BLACKROCK INDEX FUNDS, INC. (Form: 485BPOS, Received: 04/30/2009 17:26:26)

Your Choices

Important Information for You to Know

Full or Partial Redemption of Shares

Have your financial professional or other financial intermediary submit your sales order

You can make redemption requests through your financial professional. Shareholders should indicate whether they are redeeming Investor A or Institutional Shares. The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of the Fund’s net asset value after your order is placed. For your redemption request to be priced at the net asset value on the day of your request, you must submit your request to your financial professional or financial intermediary prior to that day’s close of business on the Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Certain financial intermediaries, however, may require submission of orders prior to that time. Any redemption request placed after that time will be priced at the net asset value at the close of business on the next business day.

Financial intermediaries may charge a fee to process a redemption of shares. Shareholders should indicate which class of shares they are redeeming.

The Funds may reject an order to sell shares under certain circumstances.

Selling shares held directly with BlackRock

Methods of Redeeming

Redeem by Telephone: You may sell Investor Shares held at BlackRock by telephone request if certain conditions Are met and if the amount being sold is less than (i) $100,000 for payments by check or (ii) $250,000 for payments through the Automated Clearing House Network (“ACH”) or wire transfer. Certain redemption requests, such as those in excess of these amounts, must be in writing with a medallion signature guarantee. For Institutional Shares, certain redemption requests may require written instructions with a medallion signature guarantee. Call (800) 441-7762 for details. You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee stamp from a bank, securities dealer, securities broker, credit union, savings and loan association, national securities exchange or registered securities association. A notary public seal will not be acceptable.

The Funds, their administrators and the Distributor will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. The Funds and their 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. The Funds may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so.

During periods of substantial economic or market change, telephone redemptions may be difficult to complete. Please find below alternative redemption methods.

Redeem by VRU: Investor shares may also be redeemed by use of a Fund’s automated voice response unit service (“VRU”). Payment for Investor shares redeemed by VRU may be made for non-retirement accounts in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire.

Redeem by Internet: You may redeem in your account by logging onto the BlackRock website at www.blackrock.com/funds. Proceeds from Internet redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record. Payment for Investor shares redeemed by Internet may be made for non-retirement accounts in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire. Different maximums may apply to investors in Institutional Shares.

Redeem in Writing: You may sell shares held at BlackRock by writing to BlackRock c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019 or for overnight delivery, c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., 101 Sabin Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860-1427. All shareholders on the account must sign the letter. A medallion signature guarantee will generally be required but may be waived in certain limited circumstances. You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee stamp from a bank, securities dealer, securities broker, credit union, savings and loan association, national securities exchange or registered securities association. A notary public seal will not be acceptable. If you hold stock certificates, return the certificates with the letter. Proceeds from redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record.

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2008

Securities Act File No. 333-15265

Investment Company Act File No. 811-7899

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. 15		x
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940		x
Amendment No. 16		x
(Check appropriate box or boxes)

BLACKROCK INDEX FUNDS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code) 1-800-441-7762

Donald C. Burke

800 Scudders Mill Road

Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9011, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Approximate Date of Proposed Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

Copies to:

Counsel for the Fund:

Sidley Austin LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019-6018

Attn: John A. MacKinnon, Esq.

Howard B. Surloff, Esq.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

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.

Quantitative Master Series LLC has also executed this Registration Statement. Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Common Stock


EQUITIES		FIXED INCOME		REAL ESTATE		LIQUIDITY		ALTERNATIVES		BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS

BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.

PROSPECTUS | APRIL 30, 2009

LOGO

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.

Table of Contents


*Funds Overview*	Key facts and details about the Funds listed in this prospectus including investment objectives, risk factors, fee and expense information, and historical performance information
	S&P 500 Index Fund	4
	Small Cap Index Fund	7
	International Index Fund	9

*Details About the Funds*	How the Funds Invest	13
	Investment Risks	16

*Account Information*	Information about account services, sales charges & waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments
	How to Choose the Share Class that Best Suits Your Needs	19
	Details about the Share Classes	20
	How to Buy, Sell and Transfer Shares	20
	Account Services and Privileges	26
	Funds’ Rights	27
	Participation in Fee-Based Programs	27
	Short-Term Trading Policy	28
	Redemption Fee	29
	Distribution and Service Payments	30
	Master/Feeder Structure	31

*Management of the Funds*	Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Manager
	BlackRock	32
	Portfolio Manager Information	33
	Conflicts of Interest	33
	Valuation of Fund Investments	34
	Dividends, Distributions and Taxes	35

*Financial Highlights*	Financial Performance of the Funds	36

*General Information*	Shareholder Documents	39
	Certain Fund Policies	39
	Statement of Additional Information	40

*Glossary*	Glossary of Investment Terms	41



*For More Information*	Funds and Service Providers	Inside Back Cover


		Additional Information		Back Cover

Funds Overview

Key Facts About the Funds

This prospectus provides information about three series of BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”), BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund (“S&P 500 Index Fund”), BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund (“Small Cap Index Fund”) and BlackRock International Index Fund (“International Index Fund”). The series are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “Funds”. Each Fund represents a separate portfolio of securities and each has its own investment objective.

Each Fund invests all of its assets in a series (each, a “Series”) of Quantitative Master Series LLC (the “Master LLC”) that has the same objective as the Fund. All investments will be made at the level of the Series. This structure is sometimes called a “master/feeder” structure. S&P 500 Index Fund invests all of its assets in Master S&P 500 Index Series, Small Cap Index Fund invests all of its assets in Master Small Cap Index Series, and International Index Fund invests all of its assets in Master International Index Series. Each Fund’s investment results will correspond directly to the investment results of the underlying Series in which it invests. For simplicity, this prospectus uses the term “Fund” to include the underlying Series in which a Fund invests.

Each Fund’s manager is BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”), and each Fund’s sub-adviser is BlackRock Investment Management, LLC. Where applicable, “BlackRock” also refers to a Fund’s sub-adviser.

The prospectus has been organized so that each Fund has its own brief section. Simply turn to the section for any particular Fund to read about important Fund facts. Also included are sections that tell you about buying and selling shares, management information, shareholder features of the Funds and your rights as a shareholder. These sections apply to all the Funds. Terms in bold face type in the text are defined in the Glossary section.

S&P 500 Index Fund

What is the Fund’s investment objective?

The investment objective of the S&P 500 Index Fund is to match the performance of the Standard & Poor’s ^® 500 Index (the “S&P 500”) as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses.

What are the Fund’s main investment strategies?

The S&P 500 Index Fund employs a “passive” management approach, attempting to invest in a portfolio of assets whose performance is expected to match approximately the performance of the S&P 500. The Fund will be substantially invested in securities in the S&P 500, and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in securities or other financial instruments that are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the S&P 500. The Fund may change its target index if Fund management believes a different index would better enable the Fund to match the performance of the market segment represented by the current index.

The S&P 500 Index Fund will invest in the common stocks represented in the S&P 500 in roughly the same proportions as their weightings in the S&P 500. The Fund may also invest in derivative instruments linked to the S&P 500. At times the Fund may not invest in all of the common stocks in the S&P 500, or in the same weightings as in the S&P 500. At those times, the Fund chooses investments so that the market capitalizations, industry weighting and other fundamental characteristics of the stocks and derivative instruments chosen are similar to the S&P 500 as a whole.

What are the main risks of investing in the Fund?

Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.

Index Fund Risk — An index fund has operating and other expenses while an index does not. As a result, while the Fund will attempt to track the S&P 500 as closely as possible, it will tend to underperform the index to some degree over time.

Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities that Fund management selects will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.

Non-Diversification Risk — The Fund is a non-diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely.

For additional information about the S&P 500 Index Fund’s risks, see “Investment Risks” below.

Who should invest?

Investors should consider their own investment goals, time horizon and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors and is not intended to be a complete investment program.

The S&P 500 Index Fund may be an appropriate investment for you if you:

Want to invest in large U.S. companies

Are investing with long term goals

Want a professionally-managed portfolio without the administrative burdens of direct investments in equity securities

In seeking to match the performance of the S&P 500, are willing to accept the risk that the value of your investment may decline

Are not looking for a significant amount of current income

Are prepared to receive taxable distributions of ordinary income and capital gains

Risk/Return Information

The chart and table shown below give you a picture of the S&P 500 Index Fund’s long-term performance for Investor A Shares (in the chart) and for Investor A and Institutional Shares (in the table). The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the S&P 500, a recognized unmanaged index of stock market performance. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. The information for the Fund in the chart and the table assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

Investor A Shares

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

S&P 500 Index Fund

As of 12/31

LOGO

During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 15.19% (quarter ended June 30, 2003) and the lowest return for a quarter was –22.07% (quarter ended December 31, 2008). The year-to-date return as of March 31, 2009 was –11.20%.


As of 12/31/08 Average Annual Total Returns	1 Year		5 Years		10 Years
BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund — Investor A
Return Before Taxes ¹	–37.36	%	–2.72	%	–1.96	%
Return After Taxes on Distributions ¹	–37.89	%	–3.24	%	–2.42	%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares ¹	–24.28	%	–2.54	%	–1.87	%
BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund — Institutional
Return Before Taxes ¹	–37.20	%	–2.45	%	–1.71	%
Standard & Poor’s ^® 500 Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	–37.00	%	–2.19	%	–1.38	%

¹	Includes all applicable fees.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for Investor A Shares only, and the after-tax returns for Institutional Shares will vary.

Expenses and Fees

As a shareholder you pay certain fees and expenses. Shareholder fees are paid out of your investment and annual fund operating expenses are paid out of Fund assets. The tables below explain your pricing options and describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor A and Institutional Shares of the S&P 500 Index Fund. The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table is based on expenses for the most recent fiscal year (restated to reflect current fees).


Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)	Investor A Shares	Institutional Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	None	None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	None	None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Dividend Reinvestments	None	None
Redemption Fee	None	None
Exchange Fee	None	None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) ¹	Investor A Shares	Institutional Shares
Management Fee ^2,3	0.01%	0.01%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%	None
Other Expenses ^4,5	0.345%	0.345%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.605%	0.355%
Less Contractual Fee Waiver ³	(0.005)%	(0.005)%
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses ⁶	0.60%	0.35%

¹	The fees and expenses shown in the table and the example that follows include both the expenses of S&P 500 Index Fund and S&P 500 Index Fund’s share of the Master S&P 500 Index Series’ allocated expenses.

²	Paid by Master S&P 500 Index Series.

BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses in order to ensure that management fees for Master S&P 500 Index Series, when combined with the administration fees of certain funds that invest in Master S&P 500 Index Series, will not exceed specified amounts until May 1, 2010. As a result of this contractual arrangement, BlackRock receives a management fee of 0.005% of the Series’ average daily net assets. Absent this contractual arrangement, BlackRock would receive management fees at the rate shown in the table above.

⁴	Includes *administration fees* which are payable to BlackRock, as the administrator, at the annual rate of 0.245% of the S&P 500 Index Fund’s average daily net assets.

⁵	Includes Master S&P 500 Index Series’ *Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses* , which are less than 0.01%.

⁶

BlackRock has agreed to voluntarily waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses in order to limit Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.65% (for Investor A Shares) and 0.40% (for Institutional Shares) of average daily net assets. BlackRock may discontinue or reduce this waiver of fees at any time without notice.

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the S&P 500 Index 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 ¹		5 Years ¹		10 Years ¹
Investor A Shares	$	61	$	193	$	337	$	756
Institutional Shares	$	36	$	114	$	199	$	449

¹	These expenses do not reflect the continuation of the contractual expense limitation agreement beyond the first year. As stated in footnote (3) to the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table above, this arrangement continues through May 1, 2010.

Small Cap Index Fund

What is the Fund’s investment objective?

The investment objective of the Small Cap Index Fund is to match the performance of the Russell 2000 ^® Index (the “Russell 2000”) as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses.

What are the Fund’s main investment strategies?

The Small Cap Index Fund employs a “passive” management approach, attempting to invest in a portfolio of assets whose performance is expected to match approximately the performance of the Russell 2000. The Fund will be substantially invested in securities in the Russell 2000, and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in securities or other financial instruments that are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the Russell 2000 (or portions thereof). The Fund may change its target index if Fund management believes a different index would better enable the Fund to match the performance of the market segment represented by the current index.

The Small Cap Index Fund invests in a statistically selected sample of stocks included in the Russell 2000 and in derivative instruments linked to the Russell 2000. The Fund will not invest in all of the common stocks in the Russell 2000, or in the same weightings as in the Russell 2000. The Fund chooses investments so that the market capitalizations, industry weightings and other fundamental characteristics of the stocks and derivative instruments chosen are similar to the Russell 2000 as a whole.

What are the main risks of investing in the Fund?

Index Fund Risk — An index fund has operating and other expenses while an index does not. As a result, while the Fund will attempt to track the Russell 2000 as closely as possible, it will tend to underperform the index to some degree over time.

Small Cap and Emerging Growth Securities Risk — Small cap or emerging growth companies may have limited product lines or markets. They may be less financially secure than larger, more established companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel.

For additional information about the Small Cap Index Fund’s risks, see “Investment Risks” below.

Who should invest?

The Small Cap Index Fund may be an appropriate investment for you if you:

Want to invest in smaller capitalization U.S. companies and can accept the additional risk and volatility associated with stocks of these companies

Are investing with long term goals

Want a professionally-managed portfolio without the administrative burdens of direct investments in equity securities

In seeking to match the performance of the Russell 2000, are willing to accept the risk that the value of your investment may decline

Are not looking for a significant amount of current income

Are prepared to receive taxable distributions of ordinary income and capital gains

Risk/Return Information

The chart and table shown below give you a picture of the Small Cap Index Fund’s long-term performance for Investor A Shares (in the chart) and for Investor A and Institutional Shares (in the table). The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the Russell 2000, a recognized unmanaged index of stock market performance. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. The information for the Fund in the chart and the table assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

Investor A Shares

ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS

Small Cap Index Fund

As of 12/31

LOGO

During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 23.16% (quarter ended June 30, 2003) and the lowest return for a quarter was –26.31% (quarter ended December 31, 2008). The year-to-date return as of March 31, 2009 was –15.16%.


As of 12/31/08 Average Annual Total Returns	1 Year		5 Years		10 Years
BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund — Investor A
Return Before Taxes ¹	–34.19	%	–1.67	%	2.39	%
Return After Taxes on Distributions ¹	–35.82	%	–2.90	%	1.27	%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares ¹	–20.46	%	–1.39	%	1.81	%
BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund — Institutional
Return Before Taxes ¹	–34.01	%	–1.42	%	2.65	%
Russell 2000 ^® Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	–33.79	%	–0.93	%	3.02	%

¹	Includes all applicable fees.

Expenses and Fees

As a shareholder you pay certain fees and expenses. Shareholder fees are paid out of your investment and annual fund operating expenses are paid out of Fund assets. The tables below explain your pricing options and describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor A and Institutional Shares of the Small Cap Index Fund. The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table is based on expenses for the most recent fiscal year (restated to reflect current fees).


Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)	Investor A Shares	Institutional Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	None	None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	None	None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Dividend Reinvestments	None	None
Redemption Fee ¹	2.00%	2.00%
Exchange Fee	None	None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) ²	Investor A Shares	Institutional Shares
Management Fee ^3,4	0.01%	0.01%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%	None
Other Expenses ^5,6	0.57%	0.55%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.83%	0.56%
Less Contractual Fee Waiver ⁴	(0.01)%	(0.01)%
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses ⁷	0.82%	0.55%

¹	A redemption fee may be charged on redemptions of Fund shares made within 30 days of purchase. See “Account Information — Redemption Fee.”

²	The fees and expenses shown in the table and the example that follows include both the expenses of Small Cap Index Fund and Small Cap Index Fund’s share of the Master Small Cap Index Series’ allocated expenses.

³	Paid by Master Small Cap Index Series.

⁴

BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses in order to ensure that management fees for Master Small Cap Index Series, when combined with the administration fees of certain funds that invest in Master Small Cap Index Series, will not exceed specified amounts until May 1, 2010. However, because the combined management and administration fees do not currently exceed the specified amounts, no fees are currently being waived pursuant to this arrangement. In addition to the contractual arrangement described above, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses in order to limit Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses of Master Small Cap Index Series (excluding Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Series expenses) to 0.08% of average daily net assets until May 1, 2010.

⁵	Includes *administration fees* which are payable to BlackRock, as the administrator, at the annual rate of 0.29% of the Small Cap Index Fund’s average daily net assets.

⁶	Includes Master Small Cap Index Series’ *Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses* of 0.02%.

⁷

BlackRock has agreed to voluntarily waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses in order to limit Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.85% (for Investor A Shares) and 0.60% (for Institutional Shares) of average daily net assets. BlackRock may discontinue or reduce this waiver of fees at any time without notice.

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Small Cap Index 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 ¹		5 Years ¹		10 Years ¹
Investor A Shares	$	84	$	264	$	460	$	1,024
Institutional Shares	$	56	$	178	$	312	$	700

¹	These expenses do not reflect the continuation of the contractual expense limitation agreements beyond the first year. As stated in footnote (4) to the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table above, these arrangements continue through May 1, 2010.

International Index Fund

What is the Fund’s investment objective?

The investment objective of the International Index Fund is to match the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) Europe, Australasia and Far East (Capitalization Weighted) Index (the “EAFE Index”) in U.S. dollars with net dividends as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses.

What are the Fund’s main investment strategies?

The International Index Fund employs a “passive” management approach, attempting to invest in a portfolio of assets whose performance is expected to match approximately the performance of the EAFE Index. The Fund will be substantially invested in securities in the EAFE Index, and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in securities or other financial instruments that are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the EAFE Index (or portions thereof). The Fund may change its target index if Fund management believes a different index would better enable the Fund to match the performance of the market segment represented by the current index.

The International Index Fund invests in a statistically selected sample of equity securities included in the EAFE Index and in derivative instruments linked to the EAFE Index. The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest in all of the countries represented in the EAFE Index. The Fund may not, however, invest in all of the companies within a country represented in the EAFE Index, or in the same weightings as in the EAFE Index.

What are the main risks of investing in the Fund?

Foreign Securities Risk — Securities traded in foreign markets have often (though not always) performed differently from securities traded in the United States. However, such investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include:

Currency Risk — Securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests may be denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For this reason, changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards Risk — Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as in the United States. They also may not have laws to protect investors comparable to the U.S. securities laws.

Settlement Risk — Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States.

Index Fund Risk — An index fund has operating and other expenses while an index does not. As a result, while the Fund will attempt to track the EAFE Index as closely as possible, it will tend to underperform the index to some degree over time.

For additional information about the International Index Fund’s risks, see “Investment Risks” below.

Who should invest?

The International Index Fund may be an appropriate investment for you if you:

Are looking for exposure to a variety of foreign markets and can accept the additional risk and volatility associated with foreign investing

Are investing with long term goals

Want a professionally-managed portfolio without the administrative burdens of direct investments in equity securities

In seeking to match the performance of the EAFE Index, are willing to accept the risk that the value of your investment may decline

Are not looking for a significant amount of current income

Are prepared to receive taxable distributions of ordinary income and capital gains

Risk/Return Information

The chart and table shown below give you a picture of the International Index Fund’s long-term performance for Investor A Shares (in the chart) and for Investor A and Institutional Shares (in the table). The information shows you how the Fund’s performance has varied year by year and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The table compares the Fund’s performance to that of the EAFE Index, a recognized unmanaged index of stock market performance. As with all such investments, past performance (before and after taxes) is not an indication of future results. The information for the Fund in the chart and the table assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

Investor A Shares ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS International Index Fund As of 12/31

LOGO

During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 19.29% (quarter ended June 30, 2003) and the lowest return for a quarter was –20.07% (quarter ended September 30, 2002). The year-to-date return as of March 31, 2009 was –15.50%.


As of 12/31/08 Average Annual Total Returns	1 Year		5 Years		10 Years
BlackRock International Index Fund — Investor A
Return Before Taxes ¹	–42.41	%	1.44	%	0.29	%
Return After Taxes on Distributions ¹	–43.07	%	0.40	%	–0.73	%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares ¹	–27.52	%	0.83	%	–0.17	%
BlackRock International Index Fund — Institutional
Return Before Taxes ¹	–42.24	%	1.72	%	0.55	%
MSCI Europe, Australasia and Far East (Capitalization Weighted) Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	–43.38	%	1.66	%	0.80	%

¹	Includes all applicable fees.

Expenses and Fees

As a shareholder you pay certain fees and expenses. Shareholder fees are paid out of your investment and annual fund operating expenses are paid out of Fund assets. The tables below explain your pricing options and describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Investor A and Institutional Shares of the International Index Fund. The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table is based on expenses for the most recent fiscal year (restated to reflect current fees).


Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)	Investor A Shares	Institutional Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)	None	None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)	None	None
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Dividend Reinvestments	None	None
Redemption Fee ¹	2.00%	2.00%
Exchange Fee	None	None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) ²	Investor A Shares	Institutional Shares
Management Fee ^3,4	0.01%	0.01%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees	0.25%	None
Other Expenses ^5,6	0.55%	0.55%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.81%	0.56%
Less Contractual Fee Waiver ⁴	(0.01)%	(0.01)%
Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses ⁷	0.80%	0.55%

¹	A redemption fee may be charged on redemptions of Fund shares made within 30 days of purchase. See “Account Information — Redemption Fee.”

²	The fees and expenses shown in the table and the example that follows include both the expenses of International Index Fund and International Index Fund’s share of Master International Index Series’ allocated expenses.

³	Paid by Master International Index Series.

⁴

BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses in order to limit Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses of Master International Index Series (excluding Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Series expenses) to 0.12% of average daily net assets until May 1, 2010.

⁵	Includes *administration fees* which are payable to BlackRock, as the administrator, at the annual rate of 0.34% of the International Index Fund’s average daily net assets.

⁶	Includes Master International Index Series’ *Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses* of 0.01%.

⁷

BlackRock has agreed to voluntarily waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses in order to limit Net Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.90% (for Investor A Shares) and 0.65% (for Institutional Shares) of average daily net assets. BlackRock may discontinue or reduce this waiver of fees at any time without notice.

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Index 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 ¹		5 Years ¹		10 Years ¹
Investor A Shares	$	82	$	258	$	449	$	1,001
Institutional Shares	$	56	$	178	$	312	$	700

¹	These expenses do not reflect the continuation of the contractual expense limitation agreement beyond the first year. As stated in footnote (4) to the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table above, this arrangement continues through May 1, 2010.

Details About the Funds

How the Funds Invest

Investment Process

The Funds will not attempt to buy or sell securities based on Fund management’s economic, financial or market analysis, but will instead employ a “passive” investment approach. This means that Fund management will attempt to invest in a portfolio of assets whose performance is expected to match approximately the performance of the respective index before deduction of Fund expenses. A Fund will buy or sell securities only when Fund management believes it is necessary to do so in order to match the performance of the applicable index. Accordingly, it is anticipated that a Fund’s portfolio turnover and trading costs will be lower than those of an “actively” managed fund. However, the Funds have operating and other expenses, while an index does not. Therefore, each Fund will tend to underperform its target index to some degree over time.

S&P 500 Index Fund

Investment Goal

The investment objective of the S&P 500 Index Fund is to match the performance of the S&P 500 as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses.

The S&P 500 is composed of 500 common stocks issued by large-capitalization U.S. companies in a wide range of businesses. The stocks included in the index collectively represent a substantial portion of all common stocks publicly traded in the U.S. The S&P 500 is generally considered broadly representative of the performance of publicly traded U.S. large capitalization stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-weighted index , which means that the largest stocks represented in the index have the most effect on the index’s performance. Currently, the largest stocks in the S&P 500 have an effect on the performance of the index that is many times greater than the effect of the other stocks in the index. The stocks in the S&P 500 are chosen by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. S&P chooses stocks for inclusion in the S&P 500 based on market capitalization, trading activity and the overall mix of industries represented in the index, among other factors. S&P’s selection of a stock for the S&P 500 does not mean that S&P believes the stock to be an attractive investment.

Primary Investment Strategies

The S&P 500 Index Fund will be substantially invested in securities in the S&P 500, and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in securities or other financial instruments that are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the S&P 500 (or portions thereof). This is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. A Fund may change its target index if Fund management believes a different index would better enable the Fund to match the performance of the market segment represented by the S&P 500 and, accordingly, the investment objective of the Fund may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund may invest in all 500 stocks in the S&P 500 in roughly the same proportions as their weightings in the S&P 500. For example, if 2% of the S&P 500 is made up of the stock of a particular company, the Fund will normally invest approximately 2% of its assets in that company. This strategy is known as “full replication.” However, when Fund management believes it would be cost efficient, Fund management is authorized to deviate from full replication and to invest instead in a statistically selected sample of the 500 stocks in the S&P 500 which has aggregate investment characteristics, such as average market capitalization and industry weightings, similar to the S&P 500 as a whole, but which involves less transaction cost than would be incurred through full replication. Fund management may also purchase stocks not included in the S&P 500 when it believes that it would be a cost efficient way of approximating the S&P 500’s performance to do so. If Fund management uses these techniques, the Fund may not track the S&P 500 as closely as it would if it were fully replicating the S&P 500.

The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF THE S&P 500 INDEX FUND

Debra L. Jelilian is the portfolio manager of the S&P 500 Index Fund and is primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund. Please see “Management of the Funds — Portfolio Manager Information” for additional
information on the portfolio manager.

Small Cap Index Fund

Investment Goal

The investment objective of the Small Cap Index Fund is to match the performance of the Russell 2000 as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses.

The Russell 2000 is composed of the common stocks of the 1,001st through the 3,000th largest U.S. companies by market capitalization, as determined by the Frank Russell Company. The stocks represented in the index are issued by small-capitalization U.S. companies in a wide range of businesses. The Russell 2000 is a market-weighted index, which means that the largest stocks represented in the index have the most effect on the index’s performance. The Russell 2000 is generally considered broadly representative of the performance of publicly traded U.S. smaller-capitalization stocks. Frank Russell Company’s selection of a stock for the Russell 2000 does not mean that the Frank Russell Company believes the stock to be an attractive investment.

The Frank Russell Company updates the Russell 2000 once each year, at which time there may be substantial changes in the composition of the index (and consequently, significant turnover in the Fund). Stocks of companies that merge, are acquired or otherwise cease to exist during the year are not replaced in the index.

Primary Investment Strategies

The Small Cap Index Fund will be substantially invested in securities in the Russell 2000, and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in securities or other financial instruments that are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the Russell 2000 (or portions thereof). This is a non-fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The Fund may change its target index if Fund management believes a different index would better enable the Fund to match the performance of the market segment represented by the Russell 2000 and, accordingly, the investment objective of the Fund may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund will not invest in all of the common stocks in the Russell 2000, or in the same weightings as in the Russell 2000. Instead, the Fund may invest in a statistically selected sample of the stocks included in the Russell 2000. The Fund will choose investments so that the market capitalizations, industry weightings and other fundamental characteristics of the stocks and derivative instruments in its portfolio are similar to the Russell 2000 as a whole.

The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF THE SMALL CAP INDEX FUND

Debra L. Jelilian is the portfolio manager of the Small Cap Index Fund and is primarily responsible for the
day-to-day management of the Fund. Please see “Management of the Funds — Portfolio Manager Information” for
additional information on the portfolio manager.

International Index Fund

Investment Goal

The investment objective of the International Index Fund is to match the performance of the EAFE Index in U.S. dollars with net dividends as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses.

The EAFE Index is composed of equity securities of approximately 1,000 companies from various industrial sectors whose primary trading markets are located outside the United States. Companies included in the EAFE Index are selected from among the larger capitalization companies in these markets. The countries currently included in the EAFE Index are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The weighting of the EAFE Index among these countries is based upon each country’s relative market capitalization and not its gross domestic product, which means that the index contains more companies from countries with larger capital markets (like Japan and the United Kingdom) and these countries have the most effect on the index’s performance. The stocks in the EAFE Index are chosen by Morgan Stanley Capital International, Inc. (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley chooses stocks for inclusion in the EAFE Index based on market capitalization, trading activity and the overall mix of industries represented in the index, among other factors. The EAFE Index is generally considered broadly representative of the performance of stocks traded in the developed international markets. Morgan Stanley’s selection of a stock for the EAFE Index does not mean that Morgan Stanley believes the stock to be an attractive investment.

Primary Investment Strategies

The International Index Fund will be substantially invested in securities in the EAFE Index, and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in securities or other financial instruments that are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the EAFE Index (or portions thereof). This is a

non-fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The Fund may change its target index if Fund management believes a different index would better enable the Fund to match the performance of the market segment represented by the EAFE Index and, accordingly, the investment objective of the Fund may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest in all of the countries represented in the EAFE Index. The Fund may not, however, invest in all of the companies within a country represented in the EAFE Index, or in the same weightings as in the EAFE Index. Instead, the International Index Fund may invest in a statistically selected sample of equity securities included in the EAFE Index and in derivative instruments correlated with components of the EAFE Index as a whole.

The Fund is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF THE INTERNATIONAL INDEX FUND

Debra L. Jelilian is the portfolio manager of the International Index Fund and is primarily responsible for the
day-to-day management of the Fund. Please see “Management of the Funds — Portfolio Manager Information” for
additional information on the portfolio manager.

Other Strategies (All Funds):

In addition to the main strategies discussed above, each Fund may also invest or engage in the following investments/strategies:

Affiliated Money Market Funds — Each Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in affiliated money market funds.

Borrowing — Each Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet redemptions, for the payment of dividends, for share repurchases or for the clearance of transactions.

Depositary Receipts — Each Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers in the form of depositary receipts or other securities that are convertible into securities of foreign issuers. Each Fund may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts.

Derivatives — Each Fund may invest in derivative instruments. The S&P 500 Index Fund and the Small Cap Index Fund may each at times invest a significant portion of its assets in options and futures contracts linked to the performance of the applicable index, and the International Index Fund may at times invest a significant portion of its assets in options and futures contracts correlated with market indices or countries within the EAFE Index. Derivatives allow a Fund to increase or decrease its exposure to the applicable index (for the S&P 500 Index Fund and the Small Cap Index Fund) and to international stocks (for the International Index Fund) quickly and at less cost than buying or selling stocks. The Funds will invest in options, futures and other derivative instruments in order to gain market exposure quickly in the event of subscriptions, to maintain liquidity in the event of redemptions and to keep trading costs low. In connection with the use of derivative instruments, the Funds may enter into short sales in order to adjust the weightings of particular securities represented in a derivative to more accurately reflect the securities’ weightings in the target index. The Funds may use derivatives for hedging purposes, including anticipatory hedges, and to seek to enhance returns.

Illiquid/Restricted Securities — Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities that it cannot sell within seven days at approximately current value. Restricted securities are securities that cannot be offered for public resale unless registered under the applicable securities laws or that have a contractual restriction that prohibits or limits their resale (i.e., Rule 144A securities). They may include private placement securities that have not been registered under the applicable securities laws. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. Rule 144A securities are restricted securities that can be resold to qualified institutional buyers but not to the general public.

Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds, including affiliated investment companies.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) — Each Fund may each invest in REITs .

Repurchase Agreements — Each Fund may enter into certain types of repurchase agreements. Under a repurchase agreement, the seller agrees to repurchase a security at a mutually agreed-upon time and price.

Securities Lending — Each Fund may lend securities with a value up to 33 ¹ / 3 % of its total assets to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

Short Term Money Market Instruments — Each Fund may invest in short term money market instruments as cash reserves to maintain liquidity. These instruments may include obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, highly rated bonds or comparable unrated bonds, commercial paper, bank obligations, repurchase agreements and commingled short-term liquidity funds. To the extent a Fund invests in short term money market instruments, it will generally also invest in options, futures or other derivatives in order to maintain full exposure to the index at all times.

Investment Risks

This section contains a summary discussion of the general risks of investing in the Funds. “Investment Objectives and Policies” in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) also includes more information about the Funds, their investments and the related risks. There can be no guarantee that any Fund will meet its objective or that any Fund’s performance will be positive for any period of time. An investment in a Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any bank or governmental agency.

Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of equity securities purchased by a Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.

Foreign Securities Risk (International Index Fund) — Securities traded in foreign markets have often (though not always) performed differently from securities traded in the United States. However, such investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. In particular, the Fund is subject to the risk that because there may be fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of securities traded each day, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell securities on those exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may go up and down more than prices of securities traded in the United States.

Foreign Economy Risk — The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. Certain foreign economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets or the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could severely affect securities prices or impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations.

Other potential foreign market risks include foreign exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing legal judgments in foreign courts and political and social instability. Diplomatic and political developments, including rapid and adverse political changes, social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war, could affect the economies, industries and securities and currency markets, and the value of the Fund’s investments, in non-U.S. countries. These factors are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to predict and take into account with respect to the Fund’s investments.

Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk, generally known as “currency risk,” means that a strong U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors while a weak U.S. dollar will increase those returns.

Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards — Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as such regulations exist in the United States. They also may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. For example, some foreign countries may have no laws or rules against insider trading. Insider trading occurs when a person buys or sells a company’s securities based on material non-public information about that company. In addition, some countries may have legal systems that may make it difficult for the Fund to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, and pursue legal remedies with respect to its foreign investments. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the United States. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for Fund management to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition.

Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States — The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories. Some foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In addition, there may be limited or no regulatory oversight of their operations. Also, the laws of certain countries limit the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank, depository or issuer of a security, or any of their agents, goes bankrupt. In addition, it is often more expensive for the Fund to buy, sell and hold securities in certain foreign markets than in the United States. The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount the Fund can earn on its investments and typically results in a higher operating expense ratio for the Fund than for investment companies invested only in the United States.

Settlement Risk — Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement and clearance procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically associated with the settlement of U.S. investments.

At times, settlements in certain foreign countries have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions. These problems may make it difficult for the Fund to carry out transactions. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or if it has contracted to sell the security to another party; the Fund could be liable for any losses incurred.

Index Fund Risk — An index fund has operating and other expenses while an index does not. As a result, while each Fund will attempt to track the applicable index as closely as possible, it will tend to underperform the index to some degree over time.

Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which a Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities that Fund management selects will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.

Non-Diversification Risk — Each Fund is a non-diversified fund. Because each Fund may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely, which may, therefore, have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.

Small Cap and Emerging Growth Securities Risk (Small Cap Index Fund) — Small cap or emerging growth companies may have limited product lines or markets. They may be less financially secure than larger, more established companies. They may depend on a small number of key personnel. If a product fails or there are other adverse developments, or if management changes, the Fund’s investment in a small cap or emerging growth company may lose substantial value. The securities of small cap or emerging growth companies generally trade in lower volumes and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger cap securities or the market as a whole. In addition, small cap securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings. Investing in small cap and emerging growth securities requires a longer term view.

Each Fund may also be subject to certain other risks associated with its investments and investment strategies, including:

Depositary Receipts Risk — The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted.

Derivatives Risk — A 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 a 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 a Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for a Fund to value accurately. A Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, Fund management may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause a Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value.

If the derivative is linked to the performance of an index, it will be subject to the risks associated with changes in that index. If the index changes, a Fund could receive lower interest payments or experience a reduction in the value of the derivative to below what that Fund paid. Certain indexed securities, including inverse securities (which move in an opposite direction to the index), may create leverage, to the extent that they increase or decrease in value at a rate that is a multiple of the changes in the applicable index.

When a derivative is used as a hedge against a position that a Fund holds, any loss generated by the derivative generally should be substantially offset by gains on the hedged investment, and vice versa. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains. Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective.

Illiquid Securities Risk — If a Fund buys illiquid securities it may be unable to quickly sell them or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value.

Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — Each Fund may invest in other investment companies, including exchange traded funds. As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, if a Fund acquires shares of investment companies, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies.

Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Funds to greater risk and increase its costs. To mitigate leverage risk, the Fund management team will segregate liquid assets on the books of a Fund or otherwise cover the transactions. The use of leverage may cause a 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 a Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage.

REIT Investment Risk — In addition to the risks facing real estate-related securities, such as a decline in property values due to increasing vacancies, a decline in rents resulting from unanticipated economic, legal or technological developments or a decline in the price of securities of real estate companies due to a failure of borrowers to pay their loans or poor management, investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume and may be more volatile than other securities.

Repurchase Agreements Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation under the agreement, a Fund may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value of the security declines, a Fund may lose money.

Restricted Securities Risk — Restricted securities may be illiquid. A Fund may be unable to sell them on short notice or may be able to sell them only at a price below current value. Also, a Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a restricted security, so it may be less able to predict a loss. In addition, if Fund management receives material nonpublic information about the issuer, the Fund may as a result be unable to sell the securities.

Rule 144A Securities Risk — Rule 144A securities may have an active trading market, but carry the risk that the active trading market may not continue.

Securities Lending Risk — Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, a Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. A Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund.

Short Sales Risk — Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes a Fund to risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. A Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which a Fund replaces the borrowed security. As a result, if a Fund makes short sales in securities that increase in value, it will likely underperform similar mutual funds that do not make short sales in securities they do not own. A Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to close out a short sale position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although a Fund’s gain is limited to the amount at which it sold a security short, its potential loss is limited only by the maximum attainable price of the security, less the price at which the security was sold. A Fund may pay transaction costs and borrowing fees in connection with short sales. A Fund may also incur dividend expense representing the dividends paid to lenders of borrowed securities. The amount of such expense will vary depending on whether the securities a Fund sells short pay dividends and the amount of those dividends.

Account Information

How to Choose the Share Class that Best Suits Your Needs

Each Fund currently offers multiple share classes (Investor A and Institutional Shares in this prospectus), allowing you to invest in the way that best suits your needs. Each share class represents the same ownership interest in the portfolio investments of the particular Fund. When you choose your class of shares, you should consider the size of your investment and how long you plan to hold your shares. Either your financial professional or your selected securities dealer, broker, investment adviser, service provider, or industry professional (“financial intermediary”) can help you determine which share class is best suited to your personal financial goals.

Each Fund’s shares are distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of BlackRock.

The table below summarizes key features of each of the share classes of each Fund.

Share Classes at a Glance


	Investor A ¹	Institutional ¹
Availability	Generally available through financial intermediaries.	Limited to certain investors, including: • Current Institutional shareholders that meet certain requirements. • Certain retirement plans. • Participants in certain programs sponsored by BlackRock or its affiliates or financial intermediaries. • Certain employees or affiliates of BlackRock or its affiliates.
Minimum Investment	$1,000 for all accounts except: • $250 for certain fee-based programs • $100 for retirement plans • $50, if establishing Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”)	• $2 million for institutions and individuals • Institutional Shares are available to clients of registered investment advisors who have $250,000 invested in the Fund
Initial Sales Charge?	No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund.	No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund.
Deferred Sales Charge?	No.	No.
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees?	No Distribution Fee. 0.25% Annual Service Fee.	No.
Redemption Fees? ²	Yes. Payable if you redeem within 30 days of purchase.	Yes. Payable if you redeem within 30 days of purchase.
Conversion to Investor A Shares?	N/A	No.
Advantage	Generally available.	No annual service fee.
Disadvantage	Annual service fee.	Limited Availability.

¹	Please see “Details about the Share Classes” for more information about each share class.

²	The redemption fee is applicable only to Small Cap Index Fund and International Index Fund. Investors in the S&P 500 Index Fund will not pay a redemption fee upon redemption.

The following pages will cover the additional details of each share class, including the eligibility requirements to purchase Institutional Shares.

More information about existing sales charge reductions and waivers is available free of charge in a clear and prominent format via hyperlink at www.blackrock.com and in the SAI, which is available on the website or on request.

Details About the Share Classes

Investor A Shares

Investor A Shares of each Fund pay an ongoing service fee of 0.25% per year. The Distributor normally pays the annual 0.25% Investor A service fee to dealers as a service fee on a monthly basis.

Institutional Shares

Institutional Shares are not subject to any sales charge. Only certain investors are eligible to buy Institutional Shares. Your financial professional or other financial intermediary can help you determine whether you are eligible to buy Institutional Shares.

Eligible Institutional investors include the following:

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

Institutional and individual retail investors with a minimum investment of $2 million who purchase through certain broker-dealers or directly from the Fund

Certain qualified retirement plans

Investors in selected fee based programs

Clients of registered investment advisors who have $250,000 invested in the Fund

Trust department clients of PNC Bank and Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Company, FSB and their affiliates for whom they (i) act in a fiduciary capacity (excluding participant directed employee benefit plans); (ii) otherwise have investment discretion; or (iii) act as custodian for at least $2 million in assets

Unaffiliated banks, thrifts or trust companies that have agreements with the Distributor

Holders of certain Merrill Lynch sponsored unit investment trusts (“UITs”) who reinvest dividends received from such UITs in shares of a Fund

Employees, officers and directors/trustees of BlackRock, Inc., mutual funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates (“BlackRock Funds”), The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”), Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) or their respective affiliates

How to Buy, Sell and Transfer Shares

The chart on the following pages summarizes how to buy, sell and transfer shares through your financial professional or other financial intermediary. You may also buy, sell and transfer shares through BlackRock, if your account is held directly with BlackRock. To learn more about buying, selling or transferring shares through BlackRock, call (800) 441-7762. Because the selection of a mutual fund involves many considerations, your financial professional or other financial intermediary may help you with this decision.

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

In addition, the Funds may waive certain requirements regarding the purchase, sale or transfer of shares described below.

How to Buy Shares


	Your Choices	Important Information for You to Know

Initial Purchase	First, select the share class appropriate for you	Refer to the “Share Classes at a Glance” table in this prospectus (be sure to read this prospectus carefully). When you place your initial order, you must indicate which share class you select (if you do not specify a share class and do not qualify to purchase Institutional Shares, you will receive Investor A Shares). Certain factors, such as the amount of your investment, your time frame for investing and your financial goals, may affect which share class you choose. Your financial representative can help you determine which share class is appropriate for you.
	Next, determine the amount of your investment	Refer to the minimum initial investment in the “Share Classes at a Glance” table of this prospectus.
	Have your financial professional or financial intermediary submit your purchase order	The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of the Fund’s net asset value after your order is placed. Any purchase orders placed prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”) (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) will be priced at the net asset value determined that day. Certain financial intermediaries, however, may require submission of orders prior to that time. Purchase orders placed after that time will be priced at the net asset value determined on the next business day. Each Fund may reject any order to buy shares and may suspend the sale of shares at any time. Other financial intermediaries may charge a processing fee to confirm a purchase.
	Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock)	To purchase shares directly with BlackRock, call (800) 441-7762 and request a new account application. Mail the completed application along with a check payable to “BlackRock Funds” to the PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“PNC GIS” or the “Transfer Agent”), formerly known as PFPC Inc., at the address on the application.
Add to Your Investment	Purchase additional shares	The minimum investment for additional purchases is generally $50 for all accounts except that certain retirement plans may have a lower minimum for additional purchases and certain programs may have higher minimums. (The minimums for additional purchases may be waived under certain circumstances.)
	Have your financial professional or financial intermediary submit your purchase order for additional shares	To purchase additional shares you may contact your financial professional or financial intermediary. For more details on purchasing by Internet see below.
	Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock)	Purchase by Telephone: Call (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives. The Funds have the right to reject any telephone request for any reason. Purchase in Writing: You may send a written request to BlackRock at the address on the back cover of this prospectus. Purchase by VRU: Investor Shares may also be purchased by use of a Fund’s automated voice response unit service (VRU) at (800) 441-7762. Purchase by Internet: You may purchase your shares, and view activity in your account, by logging onto the BlackRock website at www.blackrock.com/funds. Purchases made on the Internet using ACH will have a trade date that is the day after the purchase is made. Certain institutional clients’ purchase orders for Institutional Shares placed by wire prior to the close of business on the Exchange will be placed at the net asset value determined that day. Contact your financial intermediary or BlackRock for further information. Each Fund limits Internet purchases in shares of the Fund to $25,000 per trade. Different maximums may apply to certain institutional investors.

How to Buy Shares


	Your Choices	Important Information for You to Know

Add to Your Investment (continued)	Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) (continued)	Please read the On-Line Services Disclosure Statement and User Agreement, the Terms and Conditions page and the Consent to Electronic Delivery Agreement (if you consent to electronic delivery), before attempting to transact online. The Funds employ reasonable procedures to confirm that transactions entered over the Internet are genuine. By entering into the User Agreement with a 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.
	Acquire additional shares by reinvesting dividends and capital gains	All dividends and capital gains distributions are automatically reinvested without a sales charge. To make any changes to your dividend and/or capital gains distributions options, please call (800) 441-7762, or contact your financial professional (if your account is not held directly with BlackRock).
	Participate in the Automatic Investment Plan (AIP)	BlackRock’s Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”) allows you to invest a specific amount on a periodic basis from your checking or savings account into your investment account. Refer to the “Account Services and Privileges” section of this prospectus for additional information.
How to Pay for Shares	Making payment for purchases	Payment for an order must be made in Federal funds or other immediately available funds by the time specified by your financial professional or financial intermediary, but in no event later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the third business day (in the case of Investor Shares) or first business day (in the case of Institutional Shares) following BlackRock’s receipt of the order. If payment is not received by this time, the order will be canceled and you and your financial professional or financial intermediary will be responsible for any loss to the Fund. For shares purchased directly from a Fund, 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 Funds do not accept third-party checks. You may also wire Federal funds to the Fund to purchase shares, but you must call (800) 441-7762 before doing so to confirm the wiring instructions.

How to Sell Shares

How to Sell Shares

How to Transfer your Account

Account Services and Privileges

The following table provides examples of account services and privileges available in your BlackRock account. Certain of these account services and privileges are only available to shareholders of Investor Shares whose accounts are held directly with BlackRock. If your account is held directly with BlackRock, please call (800) 441-7762 or visit www.blackrock.com/funds for additional information as well as forms and applications. Otherwise, please contact your financial professional for assistance in requesting one or more of the following services and privileges.


Automatic Investment Plan (AIP)	Allows systematic investments on a periodic basis from checking or savings account.	BlackRock’s AIP allows you to invest a specific amount on a periodic basis from your checking or savings account into your investment account. You may apply for this option upon account opening or by completing the Automatic Investment Plan application. The minimum investment amount for an automatic investment plan is $50 per portfolio.
Dividend Allocation Plan	Automatically invests your distributions into another BlackRock Fund of your choice pursuant to your instructions, without any fees or sales charges.	Dividend and capital gains distributions may be reinvested in your account to purchase additional shares or paid in cash. Using the Dividend Allocation Plan, you can direct your distributions to your bank account (checking or savings), to purchase shares of another fund at BlackRock without any fees or sales charges, or by check to special payee. Please call (800) 441-7762 for details. If investing into another fund at BlackRock, the receiving fund must be open to new purchases.
EZ Trader	Allows an investor to purchase or sell Investor class shares by telephone or over the Internet through ACH.	(NOTE: This option is offered to shareholders whose accounts are held directly with BlackRock. Please speak with your financial professional if your account is held elsewhere). Prior to establishing an EZ Trader account, please contact your bank to confirm that it is a member of the ACH system. Once confirmed, complete an application, making sure to include the appropriate bank information, and return the application to the address listed on the form. Prior to placing a telephone or internet purchase or sale order, please call (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.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)	This 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 BlackRock 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 BlackRock. Shareholders should realize that if withdrawals exceed income the invested principal in their account will be depleted. To participate in the SWP, shareholders must have their dividends reinvested. Shareholders may change or cancel the SWP at any time, with a minimum of 24 hours notice. 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. No CDSC will be assessed on redemptions of Investor A Shares made through the SWP that do not exceed 12% of the account’s net asset value on an annualized basis. For example, monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual SWP redemptions of Investor A Shares will not be subject to the CDSC if they do not exceed 1% of an account’s net asset value on the redemption date. SWP redemptions of Investor A Shares in excess of this limit will still pay any applicable CDSC. Ask your financial adviser or financial intermediary for details.

Funds’ Rights

Each Fund may:

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

Postpone date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the Exchange or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or if a redemption request is made before the Fund has collected payment for the purchase of shares;

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

Redeem shares involuntarily in certain cases, such as when the value of a shareholder account falls below a specified level.

Note on Low Balance Accounts. Because of the high cost of maintaining smaller shareholder accounts, a Fund may redeem the shares in your account (without charging any deferred sales charge) if the net asset value of your account falls below $500 (or the minimum required initial investment for Institutional Shares) due to redemptions you have made. You will be notified that the value of your account is less than $500 (or the minimum required initial investment for Institutional Shares) before a Fund makes an involuntary redemption. You will then have 60 days to make an additional investment to bring the value of your account to at least $500 (or the minimum required initial investment for Institutional Shares) before a Fund takes any action. This involuntary redemption does not apply to accounts of authorized qualified employee benefit plans, selected fee-based programs or accounts established under the Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Acts.

Participation in Fee-Based Programs

If you participate in certain fee-based programs offered by BlackRock or an affiliate of BlackRock, or selected securities dealers or other financial intermediaries that have agreements with the Distributor or in certain fee-based programs in which BlackRock participates, you may be able to buy Institutional Shares, including by exchanges from other share classes. Sales charges on the shares being exchanged may be reduced or waived under certain circumstances. You generally cannot transfer shares held through a fee-based program into another account. Instead, you will have to redeem your shares held through the program and purchase shares of another class, which may be subject to distribution and service fees. This may be a taxable event and you will pay any applicable sales charges or redemption fee.

Shareholders that participate in a fee-based program generally have two options at termination. The program can be terminated and the shares liquidated or the program can be terminated and the shares held in an account. In general, when a shareholder chooses to continue to hold the shares, whatever share class was held in the program can be held after termination. Shares that have been held for less than specified periods within the program may be subject to a fee upon redemption. Shareholders that held Investor A or Institutional Shares in the program are eligible to purchase additional shares of the respective share class of a Fund, but may be subject to upfront sales charges with respect to Investor A Shares. Additional purchases of Institutional Shares are available only if you have an existing position at the time of purchase or are otherwise eligible to purchase Institutional Shares.

Details about these features and the relevant charges are included in the client agreement for each fee-based program and are available from your financial professional, selected securities dealer or other financial intermediary.

Short-Term Trading Policy

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Corporation has determined that the interests of long-term shareholders and each 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 Funds are not designed for market timing organizations or other entities using programmed or frequent purchases and sales or exchanges. The exchange privilege 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 returns to shareholders. For example, large flows of cash into and out of a 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 a Fund to sell securities at less favorable prices, and transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions, can reduce a 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 net asset value 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. Each Fund will seek to eliminate these opportunities by using fair value pricing, as described in “Valuation of Fund Investments” below.

The Funds discourage market timing and seek to prevent frequent purchases and sales or exchanges of Fund shares that it determines may be detrimental to a Fund or long-term shareholders. Each Board has approved the policies discussed below to seek to deter market timing activity. Each Board has not adopted any specific numerical restrictions on purchases, sales and exchanges of Fund shares because certain legitimate strategies will not result in harm to the Funds or shareholders.

If as a result of its own investigation, information provided by a financial intermediary or other third party, or otherwise, a 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 a 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. For transactions placed directly with a 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 a Fund. Certain accounts, such as omnibus accounts and accounts at financial intermediaries, however, include multiple investors and such accounts typically provide a 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 may not be known by a Fund. While the Funds monitor for market timing activity, the Funds 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. The Distributor has entered into agreements with respect to financial professionals, and other financial intermediaries that maintain omnibus accounts with the Funds pursuant to which such financial professionals and other financial intermediaries undertake to cooperate with the Distributor in monitoring purchase, exchange and redemption orders by their customers in order to detect and prevent short-term or excessive trading in the Funds’ shares through such accounts. 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 Funds’ Distributor may terminate such financial intermediary’s agreement with the Distributor, suspend such financial intermediary’s trading privileges or take other appropriate actions.

Certain BlackRock Funds will automatically assess and retain a fee of 2.00% of the current net asset value, 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). See “Redemption Fee” below.

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

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

Redemption Fee

The Small Cap Index Fund and the International Index Fund charge a 2.00% redemption fee on the proceeds (calculated at market value) of a redemption of Fund shares made within 30 days of purchase. The S&P 500 Index Fund does not charge a redemption fee. 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. 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 Fund A are exchanged for shares of Fund B 20 days after the purchase of the Fund A shares, followed in 20 days by an exchange of the Fund B shares for shares of Fund C, will be subject to two redemption fees (one on each exchange). The Funds sell 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 applicable Fund, the redemption fee will not be assessed on redemptions or exchanges by:

accounts of asset allocation or wrap programs or other fee-based programs whose trading practices are determined by a Fund not to be detrimental to the 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);

accounts of shareholders who have died or become disabled;

shareholders redeeming or exchanging shares:

—through

the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan or Systematic Exchange Plan,

—in

connection with required distributions from an IRA, certain omnibus accounts (including retirement plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, a 403(b) plan or any other Internal Revenue Code Section 401 qualified employee benefit plan or account,

—in

connection with plans administered as college savings plans under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code;

shareholders executing rollovers of current investments in a Fund through qualified employee benefit plans;

redemptions of shares acquired through dividend reinvestment;

BlackRock Funds whose trading practices are determined by a Fund not to be detrimental to the Fund or long-term shareholders; and

certain other accounts in the absolute discretion of a Fund when the redemption fee is de minimis or a shareholder can demonstrate hardship.

The Funds reserve the right to modify or eliminate these waivers at any time.

The following BlackRock Funds assess redemption fees:


EQUITY

BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio		BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock Aurora Portfolio		BlackRock International Value Fund
BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio		BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.
BlackRock EuroFund		BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc.
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.		BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock Global Dynamic Equity Fund		BlackRock Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio
BlackRock Global Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.		BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
BlackRock Global Financial Services Fund, Inc.		BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund II
BlackRock Global Growth Fund, Inc.		BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund
BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio		BlackRock Small Cap Value Equity Portfolio
BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc.		BlackRock Small/Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio		BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock International Diversification Fund		BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc.
BlackRock International Fund		MFS Research International FDP Fund
BlackRock International Index Fund


FIXED INCOME

BlackRock Emerging Market Debt Portfolio		BlackRock International Bond Portfolio
BlackRock High Income Fund		BlackRock Strategic Income Portfolio
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio		BlackRock World Income Fund, Inc.

Distribution and Service Payments

Each Fund has adopted a plan (the “Plan”) that allows the Fund to pay a fee for certain services provided to its shareholders.

Plan Payments

Under the Plan, each Fund pays shareholder servicing fees (also referred to as shareholder liaison services fees) to brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals (including BlackRock, PNC, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) and their respective affiliates) (each a “Financial Intermediary”) for providing support services to their customers who own Investor A Shares. The shareholder servicing fee payment is calculated as a percentage of the average daily net asset value of Investor A Shares of the Fund. All Investor A Shares pay this shareholder servicing fee. Institutional Shares do not pay a shareholder servicing fee.

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

Responding to customer questions on the services performed by the Financial Intermediary and investments in Investor A Shares;

Assisting customers in choosing and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and

Providing other similar shareholder liaison services.

The shareholder servicing fees payable pursuant to the Plan are paid to compensate Financial Intermediaries for the administration and servicing of shareholder accounts and are not costs which are primarily intended to result in the sale of a Fund’s shares.

Because the fees paid by a Fund under the Plan are paid out of Fund assets on an ongoing 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.

Other Payments by the Fund

In addition to, rather than in lieu of, distribution and shareholder servicing fees that a Fund may pay to a Financial Intermediary pursuant to a Plan and fees that a Fund pays to its Transfer Agent, BlackRock, on behalf of a Fund, may enter into non-Plan agreements with a Financial Intermediary pursuant to which the Fund will pay a Financial Intermediary 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 Financial Intermediary or (2) a fixed dollar amount for each account serviced by a Financial Intermediary. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial.

Other Payments by BlackRock

The Plans permit 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 Funds). 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 profits. BlackRock, the Distributor and their affiliates may compensate affiliated and unaffiliated Financial Intermediaries for the sale and distribution of shares of the Funds or for these other services to the Funds 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 Financial Intermediary, or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares sold to, or held by, customers of the Financial Intermediary. 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 Financial Intermediary, its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of a Fund to you. Please contact your Financial Intermediary for details about payments it may receive from a Fund or from BlackRock, the Distributor or their affiliates. For more information, see the SAI.

Master/Feeder Structure

Each Fund is a “feeder” fund that invests all of its assets in a corresponding Series of the Master LLC. Investors in a Fund will acquire an indirect interest in the Series.

Each Series may accept investments from other feeder funds, and all the feeder funds of a Series bear the Series’ expenses in proportion to their assets. This structure may enable a Fund to reduce costs through economies of scale. A larger investment portfolio may also reduce certain transaction costs to the extent that contributions to and redemptions from the Series from different feeder funds may offset each other and produce a lower net cash flow.

