As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 13, 2006

Registration No. 33-26305


 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933    x

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.   ¨

 

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 100   x

 

and

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   x

 

AMENDMENT NO. 102

 


 

BLACKROCK FUNDS SM

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 


 

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number (800) 441-7762

 


 

Brian Kindelan, Esq.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 


 

copy to:

Sarah E. Cogan, Esq.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

 


 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

  x    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

  ¨    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

  ¨    60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 

  ¨    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 

  ¨    75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

 

  ¨    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

  ¨    this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 



 

ALTERNATIVES   BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS   EQUITIES   FIXED INCOME   LIQUIDITY   REAL ESTATE

 

BlackRock Funds

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

 

Investor A Shares

 

Prospectus

October 13, 2006

 

This Prospectus contains information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

MAY LOSE VALUE

NO BANK GUARANTEE

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

  

LOGO


 

Table of

Contents

 

How to find the information you need

How to Find the Information You Need

  1

Long Duration Bond

  2
     

About Your Investment

How to Buy/Sell Shares

  9

Dividends/Distributions/Taxes

  25

Services for Shareholders

  27


How to Find the

Information You Need

About BlackRock Funds

 

T his is the BlackRock Long Duration Bond Portfolio (Investor A Shares) Prospectus. It has been written to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to invest in BlackRock Funds (the Fund). The Fund’s investment adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock).

 

This Prospectus contains information on the Long Duration Bond Portfolio (Investor A Shares). The Prospectus has been organized so that the fund has a short section with important fund facts. Also included are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, certain fees and expenses, shareholder features of the fund and your rights as a shareholder.

 

If you have questions after reading the Prospectus, ask your registered representative for assistance. Your investment professional has been trained to help you decide which investments are right for you.

 

1


BlackRock

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities: Bonds that are backed by a pool of assets, usually loans such as installment sale contracts or credit card receivables.

 

Bonds: Debt obligations such as bonds and debentures, U.S. Government securities, debt obligations of domestic and non-U.S. corporations, debt obligations of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions, asset-backed securities, various mortgage-backed securities (both residential and commercial), other floating or variable rate obligations, municipal obligations and zero coupon debt securities.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO): Bonds that are backed by cash flows from pools of mortgages. CMOs may have multiple classes with different payment rights and protections.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS): Bonds that are backed by a mortgage loan or pools of loans secured by commercial property, not residential mortgages.

 

Credit Default Swaps: In entering into a credit default swap, one party would pay a counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no event of default on a specific bond has occurred. In return, upon any event of default on such bond, the first party would receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such bond.

 

Dollar Rolls: A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the fund of a mortgage-backed or other security concurrently with an agreement by the fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same interest rate and stated maturity as those sold, but pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.

 

Investment Goal

The fund seeks to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.

 

Primary Investment Strategies

In pursuit of this goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in bonds and maintains an average portfolio duration that is within ±20% of the duration of the Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index (the benchmark). As of August 31, 2006, the duration of the benchmark was 10.7 years.

 

The management team evaluates sectors of the U.S. and non-U.S. bond markets and individual securities within these sectors. The management team selects bonds from several sectors including: U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, CMOs, pass-throughs, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds. The fund may also invest in preferred stock. Securities are purchased for the fund when the management team determines that they have the potential for above-average total return. The fund measures its performance against the benchmark.

 

The fund invests primarily in dollar-denominated investment grade bonds, but may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non-dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. The fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated bonds may be on a currency hedged or unhedged basis.

 

Non-investment grade bonds acquired by the fund will generally be in the lower rating categories of the major rating agencies (BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s) or will be determined by the management team to be of similar quality. The fund may invest in securities rated in the category C and above or determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher rating.

 

A security will be sold if in the opinion of the management team, the risk of continuing to hold the security is unacceptable when compared to its total return potential.

 

The management team may, when consistent with the fund’s investment goal, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). An option is the right to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on or before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on a specific date. A swap is an agreement whereby one party exchanges its right

 

2


to receive or its obligation to pay one type of interest or currency with another party for that other party’s obligation to pay or its right to receive another type of interest or currency in the future or for a period of time. The fund typically uses derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or currency risk. The fund may also use derivatives for leverage, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls).

 

The fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.

 

Should the Fund’s Board of Trustees determine that the investment goal of the fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.

 

Key Risks

While the management team chooses bonds it believes can provide above-average total returns, there is no guarantee that shares of the fund will not lose value. This means you could lose money.

 

Two of the main risks of investing in the fund are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds such as those held by the fund. Market interest rates have in recent years declined significantly below historical average rates. This decline may have increased the risk that these rates will rise in the future. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due.

 

The fund also makes investments in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities. The characteristics of these mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities.

 

A main difference is that the principal on mortgage- or asset-backed securities may normally be prepaid at any time, which will reduce the yield and market value of these securities. Asset-backed securities and CMBS generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets which were prepaid. Certain commercial mortgage-backed securities are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The fund’s investments in commercial mortgage-backed securities with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.

 

Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states

 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Duration: A mathematical calculation of the average life of a bond (or bonds in a bond fund) that serves as a useful measure of its price risk. Each year of duration represents an expected 1% change in the net asset value of a bond fund for every 1% immediate change in interest rates. For example, if a bond fund has an average duration of four years, its net asset value will fall about 4% when interest rates rise by one percentage point. Conversely, the bond fund’s net asset value will rise about 4% when interest rates fall by one percentage point. Duration, which measures price sensitivity to interest rate changes, is not necessarily equal to average maturity.

 

High Yield Bonds: Sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”, these are debt securities which are rated lower than investment grade (below the fourth highest rating of the major rating agencies). These securities generally pay more interest than higher rated securities. The higher yield is an incentive to investors who otherwise may be hesitant to purchase the debt of such a low-rated issuer.

 

Investment Grade: Securities which are rated in the four highest categories by at least one of the major rating agencies or determined by the management team to be of similar quality. Generally, the higher the rating of a bond, the higher the likelihood that interest and principal payments will be made on time.

 

Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index: An unmanaged index comprised of U.S. Government securities or investment grade credit securities from the more comprehensive Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. This index concentrates on long maturity bonds and thus excludes all maturities from the broader index that are less than 10 years.

 

Maturity: The date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities based on a particular type of asset, a mortgage. There is a wide variety of mortgage backed securities involving commercial or residential, fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgages and mortgages issued by banks or government agencies.

 

Split Rated Bond: A bond that receives different ratings from two or more rating agencies.

 

Total Return: A way of measuring fund performance. Total return is based on a calculation that takes into account income dividends, capital gain distributions and the increase or decrease in share price.

 

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it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults.

 

The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non- dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. Non-dollar and non-U.S. securities involve risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. These risks include but are not limited to: currency risks (the risk that the value of interest paid on non-dollar and non-U.S. securities, or the value of the securities themselves, may fall if currency exchange rates change), the risk that a security’s value will be hurt by changes in non-U.S. political or social conditions, including changes in policies restricting investment, the possibility of heavy taxation, nationalization or expropriation of assets and more difficulty obtaining information on non-U.S. securities or companies. In addition, non-dollar and non-U.S. securities may be harder to sell and may be subject to wider price movements than comparable investments in U.S. companies. There is also less government regulation of non-U.S. securities markets.

 

In addition, political and economic structures in emerging market countries may be undergoing rapid change and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability of more developed countries. As a result some of the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets and the existence of smaller, more volatile and less regulated markets, may be increased. The value of many investments in emerging market countries has declined significantly in the past, and may do so again in the future, as a result of economic and political turmoil in many of these countries.

 

Non-investment grade securities carry greater risks than securities which have higher credit ratings, including a high risk of default. The yields of non-investment grade securities will move up and down over time. The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer. These companies are often young and growing and have a lot of debt. High yield securities are considered speculative, meaning there is a significant risk that companies issuing these securities may not be able to repay principal and pay interest or dividends on time. In addition, other creditors of a high yield issuer may have the right to be paid before the high yield bond holder.

 

During an economic downturn, a period of rising interest rates or a recession, issuers of high yield securities who have a lot of debt

 

4


 

may experience financial problems. They may not have enough cash to make their principal and interest payments. An economic downturn could also hurt the market for lower-rated securities and the fund.

 

The market for high yield bonds is not as liquid as the markets for higher rated securities. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell high yield bonds, especially on short notice. The market could also be hurt by legal or tax changes.

 

Securities rated C are considered highly speculative and may be used to cover a situation where the issuer has filed a bankruptcy petition but debt service payments are continued. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, those are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to adverse conditions.

 

Securities rated in the fourth highest category by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics, meaning that they carry more risk than higher rated securities and may have problems making principal and interest payments in difficult economic climates. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value.

 

Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so.

 

The fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. These securities could fall in value by the time they are actually issued, which may be any time from a few days to over a year.

 

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. 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. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. In addition, some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. 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. The fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of

 

5


 

securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).

 

Some transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls and may expose the fund to greater risk and increase its costs. To mitigate leverage risk, the management team will segregate liquid assets on the books of the fund or otherwise cover the transactions. 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 segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the fund uses leverage. The fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings, reducing the fund’s return. This interest expense may be greater than the fund’s return on the underlying investment.

 

High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of fund securities may result in the recognition of capital gain or loss. Given the frequency of sales, such gain or loss will likely be short-term capital gain or loss. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect fund performance.

 

When you invest in this fund you are not making a bank deposit. Your investment is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any bank or governmental agency.

 

Expenses and Fees

The tables below explain your pricing options and describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor A Shares of the fund. The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table presents estimated expenses for the fund’s first fiscal year and may not reflect expenses of the fund after February 1, 2008.

 

Shareholder Fees

(Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

     A Shares  

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases*

   4.0 %

(as percentage of offering price)

      

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

   0.0 %

(as percentage of offering price)

      

 

6


 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Advisory Fees: Fees paid to the investment adviser for portfolio management services.

 

Distribution Fees: Fees paid to the fund’s distributor, BlackRock and service organizations for distribution of fund shares and related sales support services.

 

Other Expenses: Include administration, transfer agency, custody, professional fees and registration fees.

 

Service Fees: Fees that are paid to service organizations that provide services to shareholders.

 

Service Organizations: Brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals that provide support services to their customers who own shares of the Fund.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(Expenses that are deducted from fund assets)

 

       

Advisory fees

  .50 %

Distribution (12b-1) fees

  – –  

Other expenses 1

  .88 %

Service fees

  .25 %

Other

  .63 %

Total annual fund operating expenses

  1.38 %

Fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2

  .48 %

Net expenses 2

  .90 %
*   Reduced front-end sales charges may be available (see the section “Can the Sales Charge be Reduced or Eliminated?” for more information regarding the reduction of front-end sales charges). A CDSC of 0.50% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares that are purchased with no initial sales charge as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more.
1   The fund is newly organized and, accordingly, “Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
2   BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses to .90% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2008. The fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock in the following two years. Including voluntary waivers, the net expenses for the Investor A shares of the fund are estimated to be .89%. These voluntary waivers may be terminated at any time. See the “Management” section for a discussion of these waivers and reimbursements.

 

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. We are assuming an initial investment of $10,000, 5% total return each year with no changes in operating expenses and redemption at the end of each time period. Although your actual cost may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

    1 Year   3 Years

A Shares*

  $ 488   $ 774
             
    *   Reflects imposition of sales charge.

 

As a shareholder you pay certain fees and expenses. Shareholder transaction fees are paid out of your investment and annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets.

 

Fund Management

The fund management team is led by a team of investment professionals at BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), the fund’s sub-adviser, including the following individuals who have day-to-day responsibility: Keith Anderson, Managing Director of BFM since 1988, and Stuart Spodek, Managing Director of BFM since 2002.

 

Mr. Anderson is responsible for global fixed income strategy, asset allocation and the overall management of client portfolios. In this capacity, he coordinates BlackRock’s team of portfolio managers and credit analysts who specialize in the government, agency, corporate and mortgage sectors and sub-sectors,

 

7


 

worldwide. He is the Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income, a member of BlackRock’s Management Committee and Chairman of the Investment Strategy Group.

 

Mr. Spodek is a member of the Investment Strategy Group and his primary responsibility is managing fixed income portfolios, with a sector emphasis on global government bonds, derivative instruments and implementing yield curve strategy across global portfolios. Mr. Spodek joined BlackRock in 1993.

 

Mr. Anderson and Mr. Spodek have been managing the fund since inception.

 

The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional information about the fund managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the fund managers, and the fund managers’ ownership of securities in the fund.

 

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About Your Investment

 

 

Buying Shares from a Registered Investment Professional

B lackRock Funds believes that investors can benefit from the advice and ongoing assistance of a registered investment professional. Accordingly, when you buy or sell BlackRock Funds Investor A Shares, you may pay a sales charge, which is used to compensate your investment professional for services provided to you. An investment professional who is compensated for selling shares may receive a different amount for each class.

 

As a shareholder you pay certain fees and expenses. Shareholder fees are paid directly from your investment and annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets and are reflected in the fund’s net asset value.

 

Your registered representative can help you to buy shares by telephone. Before you place your order make sure that you have read the Prospectus and have a discussion with your registered representative about the details of your investment.

 

 

What Price Per Share Will You Pay?

T he price of mutual fund shares generally changes every day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open (business day). A mutual fund is a pool of investors’ money that is used to purchase a portfolio of securities, which in turn is owned in common by the investors. Investors put money into a mutual fund by buying shares. If a mutual fund has a portfolio worth $50 million and has 5 million shares outstanding, the net asset value (NAV) per share is $10. When you buy Investor A Shares you pay the NAV per share plus the applicable front-end sales charge.

 

PFPC Inc. (PFPC), the Fund’s transfer agent, will probably receive your order from your registered representative, who takes your order. However, you can also fill out a purchase application and mail it to the transfer agent with your check. Please call (800) 441-7762 for a purchase application. Purchase orders received by the transfer agent before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4 p.m. (Eastern time)) on each day the NYSE is open will be priced based on the NAV calculated at the close of trading on that day plus any applicable sales charge. NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of the fund as of the close of business on the NYSE, generally 4 p.m. (Eastern time), each day the NYSE is open. Shares will not be priced on days the NYSE is closed. Purchase orders received after the close of trading will be priced based on the next calculation of NAV. Non-U.S. securities and certain other securities held by the fund may trade on days

 

9


 

 

 

when the NYSE is closed. In these cases, net asset value of shares may change when fund shares cannot be bought or sold.

 

Since the NAV changes daily, the price of your shares depends on the time that your order is received by the Fund’s transfer agent, whose job it is to keep track of shareholder records.

 

The fund’s assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations. Certain short-term debt securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. When a determination is made that market quotations are not readily available, including, but not limited to, when (i) the exchange or market on which a security is traded does not open for trading for an entire trading day and no other market prices are available, (ii) a particular security does not trade regularly or has had its trading halted, (iii) a security does not have a price source due to its lack of liquidity, (iv) BlackRock believes a market quotation from a broker-dealer is unreliable (e.g., where it varies significantly from a recent trade), (v) the security is thinly traded or (vi) there has been a significant subsequent event, the fund values the affected securities at fair value as determined by BlackRock pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. For example, the fund will value a security that trades principally on a foreign market using the most recent closing market price from the market on which the security principally trades, unless, in BlackRock’s judgment, a significant event subsequent to the market close has rendered such market closing price unreliable. Because significant events could affect the value of a foreign security between the close of the foreign market where the security is principally traded and the time the fund calculates its NAV, such closing price may not be reflective of current market conditions. In this case, the fund will use what it believes to be the fair value of the security as of the time the fund calculates its NAV.

 

Fair value represents a good faith approximation of the value of a security. A security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities based on readily available market quotations. The fair value of one or more securities may not, in retrospect, be the prices at which those assets could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used in determining the fund’s NAV. As a result, the fund’s sale or redemption of its shares at NAV, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at

 

10


 

 

 

 

fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.

 

When Must You Pay?

 

P ayment for an order must be made in Federal funds or other immediately available funds by the time specified by your registered representative or other financial intermediary, but in no event later than 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on the third business day following PFPC’s receipt of the order. If payment is not received by this time, the order will be cancelled and you and your registered representative or other financial intermediary will be responsible for any loss to the Fund. For shares purchased directly from the transfer agent, a check payable to BlackRock Funds which bears the name of the fund you are purchasing must accompany a completed purchase application. There is a $20 fee for each purchase check that is returned due to insufficient funds. The Fund does not accept third-party checks. You may also wire Federal funds to the transfer agent to purchase shares, but you must call the Fund at (800) 441-7762 before doing so to confirm the wiring instructions.

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions, including the Fund, to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When opening an account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow the Fund to identify you. The Fund may also ask to see other identifying documents such as a driver’s license (for individuals) or Articles of Incorporation or other formation documents (for institutions). The Fund may use a third party to obtain and verify this information. The Fund may not be able to establish an account, or it may close your existing account and/or redeem your shares involuntarily, if you do not provide sufficient information within the relevant time periods.

 

 

How Much is the Minimum Investment?

T he minimum investment for the initial purchase of Investor A Shares is $1,000. The Fund permits a lower initial investment for employees of the Fund or one of its service providers and through certain fee-based programs, retirement plans and the Automatic Investment Plan (AIP) in which shareholders make regular, periodic investments through a savings or checking account. See “Automatic Investment Plan” below.

 

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There is a $50 minimum for all subsequent investments, subject to certain exclusions.

 

The Fund may reject any purchase order, modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for any shareholder and suspend and resume the sale of any share class of any fund at any time for any reason.

 

 

Which Pricing Option Should You Choose?

B lackRock Funds offers different pricing options to investors in the form of different share classes. Your registered representative can help you decide which option works best for you.

 

Investor A Shares (Front-End Load)

  n   One time sales charge paid at time of purchase
  n   No distribution fees
  n   Free exchange with other Investor A Shares in BlackRock Funds family
  n   Advantage: Makes sense for investors who are eligible to have the sales charge reduced or eliminated or who have a long-term investment horizon because there are no ongoing distribution fees.
  n   Disadvantage: You pay a sales charge up-front, and therefore you start off owning fewer shares.

 

A portion of the front-end sales charge on Investor A Shares is reallowed to your registered representative, as described in the SAI. Please contact your registered representative for details about compensation he or she receives for selling you shares of the Fund. To receive information about sales charges and payments to registered representatives free of charge, please see the SAI or go to www.blackrock.com/funds .

 

 

How Much is the Sales Charge?

T he table below shows the schedules of sales charges that you may pay if you buy and sell Investor A Shares of the fund.

 

 

Purchase of Investor A Shares

T he following table shows the front-end sales charges that you may pay if you buy Investor A Shares. The offering price for Investor A Shares includes any front-end sales charge. The front-end sales charge expressed as a percentage of the offering price may be higher or lower than the charge described below due to

 

12


 

rounding. Similarly, any contingent deferred sales charge paid upon certain redemptions of Investor A Shares expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount may be higher or lower than the charge described below due to rounding. You may qualify for a reduced front-end sales charge. Purchases of Investor A Shares at certain fixed dollar levels, known as “breakpoints,” cause a reduction in the front-end sales charge. Once you achieve a breakpoint, you pay that sales charge on your entire purchase amount (and not just the portion above the breakpoint). Additionally, the front-end sales charge can be reduced or eliminated through one or a combination of the following: the right of accumulation, a Letter of Intent, the reinstatement privilege, quantity discounts or a waiver of the sales charge (described below). In order to receive a reduction in your Investor A sales charge, you must contact your financial adviser or the Fund at the time of your purchase to let them know that you qualify for such a reduction. If you do not notify your financial adviser or the Fund, you may not receive the sales charge to which you are otherwise entitled.

 

The following schedule of front-end sales charges and quantity discounts applies to the Long Duration Bond Portfolio.

 

AMOUNT OF
TRANSACTION AT

OFFERING PRICE

 

SALES CHARGE AS

% OF OFFERING

PRICE*

 

SALES CHARGE AS

% OF NET ASSET

VALUE*

Less than $25,000

  4.00%   4.17%

$25,000 but less than $100,000

  3.75%   3.90%

$100,000 but less than $250,000

  3.50%   3.63%

$250,000 but less than $500,000

  2.50%   2.56%

$500,000 but less than $750,000

  2.00%   2.04%

$750,000 but less than $1,000,000

  1.50%   1.52%

$1 million or more

  0.00%   0.00%
*   There is no initial sales charge on purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Investor A Shares; however, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 0.50% of the price of the shares when purchased or the net asset value of the shares on the redemption date (whichever is less) for shares redeemed within 18 months after purchase.

 

The Fund’s distributor retains .25% of the sales charge on all purchases of Investor A Shares. When an investor purchases Investor A Shares directly from the Fund (and not through a broker), the distributor retains the entire front-end sales charge.

 

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Can the Sales Charge be Reduced or Eliminated?

T here are several ways in which the sales charge can be reduced or eliminated. Purchases of Investor A Shares at certain fixed dollar levels, known as “breakpoints,” cause a reduction in the front-end sales charge (as described above in the “Purchase of Investor A Shares” section). Additionally, the front-end sales charge can be reduced or eliminated through one or a combination of the following: the right of accumulation, a Letter of Intent, the reinstatement privilege, quantity discounts or a waiver of the sales charge (described below). You may be required to provide PFPC and/or your registered representative with certain records and information in connection with the exercise of these rights, including information or records regarding shares of the fund held (i) in other accounts at your registered representative, (ii) at any other financial intermediary and (iii) at any financial intermediary by your related parties, such as members of your family or household. For more information, see the SAI or contact your investment professional.

 

 

Right of Accumulation

I nvestors have a “right of accumulation” under which the current value of an investor’s existing Investor A, A1, B, B1, B2, C, C1, C2 and Institutional Shares in most BlackRock funds may be combined with the amount of the current purchase in determining whether an investor qualifies for a breakpoint and a reduced front-end sales charge. Service Organizations may value current holdings of their customers differently for purposes of determining whether an investor qualifies for a breakpoint and a reduced front-end sales charge, although customers of the same Service Organization will be treated similarly. In order to use this right, the investor must alert PFPC to the existence of any previously purchased shares.

 

 

Letter of Intent

A n investor may qualify for a reduced front-end sales charge immediately by signing a “Letter of Intent” stating the investor’s intention to buy a specified amount of Investor A, B, C or Institutional Shares in one or more funds within the next 13 months that would, if bought all at once, qualify the investor for a reduced sales charge. The initial investment must meet the minimum initial purchase requirement. The 13-month Letter of Intent period commences on the day that the Letter of Intent is received by PFPC, and the investor must tell PFPC that later purchases are subject to the Letter of Intent. During the term of

 

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the Letter of Intent, PFPC will hold Investor A Shares representing up to 5% of the indicated amount in an escrow account for payment of a higher sales load if the full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent is not purchased. If the full amount indicated is not purchased within the 13-month period, and the investor does not pay the higher sales load within 20 days, PFPC will redeem enough of the Investor A Shares held in escrow to pay the difference.

 

 

Reinstatement Privilege

U pon redemption of Institutional and Investor A, A1, B, B1, B2, C, C1 and C2 Shares, shareholders may reinvest their redemption proceeds (after paying any applicable CDSC or redemption fee) in Investor A Shares of the SAME fund without paying a front-end sales charge. This right may be exercised once a year and within 60 days of the redemption, provided that the Investor A Share class of that fund is currently open to new investors or the shareholder has a current account in that closed fund. Shares will be purchased at the NAV calculated at the close of trading on the day the request is received. To exercise this privilege, PFPC must receive written notification from the shareholder of record or the registered representative of record, at the time of purchase. Investors should consult a tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of exercising this reinstatement privilege.

 

 

Quantity Discounts

I n addition to quantity discounts for individuals which we discussed above, there are ways for you to qualify for breakpoints and therefore reduce the front-end sales charge by combining your order with the orders of (a) your spouse and any of your children under the age of 21, or (b) a trustee or fiduciary of a single trust estate or single fiduciary account. All orders must be placed at one time and certain restrictions apply. Investors must tell PFPC or their broker, at the time of purchase, that they are aggregating their purchases. For more information, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762 or see the SAI.

 

 

Waiving the Sales Charge

T he following investors may buy Investor A Shares without paying a front-end sales charge: (a) authorized qualified employee benefit plans or savings plans and rollovers of current investments in the Fund through such plans; (b) persons investing

 

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through an authorized payroll deduction plan; (c) persons investing through an authorized investment plan for organizations which operate under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (d) registered investment advisers, trust companies and bank trust departments exercising discretionary investment authority with respect to amounts to be invested in the fund; (e) persons participating in selected fee-based programs under which they (i) pay advisory fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution or (ii) pay fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution for providing transaction processing and other administrative services, but not investment advisory services; and (f) employees of MetLife. Investors who qualify for any of these exemptions from the sales charge must purchase Investor A Shares. Additionally, some people associated with the Fund and its service providers may buy Investor A Shares without paying a sales charge. The front-end sales charge is not applied on Investor A Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions. There is no initial sales charge on purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Investor A Shares; however, you may pay a CDSC as described in “Purchase of Investor A Shares.” The applicable CDSC on Investor A Shares is not charged in connection with: (a) redemptions of Investor A Shares purchased through authorized qualified employee benefit plans or savings plans and rollovers of current investments in the Fund through such plans; (b) exchanges described in “Exchange Privilege” below; (c) redemptions made in connection with minimum required distributions due to the shareholder reaching age 70  1 / 2 from IRA and 403(b)(7) accounts; (d) redemptions made with respect to certain retirement plans sponsored by the Fund, BlackRock or its affiliates; (e) redemptions (i) within one year of a shareholder’s death or, if later, the receipt of a certified probate settlement (including in connection with the distribution of account assets to a beneficiary of the decedent) or (ii) in connection with a shareholder’s disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) subsequent to the purchase of Investor A Shares; (f) involuntary redemptions of Investor A Shares in accounts with low balances; (g) certain redemptions made pursuant to the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (described below); (h) redemptions related to the payment of PFPC custodial IRA fees; and (i) redemptions when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship, in the absolute discretion of the Fund. For more information on the waivers, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762 or see the SAI.

 

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Distribution and Service Plan

T he Fund has adopted a plan (the Plan) that allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale of its shares under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act and shareholder servicing fees for certain services provided to its shareholders. Investor A Shares do not pay a distribution fee.

 

Under the Plan, the Fund pays shareholder servicing fees to brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals (including BlackRock, PNC Bank, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (Merrill Lynch) and their affiliates) (Service Organizations) whereby the Service Organizations provide support services to their customers who own Investor A Shares in return for these fees. The Fund may pay a shareholder servicing fee of up to .25% per year of the average daily net asset value of Investor A Shares of the fund. All Investor A Shares pay this shareholder servicing fee.

 

In return for the shareholder servicing fee, Service Organizations (including BlackRock) may provide one or more of the following services to their customers who own Investor A Shares:

 

  (1) Responding to customer questions on the services performed by the Service Organization and investments in Investor Shares;
  (2) Assisting customers in choosing and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and
  (3) Providing other similar shareholder liaison services.

 

The shareholder servicing fees payable pursuant to the Plan are fees payable for the administration and servicing of shareholder accounts and not costs which are primarily intended to result in the sale of the fund’s shares.

 

Because the fees paid by the Fund under the Plan are paid out of Fund assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment.

 

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For more information on the Plan including a complete list of services provided thereunder, see the SAI.

 

In addition to, rather than in lieu of, distribution and shareholder servicing fees that the Fund may pay to a Service Organization pursuant to the Plan and fees the Fund pays to its transfer agent, the Fund may enter into non-Plan agreements with Service Organizations pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Service Organization for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services. These non-Plan payments are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a Service Organization or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.

 

The Plan permits BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates to make payments relating to distribution and sales support activities out of their past profits or other sources available to them (and not as an additional charge to the Fund). From time to time, BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates also may pay a portion of the fees for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services described above at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits. BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may compensate affiliated and unaffiliated Service Organizations for the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for these other services to the Fund and shareholders. These payments would be in addition to the Fund payments described in this Prospectus and may be a fixed dollar amount, may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the Service Organization, or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments by BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may be substantial. Payments by BlackRock may include amounts that are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” payments. In some circumstances, these revenue sharing payments may create an incentive for a Service Organization, its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Please contact your Service Organization for details about payments it may receive from the Fund or from BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates. For more information, see the SAI.

 

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Selling Shares

Y ou can redeem shares at any time. The Fund will redeem your shares at the next NAV calculated after your order is received by the fund’s transfer agent minus any applicable CDSC and/or redemption fee. Each of the CDSC and redemption fee is assessed without regard to the other. See “Market Timing and Redemption Fees” below. Shares may be redeemed by sending a written redemption request to BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019. Shares may also be redeemed by telephone request by calling (800) 441-7762. Redemption proceeds may be paid by check or, if the Fund has verified banking information on file, through the Automated Clearing House Network (ACH) or by wire transfer. Redemption requests in excess of $100,000 (for checks) and $250,000 (for ACH and wire transfers) must be in writing with a medallion signature guarantee. Shares may also be redeemed by use of the Fund’s automated voice response unit service (VRU). Payment for shares redeemed by VRU or Internet may be made for non-retirement accounts in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire. You will be charged a fee of $7.50 for each redemption payment made by wire transfer and $15 for redemptions by check sent via overnight mail.

 

You can also make redemption requests through your registered investment professional, who may charge for this service.

 

Unless another option is requested, payment for redeemed shares is normally made by check mailed within seven days after PFPC receives the redemption request. If the shares to be redeemed have been recently purchased by check, PFPC may delay the payment of redemption proceeds for up to 10 business days after the purchase date until the check has cleared.

 

 

Market Timing and Redemption Fees

T he Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the interests of long-term shareholders and the Fund’s ability to manage its investments may be adversely affected when shares are repeatedly bought, sold or exchanged in response to short-term market fluctuations—also known as “market timing.” The fund is not designed for market timing organizations or other entities using programmed or frequent purchases and sales or exchanges. The exchange privilege for Investor, Institutional and R Shares is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive purchase and sale or exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management, increase expenses and taxes and may have

 

19


 

 

 

an adverse effect on the performance of a fund and its shareholders. For example, large flows of cash into and out of the fund may require the management team to allocate a significant amount of assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining such assets in securities selected to achieve the fund’s investment goal. Frequent trading may cause the fund to sell securities at less favorable prices, and transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions, can reduce the fund’s performance.

 

A fund that invests in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk that an investor may seek to take advantage of a delay between the change in value of the fund’s portfolio securities and the determination of the fund’s NAV as a result of different closing times of U.S. and non-U.S. markets by buying or selling fund shares at a price that does not reflect their true value. A similar risk exists for funds that invest in securities of small capitalization companies, securities of issuers located in emerging markets or high yield securities (junk bonds) that are thinly traded and therefore may have actual values that differ from their market prices. This short-term arbitrage activity can reduce the return received by long-term shareholders. The Fund will seek to eliminate these opportunities by using fair value pricing, as described in “What Price Per Share Will You Pay?” above.

 

The Fund discourages market timing and seeks to prevent frequent purchases and sales or exchanges of fund shares that it determines may be detrimental to the fund or long-term shareholders. The Board of Trustees has approved the policies discussed below to seek to deter market timing activity. The Board has not adopted any specific numerical restrictions on purchases, sales and exchanges of fund shares because legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging or similar activities, may result in frequent trading of fund shares. It is not expected that shareholders would be harmed by such legitimate activities.

 

If, as a result of its own investigation, information provided by a financial intermediary or other third party, or otherwise, the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market timing activity, it reserves the right to reject any specific purchase or exchange order. If the Fund rejects your purchase or exchange order, you will not be able to execute that transaction, and the Fund will not be responsible for any losses you therefore may suffer. In addition, any redemptions or exchanges that you make (as a result of the

 

20


 

activity described above or otherwise) will be subject to any and all redemption fees, as described below. For transactions placed directly with the Fund, the Fund may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control for the purpose of enforcing these policies. Transactions placed through the same financial intermediary on an omnibus basis may be deemed part of a group for the purpose of this policy and may be rejected in whole or in part by the Fund. Certain accounts, such as omnibus accounts and accounts at financial intermediaries, however, include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with net purchase or redemption and exchange requests on any given day where purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers, redeemers and exchangers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. While the Fund monitors for market timing activity, the Fund may be unable to identify such activities because the netting effect in omnibus accounts often makes it more difficult to locate and eliminate market timers from the funds. Identification of market timers may also be limited by operational systems and technical limitations. In the event that a financial intermediary is determined by the Fund to be engaged in market timing or other improper trading activity, the Fund’s distributor may terminate such financial intermediary’s agreement with the distributor, suspend such financial intermediary’s trading privileges or take other appropriate actions.

 

Each of the Fund’s High Yield Bond, International Bond, Aurora, Small/Mid-Cap Growth, Small Cap Value Equity, Small Cap Core Equity, Small Cap Growth Equity, Health Sciences Opportunities, Global Science & Technology Opportunities, Global Resources, All-Cap Global Resources, Global Opportunities, International Opportunities and U.S. Opportunities Portfolios will automatically assess and retain a fee of 2% of the current NAV, after excluding the effect of any contingent deferred sales charges, of shares being redeemed or exchanged within 30 days of acquisition (other than those acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions). A new 30-day period begins with each acquisition of shares through a purchase or exchange. For example, a series of transactions in which shares of Portfolio A are exchanged for shares of Portfolio B 20 days after the purchase of the Portfolio A shares, followed in 20 days by an exchange of the Portfolio B shares for shares of Portfolio C, will be subject to two redemption fees (one on each exchange).

 

21


 

 

 

 

 

 

The redemption fee is for the benefit of the remaining shareholders of a fund and is intended to encourage long-term investment, to compensate for transaction and other expenses caused by early redemptions and exchanges, and to facilitate portfolio management. The “first-in, first-out” method is used to determine the holding period. Under this method, the date of redemption or exchange will be compared with the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account. The Fund sells shares to some 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, bank or trust company accounts, and accounts of certain financial institutions or intermediaries that do not apply the redemption fee to underlying shareholders, often because of administrative or systems limitations. From time to time, with the approval of the Fund, the redemption fee will not be assessed on redemptions or exchanges by: (i) accounts of asset allocation programs or wrap programs whose trading practices are determined by the Fund not to be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders ( e.g. , model driven programs with periodic automatic portfolio rebalancing that prohibit participant-directed trading and other programs with similar characteristics); (ii) accounts of shareholders who have died or become disabled; (iii) shareholders redeeming or exchanging shares through the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan, Systematic Exchange Plan or in connection with required distributions from an IRA, 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan or any other Internal Revenue Code Section 401 qualified retirement plan or account, or distribution from a 529 plan; (iv) shareholders executing rollovers of current investments in the Fund through qualified employee benefit plans; and (v) certain other accounts in the absolute discretion of the Fund when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate these waivers at any time.

 

There is no assurance that the methods described above will prevent market timing or other trading that may be deemed abusive.

 

The Fund may from time to time use other methods that it believes are appropriate to deter market timing or other trading activity that may be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders.

 

 

Expedited Redemptions

I f a shareholder has given authorization for expedited redemption, shares can be redeemed by telephone and the proceeds sent by check to the shareholder or by Federal wire

 

22


 

 

 

 

transfer to a single previously designated bank account. Shareholders will pay $15 for redemption proceeds sent by check via overnight mail and $7.50 for redemption proceeds sent by Federal wire transfer. You are responsible for any additional charges imposed by your bank for this service. Once authorization for expedited redemptions is on file, the Fund will honor requests by telephone at (800) 441-7762. The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the Federal wire system or the shareholder’s firm or bank. The Fund may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so and may use reasonable procedures to make sure telephone instructions are genuine. The Fund and its service providers will not be liable for any loss that results from acting upon telephone instructions that they reasonably believed to be genuine in accordance with those procedures. The Fund may alter the terms of or terminate this expedited redemption privilege at any time for any reason.

 

The Fund's Rights

 

T he Fund may:

 

  n   Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act,
  n   Postpone date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or as described in the third paragraph in the section “Selling Shares” above,
  n   Redeem shares involuntarily in certain cases, such as when the value of a shareholder account falls below a specified level, as described below, and
  n   Redeem shares for property other than cash if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable in accordance with its rights under the Investment Company Act.

 

 

Accounts with Low Balances

T he Fund may redeem a shareholder’s account in the fund at any time if the net asset value of the account in the fund falls below $500 as the result of a redemption or an exchange request. This minimum does not apply to accounts of authorized qualified employee benefit plans, selected fee-based programs and accounts established under the Uniform Gifts to Minors or Uniform Transfers to Minors Acts. The shareholder will be notified in writing that the value of the account is less than the required

 

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amount and the shareholder will be allowed 60 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed.

 

 

Management

B lackRock Funds’ adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock). BlackRock was organized in 1994 to perform advisory services for investment companies and is located at 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809. BlackRock is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., one of the largest publicly traded investment management firms in the United States with approximately $1 trillion (pro forma) of assets under management as of June 30, 2006. BlackRock, Inc. is an affiliate of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., one of the largest diversified financial services companies in the United States, and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), an affiliate of BlackRock located at 40 E. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, acts as sub-adviser to the fund.

 

For their investment advisory and sub-advisory services, BlackRock and BFM, as applicable, are entitled to fees computed daily on a fund-by-fund basis and payable monthly.

 

The maximum annual advisory fees that can be paid to BlackRock (as a percentage of average daily net assets) are as follows:

 

Total Annual Advisory Fee (Before Waivers)

 

AVG. DAILY NET ASSETS   

INVESTMENT

ADVISORY FEE

First $1 billion

   .500%

$1 billion-$2 billion

   .450%

$2 billion-$3 billion

   .425%

greater than $3 billion

   .400%

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees of the Fund approving the fund’s investment advisory contracts is available in the fund’s statement of additional information.

 

Information about the portfolio manager for the fund is presented on pages 7-8.

 

As discussed above, BlackRock has agreed contractually to cap net expenses (excluding interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, if any) of each share class of the fund at the levels shown in the fund’s expense table.

 

To achieve this cap, BlackRock and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation agreement. The agreement sets a limit on

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Adviser: The adviser of a mutual fund is responsible for the overall investment management of the fund. The adviser for BlackRock Funds is BlackRock Advisors, LLC.

 

Sub-Adviser: The sub-adviser of a fund is responsible for its day-to-day management and will generally make all buy and sell decisions. Sub-advisers also provide research and credit analysis. The sub-adviser for the fund is BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.

 

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certain of the operating expenses of each class of shares and requires BlackRock to waive or reimburse fees or expenses if these operating expenses exceed that limit.

 

If within two years following a waiver or reimbursement, the operating expenses of a share class that previously received a waiver or reimbursement from BlackRock are less than the expense limit for that share class, the share class is required to repay BlackRock up to the amount of fees waived or expenses reimbursed under the agreement if: (1) the fund of which the share class is a part has more than $50 million in assets, (2) BlackRock or an affiliate serves as the fund’s investment adviser or administrator and (3) the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved in advance the payments to BlackRock at the previous quarterly meeting of the Board.

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

B lackRock Funds makes two kinds of distributions to shareholders: net investment income and net realized capital gains.

 

Distributions of net investment income derived by the fund are paid within ten days after the end of each month. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the timing of such dividend payments.

 

Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the fund at least annually at a date determined by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

Your distributions will be reinvested at net asset value in new shares of the same class of the fund unless you instruct PFPC in writing to pay them in cash. There are no sales charges on these reinvestments.

 

If you invest in the fund shortly before it makes a capital gain distribution, some of your investment may be returned to you in the form of a taxable distribution. This is commonly known as “buying a dividend.” Distributions that are declared in October, November or December, but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.

 

 

Taxation of Distributions

D istributions paid out of the fund’s “net capital gain” will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless

 

25


 

 

 

of how long a shareholder has owned shares. Distributions of net investment income, other than exempt-interest dividends, and net short-term capital gains will generally be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. However, individual shareholders who satisfy certain holding period requirements and other requirements are taxed on such dividends at long-term capital gain rates to the extent the dividends are attributable to “qualified dividend income” received by the fund. “Qualified dividend income” generally consists of dividends received from U.S. corporations (other than dividends from tax exempt organizations and certain dividends from real estate investment trusts and regulated investment companies) and certain foreign corporations.

 

Dividends paid with respect to interest on securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies may also be exempt from some types of state and local taxes.

 

Your annual tax statement from the Fund will present in detail the tax status of your distributions for each year.

 

When you sell your shares of the fund, you may realize a capital gain or loss. Use of the exchange privilege also will be treated as a taxable event because it will be deemed a redemption and subsequent purchase of the shares involved. Therefore, use of the exchange privilege may be subject to federal, state and local income tax.

 

If more than half of the total asset value of the fund is invested in non-U.S. securities, the fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid by it. In such case, you would be required to include your proportionate share of such taxes in your income and may be entitled to deduct or credit such taxes when computing your taxable income.

 

If you do not provide the fund with your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications, you may be subject to backup withholding on any distributions of income, capital gains or proceeds from the sale of your shares. When withholding is required, the amount will be 28% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and/or estate tax, and will be subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Because every investor has an individual tax situation, and also because the tax laws are subject to periodic changes, you should always consult your tax adviser about federal, state and local tax consequences of owning shares of the Fund.

 

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Services for Shareholders

 

 

B lackRock Funds offers shareholders many special features which can enable investors to have greater investment flexibility as well as more access to information about the Fund.

 

Additional information about these features is available by calling the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

 

 

Exchange Privilege

O nce you are a shareholder, you have the right to exchange Investor A Shares from one fund to Investor A Shares of another to meet your changing financial needs. Please note that you can exchange only into a share class and fund that are open to new investors, unless you have a current account in a fund that is closed to new investors.

 

You can exchange $1,000 or more from one fund into another. (You can exchange less than $1,000 if you already have an account in the fund into which you are exchanging.) Investor A Shares of each fund may be exchanged for shares of the same class of other funds which offer that class of shares, based on their respective net asset values. For Federal income tax purposes a share exchange is a taxable event and a capital gain or loss may be realized. Please consult your tax or other financial adviser before making an exchange request.

 

There are several ways to make an exchange: you may call the Fund at (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives, make the exchange via the Internet by accessing your account online, or you may send a written request to us at BlackRock Funds c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019. Please note, if you indicated on your New Account Application that you did not want the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you will not be able to place exchanges via the telephone until you update this option either in writing or by calling our Service Center. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.

 

The Fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege at any time for any reason, including if the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that you are engaging in market timing activities. See “Market Timing and Redemption Fees” above.

 

The Fund reserves the right to modify, limit the use of, or terminate the exchange privilege at any time for any reason.

 

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Automatic Investment Plan

I f you would like to establish a regular, affordable investment program, BlackRock Funds makes it easy to set up. As an investor in any fund, you can arrange for periodic investments in that fund through automatic deductions from a checking or non-passbook savings account by completing the AIP Application Form. You determine the frequency and amount of your investment. The minimum investment amount for an automatic investment plan is $50 per portfolio. AIP Application Forms are available from BlackRock Funds.

 

 

Retirement Plans

S hares may be purchased in conjunction with individual retirement accounts (IRAs), rollover IRAs and 403(b) plans where PNC Bank or any of its affiliates acts as custodian. For more information about applications or annual fees, please contact BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019, or call (800) 441-7762. Investors will be charged an annual fee of $15 for all of the IRA and 403(b) accounts they have under their Social Security number (therefore if you own a 403(b) account, a Roth IRA, a Traditional IRA and a Rollover IRA, you would only be charged one $15 fee). In addition, 403(b) accounts will be charged a separate loan application/processing fee of $25. To determine if you are eligible for an IRA or 403(b) plan and whether an IRA or 403(b) plan is appropriate for you, you should consult with a tax adviser.

 

 

Statements

E very shareholder automatically receives quarterly account statements. In addition, for tax purposes, shareholders also receive a yearly statement describing the characteristics of any dividends or other distributions received.

 

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)

T his feature can be used by investors who want to receive regular distributions from their accounts. To start a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) a shareholder must have a current investment of $10,000 or more in a fund. Shareholders can elect to receive cash payments of $50 or more at any interval they choose. Shareholders may sign up by completing the SWP Application Form which may be obtained from PFPC. Shareholders should realize that if withdrawals exceed income the invested principal in their account will be depleted.

 

28


 

 

 

 

To participate in the SWP, shareholders must have their dividends automatically reinvested. Shareholders may change or cancel the SWP at any time, upon written notice to PFPC, P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019. If a shareholder purchases additional Investor A Shares of a fund at the same time he or she redeems shares through the SWP, that investor may lose money because of the sales charge involved.

 

 

Systematic Exchange

T his feature can be used by investors to systematically exchange money from one fund to up to four other funds. A minimum of $10,000 in the initial fund is required and investments in any additional funds must meet minimum initial investment requirements. For more information, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

 

 

EZ Trader

T his service allows an investor to purchase or sell Fund shares by telephone or over the Internet through ACH. Prior to establishing an EZ Trader account, please contact your bank to confirm that they are a member of the ACH system. Once confirmed, complete an application, making sure to include the appropriate bank information, and return the application to BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC, P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019. Prior to placing a telephone or internet purchase or sale order, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762 to confirm that your bank information has been updated on your account. Once this is established, you may place your request to sell shares with the Fund by telephone or Internet. Proceeds will be sent to your pre-designated bank account.

 

 

Dividend Allocation Plan

T his plan automatically invests your distributions from one fund into another fund of your choice pursuant to your instructions, without any fees or sales charges. Please call the Fund at (800) 441-7762 for details. The fund into which you request your distributions be invested must be open to new purchases.

 

29


 

 

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents

T he fund delivers only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is known as “householding” and is intended to eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

 

 

Internet Transactions

I nvestors in the fund may make on-line transactions, view their account balance and activity by logging into their account through the BlackRock website at www.blackrock.com/funds . To use this service, you will need a browser that supports Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, Netscape 7.1 or higher, FIREFOX 1.0 or higher, and AOL 8.0 (for Windows operating systems from Windows 2000 and above). In addition, MacIntosh operating system 9 with Netscape 6.2 and MacIntosh operating system 10x with Safari 1.2.3, Netscape 6.2, and FIREFOX 1.0 are also supported. Purchases made on the Internet using ACH will have a trade date that is the day after the purchase is made. Proceeds from Internet redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record. The Fund will limit Internet purchases and redemptions in Investor Class shares to $25,000.00 per trade. Please read the On-Line Services Disclosure Statement and User Agreement, the Terms and Conditions page and the Consent to Election Delivery Agreement (if you consent to Electronic Delivery), before attempting to transact online.

 

The Fund employs reasonable procedures to confirm that transactions entered over the Internet are genuine. The procedures include the use of a protected password, Secure Socket Layering (SSL), 128-bit encryption and other precautions designed to protect the integrity, confidentiality and security of shareholder information. By entering into the User Agreement with the Fund in order to open an account through the website, the shareholder waives any right to reclaim any losses from the Fund or any of its affiliates, incurred through fraudulent activity.

 

30


 

 

 

Electronic Access to Annual Reports, Semi-Annual Reports and Prospectuses

E lectronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are available on the Fund’s website. Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the Fund’s electronic delivery program.

 

To enroll:

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial adviser. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts Directly With BlackRock

1) Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/ edelivery
2) Log into your account

 

 

Blackrock Privacy Principles

B lackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their nonpublic personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

 

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

 

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal nonpublic information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our Web sites.

 

BlackRock does not sell or disclose to nonaffiliated third parties any nonpublic personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to service Client accounts. These nonaffiliated third parties are required to protect the

 

31


 

confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

 

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to nonpublic personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the nonpublic personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

 

32


 

For more information:

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available at no charge upon request. This information includes:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports

These reports contain additional information about the fund’s investments. The annual report describes the fund’s performance, lists portfolio holdings, and discusses recent market conditions, economic trends and fund investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance for the last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

A Statement of Additional Information, dated October 13, 2006, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, by calling (800) 441-7762. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

 

BlackRock Investments Services

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday. Call: (800) 441-7762.

 

An investor in any fund can call the National TTY Relay Number at (800) 688-4889 with his or her TTY machine. A Relay agent will assist the investor with all inquiries made to a Shareholder Account Service Representative.

 

Purchases and Redemptions

Call your registered representative or (800) 441-7762.

 

World Wide Web

Access general fund information and specific fund

performance, including SAI and annual/semi-annual reports, free of charge. Request mutual fund prospectuses and literature. Forward mutual fund inquiries. www.blackrock.com/funds

 

Written Correspondence

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

PO Box 9819

Providence, RI 02940-8019

 

Overnight Mail

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

101 Sabin Street

Pawtucket, RI 02860

 

Internal Wholesalers/Broker Dealer Support

Available to support investment professionals

8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday.

Call: (800) 882-0052.

 

Portfolio Characteristics and Holdings

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures related to disclosure of portfolio characteristics and holdings is available in the SAI.

 

For information about portfolio holdings and characteristics, BlackRock fund shareholders and prospective investors may call (800) 441-7762.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

You may also view and copy public information about the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR database on the SEC Web site (http://www.sec.gov) or the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the public reference room can be obtained by calling the SEC directly at (202) 551-8090. Copies of this information can be obtained, for a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05742

 

PRO-LG-INV 1006

LOGO


 

ALTERNATIVES   BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS   EQUITIES   FIXED INCOME   LIQUIDITY   REAL ESTATE

 

BlackRock Funds

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

 

Institutional Shares

 

Prospectus

October 13, 2006

 

This Prospectus contains information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

MAY LOSE VALUE

NO BANK GUARANTEE

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

  

LOGO


 

Table of

Contents

 

How to find the information you need

How to Find the Information You Need

  1

Long Duration Bond

  2
     

About Your Investment

How to Buy/Sell Shares

  8

Dividends/Distributions/Taxes

  18


How to Find the

Information You Need

About BlackRock Funds

 

T his is the BlackRock Long Duration Bond Portfolio (Institutional Shares) Prospectus. It has been written to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to invest in BlackRock Funds (the Fund). The Fund’s investment adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock).

 

This Prospectus contains information on the Long Duration Bond Portfolio (Institutional Shares). The Prospectus has been organized so that the fund has a short section with important fund facts. Also included are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, certain fees and expenses, shareholder features of the fund and your rights as a shareholder.

 

If you have questions after reading the Prospectus, ask your registered representative for assistance. Your investment professional has been trained to help you decide which investments are right for you.

 

1


BlackRock

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities: Bonds that are backed by a pool of assets, usually loans such as installment sale contracts or credit card receivables.

 

Bonds: Debt obligations such as bonds and debentures, U.S. Government securities, debt obligations of domestic and non-U.S. corporations, debt obligations of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions, asset-backed securities, various mortgage-backed securities (both residential and commercial), other floating or variable rate obligations, municipal obligations and zero coupon debt securities.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO): Bonds that are backed by cash flows from pools of mortgages. CMOs may have multiple classes with different payment rights and protections.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS): Bonds that are backed by a mortgage loan or pools of loans secured by commercial property, not residential mortgages.

 

Credit Default Swaps: In entering into a credit default swap, one party would pay a counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no event of default on a specific bond has occurred. In return, upon any event of default on such bond, the first party would receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such bond.

 

Dollar Rolls: A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the fund of a mortgage-backed or other security concurrently with an agreement by the fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same interest rate and stated maturity as those sold, but pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.

 

Investment Goal

The fund seeks to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.

 

Primary Investment Strategies

In pursuit of this goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in bonds and maintains an average portfolio duration that is within ±20% of the duration of the Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index (the benchmark). As of August 31, 2006, the duration of the benchmark was 10.7 years.

 

The management team evaluates sectors of the U.S. and non-U.S. bond markets and individual securities within these sectors. The management team selects bonds from several sectors including: U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, CMOs, pass-throughs, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds. The fund may also invest in preferred stock. Securities are purchased for the fund when the management team determines that they have the potential for above-average total return. The fund measures its performance against the benchmark.

 

The fund invests primarily in dollar-denominated investment grade bonds, but may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non-dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. The fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated bonds may be on a currency hedged or unhedged basis.

 

Non-investment grade bonds acquired by the fund will generally be in the lower rating categories of the major rating agencies (BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s) or will be determined by the management team to be of similar quality. The fund may invest in securities rated in the category C and above or determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher rating.

