Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
This section includes investor type descriptions for professional clients and market counterparties.
Professional client
A Professional Client is either: (i) a ‘deemed’ professional client; (ii) serviced-based professional client; or (iii) an assessed professional Client
(i) Deemed Professional Client
A person is a “deemed” professional client if the person is:
(ii) Service-based Professional Clients
A person is a ‘serviced-based’ professional client if
(iii) Assessed-based Professional Clients
Assessed-based professional clients can be either (i) individuals; or (ii) undertakings
Individuals
An individual (and associated joint account holders) would be classified as an ‘assessed-based professional client’ if:
Where there is a joint account in place, the secondary account holder must obtain confirmation in writing that investment decisions relating to the joint account are made for or on behalf of the secondary account holder
Undertakings
Undertakings, which are generally not individuals, would be classified as ‘assessed-based’ professional clients if it:
Market counterparties
A Market Counterparty is any person who is either:
iShares ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) offer a simple and cost-effective way to invest broadly across global markets. Learn the basics and start your ETF investing journey with confidence.
Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
An ETF is a collection of investments like stocks and bonds bundled together in a single fund. There are many different types of ETFs, but they’re primarily designed to provide exposure to a specific market or track a particular index like the FTSE or S&P 500.
ETFs are easy to trade – investors can buy and sell them on the stock market much like an individual stock.
ETFs have many benefits that might make them a particularly good choice for beginner investors.
LOWER FEES
With iShares ETFs, you can invest in a variety of assets through one fund, making it easier and more cost-effective than picking individual investments.1
LESS RISK
ETFs provide diversification and are often less risky to own than an individual stock.*
EASY TO TRADE
You can buy and sell ETFs on an exchange throughout trading hours, just like a stock.
*Risk: Diversification and asset allocation may not fully protect you from market risk.
Understanding the potential benefits of investing with ETFs can help you determine whether they’re an appropriate choice to help you reach your financial goals.
DIVERSIFICATION
ETFs make it easy to invest broadly across multiple companies or assets, diversifying your investment and helping to mitigate risk.*
LOW COST
The total cost associated with managing ETFs is typically less than actively managed mutual funds, so you can invest more of your hard-earned money.5
FLEXIBLE
Unlike other types of investments, you can buy and sell ETFs on an exchange just like a stock whenever the market is open, which gives you more control over your investments.
ACCESS
There is usually an ETF for whatever you’re looking to invest in, from an industry like tech to an asset class like global bonds — and even commodities like gold.
TRANSPARENCY
iShares ETFs disclose their portfolio composition daily, so iShares ETF shareholders know exactly what they own.
TAX EFFICIENT
Most ETFs are index funds, which typically trade less frequently than actively managed funds. Low turnover means fewer sales of stocks that have appreciated, generating fewer taxable capital gains.
*Risk: Diversification and asset allocation may not fully protect you from market risk.
Investing always involves some level of risk, and ETFs are no exception. Here are some of the risks you should be aware of before you invest in ETFs:
MARKET RISK
ETFs are subject to market fluctuations. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount you originally invested.
CONCENTRATION RISK
Investment risk is concentrated in specific industries, countries, currencies or companies. As a result, certain funds are more sensitive to local economic, market, political or regulatory events.
CURRENCY RISK
International ETFs sometimes invest a large proportion in values denominated in a foreign currency. Therefore, changes in the applicable exchange rate will affect the value of the relevant fund shares and your investment.
ETFs invest in a basket of securities, such as stocks, bonds, and commodities, just like mutual funds. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs can be traded whenever the markets are open, just like individual stocks. In addition, ETFs typically have lower fees than mutual funds and are built to be tax-efficient, helping you keep more of what you earn.
You can’t invest directly with us, but we can guide you through the steps to get started.
OPEN A BROKER ACCOUNT
To invest in iShares ETFs, you'll need a brokerage account with a bank or an online trading platform. You can easily set this up online, similar to opening a bank account.
SELECT THE FUNDS
Next, you can evaluate funds and learn more about the ETFs that could help you meet your financial goals. You might be interested in investing in a certain industry, region or theme.
DECIDE HOW TO INVEST
Determine how much and how often you want to invest. You can set up a regular investment plan or make a one-time investment.
Our broad range of cost-efficient ETFs is designed to help you build a portfolio that fits your needs.
ACCESS
iShares is Europe’s largest ETF provider, offering more than 1,400 products worldwide.3
EXPERIENCE
iShares has been a leader in the ETF marketplace for more than two decades.
QUALITY
Our team is made up of industry experts who continuously innovate to meet the ever-changing needs of investors.
1For example, the total expense ratio (TER) of the iShares Core Series is between 0.07 and 0.30 percent annually (as of March 15, 2023). The total expense ratio (TER) is a measure of the total cost of a fund to an investor.
2Source: InvestEngine, 23 September, 2024.
3BlackRock Global Business Intelligence as of February 1, 2024.
4Source: The Motley Fool, 25 March, 2023.
5iShares ETFs generally have significantly lower total expense ratios than traditional mutual funds. For example, the total expense ratio (TER) of the iShares Core Series is between 0.07 and 0.30 percent annually (as of March 15, 2023).
As a global investment manager and fiduciary to our clients, our purpose at BlackRock is to help everyone experience financial well-being. Since 1999, we've been a leading provider of financial technology, and our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals.
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