Daily ETF Watch: 18 iShares Funds Closing

Today is the last trading day for 18 iShares funds. The move is one of iShares’ largest fund shutdowns.

Despite having a lineup of hundreds of ETFs, the firm was not known for shutting down funds very often. However, last year, it shut down the first of its 10 global ex-U.S. sector funds derived from the MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. and then 19 assorted funds a little later.

The closure of the funds was announced in June, and total announced closures have currently surpassed 170 funds year-to-date. In 2014, a little more than 190 funds shut down, so with more than four months left to 2015, it looks like we could surpass 2014 in terms of closures by a sizable margin.

The 18 funds that will cease trading after today are as follows:

• iShares FTSE China (FCHI)
• iShares MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Sm Cap (AXJS)
• iShares MSCI Australia Small Cap (EWAS)
• iShares MSCI Canada Small Cap (EWCS)
• iShares MSCI Hong Kong Small Cap (EWHS)
• iShares MSCI Singapore Small Cap (EWSS)
• iShares MSCI Emerging Markets EMEA (EEME)
• iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Growth (EGRW)
• iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value (EVAL)
• iShares MSCI EM Eastern Europe (ESR)
• iShares MSCI AC Asia Info Technology (AAIT)
• iShares MSCI EM Cons. Discretionary (EMDI)
• iShares MSCI EM Energy Capped (EMEY)
• iShares Asia Developed Real Estate (IFAS)
• iShares North America Real Estate (IFNA)
• iShares Financials Bond (MONY)
• iShares Industrials Bond (ENGN)
• iShares Utilities Bond (AMPS)

The funds were slated to be liquidated by Aug. 28.

Contact Heather Bell at [email protected].