 

A security will be sold if in the opinion of the management team, the risk of continuing to hold the security is unacceptable when compared to its total return potential.

 

The management team may, when consistent with the fund’s investment goal, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). An option is the right to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on or before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on a specific date. A swap is an agreement whereby one party

 

2


IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Duration: A mathematical calculation of the average life of a bond (or bonds in a bond fund) that serves as a useful measure of its price risk. Each year of duration represents an expected 1% change in the net asset value of a bond fund for every 1% immediate change in interest rates. For example, if a bond fund has an average duration of four years, its net asset value will fall about 4% when interest rates rise by one percentage point. Conversely, the bond fund’s net asset value will rise about 4% when interest rates fall by one percentage point. Duration, which measures price sensitivity to interest rate changes, is not necessarily equal to average maturity.

 

High Yield Bonds: Sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”, these are debt securities which are rated lower than investment grade (below the fourth highest rating of the major rating agencies). These securities generally pay more interest than higher rated securities. The higher yield is an incentive to investors who otherwise may be hesitant to purchase the debt of such a low-rated issuer.

 

Investment Grade: Securities which are rated in the four highest categories by at least one of the major rating agencies or determined by the management team to be of similar quality. Generally, the higher the rating of a bond, the higher the likelihood that interest and principal payments will be made on time.

 

Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index: An unmanaged index comprised of U.S. Government securities or investment grade credit securities from the more comprehensive Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. This index concentrates on long maturity bonds and thus excludes all maturities from the broader index that are less than 10 years.

 

Maturity: The date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities based on a particular type of asset, a mortgage. There is a wide variety of mortgage backed securities involving commercial or residential, fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgages and mortgages issued by banks or government agencies.

 

Split Rated Bond: A bond that receives different ratings from two or more rating agencies.

 

Total Return: A way of measuring fund performance. Total return is based on a calculation that takes into account income dividends, capital gain distributions and the increase or decrease in share price.

 

exchanges its right to receive or its obligation to pay one type of interest or currency with another party for that other party’s obligation to pay or its right to receive another type of interest or currency in the future or for a period of time. The fund typically uses derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or currency risk. The fund may also use derivatives for leverage, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls).

 

The fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.

 

Should the Fund’s Board of Trustees determine that the investment goal of the fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.

 

Key Risks

While the management team chooses bonds it believes can provide above-average total returns, there is no guarantee that shares of the fund will not lose value. This means you could lose money.

 

Two of the main risks of investing in the fund are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds such as those held by the fund. Market interest rates have in recent years declined significantly below historical average rates. This decline may have increased the risk that these rates will rise in the future. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due.

 

The fund also makes investments in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities. The characteristics of these mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities.

 

A main difference is that the principal on mortgage- or asset-backed securities may normally be prepaid at any time, which will reduce the yield and market value of these securities. Asset-backed securities and CMBS generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets which were prepaid. Certain commercial mortgage-backed securities are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The fund’s investments in commercial mortgage-backed securities with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.

 

 

3


 

Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults.

 

The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non- dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. Non-dollar and non-U.S. securities involve risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. These risks include but are not limited to: currency risks (the risk that the value of interest paid on non-dollar and non-U.S. securities, or the value of the securities themselves, may fall if currency exchange rates change), the risk that a security’s value will be hurt by changes in non-U.S. political or social conditions, including changes in policies restricting investment, the possibility of heavy taxation, nationalization or expropriation of assets and more difficulty obtaining information on non-U.S. securities or companies. In addition, non-dollar and non-U.S. securities may be harder to sell and may be subject to wider price movements than comparable investments in U.S. companies. There is also less government regulation of non-U.S. securities markets.

 

In addition, political and economic structures in emerging market countries may be undergoing rapid change and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability of more developed countries. As a result some of the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets and the existence of smaller, more volatile and less regulated markets, may be increased. The value of many investments in emerging market countries has declined significantly in the past, and may do so again in the future, as a result of economic and political turmoil in many of these countries.

 

Non-investment grade securities carry greater risks than securities which have higher credit ratings, including a high risk of default. The yields of non-investment grade securities will move up and down over time. The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer. These companies are often young and growing and have a lot of debt. High yield securities are considered speculative, meaning there is a significant risk that companies issuing these securities may not be able to repay principal and pay interest or dividends on time. In addition, other creditors of a high yield issuer may have the right to be paid before the high yield bond holder.

 

During an economic downturn, a period of rising interest rates or a recession, issuers of high yield securities who have a lot of debt may experience financial problems. They may not have enough cash to

 

4


 

make their principal and interest payments. An economic downturn could also hurt the market for lower-rated securities and the fund.

 

The market for high yield bonds is not as liquid as the markets for higher rated securities. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell high yield bonds, especially on short notice. The market could also be hurt by legal or tax changes.

 

Securities rated C are considered highly speculative and may be used to cover a situation where the issuer has filed a bankruptcy petition but debt service payments are continued. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, those are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to adverse conditions.

 

Securities rated in the fourth highest category by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics, meaning that they carry more risk than higher rated securities and may have problems making principal and interest payments in difficult economic climates. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value.

 

Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so.

 

The fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. These securities could fall in value by the time they are actually issued, which may be any time from a few days to over a year.

 

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. 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. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. In addition, some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. 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. The fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by

 

5


 

 

 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Advisory Fees: Fees paid to the investment adviser for portfolio management services.

 

Other Expenses: Include administration, transfer agency, custody, professional fees and registration fees.

the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).

 

Some transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls and may expose the fund to greater risk and increase its costs. To mitigate leverage risk, the management team will segregate liquid assets on the books of the fund or otherwise cover the transactions. 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 segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the fund uses leverage. The fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings, reducing the fund’s return. This interest expense may be greater than the fund’s return on the underlying investment.

 

High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of fund securities may result in the recognition of capital gain or loss. Given the frequency of sales, such gain or loss will likely be short-term capital gain or loss. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect fund performance.

 

When you invest in this fund you are not making a bank deposit. Your investment is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any bank or governmental agency.

 

Expenses and Fees

The table below explains your pricing options and describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Shares of the fund. The table presents estimated expenses for the fund’s first fiscal year and may not reflect expenses of the fund after February 1, 2008.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(Expenses that are deducted from fund assets)

 

Advisory fees

  .50%

Distribution (12b-1) fees

  – –

Other expenses 1

  .43%

Total annual fund operating expenses

  .93%

Fee waivers and expense reimbursements 1

  .38%

Net expenses 2

  .55%
1   The fund is newly organized and, accordingly, “Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
2   BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses to .55% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2008. The fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock in the following two years. Including voluntary waivers, the net expenses for the Institutional Class of the fund are estimated to be .44%. These voluntary waivers may be terminated at any time. See the “Management” section for a discussion of these waivers and reimbursements.

 

6


 

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. We are assuming an initial investment of $10,000, 5% total return each year with no changes in operating expenses and redemption at the end of each time period. Although your actual cost may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

    1 Year   3 Years

Institutional Shares

  $ 56   $ 258
             

 

Fund Management

The fund management team is led by a team of investment professionals at BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), the fund’s sub-adviser, including the following individuals who have day-to-day responsibility: Keith Anderson, Managing Director of BFM since 1988, and Stuart Spodek, Managing Director of BFM since 2002.

 

Mr. Anderson is responsible for global fixed income strategy, asset allocation and the overall management of client portfolios. In this capacity, he coordinates BlackRock’s team of portfolio managers and credit analysts who specialize in the government, agency, corporate and mortgage sectors and sub-sectors, worldwide. He is the Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income, a member of BlackRock’s Management Committee and Chairman of the Investment Strategy Group.

 

Mr. Spodek is a member of the Investment Strategy Group and his primary responsibility is managing fixed income portfolios, with a sector emphasis on global government bonds, derivative instruments and implementing yield curve strategy across global portfolios. Mr. Spodek joined BlackRock in 1993.

 

Mr. Anderson and Mr. Spodek have been managing the fund since inception.

 

The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional information about the fund managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the fund managers, and the fund managers’ ownership of securities in the fund.

 

7


About Your Investment

 

 

 

 

 

Buying Shares

I nstitutional Shares are offered without a sales charge to:

 

  n Institutional and individual investors with a minimum investment of $2 million
  n Certain qualified retirement plans
  n Investors in selected fee-based programs
  n Registered investment advisers with a minimum investment of $250,000
  n Trust departments of PNC Bank and Merrill Lynch Trust Company and their affiliates on behalf of clients for whom they
  n   act in a fiduciary capacity (excluding participant-directed employee benefit plans)
  n   otherwise have investment discretion or
  n   act as custodian for at least $2 million in assets
  n Unaffiliated banks, thrifts or trust companies that have agreements with the Fund’s distributor
  n Holders of certain Merrill Lynch-sponsored unit investment trusts (UITs) who reinvest dividends received from such UITs in shares of one or more BlackRock funds

 

Purchase orders may be placed by calling (800) 441-7762.

 

Investors who currently own Institutional Shares of the fund may make additional purchases of Institutional Shares of the fund except for investors holding shares through certain client accounts at financial intermediaries that are omnibus with the Fund and do not meet applicable minimums.

 

 

What Price Per Share Will You Pay?

T he price of mutual fund shares generally changes every day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open (business day). A mutual fund is a pool of investors’ money that is used to purchase a portfolio of securities, which in turn is owned in common by the investors. Investors put money into a mutual fund by buying shares. If a mutual fund has a portfolio worth $50 million and has 5 million shares outstanding, the net asset value (NAV) per share is $10.

 

Purchase orders received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4 p.m. (Eastern time)) on each day the NYSE is open will be priced based on the NAV calculated at the close of trading on that day. NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of the fund as of the close of business on the NYSE, generally 4 p.m. (Eastern time), each day the NYSE is open.

 

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Shares will not be priced on days the NYSE is closed. Purchase orders received after the close of trading will be priced based on the next calculation of NAV. Non-U.S. securities and certain other securities held by the fund may trade on days when the NYSE is closed. In these cases, net asset value of shares may change when fund shares cannot be bought or sold.

 

Since the NAV changes daily, the price of your shares depends on the time that your order is received.

 

The fund’s assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations. Certain short-term debt securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. When a determination is made that market quotations are not readily available, including, but not limited to, when (i) the exchange or market on which a security is traded does not open for trading for an entire trading day and no other market prices are available, (ii) a particular security does not trade regularly or has had its trading halted, (iii) a security does not have a price source due to its lack of liquidity, (iv) BlackRock believes a market quotation from a broker-dealer is unreliable (e.g., where it varies significantly from a recent trade), (v) the security is thinly traded or (vi) there has been a significant subsequent event, the fund values the affected securities at fair value as determined by BlackRock pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. For example, the fund will value a security that trades principally on a foreign market using the most recent closing market price from the market on which the security principally trades, unless, in BlackRock’s judgment, a significant event subsequent to the market close has rendered such market closing price unreliable. Because significant events could affect the value of a foreign security between the close of the foreign market where the security is principally traded and the time the fund calculates its NAV, such closing price may not be reflective of current market conditions. In this case, the fund will use what it believes to be the fair value of the security as of the time the fund calculates its NAV.

 

Fair value represents a good faith approximation of the value of a security. A security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities based on readily available market quotations. The fair value of one or more securities may not, in retrospect, be the prices at which those assets could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used in determining the

 

9


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fund’s NAV. As a result, the fund’s sale or redemption of its shares at NAV, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.

 

Certain financial institutions may buy and sell Institutional Shares on behalf of their customers. The institutions may charge a fee for this service and may impose additional conditions on owning fund shares. Shareholders should contact their institutions for more information.

 

 

Paying for Shares

P ayment for Institutional Shares must normally be made in Federal funds or other funds immediately available by 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on the first business day following receipt of the order. Payment may also, at the discretion of the Fund, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the fund. If payment is not received by this time, you will be responsible for any loss to the Fund.

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions, including the Fund, to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When opening an account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow the Fund to identify you. The Fund may also ask to see other identifying documents such as a driver’s license (for individuals) or Articles of Incorporation or other formation documents (for institutions). The Fund may use a third party to obtain and verify this information. The Fund may not be able to establish an account, or it may close your existing account and/or redeem your shares involuntarily, if you do not provide sufficient information within the relevant time periods.

 

 

How Much is the Minimum Investment?

T he minimum investment for the initial purchase of Institutional Shares is:

 

  n   $2 million for institutions and individuals
  n   $250,000 for registered investment advisers

 

The Fund has lower investment minimums for other categories of shareholders eligible to purchase Institutional Shares, including selected fee-based programs, as set forth in the “Buying Shares” section.

 

The Fund does not accept third party checks as payment for shares.

 

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The Fund may permit a lower initial investment for certain investors if their purchase, combined with purchases by other investors received together by the Fund, meets the minimum investment requirement. The Fund may reject any purchase order, modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for any shareholder and suspend and resume the sale of any share class of the fund at any time for any reason.

 

 

Distribution and Service Plan

T he Fund has adopted a plan (the Plan) that allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale of its shares under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act and shareholder servicing fees for certain services provided to its shareholders.

 

In accordance with the Plan, Institutional shares currently do not make such payments. The Fund, however, may enter into non-Plan agreements with brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals (including PNC Bank, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (Merrill Lynch), BlackRock and their affiliates) (Service Organizations) pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Service Organization for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services. These non-Plan payments are in addition to, rather than in lieu of, fees the Fund pays to its transfer agent and are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a Service Organization or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.

 

The Plan permits BlackRock, BlackRock Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor) and their affiliates to make payments relating to distribution and sales support activities out of their past profits or other sources available to them (and not as an additional charge to the Fund). From time to time, BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates also may pay a portion of the fees for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services described above at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits. BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may compensate affiliated and unaffiliated Service Organizations for the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for these other services to the Fund and shareholders. These payments may be a fixed dollar amount, may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the Service Organization, or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Service

 

11


 

 

 

 

Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments by BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may be substantial. Payments by BlackRock may include amounts that are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” payments. In some circumstances, these revenue sharing payments may create an incentive for a Service Organization, its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Please contact your Service Organization for details about payments it may receive from the Fund or from BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates. For more information, see the SAI.

 

 

Selling Shares

S hareholders may place redemption orders by telephoning (800) 441-7762. Shares are redeemed at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of the redemption order, minus any applicable redemption fee. See “Market Timing and Redemption Fees” below. The Fund, its administrators and the Distributor will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. The Fund and its service providers will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense for acting upon telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine in accordance with such procedures.

 

Payment for redeemed shares for which a redemption order is received before 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on a business day is normally made in Federal funds wired to the redeeming shareholder on the next business day, provided that the fund’s custodian is also open for business. Payment for redemption orders received after 4 p.m. (Eastern time) or on a day when the fund’s custodian is closed is normally wired in Federal funds on the next business day following redemption on which the fund’s custodian is open for business. The Fund reserves the right to wire redemption proceeds within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgement of the Fund, an earlier payment could adversely affect the fund. No charge for wiring redemption payments is imposed by the Fund.

 

During periods of substantial economic or market change, telephone redemptions may be difficult to complete. Redemption requests may also be mailed to BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940.

 

The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the Federal wire system or the shareholder’s firm or bank. The Fund does not currently charge for wire transfers. The shareholder is responsible

 

12


 

 

for any charges imposed by the shareholder’s bank. To change the name of the single, designated bank account to receive wire redemption proceeds, it is necessary to send a written request to BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940.

 

The Fund may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so.

 

 

Market Timing and Redemption Fees

T he Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the interests of long-term shareholders and the Fund’s ability to manage its investments may be adversely affected when shares are repeatedly bought, sold or exchanged in response to short-term market fluctuations—also known as “market timing.” The fund is not designed for market timing organizations or other entities using programmed or frequent purchases and sales or exchanges. The exchange privilege for Investor, Institutional and R Shares is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive purchase and sale or exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management, increase expenses and taxes and may have an adverse effect on the performance of a fund and its shareholders. For example, large flows of cash into and out of the fund may require the management team to allocate a significant amount of assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining such assets in securities selected to achieve the fund’s investment goal. Frequent trading may cause the fund to sell securities at less favorable prices, and transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions, can reduce the fund’s performance.

 

A fund that invests in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk that an investor may seek to take advantage of a delay between the change in value of the fund’s portfolio securities and the determination of the fund’s NAV as a result of different closing times of U.S. and non-U.S. markets by buying or selling fund shares at a price that does not reflect their true value. A similar risk exists for funds that invest in securities of small capitalization companies, securities of issuers located in emerging markets or high yield securities (junk bonds) that are thinly traded and therefore may have actual values that differ from their market prices. This short-term arbitrage activity can reduce the return received by long-term shareholders. The Fund will seek to eliminate these opportunities by using fair value pricing, as described in “What Price Per Share Will You Pay?” above.

 

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The Fund discourages market timing and seeks to prevent frequent purchases and sales or exchanges of fund shares that it determines may be detrimental to the fund or long-term shareholders. The Board of Trustees has approved the policies discussed below to seek to deter market timing activity. The Board has not adopted any specific numerical restrictions on purchases, sales and exchanges of fund shares because legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging or similar activities, may result in frequent trading of fund shares. It is not expected that shareholders would be harmed by such legitimate activities.

 

If, as a result of its own investigation, information provided by a financial intermediary or other third party, or otherwise, the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market timing activity, it reserves the right to reject any specific purchase or exchange order. If the Fund rejects your purchase or exchange order, you will not be able to execute that transaction, and the Fund will not be responsible for any losses you therefore may suffer. In addition, any redemptions or exchanges that you make (as a result of the activity described above or otherwise) will be subject to any and all redemption fees, as described below. For transactions placed directly with the Fund, the Fund may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control for the purpose of enforcing these policies. Transactions placed through the same financial intermediary on an omnibus basis may be deemed part of a group for the purpose of this policy and may be rejected in whole or in part by the Fund. Certain accounts, such as omnibus accounts and accounts at financial intermediaries, however, include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with net purchase or redemption and exchange requests on any given day where purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers, redeemers and exchangers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. While the Fund monitors for market timing activity, the Fund may be unable to identify such activities because the netting effect in omnibus accounts often makes it more difficult to locate and eliminate market timers from the fund. Identification of market timers may also be limited by operational systems and technical limitations. In the event that a financial intermediary is determined by the Fund to be engaged in market timing or other improper trading activity, the Fund’s distributor may terminate such financial intermediary’s agreement with the distributor, suspend such financial intermediary’s trading privileges or take other appropriate actions.

 

14


 

Each of the Fund’s High Yield Bond, International Bond, Aurora, Small/Mid-Cap Growth, Small Cap Value Equity, Small Cap Core Equity, Small Cap Growth Equity, Health Sciences Opportunities, Global Science & Technology Opportunities, Global Resources, All-Cap Global Resources, U.S. Opportunities, Global Opportunities and International Opportunities Portfolios will automatically assess and retain a fee of 2% of the current NAV, after excluding the effect of any contingent deferred sales charges, of shares being redeemed or exchanged within 30 days of acquisition (other than those acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions). A new 30-day period begins with each acquisition of shares through a purchase or exchange. For example, a series of transactions in which shares of Portfolio A are exchanged for shares of Portfolio B 20 days after the purchase of the Portfolio A shares, followed in 20 days by an exchange of the Portfolio B shares for shares of Portfolio C, will be subject to two redemption fees (one on each exchange).

 

The redemption fee is for the benefit of the remaining shareholders of a fund and is intended to encourage long-term investment, to compensate for transaction and other expenses caused by early redemptions and exchanges, and to facilitate portfolio management. The “first-in, first-out” method is used to determine the holding period. Under this method, the date of redemption or exchange will be compared with the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account. The Fund sells shares to some 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, bank or trust company accounts, and accounts of certain financial institutions or intermediaries that do not apply the redemption fee to underlying shareholders, often because of administrative or systems limitations. From time to time, with the approval of the Fund, the redemption fee will not be assessed on redemptions or exchanges by: (i) accounts of asset allocation programs or wrap programs whose trading practices are determined by the Fund not to be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders ( e.g. , model driven programs with periodic automatic portfolio rebalancing that prohibit participant-directed trading and other programs with similar characteristics); (ii) accounts of shareholders who have died or become disabled; (iii) shareholders redeeming or exchanging shares through the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan, Systematic Exchange Plan or in connection with required distributions from an IRA, 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan or any other Internal Revenue Code Section 401 qualified retirement plan or account, or distribution from a 529 plan; (iv) shareholders executing rollovers of current investments in the Fund through qualified employee benefit plans; and (v) certain other accounts in

 

15


 

 

 

 

 

 

the absolute discretion of the Fund when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate these waivers at any time.

 

There is no assurance that the methods described above will prevent market timing or other trading that may be deemed abusive.

 

The Fund may from time to time use other methods that it believes are appropriate to deter market timing or other trading activity that may be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders.

 

 

The Fund's Rights

T he Fund may:

 

  n   Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act,
  n   Postpone date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or as described in the second paragraph in the section “Selling Shares” above,
  n   Redeem shares involuntarily in certain cases, such as when the value of a shareholder account falls below a specified level, as described below, and
  n   Redeem shares for property other than cash if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable in accordance with its rights under the Investment Company Act.

 

 

Accounts with Low Balances

T he Fund may redeem a shareholder’s account in the fund at any time if the net asset value of the account in the fund falls below the required minimum investment as the result of a

redemption or exchange request. The shareholder will be notified in writing that the value of the account is less than the required amount and the shareholder will be allowed 60 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed.

 

 

Statements

E very shareholder automatically receives quarterly account statements. In addition, for tax purposes, shareholders also receive a yearly statement describing the characteristics of any dividends or other distributions received.

 

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IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Adviser: The adviser of a mutual fund is responsible for the overall investment management of the fund. The adviser for BlackRock Funds is BlackRock Advisors, LLC.

 

Sub-Adviser: The sub-adviser of a fund is responsible for its day-to-day management and will generally make all buy and sell decisions. Sub-advisers also provide research and credit analysis. The sub-adviser for the fund is BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.

 

 

 

Management

B lackRock Funds’ adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock). BlackRock was organized in 1994 to perform advisory services for investment companies and is located at 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809. BlackRock is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., one of the largest publicly traded investment management firms in the United States with approximately $1 trillion (pro forma) of assets under management as of June 30, 2006. BlackRock, Inc. is an affiliate of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., one of the largest diversified financial services companies in the United States, and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), an affiliate of BlackRock located at 40 E. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, acts as sub-adviser to the fund.

 

For their investment advisory and sub-advisory services, BlackRock and BFM, as applicable, are entitled to fees computed daily and payable monthly.

 

The maximum annual advisory fees that can be paid to BlackRock (as a percentage of average daily net assets) are as follows:

 

Total Annual Advisory Fee (Before Waivers)

 

  AVG. DAILY NET ASSETS  

INVESTMENT

ADVISORY FEE

First $1 billion

  .500%

$1 billion-$2 billion

  .450%

$2-billion-$3 billion

  .425%

greater than $3 billion

  .400%

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees of the Fund approving the fund’s investment advisory contracts is available in the fund’s statement of additional information.

 

Information about the portfolio manager for the fund is presented on page 7.

 

As discussed above, BlackRock has agreed contractually to cap net expenses (excluding interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, if any) of each share class of the fund at the levels shown in the fund’s expense table.

 

To achieve this cap, BlackRock and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation agreement. The agreement sets a limit on certain of the operating expenses of each class of shares and requires BlackRock to waive or reimburse fees or expenses if these operating expenses exceed that limit.

 

17


 

 

 

 

 

 

If within two years following a waiver or reimbursement, the operating expenses of a share class that previously received a waiver or reimbursement from BlackRock are less than the expense limit for that share class, the share class is required to repay BlackRock up to the amount of fees waived or expenses reimbursed under the agreement if: (1) the fund of which the share class is a part has more than $50 million in assets, (2) BlackRock or an affiliate serves as the fund’s investment adviser or administrator and (3) the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved in advance the payments to BlackRock at the previous quarterly meeting of the Board.

 

Dividends and Distributions

B lackRock Funds makes two kinds of distributions to shareholders: net investment income and net realized capital gains.

 

Distributions of net investment income derived by the fund are paid within 10 days after the end of each month. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the timing of such dividend payments.

 

Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the fund at least annually at a date determined by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

Your distributions will be reinvested at net asset value in new shares of the same class of the fund unless you instruct PFPC Inc. in writing to pay them in cash. There are no sales charges on these reinvestments.

 

If you invest in the fund shortly before it makes a capital gain distribution, some of your investment may be returned to you in the form of a taxable distribution. This is commonly known as “buying a dividend.” Distributions that are declared in October, November or December, but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.

 

 

Taxation of Distributions

D istributions paid out of the fund’s “net capital gain” will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has owned shares. Distributions of net investment income, other than exempt-interest dividends, and net short-term capital gains will generally be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. However, individual shareholders who satisfy certain holding period requirements and other

 

18


 

requirements are taxed on such dividends at long-term capital gain rates to the extent the dividends are attributable to “qualified dividend income” received by the fund. “Qualified dividend income” generally consists of dividends received from U.S. corporations (other than dividends from tax exempt organizations and certain dividends from real estate investment trusts and regulated investment companies) and certain foreign corporations.

 

Dividends paid with respect to interest on securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies may also be exempt from some types of state and local taxes.

 

Your annual tax statement from the Fund will present in detail the tax status of your distributions for each year.

 

When you sell your shares of the fund, you may realize a capital gain or loss. Use of the exchange privilege also will be treated as a taxable event because it will be deemed a redemption and subsequent purchase of the shares involved. Therefore, use of the exchange privilege may be subject to federal, state and local income tax.

 

If more than half of the total asset value of the fund is invested in non-U.S. securities, the fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid by it. In such case, you would be required to include your proportionate share of such taxes in your income and may be entitled to deduct or credit such taxes when computing your taxable income.

 

If you do not provide the fund with your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications, you may be subject to backup withholding on any distributions of income, capital gains or proceeds from the sale of your shares. When withholding is required, the amount will be 28% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and/or estate tax, and will be subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Because every investor has an individual tax situation, and also because the tax laws are subject to periodic changes, you should always consult your tax adviser about federal, state and local tax consequences of owning shares of the Fund.

 

19


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange Privilege

O nce you are a shareholder, you have the right to exchange Institutional Shares from one BlackRock fund to Institutional Shares of another to meet your changing financial needs. Please note that you can exchange only into a share class and fund that are open to new investors, unless you have a current account in a fund that is closed to new investors.

 

There is no required minimum amount with respect to exchanges of Institutional Shares. Institutional Shares of each BlackRock fund may be exchanged for Institutional Shares of other funds which offer that class of shares, based on their respective net asset values. For Federal income tax purposes a share exchange is a taxable event and a capital gain or loss may be realized. Please consult your tax or other financial adviser before making an exchange request.

 

Investors who currently own Institutional Shares of a fund may make exchanges into Institutional Shares of other funds except for investors holding shares through certain client accounts at financial intermediaries that are omnibus with the Fund and do not meet applicable minimums.

 

There are several ways to make an exchange: you may call the Fund at (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives, make the exchange via the Internet by accessing your account online, or you may send a written request to us at BlackRock Funds c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019. Please note, if you indicated on your New Account Application that you did not want the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you will not be able to place exchanges via the telephone until you update this option either in writing or by calling our Service Center. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.

 

The Fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege at any time for any reason, including if the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that you are engaging in market timing activities. See “Market Timing and Redemption Fees” above.

 

The Fund reserves the right to modify, limit the use of, or terminate the exchange privilege at any time for any reason.

 

 

Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents

T he fund delivers only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is known as “householding” and is intended to eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses. Mailings of

 

20


 

 

 

your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

 

 

Electronic Access to Annual Reports, Semi-Annual Reports and Prospectuses

E lectronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are available on the Fund’s website. Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the Fund’s electronic delivery program.

 

To enroll:

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial adviser. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts Directly With BlackRock

1)  Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery

2)  Log into your account

 

 

Blackrock Privacy Principles

B lackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their nonpublic personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

 

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

 

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal nonpublic information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our Web sites.

 

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BlackRock does not sell or disclose to nonaffiliated third parties any nonpublic personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to service Client accounts. These nonaffiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

 

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to nonpublic personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the nonpublic personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

 

22


 

For more information:

 

This prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available at no charge upon request. This information includes:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports

These reports contain additional information about the fund’s investments. The annual report describes the fund’s performance, lists portfolio holdings, and discusses recent market conditions, economic trends and fund investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance for the last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

A Statement of Additional Information, dated October 13, 2006, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, by calling (800) 441-7762. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

 

BlackRock Investor Shares

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday. Call: (800) 441-7762.

 

Purchases and Redemptions

Call your registered representative or (800) 441-7762.

 


World Wide Web

Access general fund information and specific fund

performance, including SAI and annual/semi-annual reports, free of charge. Request mutual fund prospectuses and literature. Forward mutual fund inquiries. www.blackrock.com/funds

 

Written Correspondence

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

PO Box 9819

Providence, RI 02940-8019

 

Overnight Mail

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

101 Sabin Street

Pawtucket, RI 02860

 

Internal Wholesalers/Broker Dealer Support

Available to support investment professionals

8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday.

Call: (800) 882-0052

 

Portfolio Characteristics and Holdings

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures related to disclosure of portfolio characteristics and holdings is available in the SAI.

 

For information about portfolio holdings and characteristics, BlackRock fund shareholders and prospective investors may call (800) 882-0052.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

You may also view and copy public information about the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR database on the SEC Web site (http://www.sec.gov) or the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the public reference room can be obtained by calling the SEC directly at (202) 551-8090. Copies of this information can be obtained, for a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549.

 


INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05742

 

 

PRO-LG- I 1006

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ALTERNATIVES   BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS   EQUITIES   FIXED INCOME   LIQUIDITY   REAL ESTATE

 

BlackRock Funds

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

 

BlackRock Shares

 

Prospectus

October 13, 2006

 

This Prospectus contains information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

MAY LOSE VALUE

NO BANK GUARANTEE

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

  

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Table of

Contents

 

How to Find the Information You Need

  1

Long Duration Bond

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About Your Investment

How to Buy/Sell Shares

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Dividends/Distributions/Taxes

  17


How to Find the

Information You Need

About BlackRock Funds

 

T his is the BlackRock Long Duration Bond Portfolio (BlackRock Shares) Prospectus. It has been written to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to invest in BlackRock Funds (the Fund). The Fund’s investment adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock).

 

This Prospectus contains information on the Long Duration Bond Portfolio (BlackRock Shares). The Prospectus has been organized so that the fund has a short section with important fund facts. Also included are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, certain fees and expenses, shareholder features of the fund and your rights as a shareholder.

 

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BlackRock

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities: Bonds that are backed by a pool of assets, usually loans such as installment sale contracts or credit card receivables.

 

Bonds: Debt obligations such as bonds and debentures, U.S. Government securities, debt obligations of domestic and non-U.S. corporations, debt obligations of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions, asset-backed securities, various mortgage-backed securities (both residential and commercial), other floating or variable rate obligations, municipal obligations and zero coupon debt securities.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO): Bonds that are backed by cash flows from pools of mortgages. CMOs may have multiple classes with different payment rights and protections.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS): Bonds that are backed by a mortgage loan or pools of loans secured by commercial property, not residential mortgages.

 

Credit Default Swaps: In entering into a credit default swap, one party would pay a counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no event of default on a specific bond has occurred. In return, upon any event of default on such bond, the first party would receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such bond.

 

Dollar Rolls: A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the fund of a mortgage-backed or other security concurrently with an agreement by the fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same interest rate and stated maturity as those sold, but pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.

 

Investment Goal

The fund seeks to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.

 

Primary Investment Strategies

In pursuit of this goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in bonds and maintains an average portfolio duration that is within ±20% of the duration of the Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index (the benchmark). As of August 31, 2006, the duration of the benchmark was 10.7 years.

 

The management team evaluates sectors of the U.S. and non-U.S. bond markets and individual securities within these sectors. The management team selects bonds from several sectors including: U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, CMOs, pass-throughs, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds. The fund may also invest in preferred stock. Securities are purchased for the fund when the management team determines that they have the potential for above-average total return. The fund measures its performance against the benchmark.

 

The fund invests primarily in dollar-denominated investment grade bonds, but may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non-dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. The fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated bonds may be on a currency hedged or unhedged basis.

 

Non-investment grade bonds acquired by the fund will generally be in the lower rating categories of the major rating agencies (BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s) or will be determined by the management team to be of similar quality. The fund may invest in securities rated in the category C and above or determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher rating.

 

A security will be sold if in the opinion of the management team, the risk of continuing to hold the security is unacceptable when compared to its total return potential.

 

The management team may, when consistent with the fund’s investment goal, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). An option is the right to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on or before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on a specific date. A swap is an agreement whereby one party exchanges its right to receive or its obligation to pay one type of interest or currency with another party for that other party’s obligation to pay or its right to receive another type of interest or

 

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currency in the future or for a period of time. The fund typically uses derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or currency risk. The fund may also use derivatives for leverage, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls).

 

The fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.

 

Should the Fund’s Board of Trustees determine that the investment goal of the fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.

 

Key Risks

While the management team chooses bonds it believes can provide above-average total returns, there is no guarantee that shares of the fund will not lose value. This means you could lose money.

 

Two of the main risks of investing in the fund are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds such as those held by the fund. Market interest rates have in recent years declined significantly below historical average rates. This decline may have increased the risk that these rates will rise in the future. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due.

 

The fund also makes investments in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities. The characteristics of these mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities.

 

A main difference is that the principal on mortgage- or asset-backed securities may normally be prepaid at any time, which will reduce the yield and market value of these securities. Asset-backed securities and CMBS generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets which were prepaid. Certain commercial mortgage-backed securities are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The fund’s investments in commercial mortgage-backed securities with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.

 

Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed

 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Duration: A mathematical calculation of the average life of a bond (or bonds in a bond fund) that serves as a useful measure of its price risk. Each year of duration represents an expected 1% change in the net asset value of a bond fund for every 1% immediate change in interest rates. For example, if a bond fund has an average duration of four years, its net asset value will fall about 4% when interest rates rise by one percentage point. Conversely, the bond fund’s net asset value will rise about 4% when interest rates fall by one percentage point. Duration, which measures price sensitivity to interest rate changes, is not necessarily equal to average maturity.

 

High Yield Bonds: Sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”, these are debt securities which are rated lower than investment grade (below the fourth highest rating of the major rating agencies). These securities generally pay more interest than higher rated securities. The higher yield is an incentive to investors who otherwise may be hesitant to purchase the debt of such a low-rated issuer.

 

Investment Grade: Securities which are rated in the four highest categories by at least one of the major rating agencies or determined by the management team to be of similar quality. Generally, the higher the rating of a bond, the higher the likelihood that interest and principal payments will be made on time.

 

Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index: An unmanaged index comprised of U.S. Government securities or investment grade credit securities from the more comprehensive Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. This index concentrates on long maturity bonds and thus excludes all maturities from the broader index that are less than 10 years.

 

Maturity: The date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities based on a particular type of asset, a mortgage. There is a wide variety of mortgage backed securities involving commercial or residential, fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgages and mortgages issued by banks or government agencies.

 

Split Rated Bond: A bond that receives different ratings from two or more rating agencies.

 

Total Return: A way of measuring fund performance. Total return is based on a calculation that takes into account income dividends, capital gain distributions and the increase or decrease in share price.

 

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securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults.

 

The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non- dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. Non-dollar and non-U.S. securities involve risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. These risks include but are not limited to: currency risks (the risk that the value of interest paid on non-dollar and non-U.S. securities, or the value of the securities themselves, may fall if currency exchange rates change), the risk that a security’s value will be hurt by changes in non-U.S. political or social conditions, including changes in policies restricting investment, the possibility of heavy taxation, nationalization or expropriation of assets and more difficulty obtaining information on non-U.S. securities or companies. In addition, non-dollar and non-U.S. securities may be harder to sell and may be subject to wider price movements than comparable investments in U.S. companies. There is also less government regulation of non-U.S. securities markets.

 

In addition, political and economic structures in emerging market countries may be undergoing rapid change and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability of more developed countries. As a result some of the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets and the existence of smaller, more volatile and less regulated markets, may be increased. The value of many investments in emerging market countries has declined significantly in the past, and may do so again in the future, as a result of economic and political turmoil in many of these countries.

 

Non-investment grade securities carry greater risks than securities which have higher credit ratings, including a high risk of default. The yields of non-investment grade securities will move up and down over time. The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer. These companies are often young and growing and have a lot of debt. High yield securities are considered speculative, meaning there is a significant risk that companies issuing these securities may not be able to repay principal and pay interest or dividends on time. In addition, other creditors of a high yield issuer may have the right to be paid before the high yield bond holder.

 

During an economic downturn, a period of rising interest rates or a recession, issuers of high yield securities who have a lot of debt may experience financial problems. They may not have enough cash to make their principal and interest payments. An economic downturn could also hurt the market for lower-rated securities and the fund.

 

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The market for high yield bonds is not as liquid as the markets for higher rated securities. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell high yield bonds, especially on short notice. The market could also be hurt by legal or tax changes.

 

Securities rated C are considered highly speculative and may be used to cover a situation where the issuer has filed a bankruptcy petition but debt service payments are continued. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, those are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to adverse conditions.

 

Securities rated in the fourth highest category by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics, meaning that they carry more risk than higher rated securities and may have problems making principal and interest payments in difficult economic climates. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value.

 

Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so.

 

The fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. These securities could fall in value by the time they are actually issued, which may be any time from a few days to over a year.

 

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. 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. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. In addition, some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. 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. The fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of

 

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an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).

 

Some transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls and may expose the fund to greater risk and increase its costs. To mitigate leverage risk, the management team will segregate liquid assets on the books of the fund or otherwise cover the transactions. 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 segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the fund uses leverage. The fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings, reducing the fund’s return. This interest expense may be greater than the fund’s return on the underlying investment.

 

High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of fund securities may result in the recognition of capital gain or loss. Given the frequency of sales, such gain or loss will likely be short-term capital gain or loss. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect fund performance.

 

When you invest in this fund you are not making a bank deposit. Your investment is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any bank or governmental agency.

 

Expenses and Fees

The table below explains your pricing options and describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold BlackRock Shares of the fund. The table presents estimated expenses for the fund’s first fiscal year and may not reflect expenses of the fund after February 1, 2008.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(Expenses that are deducted from fund assets)

 

       

Advisory fees

  .50 %

Other expenses 1

  .43 %

Total annual fund operating expenses

  .93 %

Fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2

  .53 %

Net expenses 2

  .40 %
1   The fund is newly organized and, accordingly, “Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
2   BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses to .40% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2008. The fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock in the following two years. See the “Management” section for a discussion of these waivers and reimbursements.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Advisory Fees: Fees paid to the investment adviser for portfolio management services.

 

Other Expenses: Include administration, transfer agency, custody, professional fees and registration fees.

 

 

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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. We are assuming an initial investment of $10,000, 5% total return each year with no changes in operating expenses and redemption at the end of each time period. Although your actual cost may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

    1 Year   3 Years

BlackRock Shares

  $ 41   $ 243
             

 

Fund Management

The fund management team is led by a team of investment professionals at BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), the fund’s sub-adviser, including the following individuals who have day-to-day responsibility: Keith Anderson, Managing Director of BFM since 1988, and Stuart Spodek, Managing Director of BFM since 2002.

 

Mr. Anderson is responsible for global fixed income strategy, asset allocation and the overall management of client portfolios. In this capacity, he coordinates BlackRock’s team of portfolio managers and credit analysts who specialize in the government, agency, corporate and mortgage sectors and sub-sectors, worldwide. He is the Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income, a member of BlackRock’s Management Committee and Chairman of the Investment Strategy Group.

 

Mr. Spodek is a member of the Investment Strategy Group and his primary responsibility is managing fixed income portfolios, with a sector emphasis on global government bonds, derivative instruments and implementing yield curve strategy across global portfolios. Mr. Spodek joined BlackRock in 1993.

 

 

Mr. Anderson and Mr. Spodek have been managing the fund since inception.

 

The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional information about the fund managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the fund managers, and the fund managers’ ownership of securities in the fund.

 

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About Your Investment

 

 

Buying Shares

B lackRock Shares are offered without a sales charge to institutional investors, registered investment advisers and certain fee-based programs.

 

Purchase orders may be placed by calling (800) 441-7762.

 

 

Price Per Share

T he price of mutual fund shares generally changes every day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open (business day). A mutual fund is a pool of investors’ money that is used to purchase a portfolio of securities, which in turn is owned in common by the investors. Investors put money into a mutual fund by buying shares. If a mutual fund has a portfolio worth $50 million and has 5 million shares outstanding, the net asset value (NAV) per share is $10.

 

Purchase orders received before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4 p.m. (Eastern time)) on each day the NYSE is open will be priced based on the NAV calculated at the close of trading on that day. NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of the fund as of the close of business on the NYSE, generally 4 p.m. (Eastern time), each day the NYSE is open. Shares will not be priced on days the NYSE is closed. Purchase orders received after the close of trading will be priced based on the next calculation of NAV. Non-U.S. securities and certain other securities held by the fund may trade on days when the NYSE is closed. In these cases, net asset value of shares may change when fund shares cannot be bought or sold.

 

Since the NAV changes daily, the price of your shares depends on the time that your order is received.

 

The fund’s assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations. Certain short-term debt securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. When a determination is made that market quotations are not readily available, including, but not limited to, when (i) the exchange or market on which a security is traded does not open for trading for an entire trading day and no other market prices are available, (ii) a particular security does not trade regularly or has had its trading halted, (iii) a security does not have a price source due to its lack of liquidity, (iv) BlackRock believes a market quotation from a broker-dealer is unreliable (e.g., where it varies significantly from a recent trade), (v) the security is thinly traded or (vi) there has been a significant subsequent event, the fund values the affected securities at fair

 

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value as determined by BlackRock pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. For example, the fund will value a security that trades principally on a foreign market using the most recent closing market price from the market on which the security principally trades, unless, in BlackRock’s judgment, a significant event subsequent to the market close has rendered such market closing price unreliable. Because significant events could affect the value of a foreign security between the close of the foreign market where the security is principally traded and the time the fund calculates its NAV, such closing price may not be reflective of current market conditions. In this case, the fund will use what it believes to be the fair value of the security as of the time the fund calculates its NAV.

 

Fair value represents a good faith approximation of the value of a security. A security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities based on readily available market quotations. The fair value of one or more securities may not, in retrospect, be the prices at which those assets could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used in determining the fund’s NAV. As a result, a fund’s sale or redemption of its shares at NAV, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.

 

Certain financial institutions may buy and sell BlackRock Shares on behalf of their customers. The institutions may charge a fee for this service and may impose additional conditions on owning fund shares. Shareholders should contact their institutions for more information.

 

 

Paying for Shares

P ayment for BlackRock Shares must normally be made in Federal funds or other funds immediately available by 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on the first business day following receipt of the order. Payment may also, at the discretion of the Fund, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the respective fund. If payment is not received by this time, you will be responsible for any loss to the Fund.

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions,

 

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including the Fund, to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When opening an account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow the Fund to identify you. The Fund may also ask to see other identifying documents such as a driver’s license (for individuals) or Articles of Incorporation or other formation documents (for institutions). The Fund may use a third party to obtain and verify this information. The Fund may not be able to establish an account, or it may close your existing account and/or redeem your shares involuntarily, if you do not provide sufficient information within the relevant time periods.

 

 

How Much is the Minimum Investment?

T he minimum investment for the initial purchase of BlackRock Shares is generally $5,000,000. The minimum initial investment for registered investment advisers is $250,000, and there is no minimum initial investment requirement for fee-based programs with an annual fee of at least .50%. There is no minimum requirement for later investments. The Fund does not accept third party checks as payment for shares.

 

The Fund may permit a lower initial investment for certain investors if their purchase, combined with purchases by other investors received together by the Fund, meets the minimum investment requirement. The Fund may reject any purchase order, modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for any shareholder and suspend and resume the sale of any share class of the fund at any time for any reason.

 

 

Distribution and Service Plan

T he Fund has adopted a plan (the Plan) that allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale of its shares under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act and shareholder servicing fees for certain services provided to its shareholders.

 

In accordance with the Plan, with the exception of the Small Cap Value Equity Portfolio, BlackRock shares currently do not make such payments. The Fund, however, may enter into non-Plan agreements with brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals (including PNC Bank, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (Merrill Lynch), BlackRock and their affiliates) (Service Organizations) pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Service Organization for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services. These non-Plan

 

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payments are in addition to, rather than in lieu of, fees the Fund pays to its transfer agent and are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a Service Organization or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.

The Plan permits BlackRock, BlackRock Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor) and their affiliates to make payments relating to distribution and sales support activities out of their past profits or other sources available to them (and not as an additional charge to the Fund). From time to time, BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates also may pay a portion of the fees for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services described above at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits. BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may compensate affiliated and unaffiliated Service Organizations for the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for these other services to the Fund and shareholders. These payments may be a fixed dollar amount, may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the Service Organization, or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments by BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may be substantial. Payments by BlackRock may include amounts that are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” payments. In some circumstances, these revenue sharing payments may create an incentive for a Service Organization, its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Please contact your Service Organization for details about payments it may receive from the Fund or from BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates. For more information, see the SAI.

 

 

Selling Shares

S hareholders may place redemption orders by telephoning (800) 441-7762. Shares are redeemed at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of the redemption order, minus any applicable redemption fee. See “Market Timing and Redemption Fees” below. The Fund, its administrators and the Distributor will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. The fund and its service providers will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense

 

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for acting upon telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine in accordance with such procedures.

 

Payment for redeemed shares for which a redemption order is received before 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on a business day is normally made in Federal funds wired to the redeeming shareholder on the next business day, provided that the fund’s custodian is also open for business. Payment for redemption orders received after 4 p.m. (Eastern time) or on a day when the fund’s custodian is closed is normally wired in Federal funds on the next business day following redemption on which the fund’s custodian is open for business. The Fund reserves the right to wire redemption proceeds within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgement of the Fund, an earlier payment could adversely affect the fund. No charge for wiring redemption payments is imposed by the Fund.

 

During periods of substantial economic or market change, telephone redemptions may be difficult to complete. Redemption requests may also be mailed to BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC, Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940.

 

The Fund may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so.

 

 

Market Timing and Redemption/Exchange Fees

T he Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the interests of long-term shareholders and the Fund’s ability to manage its investments may be adversely affected when shares are repeatedly bought, sold or exchanged in response to short-term market fluctuations—also known as “market timing.” The fund is not designed for market timing organizations or other entities using programmed or frequent purchases and sales or exchanges. The exchange privilege for Investor, Institutional and R Shares is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive purchase and sale or exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management, increase expenses and taxes and may have an adverse effect on the performance of a fund and its shareholders. For example, large flows of cash into and out of the fund may require the management team to allocate a significant amount of assets to cash or other short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining such assets in securities selected to achieve the fund’s investment goal. Frequent trading may cause the fund to sell securities at less favorable prices, and

 

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transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions, can reduce the fund’s performance.

 

A fund that invests in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk that an investor may seek to take advantage of a delay between the change in value of the fund’s portfolio securities and the determination of the fund’s NAV as a result of different closing times of U.S. and non-U.S. markets by buying or selling fund shares at a price that does not reflect their true value. A similar risk exists for funds that invest in securities of small capitalization companies, securities of issuers located in emerging markets or high yield securities (junk bonds) that are thinly traded and therefore may have actual values that differ from their market prices. This short-term arbitrage activity can reduce the return received by long-term shareholders. The Fund will seek to eliminate these opportunities by using fair value pricing, as described in “What Price Per Share Will You Pay?” above.

 

The Fund discourages market timing and seeks to prevent frequent purchases and sales or exchanges of fund shares that it determines may be detrimental to the fund or long-term shareholders. The Board of Trustees has approved the policies discussed below to seek to deter market timing activity. The Board has not adopted any specific numerical restrictions on purchases, sales and exchanges of fund shares because legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging or similar activities, may result in frequent trading of fund shares. It is not expected that shareholders would be harmed by such legitimate activities.

 

If, as a result of its own investigation, information provided by a financial intermediary or other third party, or otherwise, the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market timing activity, it reserves the right to reject any specific purchase or exchange order. If the Fund rejects your purchase or exchange order, you will not be able to execute that transaction, and the Fund will not be responsible for any losses you therefore may suffer. In addition, any redemptions or exchanges that you make (as a result of the activity described above or otherwise) will be subject to any and all redemption fees, as described below. For transactions placed directly with the Fund, the Fund may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control for the purpose of enforcing these policies. Transactions placed through the same financial intermediary on an omnibus basis may be deemed part

 

13


 

 

 

of a group for the purpose of this policy and may be rejected in whole or in part by the Fund. Certain accounts, such as omnibus accounts and accounts at financial intermediaries, however, include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with net purchase or redemption and exchange requests on any given day where purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers, redeemers and exchangers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. While the Fund monitors for market timing activity, the Fund may be unable to identify such activities because the netting effect in omnibus accounts often makes it more difficult to locate and eliminate market timers from the fund. Identification of market timers may also be limited by operational systems and technical limitations. In the event that a financial intermediary is determined by the Fund to be engaged in market timing or other improper trading activity, the Fund’s distributor may terminate such financial intermediary’s agreement with the distributor, suspend such financial intermediary’s trading privileges or take other appropriate actions.

 

Each of the Fund’s High Yield Bond, International Bond, Aurora, Small/Mid-Cap Growth, Small Cap Value Equity, Small Cap Core Equity, Small Cap Growth Equity, Health Sciences Opportunities, Global Science & Technology Opportunities, Global Resources, All-Cap Global Resources, U.S. Opportunities, Global Opportunities and International Opportunities Portfolios will automatically assess and retain a fee of 2% of the current NAV, after excluding the effect of any contingent deferred sales charges, of shares being redeemed or exchanged within 30 days of acquisition (other than those acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions). A new 30-day period begins with each acquisition of shares through a purchase or exchange. For example, a series of transactions in which shares of Portfolio A are exchanged for shares of Portfolio B 20 days after the purchase of the Portfolio A shares, followed in 20 days by an exchange of the Portfolio B shares for shares of Portfolio C, will be subject to two redemption fees (one on each exchange).

 

The redemption fee is for the benefit of the remaining shareholders of a fund and is intended to encourage long-term investment, to compensate for transaction and other expenses caused by early redemptions and exchanges, and to facilitate portfolio management. The “first-in, first-out” method is used to determine the holding period. Under this method, the date of

 

14


 

 

 

 

 

redemption or exchange will be compared with the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account. The Fund sells shares to some 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, bank or trust company accounts, and accounts of certain financial institutions or intermediaries that do not apply the redemption fee to underlying shareholders, often because of administrative or systems limitations. From time to time, with the approval of the Fund, the redemption fee will not be assessed on redemptions or exchanges by: (i) accounts of asset allocation programs or wrap programs whose trading practices are determined by the Fund not to be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders ( e.g. , model driven programs with periodic automatic portfolio rebalancing that prohibit participant-directed trading and other programs with similar characteristics); (ii) accounts of shareholders who have died or become disabled; (iii) shareholders redeeming or exchanging shares through the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan, Systematic Exchange Plan or in connection with required distributions from an IRA, 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan, or any other Internal Revenue Code Section 401 qualified retirement plan or account, or distribution from a 529 plan; (iv) shareholders executing rollovers of current investments in the Fund through qualified employee benefit plans; and (v) certain other accounts in the absolute discretion of the Fund when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate these waivers at any time.

 

There is no assurance that the methods described above will prevent market timing or other trading that may be deemed abusive.

 

The Fund may from time to time use other methods that it believes are appropriate to deter market timing or other trading activity that may be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders.

 

 

The Fund's Rights

T he Fund may:

 

  n   Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act,
  n   Postpone date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or as described in the section “Selling Shares” above,

 

15


 

 

 

 

 

  n   Redeem shares for property other than cash if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable in accordance with its rights under the Investment Company Act, and
  n   Redeem shares for property other than cash if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable in accordance with its rights under the Investment Company Act.

