High ETF trading volumes demonstrate how easily investors can implement investment decisions during any period and despite market conditions. Many investors are reducing the level of single-stock risk, as well as counterparty risk, in their portfolios by taking long-term index exposures using ETFs. In September and October individual and institutional investors put $61 billion into U.S. ETFs, of which $19.2 billion went into iShares ETFs, whereas $126.7 billion came out of equity and bond mutual funds(4).

"There's a flight to transparency. As investors and their financial advisors combine a focus on generating returns with the need to understand their portfolio risks, ETFs provide them with timely insights regarding the funds' underlying holdings and actionable prices throughout the market day," said Lee Kranefuss, Global CEO of iShares at Barclays Global Investors.

He added, "This is a pivotal time for investors and the fund industry. Our recent inquiries from a wide set of investors indicate that they are using ETFs for transparency, diversification, trading liquidity and flexibility, and their relative tax efficiency. Going forward we believe investors will rebuild their portfolios using more ETFs because the product's strengths are resoundingly important in what is expected to be a low return environment."

"I think the surging trading volumes suggest a high degree of comfort with ETFs offered by established providers," said Rick Kraich, CIO of Homrich Berg, an Atlanta-based wealth management firm.

"The structure of ETFs offers many benefits, including tax efficiency and trading liquidity. The trading liquidity allows for flexibility, enabling us to change our asset allocation quickly. Additionally, the availability of style indices and capitalization indices provides ample diversification options. For these reasons, we have recently allocated a greater percentage of our clients' portfolios to ETFs," said Kraich.

Kranefuss commented, "Through their secondary market trading, iShares have provided a liquid investment option for investors during periods of volatility. During this recent market cycle, the fixed income iShares Funds are helping to fill liquidity and pricing gaps found in the underlying bond market. The fixed income iShares Funds have generally delivered tighter bid-ask spreads than the underlying securities held by iShares Funds and actionable prices where all market participants can buy or sell a basket of bonds."

The iShares Funds are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges. The iShares Funds are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relative low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

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, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares or by visiting www.ishares.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

About Barclays Global Investors

Barclays Global Investors is one of the world's largest asset managers and a leading global provider of investment management products and services with more than 3,000 institutional clients and over $1.9 trillion of assets under management as of June 30, 2008. BGI transformed the investment industry by creating the first index strategy in 1971 and the first quantitative active strategy in 1979. BGI is the global product leader in exchange traded funds (iShares(R) exchange traded funds) with over 330 funds for institutions and individuals globally.

Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal. Transactions in shares of the iShares Funds will result in brokerage commissions and will generate tax consequences. iShares Funds are obliged to distribute portfolio gains to shareholders. Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise. Diversification may not protect against market risk.

The iShares Funds ("Funds") are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as an advisor to the Funds. BGFA is a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investors, N.A., a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC, none of which is affiliated with SEI.

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI Inc. or Frank Russell Company. Neither of these companies makes any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. Neither SEI nor BGI, nor any of their affiliates, are affiliated with the companies listed above, nor are they affiliated with Homrich Berg.

Copyright 2008 Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All rights reserved. iShares(R) is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.