REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | □ |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 | ☒ |
Amendment No. 150 | ☒ |
Counsel for the Fund: | |
Margery
K. Neale, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP 787 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10019-6099 |
Benjamin
Archibald, Esq.
BlackRock Advisors, LLC 55 East 52nd Street New York, New York 10055 |
► | BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio |
Investor A: BHYAX • Investor B: BHYBX • Investor C: BHYCX • Institutional: BHYIX • Class R: BHYRX | |
► | BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
Investor A: BLDAX • Investor B: BLDBX • Investor C: BLDCX • Institutional: BFMSX • Class R: BLDPX | |
► | BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio |
Investor A: BCBAX • Investor B: BCIBX • Investor C: BCBCX • Institutional: BFMCX • Class R: BCBRX |
Fund Overview | Key facts and details about the Funds listed in this prospectus, including investment objectives, principal investment strategies, principal risk factors, fee and expense information, and historical performance information | |
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Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments | |
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43 | |
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49 | |
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51 | |
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52 |
Management of the Funds | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
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53 | |
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For More Information |
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Inside Back Cover |
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Back Cover |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
B
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Class
R
Shares |
|||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | 4.00% | None | None | None | None | |||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 1 | 4.50% 2 | 1.00% 3 | None | None | |||||
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
B
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Class
R
Shares |
|||||
Management Fee | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.41% | |||||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 1.00% | None | 0.50% | |||||
Other Expenses 4 | 0.31% | 0.38% | 0.28% | 0.21% | 0.36% | |||||
Interest Expense | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | |||||
Miscellaneous Other Expenses 4 | 0.28% | 0.35% | 0.25% | 0.18% | 0.33% | |||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 5 | 0.97% | 1.79% | 1.69% | 0.62% | 1.27% | |||||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 6 | (0.02)% | — | — | — | — | |||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 6 | 0.95% | 1.79% | 1.69% | 0.62% | 1.27% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 0.75% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | The CDSC is 4.50% if shares are redeemed in less than one year. The CDSC for Investor B Shares decreases for redemptions made in subsequent years. After six years there is no CDSC on Investor B Shares. (See the section “Details about the Share Classes — Investor B Shares” in the Fund’s prospectus for the complete schedule of CDSCs.) |
3 | There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year. |
4 | Other Expenses have been restated to reflect current fees. |
5 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets .given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of Other Expenses to reflect current fees. |
6 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 53, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.92% (for Investor A Shares), 1.72% (for Investor C Shares), 0.67% (for Institutional Shares) and 1.28% (for Class R Shares) of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor A Shares | $493 | $695 | $ 913 | $1,540 |
Investor B Shares | $632 | $913 | $1,170 | $1,788 |
Investor C Shares | $272 | $533 | $ 918 | $1,998 |
Institutional Shares | $ 63 | $199 | $ 346 | $ 774 |
Class R Shares | $129 | $403 | $ 697 | $1,534 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor B Shares | $182 | $563 | $970 | $1,788 |
Investor C Shares | $172 | $533 | $918 | $1,998 |
■ | Bank Loan Risk — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other |
party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk — Mezzanine securities carry the risk that the issuer will not be able to meet its obligations and that the equity securities purchased with the mezzanine investments may lose value. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Investor A Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (1.08)% | 8.84% | 7.03% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (3.95)% | 6.06% | 4.12% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (0.47)% | 5.75% | 4.23% |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Investor B Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (2.26)% | 8.57% | 6.93% |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Investor C Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.19% | 8.88% | 6.67% |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 3.38% | 10.09% | 7.84% |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Class R Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 2.59% | 9.36% | 7.18% |
Barclays
U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
2.46% | 8.98% | 7.73% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
James Keenan, CFA | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
David Delbos | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Derek Schoenhofen | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor
A and
Investor C Shares |
Investor B Shares | Institutional Shares | Class R Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $250 for certain fee-based programs. • $100 for certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. • $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan. |
Available only through exchanges and dividend reinvestments by current holders and for purchase by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
$2
million for institutions and individuals.
|
$100 for all accounts. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). | N/A | No subsequent minimum. | No subsequent minimum. |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
B
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Class
R
Shares |
|||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | 2.25% | None | None | None | None | |||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 1 | 4.50% 2 | 1.00% 3 | None | None | |||||
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
B
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Class
R
Shares |
|||||
Management Fee 4 | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | |||||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 1.00% | None | 0.50% | |||||
Other Expenses | 0.26% | 0.36% | 0.26% | 0.21% | 0.34% | |||||
Interest Expense | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |||||
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.25% | 0.20% | 0.33% | |||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 4,5 | 0.85% | 1.70% | 1.60% | 0.55% | 1.18% | |||||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 6 | (0.05)% | (0.15)% | (0.06)% | (0.09)% | (0.13)% | |||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 6 | 0.80% | 1.55% | 1.54% | 0.46% | 1.05% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 0.75% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at time of purchase as part of an investment of $500,000 or more. |
2 | The CDSC is 4.50% if shares are redeemed in less than one year. The CDSC for Investor B Shares decreases for redemptions made in subsequent years. After six years there is no CDSC on Investor B Shares. (See the section “Details about the Share Classes — Investor B Shares” in the Fund’s prospectus for the complete schedule of CDSCs.) |
3 | There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year. |
4 | Management Fee has been restated to reflect current fees. |
5 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of the Management Fee to reflect current fees. |
6 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 53, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.79% (for Investor A Shares), 1.54% (for Investor B Shares) 1.53% (for Investor C Shares), 0.45% (for Institutional Shares) and 1.04% (for Class R Shares) of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock in the two years following such waivers/reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor A Shares | $305 | $485 | $ 681 | $1,246 |
Investor B Shares | $608 | $871 | $1,109 | $1,664 |
Investor C Shares | $257 | $499 | $ 865 | $1,895 |
Institutional Shares | $ 47 | $167 | $ 298 | $ 681 |
Class R Shares | $107 | $362 | $ 636 | $1,420 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor B Shares | $158 | $521 | $909 | $1,664 |
Investor C Shares | $157 | $499 | $865 | $1,895 |
■ | Borrowing Risk — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative |
instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. | |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Investor A Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (1.10)% | 2.31% | 2.47% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (1.90)% | 1.45% | 1.35% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (0.62)% | 1.44% | 1.47% |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Investor B Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (4.17)% | 1.59% | 2.17% |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Investor C Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (0.54)% | 2.04% | 1.96% |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.44% | 3.13% | 3.05% |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Class R Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.87% | 2.32% | 2.20% |
B
of A Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Corporate and Government Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
0.78% | 1.47% | 2.85% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor
A and
Investor C Shares |
Investor B Shares | Institutional Shares | Class R Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $250 for certain fee-based programs. • $100 for certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. • $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan. |
Available only through exchanges and dividend reinvestments by current holders and for purchase by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
$2
million for institutions and individuals.
|
$100 for all accounts. |
Investor
A and
Investor C Shares |
Investor B Shares | Institutional Shares | Class R Shares | |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). | N/A | No subsequent minimum. | No subsequent minimum. |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
B
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Class
R
Shares |
|||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | 4.00% | None | None | None | None | |||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 1 | 4.50% 2 | 1.00% 3 | None | None | |||||
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
B
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Class
R
Shares |
|||||
Management Fee 4 | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | |||||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 1.00% | None | 0.50% | |||||
Other Expenses | 0.30% | 0.43% | 0.27% | 0.28% | 0.35% | |||||
Interest Expense | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |||||
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.29% | 0.42% | 0.26% | 0.27% | 0.34% | |||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 4,5 | 0.89% | 1.77% | 1.61% | 0.62% | 1.19% | |||||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 6 | (0.09)% | (0.22)% | (0.06)% | (0.16)% | (0.14)% | |||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 6 | 0.80% | 1.55% | 1.55% | 0.46% | 1.05% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 0.75% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | The CDSC is 4.50% if shares are redeemed in less than one year. The CDSC for Investor B Shares decreases for redemptions made in subsequent years. After six years there is no CDSC on Investor B Shares. (See the section “Details about the Share Classes — Investor B Shares” in the Fund’s prospectus for the complete schedule of CDSCs.) |
3 | There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year. |
4 | Management Fee has been restated to reflect current fees. |
5 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of the Management Fee to reflect current fees. |
6 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 53, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.79% (for Investor A Shares), 1.54% (for Investor B Shares), 1.54% (for Investor C Shares), 0.45% (for Institutional Shares) and 1.04% (for Class R Shares) of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor A Shares | $478 | $664 | $ 865 | $1,444 |
Investor B Shares | $608 | $886 | $1,139 | $1,724 |
Investor C Shares | $258 | $502 | $ 870 | $1,906 |
Institutional Shares | $ 47 | $182 | $ 330 | $ 759 |
Class R Shares | $107 | $364 | $ 641 | $1,431 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor B Shares | $158 | $536 | $939 | $1,724 |
Investor C Shares | $158 | $502 | $870 | $1,906 |
■ | Borrowing Risk — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative |
instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. | |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. In addition, investment in mortgage dollar rolls and participation in TBA transactions may significantly increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio — Investor A Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 2.05% | 4.01% | 3.61% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.88% | 2.76% | 2.15% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.15% | 2.59% | 2.20% |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio — Investor B Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.89% | 3.67% | 3.45% |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio — Investor C Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 4.55% | 4.11% | 3.21% |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 6.65% | 5.17% | 4.34% |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio — Class R Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 6.01% | 4.57% | 3.72% |
Barclays
U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
5.97% | 4.45% | 4.71% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Rick Rieder | 2010 |
Chief
Investment Officer of Fixed Income,
Fundamental Portfolios of BlackRock, Inc. |
Bob Miller | 2011 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor
A and
Investor C Shares |
Investor B Shares | Institutional Shares | Class R Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $250 for certain fee-based programs. • $100 for certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. • $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan. |
Available only through exchanges and dividend reinvestments by current holders and for purchase by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
$2
million for institutions and individuals.
|
$100 for all accounts. |
Investor
A and
Investor C Shares |
Investor B Shares | Institutional Shares | Class R Shares | |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). | N/A | No subsequent minimum. | No subsequent minimum. |
■ | Common Stock (High Yield Fund) — The High Yield Fund may acquire and hold common stock either directly or indirectly. Indirect acquisitions include unit offerings with fixed-income securities or in connection with an amendment, waiver, or a conversion or exchange of fixed-income securities, or in connection with the bankruptcy or workout of a distressed fixed-income security, or upon the exercise of a right or warrant obtained in connection with the High Yield Fund’s investment in a fixed-income security. Direct investments in common stock will be limited to 10% of the High Yield Fund’s assets. |
■ | Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. Each Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated ETFs. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may restrict the markets in which it invests and may invest without limitation in cash, cash equivalents, money market securities, such as U.S. Treasury and agency obligations, other U.S. Government securities, short-term debt obligations of corporate issuers, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, commercial paper (short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes of a domestic or foreign issuer) or other high quality fixed-income securities. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — Each Fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis or on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by the 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. |
■ | Bank Loan Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Borrowing Risk (Low Duration Fund and Core Bond Fund) — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk (High Yield Fund) — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. | |
Following the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight) at or near zero percent. In addition, as part of its monetary stimulus program known as quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve has purchased on the open market large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. As the Federal Reserve “tapers” or reduces the amount of securities it purchases pursuant to quantitative easing, and/or if the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates will rise. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from mutual funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s |
perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The value of longer-term securities generally changes more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, securities may exhibit additional volatility and may lose value. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets that were prepaid. Prepayment reduces the yield to maturity and the average life of the security. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. | |
Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. | |
Market and Liquidity Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. | |
Valuation Risk — Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives may also expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. | |
Hedging Risk — When a derivative is used as a hedge against a position that the 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. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences noted below. | |
Tax Risk — The federal income tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments. As a result, a larger portion of the Fund’s distributions may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as swaps, is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS. | |
Regulatory Risk — The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional US or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (the “Reform Act”) substantially increases regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and participants in that market, including imposing clearing and reporting requirements on transactions involving instruments that fall within the Reform Act’s definition of “swap” and “security-based swap,” which terms generally include OTC derivatives and imposing registration and potential substantive requirements on certain swap and security-based swap market participants. In addition, under the Reform Act, the Fund may be subject to additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Other future |
regulatory developments may also impact the Fund’s ability to invest or remain invested in certain derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. BlackRock cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on the ability of the Fund to use swaps or any other financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. | |
Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund | |
Swaps — Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into 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. Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. | |
Credit Default Swaps — Credit default swaps may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” 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. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty). | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Forward foreign currency 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. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. securities but rather allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain. | |
Indexed Securities — Indexed securities provide a potential return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. The Fund’s return on these securities will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. These securities are subject to leverage risk and correlation risk. Certain indexed securities have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates or index levels than other securities, and the Fund’s investment in such instruments may decline significantly in value if interest rates or index levels move in a way Fund management does not anticipate. | |
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. 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 investment advisor’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. | |
Options — An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a “put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate, or index) at a specified price (the “exercise price”) during a period of time or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered speculative. When the Fund purchases an option, it may lose the premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or other assets decreased or remained the same (in the case of a call option) or increased or remained the same (in the case of a put option). If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. To the extent that the Fund writes or sells an option, if the decline or increase in the underlying asset is significantly below or above the exercise price of the written option, the Fund could experience a substantial loss. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to |
accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. | |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — 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. Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. If the broker/dealer to whom the Fund sells securities becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the adviser’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets include those in countries defined as emerging or developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. 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. |
Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial 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 the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasiveness of corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. National policies that may limit a Fund’s investment opportunities include restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. | |
Emerging markets may also have 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. Sometimes, they may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Many emerging markets do not have income tax treaties with the United States, and as a result, investments by the Fund may be subject to higher withholding taxes in such countries. In addition, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors. | |
Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because the 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 that ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. The Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation. In addition, communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. |
■ | 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. 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. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage |
commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. In addition, for the Core Bond Fund, investment in mortgage dollar rolls and participation in TBA transactions may significantly increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk (High Yield Fund and Low Duration Fund) — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. The major risks of junk bond investments include: |
■ | Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. |
■ | Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed-income securities. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If the issuer redeems junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income. |
■ | Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions. 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. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of the Fund’s securities than is the case with securities trading in a more liquid market. |
■ | The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose a Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. As an open-end investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the rules thereunder, and various SEC and SEC staff interpretive positions. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, the Fund must “set aside” liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of instruments. 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 any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of a Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when a Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Mezzanine securities generally are rated below investment grade and frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. However, unlike senior loans and second lien loans, mezzanine securities are not a senior or secondary secured obligation of the related borrower. They typically are the most subordinated debt obligation in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine securities also may often be unsecured. Mezzanine securities therefore are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the related borrower and the property securing the loan may be insufficient to repay the scheduled obligation after giving effect to any senior obligations of the related borrower. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be a highly illiquid investment. Mezzanine securities will be subject to certain additional risks to the extent that such loans may not be protected by financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness. Investment in mezzanine securities is a highly specialized investment practice that depends more heavily on independent credit analysis than investments in other types of debt obligations. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage-backed securities (residential and commercial) and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Although asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, like traditional fixed-income securities, are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. |
Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities also are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgage or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Certain CMBS are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund’s investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks. | |
Mortgage-backed securities may be either pass-through securities or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). Pass-through securities represent a right to receive principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages, which are passed through to security holders. CMOs are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Certain CMO tranches may represent a right to receive interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”) or an amount that remains after floating-rate tranches are paid (an inverse floater). These securities are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rates on inverse floaters, for example, vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically). Interest rates on inverse floaters will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase when short-term rates decrease. These securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage. In response to changes in market interest rates or other market conditions, the value of an inverse floater may increase or decrease at a multiple of the increase or decrease in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund invests in CMO tranches (including CMO tranches issued by government agencies) and interest rates move in a manner not anticipated by Fund management, it is possible that the Fund could lose all or substantially all of its investment. Certain mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may also provide a degree of investment leverage, which could cause the Fund to lose all or substantially all of its investment. | |
The mortgage market in the United States has experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on mortgage loans (including subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased and may continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of real-estate values (as has been experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Also, a number of mortgage loan originators have experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy. Reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue or worsen. | |
Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults. | |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments |
to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk (Low Duration Fund and Core Bond Fund) — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
■ | Common Stock Risk (High Yield Fund) — Common stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of common stock will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of common stock purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities 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, the value 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. |
■ | Expense Risk — Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant. |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, including ones affiliated with the Fund, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. To the extent the Fund is held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Fund itself to hold other investment companies may be limited. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk — When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund may lose both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. |
Investor A | Investor B | Investor C 2,3 | Institutional | Class R | |
Availability | Generally available through Financial Intermediaries. | Available only through exchanges and dividend reinvestments by current holders and for purchase by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. | Generally available through Financial Intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Current Institutional shareholders that meet certain requirements. • Certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. • Participants in certain programs sponsored by BlackRock or its affiliates or other Financial Intermediaries. • Certain employees of BlackRock or its affiliates. |
Available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Minimum Investment |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $250 for certain fee-based programs. • $100 for certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. • $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”). |
Investor B Shares are not generally available for purchase (see above). |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $250 for certain fee-based programs. • $100 for certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. • $50, if establishing an AIP. |
•
$2 million for institutions and individuals.
• Institutional Shares are available to clients of registered investment advisers who have $250,000 invested in the Fund. |
• $100 for all accounts. |
Initial Sales Charge? | Yes. Payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges are available for larger investments. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | 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. (May be charged for purchases of $1 million ($500,000 for Low Duration Fund) or more that are redeemed within 18 months.) | Yes. Payable if you redeem within six years of purchase. | Yes. Payable if you redeem within one year of purchase. | No. | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees? |
No
Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee. |
0.75%
Annual Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee. |
0.75%
Annual Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee. |
No. |
0.25%
Annual Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee. |
Redemption Fees? | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. |
Conversion to Investor A Shares? | N/A | Yes, automatically after approximately seven years. | No. | No. | No. |
1 | Please see “Details About the Share Classes” for more information about each share class. |
2 | If you establish a new account directly with the Fund and do not have a Financial Intermediary associated with your account, you may only invest in Investor A Shares. Applications without a Financial Intermediary that select Investor C Shares will not be accepted. |
3 | The Fund will not accept a purchase order of $500,000 or more for Investor C Shares. Your Financial Intermediary may set a lower maximum for Investor C Shares. |
Your Investment |
Sales
Charge
as a % of Offering Price |
Sales
Charge
as a % of Your Investment 1 |
Dealer
Compensation as a % of Offering Price |
Less than $25,000 | 4.00% | 4.17% | 3.75% |
$25,000 but less than $100,000 | 3.75% | 3.90% | 3.50% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 3.50% | 3.63% | 3.25% |
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 2.50% | 2.56% | 2.25% |
$500,000 but less than $750,000 | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.75% |
$750,000 but less than $1,000,000 | 1.50% | 1.52% | 1.25% |
$1,000,000 and over 2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | — 2 |
Your Investment |
Sales
Charge
As a % of Offering Price |
Sales
Charge
As a % of Your Investment 1 |
Dealer
Compensation As a % of Offering Price |
Less than $50,000 | 2.25% | 2.30% | 2.00% |
$50,000 but less than $100,000 | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.75% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 1.75% | 1.78% | 1.50% |
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 1.50% | 1.52% | 1.25% |
$500,000 and over 2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | — 2 |
1 | Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent. |
2 | If you invest $1,000,000 ($500,000 for the Low Duration Fund) or more in Investor A Shares, you will not pay an initial sales charge. In that case, BlackRock compensates the Financial Intermediary from its own resources. However, if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge of 0.75%. Such deferred sales charge may be waived in connection with certain fee-based programs. |
■ | Certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. For purposes of this waiver, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs; |
■ | Rollovers of current investments through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, provided the shares are transferred to the same BlackRock Fund as either a direct rollover, or subsequent to distribution, the rolled-over proceeds are contributed to a BlackRock IRA through an account directly with the Fund; or purchases by IRA programs that are sponsored by Financial Intermediary firms provided the Financial Intermediary firm has entered into a Class A Net Asset Value agreement with respect to such program with the Distributor; |
■ | Insurance company separate accounts; |
■ | Registered investment advisers, trust companies and bank trust departments exercising discretionary investment authority with respect to amounts to be invested in the Fund; |
■ | Persons participating in a fee-based program (such as a wrap account) under which they pay advisory fees to a broker-dealer or other financial institution; |
■ | Financial Intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the Distributor and have been approved by the Distributor to offer Fund shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee; |
■ | Persons associated with a Fund, a Fund’s manager, a Fund’s sub-adviser, transfer agent, Distributor, fund accounting agents, Barclays PLC (“Barclays”) and their respective affiliates (to the extent permitted by these firms) including: (a) officers, directors and partners; (b) employees and retirees; (c) employees of firms who have entered into selling agreements to distribute shares of BlackRock 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); and |
■ | State sponsored 529 college savings plans. |
Years Since Purchase | Sales Charge 1 |
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 | 0.00% |
1 | The percentage charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. Not all BlackRock Funds have identical |
deferred sales charge schedules. If you exchange your shares for shares of another BlackRock Fund, the original deferred sales charge schedule will apply. |
■ | Redemptions of shares purchased through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and rollovers of current investments in the Fund through such plans; |
■ | Exchanges pursuant to the exchange privilege, as described in “How to Buy, Sell, Exchange and Transfer Shares — How to Exchange Shares or Transfer Your Account”; |
■ | Redemptions made in connection with minimum required distributions from IRA or 403(b)(7) accounts due to the shareholder reaching the age of 70½; |
■ | Certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan if you are over 59½ years old and you purchased your shares prior to October 2, 2006; |
■ | Redemptions made with respect to certain retirement plans sponsored by the Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate; |
■ | Redemptions resulting from shareholder 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); |
■ | 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; |
■ | Involuntary redemptions made of shares in accounts with low balances; |
■ | Certain redemptions made through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan offered by the Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate; |
■ | Redemptions related to the payment of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company custodial IRA fees; and |
■ | Redemptions when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship, in the absolute discretion of the Fund. |
■ | Investors who currently own Institutional Shares of the Fund may make additional purchases of Institutional Shares of the Fund directly from the Fund; |
■ | Institutional and individual retail investors with a minimum investment of $2 million who purchase directly from the Fund; |
■ | Certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. For this purpose, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs; |
■ | Investors in selected fee-based programs; |
■ | Clients of registered investment advisers who have $250,000 invested in the Fund; |
■ | Trust department clients of PNC Bank and Bank of America, N.A. 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 Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”) sponsored unit investment trusts (“UITs”) who reinvest dividends received from such UITs in shares of the Fund; and |
■ | Employees, officers and directors/trustees of BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Funds, BofA Corp., PNC, Barclays PLC (“Barclays”) or their respective affiliates. |
■ | Responding to customer questions on the services performed by the Financial Intermediary and investments in Investor A, Investor B, Investor C and Class R Shares; |
■ | Assisting customers in choosing and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and |
■ | Providing other similar shareholder liaison services. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Add to Your Investment (continued) | Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) (continued) |
Purchase
in Writing:
You may send a written request to BlackRock at the address on the back cover of this prospectus.
|
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 Intermediary (if your account is not held directly with BlackRock). | |
Participate in the Automatic Investment Plan (“AIP”) |
BlackRock’s
AIP allows you to invest a specific amount on a periodic basis from your checking or savings account into your investment account.
|
|
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 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
the 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 Intermediary will be responsible for any
loss to the Fund.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares | Have your Financial Intermediary submit your sales order | You can make redemption requests through your Financial Intermediary. Shareholders should indicate whether they are redeeming Investor A, Investor B, Investor C, Institutional or Class R 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 |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) | Have your Financial Intermediary submit your sales order (continued) |
Intermediary
prior to that day’s close of business on the NYSE (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.
|
Selling shares held directly with BlackRock |
Methods
of Redeeming
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) | Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) |
Shares
can be redeemed by telephone and the proceeds sent by check to the shareholder at the address on record. Shareholders will pay $15 for redemption proceeds sent by check via overnight mail. You are responsible for any additional charges imposed by
your bank for this service.