 

 

Accounts with Low Balances

T he Fund may redeem a shareholder’s account in the fund at any time the net asset value of the account in the fund falls below the applicable minimum initial investment as the result of a redemption. The shareholder will be notified in writing that the value of the account is less than the required amount and the shareholder will be allowed 60 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed.

 

 

Statements

E very shareholder automatically receives quarterly account statements. In addition, for tax purposes, shareholders also receive a yearly statement describing the characteristics of any dividends or other distributions received.

 

 

Management

B lackRock Funds’ adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock). BlackRock was organized in 1994 to perform advisory services for investment companies and is located at 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809. BlackRock is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., one of the largest publicly traded investment management firms in the United States with approximately $1 trillion (pro forma) of assets under management as of June 30, 2006. BlackRock, Inc. is an affiliate of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., one of the largest diversified financial services companies in the United States, and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), an affiliate of BlackRock located at 40 E. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, acts as sub-adviser to the fund.

For their investment advisory and sub-advisory services, BlackRock and BFM, as applicable, are entitled to fees computed daily and payable monthly.

 

16


 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Adviser: The adviser of a mutual fund is responsible for the overall investment management of the fund. The adviser for BlackRock Funds is BlackRock Advisors, LLC.

 

Sub-Adviser: The sub-adviser of a fund is responsible for its day-to-day management and will generally make all buy and sell decisions. Sub-advisers also provide research and credit analysis. The sub-adviser for the fund is BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.

 

 

 

The maximum annual advisory fees that can be paid to BlackRock (as a percentage of average daily net assets) are as follows:

 

Total Annual Advisory Fee (Before Waivers)

 

AVG. DAILY NET ASSETS   

INVESTMENT

ADVISORY FEE

First $1 billion

   .500%

$1 billion-$2 billion

   .450%

$2 billion-$3 billion

   .425%

greater than $3 billion

   .400%

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees of the Fund approving the fund’s investment advisory contract is available in the fund’s statement of additional information.

 

Information about the portfolio manager for the fund is presented on page 7.

 

As discussed above, BlackRock has agreed contractually to cap net expenses (excluding interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, if any) of each share class of the fund at the levels shown in the fund’s expense table.

 

To achieve this cap, BlackRock and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation agreement. The agreement sets a limit on certain of the operating expenses of each class of shares and requires BlackRock to waive or reimburse fees or expenses if these operating expenses exceed that limit.

 

If within two years following a waiver or reimbursement, the operating expenses of a share class that previously received a waiver or reimbursement from BlackRock are less than the expense limit for that share class, the share class is required to repay BlackRock up to the amount of fees waived or expenses reimbursed under the agreement if: (1) the fund of which the share class is a part has more than $50 million in assets, (2) BlackRock or an affiliate serves as the fund’s investment adviser or administrator and (3) the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved in advance the payments to BlackRock at the previous quarterly meeting of the Board.

 

 

Dividends and Distributions

B lackRock Funds makes two kinds of distributions to shareholders: net investment income and net realized capital gains.

 

17


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions of net investment income derived by the fund are paid within 10 days after the end of each month. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the timing of such dividend payments.

 

Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the fund at least annually at a date determined by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

Your distributions will be reinvested at net asset value in new shares of the same class of the fund unless you instruct PFPC Inc. in writing to pay them in cash. There are no sales charges on these reinvestments.

 

If you invest in the fund shortly before it makes a capital gain distribution, some of your investment may be returned to you in the form of a taxable distribution. This is commonly known as “buying a dividend.” Distributions that are declared in October, November or December, but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.

 

 

Taxation of Distributions

D istributions paid out of the fund’s “net capital gain” will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has owned shares. Distributions of net investment income, other than exempt-interest dividends, and net short-term capital gains will generally be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. However, individual shareholders who satisfy certain holding period requirements and other requirements are taxed on such dividends at long-term capital gain rates to the extent the dividends are attributable to “qualified dividend income” received by the fund. “Qualified dividend income” generally consists of dividends received from U.S. corporations (other than dividends from tax exempt organizations and certain dividends from real estate investment trusts and regulated investment companies) and certain foreign corporations.

 

Dividends paid with respect to interest on securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies may also be exempt from some types of state and local taxes.

 

Your annual tax statement from the Fund will present in detail the tax status of your distributions for each year.

 

If more than half of the total asset value of the fund is invested in non-U.S. stock or securities, the fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid by it.

 

18


 

 

 

 

 

 

In such case, you would be required to include your proportionate share of such taxes in your income and may be entitled to deduct or credit such taxes when computing your taxable income.

 

If you do not provide the fund with your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications, you may be subject to backup withholding on any distributions of income, capital gains or proceeds from the sale of your shares. When withholding is required, the amount will be 28% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and/or estate tax, and will be subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Because every investor has an individual tax situation, and also because the tax laws are subject to periodic changes, you should always consult your tax adviser about federal, state and local tax consequences of owning shares of the Fund.

 

 

Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents

T he fund delivers only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is known as “householding” and is intended to eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

 

 

Electronic Access to Annual Reports, Semi-Annual Reports and Prospectuses

E lectronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are available on the Fund’s website. Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the Fund’s electronic delivery program.

 

To enroll:

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial adviser. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

 

19


 

 

 

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts Directly With BlackRock

1)  Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery

2)  Log into your account

 

 

Blackrock Privacy Principles

B lackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their nonpublic personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

 

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

 

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal nonpublic information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our Web sites.

 

BlackRock does not sell or disclose to nonaffiliated third parties any nonpublic personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to service Client accounts. These nonaffiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

 

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to nonpublic personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the nonpublic personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

 

 

20


 

For more information:

 

This Prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available at no charge upon request. This information includes:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports

These reports contain additional information about the fund’s investments. The annual report describes the fund’s performance, lists portfolio holdings, and discusses recent market conditions, economic trends and fund investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance for the last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

A Statement of Additional Information, dated October 13, 2006, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, by calling (800) 441-7762. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

 

Shareholder Account Service Representatives

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday. Call: (800) 441-7762.

 

World Wide Web

Access general fund information and specific fund performance, including SAI and annual/semi-annual reports, free of charge. Request mutual fund prospectuses and literature. Forward mutual fund inquiries. www.blackrock.com/funds

 

Written Correspondence

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

P.O. Box 9819

Providence, RI 02940-8019

 

Overnight Mail

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

101 Sabin Street

Pawtucket, RI 02860

 

Portfolio Characteristics and Holdings

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures related to disclosure of portfolio characteristics and holdings is available in the SAI.

 

For information about portfolio holdings and characteristics, BlackRock fund shareholders and prospective investors may call (800) 882-0052.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

You may also view and copy public information about the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR database on the SEC Web site (http://www.sec.gov) or the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the public reference room can be obtained by calling the SEC directly at (202) 551-8090. Copies of this information can be obtained, for a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05742

 

PRO-LG-BLK 1006

LOGO


 

ALTERNATIVES   BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS   EQUITIES   FIXED INCOME   LIQUIDITY   REAL ESTATE

 

BlackRock Funds

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

 

R Shares

 

Prospectus

October 13, 2006

 

This Prospectus contains information you should know before investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED

MAY LOSE VALUE

NO BANK GUARANTEE

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

  

LOGO


 

Table of

Contents

 

How to find the information you need

How to Find the Information You Need

  1

Long Duration Bond

  2
     

About Your Investment

How to Buy/Sell Shares

  9

Dividends/Distributions/Taxes

  20


How to Find the

Information You Need

About BlackRock Funds

 

T his is the BlackRock Long Duration Bond Portfolio (R Shares) Prospectus. It has been written to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to invest in BlackRock Funds (the Fund). The Fund’s investment adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock).

 

This Prospectus contains information on the Long Duration Bond Portfolio (R Shares). The Prospectus has been organized so that the fund has a short section with important fund facts. Also included are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, certain fees and expenses, shareholder features of the fund and your rights as a shareholder.

 

If you have questions after reading the Prospectus, ask your registered representative for assistance. Your investment professional has been trained to help you decide which investments are right for you.

 

1


BlackRock

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Asset-Backed Securities: Bonds that are backed by a pool of assets, usually loans such as installment sale contracts or credit card receivables.

 

Bonds: Debt obligations such as bonds and debentures, U.S. Government securities, debt obligations of domestic and non-U.S. corporations, debt obligations of non-U.S. governments and their political subdivisions, asset-backed securities, various mortgage-backed securities (both residential and commercial), other floating or variable rate obligations, municipal obligations and zero coupon debt securities.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO): Bonds that are backed by cash flows from pools of mortgages. CMOs may have multiple classes with different payment rights and protections.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS): Bonds that are backed by a mortgage loan or pools of loans secured by commercial property, not residential mortgages.

 

Credit Default Swaps: In entering into a credit default swap, one party would pay a counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no event of default on a specific bond has occurred. In return, upon any event of default on such bond, the first party would receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of such bond.

 

Dollar Rolls: A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the fund of a mortgage-backed or other security concurrently with an agreement by the fund to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same interest rate and stated maturity as those sold, but pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold.

 

Investment Goal

The fund seeks to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.

 

Primary Investment Strategies

In pursuit of this goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its assets in bonds and maintains an average portfolio duration that is within ±20% of the duration of the Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index (the benchmark). As of August 31, 2006, the duration of the benchmark was 10.7 years.

 

The management team evaluates sectors of the U.S. and non-U.S. bond markets and individual securities within these sectors. The management team selects bonds from several sectors including: U.S. Treasuries and agency securities, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, CMOs, pass-throughs, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and taxable and tax-exempt municipal bonds. The fund may also invest in preferred stock. Securities are purchased for the fund when the management team determines that they have the potential for above-average total return. The fund measures its performance against the benchmark.

 

The fund invests primarily in dollar-denominated investment grade bonds, but may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non-dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. The fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated bonds may be on a currency hedged or unhedged basis.

 

Non-investment grade bonds acquired by the fund will generally be in the lower rating categories of the major rating agencies (BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s or Ba or lower by Moody’s) or will be determined by the management team to be of similar quality. The fund may invest in securities rated in the category C and above or determined by the management team to be of comparable quality. Split rated bonds will be considered to have the higher rating.

 

A security will be sold if in the opinion of the management team, the risk of continuing to hold the security is unacceptable when compared to its total return potential.

 

The management team may, when consistent with the fund’s investment goal, buy or sell options or futures on a security or an index of securities, or enter into credit default swaps and interest rate or foreign currency transactions, including swaps (collectively, commonly known as derivatives). An option is the right to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on or before a specific date. A future is an agreement to buy or sell a security or an index of securities at a specific price on a specific date. A swap is an agreement whereby one party

 

2


IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Duration: A mathematical calculation of the average life of a bond (or bonds in a bond fund) that serves as a useful measure of its price risk. Each year of duration represents an expected 1% change in the net asset value of a bond fund for every 1% immediate change in interest rates. For example, if a bond fund has an average duration of four years, its net asset value will fall about 4% when interest rates rise by one percentage point. Conversely, the bond fund’s net asset value will rise about 4% when interest rates fall by one percentage point. Duration, which measures price sensitivity to interest rate changes, is not necessarily equal to average maturity.

 

High Yield Bonds: Sometimes referred to as “junk bonds”, these are debt securities which are rated lower than investment grade (below the fourth highest rating of the major rating agencies). These securities generally pay more interest than higher rated securities. The higher yield is an incentive to investors who otherwise may be hesitant to purchase the debt of such a low-rated issuer.

 

Investment Grade: Securities which are rated in the four highest categories by at least one of the major rating agencies or determined by the management team to be of similar quality. Generally, the higher the rating of a bond, the higher the likelihood that interest and principal payments will be made on time.

 

Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index: An unmanaged index comprised of U.S. Government securities or investment grade credit securities from the more comprehensive Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index. This index concentrates on long maturity bonds and thus excludes all maturities from the broader index that are less than 10 years.

 

Maturity: The date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security.

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities based on a particular type of asset, a mortgage. There is a wide variety of mortgage backed securities involving commercial or residential, fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgages and mortgages issued by banks or government agencies.

 

Split Rated Bond: A bond that receives different ratings from two or more rating agencies.

 

Total Return: A way of measuring fund performance. Total return is based on a calculation that takes into account income dividends, capital gain distributions and the increase or decrease in share price.

 

exchanges its right to receive or its obligation to pay one type of interest or currency with another party for that other party’s obligation to pay or its right to receive another type of interest or currency in the future or for a period of time. The fund typically uses derivatives as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate or currency risk. The fund may also use derivatives for leverage, in which case their use would involve leveraging risk. The fund may seek to obtain market exposure to the securities in which it primarily invests by entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or by using other investment techniques (such as reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls).

 

 

The fund may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its primary investment strategies.

 

Should the Fund’s Board of Trustees determine that the investment goal of the fund should be changed, shareholders will be given at least 30 days notice before any such change is made. However, such change can be effected without shareholder approval.

 

Key Risks

While the management team chooses bonds it believes can provide above-average total returns, there is no guarantee that shares of the fund will not lose value. This means you could lose money.

 

Two of the main risks of investing in the fund are interest rate risk and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in the market value of bonds such as those held by the fund. Market interest rates have in recent years declined significantly below historical average rates. This decline may have increased the risk that these rates will rise in the future. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of the bond will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due.

 

The fund also makes investments in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities. The characteristics of these mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities.

 

A main difference is that the principal on mortgage- or asset-backed securities may normally be prepaid at any time, which will reduce the yield and market value of these securities. Asset-backed securities and CMBS generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets which were prepaid. Certain commercial mortgage-backed securities are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The fund’s investments in commercial mortgage-backed securities with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.

 

3


 

Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults.

 

The fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in any combination of non-investment grade bonds (high yield or junk bonds), non- dollar denominated bonds and bonds of emerging market issuers. Non-dollar and non-U.S. securities involve risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. These risks include but are not limited to: currency risks (the risk that the value of interest paid on non-dollar and non-U.S. securities, or the value of the securities themselves, may fall if currency exchange rates change), the risk that a security’s value will be hurt by changes in non-U.S. political or social conditions, including changes in policies restricting investment, the possibility of heavy taxation, nationalization or expropriation of assets and more difficulty obtaining information on non-U.S. securities or companies. In addition, non-dollar and non-U.S. securities may be harder to sell and may be subject to wider price movements than comparable investments in U.S. companies. There is also less government regulation of non-U.S. securities markets.

 

In addition, political and economic structures in emerging market countries may be undergoing rapid change and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability of more developed countries. As a result some of the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets and the existence of smaller, more volatile and less regulated markets, may be increased. The value of many investments in emerging market countries has declined significantly in the past, and may do so again in the future, as a result of economic and political turmoil in many of these countries.

 

Non-investment grade securities carry greater risks than securities which have higher credit ratings, including a high risk of default. The yields of non-investment grade securities will move up and down over time. The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer. These companies are often young and growing and have a lot of debt. High yield securities are considered speculative, meaning there is a significant risk that companies issuing these securities may not be able to repay principal and pay interest or dividends on time. In addition, other creditors of a high yield issuer may have the right to be paid before the high yield bond holder.

 

4


 

During an economic downturn, a period of rising interest rates or a recession, issuers of high yield securities who have a lot of debt may experience financial problems. They may not have enough cash to make their principal and interest payments. An economic downturn could also hurt the market for lower-rated securities and the fund.

 

The market for high yield bonds is not as liquid as the markets for higher rated securities. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell high yield bonds, especially on short notice. The market could also be hurt by legal or tax changes.

 

Securities rated C are considered highly speculative and may be used to cover a situation where the issuer has filed a bankruptcy petition but debt service payments are continued. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, those are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to adverse conditions.

 

Securities rated in the fourth highest category by the rating agencies are considered investment grade but they may also have some speculative characteristics, meaning that they carry more risk than higher rated securities and may have problems making principal and interest payments in difficult economic climates. Investment grade ratings do not guarantee that bonds will not lose value.

 

Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so.

 

The fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. These securities could fall in value by the time they are actually issued, which may be any time from a few days to over a year.

 

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. 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. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. In addition, some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. 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. The fund could also

 

5


 

 

suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).

 

Some transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls and may expose the fund to greater risk and increase its costs. To mitigate leverage risk, the management team will segregate liquid assets on the books of the fund or otherwise cover the transactions. 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 segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the fund uses leverage. The fund will also have to pay interest on its borrowings, reducing the fund’s return. This interest expense may be greater than the fund’s return on the underlying investment.

 

High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of fund securities may result in the recognition of capital gain or loss. Given the frequency of sales, such gain or loss will likely be short-term capital gain or loss. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect fund performance.

 

When you invest in this fund you are not making a bank deposit. Your investment is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any bank or governmental agency.

 

Expenses and Fees

As a shareholder you pay certain fees and expenses. Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of fund assets.

 

The table below explains your pricing options and describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold R Shares of the fund. The table presents estimated expenses for the fund’s first fiscal year and may not reflect expenses of the fund after February 1, 2008.

 

6


 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Advisory Fees: Fees paid to the investment adviser for portfolio management services.

 

Distribution Fees: Fees paid to the fund’s distributor, BlackRock and service organizations for distribution of fund shares and related sales support services.

 

Other Expenses: Include administration, transfer agency, custody, professional fees and registration fees.

 

Service Fees: Fees that are paid to service organizations that provide services to shareholders.

 

Service Organizations: Brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals that provide support services to their customers who own shares of the Fund.

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(Expenses that are deducted from fund assets)

 

Advisory fees

  .50 %

Distribution (12b-1) fees

  .25 %

Other expenses 1

  .88 %

Service fees

  .25 %

Other

  .63 %

Total annual fund operating expenses

  1.63 %

Fee waivers and expense reimbursements 2

   

Net expenses 2

  1.63 %
1   The fund is newly organized and, accordingly, “Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
2   BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit R class expenses to 1.93% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2008. The fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock in the following two years. See the “Management” section for a discussion of these waivers and reimbursements.

 

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. We are assuming an initial investment of $10,000, 5% total return each year with no changes in operating expenses and redemption at the end of each time period. Although your actual cost may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

    1 Year   3 Years

R Shares

  $ 166   $ 514
             

 

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Fund Management

The fund management team is led by a team of investment professionals at BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), the fund’s sub-adviser, including the following individuals who have day-to-day responsibility: Keith Anderson, Managing Director of BFM since 1988, and Stuart Spodek, Managing Director of BFM since 2002.

 

Mr. Anderson is responsible for global fixed income strategy, asset allocation and the overall management of client portfolios. In this capacity, he coordinates BlackRock’s team of portfolio managers and credit analysts who specialize in the government, agency, corporate and mortgage sectors and sub-sectors, worldwide. He is the Chief Investment Officer for Fixed Income, a member of BlackRock’s Management Committee and Chairman of the Investment Strategy Group.

 

Mr. Spodek is a member of the Investment Strategy Group and his primary responsibility is managing fixed income portfolios, with a sector emphasis on global government bonds, derivative instruments and implementing yield curve strategy across global portfolios. Mr. Spodek joined BlackRock in 1993.

 

Mr. Anderson and Mr. Spodek have been managing the fund since inception.

 

The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional information about the fund managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the fund managers, and the fund managers’ ownership of securities in the fund.

 

8


About Your Investment

 

 

Buying Shares

R Shares are available only to certain authorized qualified employee benefit plans. If you buy R Shares, you will pay neither an initial sales charge nor a contingent deferred sales charge. However, Class R shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% per year and a shareholder servicing fee of 0.25% per year.

 

 

What Price Per Share Will You Pay?

T he price of mutual fund shares generally changes every day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open (business day). A mutual fund is a pool of investors’ money that is used to purchase a portfolio of securities, which in turn is owned in common by the investors. Investors put money into a mutual fund by buying shares. If a mutual fund has a portfolio worth $50 million and has 5 million shares outstanding, the net asset value (NAV) per share is $10. When you buy R Shares you pay the NAV per share.

 

Purchase orders received by the close of regular trading on the NYSE (currently 4 p.m. (Eastern time)) on each day the NYSE is open will be priced based on the NAV calculated at the close of trading on that day. NAV is calculated separately for each class of shares of the fund as of the close of business on the NYSE, generally 4 p.m. (Eastern time), each day the NYSE is open. Shares will not be priced on days the NYSE is closed. Purchase orders received after the close of trading will be priced based on the next calculation of NAV. The non-U.S. securities and certain other securities held by the fund may trade on days when the NYSE is closed. In these cases, net asset value of shares may change when fund shares cannot be bought or sold.

 

Since the NAV changes daily, the price you pay for your shares depends on the time that your order is received by the Fund’s transfer agent, whose job it is to keep track of shareholder records.

 

The fund’s assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations. Certain short-term debt securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost. When a determination is made that market quotations are not readily available, including, but not limited to, when (i) the exchange or market on which a security is traded does not open for trading for an entire trading day and no other market prices are available, (ii) a particular security does not trade regularly or has had its trading halted, (iii) a security does not have a price source due to its lack of liquidity, (iv) BlackRock

 

9


 

 

 

 

believes a market quotation from a broker-dealer is unreliable (e.g., where it varies significantly from a recent trade), (v) the security is thinly traded or (vi) there has been a significant subsequent event, the fund values the affected securities at fair value as determined by BlackRock pursuant to procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. For example, the fund will value a security that trades principally on a foreign market using the most recent closing market price from the market on which the security principally trades, unless, in BlackRock’s judgment, a significant event subsequent to the market close has rendered such market closing price unreliable. Because significant events could affect the value of a foreign security between the close of the foreign market where the security is principally traded and the time the fund calculates its NAV, such closing price may not be reflective of current market conditions. In this case, the fund will use what it believes to be the fair value of the security as of the time the fund calculates its NAV.

 

Fair value represents a good faith approximation of the value of a security. A security’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities based on readily available market quotations. The fair value of one or more securities may not, in retrospect, be the prices at which those assets could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used in determining the fund’s NAV. As a result, the fund’s sale or redemption of its shares at NAV, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.

 

 

Paying for Shares

P ayment for an order must normally be made in Federal funds or other funds immediately available by 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on the first business day following receipt of the order. If payment is not received by this time, the order will be cancelled and you and your financial intermediary will be responsible for any loss to the Fund.

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions, including the Fund, to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When opening an account, you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth

 

10


 

 

 

and other information that will allow the Fund to identify you. The Fund may also ask to see other identifying documents such as a driver’s license (for individuals) or Articles of Incorporation or other formation documents (for institutions). The Fund may use a third party to obtain and verify this information. The Fund may not be able to establish an account, or it may close your existing account and/or redeem your shares involuntarily, if you do not provide sufficient information within the relevant time periods.

 

 

How Much is the Minimum Investment?

T he minimum investment for the initial purchase of R Shares is $100. There is a $50 minimum for all subsequent investments. The Fund may reject any purchase order, modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements for any shareholder and suspend and resume the sale of any share class of any fund at any time for any reason.

 

 

Distribution and Service Plan

The Fund has adopted a plan (the Plan) that allows the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale of its shares under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act and shareholder servicing fees for certain services provided to its shareholders.

 

Under the Plan, R Shares pay a fee (distribution fees) to BlackRock Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor) and/or affiliates of PNC Bank or Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (Merrill Lynch) (including BlackRock) for distribution and sales support services. The distribution fees may be used to pay the Distributor for distribution services and to pay the Distributor and affiliates of PNC Bank or Merrill Lynch (including BlackRock) for sales support services provided in connection with the sale of R Shares. The distribution fees may also be used to pay brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals (including BlackRock, PNC Bank, Merrill Lynch and their affiliates) (Service Organizations) for sales support services and related expenses. All R Shares pay a maximum distribution fee of .25% per year of the average daily net asset value of each fund attributable to R Shares.

 

Under the Plan, the Fund also pays shareholder servicing fees to Service Organizations whereby the Service Organizations provide support services to their customers who own R Shares in return for these fees. The Fund may pay a shareholder servicing fee of up to .25% per year of the average daily net asset value of R Shares of the fund. All R Shares pay this shareholder servicing fee.

 

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In return for the shareholder servicing fee, Service Organizations (including BlackRock) may provide one or more of the following services to their customers who own R Shares:

 

  (1) Responding to customer questions on the services performed by the Service Organization and investments in R Shares;
  (2) Assisting customers in choosing and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and
  (3) Providing other similar shareholder liaison services.

 

The shareholder servicing fees payable pursuant to the Plan are fees payable for the administration and servicing of shareholder accounts and not costs which are primarily intended to result in the sale of the fund’s shares.

 

Because the fees paid by the Fund under the Plan are paid out of Fund assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

For more information on the Plan, including a complete list of services provided thereunder, see the SAI.

 

In addition to, rather than in lieu of, distribution and shareholder servicing fees that the Fund may pay to a Service Organization pursuant to the Plan and fees the Fund pays to its transfer agent, the Fund may enter into non-Plan agreements with Service Organizations pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Service Organization for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services. These non-Plan payments are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a Service Organization or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.

 

The Plan permits BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates to make payments relating to distribution and sales support activities out of their past profits or other sources available to them (and not as an additional charge to the Fund). From time to time, BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates also may pay a portion of the fees for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services described above at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits. BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may compensate

 

12


 

 

affiliated and unaffiliated Service Organizations for the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for these other services to the Fund and shareholders. These payments would be in addition to the Fund payments described in this Prospectus and may be a fixed dollar amount, may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by the Service Organization, or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments by BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may be substantial. Payments by BlackRock may include amounts that are sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing” payments. In some circumstances, these revenue sharing payments may create an incentive for a Service Organization, its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Fund to you. Please contact your Service Organization for details about payments it may receive from the Fund or from BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates. For more information, see the SAI.

 

 

Selling Shares

Authorized qualified employee benefit plan participants may redeem R Shares in accordance with the procedures applicable to their plan accounts. These procedures will vary according to the type of account and the plan involved and customers should consult their account managers in this regard. Authorized qualified employee benefit plans are responsible for transmitting redemption orders to PFPC and crediting their customers’ accounts with redemption proceeds on a timely basis.

 

Authorized qualified employee benefit plans may place redemption orders by telephoning (800) 441-7762. Shares are redeemed at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of the redemption order minus any applicable redemption fee. See “Market Timing and Redemption Fees” below. The Fund, its administrators and the Distributor will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. The Fund and its service providers will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense for acting upon telephone instructions that are reasonably believed to be genuine in accordance with such procedures.

 

Payment for redeemed shares for which a redemption order is received before 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on a business day is normally made in Federal funds wired to the redeeming plan on the next business day, provided that the fund’s custodian is also open for

 

13


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

business. Payment for redemption orders received after 4 p.m. (Eastern time) or on a day when the fund’s custodian is closed is normally wired in Federal funds on the next business day following redemption on which the fund’s custodian is open for business. The Fund reserves the right to wire redemption proceeds within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgment of the Fund, an earlier payment could adversely affect a fund. No charge for wiring redemption payments is imposed by the Fund, although plans may charge their customer accounts for redemption services. Information relating to such redemption services and charges, if any, should be obtained by customers from their plans.

 

During periods of substantial economic market change telephone redemptions may be difficult to complete. Redemption requests may also be mailed to BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC, Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940.

 

The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the Federal wire system or the shareholder’s firm or bank. The Fund does not currently charge for wire transfers. The shareholder is responsible for any charges imposed by the shareholder’s bank. To change the name of the single, designated bank account to receive wire redemption proceeds, it is necessary to send a written request to BlackRock Funds, c/o PFPC, Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940.

 

The Fund may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so.

 

 

Market Timing and Redemption/Exchange Fees

T he Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined that the interests of long-term shareholders and the Fund’s ability to manage its investments may be adversely affected when shares are repeatedly bought, sold or exchanged in response to short-term market fluctuations—also known as “market timing.” The fund is not designed for market timing organizations or other entities using programmed or frequent purchases and sales or exchanges. The exchange privilege for Investor, Institutional and R Shares is not intended as a vehicle for short-term trading. Excessive purchase and sale or exchange activity may interfere with portfolio management, increase expenses and taxes and may have an adverse effect on the performance of a fund and its shareholders. For example, large flows of cash into and out of the fund may require the management team to allocate a significant amount of assets to cash or other

 

14


 

short-term investments or sell securities, rather than maintaining such assets in securities selected to achieve the fund’s investment goal. Frequent trading may cause the fund to sell securities at less favorable prices, and transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions, can reduce the fund’s performance.

 

A fund that invests in non-U.S. securities is subject to the risk that an investor may seek to take advantage of a delay between the change in value of the fund’s portfolio securities and the determination of the fund’s NAV as a result of different closing times of U.S. and non-U.S. markets by buying or selling fund shares at a price that does not reflect their true value. A similar risk exists for funds that invest in securities of small capitalization companies, securities of issuers located in emerging markets or high yield securities (junk bonds) that are thinly traded and therefore may have actual values that differ from their market prices. This short-term arbitrage activity can reduce the return received by long-term shareholders. The Fund will seek to eliminate these opportunities by using fair value pricing, as described in “What Price Per Share Will You Pay?” above.

 

The Fund discourages market timing and seeks to prevent frequent purchases and sales or exchanges of fund shares that it determines may be detrimental to the fund or long-term shareholders. The Board of Trustees has approved the policies discussed below to seek to deter market timing activity. The Board has not adopted any specific numerical restrictions on purchases, sales and exchanges of fund shares because legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging or similar activities, may result in frequent trading of fund shares. It is not expected that shareholders would be harmed by such legitimate activities.

 

If, as a result of its own investigation, information provided by a financial intermediary or other third party, or otherwise, the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that your short-term trading is excessive or that you are engaging in market timing activity, it reserves the right to reject any specific purchase or exchange order. If the Fund rejects your purchase or exchange order, you will not be able to execute that transaction, and the Fund will not be responsible for any losses you therefore may suffer. In addition, any redemptions or exchanges that you make (as a result of the activity described above or otherwise) will be subject to any and all redemption fees, as described below. For transactions placed directly with the Fund, the Fund may consider the trading history of accounts under common ownership or control for the purpose

 

15


 

 

 

of enforcing these policies. Transactions placed through the same financial intermediary on an omnibus basis may be deemed part of a group for the purpose of this policy and may be rejected in whole or in part by the Fund. Certain accounts, such as omnibus accounts and accounts at financial intermediaries, however, include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide the Fund with net purchase or redemption and exchange requests on any given day where purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares are netted against one another and the identity of individual purchasers, redeemers and exchangers whose orders are aggregated are not known by the Fund. While the Fund monitors for market timing activity, the Fund may be unable to identify such activities because the netting effect in omnibus accounts often makes it more difficult to locate and eliminate market timers from the funds. Identification of market timers may also be limited by operational systems and technical limitations. In the event that a financial intermediary is determined by the Fund to be engaged in market timing or other improper trading activity, the Fund’s distributor may terminate such financial intermediary’s agreement with the distributor, suspend such financial intermediary’s trading privileges or take other appropriate actions.

 

Each of the Fund’s High Yield Bond, International Bond, Aurora, Small/Mid-Cap Growth, Small Cap Value Equity, Small Cap Core Equity, Small Cap Growth Equity, Health Sciences Opportunities, Global Science & Technology Opportunities, Global Resources, All-Cap Global Resources, U.S. Opportunities, Global Opportunities and International Opportunities Portfolios will automatically assess and retain a fee of 2% of the current NAV, after excluding the effect of any contingent deferred sales charges, of shares being redeemed or exchanged within 30 days of acquisition (other than those acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions). A new 30-day period begins with each acquisition of shares through a purchase or exchange. For example, a series of transactions in which shares of Portfolio A are exchanged for shares of Portfolio B 20 days after the purchase of the Portfolio A shares, followed in 20 days by an exchange of the Portfolio B shares for shares of Portfolio C, will be subject to two redemption fees (one on each exchange).

 

The redemption fee is for the benefit of the remaining shareholders of a fund and is intended to encourage long-term investment, to compensate for transaction and other expenses caused by early redemptions and exchanges, and to facilitate

 

16


 

 

 

 

 

 

portfolio management. The “first-in, first-out” method is used to determine the holding period. Under this method, the date of redemption or exchange will be compared with the earliest purchase date of shares held in the account. The Fund sells shares to some 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, bank or trust company accounts, and accounts of certain financial institutions or intermediaries that do not apply the redemption fee to underlying shareholders, often because of administrative or systems limitations. From time to time, with the approval of the Fund, the redemption fee will not be assessed on redemptions or exchanges by: (i) accounts of asset allocation programs or wrap programs whose trading practices are determined by the Fund not to be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders ( e.g. , model driven programs with periodic automatic portfolio rebalancing that prohibit participant-directed trading and other programs with similar characteristics); (ii) accounts of shareholders who have died or become disabled; (iii) shareholders redeeming or exchanging shares through the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan, Systematic Exchange Plan or in connection with required distributions from an IRA, 401(k) plan, 403(b) plan or any other Internal Revenue Code Section 401 qualified retirement plan or account, or distribution from a 529 plan; (iv) shareholders executing rollovers of current investments in the Fund through qualified employee benefit plans; and (v) certain other accounts in the absolute discretion of the Fund when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship. The Fund reserves the right to modify or eliminate these waivers at any time.

 

There is no assurance that the methods described above will prevent market timing or other trading that may be deemed abusive.

 

The Fund may from time to time use other methods that it believes are appropriate to deter market timing or other trading activity that may be detrimental to a fund or long-term shareholders.

 

 

The Fund's Rights

T he Fund may:

 

  n   Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act,
  n  

Postpone date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency

 

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conditions described in the Investment Company Act or as described in the third paragraph in the section “Selling Shares” above,

  n   Redeem shares involuntarily in certain cases, such as when the value of a shareholder account falls below a specified level, as described below, and
  n   Redeem shares for property other than cash if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable in accordance with its rights under the Investment Company Act.

 

 

Accounts with Low Balances

T he Fund may redeem a shareholder’s account in the fund at any time if the net asset value of the account in the fund falls below the required minimum initial investment as the result of a redemption or an exchange request. The shareholder will be notified in writing that the value of the account is less than the required amount and the shareholder will be allowed 60 days to make additional investments before the redemption is processed.

 

 

Management

B lackRock Funds’ adviser is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock). BlackRock was organized in 1994 to perform advisory services for investment companies and is located at 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809. BlackRock is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., one of the largest publicly traded investment management firms in the United States with approximately $1 trillion (pro forma) of assets under management as of June 30, 2006. BlackRock, Inc. is an affiliate of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., one of the largest diversified financial services companies in the United States, and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (BFM), an affiliate of BlackRock located at 40 E. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, acts as sub-adviser to the fund.

 

For their investment advisory and sub-advisory services, BlackRock and BFM, as applicable, are entitled to fees computed daily on a fund-by-fund basis and payable monthly.

 

18


 

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 

 

Adviser: The adviser of a mutual fund is responsible for the overall investment management of the fund. The adviser for BlackRock Funds is BlackRock Advisors, LLC.

 

Sub-Adviser: The sub-adviser of a fund is responsible for its day-to-day management and will generally make all buy and sell decisions. Sub-advisers also provide research and credit analysis. The sub-adviser for the fund is BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.

 

The maximum annual advisory fees that can be paid to BlackRock (as a percentage of average daily net assets) are as follows:

 

Total Annual Advisory Fee (Before Waivers)

 

  AVG. DAILY

  NET ASSETS

  

INVESTMENT

ADVISORY FEE

first $1 billion

   .500%

$1 billion—
$2 billion

   .450%

$2 billion—
$3 billion

   .425%

greater than
$3 billion

   .400%

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees of the Fund approving the fund’s investment advisory contracts is available in the fund’s statement of additional information.

 

Information about the portfolio manager for the fund is presented on page 8.

 

As discussed above, BlackRock has agreed contractually to cap net expenses (excluding interest expense, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, if any) of each share class of the fund at the levels shown in the fund’s expense table.

 

To achieve this cap, BlackRock and the Fund have entered into an expense limitation agreement. The agreement sets a limit on certain of the operating expenses of each class of shares and requires BlackRock to waive or reimburse fees or expenses if these operating expenses exceed that limit.

 

If within two years following a waiver or reimbursement, the operating expenses of a share class that previously received a waiver or reimbursement from BlackRock are less than the expense limit for that share class, the share class is required to repay BlackRock up to the amount of fees waived or expenses reimbursed under the agreement if: (1) the fund of which the share class is a part has more than $50 million in assets, (2) BlackRock or an affiliate serves as the fund’s investment adviser or administrator and (3) the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved in advance the payments to BlackRock at the previous quarterly meeting of the Board.

 

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Dividends and Distributions

B lackRock Funds makes two kinds of distributions to share- holders: net investment income and net realized capital gains.

 

Distributions of net investment income derived by the fund are paid within 10 days after the end of each month. The Fund’s Board of Trustees may change the timing of such dividend payments.

 

Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the fund at least annually at a date determined by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

Your distributions will be reinvested at net asset value in new shares of the same class of the fund unless you instruct PFPC in writing to pay them in cash. There are no sales charges on these reinvestments.

 

If you invest in the fund shortly before it makes a capital gain distribution, some of your investment may be returned to you in the form of a taxable distribution. This is commonly known as “buying a dividend.” Distributions that are declared in October, November or December, but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.

 

 

Taxation of Distributions

D istributions paid out of the fund’s “net capital gain” will be taxed to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has owned shares. Distributions of net investment income and net short-term capital gains will generally be taxed to shareholders as ordinary dividend income. However, individual shareholders who satisfy certain holding period requirements and other requirements are taxed on such dividends at long-term capital gain rates to the extent the dividends are attributable to “qualified dividend income” received by the fund. “Qualified dividend income” generally consists of dividends received from U.S. corporations (other than dividends from tax exempt organizations and certain dividends from real estate investment trusts and regulated investment companies) and certain foreign corporations.

 

Dividends paid with respect to interest on securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies may also be exempt from some types of state and local taxes.

 

Your annual tax statement from the Fund will present in detail the tax status of your distributions for each year.

 

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When you sell your shares of a fund, you may realize a capital gain or loss. Use of the exchange privilege also will be treated as a taxable event because it will be deemed a redemption and subsequent purchase of the shares involved. Therefore, use of the exchange privilege may be subject to federal, state and local income tax.

 

If more than half of the total asset value of a fund is invested in non-U.S. stock or securities, the fund may elect to “pass through” to its shareholders the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid by it. In such case, you would be required to include your proportionate share of such taxes in your income and may be entitled to deduct or credit such taxes in computing your taxable income.

 

If you do not provide the fund with your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications, you may be subject to backup withholding on any distributions of income, capital gains or proceeds from the sale of your shares. When withholding is required, the amount will be 28% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and/or estate tax, and will be subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Because every investor has an individual tax situation, and also because the tax laws are subject to periodic changes, you should always consult your tax adviser about federal, state and local tax consequences of owning shares of the Fund.

 

 

Exchange Privilege

O nce you are a shareholder, you have the right to exchange R Shares from one BlackRock fund to R Shares of another to meet your changing financial needs. Please note that you can exchange only into a share class and fund that are offered to your employee benefit plan and that are open to new investors, unless you have a current account in a fund that is offered to your employee benefit plan but that is closed to new investors.

 

You can exchange $1,000 or more from one BlackRock fund into another. R Shares of each fund may be exchanged for shares of the same class of other funds which offer that class of shares, based on their respective net asset values. (You can exchange less

 

21


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

than $1,000 if you already have an account in the fund into which you are exchanging.) For Federal income tax purposes a share exchange is a taxable event and a capital gain or loss may be realized. Please consult your tax or other financial adviser before making an exchange request.

 

There are several ways to make an exchange: you may call the Fund at (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives, make the exchange via the Internet by accessing your account online, or you may send a written request to us at BlackRock Funds c/o PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019. Please note, if you indicated on your New Account Application that you did not want the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you will not be able to place exchanges via the telephone until you update this option either in writing or by calling our Service Center. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.

 

The Fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege at any time for any reason, including if the Fund believes, in its sole discretion, that you are engaging in market timing activities. See “Market Timing and Redemption Fees” above.

 

The Fund reserves the right to modify, limit the use of, or terminate the exchange privilege at any time for any reason.

 

Retirement Plans

 

S hares may be purchased in conjunction with individual retirement accounts (IRAs), rollover IRAs and 403(b) plans where PNC Bank or any of its affiliates acts as custodian. For more information about applications or annual fees, please contact BlackRock Funds c/o PFPC Inc., at P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019, or call (800) 441-7762. Investors will be charged an annual fee of $15 for all of the IRA and 403(b) accounts they have under their Social Security number (therefore if you own a 403(b) account, a Roth IRA, a Traditional IRA and a Rollover IRA, you would only be charged one $15 fee). In addition, 403(b) accounts will be charged a separate loan application/processing fee of $25. To determine if you are eligible for an IRA or 403(b) plan and whether an IRA or 403(b) plan is appropriate for you, you should consult with a tax adviser.

 

22


 

 

 

 

 

Statements

 

E very shareholder automatically receives quarterly account statements. In addition, for tax purposes, shareholders also receive a yearly statement describing the characteristics of any dividends or other distributions received.

 

 

Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Shareholder Documents

T he fund delivers only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is known as “householding” and is intended to eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

 

 

Electronic Access to Annual Reports, Semi-Annual Reports and Prospectuses

E lectronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are available on the Fund’s website. Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the Fund’s electronic delivery program.

 

To enroll:

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial adviser. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

 

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts Directly With BlackRock

1) Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery
2) Log into your account

 

 

Blackrock Privacy Principles

B lackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their nonpublic personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

 

23


 

 

 

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

 

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal nonpublic information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our Web sites.

 

BlackRock does not sell or disclose to nonaffiliated third parties any nonpublic personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to service Client accounts. These nonaffiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

 

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to nonpublic personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the nonpublic personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

 

24


 

For more information

 

This prospectus contains important information you should know before you invest. Read it carefully and keep it for future reference. More information about the Fund is available at no charge upon request. This information includes:

 

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports

These reports contain additional information about the fund’s investments. The annual report describes the fund’s performance, lists portfolio holdings, and discusses recent market conditions, economic trends and fund investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance for the last fiscal year.

 

Statement of Additional Information (SAI)

A Statement of Additional Information, dated October 13, 2006, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI, which includes additional information about the Fund, may be obtained free of charge, along with the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports, by calling (800) 441-7762. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

 

BlackRock Investor Services

Representatives are available to discuss account balance information, mutual fund prospectuses, literature, programs and services available. Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday-Friday. Call: (800) 441-7762.

 

An investor in any fund can call the National TTY Relay Number at (800) 688-4889 with his or her TTY machine. A Relay agent will assist the investor with all inquiries made to a Shareholder Account Service Representative.

 

Purchases and Redemptions

Call your registered representative or (800) 441-7762.

 

World Wide Web

Access general fund information and specific fund performance, including SAI and annual/semi-annual reports, free of charge. Request mutual fund prospectuses and literature. Forward mutual fund inquiries. www.blackrock.com/funds

 

Written Correspondence

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

PO Box 9819

Providence, RI 02940-8019

 

Overnight Mail

BlackRock Funds

c/o PFPC Inc.

101 Sabin Street

Pawtucket, RI 02860

 

Internal Wholesalers/Broker Dealer Support

Available to support investment professionals 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern time), Monday - Friday. Call: (800) 882-0052.

 

Portfolio Characteristics and Holdings

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures related to disclosure of portfolio characteristics and holdings is available in the SAI.

 

For information about portfolio holdings and characteristics, BlackRock fund shareholders and prospective investors may call (800) 882-0052.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

You may also view and copy public information about the Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR database on the SEC Web site (http://www.sec.gov) or the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the public reference room can be obtained by calling the SEC directly at (202) 551-8090. Copies of this information can be obtained, for a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-05742

 

PRO-LG-R 1006

LOGO


BLACKROCK FUNDS SM

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Additional Information provides supplementary information pertaining to shares representing interests in the Long Duration Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) of BlackRock Funds SM (the “Fund”).

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus, and should be read only in conjunction with the Prospectuses of the Portfolio dated October 13, 2006, each as amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Prospectuses”). Terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Prospectuses. Prospectuses may be obtained at no charge by calling toll-free (800) 441-7762.

This Statement of Additional Information is dated October 13, 2006.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

       Page

INVESTMENT POLICIES

   1

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

   23

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

   25

SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY OF THE FUND

   33

INVESTMENT ADVISORY, ADMINISTRATION, DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS

   33

EXPENSES

   40

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS AND PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

   41

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

   46

VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

   52

TAXES

   54

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES

   58

MISCELLANEOUS

   59

APPENDIX A

   A-1

APPENDIX B

   B-1

 

i


INVESTMENT POLICIES

The following supplements information contained in the Prospectuses concerning the Portfolio’s investment policies. To the extent that an investment strategy is discussed in this Statement of Additional Information but not in the Prospectuses, such strategy is not a principal strategy of the Portfolio.

The Portfolio will not change its investment policies required by Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) without giving shareholders 60 days prior written notice.

Additional Information on Investment Strategies

The Portfolio will normally invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in debt securities.

Municipal Investments. The Portfolio may invest in obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia and their political sub-divisions, agencies, instrumentalities and authorities and related tax-exempt derivative securities the interest on which is exempt from regular Federal income tax (“Municipal Obligations”). The two principal classifications of Municipal Obligations are “general obligation” securities and “revenue” securities. General obligation securities are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue securities are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source such as the user of the facility being financed. Revenue securities include private activity bonds which are not payable from the unrestricted revenues of the issuer. Consequently, the credit quality of private activity bonds is usually directly related to the credit standing of the corporate user of the facility involved. Municipal Obligations may also include “moral obligation” bonds, which are normally issued by special purpose public authorities. If the issuer of moral obligation bonds is unable to meet its debt service obligations from current revenues, it may draw on a reserve fund the restoration of which is a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of the state or municipality which created the issuer.

Revenue bonds issued by state or local agencies to finance the development of low-income, multi-family housing involve special risks in addition to those associated with municipal bonds generally, including that the underlying properties may not generate sufficient income to pay expenses and interest costs. Such bonds are generally non-recourse against the property owner, may be junior to the rights of others with an interest in the properties, may pay interest that changes based in part on the financial performance of the property, may be prepayable without penalty and may be used to finance the construction of housing developments which, until completed and rented, do not generate income to pay interest. Increases in interest rates payable on senior obligations may make it more difficult for issuers to meet payment obligations on subordinated bonds.

Also included within the general category of Municipal Obligations are participation certificates in a lease, an installment purchase contract, or a conditional sales contract (“lease obligations”) entered into by a state or political subdivision to finance the acquisition or construction of equipment, land, or facilities. Although lease obligations are not general obligations of the issuer for which the state or other governmental body’s unlimited taxing power is pledged, certain lease obligations are backed by a covenant to appropriate money to make the lease obligation payments. However, under certain lease obligations, the state or governmental body has no obligation to make these payments in future years unless money is appropriated on a yearly basis. Although “non appropriation” lease obligations are secured by the leased property, disposition of the property in the event of foreclosure might prove difficult.

The amount of information regarding the financial condition of issuers of Municipal Obligations may be less extensive than the information for public corporations, and the secondary market for Municipal Obligations may be less liquid than that for taxable obligations. Accordingly, the ability of the Portfolio to buy and sell Municipal Obligations may, at any particular time and with respect to any particular securities, be limited. In addition, Municipal Obligations purchased by the Portfolio include obligations backed by letters of credit and other forms of credit enhancement issued by domestic and non-U.S. banks, as well as other financial institutions. Changes in the credit quality of these institutions could cause loss to the Portfolio and affect its share prices.


Opinions relating to the validity of Municipal Obligations and to the exemption of interest thereon from Federal and state income tax are rendered by counsel to the respective issuers and sponsors of the obligations at the time of issuance. The Fund and its service providers will rely on such opinions and will not review independently the underlying proceedings relating to the issuance of Municipal Obligations, the creation of any tax-exempt derivative securities, or the bases for such opinions.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Other Borrowings. The Portfolio is authorized to borrow money. If the securities held by the Portfolio should decline in value while borrowings are outstanding, the net asset value of the Portfolio’s outstanding shares will decline in value by proportionately more than the decline in value suffered by the Portfolio’s securities. Borrowings may be made by the Portfolio through reverse repurchase agreements under which the Portfolio sells portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and broker-dealers and agrees to repurchase them at a particular date and price. Such Agreements are considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act. The Portfolio may use the proceeds of reverse repurchase agreements to purchase additional securities that meet the Portfolio’s investment guidelines. The Portfolio may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction. This use of reverse repurchase agreements may be regarded as leveraging and, therefore, speculative. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risks that the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will be less than the interest expense, that the market value of the securities sold by the Portfolio may decline below the price of the securities the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase and that the securities may not be returned to the Portfolio. During the time a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, the adviser or sub-adviser will designate liquid assets on its books and records in an amount equal to the amount of the Portfolio’s commitments to the extent required by SEC guidelines. The Portfolio’s reverse repurchase agreements, together with any other borrowings, will not exceed, in the aggregate, 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. In addition, the Portfolio may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes.

To take advantage of attractive opportunities in the mortgage market and to enhance current income, the Portfolio may enter into dollar roll transactions. A dollar roll transaction involves a sale by the Portfolio of a mortgage-backed or other security concurrently with an agreement by the Portfolio to repurchase a similar security at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The securities that are repurchased will bear the same interest rate and a similar maturity as those sold, but pools of mortgages collateralizing those securities may have different prepayment histories than those sold. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Portfolio will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Proceeds of the sale will be invested in additional instruments for the Portfolio, and the income from these investments will generate income for the Portfolio. If such income does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of the Portfolio compared with what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls. At the time the Portfolio enters into a dollar roll transaction, the adviser or sub-adviser will designate assets on its books and records in an amount equal to the amount of the Portfolio’s commitments and will subsequently monitor the account to ensure that its value is maintained. The Portfolio’s dollar rolls, together with its reverse repurchase agreements and other borrowings, will not exceed, in the aggregate, 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets.

Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Portfolio is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. If the broker/dealer to whom the Portfolio sells securities becomes insolvent, the Portfolio’s right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the sub-adviser’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed.

Tender Option Bonds. Tender option bonds, also known as “put bonds” or “puttable securities”, generally are issued when long term bonds are purchased in the primary or secondary market and then deposited into a trust. Custodial receipts are then issued to investors, such as the Portfolio, evidencing ownership interests in the trust. The remarketing agent for the trust sets a floating or variable rate on typically a weekly basis. Tender option bonds grant the Portfolio the right to require the issuer or a specified third party acting as agent for the issuer ( e.g. , a tender agent) to purchase the bonds, usually at par, at a certain time or times prior to maturity or upon the occurrence of specified events or conditions. The put option or tender option right is typically available to the investor on a periodic ( e.g ., daily , weekly or monthly) basis. Typically, the put option is exercisable on dates on which the floating or variable rate changes. Tender option bonds may be considered derivatives and are subject to the risk thereof, including counterparty risk, interest rate risk and volatility.

 

2


Variable and Floating Rate Instruments. The Portfolio may purchase rated and unrated variable and floating rate instruments. These instruments may include variable amount master demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary in addition to providing for periodic adjustments in the interest rate. The Portfolio may invest up to 10% of its total assets in leveraged inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”). Tender option bonds are excluded from this 10% limitation. The interest rate of an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of interest on a security or index to which it is related. An inverse floater may be considered to be leveraged to the extent that its interest rate varies by a magnitude that exceeds the magnitude of the change in the index rate of interest. The higher degree of leverage inherent in inverse floaters is associated with greater volatility in their market values.

With respect to purchasable variable and floating rate instruments, the adviser or sub-adviser will consider the earning power, cash flows and liquidity ratios of the issuers and guarantors of such instruments and, if the instruments are subject to a demand feature, will monitor their financial status to meet payment on demand. Such instruments may include variable amount master demand notes that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary in addition to providing for periodic adjustments in the interest rate. The absence of an active secondary market with respect to particular variable and floating rate instruments could make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of a variable or floating rate note if the issuer defaulted on its payment obligation or during periods that the Portfolio is not entitled to exercise its demand rights, and the Portfolio could, for these or other reasons, suffer a loss with respect to such instruments.