However, each feeder fund can set its own transaction minimums, fund-specific expenses, and other conditions. This means that one feeder fund could offer access to a Series on more attractive terms, or could experience better performance, than another feeder. In addition, large purchases or redemptions by one feeder fund could negatively affect the performance of other feeder funds that invest in the same portfolio. Information about other feeder funds, if any, is available by calling (800) 441-7762.

Whenever a Series holds a vote of its feeder funds, each Fund will pass the vote through to its own shareholders. Smaller feeder funds may be harmed by the actions of larger feeder funds. For example, a larger feeder fund could have more voting power than a Fund over the operations of a Series.

Each Fund may withdraw from a Series at any time and may invest all of its assets in another pooled investment vehicle or retain an investment adviser to manage the Fund’s assets directly.

Management of the Funds

BlackRock

BlackRock, manager to the Series in which the Funds invest, manages each Series’ investments and its business operations subject to the oversight of the Master LLC’s Board of Directors. While BlackRock is ultimately responsible for the management of the Series, it is able to draw upon the trading, research and expertise of its asset management affiliates for portfolio decisions and management with respect to certain portfolio securities. BlackRock is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.

BlackRock, a registered investment adviser, was organized in 1994 to perform advisory services for investment companies. BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”), a registered investment adviser organized in 1999 and an affiliate of BlackRock, acts as sub-adviser to each Series. BlackRock and its affiliates had approximately $1.283 trillion in investment company and other portfolio assets under management as of March 31, 2009.

The Master LLC has entered into an agreement with BlackRock (the “Management Agreement”) pursuant to which BlackRock serves as manager to each of the Series. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, BlackRock is entitled to fees computed on a daily basis and payable monthly. The table below reflects the maximum annual fee rate payable by the Master LLC to BlackRock under the Management Agreement as a percentage of each Series’ average daily net assets:



Series	Contractual Management Fee Rate
Master S&P 500 Index Series	0.01	%
Master Small Cap Index Series	0.01	%
Master International Index Series	0.01	%

BlackRock has entered into a contractual waiver agreement with the Master LLC and the Corporation on behalf of Master S&P 500 Index Series and Master Small Cap Index Series and the corresponding “feeder” funds, S&P 500 Index Fund and Small Cap Index Fund (each, a “Feeder Fund”), that provides that the management fee for each such Series, when combined with the administration fee of each such corresponding Feeder Fund, will not exceed specified amounts until May 1, 2010.

In addition to the contractual arrangements described above, BlackRock has entered into a contractual fee waiver/expense reimbursement agreement with the Master LLC on behalf of Master Small Cap Index Series and Master International Index Series under which total operating expenses (excluding interest expense, acquired fund fees and expenses and certain other expenses) incurred will not exceed 0.08% and 0.12% of average daily net assets, respectively, until May 1, 2010.

BlackRock has a sub-advisory agreement with BIM with respect to each Series, under which BlackRock pays BIM a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to a percentage of the fee (after fee waiver and reimbursements, if any) paid to BlackRock pursuant to the Management Agreement. BIM is responsible for the day-to-day management of each Series.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, each Series paid BlackRock aggregate management fees, net of any applicable waivers, as a percentage of average daily net assets as follows:



Series	Management Fee Rate
Master S&P 500 Index Series	0.005	%
Master Small Cap Index Series	0.004	%
Master International Index Series	0.001	%

The Corporation has entered into an agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with BlackRock, as the administrator (the “Administrator”), pursuant to which the Administrator receives compensation paid on a monthly basis for its services to the Funds.

The table below reflects the fee rate payable to the Administrator as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets under the Administration Agreement:



Fund	Contractual Administration Fee Rate ¹
S&P 500 Index Fund	0.245	%
Small Cap Index Fund	0.290	%
International Index Fund	0.340	%

BlackRock has entered into contractual fee waiver arrangements described above. Pursuant to those arrangements, no administration fees were waived for any Fund in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. However, the Administrator has voluntarily agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses to limit the net annual fund operating expenses for each Fund, as described in the applicable footnote to each Fund’s “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table. Giving effect to this voluntary expense cap, the administration fee rate for Small Cap Index Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 was 0.280%. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, no fees or expenses were waived or reimbursed for S&P 500 Index Fund and a nominal amount was waived for International Index Fund without reducing the fee rate.

A discussion of the basis for the respective Board’s approval of the Management Agreement and sub-advisory agreement with respect to each Fund is included in the semi-annual shareholder report of the respective Fund for the period ended June 30, 2008.

From time to time, a manager, analyst, or other employee of BlackRock or its affiliates may express views regarding a particular asset class, company, security, industry, or market sector. The views expressed by any such person are the views of only that individual as of the time expressed and do not necessarily represent the views of BlackRock or any other person within the BlackRock organization. Any such views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and BlackRock disclaims any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for the Portfolios are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of the Portfolios.

Portfolio Manager Information

Information regarding the portfolio manager of each Series is set forth below. Further information regarding the portfolio manager, including other accounts managed, compensation, ownership of Fund shares, and possible conflicts of interest, is available in the Corporation’s SAI.

Conflicts of Interest

The investment activities of BlackRock and its affiliates (including BlackRock, Inc. and PNC and their affiliates, directors, partners, trustees, managing members, officers and employees (collectively, the “Affiliates”)) and of BlackRock, Inc.’s significant shareholder, Merrill Lynch, and its affiliates, including BAC (each a “BAC Entity”), in the management of, or their interest in, their own accounts and other accounts they manage, may present conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Funds and their shareholders. BlackRock and its Affiliates or BAC Entities provide investment management services to other funds and discretionary managed accounts that follow an investment program similar to that of the funds. BlackRock and its Affiliates or BAC Entities are involved worldwide with a broad spectrum of financial services and asset management activities and may engage in the ordinary course of business in activities in which their interests or the interests of their clients may conflict with those of the Funds. One or more Affiliates or BAC Entities act or may act as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, financier, advisor, market maker, trader, prime broker, lender, agent and principal, and have other direct and indirect interests, in securities, currencies and other instruments in which a Fund directly and indirectly invests. Thus, it is likely that the Funds will have multiple business relationships with and will invest in, engage in transactions with, make voting decisions with respect to, or obtain services from entities for which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity performs or seeks to perform investment banking or other services. One or more Affiliates or BAC Entities may engage in proprietary trading and advise accounts and funds that have investment objectives similar to those of the Funds and/or that engage in and compete for transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and other instruments as the Funds. The trading activities of these Affiliates or BAC Entities are carried out without reference to positions held directly or indirectly by the Funds and may result in an Affiliate or BAC Entity having positions that are adverse to those of the Funds. No Affiliate or BAC Entity is under any obligation to share any investment opportunity, idea or strategy with the Funds. As a result, an Affiliate or BAC Entity may compete with the Fund for appropriate investment

opportunities. The results of the Funds’ investment activities, therefore, may differ from those of an Affiliate or a BAC Entity and of other accounts managed by an Affiliate or a BAC Entity, and it is possible that the Funds could sustain losses during periods in which one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities and other accounts achieve profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. The opposite result is also possible. In addition, the Funds may, from time to time, enter into transactions in which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity or its other clients have an adverse interest. Furthermore, transactions undertaken by Affiliate- or BAC Entity-advised clients may adversely impact the Funds. Transactions by one or more Affiliate- or BAC Entity-advised clients or BlackRock may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of the Funds. The Funds’ activities may be limited because of regulatory restrictions applicable to one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. In addition, the Funds may invest in securities of companies with which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity has or is trying to develop investment banking relationships or in which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity has significant debt or equity investments. The Funds also may invest in securities of companies for which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity provides or may some day provide research coverage. An Affiliate or a BAC Entity may have business relationships with and purchase or distribute or sell services or products from or to distributors, consultants or others who recommend the Funds or who engage in transactions with or for the Funds, and may receive compensation for such services. The Funds may also make brokerage and other payments to Affiliates or BAC Entities in connection with the Funds’ portfolio investment transactions.

Under a securities lending program approved by the Master LLC’s Board of Directors, each Series has retained an affiliate of BlackRock to serve as the securities lending agent for the Series to the extent that the Series participate in the securities lending program. For these services, the lending agent may receive a fee from the Series, including a fee based on the returns earned on the Series’ investment of the cash received as collateral for the loaned securities. In addition, one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities may be among the entities to which a Series may lend its portfolio securities under the securities lending program.

The activities of Affiliates or BAC Entities may give rise to other conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Funds and their shareholders. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts of interest. See the SAI for further information.

Valuation of Fund Investments

When you buy shares, you pay the net asset value, plus any applicable sales charge. This is the offering price. Shares are also redeemed at their net asset value , minus any applicable deferred sales charge. A Fund calculates the net asset value of each class of its shares (generally by using market quotations) each day the Exchange is open as of the close of business on the Exchange, based on prices at the time of closing. The Exchange generally closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. The net asset value used in determining your share price is the next one calculated after your purchase or redemption order is placed.

Generally, Institutional Shares will have a higher net asset value than Investor A Shares and dividends paid on Institutional Shares will generally be higher than dividends paid on Investor A Shares because Institutional Shares have lower expenses.

The Funds’ assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations. Equity investments are valued at market value, which is generally determined using the last reported sale price on the exchange or market on which the security is primarily traded at the time of valuation. The Funds value fixed income portfolio securities using market prices provided directly from one or more broker-dealers, market makers, or independent third-party pricing services which may use matrix pricing and valuation models to derive values, each in accordance with valuation procedures approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors, as applicable. Certain short-term debt securities are valued on the basis of amortized cost.

Generally, trading in foreign securities, U.S. government securities, money market instruments and certain fixed income securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of business on the Exchange. The values of such securities used in computing the net asset value of a Fund’s shares are determined as of such times.

When market quotations are not readily available or are not believed by BlackRock to be reliable, a Fund’s investments are valued at fair value. Fair value determinations are made by BlackRock in accordance with procedures approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. 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 or other source is unreliable, if the security or other asset is thinly traded (e.g., municipal securities and certain non-U.S. securities) or when there is a significant event subsequent to the most recent market quotation. For this purpose, a “significant event” is deemed to occur if BlackRock determines, in its business judgment prior to or at the time of pricing a Fund’s assets, that it is likely that the event will cause a material change to the last closing market price of one or more assets held by the Fund. Foreign securities whose values are affected by volatility that occurs in U.S. markets on a trading day after the close of foreign securities markets may be fair valued.

The Funds may accept orders from certain authorized financial intermediaries or their designees. Each Fund will be deemed to receive an order when accepted by the intermediary or designee and the order will receive the net asset value next computed by the Fund after such acceptance. If the payment for a purchase order is not made by a designated later time, the order will be canceled and the financial intermediary could be held liable for any losses.

Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

BUYING A DIVIDEND

Unless your investment is in a tax deferred account, you may want to avoid buying shares shortly before the Fund
pays a dividend. The reason? If you buy shares when a fund has declared but not yet distributed ordinary income
or capital gains, you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the price back in the form of
a taxable dividend. Before investing you may want to consult your tax adviser.

Each Fund will distribute net investment income, if any, and net realized capital gain, if any, at least annually. Each Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with Federal tax requirements. Dividends may be reinvested automatically in shares of the Fund at net asset value without a sales charge or may be taken in cash. If you would like to receive dividends in cash, contact your financial professional, financial intermediary or the applicable Fund. Although this cannot be predicted with any certainty, each Fund anticipates that the majority of its dividends, if any, will consist of capital gains. Capital gains may be taxable to you at different rates depending on how long the Fund held the assets sold.

You will pay tax on dividends from a Fund whether you receive them in cash or additional shares. If you redeem Fund shares or exchange them for shares of another fund, you generally will be treated as having sold your shares and any gain on the transaction may be subject to tax. Certain dividend income, including dividends received from qualifying foreign corporations, and long-term capital gains are eligible for taxation at a reduced rate that applies to non-corporate shareholders. To the extent a Fund makes any distributions derived from long-term capital gains and qualifying dividend income, such distributions will be eligible for taxation at the reduced rate.

If you are neither a tax resident nor a citizen of the United States or if you are a foreign entity, each Fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gain) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies. However, for taxable years of a Fund beginning before January 1, 2010, certain distributions designated by the Fund as either interest related dividends or short term capital gain dividends and paid to a foreign shareholder would be eligible for an exemption from U.S. withholding tax.

Dividends and interest received by the International Index Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The International Index Fund expects to make an election that will generally require shareholders to include in income their share of foreign withholding taxes paid by the Fund. Shareholders treat these taxes as taxes paid by them, and therefore, may deduct such taxes in computing their taxable income or, in some cases, use them as foreign tax credits against the U.S. Federal income taxes otherwise owed.

By law, your dividends and redemption proceeds will be subject to a withholding tax if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number or the number you have provided is incorrect.

This section summarizes some of the consequences under current Federal tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax adviser about the potential tax consequences of an investment in a Fund under all applicable tax laws.

Financial Highlights

The Financial Highlights tables are intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the periods shown. Certain information reflects the financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the indicated Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends). The information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report, along with each Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s Annual Report, which is available upon request.

S&P 500 Index Fund


	Institutional
	Year Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	18.01		$	17.40		$	15.29		$	14.84		$	13.64
Net investment income ¹		0.31			0.30			0.26			0.23			0.24
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		(7.01	)		0.62			2.11			0.46			1.19
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations		(6.70	)		0.92			2.37			0.69			1.43
Dividends from net investment income		(0.31	)		(0.31	)		(0.26	)		(0.24	)		(0.23	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	11.00		$	18.01		$	17.40		$	15.29		$	14.84
Total Investment Return
Based on net asset value		(37.20	)%		5.29	%		15.49	%		4.63	%		10.55	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets ²
Total expenses		0.35	%		0.34	%		0.35	%		0.35	%		0.34	%
Net investment income		2.00	%		1.64	%		1.61	%		1.52	%		1.68	%
Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000)	$	813,527		$	1,779,030		$	1,699,791		$	1,544,023		$	1,653,423
Portfolio turnover of the Master S&P 500 Index Series		8	%		4	%		4	%		11	%		6	%

	Investor A
	Year Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	17.96		$	17.36		$	15.26		$	14.81		$	13.62
Net investment income ¹		0.27			0.25			0.22			0.19			0.20
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		(6.98	)		0.61			2.10			0.46			1.19
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations		(6.71	)		0.86			2.32			0.65			1.39
Dividends from net investment income		(0.27	)		(0.26	)		(0.22	)		(0.20	)		(0.20	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	10.98		$	17.96		$	17.36		$	15.26		$	14.81
Total Investment Return
Based on net asset value		(37.36	)%		4.97	%		15.18	%		4.38	%		10.22	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets ²
Total expenses		0.60	%		0.60	%		0.60	%		0.60	%		0.59	%
Net investment income		1.75	%		1.38	%		1.36	%		1.27	%		1.42	%
Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000)	$	579,920		$	930,377		$	969,213		$	896,796		$	939,608
Portfolio turnover of the Master S&P 500 Index Series		8	%		4	%		4	%		11	%		6	%

¹	Based on average shares outstanding.

²	Includes the S&P 500 Index Fund’s share of the Master S&P 500 Index Series’ allocated expenses and/or net investment income.

Financial Highlights (continued)

Small Cap Index Fund


	Institutional
	Year Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	13.79		$	15.48		$	14.36		$	14.10		$	12.06
Net investment income ¹		0.14			0.20			0.17			0.10			0.08
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ²		(4.86	)		(0.50	)		2.34			0.49			2.04
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations		(4.72	)		(0.30	)		2.51			0.59			2.12
Dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income		(0.15	)		(0.20	)		(0.17	)		(0.11	)		(0.08	)
Net realized gain		(1.09	)		(1.19	)		(1.22	)		(0.22	)		—
Tax return of capital		(0.12	)		—			—			—			—
Total dividends and distributions		(1.36	)		(1.39	)		(1.39	)		(0.33	)		(0.08	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	7.71		$	13.79		$	15.48		$	14.36		$	14.10
Total Investment Return
Based on net asset value		(34.01	)%		(1.91	)%		17.49	%		4.16	%		17.55	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets ³
Total expenses after waiver		0.52	%		0.48	%		0.49	%		0.53	%		0.56	%
Total expenses		0.53	%		0.48	%		0.49	%		0.54	%		0.56	%
Net investment income		1.19	%		1.23	%		1.10	%		0.69	%		0.64	%
Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000)	$	46,285		$	66,085		$	79,032		$	63,671		$	68,024
Portfolio turnover of the Master Small Cap Index Series		42	%		26	%		40	%		37	%		38	%

	Investor A
	Year Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	13.79		$	15.47		$	14.36		$	14.10		$	12.06
Net investment income ¹		0.11			0.15			0.13			0.06			0.05
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ²		(4.85	)		(0.48	)		2.33			0.49			2.03
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations		(4.74	)		(0.33	)		2.46			0.55			2.08
Dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income		(0.12	)		(0.16	)		(0.13	)		(0.07	)		(0.04	)
Net realized gain		(1.09	)		(1.19	)		(1.22	)		(0.22	)		—
Tax return of capital		(0.12	)		—			—			—			—
Total dividends and distributions		(1.33	)		(1.35	)		(1.35	)		(0.29	)		(0.04	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	7.72		$	13.79		$	15.47		$	14.36		$	14.10
Total Investment Return
Based on net asset value		(34.19	)%		(2.12	)%		17.14	%		3.88	%		17.29	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets ³
Total expenses after waiver		0.79	%		0.73	%		0.74	%		0.79	%		0.81	%
Total expenses		0.80	%		0.73	%		0.74	%		0.80	%		0.81	%
Net investment income		0.91	%		0.98	%		0.84	%		0.43	%		0.38	%
Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000)	$	29,787		$	47,605		$	54,083		$	48,896		$	56,522
Portfolio turnover of the Master Small Cap Index Series		42	%		26	%		40	%		37	%		38	%

¹	Based on average shares outstanding.

²	Includes a redemption fee, which is less than $0.01 per share.

³	Includes the Small Cap Index Fund’s share of the Master Small Cap Index Series’ allocated expenses and/or net investment income.

Financial Highlights (concluded)

International Index Fund


	Institutional
	Year Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	15.73		$	15.14		$	12.47		$	11.19		$	9.59
Net investment income ¹		0.40			0.39			0.32			0.23			0.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ²		(7.03	)		1.16			2.92			1.24			1.69
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations		(6.63	)		1.55			3.24			1.47			1.88
Dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income		(0.31	)		(0.47	)		(0.37	)		(0.19	)		(0.28	)
Net realized gain		(0.04	)		(0.49	)		(0.20	)		—			—
Total dividends and distributions		(0.35	)		(0.96	)		(0.57	)		(0.19	)		(0.28	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	8.75		$	15.73		$	15.14		$	12.47		$	11.19
Total Investment Return
Based on net asset value		(42.24	)%		10.28	%		26.09	%		13.19	%		19.78	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets ³
Total expenses after waiver		0.54	%		0.54	%		0.47	%		0.55	%		0.58	%
Total expenses		0.54	%		0.54	%		0.52	%		0.56	%		0.59	%
Net investment income		3.11	%		2.37	%		2.31	%		1.98	%		1.91	%
Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000)	$	90,688		$	158,740		$	133,267		$	90,157		$	35,878
Portfolio turnover of the Master International Index Series		30	%		30	%		23	%		11	%		14	%

	Investor A
	Year Ended December 31,
	2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Per Share Operating Performance
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	15.65		$	15.07		$	12.41		$	11.15		$	9.56
Net investment income ¹		0.36			0.34			0.29			0.21			0.17
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) ²		(6.98	)		1.16			2.91			1.21			1.67
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations		(6.62	)		1.50			3.20			1.42			1.84
Dividends and distributions from:
Net investment income		(0.28	)		(0.43	)		(0.34	)		(0.16	)		(0.25	)
Net realized gain		(0.04	)		(0.49	)		(0.20	)		—			—
Total dividends and distributions		(0.32	)		(0.92	)		(0.54	)		(0.16	)		(0.25	)
Net asset value, end of year	$	8.71		$	15.65		$	15.07		$	12.41		$	11.15
Total Investment Return
Based on net asset value		(42.41	)%		9.98	%		25.85	%		12.81	%		19.46	%
Ratios to Average Net Assets ³
Total expenses after waiver		0.79	%		0.79	%		0.72	%		0.80	%		0.83	%
Total expenses		0.79	%		0.79	%		0.78	%		0.81	%		0.84	%
Net investment income		2.83	%		2.11	%		2.11	%		1.84	%		1.69	%
Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of year (000)	$	136,073		$	214,422		$	197,524		$	160,177		$	132,873
Portfolio turnover of the Master International Index Series		30	%		30	%		23	%		11	%		14	%

¹	Based on average shares outstanding.

²	Includes a redemption fee, which is less than $0.01 per share.

³	Includes the International Index Fund’s share of the Master International Index Series’ allocated expenses and/or net investment income.

General Information

Shareholder Documents

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

Electronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are available on BlackRock’s website. Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports and prospectuses by enrolling in a Fund’s electronic delivery program. To enroll:

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages: Please contact your financial professional. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts Directly With BlackRock:

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

Log into your account.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents

The Funds deliver 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 your Fund at (800) 441-7762.

Certain Fund Policies

Anti-Money Laundering Requirements

The Funds are subject to the USA PATRIOT Act (the “Patriot Act”). The Patriot Act is intended to prevent the use of the U.S. financial system in furtherance of money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities. Pursuant to requirements under the Patriot Act, a Fund may request information from shareholders to enable it to form a reasonable belief that it knows the true identity of its shareholders. This information will be used to verify the identity of investors or, in some cases, the status of financial professionals; it will be used only for compliance with the requirements of the Patriot Act. The Funds reserve the right to reject purchase orders from persons who have not submitted information sufficient to allow a Fund to verify their identity. Each Fund also reserves the right to redeem any amounts in a Fund from persons whose identity it is unable to verify on a timely basis. It is the Funds’ policy to cooperate fully with appropriate regulators in any investigations conducted with respect to potential money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities.

BlackRock Privacy Principles

BlackRock 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 website.

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 respond to regulatory requests or 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.

Statement of Additional Information

If you would like further information about the Funds, including how each Fund invests, please see the SAI.

For a discussion of the each Fund’s policies and procedures regarding the selective disclosure of its portfolio holdings, please see the SAI. The Funds make their top ten holdings available on a monthly basis at www.blackrock.com generally within 5 business days after the end of the month to which the information applies.

Glossary

Glossary of Investment Terms

Common Stock — securities representing shares of ownership of a corporation.

Depositary Receipts — American Depositary Receipts are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company that evidence underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. European Depositary Receipts (issued in Europe) and Global Depositary Receipts (issued throughout the world) each evidence a similar ownership arrangement.

Equity Securities — common stock, preferred stock, securities convertible into common stock and securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value of common stock.

Market-Weighted Index — an index in which the weighting of each security is based on its market capitalization. In a market-weighted index, changes in the price of a company with a large capitalization affect the level of the index more than changes in the price of a company with smaller market capitalization.

Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (Capitalization Weighted) Index (“EAFE Index”) — an index composed of equity securities of companies from various industrial sectors whose primary trading markets are located outside the United States. Companies included in the EAFE Index are selected from among the larger-capitalization companies in these markets. The weighting of the EAFE Index is based on the relative market capitalization of each of the countries in the index.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) — companies that own interests in real estate or in real estate related loans or other interests, and have revenue primarily consisting of rent derived from owned, income producing real estate properties and capital gains from the sale of such properties. REITs can generally be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity REITs and mortgage REITs. REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Russell 2000 ^® Index (“Russell 2000”) — a market-weighted index composed of approximately 2,000 common stocks issued by small-capitalization U.S. companies in a wide range of businesses.

Short Sale — a sale of securities borrowed from others with the expectation that the price of the security will fall before the Fund must purchase the security to return it to the lender.

Small Capitalization — as of March 31, 2009, the largest stock in the Russell 2000 had a market capitalization of approximately $4.06 billion and the average market capitalization of stocks in the index was approximately $3.29 million.

Standard & Poor’s ^® 500 Index (“S&P 500”) — a market-weighted index composed of 500 common stocks issued by large-capitalization U.S. companies in a wide range of businesses. The stocks included in the index collectively represent a substantial portion of all common stocks publicly traded in the United States.

Glossary of Expense Terms

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses — fees and expenses charged by other investment companies in which a Fund invests a portion of its assets.

Administration Fee — a fee paid to the Administrator for providing administrative services to a Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses — expenses that cover the costs of operating a Fund.

Distribution Fees — fees used to support the Fund’s marketing and distribution efforts, such as compensating financial professionals and other financial intermediaries, advertising and promotion.

Management Fee — a fee paid to BlackRock for managing a Series.

Other Expenses — include administration, transfer agency, custody, professional and registration fees.

Service Fees — fees used to compensate securities dealers and other financial intermediaries for certain shareholder servicing activities.

Shareholder Fees — fees paid directly by a shareholder, including sales charges that you may pay when you buy or sell shares of a Fund.

Glossary of Other Terms

Dividends — include exempt interest, ordinary income and capital gains paid to shareholders. Dividends may be reinvested in additional Fund shares as they are paid.

Net Asset Value — the market value of a Fund’s total assets after deducting liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding.

For More Information

Fund and Service Providers

THE FUNDS

BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.

BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund

BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund

BlackRock International Index Fund

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

Written Correspondence:

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.

P.O. Box 9819

Providence, Rhode Island 02940-8019

Overnight Mail:

101 Sabin Street

Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860-1427

(800) 441-7762

MANAGER

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

SUB-ADVISER

BlackRock Investment Management, LLC

P.O. Box 9011

Princeton, New Jersey 08543-9011

TRANSFER AGENT

PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.

Bellevue Corporate Center

301 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, Delaware 19809

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Deloitte & Touche LLP

750 College Road East

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

ACCOUNTING SERVICES PROVIDER

State Street Bank and Trust Company

600 College Road East

Princeton, New Jersey 08540

DISTRIBUTOR

BlackRock Investments, LLC

40 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022

CUSTODIANS

For Master S&P 500 Index Series and S&P 500 Index Fund:

State Street Bank and Trust Company

P.O. Box 8118

Boston, Massachusetts 02266

For Master Small Cap Index Series and Small Cap Index Fund:

State Street Bank and Trust Company

P.O. Box 8118

Boston, Massachusetts 02266

For Master International Index Series and International Index Fund:

JPMorgan Chase, N.A.

4 Chase Metrotech Center, 18th Floor

Brooklyn, New York 11245

COUNSEL

Sidley Austin LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019-6018

Additional Information

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

Annual/Semi-Annual Reports

These reports contain additional information about each of the Funds’ investments. The annual report describes each 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 April 30, 2009, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SAI, which includes additional information about each 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.

Purchases and Redemptions

Call your financial professional or BlackRock Investor Services at (800) 441-7762.

World Wide Web

General fund information and specific fund performance, including SAI and annual/semi-annual reports, can be accessed free of charge at www.blackrock.com/funds. Mutual fund prospectuses and literature can also be requested via this website.

Written Correspondence

BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.

PO Box 9819

Providence, RI 02940-8019

Overnight Mail

BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.

c/o PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) 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 a 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 each Fund, including the SAI, by visiting the EDGAR database on the SEC website (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 Room of the SEC, Washington, D.C. 20549.

You should rely only on the information contained in this Prospectus. No one is authorized to provide you with information that is different from information contained in this Prospectus.

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.

BLACKROCK INDEX FUNDS, INC.:

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT FILE NO. 811-09375


PRO-19003-0409

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

B LACK R OCK I NDEX F UNDS , I NC .

100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware • Phone No. 1-800-441-7762

BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”) currently consists of three operating portfolios or series: BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund (“S&P 500 Index Fund”), BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund (“Small Cap Index Fund”), and BlackRock International Index Fund (“International Index Fund”) (individually, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund invests all of its assets in a corresponding series (individually, a “Series” and collectively, the “Series”) of Quantitative Master Series LLC (the “Master LLC”) that has the same investment objective as the Fund.

This Statement of Additional Information of the Funds is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Funds, dated April 30, 2009 (the “Prospectus”), which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and can be obtained, without charge, by calling 1-800-441-7762 or by writing to the Funds at the above address. The Prospectus is incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information, and Part I of this Statement of Additional Information and the portions of Part II of this Statement of Additional Information that relate to the Fund have been incorporated by reference into the Fund’s Prospectus. The portions of Part II of this Statement of Additional Information that do not relate to the Fund do not form a part of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, have not been incorporated by reference into the Fund’s Prospectus and should not be relied upon by investors in the Fund. The Funds’ and Series’ audited financial statements are incorporated into this Statement of Additional Information by reference to their 2008 Annual Reports. You may request a copy of an Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report at no charge by calling 1-800-441-7762 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time Monday to Friday.

B LACK R OCK A DVISORS , LLC — M ANAGER

B LACK R OCK I NVESTMENTS , LLC — D ISTRIBUTOR

The date of this Statement of Additional Information is April 30, 2009.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



PART I: I NFORMATION A BOUT B LACK R OCK I NDEX F UNDS , I NC .

Investment Objectives and Policies		I-2

About Indexing and Management of the Funds		I-4

Investment Restrictions		I-5

Information on Directors and Officers		I-7

Management and Advisory Arrangements		I-12

Information on Distribution Related Expenses		I-19

Computation of Offering Price Per Share		I-20

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage		I-20

Additional Information		I-21

Financial Statements		I-23

PART II

Investment Risks and Considerations		II-1

Management and Other Service Arrangements		II-48

Selective Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings		II-50

Purchase of Shares		II-57

Redemption of Shares		II-68

Shareholder Services		II-71

Pricing of Shares		II-74

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage		II-76

Dividends and Taxes		II-80

Performance Data		II-84

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures		II-86

General Information		II-86

Appendix A — Description of Bond Ratings		A-1

Appendix B — Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures		B-1

P ART I: I NFORMATION A BOUT B LACK R OCK I NDEX F UNDS , I NC .

Part I of this Statement of Additional Information sets forth information about BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. It includes information about the Corporation’s Board of Directors, the advisory services provided to and the management fees paid by the Funds, performance data for the Funds, and information about other fees paid by and services provided to the Funds. This Part I should be read in conjunction with the Funds’ Prospectus and those portions of Part II of this Statement of Additional Information that pertain to the Funds.

Investment Objectives and Policies

The Corporation currently consists of three operating series: S&P 500 Index Fund, Small Cap Index Fund and International Index Fund. Each Fund’s investment objective is to provide investment results that, before expenses, replicate the total return ( i.e. , the combination of capital changes and income) of a specified securities index. Each Fund is classified as a non-diversified open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

Each Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing all of its assets in a corresponding Series of the Master LLC that has the same investment objective as the Fund. Each Fund’s investment experience and results will correspond directly to the investment experience of the respective Series in which it invests. Thus, all investments are made at the level of the Series. For simplicity, however, with respect to investment objectives, policies and restrictions, this Statement of Additional Information, like the Prospectus, uses the terms “Fund”, “S&P 500 Index Fund”, “Small Cap Index Fund” and “International Index Fund” to include the underlying Series in which a Fund invests. Reference is made to the discussion under “How the Funds Invest” in the Prospectus for information with respect to each Fund’s and each Series’ investment objectives and policies. There can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the Funds will be achieved.

The Funds’ investment objectives are not fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) without shareholder approval. The Directors may also change the target index of a Fund if they consider that a different index would facilitate the management of the Fund in a manner which better enables the Fund to seek to replicate the total return of the market segment represented by the current index.

S&P 500 Index Fund

The investment objective of the S&P 500 Index Fund is to match the performance of the Standard & Poor’s ^® 500 Index (the “S&P 500”) as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in the Master S&P 500 Index Series of the Master LLC (“S&P 500 Index Series”), which has the same investment objective as the Fund. The following is a description of the investment policies of the S&P 500 Index Fund.

In seeking to replicate the total return of the S&P 500, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock” or the “Manager”) generally will allocate the S&P 500 Index Fund’s investments among common stocks in approximately the same weightings as the S&P 500. In addition, the Manager may use options and futures contracts and other types of financial instruments relating to all or a portion of the S&P 500. At times, the Fund may not invest in all of the common stocks in the S&P 500, or in the same weightings as in the S&P 500. At those times, the Fund chooses investments so that the market capitalizations, industry weighting and other fundamental characteristics of the stocks and derivative instruments chosen are similar to the S&P 500 as a whole. The S&P 500 Index Fund may also engage in securities lending. See “Securities Lending” in Part II of this Statement of Additional Information.

I-2

The S&P 500 is composed of the common stocks of 500 large capitalization companies from various industrial sectors, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. A company’s stock market capitalization is the total market value of its outstanding shares. The S&P 500 represents a significant portion of the market value of all common stocks publicly traded in the United States.

Small Cap Index Fund

The investment objective of the Small Cap Index Fund is to match the performance of the Russell 2000 ^® Index (the “Russell 2000”) as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in the Master Small Cap Index Series of the Master LLC (“Small Cap Index Series”), which has the same investment objective as the Fund. The following is a description of the investment policies of the Small Cap Index Fund.

In seeking to replicate the total return of the Russell 2000, the Manager may not allocate the Small Cap Index Fund’s investments among all of the common stocks in the Russell 2000, or in the same weightings as the Russell 2000. Instead, the Small Cap Index Fund may invest in a statistically selected sample of the stocks included in the Russell 2000 and other types of financial instruments. The Manager may use options and futures contracts and other types of financial instruments relating to all or a portion of the Russell 2000. The investments to be included in the Small Cap Index Fund will be selected so that the market capitalizations, industry weightings and other fundamental characteristics of the stocks, and of the stocks underlying or otherwise related to the foregoing financial instruments, closely approximate those same factors in the Russell 2000, with the objective of reducing the investment portfolio’s deviation from the performance of the Russell 2000 (this deviation is referred to as “tracking error”). The Small Cap Index Fund may also engage in securities lending. See “Securities Lending” in Part II of this Statement of Additional Information.

The Russell 2000 is composed of approximately 2,000 smaller-capitalization common stocks from various industrial sectors. A company’s stock market capitalization is the total market value of its outstanding shares.

International Index Fund

The investment objective of the International Index Fund is to match the performance of the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East Capitalization Weighted Index (the “EAFE Index”) in U.S. dollars with net dividends as closely as possible before the deduction of Fund expenses. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in the Master International Index Series of the Master LLC (“International Index Series”), which has the same investment objective as the Fund. The following is a description of the investment policies of the International Index Fund.

In seeking to replicate the total return of the EAFE Index, the International Index Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest in all of the countries in the EAFE Index, but the Manager may not allocate the International Index Fund’s investments among all of the companies within a country represented in the EAFE Index, or in the same weightings as the EAFE Index. Instead, the International Index Fund may invest in a sample of the equity securities included in the EAFE Index and in derivative instruments correlated with components of the EAFE Index based on the Manager’s optimization process, a statistical sampling technique that aims to create a portfolio that will match approximately the performance of the index with lower transaction costs than would be incurred through full replication. In addition, the Manager may use options and futures contracts and other types of financial instruments relating to all or a portion of the EAFE Index. The investments to be included in the International Index Fund will be selected so that the market capitalizations, industry weightings and other fundamental characteristics of the stocks, and of the stocks underlying or otherwise related to the foregoing financial instruments,

I-3

closely approximate those same factors in the EAFE Index, with the objective of reducing the selected investment portfolio’s deviation from the performance of the EAFE Index (tracking error). The International Index Fund may also engage in securities lending. See “Securities Lending” in Part II of this Statement of Additional Information.

The EAFE Index is composed of equity securities of approximately 1,000 companies from various industrial sectors whose primary trading markets are located outside the United States and which are selected from among the larger capitalization companies in such markets. A company’s stock market capitalization is the total market value of its outstanding shares. The countries currently included in the EAFE Index are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The weighting of the EAFE Index among these countries is based upon each country’s relative market capitalization. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the basis for country weightings in another version of the EAFE Index. Relative market capitalization is historically more volatile than relative GDP, so weightings among countries tend to change more over time in a capitalization-weighted index than is the case in a GDP-weighted index.

About Indexing and Management of the Funds

About Indexing. The Funds are not managed according to traditional methods of “active” investment management, which involve the buying and selling of securities based upon economic, financial, and market analyses and investment judgment. Instead, each Fund, utilizing essentially a “passive” or “indexing” investment approach, seeks to replicate, before that Fund’s expenses (which can be expected to reduce the total return of the Fund), the total return of its respective index.

Indexing and Managing the Funds. Each Fund will be substantially invested in securities in the applicable index, and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in securities or other financial instruments which are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the applicable index (or portions thereof). For this purpose, net assets include any borrowings for investment purposes, calculated at the time the Fund invests its assets.

Because each Fund seeks to replicate the total return of its respective index, generally the Manager will not attempt to judge the merits of any particular security as an investment but will seek only to replicate the total return of the securities in the relevant index. However, the Manager may omit or remove a security which is included in an index from the portfolio of a Fund if, following objective criteria, the Manager judges the security to be insufficiently liquid or believes the merit of the investment has been substantially impaired by extraordinary events or financial conditions.

The Manager may acquire certain financial instruments based upon individual securities or based upon or consisting of one or more baskets of securities (which basket may be based upon a target index). Certain of these instruments may represent an indirect ownership interest in such securities or baskets. Others may provide for the payment to a Fund or by a Fund of amounts based upon the performance (positive, negative or both) of a particular security or basket. The Manager will select such instruments when it believes that the use of the instrument will correlate substantially with the expected total return of a target security or index. In connection with the use of such instruments, the Manager may enter into short sales in an effort to adjust the weightings of particular securities represented in the basket to more accurately reflect such securities’ weightings in the target index.

Each Fund’s ability to replicate the total return of its respective index may be affected by, among other things, transaction costs, administration and other expenses incurred by the Fund, taxes (including foreign withholding taxes, which will affect the performance of the Fund), changes in either the composition of the index or the assets of a Fund, and the timing and amount of Fund investor contributions and withdrawals, if any. In addition, each Fund’s total return will be affected by incremental operating costs ( e.g. , transfer agency, accounting) that will be borne by the Fund. Under normal circumstances, it is anticipated that each Fund’s total return over periods of one year and longer

I-4

will, on a gross basis and before taking into account expenses (incurred at either the Series or the Fund level) be within 10 basis points (a basis point is one one-hundredth of one percent (0.01%)) for the S&P 500 Index Fund, 100 basis points for the Small Cap Index Fund, and 150 basis points for the International Index Fund, of the total return of the applicable indices. There can be no assurance, however, that these levels of correlation will be achieved. In the event that this correlation is not achieved over time, the Directors of the Master LLC and the Directors of the Corporation will consider alternative strategies for the Series and the Funds, respectively. Information regarding correlation of a Fund’s performance to that of a target index may be found in each Fund’s Annual Report.

II.

Investment Restrictions

The Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, has adopted restrictions and policies relating to investment of each Fund’s assets and its activities. Certain of the restrictions are fundamental policies of each Fund and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding voting securities (which for this purpose and under the Investment Company Act, means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares). The Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, has also adopted certain non-fundamental investment restrictions, which may be changed by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval. None of the following fundamental or non-fundamental investment restrictions shall prevent a Fund from investing all of its assets in shares of another registered investment company with the same investment objective and fundamental policies (in a master/feeder structure).

Set forth below are the Corporation’s fundamental and non-fundamental restrictions. The Master LLC has adopted investment restrictions substantially identical to those set forth below, which are fundamental and non-fundamental, as applicable, policies of the Master LLC. The Master LLC’s fundamental policies may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of interests of the Master LLC. Unless otherwise provided, all references below to the assets of a Fund are in terms of current market value.

Under the fundamental investment restrictions, a Fund may not:

1. Make any investment inconsistent with the Fund’s classification as a non-diversified company under the Investment Company Act.

2. Invest more than 25% of its total assets, taken at market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry (excluding the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities); provided, that in replicating the weighting of a particular industry in its target index, a Series or Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of issuers in that industry when the assets of companies included in the target index that are in the industry represent more than 25% of the total assets of all companies included in the index.

3. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management.

4. Purchase or sell real estate, except that, to the extent permitted by law, a Fund may invest in securities directly or indirectly secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein.

5. Make loans to other persons, except (i) that the acquisition of bonds, debentures or other corporate debt securities and investment in government obligations, commercial paper, pass-through instruments, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, repurchase agreements or any similar instruments shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan, (ii) that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided that the lending of portfolio securities may be made only in accordance with applicable law and the guidelines set forth in the Fund’s Registration Statement, as it may be amended from time to time and (iii) as may otherwise be permitted by an exemptive order issued to the Fund by the Commission.

I-5

6. Issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law.

7. Borrow money, except that (i) a Fund may borrow in amounts up to 33 ¹ / 3 % of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (ii) a Fund may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (iii) a Fund may obtain such short term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities and (iv) the Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law. A Fund may not pledge its assets other than to secure such borrowings or, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies as set forth in its Registration Statement, as it may be amended from time to time, in connection with hedging transactions, short sales, when issued and forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies.

8. Underwrite securities of other issuers except insofar as a Fund technically may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act in selling portfolio securities.

9. Purchase or sell commodities or contracts on commodities, except to the extent that a Fund may do so in accordance with applicable law and the Fund’s Registration Statement, as it may be amended from time to time, and without registering as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act.

Under the non-fundamental investment restrictions, a Fund may not:

(a) Change its policy of investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in securities or other financial instruments that are components of or have economic characteristics similar to the securities included in the target index (or portions thereof) without providing shareholders with at least 60 days’ prior written notice of such change.

(b) Purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent such purchases are permitted by applicable law. As a matter of policy, however, a Fund will not purchase shares of any registered open-end investment company or registered unit investment trust, in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or (G) (the “fund of funds” provisions) of the Investment Company Act, at any time the Fund’s shares are owned by another investment company that is part of the same group of investment companies as the Fund.

(c) Make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, except to the extent permitted by applicable law and otherwise permitted by the Corporation’s Registration Statement.

(d) Invest in securities that cannot be readily resold or that cannot otherwise be marketed, redeemed or put to the issuer or a third party, if at the time of acquisition more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in such securities. This restriction shall not apply to securities that mature within seven days or securities that the Directors of the Corporation have otherwise determined to be liquid pursuant to applicable law. Securities purchased in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act (which are restricted securities that can be resold to qualified institutional buyers, but not to the general public) and determined to be liquid by the Directors of the Corporation are not subject to the limitations set forth in this investment restriction.

(e) Make any additional investments if the amount of its borrowings exceeds 5% of its total assets. Borrowings do not include the use of investment techniques that may be deemed to create leverage, including, but not limited to, such techniques as dollar rolls, when-issued securities, options and futures.

Except with respect to restriction 7, if a percentage restriction on the investment or use of assets set forth above is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentages resulting from changing values will not be considered a violation.

For purposes of investment restriction 2 above, the Funds use the classifications and subclassifications of Morgan Stanley Capital International as a guide to identify industries.

Portfolio securities of each Fund’s underlying Series generally may not be purchased from, sold or loaned to the Manager or its affiliates or any of their directors, officers or employees, acting as principal, unless pursuant to a rule or exemptive order under the Investment Company Act.

I-6

III.

Information on Directors and Officers

The Directors of the Corporation consist of thirteen individuals, eleven of whom are not “interested persons” of the Corporation as defined in the Investment Company Act (“non-interested Directors”). The same individuals serve as Directors of the Master LLC. The Directors are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Corporation and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the Investment Company Act. The non-interested Directors have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties.

The Board has five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Governance Committee, a Compliance Committee, a Performance Oversight Committee and an Executive Committee.

The members of the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) are Kenneth L. Urish (Chair), Herbert I. London and Frederick W. Winter, all of whom are non-interested Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to approve the selection, retention, termination and compensation of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent auditors”) and to oversee the independent auditors’ work. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (1) evaluate the qualifications and independence of the independent auditors; (2) approve all audit engagement terms and fees for the Corporation; (3) review the conduct and results of each independent audit of the Corporation’s financial statements; (4) review with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties encountered during or related to the conduct of the audit; (5) review the internal controls of the Corporation and its service providers with respect to accounting and financial matters; (6) oversee the performance of the Corporation’s internal audit function provided by its investment adviser, administrator, pricing agent or other service provider; (7) oversee policies, procedures and controls regarding valuation of the Fund’s investments; and (8) resolve any disagreements between Fund management and the independent auditors regarding financial reporting. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Audit Committee met four times.

The members of the Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Governance Committee”) are Matina Horner (Chair), Cynthia A. Montgomery and Robert C. Robb, Jr., all of whom are non-interested Directors. The principal responsibilities of the Governance Committee are to (1) identify individuals qualified to serve as non-interested Directors of the Corporation and recommend non-interested Director nominees for election by shareholders or appointment by the Board; (2) advise the Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees (other than the Audit Committee); (3) oversee periodic self-assessments of the Board and committees of the Board (other than the Audit Committee); (4) review and make recommendations regarding non-interested Director compensation; and (5) monitor corporate governance matters and develop appropriate recommendations to the Board. The Governance Committee may consider nominations for the office of Director made by Fund shareholders as it deems appropriate. The Corporation shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations to the Secretary of the Corporation that include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Governance Committee. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Governance Committee met four times.

The members of the Compliance Committee (the “Compliance Committee”) are Joseph P. Platt, Jr. (Chair), Cynthia A. Montgomery and Robert C. Robb, Jr., all of whom are non-interested Directors. The Compliance Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee regulatory and fiduciary compliance matters involving the Corporation, the fund-related activities of BlackRock and the Corporation’s third party service providers. The Compliance Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (1) oversee the compliance policies and procedures of the Corporation and its service providers; (2) review information on and, where appropriate, recommend policies concerning the Corporation’s compliance with applicable law; and (3) review reports from and make certain recommendations regarding the Corporation’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Board has adopted a

I-7

written charter for the Compliance Committee. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Compliance Committee met five times.

The members of the Performance Oversight Committee (the “Performance Committee”) are David O. Beim (Chair), Toby Rosenblatt (Vice Chair), Ronald W. Forbes and Rodney D. Johnson, all of whom are non-interested Directors, and Richard S. Davis, who is an interested Director. The Performance Committee’s purpose is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to oversee each Fund’s investment performance relative to its agreed-upon performance objectives. The Performance Committee’s responsibilities include, without limitation, to (1) review each Fund’s investment objectives, policies and practices, (2) recommend to the Board specific investment tools and techniques employed by BlackRock, (3) recommend to the Board appropriate investment performance objectives based on its review of appropriate benchmarks and competitive universes, (4) review each Fund’s investment performance relative to agreed-upon performance objectives and (5) review information on unusual or exceptional investment matters. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Performance Committee. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the Performance Committee met four times.

The members of the Executive Committee (the “Executive Committee”) are Ronald W. Forbes, Rodney D. Johnson and Richard S. Davis. Messrs. Forbes and Johnson are non-interested Directors and Mr. Davis is an interested Director. The principal responsibilities of the Executive Committee are to (i) act on routine matters between meetings of the Board of Directors, (ii) act on such matters as may require urgent action between meetings of the Board of Directors, and (iii) exercise such other authority as may from time to time be delegated to the Committee by the Board of Directors. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee was formed on December 3, 2008, and did not meet during the period from December 3, 2008 to December 31, 2008.

Biographical Information

Certain biographical and other information relating to the non-interested Directors is set forth below, including their year of birth, their principal occupations for at least the last five years, the length of time served, the total number of investment companies overseen in the complex of funds advised by the Manager or its affiliates (“BlackRock-advised funds”) and any public directorships.


Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held with the Corporation	Length of Time Served as a Director ²	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of BlackRock- Advised Funds and Portfolios Overseen	Public Directorships

Non-Interested Directors ¹

David O. Beim ³ 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1940	Director	2007 to present	Professor of Finance and Economics at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business since 1991; Trustee, Phillips Exeter Academy since 2002; Formerly Chairman, Wave Hill Inc. (public garden and cultural center) from 1990 to 2006.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	None

Ronald W. Forbes ⁴ 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1940	Director	2007 to present	Professor Emeritus of Finance, School of Business, State University of New York at Albany since 2000.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	None

Dr. Matina Horner ⁵ 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1939	Director	2007 to present	Formerly Executive Vice President of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and College Retirement Equities Fund from 1989 to 2003.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	NSTAR (electric and gas utility)

Rodney D. Johnson ⁴ 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1941	Director	2007 to present	President, Fairmount Capital Advisors, Inc. since 1987; Director, Fox Chase Cancer Center since 2002; Member of the Archdiocesan Investment Committee of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 2003; Director, The Committee of Seventy (civic) since 2006.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	None

I-8


Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held with the Corporation	Length of Time Served as a Director ²	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of BlackRock- Advised Funds and Portfolios Overseen	Public Directorships

Herbert I. London 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1939	Director	2007 to present	Professor Emeritus, New York University since 2005; John M. Olin Professor of Humanities, New York University from 1993 to 2005 and Professor thereof from 1980 to 2005; President, Hudson Institute (policy research organization) since 1997 and Trustee thereof since 1980; Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Grantham University since 2006; Director, InnoCentive, Inc. (strategic solutions company) since 2005; Director of Cerego, LLC (software development and design) since 2005.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	AIMS Worldwide, Inc. (marketing)

Cynthia A. Montgomery 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1952	Director	2007 to present	Professor, Harvard Business School since 1989; Director, Harvard Business School Publishing since 2005; Director, McLean Hospital since 2005.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (manufacturing)

Joseph P. Platt, Jr. ⁶ 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1947	Director	2007 to present	Director, The West Penn Allegheny Health System (a not-for-profit health system) since 2008; Director, Jones and Brown (Canadian insurance broker) since 1998; General Partner, Thorn Partners, LP (private investment) since 1998; Formerly Partner, Amarna Corporation, LLC (private investment company) from 2002 to 2008.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd (reinsurance company)

Robert C. Robb, Jr. 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1945	Director	2007 to present	Partner, Lewis, Eckert, Robb and Company (management and financial consulting firm) since 1981.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	None
Toby Rosenblatt ⁷ 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1938	Director	2007 to present	President, Founders Investments Ltd. (private investments) since 1999; Director, Forward Management, LLC since 2007; Director, The James Irvine Foundation (philanthropic foundation) since 1997; Formerly Trustee, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 1990 to 2005; Formerly Trustee, Metropolitan Series Funds, Inc. from 2001 to 2005.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	A.P. Pharma, Inc. (specialty pharmaceuticals)
Kenneth L. Urish ⁸ 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1951	Director	2007 to present	Managing Partner, Urish Popeck & Co., LLC (certified public accountants and consultants) since 1976; Member of External Advisory Board, The Pennsylvania State University Accounting Department since 2001; Trustee, The Holy Family Foundation since 2001; Committee Member, Professional Ethics Committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants since 2007; Formerly President and Trustee, Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates from 2003 to 2008; Formerly Director, Inter-Tel from 2006 to 2007.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	None
Frederick W. Winter 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1945	Director	2007 to present	Professor and Dean Emeritus of the Joseph M. Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh since 2005 and Dean thereof from 1997 to 2005. Director, Alkon Corporation (pneumatics) since 1992; Director, Tippman Sports (recreation) since 2005; Formerly Director, Indotronix International (IT services) from 2004 to 2008.	34 Funds 81 Portfolios	None

I-9


Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held with the Corporation	Length of Time Served as a Director ²	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of BlackRock- Advised Funds and Portfolios Overseen	Public Directorships
Interested Directors ^{1, 9}
Richard S. Davis 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1945	Director	2007 to present	Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. since 2005; Formerly Chief Executive Officer, State Street Research & Management Company from 2000 to 2005; Formerly Chairman of the Board of Trustees, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 2000 to 2005; Formerly Chairman, SSR Realty from 2000 to 2004	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None
Henry Gabbay 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1947	Director	2007 to present	Formerly Consultant, BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2008; Formerly Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. from 1989 to 2007; Formerly Chief Administrative Officer, BlackRock Advisors, LLC from 1998 to 2007; Formerly President of BlackRock Funds and BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares from 2005 to 2007 and Treasurer of certain closed-end funds in the BlackRock fund complex from 1989 to 2006.	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None

Directors serve until their resignation, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72.

Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and BlackRock, Inc. in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. As a result, although the chart shows all Directors as joining the Corporation’s Board in 2007, each Director first became a member of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: David O. Beim, 1998; Ronald W. Forbes, 1977; Dr. Matina Horner, 2004; Rodney D. Johnson, 1995; Herbert I. London, 1987; Cynthia A. Montgomery, 1994; Joseph P. Platt, Jr., 1999; Robert C. Robb, Jr., 1999; Toby Rosenblatt, 2005; Kenneth L. Urish, 1999 and Frederick W. Winter, 1999.

Chair of the Performance Committee.

⁴

Co-Chair of the Board of Directors.

⁵

Chair of the Governance Committee.

⁶

Chair of the Compliance Committee.

⁷

Vice Chair of the Performance Committee.

⁸

Chair of the Audit Committee.

⁹

Mr. Davis is an “interested person,” as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Corporation based on his position with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Gabbay is an “interested person” of the Corporation based on his former positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates and his ownership of BlackRock, Inc. and PNC securities.

Certain biographical and other information relating to the officers of the Corporation is set forth below, including their year of birth, their principal occupations for at least the last five years, the length of time served, the total number of BlackRock-advised funds overseen and any public directorships:


Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held with the Corporation	Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of BlackRock- Advised Funds and Portfolios Overseen	Public Directorships
Corporation Officers ¹

Donald C. Burke 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1960	President and Chief Executive Officer	2007 to present	Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Formerly Managing Director of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and Fund Asset Management, L.P. (“FAM”) in 2006, First Vice President thereof from 1997 to 2005 and Treasurer thereof from 1999 to 2006.	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None

Anne F. Ackerley 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1962	Vice President	2007 to present	Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2000; Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock’s U.S. Retail Group since 2006; Formerly Head of BlackRock’s Mutual Fund Group from 2000 to 2006.	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None

Neal J. Andrews 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1966	Chief Financial Officer	2007 to present	Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Formerly Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc (formerly known as PFPC Inc.) from 1992 to 2006.	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None

I-10


Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held with the Corporation	Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of BlackRock- Advised Funds and Portfolios Overseen	Public Directorships

Jay M. Fife 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1970	Treasurer	2007 to present	Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007 and Director in 2006; Formerly Assistant Treasurer of the MLIM/FAM-advised funds from 2005 to 2006; Formerly Director of MLIM Fund Services Group from 2001 to 2006.	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None

Brian P. Kindelan 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1959	Chief Compliance Officer	2007 to present	Chief Compliance Officer of the BlackRock-advised Funds since 2007; Managing Director and Senior Counsel thereof since 2005; Formerly Director and Senior Counsel of BlackRock Advisors, Inc. from 2001 to 2004.	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None

Howard Surloff 40 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 1965	Secretary	2007 to present	Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. and General Counsel of U.S. Funds at BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Formerly General Counsel (U.S.) of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. from 1993 to 2006.	175 Funds 286 Portfolios	None

Officers of the Corporation serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

Share Ownership

Information relating to each Director’s share ownership in the Funds and in all registered funds in the BlackRock-advised funds that are overseen by the respective Director (“Supervised Funds”) as of December 31, 2008 is set forth in the chart below:


	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the			Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Supervised Funds
Name	S&P 500 Index Fund	Small Cap Index Fund	International Index Fund

Interested Directors:

Richard S. Davis	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Henry Gabbay	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Non-Interested Directors ¹ :

David O. Beim	None	None	None	$50,001-$100,000

Ronald W. Forbes	$10,001-$50,000	None	None	Over $100,000

Dr. Matina Horner	None	None	None	$50,001-$100,000

Rodney D. Johnson	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Herbert I. London	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Cynthia A. Montgomery	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Joseph P. Platt, Jr.	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Robert C. Robb, Jr.	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Toby Rosenblatt	None	None	None	Over $100,000

Kenneth L. Urish	None	None	None	None

Frederick W. Winter	None	None	None	$50,001-$100,000

Each of the Directors assumed office on November 1, 2007. The Directors anticipate purchasing additional shares of Supervised Funds.

As of April 3, 2009, the Directors and officers of the Corporation, as a group, owned an aggregate of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any Fund. As of December 31, 2008, none of the non-interested Directors of the Corporation or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities in the Manager.

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Compensation of Directors

Each Director who is a non-interested Director is paid as compensation an annual retainer of $150,000 per year for his or her services as Director/Trustee to the BlackRock-advised funds, including the Corporation and the Master LLC, and a $25,000 Board meeting fee to be paid for each Board meeting up to five Board meetings held in a calendar year (compensation for meetings in excess of this number to be determined on a case-by-case basis), together with out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with a Board policy on travel and other business expenses relating to attendance at meetings. In addition, the Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors are each paid an additional annual retainer of $45,000. The Chairs of the Audit Committee, Compliance Committee, Governance Committee and Performance Committee are paid an additional annual retainer of $25,000. The Vice Chair of the Performance Committee is paid an additional annual retainer of $25,000.