***
If you make a redemption request before the Fund has collected payment for the purchase of shares, the Fund may delay mailing your proceeds. This delay will usually not exceed ten days. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege | Selling shares of one fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) |
Investor
and Institutional Shares of the Fund are generally exchangeable for shares of the same class of another BlackRock Fund. No exchange privilege is available for Class R Shares.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege (continued) | Selling shares of one fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) (continued) |
Intermediaries
that are omnibus with the Fund and do not meet applicable minimums. There is no required minimum amount with respect to exchanges of Institutional Shares.
|
Transfer Shares to Another Financial Intermediary | Transfer to a participating Financial Intermediary |
You
may transfer your shares of the Fund only to another 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 receiving firm.
|
Transfer to a non-participating Financial Intermediary |
You
must either:
• Transfer your shares to an account with the Fund; or • Sell your shares, paying any applicable deferred sales charge. |
Automatic Investment Plan | Allows systematic investments on a periodic basis from your 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 is $50 per portfolio. There is no AIP for Investor B Shares. |
■ | Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act; |
■ | Postpone the date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or 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. |
High Yield Fund | 0.41% |
Low Duration Fund | 0.32% |
Core Bond Fund | 0.35% |
Contractual
Caps
1
on
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses* (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) |
|
High Yield Fund | |
Investor A Shares | 0.92% |
Investor C Shares | 1.72% |
Institutional Shares | 0.67% |
Class R Shares | 1.28% |
Low Duration Fund | |
Investor A Shares | 0.79% |
Investor B Shares | 1.54% |
Investor C Shares | 1.53% |
Institutional Shares | 0.45% |
Class R Shares | 1.04% |
Core Bond Fund | |
Investor A Shares | 0.79% |
Investor B Shares | 1.54% |
Investor C Shares | 1.54% |
Institutional Shares | 0.45% |
Class R Shares | 1.04% |
* | As a percentage of average daily net assets. |
1 | The contractual caps are in effect until February 1, 2016. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
James Keenan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2008 and Head of the Leveraged Finance Portfolio Team; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2007. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2008. |
David Delbos | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2012; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2011; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2006. |
Derek Schoenhofen | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2000 to 2005. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2009. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2009. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Rick Rieder | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2010 | Chief Investment Officer of Fixed Income, Fundamental Portfolios of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of its Global Credit Business and Credit Strategies, Multi-Sector, and Mortgage Groups since 2010; Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; President and Chief Executive Officer of R3 Capital Partners from 2008 to 2009; Managing Director of Lehman Brothers from 1994 to 2008. |
Bob Miller | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2011 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2011; Co-Founder and Partner of Round Table Investment Management Company from 2007 to 2009; Managing Director of Bank of America from 1999 to 2007. |
Institutional | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 | $ 6.68 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.50 | 0.60 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.17 | 0.26 | 0.80 | (0.30) 3 | 0.78 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.63 | 0.75 | 1.29 | 0.20 | 1.38 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.46) | (0.52) | (0.49) | (0.53) | (0.59) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.58) | (0.54) | (0.49) | (0.53) | (0.59) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.20 | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 7.88% | 9.64% | 18.92% | 2.35% 6 | 21.43% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.62% 7 | 0.64% | 0.65% 7,8 | 0.66% 7 | 0.71% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.62% | 0.63% | 0.65% 8 | 0.65% | 0.67% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 0.59% | 0.60% | 0.63% | 0.65% | 0.67% |
Net investment income | 5.51% | 6.05% | 6.40% 8 | 6.53% | 8.38% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $7,898,330 | $5,923,843 | $3,989,753 | $2,017,038 | $738,474 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
8 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
Investor A | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 | $ 6.68 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.43 | 0.47 | 0.47 | 0.48 | 0.58 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.17 | 0.25 | 0.80 | (0.30) 3 | 0.78 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.60 | 0.72 | 1.27 | 0.18 | 1.36 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.43) | (0.49) | (0.47) | (0.51) | (0.57) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.55) | (0.51) | (0.47) | (0.51) | (0.57) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.20 | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 7.53% | 9.29% | 18.56% | 2.02% 6 | 20.99% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.97% 7 | 0.98% 7 | 1.02% 8 | 1.06% 7 | 1.05% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.94% 8 | 0.98% | 1.04% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 0.92% | 0.92% | 0.92% 8 | 0.98% | 1.04% |
Net investment income | 5.21% | 5.74% | 6.10% 8 | 6.20% | 8.05% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $3,120,217 | $3,933,778 | $3,437,217 | $1,886,322 | $848,953 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the year ended September 30, 2011, the ratio would have been 1.04%. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. |
8 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
Investor B | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.16 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 | $ 6.68 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.36 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.43 | 0.53 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.16 | 0.26 | 0.81 | (0.31) 3 | 0.77 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.52 | 0.66 | 1.21 | 0.12 | 1.30 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.36) | (0.42) | (0.41) | (0.45) | (0.51) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.48) | (0.44) | (0.41) | (0.45) | (0.51) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.20 | $ 8.16 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 6.51% | 8.51% | 17.58% | 1.26% 6 | 20.11% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.80% | 1.79% | 1.78% 7 | 1.75% 8 | 1.79% 8 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.80% | 1.79% | 1.78% 7 | 1.75% | 1.78% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 1.77% | 1.76% | 1.76% | 1.75% | 1.78% |
Net investment income | 4.38% | 4.90% | 5.31% 7 | 5.56% | 7.47% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $2,489 | $4,597 | $7,472 | $9,577 | $15,540 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
8 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the year ended September 30, 2011, the ratio would have been 1.73%. There was no financial impact to the expense ratio for the year ended September 30, 2010. |
Investor C | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.16 | $ 7.95 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.48 | $ 6.68 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.37 | 0.40 | 0.41 | 0.43 | 0.52 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.17 | 0.26 | 0.81 | (0.32) 3 | 0.80 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.54 | 0.66 | 1.22 | 0.11 | 1.32 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.37) | (0.43) | (0.41) | (0.45) | (0.52) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.49) | (0.45) | (0.41) | (0.45) | (0.52) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.21 | $ 8.16 | $ 7.95 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.48 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 6.73% | 8.45% | 17.77% | 1.17% 6 | 20.32% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.70% 7 | 1.72% 7 | 1.75% 7,8 | 1.71% 7 | 1.72% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.70% | 1.72% | 1.74% 8 | 1.69% | 1.72% |
Total
expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income
tax |
1.67% | 1.69% | 1.72% | 1.69% | 1.72% |
Net investment income | 4.44% | 4.97% | 5.31% 8 | 5.54% | 7.31% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net
assets, end of
year (000) |
$624,573 | $535,426 | $498,541 | $313,266 | $144,224 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2011, the ratio would have been 1.71% and 1.70%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2010. |
8 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
Class R | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.13 | $ 7.47 | $ 6.67 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.41 | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.46 | 0.56 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.17 | 0.25 | 0.81 | (0.32) 3 | 0.79 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.58 | 0.69 | 1.25 | 0.14 | 1.35 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.41) | (0.46) | (0.44) | (0.48) | (0.55) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.53) | (0.48) | (0.44) | (0.48) | (0.55) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.20 | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.13 | $ 7.47 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 7.19% | 8.92% | 18.31% | 1.57% 6 | 20.89% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.28% | 1.31% | 1.36% 7 | 1.42% | 1.51% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.27% | 1.29% | 1.30% 7 | 1.28% | 1.28% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 1.24% | 1.26% | 1.28% | 1.28% | 1.28% |
Net investment income | 4.90% | 5.41% | 5.77% 7 | 5.98% | 7.74% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $72,267 | $47,906 | $32,159 | $19,920 | $20,303 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
Institutional | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.71 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 | $ 9.39 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.25 | 0.29 | 0.31 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.02 | (0.12) | 0.26 | (0.14) | 0.33 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.24 | 0.10 | 0.51 | 0.15 | 0.64 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.21) | (0.21) | (0.25) | (0.28) | (0.33) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.21) | (0.22) | (0.25) | (0.28) | (0.33) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.74 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.52% | 1.06% | 5.43% | 1.55% | 6.98% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.66% 4 | 0.70% | 0.72% | 0.75% | 0.90% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.46% | 0.48% | 0.47% | 0.48% | 0.61% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.46% |
Net investment income | 2.26% | 2.25% | 2.61% | 2.99% | 3.22% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $1,134,331 | $849,700 | $762,769 | $609,308 | $306,895 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30 | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Investor A | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 | $ 9.38 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.19 | 0.18 | 0.22 | 0.26 | 0.27 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.02 | (0.10) | 0.24 | (0.14) | 0.35 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.21 | 0.08 | 0.46 | 0.12 | 0.62 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.18) | (0.18) | (0.21) | (0.25) | (0.30) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.18) | (0.19) | (0.21) | (0.25) | (0.30) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.74 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.16% | 0.83% | 4.94% | 1.21% | 6.71% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.96% 4 | 0.97% 4 | 1.02% 4 | 0.98% 4 | 1.16% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.81% | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.80% | 0.97% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.80% | 0.79% | 0.81% | 0.78% | 0.82% |
Net investment income | 1.93% | 1.82% | 2.25% | 2.64% | 2.84% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $1,472,352 | $1,523,705 | $546,318 | $490,744 | $191,079 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2010, the ratio would have been 0.95% and 1.14%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Investor B | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.71 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 | $ 9.38 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.14 | 0.18 | 0.21 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.02 | (0.12) | 0.26 | (0.14) | 0.34 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.13 | (0.01) | 0.40 | 0.04 | 0.55 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.10) | (0.10) | (0.14) | (0.17) | (0.23) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.10) | (0.11) | (0.14) | (0.17) | (0.23) |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.74 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 1.35% | (0.10)% | 4.24% | 0.39% | 5.89% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.81% 4 | 1.84% 4 | 1.87% 4 | 1.82% 4 | 1.97% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.63% | 1.65% | 1.61% | 1.64% | 1.76% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.62% | 1.62% | 1.59% | 1.62% | 1.62% |
Net investment income | 1.12% | 1.11% | 1.48% | 1.85% | 2.16% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of period (000) | $1,493 | $2,888 | $3,670 | $4,305 | $4,867 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the ratio would have been 1.80%, 1.78% and 1.96%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Investor C | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.69 | $ 9.38 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.20 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.01 | (0.11) | 0.25 | (0.13) | 0.34 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.40 | 0.05 | 0.54 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.11) | (0.11) | (0.14) | (0.18) | (0.23) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.11) | (0.12) | (0.14) | (0.18) | (0.23) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.73 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.69 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 1.31% | 0.08% | 4.31% | 0.45% | 5.83% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.71% 4 | 1.74% | 1.76% | 1.74% 4 | 1.88% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.54% | 1.56% | 1.55% | 1.56% | 1.69% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.53% | 1.53% | 1.53% | 1.54% | 1.54% |
Net investment income | 1.19% | 1.18% | 1.53% | 1.90% | 2.11% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $331,179 | $293,864 | $268,261 | $239,979 | $108,010 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Class R | ||||
Year Ended September 30, |
Period
July 18, 2011 1 to September 30, 2011 |
|||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.71 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.04 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.02 | (0.11) | 0.24 | (0.14) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.42 | (0.10) |
Distributions from: 3 | ||||
Net investment income | (0.14) | (0.14) | (0.17) | (0.04) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.14) | (0.15) | (0.17) | (0.04) |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.74 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 |
Total Return 4 | ||||
Based on net asset value | 1.81% | 0.43% | 4.48% | (1.06)% 5 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | ||||
Total expenses | 1.29% 6 | 1.36% | 1.43% | 1.46% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.16% | 1.22% | 1.27% | 1.29% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.15% | 1.19% | 1.26% | 1.27% 7 |
Net investment income | 1.57% | 1.54% | 1.81% | 2.04% 7 |
Supplemental Data | ||||
Net assets, end of period (000) | $3,860 | $4,529 | $6,573 | $5,693 |
Portfolio turnover rate 8 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% |
1 | Commencement of operations. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
4 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
5 | Aggregate total return. |
6 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
7 | Annualized. |
8 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, |
Period
July 18, 2011 to September 30, 2011 |
|||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% |
Institutional | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.45 | $ 9.78 | $ 9.42 | $ 9.58 | $ 9.06 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.27 | 0.24 | 0.29 | 0.36 | 0.41 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.20 | (0.28) | 0.39 | (0.12) | 0.56 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.47 | (0.04) | 0.68 | 0.24 | 0.97 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.29) | (0.25) | (0.32) | (0.40) | (0.45) |
Return of capital | — | (0.04) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.29) | (0.29) | (0.32) | (0.40) | (0.45) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.63 | $ 9.45 | $ 9.78 | $ 9.42 | $ 9.58 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 5.05% | (0.47)% | 7.36% | 2.55% | 11.03% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.75% 4 | 0.75% 4 | 0.73% 4 | 0.78% | 0.97% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.57% | 0.59% | 0.58% | 0.60% | 0.77% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.56% | 0.56% | 0.56% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
Net investment income | 2.78% | 2.44% | 3.03% | 3.87% | 4.44% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $1,361,482 | $1,307,731 | $1,457,783 | $1,488,219 | $790,768 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 702% | 805% | 739% | 726% | 724% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the year ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2010, the ratio would have been 0.74% and 0.96%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 493% | 440% | 370% | 412% | 497% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments, to conform to the current presentation | — | — | 1,245% | 1,209% | 1,068% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments and excluding MDRs | — | — | 688% | 771% | 789% |
Investor A | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.46 | $ 9.80 | $ 9.44 | $ 9.60 | $ 9.07 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.24 | 0.20 | 0.26 | 0.34 | 0.38 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.20 | (0.28) | 0.39 | (0.13) | 0.57 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.44 | (0.08) | 0.65 | 0.21 | 0.95 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.26) | (0.22) | (0.29) | (0.37) | (0.42) |
Return of capital | — | (0.04) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.26) | (0.26) | (0.29) | (0.37) | (0.42) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.64 | $ 9.46 | $ 9.80 | $ 9.44 | $ 9.60 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 4.72% | (0.89)% | 7.01% | 2.27% | 10.81% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.02% 4 | 1.03% 5 | 1.02% 5 | 1.01% | 1.19% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.90% | 0.92% | 0.90% | 0.88% | 1.06% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.86% | 0.87% |
Net investment income | 2.47% | 2.11% | 2.69% | 3.58% | 4.13% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $507,915 | $566,334 | $638,402 | $551,875 | $280,857 |
Portfolio turnover rate 6 | 702% | 805% | 739% | 726% | 724% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2011, the ratio would have been 1.01%, 0.98% and 1.02%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the year ended September 30, 2010. |
5 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
6 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 493% | 440% | 370% | 412% | 497% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments, to conform to the current presentation | — | — | 1,245% | 1,209% | 1,068% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments and excluding MDRs | — | — | 688% | 771% | 789% |
Investor B | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.45 | $ 9.79 | $ 9.43 | $ 9.59 | $ 9.06 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.16 | 0.13 | 0.19 | 0.26 | 0.31 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.21 | (0.29) | 0.39 | (0.13) | 0.57 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.37 | (0.16) | 0.58 | 0.13 | 0.88 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.14) | (0.22) | (0.29) | (0.35) |
Return of capital | — | (0.04) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.19) | (0.18) | (0.22) | (0.29) | (0.35) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.63 | $ 9.45 | $ 9.79 | $ 9.43 | $ 9.59 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 3.90% | (1.69)% | 6.20% | 1.40% | 9.94% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.90% 4 | 1.89% 4 | 1.81% 4 | 1.86% 4 | 2.04% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.74% | 1.76% | 1.68% | 1.73% | 1.89% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.66% | 1.71% | 1.71% |
Net investment income | 1.65% | 1.35% | 1.95% | 2.79% | 3.32% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $1,722 | $2,811 | $5,894 | $8,680 | $10,118 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 702% | 805% | 739% | 726% | 724% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013,September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the ratio would have been 1.84%, 1.86%, 1.84% and 2.02%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2012. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 493% | 440% | 370% | 412% | 497% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments, to conform to the current presentation | — | — | 1,245% | 1,209% | 1,068% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments and excluding MDRs | — | — | 688% | 771% | 789% |
Investor C | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.42 | $ 9.76 | $ 9.40 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.03 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.17 | 0.13 | 0.19 | 0.27 | 0.31 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.20 | (0.29) | 0.39 | (0.13) | 0.58 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.37 | (0.16) | 0.58 | 0.14 | 0.89 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.14) | (0.22) | (0.30) | (0.36) |
Return of capital | — | (0.04) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.19) | (0.18) | (0.22) | (0.30) | (0.36) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.60 | $ 9.42 | $ 9.76 | $ 9.40 | $ 9.56 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 3.96% | (1.63)% | 6.26% | 1.50% | 10.04% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.74% 4 | 1.76% | 1.74% 4 | 1.77% | 1.95% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.63% | 1.66% | 1.63% | 1.64% | 1.81% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.62% | 1.62% | 1.61% | 1.62% | 1.62% |
Net investment income | 1.75% | 1.40% | 1.97% | 2.85% | 3.40% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $119,113 | $147,042 | $206,568 | $186,495 | $133,691 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 702% | 805% | 739% | 726% | 724% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 493% | 440% | 370% | 412% | 497% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments, to conform to the current presentation | — | — | 1,245% | 1,209% | 1,068% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments and excluding MDRs | — | — | 688% | 771% | 789% |
Class R | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.46 | $ 9.81 | $ 9.44 | $ 9.60 | $ 9.07 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.21 | 0.18 | 0.23 | 0.31 | 0.35 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.20 | (0.30) | 0.40 | (0.13) | 0.58 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.41 | (0.12) | 0.63 | 0.18 | 0.93 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.23) | (0.19) | (0.26) | (0.34) | (0.40) |
Return of capital | — | (0.04) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.23) | (0.23) | (0.26) | (0.34) | (0.40) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.64 | $ 9.46 | $ 9.81 | $ 9.44 | $ 9.60 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 4.42% | (1.24)% | 6.82% | 1.95% | 10.48% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.32% 4 | 1.38% 4 | 1.34% 4 | 1.38% 4 | 1.54% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.18% | 1.18% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.36% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.17% | 1.15% | 1.17% | 1.17% | 1.18% |
Net investment income | 2.20% | 1.82% | 2.40% | 3.29% | 3.81% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $2,550 | $2,246 | $ 960 | $ 441 | $ 395 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 702% | 805% | 739% | 726% | 724% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2010, the ratio would have been 1.31%, 1.36% and 1.51%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 493% | 440% | 370% | 412% | 497% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments, to conform to the current presentation | — | — | 1,245% | 1,209% | 1,068% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments and excluding MDRs | — | — | 688% | 771% | 789% |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
► | BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock: BRHYX | |
► | BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock: CLDBX | |
► | BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock: CCBBX |
Fund Overview | Key facts and details about the Funds listed in this prospectus, including investment objectives, principal investment strategies, principal risk factors, fee and expense information, and historical performance information | |
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3 | |
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9 | |
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15 |
Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments | |
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33 | |
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33 | |
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34 | |
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37 | |
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37 |
Management of the Funds | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
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39 | |
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40 | |
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42 | |
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43 | |
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44 |
For More Information |
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Inside Back Cover |
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Back Cover |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
BlackRock
Shares |
|
Management Fee | 0.41% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | None | |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.14% | |
Interest Expense | 0.03% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses 1 | 0.11% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.55% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | — | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.55% |
1 | Other Expenses have been restated to reflect current fees. |
2 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s annual report, which does not include the restatement of Other Expenses to reflect current fees. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 39, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.58% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
BlackRock Shares | $56 | $176 | $307 | $689 |
■ | Bank Loan Risk — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest |
rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk — Mezzanine securities carry the risk that the issuer will not be able to meet its obligations and that the equity securities purchased with the mezzanine investments may lose value. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds |
and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — BlackRock Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 3.32% | 10.16% | 7.92% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.16% | 7.19% | 4.83% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 2.02% | 6.73% | 4.86% |
Barclays
U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
2.46% | 8.98% | 7.73% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
James Keenan, CFA | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
David Delbos | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc |
Derek Schoenhofen | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
BlackRock Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
•
$5,000,000 for institutions and individuals;
• There is no minimum initial investment requirement for fee-based programs with an annual fee of at least 0.50% or certain employer-sponsored retirement plans; • BlackRock Shares are available to clients of registered investment advisers who have $250,000 invested in the Fund. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
BlackRock
Shares |
|
Management Fee 1 | 0.34% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | None | |
Other Expenses | 0.13% | |
Interest Expense | 0.01% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.12% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1,2 | 0.47% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | (0.06)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.41% |
1 | Management Fee has been restated to reflect current fees. |
2 | The Total Annual Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of the Management Fee to reflect current fees. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 39, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.40% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
BlackRock Shares | $42 | $145 | $257 | $586 |
■ | Borrowing Risk — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s |
perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — BlackRock Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.58% | 3.19% | 3.12% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.58% | 2.18% | 1.84% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.89% | 2.06% | 1.92% |
B of A Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Corporate and Government Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 0.78% | 1.47% | 2.85% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
BlackRock Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
•
$5,000,000 for institutions and individuals;
• There is no minimum initial investment requirement for fee-based programs with an annual fee of at least 0.50% or certain employer-sponsored retirement plans; • BlackRock Shares are available to clients of registered investment advisers who have $250,000 invested in the Fund. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
BlackRock
Shares |
|
Management Fee 1 | 0.34% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | None | |
Other Expenses | 0.13% | |
Interest Expense | 0.01% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.12% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1,2, | 0.47% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | (0.06)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.41% |
1 | Management Fee has been restated to reflect current fees. |
2 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of the Management Fee to reflect current fees. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 39, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.40% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
BlackRock Shares | $42 | $145 | $257 | $586 |
■ | Borrowing Risk — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. In addition, investment in |
mortgage dollar rolls and participation in TBA transactions may significantly increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio — BlackRock Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 6.74% | 5.31% | 4.45% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 5.33% | 3.87% | 2.82% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 3.80% | 3.53% | 2.80% |
Barclays
U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
5.97% | 4.45% | 4.71% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Rick Rieder | 2010 |
Chief
Investment Officer of Fixed Income,
Fundamental Portfolios of BlackRock, Inc. |
Bob Miller | 2011 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
BlackRock Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
•
$5,000,000 for institutions and individuals;
• There is no minimum initial investment requirement for fee-based programs with an annual fee of at least 0.50% or certain employer-sponsored retirement plans; • BlackRock Shares are available to clients of registered investment advisers who have $250,000 invested in the Fund. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
■ | Common Stock (High Yield Fund) — The High Yield Fund may acquire and hold common stock either directly or indirectly. Indirect acquisitions include unit offerings with fixed-income securities or in connection with an amendment, waiver, or a conversion or exchange of fixed-income securities, or in connection with the bankruptcy or workout of a distressed fixed-income security, or upon the exercise of a right or warrant obtained in connection with the High Yield Fund’s investment in a fixed-income security. Direct investments in common stock will be limited to 10% of the High Yield Fund’s assets. |
■ | Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. Each Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated ETFs. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may restrict the markets in which it invests and may invest without limitation in cash, cash equivalents, money market securities, such as U.S. Treasury and agency obligations, other U.S. Government securities, short-term debt obligations of corporate issuers, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, commercial paper (short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes of a domestic or foreign issuer) or other high quality fixed-income securities. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — Each Fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis or on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by the 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. |
■ | Bank Loan Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Borrowing Risk (Low Duration Fund and Core Bond Fund) — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk (High Yield Fund) — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. | |
Following the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight) at or near zero percent. In addition, as part of its monetary stimulus program known as quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve has purchased on the open market large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. As the Federal Reserve “tapers” or reduces the amount of securities it purchases pursuant to quantitative easing, and/or if the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates will rise. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from mutual funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s |
perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The value of longer-term securities generally changes more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, securities may exhibit additional volatility and may lose value. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets that were prepaid. Prepayment reduces the yield to maturity and the average life of the security. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. | |
Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. | |
Market and Liquidity Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. | |
Valuation Risk — Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives may also expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. | |
Hedging Risk — When a derivative is used as a hedge against a position that the 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. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences noted below. | |
Tax Risk — The federal income tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments. As a result, a larger portion of the Fund’s distributions may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as swaps, is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS. | |
Regulatory Risk — The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional US or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (the “Reform Act”) substantially increases regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and participants in that market, including imposing clearing and reporting requirements on transactions involving instruments that fall within the Reform Act’s definition of “swap” and “security-based swap,” which terms generally include OTC derivatives and imposing registration and potential substantive requirements on certain swap and security-based swap market participants. In addition, under the Reform Act, the Fund may be subject to additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Other future |
regulatory developments may also impact the Fund’s ability to invest or remain invested in certain derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. BlackRock cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on the ability of the Fund to use swaps or any other financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. | |
Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund | |
Swaps — Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into 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. Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. | |
Credit Default Swaps — Credit default swaps may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” 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. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty). | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Forward foreign currency 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. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. securities but rather allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain. | |
Indexed Securities — Indexed securities provide a potential return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. The Fund’s return on these securities will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. These securities are subject to leverage risk and correlation risk. Certain indexed securities have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates or index levels than other securities, and the Fund’s investment in such instruments may decline significantly in value if interest rates or index levels move in a way Fund management does not anticipate. | |
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. 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 investment advisor’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. | |
Options — An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a “put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate, or index) at a specified price (the “exercise price”) during a period of time or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered speculative. When the Fund purchases an option, it may lose the premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or other assets decreased or remained the same (in the case of a call option) or increased or remained the same (in the case of a put option). If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. To the extent that the Fund writes or sells an option, if the decline or increase in the underlying asset is significantly below or above the exercise price of the written option, the Fund could experience a substantial loss. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to |
accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. | |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — 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. Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. If the broker/dealer to whom the Fund sells securities becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the adviser’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets include those in countries defined as emerging or developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. 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. |
Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial 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 the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasiveness of corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. National policies that may limit a Fund’s investment opportunities include restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. | |
Emerging markets may also have 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. Sometimes, they may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Many emerging markets do not have income tax treaties with the United States, and as a result, investments by the Fund may be subject to higher withholding taxes in such countries. In addition, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors. | |
Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because the 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 that ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. The Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation. In addition, communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. |
■ | 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. 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. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage |
commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. In addition, for the Core Bond Fund, investment in mortgage dollar rolls and participation in TBA transactions may significantly increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk (High Yield Fund and Low Duration Fund) — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. The major risks of junk bond investments include: |
■ | Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. |
■ | Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed-income securities. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If the issuer redeems junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income. |
■ | Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions. 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. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of the Fund’s securities than is the case with securities trading in a more liquid market. |
■ | The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose a Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. As an open-end investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the rules thereunder, and various SEC and SEC staff interpretive positions. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, the Fund must “set aside” liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of instruments. 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 any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of a Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when a Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Mezzanine securities generally are rated below investment grade and frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. However, unlike senior loans and second lien loans, mezzanine securities are not a senior or secondary secured obligation of the related borrower. They typically are the most subordinated debt obligation in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine securities also may often be unsecured. Mezzanine securities therefore are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the related borrower and the property securing the loan may be insufficient to repay the scheduled obligation after giving effect to any senior obligations of the related borrower. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be a highly illiquid investment. Mezzanine securities will be subject to certain additional risks to the extent that such loans may not be protected by financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness. Investment in mezzanine securities is a highly specialized investment practice that depends more heavily on independent credit analysis than investments in other types of debt obligations. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage-backed securities (residential and commercial) and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Although asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, like traditional fixed-income securities, are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. |
Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities also are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgage or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Certain CMBS are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund’s investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks. | |
Mortgage-backed securities may be either pass-through securities or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). Pass-through securities represent a right to receive principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages, which are passed through to security holders. CMOs are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Certain CMO tranches may represent a right to receive interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”) or an amount that remains after floating-rate tranches are paid (an inverse floater). These securities are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rates on inverse floaters, for example, vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically). Interest rates on inverse floaters will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase when short-term rates decrease. These securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage. In response to changes in market interest rates or other market conditions, the value of an inverse floater may increase or decrease at a multiple of the increase or decrease in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund invests in CMO tranches (including CMO tranches issued by government agencies) and interest rates move in a manner not anticipated by Fund management, it is possible that the Fund could lose all or substantially all of its investment. Certain mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may also provide a degree of investment leverage, which could cause the Fund to lose all or substantially all of its investment. | |
The mortgage market in the United States has experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on mortgage loans (including subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased and may continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of real-estate values (as has been experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Also, a number of mortgage loan originators have experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy. Reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue or worsen. | |
Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults. | |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments |
to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for a Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk (Low Duration Fund and Core Bond Fund) — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
■ | Common Stock Risk (High Yield Fund) — Common stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of common stock will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of common stock purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities 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, the value 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. |
■ | Expense Risk — Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant. |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, including ones affiliated with the Fund, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. To the extent the Fund is held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Fund itself to hold other investment companies may be limited. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk — When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund may lose both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. |
BlackRock Share Class at a Glance | |
Availability | BlackRock Shares are offered without a sales charge to institutional investors, registered investment advisers and certain fee-based programs and certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. For purposes of this sales charge waiver, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs; |
Minimum Investment |
$5,000,000
for institutions and individuals. There is no minimum initial investment requirement for fee-based programs with an annual fee of at least 0.50% or certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.