Bank Loans. Bank loans are generally non-investment grade floating rate instruments. Usually, they are freely callable at the issuer’s option. The Portfolio may invest in fixed and floating rate loans (“Loans”) arranged through private negotiations between a corporate borrower or a non-U.S. sovereign entity and one or more financial institutions (“Lenders”). The Portfolio may invest in such Loans in the form of participations in Loans (“Participations”) and assignments of all or a portion of Loans from third parties (“Assignments”). The Portfolio considers these investments to be investments in debt securities for purposes of its investment policies. Participations typically will result in the Portfolio having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the borrower. The Portfolio will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Portfolio generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loans, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Portfolio may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Portfolio will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. In the event of the insolvency of the Lender selling the Participation, the Portfolio may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the borrower. The Portfolio will acquire Participations only if the Lender interpositioned between the Portfolio and the borrower is determined by the Portfolio’s sub-adviser to be creditworthy. When the Portfolio purchases Assignments from Lenders, the Portfolio will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the Loan, and will not have exposure to a counterparty’s credit risk. The Portfolio may enter into Participations and Assignments on a forward commitment or “when-issued” basis, whereby the Portfolio would agree to purchase a Participation or Assignment at set terms in the future. For more information on forward commitments and when-issued securities, see “When-Issued Purchases and Forward Commitments” below.

The Portfolio may have difficulty disposing of Assignments and Participations. In certain cases, the market for such instruments is not highly liquid, and therefore the Portfolio anticipates that in such cases such instruments could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of a highly liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such instruments and on the Portfolio’s ability to dispose of particular Assignments or Participations in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. Assignments and Participations will not be considered illiquid so long as it is determined by the Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser that an adequate trading market exists for these securities. To the extent that liquid Assignments and Participations that the Portfolio holds become illiquid, due to the lack of sufficient buyers or market or other conditions, the percentage of the Portfolio’s assets invested in illiquid assets would increase.

 

3


Preferred Stock. The Portfolio may invest in preferred stocks. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally dividends as well) but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar stated yield characteristics. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Convertible Securities. The Portfolio may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to nonconvertible income securities in that they ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities. The value of a convertible security is influenced by changes in interest rates, with investment value declining as interest rates increase and increasing as interest rates decline. The credit standing of the issuer and other factors also may have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument.

Pay-in-kind Bonds. The Portfolio may invest in Pay-in-kind, or PIK, bonds. PIK bonds are bonds which pay interest through the issuance of additional debt or equity securities. Similar to zero coupon obligations, pay-in-kind bonds also carry additional risk as holders of these types of securities realize no cash until the cash payment date unless a portion of such securities is sold and, if the issuer defaults, the Portfolio may obtain no return at all on its investment. The market price of pay-in-kind bonds is affected by interest rate changes to a greater extent, and therefore tends to be more volatile, than that of securities which pay interest in cash. Additionally, current federal tax law requires the holder of certain pay-in-kind bonds to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for federal income and excise taxes, the Portfolio may be required to distribute income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements.

Money Market Obligations of Domestic Banks, Non-U.S. Banks and Non-U.S. Branches of U.S. Banks. The Portfolio may purchase bank obligations, such as certificates of deposit, notes, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits, including instruments issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or non-U.S. banks or savings institutions having total assets at the time of purchase in excess of $1 billion. These obligations may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch or subsidiary by the terms of a specific obligation or by government regulation. The assets of a bank or savings institution will be deemed to include the assets of its domestic and non-U.S. branches for purposes of the Portfolio’s investment policies. Investments in short-term bank obligations may include obligations of non-U.S. banks and domestic branches of non-U.S. banks, and also non-U.S. branches of domestic banks.

To the extent consistent with its investment objectives, the Portfolio may invest in debt obligations of domestic or non-U.S. corporations and banks, and may acquire commercial obligations issued by Canadian corporations and Canadian counterparts of U.S. corporations, as well as Europaper, which is U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper of a non-U.S. issuer. The Portfolio may also make interest-bearing savings deposits in commercial and savings banks in amounts not in excess of 5% of its total assets.

Interest Rate and Extension Risk. The value of fixed income securities in the Portfolio can be expected to vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates. Fixed income securities with longer maturities, which tend to produce higher yields, are subject to potentially greater capital appreciation and depreciation than securities with shorter maturities. The Portfolio is not restricted to any maximum or minimum time to maturity in purchasing individual portfolio securities, and the average maturity of the Portfolio’s assets will vary.

 

4


During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain fixed income securities is extended because of slower than expected principal payments. This may lock in a below-market interest rate and extend the duration of these fixed-income securities, especially mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, these securities may exhibit additional volatility and lose value. This is known as extension risk. Although the Portfolio’s sub-adviser will normally attempt to structure the Portfolio to have a comparable duration to its benchmark as stated in the Prospectuses, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so at all times.

Mortgage Related and Asset-Backed Securities. The Portfolio may make significant investments in residential and commercial mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities (i.e., securities backed by home equity loans, installment sale contracts, credit card receivables or other assets) issued by governmental entities and private issuers.

Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets, or as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations, and are generally issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties.

The yield characteristics of certain mortgage-related and asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An increased prepayment rate with respect to a mortgage-related or asset-backed security subject to such a prepayment feature will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. If the Portfolio has purchased such a mortgage-related or asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid. Conversely, an increase in interest rates may result in lengthening the anticipated maturity of such a security because expected prepayments are reduced. A prepayment rate that is faster than expected will reduce the yield to maturity of such a security, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected may have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. See “-Interest Rate and Extension Risk” above.

In general, the assets supporting non-mortgage asset-backed securities are of shorter maturity than the assets supporting mortgage-related securities. Like other fixed-income securities, when interest rates rise the value of an asset-backed security generally will decline; however, when interest rates decline, the value of an asset-backed security with prepayment features may not increase as much as that of other fixed-income securities, and, as noted above, changes in market rates of interest may accelerate or retard prepayments and thus affect maturities.

These characteristics may result in a higher level of price volatility for asset-backed securities with prepayment features under certain market conditions. In addition, while the trading market for short-term mortgages and asset-backed securities is ordinarily quite liquid, in times of financial stress the trading market for these securities sometimes becomes restricted.

The relationship between prepayments and interest rates may give some high-yielding mortgage- related and asset-backed securities less potential for growth in value than conventional bonds with comparable maturities. During periods of falling interest rates, the reinvestment of prepayment proceeds by the Portfolio will generally be at lower rates than the rates that were carried by the obligations that have been prepaid. Because of these and other reasons, mortgage-related and other asset-backed security’s total return and maturity may be difficult to predict precisely.

The Portfolio from time to time may purchase in the secondary market (i) certain mortgage pass-through securities packaged and master serviced by PNC Mortgage Securities Corp. (“PNC Mortgage”) (or Sears Mortgage if PNC Mortgage succeeded to the rights and duties of Sears Mortgage) or Midland Loan Services, Inc. (“Midland”),

 

5


or (ii) mortgage-related securities containing loans or mortgages originated by PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”) or its affiliates. It is possible that under some circumstances, PNC Mortgage, Midland or other affiliates could have interests that are in conflict with the holders of these mortgage-backed securities, and such holders could have rights against PNC Mortgage, Midland or their affiliates. For example, if PNC Mortgage, Midland or their affiliates engaged in negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out its duties as a master servicer, then any holder of the mortgage-backed security could seek recourse against PNC Mortgage, Midland or their affiliates, as applicable. Also, as a master servicer, PNC Mortgage, Midland or their affiliates may make certain representations and warranties regarding the quality of the mortgages and properties underlying a mortgage-backed security. If one or more of those representations or warranties is false, then the holders of the mortgage-backed securities could trigger an obligation of PNC Mortgage, Midland or their affiliates, as applicable, to repurchase the mortgages from the issuing trust. Finally, PNC Mortgage, Midland or their affiliates may own securities that are subordinate to the senior mortgage-backed securities owned by the Portfolio.

There are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. Mortgage-related securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) include Ginnie Maes, which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA certificates also are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) include FNMA guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Fannie Maes”) which are solely the obligations of the FNMA, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. FNMA is a government-sponsored organization owned entirely by private stockholders. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as “Freddie Macs” or “PCs”). FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress, which is owned entirely by Federal Home Loan Banks. Freddie Macs, which are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Banks and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by the FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC generally does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable. FHLMC “Gold” PCs are guaranteed as to timely payment of interest and principal by FHLMC and represent 100% of the current fixed-rate production of the majority of FHLMC fixed-rate securities outstanding.

The Portfolio may invest in multiple class pass-through securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”) pass-through or participation certificates (“REMIC Certificates”). These multiple class securities may be issued by GNMA, U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, including FNMA and FHLMC, or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans. In general, CMOs and REMICs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by, and multiple class pass-through securities represent direct ownership interests in, a pool of residential or commercial mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities (the “Mortgage Assets”), the payments on which are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple pass-through securities. Investors may purchase beneficial interests in CMOs and REMICs, which are known as “regular” interests or “residual” interests. The residual in a CMO or REMIC structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow or tax liability remaining after making required payments of principal of and interest on the CMOs or REMICs, as well as the related administrative expenses of the issuer. Residual interests generally are junior to, and may be significantly more volatile than, “regular” CMO and REMIC interests. The Portfolio does not currently intend to purchase residual interests. The markets for CMOs and REMICs may be more illiquid than those of other securities.

Each class of CMOs or REMIC Certificates, often referred to as a “tranche,” is issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate and must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets underlying the CMOs or REMIC Certificates may cause some or all of the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates to be retired substantially earlier than their final distribution dates. Generally, interest is paid or accrues on all classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates on a monthly basis.

 

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The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in various ways. In certain structures (known as “sequential pay” CMOs or REMIC Certificates), payments of principal, including any principal prepayments, on the Mortgage Assets generally are applied to the classes of CMOs or REMIC Certificates in the order of their respective final distribution dates. Thus, no payment of principal will be made on any class of sequential pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates until all other classes having an earlier final distribution date have been paid in full.

Additional structures of CMOs or REMIC Certificates include, among others, “parallel pay” CMOs and REMIC Certificates. Parallel pay CMOs or REMIC Certificates are those which are structured to apply principal payments and prepayments of the Mortgage Assets to two or more classes concurrently on a proportionate or disproportionate basis. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class. A wide variety of REMIC Certificates may be issued in the parallel pay or sequential pay structures. These securities include accrual certificates (also known as “Z-Bonds”), which only accrue interest at a specified rate until all other certificates having an earlier final distribution date have been retired and are converted thereafter to an interest-paying security.

Classes of CMOs include interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”), planned amortization classes (“PACs”) and targeted amortization classes (“TACs”). IOs and POs are stripped mortgage-backed securities representing interests in a pool of mortgages the cash flow from which has been separated into interest and principal components. IOs (interest only securities) receive the interest portion of the cash flow while POs (principal only securities) receive the principal portion. IOs and POs can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. POs perform best when prepayments on the underlying mortgages rise since this increases the rate at which the investment is returned and the yield to maturity on the PO. When payments on mortgages underlying a PO are slow, the life of the PO is lengthened and the yield to maturity is reduced.

The scheduled principal payments for PAC Certificates generally have the highest priority on each payment date after interest due has been paid to all classes entitled to receive interest currently. Shortfalls, if any, are added to the amount payable on the next payment date. The PAC Certificate payment schedule is taken into account in calculating the final distribution date of each class of PAC. In order to create PAC tranches, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the underlying mortgage assets. These tranches (often called “supports” or “companion” tranches) tend to have market prices and yields that are more volatile than the PAC classes.

TACs are similar to PACs in that they require that specified amounts of principal be applied on each payment date to one or more classes of REMIC Certificates. A PAC’s payment schedule, however, remains in effect as long as prepayment rates on the underlying mortgages do not exceed certain ranges. In contrast, a TAC provides investors with protection, to a certain level, against either faster than expected or slower than expected prepayment rates, but not both. TACs thus provide more cash flow stability than a regular sequential paying class, but less than a PAC. TACs also tend to have market prices and yields that are more volatile than PACs.

FNMA REMIC Certificates are issued and guaranteed as to timely distribution of principal and interest by FNMA. In addition, FNMA will be obligated to distribute on a timely basis to holders of FNMA REMIC Certificates required installments of principal and interest and to distribute the principal balance of each class of REMIC Certificates in full, whether or not sufficient funds are otherwise available.

For FHLMC REMIC Certificates, FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest, and also guarantees the ultimate payment of principal as payments are required to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates (“PCs”). PCs represent undivided interests in specified level payment, residential mortgages or participations therein purchased by FHLMC and placed in a PC pool. With respect to principal payments on PCs, FHLMC generally guarantees ultimate collection of all principal of the related mortgage loans without offset or deduction. FHLMC also guarantees timely payment of principal on certain PCs, referred to as “Gold PCs.”

 

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U.S. Government Obligations. The Portfolio may purchase obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities. Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; and still others are supported only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality issuing the obligation. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored instrumentalities if it is not obligated to do so by law. Certain U.S. Treasury and agency securities may be held by trusts that issue participation certificates (such as Treasury income growth receipts (“TIGRs”) and certificates of accrual on Treasury certificates (“CATs”)). These certificates, as well as Treasury receipts and other stripped securities, represent beneficial ownership interests in either future interest payments or the future principal payments on U.S. Government obligations. These instruments are issued at a discount to their “face value” and may (particularly in the case of stripped mortgage-backed securities) exhibit greater price volatility than ordinary debt securities because of the manner in which their principal and interest are returned to investors.

Examples of the types of U.S. Government obligations that may be held by the Portfolio include U.S. Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds and the obligations of the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association, Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Financing Bank, General Services Administration, Student Loan Marketing Association, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Farm Credit Banks System, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Washington D.C. Armory Board. The Portfolio may also invest in mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, including such instruments as obligations of the GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC.

Supranational Organization Obligations . The Portfolio may purchase debt securities of supranational organizations such as the World Bank, which are chartered to promote economic development.

Lease Obligations. The Portfolio may hold participation certificates in a lease, an installment purchase contract, or a conditional sales contract (“lease obligations”).

The adviser or sub-adviser will monitor the credit standing of each borrower and each entity providing credit support and/or a put option relating to lease obligations. In determining whether a lease obligation is liquid, the adviser or sub-adviser will consider, among other factors, the following: (i) whether the lease can be cancelled; (ii) the degree of assurance that assets represented by the lease could be sold; (iii) the strength of the lessee’s general credit (e.g., its debt, administrative, economic and financial characteristics); (iv) in the case of a municipal lease, the likelihood that the municipality would discontinue appropriating funding for the leased property because the property is no longer deemed essential to the operations of the municipality (e.g., the potential for an “event of nonappropriation”); (v) legal recourse in the event of failure to appropriate; (vi) whether the security is backed by a credit enhancement such as insurance; and (vii) any limitations which are imposed on the lease obligor’s ability to utilize substitute property or services other than those covered by the lease obligation.

Municipal leases, like other municipal debt obligations, are subject to the risk of non-payment. The ability of issuers of municipal leases to make timely lease payments may be adversely impacted in general economic downturns and as relative governmental cost burdens are allocated and reallocated among federal, state and local governmental units. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Portfolio, and could result in a reduction in the value of the municipal lease experiencing non-payment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the Portfolio. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, the Portfolio could experience delays and limitations with respect to the collection of principal and interest on such municipal leases and the Portfolio may not, in all circumstances, be able to collect all principal and interest to which it is entitled. To enforce its rights in the event of a default in lease payments, the Fund might take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities, which may increase the Portfolio’s operating expenses and adversely affect the net asset value of the Portfolio. When the lease contains a non-appropriation clause, however, the failure to pay would not be a default and the Portfolio would not have the right to take possession of the assets. Any income derived from the Portfolio’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt. In addition, the Portfolio’s intention to qualify as a “regulated investment

 

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company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, may limit the extent to which the Portfolio may exercise its rights by taking possession of such assets, because as a regulated investment company the Portfolio is subject to certain limitations on its investments and on the nature of its income.

Commercial Paper. The Portfolio may purchase commercial paper rated (at the time of purchase) “A-1” by S&P or “Prime-1” by Moody’s or, when deemed advisable by the Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser, “high quality” issues rated “A-2”, “Prime-2” or “F-2” by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, respectively. These ratings symbols are described in Appendix A.

Commercial paper purchasable by the Portfolio includes “Section 4(2) paper,” a term that includes debt obligations issued in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. Section 4(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the Federal securities laws, and is frequently sold (and resold) to institutional investors such as the Fund through or with the assistance of investment dealers who make a market in the Section 4(2) paper, thereby providing liquidity. Certain transactions in Section 4(2) paper may qualify for the registration exemption provided in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.

Repurchase Agreements. The Portfolio may agree to purchase securities from financial institutions subject to the seller’s agreement to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price (“repurchase agreements”). Repurchase agreements are, in substance, loans. Default by or bankruptcy of a seller would expose the Portfolio to possible loss because of adverse market action, expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying obligations.

The Portfolio may enter into “tri-party” repurchase agreements. In “tri-party” repurchase agreements, an unaffiliated third party custodian maintains accounts to hold collateral for the Portfolio and its counterparties and, therefore, the Portfolio may be subject to the credit risk of those custodians.

The repurchase price under the repurchase agreements generally equals the price paid by the Portfolio involved plus interest negotiated on the basis of current short-term rates (which may be more or less than the rate on securities underlying the repurchase agreement). The financial institutions with which the Portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements will be banks and non-bank dealers, if such banks and non-bank dealers are deemed creditworthy by the Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser. The Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser will continue to monitor creditworthiness of the seller under a repurchase agreement, and will require the seller to maintain during the term of the agreement the value of the securities subject to the agreement to equal at least the repurchase price (including accrued interest and any accrued premium). The accrued premium is the amount specified in the repurchase agreement or the daily amortization of the difference between the purchase price and the repurchase price specified in the repurchase agreement. The Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser will mark-to-market daily the value of the securities. Securities subject to repurchase agreements will be held by the Fund’s custodian (or sub-custodian) in the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system or by another authorized securities depository. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans by the Portfolio under the 1940 Act.

The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of securities under a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Portfolio will seek to dispose of such securities, which action could involve costs or delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, the Portfolio’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, it is possible that the Portfolio may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying securities. To minimize this risk, the securities underlying the repurchase agreement will be held by the custodian at all times in an amount at least equal to the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the seller fails to repurchase the securities, the Portfolio may suffer a loss to the extent proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price.

Investment Grade Debt Obligations. The Portfolio may invest in “investment grade securities,” which are securities rated in the four highest rating categories of an NRSRO or deemed to be of equivalent quality by the Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser. It should be noted that debt obligations rated in the lowest of the top four ratings (i.e., “Baa” by Moody’s or “BBB” by S&P) are considered to have some speculative characteristics and are more sensitive to economic change than higher rated securities. If an investment grade security of the Portfolio is subsequently downgraded below investment grade, the Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser will consider such an event

 

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in determining whether the Portfolio should continue to hold the security. Subject to its investment strategies, there is no limit on the amount of such downgraded securities the Portfolio may hold, although under normal market conditions the adviser and sub-adviser do not expect to hold these securities to a material extent.

See Appendix A to this Statement of Additional Information for a description of applicable securities ratings.

Non-Investment Grade Securities. As described in the Prospectuses, the Portfolio may invest in non-investment grade or “high yield” fixed income or convertible securities commonly known to investors as “junk bonds.”

High yield securities are bonds that are issued by a company whose credit rating (based on rating agencies’ evaluation of the likelihood of repayment) necessitates offering a higher coupon and yield on its issues when selling them to investors who may otherwise be hesitant in purchasing the debt of such a company. While generally providing greater income and opportunity for gain, non-investment grade debt securities may be subject to greater risks than securities which have higher credit ratings, including a high risk of default, and their yields will fluctuate over time. High yield securities will generally be in the lower rating categories of recognized rating agencies (rated “Ba” or lower by Moody’s or “BB” or lower by S&P) or will be non-rated. The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk, and ratings may from time to time change, positively or negatively, to reflect developments regarding the issuer’s financial condition. High yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to the capacity of the issuer to timely repay principal and pay interest or dividends in accordance with the terms of the obligation and may have more credit risk than higher rated securities.

While the market values of high yield securities tend to react less to fluctuations in interest rates than do those of higher rated securities, the values of high yield securities often reflect individual corporate developments and have a high sensitivity to economic changes to a greater extent than do higher rated securities. Issuers of high yield securities are often in the growth stage of their development and/or involved in a reorganization or takeover. The companies are often highly leveraged (have a significant amount of debt relative to shareholders’ equity) and may not have available to them more traditional financing methods, thereby increasing the risk associated with acquiring these types of securities. In some cases, obligations with respect to high yield securities are subordinated to the prior repayment of senior indebtedness, which will potentially limit the Portfolio’s ability to fully recover principal or to receive interest payments when senior securities are in default. Thus, investors in high yield securities have a lower degree of protection with respect to principal and interest payments then do investors in higher rated securities.

During an economic downturn, a substantial period of rising interest rates or a recession, highly leveraged issuers of high yield securities may experience financial distress possibly resulting in insufficient revenues to meet their principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals and to obtain additional financing. An economic downturn could also disrupt the market for lower-rated securities and adversely affect the value of outstanding securities, the Portfolio’s net asset value and the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. If the issuer of a security held by the Portfolio defaulted, the Portfolio may not receive full interest and principal payments due to it and could incur additional expenses if it chose to seek recovery of its investment.

The secondary markets for high yield securities are not as liquid as the secondary markets for higher rated securities. The secondary markets for high yield securities are concentrated in relatively few market makers and participants in the markets are mostly institutional investors, including insurance companies, banks, other financial institutions and mutual funds. In addition, the trading volume for high yield securities is generally lower than that for higher rated securities and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. Under certain economic and/or market conditions, the Portfolio may have difficulty disposing of certain high yield securities due to the limited number of investors in that sector of the market. An illiquid secondary market may adversely affect the market price of the high yield security, which may result in increased difficulty selling the particular issue and obtaining accurate market quotations on the issue when valuing the Portfolio’s assets. Market quotations on high yield securities are available only from a limited number of dealers, and such quotations may not be the actual prices available for a purchase or sale.

 

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The high yield markets may react strongly to adverse news about an issuer or the economy, or to the perception or expectation of adverse news, whether or not it is based on fundamental analysis. Additionally, prices for high yield securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These developments could adversely affect the Portfolio’s net asset value and investment practices, the secondary market for high yield securities, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value and liquidity of outstanding high yield securities, especially in a thinly traded market. For example, federal legislation requiring the divestiture by federally insured savings and loan associations of their investments in high yield bonds and limiting the deductibility of interest by certain corporate issuers of high yield bonds adversely affected the market in the past.

When the secondary market for high yield securities becomes more illiquid, or in the absence of readily available market quotations for such securities, the relative lack of reliable objective data makes it more difficult to value the Portfolio’s securities, and judgment plays a more important role in determining such valuations. Increased illiquidity in the junk bond market, in combination with the relative youth and growth of the market for such securities, also may affect the ability of the Portfolio to dispose of such securities at a desirable price. Additionally, if the secondary markets for high yield securities contract due to adverse economic conditions or for other reasons, certain of the Portfolio’s liquid securities may become illiquid and the proportion of the Portfolio’s assets invested in illiquid securities may significantly increase.

The rating assigned by a rating agency evaluates the safety of a non-investment grade security’s principal and interest payments, but does not address market value risk. Because such ratings of the ratings agencies may not always reflect current conditions and events, in addition to using recognized rating agencies and other sources, the sub-adviser performs its own analysis of the issuers whose non-investment grade securities the Portfolio holds. Because of this, the Portfolio’s performance may depend more on the sub-adviser’s own credit analysis than in the case of mutual funds investing in higher-rated securities. For a description of these ratings, see Appendix A.

In selecting non-investment grade securities, the adviser or sub-adviser considers factors such as those relating to the creditworthiness of issuers, the ratings and performance of the securities, the protections afforded the securities and the diversity of the Portfolio. The sub-adviser continuously monitors the issuers of non-investment grade securities held by the Portfolio for their ability to make required principal and interest payments, as well as in an effort to control the liquidity of the Portfolio so that it can meet redemption requests. If a security’s rating is reduced below the minimum credit rating that is permitted for the Portfolio, the Portfolio’s sub-adviser will consider whether the Portfolio should continue to hold the security.

In the event that the Portfolio experiences an unexpected level of net redemptions, the Portfolio could be forced to sell its holdings without regard to the investment merits, thereby decreasing the assets upon which the Portfolio’s rate of return is based.

The costs attributable to investing in the high yield markets are usually higher for several reasons, such as higher investment research costs and higher commission costs.

The Portfolio may invest in securities rated in the category “C” and above or determined by the sub-adviser to be of comparable quality. Securities rated “C” are considered highly speculative and may be used to cover a situation where the issuer has filed a bankruptcy petition but debt service payments are continued. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, those are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposure to adverse conditions.

Mezzanine Investments. The Portfolio, consistent with its restrictions on investing in securities of a specific credit quality, may invest in certain high yield securities known as mezzanine investments, which are subordinated debt securities which are generally issued in private placements in connection with an equity security (e.g., with attached warrants). Such mezzanine investments may be issued with or without registration rights. Similar to other high yield securities, maturities of mezzanine investments are typically seven to ten years, but the expected average life is significantly shorter at three to five years. Mezzanine investments are usually unsecured and subordinate to other obligations of the issuer.

When-Issued Purchases and Forward Commitments. The Portfolio may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis and may purchase or sell securities on a “forward commitment,” including “TBA” (to be

 

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announced) basis. These transactions involve a commitment by the Portfolio to purchase or sell particular securities with payment and delivery taking place at a future date (perhaps one or two months later), and permit the Portfolio to lock in a price or yield on a security it owns or intends to purchase, regardless of future changes in interest rates or market action. When-issued and forward commitment transactions involve the risk, however, that the price or yield obtained in a transaction may be less favorable than the price or yield available in the market when the securities delivery takes place.

When the Portfolio agrees to purchase securities on this basis, the adviser or sub-adviser will designate liquid assets on its books and records in an amount equal to the amount of the Portfolio’s commitments to the extent required by SEC guidelines. It may be expected that the market value of the Portfolio’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.

If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, the Portfolio may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it has been entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Portfolio on the settlement date. In these cases the Portfolio may realize a taxable capital gain or loss.

When the Portfolio engages in when-issued, TBA or forward commitment transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Portfolio’s incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price considered to be advantageous.

The market value of the securities underlying a commitment to purchase securities, and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value, is taken into account when determining the market value of the Portfolio starting on the day the Portfolio agrees to purchase the securities. The Portfolio does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until they are paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

Rights Offerings and Warrants to Purchase. The Portfolio may participate in rights offerings and may purchase warrants, which are privileges issued by corporations enabling the owners to subscribe to and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of time. Subscription rights normally have a short life span to expiration. The purchase of rights or warrants involves the risk that the Portfolio could lose the purchase value of a right or warrant if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the rights’ and warrants’ expiration. Also, the purchase of rights and/or warrants involves the risk that the effective price paid for the right and/or warrant added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the level of the underlying security. The Portfolio will not invest more than 5% of its net assets, taken at market value, in warrants, or more than 2% of its net assets, taken at market value, in warrants not listed on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. Warrants acquired by the Portfolio in units or attached to other securities are not subject to this restriction.

Non-U.S. Investments . The Portfolio may invest in non-U.S. securities, including securities from issuers located in emerging market countries. Investing in non-U.S. securities involves risks not typically associated with investing in securities of companies organized and operated in the United States. Because non-U.S. securities generally are denominated and pay dividends or interest in non-U.S. currencies, the value of the Portfolio will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in exchange rates.

The Portfolio’s investments in non-U.S. securities may also be adversely affected by changes in non-U.S. political or social conditions, diplomatic relations, confiscatory taxation, expropriation, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, or imposition of (or change in) exchange control regulations. In addition, changes in government administrations or economic or monetary policies in the U.S. or abroad could result in appreciation or depreciation of portfolio securities and could favorably or adversely affect the Portfolio’s operations.

In general, less information is publicly available with respect to non-U.S. issuers than is available with respect to U.S. companies. Most non-U.S. companies are also not subject to the uniform accounting and financial reporting requirements applicable to issuers in the United States. While the volume of transactions effected on non-U.S. stock exchanges has increased in recent years, it remains appreciably below that of the New York Stock

 

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Exchange. Accordingly, the Portfolio’s non-U.S. investments may be less liquid and their prices may be more volatile than comparable investments in securities in U.S. companies. In addition, there is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and issuers in foreign countries than in the United States.

Investments in non-dollar denominated securities including securities from issuers located in emerging market countries may be on either a currency hedged or unhedged basis, and the Portfolio may hold from time to time various non-U.S. currencies pending investment or conversion into U.S. dollars. Some of these instruments may have the characteristics of futures contracts. In addition, the Portfolio may engage in non-U.S. currency exchange transactions to seek to protect against changes in the level of future exchange rates which would adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance. These investments and transactions involving non-U.S. securities, currencies, options (including options that relate to non-U.S. currencies), futures, hedging and cross-hedging are described below and under “Interest Rate Transactions and Currency Swaps,” “Non-U.S. Currency Transactions” and “Options and Futures Contracts.”

To maintain greater flexibility, the Portfolio may invest in instruments which have the characteristics of futures contracts. These instruments may take a variety of forms, such as debt securities with interest or principal payments determined by reference to the value of a currency or commodity at a future point in time. The risks of such investments could reflect the risks of investing in futures, currencies and securities, including volatility and illiquidity.

Non-U.S. investments of the Portfolio may include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by non-U.S. sovereign governments or their agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, including a non-U.S. state, province or municipality; (b) debt obligations of supranational organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank and European Economic Community; (c) debt obligations of non-U.S. banks and bank holding companies; (d) debt obligations of domestic banks and corporations issued in non-U.S. currencies; (e) debt obligations denominated in the Euro; and (f) non-U.S. corporate debt securities and commercial paper. Such securities may include loan participations and assignments, convertible securities and zero-coupon securities.

Political and economic structures in emerging market countries may be undergoing significant evolution and rapid development, and these countries may lack the social, political and economic stability characteristic of more developed countries. Some of these countries may have in the past failed to recognize private property rights and have at times nationalized or expropriated the assets of private companies. As a result the risks described above, including the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, may be heightened. In addition, unanticipated political or social developments may affect the value of investments in these countries and the availability to the Portfolio of additional investments in emerging market countries. The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain of these countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in these countries may make investments in the countries illiquid and more volatile than investments in Japan or most Western European countries. There may be little financial or accounting information available with respect to issuers located in certain emerging market countries, and it may be difficult to assess the value or prospects of an investment in such issuers.

The expense ratios of the Portfolio, if investing significantly in non-U.S. securities, can be expected to be higher than those of funds investing primarily in domestic securities. The costs attributable to investing abroad are usually higher for several reasons, such as the higher cost of custody of non-U.S. securities, higher commissions paid on comparable transactions on non-U.S. markets and additional costs arising from delays in settlements of transactions involving non-U.S. securities.

Brady Bonds. The Portfolio’s emerging market debt securities may include emerging market governmental debt obligations commonly referred to as Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds are securities created through the exchange of existing commercial bank loans to sovereign entities for new obligations in connection with debt restructurings under a debt restructuring plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady (the “Brady Plan”). Brady Plan debt restructurings have been implemented in a number of countries, including: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jordan, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

 

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Brady Bonds may be collateralized or uncollateralized, are issued in various currencies (primarily the U.S. dollar) and are actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary market. Brady Bonds are not considered to be U.S. Government securities. U.S. dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed rate par bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are generally collateralized in full as to principal by U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds having the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady Bonds generally are collateralized on a one-year or longer rolling-forward basis by cash or securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of interest payments or, in the case of floating rate bonds, initially is equal to at least one year’s interest payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to “value recovery payments” in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized. Brady Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (i) the collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (ii) the collateralized interest payments; (iii) the uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (the uncollateralized amounts constitute the “residual risk”).

Most Mexican Brady Bonds issued to date have principal repayments at final maturity fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds (or comparable collateral denominated in other currencies) and interest coupon payments collateralized on an 18-month rolling-forward basis by funds held in escrow by an agent for the bondholders. A significant portion of the Venezuelan Brady Bonds and the Argentine Brady Bonds issued to date have repayments at final maturity collateralized by U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds (or comparable collateral denominated in other currencies) and/or interest coupon payments collateralized on a 14-month (for Venezuela) or 12-month (for Argentina) rolling-forward basis by securities held by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as collateral agent.

Brady Bonds involve various risk factors described above associated with investing in non-U.S. securities, including the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds. There can be no assurance that Brady Bonds in which the Portfolio may invest will not be subject to restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may cause the Portfolio to suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings.

ADRs, EDRs and GDRs . The Portfolio may invest in both sponsored and unsponsored American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depository Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depository Receipts (“GDRs”) and other similar global instruments. ADRs typically are issued by an American bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a non-U.S. corporation. EDRs, which are sometimes referred to as Continental Depository Receipts, are receipts issued in Europe, typically by non-U.S. banks and trust companies, that evidence ownership of either non-U.S. or domestic underlying securities. GDRs are depository receipts structured like global debt issues to facilitate trading on an international basis. Unsponsored ADR, EDR and GDR programs are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information concerning the issuer may not be as current as for sponsored ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, and the prices of unsponsored ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. Investments in ADRs, EDRs and GDRs present additional investment considerations as described under “Non-U.S. Investments.”

Options and Futures Contracts . To the extent consistent with its investment objective, the Portfolio may write (i.e., sell) covered call options, buy call options, write secured put options and buy put options for the purpose of hedging or earning additional income, which may be deemed speculative or cross-hedging. The Portfolio may also purchase exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on non-U.S. currencies, and may write covered call options on up to 100% of the currencies in its portfolio. For the payment of a premium, the purchaser of an option obtains the right to buy (in the case of a call option) or to sell (in the case of a put option) the item which is the subject of the option at a stated exercise price for a specific period of time. These options may relate to particular securities, securities indices, or the yield differential between two securities, or non-U.S. currencies, and may or may not be listed on a securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. The Portfolio will not purchase put and call options when the aggregate premiums on outstanding options exceed 5% of its total assets at the time of purchase, and will not write options on more than 25% of the value of its total assets (measured at the time an option is written). There is no limit on the amount of the Portfolio’s assets that can be put at risk through the use of options. In addition, unlisted options are not subject to the protections afforded purchasers of listed options issued by the Options Clearing Corporation, which performs the obligations of its members if they default.

 

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Options on particular securities may be more volatile than the underlying securities, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in the underlying securities themselves. The Portfolio will write call options only if they are “covered.” In the case of a call option on a security, the option is “covered” if the Portfolio owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, liquid assets in such amount are designated on the adviser’s or sub-adviser’s books and records in an amount equal to the amount of the Portfolio’s commitments to the extent required by SEC guidelines) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by it. For a call option on an index, the option is covered if the Portfolio maintains with its custodian liquid assets equal to the contract value. A call option is also covered if the Portfolio holds a call on the same security or index as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written provided the difference is maintained by the Portfolio in liquid assets designated on the adviser’s or sub-adviser’s books and records to the extent required by SEC guidelines.

When the Portfolio purchases an option, the premium paid by it is recorded as an asset of the Portfolio. When the Portfolio writes a put option, in return for receipt of the premium, it assumes the obligation to pay the strike price for the instrument underlying the option if the other party to the option chooses to exercise it. When the Portfolio writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium (the premium less the commission) received by the Portfolio is included in the liability section of the Portfolio’s statement of assets and liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount of this asset or deferred credit will be subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option purchased or written. The current value of the traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the last bid and asked prices. If an option purchased by the Portfolio expires unexercised the Portfolio realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Portfolio enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Portfolio will realize a gain if the premium received by the Portfolio on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Portfolio expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Portfolio enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold) and the deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated. If an option written by the Portfolio is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Portfolio will realize a gain or loss.

There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities and indexes. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on a national securities exchange (“Exchange”) may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an Exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an Exchange; the facilities of an Exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or one or more Exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that Exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that Exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

To the extent consistent with its investment objective, the Portfolio may also invest in futures contracts and options on futures contracts (interest rate futures contracts, index futures contracts, or non-U.S. exchange futures contracts as applicable). These instruments are described in Appendix B to this Statement of Additional Information. There is no limit on the amount of the Portfolio’s assets that can be put at risk through the use of futures contracts and the value of the Portfolio’s futures contracts and options on futures contracts may equal or exceed 100% of its total assets.

 

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To maintain greater flexibility, the Portfolio may invest in instruments which have characteristics similar to futures contracts. These instruments may take a variety of forms, such as debt securities with interest or principal payments determined by reference to the value of a commodity at a future point in time. The risks of such investments could reflect the risks of investing in futures and securities, including volatility and illiquidity.

Futures contracts obligate the Portfolio, at maturity, to take or make delivery of securities, the cash value of a securities index or a stated quantity of a non-U.S. currency. The Portfolio may sell a futures contract in order to offset an expected decrease in the value of its portfolio positions that might otherwise result from a market decline or currency exchange fluctuation. The Portfolio may do so either to hedge the value of its securities portfolio as a whole, or to protect against declines occurring prior to sales of securities in the value of the securities to be sold. In addition, the Portfolio may utilize futures contracts in anticipation of changes in the composition of its holdings or in currency exchange rates.

The Portfolio may purchase and sell put and call options on futures contracts traded on an exchange or board of trade. When the Portfolio purchases an option on a futures contract, it has the right to assume a position as a purchaser or a seller of a futures contract at a specified exercise price during the option period. When the Portfolio sells an option on a futures contract, it becomes obligated to sell or buy a futures contract if the option is exercised. In connection with the Portfolio’s position in a futures contract or related option, the adviser or sub-adviser will designate liquid assets on its books and records in an amount equal to the amount of the Portfolio’s commitments or will otherwise cover its position in accordance with applicable SEC requirements.

The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Portfolio and the price of the futures contract or option; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the adviser’s or sub-adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations.

The Fund and the Portfolio have claimed exclusions from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act and, therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation as commodity pool operators under the Act.

Interest Rate Transactions, Currency Swaps and Swaptions . The Portfolio may enter into interest rate swaps, may purchase or sell interest rate caps and floors and may enter into options on swap agreements (“swaptions”). The Portfolio may enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its holdings, as a duration management technique or to protect against an increase in the price of securities the Portfolio anticipates purchasing at a later date. They may also be used for speculation to increase returns.

In order to protect against currency fluctuations, the Portfolio may enter into currency swaps. Currency swaps involve the exchange of the rights of the Portfolio and another party to make or receive payments in specified currencies.

The Portfolio may enter into interest rate swaps, caps, floors and swaptions on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether the Portfolio is hedging its assets or its liabilities. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap”; and interest rate floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or “floor”.

 

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The Portfolio will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Portfolio receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. In contrast, currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency.

The Portfolio may purchase and sell Municipal Market Data Rate Locks (“MMD Rate Locks”). An MMD Rate Lock permits the Portfolio to lock in a specified municipal interest rate for a portion of its portfolio, to preserve a return on a particular investment or a portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities to be purchased at a later date. The Portfolio will ordinarily use these transactions as a hedge or for duration or risk management although they are permitted to enter into them to enhance income or gain. An MMD Rate Lock is a contract between the Portfolio and an MMD Rate Lock provider pursuant to which the parties agree to make payments to each other on a notional amount, contingent upon whether the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above or below a specified level on the expiration date of the contract. For example, if the Portfolio buys an MMD Rate Lock and the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is below the specified level on the expiration date, the counterparty to the contract will make a payment to the Portfolio equal to the specified level minus the actual level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. If the Municipal Market Data AAA General Obligation Scale is above the specified level on the expiration date, the Portfolio will make a payment to the counterparty equal to the actual level minus the specified level, multiplied by the notional amount of the contract. In entering into MMD Rate Locks, there is a risk that municipal yields will move in the direction opposite of the direction anticipated by the Portfolio. The Portfolio will not enter into MMD Rate Locks if, as a result, more than 50% of its total assets would be required to cover its potential obligations under its hedging and other investment transactions.

A swaption is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. The Portfolio may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions.

Whether the Portfolio’s use of swap agreements or swaptions will be successful in furthering its investment objectives will depend on the adviser’s or sub-adviser’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to product greater returns than other investments. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. The Portfolio will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid. Caps and floors are less liquid than swaps.

The swaps market is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Portfolio’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, the Portfolio will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When the Portfolio purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when the Portfolio writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Portfolio will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

The Portfolio will accrue the net amount of the excess, if any, of its obligations over its entitlements with respect to each interest rate or currency swap or swaption on a daily basis and its adviser or sub-adviser will designate liquid assets on its books and records in an amount having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess to the extent required by SEC guidelines. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, the Portfolio’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Portfolio is contractually entitled to receive. Because currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

 

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Credit Default Swaps. To the extent consistent with its investment strategies, the Portfolio may, for hedging or leveraging purposes, make use of credit default swaps, which are contracts whereby one party makes periodic payments to a counterparty in exchange for the right to receive from the counterparty a payment equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation in the event of a default by the issuer of the debt obligation. The use of credit default swaps may be limited by the Portfolio’s limitations on illiquid investments. When used for hedging purposes, the Portfolio would be the buyer of a credit default swap contract. In that case, the Portfolio would be entitled to receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty to the contract in the event of a default by a third party, such as a U.S. or non-U.S. issuer, on the debt obligation. In return, the Portfolio would pay to the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Portfolio would have spent the stream of payments and received no benefit from the contract. Credit default swaps involve the risk that the investment may expire worthless and would generate income only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial instability). It would also involve credit risk - that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Portfolio in the event of a default.

When the Portfolio is the seller of a credit default swap contract, it receives the stream of payments but is obligated to pay upon default of the referenced debt obligation. As the seller, the Portfolio would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total assets, the Portfolio would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

In addition to the risks applicable to derivatives generally, credit default swaps involve special risks because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty).

Non-U.S. Currency Transactions. The Portfolio may engage in non-U.S. currency exchange transactions to protect against uncertainty in the level of future exchange rates. The Portfolio may engage in non-U.S. currency exchange transactions in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities (transaction hedging) and to protect the value of specific portfolio positions (position hedging). The Portfolio may purchase or sell a non-U.S. currency on a spot (or cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate in connection with the settlement of transactions in portfolio securities denominated in that non-U.S. currency, and may also enter into contracts to purchase or sell non-U.S. currencies at a future date (“forward contracts”).

Forward non-U.S. currency exchange contracts involve an obligation to purchase or sell a specified currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward currency contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the values of portfolio securities but rather allow the Portfolio to establish a rate of exchange for a future point in time. The Portfolio may use forward non-U.S. currency exchange contracts to hedge against movements in the value of non-U.S. currencies relative to the U.S. dollar in connection with specific portfolio transactions or with respect to portfolio positions. The Portfolio generally may enter into forward non-U.S. currency exchange contracts when deemed advisable by its adviser or sub-adviser under two circumstances. First, when entering into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security, the Portfolio may enter into a forward non-U.S. currency exchange contract for the amount of the purchase or sale price to protect against variations, between the date the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received, in the value of the non-U.S. currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other non-U.S. currency.

Second, when the Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser anticipates that a particular non-U.S. currency may decline relative to the U.S. dollar or other leading currencies, in order to reduce risk, the Portfolio may enter into a forward contract to sell, for a fixed amount, the amount of non-U.S. currency approximating the value of some or all of the Portfolio’s securities denominated in such non-U.S. currency. With respect to any forward non-U.S. currency contract, it will not generally be possible to match precisely the amount covered by that contract and the value of the securities involved due to the changes in the values of such securities resulting from market movements between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it matures. In addition, while forward contracts may offer

 

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protection from losses resulting from declines in the value of a particular non-U.S. currency, they also limit potential gains which might result from increases in the value of such currency. The Portfolio will also incur costs in connection with forward non-U.S. currency exchange contracts and conversions of non-U.S. currencies and U.S. dollars.

The Portfolio may also engage in proxy hedging transactions to reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing or anticipated holdings of portfolio securities. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a forward contract to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be linked to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Portfolio’s securities are, or are expected to be, denominated, and to buy U.S. dollars. Proxy hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the Portfolio if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not anticipated. In addition, there is the risk that the perceived linkage between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time that the Portfolio is engaging in proxy hedging. The Portfolio may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into forward contracts to sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value relative to other currencies to which the Portfolio has or in which the Portfolio expects to have portfolio exposure. For example, the Portfolio may hold both Canadian government bonds and Japanese government bonds, and the adviser or sub-adviser may believe that Canadian dollars will deteriorate against Japanese yen. The Portfolio would sell Canadian dollars to reduce its exposure to that currency and buy Japanese yen. This strategy would be a hedge against a decline in the value of Canadian dollars, although it would expose the Portfolio to declines in the value of the Japanese yen relative to the U.S. dollar.

In general, currency transactions are subject to risks different from those of other portfolio transactions, and can result in greater losses to the Portfolio than would otherwise be incurred, even when the currency transactions are used for hedging purposes.

Liquid assets equal to the amount of the Portfolio’s assets that could be required to consummate forward contracts will be segregated on the books and records of the adviser or sub-adviser to the extent required by SEC guidelines. For the purpose of determining the adequacy of the securities so segregated, the securities will be valued at market or fair value. If the market or fair value of such securities declines, additional cash or securities will be added.

Stand-by Commitments . Under a stand-by commitment for a Municipal Obligation, a dealer agrees to purchase at the Portfolio’s option a specified Municipal Obligation at a specified price. Stand-by commitments for Municipal Obligations may be exercisable by the Portfolio at any time before the maturity of the underlying Municipal Obligations and may be sold, transferred or assigned only with the instruments involved. It is expected that such stand-by commitments will generally be available without the payment of any direct or indirect consideration. However, if necessary or advisable, the Portfolio may pay for such a stand-by commitment either separately in cash or by paying a higher price for Municipal Obligations which are acquired subject to the commitment for Municipal Obligations (thus reducing the yield to maturity otherwise available for the same securities). The total amount paid in either manner for outstanding stand-by commitments for Municipal Obligations held by the Portfolio will not exceed  1 / 2 of 1% of the value of such Portfolio’s total assets calculated immediately after each stand-by commitment is acquired.

Stand-by commitments will only be entered into with dealers, banks and broker-dealers which, in an adviser’s or sub-adviser’s opinion, present minimal credit risks. The Portfolio will acquire stand-by commitments solely to facilitate portfolio liquidity and not to exercise its rights thereunder for trading purposes. Stand-by commitments will be valued at zero in determining net asset value. Accordingly, where the Portfolio pays directly or indirectly for a stand-by commitment, its cost will be reflected as an unrealized loss for the period during which the commitment is held by such Portfolio and will be reflected as a realized gain or loss when the commitment is exercised or expires.

The Portfolio may acquire stand-by commitments with respect to Municipal Obligations held by it. The acquisition of a stand-by commitment may increase the cost, and thereby reduce the yield, of the Municipal Obligations to which the commitment relates.

 

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Tax-Exempt Derivatives. The Portfolio may hold tax-exempt derivatives which may be in the form of tender option bonds, participations, beneficial interests in a trust, partnership interests or other forms. A number of different structures have been used. For example, interests in long-term fixed-rate municipal debt obligations, held by a bank as trustee or custodian, are coupled with tender option, demand and other features when the tax-exempt derivatives are created. Together, these features entitle the holder of the interest to tender (or put) the underlying municipal debt obligation to a third party at periodic intervals and to receive the principal amount thereof. In some cases, municipal debt obligations are represented by custodial receipts evidencing rights to receive specific future interest payments, principal payments, or both, on the underlying securities held by the custodian. Under such arrangements, the holder of the custodial receipt has the option to tender the underlying securities at their face value to the sponsor (usually a bank or broker dealer or other financial institution), which is paid periodic fees equal to the difference between the securities’ fixed coupon rate and the rate that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of a rate adjustment. A participation interest gives the Fund an undivided interest in a Municipal Obligation in the proportion the Fund’s participation bears to the total principal amount of the Municipal Obligation, and typically provides for a repurchase feature for all or any part of the full principal amount of the participation interest, plus accrued interest. Trusts and partnerships are typically used to convert long-term fixed rate high quality bonds of a single state or municipal issuer into variable or floating rate demand instruments. The Portfolio may hold tax-exempt derivatives, such as participation interests and custodial receipts, for municipal debt obligations which give the holder the right to receive payment of principal subject to the conditions described above. The Internal Revenue Service has not ruled on whether the interest received on tax-exempt derivatives in the form of participation interests or custodial receipts is tax-exempt, and accordingly, purchases of any such interests or receipts are based on the opinions of counsel to the sponsors of such derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment adviser or sub-advisers will review the proceedings related to the creation of any tax-exempt derivatives or the basis for such opinions.

Tax-Exempt Preferred Shares . The Portfolio may invest in preferred interests of other investment funds that pay dividends that are exempt from regular Federal income tax. Such funds in turn invest in municipal bonds and other assets that pay interest or make distributions that are exempt from regular Federal income tax, such as revenue bonds issued by state or local agencies to fund the development of low-income, multi-family housing. Investment in such tax-exempt preferred shares involves many of the same issues as investing in other open- or closed-end investment companies as discussed below. These investments also have additional risks, including liquidity risk, the absence of regulation governing investment practices, capital structure and leverage, affiliated transactions and other matters, and concentration of investments in particular issuers or industries.

Securities Lending. The Portfolio may seek additional income by lending securities on a short-term basis. Voting rights may pass with the lending of securities. The trustees of the Fund will call loans of securities to vote proxies or otherwise obtain rights to vote or consent if a material event affecting the investment occurs. The securities lending agreements will require that the loans be secured by collateral in cash, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable bank letters of credit maintained on a current basis equal in value to at least the market value of the loaned securities. The Portfolio may not make such loans in excess of 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets. Securities loans involve risks of delay in receiving additional collateral or in recovering the loaned securities, or possibly loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower of the securities becomes insolvent.

The Portfolio would continue to accrue interest on loaned securities and would also earn income on investment collateral for such loans. Any cash collateral received by the Portfolio in connection with such loans may be invested in a broad range of high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments that meet Rule 2a-7 restrictions for money market funds. Specifically, cash collateral may be invested in any of the following instruments: (a) securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities and related custodial receipts; (b) “first tier” quality commercial paper and other obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. and non-U.S. corporations and other issuers rated (at the time of purchase) in the highest rating category by at least two NRSRO’s, or one if only rated by one NRSRO; (c) U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or non-U.S. banks or savings institutions with total assets in excess of $1 billion (including obligations of non-U.S. branches of such banks) (i.e., CD’s, BA’s and time deposits); (d) repurchase agreements relating to the above instruments, as well as corporate debt; and (e) unaffiliated and, to the extent permitted by SEC guidelines, affiliated money market funds. Any such investments must be rated “first tier” and must have a maturity of 397 days or less from the date of purchase.

 

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PFPC Trust Company, an affiliate of BlackRock, currently acts as a lending agent for the Portfolio and is paid a fee for the provision of these services. The lending agent has hired BlackRock Capital Management, Inc. (“BCM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., and pays BCM to provide advisory services with respect to the collateral of all of the clients of its securities lending program. The lending agent may invest such collateral in short-term investments, including the Institutional Money Market Trust (“IMMT”), a portfolio of money market securities, or high-quality, short-term instruments with a maturity date not to exceed 397 days. BCM serves as investment adviser to IMMT, but receives no fees from IMMT for these services. Administrative and accounting services are provided by PFPC Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. PFPC, Inc. is paid a fee from IMMT at an annual rate not to exceed 0.10% of IMMT’s average daily net assets.

In addition, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIML”), an affiliate of BlackRock, may in the future act as a lending agent for the Portfolio and will be paid a fee for the provision of these services, including advisory services with respect to the collateral of the Fund’s securities lending program. BIML may invest such collateral in short-term investments, including in one or more investment companies or unregistered investment vehicles managed by BlackRock, BIML or their affiliates that invest, subject to applicable law, in money market securities or high-quality, short-term instruments.

