BlackRock Adds Max Buffer ETF to Active ETF Platform

July 01, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock bolstered its active ETF platform with a series of buffer ETFs that aims to provide investors with exposure to equity growth potential while seeking to maximize downside protection. The first of the series – the iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (Cboe: MAXJ) launched today, making it the most affordable max buffer ETF that targets up to 100% downside protection in the market.¹

“With record levels of cash sitting on the sidelines², many investors are looking for tools to help navigate market volatility before they step back into the market,” said Rachel Aguirre, Head of U.S. iShares Product at BlackRock. “iShares Max Buffer ETFs simplify access to traditional institutional risk management strategies in the convenience of the ETF wrapper, equipping investors with resilient portfolio tools to help them stay invested in any market cycle.”

Product innovation expands toolkit for long-term investors

By utilizing a combination of options, the iShares Large Cap Max Buffer ETFs (Max Buffer ETFs) seek to track the share price return of the underlying ETF, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), up to an approximate upside cap, while seeking to provide up to a 100% approximate buffer against IVV losses for each applicable hedge period.

The Max Buffer ETFs are expected to launch over a one-year period beginning at each quarter end, with the cap resetting for each Fund upon the option expiry at the end of each one-year period.

Designed as buy-and-hold strategies, the Max Buffer ETFs are the latest additions to BlackRock’s outcome-oriented product suite, which includes two buffer ETFs launched last year, and a range of BuyWrite fixed income and equity ETFs. BlackRock now manages $25 billion in assets under management across more than 40 active ETFs in the U.S.³

* BlackRock, as of June 30, 2024. Net expense ratio shown reflects a contractual fee waiver in place through November 30, 2029.

**A registration statement has been filed for the Fund and the registration statement has become effective. However, shares of the Fund are not yet available for purchase or sale. Carefully consider the Funds’ investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Fund’s prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting the SEC website, by visiting www.iShares.com prior to launch, or by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737). Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses or, if available, the summary prospectuses which may be obtained by visiting www.iShares.com or www.blackrock.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in its strategy to provide downside protection against Underlying ETF losses. The Fund does not provide principal protection or non-principal protection, and, despite the Approximate Buffer (the “Buffer”), an investor may experience significant losses on their investment, including the loss of their entire investment. A blended portfolio of Expiring Options and New Options during a Rebalance Period will impact the Fund’s ability to realize the full benefit of the Buffer or may subject the Fund’s return to an upside limit that is slightly lower or higher than the Approximate Cap (the “Cap") for the applicable Hedge Period. Accordingly, investors may bear losses against which the Buffer is anticipated to protect and be subject to an upside limit that is lower than the Cap. In the event an investor purchases Fund shares after a Hedge Period begins or sells Fund shares prior to the end of the Hedge Period, the returns realized by the investor will not match those that the Fund seeks to provide. In periods of extreme market volatility, the Fund’s return may be subject to downside protection significantly lower than the Buffer and an upside limit significantly below the Cap. A new cap is established during each Rebalance Period and is dependent upon current market conditions. As such, the Cap is likely to change, sometimes significantly, from one Hedge Period to the next. The Fund invests in FLEX Options that derive their value from the Underlying ETF. FLEX Options are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation, and may be less liquid than other securities. The value of FLEX Options may be affected by interest rate changes, dividends, actual and implied volatility levels of the Underlying ETF’s share price, and the remaining time until the FLEX Options expire. Because of these factors, the Fund’s NAV may not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying ETF’s share price.

The Fund is actively managed and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index, may have higher portfolio turnover, and may charge higher fees than index funds due to increased trading and research expenses.

An investment in ETFs is not equivalent to and could involve significant risks not associated with an investment in cash.

This information should not be relied upon as research, investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any security in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change.

Buying and selling shares of ETFs may result in brokerage commissions.

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

©2024 BlackRock, Inc. or it's affiliates. All rights reserved. BLACKROCK® and iSHARES are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.

Not FDIC Insured. May Lose Value. No Bank Guarantee.

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50 Hudson Yards New York, NY 10001

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Contacts

MEDIA CONTACT
Joanna Yau
Joanna.Yau@BlackRock.com
646.856.7274