BlackRock Announces Plans to Expand $52 Billion iShares(TM) iBonds(TM) ETF Franchise

Executive Summary

• BlackRock announced the upcoming launch of nine new iShares iBonds® ETFs, expanding its defined‑maturity bond ETF platform across U.S. Treasuries, TIPS, investment‑grade corporates, high‑yield, and municipal bonds.
• The funds are expected to begin trading before the end of April 2026, with registration statements already effective as of March 5.
• The new ETFs will provide investors with fixed‑income laddering tools that mature in a single year, offering regular interest payments and a final payout at maturity.

Key Details

• Fund Count & Scope: 9 iBonds ETFs covering Treasury (2036, 2046, 2056), TIPS (2036), Corporate (2036), High‑Yield (2033), and Municipal bonds (2028‑2034).
• Tickers & Exchanges:
• IBTR – Nasdaq (Dec 2036 Treasury)
• IBGC – Nasdaq (Dec 2046 Treasury)
• IBGM – Nasdaq (Dec 2056 Treasury)
• IBIM – NYSE Arca (Oct 2036 TIPS)
• IBCB – NYSE Arca (Dec 2036 Corporate)
• IBHM – Cboe (2033 High‑Yield)
• IBMU – Cboe (Dec 2032 Municipal)
• IBMV – Cboe (Dec 2033 Municipal)
• IBMW – Cboe (Dec 2034 Municipal)
• Indices Tracked: Each ETF tracks a specific ICE or Bloomberg index matching the targeted maturity and sector.
• Launch Timeline: Registration statements effective; funds to be launched before end‑April 2026.
• Current iBonds Scale: BlackRock manages $52 billion in existing iBonds ETFs, with 75 of over 120 total iShares funds currently active.
• Strategic Rationale: Designed to simplify bond laddering—“trade like a stock, mature like a bond”—providing investors and advisors efficient access to fixed‑income income streams aligned to specific time horizons.

Notable Quotes

• Elise Terry, Head of U.S. iShares at BlackRock: “Designed to mature like a bond, trade like a stock, and diversify like a fund, iBonds ETFs can make bond laddering easier and more efficient — allowing investors to build and manage ladders with just a few ETFs instead of sourcing and monitoring dozens of individual bonds.”
• Steve Laipply, Global Co‑Head of iShares Fixed Income ETFs at BlackRock: “A defining feature of today’s market environment is the breadth and durability of income. iBonds have become practical building blocks for investors and advisors seeking to capture that income while planning around specific time horizons.”