The Portfolio may lend securities to broker-dealers who are affiliates of Merrill Lynch, subject to the terms of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Yields and Ratings. The yields on certain obligations are dependent on a variety of factors, including general market conditions, conditions in the particular market for the obligation, the financial condition of the issuer, the size of the offering, the maturity of the obligation and the ratings of the issue. The ratings of Moody’s, Fitch and S&P represent their respective opinions as to the quality of the obligations they undertake to rate. Ratings, however, are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, obligations with the same rating, maturity and interest rate may have different market prices. Subsequent to its purchase by the Portfolio, a rated security may cease to be rated. The Portfolio’s adviser or sub-adviser will consider such an event in determining whether the Portfolio should continue to hold the security. Subject to its other investment strategies, there is no limit on the amount of unrated securities the Portfolio may hold, although under normal market conditions the adviser and sub-adviser do not expect to hold these securities to a material extent.

Investment Companies. In connection with the management of daily cash positions, and subject to applicable law, the Portfolio may invest in securities issued by other investment companies (including investment companies managed by BlackRock and its affiliates) which invest in short-term debt securities and which seek to maintain a $1.00 net asset value per share. The Portfolio may also, subject to applicable law, invest in securities issued by other investment companies with similar investment objectives, including investing in Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), which are typically open-end funds or unit investment trusts listed on a stock exchange. The Portfolio may invest in securities issued by other investment companies (including invesment companies manged by BlackRock and its affiliates) within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act and set forth below. These may include ETFs. The Portfolio may purchase shares of investment companies (including investment companies managed by BlackRock and its affiliates) investing primarily in non-U.S. securities, including so-called “country funds.” Country funds have portfolios consisting exclusively of securities of issuers located in one foreign country. Securities of other investment companies will be acquired within limits prescribed by the 1940 Act. As a shareholder of another investment company, the Portfolio would bear, along with other shareholders, its pro rata portion of the other investment company’s expenses, including advisory fees (which, in the case of investment companies managed by BlackRock and its affiliates, would be paid to BlackRock and its affiliates). These expenses would be in addition to the advisory fees and other expenses the Portfolio bears directly in connection with its own operations.

Stripped and Zero Coupon Obligations. To the extent consistent with its investment objectives, the Portfolio may purchase Treasury receipts and other “stripped” securities that evidence ownership in either the future interest payments or the future principal payments on U.S. Government and other obligations. These participations, which may be issued by the U.S. Government (or a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality) or by private issuers such as banks and other institutions, are issued at a discount to their “face value,” and may include stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”). Stripped securities, particularly SMBS, may exhibit greater price volatility than ordinary debt securities because of the manner in which their principal and interest are returned to investors, and they are often illiquid.

 

21


SMBS are usually structured with two or more classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from a pool of mortgage-backed obligations. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving all of the interest (“IO” or interest-only), while the other class receives all of the principal (“PO” or principal-only). However, in some cases, one class will receive some of the interest and most of the principal while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. If the underlying obligations experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Portfolio may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities even if the securities have received the highest rating by an NRSRO. The market value of SMBS can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest rates. The yields on a class of SMBS that receives all or most of the interest are generally higher than prevailing market yields on other mortgage-related obligations because their cash flow patterns are also volatile and there is a greater risk that the initial investment will not be fully recouped.

The Portfolio may invest in zero-coupon bonds, which are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. Zero-coupon bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than similar maturity debt obligations which provide for regular interest payments. Additionally, current federal tax law requires the holder of certain zero-coupon bonds to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments. To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid liability for federal income and excise taxes, the Portfolio may be required to distribute income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements. See “Taxes.”

Funding Agreements. The Portfolio may invest in GICs and similar funding agreements. In connection with these investments, the Portfolio makes cash contributions to a deposit fund of an insurance company’s general account. The insurance company then credits to the Portfolio on a monthly basis guaranteed interest, which is based on an index (such as LIBOR). The funding agreements provide that this guaranteed interest will not be less than a certain minimum rate. The purchase price paid for a funding agreement becomes part of the general assets of the insurance company, and the contract is paid from the general assets of the insurance company. Generally, funding agreements are not assignable or transferable without the permission of the issuing insurance companies, and an active secondary market in some funding agreements does not currently exist.

Short Sales. The Portfolio may only make short sales of securities “against-the-box.” A short sale is a transaction in which the Portfolio sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. The Portfolio may make short sales both as a form of hedging to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities and in order to maintain portfolio flexibility. In a short sale “against-the-box,” at the time of sale, the Portfolio owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire the identical or similar security at no additional cost. When selling short “against-the-box,” the Portfolio forgoes an opportunity for capital appreciation in the security.

Illiquid Securities. The Portfolio will not invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities that are illiquid. GICs, variable and floating rate instruments that cannot be disposed of within seven days, and repurchase agreements and time deposits that do not provide for payment within seven days after notice, without taking a reduced price, are subject to these limits. The Portfolio may purchase securities which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) but which can be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. These securities will not be considered illiquid so long as it is determined by the adviser or sub-adviser that an adequate trading market exists for the securities. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in the Portfolio during any period that qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in purchasing these restricted securities.

Any securities that are thinly traded or whose resale is restricted can be difficult to sell at the desired time and price. Some of these securities are new and complex, and trade only among institutions; the markets for these securities are still developing, and may not function as efficiently as established markets. Owning a large percentage of restricted or illiquid securities could hamper the fund’s ability to raise cash to meet redemptions. Also, because there may not be an established market price for these securities, the fund may have to estimate their

 

22


value, which means that their valuation (and, to a much smaller extent, the valuation of the fund) may have a subjective element. Transactions in restricted or illiquid securities may entail registration expense and other transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in unrestricted or liquid securities. Where registration is required for restricted or illiquid securities a considerable time period may elapse between the time the fund decides to sell the security and the time it is actually permitted to sell the security under an effective registration statement. If during such period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the fund might obtain less favorable pricing terms that when it decided to sell the security.

Guarantees. The Portfolio may purchase securities which contain guarantees issued by an entity separate from the issuer of the security. Generally, the guarantor of a security (often an affiliate of the issuer) will fulfill an issuer’s payment obligations under a security if the issuer is unable to do so.

Portfolio Turnover Rates. The Portfolio’s annual portfolio turnover rate will not be a factor preventing a sale or purchase when the adviser or sub-adviser believes investment considerations warrant such sale or purchase. Portfolio turnover may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year. High portfolio turnover (i.e., 100% or more) may result in increased transaction costs to the Portfolio, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and reinvestment in other securities. The sale of the Portfolio’s securities may result in the recognition of capital gain or loss. Given the frequency of sales, such gain or loss will likely be short-term capital gain or loss. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

The Portfolio is subject to the investment limitations enumerated in this section which may be changed with respect to the Portfolio only by a vote of the holders of a majority of such Portfolio’s outstanding shares (as defined below under “Miscellaneous”).

The Portfolio may not:

1. Purchase securities of any one issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or certificates of deposit for any such securities) if more than 5% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would (taken at current value) be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities would be owned by the Portfolio or the Fund, except that up to 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may (taken at current value) be invested without regard to these limitations. For purposes of this limitation, a security is considered to be issued by the entity (or entities) whose assets and revenues back the security. A guarantee of a security shall not be deemed to be a security issued by the guarantors when the value of all securities issued and guaranteed by the guarantor, and owned by the Portfolio, does not exceed 10% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets.

2. Purchase any securities which would cause 25% or more of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets at the time of purchase to be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, provided that (a) there is no limitation with respect to (i) instruments issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or any of their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, and (ii) repurchase agreements secured by the instruments described in clause (i); (b) wholly-owned finance companies will be considered to be in the industries of their parents if their activities are primarily related to financing the activities of the parents; and (c) utilities will be divided according to their services; for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and gas, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry.

3. Issue senior securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that the Portfolio may borrow from banks or enter into reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls in amounts aggregating not more than 33  1 / 3 % of the value of its total assets (calculated when the loan is made) to take advantage of investment opportunities and may pledge up to 33  1 / 3 % of the value of its total assets to secure such borrowings. The Portfolio is also authorized to borrow an additional 5% of its total assets without regard to the foregoing limitations for temporary purposes such as clearance of portfolio transactions and share redemptions. For purposes of these restrictions, the purchase or sale of securities on a “when-issued,” delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, the purchase and sale of options and futures contracts and collateral arrangements with respect thereto are not deemed to be the issuance of a senior security, a borrowing or a pledge of assets.

 

23


4. Purchase or sell real estate, except that the Portfolio may purchase securities of issuers which deal in real estate and may purchase securities which are secured by interests in real estate.

5. Acquire any other investment company or investment company security except in connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of assets or where otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act.

6. Act as an underwriter of securities within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 except to the extent that the purchase of obligations directly from the issuer thereof, or the disposition of securities, in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and limitations may be deemed to be underwriting.

7. Write or sell put options, call options, straddles, spreads, or any combination thereof, except for transactions in options on securities and securities indices, futures contracts and options on futures contracts and currencies.

8. Purchase securities of companies for the purpose of exercising control.

9. Purchase securities on margin, make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except that (a) this investment limitation shall not apply to the Portfolio’s transactions in futures contracts and related options or the Portfolio’s sale of securities short against the box, and (b) the Portfolio may obtain short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.

10. Purchase or sell commodity contracts, or invest in oil, gas or mineral exploration or development programs, except that the Portfolio may, to the extent appropriate to its investment policies, purchase securities of companies engaging in whole or in part in such activities and may enter into futures contracts and related options.

11. Make loans, except that the Portfolio may purchase and hold debt instruments and enter into repurchase agreements in accordance with its investment objective and policies and may lend portfolio securities. See “Investment Policies—Additional Information on Investment Strategies—Securities Lending” above.

12. Purchase or sell commodities except that the Portfolio may, to the extent appropriate to its investment policies, purchase securities of companies engaging in whole or in part in such activities, may engage in currency transactions and may enter into futures contracts and related options.

Unless otherwise indicated, all limitations apply only at the time that a transaction is undertaken. Any change in the percentage of the Portfolio’s assets invested in certain securities or other instruments resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in the Portfolio’s total assets will not require the Portfolio to dispose of an investment until the adviser or sub-adviser determines that it is practicable to sell or close out the investment without undue market or tax consequences.

 

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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

THE FUND

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of its Board of Trustees. The trustees and executive officers of the Fund, and their business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years, are:

Interested Trustees:

 

Name, Address and Age

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of Office 1
and Length of
Time Served
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in Fund
Complex 2 Overseen by Trustee

   Other Directorships
Held by Trustee

Richard S. Davis 3

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 59

   Trustee    Since 2005    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 2005); Chief Executive Officer, State Street Research & Management Company (2000–2005); Chairman of the Board of Trustees, State Street Research mutual funds (“SSR Funds”) (2000–2005); Senior Vice President, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (1999–2000); Chairman, SSR Realty (2000–2004).    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    None

Laurence D. Fink 4

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52 nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 51

   Trustee    Since 2000    Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock, Inc. since its formation in 1998 and of BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities since 1988; Chairman of the Management Committee; formerly, Managing Director of the First Boston Corporation, Member of its Management Committee, Co-head of its Taxable Fixed Income Division and Head of its Mortgage and Real Estate Products Group; Chairman of the Board of Nomura BlackRock Asset Management and several of BlackRock’s alternative investment vehicles; Director of several of BlackRock’s offshore funds; Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mount Sinai-NYU; Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NYU Hospitals Center; member of the Board of Trustees of NYU; member of the Board of Executives of the New York Stock Exchange; and Trustee of the American Folk Art Museum.    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    Director,
BlackRock,
Inc.

1 Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until the earlier of (1) the next meeting of shareholders at which Trustees are elected and until his or her successor is elected and qualified and (2) such time as such Trustee resigns or his or her term as a Trustee is terminated in accordance with the Fund’s code of regulations and Declaration of Trust.
2 A Fund Complex means two or more registered investment companies that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services, that have a common investment adviser or that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies.
3 Mr. Davis is an interested person of the Fund due to his position at BlackRock, Inc.
4 Mr. Fink is an interested person of the Fund due to his position at BlackRock, Inc.

 

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Disinterested Trustees:

 

Name, Address and Age

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of Office 1
and Length of
Time Served
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in Fund
Complex 2  Overseen by Trustee

  

Other Directorships Held
by Trustee

Bruce R. Bond

c/o BlackRock Funds 100 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809

Age: 60

   Trustee    Since 2005    Retired; Trustee and member of the Governance Committee, SSR Funds (1997–2005).    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    Director, Avaya, Inc. (information technology).

Peter S. Drotch

c/o BlackRock Funds 100 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809

Age: 64

   Trustee and
Chairman
of the
Compliance
Committee
   Since 2005    Retired; Trustee and member of the Audit Committee, SSR Funds (January-December 2004); Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (accounting firm) (1964–2000).    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    Director, First Marblehead Corp. (student loan processing and securitization); Trustee, University of Connecticut; Trustee, Huntington Theatre; Trustee, New England College of Finance.

Honorable Stuart E. Eizenstat Covington & Burling 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004

Age: 63

   Trustee    Since 2001    Partner, Covington & Burling (law firm) (2001–Present); Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (1999–2001); Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs (1997–1999); Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade (1996–1997); U.S. Ambassador to the European Union (1993–1996); Chairman, International Board of Governors, Weizmann Institute of Science.    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    Advisory Board member, The Coca-Cola Company; Advisory Board member, Group Menatep; (energy) Advisory Board member, BT Americas (information technology); Director, United Parcel Service, Inc.

Robert M. Hernandez

c/o BlackRock Funds 100

Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Age: 62

   Trustee,
Vice
Chairman
of the
Board and
Chairman
of the Audit
Committee
   Since 1996    Retired; Director (1991–2001), Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer (1994–2001), Executive Vice President-Accounting and Finance and Chief Financial Officer (1991–1994), USX Corporation (a diversified company principally engaged in energy and steel businesses).    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    Lead Director, ACE Limited (insurance company); Director and Chairman of the Board, RTI International Metals, Inc.; Director, Eastman Chemical Company.

 

26


Name, Address and Age

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
   Term of Office 1
and Length of
Time Served
  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

  

Number of Portfolios in Fund
Complex 2  Overseen by Trustee

  

Other Directorships Held
by Trustee

Dr. Matina Horner

c/o BlackRock Funds 100

Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Age: 66

   Trustee and
Chairperson
of the
Governance
and
Nominating
Committee
   Since 2004    Retired; Executive Vice President of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) (1989–2003); Honorary Trustee, Massachusetts General Hospital (1995-2004); Director, The Neiman Marcus Group (until 2005).    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    Trustee, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions; Chair of the Board of the Greenwall Foundation; Trustee, Century Foundation (formerly The Twentieth Century Fund); Director, N STAR (formerly called Boston Edison).

Toby Rosenblatt

c/o BlackRock Funds 100

Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Age: 68

   Trustee    Since 2005    President, Founders Investments Ltd. (private investments) (since 1999); Trustee, SSR Funds (1990–2005); Trustee, MetLife Series Funds (2001-2005).    51 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund and 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares)    Director, A.P. Pharma, Inc.

David R. Wilmerding, Jr.

c/o BlackRock Funds 100

Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Age: 71

   Trustee and
Chairman
of the
Board
   Since 1996    Chairman, Wilmerding & Associates, Inc. (investment advisers) (1989-2005); Chairman, Coho Partners, Ltd. (investment advisers) (2003-2005); Managing General Partner, Chestnut Street Exchange Fund (since 1976).    52 (includes 46 Portfolios of the Fund, 5 Portfolios of BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares and 1 Portfolio of Chestnut Street Exchange Fund, which is managed by BlackRock Financial Management Inc. and BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation.)    Director, Beaver Management Corporation (land management corporation); Director, The Widows Corporation (death benefits provider).

 

27


Executive Officers:

 

Name, Address and Age

  

Position(s)

Held with

Fund

  

Term of Office 1 and

Length of Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Anne Ackerley

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52 nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 43

   Vice President    Since 2003 (previously served as Assistant Secretary since 2000)    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since May 2000); First Vice President and Operating Officer, Mergers and Acquisitions Group (1997–2000), First Vice President and Operating Officer, Public Finance Group (1995–1997), and First Vice President, Emerging Markets Fixed Income Research (1994–1995), Merrill Lynch & Co.

Neal J. Andrews,

CPA BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 40

   Assistant
Treasurer
   Since 2006    Managing Director of Administration and Operations Group, BlackRock Inc. (since August 2006); Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head, Fund Accounting and Administration, PFPC Inc. (1992–2006).

Edward Baer

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52 nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 38

   Assistant
Secretary
   Since 2005    Director and Senior Counsel of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2004); Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (2000–2004); Associate, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP (1995–2000).

Bart Battista

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52 nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 46

   Chief
Compliance
Officer and
Anti-Money
Laundering
Compliance
Officer
   Since 2004    Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of BlackRock, Inc. (since 2004); Managing Director (since 2003), and Director (1998–2002) of BlackRock, Inc.; Compliance Officer at Moore Capital Management (1995–1998).

Donald C. Burke

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52 nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 45

   Treasurer    Since 2006    Managing Director of BlackRock Inc. (since 2006); Managing Director (2005–2006), Treasurer (1999–2006), First Vice Preisdent (1997–2005) and Vice President (1990–1997) of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (“MLIM”) and Fund Asset Management; Senior Vice President and Treasurer (1999–2006) and Director (2004–2006) of Princeton Services; Vice President (1999–2006) and Director (2004–2006) of FAM Distributors, Inc.; Director of Taxation of MLIM (1990–2001); Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of IQ Funds (2004–2006).

Jay Fife

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 36

   Assistant
Treasurer
   Since 2006    Director of BlackRock Inc. (since 2006); Assistant Treasurer of registered investment companies managed by MLIM (2005–2006), Director of MLIM Fund Services Group (2001–2006) and Vice President and Assistant Treasurer of IQ Funds (2005–2006).

Spencer Fleming

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 37

   Assistant
Treasurer
   Since 2006    Vice President of BlackRock Portfolio Compliance Group (since 2004); Associate in BlackRock Administrative Group (2001–2004); Assistant Vice President, Delaware Investments (1992–2001).

1 Each officer holds office for an indefinite term until the earlier of (1) the next meeting of trustees at which his or her successor is appointed and (2) such time as such officer resigns or his or her term as an officer is terminated in accordance with the Fund’s code of regulations and Declaration of Trust.

 

28


Name, Address and Age

   Position(s)
Held with
Fund
  

Term of Office 1 1 and

Length of Time Served

  

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Henry Gabbay

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52 nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 57

   President    Since 2005    Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (since 1989).

Brian P. Kindelan

BlackRock Advisors,

LLC 100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

Age: 46

   Secretary    Since 1997    Managing Director and Senior Counsel (since January 2005), Director and Senior Counsel (2001–2004) and Vice President and Senior Counsel (1998–2000), BlackRock Advisors, LLC; Senior Counsel, PNC Bank Corp. (May 1995–April 1998).

Robert Mahar

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 61

   Assistant
Treasurer
   Since 2006    Director, Global Portfolio Compliance, BlackRock Inc. (since 2006); Director and Divisional Compliance Officer for Equities (2002–2006), Director, Portfolio Administration (1999–2001) and Vice President (1996–1999), MLIM; Member of Investment Management Team for Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund, Merrill Lynch Growth Fund and Merrill Lynch Global Value Fund (1996–1999).

Howard Surloff

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 41

   Assistant
Secretary
   Since 2006    General Counsel of U.S. Funds at BlackRock, Inc. (since June 2006); General Counsel (U.S.), Goldman Sachs Asset Management (1993–2006).

Vincent Tritto

BlackRock, Inc.

40 E. 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

Age: 44

   Assistant
Secretary
   Since 2003    Managing Director and Assistant Secretary (since January 2005) and Director and Senior Counsel (2002–2004) of BlackRock, Inc. Executive Director (2000–2002) and Vice President (1998–2000), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc. and officer of various Morgan Stanley-sponsored investment vehicles; Counsel (1998); Associate (1988–1997), Rogers & Wells LLP, New York, NY.

The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee, the Compliance Committee and the Valuation and Pricing Committee.

The members of the Audit Committee are Dr. Horner and Messrs. Bond, Drotch, Eizenstat, Hernandez, Rosenblatt and Wilmerding. Mr. Hernandez serves as Chairman. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things: (i) considering management’s recommendations of independent accountants for the Fund and evaluating such accountants’ performance, costs and financial stability; (ii) reviewing and coordinating audit plans prepared by the Fund’s independent accountants and management’s internal audit staff; and (iii) reviewing financial statements contained in periodic reports to shareholders with the Fund’s independent accountants and management. The Audit Committee met 5 times in the last fiscal year.

The members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are Dr. Horner and Messrs. Eizenstat and Bond. Mr. Wilmerding is an ex-officio member. Dr. Horner serves as Chairwoman. The Committee is responsible for selecting and nominating “disinterested” trustees of the Fund. The Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders when a vacancy becomes available. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations which include biographical information and sets forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee to the Fund’s Secretary. The Committee also is responsible for, among other things, the scheduling and organization of board meetings, evaluating the structure and composition of the board and determining compensation of the Fund’s disinterested trustees. The Committee met 4 times in the last fiscal year.

 

29


The members of the Compliance Committee are Messrs. Drotch, Hernandez and Rosenblatt. Mr. Wilmerding is an ex-officio member. Mr. Drotch serves as Chairman. The Committee is responsible for monitoring compliance issues regarding the Fund. The Committee met 4 times in the last fiscal year.

The members of the Valuation and Pricing Committee are Messrs. Bond, Davis, Drotch, Eizenstat, Fink, Hernandez, Rosenblatt, Wilmerding and Dr. Horner. Mr. Fink serves as Chairman. The Committee is responsible for valuation issues regarding the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Committee met 4 times in the last fiscal year.

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities owned by the Trustees in the Fund and in other investment companies overseen by the Trustees within the same family of investment companies as of December 31, 2005. Investment companies are considered to be in the same family if they share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.

 

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Name of Trustee

  

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

  

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in
All Registered Investment Companies Overseen
by the Trustee in the Family of Investment
Companies

Interested Trustees      
Interested Trustees      
Richard S. Davis   

High Yield Bond—$1-$10,000, Investment Trust—$1-$10,000,

Small/Mid Cap Growth—$1-$10,000, Global Resources—$10,001-$50,000

   $10,001-$50,000
Laurence D. Fink    International Opportunities—over $100,000, Global Science & Technology Opportunities—$50,001-$100,000    Over $100,000
Disinterested Trustees      
Toby Rosenblatt    Investment Trust—over $100,000    Over $100,000
Stuart E. Eizenstat   

Investment Trust—$1-$10,000,

Low Duration Bond—$1-$10,000

   $1-$10,000
Robert M. Hernandez   

Pennsylvania Municipal Money

Market—over $100,000

   Over $100,000
Dr. Matina Horner    None    None
Bruce R. Bond    Mid-Cap Value—over $100,000    Over $100,000
Peter S. Drotch    Money Market Portfolio—over $100,000    Over $100,000
David R. Wilmerding, Jr.    None    None

Compensation

Trustees who are not affiliated with BlackRock or BlackRock Distributors, Inc. (“BDI”) receive from the BlackRock open-end funds (BlackRock Funds and BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares (“BATS”)) the following: $20,000 annually, $2,500 for each meeting that they attend, whether by phone or in person, and $350 per Portfolio for each full in-person meeting of the Board that they attend; in addition, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the open-end Boards receive an additional $10,000 and $5,000 per year, respectively, for their service in such capacities and trustees who are not affiliated with BlackRock or BDI receive from the BlackRock open-end funds (BlackRock Funds and BATS) the following: $1,500 for each committee meeting that they attend, whether by phone or in person, and the Audit Committee Chairman receives an additional $10,000 and each other committee chairperson an additional $5,000 per year, for their service in such capacities. Trustees who are not affiliated with BlackRock or BDI are reimbursed for any expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Trustees or any committee thereof. The term of office of each trustee will automatically terminate when such trustee reaches 72 years of age. Other than the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and certain of his staff, no officer, director or employee of BlackRock, PFPC Inc. (“PFPC”) (with BlackRock, the “Administrators”), BDI, PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”) or BlackRock, Inc. currently receives any compensation from the Fund. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the trustees and officers of the Fund, as a group, owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each class of the Fund.

 

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The table below sets forth the compensation actually received from the Fund and the Fund Complex of which the Fund is a part by the disinterested trustees and the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and certain of his staff for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. The Trustees and the Chief Compliance Officer and certain of his staff are paid jointly by the Fund and BATS. The portion of such compensation to be paid by each of the Fund and BATS is determined based on total net assets of each at the end of each fiscal year.

 

     Aggregate
Compensation
from Registrant
   Pension or
Retirement
Benefits
Accrued as
Part of Fund
Expenses
   Estimated
Annual
Benefits upon
Retirement
   Total
Compensation
from Registrant
and Fund Complex
 

David R. Wilmerding, Jr.

   $ 134,947    N/A    N/A    145,100 (3) 1

Honorable Stuart E. Eizenstat

   $ 129,953    N/A    N/A    130,100 (2) 1

Robert M. Hernandez

   $ 139,988    N/A    N/A    140,100 (2) 1

Dr. Matina Horner

   $ 104,428    N/A    N/A    104,550 (2) 1

Bruce R. Bond

   $ 84,518    N/A    N/A    84,600 (2) 1

Peter S. Drotch

   $ 84,518    N/A    N/A    84,600 (2) 1

Toby Rosenblatt

   $ 84,518    N/A    N/A    84,600 (2) 1

Bart Battista,

Chief Compliance Officer and

Anti-Money Laundering Officer 2

   $ 368,122    N/A    N/A    368,547  

1. Total number of investment company boards trustees served on within the Fund Complex.
2. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and certain of his staff are paid jointly by the Fund, other funds in the BlackRock fund family and BlackRock. The Fund’s Board approves annually the compensation for the Chief Compliance Officer and certain of his staff, including the appropriate portion of such compensation to be paid by the Fund.

 

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SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY OF THE FUND

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust. However, the Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability in connection with the assets of the Fund for the acts or obligations of the Fund, and that every note, bond, contract, order or other undertaking made by the Fund shall contain a provision to the effect that the shareholders are not personally liable thereunder. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the trust property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a shareholder and not because of his acts or omissions or some other reason. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund, and shall satisfy any judgment thereon.

The Declaration of Trust further provides that all persons having any claim against the trustees or Fund shall look solely to the trust property for payment; that no trustee of the Fund shall be personally liable for or on account of any contract, debt, tort, claim, damage, judgment or decree arising out of or connected with the administration or preservation of the trust property or the conduct of any business of the Fund; and that no trustee shall be personally liable to any person for any action or failure to act except by reason of his own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties as a trustee. With the exception stated, the Declaration of Trust provides that a trustee is entitled to be indemnified against all liabilities and expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or disposition of any proceeding in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened by reason of his being or having been a trustee, and that the Fund will indemnify officers, representatives and employees of the Fund to the same extent that trustees are entitled to indemnification.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY, ADMINISTRATION,

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS

Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreements. The advisory and sub-advisory services provided by BlackRock and BFM, and the fees received by BlackRock for such services, are described in the Prospectuses.

For their advisory and sub-advisory services, BlackRock and BFM, as applicable, are entitled to fees, computed daily and payable monthly, at the maximum annual rates set forth below.

M AXIMUM A NNUAL C ONTRACTUAL F EE R ATE

 

Average Daily Net Assets

   Investment
Advisory Fee
   

Sub-Advisory

Fee to BFM

 

first $1 billion

   .500 %   .350 %

$1 billion — $2 billion

   .450     .300  

$2 billion — $3 billion

   .425     .275  

greater than $3 billion

   .400     .250  

BlackRock, an affiliate of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., renders advisory services to the Portfolio pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement.

BFM renders sub-advisory services to the Portfolio pursuant to a Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement with BlackRock and the above-referenced Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Contracts.”

The Advisory Contracts for the Portfolio were approved by the Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) of the Fund at an in-person meeting of the Board held on September 14, 2006, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to Advisory Contracts or “interested persons” of any such party (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) (the “Independent Trustees”). In determining to approve the

 

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Advisory Contracts, the Trustees met with the relevant investment advisory personnel from BlackRock and BFM (the “Advisers”) and considered all information they deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the terms of the Advisory Contracts. The Board received materials in advance of the meeting relating to its consideration of the Advisory Contracts, including: (i) fees and expense ratios of each class of the Portfolio in comparison to the fees and expense ratios of a peer group of funds; (ii) the Advisers’ economic outlook for the Portfolio and their general investment outlook for the markets; (iii) information regarding fees paid to service providers that are affiliates of the Advisers; and (iv) information regarding compliance records and regulatory matters relating to the Advisers.

Fees and Expenses . In approving the Advisory Contracts, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, considered the fees and expense ratios of each class of shares of the Portfolio. They compared the fees, both before (referred to as “Contractual”) and after (referred to as “Actual”) any fee waivers and expense reimbursements, and expense ratios of the Portfolio against fees and expense ratios of a peer group. Both the peer group category and the funds within the peer group with respect to the fee and expense ratio comparisons were selected by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), which is not affiliated with the Advisers. In evaluating the Portfolio’s advisory fees, the Trustees also took into account the complexity of investment management for the Portfolio relative to other types of funds. The Trustees also were provided with information about the services rendered, and the fee rates offered, to other clients advised by the Advisers.

Following consideration of this information, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the fees to be paid pursuant to the Advisory Contracts were fair and reasonable in light of the services provided.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services . The Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, received information concerning the investment philosophy and investment process to be used by the Advisers in managing the Portfolio, as well as a description of the capabilities, personnel and services of each Adviser. In connection with this, the Trustees considered each of the Adviser’s in-house research capabilities as well as other resources available to its personnel. The Trustees considered the scope of the services provided by the Advisers to the Portfolio under the Advisory Contracts relative to services typically provided by third parties to other funds. The Trustees noted that the standard of care applicable under the Advisory Contracts was comparable to that found generally in investment company advisory agreements. The Trustees concluded that the scope of the Advisers’ services to be provided to the Portfolio was consistent with the Portfolio’s operational requirements, including, in addition to seeking to meet its investment objective, compliance with investment restrictions, tax and reporting requirements and related shareholder services.

The Trustees also considered the quality of the services provided by the Advisers to the Portfolio. The Trustees evaluated the procedures of the Advisers designed to fulfill their fiduciary duty to the Portfolio with respect to possible conflicts of interest, including their respective codes of ethics (regulating the personal trading of their officers and employees), the procedures by which each of the Advisers allocate trades among its various investment advisory clients, the integrity of the systems in place to ensure compliance with the foregoing and the record of each of the Advisers in these matters. The Trustees also noted information received at prior Board meetings concerning standards of the Advisers with respect to the execution of portfolio transactions.

The Trustees also considered information relating to the education, experience and number of investment professionals and other personnel who provide services under the applicable Advisory Contract. The Trustees also took into account the time and attention to be devoted by senior management of the Advisers to the Portfolio. The Trustees also considered the business reputation of each Adviser and its respective financial resources and concluded that each of the Advisers would be able to meet any reasonably foreseeable obligation under the Advisory Contracts.

Performance . The Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, received and considered information about each Adviser’s investment performance for funds and accounts similar to the Portfolio.

Economies of Scale . The Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, considered whether there would be economies of scale in respect of the management of the Portfolio with other portfolios of the Fund. The Board also considered that economies of scale would be passed on to the Portfolio shareholders in the form of breakpoints to the advisory fee rate. The Board also considered the fee waivers and expense reimbursement arrangements by the Advisers with respect to the Portfolio. The Board determined that the advisory fee structure was reasonable.

 

34


Other Benefits to the Advisers . The Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, also took into account not only the advisory fees payable by the Portfolio, but also other potential benefits to the Advisers, such as the ability to leverage investment professionals that also manage other portfolios, raising the profile of BlackRock in the broker-dealer community, and the engagement of affiliates of the Advisers as service providers to the Portfolio, including for administrative, transfer agency, distribution and custodial services. The Board also noted that the Advisers may benefit from the use of soft dollars for research, which may be used by the Advisers to manage other accounts.

The Board concluded that other ancillary benefits that the Advisers and their affiliates could be expected to receive with regard to providing investment advisory and other services to the Portfolio, such as those noted above, were consistent with those available to other mutual fund sponsors.

No single factor was considered in isolation or to be determinative in the Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Contracts. Rather, the Board concluded, in light of a weighing and balancing of all factors considered, that it was in the best interests of the Portfolio to approve the Advisory Contracts, including the fees to be charged for services thereunder.

Under the Advisory Contracts, BlackRock and BFM are not liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund or the Portfolio in connection with the performance of the Advisory Contracts. Under the Advisory Contracts, BlackRock and BFM are liable for a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties or from reckless disregard of their respective duties and obligations thereunder. Each of the Advisory Contracts is terminable as to the Portfolio by vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, at any time without penalty, on 60 days’ written notice to BlackRock and BFM, as the case may be. BlackRock and BFM may also terminate their advisory relationship with respect to the Portfolio on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund. Each of the Advisory Contracts terminates automatically in the event of its assignment.

Administration Agreement. BlackRock and PFPC serve as the Fund’s co-administrators pursuant to an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”). PFPC has agreed to maintain office facilities for the Fund; furnish the Fund with statistical and research data, clerical, accounting, and bookkeeping services; provide and supervise the operation of an automated data processing system to process purchase and redemption orders; prepare and file certain reports required by regulatory authorities; prepare and file federal and state tax returns; prepare and file material requested by state securities regulators; calculate various contractual expenses; compute the Portfolio’s net asset value, net income and net capital gain or loss; and serve as a liaison with the Fund’s independent public accountants. The Administrators may from time to time voluntarily waive administration fees with respect to the Portfolio and may voluntarily reimburse the Portfolio for expenses.

Under the Administration Agreement, the Fund pays to BlackRock and PFPC on behalf of the Portfolio a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at an aggregate annual rate of (i) .075% of the first $500 million of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets, .065% of the next $500 million of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets and .055% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio in excess of $1 billion and (ii) .025% of the first $500 million of average daily net assets allocated to each class of shares of the Portfolio, .015% of the next $500 million of such average daily net assets and .005% of the average daily net assets allocated to each class of shares of the Portfolio in excess of $1 billion.

Under the Administration Agreement, BlackRock is responsible for: (i) the supervision and coordination of the performance of the Fund’s service providers; (ii) the negotiation of service contracts and arrangements between the Fund and its service providers; (iii) acting as liaison between the trustees of the Fund and the Fund’s service providers; and (iv) providing ongoing business management and support services in connection with the Fund’s operations.

 

35


The Administration Agreement provides that BlackRock and PFPC will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund or the Portfolio in connection with the performance of the Administration Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their respective duties or from reckless disregard of their respective duties and obligations thereunder. In addition, the Fund will indemnify each of BlackRock and PFPC and their affiliates against any loss arising in connection with their provision of services under the Administration Agreement, except that neither BlackRock nor PFPC nor their affiliates shall be indemnified against any loss arising out of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their respective duties under the Administration Agreement.

The Fund and its service providers may engage third party plan administrators who provide trustee, administrative and recordkeeping services for certain employee benefit, profit-sharing and retirement plans as agent for the Fund with respect to such plans, for the purpose of accepting orders for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund.

In addition, pursuant to a Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement, BlackRock provides certain shareholder liaison services in connection with the Fund’s investor service center. The Fund reimburses BlackRock for its costs in maintaining the service center, which costs include, among other things, employee salaries, leasehold expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, the Fund reimbursed BlackRock $2,156,146 pursuant to the Agreement.

Custodian and Transfer Agency Agreements. Pursuant to the terms of a custodian agreement (the “Custodian Agreement”) between the Fund and PFPC Trust Company (“PTC”), an affiliate of BlackRock, PTC or a sub-custodian (i) maintains a separate account or accounts in the name of the Portfolio, (ii) holds and transfers portfolio securities on account of the Portfolio, (iii) accepts receipts and makes disbursements of money on behalf of the Portfolio, (iv) collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the Portfolio’s securities and (v) makes periodic reports to the Board of Trustees concerning the Portfolio’s operations. PTC is authorized to select one or more banks or trust companies to serve as sub-custodian on behalf of the Fund, provided that, with respect to sub-custodians other than sub-custodians for non-U.S. securities, PTC remains responsible for the performance of all its duties under the Custodian Agreement and holds the Fund harmless from the acts and omissions of any sub-custodian. Citibank, N.A. serves as the international sub-custodian for various Portfolios of the Fund and has been appointed by the Board of Trustees as the Fund’s “foreign custody manager” under Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act. As foreign custody manager, Citibank, N.A. selects and monitors foreign sub-custodian banks and furnishes information relevant to the selection of foreign depositories.

For its services to the Fund under the Custodian Agreement, PTC receives a fee which is calculated based upon each investment portfolio’s average gross assets as follows: .0073% of the first $250 million of the Portfolio’s average gross assets, .006% of the next $250 million of the Portfolio’s average gross assets, .0056% of the next $250 million of the Portfolio’s average gross assets, .0048% of the next $250 million of the Portfolio’s average gross assets and .004% of the Portfolio’s average gross assets in excess of $1.00 billion. PTC is also entitled to out-of-pocket expenses and certain transaction charges.

PFPC, which has its principal offices at 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809 and is an affiliate of BlackRock, serves as the transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”), under which PFPC (i) issues and redeems Investor, R, Institutional and BlackRock classes of shares in the Portfolio, (ii) addresses and mails all communications by the Portfolio to record owners of its shares, including reports to shareholders, dividend and distribution notices and proxy materials for its meetings of shareholders, (iii) maintains shareholder accounts and, if requested, sub-accounts and (iv) makes periodic reports to the Board of Trustees concerning the operations of the Portfolio. PFPC may, on 30 days’ notice to the Fund, assign its duties as transfer and dividend disbursing agent to any other affiliate of PNC Bank Corp. For its services, PFPC receives per account and transaction fees and disbursements.

Distribution Agreement and Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan. The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement with BDI under which BDI, as agent, offers shares of the Portfolio on a continuous basis. BDI has agreed to use appropriate efforts to effect sales of the shares, but it is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares. BDI’s principal business address is 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406. BDI is an affiliate of BlackRock.

 

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Pursuant to the Fund’s Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”), the Fund may pay BDI and/or BlackRock or any other affiliate of BlackRock fees for distribution and sales support services. Currently, as described further below, only R Shares of the Portfolio bear the expense of distribution fees under the Plan. In addition, the Fund may pay to brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals (including BlackRock, Merrill Lynch, Hilliard Lyons and their affiliates) (collectively, “Service Organizations”) fees for the provision of personal services to shareholders. In the past, BlackRock has retained a portion of the shareholder servicing fees paid by the Fund. The Plan provides, among other things, that: (i) the Board of Trustees shall receive quarterly reports regarding the amounts expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made; (ii) the Plan will continue in effect for so long as its continuance is approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act; (iii) any material amendment thereto must be approved by the Board of Trustees, including the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreement entered into in connection with the Plan (the “12b 1 Trustees”), acting in person at a meeting called for said purpose; (iv) any amendment to increase materially the costs which any class of shares may bear for distribution services pursuant to the Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class and by a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees; and (v) while the Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of the Fund’s trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund shall be committed to the discretion of the Fund’s non-interested trustees.

The Plan is terminable as to any class of shares without penalty at any time by a vote of a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of such class.

With respect to R Shares, the distribution fee payable under the Plan (at a maximum annual rate of .25% of the average daily net asset value of the Portfolio’s outstanding R Shares) are used to pay commissions and other fees payable to Service Organizations and other broker/dealers who sell R Shares.

From time to time BDI and/or BlackRock and their affiliates may voluntarily waive receipt of distribution fees under the Plan, which waivers may be terminated at any time.

The Fund currently does not make distribution payments with respect to Investor A, Institutional or BlackRock Shares under the Plan. However, the Plan permits BDI, BlackRock and their affiliates to make payments relating to distribution and sales support activities out of their past profits or other sources available to them (and not as an additional charge to the Fund). From time to time, BDI, BlackRock or their affiliates may compensate affiliated and unaffiliated Service Organizations for the sale and distribution of shares of the Fund or for services to the Fund and its shareholders. These non-Plan payments would be in addition to the Fund payments described in this Statement of Additional Information for distribution and shareholder servicing. These non-Plan payments may take the form of, among other things, “due diligence” payments for a dealer’s examination of the Portfolio and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to Portfolio; “listing” fees for the placement of the Portfolio on a dealer’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers; “finders” or “referral” fees for directing investors to the Fund; “marketing support” fees for providing assistance in promoting the sale of the Funds’ shares; payments for the sale of shares and/or the maintenance of share balances; CUSIP fees; maintenance fees; and set-up fees regarding the establishment of new accounts. The payments made by BDI, BlackRock and their affiliates may be a fixed dollar amount or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Service Organization involved, and may be different for different Service Organizations. The payments described above are made from BDI’s, BlackRock’s or their affiliates’ own assets pursuant to agreements with Service Organizations and do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of the Fund’s shares or the amount the Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales.

The payments described above may be made, at the discretion of BDI, BlackRock or their affiliates to Service Organizations in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares. Pursuant to applicable NASD regulations, the details of certain of these payments, including the Service Organizations receiving such payments in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares, are required to be disclosed. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, as amended or supplemented from time to time, the following Service Organizations are receiving such payments: Citigroup, Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, MetLife, UBS, Morgan Stanley, Linsco/Private Ledger, Wachovia Securities, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and AXA Advisors, LLC. The level of payments made to Citigroup, Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, UBS,

 

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Morgan Stanley, Linsco/Private Ledger, Wachovia Securities, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and AXA Advisors, LLC in any year will vary and normally will not exceed the sum of (a) 0.25% of such year’s Fund sales by that Service Organization and (b) 0.12% of the assets attributable to that Service Organization invested in Equity Portfolios of the Fund and 0.11% of the assets attributable to that Service Organization invested in Bond Portfolios of the Fund.

In lieu of payments pursuant to the foregoing, BDI, BlackRock, PFPC or their affiliates may make payments to the above-named Service Organizations of an agreed-upon amount which will not exceed the amount that would have been payable pursuant to the formula or tables, respectively, and may also make similar payments to other Service Organizations.

If investment advisers, distributors or affiliates of mutual funds pay bonuses and incentives in differing amounts, financial firms and their financial consultants may have financial incentives for recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds. In addition, depending on the arrangements in place at any particular time, a financial firm and its financial consultants may also have a financial incentive for recommending a particular share class over other share classes. You should consult your financial advisor and review carefully any disclosure by the financial firm as to compensation received by your financial advisor for more information about the payments described above.

Furthermore, BDI, BlackRock and their affiliates may contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of shares, and may sponsor various contests and promotions subject to applicable NASD regulations in which participants may receive prizes such as travel awards, merchandise and cash. Subject to applicable NASD regulations, BDI, BlackRock and their affiliates may also (i) pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of broker/dealers, financial institutions and their salespersons in connection with educational and sales promotional programs, (ii) sponsor speakers, educational seminars and charitable events and (iii) provide other sales and marketing conferences and other resources to broker/dealers, financial institutions and their salespersons.

BlackRock, Inc., the parent company of BlackRock, has agreed to pay PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Bank, Delaware (including Hilliard Lyons Asset Management, Wealth Management, Hawthorn and Institutional Investment Group) fees for administration and servicing with respect to assets of the Fund attributable to shares held by customers of such entities. These assets are predominantly in the Institutional Share Class of the Fund, with respect to which the Fund does not pay shareholder servicing fees under the Plan. The fees are paid according to the following schedule: Money Market Portfolios—.15% of net assets; Bond Portfolios - .20% of net assets (except that with respect to the Enhanced Income and Inflation Protected Bond Portfolios, the fee is .05% of net assets); and Equity Portfolios - .25% of net assets (except that with respect to the Index Equity Portfolio, the fee is .04% of net assets).

Service Organizations may charge their clients additional fees for account-related services. Service Organizations may charge their customers a service fee in connection with the purchase or redemption of Fund shares. The amount and applicability of such a fee is determined and disclosed to its customers by each individual Service Organization. Service fees typically are fixed, nominal dollar amounts and are in addition to the sales and other charges described in the Prospectuses and this Statement of Additional Information. Your Service Organization will provide you with specific information about any service fees you will be charged.

Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund enters into service arrangements with Service Organizations pursuant to which Service Organizations will render certain support services to their customers (“Customers”) who are the beneficial owners of Investor A and R Shares of the Portfolio. Such services will be provided to Customers who are the beneficial owners of Shares of such classes and are intended to supplement the services provided by the Fund’s Administrators and transfer agent to the Fund’s shareholders of record. In consideration for payment of a service fee of up to .25% (on an annualized basis) of the average daily net asset value of the Investor A and R Shares of the Portfolio owned beneficially by their Customers, Service Organizations may provide general shareholder liaison services, including, but not limited to (i) answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, the manner in which purchases, exchanges and redemptions of shares may be effected and certain other matters pertaining to the Customers’ investments; and (ii) assisting Customers in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses.

 

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To the extent a shareholder is not associated with a Service Organization, the shareholder servicing fees will be paid to BlackRock, and BlackRock will provide services. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005, BlackRock retained an aggregate of $53,255 and $508,310 in distribution and shareholder servicing fees, respectively.

In addition to, rather than in lieu of, distribution and shareholder servicing fees that the Fund may pay to a Service Organization pursuant to the Plan and fees the Fund pays to its transfer agent, the Fund may enter into non-Plan agreements with Service Organizations pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Service Organization for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services. These non-Plan payments are generally based on either (1) a percentage of the average daily net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by a Service Organization or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a Service Organization. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial. From time to time, BlackRock, BDI or their affiliates also may pay a portion of the fees for administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services described above at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits.

Other Distribution Arrangements. The Fund and BlackRock have entered into distribution agreements with UBS AG and BMO Harris Investment Management Inc. whereby those firms sell shares of the Fund in certain foreign jurisdictions.

Code of Ethics. The Fund, BlackRock, BFM and BDI have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund.

Proxy Voting Policies. The Fund has delegated proxy voting responsibilities to BlackRock and its affiliates, subject to the general oversight of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Fund expects BlackRock and its affiliates to vote proxies related to the Fund’s portfolio securities for which the Fund has voting authority consistent with the Fund’s best interests. BlackRock has adopted its own proxy voting policies (the “Proxy Voting Policy”) to be used in voting the Fund’s proxies. The Proxy Voting Policy is attached as Appendix C.

Copies of the proxy voting record of the Portfolio are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-699-1236 and are posted on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and reflect the twelve-month period beginning July 1 and ending June 30. The Portfolio’s proxy voting record is also available on the Fund’s website at www.blackrock.com.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. The Board of Trustees and BlackRock have each approved Portfolio Information Distribution Guidelines (the “Guidelines”) regarding the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities and other portfolio information. The purpose of the Guidelines is to ensure that (i) shareholders and prospective shareholders of the Fund have equal access to portfolio holdings and characteristics and (ii) third parties (such as consultants, intermediaries and third party data providers) receive such information no more frequently than shareholders and prospective shareholders.

Asset and Return Information . Data on NAV’s, asset levels (by total Portfolio and share class), accruals, yields, capital gains, dividends and Portfolio returns (net of fees by share class) are available to shareholders, prospective shareholders, consultants, intermediaries and third party data providers upon request, as soon as such data is available. Data on number of shareholders (total and by share class) and benchmark returns (including performance measures such as standard deviation, information ratio, Sharpe ratio, alpha, and beta) are available to shareholders, prospective shareholders, consultants, intermediaries and third party data providers as soon as such data is released after month-end.

Portfolio Characteristics . Examples of portfolio characteristics include sector allocation, credit quality breakdown, maturity distribution, duration and convexity measures, average credit quality, average maturity, average coupon, top 10 holdings with percent of the Portfolio held, average market capitalization, capitalization range, ROE, P/E, P/B, P/CF, P/S and EPS.

 

39


  1. Month-end portfolio characteristics are available to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants on the fifth calendar day after month-end. 5

 

  2. Fund Fact Sheets, which contain certain portfolio characteristics, are available to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants on a quarterly basis and will be posted to the Fund’s website immediately upon becoming available.

Portfolio Holdings . In addition to position description, portfolio holdings may also include ticker if equity, face amount or quantity, CUSIP or SEDOL, market value, market price, yield, weighted average life, duration and convexity of each security in the Portfolio as of a specific date.

 

  1. Month-end portfolio holdings are available to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants on the 20 th calendar day after month-end. 7

 

  2. Quarter-end portfolio holdings are available to third party data providers (e.g., Lipper, Morningstar, Bloomberg, Thomson and S&P) on the 20 th calendar day after quarter-end. 7

Other Information . To the extent other Fund information such as attribution analyses or security-specific information (e.g., information about Portfolio holdings where an issuer has been downgraded, been acquired or declared bankruptcy) is provided on an individual basis, such information shall also be made available to existing and prospective shareholders through the Fund’s website. The executive officers of the Fund may authorize disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities and other portfolio information.

Implementation . All Fund and BlackRock employees must adhere to the Guidelines when responding to inquiries from shareholders, prospective shareholders, consultants, intermediaries and third party data providers. With respect to requests for portfolio information, BlackRock maintains a request log that is reviewed regularly. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) is responsible for oversight of compliance with the Guidelines and will recommend to the Board of Trustees any changes to the Guidelines that he deems necessary or appropriate to ensure the Fund’s and BlackRock’s compliance.

Ongoing Arrangements . As of January 31, 2006, the Fund has ongoing arrangements with the following entities to make available portfolio holdings information:

 

  1. PFPC Trust Company pursuant to the Fund’s Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement under which the Fund’s portfolio holdings information is provided daily on a real-time basis.

 

  2. PFPC Inc. pursuant to the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement under which the Fund’s portfolio holdings information is provided daily on a real-time basis.

 

  3. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accountant, whereby the Fund’s portfolio holdings information is provided in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s annual financial statements.

With respect to each such arrangement, the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for the release of information. The release of the information is subject to confidential treatment to prohibit the entity from sharing with an unauthorized source or trading upon the information provided. The Fund, BlackRock and their affiliates do not receive any compensation or other consideration in connection with such arrangements.

EXPENSES

Expenses are deducted from the total income of the Portfolio before dividends and distributions are paid. These expenses include, but are not limited to, fees paid to BlackRock, PFPC, transfer agency, networking and

 


5 The precise number of days specified above may vary slightly from period to period depending on whether the fifth or the 20 th calendar day falls on a weekend or holiday.

 

40


recordkeeping fees, reimbursement to BlackRock for costs related to the Fund’s investor service center, fees and expenses of officers and trustees who are not affiliated with BlackRock, BDI or any of their affiliates (although the Fund bears certain fees and expenses of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer and certain of his staff), taxes, interest, legal fees, custodian fees, auditing fees, distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees, fees and expenses in registering and qualifying the Portfolio and its shares for distribution under federal and state securities laws, expenses of preparing prospectuses and statements of additional information and of printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information to existing shareholders, expenses relating to shareholder reports, shareholder meetings and proxy solicitations, fidelity bond and trustees and officers liability insurance premiums, the expense of independent pricing services and other expenses which are not expressly assumed by BlackRock or the Fund’s service providers under their agreements with the Fund. Any general expenses of the Fund that do not belong to a particular investment portfolio will be allocated among all investment portfolios by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees in a manner the Board determines to be fair and equitable.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS AND PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Portfolio Managers

As of July 31, 2006, Keith Anderson managed or was a member of the management team for the following client accounts:

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
   Assets of
Accounts
  

Number of
Accounts
Subject to a
Performance

Fee

  

Assets Subject to a
Performance

Fee

Registered Investment Companies

   25    $ 15.7 billion    0      —  

Pooled Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment Companies

   38    $ 13.9 billion    4    $ 2.9 billion

Other Accounts

   373    $ 108.0 billion    20    $ 5.9 billion

 

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As of July 31, 2006, Stuart Spodek managed or was a member of the management team for the following client accounts:

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
   Assets of
Accounts
  

Number of
Accounts
Subject to a
Performance

Fee

  

Assets Subject to a
Performance

Fee

Registered Investment Companies

   4    $ 2.7 billion    0      —  

Pooled Investment Vehicles Other Than Registered Investment Companies

   16    $ 6.8 billion    4    $ 1.2 billion

Other Accounts

   134    $ 29.8 billion    13    $ 2.9 billion

BlackRock has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Fund, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Fund. In addition, BlackRock, its affiliates and any officer, director, stockholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, or any of its affiliates, or any officer, director, stockholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Fund by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock’s (or its affiliates’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock or any of its affiliates or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Each portfolio manager also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for the Fund. In this connection, it should be noted that Messrs. Anderson and Spodek currently manage certain accounts that are subject to performance fees. In addition, Messrs. Anderson and Spodek assist in managing certain hedge funds and may be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such funds and a portion of such incentive fees may be voluntarily or involuntarily deferred. Additional portfolio managers may in the future manage other such accounts or funds and may be entitled to receive incentive fees.