BlackRock Shares are available to clients of registered investment advisers who have $250,000 invested in the Fund. |
Initial Sales Charge? | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. |
Deferred Sales Charge? | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees? | No. |
Redemption Fees? | No. |
Advantage | No up-front sales charge so you start off owning more shares. |
Disadvantage | Limited availability. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Initial Purchase (continued) | Have your Financial Intermediary submit your purchase order (continued) | charge a separate account, service or transaction fee on the purchase or sale of Fund shares that would be in addition to the fees and expenses shown in the Fund’s “Fees and Expenses” table. The Fund may reject any order to buy shares and may suspend the sale of shares at any time. 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) 537-4942 and request a new account application. | |
Add to Your Investment | Purchase additional shares | There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
Have your Financial Intermediary submit your purchase order for additional shares | To purchase additional shares you may contact your Financial Intermediary. | |
Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) |
Purchase
by Telephone:
Call the Fund at (800) 537-4942 and speak with one of our representatives. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.
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. |
|
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 BlackRock at (800) 537-4942, or contact your Financial Intermediary (if your account is not held directly with BlackRock). | |
How to Pay for Shares | Making payment for purchases | Payment for BlackRock Shares must normally be made in Federal funds or other immediately available funds by your Financial Intermediary but in no event later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the first business day following receipt of the order. Payment may also, at the discretion of the Fund, be made in the form of securities that are permissible investments for the respective fund. If payment is not received by this time, the order will be canceled and you and your Financial Intermediary will be responsible for any loss to the Fund. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares | Have your Financial Intermediary submit your sales order | You can make redemption requests through your Financial Intermediary. The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of 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 Intermediary prior to that day’s close of business on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Certain Financial Intermediaries, however, may require submission of orders prior to that time. Any redemption request placed |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) | Have your Financial Intermediary submit your sales order (continued) |
after
that time will be priced at the net asset value at the close of business on the next business day.
|
Selling shares held directly with BlackRock |
Methods
of Redeeming:
Redeem by Telephone: You may redeem shares held directly with BlackRock by telephone request. Call (800) 537-4942 for details. |
|
Payment
of Redemption Proceeds by Wire Transfer:
Payment for redeemed shares for which a redemption order is received before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on a business day is normally made in Federal funds wired to the
redeeming shareholder on the next business day, provided that the Fund’s custodian is also open for business. Payment for redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) or on a day when the Fund’s custodian is closed is
normally wired in Federal funds on the next business day following redemption on which the Fund’s custodian is open for business. The Funds reserve the right to wire redemption proceeds within seven days after receiving a redemption order if,
in the judgment of the Fund, an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund.
***
If you make a redemption request before the Fund has collected payment for
the purchase of shares, the Fund may delay mailing your proceeds. This delay will usually not exceed ten days.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Transfer Shares to Another Financial Intermediary | Transfer to a participating Financial Intermediary | You may transfer your shares of the Fund only to another securities dealer 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 receiving firm. |
Transfer to a non-participating Financial Intermediary |
You
must either:
• Transfer your shares to an account with the Fund; or • Sell your shares, paying any applicable deferred sales charge. |
■ | Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act; |
■ | Postpone the date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or 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. |
High Yield Fund | 0.41% |
Low Duration Fund | 0.32% |
Core Bond Fund | 0.35% |
* | As a percentage of average daily net assets. |
1 | The contractual caps are in effect until February 1, 2016. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
James Keenan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2008 and Head of the Leveraged Finance Portfolio Team; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2007. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2008. |
David Delbos | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2012; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2011; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2006. |
Derek Schoenhofen | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2000 to 2005. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2009. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2009. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Rick Rieder | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2010 | Chief Investment Officer of Fixed Income, Fundamental Portfolios of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of its Global Credit Business and Credit Strategies, Multi-Sector, and Mortgage Groups since 2010; Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; President and Chief Executive Officer of R3 Capital Partners from 2008 to 2009; Managing Director of Lehman Brothers from 1994 to 2008. |
Bob Miller | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2011 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2011; Co-Founder and Partner of Round Table Investment Management Company from 2007 to 2009; Managing Director of Bank of America from 1999 to 2007. |
BlackRock | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.16 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.48 | $ 6.68 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.47 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.52 | 0.61 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.16 | 0.26 | 0.80 | (0.32) 3 | 0.793 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.63 | 0.76 | 1.30 | 0.20 | 1.40 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.47) | (0.52) | (0.50) | (0.54) | (0.60) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.59) | (0.54) | (0.50) | (0.54) | (0.60) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.20 | $ 8.16 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.48 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 7.82% | 9.84% | 18.99% | 2.29% 6 | 21.72% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.56% 7 | 0.56% 7 | 0.60% 7,8 | 0.59% 7 | 0.61% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.55% | 0.56% | 0.58% 8 | 0.58% | 0.58% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 0.53% | 0.54% | 0.56% | 0.58% | 0.58% |
Net investment income | 5.59% | 6.13% | 6.48% 8 | 6.69% | 8.53% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $1,352,840 | $934,195 | $897,435 | $694,075 | $725,724 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, the ratio would have been 0.58% and 0.58%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013. |
8 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
BlackRock | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.69 | $ 9.38 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.26 | 0.29 | 0.31 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.01 | (0.11) | 0.25 | (0.13) | 0.34 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.24 | 0.12 | 0.51 | 0.16 | 0.65 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.22) | (0.22) | (0.25) | (0.29) | (0.34) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.22) | (0.23) | (0.25) | (0.29) | (0.34) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.73 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.69 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.46% | 1.21% | 5.48% | 1.59% | 7.03% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.58% 4 | 0.62% | 0.61% | 0.64% | 0.79% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.42% | 0.45% | 0.43% | 0.44% | 0.56% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.42% |
Net investment income | 2.30% | 2.30% | 2.65% | 3.04% | 3.27% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $557,690 | $319,318 | $310,879 | $281,572 | $289,968 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30 | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
BlackRock | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.47 | $ 9.81 | $ 9.45 | $ 9.61 | $ 9.08 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.28 | 0.25 | 0.30 | 0.38 | 0.42 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.20 | (0.29) | 0.39 | (0.13) | 0.57 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.48 | (0.04) | 0.69 | 0.25 | 0.99 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.30) | (0.26) | (0.33) | (0.41) | (0.46) |
Return of capital | — | (0.04) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.30) | (0.30) | (0.33) | (0.41) | (0.46) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.65 | $ 9.47 | $ 9.81 | $ 9.45 | $ 9.61 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 5.16% | (0.45)% | 7.47% | 2.69% | 11.25% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.60% | 0.61% | 0.60% | 0.63% | 0.81% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.46% | 0.48% | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.64% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.45% | 0.46% |
Net investment income | 2.91% | 2.54% | 3.15% | 4.04% | 4.55% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $633,007 | $597,618 | $643,885 | $830,056 | $1,077,976 |
Portfolio turnover rate 4 | 702% | 805% | 739% | 726% | 724% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 493% | 440% | 370% | 412% | 497% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments, to conform to the current presentation | — | — | 1,245% | 1,209% | 1,068% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments and excluding MDRs | — | — | 688% | 771% | 789% |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
► | BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio |
Service: BHYSX | |
► | BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
Service: CMGBX | |
► | BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio |
Service: CMCBX |
Fund Overview | Key facts and details about the Funds listed in this prospectus, including investment objectives, principal investment strategies, principal risk factors, fee and expense information, and historical performance information | |
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9 | |
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15 |
Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments | |
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33 | |
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33 | |
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34 | |
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37 | |
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38 |
Management of the Funds | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
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40 | |
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41 | |
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43 | |
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44 | |
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45 |
Financial Highlights |
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47 |
General Information |
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50 |
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50 | |
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51 |
Glossary |
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52 |
For More Information |
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Inside Back Cover |
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Back Cover |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Service
Shares |
|
Management Fee | 0.41% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.27% | |
Interest Expense | 0.03% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses 1 | 0.24% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.93% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | — | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.93% |
1 | Other Expenses have been restated to reflect current fees. |
2 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of Other Expenses to reflect current fees. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 40, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fess or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 1.02% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Service Shares | $95 | $296 | $515 | $1,143 |
■ | Bank Loan Risk — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest |
rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk — Mezzanine securities carry the risk that the issuer will not be able to meet its obligations and that the equity securities purchased with the mezzanine investments may lose value. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds |
and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Service Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 2.92% | 9.73% | 7.48% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (0.06)% | 6.92% | 4.56% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.80% | 6.46% | 4.59% |
Barclays
U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
2.46% | 8.98% | 7.73% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
James Keenan, CFA | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
David Delbos | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc |
Derek Schoenhofen | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Service Shares | |
Minimum Initial Investment | $5,000 |
Minimum Additional Investment | There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Service
Shares |
|
Management Fee 1 | 0.34% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | |
Other Expenses | 0.24% | |
Interest Expense | 0.01% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.23% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1,2 | 0.83% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | (0.03)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.80% |
1 | Management Fee has been restated to reflect current fees. |
2 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net asset given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of the Management Fee to reflect current fees. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 40, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.79% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Service Shares | $82 | $262 | $458 | $1,023 |
■ | Borrowing Risk — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s |
perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Service Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.19% | 2.79% | 2.71% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.36% | 1.94% | 1.58% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.67% | 1.82% | 1.66% |
B
of A Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Corporate and Government Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
0.78% | 1.47% | 2.85% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Service Shares | |
Minimum Initial Investment | $5,000 |
Service Shares | |
Minimum Additional Investment | There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Service
Shares |
|
Management Fee 1 | 0.34% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | |
Other Expenses | 0.23% | |
Interest Expense | 0.01% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.22% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1,2 | 0.82% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | (0.02)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.80% |
1 | Management Fee has been restated to reflect current fees. |
2 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of the Management Fee to reflect current fees. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 40, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.79% of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Service Shares | $82 | $260 | $453 | $1,012 |
■ | Borrowing Risk — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. In addition, investment in |
mortgage dollar rolls and participation in TBA transactions may significantly increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio — Service Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 6.36% | 4.89% | 4.07% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 5.12% | 3.62% | 2.59% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 3.59% | 3.27% | 2.56% |
Barclays
U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
5.97% | 4.45% | 4.71% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Rick Rieder | 2010 |
Chief
Investment Officer of Fixed Income,
Fundamental Portfolios of BlackRock, Inc. |
Bob Miller | 2011 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Service Shares | |
Minimum Initial Investment | $5,000 |
Minimum Additional Investment | There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
■ | Common Stock (High Yield Fund) — The High Yield Fund may acquire and hold common stock either directly or indirectly. Indirect acquisitions include unit offerings with fixed-income securities or in connection with an amendment, waiver, or a conversion or exchange of fixed-income securities, or in connection with the bankruptcy or workout of a distressed fixed-income security, or upon the exercise of a right or warrant obtained in connection with the High Yield Fund’s investment in a fixed-income security. Direct investments in common stock will be limited to 10% of the High Yield Fund’s assets. |
■ | Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. Each Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated ETFs. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may restrict the markets in which it invests and may invest without limitation in cash, cash equivalents, money market securities, such as U.S. Treasury and agency obligations, other U.S. Government securities, short-term debt obligations of corporate issuers, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, commercial paper (short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes of a domestic or foreign issuer) or other high quality fixed-income securities. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — Each Fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis or on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by the 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. |
■ | Bank Loan Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Borrowing Risk (Low Duration Fund and Core Bond Fund) — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk (High Yield Fund) — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. | |
Following the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight) at or near zero percent. In addition, as part of its monetary stimulus program known as quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve has purchased on the open market large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. As the Federal Reserve “tapers” or reduces the amount of securities it purchases pursuant to quantitative easing, and/or if the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates will rise. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from mutual funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s |
perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The value of longer-term securities generally changes more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, securities may exhibit additional volatility and may lose value. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets that were prepaid. Prepayment reduces the yield to maturity and the average life of the security. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. | |
Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. | |
Market and Liquidity Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. | |
Valuation Risk — Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives may also expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. | |
Hedging Risk — When a derivative is used as a hedge against a position that the 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. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences noted below. | |
Tax Risk — The federal income tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments. As a result, a larger portion of the Fund’s distributions may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as swaps, is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS. | |
Regulatory Risk — The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional US or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (the “Reform Act”) substantially increases regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and participants in that market, including imposing clearing and reporting requirements on transactions involving instruments that fall within the Reform Act’s definition of “swap” and “security-based swap,” which terms generally include OTC derivatives and imposing registration and potential substantive requirements on certain swap and security-based swap market participants. In addition, under the Reform Act, the Fund may be subject to additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Other future |
regulatory developments may also impact the Fund’s ability to invest or remain invested in certain derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. BlackRock cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on the ability of the Fund to use swaps or any other financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. | |
Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund | |
Swaps — Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into 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. Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. | |
Credit Default Swaps — Credit default swaps may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” 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. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty). | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Forward foreign currency 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. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. securities but rather allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain. | |
Indexed Securities — Indexed securities provide a potential return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. The Fund’s return on these securities will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. These securities are subject to leverage risk and correlation risk. Certain indexed securities have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates or index levels than other securities, and the Fund’s investment in such instruments may decline significantly in value if interest rates or index levels move in a way Fund management does not anticipate. | |
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. 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 investment advisor’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. | |
Options — An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a “put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate, or index) at a specified price (the “exercise price”) during a period of time or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered speculative. When the Fund purchases an option, it may lose the premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or other assets decreased or remained the same (in the case of a call option) or increased or remained the same (in the case of a put option). If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. To the extent that the Fund writes or sells an option, if the decline or increase in the underlying asset is significantly below or above the exercise price of the written option, the Fund could experience a substantial loss. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to |
accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. | |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — 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. Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. If the broker/dealer to whom the Fund sells securities becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the adviser’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets include those in countries defined as emerging or developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. 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. |
Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial 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 the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasiveness of corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. National policies that may limit a Fund’s investment opportunities include restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. | |
Emerging markets may also have 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. Sometimes, they may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Many emerging markets do not have income tax treaties with the United States, and as a result, investments by the Fund may be subject to higher withholding taxes in such countries. In addition, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors. | |
Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because the 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 that ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. The Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation. In addition, communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. |
■ | 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. 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. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage |
commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. In addition, for the Core Bond Fund, investment in mortgage dollar rolls and participation in TBA transactions may significantly increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate. A TBA transaction is a method of trading mortgage-backed securities where the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the mortgage-backed securities are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk (High Yield Fund and Low Duration Fund) — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. The major risks of junk bond investments include: |
■ | Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. |
■ | Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed-income securities. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If the issuer redeems junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income. |
■ | Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions. 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. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of the Fund’s securities than is the case with securities trading in a more liquid market. |
■ | The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose a Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. As an open-end investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the rules thereunder, and various SEC and SEC staff interpretive positions. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, the Fund must “set aside” liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of instruments. 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 any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of a Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when a Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Mezzanine securities generally are rated below investment grade and frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. However, unlike senior loans and second lien loans, mezzanine securities are not a senior or secondary secured obligation of the related borrower. They typically are the most subordinated debt obligation in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine securities also may often be unsecured. Mezzanine securities therefore are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the related borrower and the property securing the loan may be insufficient to repay the scheduled obligation after giving effect to any senior obligations of the related borrower. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be a highly illiquid investment. Mezzanine securities will be subject to certain additional risks to the extent that such loans may not be protected by financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness. Investment in mezzanine securities is a highly specialized investment practice that depends more heavily on independent credit analysis than investments in other types of debt obligations. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage-backed securities (residential and commercial) and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Although asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, like traditional fixed-income securities, are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. |
Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities also are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgage or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Certain CMBS are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund’s investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks. | |
Mortgage-backed securities may be either pass-through securities or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). Pass-through securities represent a right to receive principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages, which are passed through to security holders. CMOs are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Certain CMO tranches may represent a right to receive interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”) or an amount that remains after floating-rate tranches are paid (an inverse floater). These securities are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rates on inverse floaters, for example, vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically). Interest rates on inverse floaters will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase when short-term rates decrease. These securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage. In response to changes in market interest rates or other market conditions, the value of an inverse floater may increase or decrease at a multiple of the increase or decrease in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund invests in CMO tranches (including CMO tranches issued by government agencies) and interest rates move in a manner not anticipated by Fund management, it is possible that the Fund could lose all or substantially all of its investment. Certain mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may also provide a degree of investment leverage, which could cause the Fund to lose all or substantially all of its investment. | |
The mortgage market in the United States has experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on mortgage loans (including subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased and may continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of real-estate values (as has been experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Also, a number of mortgage loan originators have experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy. Reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue or worsen. | |
Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults. | |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments |
to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk (Low Duration Fund and Core Bond Fund) — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
■ | Common Stock Risk (High Yield Fund) — Common stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of common stock will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of common stock purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities 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, the value 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. |
■ | Expense Risk — Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant. |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, including ones affiliated with the Fund, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. To the extent the Fund is held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Fund itself to hold other investment companies may be limited. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk — When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund may lose both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. |
Service Share Class at a Glance | |
Availability | Limited to certain investors, including: Financial Intermediaries (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. Service Shares will normally be held by Financial Intermediaries or in the name of nominees of Financial Intermediaries on behalf of their customers. Service Shares are normally purchased through a customer’s account at a Financial Intermediary through procedures established by such Financial Intermediary. In these cases, confirmation of share purchases and redemptions will be sent to the Financial Intermediaries. A customer’s ownership of shares will be recorded by the Financial Intermediary and reflected in the account statements provided by such Financial Intermediaries to their customers. Investors wishing to purchase Service Shares should contact their Financial Intermediaries. |
Minimum Investment | $5,000. However, institutions may set a higher minimum for their customers. |
Initial Sales Charge? | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. |
Deferred Sales Charge? | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees? | No Distribution Fee. 0.25% Annual Service Fee. |
Redemption Fees? | No. |
Advantage | No up-front sales charge so you start off owning more shares. |
Disadvantage | Limited availability. |
■ | Responding to customer questions on the services performed by the Financial Intermediary and investments in Service Shares; |
■ | Assisting customers in choosing and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and |
■ | Providing other similar shareholder liaison services. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
How to Pay for Shares (continued) | Making payment for purchases (continued) | securities that are permissible investments for the respective Fund. If payment is not received by this time, the order will be canceled and you and your Financial Intermediary will be responsible for any loss to the Funds. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares | Have your Financial Intermediary submit your sales order |
You
can make redemption requests through your Financial Intermediary in accordance with the procedures applicable to your accounts. These procedures may vary according to the type of account and the Financial Intermediary involved and customers should
consult their Financial Intermediary in this regard.
|
Selling shares held directly with BlackRock |
Methods
of Redeeming:
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) | Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) |
redemption
order if, in the judgment of the Funds, an earlier payment could adversely affect a Fund.
