, BlackRock plans to continually add new munibond funds that utilize this same strategy. The new funds have annual expense ratios of 0.30%.

The new funds are:

iShares 2012 S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series (NYSEArca: MUAA)
iShares 2013 S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series (NYSEArca: MUAB)
iShares 2014 S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series (NYSEArca: MUAC)
iShares 2015 S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series (NYSEArca: MUAD)
iShares 2016 S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series (NYSEArca: MUAE)
iShares 2017 S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series (NYSEArca: MUAF)

“The iShares Muni Series ETFs represent an innovation for both fixed income investing and ETFs. Investors can now obtain targeted exposure to the municipal yield curve with iShares ETFs that also offer both liquidity and diversification,” said Matt Tucker, Managing Director of US Fixed Income Strategy, BlackRock. “The new series provides advisors and investors with an invaluable new set of tools for helping to meet municipal bond needs such as building and maintaining municipal bond ladders.”

The yield profile in each respective muni ETF is expected to be comparable to that of a portfolio of municipal bonds of similar maturity and credit quality. Unlike a direct investment in municipal bonds, the breakdown of cash flows between fund monthly distributions and returns at maturity will be variable rather than fixed at the time of investment.

In related new offerings, ETF Securities has just introduced the ETFS Physical Platinum Shares (NYSEArca: PPLT) and the ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (NYSEArca: PALL).
 
PPLT and PALL are both backed by platinum and palladium allocated bullion in plate and ingot form stored in secure vaults in London and Switzerland. JPMorgan Chase Bank serves as the custodian for both trusts. Unlike metals futures contracts, the physical platinum and palladium allocated bullion within each trust is subject to minimal counterparty or credit risks.

Both trusts charge 0.60% in annual expenses.