As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock has adopted a policy that is intended to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated fairly and equitably among client accounts over time. This policy also seeks to achieve reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

BlackRock’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock such as its Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan and Restricted Stock Program.

 

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Base compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their seniority and/or their position with the firm.

Discretionary compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation, which can be a substantial portion of total compensation. Discretionary compensation can include a discretionary cash bonus as well as one or more of the following:

Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) —The LTIP is a long-term incentive plan that seeks to reward certain key employees. The plan provides for the grant of awards that are expressed as an amount of cash that, if properly vested and subject to the attainment of certain performance goals, will be settled in cash and/or in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Messrs. Anderson and Spodek have received awards under the LTIP.

Deferred Compensation Program —A portion of the compensation paid to each portfolio manager may be voluntarily deferred by the portfolio manager into an account that tracks the performance of certain of the firm’s investment products. Each portfolio manager is permitted to allocate his deferred amounts among various options, including to certain of the firm’s hedge funds and other unregistered products. In addition, prior to 2005, a portion of the annual compensation of certain senior managers, including Messrs. Anderson and Spodek, was mandatorily deferred in a similar manner for a number of years. Beginning in 2005, a portion of the annual compensation of certain senior managers, including Messrs. Anderson and Spodek, is paid in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units which vest ratably over a number of years.

Options and Restricted Stock Awards —While incentive stock options are not currently being awarded to BlackRock employees, BlackRock, Inc. previously granted stock options to key employees, including certain portfolio managers who may still hold unexercised or unvested options. BlackRock, Inc. also has a restricted stock award program designed to reward certain key employees as an incentive to contribute to the long-term success of BlackRock. These awards vest over a period of years. Messrs. Anderson and Spodek have been granted stock options in prior years, and Messrs. Anderson and Spodek participate in BlackRock’s restricted stock program.

Incentive Savings Plans —The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock employees are eligible to participate, including an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and a 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan may involve a company match of the employee’s contribution of up to 6% of the employee’s salary. The company match is made using BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The firm’s 401(k) plan offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies managed by the firm. Each portfolio manager is eligible to participate in these plans.

Annual incentive compensation for each portfolio manager is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager’s group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm’s assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individual’s teamwork and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. Unlike many other firms, portfolio managers at BlackRock compete against benchmarks rather than each other. In most cases, including for the portfolio managers of the Fund, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the Fund or other accounts are measured. A group of BlackRock, Inc.’s officers determines the benchmarks against which to compare the performance of funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager. With respect to the Fund’s portfolio managers, such benchmarks include the following:

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Portfolio(s) Managed

  

Benchmarks Applicable to Each Manager

Keith Anderson   

Enhanced Income

Low Duration

Intermediate Government Bond

Intermediate Bond II

Intermediate Bond

Total Return II

Total Return

Managed Income

Strategic Portfolio I

Long Duration Bond

   A combination of market-based indices (e.g., Citigroup 1-Year Treasury Index, Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year Treasury Index, Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government Index, Lehman Brothers Intermediate Government/Credit Index, Lehman Brothers Aggregate Index, Lehman Brothers Intermediate Aggregate Index, Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index and others), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups. Strategic Portfolio I is a component of a broader portfolio and is not measured against a specific index. The broader portfolio is measured against the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Index.
Stuart Spodek   

Inflation Protected Bond

Long Duration Bond

   A combination of market-based indices (e.g., Lehman Brothers Global Real: U.S. Tips Index and Lehman Brothers Long Government/Credit Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.

 

43


The group of BlackRock, Inc.’s officers then makes a subjective determination with respect to the portfolio manager’s compensation based on the performance of the funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Senior portfolio managers who perform additional management functions within BlackRock may receive additional compensation for serving in these other capacities.

The Portfolio is newly organized and therefore no portfolio manager owns securities of the Portfolio.

Portfolio Transactions

In executing portfolio transactions, the adviser and sub-adviser seek to obtain the best price and most favorable execution for the Portfolio, taking into account such factors as the price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of the order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm involved. While the adviser and sub-adviser generally seek reasonably competitive commission rates, payment of the lowest commission or spread is not necessarily consistent with obtaining the best price and execution in particular transactions. Payments of commissions to brokers who are affiliated persons of the Fund (or affiliated persons of such persons) will be made in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act.

No Portfolio has any obligation to deal with any broker or group of brokers in the execution of Portfolio transactions. The adviser and sub-adviser may, consistent with the interests of the Portfolio, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to the Portfolio and the adviser’s or sub-adviser’s other clients. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the adviser and sub-adviser under their respective contracts. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that the adviser or sub-adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the transaction or the overall responsibility of the adviser or sub-adviser to the Portfolio and its other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Portfolio will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Portfolio over the long-term. The advisory fees that the Portfolio pays to the adviser will not be reduced as a consequence of the adviser’s or sub-adviser’s receipt of brokerage and research services. To the extent the Portfolio’s portfolio transactions are used to obtain such services, the brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolio will exceed those that might otherwise be paid by an amount which cannot be presently determined. Such services generally would be useful and of value to the adviser or sub-adviser in serving one or more of their other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of brokerage business of other clients generally would be useful to the adviser and sub-adviser in carrying out their obligations to the Portfolio. While such services are not expected to reduce the expenses of the adviser or sub-adviser, the adviser would, through use of the services, avoid the additional expenses which would be incurred if they should attempt to develop comparable information through their own staffs.

 

44


Commission rates for brokerage transactions on non-U.S. stock exchanges are generally fixed.

Over-the-counter issues, including corporate debt and U.S. Government securities, are normally traded on a “net” basis without a stated commission, through dealers acting for their own account and not as brokers. The Portfolio will primarily engage in transactions with these dealers or deal directly with the issuer unless a better price or execution could be obtained by using a broker. Prices paid to a dealer with respect to both non-U.S. and domestic securities will generally include a “spread,” which is the difference between the prices at which the dealer is willing to purchase and sell the specific security at the time, and includes the dealer’s normal profit.

Purchases of money market instruments by the Portfolio are made from dealers, underwriters and issuers. The Portfolio does not currently expect to incur any brokerage commission expense on such transactions because money market instruments are generally traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission. The price of the security, however, usually includes a profit to the dealer.

Securities purchased in underwritten offerings include a fixed amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. When securities are purchased or sold directly from or to an issuer, no commissions or discounts are paid.

The adviser or sub-adviser may seek to obtain an undertaking from issuers of commercial paper or dealers selling commercial paper to consider the repurchase of such securities from the Portfolio prior to maturity at their original cost plus interest (sometimes adjusted to reflect the actual maturity of the securities), if it believes that the Portfolio’s anticipated need for liquidity makes such action desirable. Any such repurchase prior to maturity reduces the possibility that the Portfolio would incur a capital loss in liquidating commercial paper, especially if interest rates have risen since acquisition of such commercial paper.

Investment decisions for the Portfolio and for other investment accounts managed by the adviser or sub-adviser are made independently of each other in light of differing conditions. BlackRock allocates investments among client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. A variety of factors will be considered in making such allocations. These factors include: (i) investment objectives or strategies for particular accounts, (ii) tax considerations of an account, (iii) risk or investment concentration parameters for an account, (iv) supply or demand for a security at a given price level, (v) size of available investment, (vi) cash availability and liquidity requirements for accounts, (vii) regulatory restrictions, (viii) minimum investment size of an account, (ix) relative size of account, and (x) such other factors as may be approved by BlackRock’s general counsel. Moreover, investments may not be allocated to one client account over another based on any of the following considerations: (i) to favor one client account at the expense of another, (ii) to generate higher fees paid by one client account over another or to produce greater performance compensation to BlackRock, (iii) to develop or enhance a relationship with a client or prospective client, (iv) to compensate a client for past services or benefits rendered to BlackRock or to induce future services or benefits to be rendered to BlackRock, or (v) to manage or equalize investment performance among different client accounts.

Equity securities will generally be allocated among client accounts within the same investment mandate on a pro rata basis. This pro-rata allocation may result in the Portfolio receiving less of a particular security than if pro-ration had not occurred. All allocations of equity securities will be subject, where relevant, to share minimums established for accounts and compliance constraints.

Initial public offerings of securities may be over-subscribed and subsequently trade at a premium in the secondary market. When BlackRock is given an opportunity to invest in such an initial offering or “hot issue,” the supply of securities available for client accounts is often less than the amount of securities the accounts would otherwise take. In order to allocate these investments fairly and equitably among client accounts over time, each portfolio manager or a member of his or her respective investment team will indicate to BlackRock’s trading desk their level of interest in a particular offering with respect to eligible clients accounts for which that team is responsible. Initial public offerings of U.S. equity securities will be identified as eligible for particular client accounts that are managed by portfolio teams who have indicated interest in the offering based on market

 

45


capitalization of the issuer of the security and the investment mandate of the client account and in the case of international equity securities, the country where the offering is taken place and the investment mandate of the client account. Generally, shares received during the initial public offering will be allocated among participating client accounts within each investment mandate on a pro rata basis. In situations where supply is too limited to be allocated among all accounts for which the investment is eligible, portfolio managers may rotate such investment opportunities among one or more accounts so long as the rotation system provides for fair access for all client accounts over time.

Because different accounts may have differing investment objectives and policies, BlackRock may buy and sell the same securities at the same time for different clients based on the particular investment objective, guidelines and strategies of those accounts. For example, BlackRock may decide that it may be entirely appropriate for a growth fund to sell a security at the same time a value fund is buying that security. There may be circumstances when purchases or sales of portfolio securities for one or more clients will have an adverse effect on other clients. For example, sales of a security by BlackRock on behalf of one or more of its clients may decrease the market price of such security, adversely impacting other BlackRock clients that still hold the security.

In certain instances, BlackRock may find it efficient for purposes of achieving best execution, to aggregate certain contemporaneous purchases or sale orders of its advisory accounts (a/k/a “bunching”). In general, all contemporaneous trades for client accounts under management by the same portfolio manager or investment team will be bunched in a single order if the trader believes the bunched trade would provide each client with an opportunity to achieve a more favorable execution at a potentially lower execution cost. The costs associated with a bunched order will be shared pro rata among the clients in the bunched order. Generally, if an order for a particular portfolio manager or management team is filled at several different prices through multiple trades, all accounts participating in the order will receive the average price except in the case of certain international markets where average pricing is not permitted. While in some cases this practice could have a detrimental effect upon the price or value of the security as far as the Portfolio is concerned, in other cases it could be beneficial to the Portfolio. Transactions effected by BlackRock on behalf of more than one of its clients during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, causing an adverse effect on price. The trader will give the bunched order to the broker dealer that the trader has identified as being able to provide the best execution of the order. Orders for purchase or sale of securities will be placed within a reasonable amount of time of the order receipt and bunched orders will be kept bunched only long enough to execute the order.

The Portfolio will not purchase securities during the existence of any underwriting or selling group relating to such securities of which BlackRock, BFM, PNC Bank, PTC, PFPC, BDI or any affiliated person (as defined in the 1940 Act) thereof is a member except pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees in accordance with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BFM, PNC Bank, PTC, PFPC, BDI or any affiliated person of the foregoing entities except as permitted by SEC exemptive order or by applicable law.

The portfolio turnover rate of the Portfolio is calculated by dividing the lesser of the Portfolio’s annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities (exclusive of purchases or sales of securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the securities held by the Portfolio during the year.

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION

The Fund has authorized one or more brokers and/or financial institutions (“Authorized Persons”) to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders that are in “good form” in accordance with the policies of those Authorized Persons. Such Authorized Persons are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf, and the Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an Authorized Persons or, if applicable, such Authorized Person’s authorized designee, receives the order. Such customer orders will be priced at the Portfolio’s net asset value next computed after they are received by an Authorized Person or such Authorized Person’s authorized designee. Financial institutions may include retirement plan service providers who aggregate purchase and redemption instructions received from numerous retirement plans or plan participants.

 

46


Investor Shares

Purchase of Shares . The minimum investment for the initial purchase of shares is $1,000, except that the minimum is $250 for certain fee-based retirement programs and $100 for retirement plans; there is a $50 minimum for subsequent investments. Purchases through the Automatic Investment Plan are subject to a lower initial purchase minimum. In addition, the minimum initial investment for employees of the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser, sub-advisers, BDI or transfer agent or employees of their affiliates is $100, unless payment is made through a payroll deduction program in which case the minimum investment is $25.

Purchases Through Brokers. It is the responsibility of brokers to transmit purchase orders and payment on a timely basis. Generally, if payment is not received within the period described in the prospectuses, the order will be canceled, notice thereof will be given, and the broker and its customers will be responsible for any loss to the Fund or its shareholders. Orders of less than $500 may be mailed by a broker to the transfer agent.

Other Purchase Information. Shares of the Portfolio of the Fund are sold on a continuous basis by BDI as distributor. BDI maintains its principal offices at 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406. Purchases may be effected on weekdays on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business (a “Business Day”). Payment for orders which are not received or accepted will be returned after prompt inquiry. The issuance of shares is recorded on the books of the Fund. No certificates will be issued for shares. Payments for shares of the Portfolio may, in the discretion of the Fund’s investment adviser, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for that Portfolio. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order, to modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirement and to suspend and resume the sale of any share class of any Portfolio at any time.

Dealer Reallowances. The following are the front-end sales loads reallowed to dealers as a percentage of the offering price of the Portfolio. In cases where BDI acts as dealer, it will not receive a placement fee on purchases of over $1 million of Investor A Shares. For the tables below, the reallowance or placement fees indicated will apply up to the indicated breakpoint (so that, for example, a sale of $4 million worth of Investor A Shares in the Portfolio will result in a placement fee of .50% on the first $3 million and .25% on the final $1 million).

 

Amount of Transaction at Offering Price

  

Reallowance

or Placement Fees to
Dealers

(as % of Offering Price)*

 

Less than $25,000

   3.75 %

$25,000 but less than $100,000

   3.50  

$100,000 but less than $250,000

   3.25  

$250,000 but less than $500,000

   2.25  

$500,000 but less than $750,000

   1.75  

$750,000 but less than $1,000,000

   1.25  

$1 million but less than $3 million

   0.50  

$3 million but less than $15 million

   0.25  

$15 million and above

   0.15  

* BlackRock may pay placement fees to dealers as shown on purchases of Investor A Shares of $1,000,000 or more.

During special promotions, the entire sales charge may be reallowed to dealers. Dealers who receive 90% or more of the sales charge may be deemed to be “underwriters” under the 1933 Act. The amount of the sales charge not reallowed to dealers may be paid to broker-dealer affiliates of PNC Bank Corp. who provide sales support services. Furthermore, BDI, BlackRock and their affiliates may, out of their assets and not as an additional charge to the Portfolio, contribute to various non-cash and cash incentive arrangements to promote the sale of

 

47


shares, and may sponsor various contests and promotions subject to applicable NASD regulations in which participants may receive prizes such as travel awards, merchandise and cash. BDI, BlackRock and their affiliates may also pay for the travel expenses, meals, lodging and entertainment of broker/dealers, financial institutions and their salespersons in connection with educational and sales promotional programs subject to applicable NASD regulations. The compensation arrangements described above generally are made available to all qualified financial institutions, broker/dealers and salespersons when such arrangements are in effect, subject to applicable NASD regulations.

The following special purchase plans result in the waiver or reduction of sales charges for Investor A shares of the Portfolio.

Sales Charge Waivers—Investor A Shares

Qualified Plans. In general, no sales charge will apply to purchases by authorized qualified employee benefit plans (“Qualified Plans”) of Investor A Shares. BlackRock may pay placement fees to dealers, up to the following amounts, on purchases of Investor A Shares of the Portfolio by Qualified Plans:

 

Less than $3,000,000

   1.00 %

$3 million but less than $15 million

   0.50 %

$15 million and above

   0.25 %

For the table above, the placement fees indicated will apply up to the indicated breakpoint (so that, for example, a sale of $4 million worth of Investor A Shares will result in a placement fee of up to 1.00% on the first $3 million and .50% on the final $1 million).

Other. The following persons associated with the Fund, BDI, the Fund’s investment adviser, sub-advisers or transfer agent and their affiliates may buy Investor A Shares of the Portfolio without paying a sales charge to the extent permitted by these firms: (a) officers, directors and partners (and their spouses and minor children); (b) employees and retirees (and their spouses and minor children); (c) registered representatives of brokers who have entered into selling agreements with BDI; (d) spouses or children of such persons; and (e) any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for any of the persons set forth in (a) through (c). The following persons may also buy Investor A Shares without paying a sales charge: (a) authorized qualified employee benefit plans or savings plans and rollovers of current investments in the Fund through such plans; (b) persons investing through an authorized payroll deduction plan; (c) persons investing through an authorized investment plan for organizations which operate under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (d) registered investment advisers, trust companies and bank trust departments exercising discretionary investment authority with respect to amounts to be invested in the Portfolio; (e) persons participating in selected fee-based programs under which they (i) pay advisory fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution or (ii) pay fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution for providing transaction processing and other administrative services, but not investment advisory services; and (f) MetLife employees. Investors who qualify for any of these exemptions from the sales charge must purchase Investor A Shares.

The CDSC related to purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Investor A Shares is not charged if the dealer receives a placement fee over time during the 18 months after purchase.

Reduced Sales Charges—Investor A Shares

Because of reductions in the front-end sales charge for purchases of Investor A Shares aggregating $25,000 or more, it may be advantageous for investors purchasing large quantities of Investor Shares to purchase Investor A Shares.

Quantity Discounts. Larger purchases may reduce the sales charge price. Upon notice to the investor’s broker or the transfer agent, purchases of Investor A Shares made at any one time by the following persons may be considered when calculating the sales charge: (a) an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21; or (b) a trustee or fiduciary of a single trust estate or single fiduciary account.

 

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Right of Accumulation. Under the Right of Accumulation, the current value of an investor’s existing Investor A, A1, B, B1, B2, C, C1, C2 and Institutional Shares in any Portfolio may be combined with the amount of the investor’s current purchase in determining the applicable sales charge. In order to receive the cumulative quantity reduction, previous purchases of Investor A, A1, B, B1, B2, C, C1, C2 or Institutional Shares must be called to the attention of PFPC by the investor at the time of the current purchase.

Reinstatement Privilege. Upon redemption of Investor Shares, a shareholder may reinvest the redemption proceeds (after paying any applicable CDSC or redemption fee) in Investor A Shares of the SAME Portfolio without paying a front-end sales charge. This right may be exercised once a year and within 60 days of the redemption, provided the Investor A Share class of that Portfolio is currently open to new investors or the shareholder has a current account in that closed Portfolio. To exercise this privilege, PFPC must be notified of the reinvestment in writing by the purchaser, or by his or her broker, at the time purchase is made. An investor should consult a tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of use of the reinstatement privilege.

Letter of Intent. An investor may qualify for a reduced sales charge immediately by signing a Letter of Intent stating the investor’s intention to invest during the next 13 months a specified amount in Investor A, B, C or Institutional Shares which, if made at one time, would qualify for a reduced sales charge. The 13-month Letter of Intent period commences on the day that the Letter of Intent is received by PFPC, and the investor must instruct PFPC upon making subsequent purchases that such purchases are subject to a Letter of Intent.

During the term of a Letter of Intent, the Fund’s transfer agent will hold Investor A Shares representing up to 5% of the indicated amount in escrow for payment of a higher sales load if the full amount indicated in the Letter of Intent is not purchased. The escrowed Investor A Shares will be released when the full amount indicated has been purchased.

If the full amount indicated is not purchased within the 13-month period, the investor will be required to pay an amount equal to the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge the investor would have had to pay on his or her aggregate purchases if the total of such purchases had been made at a single time. If remittance is not received within 20 days of the expiration of the 13-month period, PFPC, as attorney-in-fact, pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, will redeem an appropriate number of Investor A Shares held in escrow to realize the difference.

Shareholder Features

Exchange Privilege. Unless an exemption applies, a front-end sales charge will be charged in connection with exchanges of Investor A Shares of a Money Market Portfolio for Investor A Shares of the Fund’s Non-Money Market Portfolios.

A shareholder wishing to make an exchange may do so by sending a written request to the Fund c/o PFPC at the following address: PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, RI 02940-8019. Shareholders are automatically provided with telephone exchange privileges when opening an account, unless they indicate on the Application that they do not wish to use this privilege. To add this feature to an existing account that previously did not provide this option, a Telephone Exchange Authorization Form must be filed with PFPC. This form is available from PFPC. Once this election has been made, the shareholder may simply contact the Fund by telephone at (800) 441-7762 to request the exchange. During periods of substantial economic or market change, telephone exchanges may be difficult to complete and shareholders may have to submit exchange requests to PFPC in writing.

If the exchanging shareholder does not currently own shares of the investment portfolio whose shares are being acquired, a new account will be established with the same registration, dividend and capital gain options and broker of record as the account from which shares are exchanged, unless otherwise specified in writing by the shareholder with all signatures guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution as defined below. In order to participate in the Automatic Investment Program or establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan for the new account, however, an exchanging shareholder must file a specific written request.

 

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Any share exchange must satisfy the requirements relating to the minimum initial investment requirement, and must be legally available for sale in the state of the investor’s residence. For Federal income tax purposes, a share exchange is a taxable event and, accordingly, a capital gain or loss may be realized. Before making an exchange request, shareholders should consult a tax or other financial adviser and should consider the investment objective, policies and restrictions of the investment portfolio into which the shareholder is making an exchange. Brokers may charge a fee for handling exchanges.

The Fund reserves the right to suspend, modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. Notice will be given to shareholders of any material modification or termination except where notice is not required. The Fund reserves the right to reject any telephone exchange request. Telephone exchanges may be subject to limitations as to amount or frequency, and to other restrictions that may be established from time to time to ensure that exchanges do not operate to the disadvantage of any portfolio or its shareholders. The Fund, the Administrators and BDI will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. The Fund, the Administrators and BDI will not be liable for any loss, liability, cost or expense for acting upon telephone instructions reasonably believed to be genuine in accordance with such procedures.

By use of the exchange privilege, the investor authorizes the Fund’s transfer agent to act on telephonic or written exchange instructions from any person representing himself to be the investor and believed by the Fund’s transfer agent to be genuine. The records of the Fund’s transfer agent pertaining to such instructions are binding. The exchange privilege may be modified or terminated at any time upon 60 days’ notice to affected shareholders. The exchange privilege is only available in states where the exchange may legally be made.

The redemption of shares of one Portfolio and the subsequent investment in another Portfolio generally will be treated as two separate transactions.

Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”) . Investor Share shareholders and certain Service Share shareholders who were shareholders or the Compass Capital Group of Funds at the time of its combination with The PNC ® Fund in 1996 may arrange for periodic investments in that Portfolio through automatic deductions from a checking or savings account by completing the AIP Application Form which may be obtained from PFPC. The minimum pre-authorized investment amount is $50.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”). The Fund offers a Systematic Withdrawal Plan to shareholders who wish to receive regular distributions from their accounts. Upon commencement of the SWP, the account must have a current value of $10,000 or more in the Portfolio. Shareholders may elect to receive automatic cash payments of $50 or more at any interval. You may choose any day for the withdrawal. If no day is specified, the withdrawals will be processed on the 25 th day of the month or, if such day in not a Business Day, on the prior Business Day and are paid promptly thereafter. An investor may utilize the SWP by completing the Systematic Withdrawal Plan Application Form which may be obtained by visiting our website at www.blackrock.com/funds.

Shareholders should realize that if withdrawals exceed income dividends their invested principal in the account will be depleted. To participate in the SWP, shareholders must have their dividends automatically reinvested. Shareholders may change or cancel the SWP at any time, upon written notice to the Fund, or by calling the Fund at (800) 441-7762. Purchases of additional Investor A Shares of the Fund concurrently with withdrawals may be disadvantageous to investors because of the sales charges involved and, therefore, are discouraged. A shareholder may not participate in the Automatic Investment Plan (see “Services for Shareholders—Automatic Investment Plan” in the Fund’s Prospectus) and the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at the same time.

Dividend Allocation Plan. The Dividend Allocation Plan allows shareholders to elect to have all their dividends and any other distributions from the Fund or any Eligible Fund (which includes the Fund and other funds as designated by BDI from time to time) automatically invested at net asset value in one other such Eligible Fund designated by the shareholder, provided the account into which the dividends and distributions are directed is initially funded with the requisite minimum amount.

Redemption of Shares. Redemptions may be made in the manner and amounts described in the Prospectuses. Signatures, when required, must conform exactly to the account registration. If (i) the proceeds of the redemption would exceed $250,000 for a redemption by wire or ACH, or $100,000 for a redemption by check, (ii)

 

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the Fund does not have verified banking information on file, (iii) the proceeds are not to be paid to the record owner at the record address, or (iv) the shareholder is a corporation, partnership, trust or fiduciary, signature(s) must be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution.

A signature guarantee is designed to protect the shareholders and the Portfolio against fraudulent transactions by unauthorized persons. A signature guarantee may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, recognized broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association who are participants in a medallion program by the Securities Transfer Association, credit unions, national securities exchanges and registered securities associations. The three recognized medallion programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”), Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (“SEMP”) and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program (“MSP”). Signature Guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. Please note that a notary public stamp or seal is not acceptable.

Generally, a properly signed written request with any required signature guarantee is all that is required for a redemption. In some cases, however, other documents may be necessary. Additional documentary evidence of authority is required by PFPC in the event redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, executor or administrator.

Institutional and BlackRock Shares

Purchase of Shares. Employees of BlackRock, directors and trustees of the funds advised by BlackRock and accounts managed for their benefit may buy BlackRock or Institutional Shares of the Fund without regard to any existing minumum investment requirements. Employees and directors of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and PNC Corp. may buy Institutional Shares of the Fund without regard to any existing minimum investment requirements. The Fund may in its discretion waive or modify the minimum investment amount, may reject any order for Institutional and BlackRock Shares and may suspend and resume the sale of shares of any Portfolio at any time.

Institutional Shares of the Portfolio may be purchased by customers of broker-dealers and agents which have established a servicing relationship with the Fund on behalf of their customers. These broker-dealers and agents may impose additional or different conditions on the purchase or redemption of Portfolio shares by their customers and may charge their customers transaction, account or other fees on the purchase and redemption of Portfolio shares. Each broker-dealer or agent is responsible for transmitting to its customers a schedule of any such fees and information regarding any additional or different conditions regarding purchases and redemptions. Shareholders who are customers of such broker-dealers or agents should consult them for information regarding these fees and conditions.

Payment for Institutional and BlackRock Shares must normally be made in Federal funds or other funds immediately available by 4 p.m. (Eastern time) on the first business day following receipt of the order. Payment may also, in the discretion of the Fund, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the Portfolio. If payment for a purchase order is not received by the prescribed time, an investor may be liable for any resulting losses or expenses incurred by the Fund.

R Shares

Purchase of Shares. R Shares are available only to certain authorized qualified employee benefit plans. The minimum investment for the initial purchase of R Shares is $100; there is a $50 minimum for subsequent investments.

Other Purchase Information. Payment for orders which are not received or accepted will be returned after prompt inquiry. The issuance of shares is recorded on the books of the Fund. No certificates will be issued for shares. Payments for shares of the Portfolio may, in the discretion of the Fund’s investment adviser, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for that Portfolio. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order, to modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirement and to suspend and resume the sale of any share class of any Portfolio at any time.

 

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Redemption of Shares. Redemptions may be made in the manner and amounts described in the Prospectuses.

Payment of Redemption Proceeds

The Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for such periods as are permitted under the 1940 Act, and may redeem shares involuntarily or make payment for redemption in securities or other property when determined appropriate in light of the Fund’s responsibilities under the 1940 Act.

The Fund reserves the right, if conditions exist which make cash payments undesirable, to honor any request for redemption or repurchase of the Portfolio’s shares by making payment in whole or in part in securities chosen by the Fund and valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing the Portfolio’s net asset value. If payment is made in securities, a shareholder may incur transaction costs in converting these securities into cash. The Fund has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act so that the Portfolio is obligated to redeem its shares solely in cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of its net asset value during any 90-day period for any one shareholder of the Portfolio.

Under the 1940 Act, the Portfolio may suspend the right to redemption or postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), or during which trading on the NYSE is restricted, or during which (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal or valuation or portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may permit. (The Portfolio may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)

The Fund may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse the Portfolio for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to make full-payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any charge relating to a transaction effected for the benefit of a shareholder. The Fund reserves the express right to redeem shares of the Portfolio involuntarily at any time if the Fund’s Board of Trustees determines, in its sole discretion, that failure to do so may have adverse consequences to the holders of shares in the Portfolio. Upon such redemption the holders of shares so redeemed shall have no further right with respect thereto other than to receive payment of the redemption price.

Dividends and Distributions

The Portfolio will distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders. All distributions are reinvested at net asset value in the form of additional full and fractional shares of the same class of shares of the Portfolio unless a shareholder elects otherwise. Such election, or any revocation thereof, must be made in writing to PFPC, and will become effective with respect to dividends paid after its receipt by PFPC. The Portfolio declares a dividend each day on “settled” shares (i.e., shares for which the particular Portfolio has received payment in Federal funds) on the first Business Day after a purchase order is placed with the Fund. Payments by check are normally converted to Federal funds within two Business Days of receipt. Over the course of a year, substantially all of the Portfolio’s net investment income will be declared as dividends. The amount of the daily dividend for the Portfolio will be based on periodic projections of its net investment income. All dividends are paid within ten days after the end of each month. Net realized capital gains (including net short-term capital gains), if any, will be distributed by the Portfolio at least annually.

VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

In determining the market value of portfolio investments, the Fund may employ outside organizations, which may use, without limitation, a matrix or formula method that takes into consideration market indexes, matrices, yield curves and other specific adjustments. This may result in the securities being valued at a price different from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or formula method not been used. All cash, receivables and current payables are carried on the Fund’s books at their face value. Other assets, if any, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under the supervision of the Board of Trustees or a Committee thereof.

 

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Net asset value is calculated separately for each class of shares of the Portfolio as of the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each Business Day by dividing the value of all securities, cash and other assets owned by the Portfolio that are allocated to a particular class of shares, less the liabilities charged to that class, by the total number of outstanding shares of the class.

Valuation of securities held by the Portfolio is as follows: fixed income securities are valued by using market quotations or prices provided by market makers; a portion of the fixed income securities are valued utilizing one or more pricing services approved by the Board of Trustees; an option or futures contract is valued at the last sales price prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time), as quoted on the principal exchange or board of trade on which such option or futures contract is traded, or in the absence of a sale, the mean between the last bid and asked prices prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time); the amortized cost method of valuation will be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless the investment adviser and/or sub-adviser under the supervision of the Board of Trustees determines that such method does not represent fair value. In the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for a security which is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such security, the security will be valued by, under the direction of or in accordance with a method specified by the Board of Trustees as reflecting fair value. All other assets and securities (including securities for which market quotations are not readily available) held by the Portfolio (including restricted securities) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees or by someone under its direction. Any securities that are denominated in a non-U.S. currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates. Certain of the securities acquired by the Portfolio may be traded on non-U.S. exchanges or over-the-counter markets on days on which the Portfolio’s net asset value is not calculated. In such cases, the net asset value of the Portfolio’s shares may be significantly affected on days when investors can neither purchase nor redeem shares of the Portfolio.

Fair Value. When the exchange or market on which a security or other asset is traded does not open for trading for an entire trading day, and no other market prices are available, market quotations are not readily available. Market quotations may not be reliable when there is a substantial time differential between the close of trading for the asset and the time as of which the Fund values its assets and when significant events have occurred in the markets or in related instruments such as ADRs. When market quotations are not readily available or are believed by BlackRock to be unreliable, the Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (“Fair Value Assets”).

Fair Value Assets generally are valued by BlackRock in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. BlackRock may conclude that a market quotation is not readily available or is unreliable if a security or other asset does not have a price source due to its lack of liquidity, if BlackRock believes a market quotation from a broker-dealer is unreliable (e.g., where it varies significantly from a recent trade), where the security or other asset is thinly traded or where there is a significant event subsequent to the most recent market quotation. For these purpose, a “significant event” is deemed to occur if the BlackRock Portfolio Management Group and/or the Pricing Group determines, in its business judgment prior to or at the time of pricing the Fund’s assets, that it is highly likely that the event will cause a material change to the last closing market price of one or more assets held by the Fund.

BlackRock’s Pricing Group will submit its recommendations regarding the valuation and/or valuation methodologies for Fair Value Assets to BlackRock’s Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee may accept, modify or reject any recommendations. The pricing of all Fair Value Assets shall be subsequently reported to and ratified by the Board or a Committee thereof.

When determining the price for a Fair Value Asset, the Valuation Committee (or the Pricing Group) shall seek to determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive from the current sale of that asset in an arm’s-length transaction. The price generally may not be determined based on what the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for selling an asset at a later time or if it holds the asset to maturity. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Valuation Committee (or Pricing Group) deems relevant.

Fair value represents a good faith approximation of the value of a security. The fair value of one or more securities may not, in retrospect, be the prices at which those assets could have been sold during the period in which

 

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the particular fair values were used in determining the Portfolio’s net asset value. As a result, the Portfolio’s sale or redemption of its shares at net asset value, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.

TAXES

The following is only a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Portfolio and their shareholders that are not described in the Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolio or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectuses is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situation.

The Portfolio has elected and intends to qualify each year for taxation as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a regulated investment company, the Portfolio generally is exempt from federal income tax on its investment company taxable income, as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of its net long-term capital gain over its net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it distributes an amount equal to at least the sum of (a) 90% of its investment company taxable income and (b) 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, if any, for the year (the “Distribution Requirement”) and satisfies certain other requirements of the Code that are described below. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt interest income made during the taxable year or, under specified circumstances, within twelve months after the close of the taxable year will satisfy the Distribution Requirement.

In addition to satisfaction of the Distribution Requirement, the Portfolio must derive at least 90% of its gross income from (a) dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities or non-U.S. currencies (including, but not limited to, gains from forward non-U.S. currency exchange contracts), or from other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies and (b) net income derived from interests in certain publicly traded partnerships that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that derive less than 90% of their gross income from the items described in (a) above (each a “Qualified Publicly Traded Partnership”) (the “Income Requirement”). The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that income from a derivative contract on a commodity index generally is not qualifying income for purposes of the Income Requirement.

In addition to the foregoing requirements, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Portfolio generally has not invested more than 5% of the value of its total assets in securities of such issuer and as to which the Portfolio does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), and no more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies), in two or more issuers which such Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or in any one or more Qualified Publicly Traded Partnerships.

Distributions of investment company taxable income from the Portfolio will generally be taxable (other than qualified dividend income and the possible allowance of the dividends received deduction described below) to shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of that Portfolio’s earnings and profits, regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or are reinvested in shares. However, for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2008, distributions of investment company taxable income that are designated by the Portfolio as derived from qualified dividend income are taxed to individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains. The Portfolio will notify shareholders of the amount of any distribution that may constitute qualified dividend income not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable year. If the Portfolio receives 95% or more of its gross income (as defined for that purpose) from qualified dividend income, all the Portfolio’s distributions may be classified as qualified dividend income, provided holding period and other requirements are met by both the shareholders and the Portfolio. Otherwise, only a portion of the Portfolio’s distributions may be eligible for classification as qualified dividend income. The Portfolio may designate such distributions as qualified dividend

 

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income only to the extent the Portfolio has qualified dividend income for the taxable year in which such distributions are made. Qualified dividend income is generally dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain non-U.S. corporations. Shareholders receiving any distribution from the Portfolio in the form of additional shares will be treated as receiving a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares received, determined as of the reinvestment date.

The Portfolio intends to distribute to shareholders any of its net capital gain for each taxable year. Such gain is distributed as a capital gain dividend and is taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has held his shares, whether such gain was recognized by the Portfolio prior to the date on which a shareholder acquired shares of the Portfolio and whether the distribution was paid in cash or reinvested in shares. If the Portfolio retains any net capital gain, it may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, and each shareholder will (i) be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as long-term capital gain its share of such undistributed amounts, (ii) be entitled to credit its proportionate share of tax paid by the Portfolio against its U.S. federal income tax liability and to claim refunds to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability and (iii) increase its basis in its shares of the Portfolio by an amount equal to the difference between its proportionate share of such gains and the amount of tax paid on such shareholder’s behalf by the Portfolio.

Distributions by the Portfolio that do not constitute ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, exempt-interest dividends, interest-related dividends, short-term capital gain dividends or capital gain dividends will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a shareholder’s tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares, as discussed below.

Under current law, ordinary income of individuals will be taxable at a maximum marginal rate of 35%, but because of limitations on itemized deductions otherwise allowable and the phase-out of personal exemptions, the maximum effective marginal rate of tax for some taxpayers may be higher. Long-term capital gains for individuals have been temporarily reduced to 15% (with lower rates for individuals in the 10% to 15% rate brackets) for taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2008. Capital gains and ordinary income of corporate taxpayers are both taxed at a maximum marginal rate of 35%.

A shareholder will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or redemption of the Portfolio’s shares in an amount equal to the difference between the proceeds of the sale, exchange or redemption and the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares. All or a portion of any loss so recognized may be disallowed if the shareholder purchases other shares of such Portfolio within 30 days before or after the sale, exchange or redemption. Any gain or loss arising from the sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Portfolio held as a capital asset (generally, property held for investment) will be considered capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for longer than one year. Any loss incurred on the sale or exchange of the Portfolio’s shares, held six months or less, will be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends received with respect to such shares, and any loss not so disallowed will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares.

Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

The Portfolio may engage in hedging or derivatives transactions involving non-U.S. currencies, forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options, futures and forward contracts on non-U.S. currencies) and short sales. Such transactions will be subject to special provisions of the Code that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Portfolio (that is, may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income of the Portfolio and defer recognition of certain of the

 

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Portfolio’s losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. In addition, these provisions (1) will require the Portfolio to “mark-to-market” certain types of positions in its portfolio (that is, treat them as if they were closed out) and (2) may cause the Portfolio to recognize income without receiving cash with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and avoid the 4% excise tax (described below). The Portfolio intends to monitor its transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any option, futures contract, forward contract or hedged investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules.

The Portfolio may make investments in zero coupon bonds having original issue discount (i.e., an amount equal to the excess of the stated redemption price of the bond at maturity over its issue price). Zero coupon bonds do not provide for periodic interest payments and therefore produce income that is not matched by a corresponding cash distribution. Any such income would be treated as income earned by the Portfolio and would be subject to the Distribution Requirement and taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (discussed below). As a result, such Portfolio may be required to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to generate cash to be able to make distributions to its investors.

Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Portfolio accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Portfolio actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.

If the Portfolio purchases shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”), such Portfolio may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Portfolio to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Portfolio in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. If the Portfolio were to invest in a PFIC and elected to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code (a “QEF”), in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the Portfolio would be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the Portfolio. Alternatively, the Portfolio can elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year its shares in a PFIC; in this case, the Portfolio would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it did not exceed prior increases included in income. Under either election, the Portfolio might be required to recognize in a year income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income would nevertheless be subject to the Distribution Requirement and would be taken into account for purposes of the 4% excise tax (described below).

Investment income that may be received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Portfolio to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, taxes on such income.

Ordinary income dividends paid by the Portfolio will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of “qualifying dividends” received by the Portfolio from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend received by the Portfolio will not be treated as a qualifying dividend (i) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Portfolio has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91 day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181 day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock), (ii) to the extent that the Portfolio is under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property or (iii) to the extent the stock on which the dividend is paid is treated as debt-financed. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction for a corporate shareholder may be disallowed if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Portfolio.

 

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If for any taxable year any Portfolio does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and all distributions (including amounts derived from interest on Municipal Obligations) will be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of such Portfolio’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions will generally be eligible (i) for treatment as qualified dividend income in the case of individual shareholders and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders.

A 4% non-deductible excise tax is imposed on regulated investment companies that fail to currently distribute specified percentages of their ordinary taxable income and capital gain net income (excess of capital gains over capital losses). The Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary taxable income and any capital gain net income prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for this excise tax.

Ordinarily, shareholders are required to take distributions by the Portfolio into account in the year in which the distributions are made. However, dividends declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month will be deemed to have been received by the shareholders (and made by the Portfolio) on December 31 of such calendar year if such dividends are actually paid in January of the following year.

The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the United States Treasury a portion of dividends and gross sale proceeds paid to any shareholder (i) who has provided either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (ii) who is subject to backup withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to report the receipt of interest or dividend income properly, or (iii) who has failed to certify to the Fund when required to do so that he is not subject to backup withholding or that he is an “exempt recipient.”

Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, non-U.S. trust or estate, non-U.S. corporation, or non-U.S. partnership (“non-U.S. shareholder”), depends on whether the income from the Portfolio is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder. If the income from the Portfolio is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. shareholder, dividends paid to such non-U.S. shareholder from investment company taxable income will be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate) upon the gross amount of the dividend. Such a non-U.S. shareholder would generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on gains realized on the sale of shares of the Portfolio, exempt-interest dividends and capital gain dividends. In addition, under the American Job Creation Act of 2004, a new exemption is created under which U.S. source withholding taxes are no longer imposed on dividends paid by regulated investment companies to the extent the dividends are designated as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends.” Under this exemption, interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short-term capital gains that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a foreign person, and that satisfy certain other requirements. The exemption applies to dividends with respect to taxable years of regulated investment companies beginning after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2008. If the income from the Portfolio is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a non-U.S. shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, qualified dividend income, interest-related dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, capital gain dividends, and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Portfolio will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations. In the case of non-U.S. non-corporate shareholders, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless such shareholders furnish the Fund with proper notification of their non-U.S. status. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Portfolio, including the applicability of foreign taxes.

Shareholders will be advised annually as to the Federal income tax consequences of distributions made by the Portfolio each year.

The foregoing general discussion of federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.

 

57


Although the Portfolio expects to qualify as a “regulated investment company” and to be relieved of all or substantially all federal income taxes, depending upon the extent of its activities in states and localities in which its offices are maintained, in which its agents or independent contractors are located or in which it is otherwise deemed to be conducting business, the Portfolio may be subject to the tax laws of such states or localities. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about state and local tax consequences, which may differ from the federal income tax consequences described above.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING SHARES

Shares of each class of the Portfolio of the Fund bear their pro rata portion of all operating expenses paid by the Portfolio, except transfer agency fees, certain administrative/servicing fees and amounts payable under the Fund’s Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan. Each share of the Portfolio of the Fund has a par value of $.001, represents an interest in that Portfolio and is entitled to the dividends and distributions earned on that Portfolio’s assets that are declared in the discretion of the Board of Trustees. The Fund’s shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and proportionate fractional votes for fractional shares held, and will vote in the aggregate and not by class, except where otherwise required by law or as determined by the Board of Trustees.

Shares of the Fund have noncumulative voting rights and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares (irrespective of class) may elect all of the trustees. Shares have no preemptive rights and only such conversion and exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment, shares will be fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund.

There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing trustees unless and until such time as required by law. At that time, the trustees then in office will call a shareholders meeting to elect trustees. Except as set forth above, the trustees shall continue to hold office and may appoint successor trustees. The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that meetings of the shareholders of the Fund shall be called by the trustees upon the written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required by the provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Fund shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each investment portfolio affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that an investment portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each investment portfolio in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of the investment portfolio. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan subject to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or any change in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to an investment portfolio only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such investment portfolio. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of Trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Fund voting together in the aggregate without regard to a particular investment portfolio.

The proceeds received by the Portfolio for each issue or sale of its shares, and all net investment income, realized and unrealized gain and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically allocated to and constitute the underlying assets of that Portfolio. The underlying assets of the Portfolio will be segregated on the books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect to that Portfolio and with a share of the general liabilities of the Fund. As stated herein, certain expenses of the Portfolio may be charged to a specific class of shares representing interests in that Portfolio.

The Funds’ Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board of Trustees, without shareholder approval (unless otherwise required by applicable law), to: (i) sell and convey the assets belonging to a class of shares to another management investment company for consideration which may include securities issued by the purchaser and, in connection therewith, to cause all outstanding shares of such class to be redeemed at a price which is equal to their net asset value and which may be paid in cash or by distribution of the securities or other consideration received

 

58


from the sale and conveyance; (ii) sell and convert the assets belonging to one or more classes of shares into money and, in connection therewith, to cause all outstanding shares of such class to be redeemed at their net asset value; or (iii) combine the assets belonging to a class of shares with the assets belonging to one or more other classes of shares if the Board of Trustees reasonably determines that such combination will not have a material adverse effect on the shareholders of any class participating in such combination and, in connection therewith, to cause all outstanding shares of any such class to be redeemed or converted into shares of another class of shares at their net asset value. The Board of Trustees may authorize the liquidation and termination of any Portfolio or class of shares. Upon any liquidation of the Portfolio, Shareholders of each class of the Portfolio are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets belonging to that class available for distribution.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Fund. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on December 22, 1988, and is registered under the 1940 Act as an open end, management investment company. The Portfolio is diversified.

Counsel. The law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, serves as the Fund’s counsel.

Independent Registered Public Accountant. Deloitte & Touche LLP, with offices at 1700 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accountant.

Shareholder Approvals. As used in this Statement of Additional Information and in the Prospectuses, a “majority of the outstanding shares” of a class, series or Portfolio means, with respect to the approval of an investment advisory agreement, a distribution plan or a change in a fundamental investment policy, the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of the particular class, series or Portfolio represented at a meeting at which the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such class, series or Portfolio are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such class, series or Portfolio.

 

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APPENDIX A

Commercial Paper Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt considered short-term in the relevant market. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Standard and Poor’s for commercial paper:

“A-1” - Issue’s degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics are denoted “A-1+.”

“A-2” - Issue’s capacity for timely payment is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated “A-1.”

“A-3” - Issue has an adequate capacity for timely payment. It is, however, somewhat more vulnerable to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances than an obligation carrying a higher designation.

“B” - Issue has only a speculative capacity for timely payment.

“C” - Issue has a doubtful capacity for payment.

“D” - Issue is in payment default.

Moody’s commercial paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in excess of 9 months. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Moody’s for commercial paper:

“Prime-1” - Issuer or related supporting institutions are considered to have a superior capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment capacity will normally be evidenced by the following characteristics: leading market positions in well established industries; high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structures with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earning coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

“Prime-2” - Issuer or related supporting institutions are considered to have a strong capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, will be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternative liquidity is maintained.

“Prime-3” - Issuer or related supporting institutions have an acceptable capacity for repayment of short-term promissory obligations. The effects of industry characteristics and market composition may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and the requirement for relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

“Not Prime” - Issuer does not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Fitch short-term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of generally up to three years. The following summarizes the rating categories used by Fitch for short-term obligations:

“F-1+” - Securities possess exceptionally strong credit quality. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.

“F-1” - Securities possess very strong credit quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated “F-1+.”

 

A-1


“F-2” - Securities possess good credit quality. Issues assigned this rating have a satisfactory degree of assurance for timely payment, but the margin of safety is not as great as the “F-1+” and “F-1” categories.

“F-3” - Securities possess fair credit quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting that the degree of assurance for timely payment is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could cause these securities to be rated below investment grade.

“F-S” - Securities possess weak credit quality. Issues assigned this rating have characteristics suggesting a minimal degree of assurance for timely payment and are vulnerable to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

“D” - Securities are in actual or imminent payment default.

Fitch may also use the symbol “LOC” with its short-term ratings to indicate that the rating is based upon a letter of credit issued by a commercial bank.

Corporate and Municipal Long-Term Debt Ratings

The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s for corporate and municipal debt:

“AAA” - This designation represents the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s to a debt obligation and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal.

“AA” - Debt is considered to have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from AAA issues only in small degree.

“A” - Debt is considered to have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although such issues are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories.

“BBB” - Debt is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas such issues normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher-rated categories.

“BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” - Debt is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. “BB” indicates the lowest degree of speculation and “C” the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

“BB” - Debt has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The “BB” rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “BBB-” rating.

“B” - Debt has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The “B” rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “BB” or “BB-” rating.

“CCC” - Debt has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The “CCC” rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “B” or “B-” rating.

 

A-2


“CC” - This rating is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied “CCC” rating.

“C” - This rating is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied “CCC-” debt rating. The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

“CI” - This rating is reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.

“D” - Debt is in payment default. This rating is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S & P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. “D” rating is also used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-) - The ratings from “AA” through “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

“r” - This rating is attached to highlight derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that S & P believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns due to non-credit risks. Examples of such obligations are: securities whose principal or interest return is indexed to equities, commodities, or currencies; certain swaps and options; and interest only and principal only mortgage securities. The absence of an “r” symbol should not be taken as an indication that an obligation will exhibit no volatility or variability in total return.

The following summarizes the ratings used by Moody’s for corporate and municipal long-term debt:

“Aaa” - Bonds are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edged.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

“Aa” - Bonds are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the “Aaa” group they comprise what are generally known as high-grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in “Aaa” securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in “Aaa” securities.

“A” - Bonds possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium-grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

“Baa” - Bonds considered medium-grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

“Ba,” “B,” “Caa,” “Ca,” and “C” - Bonds that possess one of these ratings provide questionable protection of interest and principal (“Ba” indicates some speculative elements; “B” indicates a general lack of characteristics of desirable investment; “Caa” represents a poor standing; “Ca” represents obligations which are speculative in a high degree; and “C” represents the lowest rated class of bonds). “Caa,” “Ca” and “C” bonds may be in default.

Con. (---) - Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some act or the fulfillment of some condition are rated conditionally. These are bonds secured by (a) earnings of projects under construction, (b) earnings of projects unseasoned in operation experience, (c) rentals which begin when facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes probable credit stature upon completion of construction or elimination of basis of condition.

 

A-3


(P) - When applied to forward delivery bonds, indicates that the rating is provisional pending delivery of the bonds. The rating may be revised prior to delivery if changes occur in the legal documents or the underlying credit quality of the bonds.

Note: Those bonds in the Aa, A, Baa, Ba and B groups which Moody’s believes possess the strongest investment attributes are designated by the symbols, Aa1, A1, Ba1 and B1.

The following summarizes the highest four ratings used by Fitch for corporate and municipal bonds:

“AAA” - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong ability to pay interest and repay principal, which is unlikely to be affected by reasonably foreseeable events.

“AA” - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor’s ability to pay interest and repay principal is very strong, although not quite as strong as bonds rated “AAA.” Because bonds rated in the “AAA” and “AA” categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments, short-term debt of these issuers is generally rated “F-1+.”

“A” - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor’s ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.

“BBB” - Bonds considered to be investment grade and of satisfactory credit quality. The obligor’s ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to have an adverse impact on these bonds, and therefore, impair timely payment. The likelihood that the ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds with higher ratings.

“BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC,” “C,” “DDD,” “DD,” and “D” - Bonds that possess one of these ratings are considered by Fitch to be speculative investments. The ratings “BB” to “C” represent Fitch’s assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of principal and interest in accordance with the terms of obligation for bond issues not in default. For defaulted bonds, the rating “DDD” to “D” is an assessment of the ultimate recovery value through reorganization or liquidation.

To provide more detailed indications of credit quality, the Fitch ratings from and including “AA” to “BBB” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within these major rating categories.

Municipal Note Ratings

A Standard and Poor’s rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market access risks unique to notes due in three years or less. The following summarizes the ratings used by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group for municipal notes:

“SP-1” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are given a plus (+) designation.

“SP-2” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.

“SP-3” - The issuers of these municipal notes exhibit speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Moody’s ratings for state and municipal notes and other short-term loans are designated Moody’s Investment Grade (“MIG”) and variable rate demand obligations are designated Variable Moody’s Investment Grade (“VMIG”). Such ratings recognize the differences between short-term credit risk and long-term risk. The following summarizes the ratings by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. for short-term notes:

“MIG-1”/”VMIG-1” - Loans bearing this designation are of the best quality, enjoying strong protection by established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

A-4


“MIG-2”/”VMIG-2” - Loans bearing this designation are of high quality, with margins of protection ample although not so large as in the preceding group.