***
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. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Transfer Shares to Another Financial Intermediary | Transfer to a participating Financial Intermediary | You may transfer your shares of a Fund only to another Financial Intermediary that has 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 receiving firm. |
Transfer to a non-participating Financial Intermediary |
You
must either:
• Transfer your shares to an account with the Fund; or • Sell your shares, paying any applicable deferred sales charge. |
■ | Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act; |
■ | Postpone the date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or 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. |
High Yield Fund | 0.41% |
Low Duration Fund | 0.32% |
Core Bond Fund | 0.35% |
Contractual
Caps on Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses* (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) 1 |
|
High Yield Fund | 1.02% |
Low Duration Fund | 0.79% |
Core Bond Fund | 0.79% |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
James Keenan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2008 and Head of the Leveraged Finance Portfolio Team; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2007. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2008. |
David Delbos | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2012; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2011; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2006. |
Derek Schoenhofen | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2000 to 2005. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2009. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2009. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Rick Rieder | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2010 | Chief Investment Officer of Fixed Income, Fundamental Portfolios of BlackRock, Inc. and Head of its Global Credit Business and Credit Strategies, Multi-Sector, and Mortgage Groups since 2010; Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; President and Chief Executive Officer of R3 Capital Partners from 2008 to 2009; Managing Director of Lehman Brothers from 1994 to 2008. |
Bob Miller | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2011 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2011; Co-Founder and Partner of Round Table Investment Management Company from 2007 to 2009; Managing Director of Bank of America from 1999 to 2007. |
Service | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.16 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.48 | $ 6.68 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.43 | 0.47 | 0.47 | 0.48 | 0.58 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.16 | 0.26 | 0.80 | (0.32) 3 | 0.79 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.59 | 0.73 | 1.27 | 0.16 | 1.37 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.43) | (0.49) | (0.47) | (0.50) | (0.57) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.55) | (0.51) | (0.47) | (0.50) | (0.57) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.20 | $ 8.16 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.48 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 7.41% | 9.42% | 18.52% | 1.85% 6 | 21.21% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.94% 7 | 0.95% 7 | 0.98% 7,8 | 1.06% 7 | 1.02% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.98% 8 | 1.01% | 1.00% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 0.91% | 0.92% | 0.96% | 1.01% | 1.00% |
Net investment income | 5.20% | 5.73% | 6.08% 8 | 6.22% | 8.10% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $346,355 | $372,559 | $304,707 | $195,688 | $173,027 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, the ratio would have been 0.93%, 0.95% and 1.03%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the years ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2010. |
8 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
Service | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 | $ 9.38 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.22 | 0.26 | 0.27 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.02 | (0.11) | 0.24 | (0.14) | 0.35 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.21 | 0.08 | 0.46 | 0.12 | 0.62 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.18) | (0.18) | (0.21) | (0.25) | (0.30) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.18) | (0.19) | (0.21) | (0.25) | (0.30) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.74 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.16% | 0.79% | 4.93% | 1.23% | 6.74% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.94% 4 | 1.00% 4 | 1.01% 4 | 0.96% | 1.12% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.82% | 0.86% | 0.85% | 0.79% | 0.93% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.81% | 0.82% | 0.83% | 0.75% | 0.78% |
Net investment income | 1.92% | 1.90% | 2.24% | 2.73% | 2.82% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $217,127 | $231,914 | $263,552 | $330,091 | $694,407 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30 | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Service | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.45 | $ 9.79 | $ 9.43 | $ 9.59 | $ 9.06 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.24 | 0.21 | 0.26 | 0.32 | 0.38 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.21 | (0.29) | 0.39 | (0.11) | 0.57 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.45 | (0.08) | 0.65 | 0.21 | 0.95 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.27) | (0.22) | (0.29) | (0.37) | (0.42) |
Return of capital | — | (0.04) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.27) | (0.26) | (0.29) | (0.37) | (0.42) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.63 | $ 9.45 | $ 9.79 | $ 9.43 | $ 9.59 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 4.78% | (0.86)% | 7.01% | 2.25% | 10.81% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.95% | 1.02% 4 | 1.05% | 1.03% 4 | 1.20% 4 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.83% | 0.92% | 0.91% | 0.90% | 1.07% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.82% | 0.88% | 0.89% | 0.88% | 0.88% |
Net investment income | 2.54% | 2.13% | 2.71% | 3.50% | 4.13% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $191,106 | $199,772 | $238,247 | $278,072 | $37,639 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 702% | 805% | 739% | 726% | 724% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2011, the ratio would have been 1.01%, 0.98% and 1.02%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios for the year ended September 30, 2010. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 493% | 440% | 370% | 412% | 497% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments, to conform to the current presentation | — | — | 1,245% | 1,209% | 1,068% |
Portfolio turnover rate including TBA Sale Commitments and excluding MDRs | — | — | 688% | 771% | 789% |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
► | BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio |
Investor B1: BHYDX • Investor C1: BHYEX | |
► | BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
Investor A1: CMGAX • Investor B3: BLDGX • Investor C2: CLDCX • Investor C3: BLDFX |
Fund Overview | Key facts and details about the Funds listed in this prospectus, including investment objectives, principal investment strategies, principal risk factors, fee and expense information, and historical performance information | |
|
3 | |
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10 |
Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments | |
|
27 | |
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27 | |
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29 | |
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30 | |
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34 | |
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34 | |
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35 | |
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35 |
Management of the Funds | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
|
37 | |
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39 | |
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39 | |
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40 | |
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41 |
For More Information |
|
Inside Back Cover |
|
Back Cover |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
B1
Shares |
Investor
C1
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) | 4.00% 1 | 1.00% 2 | ||
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
B1
Shares |
Investor
C1
Shares |
||
Management Fee | 0.41% | 0.41% | ||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.75% | 0.80% | ||
Other Expenses 3 | 0.47% | 0.30% | ||
Interest Expense | 0.03% | 0.03% | ||
Miscellaneous Other Expenses 3 | 0.44% | 0.27% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 4 | 1.63% | 1.51% | ||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 5 | (0.14)% | — | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 5 | 1.49% | 1.51% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 4.00% is assessed if shares are redeemed within two years. The CDSC for Investor B1 Shares decreases for redemptions made in subsequent years. After six years there is no CDSC on Investor B1 Shares. (See the section “Details about the Share Classes — Investor B1 and B2 Shares” in the Fund’s prospectus for the complete schedule of CDSCs.) |
2 | There is no CDSC on Investor C1 Shares after one year. |
3 | Other Expenses have been restated to reflect current fees. |
4 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of Other Expenses tor reflect current fees. |
5 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 37, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 1.46% (for Investor B1 Shares) and 1.56% (for Investor C1 Shares) of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor B1 Shares | $552 | $801 | $1,073 | $1,921 |
Investor C1 Shares | $254 | $477 | $ 824 | $1,802 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor B1 Shares | $152 | $501 | $873 | $1,921 |
Investor C1 Shares | $154 | $477 | $824 | $1,802 |
■ | Bank Loan Risk — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their |
market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. | |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that |
principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. | |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is |
the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk — Mezzanine securities carry the risk that the issuer will not be able to meet its obligations and that the equity securities purchased with the mezzanine investments may lose value. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Investor B1 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (1.46)% | 8.89% | 6.95% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (4.20)% | 6.27% | 4.17% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (0.68)% | 5.87% | 4.24% |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio — Investor C1 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.37% | 9.11% | 6.88% |
Barclays
U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
2.46% | 8.98% | 7.73% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
James Keenan, CFA | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
David Delbos | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc |
Derek Schoenhofen | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor B1 and Investor C1 Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
Available only for dividend and capital gain reinvestment for existing shareholders and certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
N/A |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A1
Shares |
Investor
B3
Shares |
Investor
C2
Shares |
Investor
C3
Shares |
||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | 1.00% | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None | 4.00% 1 | 1.00% 2 | 1.00% 2 | ||||
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A1
Shares |
Investor
B3
Shares |
Investor
C2
Shares |
Investor
C3
Shares |
||||
Management Fee 3 | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | ||||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.10% | 0.90% | 0.40% | 0.90% | ||||
Other Expenses | 0.26% | 0.13% | 0.26% | 0.34% | ||||
Interest Expense | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | ||||
Miscellaneous Other Expense | 0.25% | 0.12% | 0.25% | 0.33% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 3,4 | 0.70% | 1.37% | 1.00% | 1.58% | ||||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 5 | (0.09)% | — | (0.05)% | (0.07)% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 5 | 0.61% | 1.37% | 0.95% | 1.51% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 4.00% is assessed if shares are redeemed within two years. The CDSC for Investor B3 Shares decreases for redemptions made in subsequent years. After six years there is no CDSC on Investor B3 Shares. (See the section “Details about the Share Classes — Investor B3 Shares” in the Fund’s prospectus for the complete schedule of CDSCs.) |
2 | There is no CDSC on Investor C2 and Investor C3 Shares after one year. |
3 | Management Fee has been restated to reflect current fees. |
4 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include the restatement of the Management Fee to reflect current fees. |
5 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section on page 37, BlackRock Advisors, LLC has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) to 0.60% (for Investor A1 Shares), 1.44% (for Investor B3 Shares), 0.94% (for Investor C2 Shares) and 1.50% (for Investor C3 Shares) of average daily net assets until February 1, 2016. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and reimbursements to BlackRock Advisors, LLC in the two years following such waivers and/or reimbursements. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor A1 Shares | $162 | $313 | $477 | $ 953 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor B3 Shares | $539 | $734 | $950 | $1,646 |
Investor C2 Shares | $197 | $313 | $548 | $1,220 |
Investor C3 Shares | $254 | $492 | $854 | $1,872 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor B3 Shares | $139 | $434 | $750 | $1,646 |
Investor C2 Shares | $ 97 | $313 | $548 | $1,220 |
Investor C3 Shares | $154 | $492 | $854 | $1,872 |
■ | Borrowing Risk — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security ( i.e. , the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives also may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional U.S. or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority that could affect the character, timing and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or gains and distributions. |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Fund is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has sold. These transactions may involve leverage. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse |
repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences to the Fund. | |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Investor A1 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.34% | 2.75% | 2.76% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (0.55)% | 1.83% | 1.56% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.19% | 1.76% | 1.67% |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Investor B3 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (3.41)% | 1.65% | 1.89% |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Investor C2 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.03% | 2.65% | 2.55% |
As
of 12/31/14
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio — Investor C3 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (0.55)% | 2.00% | 1.88% |
B
of A Merrill Lynch 1-3 Year US Corporate and Government Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
0.78% | 1.47% | 2.85% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor A1, Investor B3, Investor C2 and Investor C3 Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
Available only for dividend and capital gain reinvestment for existing shareholders and certain authorized qualified employee benefit plans. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
N/A |
■ | Common Stock (High Yield Fund) — The High Yield Fund may acquire and hold common stock either directly or indirectly. Indirect acquisitions include unit offerings with fixed-income securities or in connection with an amendment, waiver, or a conversion or exchange of fixed-income securities, or in connection with the bankruptcy or workout of a distressed fixed-income security, or upon the exercise of a right or warrant obtained in connection with the High Yield Fund’s investment in a fixed-income security. Direct investments in common stock will be limited to 10% of the High Yield Fund’s assets. |
■ | Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. Each Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated ETFs. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may restrict the markets in which it invests and may invest without limitation in cash, cash equivalents, money market securities, such as U.S. Treasury and agency obligations, other U.S. Government securities, short-term debt obligations of corporate issuers, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, commercial paper (short-term, unsecured, negotiable promissory notes of a domestic or foreign issuer) or other high quality fixed-income securities. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — Each Fund may invest in securities prior to their date of issue. The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis or on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by the 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. |
■ | Bank Loan Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. These investments expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution and the underlying borrower. |
■ | Borrowing Risk (Low Duration Fund) — Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the net asset value of Fund shares and in the return on the Fund’s portfolio. Borrowing will cost the Fund interest expense and other fees. The costs of borrowing may reduce the Fund’s return. Borrowing may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. |
■ | Collateralized Bond Obligation Risk (High Yield Fund) — The pool of high yield securities underlying collateralized bond obligations is typically separated into groupings called tranches representing different degrees of credit quality. The higher quality tranches have greater degrees of protection and pay lower interest rates. The lower tranches, with greater risk, pay higher interest rates. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. | |
Following the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight) at or near zero percent. In addition, as part of its monetary stimulus program known as quantitative easing, the Federal Reserve has purchased on the open market large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. As the Federal Reserve “tapers” or reduces the amount of securities it purchases pursuant to quantitative easing, and/or if the Federal Reserve raises the federal funds rate, there is a risk that interest rates will rise. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from mutual funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make principal and interest payments when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s |
perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Fund’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on the issuer’s financial condition and on the terms of the securities. | |
Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. The value of longer-term securities generally changes more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, securities may exhibit additional volatility and may lose value. | |
Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. In periods of falling interest rates, the rate of prepayments tends to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by the management team will generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets that were prepaid. Prepayment reduces the yield to maturity and the average life of the security. | |
■ | Derivatives Risk — Derivatives are volatile and involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Fund’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate perfectly with the overall securities markets. | |
Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. | |
Market and Liquidity Risk — Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately. The Fund could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, BlackRock may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Fund’s derivatives positions to lose value. | |
Valuation Risk — Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them. Derivatives may also expose the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Certain transactions in derivatives involve substantial leverage risk and may expose the Fund to potential losses that exceed the amount originally invested by the Fund. | |
Hedging Risk — When a derivative is used as a hedge against a position that the 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. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences noted below. | |
Tax Risk — The federal income tax treatment of a derivative may not be as favorable as a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments. As a result, a larger portion of the Fund’s distributions may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as swaps, is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS. | |
Regulatory Risk — The U.S. Government is in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional US or other regulations may make derivatives more costly, may limit the availability of derivatives, or may otherwise adversely affect the value or performance of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (the “Reform Act”) substantially increases regulation of the over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market and participants in that market, including imposing clearing and reporting requirements on transactions involving instruments that fall within the Reform Act’s definition of “swap” and “security-based swap,” which terms generally include OTC derivatives and imposing registration and potential substantive requirements on certain swap and security-based swap market participants. In addition, under the Reform Act, the Fund may be subject to additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Other future |
regulatory developments may also impact the Fund’s ability to invest or remain invested in certain derivatives. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. BlackRock cannot predict the effects of any new governmental regulation that may be implemented on the ability of the Fund to use swaps or any other financial derivative product, and there can be no assurance that any new governmental regulation will not adversely affect the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. | |
Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund | |
Swaps — Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into 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. Swap agreements involve the risk that the party with whom the Fund has entered into the swap will default on its obligation to pay the Fund and the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to pay the other party to the agreement. | |
Credit Default Swaps — Credit default swaps may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” 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. Credit default swaps involve special risks in addition to those mentioned above because they are difficult to value, are highly susceptible to liquidity and credit risk, and generally pay a return to the party that has paid the premium only in the event of an actual default by the issuer of the underlying obligation (as opposed to a credit downgrade or other indication of financial difficulty). | |
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts — Forward foreign currency 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. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate fluctuations in the value of non-U.S. securities but rather allow the Fund to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain. | |
Indexed Securities — Indexed securities provide a potential return based on a particular index of value or interest rates. The Fund’s return on these securities will be subject to risk with respect to the value of the particular index. These securities are subject to leverage risk and correlation risk. Certain indexed securities have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates or index levels than other securities, and the Fund’s investment in such instruments may decline significantly in value if interest rates or index levels move in a way Fund management does not anticipate. | |
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. 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 investment advisor’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. | |
Options — An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a “put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate, or index) at a specified price (the “exercise price”) during a period of time or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered speculative. When the Fund purchases an option, it may lose the premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or other assets decreased or remained the same (in the case of a call option) or increased or remained the same (in the case of a put option). If a put or call option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund. To the extent that the Fund writes or sells an option, if the decline or increase in the underlying asset is significantly below or above the exercise price of the written option, the Fund could experience a substantial loss. |
■ | Distressed Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Distressed securities are speculative and involve substantial risks in addition to the risks of investing in junk bonds. The Fund will generally not receive interest payments on the distressed securities and may incur costs to protect its investment. In addition, distressed securities involve the substantial risk that principal will not be repaid. These securities may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal of or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to |
accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Distressed securities and any securities received in an exchange for such securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. | |
■ | Dollar Rolls Risk — 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. Dollar roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities. If the broker/dealer to whom the Fund sells securities becomes insolvent, the Fund’s right to purchase or repurchase securities may be restricted. Successful use of mortgage dollar rolls may depend upon the adviser’s ability to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed. |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets include those in countries defined as emerging or developing by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. 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. |
Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial 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 the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasiveness of corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. National policies that may limit a Fund’s investment opportunities include restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. | |
Emerging markets may also have 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. Sometimes, they may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Many emerging markets do not have income tax treaties with the United States, and as a result, investments by the Fund may be subject to higher withholding taxes in such countries. In addition, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors. | |
Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because the 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 that ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. The Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation. In addition, communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. |
■ | 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. 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. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk — The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover (more than 100%) may result in increased transaction costs to the Fund, including brokerage |
commissions, dealer mark-ups and other transaction costs on the sale of the securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of Fund portfolio securities may result in the realization and/or distribution to shareholders of higher capital gains or losses as compared to a fund with less active trading policies. These effects of higher than normal portfolio turnover may adversely affect Fund performance. | |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that may cause income and principal losses for the Fund. The major risks of junk bond investments include: |
■ | Junk bonds may be issued by less creditworthy issuers. Issuers of junk bonds may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of junk bond holders, leaving few or no assets available to repay junk bond holders. |
■ | Prices of junk bonds are subject to extreme price fluctuations. Adverse changes in an issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of junk bonds than on other higher rated fixed-income securities. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Junk bonds frequently have redemption features that permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund before it matures. If the issuer redeems junk bonds, the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in bonds with lower yields and may lose income. |
■ | Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities, even under normal economic conditions. 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. Because they are less liquid, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of the Fund’s securities than is the case with securities trading in a more liquid market. |
■ | The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. |
■ | Leverage Risk — Some transactions may give rise to a form of economic leverage. These transactions may include, among others, derivatives, and may expose a Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. As an open-end investment company registered with the SEC, the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the rules thereunder, and various SEC and SEC staff interpretive positions. In accordance with these laws, rules and positions, the Fund must “set aside” liquid assets (often referred to as “asset segregation”), or engage in other SEC- or staff-approved measures, to “cover” open positions with respect to certain kinds of instruments. 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 any required asset segregation requirements. Increases and decreases in the value of a Fund’s portfolio will be magnified when a Fund uses leverage. |
■ | Liquidity Risk — Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund’s investment in illiquid securities may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. To the extent that the Fund’s principal investment strategies involve derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk, the Fund will tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. Liquid investments may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Illiquid investments may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain securities, the Fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be subject to purchase and sale restrictions. |
■ | Market Risk and Selection Risk — Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money. |
■ | Mezzanine Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Mezzanine securities generally are rated below investment grade and frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as senior loans, second lien loans and non-investment grade bonds. However, unlike senior loans and second lien loans, mezzanine securities are not a senior or secondary secured obligation of the related borrower. They typically are the most subordinated debt obligation in |
an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine securities also may often be unsecured. Mezzanine securities therefore are subject to the additional risk that the cash flow of the related borrower and the property securing the loan may be insufficient to repay the scheduled obligation after giving effect to any senior obligations of the related borrower. Mezzanine securities are also expected to be a highly illiquid investment. Mezzanine securities will be subject to certain additional risks to the extent that such loans may not be protected by financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness. Investment in mezzanine securities is a highly specialized investment practice that depends more heavily on independent credit analysis than investments in other types of debt obligations. | |
■ | Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks — Mortgage-backed securities (residential and commercial) and asset-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Although asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) generally experience less prepayment than residential mortgage-backed securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, like traditional fixed-income securities, are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. |
Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-related securities, as well as additional risks associated with the nature of the assets and the servicing of those assets. These securities also are subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgage or assets, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Certain CMBS are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund’s investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks. | |
Mortgage-backed securities may be either pass-through securities or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”). Pass-through securities represent a right to receive principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages, which are passed through to security holders. CMOs are created by dividing the principal and interest payments collected on a pool of mortgages into several revenue streams (tranches) with different priority rights to portions of the underlying mortgage payments. Certain CMO tranches may represent a right to receive interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”) or an amount that remains after floating-rate tranches are paid (an inverse floater). These securities are frequently referred to as “mortgage derivatives” and may be extremely sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rates on inverse floaters, for example, vary inversely with a short-term floating rate (which may be reset periodically). Interest rates on inverse floaters will decrease when short-term rates increase, and will increase when short-term rates decrease. These securities have the effect of providing a degree of investment leverage. In response to changes in market interest rates or other market conditions, the value of an inverse floater may increase or decrease at a multiple of the increase or decrease in the value of the underlying securities. If the Fund invests in CMO tranches (including CMO tranches issued by government agencies) and interest rates move in a manner not anticipated by Fund management, it is possible that the Fund could lose all or substantially all of its investment. Certain mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest may also provide a degree of investment leverage, which could cause the Fund to lose all or substantially all of its investment. | |
The mortgage market in the United States has experienced difficulties that may adversely affect the performance and market value of certain of the Fund’s mortgage-related investments. Delinquencies and losses on mortgage loans (including subprime and second-lien mortgage loans) generally have increased and may continue to increase, and a decline in or flattening of real-estate values (as has been experienced and may continue to be experienced in many housing markets) may exacerbate such delinquencies and losses. Also, a number of mortgage loan originators have experienced serious financial difficulties or bankruptcy. Reduced investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor yield requirements have caused limited liquidity in the secondary market for mortgage-related securities, which can adversely affect the market value of mortgage-related securities. It is possible that such limited liquidity in such secondary markets could continue or worsen. | |
Asset-backed securities entail certain risks not presented by mortgage-backed securities, including the risk that in certain states it may be difficult to perfect the liens securing the collateral backing certain asset-backed securities. In addition, certain asset-backed securities are based on loans that are unsecured, which means that there is no collateral to seize if the underlying borrower defaults. | |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk (High Yield Fund) — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the 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, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk — Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Fund with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Fund, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Issuer Risk (Low Duration Fund) — Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. |
■ | Common Stock Risk (High Yield Fund) — Common stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of common stock will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of common stock purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities 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, the value 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. |
■ | Expense Risk — Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant. |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies are subject to market and selection risk. In addition, if the Fund acquires shares of investment companies, including ones affiliated with the Fund, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of expenses in the Fund (including management and advisory fees) and, indirectly, the expenses of the investment companies. To the extent the Fund is held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Fund itself to hold other investment companies may be limited. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk — When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Fund may lose both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price. |
Years Since Purchase | Sales Charge 1 |
0–1 | 4.00% |
1–2 | 4.00% |
2–3 | 3.00% |
3–4 | 3.00% |
4–5 | 2.00% |
5–6 | 1.00% |
6 and thereafter | 0.00% |
1 | The percentage charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption. Not all BlackRock Funds have identical deferred sales charge schedules. If you exchange your shares for shares of another BlackRock Fund, the original sales charge schedule will apply. |
■ | Redemptions of shares purchased through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and rollovers of current investments in the Fund through such plans; |
■ | Exchanges pursuant to the exchange privilege, as described in “How to Buy, Sell, Exchange and Transfer Shares — How to Exchange Shares or Transfer Your Account”; |
■ | Redemptions made in connection with minimum required distributions from IRA or 403(b)(7) accounts due to the shareholder reaching the age of 70½; |
■ | Certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan if you are over 59½ years old and you purchased your shares prior to October 2, 2006; |
■ | Redemptions made with respect to certain retirement plans sponsored by the Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate; |
■ | Redemptions resulting from shareholder 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); |
■ | 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; |
■ | Involuntary redemptions made of shares in accounts with low balances; |
■ | Certain redemptions made through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan offered by the Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate; |
■ | Redemptions related to the payment of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company custodial IRA fees; and |
■ | Redemptions when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship, in the absolute discretion of the Fund. |
■ | Responding to customer questions on the services performed by the Financial Intermediary and investments in Prime Shares; |
■ | Assisting customers in choosing and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and |
■ | Providing other similar shareholder liaison services. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
How to Pay for Shares (continued) | Making payment for purchases (continued) | Intermediary, but in no event later than 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the third business day 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 Intermediary will be responsible for any loss to the Fund. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full
or Partial
Redemption of Shares (continued) |
Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) |
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. 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.