The following table sets forth the compensation earned by the non-interested Directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and the aggregate compensation paid to them by all BlackRock-advised funds for the calendar year ended December 31, 2008.


Name	Compensation from the Master LLC	Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement	Aggregate Compensation from the Master LLC and Other BlackRock-Advised Funds ¹

David O. Beim ²	$19,876	None	$300,000

Ronald W. Forbes ³	$20,572	None	$320,000

Dr. Matina Horner ⁴	$18,209	None	$285,000

Rodney D. Johnson ³	$20,572	None	$320,000

Herbert I. London	$19,006	None	$275,000

Cynthia A. Montgomery	$19,006	None	$275,000

Joseph P. Platt, Jr. ⁵	$19,876	None	$300,000

Robert C. Robb, Jr.	$19,006	None	$275,000

Toby Rosenblatt ⁶	$19,876	None	$300,000

Kenneth L. Urish ⁷	$19,876	None	$300,000

Frederick W. Winter	$19,006	None	$275,000

For the number of BlackRock-advised funds from which each Director receives compensation, see the Biographical Information chart beginning on page I-11.

Chair of the Performance Committee.

Co-Chair of the Board of Directors.

⁴

Chair of the Governance Committee.

⁵

Chair of the Compliance Committee.

⁶

Vice Chair of the Performance Committee.

⁷

Chair of the Audit Committee.

The Corporation and the Master LLC compensate Brian Kindelan for his services as their Chief Compliance Officer. The Corporation and the Master LLC may also pay a portion of the compensation of certain members of the staff of the Chief Compliance Officer. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, Mr. Kindelan received approximately $823 from the S&P 500 Index Series, $132 from the Small Cap Index Series and $258 from the International Index Series for serving as Chief Compliance Officer.

IV.

Management and Advisory Arrangements

Each Fund invests all of its assets in shares of the corresponding Series of the Master LLC. Accordingly, the Funds do not invest directly in portfolio securities and do not require investment advisory services. All portfolio management occurs at the level of the Master LLC. The Master LLC, on behalf of each Series, has entered into a management agreement with the Manager (the “Management Agreement”) pursuant to which the Manager provides the Master LLC with investment advisory and management services.

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Prior to September 29, 2006, Fund Asset Management, L.P. (“FAM”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., acted as the Series’ manager.

The table below sets forth the annual fee rates payable to the Manager and to FAM, the Series’ previous manager:


	FAM	Manager
Name of Series	Contractual Management Fee Rate ²	Contractual Management Fee Rate ³	Management Fee Rate (reflects Fee Waivers (where applicable)

S&P 500 Index Series ¹	0.05%	0.01%	0.005%

Small Cap Index Series ^1,4	0.08%	0.01%	0.004%

International Index Series ⁴	0.01%	0.01%	0.001%

BlackRock, and previously FAM, has entered into a contract with the Master LLC and the Corporation on behalf of S&P 500 Index Series and Small Cap Index Series and the corresponding feeder funds, S&P 500 Index Fund and Small Cap Index Fund, respectively (the “Feeder Funds”), that provides that the management fee for each Series, when combined with the administration fee of each such corresponding Feeder Fund, will not exceed specified amounts until May 1, 2010. As a result, with respect to S&P 500 Index Series, BlackRock, and previously FAM, received a management fee of 0.005% of the Series’ average daily net assets. This contractual arrangement also applies to Small Cap Index Series and its corresponding Feeder Fund, if any. However, because the combined management and administration fees for this Series/Feeder Fund did not exceed the specified amount, no fees were waived for this Series/Feeder Fund under this arrangement. BlackRock has not entered into a similar arrangement with the International Index Series, the Series in which International Index Fund invests.

Excluding any fee waivers and reimbursements which may have been applicable.

⁴

In addition to the contractual arrangements described above, BlackRock has entered into a contractual arrangement with respect to Small Cap Index Series and International Index Series under which total annual fund operating expenses will not exceed 0.08% and 0.12%, respectively, until May 1, 2010. As a result of this arrangement, the management fee rate paid by Small Cap Index Series and International Index Series for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, as shown in the table above, was lower than the contractual rate.

The table below sets forth information about the total management fees paid by the Series to the Manager and to FAM, the Series’ previous manager, and the amount of any waiver, for the periods indicated.


Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	S&P 500 Index Series	Small Cap Index Series	International Index Series

2008

Contractual Amount paid to the Manager	$304,955	$47,115	$93,067

Amount waived (if applicable) by the Manager	$152,477	$26,007	$79,741

2007

Contractual Amount paid to the Manager	$349,953	$64,480	$114,233

Amount waived (if applicable) by the Manager	$174,977	$4,886	$38,870

2006

Contractual Amount paid to FAM ¹	$101,822	$36,267	$46,665

Amount waived (if applicable) by FAM ¹	$0	$1,969	$46,665 ³

Contractual Amount paid to the Manager ²	$34,230	$12,118	$18,759

Amount waived (if applicable) by the Manager ²	$0	$7,920	$15,595

For the period January 1, 2006 to September 29, 2006.

For the period September 29, 2006 to December 31, 2006.

FAM reimbursed an additional amount of $5,992 for the period January 1, 2006 to September 29, 2006.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager 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 the Manager, to perform advisory services with respect to the Funds. In addition, the Manager may delegate certain of its advisory functions under the Management Agreement to one or more of its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Manager may terminate any or all sub-advisers or such delegation arrangements in its sole discretion at any time to the extent permitted by applicable law.

I-13

Effective September 29, 2006, the Manager entered into a sub-advisory agreement (“Sub-Advisory Agreement) with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”) pursuant to which the Manager pays BIM for the services it provides a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to a percentage of the advisory fee (after fee waivers and reimbursements only) paid to the Manager under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

Set forth below are the subadvisory fees paid by the Manager to BIM for the periods indicated:


Fiscal Year Ended December 31,		Paid to BIM

2008

S&P 500 Index Series		$129,581

Small Cap Index Series		$18,379

International Index Series		$49,193

2007

S&P 500 Index Series		$128,909

Small Cap Index Series		$43,983

International Index Series		$60,493

2006 ¹

S&P 500 Index Series		$25,904

Small Cap Index Series		$3,314

International Index Series		$2,624

For the period September 29, 2006 to December 31, 2006.

Administration Arrangements

The Corporation has entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with BlackRock, as administrator (the “Administrator”). As discussed in the Prospectus, the Administrator receives for its services to the Funds monthly compensation at an annual rate based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund as follows:


Name of Fund		Contractual Fee Rate*

S&P 500 Index Fund		0.245%

Small Cap Index Fund		0.29%

International Index Fund		0.34%

BlackRock has entered into contractual arrangements described in Notes (1) and (4) to the table on page I-13. Pursuant to those arrangements, no administration fees were waived for any Fund in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. However, BlackRock has voluntarily agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees and/or expenses to limit the net annual fund operating expenses to specified amounts for each Fund. Giving effect to this voluntary cap, the administration fee rate for Small Cap Index Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 was 0.280%. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, no fees or expenses were waived or reimbursed for S&P 500 Index Fund and a nominal amount was waived for International Index Fund without reducing the fee rate.

I-14

The Administrator has agreed to voluntarily waive the administration fees of each Fund so that each Fund’s total operating expenses (excluding service fees) incurred by each share class will not exceed certain amounts. Prior to September 29, 2006, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., acted as each Fund’s administrator. The table below sets forth information about the total administration fees paid by each Fund to the Administrator and to MLIM, the Funds’ previous administrator, and the amount of any waiver, for the periods indicated.


Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	S&P 500 Index Fund	Small Cap Index Fund	International Index Fund

2008

Contractual Amount paid to the Administrator	$5,481,235	$286,822	$1,047,304

Amount waived (if applicable) by the Administrator	$0	$9,624	$15

2007

Contractual Amount paid to the Administrator	$6,858,698	$385,561	$1,261,166 ¹

Amount waived (if applicable) by the Administrator	$0	$0	$0

2006

Contractual Amount paid to MLIM ²	$4,496,174	$270,377	$706,465

Amount waived (if applicable) by MLIM ²	$0	$0	$161,609

Contractual Amount paid to the Administrator ³	$1,592,391	$94,329	$259,569

Amount waived (if applicable) by the Administrator ³	$0	$0	$0

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, International Index Fund paid the Administrator an additional amount of $84,254 due to a revised estimate of fee waivers reimbursed in the previous fiscal year.

For the period January 1, 2006 to September 29, 2006.

For the period September 29, 2006 to December 31, 2006.

Information Regarding the Portfolio Manager

Debra L. Jelilian is a portfolio manager of the Master LLC. Ms. Jelilian is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the S&P 500 Index Series, the Small Cap Index Series and the International Index Series.

Other Funds and Accounts Managed

The following table sets forth information about funds and accounts other than the Series for which the portfolio manager is primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management as of January 31, 2009.*


	Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type			Number of Other Accounts and Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based
Name of Portfolio Manager	Other Registered Investment Companies	Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	Other Accounts	Other Registered Investment Companies	Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	Other Accounts

S&P 500 Index Fund

Debra L. Jelilian	24	28	31	0	0	1

	$11.84 Billion	$14 Billion	$29.2 Billion	$0	$0	$690.4 Million

Small Cap Index Fund

Debra L. Jelilian	24	28	31	0	0	1

	$13.05 Billion	$14 Billion	$29.2 Billion	$0	$0	$690.4 Million

International Index Fund

Debra L. Jelilian	24	28	31	0	0	1

	$12.94 Billion	$14 Billion	$29.2 Billion	$0	$0	$690.4 Million

Ms. Jelilian’s assets managed are presented as of January 31, 2009 due to the assignment of additional registered investment companies following the December 31, 2008 fiscal year end.

I-15

Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview

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 performance-based 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.

Base compensation . Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their seniority and/or their position with the firm. Senior portfolio managers who perform additional management functions within the portfolio management group or within BlackRock may receive additional compensation for serving in these other capacities.

Discretionary Incentive Compensation

Discretionary incentive compensation 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 seniority, role within the portfolio management team, teamwork and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. 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 managed by the portfolio managers are measured. BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers determine the benchmarks against which the performance of funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager is compared and the period of time over which performance is evaluated. With respect to the portfolio manager, such benchmarks for the Series include the S&P 500 Index for S&P 500 Index Fund, the Russell 2000 Index for Small Cap Index Fund and the MSCI EAFE Index for International Index Fund.

BlackRock’s chief investment officers make a subjective determination with respect to the portfolio managers’ compensation based on the performance of the funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks noted above. Performance is measured on both a pre-tax basis over various time periods including 1,3 and 5-year periods, as applicable.

Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation

Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash and BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units which vest ratably over a number of years. The BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units, if properly vested, will be settled in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Typically, the cash bonus, when combined with base salary, represents more than 60% of total compensation for the portfolio managers. Paying a portion of annual bonuses in stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on the Company’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods.

Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) — The LTIP is a long-term incentive plan that seeks to reward certain key employees. Beginning in 2006, awards are granted under the LTIP in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that, if properly vested and subject to the attainment of certain performance goals, will be settled in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Ms. Jelilian has received awards under the LTIP.

Deferred Compensation Program — A portion of the compensation paid to eligible BlackRock employees may be voluntarily deferred into an account that tracks the performance of certain of the firm’s investment products. Each participant in the deferred compensation program is permitted to

I-16

allocate his deferred amounts among various options, including to certain of the firm’s hedge funds and other proprietary mutual funds. Ms. Jelilian has participated in the deferred compensation program.

Other compensation benefits

In addition to base compensation and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:

Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 6% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $4,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation. The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies managed by the firm. Company contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent employee investment direction, are invested into a balanced portfolio. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares or a dollar value of $25,000. The portfolio manager is eligible to participate in these plans.

Fund Ownership

As of December 31, 2008, the end of each Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by the portfolio manager in the Funds is shown below:


Portfolio Manager	Funds Managed	Dollar Range of Equity Securities of the Funds Owned

Debra L. Jelilian	S&P 500 Index	None

Debra L. Jelilian	Small Cap Index	None

Debra L. Jelilian	International Index	None

Portfolio Manager Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

Real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities with respect to more than one Fund or account.

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 (s) . In addition, BlackRock, its affiliates and significant shareholders 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 significant shareholders, 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

I-17

BlackRock’s (or its affiliates’ or significant shareholders’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders 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 a fund. In this connection, it should be noted that Ms. Jelilian currently manages certain accounts that are subject to performance fees. In addition, a portfolio manager may 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.

Transfer Agency Services

The following table sets forth the fees paid by the Funds to PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“PNC GIS”), Financial Data Services, Inc. (“FDS”), the Funds’ previous transfer agent, and the Manager for the periods indicated:


Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	S&P 500 Index Fund	Small Cap Index Fund	International Index Fund

2008

Paid to PNC GIS	$1,263,477	$63,643	$175,809

Paid to the Manager ¹	$24,133	$1,716	$6,048

2007

Paid to PNC GIS	$1,585,580	$81,423	$208,305

Paid to the Manager ¹	$0	$0	$0

2006

Paid to FDS ²	$1,010,510	$54,328	$117,020

Paid to PNC GIS ³	$336,836	$18,109	$39,006

Paid to the Manager ¹	$0	$0	$0

Pursuant to a Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement, the Manager provides certain shareholder liaison services in connection with the Funds’ investor service center. The Funds reimburse the Manager for its costs in maintaining the service center, which costs include, among other things, employee salaries, leasehold expenses, and other out-of-pocket expenses which are a component of the transfer agency fees in the Funds’ annual reports.

For the period January 1, 2006 to September 29, 2006.

For the period September 29, 2006 to December 31, 2006.

Accounting Services

The Corporation has entered into an agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), pursuant to which State Street provides certain accounting services to the Funds. No fees were paid directly by the Funds to State Street, the Administrator or to MLIM, the Funds’ previous administrator, for accounting services during the last three fiscal years.

I-18

In addition, the Master LLC has entered into an agreement pursuant to which State Street provides certain accounting services to the Series. The table below shows the amounts paid by the Series to State Street, the Manager and FAM, the Series’ previous manager, for the periods indicated:


Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	S&P 500 Index Series	Small Cap Index Series	International Index Series

2008

Paid to State Street ¹	$462,455	$88,312	$158,182

Paid to the Manager ¹	$51,427	$8,365	$15,835

2007

Paid to State Street ¹	$448,886	$103,891	$163,290

Paid to the Manager ¹	$63,062	$11,726	$20,941

2006

Paid to State Street ¹	$351,598	$72,684	$98,302

Paid to FAM ^1,2	$46,244	$7,486	$10,377

Paid to the Manager ^1,3	$12,366	$2,091	$3,750

For providing services to the Series and the Funds that invest in the Series.

For the period January 1, 2006 to September 29, 2006.

For the period September 29, 2006 to December 31, 2006.

Information on Distribution Related Expenses

Prior to September 29, 2006, FAM Distributors, Inc. (“FAMD”) acted as the Corporation’s sole distributor. Effective September 29, 2006 through September 30, 2008, FAMD and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. (“BDI”), each an affiliate of the Manager, acted as the Corporation’s co-distributors (collectively, the “Previous Distributors”). Effective October 1, 2008, BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BI” or the “Distributor”), an affiliate of the Manager, acts as the Corporation’s sole distributor.

The Corporation has adopted a Distribution Plan for Investor A Shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Investor A Shares of each Fund pay the Distributor an ongoing service fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of 0.25% on the average daily net assets attributable to such shares. The non-interested Directors believe that there is reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each Fund and its Investor A shareholders.

The table below sets forth the fees that were paid by each Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 pursuant to the Plan for Investor A Shares. At least 50% of the fees collected by the Previous Distributors and BI were paid to affiliates for providing shareholder servicing activities for Investor A Shares.


	For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008
	Investor A Shares
Fund	Paid to Previous Distributors ¹	Paid to BI ²

S&P 500 Index Fund	$1,655,298	$368,214

Small Cap Index Fund	$82,388	$19,188

International Index Fund	$362,512	$77,097

For the period January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008.

For the period October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.

I-19

VI.

Computation of Offering Price Per Share

The offering price for an Investor A or Institutional Share of a Fund is computed by dividing the value of the share class’ net assets by the number of shares of that class outstanding. For more information on the purchasing and valuation of shares, please see “Purchase of Shares” and “Pricing of Shares” in Part II of this Statement of Additional Information.

VII.

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

See “Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage” in Part II of this Statement of Additional Information for more information.

Set forth below is information about the brokerage commissions paid by each Series, including commissions paid to affiliates, for the last three fiscal years.


	Brokerage Commissions Paid
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	S&P 500 Index Series	Small Cap Index Series	International Index Series

2008	$209,076	$119,466	$163,884

2007	$42,030	$116,055	$380,321

2006	$59,332	$146,505	$161,040

	Total Commissions Paid to Affiliates
Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	S&P 500 Index Series	Small Cap Index Series	International Index Series

2008	$0	$0	$41,908

2007	$0	$0	$69,153

2006	$7	$217	$37,152

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the brokerage commissions paid to Affiliates represented 8.51% of the aggregate brokerage commissions paid by the Series and involved 22.27% of the Series’ dollar amount of transactions involving payment of commissions during the year.

The following table shows the dollar amount of brokerage commissions paid to brokers for providing research services and the approximate amount of the transactions involved for each Series for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. The provision of research services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all brokerage business with such brokers.


*S&P 500 Index Series*

Amount of Commissions Paid to Brokers for Providing Third Party Research Services		Amount of Brokerage Transactions Involved

$134,984		785

*Small Cap Index Series*

Amount of Commissions Paid to Brokers for Providing Third Party Research Services		Amount of Brokerage Transactions Involved

$28,849		1,166

*International Index Series*

Amount of Commissions Paid to Brokers for Providing Third Party Research Services		Amount of Brokerage Transactions Involved

$3,631		11

I-20

The following table sets forth information regarding securities lending fees paid by the Fund to the securities lending agent for the periods shown:


Fiscal Year Ended December 31,	S&P 500 Index Series	Small Cap Index Series	International Index Series

2008	$391,365	$298,692	$0

2007	$203,707	$251,767	$0

2006	$146,762	$179,594	$0

The value of the Series’ aggregate holdings of the securities of its regular brokers or dealers (as defined in Rule 10b-1 of the Investment Company Act) if any portion of such holdings were purchased during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 are as follows:


S&P 500 Index Series:
Regular Broker-Dealer	Debt (D)/Equity (E)	Aggregate Holdings (000’s)

JPMorgan Chase & Co.	E	$28,728

Citigroup, Inc.	E	$8,928

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.	E	$4,551

Small Cap Index Series:
Regular Broker-Dealer	Debt (D)/Equity (E)	Aggregate Holdings (000’s)

None

International Index Series:
Regular Broker-Dealer	Debt (D)/Equity (E)	Aggregate Holdings (000’s)

Credit Suisse Group AG	E	$2,512

Barclays Plc	E	$1,552

IX.

Additional Information

Principal Shareholders

To the knowledge of the Corporation, the following persons or entities owned beneficially 5% or more of any class of a Fund’s shares as of April 3, 2009:

S&P 500 Index Fund


Name	Address	%		Class

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*	4800 E. Deer Lake Drive 3rd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484	90.61	%	Investor A Shares

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*	4800 E. Deer Lake Drive 3rd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484	95.87	%	Institutional Shares

Small Cap Index Fund


Name	Address	%		Class

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*	4800 E. Deer Lake Drive 3rd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484	83.40	%	Investor A Shares

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*	4800 E. Deer Lake Drive 3rd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484	87.62	%	Institutional Shares

I-21

International Index Fund


Name	Address	%		Class

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*	4800 E. Deer Lake Drive 3rd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484	95.34	%	Investor A Shares

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated*	4800 E. Deer Lake Drive 3rd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484	76.76	%	Institutional Shares

Equitable Resources Ins Co Ltd.* c/o Aon Insurance Managers (Cayman) LTD.	2nd Floor Buckingham Square W Bay Rd. PO Box 69GT George Town Grand Cayman Cayman Islands	6.71	%	Institutional Shares

Record holders that do not beneficially own the shares.

Description of Shares

The Corporation is a Maryland corporation incorporated on October 25, 1996 as Merrill Lynch Index Funds, Inc. On September 29, 2006, the Corporation changed its name to BlackRock Index Funds, Inc., and the four series then existing changed their names to BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund, BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund, BlackRock Aggregate Bond Index Fund, and BlackRock International Index Fund. BlackRock Aggregate Bond Index Fund was liquidated on March 27, 2007. The Corporation has an authorized capital of 1,250,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which the Corporation is authorized to issue 125,000,000 shares each of Investor A and Institutional Shares for each of Small Cap Index Fund and International Index Fund and 250,000,000 shares each of Investor A and Institutional Shares of S&P 500 Index Fund. Investor A and Institutional Shares of a Fund represent interests in the same assets of the series and are identical in all respects except that the Investor A Shares bear certain expenses related to the shareholder servicing associated with such shares. Investor A Shares have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to the class’ shareholder servicing expenditures. Prior to September 29, 2006, Investor A Shares were designated Class A Shares and Institutional Shares were designated Class I Shares.

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held and to fractional votes for fractional shares held in the election of Directors (to the extent hereafter provided) and on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. All shares of each Fund have equal voting rights, except that each Fund has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters affecting only such Fund, and except that as noted above, Investor A Shares have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to the class’ shareholder servicing expenditures. There normally will be no meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Directors unless and until such time as less than a majority of the Directors holding office have been elected by the shareholders, at which time the Directors then in office will call a shareholders’ meeting for the election of Directors. Shareholders may, in accordance with the terms of the Articles of Incorporation, cause a meeting of shareholders to be held for the purpose of voting on the removal of Directors. Also, the Corporation will be required to call a special meeting of shareholders in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act to seek approval of new management and advisory arrangements, of a material increase in account maintenance fees or of a change in fundamental policies, objectives or restrictions. Except as set forth above, the Directors shall continue to hold office and appoint successor Directors. Each issued and outstanding share of Investor A and Institutional Common Stock is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared and in net assets upon liquidation or dissolution remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities, except that, as noted above, Investor A Shares bear certain additional expenses. Shares issued are fully-paid and non-assessable by the Fund. Voting rights for Directors are not cumulative.

The Master LLC was originally organized as a Delaware statutory trust on August 28, 1996 and consists of nine Series. Effective June 15, 2007, the Master LLC was reorganized as a Delaware limited liability company. Whenever a Fund is requested to vote on a fundamental policy of a Series, the Corporation will hold a meeting of the investing Fund’s shareholders and will cast its vote as instructed by such Fund’s shareholders.

I-22

Financial Statements

The audited Financial Statements of each Fund and each Series, including the reports of the independent registered public accounting firm, are incorporated in this Statement of Additional Information by reference to their 2008 Annual Reports. You may request a copy of an Annual Report at no charge by calling 1-800-441-7762 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time on Monday to Friday.

I-23

P ART II

Part II of this Statement of Additional Information contains information about the following funds: BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc. (“Balanced Capital”); BlackRock Basic Value Fund, Inc. (“Basic Value”); BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund (“Equity Dividend”); BlackRock EuroFund (“EuroFund”); BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc. (“Focus Growth”); BlackRock Focus Value, Inc. (“Focus Value”); BlackRock Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc. (“Fundamental Growth”); BlackRock Exchange Portfolio (“Exchange”), BlackRock Index Equity Portfolio (“Index Equity”) and BlackRock International Diversification Fund (“International Diversification”), each a series of BlackRock Funds ^SM ; BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (“Global Allocation”); BlackRock Global Dynamic Equity Fund (“Global Dynamic Equity”); BlackRock Global Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (“Global Emerging Markets”); BlackRock Global Financial Services Fund, Inc. (“Global Financial Services”); BlackRock Global Growth Fund, Inc. (“Global Growth”); BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc. (“Global SmallCap”); BlackRock Healthcare Fund, Inc. (“Healthcare”); BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund (“S&P 500 Index Fund”), BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund (“Small Cap Index Fund”) and BlackRock International Index Fund (“International Index Fund”), each a portfolio of BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.; BlackRock International Fund (“International”) and BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund II (“Small Cap Growth II”), each a series of BlackRock Series, Inc.; BlackRock International Value Fund (“International Value”) of BlackRock International Value Trust; BlackRock Large Cap Growth Fund, BlackRock Large Cap Value Fund, BlackRock Large Cap Core Fund, BlackRock Large Cap Growth Retirement Portfolio, BlackRock Large Cap Value Retirement Portfolio, BlackRock Large Cap Core Retirement Portfolio and BlackRock Large Cap Core Plus Fund (“Large Cap Core Plus”), each a series of BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc. (collectively, “Large Cap Series Funds”); BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. (“Latin America”); BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund (“Mid Cap Value Opportunities”) of BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Series, Inc.; BlackRock Natural Resources Trust (“Natural Resources”); BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc. (“Pacific”); BlackRock Utilities and Telecommunications Fund, Inc. (“Utilities & Telecommunications”); and BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (“Value Opportunities”).

Throughout this Statement of Additional Information, each of the above listed funds may be referred to as a “Fund” or collectively as the “Funds.”

Each Fund is organized either as a Maryland corporation, a Massachusetts business trust or a Delaware statutory trust. In each jurisdiction, nomenclature varies. For ease and clarity of presentation, shares of common stock and shares of beneficial interest are referred to herein as “shares” or “Common Stock,” holders of shares of Common Stock are referred to as “shareholders,” the trustees or directors of each Fund are referred to as “Directors,” BlackRock Advisors, LLC is the investment adviser or manager of each Fund and is referred to herein as the “Manager or BlackRock,” and the investment advisory agreement or management agreement applicable to each Fund is referred to as the “Management Agreement.” Each Fund’s Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust, together with all amendments thereto, is referred to as its “charter.” The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, is referred to herein as the “Investment Company Act.” The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is referred to herein as the “Securities Act.” The Securities and Exchange Commission is referred to herein as the “Commission” or the “SEC.”

Certain Funds are “feeder” funds (each, a “Feeder Fund”) that invest all or a portion of their assets in a corresponding “master” portfolio (each, a “Master Portfolio”) of a master limited liability company (each, a “Master LLC”), a mutual fund that has the same objective and strategies as the Feeder Fund. All investments are generally made at the level of the Master Portfolio. This structure is sometimes called a “master/feeder” structure. A Feeder Fund’s investment results will correspond directly to the investment results of the underlying Master Portfolio in which it invests. For simplicity, this Statement of Additional Information uses the term “Fund” to include both a Feeder Fund and its Master Portfolio.

In addition to containing information about the Funds, Part II of this Statement of Additional Information contains general information about all funds in the BlackRock-advised fund complex. Certain information contained herein may not be relevant to the Funds.

I NVESTMENT R ISKS AND C ONSIDERATIONS

Set forth below are descriptions of some of the types of investments and investment strategies that one or more of the Funds may use, and the risks and considerations associated with those investments and investment strategies. Please see each Fund’s Prospectus and the “Investment Objectives and Policies” section of this Statement of Additional Information for further information on each Fund’s investment policies and risks. Information contained in this section about the risks and considerations associated with a Fund’s investments and/or investment strategies applies only to those Funds specifically

II-1

identified as making each type of investment or using each investment strategy (each, a “Covered Fund”). Information that does not apply to a Covered Fund does not form a part of that Covered Fund’s Statement of Additional Information and should not be relied on by investors in that Covered Fund.

Only information that is clearly identified as applicable to a Covered Fund is considered to form a part of that Covered Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Exchange

S&P 500 Index
Fund

Small Cap Index
Fund

International
Index Fund

Index Equity

International
Diversification

Pacific

144A Securities

Asset-Backed Securities

Asset-Based Securities

-Precious Metal-Related Securities

Bank Loans

Borrowing and Leverage

Cash Flows; Expenses

Cash Management

Collateralized Bond Obligations

Commercial Paper

Commodity-Linked Derivative Instruments and Hybrid Instruments

-Qualifying Hybrid Instruments

-Hybrid Instruments Without Principal Protection

-Limitations on Leverage

-Counterparty Risk

Convertible Securities

Debt Securities

Depositary Receipts (ADRs, EDRs and GDRs)

Derivatives

-Hedging

-Indexed and Inverse Securities

-Swap Agreements

-Credit Default Swap Agreements and Similar Instruments

-Credit Linked Securities

-Interest Rate Transactions and Swaptions

-Total Return Swap Agreements

-Types of Options

—Options on Securities and Securities Indices

—Call Options

—Put Options

-Futures

-Risks Associated with Futures

-Foreign Exchange Transactions

—Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions

—Currency Futures

—Currency Options

—Limitations on Currency Transactions

—Risk Factors Hedging Foreign Currency Risk

-Risk Factors in Derivatives

—Credit Risk

—Currency Risk

II-2

Exchange

S&P 500 Index
Fund

Small Cap Index
Fund

International
Index Fund

Index Equity

International
Diversification

Pacific

—Leverage Risk

—Liquidity Risk

—Correlations Risk

—Index Risk

-Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives

Distressed Securities

Dollar Rolls

Equity Securities

Exchange Traded Notes

Foreign Investment Risks

-Foreign Market Risk

-Foreign Economy Risk

-Currency Risk and Exchange Risk

-Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards

-Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States

-Settlement Risk

-Publicly Available Information

Funding Agreements

Guarantees

Illiquid or Restricted Securities

Inflation-Indexed Bonds

Inflation Risk

Information Concerning the Indices

-Standard & Poor’s 500

-Russell 2000

-EAFE Index

Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Risk

Investment Grade Debt Obligations

Investment in Emerging Markets

-Restrictions on Certain Investments

-Brady Bonds

-Risks of Investing in Asia-Pacific Countries

-Restrictions on Foreign Investments in Asia-Pacific Countries

-Risks of Investments in Russia

Investment in Other Investment Companies

Junk Bonds

Lease Obligations

Liquidity Management

Master Limited Partnerships

Merger Transaction Risk

Mezzanine Investments

Money Market Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks

II-3

Exchange

S&P 500 Index
Fund

Small Cap Index
Fund

International
Index Fund

Index Equity

International
Diversification

Pacific

Mortgage-Related Securities

-Mortgage-Backed Securities

-Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”)

-Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities

-CMO Residuals

-Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities

-Tiered Index Bonds

Municipal Bonds

-General Obligation Bonds

-Revenue Bonds

-PABs

Pay-in-Kind Bonds

Portfolio Turnover Rates

Preferred Stock

Real Estate Related Securities

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITS”)

Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Rights Offerings and Warrants to Purchase

Securities Lending

Securities of Smaller or Emerging Growth Companies

Short Sales

Sovereign Debt

Standby Commitment Agreements

Stripped Securities

Supranational Entities

U.S. Government Obligations

-U.S. Treasury Obligations

Utility Industries

-Electric

-Telecommunications

-Gas

-Water

-Utility Industries Generally

When Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments

Yields and Ratings

Zero Coupon Securities

II-4

144A Securities. A Fund may purchase securities that can be offered and sold only to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Directors have determined to treat as liquid Rule 144A securities that are either freely tradable in their primary markets offshore or have been determined to be liquid in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund’s Directors. The Directors have adopted guidelines and delegated to the Manager the daily function of determining and monitoring liquidity of 144A securities. The Directors, however, will retain sufficient oversight and will ultimately be responsible for the determinations. Since it is not possible to predict with assurance exactly how the market for securities sold and offered under Rule 144A will continue to develop, the Directors will carefully monitor a Fund’s investments in these securities. This investment practice could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity in a Fund to the extent that qualified institutional buyers become for a time uninterested in purchasing these securities.

Asset-Backed Securities. Asset-backed securities are securities backed by home equity loans, installment sale contracts, credit card receivables or other assets. Asset-backed securities are “pass-through” securities, meaning that principal and interest payments — net of expenses — made by the borrower on the underlying assets (such as credit card receivables) are passed through to a Fund. The value of asset-backed securities, like that of traditional fixed income securities, typically increases when interest rates fall and decreases when interest rates rise. However, asset-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities because of their potential for prepayment. The price paid by a Fund for its asset-backed securities, the yield the Fund expects to receive from such securities and the average life of the securities are based on a number of factors, including the anticipated rate of prepayment of the underlying assets. In a period of declining interest rates, borrowers may prepay the underlying assets more quickly than anticipated, thereby reducing the yield to maturity and the average life of the asset-backed securities. Moreover, when a Fund reinvests the proceeds of a prepayment in these circumstances, it will likely receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the security that was prepaid. To the extent that a Fund purchases asset-backed securities at a premium, prepayments may result in a loss to the extent of the premium paid. If a Fund buys such securities at a discount, both scheduled payments and unscheduled prepayments will increase current and total returns and unscheduled prepayments will also accelerate the recognition of income which, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. In a period of rising interest rates, prepayments of the underlying assets may occur at a slower than expected rate, creating maturity extension risk. This particular risk may effectively change a security that was considered short- or intermediate-term at the time of purchase into a longer term security. Since the value of longer-term securities generally fluctuates more widely in response to changes in interest rates than does the value of shorter term securities, maturity extension risk could increase the volatility of the Fund.

Asset-Based Securities. Certain Funds may invest in debt, preferred or convertible securities, the principal amount, redemption terms or conversion terms of which are related to the market price of some natural resource asset such as gold bullion. These securities are referred to as “asset-based securities.” A Fund will purchase only asset-based securities that are rated, or are issued by issuers that have outstanding debt obligations rated, investment grade (for example, AAA, AA, A or BBB by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”), or Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P or Prime-1 by Moody’s) or by issuers that the Manager has determined to be of similar creditworthiness. Obligations ranked in the fourth highest rating category, while considered “investment grade,” may have certain speculative characteristics and may be more likely to be downgraded than securities rated in the three highest rating categories. If an asset-based security is backed by a bank letter of credit or other similar facility, the Manager may take such backing into account in determining the creditworthiness of the issuer. While the market prices for an asset-based security and the related natural resource asset generally are expected to move in the same direction, there may not be perfect correlation in the two price movements. Asset-based securities may not be secured by a security interest in or claim on the underlying natural resource asset. The asset-based securities in which a Fund may invest may bear interest or pay preferred dividends at below market (or even relatively nominal) rates. Certain asset-based securities may be payable at maturity in cash at the stated principal amount or, at the option of the holder, directly in a stated amount of the asset to which it is related. In such instance, because no Fund presently intends to invest directly in natural resource assets, a Fund would sell the asset-based security in the secondary market, to the extent one exists, prior to maturity if the value of the stated amount of the asset exceeds the stated principal amount and thereby realize the appreciation in the underlying asset.

Precious Metal-Related Securities . A Fund may invest in the equity securities of companies that explore for, extract, process or deal in precious metals ( e.g. , gold, silver and platinum), and in asset-based securities indexed to the value of such metals. Such securities may be purchased when they are believed to be attractively priced in relation to the value of a company’s precious metal-related assets or when the values of precious metals are expected to benefit from inflationary pressure or other economic, political or financial uncertainty or instability. Based on historical experience, during periods of economic or financial instability the securities of companies involved in precious metals may be subject to extreme price fluctuations, reflecting the high volatility of precious metal prices during such periods. In addition, the instability of precious metal prices may result in volatile earnings of precious metal-related companies, which may, in turn, adversely affect the financial condition of such companies.

II-5

The major producers of gold include the Republic of South Africa, Russia, Canada, the United States, Brazil and Australia. Sales of gold by Russia are largely unpredictable and often relate to political and economic considerations rather than to market forces. Economic, financial, social and political factors within South Africa may significantly affect South African gold production.

Bank Loans. Certain Funds may invest in bank loans. Bank loans are generally non-investment grade floating rate instruments. Usually, they are freely callable at the issuer’s option. Certain Funds may invest in fixed and floating rate loans (“Loans”) arranged through private negotiations between a corporate borrower or a foreign sovereign entity and one or more financial institutions (“Lenders”). A Fund 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”). A Fund considers these investments to be investments in debt securities for purposes of its investment policies. Participations typically will result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender, not with the borrower. The Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund will acquire Participations only if the Lender interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower is determined by the Fund’s manager to be creditworthy. When the Fund purchases Assignments from Lenders, the Fund will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the Loan, and will not have exposure to a counterparty’s credit risk. The Funds may enter into Participations and Assignments on a forward commitment or “when-issued” basis, whereby a Fund 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.

A Fund may have difficulty disposing of Assignments and Participations. In certain cases, the market for such instruments is not highly liquid, and therefore the Fund 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 Fund’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 Funds’ manager that an adequate trading market exists for these securities. To the extent that liquid Assignments and Participations that a Fund holds become illiquid, due to the lack of sufficient buyers or market or other conditions, the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid assets would increase.

Leading financial institutions often act as agent for a broader group of lenders, generally referred to as a syndicate. The syndicate’s agent arranges the loans, holds collateral and accepts payments of principal and interest. If the agent develops financial problems, a Fund may not recover its investment or recovery may be delayed.

The Loans in which the Fund may invest are subject to the risk of loss of principal and income. Although borrowers frequently provide collateral to secure repayment of these obligations they do not always do so. If they do provide collateral, the value of the collateral may not completely cover the borrower’s obligations at the time of a default. If a borrower files for protection from its creditors under the U.S. bankruptcy laws, these laws may limit a Fund’s rights to its collateral. In addition, the value of collateral may erode during a bankruptcy case. In the event of a bankruptcy, the holder of a Loan may not recover its principal, may experience a long delay in recovering its investment and may not receive interest during the delay.

Borrowing and Leverage. Each Fund may borrow as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including to meet redemptions or to settle securities transactions. Certain Funds will not purchase securities at any time when borrowings exceed 5% of their total assets, except (a) to honor prior commitments or (b) to exercise subscription rights when outstanding borrowings have been obtained exclusively for settlements of other securities transactions. Certain Funds may also borrow in order to make investments. The purchase of securities while borrowings are outstanding will have the effect of leveraging the Fund. Such leveraging increases the Fund’s exposure to capital risk, and borrowed funds are subject to interest costs that will reduce net income. The use of leverage by a Fund creates an opportunity for greater total return, but, at the same time, creates special risks. For example, leveraging may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the yield on the Fund’s portfolio. Although the principal of such borrowings will be fixed, the Fund’s assets may change in value during the time the borrowings are outstanding. Borrowings will create interest expenses for the Fund that can exceed the income from the assets purchased with the borrowings. To the extent the income or capital appreciation derived from securities purchased with borrowed funds exceeds the interest the Fund will have to pay on the borrowings, the Fund’s return will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income or capital appreciation from the securities purchased with such borrowed funds is not sufficient to cover the cost of borrowing, the return to the Fund will be less than if

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leverage had not been used and, therefore, the amount available for distribution to shareholders as dividends will be reduced. In the latter case, the Manager in its best judgment nevertheless may determine to maintain the Fund’s leveraged position if it expects that the benefits to the Fund’s shareholders of maintaining the leveraged position will outweigh the current reduced return.

Certain types of borrowings by a Fund may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage, portfolio composition requirements and other matters. It is not anticipated that observance of such covenants would impede the Manager from managing a Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. However, a breach of any such covenants not cured within the specified cure period may result in acceleration of outstanding indebtedness and require the Fund to dispose of portfolio investments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

Each Fund may at times borrow from affiliates of the Manager, provided that the terms of such borrowings are no less favorable than those available from comparable sources of funds in the marketplace.

Cash Flows; Expenses. The ability of each Fund to satisfy its investment objective depends to some extent on the Manager’s ability to manage cash flow (primarily from purchases and redemptions and distributions from the Fund’s investments). The Manager will make investment changes to a Fund’s portfolio to accommodate cash flow while continuing to seek to replicate the total return of the Fund’s target index. Investors should also be aware that the investment performance of each index is a hypothetical number which does not take into account brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, custody and other costs of investing, and any incremental operating costs ( e.g. , transfer agency and accounting costs) that will be borne by the Funds. Finally, since each Fund seeks to replicate the total return of its target index, the Manager generally will not attempt to judge the merits of any particular security as an investment.

Cash Management. Generally, the Manager will employ futures and options on futures to provide liquidity necessary to meet anticipated redemptions or for day-to-day operating purposes. However, if considered appropriate in the opinion of the Manager, a portion of a Fund’s assets may be invested in certain types of instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less for liquidity purposes. Such instruments would consist of: (i) obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions (“U.S. Government Securities”); (ii) other fixed-income securities rated Aa or higher by Moody’s or AA or higher by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of the Manager; (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements. At the time the Fund invests in commercial paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer or the issuer’s parent must have outstanding debt rated Aa or higher by Moody’s or AA or higher by S&P or outstanding commercial paper, bank obligations or other short-term obligations rated Prime-1 by Moody’s or A-1 by S&P; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Manager.

Collateralized Bond Obligations . Certain Funds may invest in collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), which are structured products backed by a diversified pool of high yield public or private fixed income securities. In addition, a Fund may invest in CBOs to the extent that the securities underlying the CBO meet the credit quality requirements of the Fund. The pool of securities is typically separated into tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The top tranche of CBOs, which represents the highest credit quality in the pool, has the greatest collateralization and pays the lowest interest rate. Lower CBO tranches represent lower degrees of credit quality and pay higher interest rates to compensate for the attendant risks. The bottom tranche specifically receives the residual interest payments (i.e., money that is left over after the higher tiers have been paid) rather than a fixed interest rate. The return on the bottom tranche of CBOs is especially sensitive to the rate of defaults in the collateral pool.

Commercial Paper . Certain Funds may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper purchasable by each Fund 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. 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. Most Funds can purchase commercial paper rated (at the time of purchase) “A-1” by S&P or “Prime-1” by Moody’s or. when deemed

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advisable by a Fund’s Manager or sub-adviser, “high quality” issues rated “A-2”, “Prime-2” or “F-2” by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, respectively.

Commodity-Linked Derivative Instruments and Hybrid Instruments . Certain Funds seek to gain exposure to the commodities markets primarily through investments in hybrid instruments. Hybrid instruments are either equity or debt derivative securities with one or more commodity-dependent components that have payment features similar to a commodity futures contract, a commodity option contract, or a combination of both. Therefore, these instruments are “commodity-linked.” They are considered “hybrid” instruments because they have both commodity-like and security-like characteristics. Hybrid instruments are derivative instruments because at least part of their value is derived from the value of an underlying commodity, futures contract, index or other readily measurable economic variable.

The prices of commodity-linked derivative instruments may move in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have historically tended to decline in value due to the general increase in prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of course, there cannot be any guarantee that these investments will perform in that manner in the future, and at certain times the price movements of commodity-linked instruments have been parallel to those of debt and equity securities. Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value during different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification benefits. Under favorable economic conditions, the Fund’s investments may be expected to under-perform an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term, the returns on the Fund’s investments are expected to exhibit low or negative correlation with stocks and bonds.

Qualifying Hybrid Instruments. Certain Funds may invest in hybrid instruments that qualify for exclusion from regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations adopted thereunder. A hybrid instrument that qualifies for this exclusion from regulation must be “predominantly a security.” A hybrid instrument is considered to be predominantly a security if (a) the issuer of the hybrid instrument receives payment in full of the purchase price of the hybrid instrument, substantially contemporaneously with delivery of the hybrid instrument; (b) the purchaser or holder of the hybrid instrument is not required to make any payment to the issuer in addition to the purchase price paid under subparagraph (a), whether as margin, settlement payment, or otherwise, during the life of the hybrid instrument or at maturity; (c) the issuer of the hybrid instrument is not subject by the terms of the instrument to mark-to-market margining requirements; and (d) the hybrid instrument is not marketed as a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract) subject to applicable provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act. Hybrid instruments may be principal protected, partially protected, or offer no principal protection. A principal protected hybrid instrument means that the issuer will pay, at a minimum, the par value of the note at maturity. Therefore, if the commodity value to which the hybrid instrument is linked declines over the life of the note, the Fund will receive at maturity the face or stated value of the note. With a principal protected hybrid instrument, the Fund will receive at maturity the greater of the par value of the note or the increase in its value based on the underlying commodity or index. This protection is, in effect, an option whose value is subject to the volatility and price level of the underlying commodity. The Manager’s decision whether to use principal protection depends in part on the cost of the protection. In addition, the protection feature depends upon the ability of the issuer to meet its obligation to buy back the security, and, therefore, depends on the creditworthiness of the issuer. With full principal protection, the Fund will receive at maturity of the hybrid instrument either the stated par value of the hybrid instrument, or potentially, an amount greater than the stated par value if the underlying commodity, index, futures contract or economic variable to which the hybrid instrument is linked has increased in value. Partially protected hybrid instruments may suffer some loss of principal if the underlying commodity, index, futures contract or economic variable to which the hybrid instrument is linked declines in value during the term of the hybrid instrument. However, partially protected hybrid instruments have a specified limit as to the amount of principal that they may lose.

Hybrid Instruments Without Principal Protection. Certain Funds may invest in hybrid instruments that offer no principal protection. At maturity, there is a risk that the underlying commodity price, futures contract, index or other economic variable may have declined sufficiently in value such that some or all of the face value of the hybrid instrument might not be returned. The Manager, at its discretion, may invest in a partially protected principal structured note or a note without principal protection. In deciding to purchase a note without principal protection, the Manager may consider, among other things, the expected performance of the underlying commodity futures contract, index or other economic variable over the term of the note, the cost of the note, and any other economic factors that the Manager believes are relevant.

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Limitations on Leverage. Some of the hybrid instruments in which a Fund may invest may involve leverage. To avoid being subject to undue leverage risk, a Fund will seek to limit the amount of economic leverage it has under any one hybrid instrument that it buys and the leverage of the Fund’s overall portfolio. A Fund will not invest in a hybrid instrument if, at the time of purchase: (i) that instrument’s “leverage ratio” exceeds 300% of the price increase in the underlying commodity, futures contract, index or other economic variable or (ii) the Fund’s “portfolio leverage ratio” exceeds 150%, measured at the time of purchase. “Leverage ratio” is the expected increase in the value of a hybrid instrument, assuming a one percent price increase in the underlying commodity, futures contract, index or other economic factor. In other words, for a hybrid instrument with a leverage factor of 150%, a 1% gain in the underlying economic variable would be expected to result in a 1.5% gain in value for the hybrid instrument. Conversely, a hybrid instrument with a leverage factor of 150% would suffer a 1.5% loss if the underlying economic variable lost 1% of its value. “Portfolio leverage ratio” is defined as the average (mean) leverage ratio of all instruments in a Fund’s portfolio, weighted by the market values of such instruments or, in the case of futures contracts, their notional values. To the extent that the policy on a Fund’s use of leverage stated above conflicts with the Investment Company Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, the Fund will comply with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. A Fund may at times or from time to time decide not to use leverage in its investments or use less leverage than may otherwise be allowable.

Counterparty Risk. A significant risk of hybrid instruments is counterparty risk. Unlike exchange-traded futures and options, which are standard contracts, hybrid instruments are customized securities, tailor-made by a specific issuer. With a listed futures or options contract, an investor’s counterparty is the exchange clearinghouse. Exchange clearinghouses are capitalized by the exchange members and typically have high investment grade ratings ( e.g. , ratings of AAA or AA by S&P). Therefore, the risk is small that an exchange clearinghouse might be unable to meet its obligations at maturity. However, with a hybrid instrument, a Fund will take on the counterparty credit risk of the issuer. That is, at maturity of the hybrid instrument, there is a risk that the issuer may be unable to perform its obligations under the structured note.

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.

The characteristics of convertible securities make them potentially attractive investments for an investment company seeking a high total return from capital appreciation and investment income. These characteristics include the potential for capital appreciation as the value of the underlying common stock increases, the relatively high yield received from dividend or interest payments as compared to common stock dividends and decreased risks of decline in value relative to the underlying common stock due to their fixed income nature. As a result of the conversion feature, however, the interest rate or dividend preference on a convertible security is generally less than would be the case if the securities were issued in nonconvertible form.

In analyzing convertible securities, the Manager will consider both the yield on the convertible security relative to its credit quality and the potential capital appreciation that is offered by the underlying common stock, among other things.

Convertible securities are issued and traded in a number of securities markets. Even in cases where a substantial portion of the convertible securities held by a Fund are denominated in U.S. dollars, the underlying equity securities may be quoted in the currency of the country where the issuer is domiciled. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the currency in which the debt security is denominated and the currency in which the share price is quoted will affect the value of the convertible security. With respect to convertible securities denominated in a currency different from that of the underlying equity securities, the conversion price may be based on a fixed exchange rate established at the time the security is issued, which may increase the effects of currency risk. As described below, a Fund is authorized to enter into foreign currency hedging transactions in which it may seek to reduce the effect of exchange rate fluctuations.

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Apart from currency considerations, the value of convertible securities is influenced by both the yield on nonconvertible securities of comparable issuers and by the value of the underlying common stock. The value of a convertible security viewed without regard to its conversion feature ( i.e., strictly on the basis of its yield) is sometimes referred to as its “investment value.” To the extent interest rates change, the investment value of the convertible security typically will fluctuate. At the same time, however, the value of the convertible security will be influenced by its “conversion value,” which is the market value of the underlying common stock that would be obtained if the convertible security were converted. Conversion value fluctuates directly with the price of the underlying common stock. If the conversion value of a convertible security is substantially below its investment value, the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. To the extent the conversion value of a convertible security increases to a point that approximates or exceeds its investment value, the price of the convertible security will be influenced principally by its conversion value. A convertible security will sell at a premium over the conversion value to the extent investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding a fixed income security. The yield and conversion premium of convertible securities issued in Japan and the Euromarket are frequently determined at levels that cause the conversion value to affect their market value more than the securities’ investment value.

Holders of convertible securities generally have a claim on the assets of the issuer prior to the common stockholders but may be subordinated to other debt securities of the same issuer. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in a charter provision, indenture or other governing instrument pursuant to which the convertible security was issued. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Certain convertible debt securities may provide a put option to the holder, which entitles the holder to cause the security to be redeemed by the issuer at a premium over the stated principal amount of the debt security under certain circumstances.

A Fund may also invest in synthetic convertible securities. Synthetic convertible securities may include either Cash-Settled Convertibles or Manufactured Convertibles. Cash-Settled Convertibles are instruments that are created by the issuer and have the economic characteristics of traditional convertible securities but may not actually permit conversion into the underlying equity securities in all circumstances. As an example, a private company may issue a Cash-Settled Convertible that is convertible into common stock only if the company successfully completes a public offering of its common stock prior to maturity and otherwise pays a cash amount to reflect any equity appreciation. Manufactured Convertibles are created by the Manager or another party by combining separate securities that possess one of the two principal characteristics of a convertible security, i.e., fixed income (“fixed income component”) or a right to acquire equity securities (“convertibility component”). The fixed income component is achieved by investing in nonconvertible fixed income securities, such as nonconvertible bonds, preferred stocks and money market instruments. The convertibility component is achieved by investing in call options, warrants, or other securities with equity conversion features (“equity features”) granting the holder the right to purchase a specified quantity of the underlying stocks within a specified period of time at a specified price or, in the case of a stock index option, the right to receive a cash payment based on the value of the underlying stock index.

A Manufactured Convertible differs from traditional convertible securities in several respects. Unlike a traditional convertible security, which is a single security that has a unitary market value, a Manufactured Convertible is comprised of two or more separate securities, each with its own market value. Therefore, the total “market value” of such a Manufactured Convertible is the sum of the values of its fixed income component and its convertibility component.

More flexibility is possible in the creation of a Manufactured Convertible than in the purchase of a traditional convertible security. Because many corporations have not issued convertible securities, the Manager may combine a fixed income instrument and an equity feature with respect to the stock of the issuer of the fixed income instrument to create a synthetic convertible security otherwise unavailable in the market. The Manager may also combine a fixed income instrument of an issuer with an equity feature with respect to the stock of a different issuer when the Manager believes such a Manufactured Convertible would better promote a Fund’s objective than alternative investments. For example, the Manager may combine an equity feature with respect to an issuer’s stock with a fixed income security of a different issuer in the same industry to diversify the Fund’s credit exposure, or with a U.S. Treasury instrument to create a Manufactured Convertible with a higher credit profile than a traditional convertible security issued by that issuer. A Manufactured Convertible also is a more flexible investment in that its two components may be purchased separately and, upon purchasing the separate securities, “combined” to create a Manufactured Convertible. For example, the Fund may purchase a warrant for eventual inclusion in a Manufactured Convertible while postponing the purchase of a suitable bond to pair with the warrant pending development of more favorable market conditions.

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The value of a Manufactured Convertible may respond to certain market fluctuations differently from a traditional convertible security with similar characteristics. For example, in the event a Fund created a Manufactured Convertible by combining a short-term U.S. Treasury instrument and a call option on a stock, the Manufactured Convertible would be expected to outperform a traditional convertible of similar maturity that is convertible into that stock during periods when Treasury instruments outperform corporate fixed income securities and underperform during periods when corporate fixed income securities outperform Treasury instruments.

Debt Securities. Debt securities, such as bonds, involve credit risk. This is the risk that the issuer will not make timely payments of principal and interest. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the debt securities. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of a Fund’s investment in that issuer. Credit risk is reduced to the extent a Fund limits its debt investments to U.S. Government securities. All debt securities, however, are subject to interest rate risk. This is the risk that the value of the security may fall when interest rates rise. If interest rates move sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management, a Fund’s investments in debt securities could be adversely affected and the Fund could lose money. In general, the market price of debt securities with longer maturities will go up or down more in response to changes in interest rates than will the market price of shorter-term debt securities.

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.

Depositary Receipts (ADRs, EDRs and GDRs). Certain Funds may invest in the securities of foreign issuers in the form of Depositary Receipts or other securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. The Fund may invest in both sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary 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 foreign corporation. EDRs, which are sometimes referred to as Continental Depositary Receipts, are receipts issued in Europe, typically by foreign banks and trust companies, that evidence ownership of either foreign or domestic underlying securities. GDRs are depositary 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. Depositary Receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. Investments in ADRs, EDRs and GDRs present additional investment considerations as described under “Foreign Investment Risks.”

Derivatives

Each Fund may use instruments referred to as derivative securities. Derivatives are financial instruments the value of which is derived from another security, a commodity (such as gold or oil), a currency or an index (a measure of value or rates, such as the S&P 500 Index or the prime lending rate). Derivatives allow a Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk to which the Fund is exposed more quickly and efficiently than transactions in other types of instruments. Each Fund may use derivatives for hedging purposes. Certain Funds may also use derivatives for speculative purposes to seek to enhance returns. The use of a derivative is speculative if the Fund is primarily seeking to achieve gains, rather than offset the risk of other positions. When a Fund invests in a derivative for speculative purposes, the Fund will be fully exposed to the risks of loss of that derivative, which may sometimes be greater than the derivative’s cost. No Fund may use any derivative to gain exposure to an asset or class of assets that it would be prohibited by its investment restrictions from purchasing directly.

Hedging . Hedging is a strategy in which a derivative is used to offset the risks associated with other Fund holdings. Losses on the other investment may be substantially reduced by gains on a derivative that reacts in an opposite manner to market movements. While hedging can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Fund or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. Hedging also involves correlation risk, i.e. the risk that changes in the value of the derivative will not match those of the holdings being hedged as expected by a Fund, in which case any losses on the holdings being hedged may not be reduced or may be increased. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on a Fund’s ability to hedge effectively its portfolio. There is also a risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits or collateral in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in an option, a futures contract or a related option. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s hedging strategies will be effective. No Fund is required to engage in hedging transactions and each Fund may choose not to do so.

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A Fund may use derivative instruments and trading strategies, including the following:

Indexed and Inverse Securities. A Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is based on an index or interest rate. As an illustration, a Fund may invest in a debt security that pays interest based on the current value of an interest rate index, such as the prime rate. A Fund may also invest in a debt security that returns principal at maturity based on the level of a securities index or a basket of securities, or based on the relative changes of two indices. In addition, certain Funds may invest in securities the potential return of which is based inversely on the change in an index or interest rate (that is, a security the value of which will move in the opposite direction of changes to an index or interest rate). For example, a Fund may invest in securities that pay a higher rate of interest when a particular index decreases and pay a lower rate of interest (or do not fully return principal) when the value of the index increases. If a Fund invests in such securities, it may be subject to reduced or eliminated interest payments or loss of principal in the event of an adverse movement in the relevant interest rate, index or indices. Indexed and inverse securities involve credit risk, and certain indexed and inverse securities may involve leverage risk, liquidity risk and currency risk. When used for hedging purposes, indexed and inverse securities involve correlation risk. (Furthermore, where such a security includes a contingent liability, in the event of an adverse movement in the underlying index or interest rate, a Fund may be required to pay substantial additional margin to maintain the position.)

Swap Agreements. 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 can 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.