“MIG-3”/”VMIG-3” - Loans bearing this designation are of favorable quality, with all security elements accounted for but lacking the undeniable strength of the preceding grades. Liquidity and cash flow protection may be narrow and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.

“MIG-4”/”VMIG-4” - Loans bearing this designation are of adequate quality, carrying specific risk but having protection commonly regarded as required of an investment security and not distinctly or predominantly speculative.

“SG” - Loans bearing this designation are of speculative quality and lack margins of protection.

Fitch uses the short-term ratings described under Commercial Paper Ratings for municipal notes.

 

A-5


APPENDIX B

The Portfolio may enter into futures transactions. These transactions are described in this Appendix.

Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may purchase and sell interest rate, currency and index futures contracts that are traded on U.S. and non-U.S. commodity exchanges on such underlying securities as U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, bills, GNMA Certificates and/or on any non-U.S. government fixed-income security, on various currencies and on such indices of U.S. and non-U.S. securities as may exist or come into existence.

A futures contract purchaser generally incurs an obligation to take delivery of a specified amount of the instrument (that is, the security or securities or the non-U.S. currency) underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. A seller of a futures contract incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying instrument at a specified time in return for an agreed upon price. The purchase of a futures contract enables the Portfolio, during the term of the contract, to lock in a price at which it may purchase a security or currency and protect against a rise in prices pending purchase of portfolio securities. The sale of a future contract enables the Portfolio to lock in a price at which it may sell a security or currency and protect against declines in the value of portfolio securities.

Although most futures contracts call for actual delivery or acceptance of the underlying instrument, the contracts usually are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery. Index futures contracts provide for the delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the difference between the index value at the open or close of the last trading day of the contract and the futures contract price. A futures contract sale is closed out by effecting a futures contract purchase for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of the underlying instrument and the same delivery date. If the sale price exceeds the offsetting purchase price, the seller would be paid the difference and would realize a gain. If the offsetting purchase price exceeds the sale price, the seller would pay the difference and would realize a loss. Similarly, a futures contract purchase is closed out by effecting a future contract sale for the same aggregate amount of the specific type of the underlying instrument and the same delivery date. If the offsetting sale price exceeds the purchase price, the purchaser would realize a gain, whereas if the purchase price exceeds the offsetting sale price, the purchaser would realize a loss. There is no assurance that the Portfolio will be able to enter into a closing transaction.

Margin

If the Portfolio enters into a futures contract, it is initially required to deposit an “initial margin” of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid portfolio securities ranging from approximately 2% to 5% of the contract amount. Initial margin requirements are established by the exchanges on which futures contracts trade and may, from time to time, change. In addition, brokers may establish margin deposit requirements in excess of those required by the exchanges.

Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in securities transactions in that initial margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by a broker’s client but is, rather, a good faith deposit on the futures contract which will be returned to the Portfolio upon the proper termination of the futures contract.

The margin deposits made are marked to market daily and the Portfolio may be required to make subsequent deposits of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid portfolio securities, called “variation margin,” which are reflective of price fluctuations in the futures contract. For example, when the Portfolio has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the underlying instrument, that position will have increased in value and the Portfolio will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Portfolio has purchased a futures contract and the price of the future contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instrument, the position would be less valuable and the Portfolio would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. Prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser to the Portfolio may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Portfolio’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Portfolio, and the Portfolio realizes a loss or a gain.

 

B-1


Options on Futures Contracts

The Portfolio may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing position. An option on the futures contract gives the purchaser the right (in return for the premium paid), and the writer the obligation, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option is accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account, which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract at the time of exercise exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures contract.

The writer of an option on a futures contract is required to deposit initial and variation margin pursuant to requirements similar to those applicable to futures contracts. Premiums received from the writing of an option on a futures contract are included in initial margin deposits.

Risks of Transactions in Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts

The prices of securities, currencies and indices subject to futures contracts (and thereby the futures contract prices) may correlate imperfectly with the behavior of the cash price of the Portfolio’s securities (and the currencies in which they are denominated). Also, prices of futures contracts may not move in tandem with the changes in prevailing interest rates, market movements and/or currency exchange rates against which the Portfolio seeks a hedge. A correlation may also be distorted (a) temporarily, by short-term traders seeking to profit from the difference between a contract or security price objective and their cost of borrowed funds; (b) by investors in futures contracts electing to close out their contracts through offsetting transactions rather than meet margin deposit requirements; (c) by investors in futures contracts opting to make or take delivery of underlying securities rather than engage in closing transactions, thereby reducing liquidity of the futures market; and (d) temporarily, by speculators who view the deposit requirements in the futures markets as less onerous than margin requirements in the cash market. Due to the possibility of price distortion in the futures market and because of the possible imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of securities, currencies and indices and movements in the price of futures contracts, a correct forecast of interest rate, currency exchange rate and/or market movement trends by the Portfolio’s adviser may still not result in a successful hedging transaction.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for futures contracts and related options in which the Portfolio may invest. In the event a liquid market does not exist, it may not be possible to close out a future position and, in the event of adverse price movements, the Portfolio would continue to be required to make daily case payments of variation margin. The absence of a liquid market in futures contracts might cause the Portfolio to make or take delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Exchanges also limit the amount by which the price of a futures contract may move on any day. If the price moves equal the daily limit on successive days, then it may prove impossible to liquidate a futures position until the daily limit moves have ceased. In the event of adverse price movements, the Portfolio would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on open futures positions. In these situations, if the Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Portfolio may be required to take or make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it holds at a time when it is disadvantageous to do so. The inability to close out options and futures positions could also have an adverse impact on the Portfolio’s ability to effectively hedge its portfolio.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some strategies can be substantial, due both to the relatively low margin deposits required, and the extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures pricing. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss (as well as gain)

 

B-2


to the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the contract.

Futures contracts and options thereon which are purchased or sold on non-U.S. commodities exchanges may have greater price volatility than their U.S. counterparts. Furthermore, non-U.S. commodities exchanges may be less regulated and under less governmental scrutiny than U.S. exchanges. Brokerage commissions, clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on non-U.S. exchanges. Greater margin requirements may limit the Portfolio’s ability to enter into certain commodity transactions on non-U.S. exchanges. Moreover, differences in clearance and delivery requirements on non-U.S. exchanges may occasion delays in the settlement of the Portfolio’s transactions effected on non-U.S. exchanges.

In the event of the bankruptcy of a broker through which the Portfolio engages in transactions in futures or options thereon, the Portfolio could experience delays and/or losses in liquidating open positions purchased or sold through the broker and/or incur a loss on all or part of its margin deposits with the broker.

If the Portfolio maintains a short position in a futures contract or has sold a call option on a futures contract, the adviser or sub-adviser will designate liquid assets on its books and records in an amount equal (when added to any initial or variation margin on deposit) to the market value of the instrument underlying the futures contract or the exercise price of the option. Such a position may also be covered by owning the instrument underlying the futures contract (in the case of a stock index futures contract a portfolio of securities substantially replicating the relevant index), or by holding a call option permitting the Portfolio to purchase the same contract at a price no higher than the price at which the short position was established.

In addition, if the Portfolio holds a long position in a futures contract or has sold a put option on a futures contract, it will hold cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the purchase price of the contract or the exercise price of the put option (less the amount of initial or variation margin on deposit) in a segregated account maintained on the books of the Portfolio. Alternatively, the Portfolio could cover its long position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with an exercise price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Portfolio.

Accounting Treatment

Any Portfolio trading in futures contracts and options thereon will account for such instruments in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

B-3


Appendix C

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

For BlackRock Advisors, LLC

And Its Affiliated SEC Registered Investment Advisers

Effective

September 30, 2006


Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

These Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policy”) for BlackRock Advisors, LLC and its affiliated U.S. registered investment advisers 6 (“BlackRock”) reflect our duty as a fiduciary under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) to vote proxies in the best interests of our clients. BlackRock serves as the investment manager for investment companies, other commingled investment vehicles and/or separate accounts of institutional and other clients. The right to vote proxies for securities held in such accounts belongs to BlackRock’s clients. Certain clients of BlackRock have retained the right to vote such proxies in general or in specific circumstances. 7 Other clients, however, have delegated to BlackRock the right to vote proxies for securities held in their accounts as part of BlackRock’s authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets.

When BlackRock votes proxies for a client that has delegated to BlackRock proxy voting authority, BlackRock acts as the client’s agent. Under the Advisers Act, an investment adviser is a fiduciary that owes each of its clients a duty of care and loyalty with respect to all services the adviser undertakes on the client’s behalf, including proxy voting. BlackRock is therefore subject to a fiduciary duty to vote proxies in a manner BlackRock believes is consistent with the client’s best interests, 8 whether or not the client’s proxy voting is subject to the fiduciary standards of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). 9 When voting proxies for client accounts (including investment companies), BlackRock’s primary objective is to make voting decisions solely in the best interests of clients and ERISA clients’ plan beneficiaries and participants. In fulfilling its obligations to clients, BlackRock will seek to act in a manner that it believes is most likely to enhance the economic value of the underlying securities held in client accounts. 10 It is imperative that BlackRock considers the interests of its clients, and not the interests of BlackRock, when voting proxies and that real (or perceived) material conflicts that may arise between BlackRock’s interest and those of BlackRock’s clients are properly addressed and resolved.

Advisers Act Rule 206(4)-6 was adopted by the SEC in 2003 and requires, among other things, that an investment adviser that exercises voting authority over clients’ proxy voting adopt policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of clients, discloses to its clients information about those policies and procedures and also discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser has voted their proxies.

In light of such fiduciary duties, the requirements of Rule 206(4)-6, and given the complexity of the issues that may be raised in connection with proxy votes, BlackRock has adopted these policies and procedures.

 


6 The Policy does not apply to BlackRock Asset Management U.K. Limited and BlackRock Investment Managers International Limited, which are U.S. registered investment advisers based in the United Kingdom.
7 In certain situations, a client may direct BlackRock to vote in accordance with the client’s proxy voting policies. In these situations, BlackRock will seek to comply with such policies to the extent it would not be inconsistent with other BlackRock legal responsibilities.
8 Letter from Harvey L. Pitt, Chairman, SEC, to John P.M. Higgins, President, Ram Trust Services (February 12, 2002) (Section 206 of the Investment Advisers Act imposes a fiduciary responsibility to vote proxies fairly and in the best interests of clients); SEC Release No. IA-2106 (February 3, 2003).
9 DOL Interpretative Bulletin of Sections 402, 403 and 404 of ERISA at 29 C.F.R. 2509.94-2
10

Other considerations, such as social, labor, environmental or other policies, may be of interest to particular clients. While BlackRock is cognizant of the importance of such considerations, when voting proxies it will generally take such matters into account only to the extent that they have a direct bearing on the economic value of the underlying securities. To the extent that a BlackRock client desires to pursue a particular social, labor, environmental or other agenda through the proxy votes made for its securities held through BlackRock as investment adviser, BlackRock encourages the client to consider retaining direct proxy voting authority or to appoint independently a special proxy voting fiduciary other than BlackRock.

 

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BlackRock’s Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the “Committee”), addresses proxy voting issues on behalf of BlackRock and its clients. 11 The Committee is comprised of senior members of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management Group and advised by BlackRock’s Legal and Compliance Department.

I. Scope of Committee Responsibilities

The Committee shall have the responsibility for determining how to address proxy votes made on behalf of all BlackRock clients, except for clients who have retained the right to vote their own proxies, either generally or on any specific matter. In so doing, the Committee shall seek to ensure that proxy votes are made in the best interests of clients, and that proxy votes are determined in a manner free from unwarranted or inappropriate influences. The Committee shall also oversee the overall administration of proxy voting for BlackRock accounts. 12

The Committee shall establish BlackRock’s proxy voting guidelines, with such advice, participation and research as the Committee deems appropriate from portfolio managers, proxy voting services or other knowledgeable interested parties. As it is anticipated that there will not necessarily be a “right” way to vote proxies on any given issue applicable to all facts and circumstances, the Committee shall also be responsible for determining how the proxy voting guidelines will be applied to specific proxy votes, in light of each issuer’s unique structure, management, strategic options and, in certain circumstances, probable economic and other anticipated consequences of alternative actions. In so doing, the Committee may determine to vote a particular proxy in a manner contrary to its generally stated guidelines.

The Committee may determine that the subject matter of certain proxy issues are not suitable for general voting guidelines and requires a case-by-case determination, in which case the Committee may elect not to adopt a specific voting guideline applicable to such issues. BlackRock believes that certain proxy voting issues – such as approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions – require investment analysis akin to investment decisions, and are therefore not suitable for general guidelines. The Committee may elect to adopt a common BlackRock position on certain proxy votes that are akin to investment decisions, or determine to permit portfolio managers to make individual decisions on how best to maximize economic value for the accounts for which they are responsible (similar to normal buy/sell investment decisions made by such portfolio managers). 13

While it is expected that BlackRock, as a fiduciary, will generally seek to vote proxies over which BlackRock exercises voting authority in a uniform manner for all BlackRock clients, the Committee, in conjunction with the portfolio manager of an account, may determine that the specific circumstances of such account require that such account’s proxies be voted differently due to such account’s investment objective or other factors that differentiate it from other accounts. In addition, on proxy votes that are akin to investment decisions, BlackRock believes portfolio managers may from time to time legitimately reach differing but equally valid views, as fiduciaries for BlackRock’s clients, on how best to maximize economic value in respect of a particular investment.

The Committee will also be responsible for ensuring the maintenance of records of each proxy vote, as required by Advisers Act Rule 204-2. 14 All records will be maintained in accordance with applicable law. Except as may be required by applicable legal requirements, or as otherwise set forth herein, the Committee’s determinations and records shall be treated as proprietary, nonpublic and confidential.

 


11 Subject to the Proxy Voting Policies of Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Company FSB, the Committee may also function jointly as the Proxy Voting Committee for Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Company FSB trust accounts managed by personnel dually-employed by BlackRock.
12 The Committee may delegate day-to-day administrative responsibilities to other BlackRock personnel and/or outside service providers, as appropriate.
13 The Committee will normally defer to portfolio managers on proxy votes that are akin to investment decisions except for proxy votes that involve a material conflict of interest, in which case it will determine, in its discretion, the appropriate voting process so as to address such conflict.
14 The Committee may delegate the actual maintenance of such records to an outside service provider. Currently, the Committee has delegated the maintenance of such records to Institutional Shareholder Services.

 

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The Committee shall be assisted by other BlackRock personnel, as may be appropriate. In particular, the Committee has delegated to the BlackRock Operations Department responsibility for monitoring corporate actions and ensuring that proxy votes are submitted in a timely fashion. The Operations Department shall ensure that proxy voting issues are promptly brought to the Committee’s attention and that the Committee’s proxy voting decisions are appropriately disseminated and implemented.

To assist BlackRock in voting proxies, the Committee may retain the services of a firm providing such services. BlackRock has currently retained Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) in that role. ISS is an independent adviser that specializes in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors. The services provided to BlackRock may include, but are not limited to, in-depth research, voting recommendations (which the Committee is not obligated to follow), vote execution, and recordkeeping.

 

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II. Special Circumstances

Routine Consents . BlackRock may be asked from time to time to consent to an amendment to, or grant a waiver under, a loan agreement, partnership agreement, indenture or other governing document of a specific financial instrument held by BlackRock clients. BlackRock will generally treat such requests for consents not as “proxies” subject to these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures but as investment matters to be dealt with by the responsible BlackRock investment professionals would, provided that such consents (i) do not relate to the election of a board of directors or appointment of auditors of a public company, and (ii) either (A) would not otherwise materially affect the structure, management or control of a public company, or (B) relate to a company in which BlackRock clients hold only interests in bank loans or debt securities and are consistent with customary standards and practices for such instruments.

Securities on Loan . Registered investment companies that are advised by BlackRock as well as certain of our advisory clients may participate in securities lending programs. Under most securities lending arrangements, securities on loan may not be voted by the lender (unless the loan is recalled). BlackRock believes that each client has the right to determine whether participating in a securities lending program enhances returns, to contract with the securities lending agent of its choice and to structure a securities lending program, through its lending agent, that balances any tension between loaning and voting securities in a matter that satisfies such client. If client has decided to participate in a securities lending program, BlackRock will therefore defer to the client’s determination and not attempt to seek recalls solely for the purpose of voting routine proxies as this could impact the returns received from securities lending and make the client a less desirable lender in a marketplace. Where a client retains a lending agent that is unaffiliated with BlackRock, BlackRock will generally not seek to vote proxies relating to securities on loan because BlackRock does not have a contractual right to recall such loaned securities for the purpose of voting proxies. Where BlackRock or an affiliate acts as the lending agent, BlackRock will also generally not seek to recall loaned securities for proxy voting purposes, unless the portfolio manager responsible for the account or the Committee determines that voting the proxy is in the client’s best interest and requests that the security be recalled.

Voting Proxies for Non-US Companies . While the proxy voting process is well established in the United States, voting proxies of non-US companies frequently involves logistical issues which can affect BlackRock’s ability to vote such proxies, as well as the desirability of voting such proxies. These issues include (but are not limited to): (i) untimely notice of shareholder meetings, (ii) restrictions on a foreigner’s ability to exercise votes, (iii) requirements to vote proxies in person, (iv) “shareblocking” (requirements that investors who exercise their voting rights surrender the right to dispose of their holdings for some specified period in proximity to the shareholder meeting), (v) potential difficulties in translating the proxy, and (vi) requirements to provide local agents with unrestricted powers of attorney to facilitate voting instructions.

As a consequence, BlackRock votes proxies of non-US companies only on a “best-efforts” basis. In addition, the Committee may determine that it is generally in the best interests of BlackRock clients not to vote proxies of companies in certain countries if the Committee determines that the costs (including but not limited to opportunity costs associated with shareblocking constraints) associated with exercising a vote generally are expected to outweigh the benefit the client will derive by voting on the issuer’s proposal. If the Committee so determines in the case of a particular country, the Committee (upon advice from BlackRock portfolio managers) may override such determination with respect to a particular issuer’s shareholder meeting if the Committee believes the benefits of seeking to exercise a vote at such meeting outweighs the costs, in which case BlackRock will seek to vote on a best-efforts basis.

Securities Sold After Record Date . With respect to votes in connection with securities held on a particular record date but sold from a client account prior to the holding of the related meeting, BlackRock may take no action on proposals to be voted on in such meeting.

Conflicts of Interest. From time to time, BlackRock may be required to vote proxies in respect of an issuer that is an affiliate of BlackRock (a “BlackRock Affiliate”), or a money management or other client of BlackRock (a

 

C-4


“BlackRock Client”). 15 In such event, provided that the Committee is aware of the real or potential conflict, the following procedures apply:

 

    The Committee intends to adhere to the voting guidelines set forth herein for all proxy issues including matters involving BlackRock Affiliates and BlackRock Clients. The Committee may, in its discretion for the purposes of ensuring that an independent determination is reached, retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of BlackRock’s clients; and

 

    if the Committee determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or does not desire to follow the advice of such independent fiduciary, the Committee shall determine how to vote the proxy after consulting with the BlackRock Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in the client’s best interest notwithstanding the conflict.

 


15 Such issuers may include investment companies for which BlackRock provides investment advisory, administrative and/or other services.

 

C-5


III. Voting Guidelines

The Committee has determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of BlackRock’s clients to adopt the following voting guidelines, which represent the Committee’s usual voting position on certain recurring proxy issues that are not expected to involve unusual circumstances. With respect to any particular proxy issue, however, the Committee may elect to vote differently than a voting guideline if the Committee determines that doing so is, in the Committee’s judgment, in the best interest of its clients. The guidelines may be reviewed at any time upon the request of any Committee member and may be amended or deleted upon the vote of a majority of voting Committee members present at a Committee meeting for which there is a quorum.

 

C-6


A. Boards of Directors

These proposals concern those issues submitted to shareholders relating to the composition of the Board of Directors of companies other than investment companies. As a general matter, the Committee believes that a company’s Board of Directors (rather than shareholders) is most likely to have access to important, nonpublic information regarding a company’s business and prospects, and is therefore best-positioned to set corporate policy and oversee management. The Committee therefore believes that the foundation of good corporate governance is the election of qualified, independent corporate directors who are likely to diligently represent the interests of shareholders and oversee management of the corporation in a manner that will seek to maximize shareholder value over time. In individual cases, the Committee may look at a Director nominee’s history of representing shareholder interests as a director of other companies, or other factors to the extent the Committee deems relevant.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

#

  

VOTE AND DESCRIPTION

A.1

  

FOR nominees for director of United States companies in uncontested elections, except for nominees who

 

•      have missed at least two meetings and, as a result, attended less than 75% of meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees the previous year, unless the nominee missed the meeting(s) due to illness or company business

 

•      voted to implement or renew a “dead-hand” poison pill

 

•      ignored a shareholder proposal that was approved by either a majority of the shares outstanding in any year or by the majority of votes cast for two consecutive years

 

•      failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of the shareholders have tendered their shares

 

•      are corporate insiders who serve on the audit, compensation or nominating committees or on a full Board that does not have such committees composed exclusively of independent directors

 

•      on a case-by-case basis, have served as directors of other companies with allegedly poor corporate governance

 

•      sit on more than six boards of public companies

A.2

   FOR nominees for directors of non-U.S. companies in uncontested elections, except for nominees from whom the Committee determines to withhold votes due to the nominees’ poor records of representing shareholder interests, on a case-by-case basis

A.3

   FOR proposals to declassify Boards of Directors, except where there exists a legitimate purpose for classifying boards

A.4

   AGAINST proposals to classify Boards of Directors, except where there exists a legitimate purpose for classifying boards

A.5

   AGAINST proposals supporting cumulative voting

A.6

   FOR proposals eliminating cumulative voting

A.7

   FOR proposals supporting confidential voting

A.8

   FOR proposals seeking election of supervisory board members

A.9

   AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking additional representation of women and/or minorities generally (i.e., not specific individuals) to a Board of Directors

A.10

   AGAINST shareholder proposals for term limits for directors

A.11

   FOR shareholder proposals to establish a mandatory retirement age for directors who attain the age of 72 or older

A.12

   AGAINST shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock

A.13

   FOR proposals requiring a majority of independent directors on a Board of Directors

A.14

   FOR proposals to allow a Board of Directors to delegate powers to a committee or committees

A.15

   FOR proposals to require audit, compensation and/or nominating committees of a Board of Directors to consist exclusively of independent directors

A.16

   AGAINST shareholder proposals seeking to prohibit a single person from occupying the roles of chairman and chief executive officer

A.17

   FOR proposals to elect account inspectors

A.18

   FOR proposals to fix the membership of a Board of Directors at a specified size

A.19

   FOR proposals permitting shareholder ability to nominate directors directly

A.20

   AGAINST proposals to eliminate shareholder ability to nominate directors directly

A.21

   FOR proposals permitting shareholder ability to remove directors directly

A.22

   AGAINST proposals to eliminate shareholder ability to remove directors directly

 

C-7


B. Auditors

These proposals concern those issues submitted to shareholders related to the selection of auditors. As a general matter, the Committee believes that corporate auditors have a responsibility to represent the interests of shareholders and provide an independent view on the propriety of financial reporting decisions of corporate management. While the Committee will generally defer to a corporation’s choice of auditor, in individual cases, the Committee may look at an auditors’ history of representing shareholder interests as auditor of other companies, to the extent the Committee deems relevant.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

 

B.1   

FOR approval of independent auditors, except for

 

•      auditors that have a financial interest in, or material association with, the company they are auditing, and are therefore believed by the Committee not to be independent

 

•      auditors who have rendered an opinion to any company which in the Committee’s opinion is either not consistent with best accounting practices or not indicative of the company’s financial situation

 

•      on a case-by-case basis, auditors who in the Committee’s opinion provide a significant amount of non-audit services to the company

B.2    FOR proposals seeking authorization to fix the remuneration of auditors
B.3    FOR approving internal statutory auditors
B.4    FOR proposals for audit firm rotation, except for proposals that would require rotation after a period of less than 5 years

 

C-8


C. Compensation and Benefits

These proposals concern those issues submitted to shareholders related to management compensation and employee benefits. As a general matter, the Committee favors disclosure of a company’s compensation and benefit policies and opposes excessive compensation, but believes that compensation matters are normally best determined by a corporation’s board of directors, rather than shareholders. Proposals to “micro-manage” a company’s compensation practices or to set arbitrary restrictions on compensation or benefits will therefore generally not be supported.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

 

C.1    IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF ISS on compensation plans if the ISS recommendation is based solely on whether or not the company’s plan satisfies the allowable cap as calculated by ISS. If the recommendation of ISS is based on factors other than whether the plan satisfies the allowable cap the Committee will analyze the particular proposed plan. This policy applies to amendments of plans as well as to initial approvals.
C.2    FOR proposals to eliminate retirement benefits for outside directors
C.3    AGAINST proposals to establish retirement benefits for outside directors
C.4    FOR proposals approving the remuneration of directors or of supervisory board members
C.5    AGAINST proposals to reprice stock options
C.6    FOR proposals to approve employee stock purchase plans that apply to all employees. This policy applies to proposals to amend ESPPs if the plan as amended applies to all employees.
C.7    FOR proposals to pay retirement bonuses to directors of Japanese companies unless the directors have served less than three years
C.8    AGAINST proposals seeking to pay outside directors only in stock
C.9    FOR proposals seeking further disclosure of executive pay or requiring companies to report on their supplemental executive retirement benefits
C.10    AGAINST proposals to ban all future stock or stock option grants to executives
C.11    AGAINST option plans or grants that apply to directors or employees of “related companies” without adequate disclosure of the corporate relationship and justification of the option policy
C.12    FOR proposals to exclude pension plan income in the calculation of earnings used in determining executive bonuses/compensation

 

C-9


D. Capital Structure

These proposals relate to various requests, principally from management, for approval of amendments that would alter the capital structure of a company, such as an increase in authorized shares. As a general matter, the Committee will support requests that it believes enhance the rights of common shareholders and oppose requests that appear to be unreasonably dilutive.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

 

D.1    AGAINST proposals seeking authorization to issue shares without preemptive rights except for issuances up to 10% of a non-US company’s total outstanding capital
D.2    FOR management proposals seeking preemptive rights or seeking authorization to issue shares with preemptive rights
D.3    FOR management proposals approving share repurchase programs
D.4    FOR management proposals to split a company’s stock
D.5    FOR management proposals to denominate or authorize denomination of securities or other obligations or assets in Euros
D.6    FOR proposals requiring a company to expense stock options (unless the company has already publicly committed to do so by a certain date).

 

C-10


E. Corporate Charter and By-Laws

These proposals relate to various requests for approval of amendments to a corporation’s charter or by-laws, principally for the purpose of adopting or redeeming “poison pills”. As a general matter, the Committee opposes poison pill provisions.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

 

E.1    AGAINST proposals seeking to adopt a poison pill
E.2    FOR proposals seeking to redeem a poison pill
E.3    FOR proposals seeking to have poison pills submitted to shareholders for ratification
E.4    FOR management proposals to change the company’s name

 

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F. Corporate Meetings

These are routine proposals relating to various requests regarding the formalities of corporate meetings.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

 

F.1    AGAINST proposals that seek authority to act on “any other business that may arise”
F.2    FOR proposals designating two shareholders to keep minutes of the meeting
F.3    FOR proposals concerning accepting or approving financial statements and statutory reports
F.4    FOR proposals approving the discharge of management and the supervisory board
F.5    FOR proposals approving the allocation of income and the dividend
F.6    FOR proposals seeking authorization to file required documents/other formalities
F.7    FOR proposals to authorize the corporate board to ratify and execute approved resolutions
F.8    FOR proposals appointing inspectors of elections
F.9    FOR proposals electing a chair of the meeting
F.10    FOR proposals to permit “virtual” shareholder meetings over the Internet
F.11    AGAINST proposals to require rotating sites for shareholder meetings

 

C-12


G. Investment Companies

These proposals relate to proxy issues that are associated solely with holdings of shares of investment companies, including, but not limited to, investment companies for which BlackRock provides investment advisory, administrative and/or other services. As with other types of companies, the Committee believes that a fund’s Board of Directors (rather than its shareholders) is best-positioned to set fund policy and oversee management. However, the Committee opposes granting Boards of Directors authority over certain matters, such as changes to a fund’s investment objective, that the Investment Company Act of 1940 envisions will be approved directly by shareholders.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

 

G.1   

FOR nominees for director of mutual funds in uncontested elections, except for nominees who

 

•      have missed at least two meetings and, as a result, attended less than 75% of meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees the previous year, unless the nominee missed the meeting due to illness or fund business

 

•      ignore a shareholder proposal that was approved by either a majority of the shares outstanding in any year or by the majority of votes cast for two consecutive years

 

•      are interested directors who serve on the audit or nominating committees or on a full Board that does not have such committees composed exclusively of independent directors

 

•      on a case-by-case basis, have served as directors of companies with allegedly poor corporate governance

G.2    FOR the establishment of new series or classes of shares
G.3    AGAINST proposals to change a fund’s investment objective to nonfundamental
G.4    FOR proposals to establish a master-feeder structure or authorizing the Board to approve a master-feeder structure without a further shareholder vote
G.5    AGAINST a shareholder proposal for the establishment of a director ownership requirement
G.6    FOR classified boards of closed-end investment companies

 

C-13


H. Environmental and Social Issues

These are shareholder proposals to limit corporate conduct in some manner that relates to the shareholder’s environmental or social concerns. The Committee generally believes that annual shareholder meetings are inappropriate forums for the discussion of larger social issues, and opposes shareholder resolutions “micromanaging” corporate conduct or requesting release of information that would not help a shareholder evaluate an investment in the corporation as an economic matter. While the Committee is generally supportive of proposals to require corporate disclosure of matters that seem relevant and material to the economic interests of shareholders, the Committee is generally not supportive of proposals to require disclosure of corporate matters for other purposes.

The Committee’s general policy is to vote:

 

H.1    AGAINST proposals seeking to have companies adopt international codes of conduct
H.2   

AGAINST proposals seeking to have companies provide non-required reports on:

 

•      environmental liabilities;

 

•      bank lending policies;

 

•      corporate political contributions or activities;

 

•      alcohol advertising and efforts to discourage drinking by minors;

 

•      costs and risk of doing business in any individual country;

 

•      involvement in nuclear defense systems

H.3    AGAINST proposals requesting reports on Maquiladora operations or on CERES principles
H.4    AGAINST proposals seeking implementation of the CERES principles

 

C-14


BLACKROCK FUNDS SM

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 23. Exhibits

 

  (1) Articles of Incorporation

 

  (a) Declaration of Trust of the Registrant dated December 22, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (1)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 1998.

 

  (b) Amendment No. 1 to Declaration of Trust dated May 4, 1989 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (1)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 1998.

 

  (c) Amendment No. 2 to the Declaration of Trust dated December 23, 1993 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (1)(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 1998.

 

  (d) Amendment No. 3 to the Declaration of Trust dated January 5, 1996 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (No. 33-26305) filed on October 18, 1996.

 

  (e) Amendment No. 4 to the Declaration of Trust dated December 23, 1997 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (1)(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 1998.

 

  (2) By-laws

 

  (a) Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 19, 2006.

 

  (3) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders

 

  (a) Sections V, VIII and IX of Registrant’s Declaration of Trust dated December 22, 1988 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (1)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on
Form N-1A filed on January 27, 1998;

 

     Article II of Registrant’s Code of Regulations is incorporated herein by reference.

 

  (4) Investment Advisory Contracts

 

  (a) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC relating to existing Portfolios except the Strategic Portfolio I and Index Equity Portfolio.

 

  (b) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. with respect to the Strategic Portfolio I.

 

  (c) Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. with respect to the Bond Portfolios.

 

  (d) Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation with respect to the Money Market Portfolios.

 

  (e) Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International, Ltd. with respect to the International Opportunities Portfolio.

 

  (f) Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. with respect to the Asset Allocation and Global Opportunities Portfolios.

 

  (g) Form of Addendum to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to the Conservative Prepared, Moderate Prepared, Growth Prepared and Aggressive Growth Prepared Portfolios to be filed by amendment.

 

  (5) Underwriting Contracts

 

  (a) Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. dated as of January 2, 2001 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2001.

 

  (b) Form of Appendix A to Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. to be filed by amendment.


  (c) Form of Cooperation Agreement among the Registrant, BlackRock Advisors, LLC. and UBS AG is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 31, 2005.

 

  (6) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts

 

None.

 

  (7) Custodian Agreements

 

  (a) Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 10, 2004 between BlackRockfunds and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 3, 2004.

 

  (b) Reserved

 

  (c) Reserved

 

  (d) Reserved.

 

  (e) Sub-Custodian Agreement dated April 27, 1992 among the Registrant, PNC Bank, National Association and The Chase Manhattan Bank is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (8)(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 13, 1998.

 

  (f) Global Custody Agreement between Barclays Bank PLC and PNC Bank, National Association dated October 28, 1992 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (8)(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 1998.

 

  (g) Custodian Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and PNC Bank, National Association dated June 13, 1983 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (8)(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 13, 1998.

 

  (h) Amendment No. 1 to Custodian Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and PNC Bank, National Association dated November 21, 1989 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (8)(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 13, 1998.

 

  (i) Subcustodial Services Agreement dated January 10, 1996 between PNC Bank, National Association and Citibank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 1997.

 

  (8) Other Material Contracts

 

  (a) Amended and Restated Administration Agreement dated February 10, 2004 among Registrant, BlackRock Advisors, LLC and PFPC Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 3, 2004.

 

  (b) Form of Appendix A to the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement among Registrant, BlackRock Advisors, LLC and PFPC Inc. to be filed by amendment.

 

  (c) Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement dated February 10, 2004 between Registrant and PFPC Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 3, 2004.

 

  (d) Reserved

 

  (e) Reserved

 

  (f) Reserved

 

  (g) Reserved

 

  (h) Form of Exhibit A to the Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement between Registrant and PFPC Inc. to be filed by amendment.

 

  (i) Reserved

 

  (j) Share Acquisition Agreement dated April 29, 1998 by and among Registrant and PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Bank, Delaware, respectively, each as trustee for certain of the common trust funds listed therein is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 1998.

 

  (k) Form of Expense Limitation Agreement dated as of January 28, 2004 by and between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(k) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 11, 2004.


  (l) Schedule A to Expense Limitation Agreement.

 

  (m) Reserved

 

  (n) Reserved

 

  (o) Reserved

 

  (p) Form of Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 31, 2005.

 

  (9) Legal Opinion

 

    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & From LLP.

 

  (10) Other Opinions

 

  (a) None.

 

  (11) Omitted Financial Statements

 

  (a) None.

 

  (12) Initial Capital Agreements

 

  (a) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to Classes A-1, B-1, C-1, D-2, E-2, F-2, G-2, H-2, I-1, I-2, J-1, J-2, K-2, L-2, M-2, N-2, O-2, P-2, D-1, E-1, F-1, G-1, H-1, K-1, L-1, M-1, N-1, O-1, P-1, A-2, B-2, C-2, I-2, J-2, A-3, B-3, C-3, D-3, E-3, F-3, G-3, H-3, I-3, J-3, K-3, L-3, M-3, N-3, O-3, P-3, Q-1, Q-2, Q-3, R-1, R-2, R-3, S-1, S-2, S-3, T-1, T-2, T-3, U-1, U-2, U-3, A-4, D-4, E-4, F-4, G-4, H-4, K-4, L-4, M-4, N-4, O-4, P-4, R-4, S-4, T-4, U-4, W-4, X-4, Y-4, V-1, V-2, V-3, W-1, W-2, W-3, X-1, X-2, X-3, Y-1, Y-2, Y-3, Z-1, Z-2, Z-3, AA-1, AA-2, AA-3, AA-4, AA-5, BB-1, BB-2, BB-3, BB-4, BB-5, CC-3, A-5, B-4, B-5, C-4, C-5, I-4, I-5, J-4, J-5, Q-4, Q-5, V-4, V-5, Z-4, Z-5, X-1, X-3, D-5, E-5, F-5, G-5, H-5, K-5, L-5, M-5, N-5, O-5, P-5, R-5, S-5, T-5, U-5, W-5, X-5, Y-5, DD-1, DD-2, DD-3, DD-4, DD-5, EE-1, EE-2, EE-3, EE-4, EE-5, R-6, BB-6, FF-3, GG-3, HH-1, HH-2, HH-3, HH-4, HH-5, II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4, II-5, S-6, JJ-1, JJ-2, JJ-3, JJ-4, JJ-5, KK-1, KK-2, KK-3, KK-4, KK-5, LL-1, LL-2, LL-3, LL-4 and LL-5 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (13)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 13, 1998.

 

  (b) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to Classes MM-1, MM-2,

MM-3, MM-4, MM-5 and MM-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 7, 1998.

 

  (c) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to Class NN-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 11, 1999.

 

  (d) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to Classes A-7 and C-7 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 6, 1999.

 

  (e) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to Classes OO-1, OO-2, OO-3, OO-4 and OO-5 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 10, 2000.

 

  (f) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to Classes PP-1, PP-2, PP-3, PP-4 and PP-5, QQ-1, QQ-2, QQ-3, QQ-4, QQ-5 and U-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 55 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 6, 2000.

 

  (g) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to Class RR-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 16, 2000.

 

  (h) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes SS-1, SS-2, SS-3, SS-4 and SS-5 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 14, 2000.

 

  (i) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes TT-1, TT-2, TT-3, TT-4, TT-5 and TT-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 14, 2000.


  (j) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Class UU-1, UU-2, UU-3, UU-4 and UU-5 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 14, 2001.

 

  (k) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Class H-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(k) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 26, 2002.

 

  (l) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Class JJ-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 30, 2002.

 

  (m) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes G-6, O-6 and X-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2002.

 

  (n) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes VV-1, VV-2, VV-3, VV-6, WW-1, WW-2, WW-3, and WW-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 11, 2004.

 

  (o) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Class P-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 8, 2004.

 

  (p) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Class W-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 18, 2004.

 

  (q) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes XX-1, XX-2, XX-3, XX-4, XX-5, XX-6, YY-1, YY-2, YY-3, YY-4, YY-5 and YY-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(q) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 18, 2004.

 

  (r) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes ZZ-1, ZZ-2, ZZ-3, ZZ-4 and ZZ-5 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(r) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 24, 2004.

 

  (s) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Class X-1 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(s) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to Registrant Registration statement on Form N-1A filed on October 27, 2004.

 

  (t) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes AAA-6, BBB-1, BBB-2, BBB-3, BBB-4, BBB-5, CCC-1, CCC-2, CCC-3, CCC-4, CCC-5, EEE-1, EEE-2, EEE-3, EEE-4, EEE-5, EEE-6, EEE-8, FFF-1, FFF-2, FFF-3, FFF-4, FFF-5, GGG-1, GGG-2, GGG-3, GGG-4 and GGG-5 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(t) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 3, 2004.

 

  (u) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes HHH-1, HHH-2, HHH-3, HHH-4, HHH-5 and HHH-6 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(u) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 19, 2004.

 

  (v) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes III-1, III-2, III-3, III-4 and III-5 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 2006.

 

  (w) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes JJJ-2, JJJ-3, JJJ-6 and JJJ-13.

 

  (x) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to shares of Classes X-3, R-8, R-9, X-9, MM-9, R-10, R-11, X-11, MM-11, R-12 and R shares of certain Portfolios is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(x) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 19, 2006.

 

  (y) Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to the Conservative Prepared, Moderate Prepared, Growth Prepared and Aggressive Growth Prepared Portfolios to be filed by amendment.


  (13) Rule 12b-1 Plan

 

  (a) Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan for Service, Series A Investor, Series B Investor, Series C Investor, Institutional, HL and BlackRock Shares is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 3, 2004.

 

  (b) Form of Appendix A to Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan to be filed by amendment.

 

  (14) Rule 18f-3 Plan

 

  (a) Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Operation of a Multi-Class Distribution System is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 14(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 19, 2006.

 

  (15) Reserved

 

  (16) Codes of Ethics

 

  (a) Code of Ethics of BlackRock Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 16(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 2006.

 

  (b) Code of Ethics of BlackRock, Inc is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 16(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 2006.

 

  (c) Code of Ethics of BlackRock Distributors, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 16(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 14, 2000.

 

  (99) Power of Attorney

 

  (a) Power of Attorney of David R. Wilmerding, Jr. dated May 19, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on form N-1A filed on June 28, 2005.

 

  (b) Power of Attorney of Robert M. Hernandez dated May 19, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on form N-1A filed on June 28, 2005.

 

  (c) Power of Attorney of Laurence D. Fink dated November 10, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 27, 2006.

 

  (d) Power of Attorney of Stuart E. Eizenstat dated May 19, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2005.

 

  (e) Power of Attorney of Dr. Matina Horner dated September 15, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 14, 2005.

 

  (f) Power of Attorney appointing David G. Booth, Rex A. Sinquefield, Michael T. Scardina, Catherine L. Newell and Valerie A. Brown as attorneys-in-fact is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit O(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to The DFA Investment Trust Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on March 29, 2001.

 

  (g) Power of Attorney of Bruce R. Bond dated May 19, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2005.

 

  (h) Power of Attorney of Richard S. Davis dated May 19, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2005.

 

  (i) Power of Attorney of Peter S. Drotch dated May 19, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2005.

 

  (j) Power of Attorney of Toby Rosenblatt dated May 19, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2005.

 

Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with the Fund.

 

Unless indicated otherwise, ownership is at 100% and each entity is organized under the laws of Delaware.

 

The Fund is controlled by PNC Bank, National Association, a national bank organized under the laws of the United States. All of the capital stock of PNC Bank, National Association is owned by PNC Bancorp, Inc., the capital stock of which is owned by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., a publicly held bank holding company organized in Pennsylvania.

 

PNC Bank, National Association controls the following entities: 499 Holding, Inc. (organized in New Jersey), Bancshares Realty Co., TRI Capital Company, Inc., Continental/Van Louhr, Inc., Deerfield Corp. (organized in New Jersey), Land Holding Corp.


of PA (organized in Pennsylvania), Land Holding, Inc., Midland Loan Services, Inc., NE Investment Inc., Parkway Sussex Inc., PNC Affordable Housing, Inc., PNC Community Partners, Inc., PNC Bank Capital Securities, LLC, PNC Commercial Management, Inc., PNC Bank International, PNC Investment Holdings, Inc., PNC BL Holding Inc., PNC Brokerage Corp. (organized in Pennsylvania), PNC Community Development Corp. (organized in Kentucky), PNC Insurance Services (Kentucky), Inc. (organized in Kentucky), PNC Institutional Capital Trust A, PNC Leasing, LLC, PNC Vehicle Leasing, LLC, PNC Title Holding Company, LLC, PNC Reinsurance Corp. (organized in Vermont), Thornhurst Corp., Spectra Services Corporation (organized in Ohio).

 

PNC Bank, National Association controls 50% of the voting securities of Billing Zone, LLC.

 

Midland Loan Services, Inc. controls the following entities: MLS Investments, Inc., Ridge Acquisition, L.P., Midland Realty Acceptance Corp., PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., Financial Support Services, Inc., First Financial, LP, Midland Commercial Financing Corp. and MDS Servicing Corp.

 

PNC Leasing, LLC controls the following entities: Gallatin Generation, LLC, Johnsonville Generation, LLC, Madison Power 2000, LLC, NSI Air, LLC and PNC Capital Leasing, LLC.

 

PNC Mortgage Securities Corp. controls PNC Mortgage Funding Corp.

 

PNC Mortgage Corp. of America controls PNC Mortgage Partners Corp.

 

PNC Investment Holdings, Inc. controls PNC Asset Management, Inc.

 

PNC Asset Management, Inc. controls BlackRock, Inc., which directly and indirectly controls the following entities: BlackRock Advisors LLC, BlackRock Overseas Investment Corp. (an Edge Act bank), BlackRock Japan Holdings, Inc. (organized in Japan), BlackRock International, Ltd. (organized in Scotland), BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation, BlackRock Capital Management, Inc., BlackRock Investments, Inc., BlackRock Funding, Inc., BlackRock Asia Limited, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., BlackRock (Japan), Inc., Anthracite Securitization Corp. and Risk Monitors, Inc.

 

BlackRock Japan Holdings, Inc. and BlackRock International, Ltd. control 50% of the voting securities of Nomura BlackRock Asset Management Co., Ltd., an entity organized under the laws of Japan.

 

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. controls 28% of the voting securities of Trepp, LLC, which is organized under the laws of the state of New York.

 

Item 25. Indemnification

 

Indemnification of Registrant’s principal underwriter against certain losses is provided for in Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 5(a). Indemnification of Registrant’s Custodian, Transfer Agent and Administrators is provided for, respectively, in Section 12 of the Custodian Agreement incorporated by reference herein as
Exhibit 7(a), Section 12 of the Transfer Agency Agreement incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 8(c) and Section 9 of the Administration Agreement incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 8(a). Registrant intends to obtain from a major insurance carrier a trustees’ and officers’ liability policy covering certain types of errors and omissions. In addition, Section 9.3 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit 1(a) provides as follows:

 

Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Representatives and Employees . The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees against all liabilities and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise, as fines and penalties, and as counsel fees) reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which he may be involved or with which he may be threatened, while as a Trustee or thereafter, by reason of his being or having been such a Trustee except with respect to any matter as to which he shall have been adjudicated to have acted in bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties, provided that as to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by such person, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless the Trust shall have received a written opinion from independent legal counsel approved by the Trustees to the effect that if either the matter of willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty, or the matter of bad faith had been adjudicated, it would in the opinion of such counsel have been adjudicated in favor of such person. The rights accruing to any person under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which he may be lawfully entitled, provided that no person may satisfy any right of indemnity or reimbursement hereunder except out of the property of the Trust. The Trustees may make advance payments in connection with the indemnification under this Section 9.3, provided that the indemnified person shall have given a written undertaking to reimburse the Trust in the event it is subsequently determined that he is not entitled to such indemnification.


The Trustee shall indemnify officers, representatives and employees of the Trust to the same extent that Trustees are entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 9.3.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Section 9.6 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, filed herein as Exhibit 1(a), also provides for the indemnification of shareholders of the Registrant. Section 9.6 states as follows:

 

Indemnification of Shareholders . In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his being or having been a Shareholder and not because of his acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets belonging to the classes of Shares with the same alphabetical designation as that of the Shares owned by such Shareholder to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability. The Trust shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against any Shareholder for any act or obligations of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon from such assets.

 

Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers

 

  (a) BlackRock Advisors, LLC was organized in 1994 for the purpose of providing advisory services to investment companies. The list required by this Item 26 of officers and directors of BlackRock Advisors, LLC, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV, filed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-47710).

 

  (b) BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation (formerly PNC Institutional Management Corporation) (“BIMC”). The list required by this Item 25 of officers and directors of BIMC, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV, filed by BIMC pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-13304).

 

  (c) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BlackRock”). BlackRock currently offers investment advisory services to institutional investors such as pension and profit-sharing plans or trusts, insurance companies and banks. The list required by this Item 25 of officers and directors of BlackRock, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV, filed by BlackRock pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-48433).

 

  (d) BlackRock International, Ltd. (formerly CastleInternational Asset Management Limited) (“BIL”). The list required by this Item 25 of officers and directors of BIL, together with information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A and D of Form ADV, filed by BIL pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-51087).

 

Item 27. Principal Underwriters

 

  (a) BlackRock Distributors, Inc. currently acts as distributor for BlackRock Funds and BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares.


  (b) The principal business address of each director, officer or partner of BlackRock Distributors, Inc. (formerly Compass Distributors, Inc.) is 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406. No individual listed in the chart below is an officer or employee of the Fund.

 

Name


 

Position With Distributor


Rita Adler   Chief Compliance Officer
Douglas Castagna   Controller and Assistant Treasurer
Brian Burns   Director, Chairman, CEO and President
Bruno DiStefano   Vice President
Susan Moscaritolo   Vice President
Christine Ritch   Chief Legal Officer, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk
Bradley Stearns   Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk
Nicholas Marsini   Director
Craig Stokarski   Treasurer and Financial and Operations Principal
Steven Sunnerberg   Secretary
Michael DeNofrio   Director
John Wilson   Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk
Jason Greim   Assistant Vice President
Kristen Nolan   Assistant Secretary and Assistant Clerk

 

  (c) Not applicable.

 

Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records

 

  (a) PFPC Trust Company, 8800 Tinicum Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19153 (records relating to its functions as custodian).

 

  (b) BlackRock Distributors, Inc., 760 Moore Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406 (records relating to its functions as distributor).

 

  (c) BlackRock Advisors, LLC, 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as investment adviser and co-administrator).

 

  (d) BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation, 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as investment sub-adviser).

 

  (e) BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., 40 East 52 nd Street, New York, New York 10022 (records relating to its functions as investment adviser and sub-adviser).

 

  (f) PFPC Inc., 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as custodian, co-administrator, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent).

 

  (g) The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019 (records relating to its function as sub-custodian).

 

  (h) BlackRock International, Ltd., 40 Torphichen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 8JB (records relating to its functions as investment sub-adviser).

 

  (i) Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, 23rd Floor, Zone 6, New York, NY 10043 (records relating to its functions as sub-custodian).

 

  (j) BlackRock Advisors, LLC, 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (Registrant’s declaration of trust, code of regulations and minute books).

 

Item 29. Management Services

 

None.

 

Item 30. Undertakings

 

None.


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of New York and the State of New York on the 13 th day of October, 2006.

 

BLACKROCK FUNDS SM

By:  

/s/    HENRY GABBAY        

   

Henry Gabbay

President

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

By:  

/s/    DONALD BURKE        

   

Donald Burke

Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title


       Date

/s/    *Bruce R. Bond        


(Bruce R. Bond)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *Richard S. Davis        


(Richard S. Davis)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *Peter S. Drotch        


(Peter S. Drotch)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *Stuart E. Eizenstat        


(Stuart E. Eizenstat)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *Laurence D. Fink        


(Laurence D. Fink)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *Robert M. Hernandez         


(Robert M. Hernandez)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *Dr. Matina Horner         


(Dr. Matina Horner)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *Toby Rosenblatt


(Toby Rosenblatt)

  

Trustee

       October 13, 2006

/s/    *David R. Wilmerding, Jr.         


(David R. Wilmerding, Jr.)

  

Trustee and Chairman of the Board

       October 13, 2006

 

*By:

 

/s/    ANNE ACKERLEY        

   

Anne Ackerley,

Attorney-in-fact


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.  

   

Description  


4 (a)   Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BALLC”)
4 (b)   Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BFM”)
4 (c)   Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BALLC and BFM with respect to the Bond Portfolios
4 (d)   Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BALLC and BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation
4 (e)   Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BALLC and BlackRock International, Ltd.
4 (f)   Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BALLC and BFM with respect to the Asset Allocation and Global Opportunities Portfolios
8 (l)   Schedule A to Expense Limitation Agreement
9     Opinion of Counsel
12 (w)   Form of Purchase Agreement

Exhibit 4(a)

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of September 29, 2006 between BLACKROCK FUNDS SM , a Massachusetts business trust (the “Fund”), and BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain Adviser to furnish investment advisory services to the Fund and Adviser is willing to so furnish such services;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

1. Appointment .

a. The Fund hereby appoints Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Fund’s Portfolios listed on Appendix A attached hereto (the “Portfolios”) for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.

b. In the event that the Fund establishes one or more portfolios other than the Portfolios named on Appendix A with respect to which it desires to retain Adviser to act as investment adviser hereunder, the Fund shall notify Adviser in writing. If Adviser is willing to render such services under this Agreement, it shall notify the Fund in writing whereupon, subject to such approval as may be required pursuant to Paragraph 10 hereof, such portfolio shall become a “Portfolio” hereunder and shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as the Portfolios named on Appendix A except to the extent that said provisions (including those relating to the compensation payable by the Fund to Adviser) are modified with respect to such portfolio in writing by the Fund and Adviser at the time.

