Smo Gold Regulatory News (BARS)

1 Sep 2010 15:49

BLACKROCK ABSOLUTE RETURN STRATEGIES LTD ("the Company") SHARE CONVERSION

The Company's Articles of Association incorporate provisions to enable Shareholders of any one class of Shares to convert all or part of their holding into any other class of Shares at the Valuation Dates (as defined in the Company's prospectus dated 4 April 2008) referable to the months of March, June, September and December in each year (each a "Currency Conversion Calculation Date").

Such conversion will be effected on the basis of the ratio of the last reported Net Asset Value ("NAV") per Share of the class of Shares held (calculated in US Dollars less the costs of effecting such conversion and as adjusted to reflect the impact of adjusting any currency hedging arrangements), to the last reported NAV per Share of the class of Shares into which they will be converted, each as at the relevant Currency Conversion Calculation Date.

Shareholders may convert Shares of any class into Shares of any other class (of which Shares are in issue at the relevant time) by giving not less than 10 business days' notice (being 10 days upon which banks are open for normal banking business in Jersey) to the Company in advance of the relevant Currency Conversion Calculation Date.

In the case of Shares held in uncertificated form, the relevant USE instruction(s) must be submitted to Computershare Investor Services PLC at least 10 business days before the relevant Currency Conversion Calculation Date using the CREST information provided below:

CREST PARTICIPANT ID:3RA28To Convert From: Corporate Action ISIN Member Account ID STERLING TO EURO JE00B2PXDB91 BARABEUR STERLING TO US DOLLAR JE00B2PXDB91 BARABUSD EURO TO STERLING JE00B2PXNC07 BARABGBP EURO TO US DOLLAR JE00B2PXNC07 BARABUSD US DOLLAR TO STERLING JE00B2PXNQ43 BARABGBP US DOLLAR TO EURO JE00B2PXNQ43 BARABEUR

In the case of Shares held in certificated form, a Share Conversion Instruction for Certificated Shareholdings may be obtained from the Company's website http://www.blackrockinternational.com/bars, or requested from the Company's Registrar at the following address:

Computershare Investor Services PLCCorporate Actions ProjectsBristolBS99 6AH

To be valid, the Share Conversion Instruction for Certificated Shareholdings and the appropriate share certificate must be received at the above address at least 10 business days before the relevant Currency Conversion Calculation Date.

Shareholders should note:

i. fractions of Shares arising on conversion will be rounded down; and

ii. the costs of conversion may be disproportionate to the value of the Shares

converted.

Therefore, the aggregate NAV of those Shares held after conversion may be less than before such conversion.

Shareholders should also note that if they elect to convert Shares they will be unable to deal in those Shares in the period between giving notice of conversion and the actual date of conversion which will not be until the NAV per Share as at the relevant Currency Conversion Calculation Date has been determined, which may take up to 30 days. Once given, any such conversion notice shall be irrevocable without the consent of the Directors.

This notice is for information only. Any Shareholder who is in any doubt whether or not to convert is recommended to contact an independent financial adviser.

Expected timetable:

Latest date for submission of relevant USE instruction(s) 16 September 2010 or receipt of the Share Conversion Instruction for

Certificated Shareholdings and share certificate (as appropriate) Conversion Within 30 days of the Currency Conversion Calculation DateEnquiries:Ian WebsterBlackRock (Channel Islands) LimitedTel: 01534 600802

Date: 1 September 2010