A Fund will enter into an equity swap transaction only if, immediately following the time the Fund enters into the transaction, the aggregate notional principal amount of equity swap transactions to which the Fund is a party would not exceed 5% of the Fund’s net assets.

Whether a Fund’s use of swap agreements or swaptions will be successful in furthering its investment objectives will depend on the Manager’s or sub-adviser’s ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce 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, a Fund 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. A Fund 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, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. Swap agreements are also subject to the risk that a Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to the counterparty. The Fund, however, will deposit in a segregated account, liquid assets permitted to be so segregated by the Commission in an amount equal to or greater than the market value of the liabilities under the swap agreement or the amount it would cost the Fund initially to make an equivalent direct investment, plus or minus any amount the Fund is obligated to pay or is to receive under the swap agreement. 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. The swaps market is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

Credit Default Swap Agreements and Similar Instruments. Certain Funds may enter into credit default swap agreements and similar agreements, and may also buy credit-linked securities. The credit default swap agreement or similar instrument may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by a Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract may be obligated to pay the protection “seller” an up-front payment or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided generally that no credit event on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If a Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund recovers nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the Fund may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value. As a seller, a Fund generally receives an up-front payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the seller must pay the buyer the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity that may have little or no value.

Credit default swaps and similar instruments involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly, since, in addition to general market risks, they are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements and similar instruments only with counterparties who are rated investment grade quality by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization at the time of entering into such transaction or whose creditworthiness is believed by the Manager to be equivalent to such rating. A buyer also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the up front or periodic payments previously

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received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Fund. When a Fund acts as a seller of a credit default swap or a similar instrument, it is exposed to many of the same risks of leverage since, if a credit event occurs, the seller may be required to pay the buyer the full notional value of the contract net of any amounts owed by the buyer related to its delivery of deliverable obligations.

Credit Linked Securities . Among the income producing securities in which a Fund may invest are credit linked securities, which are issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle that, in turn, invests in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and other securities, in order to provide exposure to certain fixed income markets. For instance, a Fund may invest in credit linked securities as a cash management tool in order to gain exposure to a certain market and/or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available.

Like an investment in a bond, investments in these credit linked securities represent the right to receive periodic income payments (in the form of distributions) and payment of principal at the end of the term of the security. However, these payments are conditioned on the issuer’s receipt of payments from, and the issuer’s potential obligations to, the counterparties to the derivative instruments and other securities in which the issuer invests. For instance, the issuer may sell one or more credit default swaps, under which the issuer would receive a stream of payments over the term of the swap agreements provided that no event of default has occurred with respect to the referenced debt obligation upon which the swap is based. If a default occurs, the stream of payments may stop and the issuer would be obligated to pay the counterparty the par (or other agreed upon value) of the referenced debt obligation. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of income and principal that a Fund would receive. A Fund’s investments in these instruments are indirectly subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments, including, among others, credit risk, default or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk and management risk. It is also expected that the securities will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, there may be no established trading market for the securities and they may constitute illiquid investments.

Interest Rate Transactions and Swaptions . Certain Funds, to the extent permitted under applicable law, may enter into forms of swap agreements including 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”. Caps and floors are less liquid than swaps. 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. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. Certain Funds may also enter into options on swap agreements (“swaptions”) on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether a Fund is hedging its assets or its liabilities. A Fund may enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of their holdings, as a duration management technique or to protect against an increase in the price of securities a Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. They may also be used for speculation to increase returns.

A Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments.

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Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund 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 a Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

A Fund 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 Manager or sub-adviser will designate liquid assets on its books and records in an amount havin 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, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive.

Total Return Swap Agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in market value of the assets underlying the contract, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or investing directly in such market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

Total return swap agreements are subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also bear the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, the Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis ( i.e. , the two payment streams are netted against one another with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each total return swap will be accrued on a daily basis, and an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated by the Fund. If the total return swap transaction is entered into on other than a net basis, the full amount of the Fund’s obligations will be accrued on a daily basis, and the full amount of the Fund’s obligations will be segregated by the Fund in an amount equal to or greater than the market value of the liabilities under the total return swap agreement or the amount it would have cost the Fund initially to make an equivalent direct investment, plus or minus any amount the Fund is obligated to pay or is to receive under the total return swap agreement.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

Types of Options. A Fund may engage in transactions in options on individual securities, baskets of securities or securities indices, or particular measurements of value or rates (an “index”), such as an index of the price of treasury securities or an index representative of short-term interest rates. Such investments may be made on exchanges and in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets. In general, exchange-traded options have standardized exercise prices and expiration dates and require the parties to post margin against their obligations, and the performance of the parties’ obligations in connection with such options is guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation. OTC options have more flexible terms negotiated

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between the buyer and the seller, but generally do not require the parties to post margin and are subject to greater credit risk. OTC options also involve greater liquidity risk. See “Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives” below.

Call Options . A Fund may purchase call options on any of the types of securities or instruments in which it may invest. A purchased call option gives a Fund the right to buy, and obligates the seller to sell, the underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period. A Fund also may purchase and sell call options on indices. Index options are similar to options on securities except that, rather than taking or making delivery of securities underlying the option at a specified price upon exercise, an index option gives the holder the right to receive cash upon exercise of the option if the level of the index upon which the option is based is greater than the exercise price of the option.

A Fund also is authorized to write ( i.e. , sell) covered call options on the securities or instruments in which it may invest and to enter into closing purchase transactions with respect to certain of such options. A covered call option is an option in which a Fund, in return for a premium, gives another party a right to buy specified securities owned by the Fund at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract. The principal reason for writing call options is the attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater return than would be realized on the securities alone. By writing covered call options, a Fund gives up the opportunity, while the option is in effect, to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price. In addition, a Fund’s ability to sell the underlying security will be limited while the option is in effect unless the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction cancels out a Fund’s position as the writer of an option by means of an offsetting purchase of an identical option prior to the expiration of the option it has written. Covered call options also serve as a partial hedge to the extent of the premium received against the price of the underlying security declining.

A call option is considered to be covered if a Fund 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 Fund in liquid assets designated on the adviser’s or sub-adviser’s books and records to the extent required by SEC guidelines.

A Fund also is authorized to write ( i.e. , sell) uncovered call options on securities or instruments in which it may invest but that are not currently held by the Fund. The principal reason for writing uncovered call options is to realize income without committing capital to the ownership of the underlying securities or instruments. When writing uncovered call options, a Fund must deposit and maintain sufficient margin with the broker-dealer through which it made the uncovered call option as collateral to ensure that the securities can be purchased for delivery if and when the option is exercised. In addition, in connection with each such transaction a Fund will segregate unencumbered liquid securities or cash with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure (the difference between the unpaid amounts owed by the Fund on such transaction minus any collateral deposited with the broker-dealer), on a marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the Commission). Such segregation will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Such segregation will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss. During periods of declining securities prices or when prices are stable, writing uncovered calls can be a profitable strategy to increase a Fund’s income with minimal capital risk. Uncovered calls are riskier than covered calls because there is no underlying security held by a Fund that can act as a partial hedge. Uncovered calls have speculative characteristics and the potential for loss is unlimited. When an uncovered call is exercised, a Fund must purchase the underlying security to meet its call obligation. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities, that the securities may not be available for purchase. If the purchase price exceeds the exercise price, a Fund will lose the difference.

Put Options . A Fund is authorized to purchase put options to seek to hedge against a decline in the value of its securities or to enhance its return. By buying a put option, a Fund acquires a right to sell the underlying securities or instruments at the exercise price, thus limiting the Fund’s risk of loss through a decline in the market value of the securities or instruments until the put option expires. The amount of any appreciation in the value of the underlying securities or instruments will be partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and any related transaction costs. Prior to its expiration, a put option may be sold in a closing sale transaction and profit or loss from the sale will depend on whether the amount received is more or less than the premium paid for the put option plus the related transaction costs. A closing sale transaction cancels out a Fund’s position as the purchaser of an option by means of an offsetting sale of an identical option prior to the expiration of the option it has purchased. A Fund also may purchase uncovered put options.

A Fund also has authority to write ( i.e. , sell) put options on the types of securities or instruments that may be held by the Fund, provided that such put options are covered, meaning that such options are secured by segregated, liquid assets. A Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option, which increases the Fund’s return. A Fund will not sell puts if, as a result, more than 50% of the Fund’s assets would be required to cover its potential obligations under its hedging and other investment transactions.

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A Fund is also authorized to write ( i.e. , sell) uncovered put options on securities or instruments in which it may invest but with respect to which the Fund does not currently have a corresponding short position or has not deposited as collateral cash equal to the exercise value of the put option with the broker-dealer through which it made the uncovered put option. The principal reason for writing uncovered put options is to receive premium income and to acquire such securities or instruments at a net cost below the current market value. A Fund has the obligation to buy the securities or instruments at an agreed upon price if the price of the securities or instruments decreases below the exercise price. If the price of the securities or instruments increases during the option period, the option will expire worthless and a Fund will retain the premium and will not have to purchase the securities or instruments at the exercise price. In connection with such a transaction, a Fund will segregate unencumbered liquid assets with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure, on a marked-to-market basis (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the Commission). Such segregation will ensure that a Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will avoid any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Such segregation will not limit the Fund’s exposure to 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 may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by a national securities 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 a national securities exchange; the facilities of a national securities exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or one or more national securities 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 national securities 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 national securities exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

Futures

A Fund may engage in transactions in futures and options on futures. Futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future date at a specified price. No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Rather, upon purchasing or selling a futures contract a Fund is required to deposit collateral (“margin”) equal to a percentage (generally less than 10%) of the contract value. Each day thereafter until the futures position is closed, the Fund will pay additional margin representing any loss experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day or be entitled to a payment representing any profit experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day. Futures involve substantial leverage risk.

The sale of a futures contract limits a Fund’s risk of loss from a decline in the market value of portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract prior to the futures contract’s expiration date. In the event the market value of the portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract increases rather than decreases, however, a Fund will realize a loss on the futures position and a lower return on the portfolio holdings than would have been realized without the purchase of the futures contract.

The purchase of a futures contract may protect a Fund from having to pay more for securities as a consequence of increases in the market value for such securities during a period when the Fund was attempting to identify specific securities in which to invest in a market the Fund believes to be attractive. In the event that such securities decline in value or a Fund determines not to complete an anticipatory hedge transaction relating to a futures contract, however, the Fund may realize a loss relating to the futures position.

A Fund is also authorized to purchase or sell call and put options on futures contracts including financial futures and stock indices. Generally, these strategies would be used under the same market and market sector conditions ( i.e. , conditions relating to specific types of investments) in which the Fund entered into futures transactions. A Fund may purchase put options or write call options on futures contracts and stock indices in lieu of selling the underlying futures contract in anticipation of a decrease in the market value of its securities. Similarly, a Fund can purchase call options, or write put options on futures contracts and stock indices, as a substitute for the purchase of such futures to hedge against the increased cost resulting from an increase in the market value of securities which the Fund intends to purchase.

To maintain greater flexibility, a Fund 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 security, an index of securities or 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.

Risks Associated with Futures . 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 a Fund 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 Manager’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.

Each Fund’s Manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Manager is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA and each Fund is operated so as not to be deemed a “commodity pool” under the regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Foreign Exchange Transactions. A Fund may engage in spot and forward foreign exchange transactions and currency swaps, purchase and sell options on currencies and purchase and sell currency futures and related options thereon (collectively, “Currency Instruments”) for purposes of hedging against the decline in the value of currencies in which its portfolio holdings are denominated against the U.S. dollar or, with respect to certain Funds, to seek to enhance returns. Such transactions could be effected with respect to hedges on foreign dollar denominated securities owned by a Fund, sold by a Fund but not yet delivered, or committed or anticipated to be purchased by a Fund. As an illustration, a Fund may use such techniques to

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hedge the stated value in U.S. dollars of an investment in a yen-denominated security. In such circumstances, for example, the Fund may purchase a foreign currency put option enabling it to sell a specified amount of yen for dollars at a specified price by a future date. To the extent the hedge is successful, a loss in the value of the yen relative to the dollar will tend to be offset by an increase in the value of the put option. To offset, in whole or in part, the cost of acquiring such a put option, the Fund may also sell a call option which, if exercised, requires it to sell a specified amount of yen for dollars at a specified price by a future date (a technique called a “straddle”). By selling such a call option in this illustration, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit without limit from increases in the relative value of the yen to the dollar. “Straddles” of the type that may be used by a Fund are considered to constitute hedging transactions. No Fund will attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions.

Currency Swaps. Currency swaps usually involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the other designated currency. As a result, 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.

Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions. Forward foreign exchange transactions are OTC contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of a specified currency or multinational currency unit at a price and future date set at the time of the contract. Spot foreign exchange transactions are similar but require current, rather than future, settlement. A Fund will enter into foreign exchange transactions for purposes of hedging either a specific transaction or a portfolio position, or, with respect to certain Funds, to seek to enhance returns. A Fund may enter into a foreign exchange transaction for purposes of hedging a specific transaction by, for example, purchasing a currency needed to settle a security transaction or selling a currency in which the Fund has received or anticipates receiving a dividend or distribution. A Fund may enter into a foreign exchange transaction for purposes of hedging a portfolio position by selling forward a currency in which a portfolio position of the Fund is denominated or by purchasing a currency in which the Fund anticipates acquiring a portfolio position in the near future. A Fund may also hedge portfolio positions through currency swaps, which are transactions in which one currency is simultaneously bought for a second currency on a spot basis and sold for the second currency on a forward basis. A Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund’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 Fund 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 a Fund is engaged in proxy hedging. A Fund 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 Fund has or in which the Fund expects to have portfolio exposure. For example, a Fund may hold both Canadian government bonds and Japanese government bonds, and the Manager or sub-adviser may believe that Canadian dollars will deteriorate against Japanese yen. This strategy would be a hedge against a decline in the value of Canadian dollars, although it would expose the Fund to declines in the value of the Japanese yen relative to the US dollar. Forward foreign exchange transactions involve substantial currency risk, and also involve credit and liquidity risk. A Fund may also hedge a currency by entering into a transaction in a Currency Instrument denominated in a currency other than the currency being hedged (a “cross-hedge”). A Fund will only enter into a cross-hedge if the Manager believes that (i) there is a demonstrably high correlation between the currency in which the cross-hedge is denominated and the currency being hedged, and (ii) executing a cross-hedge through the currency in which the cross-hedge is denominated will be significantly more cost-effective or provide substantially greater liquidity than executing a similar hedging transaction by means of the currency being hedged.

Some of the forward foreign currency contracts entered into by the Funds are classified as non-deliverable forwards (“NDF”). NDFs are cash-settled, short-term forward contracts that may be thinly traded or are denominated in non-convertible foreign currency, where the profit or loss at the time at the settlement date is calculated by taking the difference between the agreed upon exchange rate and the spot rate at the time of settlement, for an agreed upon notional amount of funds. All NDFs have a fixing date and a settlement date. The fixing date is the date at which the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate and the agreed upon exchange rate is calculated. The settlement date is the date by which the payment of the difference is due to the party receiving payment. NDFs are commonly quoted for time periods of one month up to two years, and are normally quoted and settled in U.S. dollars. They are often used to gain exposure to and/or hedge exposure to foreign currencies that are not internationally traded.

Currency Futures. A Fund may also seek to enhance returns or hedge against the decline in the value of a currency through use of currency futures or options thereon. Currency futures are similar to forward foreign exchange transactions except that futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts while forward foreign exchange transactions are traded in the OTC market. Currency futures involve substantial currency risk, and also involve leverage risk.

Currency Options. A Fund may also seek to enhance returns or hedge against the decline in the value of a currency through the use of currency options. Currency options are similar to options on securities. For example, in consideration for an option premium the writer of a currency option is obligated to sell (in the case of a call option) or purchase (in the case of a put option) a specified amount of a specified currency on or before the expiration date for a specified amount of another currency. A Fund may engage in transactions in options on currencies either on exchanges or OTC markets. A Fund may write covered call options on up to 100% of the currencies in its portfolio. See “Types of Options” above and “Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives” below. Currency options involve substantial currency risk, and may also involve credit, leverage or liquidity risk.

Limitations on Currency Transactions. A Fund will not hedge a currency in excess of the aggregate market value of the securities that it owns (including receivables for unsettled securities sales), or has committed to purchase or anticipates purchasing, which are denominated in such currency. Open positions in forward foreign exchange transactions used for non-hedging purposes will be covered by the segregation of liquid assets and are marked to market daily. A Fund’s exposure to futures or options on currencies will be covered as described below under “Risk Factors in Derivatives.”

Risk Factors in Hedging Foreign Currency. Hedging transactions involving Currency Instruments involve substantial risks, including correlation risk. While a Fund’s use of Currency Instruments to effect hedging strategies is intended to reduce the volatility of the net asset value of the Fund’s shares, the net asset value of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate. Moreover, although Currency Instruments will be used with the intention of hedging against adverse currency movements, transactions in Currency Instruments involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted and that the Fund’s hedging strategies will be ineffective. To the extent that a Fund hedges against anticipated currency movements that do not occur, the Fund may realize losses and decrease its total return as the result of its hedging transactions. Furthermore, a Fund will only engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not be engaging in hedging activities when movements in currency exchange rates occur.

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In connection with its trading in forward foreign currency contracts, a Fund will contract with a foreign or domestic bank, or foreign or domestic securities dealer, to make or take future delivery of a specified amount of a particular currency. There are no limitations on daily price moves in such forward contracts, and banks and dealers are not required to continue to make markets in such contracts. There have been periods during which certain banks or dealers have refused to quote prices for such forward contracts or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which the bank or dealer is prepared to buy and that at which it is prepared to sell. Governmental imposition of credit controls might limit any such forward contract trading. With respect to its trading of forward contracts, if any, a Fund will be subject to the risk of bank or dealer failure and the inability of, or refusal by, a bank or dealer to perform with respect to such contracts. Any such default would deprive the Fund of any profit potential or force the Fund to cover its commitments for resale, if any, at the then market price and could result in a loss to the Fund.

It may not be possible for a Fund to hedge against currency exchange rate movements, even if correctly anticipated, in the event that (i) the currency exchange rate movement is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an effective price, or (ii) the currency exchange rate movement relates to a market with respect to which Currency Instruments are not available and it is not possible to engage in effective foreign currency hedging. The cost to a Fund of engaging in foreign currency transactions varies with such factors as the currencies involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Since transactions in foreign currency exchange usually are conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved.

Risk Factors in Derivatives

Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including:

Credit Risk — the risk that the counterparty in a derivative transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to a Fund, or the risk that the reference entity in a credit default swap or similar derivative will not be able to honor its financial obligations.

Currency Risk — the risk that changes in the exchange rate between two currencies will adversely affect the value (in U.S. dollar terms) of an investment.

Leverage Risk — the risk associated with certain types of investments or trading strategies (such as, for example, borrowing money to increase the amount of investments) that relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of an investment. Certain investments or trading strategies that involve leverage can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.

Liquidity Risk — the risk that certain securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the seller would like or at the price that the seller believes the security is currently worth.

Correlation Risk — the risk that changes in the value of a derivative will not match the changes in the value of the portfolio holdings that are being hedged or of the particular market or security to which the Fund seeks exposure.

Index Risk — If the derivative is linked to the performance of an index, it will be subject to the risks associated with changes in that index. If the index changes, a Fund could receive lower interest payments or experience a reduction in the value of the derivative to below what that Fund paid. Certain indexed securities, including inverse securities (which move in an opposite direction to the index), may create leverage, to the extent that they increase or decrease in value at a rate that is a multiple of the changes in the applicable index.

A Fund intends to enter into transactions involving derivatives only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market for such instruments or, in the case of illiquid instruments traded in OTC transactions, such instruments satisfy the criteria set forth below under “Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives.” However, there can be no assurance that, at any specific time, either a liquid secondary market will exist for a derivative or the Fund will otherwise be able to sell such instrument at an acceptable price. It may, therefore, not be possible to close a position in a derivative without incurring substantial losses, if at all.

Certain transactions in derivatives (such as futures transactions or sales of put options) involve substantial leverage risk and may expose a Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. When a Fund engages in such a transaction, the Fund will deposit in a segregated account liquid assets with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure, on a mark-to-market basis, to the transaction (as calculated pursuant to requirements of the Commission). Such segregation will

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ensure that a Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction, but will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss.

Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives

Certain derivatives traded in OTC markets, including indexed securities, swaps and OTC options, involve substantial liquidity risk. The absence of liquidity may make it difficult or impossible for a Fund to sell such instruments promptly at an acceptable price. The absence of liquidity may also make it more difficult for a Fund to ascertain a market value for such instruments. A Fund will, therefore, acquire illiquid OTC instruments (i) if the agreement pursuant to which the instrument is purchased contains a formula price at which the instrument may be terminated or sold, or (ii) for which the Manager anticipates the Fund can receive on each business day at least two independent bids or offers, unless a quotation from only one dealer is available, in which case that dealer’s quotation may be used.

Because derivatives traded in OTC markets are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing corporation and generally do not require payment of margin, to the extent that a Fund has unrealized gains in such instruments or has deposited collateral with its counterparty the Fund is at risk that its counterparty will become bankrupt or otherwise fail to honor its obligations. A Fund will attempt to minimize these risks by engaging in transactions in derivatives traded in OTC markets only with financial institutions that have substantial capital or that have provided the Fund with a third-party guaranty or other credit enhancement.

Distressed Securities. A Fund may invest in securities, including loans purchased in the secondary market, that are the subject of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise in default or in risk of being in default as to the repayment of principal and/or interest at the time of acquisition by the Fund or that are rated in the lower rating categories by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (for example, Ca or lower by Moody’s and CC or lower by S&P or Fitch) or, if unrated, are in the judgment of the Manager of equivalent quality (“Distressed Securities”). Investment in Distressed Securities is speculative and involves significant risks.

A Fund will generally make such investments only when the Manager believes it is reasonably likely that the issuer of the Distressed Securities will make an exchange offer or will be the subject of a plan of reorganization pursuant to which the Fund will receive new securities in return for the Distressed Securities. However, there can be no assurance that such an exchange offer will be made or that such a plan of reorganization will be adopted. In addition, a significant period of time may pass between the time at which a Fund makes its investment in Distressed Securities and the time that any such exchange offer or plan of reorganization is completed. During this period, it is unlikely that a Fund will receive any interest payments on the Distressed Securities, the Fund will be subject to significant uncertainty as to whether or not the exchange offer or plan of reorganization will be completed and the Fund may be required to bear certain extraordinary expenses to protect and recover its investment. Therefore, to the extent the Fund seeks capital appreciation through investment in distressed securities, the Fund’s ability to achieve current income for its shareholders may be diminished. The Fund also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the obligations evidenced by the distressed securities will eventually be satisfied (e.g., through a liquidation of the obligor’s assets, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the distressed securities or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation). Even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to Distressed Securities held by a Fund, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by a Fund in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made or no value. Moreover, any securities received by a Fund upon completion of an exchange offer or plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. Similarly, if a Fund participates in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of Distressed Securities, the Fund may be restricted from disposing of such securities. To the extent that a Fund becomes involved in such proceedings, the Fund may have a more active participation in the affairs of the issuer than that assumed generally by an investor. The Fund, however, will not make investments for the purpose of exercising day-to-day management of any issuer’s affairs.

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 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, a Fund 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 Fund, and the income from these investments will generate income for the Fund. 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 a Fund compared with what the performance would have been without the use of dollar rolls. At the time a Fund enters into a dollar roll transaction,

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the Manager or sub-adviser will designate assets on its books and records in an amount equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitments and will subsequently monitor the account to ensure that its value is maintained.

Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities subject to a Fund’s forward purchase commitment may decline below, or the market value of the securities subject to a Fund’s forward sale commitment may increase above, the exercise price of the forward commitment. In the event the buyer of the securities files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund’s use of the proceeds of the current sale portion of the transaction may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to purchase the similar securities in the forward transaction. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques that can be deemed to involve leverage. At the time a Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase securities at a future date, the Fund will segregate liquid assets with a value equal to the repurchase price. A Fund may engage in dollar roll transactions to enhance return. Each dollar roll transaction is accounted for as a sale or purchase of a portfolio security and a subsequent purchase or sale of a substantially similar security in the forward market.

Equity Securities. Certain Funds may invest in equity securities, which include common stock and preferred stock (including convertible preferred stock); bonds, notes and debentures convertible into common or preferred stock; stock purchase warrants and rights; equity interests in trusts; general and limited partnerships and limited liability companies; and depositary receipts. For a discussion of the types of equity securities in which your Fund may invest and the risks associated with investing in such equity securities, see your Fund’s prospectus.

Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”). Certain Funds may invest in ETNs. ETNs are generally notes representing debt of the issuer, usually a financial institution. ETNs combine both aspects of bonds and ETFs. An ETN’s returns are based on the performance of one or more underlying assets, reference rates or indexes, minus fees and expenses. Similar to ETFs, ETNs are listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETN’s maturity, at which time the issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the specific asset, index or rate (“reference instrument”) to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments, and principal is not protected.

The value of an ETN may be influenced by, among other things, time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying markets, changes in the applicable interest rates, the performance of the reference instrument, changes in the issuer’s credit rating and economic, legal, political or geographic events that affect the reference instrument. An ETN that is tied to a reference instrument may not replicate the performance of the reference instrument. ETNs also incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable reference instrument. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid and, thus, they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Levered ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. Finally, additional losses may be incurred if the investment loses value because, in addition to the money lost on the investment, the loan still needs to be repaid.

Because the return on the ETN is dependent on the issuer’s ability or willingness to meet its obligations, the value of the ETN may change due to a change in the issuer’s credit rating, despite no change in the underlying reference instrument. The market value of ETN shares may differ from the value of the reference instrument. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the assets underlying the reference instrument that the ETN seeks to track.

There may be restrictions on the Fund’s right to redeem its investment in an ETN, which are generally meant to be held until maturity. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. An investor in an ETN could lose some or all of the amount invested.

Foreign Investment Risks. Certain Funds may invest in foreign securities, including securities from issuers located in emerging market countries. These securities may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in a foreign currency. Investing in foreign securities involves risks not typically associated with investing in securities of companies organized and operated in the United States that can increase the chances that a Fund will lose money.

In addition to equity securities, foreign investments of the Funds may include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign governments or their agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, including a foreign state, province or municipality; (b) debt obligations of supranational organizations; (c) debt obligations of foreign banks and bank holding companies; (d) debt obligations of domestic banks and corporations issued in foreign currencies; (e) debt obligations denominated in the Euro; and (f) foreign corporate debt securities and commercial paper. Such securities may include loan participations and assignments, convertible securities and zero-coupon securities.

Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes.

Foreign Market Risk. Funds that may invest in foreign securities offer the potential for more diversification than a Fund that invests only in the United States because securities traded on foreign markets have often (though not always) performed

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differently from securities traded in the United States. However, such investments often involve risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that a Fund will lose money. In particular, a Fund is subject to the risk that, because there are generally fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of shares traded each day, it may be difficult for the Fund to buy and sell securities on those exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may fluctuate more than prices of securities traded in the United States. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair a Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, or otherwise adversely affect a Fund’s operations. Other potential foreign market risks include exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing favorable legal judgments in foreign courts, and political and social conditions, such as diplomatic relations, confiscatory taxation, expropriation, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, or imposition of (or change in) exchange control regulations. Legal remedies available to investors in certain foreign countries may be less extensive than those available to investors in the United States or other foreign countries. 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 a Fund’s operations. Also, brokerage commissions and other costs of buying or selling securities often are higher in foreign countries than they are in the United States. This reduces the amount the Fund can earn on its investments.

Foreign Economy Risk. The economies of certain foreign markets often do not compare favorably with that of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources, and balance of payments position. Certain such economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures.

Currency Risk and Exchange Risk. Because foreign securities generally are denominated and pay dividends or interest in foreign currencies, the value of a Fund that invests in foreign securities as measured in U.S. dollars will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in exchange rates. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk, generally known as “currency risk,” means that a stronger U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors while a weak U.S. dollar will increase those returns.

Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards. Many foreign governments supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities less than does the United States. Some countries may not have laws to protect investors comparable to the U.S. securities laws. For example, some foreign countries may have no laws or rules against insider trading. Insider trading occurs when a person buys or sells a company’s securities based on nonpublic information about that company. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the United States. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for Fund management to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition. In addition, the U.S. Government has from time to time in the past imposed restrictions, through penalties and otherwise, on foreign investments by U.S. investors such as the Fund. If such restrictions should be reinstituted, it might become necessary for the Fund to invest all or substantially all of its assets in U.S. securities.

Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States. A Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories. Some foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In addition, there may be limited or no regulatory oversight over their operations. Also, the laws of certain countries may put limits on a Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank or depository or issuer of a security or any of their agents goes bankrupt. In addition, it is often more expensive for a Fund to buy, sell and hold securities in certain foreign markets than in the United States. The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount a Fund can earn on its investments and typically results in a higher operating expense ratio for the Fund as compared to investment companies that invest only in the United States.

Publicly Available Information. In general, less information is publicly available with respect to foreign issuers than is available with respect to U.S. companies. Most foreign 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 foreign stock exchanges has increased in recent years, it remains appreciably below that of the New York Stock Exchange. Accordingly, a Fund’s foreign 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.

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Settlement Risk. Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically generated by the settlement of U.S. investments. Communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates in markets that still rely on physical settlement. Settlements in certain foreign countries at times have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions; these problems may make it difficult for a Fund to carry out transactions. If a Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If a Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or, if it has contracted to sell the security to another party, the Fund could be liable to that party for any losses incurred.

Funding Agreements. Certain Funds may invest in Guaranteed Investment Contracts and similar funding agreements. In connection with these investments, a Fund makes cash contributions to a deposit fund of an insurance company’s general account. The insurance company then credits to the Fund 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.

Guarantees . A Fund 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.

Illiquid or Restricted Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in securities that lack an established secondary trading market or otherwise are considered illiquid. Liquidity of a security relates to the ability to dispose easily of the security and the price to be obtained upon disposition of the security, which may be less than would be obtained for a comparable more liquid security. Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments. Investment of a Fund’s assets in illiquid securities may restrict the ability of the Fund to dispose of its investments in a timely fashion and for a fair price as well as its ability to take advantage of market opportunities. The risks associated with illiquidity will be particularly acute where a Fund’s operations require cash, such as when the Fund redeems shares or pays dividends, and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet short-term cash requirements or incurring capital losses on the sale of illiquid investments.

A Fund may invest in securities that are not registered under the Securities Act (“restricted securities”). Restricted securities may be sold in private placement transactions between issuers and their purchasers and may be neither listed on an exchange nor traded in other established markets. In many cases, privately placed securities may not be freely transferable under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or due to contractual restrictions on resale. As a result of the absence of a public trading market, privately placed securities may be less liquid and more difficult to value than publicly traded securities. To the extent that privately placed securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from the sales, due to illiquidity, could be less than those originally paid by the Fund or less than their fair market value. In addition, issuers whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements that may be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. If any privately placed securities held by a Fund are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, the Fund may be required to bear the expenses of registration. Certain of the Fund’s investments in private placements may consist of direct investments and may include investments in smaller, less seasoned issuers, which may involve greater risks. These issuers may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent on a limited management group. In making investments in such securities, a Fund may obtain access to material nonpublic information, which may restrict the Fund’s ability to conduct portfolio transactions in such securities.

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 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

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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.

Inflation- Indexed Bonds . Certain Funds may invest in inflation-indexed bonds, which are fixed income securities or other instruments whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) accruals as part of a semi-annual coupon.

Inflation-indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury have maturities of five, ten or thirty years, although it is possible that securities with other maturities will be issued in the future. The U.S. Treasury securities pay interest on a semi-annual basis, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. For example, if a Fund purchased an inflation-indexed bond with a par value of $1,000 and a 3% real rate of return coupon (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and inflation over the first six months was 1%, the mid-year par value of the bond would be $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment would be $15.15 ($1,010 times 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year resulted in the whole year’s inflation equaling 3%, the end-of-year par value of the bond would be $1,030 and the second semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 times 1.5%).

If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward, and, consequently, the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the bonds is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate. Certain Funds may also invest in other inflation related bonds which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. In addition, if the Fund purchases inflation-indexed bonds offered by foreign issuers, the rate of inflation measured by the foreign inflation index may not be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States.

The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates, in turn, are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds. There can be no assurance, however, that the value of inflation-indexed bonds will be directly correlated to changes in interest rates.

While these securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bond’s inflation measure.

In general, the measure used to determine the periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-indexed bonds is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. Inflation-indexed bonds issued by a foreign government are generally adjusted to reflect a comparable inflation index, calculated by that government. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any foreign inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the rate of inflation in a foreign country will be correlated to the rate of inflation in the United States.

Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.

Inflation Risk . Like all mutual funds, the Funds are subject to inflation risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the present value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of a Fund’s assets can decline as can the value of a Fund’s distributions.

Information Concerning the Indices. Standard & Poor’s ^® 500 Index (“S&P 500”). “Standard & Poor’s ^® ”, “S&P ^® ”, “S&P 500 ^® ”, “Standard & Poor’s 500”, and “500” are trademarks of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and have been licensed for use by the Index Funds and the Quantitative Master Series LLC (“QMS LLC”). The S&P 500 Index Fund and the Master S&P 500 Index Series of QMS LLC are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. S&P makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Fund or the Series. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Fund or the Series or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the

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Fund or the Series particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 to track general stock market performance. S&P’s only relationship to the Fund and the Series is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500 which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to the Fund and the Series. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of the Fund and the Series or the owners of shares of the Fund and the Series into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund and the Series or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund and the Series or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund and the Series is to be converted into cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund and the Series.

S&P does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein, and S&P shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. S&P makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, the Series, owners of shares of the Fund and the Series, or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P 500 Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

Russell ^® 2000. The Small Cap Index Fund and the Master Small Cap Index Series of QMS LLC are not promoted, sponsored or endorsed by, nor in any way affiliated with Frank Russell Company. Frank Russell Company is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Small Cap Index Fund or the Master Small Cap Index Series nor any associated literature or publications and Frank Russell Company makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy, or completeness, or otherwise.

Frank Russell Company reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell 2000. Frank Russell Company has no obligation to take the needs of any particular fund or its participants or any other product or person into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index.

Frank Russell Company’s publication of the Russell 2000 in no way suggests or implies an opinion by Frank Russell Company as to the attractiveness or appropriateness of investment in any or all securities upon which the Russell 2000 is based. Frank Russell Company makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or otherwise of the Russell 2000 or any data included in the Russell 2000. Frank Russell Company makes no representation or warranty regarding the use, or the results of use, of the Russell 2000 or any data included therein, or any security (or combination thereof) comprising the Russell 2000. Frank Russell Company makes no other express or implied warranty, and expressly disclaims any warranty, of any kind, including, without means of limitation, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Russell 2000 or any data or any security (or combination thereof) included therein.

Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (Capitalization Weighted) Index (“EAFE Index”). The EAFE Index is the exclusive property of Morgan Stanley Capital International, Inc. (“Morgan Stanley”). The EAFE Index is a service mark of Morgan Stanley Group Inc. and has been licensed for use by the Manager and its affiliates.

The International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series of QMS LLC are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series particularly or the ability of the EAFE Index to track general stock market performance. Morgan Stanley is the licensor of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of Morgan Stanley and of the EAFE Index. Morgan Stanley has no obligation to take the needs of the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series or the owners of shares of the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the EAFE Index. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of shares of the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the shares of the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series are redeemable for cash. Morgan Stanley has no obligation or liability to owners of shares of the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the International Index Fund and the Master International Index Series.

Although Morgan Stanley shall obtain information for inclusion in or for use in the calculation of the EAFE Index from sources which Morgan Stanley considers reliable, Morgan Stanley does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the EAFE Index or any data included therein. Morgan Stanley makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by licensee, licensee’s customers and counterparties, owners of shares of the International Index Fund and the

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Master International Index Series, or any other person or entity from the use of the EAFE Index or any data included therein in connection with the rights licensed hereunder or for any other use. Morgan Stanley makes no express or implied warranties, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the EAFE Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Morgan Stanley have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Risk. The volume of initial public offerings and the levels at which the newly issued stocks trade in the secondary market are affected by the performance of the stock market overall. If initial public offerings are brought to the market, availability may be limited and a Fund may not be able to buy any shares at the offering price, or if it is able to buy shares, it may not be able to buy as many shares at the offering price as it would like. In addition, the prices of securities involved in initial public offerings are often subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than more established stocks. IPOs have the potential to produce substantial gains. There is no assurance that any Fund will have access to profitable IPOs and therefore investors should not rely on any past gains from IPOs as an indication of future performance. The investment performance of a Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when it is able to do so. In addition, as a Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on its performance will generally decrease. Securities issued in IPOs are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for very limited periods.

Investment Grade Debt Obligations. Certain Funds may invest in “investment grade securities,” which are securities rated in the four highest rating categories of a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or deemed to be of equivalent quality by a Fund’s Manager. Certain Funds may invest in debt securities rated Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by S&P. 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 a Fund is subsequently downgraded below investment grade, the Fund’s Manager will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the security. Subject to its investment strategies, there is no limit on the amount of such downgraded securities a Fund may hold, although under normal market conditions the manager 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.

Investment in Emerging Markets. Certain Funds may invest in the securities of issuers domiciled in various countries with emerging capital markets. Specifically, a country with an emerging capital market is any country that the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the United Nations or its authorities has determined to have a low or middle income economy. Countries with emerging markets can be found in regions such as Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa.

Investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or non-existent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities, as compared to securities of comparable issuers in more developed capital markets; (ii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; (iii) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments; (iv) national policies that may limit a Fund’s investment opportunities such as restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; and (v) the lack or relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors.

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. In such a dynamic environment, there can be no assurance that any or all of these capital markets will continue to present viable investment opportunities for a Fund. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial

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amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In such an event, it is possible that a Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. 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 a Fund of additional investments. 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.

Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. In certain countries with emerging capital markets, reporting standards vary widely. As a result, traditional investment measurements used in the United States, such as price/earnings ratios, may not be applicable. Emerging market securities may be substantially less liquid and more volatile than those of mature markets, and company shares may be held by a limited number of persons. This may adversely affect the timing and pricing of the Fund’s acquisition or disposal of securities.

Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because a Fund will need to use brokers and counterparties that are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by the issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. A Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation.

Investment 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 Funds may hold from time to time various foreign currencies pending investment or conversion into U.S. dollars. Some of these instruments may have the characteristics of futures contracts. In addition, certain Funds may engage in foreign currency exchange transactions to seek to protect against changes in the level of future exchange rates which would adversely affect the Fund’s performance. These investments and transactions involving foreign securities, currencies, options (including options that relate to foreign currencies), futures, hedging and cross-hedging are described below and under “Derivatives—Futures” and “Foreign Exchange Transactions.”

Restrictions on Certain Investments. A number of publicly traded closed-end investment companies have been organized to facilitate indirect foreign investment in developing countries, and certain of such countries, such as Thailand, South Korea, Chile and Brazil, have specifically authorized such funds. There also are investment opportunities in certain of such countries in pooled vehicles that resemble open-end investment companies. In accordance with the Investment Company Act, a Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies, not more than 5% of which may be invested in any one such company. In addition, under the Investment Company Act, a Fund may not own more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any investment company. These restrictions on investments in securities of investment companies may limit opportunities for a Fund to invest indirectly in certain developing countries. Shares of certain investment companies may at times be acquired only at market prices representing premiums to their net asset values. If a Fund acquires shares of other investment companies, shareholders would bear both their proportionate share of expenses of the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such other investment companies.

Brady Bonds. Certain Funds may invest in Brady Bonds. A Fund’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.

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. For example, some Mexican and Venezuelan Brady Bonds include attached value recovery options, which increase interest payments if oil revenues rise. 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”).

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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 foreign securities, including the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds. In light of the residual risk of Brady Bonds and, among other factors, the history of defaults, investments in Brady Bonds are considered speculative. There can be no assurance that Brady Bonds in which the Funds may invest will not be subject to restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may cause the Funds to suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings.

Risks of Investing in Asia-Pacific Countries. In addition to the risks of foreign investing and the risks of investing in developing markets, the developing market Asia-Pacific countries in which a Fund may invest are subject to certain additional or specific risks. Certain Funds may make substantial investments in Asia-Pacific countries. In many of these markets, there is a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries. Many of these markets also may be affected by developments with respect to more established markets in the region such as in Japan and Hong Kong. Brokers in developing market Asia-Pacific countries typically are fewer in number and less well capitalized than brokers in the United States. These factors, combined with the U.S. regulatory requirements for open-end investment companies and the restrictions on foreign investment discussed below, result in potentially fewer investment opportunities for a Fund and may have an adverse impact on the investment performance of the Fund.

Many of the developing market Asia-Pacific countries may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability than is the case in the United States and Western European countries. Such instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision-making, including changes in government through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection. In addition, the governments of many of such countries, such as Indonesia, have a substantial role in regulating and supervising the economy. Another risk common to most such countries is that the economy is heavily export oriented and, accordingly, is dependent upon international trade. The existence of overburdened infrastructure and obsolete financial systems also presents risks in certain countries, as do environmental problems. Certain economies also depend to a significant degree upon exports of primary commodities and, therefore, are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices that, in turn, may be affected by a variety of factors.

The legal systems in certain developing market Asia-Pacific countries also may have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market Asia-Pacific countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in developing market Asia-Pacific companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain and/or enforce a judgment in a developing market Asia-Pacific country.

Governments of many developing market Asia-Pacific countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, the government owns or controls many companies, including the largest in the country. Accordingly, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in developing market Asia-Pacific countries, which could affect private sector companies and a Fund itself, as well as the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, economic statistics of developing market Asia-Pacific countries may be less reliable than economic statistics of more developed nations.

In addition to the relative lack of publicly available information about developing market Asia-Pacific issuers and the possibility that such issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as U.S. companies, inflation accounting rules in some developing market Asia-Pacific countries require companies that keep accounting records in the local currency, for both tax and accounting purposes, to restate certain assets and liabilities on the company’s balance sheet in order to express items in terms of currency of constant purchasing power. Inflation accounting may indirectly generate losses or profits for certain developing market Asia-Pacific companies.

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Satisfactory custodial services for investment securities may not be available in some developing Asia-Pacific countries, which may result in the Fund incurring additional costs and delays in providing transportation and custody services for such securities outside such countries.

Certain developing Asia-Pacific countries, such as the Philippines, India and Turkey, are especially large debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments.

Fund management may determine that, notwithstanding otherwise favorable investment criteria, it may not be practicable or appropriate to invest in a particular developing Asia-Pacific country. A Fund may invest in countries in which foreign investors, including management of the Fund, have had no or limited prior experience.

Restrictions on Foreign Investments in Asia-Pacific Countries. Some developing Asia-Pacific countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities such as a Fund. As illustrations, certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular company or limit the investment by foreign persons to only a specific class of securities of a company which may have less advantageous terms (including price and shareholder rights) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to obtain required governmental approvals in a timely manner. In addition, changes to restrictions on foreign ownership of securities subsequent to a Fund’s purchase of such securities may have an adverse effect on the value of such shares. Certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests.

The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain developing Asia-Pacific countries, as well as limitations on such investments, also may have an adverse impact on the operations of a Fund. For example, a Fund may be required in certain of such countries to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares purchased re-registered in the name of the Fund. Re-registration may in some instances not be able to occur on a timely basis, resulting in a delay during which a Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor, including rights as to dividends or to be made aware of certain corporate actions. There also may be instances where a Fund places a purchase order but is subsequently informed, at the time of re-registration, that the permissible allocation of the investment to foreign investors has been filled, depriving the Fund of the ability to make its desired investment at that time.

Substantial limitations may exist in certain countries with respect to a Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments. It is possible that certain countries may impose currency controls or other restrictions relating to their currencies or to securities of issuers in those countries. To the extent that such restrictions have the effect of making certain investments illiquid, securities may not be available for sale to meet redemptions. Depending on a variety of financial factors, the percentage of a Fund’s portfolio subject to currency controls may increase. In the event other countries impose similar controls, the portion of the Fund’s assets that may be used to meet redemptions may be further decreased. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operations of a Fund (for example, if funds may be withdrawn only in certain currencies and/or only at an exchange rate established by the government).

In certain countries, banks or other financial institutions may be among the leading companies or have actively traded securities available for investment. The Investment Company Act restricts a Fund’s investments in any equity securities of an issuer that, in its most recent fiscal year, derived more than 15% of its revenues from “securities related activities,” as defined by the rules thereunder. These provisions may restrict a Fund’s investments in certain foreign banks and other financial institutions.

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 a Fund 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.

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The expense ratios of the Funds investing significantly in foreign 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 foreign securities, higher commissions paid on comparable transactions on foreign markets and additional costs arising from delays in settlements of transactions involving foreign securities.

Risks of Investments in Russia . A Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities issued by companies located in Russia. Because of the recent formation of the Russian securities markets as well as the underdeveloped state of Russia’s banking system, settlement, clearing and registration of securities transactions are subject to significant risks. Ownership of shares is defined according to entries in the company’s share register and normally evidenced by extracts from the register. These extracts are not negotiable instruments and are not effective evidence of securities ownership. The registrars are not necessarily subject to effective state supervision nor are they licensed with any governmental entity. Also, there is no central registration system for shareholders and it is possible for a Fund to lose its registration through fraud, negligence or mere oversight. While a Fund will endeavor to ensure that its interest continues to be appropriately recorded either itself or through a custodian or other agent inspecting the share register and by obtaining extracts of share registers through regular confirmations, these extracts have no legal enforceability and it is possible that subsequent illegal amendment or other fraudulent act may deprive the Fund of its ownership rights or improperly dilute its interest. In addition, while applicable Russian regulations impose liability on registrars for losses resulting from their errors, it may be difficult for a Fund to enforce any rights it may have against the registrar or issuer of the securities in the event of loss of share registration. While a Fund intends to invest directly in Russian companies that use an independent registrar, there can be no assurance that such investments will not result in a loss to the Fund.

Investment in Other Investment Companies. Each Fund may, subject to applicable law, invest in other investment companies (including investment companies managed by BlackRock and its affiliates), including exchange traded funds, which are typically open-end funds or unit investment trusts listed on a stock exchange. In accordance with the Investment Company Act, a Fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies. In addition, under the Investment Company Act a Fund may not own more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any investment company and not more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets may be invested in securities of any investment company. (These limits do not restrict a Feeder Fund from investing all of its assets in shares of its Master Portfolio.) Each Fund has received an exemptive order from the Commission permitting it to invest in affiliated registered money market funds and in an affiliated private investment company without regard to such limitations, provided however, that in all cases the Fund’s aggregate investment of cash in shares of such investment companies shall not exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets at any time. As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, if a Fund acquires shares in investment companies, shareholders would bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of such investment companies (including management and advisory fees). Investments by a Fund in wholly owned investment entities created under the laws of certain countries will not be deemed an investment in other investment companies.

Junk Bonds. Non-investment grade or “high yield” fixed income or convertible securities commonly known to investors as “junk bonds” are debt securities that are rated below investment grade by the major rating agencies or are unrated securities that Fund management believes are of comparable quality. 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.

The major risks in junk bond investments include the following:

•

Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy companies. These securities are vulnerable to adverse changes in the issuer’s industry and to general economic conditions. Issuers of junk bonds may be unable to meet their interest or principal payment obligations because of an economic downturn, specific issuer developments or the unavailability of additional financing.

•

The issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. If the issuer experiences financial stress, it may be unable to meet its debt obligations. The issuer’s ability to pay its debt obligations also may be lessened by specific issuer developments, or the unavailability

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of additional financing. Issuers of high yield securities are often in the growth stage of their development and/or involved in a reorganization or takeover.

•

Junk bonds are frequently ranked junior to claims by other creditors. If the issuer cannot meet its obligations, the senior obligations are generally paid off before the junior obligations, which will potentially limit a Fund’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.

•

Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from a Fund before it matures. If an issuer redeems the junk bonds, a Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income.

•

Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Negative economic developments may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on those of other higher rated fixed income securities.

•

Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed income securities even under normal economic conditions. Under certain economic and/or market conditions, a Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain high yield securities due to the limited number of investors in that sector of the market. There are fewer dealers in the junk bond market, and there may be significant differences in the prices quoted for junk bonds by the dealers, and such quotations may not be the actual prices available for a purchase or sale. Because junk bonds are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of a Fund’s portfolio securities than in the case of securities trading in a more liquid market.

•

A Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer.

•

The junk bond 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 a Fund’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.

•

The rating assigned by a rating agency evaluates the issuing agency’s assessment of 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 a Fund holds. Because of this, the Fund’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.

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 Fund. The sub-adviser continuously monitors the issuers of non-investment grade securities held by the Fund for their ability to make required principal and interest payments, as well as in an effort to control the liquidity of the Fund so that it can meet redemption requests. If a security’s rating is reduced below the minimum credit rating that is permitted for a Fund, the Fund’s sub-adviser will consider whether the Fund should continue to hold the security.

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

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

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

The Manager 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 Manager 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 a Fund, 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 a Fund. Issuers of municipal securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In the event of bankruptcy of such an issuer, a Fund could experience delays and limitations with respect to the collection of principal and interest on such municipal leases and a Fund 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, a Fund might take possession of and manage the assets securing the issuer’s obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund’s operating expenses and adversely affect the net asset value of the Fund. When the lease contains a non-appropriation clause, however, the failure to pay would not be a default and a Fund would not have the right to take possession of the assets. Any income derived from a Fund’s ownership or operation of such assets may not be tax-exempt. In addition, a Fund’s intention to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), may limit the extent to which a Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of such assets, because as a regulated investment company a Fund is subject to certain limitations on its investments and on the nature of its income.

Liquidity Management. As a temporary defensive measure, if its Manager determines that market conditions warrant, certain Funds may invest without limitation in high quality money market instruments. Certain Funds may also invest in high quality money market instruments pending investment or to meet anticipated redemption requests. High quality money market instruments include U.S. government obligations, U.S. government agency obligations, dollar denominated obligations of foreign issuers, bank obligations, including U.S. subsidiaries and branches of foreign banks, corporate obligations, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and obligations of supranational organizations. Generally, such obligations will mature within one year from the date of settlement, but may mature within two years from the date of settlement.

Master Limited Partnerships. Certain Funds may invest in publicly traded master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) which are limited partnerships or limited liability companies taxable as partnerships. MLPs may derive income and gains from the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil, or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. When investing in an MLP, a Fund intends to purchase publicly traded common units issued to limited partners of the MLP. The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnership’s operations and management.

MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (“minimum quarterly distributions” or “MQD”). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive

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distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.

MLP common units represent a limited partnership interest in the MLP. Common units are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges, with their value fluctuating predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. Certain Funds intend to purchase common units in market transactions. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited voting rights and have no ability annually to elect directors. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not over debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.

Merger Transaction Risk. In replicating its target index, a Fund may buy stock of the target company in an announced merger transaction prior to the consummation of such transaction. In that circumstance, a Fund would expect to receive an amount (whether in cash, stock of the acquiring company or a combination of both) in excess of the purchase price paid by the Fund for the target company’s stock. However, a Fund is subject to the risk that the merger transaction may be canceled, delayed or restructured, in which case a Fund’s holding of the target company’s stock may not result in any profit for the Fund and may lose significant value.

Mezzanine Investments. Certain Funds, consistent with 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.

Money Market Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks. Certain Funds may invest in a broad range of short-term, high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated instruments, such as government, bank, commercial and other obligations that are available in the money markets. Bank obligations include certificates of deposit (“CDs”), notes, bankers’ acceptances (“BAs”) and time deposits, including instruments issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions, domestic branches of foreign banks, and also foreign branches of domestic banks 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. In particular, the Funds may invest in:

(a)

U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions with total assets in excess of $1 billion (including assets of domestic and foreign branches of such banks);

(b)

high quality commercial paper and other obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. and foreign corporations and other issuers rated (at the time of purchase) A-2 or higher by S&P, Prime-2 or higher by Moody’s or F-2 or higher by Fitch, as well as high quality corporate bonds rated (at the time of purchase) A or higher by those rating agencies;

(c)

unrated notes, paper and other instruments that are of comparable quality to the instruments described in (b) above as determined by the Fund’s Manager;

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(d)

asset-backed securities (including interests in pools of assets such as mortgages, installment purchase obligations and credit card receivables);

(e)

securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government or by its agencies or authorities and related custodial receipts;

(f)

dollar-denominated securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or their political subdivisions, agencies or authorities;

(g)

funding agreements issued by highly-rated U.S. insurance companies;

(h)

securities issued or guaranteed by state or local governmental bodies;

(i)

repurchase agreements relating to the above instruments;

(j)

municipal bonds and notes whose principal and interest payments are guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities or which otherwise depend directly or indirectly on the credit of the United States;

(k)

fixed and variable rate notes and similar debt instruments rated MIG-2, VMIG-2 or Prime-2 or higher by Moody’s, SP-2 or A-2 or higher by S&P, or F-2 or higher by Fitch;

(l)

tax-exempt commercial paper and similar debt instruments rated Prime-2 or higher by Moody’s, A-2 or higher by S&P, or F-2 or higher by Fitch;

(m)

municipal bonds rated A or higher by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch;

(n)

unrated notes, paper or other instruments that are of comparable quality to the instruments described above, as determined by the Fund’s Manager under guidelines established by the Board; and

To the extent consistent with their investment objectives, a Fund may invest in debt obligations of domestic or foreign 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 foreign issuer.

Mortgage-Related Securities

Mortgage-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in pools of mortgages in which payments of both principal and interest on the securities are generally made monthly, in effect “passing through” monthly payments made by borrowers on the residential or commercial mortgage loans that underlie the securities (net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). Mortgage-backed securities differ from other forms of debt securities, which normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates.

Mortgage-backed securities are subject to the general risks associated with investing in real estate securities; that is, they may lose value if the value of the underlying real estate to which a pool of mortgages relates declines. In addition, investments in mortgage-backed securities involve certain specific risks. These risks include the failure of a party to meet its commitments under the related operative documents, adverse interest rate changes and the effects of prepayments on mortgage cash flows. Mortgage-backed securities are “pass-through” securities, meaning that principal and interest payments made by the borrower on the underlying mortgages are passed through to a Fund. The value of mortgage-backed securities, like that of traditional fixed income securities, typically increases when interest rates fall and decreases when interest rates rise. However, mortgage-backed securities differ from traditional fixed income securities because of their potential for prepayment without penalty. The price paid by a Fund for its mortgage-backed securities, the yield the Fund expects to receive from such securities and the weighted average life of the securities are based on a number of factors, including the anticipated rate of prepayment of the underlying mortgages. In a period of declining interest rates, borrowers may prepay the underlying mortgages more quickly than anticipated, thereby reducing the yield to maturity and the average life of the mortgage-backed securities. Moreover, when a Fund reinvests the proceeds of a prepayment in these circumstances, it will likely receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the security that was prepaid.

To the extent that a Fund purchases mortgage-backed securities at a premium, mortgage foreclosures and principal prepayments may result in a loss to the extent of the premium paid. If a Fund buys such securities at a discount, both scheduled payments of principal and unscheduled prepayments will increase current and total returns and will accelerate the

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recognition of income, which, when distributed to shareholders, will be taxable as ordinary income. In a period of rising interest rates, prepayments of the underlying mortgages may occur at a slower than expected rate, creating maturity extension risk. This particular risk may effectively change a security that was considered short- or intermediate-term at the time of purchase into a long-term security. Since the value of long-term securities generally fluctuates more widely in response to changes in interest rates than that of shorter-term securities, maturity extension risk could increase the inherent volatility of the Fund. Under certain interest rate and prepayment scenarios, a Fund may fail to recoup fully its investment in mortgage-backed securities notwithstanding any direct or indirect governmental or agency guarantee.

There are currently three types of mortgage pass-through securities: (1) those issued by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”); (2) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities; and (3) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or pass-through securities without a government guarantee but that usually have some form of private credit enhancement.

Ginnie Mae is a wholly owned U.S. government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by the institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage banks), and backed by pools of Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”)-insured or Veterans’ Administration (“VA”)-guaranteed mortgages. Pass-through certificates guaranteed by Ginnie Mae (such certificates are also known as “Ginnie Maes”) are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae, whose guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Mae certificates also are supported by the authority of Ginnie Mae to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury Department to make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by Fannie Mae include Fannie Mae guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as “Fannie Maes”), which are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae. They are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of Fannie Mae to borrow from the U.S. Treasury Department. Fannie Mae was established as a federal agency in 1938 and in 1968 was chartered by Congress as a private shareholder-owned company. Mortgage-related securities issued by the Freddie Mac include Freddie Mac Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as “Freddie Macs” or “PCs”). Freddie Mac is a stockholder-owned corporation chartered by Congress in 1970. Freddie Macs 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. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. While Freddie Mac generally does not guarantee timely payment of principal, Freddie Mac 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. On September 6, 2008, Director James Lockhart of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) appointed FHFA as conservator of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. In addition the U.S. Treasury Department agreed to provide Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac up to $100 billion of capital each on an as needed basis to insure that they continue to provide liquidity to the housing and mortgage markets.

