HYGI | iShares Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond ETF

HYGI ISSUER

The HYGI, or BlackRock-advised Funds, aims to replicate the performance of the BlackRock Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond Index, with a specific focus on minimizing inflation risk in a portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds. The Underlying Index, comprised of approximately 11 components, including shares of the Underlying Fund, utilizes up to 10 inflation swap contracts with varying maturities to hedge inflation risks along the yield curve. The Fund achieves exposure to U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds, commonly known as junk bonds, primarily through its investment in the Underlying Fund. The inflation hedging component of the Underlying Index is tracked through positions in inflation swaps, derivative contracts designed to transfer inflation risk by exchanging fixed and floating cash flows. The Index Provider rebalances the weights of swap contracts daily, and new contracts are added monthly, while the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets in component securities of the Underlying Index. Notably, the Fund may also employ other inflation hedging instruments, such as TIPS, total return swaps, futures, and options. It is important to note that the Fund's investments in inflation hedging instruments do not mitigate credit risk or other factors influencing the price of high yield corporate bonds, and it may underperform during inflationary periods. Additionally, the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation due to its potential use of CFTC-regulated futures, options, and swaps, categorizing it as a commodity pool, with BlackRock Financial Advisors (BFA) considered a commodity pool operator. The Fund employs an indexing approach, eschewing attempts to outperform the Underlying Index and instead aiming for lower costs and improved after-tax performance. Representative sampling is used to manage the Fund, involving investments in a sample of securities with characteristics similar to the Underlying Index. The Fund may lend up to one-third of its portfolio securities, and industry concentration aligns with that of the Underlying Index, subject to limitations. The Underlying Index, sponsored by the affiliated Index Provider, determines composition and weightings and focuses on industry concentration policies.

HYGI DIVIDEND

The HYGI ETF, or iShares Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond ETF, offers investors a unique dividend distribution approach. While not its primary focus, HYGI reflects the dividend distribution of its underlying index. This ETF typically distributes dividends on a [quarterly/annual] basis, subject to the individual dividend policies and performances of the constituent companies within its portfolio. Investors considering HYGI can expect potential capital appreciation alongside the possibility of dividend returns, making it an attractive option for a balanced investment strategy.

HYGI TRACKING

The HYGI Tracking ETF is designed to closely follow the performance of the Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index. This ETF holds a portfolio of high-yield corporate bonds from issuers around the world. The strategy behind HYGI is to provide investors with exposure to global high-yield bonds, allowing them to potentially benefit from higher yields while managing credit risk. By tracking the Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index, HYGI aims to mirror the performance of the high-yield bond market, making it a valuable option for income-seeking investors looking for diversification beyond domestic markets.

HYGI CORRELATION

he correlation of HYGI, or the BlackRock-advised Funds, with its benchmark, the BlackRock Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond Index, is a crucial aspect of its investment strategy. Given the Fund's objective to track the performance of the Underlying Index, which is designed to minimize inflation risk in a portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds, understanding its correlation is vital for investors. The Fund's use of inflation swaps and other hedging instruments, along with the rebalancing and addition of new contracts, reflects a dynamic approach to managing inflation risk. The correlation between HYGI and its benchmark is expected to be influenced by the effectiveness of these strategies in mitigating inflation-related fluctuations. Investors monitoring the correlation can gain insights into how well HYGI is achieving its investment objective of delivering returns in line with the performance of the Underlying Index, especially in the context of varying inflationary environments..

HYGI SECTOR

The sector exposure of HYGI, or the BlackRock-advised Funds, is intricately tied to the composition of its benchmark, the BlackRock Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond Index. As the Fund seeks to replicate the performance of the Underlying Index, which is designed to minimize inflation risk within a portfolio of U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds, the sector allocation follows the industry concentration policies of the benchmark. HYGI aims to concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent as the Underlying Index. Notably, U.S. government securities, including agencies and instrumentalities, as well as repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, are not considered part of any industry for concentration purposes. Therefore, investors assessing HYGI's sector exposure will find it aligned with the industry concentration policies of the Underlying Index, providing insights into the diversification or concentration within the high yield corporate bond market.

HYGI EXPOSURE

HYGI, or the BlackRock-advised Funds, provides investors with exposure to the dynamic landscape of U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds, commonly referred to as junk bonds. The fund's investment strategy is closely linked to the BlackRock Inflation Hedged High Yield Bond Index, aiming to replicate its performance while minimizing inflation risk in the portfolio. HYGI achieves its exposure primarily through an investment in the Underlying Fund, which includes approximately 1,158 securities as of October 31, 2023. The Fund's approach involves utilizing up to 10 inflation swap contracts with different maturities to hedge inflation risks along the yield curve. In addition to swaps, HYGI may also employ other inflation hedging instruments, such as TIPS, total return swaps, futures, and options. Investors seeking exposure to the high yield corporate bond market, with a specific focus on managing inflation risk, may find HYGI's approach and investment instruments provide a targeted avenue within their investment portfolios. It's important to note that while HYGI aims to track the investment results of the Underlying Index, its exposure is not immune to factors influencing the price of high yield corporate bonds, such as credit risk and market dynamics.