ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EASTERN EUROPE INDEX FUND$19.30 - New York symbol ESR

ISHARES MSCI EMERGING MARKETS EASTERN EUROPE INDEX FUND $19.30 (New York symbol ESR; buy or sell through brokers) has 65.6% ofits assets invested in Russia, followed by Poland at 27.2%; Czech Republic, 3.6%; and Hungary, 3.2%.

The fund’s top holdings are Gazprom (Russia: gas utility), 14.1%; Lukoil (Russia: oil), 9.8%; Sberbank (Russia: bank), 6.2%; Magnit PJSC (Russia: retailing), 6.2%; MMC Norilsk Nickel (Russia: mining), 3.3%; PKO Bank Polski (Poland: banking), 4.1%; and Novatek (Russia: natural gas), 3.6%.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund’s expense ratio is 0.67%.

The fund’s concentration in Russia adds considerable risk. The country’s currency, the ruble, has now dropped to a record low against the U.S. dollar. This comes in the wake of falling oil prices, Western sanctions after Russia’s takeover of Crimea and its continued threats against the rest of Ukraine.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Eastern Europe Index Fund is a hold.

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