The Microsoft of ETFs just launched two more funds. On Friday Barclays Global Investors revealed the iShares S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Fund and the iShares S&P/Citigroup 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond Fund. Management fees run 35 basis points on both ETFs.

BGI now claims more than 330 ETFs worldwide.

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Company Press Release

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - January 23, 2009) -Barclays Global Investors (BGI), one of the world's largest asset managers and Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) providers, announced today the launch of the iShares S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Fund (ticker: IGOV) and the iShares S&P/Citigroup 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond Fund (ticker: ISHG). The new iShares Funds offer convenient, cost-effective, liquid ways to access the international fixed income markets. The new iShares ETFs, with management fees of 0.35%, began trading today on the NASDAQ.

"U.S. investors are increasingly looking to diversify their portfolios by adding non-U.S. fixed income exposure. Traditionally investors have found these markets to be expensive and difficult to access. The new International Treasury iShares ETFs allow investors to access global bond markets with the same transparency, liquidity, and cost-effectiveness they have come to expect from iShares funds," said Matthew Tucker, Head of U.S. Fixed Income Investment Strategy at BGI.

The iShares S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Fund seeks investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Index Ex-US Index. The underlying index is a broad, diverse, market value-weighted index designed to measure the performance of Treasury bonds issued in local currencies by developed market countries outside of the U.S. that have a remaining maturity greater than one year. As of December 31, 2008, the index securities were issued by the following 19 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The iShares S&P /Citigroup 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond Fund seeks investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Index Ex-US 1-3 Year Index. The underlying index is a broad, diverse, market value-weighted index designed to measure the performance of Treasury bonds issued in local currencies by developed market countries outside of the U.S. that have a remaining maturity of greater than one year and less than or equal to three years. As of December 31, 2008, the index securities were issued by the following 19 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The above iShares Funds are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges, and like common stocks, they are subject to investment risk and fluctuation in market value. The iShares Funds are intended to provide relative low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility to individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries. However, trading in these funds may result in commissions or other costs that could offset any such savings. 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® exchange traded funds) with over 330 funds for institutions and individuals globally.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Transactions in shares of the iShares Funds will result in brokerage commissions.

Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise. An investment in the fund(s) is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.

CITIGROUP is a trademark and service mark of Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Standard & Poor's and Barclays Global Investors, N.A. The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's or Citigroup Inc. or their affiliates. Neither of these companies or their affiliates make 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.

The iShares Funds ("Funds") are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as the investment advisor to the Funds. BGFA is a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investors, N.A., neither of which is affiliated with SEI.

©2009 Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All rights reserved. iShares® is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 

Edited by: Neil Anderson, Managing Editor


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