Smo Gold Regulatory News (BARS)

9 Mar 2012 11:47

BlackRock Absolute Return Strategies Ltd (the "Company")

9 March 2012

Merger of share classes

Further to the Company's announcement of 1 March, the table below summarises the conversion of shares that will take place to execute the share class merger at 5pm today:

Currency of Share to be Total number of shares to Total number of new converted be converted Sterling shares Euro 441,405 366,762 US dollar 457,729 296,763 Conversion Ratios

The Currency Conversion ratios were calculated in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association in respect of share conversions taking the NAV ratios as per the Estimated February Monthly NAVs and the spot currency exchange rates as at 29 February 2012. The conversion ratios are as follows:

0.83092 Sterling denominated Shares for every one Euro denominated Share

0.64836 Sterling denominated Shares for every one US Dollar denominated Share

The following foreign exchange rates as at 29 February 2012 were used:

GBP / Euro 1.19430

GBP / US Dollar 1.59135

Shareholder CREST accounts will be credited with the new Sterling shares on 12 March 2012.

The Company has made an application to admit 663,525 Sterling denominated Shares to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange on 12 March 2012.

All enquiries:For BlackRock (Channel Islands) LimitedSecretaryWill Rogers - 020 7397 1920Tommy O'Sullivan - 020 7397 1922Cenkos Securities plc