Private mortgage pass-through securities are structured similarly to Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including depository institutions, mortgage banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing.

Pools created by private mortgage pass-through issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the private pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. The insurance and guarantees and the creditworthiness of the issuers thereof will be considered in determining whether a mortgage-related security meets a Fund’s investment quality standards. There can be no assurance that the private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. Private mortgage pass-through securities may be bought without insurance or guarantees if, through an examination of the loan experience and practices of the originator/servicers and poolers, the Manager determines that the securities meet a Fund’s quality standards.

A Fund 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 Midland Loan Services, Inc. (“Midland”), or (ii)

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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 a Fund.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”). CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by residential or commercial mortgage loans or residential or commercial mortgage pass-through securities. Interest and prepaid principal are generally paid monthly. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans or private mortgage pass-through securities but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Fannie Mae. The issuer of a series of CMOs may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”). All future references to CMOs also include REMICs.

CMOs are structured into multiple classes, often referred to as a “tranche,” each issued at a specific adjustable or fixed interest rate, and bearing a different stated maturity date and each must be fully retired no later than its final distribution date. Actual maturity and average life will depend upon the prepayment experience of the collateral, which is ordinarily unrelated to the stated maturity date. CMOs often provide for a modified form of call protection through a de facto breakdown of the underlying pool of mortgages according to how quickly the loans are repaid. Monthly payment of principal received from the pool of underlying mortgages, including prepayments, is first returned to investors holding the shortest maturity class. Investors holding the longer maturity classes usually receive principal only after the first class has been retired. An investor may be partially protected against a sooner than desired return of principal because of the sequential payments.

Certain issuers of CMOs are not considered investment companies pursuant to a rule adopted by the Commission, and a Fund may invest in the securities of such issuers without the limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act on investments by a Fund in other investment companies. In addition, in reliance on an earlier Commission interpretation, a Fund’s investments in certain other qualifying CMOs, which cannot or do not rely on the rule, are also not subject to the limitation of the Investment Company Act on acquiring interests in other investment companies. In order to be able to rely on the Commission’s interpretation, these CMOs must be unmanaged, fixed asset issuers, that: (1) invest primarily in mortgage-backed securities; (2) do not issue redeemable securities; (3) operate under general exemptive orders exempting them from all provisions of the Investment Company Act; and (4) are not registered or regulated under the Investment Company Act as investment companies. To the extent that a Fund selects CMOs that cannot rely on the rule or do not meet the above requirements, the Fund may not invest more than 10% of its assets in all such entities and may not acquire more than 3% of the voting securities of any single such entity.

A Fund may also invest in, among other things, parallel pay CMOs, Planned Amortization Class CMOs (“PAC bonds”), sequential pay CMOs, and floating rate CMOs. Parallel pay CMOs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. PAC bonds generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. Sequential pay CMOs generally pay principal to only one class at a time while paying interest to several classes. Floating rate CMOs are securities whose coupon rate fluctuates according to some formula related to an existing market index or rate. Typical indices would include the eleventh district cost-of-funds index (“COFI”), LIBOR, one-year Treasury yields, and ten-year Treasury yields.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities. Adjustable rate mortgage securities (“ARMs”) are pass-through securities collateralized by mortgages with adjustable rather than fixed rates. ARMs eligible for inclusion in a mortgage pool generally provide for a fixed initial mortgage interest rate for a set number of scheduled monthly payments. After that schedule of payments has been completed, the interest rates are subject to periodic adjustment based on changes to a designated benchmark index.

ARMs contain maximum and minimum rates beyond which the mortgage interest rate may not vary over the lifetime of the security. In addition, certain ARMs provide for additional limitations on the maximum amount by which the mortgage interest rate may adjust for any single adjustment period. In the event that market rates of interest rise more rapidly to levels

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above that of the ARM’s maximum rate, the ARM’s coupon may represent a below market rate of interest. In these circumstances, the market value of the ARM security will likely have fallen.

Certain ARMs contain limitations on changes in the required monthly payment. In the event that a monthly payment is not sufficient to pay the interest accruing on an ARM, any such excess interest is added to the principal balance of the mortgage loan, which is repaid through future monthly payments. If the monthly payment for such an instrument exceeds the sum of the interest accrued at the applicable mortgage interest rate and the principal payment required at such point to amortize the outstanding principal balance over the remaining term of the loan, the excess is then used to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the ARM.

CMO Residuals. CMO residuals are derivative mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks, and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the prepayment experience on the mortgage assets. In part, the yield to maturity on the CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to prepayments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-related securities. In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. In certain circumstances, a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual.

CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through one or more investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. The CMO residual market has developed relatively recently and CMO residuals may not have the liquidity of other more established securities trading in other markets. Transactions in CMO residuals are generally completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in question. In addition, CMO residuals may or, pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the Securities Act. Residual interests generally are junior to, and may be significantly more volatile than, “regular” CMO and REMIC interests.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. A Fund may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBSs”) issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the United States. SMBSs are derivative multi-class mortgage-backed securities. SMBS arrangements commonly involve two classes of securities that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common variety of SMBS is where one class (the principal only or PO class) receives some of the interest and most of the principal from the underlying assets, while the other class (the interest only or IO class) receives most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, the IO class receives all of the interest, while the PO class receives all of the principal. While a Fund may purchase securities of a PO class, a Fund is more likely to purchase the securities of an IO class. The yield to maturity of an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments in excess of that considered in pricing the securities will have a material adverse effect on an IO security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated payments of principal, a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in IOs. In addition, there are certain types of IOs that represent the interest portion of a particular class as opposed to the interest portion of the entire pool. The sensitivity of this type of IO to interest rate fluctuations may be increased because of the characteristics of the principal portion to which they relate. As a result of the above factors, a Fund generally will purchase IOs only as a component of so called “synthetic” securities. This means that purchases of IOs will be matched with certain purchases of other securities, such as POs, inverse floating rate CMOs or fixed rate securities; as interest rates fall, presenting a greater risk of unanticipated prepayments of principal, the negative effect on a Fund because of its holdings of IOs should be diminished somewhat because of the increased yield on the inverse floating rate CMOs or the increased appreciation on the POs or fixed rate securities.

Tiered Index Bonds. Tiered index bonds are relatively new forms of mortgage-related securities. The interest rate on a tiered index bond is tied to a specified index or market rate. So long as this index or market rate is below a predetermined “strike” rate, the interest rate on the tiered index bond remains fixed. If, however, the specified index or market rate rises above the “strike” rate, the interest rate of the tiered index bond will decrease. Thus, under these circumstances, the interest rate on a tiered index bond, like an inverse floater, will move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates, with the result that the price of the tiered index bond may be considerably more volatile than that of a fixed-rate bond.

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Municipal Bonds. Certain Funds may invest in obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possession of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the payments from which, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer, are excludable from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (“Municipal Bonds”). Municipal Bonds include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities, refunding of outstanding obligations and obtaining funds for general operating expenses and loans to other public institutions and facilities. In addition, certain types of bonds are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately owned or operated facilities, including certain facilities for the local furnishing of electric energy or gas, sewage facilities, solid waste disposal facilities and other specialized facilities. Such obligations are included within the term Municipal Bonds if the interest paid thereon is excluded from gross income for Federal income tax purposes and any applicable state and local taxes. Other types of private activity bonds, the proceeds of which are used for the construction, equipment or improvement of privately operated industrial or commercial facilities, may constitute Municipal Bonds, although the current Federal tax laws place substantial limitations on the size of such issues. The interest on Municipal Bonds may bear a fixed rate or be payable at a variable or floating rate. The two principal classifications of Municipal Bonds are “general obligation” and “revenue” or “special obligation” bonds, which latter category includes private activity bonds (“PABs”) (or “industrial development bonds” under pre-1986 law).

General Obligation Bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxing power of any governmental entity may be limited, however, by provisions of its state constitution or laws, and an entity’s creditworthiness will depend on many factors, including potential erosion of its tax base due to population declines, natural disasters, declines in the state’s industrial base or inability to attract new industries, economic limits on the ability to tax without eroding the tax base, state legislative proposals or voter initiatives to limit ad valorem real property taxes and the extent to which the entity relies on Federal or state aid, access to capital markets or other factors beyond the state’s or entity’s control. Accordingly, the capacity of the issuer of a general obligation bond as to the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal when due is affected by the issuer’s maintenance of its tax base.

Revenue Bonds. Revenue bonds 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 payments from the user of the facility being financed; accordingly, the timely payment of interest and the repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the revenue or special obligation bond is a function of the economic viability of such facility or such revenue source.

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.

PABs. PABs are, in most cases, tax-exempt securities issued by states, municipalities or public authorities to provide funds, usually through a loan or lease arrangement, to a private entity for the purpose of financing construction or improvement of a facility to be used by the entity. Such bonds are secured primarily by revenues derived from loan repayments or lease payments due from the entity, which may or may not be guaranteed by a parent company or otherwise secured. PABs generally are not secured by a pledge of the taxing power of the issuer of such bonds. Therefore, an investor should understand that repayment of such bonds generally depends on the revenues of a private entity and be aware of the risks that such an investment may entail. The continued ability of an entity to generate sufficient revenues for the payment of principal and interest on such bonds will be affected by many factors including the size of the entity, its capital structure, demand for its products or services, competition, general economic conditions, government regulation and the entity’s dependence on revenues for the operation of the particular facility being financed.

Pay-in-kind Bonds. Certain Funds 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, a Fund 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, each Fund 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.

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Portfolio Turnover Rates. A Fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate will not be a factor preventing a sale or purchase when the Manager believes investment considerations warrant such sale or purchase. Although each of S&P 500 Index Fund, Small Cap Index Fund, International Index Fund and Index Equity will use an approach to investing that is largely a passive, indexing approach, each Fund may engage in a substantial number of portfolio transactions. With respect to these Funds, the rate of portfolio turnover will be a limiting factor when the Manager considers whether to purchase or sell securities for a Fund only to the extent that the Manager will consider the impact of transaction costs on a Fund’s tracking error. 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 a Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and reinvestment in other securities. The sale of a Fund’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 a Fund’s performance.

Preferred Stock. Certain of the Funds 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.

Real Estate Related Securities. Although no Fund may invest directly in real estate, certain Funds may invest in equity securities of issuers that are principally engaged in the real estate industry. Such investments are subject to certain risks associated with the ownership of real estate and with the real estate industry in general. These risks include, among others: possible declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds or other limitations on access to capital; overbuilding; risks associated with leverage; market illiquidity; extended vacancies of properties; increase in competition, property taxes, capital expenditures and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws or other governmental regulation; costs resulting from the clean-up of, and liability to third parties for damages resulting from, environmental problems; tenant bankruptcies or other credit problems; casualty or condemnation losses; uninsured damages from floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters; limitations on and variations in rents, including decreases in market rates for rents; investment in developments that are not completed or that are subject to delays in completion; and changes in interest rates. To the extent that assets underlying a Fund’s investments are concentrated geographically, by property type or in certain other respects, the Fund may be subject to certain of the foregoing risks to a greater extent. Investments by a Fund in securities of companies providing mortgage servicing will be subject to the risks associated with refinancings and their impact on servicing rights.

In addition, if a Fund receives rental income or income from the disposition of real property acquired as a result of a default on securities the Fund owns, the receipt of such income may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company because of certain income source requirements applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”). In pursuing its investment strategy, a Fund may invest in shares of REITs. REITs possess certain risks which differ from an investment in common stocks. REITs are financial vehicles that pool investor’s capital to purchase or finance real estate. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas or in specific property types, i.e., hotels, shopping malls, residential complexes and office buildings.

REITs are subject to management fees and other expenses, and so a Fund that invests in REITs will bear its proportionate share of the costs of the REITs’ operations. There are three general categories of REITs: Equity REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest primarily in direct fee ownership or leasehold ownership of real property; they derive most of their income from rents. Mortgage REITs invest mostly in mortgages on real estate, which may secure construction, development or long-term loans; the main source of their income is mortgage interest payments. Hybrid REITs hold both ownership and mortgage interests in real estate.

Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. The market value of REIT shares and the ability of the REITs to distribute income may be adversely affected by several factors, including rising interest rates, changes in the national, state and local economic climate and real estate conditions, perceptions of prospective tenants of the safety, convenience and attractiveness of the properties, the ability of the owners to provide adequate management, maintenance and insurance, the cost of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, increased competition from new properties, the impact of present or future environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws, failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act, changes in real estate taxes and other operating expenses, adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies,

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adverse changes in zoning laws and other factors beyond the control of the issuers of the REITs. In addition, distributions received by a Fund from REITs may consist of dividends, capital gains and/or return of capital. As REITs generally pay a higher rate of dividends (on a pre-tax basis) than operating companies, to the extent application of the Fund’s investment strategy results in the Fund investing in REIT shares, the percentage of the Fund’s dividend income received from REIT shares will likely exceed the percentage of the Fund’s portfolio which is comprised of REIT shares. Generally, dividends received by a Fund from REIT shares and distributed to the Fund’s shareholders will not constitute “qualified dividend income” eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income; therefore, the tax rate applicable to that portion of the dividend income attributable to REIT shares held by the Fund that shareholders of the Fund receive will be taxed at a higher rate than dividends eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income.

REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are also subject to interest rate risk. Rising interest rates may cause REIT investors to demand a higher annual yield, which may, in turn, cause a decline in the market price of the equity securities issued by a REIT. Rising interest rates also generally increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could cause the value of a Fund’s REIT investments to decline. During periods when interest rates are declining, mortgages are often refinanced. Refinancing may reduce the yield on investments in mortgage REITs. In addition, since REITs depend on payment under their mortgage loans and leases to generate cash to make distributions to their shareholders, investments in REITs may be adversely affected by defaults on such mortgage loans or leases.

Investing in certain REITs, which often have small market capitalizations, may also involve the same risks as investing in other small capitalization companies. REITs may have limited financial resources and their securities may trade less frequently and in limited volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than larger company securities. Historically, small capitalization stocks, such as REITs, have been more volatile in price than the larger capitalization stocks such as those included in the S&P 500. The management of a REIT may be subject to conflicts of interest with respect to the operation of the business of the REIT and may be involved in real estate activities competitive with the REIT. REITs may own properties through joint ventures or in other circumstances in which the REIT may not have control over its investments. REITs may incur significant amounts of leverage.

Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts. Under repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts, the other party agrees, upon entering into the contract with a Fund, to repurchase a security sold to the Fund at a mutually agreed-upon time and price in a specified currency, thereby determining the yield during the term of the agreement.

A purchase and sale contract differs from a repurchase agreement in that the contract arrangements stipulate that securities are owned by the Fund and the purchaser receives any interest on the security paid during the period. In the case of repurchase agreements, the prices at which the trades are conducted do not reflect accrued interest on the underlying obligation; whereas, in the case of purchase and sale contracts, the prices take into account accrued interest. A Fund may enter into “tri-party” repurchase agreements. In “tri-party” repurchase agreements, an unaffiliated third party custodian maintains accounts to hold collateral for the Fund and its counterparties and, therefore, the Fund may be subject to the credit risk of those custodians.

Repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts result in a fixed rate of return insulated from market fluctuations during the term of the agreement, although such return may be affected by currency fluctuations. However, in the event of a default under a repurchase agreement or under a purchase and sale contract, instead of the contractual fixed rate, the rate of return to the Fund would be dependent upon intervening fluctuations of the market values of the securities underlying the contract and the accrued interest on those securities. In such event, the Fund would have rights against the seller for breach of contract with respect to any losses arising from market fluctuations following the default.

Both types of agreement usually cover short periods, such as less than one week, although they may have longer terms, and may be construed to be collateralized loans by the purchaser to the seller secured by the securities transferred to the purchaser. In the case of a repurchase agreement, as a purchaser, a Fund’s Manager or sub-adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the seller, and a Fund will require the seller to provide additional collateral if the market value of the securities falls below the repurchase price at any time during the term of the repurchase agreement. The Fund does not have this right to seek additional collateral as a purchaser in the case of purchase and sale contracts. The Fund’s adviser or sub-adviser will mark-to-market daily the value of the securities. Securities subject to repurchase agreements and purchase and sale contracts 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.

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In the event of default by the seller under a repurchase agreement construed to be a collateralized loan, the underlying securities are not owned by the Fund but only constitute collateral for the seller’s obligation to pay the repurchase price. Therefore, the Fund may suffer time delays and incur costs or possible losses in connection with disposition of the collateral. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, a Fund’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, it is possible that a Fund 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, a Fund may suffer a loss to the extent proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price.

A Fund may not invest in repurchase agreements or purchase and sale contracts maturing in more than seven days if such investments, together with the Fund’s other illiquid investments, would exceed 15% of the Fund’s net assets.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements. A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with the same parties with whom it may enter into repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells securities to another party and agrees to repurchase them at a particular date and price. A Fund may enter into a reverse repurchase agreement 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.

At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will segregate liquid assets with a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The use of reverse repurchase agreements may be regarded as leveraging and, therefore, speculative. Furthermore, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risks that (i) the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will be less than the interest expense, (ii) the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by a Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase, (iii) the market value of the securities sold will decline below the price at which the Fund is required to repurchase them and (iv) the securities will not be returned to the Fund.

In addition, if the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce a Fund’s obligations to repurchase the securities and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.

A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with the same parties with whom it may enter into repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells securities to another party and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. At the time a Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will segregate liquid assets with a value not less than the repurchase price (including accrued interest). Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that (i) the market value of the securities retained in lieu of sale by a Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase and (ii) the price of the securities sold will decline below the price at which the Fund is required to repurchase them. In addition, if the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, such buyer or its trustee or receiver may receive an extension of time to determine whether to enforce a Fund’s obligations to repurchase the securities and the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement may effectively be restricted pending such decision.

Rights Offerings and Warrants to Purchase. Certain Funds 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 a Fund 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. Buying a warrant does not make the Fund a shareholder of the underlying stock. The warrant holder has no voting or dividend rights with respect to the underlying stock. A warrant does not carry any right to assets of the issuer, and for this reason investment in warrants may be more speculative than other equity-based investments.

Securities Lending. Each Fund may lend portfolio securities with a value not exceeding 33 ¹ / 3 % of its total assets or the limit prescribed by applicable law to banks, brokers and other financial institutions. In return, the Fund receives collateral in cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. Each Fund maintains the ability to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving material events affecting securities loaned. A Fund receives the income on the loaned securities. Where a Fund receives securities as collateral, the Fund receives a fee for its loans from the borrower and does not receive the income on the collateral. Where a Fund receives cash collateral, it may invest such collateral and retain the amount earned, net of any amount rebated to the borrower. As a result, the Fund’s yield may increase. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions. The Fund is obligated to return the collateral to the borrower at the termination of the loan. A Fund could suffer a loss in the event the Fund must return the cash collateral and there are losses on investments made with the cash collateral. In the event the borrower defaults on any of its obligations with respect to a securities loan, a Fund could suffer a loss where there are losses on investments made with the cash collateral or where the value of the securities collateral falls below the market value of the borrowed securities. A Fund could also experience delays and costs in

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gaining access to the collateral. Each Fund may pay reasonable finder’s, lending agent, administrative and custodial fees in connection with its loans. Each Fund has received an exemptive order from the Commission permitting it to lend portfolio securities to affiliates of the Fund and to retain an affiliate of the Fund as lending agent.

A Fund would continue to accrue interest on loaned securities and would also earn income on investment collateral for such loans. Any cash collateral received by a Fund 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 foreign corporations and other issuers rated (at the time of purchase) in the highest rating category by at least two NRSROs, or one if only rated by one NRSRO; (c) U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions with total assets in excess of $1 billion (including obligations of foreign branches of such banks) (i.e., CDs, BAs 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.

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

The Funds may lend securities to broker-dealers who are affiliates of Merrill Lynch, subject to the terms of an exemptive order from the SEC.

Securities of Smaller or Emerging Growth Companies. Investment in smaller or emerging growth companies involves greater risk than is customarily associated with investments in more established companies. The securities of smaller or emerging growth companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than larger, more established companies or the market average in general. These companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent on a limited management group.

While smaller or emerging growth company issuers may offer greater opportunities for capital appreciation than large cap issuers, investments in smaller or emerging growth companies may involve greater risks and thus may be considered speculative. Fund management believes that properly selected companies of this type have the potential to increase their earnings or market valuation at a rate substantially in excess of the general growth of the economy. Full development of these companies and trends frequently takes time.

Small cap and emerging growth securities will often be traded only in the OTC market or on a regional securities exchange and may not be traded every day or in the volume typical of trading on a national securities exchange. As a result, the disposition by a Fund of portfolio securities to meet redemptions or otherwise may require the Fund to make many small sales over a lengthy period of time, or to sell these securities at a discount from market prices or during periods when, in Fund management’s judgment, such disposition is not desirable.

The process of selection and continuous supervision by Fund management does not, of course, guarantee successful investment results; however, it does provide access to an asset class not available to the average individual due to the time and cost involved. Careful initial selection is particularly important in this area as many new enterprises have promise but lack certain of the fundamental factors necessary to prosper. Investing in small cap and emerging growth companies requires specialized research and analysis. In addition, many investors cannot invest sufficient assets in such companies to provide wide diversification.

Small companies are generally little known to most individual investors although some may be dominant in their respective industries. Fund management believes that relatively small companies will continue to have the opportunity to develop into significant business enterprises. A Fund may invest in securities of small issuers in the relatively early stages of business development that have a new technology, a unique or proprietary product or service, or a favorable market position. Such companies may not be counted upon to develop into major industrial companies, but Fund management believes that eventual recognition of their special value characteristics by the investment community can provide above-average long-term growth to the portfolio.

Equity securities of specific small cap issuers may present different opportunities for long-term capital appreciation during varying portions of economic or securities market cycles, as well as during varying stages of their business development. The market valuation of small cap issuers tends to fluctuate during economic or market cycles, presenting attractive investment opportunities at various points during these cycles.

Smaller companies, due to the size and kinds of markets that they serve, may be less susceptible than large companies to intervention from the Federal government by means of price controls, regulations or litigation.

Short Sales. Certain Funds may make short sales of securities, either as a hedge against potential declines in value of a portfolio security or to realize appreciation when a security that the Fund does not own declines in value. When a Fund makes a short sale, it borrows the security sold short and delivers it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale. A Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to turn over any payments received on such borrowed securities to the lender of the securities.

A Fund secures its obligation to replace the borrowed security by depositing collateral with the broker-dealer, usually in cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid securities similar to those borrowed. With respect to uncovered short positions, a

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Fund is required to deposit similar collateral with its custodian, if necessary, to the extent that the value of both collateral deposits in the aggregate is at all times equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the security sold short. Depending on arrangements made with the broker-dealer from which the Fund borrowed the security, regarding payment received by the Fund on such security, a Fund may not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral deposited with such broker-dealer.

Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes a Fund to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. A Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. As a result, if a Fund makes short sales in securities that increase in value, it will likely underperform similar mutual funds that do not make short sales in securities. A Fund will realize a gain on a short sale if the security declines in price between those dates. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to close out a short sale position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although a Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential loss is limited only by the maximum attainable price of the security, less the price at which the security was sold and may, theoretically, be unlimited.

A Fund may also make short sales “against the box” without being subject to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale, the Fund owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire the identical security at no additional cost.

Sovereign Debt. Investment in sovereign debt can involve a high degree of risk. The governmental entity that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A governmental entity’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the governmental entity’s policy towards the International Monetary Fund and the political constraints to which a governmental entity may be subject. Governmental entities may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The commitment on the part of these governments, agencies and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of such debtor’s obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third parties’ commitments to lend funds to the governmental entity, which may further impair such debtor’s ability or willingness to timely service its debts. Consequently, governmental entities may default on their sovereign debt.

Holders of sovereign debt may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to governmental entities. In the event of a default by a governmental entity, there may be few or no effective legal remedies for collecting on such debt.

Standby Commitment Agreements. Standby commitment agreements commit a Fund, for a stated period of time, to purchase a stated amount of securities that may be issued and sold to that Fund at the option of the issuer. The price of the security is fixed at the time of the commitment. At the time of entering into the agreement, the Fund is paid a commitment fee, regardless of whether or not the security is ultimately issued. A Fund will enter into such agreements for the purpose of investing in the security underlying the commitment at a price that is considered advantageous to the Fund. A Fund will limit its investment in such commitments so that the aggregate purchase price of securities subject to such commitments, together with the value of the Fund’s other illiquid investments, will not exceed 15% of its net assets taken at the time of the commitment. A Fund segregates liquid assets in an aggregate amount equal to the purchase price of the securities underlying the commitment.

There can be no assurance that the securities subject to a standby commitment will be issued, and the value of the security, if issued, on the delivery date may be more or less than its purchase price. Since the issuance of the security underlying the commitment is at the option of the issuer, the Fund may bear the risk of a decline in the value of such security and may not benefit from an appreciation in the value of the security during the commitment period.

The purchase of a security pursuant to a standby commitment agreement and the related commitment fee will be recorded on the date on which the security can reasonably be expected to be issued, and the value of the security thereafter will be reflected in the calculation of a Fund’s net asset value. The cost basis of the security will be adjusted by the amount of the commitment fee. In the event the security is not issued, the commitment fee will be recorded as income on the expiration date of the standby commitment.

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Stripped Securities. Stripped securities are created when the issuer separates the interest and principal components of an instrument and sells them as separate securities. In general, one security is entitled to receive the interest payments on the underlying assets (the interest only or “IO” security) and the other to receive the principal payments (the principal only or “PO” security). Some stripped securities may receive a combination of interest and principal payments. The yields to maturity on IOs and POs are sensitive to the expected or anticipated rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying assets, and principal payments may have a material effect on yield to maturity. If the underlying assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on POs could be adversely affected. Stripped securities may be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and rates of prepayment.

Planned amortization classes (“PACs”) have scheduled principal payments, and 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.

Targeted amortization 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.

Supranational Entities. A Fund may invest in debt securities of supranational entities. Examples of such entities include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the European Steel and Coal Community, the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. The government members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to the supranational entity and in many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if the supranational entity is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of a supranational entity will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and a Fund may lose money on such investments.

U.S. Government Obligations. A Fund 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 Funds 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, Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, Federal Financing Bank, General Services Administration, Student Loan Marketing Association, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Home Loan Banks, Freddie Mac, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks, Farm Credit Banks System, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and Washington D.C. Armory Board. The Funds may also invest in mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, including such instruments as obligations of the Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. See “Mortgage-Backed Securities” above.

U.S. Treasury Obligations. 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

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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.

Utility Industries

Risks that are intrinsic to the utility industries include difficulty in obtaining an adequate return on invested capital, difficulty in financing large construction programs during an inflationary period, restrictions on operations and increased cost and delays attributable to environmental considerations and regulation, difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets, technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete, the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters, increased costs and reduced availability of certain types of fuel, occasional reduced availability and high costs of natural gas for resale, the effects of energy conservation, the effects of a national energy policy and lengthy delays and greatly increased costs and other problems associated with the design, construction, licensing, regulation and operation of nuclear facilities for electric generation, including, among other considerations, the problems associated with the use of radioactive materials and the disposal of radioactive wastes. There are substantial differences among the regulatory practices and policies of various jurisdictions, and any given regulatory agency may make major shifts in policy from time to time. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will, in the future, grant rate increases or that such increases will be adequate to permit the payment of dividends on common stocks issued by a utility company. Additionally, existing and possible future regulatory legislation may make it even more difficult for utilities to obtain adequate relief. Certain of the issuers of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio may own or operate nuclear generating facilities. Governmental authorities may from time to time review existing policies and impose additional requirements governing the licensing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. Prolonged changes in climatic conditions can also have a significant impact on both the revenues of an electric and gas utility as well as the expenses of a utility, particularly a hydro-based electric utility.

Utility companies in the United States and in foreign countries are generally subject to regulation. In the United States, most utility companies are regulated by state and/or federal authorities. Such regulation is intended to ensure appropriate standards of service and adequate capacity to meet public demand. Generally, prices are also regulated in the United States and in foreign countries with the intention of protecting the public while ensuring that the rate of return earned by utility companies is sufficient to allow them to attract capital in order to grow and continue to provide appropriate services. There can be no assurance that such pricing policies or rates of return will continue in the future.

The nature of regulation of the utility industries continues to evolve both in the United States and in foreign countries. In recent years, changes in regulation in the United States increasingly have allowed utility companies to provide services and products outside their traditional geographic areas and lines of business, creating new areas of competition within the industries. In some instances, utility companies are operating on an unregulated basis. Because of trends toward deregulation and the evolution of independent power producers as well as new entrants to the field of telecommunications, non-regulated providers of utility services have become a significant part of their respective industries. The Manager believes that the emergence of competition and deregulation will result in certain utility companies being able to earn more than their traditional regulated rates of return, while others may be forced to defend their core business from increased competition and may be less profitable. Reduced profitability, as well as new uses of funds (such as for expansion, operations or stock buybacks) could result in cuts in dividend payout rates. The Manager seeks to take advantage of favorable investment opportunities that may arise from these structural changes. Of course, there can be no assurance that favorable developments will occur in the future.

Foreign utility companies are also subject to regulation, although such regulations may or may not be comparable to those in the United States. Foreign utility companies may be more heavily regulated by their respective governments than utilities in the United States and, as in the United States, generally are required to seek government approval for rate increases. In addition, many foreign utilities use fuels that may cause more pollution than those used in the United States, which may require such utilities to invest in pollution control equipment to meet any proposed pollution restrictions. Foreign regulatory systems vary from country to country and may evolve in ways different from regulation in the United States.

A Fund’s investment policies are designed to enable it to capitalize on evolving investment opportunities throughout the world. For example, the rapid growth of certain foreign economies will necessitate expansion of capacity in the utility industries in those countries. Although many foreign utility companies currently are government-owned, thereby limiting current investment opportunities for a Fund, the Manager believes that, in order to attract significant capital for growth, foreign governments are likely to seek global investors through the privatization of their utility industries. Privatization, which refers to the trend toward investor ownership of assets rather than government ownership, is expected to occur in newer, faster-growing economies and in mature economies. Of course, there is no assurance that such favorable developments will occur or that investment opportunities in foreign markets will increase.

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The revenues of domestic and foreign utility companies generally reflect the economic growth and development in the geographic areas in which they do business. The Manager will take into account anticipated economic growth rates and other economic developments when selecting securities of utility companies.

Electric. The electric utility industry consists of companies that are engaged principally in the generation, transmission and sale of electric energy, although many also provide other energy-related services. In the past, electric utility companies, in general, have been favorably affected by lower fuel and financing costs and the full or near completion of major construction programs. In addition, many of these companies have generated cash flows in excess of current operating expenses and construction expenditures, permitting some degree of diversification into unregulated businesses. Some electric utilities have also taken advantage of the right to sell power outside of their traditional geographic areas. Electric utility companies have historically been subject to the risks associated with increases in fuel and other operating costs, high interest costs on borrowings needed for capital construction programs, costs associated with compliance with environmental and safety regulations and changes in the regulatory climate. As interest rates declined, many utilities refinanced high cost debt and in doing so improved their fixed charges coverage. Regulators, however, lowered allowed rates of return as interest rates declined and thereby caused the benefits of the rate declines to be shared wholly or in part with customers. In a period of rising interest rates, the allowed rates of return may not keep pace with the utilities’ increased costs. The construction and operation of nuclear power facilities are subject to strict scrutiny by, and evolving regulations of, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state agencies which have comparable jurisdiction. Strict scrutiny might result in higher operating costs and higher capital expenditures, with the risk that the regulators may disallow inclusion of these costs in rate authorizations or the risk that a company may not be permitted to operate or complete construction of a facility. In addition, operators of nuclear power plants may be subject to significant costs for disposal of nuclear fuel and for decommissioning such plants.

The rating agencies look closely at the business profile of utilities. Ratings for companies are expected to be impacted to a greater extent in the future by the division of their asset base. Electric utility companies that focus more on the generation of electricity may be assigned less favorable ratings as this business is expected to be competitive and the least regulated. On the other hand, companies that focus on transmission and distribution, which is expected to be the least competitive and the more regulated part of the business, may see higher ratings given the greater predictability of cash flow.

A number of states are considering or have enacted deregulation proposals. The introduction of competition into the industry as a result of such deregulation has at times resulted in lower revenue, lower credit ratings, increased default risk, and lower electric utility security prices. Such increased competition may also cause long-term contracts, which electric utilities previously entered into to buy power, to become “stranded assets” which have no economic value. Any loss associated with such contracts must be absorbed by ratepayers and investors. In addition, some electric utilities have acquired electric utilities overseas to diversify, enhance earnings and gain experience in operating in a deregulated environment. In some instances, such acquisitions have involved significant borrowings, which have burdened the acquirer’s balance sheet. There is no assurance that current deregulation proposals will be adopted. However, deregulation in any form could significantly impact the electric utilities industry.

Telecommunications. The telecommunications industry today includes both traditional telephone companies, with a history of broad market coverage and highly regulated businesses, and cable companies, which began as small, lightly regulated businesses focused on limited markets. Today these two historically different businesses are converging in an industry that is trending toward larger, competitive national and international markets with an emphasis on deregulation. Companies that distribute telephone services and provide access to the telephone networks still comprise the greatest portion of this segment, but non-regulated activities such as wireless telephone services, paging, data transmission and processing, equipment retailing, computer software and hardware and internet services are becoming increasingly significant components as well. In particular, wireless and internet telephone services continue to gain market share at the expense of traditional telephone companies. The presence of unregulated companies in this industry and the entry of traditional telephone companies into unregulated or less regulated businesses provide significant investment opportunities with companies that may increase their earnings at faster rates than had been allowed in traditional regulated businesses. Still, increasing competition, technological innovations and other structural changes could adversely affect the profitability of such utilities and the growth rate of their dividends. Given mergers and proposed legislation and enforcement changes, it is likely that both traditional telephone companies and cable companies will continue to provide an expanding range of utility services to both residential, corporate and governmental customers.

Gas . Gas transmission companies and gas distribution companies are undergoing significant changes. In the United States, interstate transmission companies are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is reducing its regulation of the industry. Many companies have diversified into oil and gas exploration and development, making returns more sensitive to energy prices. In the recent decade, gas utility companies have been adversely affected by disruptions in the

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oil industry and have also been affected by increased concentration and competition. In the opinion of the Manager, however, environmental considerations could improve the gas industry outlook in the future. For example, natural gas is the cleanest of the hydrocarbon fuels, and this may result in incremental shifts in fuel consumption toward natural gas and away from oil and coal, even for electricity generation. However, technological or regulatory changes within the industry may delay or prevent this result.

Water. Water supply utilities are companies that collect, purify, distribute and sell water. In the United States and around the world the industry is highly fragmented because most of the supplies are owned by local authorities. Companies in this industry are generally mature and are experiencing little or no per capita volume growth. In the opinion of the Manager, there may be opportunities for certain companies to acquire other water utility companies and for foreign acquisition of domestic companies. The Manager believes that favorable investment opportunities may result from consolidation of this segment. As with other utilities, however, increased regulation, increased costs and potential disruptions in supply may adversely affect investments in water supply utilities.

Utility Industries Generally. There can be no assurance that the positive developments noted above, including those relating to privatization and changing regulation, will occur or that risk factors other than those noted above will not develop in the future.

When Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments. A Fund may purchase or sell securities that it is entitled to receive on a when issued basis. A Fund may also purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment (including “TBA” (to be announced) basis). These transactions involve the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund at an established price with payment and delivery taking place in the future. The Fund enters into these transactions to obtain what is considered an advantageous price to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. When a Fund purchases securities in these transactions, the Fund segregates liquid securities in an amount equal to the amount of its purchase commitments.

There can be no assurance that a security purchased on a when issued basis will be issued or that a security purchased or sold on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment will be delivered. Also, the value of securities in these transactions on the delivery date may be more or less than the price paid by the Fund to purchase the securities. The Fund will lose money if the value of the security in such a transaction declines below the purchase price and will not benefit if the value of the security appreciates above the sale price during the commitment period.

If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, a Fund 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 Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss.

When a Fund 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 Fund’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 a Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until they are paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

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 a Fund, a rated security may cease to be rated. A Fund’s Manager or sub-adviser will consider such an event in determining whether the Fund should continue to hold the security.

Zero Coupon Securities. Zero coupon securities are securities that are sold at a discount to par value and do not pay interest during the life of the security. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the security will accrue and compound over the period until maturity at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. Upon maturity, the holder of a zero coupon security is entitled to receive the par value of the security.

While interest payments are not made on such securities, holders of such securities are deemed to have received income (“phantom income”) annually, notwithstanding that cash may not be received currently. The effect of owning instruments that do not make current interest payments is that a fixed yield is earned not only on the original investment but also, in effect, on all discount accretion during the life of the obligations. This implicit reinvestment of earnings at a fixed rate eliminates the risk of being unable to invest distributions at a rate as high as the implicit yield on the zero coupon bond, but at the same time eliminates the holder’s ability to reinvest at higher rates in the future. For this reason, some of these securities may be subject to substantially greater price fluctuations during periods of changing market interest rates than are comparable securities that pay interest currently. Longer term zero coupon bonds are more exposed to interest rate risk than shorter term

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zero coupon bonds. These investments benefit the issuer by mitigating its need for cash to meet debt service, but also require a higher rate of return to attract investors who are willing to defer receipt of cash.

A Fund accrues income with respect to these securities for Federal income tax and accounting purposes prior to the receipt of cash payments. Zero coupon securities may be subject to greater fluctuation in value and less liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than comparably rated securities that pay cash interest at regular intervals.

Further, to maintain its qualification for pass-through treatment under the Federal tax laws, a Fund is required to distribute income to its shareholders and, consequently, may have to dispose of other, more liquid portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances or may have to leverage itself by borrowing in order to generate the cash to satisfy these distributions. The required distributions may result in an increase in a Fund’s exposure to zero coupon securities.

In addition to the above-described risks, there are certain other risks related to investing in zero coupon securities. During a period of severe market conditions, the market for such securities may become even less liquid. In addition, as these securities do not pay cash interest, a Fund’s investment exposure to these securities and their risks, including credit risk, will increase during the time these securities are held in the Fund’s portfolio.

Suitability (All Funds)

The economic benefit of an investment in any Fund depends upon many factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Manager and its affiliates. Each Fund should be considered a vehicle for diversification and not as a balanced investment program. The suitability for any particular investor of a purchase of shares in a Fund will depend upon, among other things, such investor’s investment objectives and such investor’s ability to accept the risks associated with investing in securities, including the risk of loss of principal.

Investment Restrictions (All Funds)

See Part I, Section II “Investment Restrictions” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for the specific fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions adopted by each Fund. In addition to those investment restrictions, each Fund is also subject to the restrictions discussed below.

The staff of the Commission has taken the position that purchased OTC options and the assets used as cover for written OTC options are illiquid securities. Therefore, each Fund has adopted an investment policy pursuant to which it will not purchase or sell OTC options (including OTC options on futures contracts) if, as a result of any such transaction, the sum of the market value of OTC options currently outstanding that are held by the Fund, the market value of the underlying securities covered by OTC call options currently outstanding that were sold by the Fund and margin deposits on the Fund’s existing OTC options on financial futures contracts would exceed 15% of the net assets of the Fund, taken at market value, together with all other assets of the Fund that are determined to be illiquid. However, if an OTC option is sold by a Fund to a primary U.S. Government securities dealer recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and if the Fund has the unconditional contractual right to repurchase such OTC option from the dealer at a predetermined price, then the Fund will treat as illiquid only such amount of the underlying securities as is equal to the repurchase price less the amount by which the option is “in-the-money” ( i.e. , current market value of the underlying securities minus the option’s strike price). The repurchase price with the primary dealers is typically a formula price that is generally based on a multiple of the premium received for the option, plus the amount by which the option is “in-the-money.” This policy as to OTC options is not a fundamental policy of any Fund and may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Fund without the approval of the Fund’s shareholders.

Each Fund’s investments will be limited in order to allow the Fund to qualify as a “regulated investment company” for purposes of the Code. See “Dividends and Taxes — Taxes.” To qualify, among other requirements, each Fund will limit its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of each Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the Fund’s assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships ( i.e ., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditional permitted mutual fund income).

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Foreign government securities (unlike U.S. government securities) are not exempt from the diversification requirements of the Code and the securities of each foreign government issuer are considered to be obligations of a single issuer. These tax-related limitations may be changed by the Directors of a Fund to the extent necessary to comply with changes to the Federal tax requirements. A Fund that is “diversified” under the Investment Company Act must satisfy the foregoing 5% and 10% requirements with respect to 75% of its total assets.

M ANAGEMENT AND O THER S ERVICE A RRANGEMENTS

Directors and Officers

See Part I, Section III “Information on Directors and Officers,”—Biographical Information,”—Share Ownership” and “— Compensation of Directors” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for biographical and certain other information relating to the Directors and officers of your Fund, including Directors’ compensation.

Management Arrangements

Management Services. The Manager provides each Fund with investment advisory and management services. Subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors, the Manager is responsible for the actual management of a Fund’s portfolio and reviews the Fund’s holdings in light of its own research analysis and that from other relevant sources.

The responsibility for making decisions to buy, sell or hold a particular security rests with the Manager. The Manager performs certain of the other administrative services and provides all the office space, facilities, equipment and necessary personnel for management of each Fund.

Each Feeder Fund invests all or a portion of its assets in shares of a Master Portfolio. To the extent a Feeder Fund invests all of its assets in a Master Portfolio, it does not invest directly in portfolio securities and does not require management services. For such Feeder Funds, portfolio management occurs at the Master Portfolio level.

Management Fee. Each Fund has entered into a Management Agreement with the Manager pursuant to which the Manager receives for its services to the Fund monthly compensation at an annual rate based on the average daily net assets of the Fund. For information regarding specific fee rates for your Fund and the fees paid by your Fund to the Manager for the Fund’s last three fiscal years or other applicable periods, see Part I, Section IV “Management and Advisory Arrangements” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

For Funds that do not have an administrator, each Management Agreement obligates the Manager to provide management services and to pay all compensation of and furnish office space for officers and employees of a Fund in connection with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund, as well as the fees of all Directors of the Fund who are interested persons of the Fund. Each Fund pays all other expenses incurred in the operation of that Fund, including among other things: taxes; expenses for legal and auditing services; costs of preparing, printing and mailing proxies, shareholder reports, prospectuses and statements of additional information, except to the extent paid by BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BI” or the “Distributor”); charges of the custodian and sub-custodian, and the transfer agent; expenses of redemption of shares; Commission fees; expenses of registering the shares under Federal, state or foreign laws; fees and expenses of Directors who are not interested persons of a Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act; accounting and pricing costs (including the daily calculations of net asset value); insurance; interest; brokerage costs; litigation and other extraordinary or non-recurring expenses; and other expenses properly payable by the Fund. Certain accounting services are provided to each Fund by State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) pursuant to an agreement between State Street and each Fund. Each Fund pays a fee for these services. In addition, the Manager provides certain accounting services to each Fund and the Fund pays the Manager a fee for such services. The Distributor pays certain promotional expenses of the Funds incurred in connection with the offering of shares of the Funds. Certain expenses are financed by each Fund pursuant to distribution plans in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. See “Purchase of Shares — Distribution Plans.”

Sub-Advisory Fee. The Manager of each Fund has entered into one or more sub-advisory agreements (the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”) with the sub-adviser or sub-advisers identified in each such Fund’s prospectus (the “Sub-Adviser”) pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser provides sub-advisory services to the Manager with respect to the Fund. For information relating to the fees, if any, paid by the Manager to the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Fund’s last three fiscal years or other applicable periods, see Part I, Section IV “Management and Advisory Arrangements” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

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Organization of the Manager. The Manager, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.

Duration and Termination. Unless earlier terminated as described below, each Management Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for an initial two year period and from year to year thereafter if approved annually (a) by the Board of Directors or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund and (b) by a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such party. Each Agreement automatically terminates on assignment and may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice at the option of either party thereto or by the vote of the shareholders of the applicable Fund.

Other Service Arrangements

Administrative Services and Administrative Fee. Certain Funds have entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with an administrator identified in the Fund’s Prospectus and Part I of the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (each an “Administrator”). For its services to a Fund, the Administrator receives monthly compensation at the annual rate set forth in each applicable Fund’s prospectus. For information regarding any administrative fees paid by your Fund to the Administrator for the periods indicated, see Part I, Section IV “Management and Advisory Arrangements” of that Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

For Funds that have an Administrator, the Administration Agreement obligates the Administrator to provide certain administrative services to the Fund and to pay, or cause its affiliates to pay, for maintaining its staff and personnel and to provide office space, facilities and necessary personnel for the Fund. Each Administrator is also obligated to pay, or cause its affiliates to pay, the fees of those officers and Directors of the Fund who are affiliated persons of the Administrator or any of its affiliates.

Duration and Termination of Administration Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, each Administration Agreement will continue for an initial two year period and from year to year if approved annually (a) by the Board of Directors of each applicable Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund and (b) by a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not parties to such contract or interested persons (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such party. Such contract is not assignable and may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice at the option of either party thereto or by the vote of the shareholders of the Fund.

Transfer Agency Services. PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., formerly known as PFPC Inc. (“PNC GIS” or the “Transfer Agent”), a subsidiary of PNC, acts as each Fund’s Transfer Agent pursuant to a Transfer Agency, Dividend Disbursing Agency and Shareholder Servicing Agency Agreement (the “Transfer Agency Agreement”) with the Funds. Pursuant to the Transfer Agency Agreement, the Transfer Agent is responsible for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts. Each Fund pays the Transfer Agent a fee for the services it receives based on the type of account and the level of services required. Each Fund reimburses the Transfer Agent’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and pays a fee of 0.10% of account assets for certain accounts that participate in certain fee-based programs sponsored by the Manager or its affiliates. For purposes of each Transfer Agency Agreement, the term “account” includes a shareholder account maintained directly by the Transfer Agent and any other account representing the beneficial interest of a person in the relevant share class on a recordkeeping system. See Part I, Section IV “Management and Advisory Arrangements — Transfer Agency Fees” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for information on the transfer agency fees paid by your Fund for the periods indicated.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee of each Fund, which is comprised of all of the Fund’s non-interested Directors, has selected an independent registered public accounting firm for that Fund that audits the Fund’s financial statements. Please see the inside back cover page of your Fund’s Prospectus for information on your Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Custodian Services. The name and address of the custodian (the “Custodian”) of each Fund are provided on the inside back cover page of the Fund’s Prospectus. The Custodian is responsible for safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. The Custodian is authorized to establish separate accounts in foreign currencies and to cause foreign securities owned by the Fund to be held in its offices outside the United States and with certain foreign banks and securities depositories.

For certain Feeder Funds, the Custodian also acts as the custodian of the Master Portfolio’s assets.

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Accounting Services. Each Fund has entered into an agreement with State Street or PNC GIS, pursuant to which State Street or PNC GIS provides certain accounting services to the Fund. Each Fund pays a fee for these services. State Street or PNC GIS provides similar accounting services to the Master LLCs. The Manager or the Administrator also provides certain accounting services to each Fund and each Fund reimburses the Manager or the Administrator for these services.

See Part I, Section IV “Management and Advisory Arrangements — Accounting Services” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for information on the amounts paid by your Fund and, if applicable, Master LLC to State Street and the Manager or, if applicable, the Administrator for the periods indicated.

Distribution Expenses. Each Fund has entered into a distribution agreement with the Distributor in connection with the continuous offering of each class of shares of the Fund (the “Distribution Agreement”). The Distribution Agreement obligates the Distributor to pay certain expenses in connection with the offering of each class of shares of the Funds. After the prospectuses, statements of additional information and periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders, the Distributor pays for the printing and distribution of these documents used in connection with the offering to dealers and investors. The Distributor also pays for other supplementary sales literature and advertising costs. The Distribution Agreement is subject to the same renewal requirements and termination provisions as the Management Agreement described above.

S ELECTIVE D ISCLOSURE OF P ORTFOLIO H OLDINGS

Pursuant to policies and procedures adopted by each Fund and the Manager, each Fund and the Manager may, under certain circumstances as set forth below, make selective disclosure with respect to the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The Fund’s Board of Directors has approved the adoption by the Fund of the policies and procedures set forth below, and has delegated to the Manager the responsibility for ongoing monitoring and supervision to ensure compliance with these policies and procedures. The Board of Directors provides ongoing oversight of the Fund’s and Manager’s compliance with the policies and procedures. As part of this oversight function, the Directors receive from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer at least quarterly and more often, as necessary, reports on compliance with these policies and procedures, including reports on any violations of these policies and procedures that may occur. In addition, the Directors receive an annual assessment of the adequacy and effect of the policies and procedures with respect to the Fund, and any changes thereto, and an annual review of the operation of the policies and procedures.

Examples of the information that may be disclosed pursuant to the Fund’s policies and procedures would include (but is not limited to) specific portfolio holdings – including the number of shares held, weightings of particular holdings, specific sector and industry weightings, trading details, and the portfolio manager’s discussion of Fund performance and reasoning for significant changes in portfolio composition. This information may be both material non-public information (“Confidential Information”) and proprietary information of the firm. The Fund may disclose such information to individual investors, institutional investors, financial advisers and other financial intermediaries that sell the Fund’s shares, affiliates of the Fund, third party service providers to the Fund, lenders to the Fund, and independent rating agencies and ranking organizations. The Fund, the Manager and its affiliates receive no compensation or other consideration with respect to such disclosures.

Subject to the exceptions set forth below, Confidential Information relating to a Fund may not be disclosed to persons not employed by the Manager or its affiliates unless such information has been publicly disclosed via a filing with the Commission ( e.g. , Fund annual report), a press release or placement on a publicly-available internet website, including our website at www.blackrock.com. If the Confidential Information has not been publicly disclosed, an employee of the Manager who wishes to distribute Confidential Information relating to the Fund must first do the following: (i) require the person or company receiving the Confidential Information to sign, before the Manager will provide disclosure of any such information, a confidentiality agreement approved by an attorney in the Manager’s Legal Department in which the person or company (a) agrees to use the Confidential Information solely in connection with a legitimate business use ( i.e. , due diligence, etc.) and (b) agrees not to trade on the basis of the information so provided; (ii) obtain the authorization of an attorney in the Manager’s Legal Department prior to disclosure; and (iii) only distribute Confidential Information that is at least thirty (30) calendar days old unless a shorter period has specifically been approved by an attorney in the Manager’s Legal Department.

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Prior to providing any authorization for such disclosure of Confidential Information, an attorney in the Manager’s Legal Department must review the proposed arrangement and make a determination that it is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders. In connection with day-to-day portfolio management, the Fund may disclose Confidential Information to executing broker-dealers that is less than 30 days old in order to facilitate the purchase and sale of portfolio holdings. The Fund has adopted policies and procedures, including a Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, and various policies regarding securities trading and trade allocations, to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with disclosure of Confidential Information. These procedures are designed, among other things, to prohibit personal trading based on Confidential Information, to ensure that portfolio transactions are conducted in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders and to prevent portfolio management from using Confidential Information for the benefit of one fund or account at the expense of another. In addition, as noted, an attorney in the Manager’s Legal Department must determine that disclosure of Confidential Information is for a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders, and that any conflicts of interest created by release of the Confidential Information have been addressed by the Manager’s existing policies and procedures. For more information with respect to potential conflicts of interest, see the section entitled “Management and Other Service Arrangements – Potential Conflicts of Interest” in this Statement of Additional Information.

Confidential Information – whether or not publicly disclosed – may be disclosed to Fund Directors, the independent Directors’ counsel, the Fund’s outside counsel, accounting services provider and independent registered public accounting firm without meeting the conditions outlined above. Confidential Information may, with the prior approval of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer or the Manager’s General Counsel, also be disclosed to any auditor of the parties to a service agreement involving the Fund, or as required by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation. If Confidential Information is disclosed to such persons, each such person will be subject to restrictions on trading in the subject securities under either the Fund’s and Manager’s Code of Ethics or an applicable confidentiality agreement, or under applicable laws or regulations or court order.

The Manager has entered into ongoing arrangements to provide monthly and quarterly selective disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings to the following persons or entities:

Fund’s Board of Directors and, if necessary independent Directors’ counsel and Fund counsel

Fund’s Transfer Agent

Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm

Fund’s accounting services provider

Fund Custodian

Independent rating agencies — Morningstar, Inc. and Lipper Inc.

Information aggregators — Wall Street on Demand, Thomson Financial, eVestment Alliance and informa PSN investment solutions

Sponsors of 401(k) plans that include BlackRock-advised funds — E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company, Inc.

Consultants for pension plans that invest in BlackRock-advised funds — Rocaton Investment Advisors, LLC; Mercer Investment Consulting; Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting; Towers Perrin HR Services; Pinnacle West; Callan Associates; Brockhouse & Cooper; Cambridge Associates; Mercer; Morningstar/Investorforce; Russell Investments (Mellon Analytical Solutions); and Wilshire Associates

Portfolio Compliance Consultants — i-Flex Solutions, Inc.

Other than with respect to the Board of Directors, each of the persons or entities set forth above is subject to an agreement to keep the information disclosed confidential and to use it only for legitimate business purposes. Each Director has a fiduciary duty as a director to act in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Selective disclosure is made to the Board of

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Directors and independent registered public accounting firm at least quarterly and otherwise as frequently as necessary to enable such persons or entities to provide services to the Fund. Selective disclosure is made to the Fund’s Transfer Agent, accounting services provider, and Custodian as frequently as necessary to enable such persons or entities to provide services to the Fund, typically on a daily basis. Disclosure is made to Lipper Inc. and Wall Street on Demand on a monthly basis and to Morningstar and Thomson Financial on a quarterly basis, and to each such firm upon specific request with the approval of the Manager’s Legal Department. Disclosure is made to 401(k) plan sponsors on a yearly basis and pension plan consultants on a quarterly basis.

The Fund and the Manager monitor, to the extent possible, the use of Confidential Information by the individuals or firms to which it has been disclosed. To do so, in addition to the requirements of any applicable confidentiality agreement and/or the terms and conditions of the Fund’s and Manager’s Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct – all of which require persons or entities in possession of Confidential Information to keep such information confidential and not to trade on such information for their own benefit – the Manager’s compliance personnel under the supervision of the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, monitor the Manager’s securities trading desks to determine whether individuals or firms who have received Confidential Information have made any trades on the basis of that information. In addition, the Manager maintains an internal restricted list to prevent trading by the personnel of the Manager or its affiliates in securities – including securities held by the Fund – about which the Manager has Confidential Information. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the selective disclosure of Fund portfolio holdings will prevent the misuse of such information by individuals or firms that receive such information.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

The Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”), though its subsidiary Merrill Lynch and Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”), and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”), each have a significant economic interest in BlackRock, Inc., the parent of BlackRock Advisors, LLC, the Funds’ investment adviser. PNC is considered to be an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc., under the Investment Company Act. Certain activities of BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock, Inc. and their affiliates (collectively, “BlackRock”) and PNC and its affiliates (collectively, “PNC” and together with BlackRock, “Affiliates”), and those of BAC, Merrill Lynch and their affiliates (collectively, the “BAC Entities”), with respect to the Funds and/or other accounts managed by BlackRock, PNC or BAC Entities, may give rise to actual or perceived conflicts of interest such as those described below.

BlackRock is one of the world’s largest asset management firms. BAC is a national banking corporation which through its affiliates and subsidiaries, including Merrill Lynch, provides a full range of financial services. Merrill Lynch is a full service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and financial services organization. PNC is a diversified financial services organization spanning the retail, business and corporate markets. BlackRock and PNC are affiliates of one another under the Investment Company Act. BlackRock, BAC, Merrill Lynch, PNC and their respective affiliates (including, for these purposes, their directors, partners, trustees, managing members, officers and employees), including the entities and personnel who may be involved in the investment activities and business operations of a Fund, are engaged worldwide in businesses, including equity, fixed income, cash management and alternative investments, and have interests other than that of managing the Funds. These are considerations of which investors in a Fund should be aware, and which may cause conflicts of interest that could disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders. These activities and interests include potential multiple advisory, transactional, financial and other interests in securities and other instruments, and companies that may be purchased or sold by a Fund.

