Barclays Global Investors Expands the iShares(R) Global Sector ETF Family; iShares Are the Only ETFs That Provide Global Sector Exposure.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barclays Global Investors (BGI) announced that five new iShares S&P Global Sector Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) began trading today on the New York Stock Exchange. With the launch of these five ETFs, iShares now has a total of ten global sector ETFs in addition to 31 iShares U.S. sector funds available to investors. The new funds' annual expense ratios are 0.48%.

Trading
          Fund Name                            Symbol
          ---------------------------------------------
           iShares S&P Global Consumer           RXI
            Discretionary Sector Index Fund
           iShares S&P Global Consumer Staples   KXI
            Sector Index Fund
           iShares S&P Global Industrials        EXI
            Sector Index Fund
           iShares S&P Global Utilities Sector   JXI
            Index Fund
           iShares S&P Global Materials Sector   MXI
            Index Fund

"iShares are the only ETFs that provide global sector exposure, and these new funds round out the family, " said Lee Kranefuss, CEO of BGI's Intermediary and ETF Business. "Global sector investing is a growing trend as advisors and investors realize that there's more to sector investing than focusing only on U.S. companies. Global sector investing allows investors to get exposure to a broader set of the largest companies in a sector."

The iShares Funds are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on securities exchanges. The iShares Funds are attractive to many individual and institutional investors and financial intermediaries because of their relative low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares or by visiting www.ishares.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Barclays Global Investors is one of the world's largest asset managers(1) providing structured investment strategies such as risk-controlled active strategies and indexing. In the U.S., BGI is one of the largest active managers(2), set apart by its risk-controlled approach. BGI manages 65% of the world's 100 largest pension plans(3) and is the leader in assets and products in exchange traded funds through its iShares(R) brand with more than 180 ETFs globally. The firm managed over $1.6 trillion in assets as of 6/30/06, for more than 2,800 clients in 52 countries around the world. BGI is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC.

There are risks involved with investing, including possible loss of principal. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility.

Transactions in shares of the iShares Funds ("Funds") will result in brokerage commissions and will generate tax consequences. Mutual funds and iShares Funds are obliged to distribute portfolio gains to shareholders.

Shares of the Funds may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. However, shares may only be redeemed directly from a Fund by Authorized Participants, in very large creation/redemption units.

The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as an advisor to the Funds. Barclays Global Investors Services (BGIS) assists in the marketing of the Funds. BGFA and BGIS are subsidiaries of Barclays Global Investors, N.A., which is a majority-owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC, none of which is affiliated with SEI.

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, or issued by Standard & Poor's makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. Neither SEI nor BGI, nor any of their affiliates, are affiliated with Standard & Poor's.

(C) 2006 Barclays Global Investors. All rights reserved. iShares(R) is a registered trademark of Barclays Global Investors, N.A. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(1)Source: "P&I/Watson Wyatt World's 300 Largest Managers," Pensions & Investments, December 26, 2005.

(2)Source: "P&I/Watson Wyatt World's: Largest Retirement Plans," Pensions & Investments, December 26, 2005.

(3)Source: Institutional Investor News: "2005 Assets Under Management Survey," Defined Contribution and Savings Plan Alert, October 31, 2005.