***
Note on Expedited Redemptions:
Once authorization for expedited
redemptions is on file, a Fund will honor requests by telephone at (800) 441-7762. A Fund may alter the terms of or terminate this
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege | Selling shares of one fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) |
Investor
A1, B1, B3, C1, C2 and C3 Shares of the Funds may exchange out to Investor A, B or C Shares, respectively, of another BlackRock Fund.
|
Transfer
Shares to
Another Securities Dealer or Other Financial Intermediary |
Transfer to a participating securities dealer or Financial Intermediary | You may transfer your shares of the Fund only to another securities dealer 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 receiving firm. |
Transfer to a non-participating securities dealer or Financial Intermediary |
You
must either:
• Transfer your shares to an account with the Fund; or • Sell your shares, paying any applicable deferred sales charge. |
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 in another fund at BlackRock, the receiving fund must be open to new purchases. |
Systematic Exchange Plan | This feature can be used by investors to systematically exchange money from one fund to up to four other funds. | A minimum of $10,000 in the initial BlackRock Fund is required and investments in any additional funds must meet minimum initial investment requirements. For more information, please call (800) 441-7762. See “Exchange Privilege” for information on which classes of a Fund you may exchange into. |
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”) | This feature can be used by investors who want to receive regular distributions from their accounts. |
To
start a 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.
|
■ | Suspend the right of redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act; |
■ | Postpone the date of payment upon redemption if trading is halted or restricted on the NYSE or under other emergency conditions described in the Investment Company Act or 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. |
High Yield Fund | 0.41% |
Low Duration Fund | 0.32% |
Contractual
Caps
1
on Total Annual Fund
Operating Expenses* (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) |
|
High Yield Fund | |
Investor B1 Shares | 1.46% |
Investor C1 Shares | 1.56% |
Low Duration Fund | |
Investor A1 Shares | 0.60% |
Investor B3 Shares | 1.44% |
Investor C2 Shares | 0.94% |
Investor C3 Shares | 1.50% |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
James Keenan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2008 and Head of the Leveraged Finance Portfolio Team; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2007. |
Mitchell Garfin, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2008. |
David Delbos | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2014 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2012; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2011; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2006. |
Derek Schoenhofen | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2009 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2000 to 2005. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2008 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2009. |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2009. |
Investor B1 | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 | $ 6.68 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.39 | 0.42 | 0.43 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.17 | 0.26 | 0.80 | (0.31) 3 | 0.78 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.56 | 0.68 | 1.23 | 0.14 | 1.33 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.39) | (0.45) | (0.43) | (0.47) | (0.54) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.51) | (0.47) | (0.43) | (0.47) | (0.54) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.20 | $ 8.15 | $ 7.94 | $ 7.14 | $ 7.47 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 6.97% | 8.74% | 17.94% | 1.55% 6 | 20.50% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.64% 7 | 1.58% 7 | 1.58% 7,8 | 1.48% | 1.46% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.49% | 1.49% | 1.48% 8 | 1.44% | 1.46% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 1.46% | 1.46% | 1.46% | 1.44% | 1.46% |
Net investment income | 4.67% | 5.20% | 5.61% 8 | 5.88% | 7.73% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $4,796 | $9,009 | $20,236 | $32,194 | $15,694 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the year ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the ratio would have been 1.63% and 1.56%, respectively. There was no financial impact to the expense ratio for the year ended September 30, 2012. |
8 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
Investor C1 | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 1 | 2013 1 | 2012 1 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 8.17 | $ 7.95 | $ 7.15 | $ 7.48 | $ 6.69 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.39 | 0.42 | 0.42 | 0.44 | 0.54 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.16 | 0.27 | 0.80 | (0.31) 3 | 0.78 3 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.55 | 0.69 | 1.22 | 0.13 | 1.32 |
Distributions from: 4 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.39) | (0.45) | (0.42) | (0.46) | (0.53) |
Net realized gain | (0.12) | (0.02) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.51) | (0.47) | (0.42) | (0.46) | (0.53) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 8.21 | $ 8.17 | $ 7.95 | $ 7.15 | $ 7.48 |
Total Return 5 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 6.78% | 8.79% | 17.83% | 1.49% 6 | 20.34% 6 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.52% | 1.55% 7 | 1.59% 7,8 | 1.60% | 1.56% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.52% | 1.55% | 1.56% 8 | 1.52% | 1.56% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax | 1.50% | 1.52% | 1.54% | 1.52% | 1.55% |
Net investment income | 4.63% | 5.15% | 5.53% 8 | 5.77% | 7.55% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $79,613 | $88,458 | $100,404 | $104,579 | $26,266 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 87% | 84% | 69% | 91% | 113% |
1 | Consolidated Financial Highlights. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Includes redemption fees, which are less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
5 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
6 | Includes redemption fees received by the Fund, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return. |
7 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived fees for the years ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the ratio would have been 1.52% and 1.57%, respectively. |
8 | Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity. |
Investor A1 | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.72 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.58 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.39 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.20 | 0.20 | 0.23 | 0.27 | 0.29 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.02 | (0.10) | 0.25 | (0.14) | 0.35 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.22 | 0.10 | 0.48 | 0.13 | 0.64 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.20) | (0.23) | (0.26) | (0.32) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.19) | (0.21) | (0.23) | (0.26) | (0.32) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.75 | $ 9.72 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.58 | $ 9.71 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.33% | 0.98% | 5.12% | 1.36% | 6.89% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.81% 4 | 0.85% | 0.86% | 0.87% | 1.02% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.65% | 0.67% | 0.66% | 0.66% | 0.79% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.63% | 0.65% |
Net investment income | 2.09% | 2.08% | 2.43% | 2.82% | 3.06% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $18,617 | $20,196 | $22,846 | $24,295 | $24,987 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Investor B3 | ||||
Year Ended September 30, |
Period
July 18, 2011 1 to September 30, 2011 |
|||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.72 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.71 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.14 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.01 | (0.11) | 0.25 | (0.14) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.15 | 0.01 | 0.39 | (0.11) |
Distributions from: 3 | ||||
Net investment income | (0.13) | (0.11) | (0.13) | (0.03) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.13) | (0.12) | (0.13) | (0.03) |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.74 | $ 9.72 | $ 9.83 | $ 9.57 |
Total Return 4 | ||||
Based on net asset value | 1.55% | 0.08% | 4.23% | (1.13)% 5 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | ||||
Total expenses | 1.48% 6 | 1.74% | 1.77% | 1.81% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.35% | 1.59% | 1.62% | 1.63% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.34% | 1.56% | 1.60% | 1.62% 7 |
Net investment income | 1.41% | 1.20% | 1.42% | 1.71% 7 |
Supplemental Data | ||||
Net assets, end of period (000) | $ 851 | $2,752 | $6,146 | $12,837 |
Portfolio turnover rate 8 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% |
1 | Commencement of operations. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
4 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
5 | Aggregate total return. |
6 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
7 | Annualized. |
8 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Investor C2 | |||||
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Per Share Operating Performance | |||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 | $ 9.38 |
Net investment income 1 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.21 | 0.25 | 0.27 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.02 | (0.10) | 0.24 | (0.14) | 0.34 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.19 | 0.07 | 0.45 | 0.11 | 0.61 |
Distributions from: 2 | |||||
Net investment income | (0.16) | (0.17) | (0.20) | (0.24) | (0.29) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.16) | (0.18) | (0.20) | (0.24) | (0.29) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.74 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.57 | $ 9.70 |
Total Return 3 | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.00% | 0.67% | 4.81% | 1.07% | 6.60% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.11% 4 | 1.12% | 1.12% | 1.13% | 1.27% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.97% | 0.98% | 0.96% | 0.96% | 1.08% |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 0.96% | 0.94% | 0.94% | 0.93% | 0.93% |
Net investment income | 1.77% | 1.78% | 2.13% | 2.54% | 2.78% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $7,939 | $11,905 | $13,838 | $15,448 | $18,151 |
Portfolio turnover rate 5 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% | 140% |
1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Includes recoupment of past waived fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
5 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% | 126% |
Investor C3 | ||||
Year Ended September 30, |
Period
July 18, 2011 1 to September 30, 2011 |
|||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.71 |
Net investment income 2 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.04 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.01 | (0.11) | 0.25 | (0.16) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.39 | (0.12) |
Distributions from: 3 | ||||
Net investment income | (0.11) | (0.11) | (0.13) | (0.03) |
Return of capital | — | (0.01) | — | — |
Total distributions | (0.11) | (0.12) | (0.13) | (0.03) |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.73 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.56 |
Total Return 4 | ||||
Based on net asset value | 1.30% | 0.09% | 4.23% | (1.12)% 5 |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | ||||
Total expenses | 1.69% 6 | 1.70% | 1.77% | 1.73% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.56% | 1.56% | 1.61% | 1.55% 7 |
Total expenses after fees waived, reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense | 1.55% | 1.52% | 1.60% | 1.54% 7 |
Net investment income | 1.18% | 1.20% | 1.46% | 1.78% 7 |
Supplemental Data | ||||
Net assets, end of period (000) | $26,209 | $30,075 | $35,383 | $40,361 |
Portfolio turnover rate 8 | 269% | 301% | 203% | 280% |
1 | Commencement of operations. |
2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
3 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
4 | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
5 | Aggregate total return. |
6 | Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. There was no financial impact to the expense ratios. |
7 | Annualized. |
8 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows: |
Year Ended September 30, |
Period
July 18, 2011 to September 30, 2011 |
|||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | ||
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs) | 194% | 239% | 172% | 184% |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
Class |
BlackRock
High
Yield Bond Portfolio Ticker Symbol |
BlackRock
Low
Duration Bond Portfolio Ticker Symbol |
BlackRock
Core Bond Portfolio Ticker Symbol |
|||
Investor A
Shares
|
BHYAX | BLDAX | BCBAX | |||
Investor A1
Shares
|
— | CMGAX | — | |||
Investor B
Shares
|
BHYBX | BLDBX | BCIBX | |||
Investor B1
Shares
|
BHYDX | — | — | |||
Investor B3
Shares
|
— | BLDGX | — | |||
Investor C
Shares
|
BHYCX | BLDCX | BCBCX | |||
Investor C1
Shares
|
BHYEX | — | — | |||
Investor C2
Shares
|
— | CLDCX | — | |||
Investor C3
Shares
|
— | BLDFX | — | |||
Institutional
Shares
|
BHYIX | BFMSX | BFMCX | |||
BlackRock
Shares
|
BRHYX | CLDBX | CCBBX | |||
Service
Shares
|
BHYSX | CMGBX | CMCBX | |||
Class R
Shares
|
BHYRX | BLDPX | BCBRX |
High
Yield
Bond Portfolio |
Low
Duration
Bond Portfolio |
Core
Bond Portfolio |
|
Options on Securities and Securities Indices | X | X | X |
Call Options | See note 1 below | See note 1 below | See note 1 below |
Put Options | See note 1 below | See note 1 below | See note 1 below |
Options on Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) Certificates | X | X | |
Futures | X | X | X |
Risks Associated with Futures | X | X | X |
Foreign Exchange Transactions | X | X | X |
Forward Foreign Exchange Transactions | X | X | X |
Currency Futures | X | X | X |
Currency Options | X | X | X |
Currency Swaps | X | X | X |
Limitations on Currency Transactions | X | X | X |
Risk Factors in Hedging Foreign Currency | X | X | X |
Risk Factors in Derivatives | X | X | X |
Credit Risk | X | X | X |
Currency Risk | X | X | X |
Leverage Risk | X | X | X |
Liquidity Risk | X | X | X |
Correlation Risk | X | X | X |
Index Risk | X | X | X |
Additional Risk Factors of OTC Transactions; Limitations on the Use of OTC Derivatives | X | X | X |
Distressed Securities | X | ||
Dollar Rolls | X | X | X |
Equity Securities | X | X | X |
Exchange Traded Notes (“ETNs”) | |||
Foreign Investment Risks | X | X | X |
Foreign Market Risk | X | X | X |
Foreign Economy Risk | X | X | X |
Currency Risk and Exchange Risk | X | X | X |
Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards | X | X | X |
Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States | X | X | X |
Publicly Available Information | X | X | X |
Settlement Risk | X | X | X |
Funding Agreements | X | X | X |
Guarantees | X | X | X |
Illiquid or Restricted Securities | X | X | X |
Inflation-Indexed Bonds | X | X | |
Inflation Risk | X | X | X |
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Risk | X | X | X |
Investment Grade Debt Obligations | X | X | X |
Investment in Emerging Markets | X | X | X |
Brady Bonds | X | ||
Investment in Other Investment Companies | X | X | X |
Exchange Traded Funds | X | X | |
Junk Bonds | X | X | |
Lease Obligations | X | X | X |
Liquidity Management | X | X | X |
Master Limited Partnerships | X | X | |
Mezzanine Investments | X | X | |
Money Market Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks | X | X | X |
Money Market Securities | X | X | X |
High
Yield
Bond Portfolio |
Low
Duration
Bond Portfolio |
Core
Bond Portfolio |
|
Mortgage-Related Securities | X | X | X |
Mortgage-Backed Securities | X | X | X |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) | X | X | X |
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities | X | X | |
CMO Residuals | |||
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities | X | ||
Tiered Index Bonds | |||
TBA Commitments | X | X | X |
Municipal Investments | X | X | |
Risk Factors and Special Considerations Relating to Municipal Bonds | X | X | |
Description of Municipal Bonds | X | X | |
General Obligation Bonds | X | X | |
Revenue Bonds | X | X | |
Private Activity Bonds (“PABs”) | X | X | |
Moral Obligation Bonds | X | X | |
Municipal Notes | X | X | |
Municipal Commercial Paper | X | X | |
Municipal Lease Obligations | X | X | |
Tender Option Bonds | X | X | X |
Yields | X | ||
Variable Rate Demand Obligations (“VRDOs”) and Participating VRDOs | X | X | X |
Transactions in Financial Futures Contracts | X | X | |
Call Rights | X | ||
Municipal Interest Rate Swap Transactions | X | ||
Insured Municipal Bonds | X | ||
Build America Bonds | X | X | X |
Participation Notes | |||
Pay-in-kind Bonds | X | X | X |
Portfolio Turnover Rates | X | X | X |
Preferred Stock | X | ||
Real Estate Related Securities | |||
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) | X | X | X |
Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts | X | X | X |
Reverse Repurchase Agreements | X | X | X |
Rights Offerings and Warrants to Purchase | X | X | X |
Securities Lending | X | X | X |
Short Sales | See note 2 below | See note 2 below | See note 2 below |
Sovereign Debt | X | X | X |
Standby Commitment Agreements | |||
Stripped Securities | X | X | X |
Structured Notes | X | X | X |
Supranational Entities | X | X | X |
Tax-Exempt Derivatives | |||
Tax-Exempt Preferred Shares | |||
Taxability Risk | |||
Trust Preferred Securities | X | ||
U.S. Government Obligations | X | X | X |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | X | X | |
Utility Industries | X | X | |
When Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments | X | X | X |
Yields and Ratings | X | X | X |
Zero Coupon Securities | X | X | X |
1 | The Fund may purchase (but not write) interest rate options. |
2 | The Fund may only make short sales against the box and with respect to futures contracts and related options. |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Independent Trustees | ||
James H. Bodurtha | James H. Bodurtha has served for more than 22 years on the boards of registered investment companies, most recently as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including as Chairman of the Board of certain of the legacy-Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) funds. Prior thereto, Mr. Bodurtha was counsel to and a member of the Board of a smaller bank-sponsored mutual funds group. In addition, Mr. Bodurtha is a member of, and previously served as Chairman of, the Independent Directors Council and served for 11 years as an independent director on the Board of Governors of the Investment Company Institute. He also has more than 30 years of executive management and business experience through his work as a consultant and as the chairman of the board of a privately-held company. In addition, Mr. Bodurtha has more than 20 years of legal experience as a corporate attorney and partner in a law firm, where his practice included counseling registered investment companies and their boards. | |
Bruce R. Bond | Bruce R. Bond has served for approximately 17 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including the legacy-BlackRock funds and the State Street Research Mutual Funds. He also has executive management and business experience, having served as president and chief executive officer of several communications networking companies. Mr. Bond also has corporate governance experience from his service as a director of a computer equipment company. |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Donald W. Burton | Donald W. Burton has served for approximately 28 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including the legacy-MLIM and Raymond James funds. He also has more than 30 years of investment management business experience, having served as the managing general partner of an investment partnership, and a member of the Investment Advisory Council of the Florida State Board of Administration. In addition, Mr. Burton has corporate governance experience, having served as a board member of publicly-held financial, health-care, and telecommunications companies. | |
The
Honorable
Stuart E. Eizenstat |
The Honorable Stuart E. Eizenstat has served for approximately 13 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including the legacy-BlackRock funds. He served as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business & Agricultural Affairs, and Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury during the Clinton Administration. He was Director of the White House Domestic Policy Staff and Chief Domestic Policy Adviser to President Carter. In addition, Mr. Eizenstat is a practicing attorney and Head of the International Practice at a major international law firm. Mr. Eizenstat has business and executive management experience and corporate governance experience through his service on the advisory boards and corporate boards of publicly-held consumer, energy, environmental delivery, metallurgical and telecommunications companies. Mr. Eizenstat has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable SEC rules. | |
Kenneth A. Froot | Kenneth A. Froot has served for approximately 19 years on the boards of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including the legacy-MLIM funds. The Equity-Bond Board benefits from Mr. Froot’s years of academic experience, having served as a professor of finance at Harvard University since 1992 and teaching courses on capital markets, international finance, and risk management. Mr. Froot has published numerous articles and books on a range of topics, including, among others, the financing of risk, risk management, the global financial system, currency analysis, foreign investing, and investment style strategies. He has served as a director of research for Harvard Business School for approximately 6 years, and as a managing partner of an investment partnership. In addition, Mr. Froot has served as a consultant to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, and served on the staff of the US President’s Council of Economic Advisers and the Economic Advisory Board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. | |
Robert M. Hernandez | Robert M. Hernandez has served for approximately 20 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as Chairman of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Audit and Nominating/Governance Committees of its predecessor funds, including certain legacy-BlackRock funds. Mr. Hernandez has business and executive experience through his service as group president, chief financial officer, Chairman and vice chairman, among other positions, of publicly-held energy, steel, and metal companies. He has served as a director of other public companies in various industries throughout his career. He also has broad corporate governance experience, having served as a board member of publicly-held energy, insurance, chemicals, metals and electronics companies. Mr. Hernandez has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable SEC rules. |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
John F. O’Brien | John F. O’Brien has served for approximately 9 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including the legacy-MLIM funds. He also has investment management experience, having served as the president, director, and chairman of the board of an investment management firm and a life insurance company. Mr. O’Brien also has broad corporate governance and audit committee experience, having served as a board member and audit committee member of publicly-held financial, medical, energy, chemical, retail, life insurance, and auto parts manufacturing companies, and as a director of a not-for-profit organization. | |
Roberta Cooper Ramo | Roberta Cooper Ramo has served for approximately 14 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including the legacy-MLIM funds. She is a practicing attorney and shareholder in a law firm for more than 30 years. Ms. Ramo has oversight experience through her service as chairman of the board of a retail company and as president of the American Bar Association and the American Law Institute and as President, for 2 years, and Member of the Board of Regents, for 6 years, of the University of New Mexico. She also has corporate governance experience, having served on the boards of United New Mexico Bank and the First National Bank of New Mexico and on the boards of non-profit organizations. | |
David H. Walsh | David H. Walsh has served for approximately 11 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including the legacy-MLIM funds. Mr. Walsh has investment management experience, having served as a consultant with Putnam Investments (“Putnam”) from 1993 to 2003, and employed in various capacities at Putnam from 1971 to 1992. He has oversight experience, serving as the director of an academic institute, and a board member of various not-for-profit organizations. | |
Fred G. Weiss | Fred G. Weiss has served for approximately 16 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the Board of the Equity-Bond Complex and its predecessor funds, including as Chairman of the board of certain of the legacy-MLIM funds. He also has more than 30 years of business and executive management experience, having served in senior executive positions of two public companies where he was involved in both strategic planning and corporate development, as Chairman of the Committee on Investing Employee Assets (CIBA) and as a managing director of an investment consulting firm. Mr. Weiss also has corporate governance experience, having served as a board member of a publicly-held global technology company and a pharmaceutical company, and as a director of a not-for-profit foundation. Mr. Weiss has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable SEC rules. |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Interested Trustees | ||
Robert Fairbairn | Robert Fairbairn has more than 20 years of experience with BlackRock, Inc. and over 28 years in finance and asset management. In particular, Mr. Fairbairn’s positions as Senior Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc., Global Head of BlackRock’s Retail and iShares businesses, and Member of BlackRock’s Global Executive and Global Operating Committees provide the Board with a wealth of practical business knowledge and leadership. In addition, Mr. Fairbairn has global investment management and oversight experience through his former positions as Head of BlackRock’s Global Client Group and Chairman of BlackRock’s international businesses. Prior to joining BlackRock, Mr. Fairbairn was Senior Vice President and Head of the EMEA Pacific region at MLIM, a member of the MLIM Executive Committee, head of the EMEA Sales Division and Chief Operating Officer of the EMEA Pacific region. |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Henry Gabbay | Henry Gabbay’s many years of experience in finance provide the Board with a wealth of practical business knowledge and leadership. In particular, Mr. Gabbay’s experience as a Consultant for and Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc., Chief Administrative Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and President of BlackRock Funds provides the Fund with greater insight into the analysis and evaluation of both its existing investment portfolios and potential future investments as well as enhanced oversight of their investment decisions and investment valuation processes. In addition, Mr. Gabbay’s former positions as Chief Administrative Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and as Treasurer of certain closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fund Complex provide the Board with direct knowledge of the operations of the BlackRock-advised Funds and their investment adviser. Mr. Gabbay’s previous service on and long-standing relationship with the Board also provide him with a specific understanding of the BlackRock-advised Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the BlackRock-advised Funds. | |
John M. Perlowski | Mr. Perlowski’s experience as Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009, as the Global Head of BlackRock Fund Administration since 2009, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the BlackRock-advised Funds provides him with a strong understanding of the BlackRock-advised Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the BlackRock-advised Funds. Mr. Perlowski’s prior position as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Product Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and his former service as Treasurer and Senior Vice President of the Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds and as Director of the Goldman Sachs Offshore Funds provides the Boards with the benefit of his experience with the management practices of other financial companies. |
Name,
Address
and Year of Birth |
Position(s)
Held with Trust |
Length
of Time Served 1,2 |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen |
Public
Company and Investment Company Directorships |
|||||
Independent Trustees | ||||||||||
James
H. Bodurtha
3
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Director, The China Business Group, Inc. (consulting and investing firm) from 1996 to 2013 and Executive Vice President thereof from 1996 to 2003; Chairman of the Board, Berkshire Holding Corporation since 1980. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None | |||||
Bruce
R. Bond
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Trustee and Member of the Governance Committee, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 1997 to 2005; Board Member of Governance, Audit and Finance Committee, Avaya Inc. (computer equipment) from 2003 to 2007. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None |
Name,
Address
and Year of Birth |
Position(s)
Held with Trust |
Length
of Time Served 1,2 |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen |
Public
Company and Investment Company Directorships |
|||||
Donald
W. Burton
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Managing General Partner, The Burton Partnership, LP (an investment partnership) since 1979; Managing General Partner, The Burton Partnership (QP), LP (an investment partnership) since 2000; Managing General Partner, The South Atlantic Venture Funds from 1983 to 2012; Director, IDology, Inc. (technology solutions) since 2006; Director, Knology, Inc. (telecommunications) from 1996 to 2012; Director, Capital Southwest (financial) from 2006 to 2012. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None | |||||
Honorable
Stuart E. Eizenstat
4
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Partner and Head of International Practice, Covington and Burling LLP (law firm) since 2001; International Advisory Board Member, The Coca-Cola Company from 2002 to 2011; Advisory Board Member, Veracity Worldwide LLC (risk management) from 2007 to 2012; Member of the International Advisory Board GML Ltd. (energy) since 2003; Advisory Board Member, BT Americas (telecommunications) from 2004 to 2009. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
Alcatel-Lucent
(telecommunications); Global Specialty Metallurgical; UPS Corporation (delivery service) |
|||||
Kenneth
A. Froot
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Professor, Harvard University from 1993 to 2012. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None | |||||
Robert
M. Hernandez
5
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Director, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of USX Corporation (energy and steel business) from 1991 to 2001; Director, TE Connectivity (electronics) from 2006 to 2012. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
ACE
Limited
(insurance company); Eastman Chemical Company; RTI International Metals, Inc. |
|||||
John
F. O’Brien
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Chairman, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute since 2009 and Trustee thereof from 2003 to 2009. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
Cabot
Corporation
(chemicals); LKQ Corporation (auto parts manufacturing); TJX Companies, Inc. (retailer) |
|||||
Roberta
Cooper Ramo
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Shareholder and Attorney, Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk, P.A. (law firm) since 1993; Chairman of the Board, Cooper’s Inc. (retail) since 1999; Director, ECMC Group (service provider to students, schools and lenders) since 2001; President, The American Law Institute (non-profit) since 2008; Vice President, Santa Fe Opera (non-profit), since 2011; Chair, Think New Mexico (non-profit), since 2013. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None | |||||
David
H. Walsh
6
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Director, National Museum of Wildlife Art since 2007; Trustee, University of Wyoming Foundation from 2008 to 2012; Director, The American Museum of Fly Fishing since 1997. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None |
Name,
Address
and Year of Birth |
Position(s)
Held with Trust |
Length
of Time Served 1,2 |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen |
Public
Company and Investment Company Directorships |
|||||
Fred
G. Weiss
7
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Managing Director, FGW Associates (consulting and investment company) since 1997; Director, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research since 2000; Director, BTG International plc (medical technology commercialization company) from 2001 to 2007. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
Actavis
plc
(Pharmaceuticals) |
|||||
Interested Trustees 8 | ||||||||||
Robert
Fairbairn
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2015 to present | Senior Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Global Head of BlackRock’s Retail and iShares businesses since 2012; Member of BlackRock’s Global Executive and Global Operating Committees; Head of BlackRock’s Global Client Group from 2009 to 2012; Chairman of BlackRock’s international businesses from 2007 to 2010. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None | |||||
Henry
Gabbay
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee | 2007 to present | Consultant, BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2008; Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. from 1989 to 2007; Chief Administrative Officer, BlackRock Advisors, LLC from 1998 to 2007; President of BlackRock Funds and BlackRock Allocation Target Shares (formerly, 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. | 29 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | None | |||||
John
M. Perlowski
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Trustee,
President and
Chief Executive Officer |
2015 to present (Trustee); 2010 to present (President and Chief Executive Officer) | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Global Head of BlackRock Fund Administration since 2009; Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Product Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. from 2003 to 2009; Treasurer of Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds from 2003 to 2009 and Senior Vice President thereof from 2007 to 2009; Director of Goldman Sachs Offshore Funds from 2002 to 2009; Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009. | 108 RICs consisting of 176 Portfolios | None |
1 | Each Trustee holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Trust’s by-laws or charter or statute. In no event may an Independent Trustee hold office beyond December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 74. In no event may an Interested Trustee hold office beyond December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 72. |
2 | Following the combination of 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 certain Trustees as joining the Trust’s board in 2007, each Trustee first became a member of the Board of Directors/Trustees of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock Funds as follows: James H. Bodurtha, 1995; Bruce R. Bond, 2005; Donald W. Burton, 2002; Honorable Stuart E. Eizenstat, 2001; Kenneth A. Froot, 2005; Robert M. Hernandez, 1996; John F. O’Brien, 2005; Roberta Cooper Ramo, 1999; David H. Walsh, 2003; and Fred G. Weiss, 1998. |
3 | Chairman of the Compliance Committee. |
4 | Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee. |
5 | Chairman of the Board of Trustees. |
6 | Chairman of the Performance Committee. |
7 | Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Audit Committee. |
8 | Messrs. Fairbairn and Perlowski are both “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Trust based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Gabbay may be deemed an “interested person” of the Trust based on his former positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Gabbay does not currently serve as an officer or employee of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates or own any securities of BlackRock, Inc. or The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Mr. Gabbay is a non-management Interested Trustee. |
Name,
Address
and Year of Birth |
Position(s)
Held with the Trust |
Length
of
Time Served 1 |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen |
Public
Company and Investment Company Directorships |
|||||
Trust Officers | ||||||||||
Jennifer
McGovern
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Vice President | 2014 to present | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2011; Head of Product Structure and Oversight for BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Group since 2013; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2008 to 2010. | 62 RICs consisting of 250 Portfolios | None | |||||
Neal
J. Andrews
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Chief
Financial Officer |
2007 to present | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. from 1992 to 2006. | 141 RICs consisting of 329 Portfolios | None | |||||
Jay
M. Fife
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Treasurer | 2007 to present | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007; Director of BlackRock, Inc. in 2006; Assistant Treasurer of the MLIM and Fund Asset Management, L.P. advised funds from 2005 to 2006; Director of MLIM Fund Services Group from 2001 to 2006. | 141 RICs consisting of 329 Portfolios | None | |||||
Charles
Park
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Chief
Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
2014 to present | Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex since 2014; Principal of and Chief Compliance Officer for iShares ® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC since 2012 and BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for the BFA-advised iShares exchange traded funds since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. since 2012. | 147 RICs consisting of 624 Portfolios | None | |||||
Benjamin
Archibald
55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055 |
Secretary | 2012 to present | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2014; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2010 to 2013; Assistant Secretary of the BlackRock-advised Funds from 2010 to 2012; General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of Uhuru Capital Management from 2009 to 2010; Executive Director and Counsel of Goldman Sachs Asset Management from 2005 to 2009. | 62 RICs consisting of 250 Portfolios | None |
1 | Officers of the Trust serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees. |
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the High Yield Bond Portfolio |
Aggregate)
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
Aggregate)
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Core Bond Portfolio |
Aggregate
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in BlackRock-Advised Funds |
||||
Interested Trustees 1 | ||||||||
Robert
Fairbairn
2
|
$10,001 - $50,000 | None | None | $50,001 - $100,000 | ||||
Henry Gabbay
|
$50,001 - $100,000 | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
John
Perlowski
2
|
None | Over $100,000 | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Independent Trustees | ||||||||
James H. Bodurtha
|
$10,001 - $50,000 | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Bruce R. Bond
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Donald W. Burton
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Honorable Stuart E. Eizenstat
|
None | $1 - $10,000 | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Kenneth A. Froot
|
None | None | None | $50,001 - $100,000 | ||||
Robert M. Hernandez
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
John F. O’Brien
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Roberta Cooper Ramo
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
David H. Walsh
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Fred G. Weiss
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 |
1 | Trustees are eligible to purchase Institutional Shares of each Fund. |
2 | Each of Messrs. Fairbairn and Perlowski was appointed to serve as a Trustee of the Trust effective January 1, 2015. |
Name 1 |
Aggregate
Compensation from the High Yield Bond Portfolio |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Core Bond Portfolio |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon Retirement |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Funds and Other BlackRock- Advised Funds |
|||||
Interested Trustees: 2 | ||||||||||
Paul L.
