BlackRock Adds Bond Sectors

BlackRock, sponsor of the iShares ETFs, launched seven bond ETFs focused on specific segments within the fixed income market. Among this group are ETFs targeting corporate bonds issued by financial and utilities companies, along with a fund that screens for A-rated U.S. corporate bonds.

Here's a snapshot of the new iShares bond ETFs:

• iShares Aaa – A Rated Corporate Bond Fund (QLTA) – This ETF provides single-trade access to high-quality corporate debt issuers, broadly diversified across sectors and maturities.
•  iShares Barclays U.S. Treasury Bond Fund (GOVT) – Offers exposure to a broad range of U.S. Treasuries maturities (1-30 years) in one trade.
• iShares Barclays CMBS Bond Fund (CMBS) – Focused on investment grade commercial mortgage-backed securities.
• iShares Barclays GNMA Bond Fund (GNMA) – Provides a flexible way to invest in a portfolio of fixed-rate, mortgage-backed securities issued by issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA).
• iShares Financials Sector Bond Fund (MONY) – Targets exposure to investment grade U.S. corporate financial sector bonds.
• iShares Industrials Sector Bond Fund (ENGN) – Focuses on the industrial sector, which comprises 56% of the U.S. corporate bond market.
• iShares Utilities Sector Bond Fund (AMPS) – Targets the U.S. utility corporate bond sector.

BlackRock also added five global sector stock ETFs linked to MSCI indexes. These new funds are: the iShares MSCI Global Agriculture Producers Fund (VEGI), iShares MSCI Global Energy Producers Fund (FILL), iShares MSCI Global Select Metals & Mining Producers Fund (PICK), iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners Fund (RING) and iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners Fund (SLVP).