BlackRock and its Affiliates, as well as the BAC Entities, have proprietary interests in, and may manage or advise with respect to, accounts or funds (including separate accounts and other funds and collective investment vehicles) that have investment objectives similar to those of a Fund and/or that engage in transactions in the same types of securities, currencies and instruments as the Fund. One or more Affiliates and BAC Entities are also major participants in the global currency, equities, swap and fixed income markets, in each case both on a proprietary basis and for the accounts of customers. As such, one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities are or may be actively engaged in transactions in the same securities, currencies, and instruments in which a Fund invests. Such activities could affect the prices and availability of the securities, currencies, and instruments in which a Fund invests, which could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance. Such transactions, particularly in respect of most proprietary accounts or customer accounts, will be executed independently of a Fund’s transactions and thus at prices or rates that may be more or less favorable than those obtained by the Fund. When BlackRock and its Affiliates or the BAC Entities seek to purchase or sell the same assets for their managed accounts, including a Fund, the assets actually purchased or sold may be allocated among the accounts on a basis determined in their good faith discretion to be equitable. In some cases, this system may adversely affect the size or price of the assets purchased or sold for a Fund. In

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addition, transactions in investments by one or more other accounts managed by BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity may have the effect of diluting or otherwise disadvantaging the values, prices or investment strategies of a Fund, particularly, but not limited to, with respect to small capitalization, emerging market or less liquid strategies. This may occur when investment decisions regarding a Fund are based on research or other information that is also used to support decisions for other accounts. When BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity implements a portfolio decision or strategy on behalf of another account ahead of, or contemporaneously with, similar decisions or strategies for a Fund, market impact, liquidity constraints, or other factors could result in the Fund receiving less favorable trading results and the costs of implementing such decisions or strategies could be increased or the Fund could otherwise be disadvantaged. BlackRock or it Affiliates or a BAC Entity may, in certain cases, elect to implement internal policies and procedures designed to limit such consequences, which may cause a Fund to be unable to engage in certain activities, including purchasing or disposing of securities, when it might otherwise be desirable for it to do so.

Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding a Fund may benefit other accounts managed by BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by a Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore benefit) one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities or their other accounts, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by a Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore benefit) one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities or their other accounts.

BlackRock and its Affiliates or a BAC Entity and their clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to an issuer in which a Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund. As a result, prices, availability, liquidity and terms of the Fund’s investments may be negatively impacted by the activities of BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity or their clients, and transactions for the Fund may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case.

The results of a Fund’s investment activities may differ significantly from the results achieved by BlackRock and its Affiliates or the BAC Entities for their proprietary accounts or other accounts (including investment companies or collective investment vehicles) managed or advised by them. It is possible that one or more Affiliate- or BAC Entity-managed accounts and such other accounts will achieve investment results that are substantially more or less favorable than the results achieved by a Fund. Moreover, it is possible that a Fund will sustain losses during periods in which one or more Affiliates or BAC Entity-managed accounts achieve significant profits on their trading for proprietary or other accounts. The opposite result is also possible. The investment activities of one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities for their proprietary accounts and accounts under their management may also limit the investment opportunities for a Fund in certain emerging and other markets in which limitations are imposed upon the amount of investment, in the aggregate or in individual issuers, by affiliated foreign investors.

From time to time, a Fund’s activities may also be restricted because of regulatory restrictions applicable to one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities, and/or their internal policies designed to comply with such restrictions. As a result, there may be periods, for example, when BlackRock, and/or one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities, will not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions in certain securities or instruments with respect to which BlackRock and/or one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities are performing services or when position limits have been reached.

In connection with its management of a Fund, BlackRock may have access to certain fundamental analysis and proprietary technical models developed by one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities. BlackRock will not be under any obligation, however, to effect transactions on behalf of a Fund in accordance with such analysis and models. In addition, neither BlackRock nor any of its Affiliates, nor any BAC Entity, will have any obligation to make available any information regarding their proprietary activities or strategies, or the activities or strategies used for other accounts managed by them, for the benefit of the management of a Fund and it is not anticipated that BlackRock will have access to such information for the purpose of managing the Fund. The proprietary activities or portfolio strategies of BlackRock and its Affiliates and the BAC Entities, or the activities or strategies used for accounts managed by them or other customer accounts could conflict with the transactions and strategies employed by BlackRock in managing a Fund.

In addition, certain principals and certain employees of BlackRock are also principals or employees of BlackRock or another Affiliate. As a result, the performance by these principals and employees of their obligations to such other entities may be a consideration of which investors in a Fund should be aware.

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BlackRock may enter into transactions and invest in securities, instruments and currencies on behalf of a Fund in which customers of BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity, or, to the extent permitted by the SEC, BlackRock or another Affiliate or a BAC Entity, serves as the counterparty, principal or issuer. In such cases, such party’s interests in the transaction will be adverse to the interests of the Fund, and such party may have no incentive to assure that the Fund obtains the best possible prices or terms in connection with the transactions. In addition, the purchase, holding and sale of such investments by a Fund may enhance the profitability of BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity. One or more Affiliates or BAC Entities may also create, write or issue derivatives for their customers, the underlying securities, currencies or instruments of which may be those in which a Fund invests or which may be based on the performance of the Fund. A Fund may, subject to applicable law, purchase investments that are the subject of an underwriting or other distribution by one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities and may also enter into transactions with other clients of an Affiliate or BAC Entity where such other clients have interests adverse to those of the Fund.

At times, these activities may cause departments of BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity to give advice to clients that may cause these clients to take actions adverse to the interests of the Fund. To the extent affiliated transactions are permitted, a Fund will deal with BlackRock and its Affiliates or BAC Entities on an arms-length basis. BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity may also have an ownership interest in certain trading or information systems used by a Fund. A Fund’s use of such trading or information systems may enhance the profitability of BlackRock and its Affiliates or BAC Entities.

One or more Affiliates or one of the BAC Entities may act as broker, dealer, agent, lender or adviser or in other commercial capacities for a Fund. It is anticipated that the commissions, mark-ups, mark-downs, financial advisory fees, underwriting and placement fees, sales fees, financing and commitment fees, brokerage fees, other fees, compensation or profits, rates, terms and conditions charged by an Affiliate or BAC Entity will be in its view commercially reasonable, although each Affiliate or BAC Entity, including its sales personnel, will have an interest in obtaining fees and other amounts that are favorable to the Affiliate or BAC Entity and such sales personnel.

Subject to applicable law, the Affiliates and BAC Entities (and their personnel and other distributors) will be entitled to retain fees and other amounts that they receive in connection with their service to the Funds as broker, dealer, agent, lender, adviser or in other commercial capacities and no accounting to the Funds or their shareholders will be required, and no fees or other compensation payable by the Funds or their shareholders will be reduced by reason of receipt by an Affiliate or BAC Entity of any such fees or other amounts.

When an Affiliate or BAC Entity acts as broker, dealer, agent, adviser or in other commercial capacities in relation to the Funds, the Affiliate or BAC Entity may take commercial steps in its own interests, which may have an adverse effect on the Funds. A Fund will be required to establish business relationships with its counterparties based on the Fund’s own credit standing. Neither BlackRock nor any of the Affiliates, nor any BAC Entity, will have any obligation to allow their credit to be used in connection with a Fund’s establishment of its business relationships, nor is it expected that the Fund’s counterparties will rely on the credit of BlackRock or any of the Affiliates or BAC Entities in evaluating the Fund’s creditworthiness.

Purchases and sales of securities for a Fund may be bunched or aggregated with orders for other BlackRock client accounts. BlackRock and its Affiliates and the BAC Entities, however, are not required to bunch or aggregate orders if portfolio management decisions for different accounts are made separately, or if they determine that bunching or aggregating is not practicable, required or with cases involving client direction.

Prevailing trading activity frequently may make impossible the receipt of the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged, and the Funds will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the disadvantage of the Funds. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Funds will not be charged the same commission or commission equivalent rates in connection with a bunched or aggregated order.

BlackRock may select brokers (including, without limitation, Affiliates or BAC Entities) that furnish BlackRock, the Funds, other BlackRock client accounts or other Affiliates or BAC Entities or personnel, directly or through correspondent relationships, with research or other appropriate services which provide, in BlackRock’s view, appropriate assistance to BlackRock in the investment decision-making process (including with respect to futures, fixed-price offerings and over-the-counter transactions). Such research or other services may include, to the extent permitted by law, research reports on companies, industries and securities; economic and financial data; financial publications; proxy analysis; trade industry seminars; computer data bases; research-oriented software and other services and products. Research or other services obtained in this manner may be used in servicing any or all of the Funds and other BlackRock client accounts, including in

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connection with BlackRock client accounts other than those that pay commissions to the broker relating to the research or other service arrangements. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit other BlackRock client accounts relative to the Funds based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Funds and such other BlackRock client accounts. For example, research or other services that are paid for through one client’s commissions may not be used in managing that client’s account. In addition, other BlackRock client accounts may receive the benefit, including disproportionate benefits, of economies of scale or price discounts in connection with products and services that may be provided to the Funds and to such other BlackRock client accounts. To the extent that BlackRock uses soft dollars, it will not have to pay for those products and services itself.

BlackRock may receive research that is bundled with the trade execution, clearing, and/or settlement services provided by a particular broker-dealer. To the extent that BlackRock receives research on this basis, many of the same conflicts related to traditional soft dollars may exist. For example, the research effectively will be paid by client commissions that also will be used to pay for the execution, clearing, and settlement services provided by the broker-dealer and will not be paid by BlackRock.

BlackRock may endeavor to execute trades through brokers who, pursuant to such arrangements, provide research or other services in order to ensure the continued receipt of research or other services BlackRock believes are useful in its investment decision-making process. BlackRock may from time to time choose not to engage in the above described arrangements to varying degrees. BlackRock may also into commission sharing arrangements under which BlackRock may execute transactions through a broker-dealer, including, where permitted, an Affiliate or BAC Entity, and request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions or commission credits to another firm that provides research to BlackRock. To the extent that BlackRock engages in commission sharing arrangements, many of the same conflicts related to traditional soft dollars may exist.

BlackRock may utilize certain electronic crossing networks (“ECNs”) in executing client securities transactions for certain types of securities. These ECNs may charge fees for their services, including access fees and transaction fees. The transaction fees, which are similar to commissions or markups/markdowns, will generally be charged to clients and, like commissions and markups/markdowns, would generally be included in the cost of the securities purchased. Access fees may be paid by BlackRock even though incurred in connection with executing transactions on behalf of clients, including the Funds. In certain circumstances, ECNs may offer volume discounts that will reduce the access fees typically paid by BlackRock. This would have the effect of reducing the access fees paid by BlackRock. BlackRock will only utilize ECNs consistent with its obligation to seek to obtain best execution in client transactions.

BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy voting decisions that it makes on behalf of advisory clients, including the Funds, and to help ensure that such decisions are made in accordance with BlackRock’s fiduciary obligations to its clients. Nevertheless, notwithstanding such proxy voting policies and procedures, actual proxy voting decisions of BlackRock may have the effect of favoring the interests of other clients or businesses of other divisions or units of BlackRock and/or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity, provided that BlackRock believes such voting decisions to be in accordance with its fiduciary obligations. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see “Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.”

It is also possible that, from time to time, BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity may, although they are not required to, purchase and hold shares of a Fund. Increasing a Fund’s assets may enhance investment flexibility and diversification and may contribute to economies of scale that tend to reduce the Fund’s expense ratio. BlackRock and its Affiliates or BAC Entities reserve the right to redeem at any time some or all of the shares of a Fund acquired for their own accounts. A large redemption of shares of a Fund by BlackRock or its Affiliates or by a BAC Entity could significantly reduce the asset size of the Fund, which might have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investment flexibility, portfolio diversification and expense ratio. BlackRock will consider the effect of redemptions on a Fund and other shareholders in deciding whether to redeem its shares.

It is possible that a Fund may invest in securities of companies with which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity has or is trying to develop investment banking relationships as well as securities of entities in which BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity has significant debt or equity investments or in which an Affiliate or BAC Entity makes a market. A Fund also may invest in securities of companies to which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity provides or may some day provide research coverage. Such investments could cause conflicts between the interests of a Fund and the interests of other clients of BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity. In making investment decisions for a Fund, BlackRock is not permitted to obtain or use material non-public information acquired by any division, department or Affiliate of BlackRock or of a BAC Entity in the course of these activities. In addition, from time to time, the activities of an Affiliate or a BAC Entity may limit a Fund’s flexibility in purchases and sales of securities. When an Affiliate is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of an entity, BlackRock may be prohibited from purchasing or recommending the purchase of certain securities of that entity for a Fund.

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BlackRock and its Affiliates and the BAC Entities, their personnel and other financial service providers have interests in promoting sales of the Funds. With respect to BlackRock and its Affiliates and BAC Entities and their personnel, the remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales of the Funds or other products may be greater than remuneration and profitability relating to services to and sales of certain funds or other products that might be provided or offered. BlackRock and its Affiliates or BAC Entities and their sales personnel may directly or indirectly receive a portion of the fees and commissions charged to the Funds or their shareholders. BlackRock and its advisory or other personnel may also benefit from increased amounts of assets under management. Fees and commissions may also be higher than for other products or services, and the remuneration and profitability to BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity and such personnel resulting from transactions on behalf of or management of the Funds may be greater than the remuneration and profitability resulting from other funds or products.

BlackRock and its Affiliates or a BAC Entity and their personnel may receive greater compensation or greater profit in connection with an account for which BlackRock serves as an adviser than with an account advised by an unaffiliated investment adviser. Differentials in compensation may be related to the fact that BlackRock may pay a portion of its advisory fee to its Affiliate or to a BAC Entity, or relate to compensation arrangements, including for portfolio management, brokerage transactions or account servicing. Any differential in compensation may create a financial incentive on the part of BlackRock or its Affiliates or BAC Entities and their personnel to recommend BlackRock over unaffiliated investment advisers or to effect transactions differently in one account over another.

BlackRock and its Affiliates or a BAC Entity may provide valuation assistance to certain clients with respect to certain securities or other investments and the valuation recommendations made for their clients’ accounts may differ from the valuations for the same securities or investments assigned by a Fund’s pricing vendors, especially if such valuations are based on broker-dealer quotes or other data sources unavailable to the Fund’s pricing vendors. While BlackRock will generally communicate its valuation information or determinations to a Fund’s pricing vendors and/or fund accountants, there may be instances where the Fund’s pricing vendors or fund accountants assign a different valuation to a security or other investment than the valuation for such security or investment determined or recommended by BlackRock.

As disclosed in more detail in “Pricing of Shares” in this Statement of Additional Information, when market quotations are not readily available or are believed by BlackRock to be unreliable, a Fund’s investments may be valued at fair value by BlackRock, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Directors. When determining an asset’s “fair value,” BlackRock seeks to determine the price that a 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 a Fund might reasonably expect to receive for selling an asset at a later time or if it holds the asset to maturity. While fair value determinations will be based upon all available factors that BlackRock deems relevant at the time of the determination, and may be based on analytical values determined by BlackRock using proprietary or third party valuation models, fair value represents only a good faith approximation of the value of a security. The fair value of one or more securities may not, in retrospect, be the price at which those assets could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used in determining a Fund’s net asset value. As a result, a Fund’s sale or redemption of its shares at net asset value, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued by BlackRock (pursuant to Board-adopted procedures) at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, a Fund may invest all or some of its short term cash investments in any money market fund or similarly-managed private fund advised or managed by BlackRock. In connection with any such investments, a Fund, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, may pay its share of expenses of a money market fund in which it invests, which may result in a Fund bearing some additional expenses.

BlackRock and its Affiliates or a BAC Entity and their directors, officers and employees, may buy and sell securities or other investments for their own accounts, and may have conflicts of interest with respect to investments made on behalf of a Fund. As a result of differing trading and investment strategies or constraints, positions may be taken by directors, officers, employees and Affiliates of BlackRock or by BAC Entities that are the same, different from or made at different times than positions taken for the Fund. To lessen the possibility that a Fund will be adversely affected by this personal trading, the Fund, BI and BlackRock each have adopted a Code of Ethics in compliance with Section 17(j) of the Investment Company Act that restricts securities trading in the personal accounts of investment professionals and others who normally come into possession of information regarding the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Each Code of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at (202) 551-8090. Each Code of Ethics is also available on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by e-mail at publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

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BlackRock and its Affiliates will not purchase securities or other property from, or sell securities or other property to, a Fund, except that the Fund may in accordance with rules adopted under the Investment Company Act engage in transactions with accounts that are affiliated with the Fund as a result of common officers, directors, or investment advisers or pursuant to exemptive orders granted to the Funds and/or BlackRock by the Commission. These transactions would be affected in circumstances in which BlackRock determined that it would be appropriate for the Fund to purchase and another client of BlackRock to sell, or the Fund to sell and another client of BlackRock to purchase, the same security or instrument on the same day. From time to time, the activities of a Fund may be restricted because of regulatory requirements applicable to BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity and/or BlackRock’s internal policies designed to comply with, limit the applicability of, or otherwise relate to such requirements. A client not advised by BlackRock would not be subject to some of those considerations. There may be periods when BlackRock may not initiate or recommend certain types of transactions, or may otherwise restrict or limit their advice in certain securities or instruments issued by or related to companies for which an Affiliate or a BAC Entity is performing investment banking, market making or other services or has proprietary positions. For example, when an Affiliate is engaged in an underwriting or other distribution of securities of, or advisory services for, a company, the Funds may be prohibited from or limited in purchasing or selling securities of that company. Similar situations could arise if personnel of BlackRock or its Affiliates or a BAC Entity serve as directors of companies the securities of which the Funds wish to purchase or sell. However, if permitted by applicable law, the Funds may purchase securities or instruments that are issued by such companies or are the subject of an underwriting, distribution, or advisory assignment by an Affiliate or a BAC Entity, or in cases in which personnel of BlackRock or its Affiliates or of BAC Entities are directors or officers of the issuer.

The investment activities of one or more Affiliates or BAC Entities for their proprietary accounts and for client accounts may also limit the investment strategies and rights of the Funds. For example, in regulated industries, in certain emerging or international markets, in corporate and regulatory ownership definitions, and in certain futures and derivative transactions, there may be limits on the aggregate amount of investment by affiliated investors that may not be exceeded without the grant of a license or other regulatory or corporate consent or, if exceeded, may cause BlackRock, the Funds or other client accounts to suffer disadvantages or business restrictions.

If certain aggregate ownership thresholds are reached or certain transactions undertaken, the ability of BlackRock on behalf of clients (including the Funds) to purchase or dispose of investments, or exercise rights or undertake business transactions, may be restricted by regulation or otherwise impaired. As a result, BlackRock, on behalf of clients (including the Funds), may limit purchases, sell existing investments, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of rights (including voting rights) when BlackRock, in its sole discretion, deems it appropriate.

Present and future activities of BlackRock and its Affiliates and BAC Entities, including BlackRock Advisors, LLC, in addition to those described in this section, may give rise to additional conflicts of interest.

P URCHASE OF S HARES

Most BlackRock-advised open-end fund offers multiple classes of shares under a plan adopted under Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act. Investor A Shares are sold to investors choosing the initial sales charge alternative and Investor B and Investor C Shares are sold to investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternative. Institutional Shares are sold to certain eligible investors without a sales charge. Certain Funds offer Class R Shares, which are available only to certain retirement plans and are sold without a sales charge. In addition, certain Funds offer Service Shares and/or BlackRock Shares that are available only to certain eligible investors. Please see the appropriate Prospectus for your Fund to determine which classes are offered by your Fund and under what circumstances. Each class has different exchange privileges. See “Shareholder Services — Exchange Privilege.”

The applicable offering price for purchase orders is based on the net asset value of a Fund next determined after receipt of the purchase order by a dealer or other financial intermediary (“Selling Dealer”) that has been authorized by the Distributor by contract to accept such orders. As to purchase orders received by Selling Dealers prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally, the NYSE closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), on the day the order is placed, including orders received after the close of business on the previous day, the applicable offering price is based on the net asset value determined as of the close of business on the NYSE on that day. If the purchase orders are not received by the Selling Dealer before the close of business on the NYSE, such orders are deemed received on the next business day. 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.

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The minimum investment for the initial purchase of shares is set forth in the prospectus for each Fund. The minimum initial investment for employees of a Fund, a Fund’s Manager, Sub-Advisers, BI 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.

Each Fund has lower investment minimums for other categories of shareholders eligible to purchase Institutional Shares, including selected fee-based programs. Each 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. Each Fund may enter into agreements with certain firms whereby such firms will be able to convert shares of a Fund from one class of shares to another class of shares of the same Fund. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding any tax consequences relating to such conversions. Each Fund may reject any purchase order, modify or waive the minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements and suspend and resume the sale of any share class of any Fund at any time.

Each Fund or the Distributor may suspend the continuous offering of the Fund’s shares of any class at any time in response to conditions in the securities markets or otherwise and may resume offering the shares from time to time. Any order may be rejected by a Fund or the Distributor. Neither the Distributor, the securities dealers nor other financial intermediaries are permitted to withhold placing orders to benefit themselves by a price change.

The term “purchase,” as used in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, refers to (i) a single purchase by an individual, (ii) concurrent purchases by an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of 21 years purchasing shares for his, her or their own account, and (iii) single purchases by a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate or single fiduciary account although more than one beneficiary may be involved. The term “purchase” also includes purchases by any “company,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act, but does not include purchases by (i) any company that has not been in existence for at least six months, (ii) a company that has no purpose other than the purchase of shares of a Fund or shares of other registered investment companies at a discount, or (iii) any group of individuals whose sole organizational nexus is that its participants are credit cardholders of a company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of either a bank or broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser.

Institutional Shares

Institutional Shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge. Only certain investors are eligible to purchase Institutional Shares. Investors who are eligible to purchase Institutional Shares should purchase Institutional Shares because they are not subject to any sales charge and have lower ongoing expenses than Investor A, Investor B, Investor C, Class R, or Service Shares. A Fund may in its discretion waive or modify any minimum investment amount, may reject any order for any class of shares and may suspend and resume the sale of shares of any Fund at any time.

Eligible Institutional Share Investors.

Institutional Shares of the Funds may be purchased by customers of broker-dealers and agents that 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 Fund shares by their customers and may charge their customers transaction, account or other fees on the purchase and redemption of Fund 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 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 Fund. 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.

Investors who currently own Institutional Shares in a shareholder account are entitled to purchase additional Institutional Shares of a Fund in that account, although shareholders that hold their shares through a financial adviser or other financial intermediary that has an omnibus account with the Fund must meet the Institutional minimum investment requirements in order to make such additional purchases. In addition, the following investors may purchase Institutional Shares: employees,

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officers, directors/trustees of BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Funds, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., The PNC Financial Services Group Inc., or their respective affiliates and any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons; institutional and individual retail investors with a minimum investment of $2 million who purchase through certain broker-dealers or directly from the Fund; certain qualified retirement plans; investors in selected fee based programs; clients of registered investment advisers who have $250,000 invested in the Funds; clients of the Trust departments of PNC Bank and Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., FSB and their affiliates for whom they (i) act in a fiduciary capacity (excluding participant directed employee benefit plans); (ii) otherwise have investment discretion; or (iii) act as custodian for at least $2 million in assets; unaffiliated banks, thrifts of trust companies that have agreements with the Distributor; and holders of certain Merrill Lynch sponsored unit investment trusts (UITs) who reinvest dividends received from such UITs in shares of a Fund.

Purchase Privileges of Certain Persons . Employees, officers, directors/trustees of BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Funds, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., The PNC Financial Services Group Inc., or their respective affiliates; and any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for such persons may purchase Institutional Shares without regard to any existing minimum investment requirements. A Fund realizes economies of scale and reduction of sales-related expenses by virtue of the familiarity of these persons with the Fund. Employees, directors, and board members of other funds wishing to purchase shares of a Fund must satisfy the Fund’s suitability standards.

Initial Sales Charge Alternative — Investor A Shares

Investors who prefer an initial sales charge alternative may elect to purchase Investor A Shares.

Investors qualifying for significantly reduced initial sales charges may find the initial sales charge alternative particularly attractive because similar sales charge reductions are not available with respect to the deferred sales charges imposed in connection with investments in Investor B and Investor C Shares. Investors who do not qualify for reduced initial sales charges and who expect to maintain their investment for an extended period of time also may elect to purchase Investor A Shares, because over time the accumulated ongoing service and distribution fees on Investor B, Investor C and Class R Shares may exceed the Investor A initial sales charge and service fee. Although some investors who previously purchased Institutional Shares may no longer be eligible to purchase Institutional Shares of other Funds, those previously purchased Institutional Shares, together with Investor A, Investor B and Investor C Share holdings, will count toward a right of accumulation that may qualify the investor for a reduced initial sales charge on new initial sales charge purchases. In addition, the ongoing Investor B, Investor C and Class R Shares service and distribution fees will cause Investor B, Investor C and Class R Shares to have higher expense ratios, pay lower dividends and have lower total returns than the Investor A Shares. The ongoing Investor A and Service Shares’ service fees will cause Investor A and Service Shares to have a higher expense ratio, pay lower dividends and have a lower total return than Institutional Shares.

See Part I, Section V “Information on Sales Charges and Distribution Related Expenses — Investor A Sales Charge Information” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for information about amounts paid to the Distributor (and the Fund’s previous distributors) in connection with Investor A Shares for the periods indicated.

The Distributor may reallow discounts to selected securities dealers and other financial intermediaries and retain the balance over such discounts. At times the Distributor may reallow the entire sales charge to such dealers. Since securities dealers and other financial intermediaries selling Investor A Shares of a Fund will receive a concession equal to most of the sales charge, they may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act.

Reduced Initial Sales Charges

Certain investors may be eligible for a reduction in or waiver of a sales load due to the nature of the investors and/or the reduced sales efforts necessary to obtain their investments.

Reinvested Dividends. No sales charges are imposed upon shares issued as a result of the automatic reinvestment of dividends.

Rights of Accumulation. Investors have a “right of accumulation” under which the current value of an investor’s existing Investor 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. Financial intermediaries 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 financial intermediary will be treated similarly. In order to use this right, the investor must alert BlackRock to the existence of any previously purchased shares.

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Letter of Intent . An 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 or Institutional Shares in one or more BlackRock 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 the Fund, and the investor must tell the Fund that later purchases are subject to the Letter of Intent. Purchases submitted prior to the date the Letter of Intent is received by the Fund are not counted toward the sales charge reduction. During the term of the Letter of Intent, the Fund 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, the Fund will redeem enough of the Investor A Shares held in escrow to pay the difference.

Purchase Privileges of Certain Persons.

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 all Funds by Qualified Plans:


	All Funds Except Balanced Capital and Basic Value	Balanced Capital and Basic Value
Less than $3,000,000	1.00%	0.75%
$3 million but less than $15 million	0.50%	0.50%
$15 million and above	0.25%	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% (0.75% for Balanced Capital) on the first $3 million and 0.50% on the final $1 million).

Other. The following persons associated with the Funds, the Fund’s Manager, Sub-Advisers, Distributor, fund accounting agent or Transfer Agent and their affiliates may buy Investor A Shares of each of the Funds without paying a sales charge to the extent permitted by these firms: (a) officers, directors and partners; (b) employees and retirees; (c) representatives of firms who have entered into selling agreements to distribute shares of BlackRock-advised funds; (d) immediate family members of such persons; and (e) any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for any of the persons set forth in (a) through (d). The following persons may also buy Investor A Shares without paying a sales charge: (a) authorized qualified employee benefit plans and rollovers of current investments in a 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 Code; (d) registered investment advisers, trust companies and bank trust departments exercising discretionary investment authority with respect to amounts to be invested in a Fund; (e) persons associated with the Fund, the Fund’s Distributor, the Fund’s Manager, Sub-Advisers or Transfer Agent, and their affiliates; (f) persons participating in a “wrap account” or similar program under which they pay advisory fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution; (g) persons participating in an account or program under which they pay fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution for providing transaction processing and other administrative services, but not investment advisory services; and (h) MetLife employees. Investors who qualify for any of these exemptions from the sales charge should purchase Investor A Shares.

If you invest $1,000,000 or more in Investor A or Investor A1 Shares, you may not pay an initial sales charge. However, if you redeem your Investor A or Investor A1 Shares within eighteen months after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge. The deferred sales charge 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 a 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) certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan if you are over 59 ¹ / 2 years old and you purchased your shares prior to October 2, 2006; (e) redemptions made with respect to certain retirement plans sponsored by a Fund, BlackRock or its affiliates; (f) 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 Code) subsequent to the purchase of Investor A Shares; (g) involuntary redemptions of Investor A Shares in accounts with low balances; (h) certain redemptions made

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pursuant to the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (described below); (i) redemptions related to the payment of PFPC custodial IRA fees; and (j) redemptions when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship, in the absolute discretion of a Fund.

The CDSC (as defined below) 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.

Investor A Shares are also available at net asset value to investors that, for regulatory reasons, are required to transfer investment positions from a foreign registered investment company advised by BlackRock or its affiliates to a U.S. registered BlackRock-advised fund.

Acquisition of Certain Investment Companies . Investor A Shares may be offered at net asset value in connection with the acquisition of the assets of, or merger or consolidation with, a personal holding company or a public or private investment company.

Purchases Through Certain Financial Intermediaries . Reduced sales charges may be applicable for purchases of Investor A Shares of a Fund through certain financial advisers, selected securities dealers and other financial intermediaries that meet and adhere to standards established by the Manager from time to time.

Deferred Sales Charge Alternative — Investor B and Investor C Shares

Investors choosing the deferred sales charge alternative should consider Investor B Shares if they intend to hold their shares for an extended period of time and Investor C Shares if they are uncertain as to the length of time they intend to hold their assets in a Fund. If you select Investor B or Investor C Shares, you do not pay an initial sales charge at the time of purchase. A Fund will not accept a purchase order of $50,000 or more for Investor B Shares or $500,000 or more for Investor C Shares.

The deferred sales charge alternative may be particularly appealing to investors who do not qualify for the reduction in initial sales charges. Both Investor B and Investor C Shares are subject to ongoing service fees and distribution fees; however, these fees potentially may be offset to the extent any return is realized on the additional funds initially invested in Investor B or Investor C Shares. In addition, Investor B Shares will be converted into Investor A Shares of a Fund after a conversion period of approximately eight years, and, thereafter, investors will be subject to lower ongoing fees.

BlackRock compensates financial advisers and other financial intermediaries for selling Investor B and Investor C Shares at the time of purchase from its own funds. Proceeds from the CDSC (as defined below) and the distribution fee are paid to the Distributor and are used by the Distributor to defray the expenses of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries (including Merrill Lynch and BAC) related to providing distribution-related services to each Fund in connection with the sale of Investor B and Investor C Shares. The combination of the CDSC and the ongoing distribution fee facilitates the ability of each Fund to sell the Investor B and Investor C Shares without a sales charge being deducted at the time of purchase. See “Distribution Plans” below. Imposition of the CDSC and the distribution fee on Investor B and Investor C Shares is limited by the NASD asset-based sales charge rule. See “Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges” below.

Dealers will generally receive commissions equal to 4.00% of Investor B Shares sold by them plus ongoing fees under the Fund’s Distribution and Service Plan. Dealers may not receive a commission in connection with sales of Investor B Shares to certain qualified employee benefit plans sponsored by the Fund, BlackRock or its affiliates, but may receive fees under the Distribution and Service Plan. These commissions and payments may be different than the reallowances, placement fees and commissions paid to dealers in connection with sales of Investor A and Investor C Shares.

Dealers will generally immediately receive commissions equal to 1% of the Investor C Shares sold by them plus ongoing fees under the Fund’s Distribution and Service Plan. Dealers may not receive a commission in connection with sales of Investor C Shares to certain qualified employee benefit plans sponsored by the Fund, BlackRock or its affiliates, but may receive fees under the Amended and Restated Distribution and Service Plan. These commissions and payments may be different than the reallowances, placement fees and commissions paid to dealers in connection with sales of Investor A and Investor B Shares.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charges — Investor B Shares . If you redeem Investor B Shares within six years of purchase, you may be charged a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) at the rates indicated in the Fund’s Prospectus and below. The CDSC will be calculated in a manner that results in the lowest applicable rate being charged. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no CDSC will be assessed on

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shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends. The order of redemption will be first of shares held for over six years in the case of Investor B Shares, next of shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of dividends, and finally of shares in the order of those held longest. The same order of redemption will apply if you transfer shares from your account to another account. If you exchange your Investor B Shares for Investor B Shares of another Fund, the CDSC schedule that applies to the shares that you originally purchased will continue to apply to the shares you acquire in the exchange.

The following table sets forth the schedule that applies to the Investor B CDSC:


Years Since Purchase Payment Made		CDSC as a Percentage of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge*
0 — 1		4.50%
1 — 2		4.00%
2 — 3		3.50%
3 — 4		3.00%
4 — 5		2.00%
5 — 6		1.00%
6 and thereafter		None

* The percentage charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends are not subject to a deferred sales charge. Shares purchased prior to June 1, 2001 were subject to the four-year contingent deferred sales charge schedule then in effect which has now expired. Shares purchased prior to October 2, 2006 are subject to the 4.00% six-year CDSC schedule in effect at that time. Not all BlackRock funds have identical deferred sales charge schedules. If you exchange your shares for shares of another fund, the original charge will apply.

To provide an example, assume an investor purchased 100 shares at $10 per share (at a cost of $1,000) and in the third year after purchase, the net asset value per share is $12 and, during such time, the investor has acquired 10 additional shares upon dividend reinvestment. If at such time the investor makes his or her first redemption of 50 shares (proceeds of $600), 10 shares will not be subject to a CDSC because they were issued through dividend reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 40 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in net asset value of $2 per share. Therefore, $400 of the $600 redemption proceeds will be charged at a rate of 3.50% (the applicable rate in the third year after purchase).

Conversion of Investor B Shares to Investor A Shares. Approximately eight years after purchase (the “Conversion Period”), Investor B Shares of each Fund will convert automatically into Investor A Shares of that Fund (the “Conversion”). The Conversion will occur at least once each month (on the “Conversion Date”) on the basis of the relative net asset value of the shares of the two classes on the Conversion Date, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The Conversion will not be deemed a purchase or sale of the shares for Federal income tax purposes.

Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends on Investor B Shares will also convert automatically to Investor A Shares. The Conversion Date for dividend reinvestment shares will be calculated taking into account the length of time the shares underlying the dividend reinvestment shares were outstanding. If at the Conversion Date the Conversion will result in less than $50 worth of Investor B Shares being left in an account, all of the Investor B Shares of the Fund held in the account will be converted into Investor A Shares of the Fund.

In general, Investor B Shares of equity Funds will convert approximately eight years after initial purchase and Investor B and Investor B1 Shares of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income Funds will convert approximately ten years after initial purchase. If you exchange Investor B Shares with an eight-year Conversion Period for Investor B Shares with a ten-year Conversion Period, or exchange Investor B or Investor B1 Shares with a ten-year Conversion Period for Investor B Shares with an eight-year Conversion Period, the Conversion Period that applies to the shares you acquire in the exchange will apply and the holding period for the shares exchanged will be tacked on to the holding period for the shares acquired. The Conversion Period also may be modified for investors that participate in certain fee-based programs. See “Shareholder Services — Fee-Based Programs.”

If you own shares of a Fund that, in the past, issued stock certificates and you continue to hold such stock certificates, you must deliver any certificates for Investor B Shares of the Fund to be converted to the Transfer Agent at least one week prior to the Conversion Date applicable to those shares. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the certificates at least one week prior to the Conversion Date, your Investor B Shares will convert to Investor A Shares on the next scheduled Conversion Date after the certificates are delivered.

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Contingent Deferred Sales Charge – Investor C Shares

Investor C Shares that are redeemed within one year of purchase may be subject to a 1.00% CDSC charged as a percentage of the dollar amount subject thereto. In determining whether an Investor C CDSC is applicable to a redemption, the calculation will be determined in the manner that results in the lowest possible rate being charged. The charge will be assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the proceeds of redemption or the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no Investor C CDSC will be imposed on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no Investor C CDSC will be assessed on shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends. It will be assumed that the redemption is first of shares held for over one year or shares acquired pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and then of shares held longest during the one-year period. A transfer of shares from a shareholder’s account to another account will be assumed to be made in the same order as a redemption.

See Part I, Section V “Information on Sales Charges and Distribution Related Expenses — Investor B and Investor C Sales Charge Information” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for information about amounts paid to the Distributor (and to the Fund’s previous distributors) in connection with Investor B and Investor C Shares for the periods indicated.

Investor B and Investor C Shares – Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions

The CDSC on Investor B and Investor C Shares is not charged in connection with: (1) redemptions of Investor B and Investor C Shares purchased through certain authorized qualified employee benefit plans and rollovers of current investments in the Fund through such plans; (2) exchanges described in “Exchange Privilege” below; (3) redemptions made in connection with minimum required distributions due to the shareholder reaching age 70 ¹ / 2 from IRA and 403(b)(7) accounts; (4) certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan if you are over 59 ¹ / 2 years old and you purchased your shares prior to October 2, 2006; (5) redemptions made with respect to certain retirement plans sponsored by the Fund, BlackRock or its affiliates; (6) redemptions in connection with a shareholder’s death as long as the waiver request is made within one year of death or, if later, reasonably promptly following completion of probate (including in connection with the distribution of account assets to a beneficiary of the decedent) or disability (as defined in the Code) subsequent to the purchase of Investor B or Investor C Shares; (7) withdrawals resulting from shareholder disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) as long as the disability arose subsequent to the purchase of the shares; (8) involuntary redemptions of Investor B or Investor C Shares in accounts with low balances as described in “Redemption of Shares” below; (9) redemptions made pursuant to a systematic withdrawal plan, subject to the limitations set forth under “Systematic Withdrawal Plan” below; (10) redemptions related to the payment of PFPC custodial IRA fees; and (11) redemptions when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship, in the absolute discretion of the Fund. In addition, no CDSC is charged on Investor B or Investor C Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions.

Class R Shares

Certain of the Funds offer Class R Shares as described in each such Fund’s Prospectus. Class R Shares are available only to certain retirement plans. Class R Shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or a CDSC but are subject to an ongoing distribution fee of 0.25% per year and an ongoing service fee of 0.25% per year. Distribution fees are used to support the Fund’s marketing and distribution efforts, such as compensating financial advisers and other financial intermediaries, advertising and promotion. Service fees are used to compensate securities dealers and other financial intermediaries for service activities. If Class R Shares are held over time, these fees may exceed the maximum sales charge that an investor would have paid as a shareholder of one of the other share classes.

Service Shares

Certain Funds offer Service Shares, which are available only to certain investors, including: (i) certain financial institutions, such as banks and brokerage firms, acting on behalf of their customers; (ii) certain persons who were shareholders of the Compass Capital Group of Funds at the time of its combination with The PNC ^® Fund in 1996; and (iii) participants in the Capital Directions ^SM asset allocation program. Service Shares are not subject to an initial sales charge or a CDSC but are subject to an ongoing service fee of 0.25% per year. Service Shares are offered to financial institutions (such as banks and brokerage firms) acting on behalf of their customers, certain persons who were shareholders of the Compass Capital Group of Funds at the time of its combination with The PNC ^® Fund in 1996 and investors that participate in the Capital Directions ^SM asset allocation program.

BlackRock Shares

Certain Funds offer BlackRock Shares, which are available only to certain investors. BlackRock Shares are offered without a sales charge to institutional investors, registered investment advisers and certain fee-based programs.

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Redemption Fee

Certain Funds charge a 2.00% redemption fee on the proceeds (calculated at market value) of a redemption (either by sale or exchange) of Fund shares made within 30 days of purchase. 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. 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 Fund A are exchanged for shares of Fund B 20 days after the purchase of the Fund A shares, followed in 20 days by an exchange of the Fund B shares for shares of Fund C, will be subject to two redemption fees (one on each exchange). A 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 a Fund, the redemption fee will not be assessed on redemptions or exchanges by:

•

accounts of asset allocation or wrap programs or other fee-based programs whose trading practices are determined by the Fund not to be detrimental to the 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);

•

accounts of shareholders who have died or become disabled;

•

shareholders redeeming or exchanging shares:

•

through the Fund’s Systematic Withdrawal Plan or Systematic Exchange Plan,

•

in connection with required distributions from an IRA, certain omnibus accounts (including retirement plans qualified under Sections 401(a) or 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code), a 403(b) plan or any other Internal Revenue Code Section 401 qualified employee benefit plan or account,

•

in connection with plans administered as college savings plans under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code;

•

shareholders executing rollovers of current investments in the Fund through qualified employee benefit plans;

•

redemptions of shares acquired through dividend reinvestment;

•

BlackRock Funds whose trading practices are determined by the Fund not to be detrimental to the Fund or long-term shareholders; and

•

certain other accounts in the absolute discretion of the Fund when the redemption fee is de minimis or a shareholder can demonstrate hardship

Each Fund may sell shares to certain 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, bank or trust company accounts and accounts or certain financial institutions or intermediaries that do not apply the redemption fee to underlying shareholders, often because of administrative or systems limitations.

Closed End Fund Reinvestment Option

Subject to the conditions set forth below, shares of each Fund are offered at net asset value to shareholders of certain continuously offered closed-end funds advised by a Manager (an “Eligible Fund”) who wish to reinvest the net proceeds from a sale of such shares. Upon exercise of this reinvestment option, shareholders of BlackRock Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.

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will receive Investor B Shares of a Fund and shareholders of BlackRock Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc. will receive Investor C Shares of a Fund.

In order to exercise this reinvestment option, a shareholder of an Eligible Fund must sell his or her shares back to the Eligible Fund in connection with a tender offer conducted by the Eligible Fund and reinvest the proceeds immediately in the designated class of shares of a Fund. Purchase orders from Eligible Fund shareholders who wish to exercise this reinvestment option will be accepted only on the day that the related tender offer terminates and will be effected at the net asset value of the designated class of shares of a Fund on such day. Shareholders who exercise the reinvestment option will not be required to pay any Early Withdrawal Charge that may be due on the sale of their Eligible Fund shares. Under the reinvestment privilege, Eligible Fund shareholders will pay the Early Withdrawal Charge in the form of a contingent deferred sales charge only upon redemption of the Investor B or Investor C Shares they acquire in the transaction. In determining whether a CDSC is due on the redemption of such Investor B or Investor C Shares, the holding period of the Eligible Fund shares will be tacked to the holding period of the shares acquired upon the exercise of the reinvestment privilege. The holding period of the Eligible Fund shares will also count toward the holding period for the conversion of Investor B Shares into another class of shares. The CDSC schedule that applies to the acquired shares will be the same as the Early Withdrawal Charge schedule that applies to the Eligible Fund shares sold.

Distribution Plans

Each Fund has entered into a distribution agreement with BI under which BI, as agent, offers shares of each Fund on a continuous basis. BI has agreed to use appropriate efforts to effect sales of the shares, but it is not obligated to sell any particular amount of shares. BI’s principal business address is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. BI is an affiliate of BlackRock.

Pursuant to the distribution plans of the Investor A, Investor A1, Investor B, Investor B1, Investor B2, Investor C, Investor C1, Investor C2 and Class R Shares (each, a “Plan”), the Fund may pay BI and/or BlackRock or any other affiliate or significant shareholder of BlackRock fees for distribution and sales support services. Currently, as described further below, only Investor B, Investor B1, Investor B2, Investor C, Investor C1, Investor C2 and Class R Shares bear the expense of distribution fees under a Plan. In addition, the Fund may pay to brokers, dealers, financial institutions and industry professionals (including BlackRock, BI, BAC, Merrill Lynch, PNC and their affiliates) (collectively, “Service Organizations”) fees for the provision of personal services to shareholders. In the past, BlackRock or BI has retained a portion of the shareholder servicing fees paid by the Fund.

Each Fund’s Plans are subject to the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act. In their consideration of a Plan, the Directors must consider all factors they deem relevant, including information as to the benefits of the Plan to the Fund and the related class of shareholders. In approving a Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1, the non-interested Directors concluded that there is reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and its related class of shareholders. The Plan provides, among other things, that: (i) the Board of Directors 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 Directors in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act; (iii) any material amendment thereto must be approved by the Board of Directors, including the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company 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 Directors”), 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 Directors; and (v) while the Plan remains in effect, the selection and nomination of the Fund’s Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund shall be committed to the discretion of the Fund’s non-interested Directors. Rule 12b-1 further requires that each Fund preserve copies of each Plan and any report made pursuant to such plan for a period of not less than six years from the date of the Plan or such report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

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Payments under the Plans are based on a percentage of average daily net assets attributable to the shares regardless of the amount of expenses incurred. As a result, distribution-related revenues from the Plans may be more or less than distribution-related expenses of the related class. Information with respect to the distribution-related revenues and expenses is presented to the Directors for their consideration quarterly. Distribution-related revenues consist of the service fees, the distribution fees and the CDSCs. Distribution-related expenses consist of financial adviser compensation, branch office and regional operation center selling and transaction processing expenses, advertising, sales promotion and marketing expenses and interest expense. Distribution-related revenues paid with respect to one class will not be used to finance the distribution expenditures of another class. Sales personnel may receive different compensation for selling different classes of shares.

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 Directors, or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of such class.

See Part I, Section V “Distribution Related Expenses” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for information relating to the fees paid by your Fund to the Distributor under each Plan during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year.

Limitations on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charges

The maximum sales charge rule in the Conduct Rules of NASD imposes a limitation on certain asset-based sales charges such as the distribution fee borne by Class R Shares, and the distribution fee and the CDSC borne by the Investor B and Investor C Shares. This limitation does not apply to the service fee. The maximum sales charge rule is applied separately to each class and limits the aggregate of distribution fee payments and CDSCs payable by a Fund to (1) 6.25% of eligible gross sales of Investor B, Investor C and Class R Shares, computed separately (excluding shares issued pursuant to dividend reinvestments and exchanges), plus (2) interest on the unpaid balance for the respective class, computed separately, at the prime rate plus 1% (the unpaid balance being the maximum amount payable minus amounts received from the payment of the distribution fee and the CDSC). See Part I, Section V “Information on Sales Charges and Distribution Related Expenses – Limitation on the Payment of Deferred Sales Charge” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for comparative information as of your Fund’s most recent fiscal year end with respect to the Investor B, Investor C and, if applicable, Class R Shares of your Fund.

Other Compensation to Selling Dealers

Pursuant to each Fund’s Distribution Agreements and Distribution and Service Plans (the “Plans”), each Fund may pay BI and/or BlackRock or any other affiliate of BlackRock fees for distribution and sales support services. In addition, each Fund may pay to 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 a Fund.

With respect to Class R Shares, the front-end sales charge and the applicable distribution fee payable under the Plan are used to pay commissions and other fees payable to Service Organizations and other broker/dealers who sell Class R Shares.

With respect to Investor B, Investor B1 and Investor B2 Shares, Service Organizations and other broker/dealers receive commissions from BI for selling Investor B, Investor B1 and Investor B2 Shares, which are paid at the time of the sale. The applicable distribution fees payable under the Plans are intended to cover the expense to BI of paying such up-front commissions, as well as to cover ongoing commission payments to broker-dealers or other Service Organizations. The contingent deferred sales charge is calculated to charge the investor with any shortfall that would occur if Investor B, Investor B1 or Investor B2 Shares are redeemed prior to the expiration of the conversion period, after which Investor B, Investor B1 and Investor B2 Shares automatically convert to Investor A Shares.

With respect to Investor C, Investor C1 and Investor C2 Shares, Service Organizations and other broker-dealers receive commissions from BII for selling Investor C, Investor C1 and Investor C2 Shares, which are paid at the time of the sale. The applicable distribution fees payable under the Plans are intended to cover the expense to BI of paying such up-front commissions, as well as to cover ongoing commission payments to the broker-dealers or other Service Organizations. The contingent deferred sales charge is calculated to charge the investor with any shortfall that would occur if Investor C, Investor C1 or Investor C2 Shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

From time to time BI and/or BlackRock and their affiliates may voluntarily waive receipt of distribution fees under each Plan, which waivers may be terminated at any time. Payments are made by the Fund pursuant to each Plan regardless of expenses incurred by BI or BlackRock.

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The Funds currently do not make distribution payments with respect to Investor A, Investor A1, Hilliard Lyons, Service, Institutional or BlackRock Shares under the Plans. However, the Plans permit BI, BlackRock and certain of 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, BI, BlackRock or their affiliates may compensate affiliated and unaffiliated Service Organizations for the sale and distribution of shares of a Fund or for services to a Fund and its shareholders. These non-Plan payments would be in addition to a Fund’s 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 Funds and payments for providing extra employee training and information relating to Funds; “listing” fees for the placement of the Funds on a dealer’s list of mutual funds available for purchase by its customers; “finders” fees for directing investors to the Fund; “distribution and marketing support” fees or “revenue sharing” 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 BI, 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 BI’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 BI, 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: Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., AXA Advisors, LLC, Banc of America Investment Services, Inc., Citigroup, LPL Financial Corporation, Merrill Lynch, MetLife Securities, Inc., Morgan Stanley, New England Securities Corporation, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., RBC Capital Markets, Tower Square Securities Inc., UBS, Wachovia Securities, Walnut Street Securities Inc. and/or broker-dealers and other financial services firms under common control with the above organizations (or their assignees). The level of payments made to these Service Organizations 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) 0.21% of the assets attributable to that Service Organization invested in a Fund.

Other Distribution Arrangements

Certain Funds and BlackRock have entered into distribution agreements with UBS AG and BMO Harris Investment Management Inc. whereby those firms may, in certain circumstances, sell certain shares of the Funds in certain jurisdictions. The level of payments made to UBS AG in any year for the sale and distribution of a Fund’s shares will vary and normally will not exceed the sum of the service fee payable on the assets attributable to UBS AG plus an additional fee equal to a percentage of such assets which shall range up to 0.25%. BMO Harris Investment Management Inc. does not receive payments in connection with the sale and distribution of Fund shares.

In lieu of payments pursuant to the foregoing, BI, BlackRock, PNC or their affiliates may make payments to the above named Service Organizations of an agreed-upon amount which, subject to certain agreed-upon minimums, will generally not exceed the amount that would have been payable pursuant to the formula, 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 adviser and review carefully any disclosure by the financial firm as to compensation received by your financial adviser for more information about the payments described above.

Furthermore, BI, 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 FINRA regulations in which participants may receive prizes such as travel awards, merchandise and cash. Subject to applicable FINRA regulations, BI, 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,

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(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 certain of its affiliates 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 a Fund, with respect to which the Fund does not pay shareholder servicing fees under a Plan. The fees are paid according to the following schedule: certain money market funds: 0.15% of net assets; certain fixed income funds: 0.20% of net assets; and certain equity funds: 0.25% of net assets (except that with respect to Index Equity, the fee is 0.04% 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 Plans, each 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 BlackRock Shares of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund, and Hilliard Lyons, Service, Investor A, Investor A1, Investor B, Investor B1, Investor B2, Investor C, Investor C1, Investor C2 and Class R Shares of all Funds. 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 the applicable service fee 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.

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. In addition to, rather than in lieu of, distribution and shareholder servicing fees that a 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, BI or their affiliates also may pay a portion of the fees for administrative, networking, omnibus, operational and recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services described above at its or their own expense and out of its or their legitimate profits.

R EDEMPTION OF S HARES

Shares normally will be redeemed for cash upon receipt of a request in proper form, although each Fund retains the right to redeem some or all of its shares in-kind under unusual circumstances (valued in the same way as they would be valued for purposes of computing a Fund’s NAV), in order to protect the interests of remaining shareholders, or to accommodate a request by a particular shareholder that does not adversely affect the interest of the remaining shareholders, by delivery of securities selected from the Fund’s assets at its discretion. In-kind payment means payment will be made in portfolio securities rather than cash. If this occurs, the redeeming shareholder might incur brokerage or other transaction costs to convert the securities to cash. Each Fund has elected, however, to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the Investment Company Act so that the Fund 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 shareholder of the Fund. The redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the initial receipt of proper notice of redemption.

Except for any CDSC or redemption fee that may be applicable, there will be no redemption charge if your redemption request is sent directly to the Transfer Agent. If you are liquidating your holdings you will receive all dividends reinvested through the date of redemption.

The right to redeem shares may be suspended or payment upon redemption may be delayed for more than seven days only (i) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the Commission or during which the NYSE

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is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (ii) for any period during which an emergency exists, as defined by the Commission, as a result of which disposal of portfolio securities or determination of the net asset value of a Fund is not reasonably practicable, and (iii) for such other periods as the Commission may by order permit for the protection of shareholders of the Fund. (A Fund may also suspend or postpone the recordation of the transfer of its shares upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing conditions.)

Each Fund, with other investment companies advised by the Manager, has entered into a joint committed line of credit with a syndicate of banks that is intended to provide the Fund with a temporary source of cash to be used to meet redemption requests from shareholders in extraordinary or emergency circumstances.

The Fund may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse a Fund 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 each Fund involuntarily at any time if the Fund’s Board determines, in its sole discretion, that failure to do so may have adverse consequences to the holders of shares in the Fund. 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.

Redemption

Investor, Institutional and Class R Shares

Redeem by Telephone: You may sell Investor Shares held at BlackRock by telephone request if certain conditions are met and if the amount being sold is less than (i) $100,000 for payments by check or (ii) $250,000 for payments through the Automated Clearing House Network (“ACH”) or wire transfer. Certain redemption requests, such as those in excess of these amounts, and those where (i) the Fund does not have verified banking information on file; or (ii) the proceeds are not paid to the record owner at the record address, must be in writing with a medallion signature guarantee provided by any “eligible guarantor institution” as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), whose existence and validity may be verified by the Transfer Agent through the use of industry publications. For Institutional Shares, certain redemption requests may require written instructions with a medallion signature guarantee. Call (800) 441-7762 for details. You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee stamp from a bank, securities dealer, securities broker, credit union, savings and loan association, national securities exchange or registered securities association. The three recognized medallion programs are Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, Stock Exchanges Medallion Program and New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program. Signature guarantees which are not a part of these programs will not be accepted. A notary public seal will not be 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 PNC GIS in the event redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, executor or administrator.

If you make a redemption request before a Fund has collected payment for the purchase of shares, the Fund may delay mailing your proceeds. This delay will usually not exceed ten days. A Fund, its Administrators and the Distributor will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Telephone redemption requests will not be honored if: (i) the accountholder is deceased, (ii) the proceeds are to be sent to someone other than the shareholder of record, (iii) a Fund does not have verified information on file, (iv) the request is by an individual other than the accountholder of record, (v) the account is held by joint tenants who are divorced, (vi) the address on the account has changed within the last 30 days or share certificates have been issued on the account, or (vii) to protect against fraud, if the caller is unable to provide the account number, the name and address registered on the account and the social security number registered on the account. 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. Before telephone requests will be honored, signature approval from all shareholders of record on the account must be obtained. The Fund may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so. During periods of substantial economic or market change, telephone redemptions may be difficult to complete. Please find below alternative redemption methods.

The Funds or the Transfer Agent may temporarily suspend telephone transactions at any time.

Redeem by VRU: Investor Shares may also be redeemed by use of the Fund’s automated voice response unit service (“VRU”). Payment for Investor Shares redeemed by VRU may be made for non-retirement accounts in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire.

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Redeem by Internet: You may redeem in your account, by logging onto the BlackRock website at www.blackrock.com/funds. Proceeds from Internet redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record. Payment for Investor Shares redeemed by Internet may be made for non-retirement accounts in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire. Different maximums may apply to investors in Institutional Shares.

Redeem in Writing: If you hold shares with the Transfer Agent you may redeem such shares without charge by writing to the Fund’s Transfer Agent, PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., P.O. Box 9819, Providence, Rhode Island 02940. Redemption requests delivered other than by mail should be sent to PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., 101 Sabin Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860. If you hold share certificates issued by your Fund, the letter must be accompanied by certificates for the shares. All shareholders on the account must sign the letter. A medallion signature guarantee may be required but may be waived in certain circumstances. You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee stamp from a bank, securities dealer, securities broker, credit union, savings and loan association, national securities exchange or registered securities association. A notary public seal will not be acceptable. If you hold stock certificates, return the certificates with the letter. Proceeds from redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record.

Redemptions of Service Shares and BlackRock Shares may be made in the manner and amounts described in the Prospectuses.

If you redeem shares directly with the Transfer Agent, payments will generally be mailed within seven days of receipt of the proper notice of redemption. A Fund may delay the mailing of a redemption check until good payment (that is, cash, Federal funds or certified check drawn on a U.S. bank) has been collected for the purchase of Fund shares, which delay will usually not exceed 10 days. If your account is held directly with the Transfer Agent and contains a fractional share balance following a redemption, the fractional share balance will be automatically redeemed by the Fund.