Audet
3
|
None | None | None | None | None | |||||
Laurence D.
Fink
3
|
None | None | None | None | None | |||||
Robert
Fairbairn
4
|
None | None | None | None | None | |||||
Henry
Gabbay
|
$10,894 | $3,509 | $2,764 | None | $640,000 | |||||
John M.
Perlowski
4
|
None | None | None | None | None |
Name 1 |
Aggregate
Compensation from the High Yield Bond Portfolio |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Core Bond Portfolio |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon Retirement |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Funds and Other BlackRock- Advised Funds |
|||||
Independent Trustees: | ||||||||||
James H.
Bodurtha
5
|
$17,109 | $5,612 | $4,572 | None | $340,000 | |||||
Bruce R. Bond
|
$14,528 | $4,948 | $4,081 | None | $305,000 | |||||
Donald W.
Burton
|
$14,528 | $4,948 | $4,081 | None | $305,000 | |||||
Honorable Stuart E.
Eizenstat
6
|
$17,109 | $5,612 | $4,572 | None | $340,000 | |||||
Kenneth A.
Froot
|
$14,528 | $4,948 | $4,081 | None | $280,000 | |||||
Robert M.
Hernandez
7
|
$23,007 | $7,130 | $5,694 | None | $420,000 | |||||
John F. O’Brien
|
$14,528 | $4,948 | $4,081 | None | $305,000 | |||||
Roberta Cooper
Ramo
|
$14,528 | $4,948 | $4,081 | None | $305,000 | |||||
David H.
Walsh
8
|
$17,109 | $5,612 | $4,572 | None | $340,000 | |||||
Fred G. Weiss
9
|
$19,689 | $6,276 | $5,063 | None | $375,000 |
1 | For the number of BlackRock-advised funds from which each Trustee receives compensation see the Biographical Information Chart beginning on page I-11. |
2 | Messrs. Fairbairn and Perlowski receive no compensation from the BlackRock-advised Funds for their service as a Trustee. Mr. Gabbay receives compensation from the BlackRock-advised Funds for his service as a non-management Interested Trustee. Mr. Gabbay began receiving compensation from the BlackRock-advised Funds for his service as a Trustee effective January 1, 2009. |
3 | Each of Messrs. Audet and Fink resigned as a Trustee of the Trust and as a director of all other BlackRock-advised Funds effective December 31, 2014. |
4 | Each of Messrs. Fairbairn and Perlowski was appointed to serve as a Trustee of the Trust effective January 1, 2015. |
5 | Chairman of the Compliance Committee. |
6 | Chairman of the Governance Committee. |
7 | Chairman of the Board of Trustees. |
8 | Chairman of the Performance Committee. |
9 | Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Audit Committee. |
Rate
of
Management Fee |
||||||
Average Daily Net Assets | High Yield Fund | Low Duration Fund | Core Bond Fund | |||
First $1
billion
|
0.500% | 0.350% | 0.350% | |||
$1 billion – $2
billion
|
0.450% | 0.340% | 0.340% | |||
$2 billion – $3
billion
|
0.425% | 0.330% | 0.330% | |||
Greater than $3
billion
|
0.400% | 0.320% | 0.320% |
Funds | Fees Paid | Waivers | Reimbursements | |||
High Yield Bond Portfolio
|
$56,503,051 | $ 129,000 | $540,511 | |||
Low Duration Bond Portfolio
|
15,880,848 | 4,514,154 | 780,794 | |||
Core Bond Portfolio
|
11,616,294 | 2,803,783 | 497,624 |
Funds | Fees Paid | Waivers | Reimbursements | |||
High Yield Bond Portfolio
|
$43,547,683 | $ 105,492 | $1,146,390 | |||
Low Duration Bond Portfolio
|
12,916,533 | 3,844,170 | 469,128 | |||
Core Bond Portfolio
|
13,943,290 | 3,135,405 | 510,422 |
Funds | Fees Paid | Waivers | Reimbursements | |||
High Yield Bond Portfolio
|
$29,739,905 | $ 279,590 | $1,755,605 | |||
Low Duration Bond Portfolio
|
10,051,936 | 3,371,059 | 618,671 | |||
Core Bond Portfolio
|
14,871,676 | 3,521,365 | 573,557 |
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
High
Yield Bond
Portfolio |
Low
Duration Bond
Portfolio |
Core
Bond
Portfolio |
|||
2014*
|
$22,946,594 | $ 5,303,547 | $4,250,591 | |||
2013
|
$20,629,125 | $$4,317,982 | $1,422,657 | |||
2012
|
$10,817,085 | $ 2,508,575 | $4,168,058 |
Funds | Fees Paid | Waivers | ||
High Yield Bond
Portfolio
|
$9,028,842 | $270,485 | ||
Low Duration Bond Portfolio
|
2,758,339 | 470,400 | ||
Core Bond Portfolio
|
2,072,477 | 362,379 |
Funds | Fees Paid | Waivers | ||
High Yield Bond Portfolio
|
$7,063,769 | $288,695 | ||
Low Duration Bond Portfolio
|
2,284,541 | 361,613 | ||
Core Bond Portfolio
|
2,437,173 | 383,912 |
Funds | Fees Paid | Waivers | ||
High Yield Bond Portfolio
|
$4,937,764 | $360,230 | ||
Low Duration Bond Portfolio
|
1,836,274 | 409,979 | ||
Core Bond Portfolio
|
2,594,251 | 445,552 |
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
High
Yield
Bond Portfolio |
Low
Duration
Bond Portfolio |
Core
Bond
Portfolio |
|||
2014
|
$101,808 | $18,947 | $14,525 | |||
2013
|
$333,834 | $20,969 | $30,002 | |||
2012
|
$215,586 | $14,163 | $68,747 |
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 |
Thomas Musmanno, CFA | 12 | 14 | 168 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
$4.84 Billion | $4.68 Billion | $48.23 Billion | $0 | $1.90 Billion | $0 | |
Scott MacLellan, CFA | 11 | 14 | 174 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
$4.37 Billion | $4.68 Billion | $54.11 Billion | $0 | $1.90 Billion | $92.71 Million |
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 |
Rick Rieder | 8 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
$30.00 Billion | $1.87 Billion | $677.7 Million | $0 | $27.03 Million | $210.9 Million | |
Bob Miller | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
$31.01 Billion | $5.14 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Portfolio Manager | Applicable Benchmarks | |
James
Keenan, CFA
Mitchell Garfin, CFA David Delbos Derek Schoenhofen |
A combination of market-based indices (e.g., The Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups. | |
Thomas
Musmanno, CFA
Scott MacLellan, CFA |
A combination of market-based indices (e.g., Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate & Government Index, 1-3 Years), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups. | |
Rick
Rieder
Bob Miller |
A combination of market-based indices (e.g., Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups. |
Portfolio Manager | Fund(s) Managed |
Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities Beneficially Owned |
||
Mitchell Garfin
|
High Yield Bond Portfolio | $50,001-$100,000 | ||
James Keenan
|
High Yield Bond Portfolio | Over $1 Million | ||
David Delbos
|
High Yield Bond Portfolio | $100,001-$500,000 | ||
Scott
MacLellan
|
Low Duration Bond Portfolio | None | ||
Bob Miller
|
Core Bond Portfolio | $100,001-$500,000 | ||
Thomas Musmanno
|
Low Duration Bond Portfolio | $100,001-$500,000 | ||
Rick Rieder
|
Core Bond Portfolio | None | ||
Derek Schoenhofen
|
High Yield Bond Portfolio | $50,001-$100,000 |
Investor A Shares | ||||||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
Gross
Sales
Charges Collected |
Sales
Charges
Retained by BRIL |
Sales
Charges
Paid to Affiliates |
CDSCs
Received on
Redemption of Load-Waived Shares |
||||
2014
|
$3,636,958 | $271,916 | $271,916 | $ 56,564 | ||||
2013
|
$3,714,761 | $298,897 | $298,899 | $143,214 | ||||
2012
|
$3,711,700 | $287,404 | $287,427 | $ 88,750 |
Investor B Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$3,703 | $3,703 | ||
2013
|
$7,013 | $7,013 | ||
2012
|
$5,985 | $5,985 |
Investor B1 Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$ 163 | $ 163 | ||
2013
|
$1,384 | $1,384 | ||
2012
|
$2,878 | $2,878 |
Investor C Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$108,334 | $108,334 | ||
2013
|
$128,151 | $128,151 | ||
2012
|
$ 75,525 | $ 75,525 |
Investor C1 Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$ 33 | $ 33 | ||
2013
|
$ 463 | $ 463 | ||
2012
|
$1,233 | $1,233 |
Investor A Shares | ||||||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
Gross
Sales
Charges Collected |
Sales
Charges
Retained by BRIL |
Sales
Charges
Paid to Affiliates |
CDSCs
Received on
Redemption of Load-Waived Shares |
||||
2014
|
$ 977,688 | $128,324 | $128,324 | $64,413 | ||||
2013
|
$1,127,895 | $158,310 | $158,310 | $51,651 | ||||
2012
|
$ 723,385 | $ 98,388 | $ 98,388 | $23,834 |
Investor B Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$2,078 | $2,078 | ||
2013
|
$4,448 | $4,448 | ||
2012
|
$3,462 | $3,462 |
Investor B3 Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$ 424 | $ 424 | ||
2013
|
$3,825 | $3,825 | ||
2012
|
$2,086 | $2,086 |
Investor C Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$99,052 | $99,052 | ||
2013
|
$71,773 | $71,773 | ||
2012
|
$63,789 | $63,789 |
Investor C2 Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$36 | $36 | ||
2013
|
$ 0 | $ 0 | ||
2012
|
$ 1 | $ 1 |
Investor C3 Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$ 79 | $ 79 | ||
2013
|
$169 | $169 | ||
2012
|
$126 | $126 |
Investor A Shares | ||||||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
Gross
Sales
Charges Collected |
Sales
Charges
Retained by BRIL |
Sales
Charges
Paid to Affiliates |
CDSCs
Received on
Redemption of Load- Waived Shares |
||||
2014
|
$ 259,748 | $ 19,915 | $ 19,931 | $ 1,895 | ||||
2013
|
$ 756,027 | $ 55,045 | $ 55,061 | $18,946 | ||||
2012
|
$2,066,846 | $144,887 | $144,903 | $29,443 |
Investor B Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$1,239 | $1,239 | ||
2013
|
$8,357 | $8,357 | ||
2012
|
$9,364 | $9,364 |
Investor C Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2014
|
$ 8,288 | $ 8,288 | ||
2013
|
$37,728 | $37,728 | ||
2012
|
$51,132 | $51,132 |
Class Name | Paid to BRIL | |
Investor A
Shares
|
$10,525,478 | |
Investor B Shares
|
$ 34,587 | |
Investor B1 Shares
|
$ 52,154 | |
Investor C Shares
|
$ 5,921,040 | |
Investor C1 Shares
|
$ 686,127 | |
Class R Shares
|
$ 306,372 | |
Service Shares
|
$ 984,200 |
Class Name | Paid to BRIL | |
Investor A Shares
|
$4,032,167 | |
Investor A1 Shares
|
$ 19,580 | |
Investor B
Shares
|
$ 20,850 | |
Investor B3 Shares
|
$ 15,978 | |
Investor C Shares
|
$3,125,354 | |
Investor C2 Shares
|
$ 35,319 | |
Investor C3 Shares
|
$ 252,807 | |
Class R Shares
|
$ 23,036 | |
Service Shares
|
$ 569,208 |
Class Name | Paid to BRIL | |
Investor A Shares
|
$1,262,665 | |
Investor B Shares
|
$ 21,265 | |
Investor C Shares
|
$1,294,861 | |
Class R Shares
|
$ 11,704 | |
Service Shares
|
$ 490,441 |
High
Yield
Bond Portfolio Investor A Shares |
Low
Duration
Bond Portfolio Investor A Shares |
Core
Bond
Portfolio Investor A Shares |
|||
Net Assets
|
$3,120,217,126 | $1,472,352,135 | $507,914,651 | ||
Number of Shares Outstanding
|
380,625,386 | 151,225,664 | 52,691,124 | ||
Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares
outstanding)
|
$8.20 | $9.74 | $9.64 | ||
Sales Charge (for Investor A Shares: 4.00% of offering price for High Yield Bond Portfolio, and Core Bond Portfolio; 2.25% for Low Duration Bond
Portfolio)
1
|
$0.34 | $0.22 | $0.40 | ||
Offering Price
|
$8.54 | $9.96 | $10.04 |
1 | Assumes maximum sales charge applicable. The maximum sales charge as a percentage of net asset value per share was 4.15% and 4.15% for High Yield Bond Portfolio and Core Bond Portfolio, respectively and 2.26% for Low Duration Bond Portfolio. |
High
Yield
Bond Portfolio |
Low
Duration
Bond Portfolio |
Core
Bond
Portfolio |
||||||||||
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, |
Aggregate
Brokerage Commissions Paid |
Commissions
Paid to Affiliates |
Aggregate
Brokerage Commissions Paid |
Commissions
Paid to Affiliates |
Aggregate
Brokerage Commissions Paid |
Commissions
Paid to Affiliates |
||||||
2014
|
$2,347,549 | $0 | $233,227 | $0 | $ 350,713 | $0 | ||||||
2013
|
$3,782,948 | $0 | $269,455 | $0 | $ 408,303 | $0 | ||||||
2012
|
$1,806,823 | $0 | $ 78,492 | $0 | $1,003,868 | $0 |
Funds | Brokerage Commissions | Amount of the Transactions Involved | ||
High Yield Bond
Portfolio
|
$0 | $ 0 | ||
Low Duration Bond
Portfolio
|
$0 | $ 0 | ||
Core Bond
Portfolio
|
$0 | $ 0 |
Regular Broker/Dealer | Debt (D)/Equity (E) | Aggregate Holdings (000s) | |||
High Yield Bond Portfolio
|
Banc Of America Securities LLC | D | $98,341 | ||
CIT Group Holdings, Inc. | D | $51,834 | |||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | D | $7,531 | |||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | E | $51,674 | |||
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | D | $31,675 | |||
J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. | D | 128,102 | |||
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | D | $46,151 | |||
Low Duration Bond
Portfolio
|
Banc of America Securities LLC | D | $142,224 | ||
CIT Group Holdings, Inc. | D | $15,610 | |||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | D | $139,466 | |||
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC | D | $32,452 | |||
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. | D | $16,236 | |||
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | D | $158,061 | |||
J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. | D | $64,237 | |||
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | D | $38,783 | |||
Core Bond
Portfolio
|
BNY Convergex Execution Solutions LLC | D | $2,466 | ||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | D | $18,239 | |||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | E | $3,141 | |||
Banc of America Securities LLC | D | $41,559 | |||
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | D | $25,769 | |||
J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. | D | $41,704 | |||
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. | D | $42,240 |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
*NFS LLC FEBO |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
25.23 | Investor A Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
19.33 | Investor A Shares | |||
*American Enterprise Investment SVC |
707
2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
19.33 | Investor A Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
26.76 | Investor B Shares | |||
*American Enterprise Investment SVC |
707
2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
14.89 | Investor B Shares | |||
*First Clearing, LLC |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
11.13 | Investor B Shares | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center Plaza II
3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
10.90 | Investor B Shares | |||
*Pershing LLC |
1
Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001 |
9.89 | Investor B Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
77.10 | Investor B1 Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
45.21 | Investor C Shares | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center Plaza II
3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
11.31 | Investor C Shares | |||
*UBS WM USA |
499
Washington Blvd 9
th
Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055 |
8.57 | Investor C Shares | |||
*First Clearing, LLC |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
5.66 | Investor C Shares | |||
*LPL Financial |
9785
Towne Centre Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-1968 |
5.49 | Investor C Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
79.07 | Investor C1 Shares | |||
*JP Morgan Clearing Corporation |
3
Chase Metrotech Center
3 rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11245 |
15.50 | Institutional Class | |||
*NFS LLC Febo |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
12.62 | Institutional Class | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
10.14 | Institutional Class |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center Plaza II
3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
9.99 | Institutional Class | |||
*LPL Financial |
9785
Towne Centre Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-1968 |
7.95 | Institutional Class | |||
*Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
101
Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
6.23 | Institutional Class | |||
*UBS WM USA |
499
Washington Blvd 9
th
Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055 |
6.04 | Institutional Class | |||
*Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
101
Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
78.88 | Service Shares | |||
*NFS LLC Febo |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
6.47 | Service Shares | |||
*Brown Brothers Harriman & Co |
525
Washington Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
5.45 | Service Shares | |||
*VOYA Institutional Trust Company |
One
Orange Way
Windsor, CT 06095-4774 |
26.48 | Class R Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
21.62 | Class R Shares | |||
*DCGT AS TTEE and/or Cust FBO Principal Financial Group Qualified Prin Advtg |
711
High Street
Des Moines, IA 50303 |
16.18 | Class R Shares | |||
*NFS LLC Febo |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
32.09 | BlackRock Shares | |||
NABANK & Co |
PO
Box 2180
Tulsa, OK 74101 |
9.65 | BlackRock Shares | |||
*Saxon And Co |
PO
Box 7780-1888
Philadelphia, PA 19182 |
8.67 | BlackRock Shares | |||
*Fidelity Investments Institutional Op Co Inc Fiioc As Agent For Certain Employee Ben Plan |
100
Magellan Way (KW1C)
Covington, KY 41015-0000 |
8.50 | BlackRock Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
71.62 | Investor A Shares | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center
Plaza II 3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
6.88 | Investor A Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
83.34 | Investor A1 Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
70.46 | Investor B Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
50.40 | Investor B3 Shares | |||
*First Clearing, LLC |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
13.76 | Investor B3 Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
*American Enterprise Investment SVC |
707
2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
7.67 | Investor B3 Shares | |||
*Edward
D Jones & Co
For the Benefit of Customers |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
7.06 | Investor B3 Shares | |||
Raymond James Omnibus For Mutual Funds |
880
Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716 |
5.23 | Investor B3 Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
77.90 | Investor C Shares | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center
Plaza II 3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
6.59 | Investor C Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
89.44 | Investor C2 Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
87.87 | Investor C3 Shares | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center
Plaza II 3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
61.26 | Institutional Class | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
12.34 | Institutional Class | |||
*Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
101
Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
7.83 | Institutional Class | |||
*NFS LLC FEBO |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
34.28 | Service Shares | |||
*Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
101
Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
28.26 | Service Shares | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center
Plaza Ii 3rd Floor Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
14.67 | Service Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
84.90 | Class R Shares | |||
*NFS LLC FEBO |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
56.78 | Blackrock Shares | |||
*Mason Tenders District Council Welfare Fund |
520
8th Ave Rm 600
New York NY 10018-4196 |
8.62 | Blackrock Shares | |||
*Mason Tenders District Council Annuity Fund |
520
8th Ave Rm 600
New York NY 10018-4196 |
6.21 | Blackrock Shares | |||
*SEI Private Trust Company |
C/O
State Street Bank ID 571
1 Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456 |
5.38 | Blackrock Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
72.54 | Investor A Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
*NFS LLC FEBO |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
6.59 | Investor A Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
60.10 | Investor B Shares | |||
*First Clearing, LLC |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
12.77 | Investor B Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
69.69 | Investor C Shares | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center Plaza II 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
9.10 | Investor C Shares | |||
*First Clearing, LLC |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
50.13 | Institutional Class | |||
*Morgan Stanley & Co. |
Harborside
Financial Center Plaza II 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311 |
12.80 | Institutional Class | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
10.49 | Institutional Class | |||
*Saxon and Co |
P.O.
Box 7780-1888
Philadelphia, PA 19182 |
9.42 | Institutional Class | |||
*Saxon and Co |
P.O.
Box 7780-1888
Philadelphia, PA 19182 |
5.60 | Institutional Class | |||
*NFS LLC FEBO |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
54.91 | Service Shares | |||
*MassMutual Life Insurance Company |
1295
State Street MIP C105
Springfield, MA 01111-0001 |
8.65 | Service Shares | |||
*Taynik
& Co
C/O State Street Bank & Trust |
1200
Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
7.60 | Service Shares | |||
*Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
101
Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
7.39 | Service Shares | |||
*Saxon and Co. |
P.O.
Box 7780-1888
Philadelphia, PA 19182 |
6.03 | Service Shares | |||
*Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
43.52 | Class R Shares | |||
*Ascensus Trust Company FBO The Chempi Pension Plan 215711 |
P.O.
Box 10758
Fargo, ND 58106 |
21.08 | Class R Shares | |||
*Mid Atlantic Trust Company FBO 401(K) Profit Sharing Plan & Trust |
1251
Waterfront Place
Suite 525 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 |
10.24 | Class R Shares | |||
*Frontier Trust Company FBO Shorelands Water Co Inc Savs & Inve |
P.O.
Box 10758
Fargo, ND 58106 |
5.23 | Class R Shares | |||
*JH Strain & Sons Inc TTEE FBO JH Strain & Sons Inc 401K |
8515
E Orchard Rd 2T2
Greenwood Village, CO 80111 |
5.17 | Class R Shares | |||
*Mac & Co |
525
William Penn Place
PO Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
34.74 | Blackrock Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
*Evercore Trust Company NA Trustee For Northrop Trustee For Northrop Grumman |
601
S Figueroa St 44th Fl
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
20.57 | Blackrock Shares | |||
*Wells Fargo Bank NA Cust FBO Group Health DB BlackRock |
P.O.
