BlackRock announced this week that it is closing eight iShares ETFs as part of what has become an annual trimming of its fund line-up.

Five of the closures are currency-hedged international ETFs:

  • iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Australia ETF (HAUD)
  • iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Italy ETF (HEWI)
  • iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Switzerland ETF (HEWL)
  • iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Spain ETF (HEWP)
  • iShares Currency Hedged MSCI South Korea ETF (HEWY)

Declining or negative flows in each of these currency-hedged ETFs may reflect the strategies falling out of favor with investors as the dollar weakens against local currencies.

The closures also include two minimum-volatility ETFs and one international real estate ETF:

  • iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Japan ETF (JPMV)
  • iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol Europe ETF (EUMV)
  • iShares Europe Developed Real Estate ETF (IFEU)

BlackRock has introduced more than 20 new ETFs this year. In June, the firm expanded the U.S. iShares lineup with six ESG-oriented funds.