Note on Low Balance Accounts. Because of the high cost of maintaining smaller shareholder accounts, a Fund may redeem the shares in your account (without charging any deferred sales charge) if the net asset value of your account falls below the required minimum initial investment due to redemptions you have made. You will be notified that the value of your account is less than the required minimum initial investment before the Fund makes an involuntary redemption. You will then have 60 days to make an additional investment to bring the value of your account to at least the required minimum initial investment before the Fund takes any action. This involuntary redemption does not apply to accounts of authorized qualified employee benefit plans, selected fee-based programs or accounts established under the Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minors Acts

Repurchase

A Fund normally will accept orders to repurchase shares from Selling Dealers for their customers. Shares will be priced at the net asset value of the Fund next determined after receipt of the repurchase order by a Selling Dealer that has been authorized by the Distributor by contract to accept such orders. As to repurchase orders received by Selling Dealers prior to the close of business on the NYSE (generally, the NYSE closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time), on the day the order is placed, which includes orders received after the close of business on the previous day, the repurchase price is the net asset value determined as of the close of business on the NYSE on that day. If the orders for repurchase are not received by the Selling Dealer before the close of business on the NYSE, such orders are deemed received on the next business day.

These repurchase arrangements are for your convenience and do not involve a charge by the Fund (other than any applicable CDSC or redemption fee). However, Selling Dealers may charge a processing fee in connection with such transactions. In addition, securities firms that do not have selected dealer agreements with the Distributor may impose a transaction charge for transmitting the notice of repurchase to the Fund. Each Fund reserves the right to reject any order for repurchase. A shareholder whose order for repurchase is rejected by a Fund, however, may redeem shares as set forth above.

Reinstatement Privilege — Investor A Shares

Upon redemption of Investor A, Investor A1 or Institutional Shares, as applicable, 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 in good order. To exercise this privilege, PNC GIS must receive written notification from the shareholder of record or the registered

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representative of record, at the time of the purchase. Investors should consult a tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of exercising this reinstatement privilege.

S HAREHOLDER S ERVICES

Each Fund offers one or more of the shareholder services described below that are designed to facilitate investment in its shares. You can obtain more information about these services from each Fund by calling the telephone number on the cover page, or from the Distributor, your financial adviser, your selected securities dealer or other financial intermediary. Certain of these services are available only to U.S. investors.

Investment Account

If your account is maintained at the Transfer Agent (an “Investment Account”) you will receive statements, at least quarterly, from the Transfer Agent. These statements will serve as confirmations for automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of dividends. The statements also will show any other activity in your Investment Account since the last statement. You also will receive separate confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other than automatic investment purchases and the reinvestment of dividends. If your Investment Account is held at the Transfer Agent you may make additions to it at any time by mailing a check directly to the Transfer Agent. You may also maintain an account through a selected securities dealer or other financial intermediary. If you transfer shares out of an account maintained with a selected securities dealer or other financial intermediary, an Investment Account in your name may be opened automatically at the Transfer Agent.

You may transfer Fund shares from a selected securities dealer or other financial intermediary to another securities dealer or other financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor. Certain shareholder services may not be available for the transferred shares. All future trading of these assets must be coordinated by the new firm. If you wish to transfer your shares to a securities dealer or other financial intermediary that has not entered into an agreement with the Distributor, you must either (i) redeem your shares, paying any applicable CDSC or (ii) continue to maintain an Investment Account at the Transfer Agent for those shares. You also may request that the new securities dealer or other financial intermediary maintain the shares in an account at the Transfer Agent registered in the name of the securities dealer or other financial intermediary for your benefit whether the securities dealer or other financial intermediary has entered into a selected dealer agreement or not. In the interest of economy and convenience and because of the operating procedures of each Fund, share certificates will not be issued physically. Shares are maintained by each Fund on its register maintained by the Transfer Agent and the holders thereof will have the same rights and ownership with respect to such shares as if certificates had been issued.

If you are considering transferring a tax-deferred retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, from one selected securities dealer to another securities dealer or other financial intermediary, you should be aware that if the new firm will not take delivery of shares of the Fund, you must either redeem the shares (paying any applicable CDSC) so that the cash proceeds can be transferred to the account at the new firm, or you must continue to maintain a retirement account at the original selected securities dealer for those shares.

Exchange Privilege

U.S. shareholders of Investor A, Investor B, Investor C and Institutional Shares of each Fund have an exchange privilege with certain other Funds. In order to qualify for the exchange privilege, the shares you wish to exchange are required to have a net asset value of at least $100. The minimum amount for exchanges of Investor Shares is $1,000, although you may exchange less than $1,000 if you already have an account in the Fund into which you are exchanging. You may only exchange into a share class and a Fund that are open to new investors or in which you have a current account if the class or fund is closed to new investors. If you held the shares used in the exchange for 30 days or less, you may be charged a redemption fee at the time of the exchange. Before effecting an exchange, you should obtain a currently effective prospectus of the fund into which you wish to make the exchange. Exercise of the exchange privilege is treated as a sale of the exchanged shares and a purchase of the acquired shares for Federal income tax purposes.

Exchanges of Investor A and Institutional Shares. Investor A and Institutional Shares are exchangeable with shares of the same class of other Funds.

Exchanges of Institutional Shares outstanding (“outstanding Institutional Shares”) for Institutional Shares of a second Fund or for shares of a money market fund (“new Institutional Shares”) are effected on the basis of relative net asset value per Institutional Share. Exchanges of Investor A Shares outstanding (“outstanding Investor A Shares”) for Investor A Shares of a

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second Fund, or for shares of a money market fund (“new Investor A Shares”) are effected on the basis of relative net asset value per share.

Exchanges of Investor B and Investor C Shares. Shareholders of certain Funds with Investor B and Investor C Shares outstanding (“outstanding Investor B or Investor C Shares”) may exchange their shares for Investor B or Investor C Shares, respectively, of a second Fund or for shares of a money market fund (“new Investor B or Investor C Shares”) on the basis of relative net asset value per Investor B or Investor C Share, without the payment of any CDSC. Certain Funds impose different CDSC schedules. If you exchange your Investor B Shares for shares of a fund with a different CDSC schedule, the CDSC schedule that applies to the shares exchanged will continue to apply. For purposes of computing the CDSC upon redemption of new Investor B or Investor C Shares, the time you held both the exchanged Investor B or Investor C Shares and the new Investor B Shares or Investor C Shares will count towards the holding period of the new Investor B or Investor C Shares. For example, if you exchange Investor B Shares of a Fund with a six-year CDSC for those of a second Fund after having held the first Fund’s Investor B Shares for two-and-a-half years, the 3.50% CDSC that generally would apply to a redemption would not apply to the exchange. Four years later if you decide to redeem the Investor B Shares of the second Fund and receive cash, there will be no CDSC due on this redemption since by adding the two-and-a-half year holding period of the first Fund’s Investor B Shares to the four year holding period for the second Fund’s Investor B Shares, you will be deemed to have held the second Fund’s Investor B Shares for more than six years.

Exchanges for Shares of a Money Market Fund. You may exchange any class of Investor Shares for shares of an affiliated money market fund. If you exchange into BlackRock Summit Cash Reserves Fund (“Summit”), a series of BlackRock Financial Institutions Series Trust, you will receive one of two classes of shares: exchanges of Investor A and Institutional Shares of a Fund will receive Investor A Shares of Summit and exchanges of Investor B and Investor C Shares of a Fund will receive Investor B Shares of Summit. You may exchange Investor A Shares of Summit back into Investor A or Institutional Shares of a Fund. You may exchange Investor B Shares of Summit back into Investor B or Investor C Shares of a Fund and, in the event of such an exchange, the period of time that you held Investor B Shares of Summit will count toward satisfaction of the holding period requirement for purposes of reducing any CDSC and toward satisfaction of any Conversion Period with respect to Investor B Shares. Investor B Shares of Summit are subject to a distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.75% of average daily net assets of such Investor B Shares. Exchanges of Investor B or Investor C Shares of a money market fund other than Summit for Investor B or Investor C Shares of a Fund will be exercised at net asset value. However, a CDSC will be charged in connection with any subsequent redemption of the Investor B or Investor C Shares of the Fund received in the exchange. In determining the holding period for calculating the CDSC payable on such redemption, the holding period of the money market fund Investor B or Investor C Shares originally held will be added to the holding period of the Investor B or Investor C Shares acquired through exchange.

Exchanges by Participants in Certain Programs. The exchange privilege may be modified with respect to certain participants in mutual fund advisory programs and other fee-based programs sponsored by the Manager, an affiliate of the Manager, or selected securities dealers or other financial intermediaries that have an agreement with the Distributor. See “Fee-Based Programs” below.

Exercise of the Exchange Privilege. To exercise the exchange privilege, you should contact your financial adviser or PNC GIS, who will advise each Fund of the exchange. If you do not hold share certificates, you may exercise the exchange privilege by wire through your securities dealer or other financial intermediary. Each Fund reserves the right to require a properly completed exchange application.

A shareholder who wishes to make an exchange may do so by sending a written request to the Fund c/o PNC GIS at the following address: PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) 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 PNC GIS. This form is available from PNC GIS. 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 PNC GIS 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 BI 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 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.

Each Fund reserves the right to limit the number of times an investor may exercise the exchange privilege. Certain Funds may suspend the continuous offering of their shares to the general public at any time and may resume such offering from time to time. The exchange privilege is available only to U.S. shareholders in states where the exchange legally may be made. The exchange privilege may be applicable to other new mutual funds whose shares may be distributed by the Distributor.

Fee-Based Programs

Certain fee-based programs offered by the Manager or its affiliates, or by a selected securities dealer or other financial intermediary that has an agreement with the Distributor, including pricing alternatives for securities transactions (each referred to in this paragraph as a “Program”), may permit the purchase of Institutional Shares. Under specified circumstances, participants in certain Programs may exchange their shares in the Program for Institutional Shares. Initial or deferred sales charges otherwise due in connection with such exchanges may be waived or modified, as may the Conversion Period applicable to the deposited shares. Termination of participation in a Program may result in the redemption of shares or the automatic exchange of shares to another class at net asset value. Shareholders that participate in a Program generally have two options at termination. A Program can be terminated and the shares liquidated or a Program can be terminated and the shares held in an account. In general, when a shareholder chooses to continue to hold the shares, whatever share class was held in the Program can be held after termination. Shares that have been held for less than specified periods within a Program may be subject to a fee upon redemption. Shareholders that held Investor A or Institutional Shares in a Program are eligible to purchase additional shares of the respective share class of the Fund, but purchase of Investor A Shares may be subject to upfront sales charges. A shareholder may only make additional purchases of Institutional Shares if the shareholder is otherwise eligible to purchase Institutional Shares.

Retirement and Education Savings Plans

Individual retirement accounts and other retirement and education savings plans are available from your financial intermediary. Under these plans, investments may be made in a Fund and certain of the other mutual funds sponsored by the Manager or its affiliates as well as in other securities. There may be fees associated with investing through these plans. Information with respect to these plans is available on request from your financial intermediary.

Dividends received in each of the plans referred to above are exempt from Federal taxation until distributed from the plans and, in the case of Roth IRAs and education savings plans, may be exempt from taxation when distributed as well. Investors considering participation in any retirement or education savings plan should review specific tax laws relating to the plan and should consult their attorneys or tax advisers with respect to the establishment and maintenance of any such plan.

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Automatic Investment Plans

Investor Share shareholders and certain Service Share shareholders who were shareholders of 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 Fund through automatic deductions from a checking or savings account. The minimum pre-authorized investment amount is $50. If you buy shares of a Fund through certain accounts, no minimum charge to your bank account is required. Contact your financial adviser or other financial intermediary for more information.

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Each Fund 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 relevant Fund unless a shareholder elects otherwise. Such election, or any revocation thereof, must be made in writing to PNC GIS, and will become effective with respect to dividends paid after its receipt by PNC GIS. Each Fund declares a dividend each day on “settled” shares ( i.e. , shares for which the particular Fund 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 Fund’s net investment income will be declared as dividends. The amount of the daily dividend for each Fund 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 each Fund at least annually.

Systematic Withdrawal Plans

Shareholders may receive regular distributions from their accounts via a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”). Upon commencement of the SWP, the account must have a current value of $10,000 or more in a Fund. 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 25th day of the month or, if such day is 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. No CDSC will be assessed on redemptions of Investor B or Investor C Shares made through the SWP that do not exceed 12% of the original investment on an annualized basis. For example, monthly, quarterly and semi-annual SWP redemptions of Investor B or Investor C Shares will not be subject to the CDSC if they do not exceed 1% (monthly), 3% (quarterly) and 6% (semi-annually), respectively, of an account’s net asset value on the redemption date. SWP redemptions of Investor B or Investor C Shares in excess of this limit are still subject to the applicable CDSC.

For this reason, a shareholder may not participate in the Automatic Investment Plan described above (see “How to Buy, Sell, Transfer and Exchange Shares” in the Fund’s Prospectus) and the SWP 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 any Eligible Fund (which means funds so designated by the Distributor 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.

P RICING OF S HARES

Determination of Net Asset Value

Valuation of Shares . The net asset value for each class of shares of each Fund is generally calculated as of the close of regular trading hours on the NYSE (currently 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each business day the NYSE is open.

The principal asset of the Feeder Fund will normally be its interest in the Master Portfolio. The value of that interest is based on the net assets of the Master Portfolio, which are comprised of the value of the securities held by the Master Portfolio plus

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any cash or other assets (including interest and dividends accrued but not yet received) minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses of the Master Portfolio). Expenses of the Master Portfolio, including the investment advisory fees, are accrued daily. The net asset value of the Feeder Fund is equal to the value of its proportionate interest in the net assets of the Master Portfolio plus any cash or other assets, minus all liabilities (including accrued expenses) of the Feeder Fund. The valuation of securities by the Master Portfolio is discussed in its Registration Statement.

Valuation of securities held by each Fund is as follows:

Equity Investments . Securities traded on a recognized securities exchange or on the NASDAQ Global Market System are valued at the last reported sale price that day or the NASDAQ official closing price, if applicable; if a security is traded on more than one exchange, the last reported sale price on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded is used; securities traded on a recognized securities exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last bid (long position) or ask (short position) price. If a Fund holds both long and short positions in the same security, the last bid price will be applied to securities held long and the last ask price will be applied to securities sold short. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that such prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the security, in which case such asset would be treated as a fair value asset.

Fixed Income Investments . Fixed income securities for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using such securities’ most recent bid prices provided directly from one or more broker-dealers, market makers, or independent third-party pricing services which may use matrix pricing and valuation models to derive values, each in accordance with valuation procedures approved by the Fund’s Board; the amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless the Manager and/or Sub-Adviser determines such method does not represent fair value; floating rate loan interests are generally valued at the mean between the last available bid prices from one or more brokers or dealers as obtained from an independent third-party pricing service. Fixed income securities for which market quotations are not readily available may be valued by third-party pricing services who make a valuation determination by securing observed transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids), credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information and by other methods, which may include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; indications as to values from dealers; and general market conditions.

Options, Futures, Swaps and Other Derivatives . Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices at the close of the options market on which the option is traded; an exchange-traded option for which there is no mean price is valued at the last bid (long position) or ask (short position) price; if no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that such prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. OTC options are valued by an independent pricing service using a mathematical model which incorporates a number of market data factors. Financial futures contracts and options thereon, which are traded on exchanges, are valued at their last sale price as of the close of such exchanges. Swap agreements and other derivatives are generally valued daily based upon quotations from market makers or by a pricing service in accordance with the valuation procedures approved by the Board.

Underlying Funds . Shares of underlying open-end funds are valued at net asset value. Shares of underlying exchange-traded closed-end funds or other exchange-traded funds will be valued at their most recent closing price.

General Valuation Information

In determining the market value of portfolio investments, the Fund may employ independent third party pricing services, 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 each Fund’s books at their face value.

In the event that application of the methods of valuation discussed above result in a price for a security which is deemed not to be representative of the fair market value of such security, the security will be valued by, under the direction of or in accordance with a method specified by the Fund’s Board as reflecting fair value. All other assets and securities (including securities for which market quotations are not readily available) held by a Fund (including restricted securities) are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Fund’s Board or by BlackRock (its delegate). Any assets which are denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange.

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Certain of the securities acquired by the Funds may be traded on foreign exchanges or over-the-counter markets on days on which a Fund’s net asset value is not calculated. In such cases, the net asset value of a Fund’s shares may be significantly affected on days when investors can neither purchase nor redeem shares of the Fund.

Fair Value . When market quotations are not readily available or are believed by BlackRock to be unreliable, a Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (“Fair Value Assets”). Fair Value Assets are valued by BlackRock in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board. 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 or other source is unreliable (e.g., where it varies significantly from a recent trade), where the security or other asset is thinly traded (e.g., municipal securities and certain foreign securities can be expected to be thinly traded), or where there is a significant event subsequent to the most recent market quotation. For this 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 a Fund’s assets, that it is likely that the event will cause a material change to the last closing market price of one or more assets held by the Fund. On any date the NYSE is open and the primary exchange on which a foreign asset is traded is closed, such asset will be valued using the prior day’s price, provided that BlackRock is not aware of any significant event or other information that would cause such price to no longer reflect the fair value of the asset, in which case such asset would be treated as a Fair Value Asset. For certain foreign securities, a third-party vendor supplies evaluated, systematic fair value pricing based upon the movement of a proprietary multi-factor model after the relevant foreign markets have closed. This systematic fair value pricing methodology is designed to correlate the prices of foreign securities following the close of the local markets to the price that might have prevailed as of a Fund’s pricing time.

BlackRock’s Pricing Group, with input from the BlackRock Portfolio Management 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. In addition, BlackRock’s Pricing Group periodically endeavors to confirm the prices it receives from all third party pricing services, index providers and broker-dealers, and, with the assistance of BlackRock’s portfolio managers, to regularly evaluate the values assigned to the securities and other assets held by the Funds. The pricing of all Fair Value Assets is subsequently reported to and ratified by the Board or a Committee thereof.

When determining the price for a Fair Value Asset, the BlackRock Valuation Committee (or the Pricing Group) shall seek to determine the price that a 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 a 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 at the time of the determination, and may be based on analytical values determined by BlackRock using proprietary or third party valuation models.

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 price at which those assets could have been sold during the period in which the particular fair values were used in determining a Fund’s net asset value. As a result, a Fund’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.

Computation of Offering Price Per Share

See Part I, Section VI “Computation of Offering Price” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for an illustration of the computation of the offering price for shares of your Fund.

P ORTFOLIO T RANSACTIONS AND B ROKERAGE

Transactions in Portfolio Securities

Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors, BlackRock is primarily responsible for the execution of a Fund’s portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage. BlackRock does not execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but seeks to obtain the best net results for the Fund, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities.

While BlackRock generally seeks reasonable trade execution costs, a Fund does not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available, and payment of the lowest commission or spread is not necessarily consistent with obtaining the best

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price and execution in particular transactions. Subject to applicable legal requirements, BlackRock may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to BlackRock and its clients, including a Fund. In return for such services, BlackRock may cause a Fund to pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if BlackRock determines in good faith that the commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

In the case of feeder Funds, because each Feeder Fund generally invests exclusively in beneficial interests of a Master Portfolio, it is expected that all transactions in portfolio securities will be entered into by the Master Portfolio.

In selecting brokers or dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Manager and Sub-Adviser seek to obtain the best price and most favorable execution for a Fund, taking into account a variety of factors including: (i) the size, nature and character of the security or instrument being traded and the markets in which it is purchased or sold; (ii) the desired timing of the transaction; (iii) BlackRock’s knowledge of the expected commission rates and spreads currently available; (iv) the activity existing and expected in the market for the particular security or instrument, including any anticipated execution difficulties; (v) the full range of brokerage services provided; (vi) the broker’s or dealer’s capital (vii) the quality of research and research services provided; (viii) the reasonableness of the commission, dealer spread or its equivalent for the specific transaction; and (ix) BlackRock’s knowledge of any actual or apparent operational problems of a broker or dealer.

Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act (“Section 28(e)”) permits an investment adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause an account to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction that exceeds the amount another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the same transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by that broker or dealer. This includes commissions paid on riskless principal transactions under certain conditions. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, including pricing and appraisal advice, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis, as well as the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental to securities transactions (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). BlackRock believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Funds.

BlackRock may participate in client commission arrangements under which BlackRock may execute transactions through a broker-dealer and request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions or commission credits to another firm that provides research to BlackRock. BlackRock believes that research services obtained through soft dollar or commission sharing arrangements enhance its investment decision-making capabilities, thereby increasing the prospects for higher investment returns. BlackRock will engage only in soft dollar or commission sharing transactions that comply with the requirements of Section 28(e). BlackRock regularly evaluates the soft dollar products and services utilized, as well as the overall soft dollar and commission sharing arrangements to ensure that trades are executed by firms that are regarded as best able to execute trades for client accounts, while at the same time providing access to the research and other services BlackRock views as impactful to its trading results.

BlackRock may utilize soft dollars and related services, including research (whether prepared by the broker-dealer or prepared by a third-party and provided to BlackRock by the broker-dealer) and execution or brokerage services within applicable rules and BlackRock’s policies to the extent that such permitted services do not compromise BlackRock’s ability to seek to obtain best execution. In this regard, the portfolio management investment and/or trading teams may consider a variety of factors, including the degree to which the broker-dealer: (a) provides access to company management; (b) provides access to their analysts; (c) provides meaningful/insightful research notes on companies or other potential investments; (d) facilitates calls on which meaningful or insightful ideas about companies or potential investments are discussed; (e) facilitates conferences at which meaningful or insightful ideas about companies or potential investments are discussed; or (f) provides research tools such as market data, financial analysis, and other third party related research and brokerage tools that aid in the investment process.

Research-oriented services for which BlackRock might pay with Fund commissions may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies or industries and securities or groups of securities, as well as market, economic, or institutional advice and statistical information, political developments and technical market information that assists in the valuation of investments. Except as noted immediately below, research services furnished by brokers may be used in servicing some or all client accounts and not all services may be used in connection with the Fund or account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. In some cases, research information received from brokers by mutual fund management personnel, or personnel principally responsible for BlackRock’s individually managed portfolios, is not necessarily shared by and between such personnel. Any investment advisory or other fees paid by a Fund to BlackRock are not reduced as a result of BlackRock’s receipt of research services. In some cases, BlackRock may receive a service from a broker that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this

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occurs BlackRock makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while BlackRock will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, BlackRock faces a potential conflict of interest, but BlackRock believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.

Payments of commissions to brokers who are affiliated persons of the Fund, or the Master Portfolio with respect to the Feeder Fund (or affiliated persons of such persons), will be made in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the Investment Company Act. Subject to policies established by the Board of Directors of the Master Portfolio, BlackRock is primarily responsible for the execution of the Master Portfolio’s portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage.

From time to time, a Fund may purchase new issues of securities in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the broker may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide BlackRock with research services. FINRA has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the broker will provide research “credits” in these situations at a rate that is higher than that available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).

BlackRock does not consider sales of shares of the mutual funds it advises as a factor in the selection of brokers or dealers to execute portfolio transactions for a Fund; however, whether or not a particular broker or dealer sells shares of the mutual funds advised by BlackRock neither qualifies nor disqualifies such broker or dealer to execute transactions for those mutual funds.

Each Fund anticipates that its brokerage transactions involving foreign securities generally will be conducted primarily on the principal stock exchanges of the applicable country. Foreign equity securities may be held by a Fund in the form of depositary receipts, or other securities convertible into foreign equity securities. Depositary receipts may be listed on stock exchanges, or traded in over-the-counter markets in the United States or Europe, as the case may be. American Depositary Receipts, like other securities traded in the United States, will be subject to negotiated commission rates. Because the shares of each Fund are redeemable on a daily basis in U.S. dollars, each Fund intends to manage its portfolio so as to give reasonable assurance that it will be able to obtain U.S. dollars to the extent necessary to meet anticipated redemptions. Under present conditions, it is not believed that these considerations will have a significant effect on a Fund’s portfolio strategies.

See “Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage” in the Statement of Additional Information for information about the brokerage commissions paid by your Fund, including commissions paid to affiliates, if any, for the periods indicated.

Each Fund may invest in certain securities traded in the OTC market and intends to deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the particular securities, except in those circumstances in which better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Under the Investment Company Act, persons affiliated with a Fund and persons who are affiliated with such affiliated persons are prohibited from dealing with the Fund as principal in the purchase and sale of securities unless a permissive order allowing such transactions is obtained from the Commission. Since transactions in the OTC market usually involve transactions with the dealers acting as principal for their own accounts, the Funds will not deal with affiliated persons, including PNC and its affiliates, in connection with such transactions. However, an affiliated person of a Fund may serve as its broker in OTC transactions conducted on an agency basis provided that, among other things, the fee or commission received by such affiliated broker is reasonable and fair compared to the fee or commission received by non-affiliated brokers in connection with comparable transactions. In addition, a Fund may not purchase securities during the existence of any underwriting syndicate for such securities of which PNC is a member or in a private placement in which PNC serves as placement agent except pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Directors that either comply with rules adopted by the Commission or with interpretations of the Commission staff.

Over-the-counter issues, including most fixed income securities such as 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 Funds 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 foreign 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 a Fund are made from dealers, underwriters and issuers. The Funds do not currently expect to incur any brokerage commission expense on such transactions because money market instruments are

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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. Each money market fund intends to purchase only securities with remaining maturities of 13 months or less as determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. As a result, the portfolio turnover rates of a money market fund will be relatively high. However, because brokerage commissions will not normally be paid with respect to investments made by a money market fund, the turnover rates should not adversely affect the Fund’s net asset values or net income.

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 Manager or Sub-Advisers may seek to obtain an undertaking from issuers of commercial paper or dealers selling commercial paper to consider the repurchase of such securities from a Fund prior to maturity at their original cost plus interest (sometimes adjusted to reflect the actual maturity of the securities), if it believes that a Fund’s anticipated need for liquidity makes such action desirable. Any such repurchase prior to maturity reduces the possibility that a Fund would incur a capital loss in liquidating commercial paper, especially if interest rates have risen since acquisition of such commercial paper.

Investment decisions for each Fund and for other investment accounts managed by the Manager or Sub-Advisers 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, including sector, industry, country or region and capitalization weightings, (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 prorata allocation may result in a Fund 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 “new” 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 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 taking 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. Other allocation methodologies that are considered by BlackRock to be fair and equitable to clients may be used as well.

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. To the extent that transactions on behalf of more than one client of BlackRock or its affiliates during the same period may increase the demand for securities being purchased or the supply of securities being sold, there may be an adverse effect on price. 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. If purchases or sales of securities arise for consideration at or about the same time that would involve a Fund or

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other clients or funds for which BlackRock or an affiliate act as investment manager, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all.

In certain instances, BlackRock may find it efficient for purposes of seeking to obtain best execution, to aggregate or “bunch” certain contemporaneous purchases or sale orders of its advisory accounts. 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 a Fund is concerned, in other cases it could be beneficial to the Fund. 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.

A Fund will not purchase securities during the existence of any underwriting or selling group relating to such securities of which BlackRock, PNC, BI or any affiliated person (as defined in the Investment Company Act) thereof is a member except pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Directors in accordance with Rule 10f-3 under the Investment Company Act. In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to BlackRock, PNC, BI or any affiliated person of the foregoing entities except as permitted by Commission exemptive order or by applicable law.

Portfolio Turnover

While a Fund generally does not expect to engage in trading for short-term gains, it will effect portfolio transactions without regard to any holding period if, in Fund management’s judgment, such transactions are advisable in light of a change in circumstances of a particular company or within a particular industry or in general market, economic or financial conditions. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of a Fund’s annual sales or purchases of portfolio securities (exclusive of purchases or sales of U.S. government securities and all other securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less) by the monthly average value of the securities in the portfolio during the year. A high rate of portfolio turnover results in certain tax consequences, such as increased capital gain dividends and/or ordinary income dividends, and in correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads and brokerage commissions, which are borne directly by a Fund.

D IVIDENDS AND T AXES

Dividends

Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income, if any. Dividends from such net investment income are paid as set forth in each Fund’s prospectus. Each Fund, except the Exchange Portfolio, will also distribute all net realized capital gains, if any, as set forth in such Fund’s prospectus. From time to time, a Fund may declare a special distribution at or about the end of the calendar year in order to comply with Federal tax requirements that certain percentages of its ordinary income and capital gains be distributed during the year. If in any fiscal year a Fund has net income from certain foreign currency transactions, such income will be distributed at least annually.

For information concerning the manner in which dividends may be reinvested automatically in shares of each Fund, see “Shareholder Services — Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” Shareholders may also elect in writing to receive any such dividends in cash. Dividends are taxable to shareholders, as discussed below, whether they are reinvested in shares of the Fund or received in cash. The per share dividends on Investor A, Investor B, Investor C, Class R and Service Shares will be lower than the per share dividends on Institutional Shares as a result of the service, distribution and higher transfer agency fees applicable to Investor B and Investor C Shares, the service fees applicable to Investor A and Service Shares, and the service and distribution fees applicable to Class R Shares. Similarly, the per share dividends on Investor B, Investor C and Class R Shares will be lower than the per share dividends on Investor A and Service Shares as a result of the distribution fees and higher transfer agency fees applicable to Investor B and Investor C Shares and the distribution fees applicable to Class R Shares, and the per share dividends on Investor B and Investor C Shares will be lower than the per share dividends on Class

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R Shares as a result of the higher distribution fees and higher transfer agency fees applicable to Investor B and Investor C Shares.

Taxes

Each Fund intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Code. As long as a Fund so qualifies, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will not be subject to Federal income tax on the part of its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders in years in which it distributes at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, if any, for the year. To qualify as a RIC, a Fund must meet certain requirements regarding the source of its income and the composition and diversification of its assets. See Part II, “Investment Risks and Considerations—Investment Restrictions (All Funds)” for a discussion of the asset diversification requirements. In the case of a Feeder Fund, such Fund may look to the underlying assets of the Master Portfolio in which it has invested for purposes of satisfying the asset diversification requirement and various other requirements of the Code applicable to RICs.

Each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of such income and gains. If, in any taxable year, a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC under the Code, such Fund would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and all distributions from earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. Federal income tax principles) to its shareholders would be taxable as ordinary dividend income eligible for the maximum 15% tax rate for non-corporate shareholders (for taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2011) and the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. Each Fund that is a series of a RIC that consists of multiple series is treated as a separate corporation for Federal income tax purposes, and therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs. Losses in one series of a RIC do not offset gains in another, and the requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying for RIC status will be determined at the level of the individual series. In the following discussion, the term “Fund” means each individual series, if applicable.

The Code requires a RIC to pay a nondeductible 4% excise tax to the extent the RIC does not distribute, during each calendar year, 98% of its ordinary income, determined on a calendar year basis, and 98% of its capital gain net income, determined, in general, as if the RIC’s taxable year ended on October 31, plus certain undistributed amounts from the previous years. While each Fund intends to distribute its income and capital gains in the manner necessary to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax, there can be no assurance that a sufficient amount of the Fund’s taxable income and capital gains will be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In such event, a Fund will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which it does not meet the foregoing distribution requirements.

Dividends paid by a Fund from its ordinary income or from an excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss (together referred to as “ordinary income dividends”) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions made from an excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss (including gains or losses from certain transactions in futures and options) (“capital gain dividends”) are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time the shareholder has owned Fund shares. Distributions paid by a Fund that are designated as exempt-interest dividends will not be subject to regular federal income tax. Certain dividend income and long-term capital gains are eligible for taxation at a reduced rate that applies to non-corporate shareholders for taxable years beginning prior to 2011. Under these rules, the portion of ordinary income dividends constituting “qualified dividend income” when paid by a RIC to non-corporate shareholders may be taxable to such shareholders at long-term capital gain rates. However, to the extent a Fund’s distributions are derived from income on debt securities, certain types of preferred stock treated as debt for federal income tax purposes and short-term capital gains, such distributions will not constitute “qualified dividend income.”

A Fund’s net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) is not subject to the 90% distribution requirement for taxation as a RIC, described above. If a Fund retains net capital gain, it is subject to tax on that gain, and may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who will be required to include in income, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed net capital gain, will be deemed to have paid and may claim as a credit against their Federal income tax liability (and as a refund to the extent it exceeds that liability) their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on that gain, and may increase the basis of their shares in the Fund by the excess of the amount included in income over the amount allowed as a credit against their taxes.

Distributions in excess of a Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a holder’s shares and after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholder.

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Ordinary income and capital gain dividends are taxable to shareholders even if they are reinvested in additional shares of a Fund. Distributions by a Fund, whether from ordinary income or capital gains, generally will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code. If a Fund pays a dividend in January that was declared in the previous October, November or December to shareholders of record on a specified date in one of such months, then such dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by the Fund and received by its shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

No gain or loss will be recognized by Investor B shareholders on the conversion of their Investor B Shares into Investor A Shares. A shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the Investor A Shares acquired upon conversion will be the same as the shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the converted Investor B Shares, and the holding period of the acquired Investor A Shares will include the holding period for the converted Investor B Shares, assuming the Investor B Shares were held as a capital asset.

If a shareholder of a Fund exercises an exchange privilege within 90 days of acquiring the shares of a Fund, then the loss that the shareholder recognizes on the exchange will be reduced (or the gain increased) to the extent any sales charge paid on the exchanged shares reduces any sales charge the shareholder would have owed upon the purchase of the new shares in the absence of the exchange privilege. Instead, such sales charge will be treated as an amount paid for the new shares.

A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of a Fund will be disallowed if such shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date on which the shares are sold or exchanged. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

Certain Funds may invest in zero coupon U.S. Treasury bonds and other debt securities that are issued at a discount or provide for deferred interest. Even though a Fund receives no actual interest payments on these securities, it will be deemed to receive income equal, generally, to a portion of the excess of the face value of the securities over their issue price (“original issue discount”) each year that the securities are held. Since the original issue discount income earned by a Fund in a taxable year may not be represented by cash income, the Fund may have to dispose of securities, which it might otherwise have continued to hold, or borrow to generate cash in order to satisfy its distribution requirements. In addition, a Fund’s investment in foreign currencies or foreign currency denominated or referenced debt securities, certain asset-backed securities and contingent payment and inflation-indexed debt instruments also may increase or accelerate the Fund’s recognition of income, including the recognition of taxable income in excess of cash generated by such investments.

Ordinary income dividends paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities generally will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax under existing provisions of the Code applicable to foreign individuals and entities unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Dividends derived by a RIC from short-term capital gains and qualifying net interest income (including income from original issue discount and market discount) and paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities, if and to the extent properly designated as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” generally will not be subject to U.S. withholding tax. Where possible, the Funds intend to make such designations. However, depending on its circumstances, a Fund may designate all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as interest-related or as short-term capital gain dividends, and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its foreign status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend. Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts. It is not possible to predict what portion, if any, of a Fund’s distributions will be designated as interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends under these rules, which, unless extended, will not apply to distributions with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning after December 31, 2009.

Distributions to certain foreign shareholders by a Fund at least 50% of whose assets are “U.S. real property interests,” as defined in the Code and Treasury regulations, to the extent the distributions are attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests (including certain REIT capital gain dividends and gains on the sale or exchange of shares in certain “U.S. real property holding corporations,” which may include certain REITS, among other entities, generally must be treated by such foreign shareholders as income effectively connected to a trade or business within the United States, generally subject to tax at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. shareholders. Such distributions may be subject to U.S. withholding tax and may require the foreign shareholder to file a U.S. federal income tax return. Unless extended by Congress, this rule

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will not apply to distributions after December 31, 2009, except to the extent the distribution is attributable to a distribution to the Fund by a REIT.

Under certain provisions of the Code, some shareholders may be subject to a withholding tax on ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and redemption payments (“backup withholding”). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be non-corporate shareholders for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with the Fund or who, to the Fund’s knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld generally may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a shareholder’s Federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely forwarded to the IRS.

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to a Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder in any single taxable year (or a greater amount in any combination of taxable years), the shareholder must file a disclosure statement on Form 8886 with the IRS. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted. 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. Shareholder should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Dividends and interest received by a Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain foreign countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Shareholders of a Fund more than 50% by value of the assets of which at the close of a taxable year are foreign securities may be able to claim U.S. foreign tax credits with respect to such foreign taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain requirements and limitations contained in the Code. For example, certain retirement accounts and certain tax-exempt organizations cannot claim foreign tax credits on investments in foreign securities held in a Fund. In addition, a foreign tax credit may be claimed with respect to withholding tax on payments with respect to a security only if the holder of the security meets certain holding period requirements. Both the shareholder and the Fund must meet these holding period requirements, and if a Fund fails to do so, it will not be able to “pass through” to shareholders the ability to claim a credit or a deduction for the related foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Further, to the extent that a Fund engages in securities lending with respect to a security paying income subject to foreign taxes, it may not be able to pass through to its shareholders the ability to take a foreign tax credit for those taxes. If a Fund satisfies the applicable requirements, such Fund will be eligible to file an election with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) pursuant to which shareholders of the Fund will be required to include their proportionate shares of such foreign taxes in their U.S. income tax returns as gross income, treat such proportionate shares as taxes paid by them, and deduct such proportionate shares in computing their taxable incomes or, alternatively, use them as foreign tax credits against their U.S. income taxes. No deductions for foreign taxes, however, may be claimed by noncorporate shareholders who do not itemize deductions. A shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual or a foreign corporation may be subject to U.S. withholding tax on the income resulting from a Fund’s election described in this paragraph but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction against such U.S. tax for the foreign taxes treated as having been paid by such shareholder. A Fund will report annually to its shareholders the amount per share of such foreign taxes and other information needed to claim the foreign tax credit.

Certain transactions entered into by the Funds are subject to special tax rules of the Code that may, among other things, (a) affect the character of gains and losses realized, (b) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, and (c) accelerate the recognition of income without a corresponding receipt of cash (with which to make the necessary distributions to satisfy distribution requirements applicable to RICs). Operation of these rules could, therefore, affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. Special tax rules also may require a Fund to mark to market certain types of positions in its portfolio ( i.e. , treat them as sold on the last day of the taxable year), and may result in the recognition of income without a corresponding receipt of cash. Funds engaging in transactions affected by these provisions intend to monitor their transactions, make appropriate tax elections and make appropriate entries in their books and records to lessen the effect of these tax rules and avoid any possible disqualification from the special treatment afforded RICs under the Code.

If a Fund purchases shares of an investment company (or similar investment entity) organized under foreign law, the Fund will generally be treated as owning shares in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. A Fund may be subject to U.S. Federal income tax, and interest charges (at the rate applicable to tax underpayments) on tax liability treated as having been deferred with respect to certain distributions from such a company and on gain from the disposition of the shares of such a company (collectively referred to as “excess distributions”), even if such excess distributions are paid by the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders. However, a Fund may elect to “mark to market” at the end of each taxable year shares that it holds in PFICs. The election is made separately for each PFIC held and, once made, would be effective for all subsequent taxable years, unless revoked with consent from the IRS. Under this election, a Fund

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would recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of its shares as of the close of the taxable year over their adjusted tax basis and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value, but only to the extent of previously recognized “mark-to-market” gains. By making the mark-to-market election, a Fund could avoid imposition of the interest charge with respect to excess distributions from PFICs, but in any particular year might be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it received from PFICs.

If the Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the Fund would be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the Fund, and such amounts would be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain.

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 in this discussion, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect.

An investment in a Fund may have consequences under state, local or foreign tax law, about which investors should consult their tax advisors.

P ERFORMANCE D ATA

From time to time a Fund may include its average annual total return and other total return data, and, if applicable, yield and tax-equivalent yield in advertisements or information furnished to present or prospective shareholders. Total return, yield and tax-equivalent yield each is based on a Fund’s historical performance and is not intended to indicate future performance. Average annual total return is determined separately for each class of shares in accordance with a formula specified by the Commission.

Quotations of average annual total return, before tax, for the specified periods are computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return (based on net investment income and any realized and unrealized capital gains or losses on portfolio investments over such periods) that would equate the initial amount invested to the redeemable value of such investment at the end of each period. Average annual total return before taxes is computed assuming all dividends are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring expenses, including the maximum sales charge, in the case of Investor A Shares, and the CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the specified period in the case of Investor B and Investor C Shares, but does not take into account taxes payable on dividends or on redemption.

Quotations of average annual total return after taxes on distributions for the specified periods are computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending value of such investment at the end of each period assuming payment of taxes on distributions received during such period. Average annual total return after taxes on distributions is computed assuming all distributions, less the taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring expenses, including the maximum sales charge, in the case of Investor A Shares and the CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the specified period in the case of Investor B and Investor C Shares. The taxes due on distributions are calculated by applying to each distribution the highest applicable marginal Federal individual income tax rates in effect on the reinvestment date for that distribution. The rates used correspond to the tax character (including eligibility for the maximum 15% tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income) of each distribution. The taxable amount and tax character of each distribution are specified by each Fund on the distribution declaration date, but may be adjusted to reflect subsequent recharacterizations of distributions. The applicable tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effects of state and local taxes are not reflected. Applicable tax credits, such as foreign credits, are taken into account according to Federal law. The ending value is determined assuming complete redemption at the end of the applicable periods with no tax consequences associated with such redemption.

Quotations of average annual total return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares for the specified periods are computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending value of such investment at the end of each period assuming payment of taxes on distributions received during such period as well as on complete redemption. Average annual total return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares is computed assuming all distributions, less the taxes due on such distributions, are reinvested and taking into account all applicable recurring and nonrecurring expenses, including the maximum sales charge in the case of Investor A Shares and the

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CDSC that would be applicable to a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the specified period in the case of Investor B and Investor C Shares and assuming, for all classes of shares, complete redemption and payment of taxes due on such redemption. The ending value is determined assuming complete redemption at the end of the applicable periods, subtracting capital gains taxes resulting from the redemption and adding the presumed tax benefit from capital losses resulting from redemption. The taxes due on distributions and on the deemed redemption are calculated by applying the highest applicable marginal Federal individual income tax rates in effect on the reinvestment and/or the redemption date. The rates used correspond to the tax character (including eligibility for the maximum 15% tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income) of each component of each dividend and/or the redemption payment. The applicable tax rates may vary over the measurement period. The effects of state and local taxes are not reflected. Applicable tax credits, such as foreign tax credits, are taken into account according to federal law.

A Fund also may quote annual, average annual and annualized total return and aggregate total return performance data, both as a percentage and as a dollar amount based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 or some other amount, for various periods other than those noted below. Such data will be computed as described above, except that (1) as required by the periods of the quotations, actual annual, annualized or aggregate data, rather than average annual data, may be quoted and (2) the maximum applicable sales charges will not be included with respect to annual or annualized rates of return calculations. Aside from the impact on the performance data calculations of including or excluding the maximum applicable sales charges, actual annual or annualized total return data generally will be lower than average annual total return data since the average rates of return reflect compounding of return; aggregate total return data generally will be higher than average annual total return data since the aggregate rates of return reflect compounding over a longer period of time.

Yield quotations will be computed based on a 30-day period by dividing (a) the net income based on the yield of each security earned during the period by (b) the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period that were entitled to receive dividends multiplied by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period. Tax equivalent yield quotations will be computed by dividing (a) the part of a Fund’s yield that is tax-exempt by (b) one minus a stated tax rate and adding the result to that part, if any, of the Fund’s yield that is not tax-exempt.

See Part I, Section VIII “Fund Performance” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for performance information for the shares of your Fund for the periods indicated.

A Fund’s total return will vary depending on market conditions, the securities comprising a Fund’s portfolio, a Fund’s operating expenses and the amount of realized and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the period. The value of an investment in a Fund will fluctuate and an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

In order to reflect the reduced sales charges in the case of Investor A Shares or the waiver of the CDSC in the case of Investor B or Investor C Shares applicable to certain investors, as described under “Purchase of Shares” and “Redemption of Shares,” respectively, the total return data quoted by a Fund in advertisements directed to such investors may take into account the reduced, and not the maximum, sales charge or may take into account the CDSC waiver and, therefore, may reflect greater total return since, due to the reduced sales charges or the waiver of sales charges, a lower amount of expenses is deducted.

On occasion, a Fund may compare its performance to, among other things, the Fund’s benchmark index indicated in the Prospectus, the Value Line Composite Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, or to other published indices, or to performance data published by Lipper Inc., Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”), Money Magazine, U.S. News & World Report, BusinessWeek, Forbes Magazine, Fortune Magazine or other industry publications. When comparing its performance to a market index, a Fund may refer to various statistical measures derived from the historical performance of a Fund and the index, such as standard deviation and beta. As with other performance data, performance comparisons should not be considered indicative of a Fund’s relative performance for any future period. In addition, from time to time a Fund may include the Fund’s Morningstar risk-adjusted performance ratings assigned by Morningstar in advertising or supplemental sales literature. From time to time a Fund may quote in advertisements or other materials other applicable measures of Fund performance and may also make reference to awards that may be given to the Manager. Certain Funds may also compare their performance to composite indices developed by Fund management.

A Fund may provide information designed to help investors understand how the Fund is seeking to achieve its investment objectives. This may include information about past, current or possible economic, market, political or other conditions, descriptive information or general principles of investing such as asset allocation, diversification and risk tolerance, discussion of a Fund’s portfolio composition, investment philosophy, strategy or investment techniques, comparisons of the Fund’s performance or portfolio composition to that of other funds or types of investments, indices relevant to the comparison being made, or to a hypothetical or model portfolio. A Fund may also quote various measures of volatility and

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benchmark correlation in advertising and other materials, and may compare these measures to those of other funds or types of investments.

P ROXY V OTING P OLICIES AND P ROCEDURES

The Board of Directors of the Funds has delegated the voting of proxies for the Funds’ securities to the Manager pursuant to the Manager’s proxy voting guidelines. Under these guidelines, the Manager will vote proxies related to Fund securities in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. From time to time, a vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s stockholders, on the one hand, and those of the Manager, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Manager, on the other. In such event, provided that the Manager’s Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the “Committee”) is aware of the real or potential conflict or material non-routine matter and if the Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its general voting guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed in the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Committee may retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Manager’s clients. If the Manager 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 Manager’s Portfolio Management Group and/or the Manager’s Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in its client’s best interest notwithstanding the conflict. A copy of the Funds’ Proxy Voting Policies are attached as Appendix B.

Information on how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, (i) at www.blackrock.com and (ii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

G ENERAL I NFORMATION

Description of Shares

Shareholders of a Fund are entitled to one vote for each full share held and fractional votes for fractional shares held in the election of Directors and generally on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders of the Fund. Shareholders of a class that bears distribution and/or shareholder servicing expenses have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to such distribution and shareholder servicing expenditures (except that Investor B shareholders may vote upon any material changes to such expenses charged under the Investor A Distribution Plan). Voting rights are not cumulative, so that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting in the election of Directors can, if they choose to do so, elect all the Directors of a Fund, in which event the holders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any person as a Director.

No Fund intends to hold annual meetings of shareholders in any year in which the Investment Company Act does not require shareholders to act upon any of the following matters: (i) election of Directors; (ii) approval of a management agreement; (iii) approval of a distribution agreement; and (iv) ratification of selection of independent accountants. Shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable and have no preemptive rights. Redemption and conversion rights are discussed elsewhere herein and in each Fund’s Prospectus. Each share of each class of Common Stock is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by a Fund and in the net assets of the Fund upon liquidation or dissolution after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities.

For Funds organized as Maryland corporations, the by-laws of the Fund require that a special meeting of shareholders be held upon the written request of a minimum percentage of the outstanding shares of the Fund entitled to vote at such meeting, if they comply with applicable Maryland law.

Certain of the Funds are organized as “Massachusetts business trusts.” Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for its obligations. However, the Declaration of Trust establishing a trust, a copy of which for each applicable Fund, together with all amendments thereto (the “Declaration of Trust”), is on file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the trust and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the trust property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the trust. The Declaration of Trust also provides that a trust may maintain appropriate insurance (for example, fidelity bond and errors and omissions insurance) for the protection of the trust, its shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents covering possible tort and other liabilities. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed and the trust itself was unable to meet its obligations.

Certain Funds are organized as Delaware statutory trusts.

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See Part I, Section IX “Additional Information — Description of Shares” of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for additional capital stock information for your Fund.

Additional Information

Under a separate agreement, BlackRock has granted each Fund the right to use the “BlackRock” name and has reserved the right to (i) withdraw its consent to the use of such name by a Fund if the Fund ceases to retain BlackRock Advisors, LLC as investment adviser and (ii) to grant the use of such name to any other company.

See Part I, Section IX “Additional Information — Principal Shareholders” section of each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for information on the holders of 5% or more of any class of shares of your Fund.

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APPENDIX A

Description Of Bond Ratings

Description of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.’s (“Moody’s”) Bond Ratings


Aaa		Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” 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 which are rated Aa 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 which are rated A 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 which are rated Baa are considered as 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		Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B		Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa		Bonds which are rated Caa are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca		Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C		Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Note: Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

A-1

Description of Moody’s U.S. Short-Term Ratings


MIG 1/VMIG 1		This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

MIG 2/VMIG 2		This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

MIG 3/VMIG 3		This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

SG		This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

Description of Moody’s Commercial Paper Ratings

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 nine months. Moody’s employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:

Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of short term promissory obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of 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.

Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability 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, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability 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 to the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Description of Standard & Poor’s, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“Standard & Poor’s”), Debt Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s issue credit rating is a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations or a specific program. It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation, and takes into account statutory and regulatory preferences.

The issue credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a financial obligation, inasmuch as it does not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor.

The issue credit ratings are based on current information furnished by the obligors or obtained by Standard & Poor’s from other sources Standard & Poor’s considers reliable. Standard & Poor’s does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances.

A-2

The issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

I. Likelihood of payment—capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

II. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;

III. Protection afforded to, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Long Term Issue Credit Ratings


AAA		An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. Capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA		An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest rated issues only in small degree. The Obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A		An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB		An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB B CCC CC C		An obligation rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

D		An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

c		The ‘c’ subscript is used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds are deemed taxable.

p		The letter ‘p’ indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to the completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.

*		Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor’s receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing documentation confirming investments and cash flows.

r		This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected returns which are not addressed in the credit rating.

A-3



N.R.		This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

Description of Standard & Poor’s Commercial Paper Ratings

A Standard & Poor’s commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt having an original maturity of no more than 365 days. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from “A-1” for the highest-quality obligations to “D” for the lowest. These categories are as follows:


A-1		A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2		A short-term obligation rated “A-2” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3		A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B		A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Ratings of “B-1,” “B-2” and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinction within the “B” category.

C		A short-term obligation rated “C” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

D		A short-term obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category 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 Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating will also be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

c		The “c” subscript is used to provide additional information to investors that the bank may terminate its obligation to purchase tendered bonds if the long term credit rating of the issuer is below an investment-grade level and/or the issuer’s bonds are deemed taxable.

p		The letter “p” indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful, timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of or the risk of default upon failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.

A-4



*		Continuance of the ratings is contingent upon Standard & Poor’s receipt of an executed copy of the escrow agreement or closing.

r		The “r” highlights derivative, hybrid, and certain other obligations that Standard & Poor’s believes may experience high volatility or high variability in expected returns as a result of noncredit risks. Examples of such obligations are securities with principal or interest return 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

A commercial paper rating is not a recommendation to purchase or sell a security. The ratings are based on current information furnished to Standard & Poor’s by the issuer or obtained by Standard & Poor’s from other sources it considers reliable. The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information.

A Standard & Poor’s note rating reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment.

—Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

—Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

Note rating symbols are as follows:


SP-1		Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

SP-2		Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3		Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

Description of Fitch Ratings’ (“Fitch”) Investment Grade Bond Ratings

Fitch investment grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. The rating represents Fitch’s assessment of the issuer’s ability to meet the obligations of a specific debt issue or class of debt in a timely manner.

The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer’s future financial strength and credit quality.

Fitch ratings do not reflect any credit enhancement that may be provided by insurance policies or financial guarantees unless otherwise indicated.

Bonds carrying the same rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since the rating categories do not fully reflect small differences in the degrees of credit risk.

A-5

Fitch ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell, or hold any security. Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of payments made in respect of any security.

Fitch ratings are based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors, underwriters, their experts, and other sources Fitch believes to be reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of such information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or the unavailability of, information or for other reasons.


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 good 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 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.

Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the “AAA” category or to categories below “CCC”.

Description of Fitch’s Speculative Grade Bond Ratings

Fitch speculative grade bond ratings provide a guide to investors in determining the credit risk associated with a particular security. 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. The rating takes into consideration special features of the issue, its relationship to other obligations of the issuer, the current and prospective financial condition and operating performance of the issuer and any guarantor, as well as the economic and political environment that might affect the issuer’s future financial strength.

Bonds that have the rating are of similar but not necessarily identical credit quality since rating categories cannot fully reflect the differences in degrees of credit risk.


BB		Bonds are considered speculative. The obligor’s ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified which could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.

B		Bonds are considered highly speculative. While bonds in this class are currently meeting debt service requirements, the probability of continued timely payment of principal and interest reflects the obligor’s limited margin of safety and the need for reasonable business and economic activity throughout the life of the issue.

CCC		Bonds have certain identifiable characteristics which, if not remedied, may lead to default.

A-6


		The ability to meet obligations requires an advantageous business and economic environment.

CC		Bonds are minimally protected. Default in payment of interest and/or principal seems probable over time.

C		Bonds are in imminent default in payment of interest or principal.

D DD DDD		Bonds are in default on interest and/or principal payments. Such bonds are extremely speculative and should be valued on the basis of their ultimate recovery value in liquidation or reorganization of the obligor. “DDD” represents the highest potential for recovery on these bonds, and “D” represents the lowest potential for recovery.

		Plus (+) or Minus (-): Plus and minus signs are used with a rating symbol to indicate the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Plus and minus signs, however, are not used in the “DDD,” “DD,” or “D” categories.

Description of Fitch’s Short term Ratings

Fitch’s short term ratings apply to debt obligations that are payable on demand or have original maturities of up to three years, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, medium-term notes, and investment notes.

The short term rating places greater emphasis than a long term rating on the existence of liquidity necessary to meet the issuer’s obligations in a timely manner.

Fitch short term ratings are as follows:


F-1+		Exceptionally Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating are regarded as having the strongest degree of assurance for timely payment.

F-1		Very Strong Credit Quality. Issues assigned this rating reflect an assurance of timely payment only slightly less in degree than issues rated “F-1+.”

F-2		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 for issues assigned “F-1+” and “F- 1” ratings.

F-3		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		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		Default. Issues assigned this rating are in actual payment default on all financial obligations.

LOC		The symbol “LOC” indicates that the rating is based on a letter of credit issued by a commercial bank.

NR		Indicates that Fitch does not rate the specific issue.

Conditional		A conditional rating is premised on the successful completion of a project or the occurrence of a specific event.

Suspended		A rating is suspended when Fitch deems the amount of information available from the issuer to be inadequate for rating purposes.

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Withdrawn		A rating will be withdrawn when an issue matures or is called or refinanced and, at Fitch’s discretion, when an issuer fails to furnish proper and timely information.

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FitchAlert		Ratings are placed on FitchAlert to notify investors of an occurrence that is likely to result in a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as “Positive,” indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative,” for potential downgrade, or “Evolving,” where ratings may be raised or lowered. FitchAlert is relatively short term, and should be resolved within 12 months.

Ratings Outlook: An outlook is used to describe the most likely direction of any rating change over the intermediate term. It is described as “Positive” or “Negative.” The absence of a designation indicates a stable outlook.

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APPENDIX B

Proxy Voting Policies

For The BlackRock-Advised Funds

June, 2008

Table of Contents


		Page
Introduction		B-1
Proxy Voting Policies		B-1
Boards of Directors		B-1
Auditors		B-2
Compensation and Benefits		B-2
Capital Structure		B-2
Corporate Charter and By-Laws		B-2
Corporate Meetings		B-2
Investment Companies		B-2
Environmental and Social Issues		B-2
Reports to the Board		B-2

Introduction

The Trustees/Directors (“Directors”) of the BlackRock-Advised Funds (the “Funds”) have the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds, and have determined that it is in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders to delegate that responsibility to BlackRock Advisors, LLC and its affiliated U.S. registered investment advisers (“BlackRock”), the investment adviser to the Funds, as part of BlackRock’s authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets. The Directors hereby direct BlackRock to vote such proxies in accordance with this Policy, and any proxy voting guidelines that the Adviser determines are appropriate and in the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders and which are consistent with the principles outlined in this Policy. The Directors have authorized BlackRock to utilize an unaffiliated third-party as its agent to vote portfolio proxies in accordance with this Policy and to maintain records of such portfolio proxy voting.