Box 1533
Minneapolis, MN 55480-0000 |
9.82 | Blackrock Shares | |||
*USAA
Federal Savings Bank
Attn: Trust Dept. |
P.O.
Box 690827
San Antonio, TX 78269-0827 |
5.91 | Blackrock Shares |
• | 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 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. |
• | The secondary markets for high yield securities are not as liquid as the secondary markets for higher rated securities. The secondary markets for high yield securities are concentrated in relatively few market makers and participants in the markets are mostly institutional investors, including insurance companies, banks, other financial institutions and mutual funds. In addition, the trading volume for high yield securities is generally lower than that for higher rated securities and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. Under certain economic and/or market conditions, a Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain high yield securities due to the limited number of investors in that sector of the market. An illiquid secondary market may adversely affect the market price of the high yield security, which may result in increased difficulty selling the particular issue and obtaining accurate market quotations on the issue when valuing a Fund’s assets. Market quotations on high yield securities are available only from a limited number of dealers, and such quotations may not be the actual prices available for a purchase or sale. When the secondary market for high yield securities becomes more illiquid, or in the absence of readily available market quotations for such securities, the relative lack of reliable objective data makes it more difficult to value a Fund’s securities, and judgment plays a more important role in determining such valuations. |
• | 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. |
(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 obligations of 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; |
(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 authorities or which otherwise depend 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 |
(o) | municipal bonds and notes which are guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government or an agency or instrumentality thereof or which otherwise depend directly or indirectly on the credit of the United States. |
Mortgage-Related Securities. |
1. | Month-end portfolio characteristics are available to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants on the fifth calendar day after month-end. 1 |
2. | Fund Fact Sheets, which contain certain portfolio characteristics, are available, in both hard copy and electronically, to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants on a monthly or quarterly basis no earlier than the fifth calendar day after the end of a month or quarter. |
3. | Money Market Performance Reports, which contain money market fund performance for the recent month, rolling 12-month average yields and benchmark performance, are available on a monthly basis to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants by the tenth calendar day of the month. This information may also be obtained electronically upon request. |
• | Generally, month-end portfolio holdings may be made available to fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries, consultants and third party data providers ( e.g. , Lipper, Morningstar and Bloomberg) on the 20th calendar day after the end of each month; except for BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc., BlackRock Global Allocation Portfolio of BlackRock Series Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc., whose holdings may be made available on the 40 th calendar day after the end of the quarter (based on each Fund’s fiscal year end). 2 |
1 | The precise number of days specified above may vary slightly from period to period depending on whether the specified calendar day falls on a weekend or holiday. |
2 | The precise number of days specified above may vary slightly from period to period depending on whether the specified calendar day falls on a weekend or holiday. |
• | Weekly portfolio holdings made available to fund shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants on the next business day after the end of the weekly period. |
• | Weekly portfolio holdings and characteristics made available to third-party data providers ( e.g. , Lipper, Morningstar, Bloomberg, S&P, Fitch, Moody’s, Crane Data and iMoneyNet, Inc.) on the next business day after the end of the weekly period. |
1. | Fund’s Board of Directors and, if necessary independent Directors’ counsel and Fund counsel |
2. | Fund’s Transfer Agent |
3. | Fund’s Custodian |
4. | Fund’s Administrator, if applicable |
5. | Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm |
6. | Fund’s accounting services provider |
7. | Independent rating agencies — Morningstar, Inc., Lipper Inc., S&P, Moody’s, Fitch |
8. | Information aggregators — Markit on Demand, Thomson Financial and Bloomberg, eVestments Alliance, Informa/PSN Investment Solutions, Crane Data, and iMoneyNet |
9. | Sponsors of 401(k) plans that include BlackRock-advised funds — E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company, Inc. |
10. | Consultants for pension plans that invest in BlackRock-advised funds — Rocaton Investment Advisors, LLC, Mercer Investment Consulting, Callan Associates, Brockhouse & Cooper, Cambridge Associates, Morningstar/Investorforce, Russell Investments (Mellon Analytical Solutions), and Wilshire Associates |
11. | Pricing Vendors — Reuters Pricing Service, Bloomberg, FT Interactive Data (FT IDC), ITG, Telekurs Financial, FactSet Research Systems, Inc., JP Morgan Pricing Direct (formerly Bear Stearns Pricing Service), Standard and Poor’s Security Evaluations Service, Lehman Index Pricing, Bank of America High Yield Index, Loan Pricing Corporation (LPC), LoanX, Super Derivatives, IBOXX Index, Barclays Euro Gov’t Inflation-Linked Bond Index, JPMorgan Emerging & Developed Market Index, Reuters/WM Company, Nomura BPI Index, Japan Securities Dealers Association, Valuation Research Corporate and Murray, Devine & Co., Inc. |
12. | Portfolio Compliance Consultants — Oracle/i-Flex Solutions, Inc. |
13. | Third-party feeder funds — Hewitt Money Market Fund, Hewitt Series Fund, Hewitt Financial Services LLC, Homestead, Inc., Transamerica, State Farm Mutual Fund, Sterling Capital Funds and their respective boards, sponsors, administrators and other service providers |
14. | Affiliated feeder funds — BlackRock Cayman Prime Money Market Fund, Ltd. and BlackRock Cayman Treasury Money Market Fund Ltd., and their respective boards, sponsors, administrators and other service providers |
15. | Other — Investment Company Institute and Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd. |
$1 million but less than $3
million
|
0.50% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.25% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.15% |
$1 million but less than $3
million
|
0.75% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.50% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$1 million but less than $3
million
|
0.15% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.10% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.05% |
$1 million but less than $3
million
|
1.00% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.50% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$500,000 but less than $3
million
|
0.75% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.50% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$1 million but less than $4
million
|
1.00% |
$4 million but less than $10
million
|
0.50% |
$10 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$250,000 and above
|
0.50% |
$250,000 but less than $4
million
|
1.00% |
$4 million but less than $10
million
|
0.50% |
$10 million and
above
|
0.25% |
Years
Since Purchase
Payment Made |
CDSC
as a Percentage
of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge* |
|
0 –
1
|
4.00% | |
1 –
2
|
4.00% | |
2 –
3
|
3.00% | |
3 –
4
|
3.00% | |
4 –
5
|
2.00% | |
5 –
6
|
1.00% | |
6 and
thereafter
|
None |
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 |
Years
Since Purchase
Payment Made |
CDSC
as a Percentage
of Dollar Amount Subject to Charge* |
|
0 –
1
|
1.00% | |
1 –
2
|
0.50% | |
2 –
3
|
0.25% | |
3 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. 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. |
Aaa | Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk. |
Aa | Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. |
A | Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk. |
Baa | Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics. |
Ba | Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk. |
B | Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. |
Caa | Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. |
Ca | Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. |
C | Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. |
P-1 | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. |
P-2 | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. |
P-3 | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations. |
NP | Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. |
MIG 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 | This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group. |
MIG 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. |
VMIG 1 | This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand. |
VMIG 2 | This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand. |
VMIG 3 | This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand. |
SG | This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand. |
• | Likelihood of payment — capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; |
• | Nature of and provisions of the obligation and the promise we impute; |
• | Protection afforded by, 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. |
AAA | An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong. |
AA | An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a 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 obligations 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 |
Obligations 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. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. |
BB | An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. |
B | An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. |
CCC | An obligation rated ‘CCC’ 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. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. |
CC | An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poor’s expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default. |
C | An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher. |
D | An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer. |
NR | This indicates that no rating has been requested, or 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. |
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 vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. |
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 default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer. |
• | Amortization schedule — the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and |
• | 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. |
Standard & Poor’s municipal short-term 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. |
AAA | Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. |
AA | Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. |
A | High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. |
BBB | Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. |
BB | Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. |
B | Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material credit risk is present. |
CCC | ‘CCC’ ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present. |
CC | ‘CC’ ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk. |
C | ‘C’ ratings indicate exceptionally high levels of credit risk. |
F1 | Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. |
F2 | Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. |
F3 | Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate. |
B | Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. |
C | High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility. |
RD | Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only. |
D | Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(1) | — | Articles of Incorporation |
(a) | — | Declaration of Trust of the Registrant dated April 26, 2007 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 3, 2007. |
(b) | — | Amendment No. 1 to Declaration of Trust of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(b) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 1, 2007. |
(c) | — | Amended and Restated Certificate of Classification of Shares is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 131 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 1, 2014. |
(2) | — | By-laws |
(a) | — | Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of the Registrant, effective December 9, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (2)(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2009. |
(3) | — | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders-Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 1 and 2 above. |
(4) | — | Investment Advisory Agreements |
(a) | — | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 1, 2007. |
(b) | — | Form of Addendum No. 1 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock Emerging Markets Flexible Dynamic Bond Portfolio, BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio, BlackRock Multi-Asset Income Portfolio and BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2008. |
(c) | — | Form of Addendum No. 2 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock Multi-Sector Bond Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 26, 2010. |
(d) | — | Form of Addendum No. 3 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 7, 2010. |
(e) | — | Form of Addendum No. 4 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (LifePath ® Active 2055 Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2014. |
(f) | — | Form of Addendum No. 5 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(g) | — | Addendum No. 6 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC, filed herewith. |
(h) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 24, 2010. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(i) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock Multi Asset Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 28, 2011. |
(j) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 22, 2011. |
(k) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock Emerging Markets Flexible Dynamic Bond Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(j) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 27, 2012. |
(l) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited (BlackRock Multi Asset Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 27, 2012. |
(m) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(n) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (BlackRock Multi Asset Income Portfolio and BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(o) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(p) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited (BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(q) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(5) | — | Underwriting Contracts |
(a) | — | Form of Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC (formerly, BlackRock Investments, Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 29, 2008. |
(b) | — | Form of Appendix A to Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(6) | — | Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts |
— | None. | |
(7) | — | Custodian Agreements |
(a) | — | Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly, PFPC Trust Company) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(a) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 1, 2007. |
(b) | — | Form of Custodian Agreement between Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2008. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(c) | — | Form of Custody Agreement between Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Total Return Fund of BlackRock Bond Fund, Inc. (File No.2-62329), filed on January 28, 2013. |
(8) | — | Other Material Contracts |
(a) | — | Form of Administration Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC, filed herewith. |
(b) | — | Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (formerly PNC Global Investment Servicing (US) Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (File No. 33-47875), filed on January 28, 2015. |
(c) | — | Form of Joinder and Amendment to Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (formerly PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.), filed herewith. |
(d) | — | Form of Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Series Fund, Inc. (File No. 2-69062), filed on April 18, 2014. |
(e) | — | Form of Fifth Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement by and between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC, among others, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Strategic Municipal Opportunities Fund of BlackRock Municipal Series Trust (File No. 33-08058), filed on September 29, 2014. |
(f) | — | Form of Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock EuroFund (File No. 33-04026), filed on October 26, 2012. |
(g) | — | Form of Appendix A to Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(h) | — | Form of Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the Registrant, a syndicate of banks and certain other parties is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 423 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Funds SM (File No. 33-26305), filed on December 23, 2014. |
(i) | — | Form of Third Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agency Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock California Municipal Opportunities Fund of BlackRock California Municipal Series Trust (File No. 2-96581) filed on January 26, 2015. |
(j) | — | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and Black Cayman Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio I, Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2013. |
(k) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (BlackRock Cayman Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio I, Ltd) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2013. |
(9) | — | Legal Opinion |
(a) | — | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9(a) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 1, 2007. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(b) | — | Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2008. |
(c) | — | Opinion of Bingham McCuthen LLP (BlackRock Multi-Sector Bond Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 26, 2010. |
(d) | — | Opinion of Bingham McCuthen LLP (BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 7, 2010. |
(e) | — | Opinion of Bingham McCuthen LLP (LifePath ® Active 2055 Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2013. |
(f) | — | Opinion of Bingham McCuthen LLP (BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(10) | — | Other Opinions |
(a) | — | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, filed herewith. |
(11) | — | Omitted Financial Statements |
(a) | — | None. |
(12) | — | Initial Capital Agreements |
(a) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC (BlackRock Multi-Sector Bond Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 26, 2010. |
(b) | — | Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 7, 2010. |
(c) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (LifePath ® Active 2055 Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (l)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2013. |
(d) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(13) | — | Rule 12b-1 Plan |
(a) | — | Distribution and Service Plan for Service, Investor A, Investor B, Investor C, Institutional, HL, BlackRock, Investor A1, Investor B1, Investor B2, Investor C1, Investor C2 and R Shares is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 29, 2008. |
(b) | — | Form of Appendix A to Distribution and Service Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 138 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. |
(14) | — | Rule 18f-3 Plan. |
(a) | — | Second Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Operation of a Multi-Class Distribution System is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (n)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 125 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2014. |
(15) | — | Reserved |
(16) | — | Codes of Ethics |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(a) | — | Code of Ethics of Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 15(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (File No. 2-60836), filed on July 28, 2014. |
(b) | — | Code of Ethics of BlackRock Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 15(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (File No. 2-60836), filed on July 28, 2014. |
(c) | — | Code of Ethics of BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 15(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (File No. 2-60836), filed on July 28, 2014. |
(99) | — | Power of Attorney |
(a) | — | Power of Attorney is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock California Municipal Opportunities Fund of BlackRock California Municipal Series Trust (File No. 2-96581), filed on January 26, 2015. |
Name | Position(s) and Office(s) with BRIL |
Position(s)
and
Office(s) with Registrant |
Robert Fairbairn | Chairman and Member, Board of Managers, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director | Trustee |
Anne Ackerley | Managing Director | None |
Matthew Mallow | General Counsel and Senior Managing Director | None |
Russell McGranahan | Secretary and Managing Director | None |
Ned Montenecourt | Chief Compliance Officer and Director | None |
Saurabh Pathak | Chief Financial Officer and Director | None |
Francis Porcelli | Managing Director and Member, Board of Managers | None |
Brenda Sklar | Managing Director | None |
Lisa Hill | Managing Director | None |
Joseph Craven | Managing Director | None |
Terri Slane | Director and Assistant Secretary | None |
Chris Nugent | Director | None |
Melissa Walker | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | None |
Richard Prager | Member, Board of Managers | None |
Christopher Vogel | Member, Board of Managers | None |
BLACKROCK
FUNDS II (Registrant)
on behalf of BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio, BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio and BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio |
|
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski |
(John
M. Perlowski,
President and Chief Executive Officer) |
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/
John M. Perlowski
(John M. Perlowski) |
Trustee,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
January 28, 2015 | ||
/s/
Neal J. Andrews
(Neal J. Andrews) |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | January 28, 2015 | ||
James
H. Bodurtha*
(James H. Bodurtha) |
Trustee | |||
Bruce
R. Bond*
(Bruce R. Bond) |
Trustee | |||
Donald
W. Burton*
(Donald W. Burton) |
Trustee | |||
Stuart
E. Eizenstat*
(Stuart E. Eizenstat) |
Trustee | |||
Kenneth
A. Froot*
(Kenneth A. Froot) |
Trustee | |||
Robert
M. Hernandez*
(Robert M. Hernandez) |
Trustee | |||
John
F. O’Brien*
(John F. O’Brien) |
Trustee | |||
Roberta
Cooper Ramo*
(Roberta Cooper Ramo) |
Trustee | |||
David
H. Walsh*
(David H. Walsh) |
Trustee | |||
Fred
G. Weiss*
(Fred G. Weiss) |
Trustee |
Signature | Title | Date | ||
Robert
Fairbairn*
(Robert Fairbairn) |
Trustee | |||
Henry
Gabbay*
(Henry Gabbay) |
Trustee | |||
*By:
/s/ Benjamin
Archibald
(Benjamin Archibald, Attorney-In-Fact) |
January 28, 2015 |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to Registration Statement No. 333-142592 on Form N-1A of our report dated November 25, 2014, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of the BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio, BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio, and BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio each a series of BlackRock Funds II appearing in the Annual Report on Form N-CSR of BlackRock Funds II for the year ended September 30, 2014, and to the references to us under the headings Financial Highlights and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Prospectuses and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements in the Statement of Additional Information, which are part of such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 28, 2015
Exhibit 4(g)
Addendum No. 6 to the Investment Advisory Agreement
This Addendum No. 6 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of November 21, 2014 (the Amendment) is entered into by and between BlackRock Funds II, a Massachusetts business trust (the Fund), on behalf of each of its series named in Appendix A attached hereto (each, a Portfolio), and BlackRock Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Adviser).
WHEREAS, the Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, and the Adviser have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of May 31, 2007 (the Advisory Agreement) pursuant to which the Adviser agreed to act as investment adviser to each Portfolio; and
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement provides that the Fund, on behalf of each Portfolio, will pay to the Adviser a monthly fee in arrears at an annual rate equal to the amount set forth in Appendix A thereto; and
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement may be amended in accordance with Section 12 of the Advisory Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees, including a majority of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund, approved an amendment to the Advisory Agreement as set out in this Amendment at an in-person meeting held on November 11, 2014.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. | Appendix A of the Advisory Agreement is hereby amended as set forth on the Appendix A attached hereto with respect to each Portfolio. |
2. | Except as otherwise set forth herein, the terms and conditions of the Advisory Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. |
[End of Text]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Addendum No. 6 to the Investment Advisory Agreement to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first written above.
BLACKROCK FUNDS II | ||
By: |
/s/ John M. Perlowski |
|
Name: John M. Perlowski | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Neal J. Andrews |
|
Name: Neal J. Andrews | ||
Title: Managing Director |
- 2 -
APPENDIX A
Portfolio |
Advisory Fee
(as a percentage of average daily net assets) |
|||||
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio |
First $1 billion | 0.350 | % | |||
$1 billion - $2 billion | 0.340 | % | ||||
$2 billion - $3 billion | 0.330 | % | ||||
Greater than $3 billion | 0.320 | % | ||||
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
First $1 billion | 0.350 | % | |||
$1 billion - $2 billion | 0.340 | % | ||||
$2 billion - $3 billion | 0.330 | % | ||||
Greater than $3 billion | 0.320 | % |
- 3 -
Exhibit 8(a)
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated January 1, 2015, between BlackRock Funds SM and BlackRock Funds II, both Massachusetts business trusts (collectively, the Trust), and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the Administrator), a Delaware limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) as an open-end, management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), with distinct series of shares each having its own investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Administrator to provide certain administration services as set forth herein with respect to the Trust and each series of the Trust set forth on Schedule B attached hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time (each, a Fund and collectively, the Funds), and the Administrator is willing to furnish such administration services for the compensation herein provided; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, and the Administrator is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. In General .
(a) The Administrator agrees, all as more fully set forth herein, to act as administrator to the Trust and each Fund listed on Schedule B attached hereto and to supervise and arrange for the day-to-day operations of the Trust and the Funds.
(b) In the event that the Trust establishes one or more additional series other than the Funds named on Schedule B with respect to which it desires to retain the Administrator to act as administrator hereunder, the Trust shall notify the Administrator. If the Administrator is willing to render such services under this Agreement, it shall accept such appointment pursuant to an addendum to this Agreement, whereupon Schedule B shall be supplemented (or amended) and, subject to such approval as may be required pursuant to Section 13 hereof, such series shall become a Fund hereunder and shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement to the same extent as the Funds (except to the extent that said provisions may be modified in writing by the Trust and the Administrator at the time).
2. General Duties and Obligations of Administrator with Respect to the Administration of the Trust . The Administrator agrees to furnish office facilities and equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services (other than such services, if any, provided by a Funds custodian, transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, other administrator and other service providers (collectively, Other Service Providers)) for the Trust and each Fund. To the extent requested by the Trust, on its own behalf or on behalf of the Funds, the
1
Administrator agrees to provide the following administrative services which are intended to benefit all the classes of shares of a Fund (the General Administration Services):
(a) Oversee the determination and publication of each Funds net asset value in accordance with the Trusts policy as adopted from time to time by the Board of Trustees;
(b) Oversee the maintenance by each Funds Other Service Providers of certain books and records of the Trust and/or the Funds, as applicable, as required under Rule 31a-1(b)(4) of the 1940 Act and maintain (or oversee maintenance by such other persons as approved by the Board of Trustees) such other books and records required by law or for the proper operation of the Trust and/or the Funds, as applicable;
(c) Oversee the preparation and filing of each Funds federal, state and local income tax returns and any other required tax returns;
(d) Review the appropriateness of and arrange for payment of the Trusts and Funds expenses;
(e) Prepare for review and approval by officers of the Trust financial information for each Funds semiannual and annual reports, proxy statements and other communications with shareholders required or otherwise to be sent to Fund shareholders, and arrange for the printing and dissemination of such reports and communications to shareholders;
(f) Oversee the preparation of and file the Trusts periodic financial reports, with respect to each Fund, required to be filed with the SEC on Form NSAR, Form NCSR, Form NPX, Form NQ, Form 24F-2 and such other reports, forms and filings, as may be mutually agreed upon, and prepare certain financial information for review in connection therewith;
(g) Prepare such reports relating to the business and affairs of the Trust and the Funds as may be mutually agreed upon and not otherwise appropriately prepared by the Trust and each Funds Other Service Providers;
(h) Make such reports and recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning the performance of the independent accountants as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request or deems appropriate, and which are not otherwise provided by each Funds Other Service Providers;
(i) Make such reports and recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning the performance and fees of each Funds custodian and transfer and dividend disbursing agent as the Board of Trustees may reasonably request or deems appropriate, and which are not otherwise provided by each Funds Other Service Providers;
(j) Oversee and review calculations of fees paid to the Trusts and Funds Other Service Providers;
(k) Oversee each Funds portfolio and perform necessary calculations as required under Section 18 of the 1940 Act;
2
(l) Establish the accounting policies for the Funds, communicate such policies to each Funds Other Service Providers and monitor financial and shareholder accounting services;
(m) Determine the amounts available for distribution as dividends and distributions to be paid by each Fund to its shareholders; prepare and arrange for the printing of dividend notices to shareholders; and provide each Funds dividend disbursing agent and custodian with such information as is required for such parties to effect the payment of dividends and distributions and to implement each Funds dividend reinvestment plan;
(n) Prepare such information and reports as may be required by any banks from which any Fund borrows funds;
(o) Provide such assistance as generally may be required to properly carry on the business and operations of the Trust and each Fund to, and oversee, each Funds custodian and each Other Service Provider to the Trust and the Funds, including without limitation, their investment advisers, sub-advisers, other administrators and sub-administrators (if any), transfer agents, distributors, shareholder servicing agents, legal counsel and independent accountants;
(p) Respond to or refer to the Trusts officers or the Funds transfer agent, shareholder (including any potential shareholder) inquiries relating to the Funds;
(q) Negotiate service contracts and arrangements between the Trust and each of its Other Service Providers;
(r) Act as liaison, including by attending board meetings and providing information to the Trusts Board of Trustees on behalf of the Trusts and each Funds Other Service Providers, between the Trusts Board of Trustees and such Other Service Providers;
(s) Prepare materials for meetings of the Trusts Board of Trustees and shareholders and oversee and coordinate with Other Service Providers in their preparation of meeting materials;
(t) Provide general ongoing business management and support services in connection with the Trusts and each Funds operations;
(u) After consultation with the distributor and counsel for the Trust, determine the jurisdictions in which the Funds shares shall be registered or qualified for sale;
(v) Monitor regulatory and legislative developments which may affect the Trust or the Funds; assist in counseling the Trust and the Funds with respect to regulatory examinations or investigations; and work with the Trusts counsel in connection with regulatory matters or litigation;
(w) Manage the process of, and participate to the extent reasonably requested by the Trust and its counsel in, the periodic updating of the Trusts registration statement, including by coordinating with Other Service Providers in connection therewith;
3
(x) Monitor, and assist in developing, compliance procedures for each of the Funds, which will include without limitation, procedures to monitor compliance with each Funds investment objective, policies and limitations, tax matters, and applicable laws and regulations;
(y) Provide periodic reports to the specified adviser regarding a Funds unrealized and realized capital gains, containing such standard information and employing such form of report as the Administrator may from time to time determine;
(z) Provide information and documentation relating to the Trust or other assistance relating to such information and documentation as the Trust may reasonably request to help the Trust respond to any government or regulatory request, including but not limited to a subpoena or request for information, provided, however, that if responding to such a request would cause an undue burden on the Administrator or would cause the Administrator to bear undue expense, the Administrator at its option may decline such request or shall be entitled to such fees or reimbursement of expense as agreed to by the Trust and the Administrator;
(aa) Provide such information relating to the Trust as the Trust may reasonably request in connection with the services provided by the Administrator to the Trust pursuant to this Agreement, provided, however, that if responding to such a request would cause an undue burden on the Administrator or would cause the Administrator to bear undue expense, the Administrator at its option may decline such request or shall be entitled to such fees or reimbursement of expense as agreed to by the Trust and the Administrator;
(bb) With the assistance of Trust officers and counsel, take all reasonable action, as the Trust may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Trusts independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder;
(cc) With respect only to the services designated to it hereunder, (i) in the event of equipment failures affecting the services designated to the Administrator hereunder, at no additional expense to the Trust, take reasonably steps to minimize service interruptions, but shall have no liability with respect thereto and (ii) enter into and maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provision for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to the extent appropriate equipment is available; and
(dd) Supervise any other aspects of the Trusts and Funds administration as may be agreed to by the Trust, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Funds, and the Administrator.
