Listing: TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange)
Symbol: XBB, XCB, XCG, XCV, XDV, XEG, XFN, XGB, XGD, XIC, XIN, XIT,
XIU, XLB, XMA, XMD, XRB, XRE, XSB, XSP, XTR, XSU, XEN, XCS
TORONTO, Nov. 13 /CNW/ - Barclays Global Investors Canada Limited
(Barclays Canada) announces today the estimated annual capital gains
distributions for the iShares Funds for the 2008 tax year. Please note that
these are estimated amounts only as of October 16, 2008 and final amounts
which would include forward looking information may differ by the Funds'
December 15 tax year-end. These estimates are for the year-end capital gains
distributions only, which are typically reinvested rather than paid in cash,
and do not include estimates of ongoing quarterly, semi-annual or annual cash
distribution amounts.
We expect to announce the final year-end distribution amounts, as well as
the quarterly, semi-annual and annual cash distribution amounts, on or about
December 17. The record date for the 2008 annual distributions will be
December 30. The distributions will be paid/reinvested on December 31, and the
ex-dividend date will be December 24. The actual taxable amounts of reinvested
and cash distributions for 2008, including the tax characteristics of the
distributions, will be reported to brokers (through CDS) in early 2009.
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Estimated annual Net asset value Estimated annual
Ticker capital gain per unit (NAV) per unit capital gain as % of
Symbol to Oct 16, 2008 as Oct 16, 2008 NAV at Oct 16, 2008
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XIU 0.046 14.05 0.3%
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XSB 0.000 28.24 0.0%
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XBB 0.000 28.03 0.0%
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XIC 0.000 14.63 0.0%
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XMD 0.000 13.44 0.0%
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XEG 0.000 13.14 0.0%
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XIT 0.757 5.10 14.8%
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XGD 0.000 12.50 0.0%
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XFN 0.000 19.96 0.0%
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XSP 0.000 11.34 0.0%
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XIN 0.000 16.15 0.0%
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XRE 0.018 9.42 0.2%
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XDV 0.404 16.86 2.4%
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XRB 0.000 18.08 0.0%
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XTR 0.000 9.67 0.0%
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XMA 0.000 10.66 0.0%
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XLB 0.000 18.10 0.0%
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XCB 0.000 18.41 0.0%
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XGB 0.000 19.79 0.0%
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XCV 0.000 15.79 0.0%
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XCG 0.000 16.28 0.0%
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XCS 0.000 9.32 0.0%
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XSU 0.000 12.30 0.0%
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XEN 0.064 13.46 0.5%
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Reasons for some of the larger estimated capital gains distributions
XIT
The iShares CDN Info Tech Index Fund (XIT) experienced relatively larger
capital gains than expected in 2008, mostly due to reducing the weight of
Research in Motion as this security reached the 25% cap implemented on XIT to
help provide diversification. Capital gains were also realized on the
acquisition of Cognos Inc. by IBM.
XDV
The iShares CDN Dividend Index Fund (XDV) experienced relatively larger
capital gains than expected in 2008, mostly due the deletions from the index.
Both BCE Inc. and Rothmans, Inc. were the deleted from the index following the
suspension of their respective dividends. Dividend suspensions were as a
result of the planned acquisition of these companies.
Forward-looking information
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to
the estimated annual distributions for the iShares Funds. By their nature,
these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause the actual distributions to differ materially from those contemplated by
the forward-looking statements. Material factors that could cause the actual
distributions to differ from the estimated distributions between now and
December 15 (the iShares Funds' tax year ends), include, but are not limited
to: the actual amounts of distributions received by the iShares Funds; the
actual amounts of capital gains generated from sales of securities; trading
activity within the iShares Funds, including buying and selling of securities;
index changes which cause rebalancing within the iShares Funds; and
subscription and redemption activity.
About Barclays Canada
Barclays Canada is an indirect subsidiary of Barclays PLC and part of
Barclays Global Investors (BGI), a division of Barclays PLC and one of the
largest institutional investment managers in the world. BGI leads the world in
managing index funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs), with over 200 iShares
Funds representing over $300 billion in assets. As at October 31, 2008,
Barclays Canada managed over $53 billion in Canadian assets and in other
assets for Canadian clients, including over $13 billion in the TSX-listed
iShares Funds. Barclays Canada has offices in Toronto and Montreal.
%SEDAR: 00015150E
