BlackRock Announces Share Split Of IShares® COMEX® Gold Trust

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) today announced that the Board of Directors of BlackRock Asset Management International Inc., sponsor of the iShares ^® COMEX ^® Gold Trust (NYSE Arca:IAU) (TSX:IGT) (the “Trust”) has authorized a 10-for-1 split for shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 21, 2010, payable after the close of trading on June 23, 2010. The Trust shares will begin trading with split-adjusted pricing on the NYSEArca on June 24, 2010. The Trust, which is cross-listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, will commence trading on a split adjusted basis on TSX on June 17, 2010. Post-split shares are expected to be distributed to shareholders’ accounts on June 28 2010, and shareholders are expected to see the change in their holdings sometime after June 28, depending upon their brokerage firm’s procedures.

The 10-for-1 split will lower the share price and increase the number of outstanding shares. The total value of shares outstanding is not affected by a split.

Hypothetical example of 10-for-1 split:

Period			Number of Shares Owned			Hypothetical Market Price/Share (U.S.$)			Total Value (U.S.$)
Pre-split			100			$120			$12,000
Post split			1,000			$12			$12,000

Shares of the iShares ^® COMEX ^® Gold Trust are expected to reflect, at any given time, the price of the gold owned by the Trust, less the Trust’s expenses and liabilities. As of June 10, 2010, the Trust had U.S. $3.3 billion in total net assets.

About BlackRock

BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At March 31, 2010, BlackRock’s AUM was $3.364 trillion. BlackRock offers products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients’ needs, including active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes. Products are offered in a variety of structures including separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares ^® exchange traded funds, and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions ^®. Headquartered in New York City, as of March 31, 2010, the firm has approximately 8,500 employees in 24 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com.

iShares COMEX Gold Trust (“Trust”) has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other documents the Trust has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting www.iShares.com or EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Trust will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll-free 1-800-474-2737.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. The iShares COMEX Gold Trust (“Trust”) is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a commodity pool for purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act. Shares of the Trust are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds. Because shares of the Trust are created to reflect the price of the gold held by the Trust, the market price of the shares will be as unpredictable as the price of gold has historically been. Additionally, shares of the Trust are bought and sold at market price (not NAV). Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

Shares of the Trust are created to reflect, at any given time, the market price of gold owned by the trust at that time less the trust’s expenses and liabilities. The price received upon the sale of the shares, which trade at market price, may be more or less than the value of the gold represented by them. If an investor sells the shares at a time when no active market for them exists, such lack of an active market will most likely adversely affect the price received for the shares. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors relative to the Trust, carefully read the prospectus.