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BlackRock China Fund
Fund Overview
Key Facts About BlackRock China Fund
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the BlackRock China Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”), is to seek to maximize total return. Total return means the combination of capital appreciation and investment income.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the fund complex advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”). More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the “Details About the Share Classes” section on page 19 of the Fund’s prospectus and in the “Purchase of Shares” section on page II-58 of the Fund’s statement of additional information.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Shareholder Fees BlackRock China Fund
Investor A Shares
Investor C Shares
Institutional Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) 5.25% none none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) none [1] 1.00% [2] none
[1] A contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more.
[2] There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses BlackRock China Fund
Investor A Shares
Investor C Shares
Institutional Shares
Management Fee 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees 0.25% 1.00% none
Other Expenses [1][2] 10.51% 9.25% 8.34%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses [2] 11.76% 11.25% 9.34%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements [3] (9.86%) (8.60%) (7.69%)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements [3] 1.90% 2.65% 1.65%
[1] Other Expenses have been restated to reflect current fees.
[2] The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund's most recent annual report which does not include the restatement of Other Expenses to reflect current fees.
[3] As described in the "Management of the Fund" section of the Fund's prospectus on pages 33-38, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 1.90% of average daily net assets (for Investor A Shares), 2.65% of average daily net assets (for Investor C Shares) and 1.65% of average daily net assets (for Institutional Shares) until February 1, 2014. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and/or reimbursements to BlackRock in the following two years. The agreement may be terminated upon 90 days' notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example BlackRock China Fund (USD $)
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
Investor A Shares
708 2,853 4,717 8,382
Investor C Shares
368 2,429 4,329 8,131
Institutional Shares
168 2,015 3,706 7,331
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Expense Example, No Redemption (USD $)
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
BlackRock China Fund Investor C Shares
268 2,429 4,329 8,131
Portfolio Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Fund
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies domiciled, or exercising the predominant part of their economic activity, in China, including its special administrative regions such as Hong Kong, or in instruments with similar economic characteristics. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common stock or securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stocks. A company may be deemed to exercise a predominant part of its activity in China if (i) shares of such company are principally traded in China, (ii) such company derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from China, or (iii) such company has at least 50% of its assets in China.

Fund management anticipates that at least 70% of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in shares designated H shares or Red Chip shares, both of which are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H shares are issued by companies that are incorporated in China. Red Chip shares are issued by companies based in China but incorporated internationally.

The Fund also invests in securities listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. These securities are divided into two classes of shares: A shares, ownership of which is restricted to Chinese investors and to certain foreign investors under the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor structure, and B shares, which may be owned by both Chinese and foreign investors. The Fund’s exposure to the A shares market will be effected through investments in participation notes or other structured or derivative instruments that are designed to replicate, or otherwise provide exposure to, the performance of A shares of Chinese companies. The Fund expects to gain exposure to the B shares market through direct investments in securities listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges.

The Fund is a non-diversified fund, which means that it can invest more of its assets in fewer companies than a diversified fund.

The Fund has a value orientation, although Fund management recognizes that this style will underperform at certain periods in the cycle and has the flexibility to adjust style risk accordingly. Fund management is based on fundamental analysis, although it makes use of quantitative inputs. The fundamental analysis focuses on company specifics, such as valuation, earnings sustainability, earnings revision and cash flow analysis. The quantitative inputs include a multi-factor screen and price action criteria.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the Fund.
  • Chinese Investment Risk — China is a developing market and demonstrates significantly higher volatility from time to time in comparison to developed markets. Significant price swings may disrupt the investment strategy of the Fund. Over the past 30 years, the Chinese government has implemented economic reforms and reforms of market practices emphasizing the utilization of market forces in the development of the Chinese economy. However, Chinese markets generally continue to experience inefficiency, volatility and pricing anomalies resulting from governmental influence, a lack of publicly available information, higher level of control over foreign exchange, a less efficient allocation of resources and/or political and social instability. Internal social unrest or confrontations with other neighboring countries, including military conflicts in response to such events, may also disrupt economic development in China and result in a greater risk of currency fluctuations, currency convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation.

    Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, it has been governed by a quasi-constitution known as the “Basic Law,” which guarantees a high degree of autonomy in certain matters until 2047, while defense and foreign affairs are the responsibility of the central government in Beijing. Attempts by China to exert control over Hong Kong’s economic, political or legal structures or its existing social policy, could negatively affect investor confidence in Hong Kong, thereby negatively affecting markets and business performance and adversely affecting the Fund’s investments. Hong Kong’s primary economic sectors, such as real estate, tourism, retail and finance, are volatile. The economy of Hong Kong may be significantly affected by developments in China and elsewhere in Asia and the United States, including decreasing imports or changes in the trade policies of Hong Kong’s trading partners.

    Tax. The tax laws and regulations in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”) are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The interpretation, applicability and enforcement of such laws by PRC tax authorities are not as consistent and transparent as those of more developed nations, and may vary over time and from region to region. The application and enforcement of the PRC tax rules could have a significant adverse effect on the Fund and its investors, particularly in relation to capital gains withholding tax imposed upon non-residents.
  • Depositary Receipts Risk — The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted.
  • Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Derivatives may give rise to a form of leverage and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Recent legislation calls for new regulation of the derivatives markets. The extent and impact of the regulation is not yet known and may not be known for some time. New regulation may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives.

    Risks of Investing in Participation Notes — Investing in participation notes involves the same risks associated with a direct investment in the shares of the companies the notes seek to replicate. However, the performance results of participation notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. In addition, participation notes are subject to counterparty risk. Participation notes may be considered illiquid.
  • Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.
  • Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.
  • Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include:

    — The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.

    — Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

    — The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.

    — The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries.

    — Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.

    — Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.
  • Geographic Concentration Risk — The Fund will invest primarily in securities of companies domiciled, or exercising the predominant part of their economic activity, in China. Because the Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, political and social conditions in China will have a significant impact on the Fund’s investment performance and that the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds.
  • Investment Style Risk — Under certain market conditions, value investments have performed better during periods of economic recovery. Therefore, this investment style may over time go in and out of favor. At times when the investment style used by the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that use different investment styles.
  • Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.
  • Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
  • Non-Diversification Risk — The Fund is a non-diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely.
Performance Information
The information shows you how the performance of China Fund has varied for the periods since inception and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the MSCI China Index. The table also compares the Fund’s performance to that of the MSCI China 10/40 Index, which is relevant to the Fund because it has characteristics similar to the Fund’s investment strategies. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. Sales charges are not reflected in the bar chart. If they were, returns would be less than those shown. However, the table includes all applicable fees and sales charges. If BlackRock and its affiliates had not waived or reimbursed certain Fund expenses during these periods, the Fund’s returns would have been lower. Updated information on the Fund’s performance can be obtained by visiting http://www.blackrock.com/funds or can be obtained by phone at (800) 882-0052.
Investor A Shares
ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
BlackRock China Fund
As of 12/31
Bar Chart
During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 17.90% (quarter ended December 31, 2012) and the lowest return for a quarter was –5.28% (quarter ended June 30, 2012).
As of 12/31/12
Average Annual Total Returns
Average Annual Total Returns BlackRock China Fund
1 Year
Since Inception
Inception Date
Investor A Shares
17.75% (7.18%) Apr. 29, 2011
Investor A Shares Return After Taxes on Distributions
17.54% (7.46%)  
Investor A Shares Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Shares
11.81% (6.15%)  
Investor C Shares
22.61% (4.78%) Apr. 29, 2011
Institutional Shares
24.66% (3.90%) Apr. 29, 2011
MSCI China Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
22.75% (2.52%)  
MSCI China 10/40 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
22.96% (2.39%)  
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual Federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Investor A Shares only, and the after-tax returns for Investor C and Institutional Shares will vary.