When BlackRock votes proxies for an advisory client that has delegated to BlackRock proxy voting authority, BlackRock acts as the client’s agent. Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (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. ¹ When voting proxies for the Funds, BlackRock’s primary objective is to make voting decisions solely in the best interests of the Funds’ shareholders. In fulfilling its obligations to shareholders, 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. ² It is imperative that BlackRock considers the interests of Fund shareholders, 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.

BlackRock has adopted separate but substantially similar guidelines and procedures that are consistent with the principles of this Policy. 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, including the Funds. The Committee is comprised of senior members of BlackRock’s Portfolio Management and Administration Groups and is advised by BlackRock’s Legal and Compliance Department.

Proxy Voting Policies

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 Funds believe 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 Funds therefore believe 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, consideration may be given to a director nominee’s history of representing shareholder interests as a director of other companies, or other factors to the extent deemed relevant by the Committee.

¹	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).

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, such as the Funds, 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.

B-1

B. Auditors

These proposals concern those issues submitted to shareholders related to the selection of auditors. As a general matter, the Funds believe 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 Funds anticipate that the Committee will generally defer to a corporation’s choice of auditor, in individual cases, consideration may be given to an auditors’ history of representing shareholder interests as auditor of other companies, to the extent deemed relevant.

C. Compensation and Benefits

These proposals concern those issues submitted to shareholders related to management compensation and employee benefits. As a general matter, the Funds favor disclosure of a company’s compensation and benefit policies and oppose excessive compensation, but believe 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 should therefore generally not be supported by the Committee.

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 Funds expect that the Committee will support requests that it believes enhance the rights of common shareholders and oppose requests that appear to be unreasonably dilutive.

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 Funds expect that the Committee will oppose poison pill provisions unless, after consultation with the portfolio managers, it is determined that supporting the poison pill is in the best interest of shareholders.

F. Corporate Meetings

These are routine proposals relating to various requests regarding the formalities of corporate meetings. As a general matter, the Funds expect that the Committee will support company management except where the proposals are substantially duplicative or serve no legitimate business purpose.

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 Funds believe that an investment company’s board of directors (rather than its shareholders) is best-positioned to set fund policy and oversee management. However, the Funds oppose 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.

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 Funds generally believe that annual shareholder meetings are inappropriate forums for the discussion of larger social issues, and oppose shareholder resolutions “micro-managing” 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 Funds are generally supportive of proposals to require corporate disclosure of matters that seem relevant and material to the economic interests of shareholders, the Funds generally are not supportive of proposals to require disclosure of corporate matters for other purposes.

Reports to the Board

BlackRock will report to the Directors on proxy votes it has made on behalf of the Funds at least annually.

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PART C. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 23. Exhibits.


Exhibit Number		Description

1	(a)	—Articles of Incorporation of Registrant.(1)

1	(b)	—Articles of Amendment.(2)

1	(c)	—Articles Supplementary.(4)

1	(d)	—Articles of Amendment.(4)

1	(e)	—Articles of Amendment to Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation Changing Name to BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.(9)

1	(f)	—Articles of Amendment to Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation Reclassifying Shares of Authorized Capital Stock.(9)

2		—Amended and Restated By-Laws of Registrant.*

3		—Portions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Registrant defining rights of holder of shares of common stock of the Registrant.(3)

4		—None

5		—Form of Unified Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC, formerly known as BlackRock Investments, Inc.(13)

6		—None.

7		—Not Applicable.

8	(a)	—Form of Administration Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC.(9)

8	(b)	—Form of Amended and Restated Transfer Agency Agreement between Registrant and PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., formerly known as PFPC Inc.(10)

8	(c)	—Form of Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.(5)

8	(d)	—Form of Fee Waiver Agreement among Registrant, on behalf of BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund and BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund, Quantitative Master Series Trust and BlackRock Advisors, LLC.(9)

8	(e)	—Form of Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement among Registrant, on behalf of BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund and BlackRock International Index Fund, Quantitative Master Series Trust and BlackRock Advisors, LLC.(9)

8	(f)	—Form of Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, Inc. (now BlackRock Advisors, LLC).(12)

10	(a)	—Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant.*

10	(b)	—Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP.(11)

11		—None.

12		—Certificate of Merrill Lynch Asset Management.(2)

13		—Form of Investor A Distribution Plan.*

14		—Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3.(7)

15	(a)	—Code of Ethics of BlackRock Advisors, LLC.(6)

15	(b)	—Code of Ethics of the Registrant.(6)

15	(c)	—Code of Ethics of BlackRock Investments, LLC, formerly known as BlackRock Investments, Inc.(6)

16		—Power of Attorney.(8)

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*	Filed herewith.

(1)	Filed on October 31, 1996 as an Exhibit to Registrant’s initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (File No. 333-15265) (the “Registration Statement”).

(2)	Filed on January 31, 1997 as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement.

(3)

Reference is made to Article II, Article IV, Article V (sections 2,3,4,6,7 and 8), Article VI, Article VII and Article IX of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended and supplemented, filed as Exhibit (1) to the Registration Statement, and to Article I, Article II (sections 2, 3 and 4), Article III (section 5), Article IV (sections 1, 2 and 5) and Article V of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws filed as Exhibit (2) to the Registration Statement.

(4)	Filed on April 23, 2003 as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registration Statement.

(5)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to Merrill Lynch Growth Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-10794 and 811-4934), filed on February 16, 2001.

(6)	Incorporated by reference to an Exhibit to Post-Effective No. 44 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust (File No. 2-52711), filed on April 29, 2009.

(7)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Merrill Lynch Bond Fund, Inc. (File No. 2-62329), filed on July 21, 2006.

(8)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Merrill Lynch Retirement Reserves Money Fund of Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust (File No. 2-74584), filed on February 27, 2009.

(9)	Filed on April 27, 2007 as an Exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registration Statement.

(10)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. (File No. 2-74452), filed on April 23, 2007.

(11)	Filed on April 25, 2006 as Exhibit 10(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registration Statement.

(12)	Incorporate by reference to Exhibit 8(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. (File No. 33-41622), filed on March 28, 2008.

(13)	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc. (File No. 33-53399), filed on October 28, 2008.

Item 24. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.

Each series of the Registrant owns a substantial portion of the corresponding series of Quantitative Master Series LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as follows: S&P 500 Index Fund owns 72.60% of Master S&P 500 Index Series, Small Cap Index Fund owns 18.57% of Master Small Cap Index Series, and International Index Fund owns 28.16% of Master International Index Series. The Registrant is not under common control with any other person.

Item 25. Indemnification.

Reference is made to Article VI of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, Article IV of the Registrant’s By-Laws (the “By-Laws”), Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement and Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law.

Insofar as the conditional advancing of indemnification moneys for actions based on the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”) may be concerned, Article IV of the Registrant’s By-Laws provides that such payments will be made only on the following conditions: (i) advances may be made only on receipt of a written affirmation of such person’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to repay any such advance is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct has not been met; and (ii) (a) such person shall provide adequate security for his or her undertaking (b) the Registrant is insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (c) a majority of quorum of the Registrant’s disinterested non-party Directors, or an

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independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that at time the advance is proposed to be made, there is reason to believe that the person seeking indemnification will ultimately be found to be entitled to indemnification.

In Section 9 of the Distribution Agreement relating to the securities being offered hereby, the Registrant agrees to indemnify the Distributor and each person, if any, who controls the Distributor within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain types of civil liabilities arising in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to Directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant and the principal underwriter pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a Director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant and the principal underwriter in connection with the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Director, officer or controlling person or the principal underwriter in connection with the shares being registered, the 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 26. Business and Other Connections of Manager.

Not Applicable.

(a) BlackRock Advisors, LLC is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. 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 Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”), is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. BIM currently offers investment advisory services to institutional investors such as pension and profit-sharing plans or trusts, insurance companies and banks. The information required by this Item 26 about officers and directors of BIM, 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 BIM pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-56972).

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Item 27. Principal Underwriters.

(a) BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BI”), formerly known as BlackRock Investments, Inc., acts as the principal underwriter for each of the following open-end registered investment companies including the Registrant:

BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Basic Value Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares

BlackRock Bond Fund, Inc.

BlackRock California Municipal Series Trust

BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund

BlackRock EuroFund

BlackRock Financial Institutions Series Trust

BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Focus Value Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Funds

BlackRock Funds II

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global Dynamic Equity Fund

BlackRock Global Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global Financial Services Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global Growth Fund., Inc.

BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Healthcare Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.

BlackRock International Value Trust

BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc.

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Liquidity Funds

BlackRock Master LLC

BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Series, Inc.

BlackRock Multi-State Municipal Series Trust

BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Municipal Series Trust

BlackRock Natural Resources Trust

BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Principal Protected Trust

BlackRock Series Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Series, Inc.

BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc.

BlackRock Utilities and Telecommunications Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc.

BlackRock World Income Fund, Inc.

CMA Government Securities Fund

CMA Money Fund

CMA Multi-State Municipal Series Trust

CMA Tax-Exempt Fund

CMA Treasury Fund

FPD Series, Inc.

Global Financial Services Master LLC

Managed Account Series

Master Basic Value LLC

Master Bond LLC

Master Focus Growth LLC

Master Government Securities LLC

Master Institutional Money Market LLC

Master Large Cap Series LLC

Master Money LLC

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

Master Treasury LLC

Master Value Opportunities LLC

Merrill Lynch Funds for Institutions Series

Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust

Merrill Lynch Retirement Series Trust

Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves

Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Money Fund

Quantitative Master Series LLC

Short-Term Master LLC

WCMA Government Securities Fund

WCMA Money Fund

WCMA Tax-Exempt Fund

WCMA Treasury Fund

BI also acts as the principal underwriter for each of the following closed-end registered investment companies:

BlackRock Fixed Income Value Opportunities

BlackRock Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Senior Floating Rate Fund II, Inc.

Master Senior Floating Rate LLC

(b) Set forth below is information concerning each director and officer of BI. The principal business address for each such person is 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022.


Name	Position(s) and Office(s) with BI	Position(s) and Office(s) with Registrant
Laurence Fink	Chairman and Director	None
Barbara Novick	Chief Executive Officer	None

C-4


Name	Position(s) and Office(s) with BI	Position(s) and Office(s) with Registrant
John Moran	President and Managing Director	None
Anne Ackerley	Managing Director	Vice President
Donald Burke	Managing Director	President, Chief Executive Officer
Robert Connolly	General Counsel, Secretary and Managing Director	None
Paul Greenberg	Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director	None
Francis Porcelli	Managing Director	None
Steven Hurwitz	Chief Compliance Officer, Assistant Secretary and Director	None
John Blevins	Assistant Secretary and Managing Director	None
Robert Kapito	Director	None
Daniel Waltcher	Director	None

Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records.

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of:

(a) Registrant, 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809.

(b) BlackRock Advisors, LLC, 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as investment adviser).

(c) BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 (records relating to its functions as sub-adviser).

(d) BlackRock Investments, LLC, 40 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022 (records relating to its functions as distributor).

(e) PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc., Bellevue Corporate Center, 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809 (records relating to its functions as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent).

Item 29. Management Services.

Other than as set forth under the caption “Management of the Funds—BlackRock” in the Prospectus constituting Part A of the Registration Statement and under “Management of the Funds — Management and Advisory Arrangements” in the Statement of Additional Information constituting Part B of the Registration Statement, the Registrant is not party to any management-related service contract.

Item 30. Undertakings.

None.

C-5

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 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the Township of Plainsboro, and State of New Jersey, on the 30th day of April, 2009.


B LACK R OCK I NDEX F UNDS , I NC . (Registrant)

By:		/ S / D ONALD C. B URKE
		(Donald C. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.


Signature	Title	Date

/ S / D ONALD C. B URKE (Donald C. Burke)	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	April 30, 2009

/ S / N EAL J. A NDREWS (Neal J. Andrews)	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	April 30, 2009

D AVID O. B EIM * (David O. Beim)	Director

R ONALD W. F ORBES * (Ronald W. Forbes)	Director

D R . M ATINA H ORNER * (Dr. Matina Horner)	Director

R ODNEY D. J OHNSON * (Rodney D. Johnson)	Director

H ERBERT I. L ONDON * (Herbert I. London)	Director

C YNTHIA A. M ONTGOMERY * (Cynthia A. Montgomery)	Director

J OSEPH P. P LATT , J R .* (Joseph P. Platt, Jr.)	Director

R OBERT C. R OBB , J R .* (Robert C. Robb, Jr.)	Director

C-6


Signature	Title	Date

T OBY R OSENBLATT * (Toby Rosenblatt)	Director

K ENNETH L. U RISH * (Kenneth L. Urish)	Director

F REDERICK W. W INTER * (Frederick W. Winter)	Director

R ICHARD S. D AVIS * (Richard S. Davis)	Director

H ENRY G ABBAY * (Henry Gabbay)	Director

*By:

/ S / D ONALD C. B URKE

(Donald C. Burke, Attorney-In-Fact)

April 30, 2009

C-7

SIGNATURES

Quantitative Master Series LLC has duly caused this Registration Statement of BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the Township of Plainsboro, and State of New Jersey, on the 30th day of April, 2009.


Q UANTITATIVE M ASTER S ERIES LLC

By:		/ S / D ONALD C. B URKE
		(Donald C. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer)

The Registration Statement of BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.


Signature	Title	Date

/ S / D ONALD C. B URKE (Donald C. Burke)	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	April 30, 2009

/ S / N EAL J. A NDREWS (Neal J. Andrews)	Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)	April 30, 2009

D AVID O. B EIM * (David O. Beim)	Director

R ONALD W. F ORBES * (Ronald W. Forbes)	Director

D R . M ATINA H ORNER * (Dr. Matina Horner)	Director

R ODNEY D. J OHNSON * (Rodney D. Johnson)	Director

H ERBERT I. L ONDON * (Herbert I. London)	Director

C YNTHIA A. M ONTGOMERY * (Cynthia A. Montgomery)	Director

J OSEPH P. P LATT , J R .* (Joseph P. Platt, Jr.)	Director

R OBERT C. R OBB , J R .* (Robert C. Robb, Jr.)	Director

T OBY R OSENBLATT * (Toby Rosenblatt)	Director

K ENNETH L. U RISH * (Kenneth L. Urish)	Director

C-8


Signature	Title	Date

F REDERICK W. W INTER * (Frederick W. Winter)	Director

R ICHARD S. D AVIS * (Richard S. Davis)	Director

H ENRY G ABBAY * (Henry Gabbay)	Director

*By:

/ S / D ONALD C. B URKE

(Donald C. Burke, Attorney-In-Fact)

April 30, 2009

C-9

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibits		Description

2		Amended and Restated By-Laws.

10	(a)	Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP , independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant.

13		Form of Investor A Distribution Plan.

Exhibit 2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Focus Value Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global Financial Services Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global Growth Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Healthcare Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc.

BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Series, Inc.

BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Series, Inc.

BlackRock Short Term Bond Series, Inc.

BlackRock Utilities and Telecommunications Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc.

BlackRock World Income Fund, Inc.

FDP Series, Inc.

(each referred to herein as the “ Fund ”)

Effective as of December 9, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
ARTICLE I

SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS

Section 1.	Chairman	2
Section 2.	Annual Meetings of Shareholders	2
Section 3.	Special Meetings of Shareholders	2
Section 4.	Place of Meetings	2
Section 5.	Notice of Meetings	2
Section 6.	Conduct of Meetings	4
Section 7.	Adjournments	4
Section 8.	Record Date	4
Section 9.	Voting	5
Section 10.	Quorum	6
Section 11.	Proxies	6
Section 12.	Inspectors of Election	7
Section 13.	Records at Shareholder Meetings	8
Section 14.	Shareholder Action by Written Consent	8

ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

Section 1.	Number and Qualification	9
Section 2.	Term, Nomination and Election	9
Section 3.	Resignation and Removal	11
Section 4.	Vacancies	11
Section 5.	Meetings	11
Section 6.	Quorum	12
Section 7.	Required Vote	12
Section 8.	Committees	12
Section 9.	Director Action by Written Consent	13
Section 10.	Chairman; Records	13
Section 11.	Delegation	14
Section 12.	Compensation	14

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

Section 1.	Officers of the Fund	14
Section 2.	Election and Tenure	14


Section 3.	Removal and Resignation of Officers	14
Section 4.	President	14
Section 5.	Secretary	15
Section 6.	Treasurer	15
Section 7.	Other Officers and Duties	15

ARTICLE IV

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1.	No Personal Liability of Directors or Officers	16
Section 2.	Mandatory Indemnification	16
Section 3.	Good Faith Defined; Reliance on Experts	18
Section 4.	Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses	18
Section 5.	Insurance	18
Section 6.	Subrogation	18

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1.	Shares of Stock	19
Section 2.	Transfer Agents, Registrars and the Like	19
Section 3.	Transfer of Shares	19
Section 4.	Registered Shareholders	19
Section 5.	Register of Shares	19
Section 6.	Disclosure of Holdings	20
Section 7.	Signatures	20
Section 8.	Lost Certificates	20

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1.	Filing	20
Section 2.	Governing Law	20
Section 3.	Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulation	21

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 1.	Amendment and Repeal of Bylaws	21

BYLAWS

These Bylaws are made and adopted pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, as from time to time amended (hereinafter called the “ Charter ”).

Definitions . As used in these Bylaws, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“ 1940 Act ” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and exemptions granted therefrom, as amended from time to time.

“ Bylaws ” shall mean these Bylaws of the Fund as amended or restated from time to time by the Directors.

“ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“ Directors ” shall mean the persons elected to the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors, as the case may be, of the Fund from time to time, so long as they shall continue in office, and all other persons who at the time in question have been duly elected or appointed and have qualified as directors or trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof and are then in office.

“ Disabling Conduct ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) of Article IV.

“ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“ Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) of Article IV.

“ Independent Director ” shall mean a Director that is not an “interested person” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

“ Independent Non-Party Directors ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)of Article IV.

“ Person ” shall mean and include individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, limited liability companies, associations, joint ventures and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

“ Shareholder ” shall mean a holder of record of outstanding Shares from time to time.

“ Shares ” shall mean (i) if the Fund is organized as a trust, the units of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interests in the Fund shall be divided from time to time, (ii) if the Fund is organized as a corporation, the shares of stock of the Fund and (iii) if the Fund is organized as

a limited liability company, the limited liability company interests of the Fund, and in each case includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares. In addition, Shares also means any preferred units of beneficial interest, preferred stock or preferred limited liability company interests which may be issued from time to time, as described herein. All references to Shares shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all series or classes as the context may require.

“ Special Counsel ” shall mean an “independent legal counsel” as defined in Reg. §270.0-1(a)(6) promulgated under the 1940 Act, and such counsel shall be selected by a majority of the Independent Non-Party Directors.

ARTICLE I

SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS

Section 1. Chairman . The Chairman, if any, shall act as chairman at all meetings of the Shareholders. In the Chairman’s absence, the Vice Chairman, if any, shall act as chairman at the meeting. In the absence of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, the Director or Directors present at each meeting may elect a temporary chairman for the meeting, who may be one of themselves.

Section 2. Annual Meetings of Shareholders . There shall be no annual meeting of Shareholders except as required by law.

Section 3. Special Meetings of Shareholders . A special meeting of Shareholders may be called at any time by the Secretary upon the request of a majority of the Directors or the President and shall also be called by the Secretary for any proper purpose upon written request of Shareholders of the Fund holding in the aggregate not less than a majority of the outstanding Shares of the Fund or class or series of Shares having voting rights on the matter.

Section 4. Place of Meetings . Any Shareholder meeting shall be held within or without the state in which the Fund was formed on such day and at such time as the Directors shall designate.

Section 5. Notice of Meetings .

(a) Written notice of all meetings of Shareholders, stating the time and place of the meeting, shall be given by the Secretary by mail to each Shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat at its registered address, mailed at least ten (10) days and not more than sixty (60) days before the meeting or otherwise in compliance with applicable law. Such notice will also specify the means of remote communications, if any, by which Shareholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting. No business (including without limitation nominations for the election of directors) may be transacted at a meeting of Shareholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the

direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by any Shareholder of the Fund, whether such proposal is included in the Fund’s proxy statement or a proxy statement prepared by one or more shareholders, (A) who is a Shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Article I Section 5 and on the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and (B) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article I Section 5 or, with respect to the election of Directors, set forth in Section 2 of Article II.

(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before a meeting by a Shareholder, such Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Fund.

(i) To be timely, a Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Fund not later than the close of business on the fifth (5 ^th ) day following the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made, whichever first occurs.

(ii) Except for notices regarding nominations for the election of directors, which notices shall be prepared in accordance with Article II Section 2(c)(ii), to be in proper written form, a Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such Shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (B) the name and record address of such Shareholder, (C) the class or series and number of shares of the Fund which are owned beneficially or of record by such Shareholder, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such Shareholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such Shareholder and any material interest of such Shareholder in such business and (E) a representation that such Shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

(c) No business shall be conducted at a meeting of Shareholders except business brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article I Section 5 or Article II Section 2, as the case may be; provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Article I Section 5 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any Shareholder of any such business. If the chairman of a meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman of the meeting shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.

(d) Whenever written notice is required by law or the Charter to be given to any Shareholder, such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such Shareholder at such Shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Fund, with postage thereon

prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail or with another reasonable delivery service customarily used for business purposes.

Section 6. Conduct of Meetings . The Board of Directors of the Fund may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of any meeting of the Shareholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of any meeting of the Shareholders shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting; (c) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (d) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to Shareholders of record of the Fund, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (e) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants.

Section 7. Adjournments . The chairman of any meeting of the Shareholders may adjourn the meeting from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communications, if any, by which Shareholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Fund may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Any adjourned meeting may be held as adjourned one or more times without further notice not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the record date. If after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting in accordance with the requirements of Section 5 of this Article I shall be given to each Shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting and each other Shareholder entitled to notice of the meeting.

Section 8. Record Date .

(a) For the purposes of determining the Shareholders who are entitled to vote at, or otherwise entitled to notice of any meeting, the Directors may, without closing the transfer books, fix a date not more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting of Shareholders as a record date for the determination of the Persons to be treated as Shareholders of record for such purposes. The record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Directors. If no record date is fixed by the Directors and the stock transfer books are not closed, the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Shareholders shall be at the later of (i) the close of business on the day on which notice is mailed or (ii) the thirtieth (30 ^th ) day before the meeting. A determination of Shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Fund may determine the Shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Directors, the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Directors is required by applicable law or the Charter, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Fund by delivery to its registered office in the state in which the Fund was formed, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Fund having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the Shareholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Fund’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Directors and prior action by the Directors is required by applicable law or the Charter, the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

Section 9. Voting .

(a) Shareholders shall have no power to vote on any matter except matters on which a vote of Shareholders is required by applicable law, the Charter or resolution of the Directors. Except as otherwise provided herein, any matter required to be submitted to Shareholders and affecting one or more classes or series of Shares shall require approval by the required vote of all the affected classes and series of Shares voting together as a single class; provided, however, that as to any matter with respect to which a separate vote of any class or series of Shares is required by the 1940 Act, such requirement as to a separate vote by that class or series of Shares shall apply in addition to a vote of all the affected classes and series voting together as a single class. Shareholders of a particular class or series of Shares shall not be entitled to vote on any matter that affects only one or more other classes or series of Shares.

(b) Subject to any provision of applicable law, the Charter, or these Bylaws specifying a greater or a lesser vote requirement for the transaction of any item of business at any meeting of Shareholders, (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting duly called and at which quorum is present shall be the act of the Shareholders with respect to any matter that properly comes before the meeting, and (ii) where a separate vote of two or more classes or series of Shares is required on any matter, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast of such class or series of Shares at a meeting duly called and at which quorum is present shall be the act of the Shareholders of such class or series with respect to such matter.

(c) Only Shareholders of record shall be entitled to vote. Each full Share shall be entitled to one vote and fractional Shares shall be entitled to a vote of such

fraction. When any Share is held jointly by several persons, any one of them may vote at any meeting in person or by proxy in respect of such Share, but if more than one of them shall be present at such meeting in person or by proxy, and such joint owners or their proxies so present disagree as to any vote to be cast, such vote shall be cast in accordance with applicable law.

(d) There shall be no cumulative voting in the election or removal of Directors.

Section 10. Quorum . The holders of a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on any matter at a meeting present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at such meeting of the Shareholders for purposes of conducting business on such matter. ¹ The absence from any meeting, in person or by proxy, of a quorum of Shareholders for action upon any given matter shall not prevent action at such meeting upon any other matter or matters which may properly come before the meeting, if there shall be present thereat, in person or by proxy, a quorum of Shareholders in respect of such other matters. A quorum, once established, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the Shareholders, the chairman of the meeting, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, in the manner provided in Section 7 of this Article I, until a quorum shall be present or represented.

Section 11. Proxies .

(a) At any meeting of Shareholders, any holder of Shares entitled to vote thereat may vote by properly executed proxy, provided that no proxy shall be voted at any meeting unless it shall have been placed on file with the Secretary, or with such other officer or agent of the Fund as the Directors or Secretary may direct, for verification prior to the time at which such vote shall be taken. Pursuant to a resolution of a majority of the Directors, proxies may be solicited in the name of one or more Directors or one or more of the officers or employees of the Fund. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. If the holder of any such Share is a minor or a person of unsound mind, and subject to guardianship or to the legal control of any other person as regards the charge or management of such Share, such person may vote by their guardian or such other person appointed or having such control, and such vote may be given in person or by proxy.

The Charters of the following Maryland open-end funds contain a one-third quorum requirement and thus the bylaws of these funds have a one-third quorum requirement : BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Series, Inc., FDP Series, Inc., BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc., BlackRock Index Funds, Inc., BlackRock Fundamental Growth, Inc., BlackRock Global Growth Fund, Inc., BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc., BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc., BlackRock Global Financial Services Fund, Inc., BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc., BlackRock Technology Fund, Inc., and BlackRock Series, Inc.

(b) Without limiting the manner in which a Shareholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such Shareholder as proxy, the following shall constitute a valid means by which a Shareholder may grant such authority:

(i) A Shareholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such Shareholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the Shareholder or such Shareholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile or electronic signature.

(ii) A Shareholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such Shareholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic or telephonic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was authorized by the Shareholder. If it is determined that such telegrams, cablegrams or other electronic transmissions are valid, the inspectors of election or, if there are no inspectors of election, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information on which they relied.

(c) Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a Shareholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided, however, that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

Section 12. Inspectors of Election .

(a) In advance of any meeting of Shareholders, the Directors may appoint inspectors of election to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If inspectors of election are not so appointed, the person acting as Chairman of any meeting of Shareholders may, and on the request of any Shareholder or Shareholder proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election of the meeting. The number of inspectors of election shall be either one or three. If appointed at the meeting on the request of one or more Shareholders or proxies, a majority of Shares present shall determine whether one or three inspectors of election are to be appointed, but failure to allow such determination by the Shareholders shall not affect the validity of the appointment of inspectors of election. In case any person appointed as inspector of election fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Directors in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the person acting as chairman. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, inspectors may be officers, employees or agents of the Fund. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability.

(b) The inspectors of election shall have the duties prescribed by law and shall determine the number of Shares outstanding, the Shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies, shall receive votes, ballots or consents, shall hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote, shall count and tabulate all votes or consents, determine the results, and do such other acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all Shareholders. If there are three inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. On request of the chairman, if any, of the meeting, the inspectors of election shall make a report in writing of any challenge or question or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any facts found by them.

Section 13. Records at Shareholder Meetings . At each meeting of the Shareholders, there shall be made available for inspection at a convenient time and place during normal business hours, if requested by Shareholders, a list of the Shareholders of the Fund, as of the record date of the meeting or the date of closing of transfer books, as the case may be. Such list of Shareholders shall contain the name and the address of each Shareholder in alphabetical order and the number of Shares owned by such Shareholder. Shareholders shall have such other rights and procedures of inspection of the books and records of the Fund as are granted to shareholders of corporations in the state in which the Fund was formed.

Section 14. Shareholder Action by Written Consent .

(a) Any action which may be taken by Shareholders by vote may be taken without a meeting if the holders entitled to vote thereon unanimously consent to the action in writing and the written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.

(b) Any such consent shall be delivered to the Fund by delivery to its registered office in the state in which the Fund was formed, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Fund having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the Shareholders are recorded. Delivery shall be in paper form, by hand, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by electronic transmission. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each Shareholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Article I Section 14 to the Fund, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Fund by delivery to its registered office in the state in which the Fund was formed, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Fund having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the Shareholders are recorded. A telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a Shareholder or proxyholder, or by a person or persons authorized to act for a Shareholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this Article I Section 14, provided

that any such telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the Fund can determine (i) that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was transmitted by the Shareholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the Shareholder or proxyholder and (ii) the date on which such Shareholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission. The date on which such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall be delivered to the Fund by delivery to its registered office in the state in which the Fund was formed, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the Fund having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the Shareholders are recorded. Such delivery shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

(c) Within ten (10) days after the effective date of the action, notice of the taking of the action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those Shareholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Fund as provided above in this Article I Section 14.

ARTICLE II

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number and Qualification . Prior to a public offering of Shares there may be a sole Director. Thereafter, the number of Directors shall be determined by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Directors then in office, provided that the number of Directors shall be no less than the lower limit for Directors as stated in the Charter and no more than fifteen (15). No reduction in the number of Directors shall have the effect of removing any Director from office prior to the expiration of the Director’s term. An individual nominated as a Director shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and not older than the age set forth in any mandatory retirement policy adopted by the Fund (or seventy-two (72) years of age at the time of nomination if no such policy has been adopted) and not under legal disability. Directors need not own Shares and may succeed themselves in office.

Section 2. Term, Nomination and Election .

(a) The Directors shall be elected at any meeting of the Shareholders called for that purpose, except as provided in the Charter or in Section 4 of this Article II. Each Director elected shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been elected and shall have qualified. The term of office of a Director shall terminate and a vacancy shall occur in the event of the death, resignation, removal, bankruptcy, adjudicated incompetence or other incapacity to perform the duties of the office of the Director.

(b) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Fund, whether such person is submitted to shareholders in the Fund’s proxy statement or a proxy statement prepared by one or more shareholders, except as may be otherwise provided in the Charter with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the Fund to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at any meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (ii) by any Shareholder of the Fund (A) who is a Shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Article II Section 2 and on the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and (B) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Article II Section 2.

(c) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a Shareholder, such Shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Fund.

(i) To be timely, a Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Fund in accordance with Article I Section 5(b)(i).

(ii) To be in proper written form, a Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (A) as to each person whom the Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (2) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (3) the class or series and number of shares of the Fund which are owned beneficially or of record by the person, if any, and (4) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act; and (B) as to the Shareholder giving the notice (1) the name and record address of such Shareholder, (2) the class or series and number of shares of the Fund which are owned beneficially or of record by such Shareholder, (3) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such Shareholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with which the nomination(s) are made by such Shareholder, (4) a representation that such Shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (5) any other information relating to such Shareholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

(d) No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Fund unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article II Section 2. If the chairman of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

Section 3. Resignation and Removal . Any of the Directors may resign (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by such Director and delivered or mailed to the Directors, the Chairman, if any, the President, or the Secretary and such resignation shall be effective upon such delivery, or at a later date according to the terms of the instrument. Any of the Directors may be removed, provided the aggregate number of Directors after such removal shall not be less than the minimum number set forth in the Charter, only by the proportion of votes of the Shareholders or Directors, as applicable, that are set forth in the Charter as the required proportion of votes for removal of Director, and with or without cause as may be permitted by the Charter or as required by applicable law. Upon the resignation or removal of a Director, each such resigning or removed Director shall execute and deliver to the Fund such documents as may be required by applicable law or the Charter or as may be requested by the remaining Directors as being in the best interests of the Fund and the Shareholders. Upon the incapacity or death of any Director, such Director’s legal representative shall execute and deliver to the Fund on such Director’s behalf such documents as the remaining Directors shall require as provided in the preceding sentence.

Section 4. Vacancies . Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Directors shall occur, the remaining Directors may, if permitted by the 1940 Act, fill such vacancy by appointing an individual having the qualifications described in this Article by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Directors, whether or not sufficient to constitute a quorum, then in office or may leave such vacancy unfilled or may reduce the number of Directors. The aggregate number of Directors after such reduction shall not be less than the minimum number required by the Charter. If the Shareholders of any class or series of Shares are entitled separately to elect one or more Directors, a majority of the remaining Directors elected by that class or series or the sole remaining Director elected by that class or series may fill any vacancy among the number of Directors elected by that class or series. Any vacancy created by an increase in Directors may be filled by the appointment of an individual having the qualifications described in this Article II made by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Directors then in office. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Directors shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided herein, the Directors in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Directors and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Directors.

Section 5. Meetings .

(a) Meetings of the Directors shall be held from time to time upon the call of the Chairman, if any, the Vice Chairman, if any, the President or any two Directors. Regular meetings of the Directors may be held without call or notice at a time and place fixed by the Bylaws or by resolution of the Directors. Notice of any other meeting shall be given by the Secretary and shall be delivered to the Directors orally not less than 24 hours, or in writing not

less than 72 hours, before the meeting, but may be waived in writing by any Director either before or after such meeting. The attendance of a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been properly called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, and no notice need be given of action proposed to be taken by written consent. Whenever written notice is required by law, the Charter or these Bylaws to be given to any Director, such notice may be given by mail, addressed to such Director at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the Fund, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, or by facsimile or email to a location provided by the Director to the Fund.

(b) The Secretary of the Fund shall act as secretary at each meeting of the Board of Directors and of each committee thereof. In case the Secretary shall be absent from any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof, an Assistant Secretary or a person appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary of the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the members of each committee of the Board of Directors may appoint any person to act as secretary of any meeting of such committee and the Secretary of the Fund may, but need not if such committee so elects, serve in such capacity.

(c) Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, all or any one or more Directors may participate in a meeting of the Directors or any committee thereof by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other; participation in a meeting pursuant to any such communications system shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 6. Quorum . Any time there is more than one Director, a quorum for all meetings of the Directors shall be one-third, but not less than two, of the Directors. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the adjourned meeting, until a quorum shall be present. With respect to actions of the Directors and any committee of the Directors, Directors who are not Independent Directors in any action to be taken may be counted for quorum purposes under this Article II Section 6 and shall be entitled to vote to the extent not prohibited by the 1940 Act.

Section 7. Required Vote . Unless otherwise required or permitted in the Charter or by applicable law (including the 1940 Act), any action of the Board of Directors may be taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present by vote of a majority of the Directors present.

Section 8. Committees .

(a) The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors of the Fund. Each member of a committee must meet the requirements for membership, if any, imposed by applicable law and the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the securities

of the Fund are listed or quoted for trading. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of any such committee. Subject to the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or quotation system on which the securities of the Fund are listed or quoted for trading, in the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another qualified member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. Any director serving on a committee of the Board of Directors may be removed from such committee at any time by the Board of Directors.

(b) Any committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution or charter establishing such committee, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Fund, and may authorize the seal of the Fund to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article II Section 8, the resolution of the Board of Directors establishing any committee of the Board of Directors or the charter of any such committee may establish requirements or procedures relating to the governance or operation of such committee that are different from, or in addition to, those set forth in these Bylaws and, to the extent that there is any inconsistency between these Bylaws and any such resolution or charter, the terms of such resolution or charter shall be controlling.

(c) Any committee of the Directors, including an executive committee, if any, may act with or without a meeting. A quorum for all meetings of any committee shall be one-third, but not less than two, of the members thereof. Unless otherwise required by applicable law (including the 1940 Act) or provided in the Charter or these Bylaws, any action of any such committee may be taken at a meeting at which a quorum is present by vote of a majority of the members present. Each committee shall keep regular minutes and report to the Board of Directors when required.

Section 9. Director Action by Written Consent . Any action which may be taken by Directors by vote may be taken without a meeting if the Directors, or members of a committee, as the case may be, unanimously consent to the action in writing or electronic transmission and the written consents or electronic transmission are filed with the records of the meetings of Directors. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Directors or the committee.

Section 10. Chairman; Records . The Chairman, if any, shall act as chairman at all meetings of the Directors. In absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, if any, shall act as chairman at the meeting. In the absence of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, the Directors present shall elect one of their number to act as temporary chairman. The results of all actions taken at a meeting of the Directors, or by written consent of the Directors, shall be recorded by the Secretary or, in the absence of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or such other person appointed by the Board of Directors as the meeting secretary.

Section 11. Delegation . Unless provided in the Charter or these Bylaws and except as provided by applicable law, the Directors shall have the power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers, employees or agents of the Fund the doing of such things, including any matters set forth in the Charter or these Bylaws, and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Fund or the names of the Directors or otherwise as the Directors may deem expedient.

Section 12. Compensation . The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and/or a stated salary for service as director, payable in cash or securities. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for service as committee members.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers of the Fund . The Directors shall elect a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and may elect a Chairman and a Vice Chairman. Any Chairman or Vice Chairman shall, and the President, Secretary and Treasurer may, but need not, be a Director. No other officer of the Fund need be a Director. Any two or more of the offices may be held by the same Person, except that the same person may not be both President and Secretary.

Section 2. Election and Tenure . The Chairman, if any, and Vice Chairman, if any, President, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as the Directors from time to time may elect shall serve at the pleasure of the Directors or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. The Directors may fill a vacancy in office or add any additional officers at any time.

Section 3. Removal and Resignation of Officers . Any officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by action of a majority of the Directors. This provision shall not prevent the making of a contract of employment for a definite term with any officer and shall have no effect upon any cause of action which any officer may have as a result of removal in breach of a contract of employment. Any officer may resign at any time by notice in writing signed by such officer and delivered or mailed to the Chairman, if any, President, or Secretary, and such resignation shall take effect immediately upon receipt by the Chairman, if any, President, or Secretary, or at a later date according to the terms of such notice in writing.

Section 4. President . The President shall, subject to the control of the Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business of the Fund and of its employees and shall exercise such general powers of management as are usually vested in the office of President of a corporation. The President shall have such further authorities and duties as the Directors shall from time to time determine. In the absence or disability of the President, the Directors shall delegate authority to another officer of the Fund to perform all of the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the President.

Section 5. Secretary . The Secretary shall maintain the minutes of all meetings of, and record all votes of, Shareholders, Directors and committees of Directors, if any. The Secretary shall be custodian of the seal of the Fund, if any, and the Secretary (and any other person so authorized by the Directors) may affix the seal, or if permitted, facsimile thereof, to any instrument executed by the Fund which would be sealed by a business corporation in the state in which the Fund was formed executing the same or a similar instrument and shall attest the seal and the signature or signatures of the officer or officers executing such instrument on behalf of the Fund. The Secretary shall also perform any other duties commonly incident to such office in a business corporation in the state in which the Fund was formed and shall have such other authorities and duties as the Directors shall from time to time determine, including but not limited to calling meetings of Shareholders and providing written notice of all meetings of Shareholders.

Section 6. Treasurer . The Treasurer shall, except as otherwise directed by the Directors, have the general supervision of the monies, funds, securities, notes receivable and other valuable papers and documents of the Fund, and shall have and exercise under the supervision of the Directors and of the President all powers and duties normally incident to the office. The Treasurer may endorse for deposit or collection all notes, checks and other instruments payable to the Fund or to its order. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Fund in such depositories as the Directors shall designate. The Treasurer shall be responsible for such disbursement of the funds of the Fund as may be ordered by the Directors or the President. The Treasurer shall keep accurate account of the books of the Fund’s transactions which shall be the property of the Fund, and which together with all other property of the Fund in the Treasurer’s possession, shall be subject at all times to the inspection and control of the Directors. Unless the Directors shall otherwise determine, the Treasurer shall be the principal accounting officer of the Fund and shall also be the principal financial officer of the Fund. The Treasurer shall have such other duties and authorities as the Directors shall from time to time determine. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Directors may authorize any adviser, administrator, manager or transfer agent to maintain bank accounts and deposit and disburse funds of any series of the Fund on behalf of such series.

Section 7. Other Officers and Duties . The Directors may elect or appoint, or may authorize the President to appoint, such other officers or agents with such powers as the Directors may deem to be advisable. Assistant officers shall act generally in the absence of the officer whom they assist and shall assist that officer in the duties of the office. Each officer, employee and agent of the Fund shall have such other duties and authority as may be conferred upon such person by the Directors or delegated to such person by the President.

(a) If the Directors elect or appoint, or authorize the President to appoint, a chief executive officer of the Fund, such chief executive officer, subject to direction of the Directors, shall have power in the name and on behalf of the Fund to execute any and all loans, documents, contracts, agreements, deeds, mortgages, registration statements, applications, requests, filings and other instruments in writing, and to employ and discharge employees and agents of the Fund. Unless otherwise directed by the Directors, the chief executive officer shall have full authority and power, on behalf of all of the Directors, to attend and to act and to vote, on behalf of the Fund at any meetings of business organizations in which the Fund holds an

interest, or to confer such powers upon any other persons, by executing any proxies duly authorizing such persons. The chief executive officer shall have such further authorities and duties as the Directors shall from time to time determine. In the absence or disability of the chief executive officer, the Directors shall delegate authority to another officer of the Fund to perform all of the duties of the chief executive officer, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the chief executive officer.

ARTICLE IV

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. No Personal Liability of Directors or Officers . No Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund shall be subject in such capacity to any personal liability whatsoever to any Person, save only liability to the Fund or its Shareholders arising from bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard for his or her duty to such Person; and, subject to the foregoing exception, all such Persons shall look solely to the assets of the Fund for satisfaction of claims of any nature arising in connection with the affairs of the Fund. If any Director, advisory board member or officer, as such, of the Fund, is made a party to any suit or proceeding to enforce any such liability, subject to the foregoing exception, such person shall not, on account thereof, be held to any personal liability. Any repeal or modification of the Charter or this Article IV Section 1 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

Section 2. Mandatory Indemnification .

(a) The Fund hereby agrees to indemnify each person who is or was a Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund (each such person being an “ Indemnitee ”) to the full extent permitted under applicable law against any and all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and legal fees and expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which such person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth in this Article IV by reason of having acted in any such capacity, whether such liability or expense is asserted before or after service, except with respect to any matter as to which such person shall not have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Fund or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, as to which such person shall have had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful; provided, however, that no Indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to any person or any expense of such Indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence, or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Indemnitee’s position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as “ Disabling Conduct ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any

Indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such Indemnitee (A) was authorized by a majority of the Directors or (B) was instituted by the Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights to indemnification hereunder in a case in which the Indemnitee is found to be entitled to such indemnification. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Fund, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification shall be made hereunder unless there has been a determination (i) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction before whom the issue of entitlement to indemnification hereunder was brought that such Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder or, (ii) in the absence of such a decision, by (A) a majority vote of a quorum of those Directors who are both Independent Directors and not parties to the proceeding (“Independent Non-Party Directors”), that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, or (B) if such quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if such majority so directs, a Special Counsel in a written opinion concludes that the Indemnitee should be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that an Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.

(d) The Fund shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder, to the full extent permitted under applicable law, only if the Fund receives a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification have been met and a written undertaking by the Indemnitee to reimburse the Fund if it shall ultimately be determined that the standards of conduct necessary for indemnification have not been met. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met: (i) the Indemnitee shall provide adequate security for his or her undertaking, (ii) the Fund shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the Independent Non-Party Directors, or if such quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable, if a majority vote of such quorum so direct, Special Counsel in a written opinion, shall conclude, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is substantial reason to believe that the Indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

(e) The rights accruing to any Indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under the Charter, these Bylaws or any statute, insurance policy, agreement, vote of Shareholders or Independent Directors or any other right to which such person may be lawfully entitled.

(f) Subject to any limitations provided by the 1940 Act and the Charter, the Fund shall have the power and authority to indemnify and provide for the advance payment of expenses to employees, agents and other Persons providing services to the Fund or serving in any capacity at the request of the Fund to the full extent permitted for corporations organized under the corporations laws of the state in which the Fund was formed, provided that such indemnification has been approved by a majority of the Directors.

(g) Any repeal or modification of the Charter or Section 2 of this Article IV shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director, advisory board member or officer of the Fund existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

Section 3. Good Faith Defined; Reliance on Experts . For purposes of any determination under this Article IV, a person shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Fund, or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful, if such person’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Fund, or on information supplied to such person by the officers of the Fund in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Fund or on information or records given or reports made to the Fund by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert or agent selected with reasonable care by the Fund. The provisions of this Article IV Section 3 shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which a person may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Article IV. Each Director and officer or employee of the Fund shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Fund, upon an opinion of counsel, or upon reports made to the Fund by any of the Fund’s officers or employees or by any advisor, administrator, manager, distributor, dealer, accountant, appraiser or other expert or consultant selected with reasonable care by the Directors, officers or employees of the Fund, regardless of whether such counsel or expert may also be a Director.

Section 4. Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses . The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article IV or the Charter shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director, advisory board member or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives of such a person.

Section 5. Insurance . The Directors may maintain insurance for the protection of the Fund’s property, the Shareholders, Directors, officers, employees and agents in such amount as the Directors shall deem adequate to cover possible tort liability, and such other insurance as the Directors in their sole judgment shall deem advisable or is required by the 1940 Act.

Section 6. Subrogation . In the event of payment by the Fund to an Indemnitee under the Charter or these Bylaws, the Fund shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee, who shall execute such documents and do such acts as the Fund may reasonably request to secure such rights and to enable the Fund effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 1. Shares of Stock . Except as otherwise provided in a resolution approved by the Board of Directors, all Shares of the Fund shall be uncertificated Shares.

Section 2. Transfer Agents, Registrars and the Like . The Directors shall have authority to employ and compensate such transfer agents and registrars with respect to the Shares of the Fund as the Directors shall deem necessary or desirable. The transfer agent or transfer agents may keep the applicable register and record therein the original issues and transfers, if any, of the Shares. Any such transfer agents and/or registrars shall perform the duties usually performed by transfer agents and registrars of certificates of stock in a corporation, as modified by the Directors. In addition, the Directors shall have power to employ and compensate such dividend disbursing agents, warrant agents and agents for the reinvestment of dividends as they shall deem necessary or desirable. Any of such agents shall have such power and authority as is delegated to any of them by the Directors.

Section 3. Transfer of Shares . Shares of the Fund shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by the Charter, these Bylaws and applicable law. Transfers of Shares shall be made on the books of the Fund upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the Shares or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and upon payment of all necessary transfer taxes and compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring Shares in uncertificated form; provided, however, that such surrender and endorsement, compliance or payment of taxes shall not be required in any case in which the officers of the Fund shall determine to waive such requirement. If any certificated Shares are issued as provided in Section 1 of this Article V, they may be transferred only by the person named in the certificate or by such person’s attorney lawfully constituted in writing and upon the surrender of the certificate therefor, properly endorsed for transfer and payment of all necessary transfer taxes. With respect to certificated Shares, every certificate exchanged, returned or surrendered to the Fund shall be marked “Cancelled,” with the date of cancellation, by the Secretary of the Fund or the transfer agent thereof. No transfer of Shares shall be valid as against the Fund for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the Share records of the Fund by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

Section 4. Registered Shareholders . The Fund may deem and treat the holder of record of any Shares as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be required to take any notice of any right or claim of right of any other person.

Section 5. Register of Shares . A register shall be kept at the offices of the Fund or any transfer agent duly appointed by the Directors under the direction of the Directors which shall contain the names and addresses of the Shareholders and the number of Shares held by them respectively and a record of all transfers thereof. Separate registers shall be established and maintained for each class or series of Shares. Each such register shall be conclusive as to

who are the holders of the Shares of the applicable class or series of Shares and who shall be entitled to receive dividends or distributions or otherwise to exercise or enjoy the rights of Shareholders. No Shareholder shall be entitled to receive payment of any dividend or distribution, nor to have notice given to such Person as herein provided, until such Person has given their address to a transfer agent or such other officer or agent of the Directors as shall keep the register for entry thereon.

Section 6. Disclosure of Holdings . The holders of Shares or other securities of the Fund shall upon demand disclose to the Directors in writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares or other securities of the Fund as the Directors deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Code, the 1940 Act or other applicable laws or regulations, or to comply with the requirements of any other taxing or regulatory authority.

Section 7. Signatures . Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Fund with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 8. Lost Certificates . The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Fund alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Fund a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Fund on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Filing . These Bylaws and any amendment or supplement hereto shall be filed in such places as may be required or as the Directors deem appropriate. Each amendment or supplement shall be accompanied by a certificate signed and acknowledged by the Secretary stating that such action was duly taken in a manner provided herein, and shall, upon insertion in the Fund’s minute book, be conclusive evidence of all amendments contained therein.

Section 2. Governing Law . These Bylaws and the rights of all parties and the validity and construction of every provision hereof shall be subject to and construed according to the laws of the state in which the Fund was formed, although such law shall not be viewed as limiting the powers otherwise granted to the Directors hereunder and any ambiguity shall be viewed in favor of such powers.

Section 3. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulation .

(a) The provisions of these Bylaws are severable, and if the Directors shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the Code or with other applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of these Bylaws; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of these Bylaws or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination.

(b) If any provision of these Bylaws shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of these Bylaws in any jurisdiction.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

Section 1. Amendment and Repeal of Bylaws . The Directors shall have the exclusive power to amend or repeal the Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws at any time. Except as may be required by applicable law or the Charter, action by the Directors with respect to the Bylaws shall be taken by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors. The Directors shall in no event adopt Bylaws which are in conflict with the Charter, and any apparent inconsistency shall be construed in favor of the related provisions in the Charter.

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registration Statement No. 333-15265 on Form N-1A of our reports dated February 25, 2009 for Master International Index Series and Master Small Cap Index Series, each of Quantitative Master Series LLC, and BlackRock International Index Fund, and BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund, each of BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.; and of our reports dated February 27, 2009 for BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund of BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. and Master S&P 500 Index Series of Quantitative Master Series LLC, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of BlackRock Index Funds, Inc., comprising BlackRock International Index Fund, BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund and BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund, appearing in the corresponding Annual Reports on Form N-CSR of the BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. (the “Funds”) for the year ended December 31, 2008; and relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Quantitative Master Series LLC, comprising Master International Index Series, Master Small Cap Index Series and Master S&P 500 Index Series, appearing in the corresponding Annual Reports on Form N-CSR of the Funds for the year ended December 31, 2008. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Financial Statements” in the Statement of Additional Information, which are part of such Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Princeton, New Jersey

April 28, 2009

Exhibit 13

INVESTOR A SHARES DISTRIBUTION PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12b-1

DISTRIBUTION PLAN made as of the 1st day of October, 2008, by and between each of the investment companies listed on Exhibit A, as such Exhibit may be amended from time to time (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), severally and not jointly, and BlackRock Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Distributor”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Fund intends to engage in business as an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Directors or Trustees (referred to herein as the “Directors”) of certain Funds are authorized to establish separate series relating to separate portfolios of securities, and the Directors have established and designated multiple series of certain Funds; and

WHEREAS, the Distributor is a securities firm engaged in the business of selling shares of investment companies either directly to purchasers or through financial intermediaries, including without limitation, brokers, dealers, retirement plans, financial consultants, registered investment advisers and mutual fund supermarkets (“financial intermediaries”); and

WHEREAS, each Fund proposes to enter into a Distribution Agreement with the Distributor, pursuant to which the Distributor will act as the distributor and representative of each Fund in the offer and sale of shares of common stock or beneficial interest of each Fund, including the Investor A Shares (the “Investor A Shares”) of each Fund, to the public; and

WHEREAS, each Fund desires to adopt this Investor A Shares Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act pursuant to which each Fund will pay a service/account maintenance fee and a distribution fee to the Distributor with respect to the Fund’s Investor A Shares; and

WHEREAS the Directors of each Fund have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of the Plan will benefit each Fund and its Investor A Shares shareholders.

NOW, THEREFORE, each Fund hereby adopts, and the Distributor hereby agrees to the terms of, the Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act on the following terms and conditions.

1. The Fund shall pay the Distributor with respect to the Investor A Shares of each Fund a service/account maintenance fee under the Plan at the end of each month at the annual percentage rate of average daily net assets of such Fund sold through the Distributor specified in Exhibit A, to compensate the Distributor for providing, or arranging for the provision of, service/account maintenance activities with respect to Investor A Shares shareholders of the Fund. Expenditures under the Plan may consist of payments to financial intermediaries for maintaining accounts in connection with Investor A Shares and payment of expenses incurred in connection with such service/account maintenance activities including the costs of making services available to shareholders including assistance in connection with inquiries related to shareholder accounts.

2. The Fund shall pay the Distributor with respect to Investor A Shares of each Fund a distribution fee under the Plan at the end of each month at the annual percentage rate of average daily net assets of such Fund sold through the Distributor specified in Exhibit A to compensate the Distributor for providing, or arranging for the provision of, sales and promotional activities and services. Such activities and services will relate to the sale, promotion and marketing of the Investor A Shares of each Fund. Such expenditures may consist of sales commissions to financial intermediaries for selling Investor A Shares, compensation, sales incentives and payments to sales and marketing personnel, and the payment of expenses incurred in its sales and promotional activities, including advertising expenditures related to the Fund and the costs of preparing and distributing promotional materials. The distribution fee may also be used to pay the financing costs of carrying the unreimbursed expenditures described in this Paragraph 2. Payment of the distribution fee described in this Paragraph 2 shall be subject to any limitations set forth in any applicable regulation of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

3. The Distributor shall provide each Fund for review by the Board of Directors, and the Directors shall review at least quarterly, a written report complying with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 regarding the disbursement of the account maintenance fee and distribution fee during such period.

4. This Plan shall not take effect with respect to a Fund until it has been approved by votes of a majority of both (a) the Directors of the Fund and (b) those Directors of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act, and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-1 Directors), cast in person at a meeting or meetings called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and such related agreements.

5. The Plan shall continue in effect for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for approval of the Plan in paragraph 4.

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6. The Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to any Fund or vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Directors, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Investor A Shares voting securities of the applicable Fund.

7. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the rate of payments provided for in Paragraphs 1 or 2 hereof with respect to any Fund unless such amendment is approved by at least a majority, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the outstanding Investor A Shares voting securities of the applicable Fund, and by the Directors of the Fund in the manner provided for in Paragraph 4 hereof, and no material amendment to the Plan shall be made unless approved in the manner provided for approval and annual renewal in Paragraph 4 hereof.

8. While the Plan is in effect with respect to any Fund, the selection and nomination of Directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Fund shall be committed to the discretion of the Directors who are not interested persons.

9. The Fund shall preserve copies of the Plan and any related agreements and all reports made pursuant to paragraph 3 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of the Plan, or the date of such agreement or report, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

10. The Declaration of Trust establishing each Fund that is organized as a Massachusetts business trust, together with all amendments thereto (the “Declaration”), which is on file in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provides that the name of the Fund refers to the Trustees under the Declaration collectively as Trustees, but not as individuals or personally; and no Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent of a Fund shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation or claim or otherwise in connection with the affairs of a Fund, but the trust property only shall be liable.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Plan as of the date first above written.


EACH OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANIES LISTED ON EXHIBIT A ATTACHED HERETO

By:
Title:

BLACKROCK INVESTMENTS, INC.

By:
Title:

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EXHIBIT A

INVESTOR A SHARES


Name of Fund	Service/Account Maintenance Fee		Distribution Fee
BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Principal Protected Trust
BlackRock Basic Value Principal Protected Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Core Principal Protected Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Fundamental Growth Principal Protected Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Basic Value Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Global Growth Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Natural Resources Trust	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock EuroFund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Global Dynamic Equity Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Utilities and Telecommunications Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Bond Fund, Inc.
BlackRock Total Return Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock High Income Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Municipal Insured Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock National Municipal Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Municipal Series Trust
BlackRock Intermediate Municipal Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Focus Value Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Fundamental Growth Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock International Value Trust
BlackRock International Value Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Series, Inc.
BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc.
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock World Income Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock California Municipal Series Trust


BlackRock California Insured Municipal Bond Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
BlackRock Florida Municipal Bond Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock New York Municipal Bond Fund	0.25	%	None
FDP Series, Inc.
Franklin Templeton Total Return FDP Fund	0.25	%	None
Marsico Growth FDP Fund	0.25	%	None
MFS Research International FDP Fund	0.25	%	None
Van Kampen Value FDP Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Global Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Global Financial Services Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Healthcare Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.
BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock International Index Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc.
BlackRock Large Cap Core Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Large Cap Growth Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Large Cap Value Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Large Cap Core Plus Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc.	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Series, Inc.
BlackRock International Fund	0.25	%	None
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund II	0.25	%	None

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