On June 11, 2009, BlackRock announced it has agreed to acquire Barclays Global Investors (“BGI”), including its market-leading iShares ETF platform, from Barclays PLC. The combination of BlackRock and BGI would result in two market leaders in active and index strategies, forming one fully-integrated and independent asset management firm that will operate under the name BlackRock Global Investors (“BlackRock”). The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009, subject to necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with the initial integration of both firms’ operations shortly thereafter.

Barclays previously entered into an agreement to sell BGI’s iShares business to another party. Unless Barclays receives an offer from that party within five business days which considers to match the terms of BlackRock’s agreement to acquire BGI, the Board of Directors of Barclays will execute the purchase agreement with BlackRock and recommend it to Barclays’ shareholders for approval.

(source: blackrock.com)

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