All services are to be furnished through the medium of any directors, officers or employees of the Administrator or its affiliates as the Administrator deems appropriate in order to fulfill its obligations hereunder.
4
3. Class-Specific Duties and Obligations of Administrator with Respect to the Administration of the Trust . The Administrator agrees to provide the following services with respect to each individual class of shares of the Funds and the shareholders thereof as indicated below (the Class-Specific Administration Services):
(a) With respect to all share classes of each Fund, provide for personnel and the supervision of a facility to receive purchase and redemption orders via the Trusts toll free in-WATS telephone lines;
(b) With respect to all share classes of each Fund, supervise the services of individuals (shareholder representatives) whose principal responsibility and function shall be to preserve and strengthen the Trusts relationships with the shareholders of such class;
(c) With respect to all share classes of each Fund, monitor the Trusts arrangements with respect to services provided by certain institutional shareholders (Service Organizations) under the Trusts distribution and service plan relating to the respective classes of shares of the Trusts investment portfolios and any amended or successor plan (the Plan), including monitoring and reviewing the services rendered by Service Organizations to their customers who beneficially own shares of such class, pursuant to agreements between the Trust and such Service Organizations (Servicing Agreements); review the qualifications of Service Organizations wishing to enter into Servicing Agreements with the Trust; assist in the execution and delivery of Servicing Agreements; monitor the operations of the Plan; monitor the activities of the Trusts transfer agent relating to the calculation of front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges payable in connection with the purchase and redemption of shares, and the payment of all such sales charges to the Trusts distributor or others (subject to the applicable limitations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. on asset-based sales charges); calculate the amount of fees payable with respect to the Plan with respect to such class of shares on a daily basis and upon instruction from the Trust remitting such fees pursuant to the Plan; report to the Trusts Board of Trustees with respect to the amounts paid or payable by the Trust from time to time under the Plan and the nature of the services provided by Service Organizations; and maintain appropriate records in connection with such duties;
(d) With respect to the Institutional share class of each Fund, monitor the Trusts arrangements with respect to institutional investors and financial intermediaries (Participating Institutions) purchasing shares on behalf of their customers and program participants, including monitoring and reviewing services rendered by Participating Institutions to their customers; provide and support customized purchase and redemption procedures; provide specialized performance reporting as required by Participating Institutions; and monitor the percentage investment by Participating Institutions which are investment companies for purposes of compliance with 1940 Act limitations;
(e) With respect to all share classes of each Fund, maintain the Trusts relationships with third-party industry data services, such as NASDAQ and Lipper Analytical Services, and report to such services with respect to ticker symbols, performance information and other information regarding the Funds, as appropriate;
(f) With respect to all share classes of each Fund, monitor the investor programs that are offered from time to time in connection with such class of shares;
(g) With respect to all share classes of each Fund, provide oversight and related support services that are intended to ensure the delivery of quality service to the shareholders of such class; and
5
(h) With respect to all share classes of each Fund, provide such other similar services as the Trust may reasonably request.
4. Covenants .
(a) In the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Administrator shall at all times conform to, and act in accordance with, any requirements imposed by: (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC; (ii) any other applicable provision of law; (iii) the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust, as such documents are amended from time to time; (iv) the investment objectives and policies of each Fund as set forth in its Registration Statement on Form N-1A and/or the resolutions of the Board of Trustees; and (v) any policies and determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(b) In addition, the Administrator will treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Trust and the Funds all records and other information relative to the Trust and the Funds, and each Funds prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder. Information subject to such confidentiality obligations shall include: (a) any data or information that is competitively sensitive material, and not generally known to the public, including, but not limited to, information about product plans, marketing strategies, finances, operations, customer relationships, customer profiles, customer lists, sales estimates, business plans, and internal performance results relating to the past, present or future business activities of the Trust and/or each Fund; (b) any scientific or technical information, design, process, procedure, formula, or improvement that is commercially valuable and secret in the sense that its confidentiality affords the Trust and/or each Fund a competitive advantage over its competitors; (c) all confidential or proprietary concepts, documentation, reports, data, specifications, computer software, source code, object code, flow charts, databases, inventions, know-how, and trade secrets, whether or not patentable or copyrightable; and (d) anything designated as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information shall not be subject to the foregoing obligations set forth in this Section 4(b) if: (a) it is or becomes publicly known or available through no wrongful act of the receiving party; (b) it was rightfully received from a third party who, to the best of the receiving partys knowledge, was not under a duty of confidentiality; (c) it is released by the protected party to a third party without restriction; (d) it is required to be disclosed by the receiving party pursuant to a requirement of a court order, subpoena, governmental or regulatory agency or law (provided the receiving party will provide the protected party written notice of such requirement, to the extent such notice is permitted); (e) release of such information by the Administrator is necessary in connection with the provisions of the Administrators services under this Agreement; (f) it is relevant to the defense of any claim or cause of action asserted against the receiving party; or (g) it has been or is independently developed or obtained by the receiving party.
(c) The provisions of this Section 4 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
5. Services Not Exclusive . Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Administrator or any officer, employee or other affiliate thereof from acting as administrator for any other person, firm or corporation, or from engaging in any other lawful activity, and shall not
6
in any way limit or restrict the Administrator or any of its officers, employees or agents from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or their own accounts or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting; provided, however, that the Administrator will undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
6. Books and Records . In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Administrator hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for each Fund are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any such records upon the Trusts request. The Administrator further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
7. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, the Administrator will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred in connection with its duties hereunder and shall bear the costs of any salaries of any officers or trustees fees of any Trustees of the Trust who in each case are affiliated persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Administrator. Other expenses to be incurred in the operation of the Funds, including taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions, if any, salaries and fees of officers and trustees who are not officers, directors, shareholders or employees of the Administrator, or the Trusts investment adviser or the distributor for the Funds, commission fees and state Blue Sky qualification fees, advisory and administration fees, charges of custodians, transfer and dividend disbursing agents fees, certain insurance premiums, outside auditing and legal expenses, costs of outside pricing services, costs of maintaining corporate existence, typesetting and printing of prospectuses for regulatory purposes and for distribution to current shareholders of the Funds, costs of shareholders reports and corporate meetings and any extraordinary expenses, will be borne by the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund, provided, however, that the Trust and such Fund will not bear, directly or indirectly, the cost of any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares of the Fund otherwise than pursuant to the Plan.
8. Compensation of the Administrator .
(a) Each Fund agrees to pay to the Administrator and the Administrator agrees to accept as compensation for all General Administration Services rendered by the Administrator as such, a monthly fee (the Fund-Based Administration Fee) in arrears at an annual rate equal to the amount set forth in Schedule A hereto of the average daily value of each such Funds Net Assets. The Fund-Based Administration Fee attributable to each Fund shall be borne solely by the shares of that Fund.
(b) Each Fund agrees to pay to the Administrator and the Administrator agrees to accept as compensation for all Class-Specific Administration Services rendered by the Administrator as such, a monthly fee (the Class-Based Administration Fee) in arrears at an annual rate equal to the amount set forth in Schedule A hereto of the average daily value of each such Funds Net Assets allocated to the respective classes of shares of each Fund. The Class-Based Administration Fee attributable to each class of shares shall be borne solely by the shares of that class.
7
(c) Net Assets means the total assets of a Fund minus the sum of the accrued liabilities. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fees shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be. For purposes of this Agreement, the value of the Net Assets of the Funds shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Trustees of the Trust for calculating the value of each Funds assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.
9. Indemnity .
(a) The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Administrator and its affiliates (including their respective officers, directors and employees) from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under any securities laws or blue sky laws) arising directly or indirectly from any action or omission to act taken or omitted by or on behalf of the Administrator (i) in connection with the provision of services hereunder; or (ii) at the request or on the direction of or in reasonable reliance on the advice of the Trust on behalf of the applicable Fund; provided, that in each case in which indemnification is sought the Administrator has not acted contrary to the standard of care set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement and provided, further, that the Administrator or any of its affiliates shall not be indemnified against any liability (or any expenses incident to such liability) arising out of its (or its affiliates) own willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or breach of this Agreement on its part in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
(b) The Administrator agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trust, each Fund and their respective affiliates, including the Trusts officers, directors and employees, from all taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements and liabilities arising under any securities laws or blue sky laws) arising directly or indirectly out of the Administrators willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or breach of this Agreement on its part in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.
(c) The provisions of this Section 9 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
10. Limitation on Liability .
(a) The Administrator shall exercise reasonable care and diligence in rendering its services listed in and performing its obligations under Sections 2, 3 and 4 above. The Administrator is not liable for any loss suffered by the Trust or any Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence or breach of this Agreement on its part in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, director, employee or agent of the Administrator, who may be or become an officer, employee or agent of the Trust, shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Trust or acting on any business of the Trust (other than services or business in connection with the Administrators duties hereunder) to be rendering such services to or acting solely for the Trust and not as an officer, director, employee or agent or one under the control or direction of the Administrator even though paid by it.
8
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Administrator nor its affiliates shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages, regardless of whether the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by the Administrator.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary: (i) the Administrator shall not be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation: acts of God; action or inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy; war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities; insurrection; elements of nature; or non-performance by a third party; and (ii) the Administrator shall not be under any duty or obligation to inquire into nor shall it be liable for the validity or invalidity, authority or lack thereof, or truthfulness or accuracy or lack thereof, of any instruction, direction, notice, instrument or other information reasonably believed by it to be genuine.
11. Duration and Termination .
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above with respect to each Fund listed in Schedule B as of such date, and, with respect to any additional Fund, as of the date of any addendum executed by the Trust, on behalf of such Fund, and the Administrator, in accordance with Section 1(b) hereof, provided that this Agreement (as supplemented by the terms specified in any addendum pursuant to Section 1(b) hereof) shall have been approved in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, and, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall thereafter continue in effect with respect to each such Fund for an initial two-year period from the applicable effective date. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the particular Fund for successive periods of one year, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by vote of a majority of those members of the Trusts Board of Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party, and (b) by the Trusts Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated with respect to any Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (i) by the Trust (by vote of a majority of the Trusts Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of such Fund) on 60 days written notice to the Administrator (which notice may be waived by the Administrator), or (ii) by the Administrator on 150 days written notice to the Trust, on behalf of the applicable Fund, (which notice may be waived by the Trust on its behalf or on behalf of a Fund). This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate with respect to all Funds in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms majority of the outstanding voting securities, interested persons and assignment shall have the same meanings as such terms have under the 1940 Act, including any interpretive guidance thereunder by the SEC or its staff.)
(c) In the event of termination of this Agreement by the Trust on behalf of itself or a Fund pursuant to Section 11(b)(i), or by the Administrator pursuant to Section 11(b)(ii) after
9
a material breach of this Agreement by the Trust, all expenses (which shall not be deemed a penalty) associated with the movement (or duplication) of records and materials, deconversion or conversion to a successor administrator or other service provider incurred by the Administrator, will be borne by the Trust or the applicable Fund.
12. Notices . Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such notice is mailed first class postage prepaid.
13. Amendment of this Agreement . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party or Fund against which an enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
14. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of New York, or any of the provisions, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
15. Further Actions . Each party agrees to perform such further acts and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.
16. Miscellaneous .
(a) This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, provided that the parties may embody in one or more separate documents their agreement, if any, with respect to delegated duties.
(b) The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if any provision of this Agreement relating directly or indirectly to the term of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the parties shall immediately negotiate in good faith in order to agree upon a new provision which is either (i) the economic equivalent of the invalid provision or (ii) acceptable to the party adversely affected by the invalidity of the prior provision. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, the Funds, and their respective successors.
(c) The names BlackRock FundsSM, BlackRock Funds II and Trustees of BlackRock FundsSM and BlackRock Funds II refer respectively to the trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under the Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time, which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file at the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at the
10
principal office of the Trust. The obligations of BlackRock FundsSM and BlackRock Funds II entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of their respective Trustees, officers, representatives or agents are not made individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, representatives or agents of the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust property (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), and all persons dealing with any Fund or class of shares of the Trust must look solely to the Trust Property belonging to such Fund or class for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.
* * *
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the foregoing instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and the year first above written.
BLACKROCK FUNDS SM | ||
on behalf of each BlackRock Funds SM Fund listed on Schedule B |
||
By: |
|
|
Name: | Scott Hilton | |
Title: | Assistant Treasurer | |
BLACKROCK FUNDS II | ||
on behalf of each BlackRock Funds II Fund listed on Schedule B |
||
By: |
|
|
Name: | Scott Hilton | |
Title: | Assistant Treasurer | |
BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | Neal J. Andrews | |
Title: | Managing Director |
12
Schedule A
Part A: Fund-Based Administration Fee
First $500
|
Next $500
|
Greater than
|
Greater than
|
Greater than $4
|
In excess of
|
|||||
0.0425% |
0.040% | 0.0375% | 0.035% | 0.0325% | 0.030% |
Part B: Class-Based Administration Fee
0.020% on all class-level net assets excluding BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund
0.015% on all class-level net assets of BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund
Schedule A, dated January 1, 2015
A-1
Schedule B
BlackRock Funds SM
BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio |
BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Commodity Strategies Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Disciplined Small Cap Core Fund |
BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio |
BlackRock Cayman Emerging Market Allocation Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Emerging Markets Dividend Fund |
BlackRock Emerging Markets Long/Short Equity Fund |
BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio |
BlackRock Exchange Portfolio |
BlackRock Flexible Equity Fund |
BlackRock Flexible Equity Fund Subsidiary, Ltd. |
BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund |
BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund |
BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Macro Themes Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Macro Themes Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio |
BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Multi-Asset Real Return Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock North Carolina Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund |
BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Short Obligations Fund |
BlackRock Short-Term Treasury Fund |
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Strategic Risk Allocation Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Strategic Risk Allocation Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Ultra-Short Obligations Fund |
BlackRock Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Funds II
BlackRock Aggressive Growth Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock Conservative Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio |
BlackRock Emerging Markets Flexible Dynamic Bond Portfolio |
A-2
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio |
BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio |
BlackRock GNMA Portfolio |
BlackRock Growth Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Investment Grade Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Moderate Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock Multi-Asset Income Portfolio |
BlackRock Secured Credit Portfolio |
BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Cayman Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio I, Ltd. |
BlackRock U.S. Government Bond Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2015 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2020 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2025 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2030 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2035 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2040 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2045 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2050 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2055 Portfolio |
Schedule B, dated January 1, 2015
A-3
Exhibit 8(c)
JOINDER AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT
TO
ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made as of January 1, 2015 by and between each of the registrants set out on Exhibit A on behalf of its series specified on Exhibit A (each such registrant and series a Fund) and BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) (BNY Mellon).
BACKGROUND:
A. | WHEREAS, BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. and BNY Mellon are parties to an Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated as of June 25, 2010 (the Administration Agreement). |
B. | WHEREAS, Joinder Agreements were entered into November 5, 2012, January 14, 2013, January 28, 2013, February 11, 2013, February 25, 2013, March 4, 2013 and May 1, 2014 each for the purpose of adding certain Funds to the Administration Agreement. |
C. | WHEREAS, each Fund listed on Schedule 1 and BNY Mellon desire that each series listed on Schedule 1 hereto (collectively, the New Funds) be added as a party to the Administration Agreement and receive the administrative and accounting services set forth in the Administration Agreement. |
D. | FURTHER, the parties desire to amend the Administration Agreement as set forth herein. |
TERMS:
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereby agree that:
1. | By executing this Agreement, each Fund and BNY Mellon agree to add each New Fund as a party to the Administration Agreement, and each New Fund and BNY Mellon agree to be bound by, and to comply with the terms of the Administration Agreement in the same manner as if each New Fund were an original signatory to the Administration Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each investment company listed on Schedule 1 shall be considered to have a separate agreement with BNY Mellon and hereby appoints BNY Mellon to provide administrative and accounting services in accordance with the terms set forth in the Administration Agreement. BNY Mellon accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish such services. |
2. | The second Section 13(xii) of the Administration Agreement is hereby amended by replacing (xii) with (xiv) and removing the word and. |
3. | The current Section 13(xiv) of the Administration Agreement is hereby amended by replacing (xiv) with (xv) and adding the word and after the ;. |
4. | Section 13 of the Administration Agreement is hereby amended and supplemented by adding a new subsection as follows: |
(xvi) | As appropriate, compute yields, total return, expense ratios, portfolio turnover rate, and, if required, portfolio average dollar-weighted maturity. |
5. | Section 14(ix) of the Administration Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the word and. |
6. | Section 14(x) of the Administration Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the . with ;. |
7. | Section 14(xi) of the Administration Agreement is hereby amended by replacing the . with ; and. |
8. | Section 14 of the Administration Agreement is hereby amended and supplemented by adding a new subsection as follows: |
(xii) | In connection with the Funds obligations under Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, (i) provide, via internet access or otherwise, its policies and procedures related to the services that it is required to perform pursuant to this Agreement and summaries thereof, (ii) provide notification (via e-mail or otherwise) of updates to its aforementioned policies and procedures, and (iii) upon request provide quarterly certifications with respect to its aforementioned policies and procedures. |
9. | Exhibit A to the Administration Agreement shall be amended and restated as attached hereto to add the New Funds as parties to the Administration Agreement. |
10. | Miscellaneous . |
(a) | As hereby amended and supplemented, the Administration Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement with respect to each New Fund and the terms of the Administration Agreement, this Agreement shall control. |
(b) | This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The facsimile signature of any party to this Agreement shall constitute the valid and binding execution hereof by such party. |
- 2 -
IN WITNESS THEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers designated below on the date and year first above written.
BLACKROCK CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND, INC.
MANAGED ACCOUNT SERIES
MASTER VALUE OPPORTUNITIES LLC
BLACKROCK VALUE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, INC.
MASTER BASIC VALUE LLC
BLACKROCK BASIC VALUE FUND, INC.
MASTER FOCUS GROWTH LLC
BLACKROCK FOCUS GROWTH FUND, INC.
BLACKROCK MASTER LLC
BLACKROCK SERIES, INC.
BLACKROCK VARIABLE SERIES FUNDS, INC.
MASTER BOND LLC
BLACKROCK BOND FUND, INC.
BLACKROCK BALANCED CAPITAL FUND, INC.
MASTER LARGE CAP SERIES LLC
BLACKROCK LARGE CAP SERIES FUNDS, INC.
BLACKROCK SERIES FUND, INC.
BLACKROCK FUNDS
BLACKROCK FUNDS II
In each case on behalf of the respective series set out on Exhibit A
By: |
|
|
Name: | Scott Hilton | |
Title: | Assistant Treasurer |
BNY MELLON INVESTMENT SERVICING (US) INC. | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: | ||
Title: |
- 3 -
Schedule 1
BlackRock Funds SM
BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio
BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund
BlackRock Cayman Commodity Strategies Fund, Ltd.
BlackRock Disciplined Small Cap Core Fund
BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio
BlackRock Cayman Emerging Market Allocation Fund, Ltd.
BlackRock Emerging Markets Dividend Fund
BlackRock Emerging Markets Long/Short Equity Fund
BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio
BlackRock Exchange Portfolio
BlackRock Flexible Equity Fund
BlackRock Flexible Equity Fund Subsidiary, Ltd.
BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund
BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund
BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock Macro Themes Fund
BlackRock Cayman Macro Themes Fund, Ltd.
BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio
BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
BlackRock Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock Multi-Asset Real Return Fund
BlackRock Cayman Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, Ltd.
BlackRock Municipal Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock North Carolina Municipal Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund
BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock Short Obligations Fund
BlackRock Short-Term Treasury Fund
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
BlackRock Strategic Risk Allocation Fund
BlackRock Cayman Strategic Risk Allocation Fund, Ltd.
BlackRock Ultra-Short Obligations Fund
BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio
BlackRock Funds II
BlackRock Aggressive Growth Prepared Portfolio
- 4 -
BlackRock Conservative Prepared Portfolio
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio
BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio
BlackRock Emerging Markets Flexible Dynamic Bond Portfolio
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio
BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio
BlackRock GNMA Portfolio
BlackRock Growth Prepared Portfolio
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio
BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio
BlackRock Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio
BlackRock Moderate Prepared Portfolio
BlackRock Multi-Asset Income Portfolio
BlackRock Secured Credit Portfolio
BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio
BlackRock Cayman Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio I, Ltd.
BlackRock U.S. Government Bond Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2015 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2020 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2025 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2030 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2035 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2040 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2045 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2050 Portfolio
LifePath ® Active 2055 Portfolio
- 5-
Amended and Restated
EXHIBIT A
This EXHIBIT A, dated as of January 1, 2015, is the Exhibit A to that certain Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated as of June 25, 2010, by and between each of the investment companies listed below and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.).
FUND NAME |
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. |
Managed Account Series |
BlackRock U.S. Mortgage Portfolio |
Global SmallCap Portfolio |
Mid Cap Value Opportunities Portfolio |
Master Value Opportunities LLC (Master) |
BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (Feeder) |
Master Basic Value LLC (Master) |
BlackRock Basic Value Fund, Inc. (Feeder) |
Master Focus Growth LLC (Master) |
BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc. (Feeder) |
BlackRock Master LLC |
BlackRock Master International Portfolio (Master) |
BlackRock Master Small Cap Growth Portfolio (Master) |
BlackRock Series, Inc. |
BlackRock International Fund (Feeder) |
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund II (Feeder) |
BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. |
BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Global Opportunities V.I. Fund |
BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund |
BlackRock International V.I. Fund |
BlackRock iShares ® Alternative Strategies V.I. Fund |
BlackRock iShares ® Dynamic Allocation V.I. Fund |
BlackRock iShares ® Dynamic Fixed Income V.I. Fund |
BlackRock iShares ® Equity Appreciation V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Large Cap Core V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Large Cap Growth V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Large Cap Value V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Money Market V.I. Fund |
BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund |
BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund |
BlackRock Value Opportunities V.I. Fund |
- 6 -
Master Bond LLC |
Master Total Return Portfolio (Master) |
BlackRock Bond Fund, Inc. |
BlackRock Total Return Fund (Feeder) |
BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc. (Feeder) |
Master Large Cap Series LLC |
Master Large Cap Core Portfolio (Master) |
Master Large Cap Growth Portfolio (Master) |
Master Large Cap Value Portfolio (Master) |
BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc. |
BlackRock Large Cap Core Fund (Feeder) |
BlackRock Large Cap Core Retirement Portfolio (Feeder) |
BlackRock Large Cap Growth Fund (Feeder) |
BlackRock Large Cap Growth Retirement Portfolio (Feeder) |
BlackRock Large Cap Value Fund (Feeder) |
BlackRock Large Cap Value Retirement Portfolio (Feeder) |
BlackRock Large Cap Core Plus Fund |
BlackRock Series Fund, Inc. |
BlackRock Balanced Capital Portfolio |
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Portfolio |
BlackRock Global Allocation Portfolio |
BlackRock High Yield Portfolio |
BlackRock Large Cap Core Portfolio |
BlackRock Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Total Return Portfolio |
BlackRock U.S. Government Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Funds SM |
BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio |
BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Commodity Strategies Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Disciplined Small Cap Core Fund |
BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio |
BlackRock Cayman Emerging Market Allocation Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Emerging Markets Dividend Fund |
BlackRock Emerging Markets Long/Short Equity Fund |
BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio |
BlackRock Exchange Portfolio |
BlackRock Flexible Equity Fund |
BlackRock Flexible Equity Fund Subsidiary, Ltd. |
BlackRock Global Long/Short Credit Fund |
BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund |
BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio |
- 7 -
BlackRock Macro Themes Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Macro Themes Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio |
BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Multi-Asset Real Return Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock North Carolina Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund |
BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Short Obligations Fund |
BlackRock Short-Term Treasury Fund |
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Strategic Risk Allocation Fund |
BlackRock Cayman Strategic Risk Allocation Fund, Ltd. |
BlackRock Ultra-Short Obligations Fund |
BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio |
BlackRock Funds II |
BlackRock Aggressive Growth Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock Conservative Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Dynamic High Income Portfolio |
BlackRock Emerging Markets Flexible Dynamic Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio |
BlackRock Global Dividend Portfolio |
BlackRock GNMA Portfolio |
BlackRock Growth Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Investment Grade Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Moderate Prepared Portfolio |
BlackRock Multi-Asset Income Portfolio |
BlackRock Secured Credit Portfolio |
BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Cayman Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio I, Ltd. |
BlackRock U.S. Government Bond Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2015 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2020 Portfolio |
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LifePath® Active 2025 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2030 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2035 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2040 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2045 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2050 Portfolio |
LifePath® Active 2055 Portfolio |
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