2. Sub-Advisers . Adviser may from time to time, in its sole discretion to the extent permitted by applicable law, appoint one or more sub-advisers, including, without limitation, affiliates of Adviser, to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Portfolios; provided , however , that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by Adviser and that Adviser shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any sub-adviser as it is for its own acts and omissions. Adviser may terminate any or all sub-advisers in its sole discretion at any time to the extent permitted by applicable law.

3. Delivery of Documents . The Fund has furnished Adviser with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following:

a. Resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of Adviser as the Portfolios’ adviser and approving this Agreement;


b. The Fund’s Declaration of Trust as filed with the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Boston City Clerk on December 22, 1988, as amended from time to time;

c. The Fund’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations;

d. The Fund’s Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the 1940 Act as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 23, 1988;

e. The Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as filed with the SEC on December 23, 1988, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”); and

f. The Fund’s most recent prospectuses for the Portfolios (such prospectuses together with the related statements of additional information, as currently in effect and all amendments and supplements thereto, are herein called “Prospectuses”).

The Fund will furnish Adviser from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing, if any.

4. Services . Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Adviser will (either directly or through the sub-advisers employed by it in accordance with Section 2 hereof) (i) act as investment adviser for and supervise and manage the investment and reinvestment of the Portfolios’ assets and (ii) provide a continuous investment program for each of the Portfolios, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents in the Portfolios and may vote, exercise consents and exercise all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Portfolios. Adviser will (either directly or through the sub-advisers employed by it in accordance with Paragraph 2 hereof) determine from time to time what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Portfolios and will place the daily orders for the purchase or sale of securities. Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under this Agreement in accordance with each Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in such Portfolio’s Registration Statement and the resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Adviser further agrees that it:

a. will comply with (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) any other applicable provision of law and (iii) the provisions of this Agreement, the Declaration of Trust and the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Fund as such are amended from time to time;

b. will place orders either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, Adviser will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders. In placing orders, Adviser will consider the experience and skill of the firm’s securities traders as well as the firm’s financial

 

2


responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, Adviser may, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to a Portfolio and other clients of Adviser or a sub-adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by Adviser hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms of either the transaction or the overall responsibility of Adviser and sub-advisers to the Portfolios and their other clients and that the total commissions paid by each Portfolio will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to such Portfolio over the long-term. In no instance, however, will a Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to Adviser, the sub-advisers, the Fund’s distributor or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by the SEC or by applicable law. Subject to the foregoing and the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, Adviser may select brokers and dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated;

c. will maintain books and records with respect to each Portfolio’s securities transactions and will furnish the Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Board may request;

d. will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. When Adviser makes investment recommendations for a Portfolio, its investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Portfolio’s account are customers of the commercial departments of its affiliates. In dealing with commercial customers of its affiliates, Adviser and the sub-advisers will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those customers are held by the Fund; and

e. will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund, any of the Portfolio’s and the Fund’s prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records, and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund.

5. Services Not Exclusive . Adviser’s services hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive, and Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.

 

3


6. Books and Records . In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for each Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request. Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.

7. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, Adviser will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred in connection with its duties hereunder and shall bear the costs of any salaries or trustees fees of any officers or trustees of the Fund who are affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of Adviser; provided that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may approve reimbursement to Adviser of the pro rata portion of the salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment costs for the time spent on Fund operations (including, without limitation, compliance matters) (other than the provision of investment advice required to be provided hereunder) of all personnel employed by Adviser who devote substantial time to Fund operations or the operations of other investment companies advised by Adviser.

8. Compensation .

a. For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund will pay Adviser and Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. Such fee as is attributable to each Portfolio shall be a separate charge to such Portfolio and shall be the several (and neither joint nor joint and several) obligation of such Portfolio. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be.

b. If in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of one or more Portfolios (as defined under the securities regulations of any state having jurisdiction over the Fund) exceed the expense limitations of any such state, Adviser will bear its share of the amount of such excess in proportion to the aggregate fees otherwise payable to it hereunder and to the Fund’s co-administrators under their administration agreements with the Fund. The obligation of Adviser to reimburse the Fund under this Paragraph 8(b) is limited in any fiscal year to the amount of its fees otherwise payable hereunder attributable to the Portfolios for such fiscal year, provided ; however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser shall reimburse the Fund for the full amount of its share of any such excess expenses regardless of the amount of fees otherwise payable to it during such fiscal year to the extent that the securities regulations of any state having jurisdiction over the Fund so require. Such expense reimbursement, if any, will be estimated, reconciled and paid on a monthly basis.

c. For purposes of the fee rates set forth on Appendix A , the net assets of the Portfolios shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for calculating the value of the Fund’s assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.

 

4


9. Limitation of Liability . Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.

10. Duration and Termination . This Agreement will become effective as of the date hereof with respect to each Portfolio listed on Appendix A and, with respect to any additional Portfolio, on the date of receipt by the Fund of notice from Adviser in accordance with Section 1(b) hereof that Adviser is willing to serve as investment adviser with respect to such Portfolio, provided that this Agreement (as supplemented by the terms specified in any notice and agreement pursuant to Section 1(b) hereof) shall have been approved in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect with respect to each such Portfolio until March 31, 2008. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the particular Portfolio for successive annual periods ending on March 31, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by vote of a majority of those members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Fund (by vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio), or by Adviser on sixty days’ written notice. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons” and “assignment” shall have the same meanings as such terms in the 1940 Act.)

11. Notices . Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

12. Amendment of this Agreement . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be subject to the 1940 Act.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

14. Use of the Name BlackRock . Adviser has consented to the use by the Fund of the name or identifying word “BlackRock” in the name of the Fund and the Portfolios. Such consent is conditioned upon the employment of Adviser as the investment adviser to the

 

5


Portfolios. The name or identifying word “BlackRock” may be used from time to time in other connections and for other purposes by Adviser and any of its affiliates. Adviser may require the Fund to cease using “BlackRock” in the name of the Fund and the Portfolios if the Fund (or any Portfolio) ceases to employ, for any reason, Adviser, any successor thereto or any affiliate thereof as investment adviser of the Portfolios.

15. Release . “BlackRock Funds” and “Trustees of BlackRock Funds” refer respectively to the trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of Trust dated December 22, 1988, as amended, which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file at the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at the principal office of the Fund. The obligations of “BlackRock Funds” entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the Trust Property (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), and all persons dealing with any class of shares of the Fund must look solely to the Trust Property belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund.

16. Miscellaneous . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors.

17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

BLACKROCK FUNDS SM
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

6


Appendix A

Portfolios and Fees

 

Portfolio

  

Advisory Fee (as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

Investment Trust

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

Large Cap Value Equity Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

Large Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

Dividend Achievers™ Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

Legacy Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.650 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.600 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.575 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.550 %

Mid-Cap Value Equity Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.800 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.700 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.650 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.625 %

Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.800 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.700 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.650 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.625 %

Aurora Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.850 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.800 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.750 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.700 %

Small/Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.750 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.700 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.675 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.650 %

Small Cap Value Equity Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio

  

1.000%

  

Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

 

A-1


Portfolio

  

Advisory Fee (as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

Asset Allocation Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.750 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.700 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.675 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.650 %

Global Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.900 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.850 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.800 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.750 %

Global Resources Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.750 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.700 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.675 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.650 %

All-Cap Global Resources Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.750 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.700 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.675 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.650 %

U.S. Opportunities Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   1.100 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   1.050 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   1.025 %
  

Over $3 billion

   1.000 %

Global Opportunities Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.900 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.850 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.800 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.750 %

International Opportunities Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   1.000 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.950 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.900 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.850 %

Exchange Portfolio

  

0.500%

  

Enhanced Income Portfolio

  

0.400%

  

Low Duration Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Intermediate Government Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Intermediate Bond Portfolio II

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

 

A-2


Portfolio

  

Advisory Fee (as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Total Return Portfolio II

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Total Return Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Government Income Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.375 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.350 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.325 %

GNMA Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

Managed Income Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

International Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

High Yield Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

UltraShort Municipal Portfolio

  

0.450%

  

AMT-Free Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Delaware Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

 

A-3


Portfolio

  

Advisory Fee (as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

Ohio Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Kentucky Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.550 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.500 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.475 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.450 %

New Jersey Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

North Carolina Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.450 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.400 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.375 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.350 %

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.500 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.450 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.425 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.400 %

 

A-4

Exhibit 4(b)

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made as of September 29, 2006 between BLACKROCK FUNDS SM , a Massachusetts business trust (the “Fund”), and BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Adviser”).

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Fund desires to retain Adviser to furnish investment advisory services to the Fund and Adviser is willing to so furnish such services;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

1. Appointment .

a. The Fund hereby appoints Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Fund’s Portfolio listed on Appendix A attached hereto (the “Portfolio”) for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.

b. In the event that the Fund establishes one or more portfolios other than the Portfolio named on Appendix A with respect to which it desires to retain Adviser to act as investment adviser hereunder, the Fund shall notify Adviser in writing. If Adviser is willing to render such services under this Agreement, it shall notify the Fund in writing whereupon, subject to such approval as may be required pursuant to Paragraph 10 hereof, such portfolio shall become a “Portfolio” hereunder and shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as the Portfolio named on Appendix A except to the extent that said provisions (including those relating to the compensation payable by the Fund to Adviser) are modified with respect to such portfolio in writing by the Fund and Adviser at the time.

2. Sub-Advisers . Adviser may from time to time, in its sole discretion to the extent permitted by applicable law, appoint one or more sub-advisers, including, without limitation, affiliates of Adviser, to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Portfolio; provided , however , that the compensation of such person or persons shall be paid by Adviser and that Adviser shall be as fully responsible to the Fund for the acts and omissions of any sub-adviser as it is for its own acts and omissions. Adviser may terminate any or all sub-advisers in its sole discretion at any time to the extent permitted by applicable law.

3. Delivery of Documents . The Fund has furnished Adviser with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of each of the following:

a. Resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of Adviser as the Portfolio’s adviser and approving this Agreement;


b. The Fund’s Declaration of Trust as filed with the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Boston City Clerk on December 22, 1988, as amended from time to time;

c. The Fund’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations;

d. The Fund’s Notification of Registration on Form N-8A under the 1940 Act as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 23, 1988;

e. The Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 and the 1940 Act, as filed with the SEC on December 23, 1988, and all amendments thereto (the “Registration Statement”); and

f. The Fund’s most recent prospectuses for the Portfolio (such prospectuses together with the related statements of additional information, as currently in effect and all amendments and supplements thereto, are herein called “Prospectuses”).

The Fund will furnish Adviser from time to time with copies, properly certified or authenticated, of all amendments of or supplements to the foregoing, if any.

4. Services . Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Adviser will (either directly or through the sub-advisers employed by it in accordance with Section 2 hereof) (i) act as investment adviser for and supervise and manage the investment and reinvestment of the Portfolio’s assets and (ii) provide a continuous investment program the Portfolio, including investment research and management with respect to all securities, investments, cash and cash equivalents in the Portfolio and may vote, exercise consents and exercise all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Portfolio. Adviser will (either directly or through the sub-advisers employed by it in accordance with Paragraph 2 hereof) determine from time to time what securities and other investments will be purchased, retained or sold by the Portfolio and will place the daily orders for the purchase or sale of securities. Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under this Agreement in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in such Portfolio’s Registration Statement and the resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Adviser further agrees that it:

a. will comply with (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, (ii) any other applicable provision of law and (iii) the provisions of this Agreement, the Declaration of Trust and the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Fund as such are amended from time to time;

b. will place orders either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, Adviser will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders. In placing orders, Adviser will consider the experience and skill of the firm’s securities traders as well as the firm’s financial

 

2


responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, Adviser may, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to a Portfolio and other clients of Adviser or a sub-adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by Adviser hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms of either the transaction or the overall responsibility of Adviser and sub-advisers to the Portfolio and their other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Portfolio will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to such Portfolio over the long-term. In no instance, however, will a Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to Adviser, the sub-advisers, the Fund’s distributor or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by the SEC or by applicable law. Subject to the foregoing and the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, Adviser may select brokers and dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated;

c. will maintain books and records with respect to the Portfolio’s securities transactions and will furnish the Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as the Board may request;

d. will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. When Adviser makes investment recommendations for a Portfolio, its investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Portfolio’s account are customers of the commercial departments of its affiliates. In dealing with commercial customers of its affiliates, Adviser and the sub-advisers will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those customers are held by the Fund; and

e. will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund, any of the Portfolio’s and the Fund’s prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records, and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund.

5. Services Not Exclusive . Adviser’s services hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive, and Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.

 

3


6. Books and Records . In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request. Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.

7. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, Adviser will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred in connection with its duties hereunder and shall bear the costs of any salaries or trustees fees of any officers or trustees of the Fund who are affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of Adviser; provided that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may approve reimbursement to Adviser of the pro rata portion of the salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment costs for the time spent on Fund operations (including, without limitation, compliance matters) (other than the provision of investment advice required to be provided hereunder) of all personnel employed by Adviser who devote substantial time to Fund operations or the operations of other investment companies advised by Adviser.

8. Compensation .

a. For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, the Fund will pay Adviser and Adviser will accept as full compensation therefor a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. Such fee as is attributable to the Portfolio shall be a separate charge to such Portfolio and shall be the several (and neither joint nor joint and several) obligation of such Portfolio. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be.

b. If in any fiscal year the aggregate expenses of the Portfolio (as defined under the securities regulations of any state having jurisdiction over the Fund) exceed the expense limitations of any such state, Adviser will bear its share of the amount of such excess in proportion to the aggregate fees otherwise payable to it hereunder and to the Fund’s co-administrators under their administration agreements with the Fund. The obligation of Adviser to reimburse the Fund under this Paragraph 8(b) is limited in any fiscal year to the amount of its fees otherwise payable hereunder attributable to the Portfolio for such fiscal year, provided ; however , that notwithstanding the foregoing, Adviser shall reimburse the Fund for the full amount of its share of any such excess expenses regardless of the amount of fees otherwise payable to it during such fiscal year to the extent that the securities regulations of any state having jurisdiction over the Fund so require. Such expense reimbursement, if any, will be estimated, reconciled and paid on a monthly basis.

c. For purposes of the fee rates set forth on Appendix A , the net assets of the Portfolio shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for calculating the value of the Fund’s assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.

 

4


9. Limitation of Liability . Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.

10. Duration and Termination . This Agreement will become effective as of the date hereof with respect to the Portfolio listed on Appendix A and, with respect to any additional Portfolio, on the date of receipt by the Fund of notice from Adviser in accordance with Section 1(b) hereof that Adviser is willing to serve as investment adviser with respect to such Portfolio, provided that this Agreement (as supplemented by the terms specified in any notice and agreement pursuant to Section 1(b) hereof) shall have been approved in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue in effect with respect to each such Portfolio until March 31, 2008. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the particular Portfolio for successive annual periods ending on March 31, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by vote of a majority of those members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Fund (by vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio), or by Adviser on sixty days’ written notice. This Agreement will immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested persons” and “assignment” shall have the same meanings as such terms in the 1940 Act.)

11. Notices . Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

12. Amendment of this Agreement . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be subject to the 1940 Act.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

14. Use of the Name BlackRock . Adviser has consented to the use by the Fund of the name or identifying word “BlackRock” in the name of the Fund and the Portfolio. Such consent is conditioned upon the employment of Adviser as the investment adviser to the

 

5


Portfolio. The name or identifying word “BlackRock” may be used from time to time in other connections and for other purposes by Adviser and any of its affiliates. Adviser may require the Fund to cease using “BlackRock” in the name of the Fund and the Portfolio if the Fund (or the Portfolio) ceases to employ, for any reason, Adviser, any successor thereto or any affiliate thereof as investment adviser of the Portfolio.

15. Release . “BlackRock Funds” and “Trustees of BlackRock Funds” refer respectively to the trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of Trust dated December 22, 1988, as amended, which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file at the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at the principal office of the Fund. The obligations of “BlackRock Funds” entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the Trust Property (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), and all persons dealing with any class of shares of the Fund must look solely to the Trust Property belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund.

16. Miscellaneous . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors.

17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

BLACKROCK FUNDS SM
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

6


Appendix A

Portfolio and Fees

 

Portfolio

  

Advisory Fee (as a percentage of average daily net assets)

BlackRock Strategic Portfolio I

   0.200%

 

A-1

Exhibit 4(c)

SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT dated as of September 29, 2006, between BlackRock Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser”), and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Sub-Adviser”).

WHEREAS, Adviser has agreed to furnish investment advisory services to the portfolios named on Appendix A attached hereto (the “Portfolios”) of BlackRock Funds SM (the “Fund”), an open-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, Adviser wishes to retain Sub-Adviser to provide it with sub-advisory services as described below in connection with Adviser’s advisory activities on behalf of each Portfolio;

WHEREAS, the investment advisory agreement between Adviser and the Fund dated September 29, 2006 (such Agreement or the most recent successor agreement between such parties relating to advisory services to each Portfolio is referred to herein as the “Advisory Agreement”) contemplates that Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Portfolios;

WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, and Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

1. Appointment . Adviser hereby appoints Sub-Adviser to act as sub-adviser with respect to each Portfolio as provided in Section 2 of the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.

2. Services of Sub-Adviser . Subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Sub-Adviser will supervise the day-to-day operations of the Portfolios and perform the following services: (i) act as investment adviser for and manage the investment and reinvestment of those assets of the Portfolios as Adviser may from time to time request and in connection therewith have complete discretion in purchasing and selling such securities and other assets for the Portfolios and in voting, exercising consents and exercising all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Portfolios; (ii) provide investment research and credit analysis concerning the Portfolios’ investments; (iii) assist Adviser in determining what portion of the Portfolios’ assets will be invested in cash and cash equivalents and money market instruments; (iv) place orders for all purchases and sales of the investments


made for the Portfolios; and (v) maintain the books and records as are required to support Fund operations (in conjunction with record-keeping and accounting functions performed by Adviser). At the request of Adviser, Sub-Adviser will also, subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the direction and control of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, provide to Adviser or the Fund any of the facilities and equipment and perform any of the services described in Section 4 of the Advisory Agreement. In addition, Sub-Adviser will keep the Fund and Adviser informed of developments materially affecting the Portfolios and shall, on its own initiative, furnish to the Fund from time to time whatever information Sub-Adviser believes appropriate for this purpose. Sub-Adviser will periodically communicate to Adviser, at such times as Adviser may direct, information concerning the purchase and sale of securities for the Portfolios, including (i) the name of the issuer, (ii) the amount of the purchase or sale, (iii) the name of the broker or dealer, if any, through which the purchase or sale will be effected, (iv) the CUSIP number of the instrument, if any, and (v) such other information as Adviser may reasonably require for purposes of fulfilling its obligations to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under this Agreement in accordance with each Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in such Portfolio’s prospectuses and statements of additional information (as currently in effect and as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

3. Other Sub-Adviser Covenants . Sub-Adviser further agrees that it:

(a) will comply with (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), (ii) any other applicable provision of law and (iii) the provisions of this Agreement, the Declaration of Trust and the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Fund as such are amended from time to time;

(b) will place orders either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, Sub-Adviser will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders. In placing orders, Sub-Adviser will consider the experience and skill of the firm’s securities traders as well as the firm’s financial responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, Sub-Adviser may, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to a Portfolio and other clients of Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by Sub-Adviser hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms of either the transaction or the overall responsibility of Adviser and Sub-Adviser to each Portfolio and their other clients and that the total commissions paid by each Portfolio will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to such Portfolio over the long-term. In no instance, however, will a Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s distributor or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by the SEC or by applicable law. Subject

 

-2-


to the foregoing and the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, Sub-Adviser may select brokers and dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated;

(c) will maintain or cause Adviser to maintain books and records with respect to each Portfolio’s securities transactions and will furnish Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as they may request;

(d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. When Sub-Adviser makes investment recommendations for a Portfolio, its investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Portfolio’s account are customers of the commercial departments of its affiliates. In dealing with commercial customers of its affiliates, Sub-Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those customers are held by the Fund; and

(e) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund, any of the Portfolio’s and the Fund’s prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Sub-Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund.

4. Services Not Exclusive . Sub-Adviser’s services hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive, and Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.

5. Books and Records . In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for each Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request. Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.

6. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred by Sub-Adviser in connection with its duties hereunder; provided that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may approve reimbursement to Sub-Adviser of the pro rata portion of the salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment costs for the time spent on Fund operations (including, without limitation, compliance matters) (other than the provision of investment advice required to be provided hereunder) of all personnel employed by Sub-Adviser who devote substantial time to Fund operations or the operations of other investment companies advised or sub-advised by Sub-Adviser.

 

-3-


7. Compensation . For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, Adviser will pay to Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be.

For purposes of the fee rates set forth on Appendix A , the net assets of the Portfolios shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for calculating the value of the Fund’s assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.

If Adviser waives any or all of its advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement, or reimburses the Fund pursuant to Section 8(b) of that Agreement, with respect to any Portfolio, Sub-Adviser will bear its share of the amount of such waiver or reimbursement by waiving fees otherwise payable to it hereunder on a proportionate basis to be determined by comparing the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid to it hereunder with respect to such Portfolio to the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid by the Fund to Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to such Portfolio. Adviser shall inform Sub-Adviser prior to waiving any advisory fees.

8. Limitation of Liability . Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by Adviser or by any Portfolio in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.

9. Duration and Termination . This Agreement will become effective as of the date hereof and, unless sooner terminated with respect to a Portfolio as provided herein, shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolios until March 31, 2008. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolios for successive annual periods ending on March 31, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with respect to each Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Fund (by vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio), or by Adviser or Sub-Adviser on sixty days’ written notice, and will terminate automatically upon any termination of the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Adviser. This Agreement will also immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have the same meanings as such terms in the 1940 Act.)

 

-4-


10. Notices . Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

11. Amendment of this Agreement . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be subject to the 1940 Act.

12. Miscellaneous . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

 

-5-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

-6-


Appendix A

Portfolios and Sub-Advisory Fees

 

Portfolio

  

Sub-Advisory Fee

(as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

Enhanced Income Portfolio

      0.150 %

Low Duration Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Intermediate Government Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Intermediate Bond Portfolio II

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Total Return Portfolio II

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Total Return Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Government Income Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.250 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.225 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.200 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.175 %

GNMA Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

Managed Income Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

International Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %

 

A-1


Portfolio

  

Sub-Advisory Fee

(as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

High Yield Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

UltraShort Municipal Portfolio

  

0.280%

  

AMT-Free Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Delaware Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

Ohio Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Kentucky Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

New Jersey Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.350 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.300 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.275 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.250 %

 

A-2

Exhibit 4(d)

SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT dated as of September 29, 2006, between BlackRock Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser”), and BlackRock Institutional Management Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Sub-Adviser”).

WHEREAS, Adviser has agreed to furnish investment advisory services to the portfolios named on Appendix A attached hereto (the “Portfolios”) of BlackRock Funds SM (the “Fund”), an open-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, Adviser wishes to retain Sub-Adviser to provide it with sub-advisory services as described below in connection with Adviser’s advisory activities on behalf of each Portfolio;

WHEREAS, the investment advisory agreement between Adviser and the Fund dated September 29, 2006 (such Agreement or the most recent successor agreement between such parties relating to advisory services to each Portfolio is referred to herein as the “Advisory Agreement”) contemplates that Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Portfolios;

WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, and Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

1. Appointment . Adviser hereby appoints Sub-Adviser to act as sub-adviser with respect to each Portfolio as provided in Section 2 of the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.

2. Services of Sub-Adviser . Subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Sub-Adviser will supervise the day-to-day operations of the Portfolios and perform the following services: (i) act as investment adviser for and manage the investment and reinvestment of those assets of the Portfolios as Adviser may from time to time request and in connection therewith have complete discretion in purchasing and selling such securities and other assets for the Portfolios and in voting, exercising consents and exercising all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Portfolios; (ii) provide investment research and credit analysis concerning the Portfolios’ investments; (iii) assist Adviser in determining what portion of the Portfolios’ assets will be invested in cash and cash equivalents; (iv) place orders for all purchases and sales of the investments made for the Portfolios; and (v)


maintain the books and records as are required to support Fund operations (in conjunction with record-keeping and accounting functions performed by Adviser). At the request of Adviser, Sub-Adviser will also, subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the direction and control of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, provide to Adviser or the Fund any of the facilities and equipment and perform any of the services described in Section 4 of the Advisory Agreement. In addition, Sub-Adviser will keep the Fund and Adviser informed of developments materially affecting the Portfolios and shall, on its own initiative, furnish to the Fund from time to time whatever information Sub-Adviser believes appropriate for this purpose. Sub-Adviser will periodically communicate to Adviser, at such times as Adviser may direct, information concerning the purchase and sale of securities for the Portfolios, including (i) the name of the issuer, (ii) the amount of the purchase or sale, (iii) the name of the broker or dealer, if any, through which the purchase or sale will be effected, (iv) the CUSIP number of the instrument, if any, and (v) such other information as Adviser may reasonably require for purposes of fulfilling its obligations to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under this Agreement in accordance with each Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in such Portfolio’s prospectuses and statements of additional information (as currently in effect and as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

3. Other Sub-Adviser Covenants . Sub-Adviser further agrees that it:

(a) will comply with (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), (ii) any other applicable provision of law and (iii) the provisions of this Agreement, the Declaration of Trust and the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Fund as such are amended from time to time;

(b) will place orders either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, Sub-Adviser will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders. In placing orders, Sub-Adviser will consider the experience and skill of the firm’s securities traders as well as the firm’s financial responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, Sub-Adviser may, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to a Portfolio and other clients of Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by Sub-Adviser hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms of either the transaction or the overall responsibility of Adviser and Sub-Adviser to each Portfolio and their other clients and that the total commissions paid by each Portfolio will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to such Portfolio over the long-term. In no instance, however, will a Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s distributor or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by the SEC or by applicable law. Subject

 

-2-


to the foregoing and the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, Sub-Adviser may select brokers and dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated;

(c) will maintain or cause Adviser to maintain books and records with respect to each Portfolio’s securities transactions and will furnish Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as they may request;

(d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. When Sub-Adviser makes investment recommendations for a Portfolio, its investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Portfolio’s account are customers of the commercial departments of its affiliates. In dealing with commercial customers of its affiliates, Sub-Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those customers are held by the Fund; and

(e) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund, any of the Portfolio’s and the Fund’s prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Sub-Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund.

4. Services Not Exclusive . Sub-Adviser’s services hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive, and Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.

5. Books and Records . In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for each Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request. Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.

6. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred by Sub-Adviser in connection with its duties hereunder; provided that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may approve reimbursement to Sub-Adviser of the pro rata portion of the salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment costs for the time spent on Fund operations (including, without limitation, compliance matters) (other than the provision of investment advice required to be provided hereunder) of all personnel employed by Sub-Adviser who devote substantial time to Fund operations or the operations of other investment companies advised or sub-advised by Sub-Adviser.

 

-3-


7. Compensation . For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, Adviser will pay to Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be.

For purposes of the fee rates set forth on Appendix A , the net assets of the Portfolios shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for calculating the value of the Fund’s assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.

If Adviser waives any or all of its advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement, or reimburses the Fund pursuant to Section 8(b) of that Agreement, with respect to any Portfolio, Sub-Adviser will bear its share of the amount of such waiver or reimbursement by waiving fees otherwise payable to it hereunder on a proportionate basis to be determined by comparing the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid to it hereunder with respect to such Portfolio to the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid by the Fund to Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to such Portfolio. Adviser shall inform Sub-Adviser prior to waiving any advisory fees.

8. Limitation of Liability . Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by Adviser or by any Portfolio in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.

9. Duration and Termination . This Agreement will become effective as of the date hereof and, unless sooner terminated with respect to a Portfolio as provided herein, shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolios until March 31, 2008. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolios for successive annual periods ending on March 31, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with respect to each Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Fund (by vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio), or by Adviser or Sub-Adviser on sixty days’ written notice, and will terminate automatically upon any termination of the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Adviser. This Agreement will also immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have the same meanings as such terms in the 1940 Act.)

 

-4-


10. Notices . Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

11. Amendment of this Agreement . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be subject to the 1940 Act.

12. Miscellaneous . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

 

-5-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLACKROCK INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

-6-


Appendix A

Portfolios and Sub-Advisory Fees

 

Portfolio

  

Sub-Advisory Fee

(as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

North Carolina Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

 

A-1

Exhibit 4(e)

SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT dated as of September 29, 2006, between BlackRock Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser”), and BlackRock International, Ltd., a Scotland corporation (“Sub-Adviser”).

WHEREAS, Adviser has agreed to furnish investment advisory services to the portfolio named on Appendix A attached hereto (the “Portfolio”) of BlackRock Funds SM (the “Fund”), an open-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, Adviser wishes to retain Sub-Adviser to provide it with sub-advisory services as described below in connection with Adviser’s advisory activities on behalf of the Portfolio;

WHEREAS, the investment advisory agreement between Adviser and the Fund dated September 29, 2006 (such Agreement or the most recent successor agreement between such parties relating to advisory services to the Portfolio is referred to herein as the “Advisory Agreement”) contemplates that Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Portfolio;

WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, and Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

1. Appointment . Adviser hereby appoints Sub-Adviser to act as sub-adviser with respect to the Portfolio as provided in Section 2 of the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.

2. Services of Sub-Adviser . Subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Sub-Adviser will supervise the day-to-day operations of the Portfolio and perform the following services: (i) act as investment adviser for and manage the investment and reinvestment of those assets of the Portfolio as Adviser may from time to time request and in connection therewith have complete discretion in purchasing and selling such securities and other assets for the Portfolio and in voting, exercising consents and exercising all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Portfolio; (ii) provide investment research and credit analysis concerning the Portfolio’s investments; (iii) assist Adviser in determining what portion of the Portfolio’s assets will be invested in cash and cash equivalents and money market instruments; (iv) place orders for all purchases and sales of the investments


made for the Portfolio; and (v) maintain the books and records as are required to support Fund operations (in conjunction with record-keeping and accounting functions performed by Adviser). At the request of Adviser, Sub-Adviser will also, subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the direction and control of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, provide to Adviser or the Fund any of the facilities and equipment and perform any of the services described in Section 4 of the Advisory Agreement. In addition, Sub-Adviser will keep the Fund and Adviser informed of developments materially affecting the Portfolio and shall, on its own initiative, furnish to the Fund from time to time whatever information Sub-Adviser believes appropriate for this purpose. Sub-Adviser will periodically communicate to Adviser, at such times as Adviser may direct, information concerning the purchase and sale of securities for the Portfolio, including (i) the name of the issuer, (ii) the amount of the purchase or sale, (iii) the name of the broker or dealer, if any, through which the purchase or sale will be effected, (iv) the CUSIP number of the instrument, if any, and (v) such other information as Adviser may reasonably require for purposes of fulfilling its obligations to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under this Agreement in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in such Portfolio’s prospectuses and statements of additional information (as currently in effect and as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and covenants that it is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom (the “FSA”) and has classified the Fund as an Intermediate Customer as defined by the FSA Rules.

3. Other Sub-Adviser Covenants . Sub-Adviser further agrees that it:

(a) will comply with (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), (ii) any other applicable provision of law and (iii) the provisions of this Agreement, the Declaration of Trust and the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Fund as such are amended from time to time;

(b) will place orders either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, Sub-Adviser will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders. In placing orders, Sub-Adviser will consider the experience and skill of the firm’s securities traders as well as the firm’s financial responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, Sub-Adviser may, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to the Portfolio and other clients of Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by Sub-Adviser hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms of either the transaction or the overall responsibility of Adviser and Sub-Adviser to the Portfolio and their other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Portfolio will be reasonable in relation to

 

-2-


the benefits to such Portfolio over the long-term. In no instance, however, will the Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s distributor or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by the SEC or by applicable law. Subject to the foregoing and the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, Sub-Adviser may select brokers and dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated;

(c) will maintain or cause Adviser to maintain books and records with respect to the Portfolio’s securities transactions and will furnish Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as they may request;

(d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. When Sub-Adviser makes investment recommendations for the Portfolio, its investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Portfolio’s account are customers of the commercial departments of its affiliates. In dealing with commercial customers of its affiliates, Sub-Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those customers are held by the Fund; and

(e) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund, any of the Portfolio’s and the Fund’s prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Sub-Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund.

4. Services Not Exclusive . Sub-Adviser’s services hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive, and Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.

5. Books and Records . In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request. Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.

6. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred by Sub-Adviser in connection with its duties hereunder; provided that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may approve reimbursement to Sub-Adviser of the pro rata portion of the salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment costs for the time spent on Fund operations (including, without limitation, compliance matters) (other than the provision of investment advice

 

-3-


required to be provided hereunder) of all personnel employed by Sub-Adviser who devote substantial time to Fund operations or the operations of other investment companies advised or sub-advised by Sub-Adviser.

7. Compensation . For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, Adviser will pay to Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be.

For purposes of the fee rates set forth on Appendix A , the net assets of the Portfolio shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for calculating the value of the Fund’s assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.

If Adviser waives any or all of its advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement, or reimburses the Fund pursuant to Section 8(b) of that Agreement, with respect to the Portfolio, Sub-Adviser will bear its share of the amount of such waiver or reimbursement by waiving fees otherwise payable to it hereunder on a proportionate basis to be determined by comparing the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid to it hereunder with respect to such Portfolio to the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid by the Fund to Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to such Portfolio. Adviser shall inform Sub-Adviser prior to waiving any advisory fees.

8. Limitation of Liability . Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by Adviser or by the Portfolio in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.

9. Duration and Termination . This Agreement will become effective as of the date hereof and, unless sooner terminated with respect to the Portfolio as provided herein, shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolio until March 31, 2008. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolio for successive annual periods ending on March 31, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Fund (by vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio), or by Adviser or Sub-Adviser on sixty days’ written notice, and will terminate automatically upon any termination of the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Adviser. This Agreement will also immediately terminate in the event of

 

-4-


its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have the same meanings as such terms in the 1940 Act.)

10. Notices . Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

11. Amendment of this Agreement . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be subject to the 1940 Act.

12. Miscellaneous . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

 

-5-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLACKROCK INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

-6-


Appendix A

Portfolio and Sub-Advisory Fees

 

Portfolio

  

Sub-Advisory Fee

(as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

International Opportunities Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.850 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.800 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.750 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.700 %

 

A-1

Exhibit 4(f)

SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT dated as of September 29, 2006, between BlackRock Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Adviser”), and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Sub-Adviser”).

WHEREAS, Adviser has agreed to furnish investment advisory services to the portfolios named on Appendix A attached hereto (the “Portfolios”) of BlackRock Funds SM (the “Fund”), an open-end, management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”); and

WHEREAS, Adviser wishes to retain Sub-Adviser to provide it with sub-advisory services as described below in connection with Adviser’s advisory activities on behalf of each Portfolio;

WHEREAS, the investment advisory agreement between Adviser and the Fund dated September 29, 2006 (such Agreement or the most recent successor agreement between such parties relating to advisory services to each Portfolio is referred to herein as the “Advisory Agreement”) contemplates that Adviser may appoint a sub-adviser to perform investment advisory services with respect to the Portfolios;

WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, and Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the parties hereto as follows:

1. Appointment . Adviser hereby appoints Sub-Adviser to act as sub-adviser with respect to each Portfolio as provided in Section 2 of the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided.

2. Services of Sub-Adviser . Subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees, Sub-Adviser will supervise certain day-to-day operations of the Portfolios and perform the following services: (i) act as investment adviser for and manage the investment and reinvestment of those assets of the Portfolios as Adviser may from time to time request and in connection therewith have complete discretion in purchasing and selling such securities and other assets for the Portfolios and in voting, exercising consents and exercising all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Portfolios; (ii) provide investment research and credit analysis concerning the Portfolios’ fixed-income investments; (iii) assist Adviser in determining what portion of the Portfolios’ assets will be invested in cash and cash equivalents and money market instruments; (iv) place orders for all


purchases and sales of fixed-income investments, other than short-term cash equivalents made for the Portfolios; and (v) maintain the books and records as are required to support Fund operations (in conjunction with record-keeping and accounting functions performed by Adviser). At the request of Adviser, Sub-Adviser will also, subject to the oversight and supervision of Adviser and the direction and control of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, provide to Adviser or the Fund any of the facilities and equipment and perform any of the services described in Section 4 of the Advisory Agreement. In addition, Sub-Adviser will keep the Fund and Adviser informed of developments materially affecting the Portfolios and shall, on its own initiative, furnish to the Fund from time to time whatever information Sub-Adviser believes appropriate for this purpose. Sub-Adviser will periodically communicate to Adviser, at such times as Adviser may direct, information concerning the purchase and sale of securities for the Portfolios, including (i) the name of the issuer, (ii) the amount of the purchase or sale, (iii) the name of the broker or dealer, if any, through which the purchase or sale will be effected, (iv) the CUSIP number of the instrument, if any, and (v) such other information as Adviser may reasonably require for purposes of fulfilling its obligations to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement. Sub-Adviser will provide the services rendered by it under this Agreement in accordance with each Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in such Portfolio’s prospectuses and statements of additional information (as currently in effect and as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

3. Other Sub-Adviser Covenants . Sub-Adviser further agrees that it:

(a) will comply with (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended and all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), (ii) any other applicable provision of law and (iii) the provisions of this Agreement, the Declaration of Trust and the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Fund as such are amended from time to time;

(b) will place orders either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, Sub-Adviser will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders. In placing orders, Sub-Adviser will consider the experience and skill of the firm’s securities traders as well as the firm’s financial responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, Sub-Adviser may, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to a Portfolio and other clients of Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by Sub-Adviser hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that Sub-Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms of either the transaction or the overall responsibility of Adviser and Sub-Adviser to each Portfolio and their other clients and that the total commissions paid by each Portfolio will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to such Portfolio over the long-term. In no instance, however, will a Portfolio’s securities be purchased from or sold to Adviser, Sub-Adviser, the Fund’s distributor or any

 

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affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by the SEC or by applicable law. Subject to the foregoing and the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of law, Sub-Adviser may select brokers and dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated;

(c) will maintain or cause Adviser to maintain books and records with respect to each Portfolio’s securities transactions and will furnish Adviser and the Fund’s Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as they may request;

(d) will maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. When Sub-Adviser makes investment recommendations for a Portfolio, its investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Portfolio’s account are customers of the commercial departments of its affiliates. In dealing with commercial customers of its affiliates, Sub-Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of those customers are held by the Fund; and

(e) will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund, any of the Portfolio’s and the Fund’s prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where Sub-Adviser may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund.

4. Services Not Exclusive . Sub-Adviser’s services hereunder are not deemed to be exclusive, and Sub-Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services under this Agreement are not impaired thereby.

5. Books and Records . In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for each Portfolio are the property of the Fund and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any such records upon the Fund’s request. Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.

6. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, Sub-Adviser will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred by Sub-Adviser in connection with its duties hereunder; provided that the Board of Trustees of the Fund may approve reimbursement to Sub-Adviser of the pro rata portion of the salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment costs for the time spent on Fund operations (including, without limitation, compliance matters) (other than the provision of investment advice required to be provided hereunder) of all personnel employed by Sub-Adviser who devote substantial time to Fund operations or the operations of other investment companies advised or sub-advised by Sub-Adviser.

 

-3-


7. Compensation . For the services provided and the expenses assumed pursuant to this Agreement, Adviser will pay to Sub-Adviser a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, at the annual rates set forth on Appendix A attached hereto. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be.

For purposes of the fee rates set forth on Appendix A , the net assets of the Portfolios shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for calculating the value of the Fund’s assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.

If Adviser waives any or all of its advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement, or reimburses the Fund pursuant to Section 8(b) of that Agreement, with respect to any Portfolio, Sub-Adviser will bear its share of the amount of such waiver or reimbursement by waiving fees otherwise payable to it hereunder on a proportionate basis to be determined by comparing the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid to it hereunder with respect to such Portfolio to the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid by the Fund to Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to such Portfolio. Adviser shall inform Sub-Adviser prior to waiving any advisory fees.

8. Limitation of Liability . Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by Adviser or by any Portfolio in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.

9. Duration and Termination . This Agreement will become effective as of the date hereof and, unless sooner terminated with respect to a Portfolio as provided herein, shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolios until March 31, 2008. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Portfolios for successive annual periods ending on March 31, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Fund’s Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of any party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (b) by the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Portfolio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with respect to each Portfolio at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Fund (by vote of the Fund’s Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio), or by Adviser or Sub-Adviser on sixty days’ written notice, and will terminate automatically upon any termination of the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and Adviser. This Agreement will also immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “interested person” and “assignment” shall have the same meanings as such terms in the 1940 Act.)

 

-4-


10. Notices . Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.

11. Amendment of this Agreement . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any amendment of this Agreement shall be subject to the 1940 Act.

12. Miscellaneous . The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

13. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLACKROCK FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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Appendix A

Portfolios and Sub-Advisory Fees

 

Portfolio

  

Sub-Advisory Fee

(as a percentage of average daily net assets)

 

Asset Allocation Portfolio

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

Global Opportunities Portfolio 1

  

First $1 billion

   0.400 %
  

$1 billion - $2 billion

   0.350 %
  

$2 billion - $3 billion

   0.325 %
  

Over $3 billion

   0.300 %

1 Sub-Advisory Fee schedule for the Global Opportunities Portfolio applies only to the Portfolio’s average daily net assets allocated to fixed-income investments, other than short-term cash equivalents.

 

A-1

Exhibit 8(l)

Amended as of September 14, 2006

SCHEDULE A TO THE EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

 

Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.42

Service Shares

   0.72

Series A Investor Shares

   0.89

Series B Investor Shares

   1.49

Series C Investor Shares

   1.49

Hilliard Lyons Shares

   0.91

U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.41

Service Shares

   0.71

Series A Investor Shares

   0.88

Series B Investor Shares

   1.48

Series C Investor Shares

   1.48

Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.42

Service Shares

   0.72

Series A Investor Shares

   0.89

Series B Investor Shares

   1.49

Series C Investor Shares

   1.49

Hilliard Lyons Shares

   0.66

New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.39

Service Shares

   0.69

Series A Investor Shares

   0.96

Series B Investor Shares

   1.46

Series C Investor Shares

   1.46

 

1


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

North Carolina Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.30

Service Shares

   0.60

Series A Investor Shares

   0.87

Series B Investor Shares

   1.37

Series C Investor Shares

   1.37

Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.39

Service Shares

   0.69

Series A Investor Shares

   0.96

Series B Investor Shares

   1.46

Series C Investor Shares

   1.46

Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.42

Service Shares

   0.72

Series A Investor Shares

   0.99

Series B Investor Shares

   1.49

Series C Investor Shares

   1.49

Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.30

Service Shares

   0.60

Series A Investor Shares

   0.87

Series B Investor Shares

   1.37

Series C Investor Shares

   1.37

Low Duration Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.55

Service Shares

   0.85

Series A Investor Shares

   0.90

Series B Investor Shares

   1.65

Series C Investor Shares

   1.65

BlackRock Shares

   0.40

 

2


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

Intermediate Government Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.60

Service Shares

   0.90

Series A Investor Shares

   1.07

Series B Investor Shares

   1.82

Series C Investor Shares

   1.82

Intermediate Bond Portfolio II

  

Institutional Shares

   0.60

Service Shares

   0.90

Series A Investor Shares

   0.95

Series B Investor Shares

   1.70

Series C Investor Shares

   1.70

BlackRock Shares

   0.45

Total Return Portfolio II

  

Institutional Shares

   0.55

Service Shares

   0.85

Series A Investor Shares

   0.90

Series B Investor Shares

   1.65

Series C Investor Shares

   1.65

BlackRock Shares

   0.40

Total Return Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.55

Service Shares

   0.85

Series A Investor Shares

   0.90

Series B Investor Shares

   1.65

Series C Investor Shares

   1.65

BlackRock Shares

   0.40

Government Income Portfolio

  

Series A Investor Shares

   1.07

Series B Investor Shares

   1.82

Series C Investor Shares

   1.82

BlackRock Shares

   0.45

Service Shares

   0.90

 

3


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

GNMA Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.60

Service Shares

   0.90

Series A Investor Shares

   1.07

Series B Investor Shares

   1.82

Series C Investor Shares

   1.82

BlackRock Shares

   0.45

Managed Income Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.65

Service Shares

   0.95

Series A Investor Shares

   1.12

Series B Investor Shares

   1.87

Series C Investor Shares

   1.87

International Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.03

Service Shares

   1.33

Series A Investor Shares

   1.50

Series B Investor Shares

   2.25

Series C Investor Shares

   2.25

BlackRock Shares

   0.78

High Yield Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.70

Service Shares

   1.00

Series A Investor Shares

   1.17

Series B Investor Shares

   1.92

Series C Investor Shares

   1.92

BlackRock Shares

   0.55

AMT-Free Municipal Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.60

Service Shares

   0.90

Series A Investor Shares

   1.07

Series B Investor Shares

   1.82

Series C Investor Shares

   1.82

BlackRock Shares

   0.45

 

4


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

Delaware Tax-Free Income Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.70

Service Shares

   1.00

Series A Investor Shares

   1.17

Series B Investor Shares

   1.92

Series C Investor Shares

   1.92

Ohio Tax-Free Income Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.60

Service Shares

   0.90

Series A Investor Shares

   1.07

Series B Investor Shares

   1.82

Series C Investor Shares

   1.82

Kentucky Tax-Free Income Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.70

Service Shares

   1.00

Series A Investor Shares

   1.17

Series B Investor Shares

   1.92

Series C Investor Shares

   1.92

Mid-Cap Value Equity Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.00

Service Shares

   1.25

Series A Investor Shares

   1.25

Series B Investor Shares

   2.00

Series C Investor Shares

   2.00

Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.23

Service Shares

   1.53

Series A Investor Shares

   1.58

Series B Investor Shares

   2.33

Series C Investor Shares

   2.33

Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.30

Service Shares

   1.60

Series A Investor Shares

   1.77

Series B Investor Shares

   2.52

Series C Investor Shares

   2.52

 

5


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.99

Service Shares

   1.29

Series A Investor Shares

   1.46

Series B Investor Shares

   2.21

Series C Investor Shares

   2.21

Global Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.43

Service Shares

   1.73

Series A Investor Shares

   1.90

Series B Investor Shares

   2.65

Series C Investor Shares

   2.65

International Opportunities Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.45

Service Shares

   1.75

Series A Investor Shares

   1.92

Series B Investor Shares

   2.67

Series C Investor Shares

   2.67

Investment Trust

  

Institutional Shares

   0.81

Service Shares

   1.11

Series A Investor Shares

   1.16

Series B Investor Shares

   1.91

Series C Investor Shares

   1.91

BlackRock Shares

   0.66

Index Equity Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.18

Service Shares

   0.615

Series A Investor Shares

   0.785

Series B Investor Shares

   1.535

Series C Investor Shares

   1.535

 

6


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

Asset Allocation Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.86

Service Shares

   1.16

Series A Investor Shares

   1.33

Series B Investor Shares

   2.08

Series C Investor Shares

   2.08

U.S. Opportunities Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.60

Service Shares

   1.90

Series A Investor Shares

   2.07

Series B Investor Shares

   2.82

Series C Investor Shares

   2.82

Core Equity

  

Institutional Shares

   0.45

Strategic Portfolio I

  

Institutional Shares

   0.26

Enhanced Income Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.40

Service Shares

   0.75

Series A Investor Shares

   0.80

BlackRock Shares

   0.30

Intermediate Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.55

Service Shares

   0.85

Series A Investor Shares

   0.90

Series B Investor Shares

   1.65

Series C Investor Shares

   1.65

BlackRock Shares

   0.40

 

7


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.40

Service Shares

   0.75

Series A Investor Shares

   0.85

Series B Investor Shares

   1.60

Series C Investor Shares

   1.60

BlackRock Shares

   0.30

Exchange Portfolio

  

BlackRock Shares

   0.60

Small/Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.10

Service Shares

   1.35

Series A Investor Shares

   1.35

Series B Investor Shares

   2.10

Series C Investor Shares

   2.10

Aurora Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.19

Service Shares

   1.44

Series A Investor Shares

   1.44

Series B Investor Shares

   2.19

Series C Investor Shares

   2.19

Legacy Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.10

Service Shares

   1.35

Series A Investor Shares

   1.35

Series B Investor Shares

   2.10

Series C Investor Shares

   2.10

Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.25

Service Shares

   1.55

Series A Investor Shares

   1.55

Series B Investor Shares

   2.25

Series C Investor Shares

   2.25

 

8


Share Classes and Portfolios

   Operating Expense Limit (%)

Global Resources Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.04

Service Shares

   1.34

Series A Investor Shares

   1.34

Series B Investor Shares

   2.04

Series C Investor Shares

   2.04

All-Cap Global Resources Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.04

Service Shares

   1.34

Series A Investor Shares

   1.34

Series B Investor Shares

   2.04

Series C Investor Shares

   2.04

Global Opportunities Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   1.35

Service Shares

   1.65

Series A Investor Shares

   1.65

Series B Investor Shares

   2.40

Series C Investor Shares

   2.40

Long Duration Bond Portfolio

  

Institutional Shares

   0.55

Series A Investor Shares

   0.90

BlackRock Shares

   0.40

 

9

Exhibit 9

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

One Beacon Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02108-3194

October 13, 2006

BlackRock Funds

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

 

  Re: Offering of shares of BlackRock Funds

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to BlackRock Funds (the “Fund”), a voluntary association with transferable shares organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (commonly referred to as a “Massachusetts business trust”), in connection with its offering of the following shares of beneficial interests in the BlackRock Funds Long Duration Bond Portfolio: Class JJJ-2, JJJ-3, JJJ-6 and Class JJJ-13 (collectively, the “Shares”).

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

In rendering the opinion set forth herein, we have examined and relied on originals or copies of the following:

(a) Post-Effective Amendments Nos. 96 through 99 to the registration statement of the Fund on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”);


BlackRock Funds

October 13, 2006

Page 2

(b) the certificate of Brian P. Kindelan, Secretary of the Fund, dated as of the date hereof (the “Officer’s Certificate”);

(c) the Declaration of Trust of the Fund, initially executed on December 22, 1988, as amended by Amendment No. 1 through Amendment No. 4, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and incorporated by reference as Exhibits 1(a) through 1(e) of the Registration Statement;

(d) the Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Fund approved by the Board of Trustees on June 12, 2006, as attached to the Officer’s Certificate; and

(e) resolutions adopted by the Board of Trustees on May 16, 2006 authorizing the issuance of the Shares, as attached to the Officer’s Certificate.

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Fund, including the facts set forth in the Officer’s Certificate described above.

We do not express any opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, when duly registered for sale under the Act and issued for the consideration described in the Registration Statement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (except as described herein). Pursuant to certain decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust may, in certain circumstances, be assessed or held personally liable as partners for the obligations of a Massachusetts business trust. Even if the Fund were held to be a partnership, however, the possibility of the holders of the Shares incurring personal liability for financial losses of the Fund appears remote because (a) Section 9.5 of the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability for holders of shares of beneficial interests of the Fund, including the Shares, for the obligations of the Fund and requires that a


BlackRock Funds

October 13, 2006

Page 3

recitation of such disclaimer be included in every note, bond, contract, order, or other undertaking issued by or on behalf of the Fund or the trustees of the Fund, and (b) Section 9.6 of the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the assets of the trust belonging to the classes of shares with the same alphabetical designation as that of the Shares owned by such shareholder for all loss and expense arising solely from being or having been a holder of such Shares.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Exhibit 12(w)

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

BlackRock Funds SM (the “Fund”), a Massachusetts business trust, and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. (“BDI”), a Delaware corporation, hereby agree as follows:

1. The Fund hereby offers BDI and BDI hereby purchases ten shares of each of the Institutional, Investor A, BlackRock and R classes of shares of the Fund’s Long Duration Bond Portfolio (the “Shares”) for $10 per Share. The Fund hereby acknowledges receipt from BDI of funds in full payment for the foregoing Shares.

2. BDI represents and warrants to the Fund that the foregoing Shares are being acquired for investment purposes and not with a view to the distribution thereof.

3. “BlackRock Funds” and “Trustees of BlackRock Funds” refer respectively to the trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of Trust dated December 22, 1988 which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file at the office of the State Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at the principal office of the Fund. The obligations of “BlackRock Funds” entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, representatives or agents of the Fund personally, but bind only the Trust Property (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), and all persons dealing with any class of shares of the Fund must look solely to the Trust Property belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund.

IN AGREEMENT WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto have executed this Purchase Agreement as of the      day of                  , 2006.

 

BLACKROCK FUNDS SM
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLACKROCK DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title: