REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | □ |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 | ☒ |
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ |
Amendment No. 64 | ☒ |
Counsel for the Fund: | |
Margery
K. Neale, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP 787 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10019-6099 |
Janey
Ahn, Esq.
BlackRock Advisors, LLC 55 East 52nd Street New York, New York 10055 |
|
Prospectus |
• | BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund |
Investor A: MDYHX • Investor C: MCYHX • Institutional: MAYHX | |
• | BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
Investor A: MDNLX • Investor C: MFNLX • Institutional: MANLX | |
• | BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
Investor A: MELMX • Investor C: MFLMX • Institutional: MALMX |
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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10 | |
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18 |
Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments | |
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41 | |
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45 | |
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46 | |
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52 | |
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53 | |
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54 | |
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54 |
Management of the Funds | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
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56 | |
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58 | |
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59 | |
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59 | |
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60 |
Financial Highlights |
Financial Performance of the
Funds
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62 |
General Information |
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71 |
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71 | |
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72 |
Glossary |
Glossary of Investment
Terms
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73 |
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
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | 4.25% | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | |||
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
|||
Management Fee3 | 0.47% | 0.47% | 0.47% | |||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | None | |||
Other Expenses | 0.26% | 0.27% | 0.24% | |||
Interest Expense | 0.16% | 0.16% | 0.16% | |||
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.10% | 0.11% | 0.08% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses4 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses4 | 0.99% | 1.75% | 0.72% | |||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,5 | (0.03)% | (0.04)% | (0.01)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,5 | 0.96% | 1.71% | 0.71% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $250,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 56, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
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 do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. |
5 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 56, 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 C Shares) and 0.54% (for Institutional Shares) of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation 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 | $519 | $724 | $946 | $1,583 |
Investor C Shares | $274 | $547 | $945 | $2,058 |
Institutional Shares | $ 73 | $229 | $400 | $ 894 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor C Shares | $174 | $547 | $945 | $2,058 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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. | |
■ | 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or |
other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 2.15% | 6.95% | 9.35% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 2.15% | 6.94% | 9.34% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 2.96% | 6.46% | 8.73% |
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund — Investor A Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (2.35)% | 5.76% | 8.59% |
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund — Investor C Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.14% | 5.88% | 8.24% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
Custom
High Yield Index1
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
4.64% | 7.21% | 9.65% |
1 | The Custom High Yield Index reflects the returns of the S&P® Customized High Yield Municipal Bond Index for periods prior to January 1, 2013, and the returns of only those bonds in the S&P® Customized High Yield Municipal Bond Index that have maturities greater than 5 years for periods subsequent to January 1, 2013. |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Theodore R. Jaeckel, CFA | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor A and Investor C Shares | Institutional Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan. • There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs). • There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs. |
There
is no minimum initial investment for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares. • Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform. • Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund. • Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). | No subsequent minimum. |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | 4.25% | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | |||
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
|||
Management Fee3 | 0.39% | 0.39% | 0.39% | |||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | None | |||
Other Expenses | 0.18% | 0.12% | 0.14% | |||
Interest Expense | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.13% | 0.07% | 0.09% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses4 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses4 | 0.83% | 1.52% | 0.54% | |||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,5 | (0.09)% | (0.03)% | (0.05)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,5 | 0.74% | 1.49% | 0.49% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $250,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 56, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
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 do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. |
5 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 56, 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 0.68% (for Investor A Shares), 1.43% (for Investor C Shares) and 0.43% (for Institutional Shares) of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation 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 | $497 | $670 | $857 | $1,399 |
Investor C Shares | $252 | $477 | $826 | $1,810 |
Institutional Shares | $ 50 | $168 | $297 | $ 672 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor C Shares | $152 | $477 | $826 | $1,810 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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 increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — 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 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 Illiquidity Risk — 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 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. |
Hedging Risk — 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. | |
Tax Risk — 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. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its
investments.
|
Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through 2020. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. If the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it could suffer losses in excess of the value of its TOB Residuals. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund — Investor A Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (3.91)% | 2.85% | 5.11% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (3.91)% | 2.85% | 5.11% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (1.21)% | 2.92% | 4.88% |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund — Investor C Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (1.36)% | 2.98% | 4.79% |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.61% | 3.96% | 5.77% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
Custom
National Index1
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.20% | 4.83% | 5.47% |
1 | The Custom National Index reflects the returns of the S&P® Municipal Bond Index for periods prior to January 1, 2013, and the returns of only those bonds in the S&P® Municipal Bond Index that have maturities greater than 5 years for periods subsequent to January 1, 2013. |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor A and Investor C Shares | Institutional Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan. • There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs). • There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs. |
There
is no minimum initial investment for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares. • Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform. • Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund. • Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). | No subsequent minimum. |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | 3.00% | None | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
Management Fee3 | 0.29% | 0.29% | 0.29% |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | None |
Other Expenses | 0.13% | 0.16% | 0.17% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.67% | 1.45% | 0.46% |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,4 | (0.06)% | (0.09)% | (0.10)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,4 | 0.61% | 1.36% | 0.36% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 0.25% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A Shares made within 9 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $100,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 56, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
4 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 56, 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 0.61% (for Investor A Shares), 1.36% (for Investor C Shares) and 0.36% (for Institutional Shares) of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation 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 | $360 | $502 | $656 | $1,104 |
Investor C Shares | $238 | $450 | $784 | $1,728 |
Institutional Shares | $ 37 | $138 | $248 | $ 569 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor C Shares | $138 | $450 | $784 | $1,728 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose money. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.54% | 0.60% | 1.02% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 1.54% | 0.60% | 1.02% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.46% | 0.62% | 1.01% |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund — Investor A Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (1.74)% | (0.27)% | 0.45% |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund — Investor C Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (0.46)% | (0.44)% | (0.02)% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
S&P
® Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.76% | 1.00% | 1.59% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Kristi Manidis | 2019 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor A and Investor C Shares | Institutional Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
$1,000
for all accounts except:
• $50, if establishing an Automatic Investment Plan. • There is no investment minimum for employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs). • There is no investment minimum for certain fee-based programs. |
There
is no minimum initial investment for:
• Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to purchase such shares. • Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform. • Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund. • Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Fund’s distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
$50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum). | No subsequent minimum. |
■ | Credit Quality of Issuers — based on bond ratings and other factors, including economic and financial conditions. |
■ | Yield Analysis — takes into account factors such as the different yields available on different types of obligations and the shape of the yield curve (longer term obligations typically have higher yields). |
■ | Maturity Analysis — the weighted average maturity of the portfolio will be maintained within a desirable range as determined from time to time. Factors considered include portfolio activity, maturity of the supply of available bonds and the shape of the yield curve. Maturity of a debt security refers to the date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security. |
■ | Borrowing — Each Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet redemptions, for the payment of dividends, for share repurchases or for the clearance of transactions, subject to the limits set forth under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. |
■ | Indexed Securities — Each Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is directly related to changes in an underlying index or interest rate, known as indexed securities. The return on indexed securities will rise when the underlying index rises and fall when the index falls. |
■ | Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. Each Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds. |
■ | Restricted Securities — Restricted securities are securities that cannot be offered for public resale unless registered under the applicable securities laws or that have a contractual restriction that prohibits or limits their resale. They may include Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities that can be resold to qualified institutional buyers but not to the general public, and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are offered pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
■ | Securities Lending — Each Fund may lend securities with a value up to 33 1⁄3% of its total assets to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral. |
■ | Taxable Income — Investments in taxable money market securities as well as some of the derivatives discussed herein may cause a Fund to have taxable investment income. Each Fund may also realize capital gains on the sale of its municipal bonds (and other securities it holds). These capital gains will be taxable regardless of whether they are derived from a sale of municipal bonds. |
■ | Taxable Money Market Securities — Each Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets on a temporary basis in taxable money market securities that have a maturity of one year or less. Each Fund may make these investments for liquidity purposes or as a temporary investment pending an investment in municipal bonds. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — As a temporary measure for defensive purposes, a Fund may invest without limitation in taxable money market securities. These investments may prevent a Fund from meeting its investment objective. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis, on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund at an established price with payment and delivery taking place in the future. Each Fund enters into these transactions to obtain what is considered an advantageous price to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. |
■ | Derivatives — The High Yield Fund is permitted to engage in transactions in certain derivatives, such as financial futures contracts and options thereon, indexed and inverse floating rate obligations and swap agreements, including credit default swap agreements. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security or an index such as the S&P Municipal Bond Index. The Fund may use derivative instruments to hedge its investments or to seek to enhance returns. Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently than other types of instruments. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so. |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities — The High Yield Fund may leverage its assets through the use of proceeds received through tender option bond transactions. In a tender option bond transaction, the Fund transfers municipal bonds or other municipal securities into a special purpose entity (a “TOB Trust”). A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (“TOB Floaters”), which are sold to third party investors, and residual inverse floating rate interests (“TOB Residuals”), which are generally issued to the |
Fund. The Fund may invest in TOB Residuals and may also invest in TOB Floaters. The Fund will look through to the underlying municipal bond held by a TOB Trust for purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy. | |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations — The High Yield Fund may invest in variable rate demand obligations, which are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations — The National Fund may invest in variable rate demand obligations, which are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. |
■ | Derivatives — The Short-Term Fund may engage in transactions in certain derivatives, such as financial futures contracts and options thereon, indexed and inverse floating rate obligations and swap agreements, including credit default swap agreements. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security or an index such as the S&P Municipal Bond Index. The Fund may use derivative instruments to hedge its investments or to seek to enhance returns. Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently than other types of instruments. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Derivatives Risk (National Fund Principal Risk; High Yield Fund and Short-Term Fund Other Risk) — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives 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 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 Illiquidity 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 as tax-exempt income or as 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. Payments received by the Fund from swap agreements, if any, will generally produce taxable income, while payments made by the Fund on swap agreements will be allocated against both tax-exempt and taxable gross income, decreasing the Fund’s distributable net tax-exempt income. 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 Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). |
Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through 2020. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund. |
Future regulatory developments may 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 |
■ | 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. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk (Short-Term Fund) — 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk (High Yield Fund and National Fund) — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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 than higher rated fixed-income securities, judgment may play a greater role in valuing junk bonds 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including 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 the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — The full faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality that issues a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — Payments of interest and principal on revenue bonds are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax or other revenue source. These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of, and are secured by, tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. The issuer will generally appropriate municipal funds for that purpose, but is not obligated to do so. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. However, if the issuer does not fulfill its payment obligation it may be difficult to sell the property and the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund’s loss. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — In making investments, the Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal obligations and payments under tax-exempt derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its |
investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions. If any of those tax opinions are ultimately determined to be incorrect or if events occur after the security is acquired that impact the security’s tax-exempt status, the Fund and its shareholders could be subject to substantial tax liabilities. The IRS has generally not ruled on the taxability of the securities. An assertion by the IRS that a portfolio security is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax (contrary to indications from the issuer) could affect the Fund’s and its shareholders’ income tax liability for the current or past years and could create liability for information reporting penalties. In addition, an IRS assertion of taxability may impair the liquidity and the fair market value of the securities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk (National Fund Principal Risk; High Yield Fund Other Risk) — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. |
The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a third-party bank or other financial institution (the “Liquidity Provider”) that allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their certificates in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day, subject to the non-occurrence of tender option termination events. When the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a non-recourse basis, and the Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal securities held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the amount owed under the liquidity facility over the liquidation proceeds (the “Liquidation Shortfall”). | |
If a Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the Fund is required to reimburse the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. | |
To the extent that the Fund, rather than a third-party bank or financial institution, sponsors a TOB Trust, certain responsibilities that previously belonged to the sponsor bank will be performed by, or on behalf of, the Fund. The Fund’s additional duties and responsibilities under the new TOB Trust structure may give rise to certain additional risks including compliance, securities law and operational risks. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk (Short-Term Fund Principal Risk; High Yield Fund and National Fund Other Risk) — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Cyber Security Risk — Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, distributor, and other service providers, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders. While the Fund has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address system breaches or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems of the Fund’s service providers or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Indexed and Inverse Securities Risk — Indexed and inverse 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 and inverse 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. | |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, 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 not offset by BlackRock through waivers). 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Concentration Risk — From time to time the Fund may invest a substantial amount of its assets in municipal securities whose interest is paid solely from revenues of similar projects. If the Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the legal and economic risks relating to such projects and this may have a significant impact on the Fund’s investment performance. |
■ | Restricted Securities Risk — Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at advantageous prices. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. In order to sell such securities, the Fund may have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Other transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities than unrestricted securities. Restricted securities may be difficult to value because market quotations may not be readily available, and the securities may have significant volatility. Also, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a given restricted security, and therefore may be less able to predict a loss. Certain restricted securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses to the Fund. |
■ | Securities Lending Risk — Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. |
■ | Taxability Risk — The Fund intends to minimize the payment of taxable income to shareholders by investing in tax-exempt or municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such securities, however, may be determined to pay, or have paid, taxable income subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of the securities. In that event, the IRS may demand that the Fund pay U.S. federal income taxes on the affected interest income, and, if the Fund agrees to do so, the Fund’s yield could be adversely affected. In addition, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as “exempt interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased U.S. federal income tax liabilities. If the interest paid on any tax-exempt or municipal security held by the Fund is subsequently determined to be taxable, the Fund will dispose of that security as soon as reasonably practicable. In addition, future laws, regulations, rulings or court decisions may cause interest on municipal securities to be subject, directly or indirectly, to U.S. federal income taxation or interest on state municipal securities to be subject to state or local income taxation, or the value of state municipal securities to be subject to state or local intangible personal property tax, or may otherwise prevent the Fund from realizing the full current benefit of the tax-exempt status of such securities. Any such change could also affect the market price of such securities, and thus the value of an investment in the Fund. |
■ | Valuation Risk — The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Pricing services that value fixed-income securities generally utilize a range of market-based and security-specific inputs and assumptions, as well as considerations about general market conditions, to establish a price. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but may be held or transactions may be conducted in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers. |
■ | 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 |
Investor A | Investor C2,3 | Institutional | |
Availability | Generally available through Financial Intermediaries. | Generally available through Financial Intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Individuals and “Institutional Investors” which include, but are not limited to endowments, foundations, family offices, local, city, and state governmental institutions, corporations and insurance company separate accounts, who may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares. • Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which may purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares. • Employees, officers and directors/trustees of BlackRock or its affiliates and immediate family members of such persons, if they open an account directly with BlackRock. • Participants in certain programs sponsored by BlackRock or its affiliates or other Financial Intermediaries. • Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons. • Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund. |
Investor A | Investor C2,3 | Institutional | |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees? |
No
Distribution Fee.
0.25% Annual Service Fee. |
0.75%
Annual Distribution Fee.
|
No. |
Redemption Fees? | No. | No. | No. |
Conversion to Investor A Shares? | N/A | Yes, automatically approximately ten years after the date of purchase. It is the Financial Intermediary’s responsibility to ensure that the shareholder is credited with the proper holding period. As of the Effective Date (as defined below), certain Financial Intermediaries, including group retirement recordkeeping platforms, may not have been tracking such holding periods and therefore may not be able to process such conversions. In such instances, the automatic conversion of Investor C Shares to Investor A Shares will occur ten years after the Effective Date. | No. |
Advantage | Makes sense for investors who are eligible to have the sales charge reduced or eliminated or who have a long-term investment horizon because there are no ongoing distribution fees. |
No
up-front sales charge so you start off owning more shares.
|
No up-front sales charge so you start off owning more shares. No distribution or service fees. |
Disadvantage | You pay a sales charge up-front, and therefore you start off owning fewer shares. | You pay ongoing distribution fees each year you own Investor C Shares, which means that over the long term you can expect higher total fees per share than Investor A Shares and, as a result, lower total performance. | Limited availability. |
1 | Please see “Details About the Share Classes” for more information about each share class. |
2 | If you establish a new account directly with a 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 | A Fund will not accept a purchase order of $500,000 or more for Investor C Shares (may be lower on funds that have set a lower breakpoint for purchasing Investor A Shares without a front-end sales charge). 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 Investment1 |
Dealer
Compensation As a % of Offering Price |
Less than $100,000 | 4.25% | 4.44% | 4.00% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 3.25% | 3.36% | 3.00% |
$250,000 and over2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | — 2 |
Your Investment |
Sales
Charge
As a % of Offering Price |
Sales
Charge
As a % of Your Investment1 |
Dealer
Compensation As a % of Offering Price |
Less than $50,000 | 3.00% | 3.09% | 2.75% |
$50,000 but less than $100,000 | 2.75% | 2.83% | 2.50% |
$100,000 and over2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | — 2 |
2 | If you invest $250,000 or more (for the High Yield Fund and the National Fund) or $100,000 or more (for the Short-Term Fund) 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 (for the High Yield Fund and the National Fund) or 9 months (for the Short-Term Fund) after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% (for the High Yield Fund and the National Fund) or 0.25% (for the Short-Term Fund) of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds. Such deferred sales charge may be waived in connection with certain fee-based programs. |
i. | Buy a specified amount of Investor A, Investor C, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and/or Premier Shares, |
ii. | Make an investment in one or more Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds and/or |
iii. | Make an investment through the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program in one or more BlackRock Funds. |
i. | The current value of an investor’s existing Investor A and A1, Investor C, C1, C2 and C3, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and Premier Shares in most BlackRock Funds, |
ii. | The current value of an investor’s existing shares of Eligible Unlisted BlackRock Closed-End Funds and |
iii. | The investment in the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program by the investor or by or on behalf of the investor’s spouse and children. |
■ | 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 the Fund, the Fund’s manager, the 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. |
■ | Redemptions of shares purchased through certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and rollovers of current investments in a 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 a 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 (“SWP”) offered by a 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 a Fund. |
■ | Individuals and “Institutional Investors” with a minimum initial investment of $2 million who may purchase shares of a Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares; |
■ | Clients of Financial Intermediaries that: (i) charge such clients a fee for advisory, investment consulting, or similar services or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares through a no-load program or investment platform, in each case, with no minimum initial investment; |
■ | Clients investing through Financial Intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer such shares on a platform that charges a transaction based sales commission outside of the Fund, with a minimum initial investment of $1,000; |
■ | Employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs or SARSEPs), state sponsored 529 college savings plans, collective trust funds, investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles, unaffiliated thrifts and unaffiliated banks and trust companies, each of which is not subject to any minimum initial investment and may purchase shares of a Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares; |
■ | Trust department clients of PNC Bank, National Association 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, who are not subject to any minimum initial investment; |
■ | 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, who are not subject to any minimum initial investment; |
■ | Employees, officers and directors/trustees of BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Funds, BofA Corp., The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., Barclays or their respective affiliates and immediate family members of such persons, if they open an account directly with BlackRock, who are not subject to any minimum initial investment; and |
■ | Tax-qualified accounts for insurance agents that are registered representatives of an insurance company’s broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Institutional Shares, and the family members of such persons. |
■ | Answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, the manner in which purchases, exchanges and redemptions or repurchases of shares may be effected and certain other matters pertaining to the customers’ investments; |
■ | Assisting customers in designating 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) |
Purchase
by Telephone: Call (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.
The Fund employs reasonable procedures to confirm that transactions entered over the Internet are genuine. By entering into the User Agreement with the Fund in order to open an account through the website, the shareholder waives any right to reclaim any losses from the Fund or any of its affiliates incurred through fraudulent activity. |
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 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 second 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 C or Institutional Shares. The price of your shares is based on the next calculation of the Fund’s
net asset value after your order is placed. For your redemption request to be priced at the net asset value on the day of your request, you must submit your request to your Financial 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) |
may
be waived in certain limited circumstances. You can obtain a medallion signature guarantee stamp from a bank, securities dealer, securities broker, credit union, savings and loan association, national securities exchange or registered securities
association. A notary public seal will not be acceptable. If you hold stock certificates, return the certificates with the letter. Proceeds from redemptions may be sent via check, ACH or wire to the bank account of record.
Redemption proceeds may be paid by check or, if the Fund has verified banking information on file, through ACH or by wire transfer. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) | Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) |
day
when the Fund’s custodian is closed is normally sent on the next business day following redemption on which the Fund’s custodian is open for business.
***
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. |
Redemption Proceeds |
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio or by selling portfolio assets to generate cash. During periods of stressed market conditions, when a significant portion of the
Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, the Fund may be more likely to limit cash redemptions and may determine to pay redemption proceeds by (i) borrowing under a line of credit it has entered into with a group of
lenders, (ii) borrowing from another BlackRock Fund pursuant to an interfund lending program, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions as set forth in the SAI, and/or (iii) transferring portfolio securities
in-kind to you. The SAI includes more information about the Fund’s line of credit and interfund lending program, to the extent applicable.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege | Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) |
Investor
or Institutional Shares of the Fund are generally exchangeable for shares of the same class of another BlackRock Fund, to the extent such shares are offered by your Financial Intermediary.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege (continued) | Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) (continued) |
application
that you did not want the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you will not be able to place exchanges via the telephone until you update this option either in writing or by calling (800) 441-7762. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request
for any reason.
|
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 AIP application. The minimum investment amount for an automatic investment is $50 per portfolio. |
Dividend Allocation Plan | Automatically invests your distributions into another BlackRock Fund of your choice pursuant to your instructions, without any fees or sales charges. | Dividend and capital gains distributions may be reinvested in your account to purchase additional shares or paid in cash. Using the Dividend Allocation Plan, you can direct your distributions to your bank account (checking or savings), to purchase shares of another fund at BlackRock without any fees or sales charges, or by check to a 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. |
EZ Trader | Allows an investor to purchase or sell Investor Shares by telephone or over the Internet through ACH. |
(NOTE:
This option is offered to shareholders whose accounts are held directly with BlackRock. Please speak with your Financial Intermediary if your account is held elsewhere.)
|
■ | 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 as may be permitted 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. |
Average Daily Net Assets |
Rate
of
Management Fee |
Not exceeding $1 billion | 0.47% |
In excess of $1 billion but not exceeding $3 billion | 0.44% |
In excess of $3 billion but not exceeding $5 billion | 0.42% |
In excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $10 billion | 0.41% |
In excess of $10 billion | 0.40% |
1 | The reductions shall be applicable to each Fund regardless of size on a “uniform percentage” basis. Determination of the portion of the net assets of each Fund to which a reduced rate is applicable is made by multiplying the net assets of that Fund by “uniform percentages,” derived by dividing the amount by which the combined assets of both Funds exceed the various applicable breakpoints by such combined assets. |
High Yield Fund | 0.44% |
National Fund | 0.36% |
Short-Term Fund | 0.23% |
Contractual
Caps1 on Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses2 (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) |
||
High Yield Fund | ||
Investor A Shares | 0.79% | |
Investor C Shares | 1.54% | |
Institutional Shares | 0.54% | |
National Fund | ||
Investor A Shares | 0.68% | |
Investor C Shares | 1.43% | |
Institutional Shares | 0.43% | |
Short-Term Fund | ||
Investor A Shares | 0.61% | |
Investor C Shares | 1.36% | |
Institutional Shares | 0.36% |
1 | The contractual caps are in effect through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. |
2 | As a percentage of average daily net assets. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | Responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund’s portfolio, including setting each Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of each Fund. | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Theodore R. Jaeckel, CFA | Responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund’s portfolio, including setting each Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of each Fund. | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 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. | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 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.. | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA | 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. | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Kristi Manidis | 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. | 2019 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2016; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Associate of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2010. |
Institutional | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.59 | $ 9.54 | $ 9.99 | $ 9.28 | $ 9.12 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.39 | 0.40 | 0.41 | 0.40 | 0.41 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.30 | 0.05 | (0.46) | 0.72 | 0.16 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.69 | 0.45 | (0.05) | 1.12 | 0.57 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.39) | (0.40) | (0.40) | (0.41) | (0.41) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.89 | $ 9.59 | $ 9.54 | $ 9.99 | $ 9.28 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 7.36% | 4.78% | (0.38)% | 12.32% | 6.27% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 0.71% | 0.70% | 0.71% | 0.71% | 0.70% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.68% | 0.68% | 0.66% | 0.71% | 0.70% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(e) | 0.52% | 0.54% | 0.57% | 0.65% | 0.66% |
Net investment income | 4.03% | 4.14% | 4.24% | 4.23% | 4.37% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $780,811 | $549,217 | $516,247 | $554,336 | $327,422 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $ 75,301 | $ 61,022 | $ 60,043 | $ 46,657 | $ 26,216 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 14% | 25% | 36% | 19% | 41% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Investor A | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.56 | $ 9.52 | $ 9.97 | $ 9.26 | $ 9.10 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.36 | 0.37 | 0.38 | 0.38 | 0.38 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.31 | 0.04 | (0.45) | 0.71 | 0.16 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.67 | 0.41 | (0.07) | 1.09 | 0.54 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.36) | (0.37) | (0.38) | (0.38) | (0.38) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.87 | $ 9.56 | $ 9.52 | $ 9.97 | $ 9.26 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 7.21% | 4.40% | (0.63)% | 12.05% | 6.00% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 0.98% | 0.96% | 0.94% | 0.96% | 0.97% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.95% | 0.94% | 0.91% | 0.96% | 0.97% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(e) | 0.79% | 0.80% | 0.82% | 0.90% | 0.93% |
Net investment income | 3.76% | 3.88% | 4.00% | 3.99% | 4.11% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $345,255 | $220,992 | $201,212 | $228,140 | $156,348 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $ 75,301 | $ 61,022 | $ 60,043 | $ 46,657 | $ 26,216 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 14% | 25% | 36% | 19% | 41% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% |
(e) | Intere Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Investor C | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.59 | $ 9.55 | $ 9.99 | $ 9.28 | $ 9.12 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.31 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.30 | 0.04 | (0.44) | 0.71 | 0.16 |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.59 | 0.34 | (0.13) | 1.02 | 0.47 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.29) | (0.30) | (0.31) | (0.31) | (0.31) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.89 | $ 9.59 | $ 9.55 | $ 9.99 | $ 9.28 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 6.28% | 3.62% | (1.26)% | 11.20% | 5.20% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 1.74% | 1.73% | 1.70% | 1.72% | 1.72% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.70% | 1.69% | 1.66% | 1.72% | 1.72% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(e) | 1.54% | 1.56% | 1.57% | 1.66% | 1.68% |
Net investment income | 3.02% | 3.13% | 3.25% | 3.23% | 3.36% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $64,484 | $60,065 | $63,314 | $71,527 | $54,239 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $75,301 | $61,022 | $60,043 | $46,657 | $26,216 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 14% | 25% | 36% | 19% | 41% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Institutional | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.79 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.22 | $ 10.86 | $ 10.88 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.34 | 0.38 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.27 | (0.09) | (0.34) | 0.36 | (0.02) |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.60 | 0.24 | 0.00 | 0.70 | 0.36 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.33) | (0.33) | (0.34) | (0.34) | (0.38) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 11.06 | $ 10.79 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.22 | $ 10.86 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 5.68% | 2.23% | 0.09% | 6.68% | 3.33% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 0.53% | 0.52% | 0.57% | 0.60% | 0.64% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.48% | 0.44% | 0.49% | 0.58% | 0.59% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and fees | 0.43% (e) | 0.44% | 0.48% (e) | 0.57% (e) | 0.55% (e) |
Net investment income | 3.04% | 3.04% | 3.15% | 3.10% | 3.47% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $4,063,258 | $3,028,849 | $3,225,595 | $3,326,972 | $2,088,580 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $ 324,360 | $ — | $ — | $ — | $ 275,550 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 77% | 51% | 83% | 83% | 28% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Investor A | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.80 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.23 | $ 10.87 | $ 10.88 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.32 | 0.33 | 0.36 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.27 | (0.08) | (0.35) | 0.36 | (0.01) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.57 | 0.22 | (0.03) | 0.69 | 0.35 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.30) | (0.30) | (0.32) | (0.33) | (0.36) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 11.07 | $ 10.80 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.23 | $ 10.87 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 5.41% | 2.07% | (0.22)% | 6.42% | 3.26% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 0.82% | 0.77% | 0.81% | 0.85% | 0.90% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.73% | 0.69% | 0.70% | 0.74% | 0.75% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and fees | 0.68% (e) | 0.69% | 0.70% (e) | 0.72% (e) | 0.72% (e) |
Net investment income | 2.79% | 2.79% | 2.93% | 2.97% | 3.30% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $3,227,894 | $2,730,622 | $2,342,752 | $2,669,101 | $2,388,743 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $ 324,360 | $ — | $ — | $ — | $ 275,550 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 77% | 51% | 83% | 83% | 28% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Investor C | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.80 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.23 | $ 10.87 | $ 10.88 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.28 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.27 | (0.08) | (0.35) | 0.36 | (0.01) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.49 | 0.14 | (0.11) | 0.60 | 0.27 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.22) | (0.22) | (0.24) | (0.24) | (0.28) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 11.07 | $ 10.80 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.23 | $ 10.87 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 4.63% | 1.31% | (0.96)% | 5.63% | 2.49% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 1.51% | 1.47% | 1.51% | 1.54% | 1.59% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.48% | 1.43% | 1.45% | 1.49% | 1.50% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and fees | 1.43% (e) | 1.43% | 1.44% (e) | 1.47% (e) | 1.47% (e) |
Net investment income | 2.06% | 2.04% | 2.19% | 2.22% | 2.55% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $270,445 | $327,384 | $382,703 | $467,928 | $397,945 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $324,360 | $ — | $ — | $ — | $275,550 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 77% | 51% | 83% | 83% | 28% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Institutional | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.08 | $ 10.12 | $ 10.18 | $ 10.11 | $ 10.16 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.16 | 0.11 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.04 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.07 | (0.04) | (0.06) | 0.07 | (0.05) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.23 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.12 | (0.01) |
Distributions (b) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.16) | (0.11) | (0.07) | (0.05) | (0.04) |
From net realized gain | — | — | (0.00) (c) | (0.00) (c) | — |
Total distributions | (0.16) | (0.11) | (0.07) | (0.05) | (0.04) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 10.15 | $ 10.08 | $ 10.12 | $ 10.18 | $ 10.11 |
Total Return(d) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.32% | 0.71% | 0.10% | 1.15% | (0.11)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.46% | 0.49% | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.51% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.36% | 0.36% | 0.37% | 0.40% | 0.40% |
Net investment income | 1.61% | 1.12% | 0.66% | 0.48% | 0.42% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $350,720 | $360,543 | $357,427 | $454,165 | $492,702 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 129% | 153% | 88% | 67% | 72% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share. |
(d) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
Investor A | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.08 | $ 10.13 | $ 10.18 | $ 10.12 | $ 10.16 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.14 | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.07 | (0.05) | (0.05) | 0.06 | (0.04) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.21 | 0.04 | (0.01) | 0.08 | (0.03) |
Distributions (b) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.14) | (0.09) | (0.04) | (0.02) | (0.01) |
From net realized gain | — | — | (0.00) (c) | (0.00) (c) | — |
Total distributions | (0.14) | (0.09) | (0.04) | (0.02) | (0.01) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 10.15 | $ 10.08 | $ 10.13 | $ 10.18 | $ 10.12 |
Total Return(d) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.08% | 0.37% | (0.06)% | 0.76% | (0.29)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.67% | 0.68% | 0.72% | 0.71% | 0.70% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.60% | 0.60% | 0.63% | 0.69% | 0.69% |
Net investment income | 1.39% | 0.85% | 0.40% | 0.19% | 0.13% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $109,462 | $61,444 | $67,193 | $78,879 | $100,980 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 129% | 153% | 88% | 67% | 72% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share. |
(d) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
Investor C | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 9.82 | $ 9.86 | $ 9.96 | $ 9.95 | $ 10.07 |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | 0.05 | — | (0.04) | (0.06) | (0.07) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.08 | (0.03) | (0.06) | 0.07 | (0.05) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.13 | (0.03) | (0.10) | 0.01 | (0.12) |
Distributions (b) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.06) | (0.01) | — | — | — |
From net realized gain | — | — | (0.00) (c) | (0.00) (c) | — |
Total distributions | (0.06) | (0.01) | — | — | — |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 9.89 | $ 9.82 | $ 9.86 | $ 9.96 | $ 9.95 |
Total Return(d) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 1.33% | (0.26)% | (0.96)% | 0.11% | (1.19)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 1.45% | 1.46% | 1.48% | 1.48% | 1.47% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.36% | 1.36% | 1.39% | 1.48% | 1.47% |
Net investment income (loss) | 0.52% | 0.01% | (0.41)% | (0.60)% | (0.70)% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $15,434 | $16,825 | $22,859 | $31,251 | $31,121 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 129% | 153% | 88% | 67% | 72% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share. |
(d) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
■ | Shares purchased by employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan/plan participants |
■ | Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan |
■ | Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program, or effective February 1, 2019, exchanges of shares purchased through such a Merrill Lynch program due to the holdings moving from such program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account |
■ | Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform |
■ | Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform |
■ | Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other BlackRock Fund) |
■ | Shares exchanged from Investor C (i.e. level-load) Shares of the same Fund in the month of or following the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date |
■ | Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members |
■ | Shares purchased by directors of the Fund, and employees of BlackRock or any of its affiliates, as described in the prospectus |
■ | Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement) |
■ | Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder |
■ | Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the prospectus |
■ | Shares bought due to return of excess contributions from an IRA Account |
■ | Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ |
■ | Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch |
■ | Shares acquired through a Right of Reinstatement |
■ | Investor A and C Shares of the Fund held in the following IRA or other retirement brokerage accounts: Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Rollover IRAs, Inherited IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, BASIC Plans, Educational Savings Accounts and Medical Savings Accounts, that are exchanged for Institutional Shares of the Fund due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms |
■ | Effective February 1, 2019, Investor A Shares sold, where such Investor A Shares were received as a result of exchanges of shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program due to the holdings moving from the program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account |
■ | Breakpoints as described in the prospectus |
■ | Rights of Accumulation (ROA) entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts that will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets |
■ | Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of BlackRock Funds, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time |
■ | Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs |
■ | Shares purchased through an Ameriprise Financial investment advisory program (if an advisory or similar share class for such investment advisory program is not available) |
■ | Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Ameriprise Financial’s platform (if an advisory or similar share class for such investment advisory program is not available) |
■ | Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within BlackRock Funds) |
■ | Shares exchanged from Investor C Shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to such shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply to exchanges following such shorter period. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Investor C Shares for load waived shares, that waiver will also apply to such exchanges |
■ | Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members |
■ | Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor (“FA”) and/or the FA’s spouse, FA’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), FA’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant |
■ | Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within BlackRock Funds, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (i.e. Rights of Reinstatement) |
■ | Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans does not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans |
■ | Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules |
■ | Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund |
■ | Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account |
■ | Investor C Shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are exchanged for Investor A Shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program |
■ | Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within BlackRock Funds under a Rights of Reinstatement provision, provided the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge |
■ | Shares purchased in a Raymond James investment advisory program. |
■ | Shares purchased of the same Fund or another BlackRock Fund through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend distributions. |
■ | Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James. |
■ | Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions from another BlackRock Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as Rights of Reinstatement). |
■ | A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Investor A shares of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James. |
■ | Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder. |
■ | Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus. |
■ | Shares bought due to return of excess contributions from an IRA Account. |
■ | Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the Fund’s prospectus. |
■ | Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James. |
■ | Shares acquired through a Right of Reinstatement. |
■ | Breakpoints as described in this prospectus. |
■ | Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of BlackRock Fund assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets. |
■ | Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of BlackRock Funds over a 13-month time period. Eligible BlackRock Fund assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets. |
|
Prospectus |
• | BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund |
Class K: MKYHX | |
• | BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
Class K: BNMLX | |
• | BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
Class K: MPLMX |
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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16 |
Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments | |
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34 | |
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35 | |
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40 | |
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40 |
Management of the Funds | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
|
42 | |
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44 | |
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45 | |
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46 | |
|
47 |
Financial Highlights |
Financial Performance of the
Funds
|
49 |
General Information |
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52 |
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52 | |
|
53 |
Glossary |
Glossary of Investment
Terms
|
54 |
For More Information |
|
Inside Back Cover |
|
Back Cover |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Class
K
Shares |
|
Management Fee1 | 0.47% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | None | |
Other Expenses | 0.22% | |
Interest Expense | 0.16% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.06% | |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2 | 0.01% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 0.70% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,3 | (0.04)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,3 | 0.66% |
1 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 42, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 42, 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 0.49% of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Class K Shares | $67 | $220 | $386 | $867 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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. | |
■ | 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 2.15% | 6.95% | 9.35% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 2.15% | 6.94% | 9.34% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 2.96% | 6.46% | 8.73% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
Custom
High Yield Index1
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
4.64% | 7.21% | 9.65% |
1 | The Custom High Yield Index reflects the returns of the S&P® Customized High Yield Municipal Bond Index for periods prior to January 1, 2013, and the returns of only those bonds in the S&P® Customized High Yield Municipal Bond Index that have maturities greater than 5 years for periods subsequent to January 1, 2013. |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Theodore R. Jaeckel, CFA | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Class
K
Shares |
|
Management Fee1 | 0.39% | |
Distribution and/or Service 12b-1 Fees | None | |
Other Expenses | 0.07% | |
Interest Expense | 0.05% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.02% | |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2 | 0.01% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 0.47% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,3 | (0.03)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,3 | 0.44% |
1 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 42, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
2 | 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 do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 42, 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 0.38% of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Class K Shares | $45 | $148 | $260 | $589 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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 increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — 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 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 Illiquidity Risk — 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 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. | |
Hedging Risk — 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. | |
Tax Risk — 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. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its
investments.
|
Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through 2020. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed |
of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. | |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates |
rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. If the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it could suffer losses in excess of the value of its TOB Residuals. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund — Class K Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.66% | 4.06% | 5.85% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.66% | 4.06% | 5.84% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.67% | 3.94% | 5.55% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
Custom
National Index1
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.20% | 4.83% | 5.47% |
1 | The Custom National Index reflects the returns of the S&P® Municipal Bond Index for periods prior to January 1, 2013, and the returns of only those bonds in the S&P® Municipal Bond Index that have maturities greater than 5 years for periods subsequent to January 1, 2013. |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Class
K
Shares |
Management Fee1 | 0.29% |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | None |
Other Expenses | 0.09% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.38% |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,2 | (0.07)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,2 | 0.31% |
1 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 42, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
2 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 42, 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 0.31% of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Class K Shares | $32 | $115 | $206 | $474 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose money. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund — Class K Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.59% | 0.62% | 1.02% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 1.59% | 0.61% | 1.02% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.51% | 0.64% | 1.01% |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
S&P
® Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.76% | 1.00% | 1.59% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Kristi Manidis | 2019 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
■ | Credit Quality of Issuers — based on bond ratings and other factors, including economic and financial conditions. |
■ | Yield Analysis — takes into account factors such as the different yields available on different types of obligations and the shape of the yield curve (longer term obligations typically have higher yields). |
■ | Maturity Analysis — the weighted average maturity of the portfolio will be maintained within a desirable range as determined from time to time. Factors considered include portfolio activity, maturity of the supply of available bonds and the shape of the yield curve. Maturity of a debt security refers to the date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security. |
■ | Borrowing — Each Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet redemptions, for the payment of dividends, for share repurchases or for the clearance of transactions, subject to the limits set forth under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. |
■ | Indexed Securities — Each Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is directly related to changes in an underlying index or interest rate, known as indexed securities. The return on indexed securities will rise when the underlying index rises and fall when the index falls. |
■ | Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. Each Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds. |
■ | Restricted Securities — Restricted securities are securities that cannot be offered for public resale unless registered under the applicable securities laws or that have a contractual restriction that prohibits or limits their resale. They may include Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities that can be resold to qualified institutional buyers but not to the general public, and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are offered pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
■ | Securities Lending — Each Fund may lend securities with a value up to 33 1⁄3% of its total assets to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral. |
■ | Taxable Income — Investments in taxable money market securities as well as some of the derivatives discussed herein may cause a Fund to have taxable investment income. Each Fund may also realize capital gains on the sale of its municipal bonds (and other securities it holds). These capital gains will be taxable regardless of whether they are derived from a sale of municipal bonds. |
■ | Taxable Money Market Securities — Each Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets on a temporary basis in taxable money market securities that have a maturity of one year or less. Each Fund may make these investments for liquidity purposes or as a temporary investment pending an investment in municipal bonds. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — As a temporary measure for defensive purposes, a Fund may invest without limitation in taxable money market securities. These investments may prevent a Fund from meeting its investment objective. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis, on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund at an established price with payment and delivery taking place in the future. Each Fund enters into these transactions to obtain what is considered an advantageous price to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. |
■ | Derivatives — The High Yield Fund is permitted to engage in transactions in certain derivatives, such as financial futures contracts and options thereon, indexed and inverse floating rate obligations and swap agreements, including credit default swap agreements. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security or an index such as the S&P Municipal Bond Index. The Fund may use derivative instruments to hedge its investments or to seek to enhance returns. Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently than other types of instruments. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so. |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities — The High Yield Fund may leverage its assets through the use of proceeds received through tender option bond transactions. In a tender option bond transaction, the Fund transfers municipal bonds or other municipal securities into a special purpose entity (a “TOB Trust”). A TOB Trust typically issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (“TOB Floaters”), which are sold to third party investors, and residual inverse floating rate interests (“TOB Residuals”), which are generally issued to the |
Fund. The Fund may invest in TOB Residuals and may also invest in TOB Floaters. The Fund will look through to the underlying municipal bond held by a TOB Trust for purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy. | |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations — The High Yield Fund may invest in variable rate demand obligations, which are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations — The National Fund may invest in variable rate demand obligations, which are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. |
■ | Derivatives — The Short-Term Fund may engage in transactions in certain derivatives, such as financial futures contracts and options thereon, indexed and inverse floating rate obligations and swap agreements, including credit default swap agreements. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security or an index such as the S&P Municipal Bond Index. The Fund may use derivative instruments to hedge its investments or to seek to enhance returns. Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently than other types of instruments. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Derivatives Risk (National Fund Principal Risk; High Yield Fund and Short-Term Fund Other Risk) — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives 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 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 Illiquidity 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 as tax-exempt income or as 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. Payments received by the Fund from swap agreements, if any, will generally produce taxable income, while payments made by the Fund on swap agreements will be allocated against both tax-exempt and taxable gross income, decreasing the Fund’s distributable net tax-exempt income. 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 Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). |
Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through 2020. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund. |
Future regulatory developments may 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 |
■ | 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. |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk (Short-Term Fund) — 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk (High Yield Fund and National Fund) — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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 than higher rated fixed-income securities, judgment may play a greater role in valuing junk bonds 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including 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 the Fund uses leverage. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — The full faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality that issues a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — Payments of interest and principal on revenue bonds are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax or other revenue source. These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of, and are secured by, tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. The issuer will generally appropriate municipal funds for that purpose, but is not obligated to do so. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. However, if the issuer does not fulfill its payment obligation it may be difficult to sell the property and the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund’s loss. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — In making investments, the Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal obligations and payments under tax-exempt derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its |
investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions. If any of those tax opinions are ultimately determined to be incorrect or if events occur after the security is acquired that impact the security’s tax-exempt status, the Fund and its shareholders could be subject to substantial tax liabilities. The IRS has generally not ruled on the taxability of the securities. An assertion by the IRS that a portfolio security is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax (contrary to indications from the issuer) could affect the Fund’s and its shareholders’ income tax liability for the current or past years and could create liability for information reporting penalties. In addition, an IRS assertion of taxability may impair the liquidity and the fair market value of the securities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk (National Fund Principal Risk; High Yield Fund Other Risk) — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. |
The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a third-party bank or other financial institution (the “Liquidity Provider”) that allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their certificates in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day, subject to the non-occurrence of tender option termination events. When the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a non-recourse basis, and the Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal securities held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the amount owed under the liquidity facility over the liquidation proceeds (the “Liquidation Shortfall”). | |
If a Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the Fund is required to reimburse the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. | |
To the extent that the Fund, rather than a third-party bank or financial institution, sponsors a TOB Trust, certain responsibilities that previously belonged to the sponsor bank will be performed by, or on behalf of, the Fund. The Fund’s additional duties and responsibilities under the new TOB Trust structure may give rise to certain additional risks including compliance, securities law and operational risks. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk (Short-Term Fund Principal Risk; High Yield Fund and National Fund Other Risk) — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Cyber Security Risk — Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, distributor, and other service providers, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders. While the Fund has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address system breaches or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems of the Fund’s service providers or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Indexed and Inverse Securities Risk — Indexed and inverse 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 and inverse 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. | |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, 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 not offset by BlackRock through waivers). 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Concentration Risk — From time to time the Fund may invest a substantial amount of its assets in municipal securities whose interest is paid solely from revenues of similar projects. If the Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the legal and economic risks relating to such projects and this may have a significant impact on the Fund’s investment performance. |
■ | Restricted Securities Risk — Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at advantageous prices. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. In order to sell such securities, the Fund may have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Other transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities than unrestricted securities. Restricted securities may be difficult to value because market quotations may not be readily available, and the securities may have significant volatility. Also, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a given restricted security, and therefore may be less able to predict a loss. Certain restricted securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses to the Fund. |
■ | Securities Lending Risk — Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. |
■ | Taxability Risk — The Fund intends to minimize the payment of taxable income to shareholders by investing in tax-exempt or municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such securities, however, may be determined to pay, or have paid, taxable income subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of the securities. In that event, the IRS may demand that the Fund pay U.S. federal income taxes on the affected interest income, and, if the Fund agrees to do so, the Fund’s yield could be adversely affected. In addition, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as “exempt interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased U.S. federal income tax liabilities. If the interest paid on any tax-exempt or municipal security held by the Fund is subsequently determined to be taxable, the Fund will dispose of that security as soon as reasonably practicable. In addition, future laws, regulations, rulings or court decisions may cause interest on municipal securities to be subject, directly or indirectly, to U.S. federal income taxation or interest on state municipal securities to be subject to state or local income taxation, or the value of state municipal securities to be subject to state or local intangible personal property tax, or may otherwise prevent the Fund from realizing the full current benefit of the tax-exempt status of such securities. Any such change could also affect the market price of such securities, and thus the value of an investment in the Fund. |
■ | Valuation Risk — The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Pricing services that value fixed-income securities generally utilize a range of market-based and security-specific inputs and assumptions, as well as considerations about general market conditions, to establish a price. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but may be held or transactions may be conducted in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers. |
■ | 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 |
Availability | Available only to (i) certain employee benefit plans, such as health savings accounts, and certain employer-sponsored retirement plans (not including SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs and SARSEPs) (collectively, “Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans”), (ii) collective trust funds, investment companies and other pooled investment vehicles, each of which may purchase shares of a Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares, (iii) “Institutional Investors,” which include, but are not limited to, endowments, foundations, family offices, banks and bank trusts, local, city, and state governmental institutions, corporations and insurance company separate accounts, each of which may purchase shares of a Fund through a Financial Intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to purchase such shares, (iv) fee-based advisory platforms of a Financial Intermediary that (a) has specifically acknowledged in a written agreement with the Fund’s distributor and/or its affiliate(s) that the Financial Intermediary shall offer such shares to fee-based advisory clients through an omnibus account held at the Fund or (b) transacts in the Fund’s shares through another intermediary that has executed such an agreement and (v) any other investors who met the eligibility criteria for BlackRock Shares or Class K Shares prior to August 15, 2016 and have continually held Class K Shares of a Fund in the same account since August 15, 2016. |
Minimum Investment |
$5
million minimum initial investment for Institutional Investors.
|
Initial Sales Charge? | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. |
Deferred Sales Charge? | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees? | No. |
Redemption Fees? | No. |
i. | The current value of an investor’s existing Investor A and A1, Investor C, C1, C2 and C3, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and Premier Shares in most mutual funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates (“BlackRock Funds”), |
ii. | The current value of an investor’s existing shares of certain unlisted closed-end management investment companies sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates and |
iii. | The investment in the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program by the investor or by or on behalf of the investor’s spouse and children. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Initial Purchase |
Determine
the amount of
your investment |
There
is no minimum initial investment for any Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans or any other investors other than Institutional Investors.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Initial Purchase (continued) |
Have
your Financial
Intermediary submit your purchase order |
The
price of your shares is based on the next calculation of the Fund’s net asset value after your order is placed. Any purchase orders placed prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (generally 4:00
p.m. Eastern time) will be priced at the net asset value determined that day. Certain Financial Intermediaries, however, may require submission of orders prior to that time. Purchase orders placed after that time will be priced at the net asset
value determined on the next business day. A broker-dealer or financial institution maintaining the account in which you hold shares may 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.
|
Or
contact BlackRock
(for accounts held directly with BlackRock) |
For investors not purchasing shares through an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan, to purchase shares directly from BlackRock, call (800) 537-4942 and request a new account application. | |
Add
to Your
Investment |
Purchase additional shares | There is no minimum investment amount for additional purchases. |
Have
your Financial
Intermediary submit your purchase order for additional shares |
To purchase additional shares, you may contact your Financial Intermediary or Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan. | |
Or
contact BlackRock
(for accounts held directly with BlackRock) |
For
investors not purchasing shares through an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan:
|
|
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 (for investors who are not purchasing shares through an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan) or contact your Financial Intermediary. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
How
to Pay for
Shares |
Making payment for purchases |
If
you are purchasing shares through an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan, 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 first business day following the 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 |
If
you purchased shares through an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan, 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. Financial Intermediaries are responsible for transmitting redemption orders and crediting their customers’ accounts
with redemption proceeds on a timely basis. Information relating to such redemption services and charges to process a redemption of shares, if any, should be obtained by customers from their Financial Intermediaries.
|
Selling
shares held
directly with BlackRock |
Methods
of Redeeming if You Did Not Purchase Your Shares Through an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) |
Selling
shares held
directly with BlackRock (continued) |
that
are reasonably believed to be genuine in accordance with such procedures. The Fund may refuse a telephone redemption request if it believes it is advisable to do so.
Payment 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 Fund reserves the right to wire redemption proceeds within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgment of the Fund, an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund. Shares can be redeemed by Federal wire transfer to a single previously designated bank account. No charge for wiring redemption payments with respect to Class K Shares is imposed by the Fund. You are responsible for any additional charges imposed by your bank for wire transfers. The Fund is not responsible for the efficiency of the Federal wire system or the shareholder’s firm or bank. To change the name of the single, designated bank account to receive wire redemption proceeds, it is necessary to send a written request to the Fund at the address on the back cover of this prospectus. *** |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) |
Selling
shares held
directly with BlackRock (continued) |
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. |
Redemption Proceeds |
Under
normal circumstances, the Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio or by selling portfolio assets to generate cash. During periods of stressed market conditions, when a significant portion of the
Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, the Fund may be more likely to limit cash redemptions and may determine to pay redemption proceeds by (i) borrowing under a line of credit it has entered into with a group of
lenders, (ii) borrowing from another BlackRock Fund pursuant to an interfund lending program, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions as set forth in the SAI, and/or (iii) transferring portfolio securities
in-kind to you. The SAI includes more information about the Fund’s line of credit and interfund lending program, to the extent applicable.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege | Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) |
Class
K Shares of the Fund are generally exchangeable for shares of the same class of another BlackRock Fund, to the extent such shares are offered by your Financial Intermediary. Investors who currently own Class K Shares of the Fund may make exchanges
into Class K Shares of other BlackRock Funds except for investors holding shares through certain client accounts at Financial Intermediaries that are omnibus with the Fund and do not meet applicable minimums. There is no required minimum amount with
respect to exchanges of Class K Shares. You may only exchange into Class K Shares of a BlackRock Fund that is open to new investors or in which you have a current account, if the BlackRock Fund is closed to new investors.
|
Transfer Shares to Another Financial Intermediary |
Transfer
to a participating
Financial Intermediary |
You may transfer your Class K 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. Please contact your Financial Intermediary to accomplish the transfer of your Class K Shares. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Transfer
to a non-participating
Financial Intermediary |
You
must either:
• Transfer your Class K Shares to an account with the Fund; or • Sell your Class K 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 as may be permitted 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. |
Average Daily Net Assets |
Rate
of
Management Fee |
Not exceeding $1 billion | 0.47% |
In excess of $1 billion but not exceeding $3 billion | 0.44% |
In excess of $3 billion but not exceeding $5 billion | 0.42% |
In excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $10 billion | 0.41% |
In excess of $10 billion | 0.40% |
1 | The reductions shall be applicable to each Fund regardless of size on a “uniform percentage” basis. Determination of the portion of the net assets of each Fund to which a reduced rate is applicable is made by multiplying the net assets of that Fund by “uniform percentages,” derived by dividing the amount by which the combined assets of both Funds exceed the various applicable breakpoints by such combined assets. |
High Yield Fund | 0.44% |
National Fund | 0.36% |
Short-Term Fund | 0.23% |
1 | The contractual caps are in effect through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. |
2 | As a percentage of average daily net assets. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | Responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund’s portfolio, including setting each Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of each Fund. | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Theodore R. Jaeckel, CFA | Responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund’s portfolio, including setting each Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of each Fund. | 2006 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 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. | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 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. | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA | 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. | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Kristi Manidis | 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. | 2019 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2016; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Associate of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2010. |
Class K | ||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) |
Year
Ended 06/30/19 |
Period
from 01/25/18(a) to 06/30/18 |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 9.59 | $ 9.62 |
Net investment income(b) | 0.39 | 0.18 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.30 | (0.04) |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.69 | 0.14 |
Distributions from net investment income(c) | (0.39) | (0.17) |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.89 | $ 9.59 |
Total Return(d) | ||
Based on net asset value | 7.40% | 1.50% (e) |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(f) | ||
Total expenses | 0.69% | 0.67% (g)(h) |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.65% | 0.62% (g) |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees, and amortization of offering costs(i) | 0.49% | 0.49% (g) |
Net investment income | 4.04% | 4.48% (g) |
Supplemental Data | ||
Net assets, end of period (000) | $49,062 | $ 11,712 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000) | $75,301 | $ 61,022 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 14% | 25% |
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
(b) | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
(c) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(d) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(e) | Aggregate total return. |
(f) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year
Ended
06/30/19 |
Period
from
01/25/18(a) to 06/30/18 |
|
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% |
(g) | Annualized. |
(h) | Offering costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 0.68%. |
(i) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Class K | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.79 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.22 | $ 10.87 | $ 10.88 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.33 | 0.33 | 0.35 | 0.36 | 0.39 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.28 | (0.09) | (0.34) | 0.35 | (0.01) |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.61 | 0.24 | 0.01 | 0.71 | 0.38 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.33) | (0.33) | (0.35) | (0.36) | (0.39) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 11.07 | $ 10.79 | $ 10.88 | $ 11.22 | $ 10.87 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 5.82% | 2.28% | 0.15% | 6.70% | 3.53% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 0.46% | 0.44% | 0.48% | 0.53% | 0.58% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.43% | 0.39% | 0.41% | 0.48% | 0.49% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and fees | 0.38% (e) | 0.39% | 0.40% (e) | 0.46% (e) | 0.46% (e) |
Net investment income | 3.09% | 3.09% | 3.24% | 3.24% | 3.56% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $3,736,686 | $3,012,495 | $1,847,397 | $332,000 | $341,071 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $ 324,360 | $ — | $ — | $ — | $275,550 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 77% | 51% | 83% | 83% | 28% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Class K | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $10.08 | $10.12 | $ 10.18 | $ 10.11 | $10.15 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.14 | 0.08 | 0.00 (b) | 0.05 | 0.02 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.10 | — | 0.01 | 0.06 | (0.02) |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.24 | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.11 | — |
Distributions (c) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.17) | (0.12) | (0.07) | (0.04) | (0.04) |
From net realized gain | — | — | (0.00) (d) | (0.00) (d) | — |
Total distributions | (0.17) | (0.12) | (0.07) | (0.04) | (0.04) |
Net asset value, end of year | $10.15 | $10.08 | $ 10.12 | $ 10.18 | $10.11 |
Total Return(e) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.37% | 0.76% | 0.13% | 1.13% | (0.01)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.43% | 0.42% | 0.41% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.31% | 0.31% | 0.34% | 0.42% | 0.40% |
Net investment income | 1.43% | 0.75% | 0.02% | 0.45% | 0.21% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $7,450 | $6,719 | $ 3,238 | $ 3,279 | $6,732 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 129% | 153% | 88% | 67% | 72% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(d) | Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share. |
(e) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
|
Prospectus |
• | BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
Investor C1: MCNLX | |
• | BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
Investor A1: MDLMX |
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 | |
|
9 |
Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distributions and other payments | |
|
25 | |
|
25 | |
|
26 | |
|
27 | |
|
31 | |
|
32 | |
|
32 | |
|
33 |
Management of the Funds | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
|
34 | |
|
36 | |
|
36 | |
|
37 | |
|
38 |
Financial Highlights |
Financial Performance of the
Funds
|
40 |
General Information |
|
42 |
|
42 | |
|
43 |
Glossary |
Glossary of Investment
Terms
|
44 |
For More Information |
|
Inside Back Cover |
|
Back Cover |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
C1
Shares |
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | None | |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 1 |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
C1
Shares |
|
Management Fee2 | 0.39% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.80% | |
Other Expenses | 0.13% | |
Interest Expense | 0.05% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.08% | |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses3 | 0.01% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3 | 1.33% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2,4 | (0.04)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2,4 | 1.29% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor C1 Shares made within one year after purchase. The CDSC does not apply to redemptions by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and fee based programs that have been previously approved by the Fund, or to redemptions of shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains by existing shareholders. |
2 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 34, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
3 | 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 do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. |
4 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 34, 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 1.23% of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor C1 Shares | $131 | $417 | $725 | $1,598 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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 increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — 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 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 Illiquidity Risk — 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 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. | |
Hedging Risk — 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. | |
Tax Risk — 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. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its
investments.
|
|
Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. If the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it could suffer losses in excess of the value of its TOB Residuals. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund — Investor C1 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (0.19)% | 3.18% | 4.99% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (0.19)% | 3.18% | 4.99% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.82% | 3.05% | 4.67% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
Custom
National Index1
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.20% | 4.83% | 5.47% |
1 | The Custom National Index reflects the returns of the S&P® Municipal Bond Index for periods prior to January 1, 2013, and the returns of only those bonds in the S&P® Municipal Bond Index that have maturities greater than 5 years for periods subsequent to January 1, 2013. |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor C1 Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
Available only for purchase by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and fee based programs that have been previously approved by the fund and for dividend and capital gain reinvestment by existing shareholders. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
N/A |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A1
Shares |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price) | None 1 |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower) | None 2 |
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
Investor
A1
Shares |
Management Fee3 | 0.29% |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.10% |
Other Expenses | 0.14% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.53% |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursement3,4 | (0.07)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,4 | 0.46% |
1 | Investor A1 Shares are subject to a maximum sales charge on purchases of 1.00%. The sales charge does not apply to dividend and capital gain reinvestments by existing shareholders and new purchases by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, which are currently the only investors who may invest in Investor A1 Shares. |
2 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 0.50% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor A1 Shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. The CDSC does not apply to redemptions by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans or to redemptions of shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains by existing shareholders. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 34, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
4 | As described in the “Management of the Funds” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 34, 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 0.46% of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation 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 | $47 | $163 | $289 | $658 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose money. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund — Investor A1 Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 1.34% | 0.47% | 0.90% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 1.34% | 0.47% | 0.90% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.30% | 0.50% | 0.89% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
S&P
® Limited Maturity Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.76% | 1.00% | 1.59% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Kristi Manidis | 2019 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Investor A1 Shares | |
Minimum
Initial
Investment |
Available only for purchase by certain employer-sponsored retirement plans and for dividend and capital gain reinvestment by existing shareholders. |
Minimum
Additional
Investment |
No subsequent minimum. |
■ | Credit Quality of Issuers — based on bond ratings and other factors, including economic and financial conditions. |
■ | Yield Analysis — takes into account factors such as the different yields available on different types of obligations and the shape of the yield curve (longer term obligations typically have higher yields). |
■ | Maturity Analysis — the weighted average maturity of the portfolio will be maintained within a desirable range as determined from time to time. Factors considered include portfolio activity, maturity of the supply of available bonds and the shape of the yield curve. Maturity of a debt security refers to the date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security. |
■ | Borrowing — Each Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet redemptions, for the payment of dividends, for share repurchases or for the clearance of transactions, subject to the limits set forth under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. |
■ | Indexed Securities — Each Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is directly related to changes in an underlying index or interest rate, known as indexed securities. The return on indexed securities will rise when the underlying index rises and fall when the index falls. |
■ | Investment Companies — Each Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. Each Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds. |
■ | Restricted Securities — Restricted securities are securities that cannot be offered for public resale unless registered under the applicable securities laws or that have a contractual restriction that prohibits or limits their resale. They may include Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities that can be resold to qualified institutional buyers but not to the general public, and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are offered pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
■ | Securities Lending — Each Fund may lend securities with a value up to 33 1⁄3% of its total assets to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral. |
■ | Taxable Income — Investments in taxable money market securities as well as some of the derivatives discussed herein may cause a Fund to have taxable investment income. Each Fund may also realize capital gains on the sale of its municipal bonds (and other securities it holds). These capital gains will be taxable regardless of whether they are derived from a sale of municipal bonds. |
■ | Taxable Money Market Securities — Each Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets on a temporary basis in taxable money market securities that have a maturity of one year or less. Each Fund may make these investments for liquidity purposes or as a temporary investment pending an investment in municipal bonds. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — As a temporary measure for defensive purposes, a Fund may invest without limitation in taxable money market securities. These investments may prevent a Fund from meeting its investment objective. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis, on a delayed delivery basis or through a forward commitment involves the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund at an established price with payment and delivery taking place in the future. Each Fund enters into these transactions to obtain what is considered an advantageous price to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations — The National Fund may invest in variable rate demand obligations, which are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. |
■ | Derivatives — The Short-Term Fund may engage in transactions in certain derivatives, such as financial futures contracts and options thereon, indexed and inverse floating rate obligations and swap agreements, including credit default swap agreements. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from another security or an index such as the S&P Municipal Bond Index. The Fund may use derivative instruments to hedge its investments or to seek to enhance returns. Derivatives allow the Fund to increase or decrease its risk exposure more quickly and efficiently than other types of instruments. The Fund is not required to use hedging and may choose not to do so. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Derivatives Risk (National Fund Principal Risk; Short-Term Fund Other Risk) — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives 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 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 Illiquidity 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 as tax-exempt income or as 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. Payments received by the Fund from swap agreements, if any, will generally produce taxable income, while payments made by the Fund on swap agreements will be allocated against both tax-exempt and taxable gross income, decreasing the Fund’s distributable net tax-exempt income. 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 Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). |
Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through 2020. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund. |
Future regulatory developments may 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 |
■ | High Portfolio Turnover Risk (Short-Term Fund) — 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk (National Fund) — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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 than higher rated fixed-income securities, judgment may play a greater role in valuing junk bonds 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including 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 |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — The full faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality that issues a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — Payments of interest and principal on revenue bonds are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax or other revenue source. These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of, and are secured by, tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. The issuer will generally appropriate municipal funds for that purpose, but is not obligated to do so. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. However, if the issuer does not fulfill its payment obligation it may be difficult to sell the property and the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund’s loss. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — In making investments, the Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal obligations and payments under tax-exempt derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions. If any of those tax opinions are ultimately determined to be incorrect or if events occur after the security is acquired that impact the security’s tax-exempt status, the Fund and its shareholders could be subject to substantial tax liabilities. The IRS has generally not ruled on the taxability of the securities. An assertion by the IRS that a portfolio security is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax (contrary to indications from the issuer) could affect the Fund’s and its shareholders’ income tax liability for the current or past years and could create liability for information reporting penalties. In addition, an IRS assertion of taxability may impair the liquidity and the fair market value of the securities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk (National Fund) — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. |
The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a third-party bank or other financial institution (the “Liquidity Provider”) that allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their certificates in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any |
business day, subject to the non-occurrence of tender option termination events. When the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a non-recourse basis, and the Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal securities held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the amount owed under the liquidity facility over the liquidation proceeds (the “Liquidation Shortfall”). | |
If a Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the Fund is required to reimburse the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. | |
To the extent that the Fund, rather than a third-party bank or financial institution, sponsors a TOB Trust, certain responsibilities that previously belonged to the sponsor bank will be performed by, or on behalf of, the Fund. The Fund’s additional duties and responsibilities under the new TOB Trust structure may give rise to certain additional risks including compliance, securities law and operational risks. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk (Short-Term Fund Principal Risk; National Fund Other Risk) — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Cyber Security Risk — Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, distributor, and other service providers, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders. While the Fund has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address system breaches or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems of the Fund’s service providers or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Indexed and Inverse Securities Risk — Indexed and inverse 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 and inverse 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. |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, 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 not offset by BlackRock through waivers). 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Concentration Risk — From time to time the Fund may invest a substantial amount of its assets in municipal securities whose interest is paid solely from revenues of similar projects. If the Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the legal and economic risks relating to such projects and this may have a significant impact on the Fund’s investment performance. |
■ | Restricted Securities Risk — Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at advantageous prices. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. In order to sell such securities, the Fund may have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in |
effecting the registration. Other transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities than unrestricted securities. Restricted securities may be difficult to value because market quotations may not be readily available, and the securities may have significant volatility. Also, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a given restricted security, and therefore may be less able to predict a loss. Certain restricted securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses to the Fund. |
■ | Securities Lending Risk — Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. |
■ | Taxability Risk — The Fund intends to minimize the payment of taxable income to shareholders by investing in tax-exempt or municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such securities, however, may be determined to pay, or have paid, taxable income subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of the securities. In that event, the IRS may demand that the Fund pay U.S. federal income taxes on the affected interest income, and, if the Fund agrees to do so, the Fund’s yield could be adversely affected. In addition, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as “exempt interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased U.S. federal income tax liabilities. If the interest paid on any tax-exempt or municipal security held by the Fund is subsequently determined to be taxable, the Fund will dispose of that security as soon as reasonably practicable. In addition, future laws, regulations, rulings or court decisions may cause interest on municipal securities to be subject, directly or indirectly, to U.S. federal income taxation or interest on state municipal securities to be subject to state or local income taxation, or the value of state municipal securities to be subject to state or local intangible personal property tax, or may otherwise prevent the Fund from realizing the full current benefit of the tax-exempt status of such securities. Any such change could also affect the market price of such securities, and thus the value of an investment in the Fund. |
■ | Valuation Risk — The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Pricing services that value fixed-income securities generally utilize a range of market-based and security-specific inputs and assumptions, as well as considerations about general market conditions, to establish a price. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but may be held or transactions may be conducted in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers. |
■ | 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. |
i. | The current value of an investor’s existing Investor A and A1, Investor C, C1, C2 and C3, Investor P, Institutional, Class K and Premier Shares in most mutual funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates (“BlackRock Funds”), |
ii. | The current value of an investor’s existing shares of certain unlisted closed-end management investment companies sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates and |
iii. | The investment in the BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Program by the investor or by or on behalf of the investor’s spouse and children. |
■ | Answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, the manner in which purchases, exchanges and redemptions or repurchases of shares may be effected and certain other matters pertaining to the customers’ investments; |
■ | Assisting customers in designating and changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; and |
■ | Providing other similar shareholder liaison services. |
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 A1 Shares or Investor C1 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 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.
Regardless of the method the Fund uses to make payment of your redemption proceeds (check, wire or ACH), your redemption proceeds typically will be sent one to two business days after your request is submitted, but in any event, within seven days. Certain Financial Intermediaries may charge a fee to process a redemption of shares. The Fund may reject an order to sell shares under certain circumstances. |
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) |
Redeem
by VRU: Investor Shares may also be redeemed by use of the Fund’s automated voice response unit service (“VRU”). Payment for Investor Shares redeemed by VRU may be made for non-retirement accounts
in amounts up to $25,000, either through check, ACH or wire.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full
or Partial
Redemption of Shares (continued) |
Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) |
proceeds
sent by Federal wire transfer. 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.
|
Redemption Proceeds |
Under
normal circumstances, each Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio or by selling portfolio assets to generate cash. During periods of stressed market conditions, when a significant portion of the
Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, the Fund may be more likely to limit cash redemptions and may determine to pay redemption proceeds by (i) borrowing under a line of credit it has entered into with a group of
lenders, (ii) borrowing from another BlackRock Fund pursuant to an interfund lending program, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions as set forth in the SAI, and/or (iii) transferring portfolio securities
in-kind to you. The SAI includes more information about the Fund’s line of credit and interfund lending program, to the extent applicable.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege | Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) |
Investor
A1 Shares or Investor C1 Shares of the Funds are generally exchangeable for Investor A or Investor C Shares, respectively, of another BlackRock Fund, to the extent such shares are offered by your Financial Intermediary. Shares of other BlackRock
Funds may not be exchanged for Investor A1 Shares or Investor C1 Shares of the Funds.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege (continued) | Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) (continued) |
To
exercise the exchange privilege, you may contact your Financial Intermediary. Alternatively, if your account is held directly with BlackRock, you may:
|
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. |
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 a 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. |
Systematic
Withdrawal Plan |
This feature can be used by investors who want to receive regular distributions from their accounts. |
To
start an 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.
|
Systematic
Withdrawal Plan (continued) |
This feature can be used by investors who want to receive regular distributions from their accounts. (continued) |
with
a minimum of 24 hours notice.
|
■ | 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 as may be permitted 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. |
1 | The reductions shall be applicable to each Fund regardless of size on a “uniform percentage” basis. Determination of the portion of the net assets of each Fund to which a reduced rate is applicable is made by multiplying the net assets of that Fund by “uniform percentages,” derived by dividing the amount by which the combined assets of both Funds exceed the various applicable breakpoints by such combined assets. |
National Fund | 0.36% |
Short-Term Fund | 0.23% |
1 | The contractual caps are in effect through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. |
2 | As a percentage of average daily net assets. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 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. | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 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. | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA | 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. | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Kristi Manidis | 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. | 2019 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2016; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Associate of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2010. |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
Investor A1 | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.08 | $ 10.13 | $ 10.19 | $ 10.12 | $ 10.17 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.03 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.08 | (0.05) | (0.06) | 0.06 | (0.05) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.23 | 0.05 | 0.00 | 0.10 | (0.02) |
Distributions (b) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.15) | (0.10) | (0.06) | (0.03) | (0.03) |
From net realized gain | — | — | (0.00) (c) | (0.00) (c) | — |
Total dividends and distributions | (0.15) | (0.10) | (0.06) | (0.03) | (0.03) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 10.16 | $ 10.08 | $ 10.13 | $ 10.19 | $ 10.12 |
Total Return(d) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 2.32% | 0.51% | (0.01)% | 1.03% | (0.23)% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets | |||||
Total expenses | 0.53% | 0.55% | 0.56% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.46% | 0.46% | 0.48% | 0.52% | 0.52% |
Net investment income | 1.47% | 0.98% | 0.54% | 0.36% | 0.30% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $15,570 | $17,389 | $19,724 | $25,203 | $33,292 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 129% | 153% | 88% | 67% | 72% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share. |
(d) | Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
|
Prospectus |
• | BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
Service: BNMSX |
Fund Overview | Key facts and details about the Fund, including investment objective, 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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Management of the Fund | Information about BlackRock and the Portfolio Managers | |
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Financial Highlights |
Financial Performance of the
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General Information |
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Glossary |
Glossary of Investment
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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 |
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Management Fee1 | 0.39% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | |
Other Expenses | 0.12% | |
Interest Expense | 0.05% | |
Miscellaneous Other Expenses | 0.07% | |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2 | 0.01% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 0.77% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,3 | (0.03)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,3 | 0.74% |
1 | As described in the “Management of the Fund” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 26, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) has contractually agreed to waive the management fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets estimated to be attributable to investments in other equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
2 | 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 do not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Fund” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 26, 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 0.68% of average daily net assets through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation 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 | $76 | $243 | $425 | $951 |
■ | 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 payments of interest and principal 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 both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation. | |
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 increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including: |
Volatility Risk — 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 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 Illiquidity Risk — 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 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. | |
Hedging Risk — 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. | |
Tax Risk — 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. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its
investments.
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Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through 2020. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed |
of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. | |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — The Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal bonds and payments under derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions, which may ultimately be determined to be incorrect and subject the Fund and its shareholders to substantial tax liabilities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates |
rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. If the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, it could suffer losses in excess of the value of its TOB Residuals. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund — Service Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | 0.46% | 3.76% | 5.50% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.45% | 3.76% | 5.50% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.43% | 3.63% | 5.21% |
S&P
® Municipal Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.36% | 3.88% | 5.11% |
Custom
National Index1
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.20% | 4.83% | 5.47% |
1 | The Custom National Index reflects the returns of the S&P® Municipal Bond Index for periods prior to January 1, 2013, and the returns of only those bonds in the S&P® Municipal Bond Index that have maturities greater than 5 years for periods subsequent to January 1, 2013. |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Service Shares | |
Minimum Initial Investment | $5,000 |
Minimum Additional Investment | There is no minimum amount for additional investments. |
■ | Credit Quality of Issuers — based on bond ratings and other factors, including economic and financial conditions. |
■ | Yield Analysis — takes into account factors such as the different yields available on different types of obligations and the shape of the yield curve (longer term obligations typically have higher yields). |
■ | Maturity Analysis — the weighted average maturity of the portfolio will be maintained within a desirable range as determined from time to time. Factors considered include portfolio activity, maturity of the supply of available bonds and the shape of the yield curve. Maturity of a debt security refers to the date upon which debt securities are due to be repaid, that is, the date when the issuer generally must pay back the face amount of the security. |
■ | Borrowing — The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including to meet redemptions, for the payment of dividends, for share repurchases or for the clearance of transactions, subject to the limits set forth under the Investment Company Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. |
■ | Indexed Securities — The Fund may invest in securities the potential return of which is directly related to changes in an underlying index or interest rate, known as indexed securities. The return on indexed securities will rise when the underlying index rises and fall when the index falls. |
■ | Investment Companies — The Fund has the ability to invest in other investment companies, such as exchange-traded funds, unit investment trusts, and open-end and closed-end funds. The Fund may invest in affiliated investment companies, including affiliated money market funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds. |
■ | Restricted Securities — Restricted securities are securities that cannot be offered for public resale unless registered under the applicable securities laws or that have a contractual restriction that prohibits or limits their resale. They may include Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities that can be resold to qualified institutional buyers but not to the general public, and securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are offered pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
■ | Securities Lending — The Fund may lend securities with a value up to 33 1⁄3% of its total assets to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral. |
■ | Taxable Income — Investments in taxable money market securities as well as some of the derivatives discussed herein may cause the Fund to have taxable investment income. The Fund may also realize capital gains on the sale of its municipal bonds (and other securities it holds). These capital gains will be taxable regardless of whether they are derived from a sale of municipal bonds. |
■ | Taxable Money Market Securities — The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets on a temporary basis in taxable money market securities that have a maturity of one year or less. The Fund may make these investments for liquidity purposes or as a temporary investment pending an investment in municipal bonds. |
■ | Temporary Defensive Strategies — As a temporary measure for defensive purposes, the Fund may invest without limitation in taxable money market securities. These investments may prevent the Fund from meeting its investment objective. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations — The Fund may invest in variable rate demand obligations which are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long-term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. |
■ | When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments — The purchase or sale of securities on a when-issued basis, 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Derivatives Risk — The Fund’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives 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 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 Illiquidity 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 as tax-exempt income or as 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. Payments received by the Fund from swap agreements, if any, will generally produce taxable income, while payments made by the Fund on swap agreements will be allocated against both tax-exempt and taxable gross income, decreasing the |
Fund’s distributable net tax-exempt income. 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 Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). |
Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps with the Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through 2020. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund. |
Future regulatory developments may 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 |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund’s illiquid investments may reduce the returns of the Fund because it may be difficult to sell the illiquid investments at an advantageous time or price. An investment may be illiquid due to, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities or the lack of an active trading market. 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 the risks associated with illiquid investments. 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. This may be magnified in a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. 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. |
■ | Junk Bonds Risk — Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and 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 than higher rated fixed-income securities, judgment may play a greater role in valuing junk bonds 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 the Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. As an open-end investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including 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 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. |
■ | 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. | |
■ | Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. These risks include: |
General Obligation Bonds Risks — The full faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality that issues a general obligation bond secures payment of interest and repayment of principal. Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality, ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base. | |
Revenue Bonds Risks — Payments of interest and principal on revenue bonds are made only from the revenues generated by a particular facility, class of facilities or the proceeds of a special tax or other revenue source. These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of revenues derived from another source. | |
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment. If the private enterprise defaults on its payments, the Fund may not receive any income or get its money back from the investment. | |
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality. If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality. | |
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. They may provide interim financing in anticipation of, and are secured by, tax collection, bond sales or revenue receipts. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money. | |
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make payments when due on the lease obligation. The issuer will generally appropriate municipal funds for that purpose, but is not obligated to do so. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property. However, if the issuer does not fulfill its payment obligation it may be difficult to sell the property and the proceeds of a sale may not cover the Fund’s loss. | |
Tax-Exempt Status Risk — In making investments, the Fund and its investment manager will rely on the opinion of issuers’ bond counsel and, in the case of derivative securities, sponsors’ counsel, on the tax-exempt status of interest on municipal obligations and payments under tax-exempt derivative securities. Neither the Fund nor its investment manager will independently review the bases for those tax opinions. If any of those tax opinions are ultimately determined to be incorrect or if events occur after the security is acquired that impact the security’s tax-exempt status, the Fund and its shareholders could be subject to substantial tax liabilities. The IRS has generally not ruled on the taxability of the securities. An assertion by the IRS that a portfolio security is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax (contrary to indications from the issuer) could affect the Fund’s and its shareholders’ income tax liability for the current or past years and could create liability for information reporting penalties. In addition, an IRS assertion of taxability may impair the liquidity and the fair market value of the securities. | |
■ | Tender Option Bonds and Related Securities Risk — The Fund’s participation in tender option bond transactions may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase volatility. Investments in tender option bond transactions expose the Fund to counterparty risk and leverage risk. An investment in a tender option bond transaction typically will involve greater risk than an investment in a municipal fixed rate security, including the risk of loss of principal. Distributions on TOB Residuals will bear an inverse relationship to short-term municipal security interest rates. Distributions on TOB Residuals paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term municipal interest rates rise and will increase when short-term municipal interest rates fall. TOB Residuals generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities in a rising interest rate environment. |
The Fund may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. TOB Trusts are typically supported by a liquidity facility provided by a third-party bank or other financial institution (the “Liquidity Provider”) that allows the holders of the TOB Floaters to tender their certificates in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day, subject to the non-occurrence of tender option termination events. When the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a non-recourse basis, and the Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal securities held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the amount owed under the liquidity facility over the liquidation proceeds (the “Liquidation Shortfall”). |
If the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will typically enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the Fund is required to reimburse the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if the Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. | |
To the extent that the Fund, rather than a third-party bank or financial institution, sponsors a TOB Trust, certain responsibilities that previously belonged to the sponsor bank will be performed by, or on behalf of, the Fund. The Fund’s additional duties and responsibilities under the new TOB Trust structure may give rise to certain additional risks including compliance, securities law and operational risks. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Cyber Security Risk — Failures or breaches of the electronic systems of the Fund, the Fund’s adviser, distributor, and other service providers, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests have the ability to cause disruptions and negatively impact the Fund’s business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders. While the Fund has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address system breaches or failures, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cyber security plans and systems of the Fund’s service providers or issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Indexed and Inverse Securities Risk — Indexed and inverse 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 and inverse 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. |
■ | Investment in Other Investment Companies Risk — As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, 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 not offset by BlackRock through waivers). 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. |
■ | Municipal Securities Concentration Risk — From time to time the Fund may invest a substantial amount of its assets in municipal securities whose interest is paid solely from revenues of similar projects. If the Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the legal and economic risks relating to such projects and this may have a significant impact on the Fund’s investment performance. |
■ | Restricted Securities Risk — Limitations on the resale of restricted securities may have an adverse effect on their marketability, and may prevent the Fund from disposing of them promptly at advantageous prices. Restricted securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. In order to sell such securities, the Fund may have to bear the expense of registering the securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. Other transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities than unrestricted securities. Restricted securities may be difficult to value because market quotations may not be readily available, and the securities may have significant volatility. Also, the Fund may get only limited information about the issuer of a given restricted security, and therefore may be less able to predict a loss. Certain restricted securities may involve a high degree of business and financial risk and may result in substantial losses to the Fund. |
■ | Securities Lending Risk — Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Fund may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Fund could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Fund. |
■ | Taxability Risk — The Fund intends to minimize the payment of taxable income to shareholders by investing in tax-exempt or municipal securities in reliance at the time of purchase on an opinion of bond counsel to the issuer that the interest paid on those securities will be excludable from gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such securities, however, may be determined to pay, or have paid, taxable income subsequent to the Fund’s acquisition of the securities. In that event, the IRS may demand that the Fund pay U.S. federal income taxes on the affected interest income, and, if the Fund agrees to do so, the Fund’s yield could be adversely affected. In addition, the treatment of dividends previously paid or to be paid by the Fund as “exempt interest dividends” could be adversely affected, subjecting the Fund’s shareholders to increased U.S. federal income tax liabilities. If the interest paid on any tax-exempt or municipal security held by the Fund is subsequently determined to be taxable, the Fund will dispose of that security as soon as reasonably practicable. In addition, future laws, regulations, rulings or court decisions may cause interest on municipal securities to be subject, directly or indirectly, to U.S. federal income taxation or interest on state municipal securities to be subject to state or local income taxation, or the value of state municipal securities to be subject to state or local intangible personal property tax, or may otherwise prevent the Fund from realizing the full current benefit of the tax-exempt status of such securities. Any such change could also affect the market price of such securities, and thus the value of an investment in the Fund. |
■ | Valuation Risk — The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation methodology or a price provided by an independent pricing service. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. Pricing services that value fixed-income securities generally utilize a range of market-based and security-specific inputs and assumptions, as well as considerations about general market conditions, to establish a price. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but may be held or transactions may be conducted in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers. |
■ | Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risk — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long term municipal bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | 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 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 DirectionsSM 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. |
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. |
■ | Answering customer inquiries regarding account status and history, the manner in which purchases, exchanges and redemptions or repurchases of shares may be effected and certain other matters pertaining to the customers’ investments; |
■ | Assisting customers in designating 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 | Making payment for purchases | Payment for Service Shares must normally 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 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 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) |
for
overnight delivery, 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts 01581. Under certain circumstances, a medallion signature guarantee will be required.
***
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.
|
Redemption Proceeds |
Under
normal circumstances, each Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio or by selling portfolio assets to generate cash. During periods of stressed market conditions, when a significant portion of the
Fund’s portfolio may be comprised of less-liquid investments, the Fund may be more likely to limit cash redemptions and may determine to pay redemption proceeds by (i) borrowing under a line of credit it has entered into with a group of
lenders, (ii) borrowing from another BlackRock Fund pursuant to an interfund lending program, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions as set forth in the SAI, and/or (iii) transferring portfolio securities
in-kind to you. The SAI includes more information about the Fund’s line of credit and interfund lending program, to the extent applicable.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Redemption Proceeds (continued) | (continued) | If the Fund pays redemption proceeds by transferring portfolio securities in-kind to you, you may pay transaction costs to dispose of the securities, and you may receive less for them than the price at which they were valued for purposes of redemption. |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Exchange Privilege | Selling shares of one BlackRock Fund to purchase shares of another BlackRock Fund (“exchanging”) |
Service
Shares of the Fund are generally exchangeable for shares of the same class of another BlackRock Fund to the extent such shares are offered by your Financial Intermediary.
|
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. |
■ | 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 as may be permitted 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. |
Aggregate
average daily net assets
of the two combined Funds1 |
Rate
of
Management Fee |
First $250 million | 0.410% |
$250 million – $400 million | 0.385% |
$400 million – $550 million | 0.385% |
Greater than $550 million | 0.385% |
1 | The reductions shall be applicable to the Fund regardless of size on a “uniform percentage” basis. Determination of the portion of the net assets of the Fund and BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund (a series of the Corporation) to which a reduced rate is applicable is made by multiplying the net assets of that Fund by “uniform percentages,” derived by dividing the amount by which the combined assets of both Funds exceed the various applicable breakpoints by such combined assets. |
Contractual
Cap1 on
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) |
|
Service Shares | 0.68% |
1 | The contractual cap is in effect through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
2 | As a percentage of average daily net assets. |
Portfolio Manager | Primary Role | Since | Title and Recent Biography |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 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. | 1996 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 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. | 2016 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. |
Service | |||||
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.78 | $10.87 | $11.21 | $10.85 | $ 10.86 |
Net investment income(a) | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.38 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | 0.27 | (0.10) | (0.35) | 0.34 | (0.03) |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | 0.58 | 0.21 | (0.02) | 0.68 | 0.35 |
Distributions from net investment income(b) | (0.30) | (0.30) | (0.32) | (0.32) | (0.36) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 11.06 | $10.78 | $10.87 | $11.21 | $ 10.85 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 5.51% | 1.99% | (0.14)% | 6.47% | 3.23% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 0.76% | 0.71% | 0.76% | 0.80% | 0.82% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.73% | 0.67% | 0.71% | 0.78% | 0.77% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and fees | 0.68% (e) | 0.67% | 0.71% (e) | 0.77% (e) | 0.74% (e) |
Net investment income | 2.90% | 2.90% | 3.04% | 3.06% | 3.52% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $ 3,318 | $2,407 | $3,150 | $2,505 | $ 1,739 |
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) | $324,360 | $ — | $ — | $ — | $275,550 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 77% | 51% | 83% | 83% | 28% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(c) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(d) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended June 30, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | —% | —% |
(e) | Interest expense and fees relate to TOB Trusts. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
Class Ticker |
BlackRock
National Municipal Fund Ticker Symbols |
BlackRock
Short-Term Municipal Fund Ticker Symbols |
BlackRock
High Yield Municipal Fund Ticker Symbols |
|||
Investor A
Shares
|
MDNLX | MELMX | MDYHX | |||
Investor C
Shares
|
MFNLX | MFLMX | MCYHX | |||
Institutional
Shares
|
MANLX | MALMX | MAYHX | |||
Service
Shares
|
BNMSX | N/A | N/A | |||
Investor A1
Shares
|
N/A | MDLMX | N/A | |||
Investor C1
Shares
|
MCNLX | N/A | N/A | |||
Class K
Shares
|
BNMLX | MPLMX | MKYHX |
National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |
144A Securities | X | X | X |
Asset-Backed Securities | |||
Asset-Based Securities | |||
Precious Metal-Related Securities | |||
Bank Loans | |||
Borrowing and Leverage | X | X | X |
Cash Flows; Expenses | |||
Cash Management | |||
Collateralized Debt Obligations | |||
Collateralized Bond Obligations | |||
Collateralized Loan Obligations | |||
Commercial Paper | |||
Commodity-Linked Derivative Instruments and Hybrid Instruments | |||
Qualifying Hybrid Instruments | |||
Hybrid Instruments Without Principal Protection | |||
Limitations on Leverage | |||
Counterparty Risk | |||
Convertible Securities | |||
Credit Linked Securities | X | X | X |
Cyber Security Issues | X | X | X |
Debt Securities | X | X | X |
Inflation-Indexed Bonds | |||
Investment Grade Debt Obligations | X | X | X |
National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |
High Yield Investments (“Junk Bonds”) | X | X | X |
Mezzanine Investments | |||
Pay-in-kind Bonds | |||
Supranational Entities | |||
Depositary Receipts (ADRs, EDRs and GDRs) | |||
Derivatives | X | X | X |
Hedging | X | X | X |
Speculation | X | X | X |
Risk Factors in Derivatives | X | X | X |
Correlation Risk | X | X | X |
Counterparty Risk | X | X | X |
Credit Risk | X | X | X |
Currency Risk | |||
Illiquidity Risk | X | X | X |
Leverage Risk | X | X | X |
Market Risk | X | X | X |
Valuation Risk | X | X | X |
Volatility Risk | X | X | X |
Futures | X | X | X |
Swap Agreements | X | X | X |
Credit Default Swaps and Similar Instruments | X | X | X |
Interest Rate Swaps, Floors and Caps | X | X | X |
Total Return Swaps | X | X | X |
Options | X | X | X |
Options on Securities and Securities Indices | X | X | X |
Call Options | X | X | X |
Put Options | X | X | X |
Options on Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) Certificates | |||
Options on Swaps (“Swaptions”) | X | X | X |
Foreign Exchange Transactions | |||
Spot Transactions and FX Forwards | |||
Currency Futures | |||
Currency Options | |||
Currency Swaps | |||
Distressed Securities | X | X | X |
Equity Securities | |||
Real Estate-Related Securities | |||
Securities of Smaller or Emerging Growth Companies | |||
Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”) | |||
Foreign Investments | |||
Foreign Investment Risks | |||
Foreign Market Risk |
National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |
Foreign Economy Risk | |||
Currency Risk and Exchange Risk | |||
Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards | |||
Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States | |||
Publicly Available Information | |||
Settlement Risk | |||
Sovereign Debt | |||
Funding Agreements | |||
Guarantees | X | X | X |
Illiquid Investments | X | X | X |
Index Funds: Information Concerning the Indexes | |||
S&P 500 Index | |||
Russell Indexes | |||
MSCI Indexes | |||
FTSE Indexes | |||
Bloomberg Barclays Indexes | |||
ICE BofAML Indexes | |||
Indexed and Inverse Securities | X | X | X |
Inflation Risk | X | X | X |
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Risk | |||
Interfund Lending Program | X | X | X |
Borrowing, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions | X | X | X |
Lending, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions | X | ||
Investment in Emerging Markets | |||
Brady Bonds | |||
China Investments Risk | |||
Investment in Other Investment Companies | X | X | X |
Exchange-Traded Funds | X | X | X |
Lease Obligations | |||
Life Settlement Investments | |||
Liquidity Risk Management | X | X | X |
Master Limited Partnerships | |||
Merger Transaction Risk | |||
Money Market Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks | X | X | X |
Money Market Securities | X | X | X |
Mortgage-Related Securities | |||
Mortgage-Backed Securities | |||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) | |||
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities |
National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |
CMO Residuals | |||
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities | |||
Tiered Index Bonds | |||
TBA Commitments | |||
Mortgage Dollar Rolls | |||
Net Interest Margin (NIM) Securities | |||
Municipal Investments | X | X | X |
Risk Factors and Special Considerations Relating to Municipal Bonds | X | X | X |
Description of Municipal Bonds | X | X | X |
General Obligation Bonds | X | X | X |
Revenue Bonds | X | X | X |
Private Activity Bonds (“PABs”) | X | X | X |
Moral Obligation Bonds | X | X | X |
Municipal Notes | X | X | X |
Municipal Commercial Paper | X | X | X |
Municipal Lease Obligations | X | X | |
Tender Option Bonds | X | X | |
Yields | X | X | X |
Variable Rate Demand Obligations (“VRDOs”) and Participating VRDOs | X | X | X |
Transactions in Financial Futures Contracts on Municipal Indexes | X | X | X |
Call Rights | X | X | X |
Municipal Interest Rate Swap Transactions | X | X | X |
Insured Municipal Bonds | X | X | X |
Build America Bonds | X | X | X |
Tax-Exempt Municipal Investments | X | X | X |
Participation Notes | |||
Portfolio Turnover Rates | X | X | X |
Preferred Stock | |||
Tax-Exempt Preferred Shares | X | X | X |
Trust Preferred Securities | X | X | X |
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) | |||
Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts | X | X | X |
Restricted Securities | X | X | X |
Reverse Repurchase Agreements | X | X | X |
Rights Offerings and Warrants to Purchase | |||
Securities Lending | X | X | X |
Short Sales | See note 1 below | See note 1 below | See note 1 below |
Standby Commitment Agreements | |||
Stripped Securities | |||
Structured Notes |
National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |
Taxability Risk | X | X | X |
Temporary Defensive Measures | |||
U.S. Government Obligations | X | X | X |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | X | X | X |
U.S. Treasury Rolls | |||
Utility Industries | X | 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 |
• | increases the independent oversight of the Funds and enhances the Board’s objective evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer; |
• | allows the Chief Executive Officer to focus on the Funds’ operations instead of Board administration; |
• | provides greater opportunities for direct and independent communication between shareholders and the Board; and |
• | provides an independent spokesman for the Funds. |
Directors | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Independent Directors | ||
Richard E. Cavanagh | Richard E. Cavanagh brings to the Board a wealth of practical business knowledge and leadership as an experienced director/trustee of various public and private companies. In particular, because Mr. Cavanagh served for over a decade as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Conference Board, Inc., a global business research organization, he is able to provide the Board with expertise about business and economic trends and governance practices. Mr. Cavanagh created the “blue ribbon” Commission on Public Trust and Private Enterprise in 2002, which recommended corporate governance enhancements. Mr. Cavanagh’s service as a director of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and as a senior advisor and director of The Fremont Group provides added insight into investment trends and conditions. Mr. Cavanagh’s long-standing service as a director/trustee/chair of the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex also provides him with a specific understanding of the Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the Funds. Mr. Cavanagh is also an experienced board leader, having served as the lead independent director of a NYSE public company (Arch Chemicals) and as the Board Chairman of the Educational Testing Service. Mr. Cavanagh’s independence from the Corporation and the Manager enhances his service as Co-Chair of the Board, Chair of the Executive Committee, and a member of the Compliance Committee, the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Performance Oversight Committee. | |
Karen P. Robards | The Board benefits from Karen P. Robards’s many years of experience in investment banking and the financial advisory industry where she obtained extensive knowledge of the capital markets and advised clients on corporate finance transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and the issuance of debt and equity securities. Ms. Robards’s prior position as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley provides useful oversight of the Funds’ investment decisions and investment valuation processes. Additionally, Ms. Robards’s experience as a director of publicly held and private companies allows her to provide the Board with insight into the management and governance practices of other companies. Ms. Robards’s long-standing service on the boards of directors/trustees of closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex also provides her with a specific understanding of the Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the Funds. Ms. Robards’ knowledge of financial and accounting matters qualifies her to serve as Co-Chair of the Board and a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Robards’ independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances her service as a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee, the Performance Oversight Committee and the Executive Committee. | |
Michael J. Castellano | The Board benefits from Michael J. Castellano’s career in accounting which spans over forty years. Mr. Castellano has served as Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd. and as a Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Group. Prior to joining Lazard, Mr. Castellano held various senior management positions at Merrill Lynch & Co., including Senior Vice President — Chief Control Officer for Merrill Lynch’s capital markets businesses, Chairman of Merrill Lynch International Bank and Senior Vice President — Corporate Controller. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch & Co., Mr. Castellano was a partner with Deloitte & Touche where he served a number of investment banking clients over the course of his 24 years with the firm. Mr. Castellano currently serves as a director for CircleBlack Inc. Mr. Castellano’s knowledge of financial and accounting matters qualifies him to serve as Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Castellano’s independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances his service as a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Performance Oversight Committee. |
Directors | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Cynthia L. Egan | Cynthia L. Egan brings to the Board a broad and diverse knowledge of investment companies and the retirement industry as a result of her many years of experience as President, Retirement Plan Services, for T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. and her various senior operating officer positions at Fidelity Investments, including her service as Executive Vice President of FMR Co., President of Fidelity Institutional Services Company and President of the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund. Ms. Egan has also served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of Treasury as an expert in domestic retirement security. Ms. Egan began her professional career at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Ms. Egan is also a director of UNUM Corporation, a publicly traded insurance company providing personal risk reinsurance, and of The Hanover Group, a public property casualty insurance company. Ms. Egan’s independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances her service as Chair of the Compliance Committee, and a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee and the Performance Oversight Committee. | |
Frank J. Fabozzi | Frank J. Fabozzi has served for over 25 years on the boards of registered investment companies. Dr. Fabozzi holds the designations of Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Public Accountant. Dr. Fabozzi was inducted into the Fixed Income Analysts Society’s Hall of Fame and is the 2007 recipient of the C. Stewart Sheppard Award and the 2015 recipient of the James R. Vertin Award, both given by the CFA Institute. The Board benefits from Dr. Fabozzi’s experiences as a professor and author in the field of finance. Dr. Fabozzi’s experience as a professor at various institutions, including EDHEC Business School, Yale, MIT, and Princeton, as well as Dr. Fabozzi’s experience as a Professor in the Practice of Finance and Becton Fellow at the Yale University School of Management and as editor of the Journal of Portfolio Management demonstrates his wealth of expertise in the investment management and structured finance areas. Dr. Fabozzi has authored and edited numerous books and research papers on topics in investment management and financial econometrics, and his writings have focused on fixed income securities and portfolio management, many of which are considered standard references in the investment management industry. Dr. Fabozzi’s long-standing service on the boards of directors/trustees of the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex also provides him with a specific understanding of the Funds, their operations and the business and regulatory issues facing the Funds. Moreover, Dr. Fabozzi’s knowledge of financial and accounting matters qualifies him to serve as a member of the Audit Committee. Dr. Fabozzi’s independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances his service as Chair of the Performance Oversight Committee. | |
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 Funds with greater insight into the analysis and evaluation of both their 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, as well as his former positions on the boards of directors/trustees of certain funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex, provide the Board with direct knowledge of the operations of the Funds and the Manager. Mr. Gabbay’s previous service on and long-standing relationship with the Board also provide him with a specific understanding of the Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the Funds. Mr. Gabbay’s knowledge of financial and accounting matters qualifies him to serve as a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Gabbay’s independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances his service as a member of the Performance Oversight Committee. |
Directors | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
R. Glenn Hubbard | R. Glenn Hubbard has served in numerous roles in the field of economics, including as the Chairman of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers of the President of the United States. Dr. Hubbard has served as the Dean of Columbia Business School, as a member of the Columbia Faculty and as a Visiting Professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Harvard Business School and the University of Chicago. Dr. Hubbard’s experience as an adviser to the President of the United States adds a dimension of balance to the Funds governance and provides perspective on economic issues. Dr. Hubbard’s service on the boards of ADP and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company provides the Board with the benefit of his experience with the management practices of other financial companies. Dr. Hubbard’s long-standing service on the boards of directors/trustees of the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex also provides him with a specific understanding of the Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the Funds. Dr. Hubbard’s independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances his service as Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee and a member of the Compliance Committee and the Performance Oversight Committee. | |
W. Carl Kester | The Board benefits from W. Carl Kester’s experiences as a professor and author in finance, and his experience as the George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and as Deputy Dean of Academic Affairs at Harvard Business School from 2006 through 2010 adds to the Board a wealth of expertise in corporate finance and corporate governance. Dr. Kester has authored and edited numerous books and research papers on both subject matters, including co-editing a leading volume of finance case studies used worldwide. Dr. Kester’s long-standing service on the boards of directors/trustees of the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex also provides him with a specific understanding of the Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the Funds. Dr. Kester’s independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances his service as a member of the Compliance Committee and the Performance Oversight Committee. | |
Catherine A. Lynch | Catherine A. Lynch, who served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust, benefits the Board by providing business leadership and experience and a diverse knowledge of pensions and endowments. Ms. Lynch also holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst. Ms. Lynch’s knowledge of financial and accounting matters qualifies her to serve as a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Lynch’s independence from the Funds and the Manager enhances her service as a member of the Performance Oversight Committee. | |
Interested Directors | ||
Robert Fairbairn | Robert Fairbairn has more than 25 years of experience with BlackRock, Inc. and over 30 years of experience in finance and asset management. In particular, Mr. Fairbairn’s positions as Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc., Member of BlackRock’s Global Executive and Global Operating Committees and Co-Chair of BlackRock’s Human Capital Committee 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 Global Head of BlackRock’s Retail and iShares® businesses, Head of BlackRock’s Global Client Group, Chairman of BlackRock’s international businesses and his previous oversight over BlackRock’s Strategic Partner Program and Strategic Product Management Group. Mr. Fairbairn also serves as a board member for the funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex. |
Directors | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
John M. Perlowski | John M. Perlowski’s experience as Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009, as the Head of BlackRock Global Accounting and Product Services since 2009, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Funds provides him with a strong understanding of the Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the 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. Mr. Perlowski also serves as a board member for the funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex. Mr. Perlowski’s experience with BlackRock enhances his service as a member of the Executive Committee. |
Name
and Year of Birth1,2 |
Position(s)
Held (Length of Service)3 |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen |
Public
Company and Other Investment Company Directorships Held During Past Five Years |
||||
Independent Directors | ||||||||
Richard
E. Cavanagh
|
Co-Chair
of the Board and Director
(Since 2019) |
Director, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 1998; Board Chair, Volunteers of America (a not-for-profit organization) from 2015 to 2018 (board member since 2009); Director, Arch Chemicals (chemical and allied products) from 1999 to 2011; Trustee, Educational Testing Service from 1997 to 2009 and Chairman thereof from 2005 to 2009; Senior Advisor, The Fremont Group since 2008 and Director thereof since 1996; Faculty Member/Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard University since 2007 and Executive Dean from 1987 to 1995; President and Chief Executive Officer, The Conference Board, Inc. (global business research organization) from 1995 to 2007. | 86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios | None | ||||
Karen
P. Robards
|
Co-Chair
of the Board and Director
(Since 2019) |
Principal of Robards & Company, LLC (consulting and private investing) since 1987; Co-founder and Director of the Cooke Center for Learning and Development (a not-for-profit organization) since 1987; Director of Enable Injections, LLC (medical devices) since 2019; Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley from 1976 to 1987. | 86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios | Greenhill & Co., Inc.; AtriCure, Inc. (medical devices) from 2000 until 2017 |
Name
and Year of Birth1,2 |
Position(s)
Held (Length of Service)3 |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen |
Public
Company and Other Investment Company Directorships Held During Past Five Years |
||||
Michael
J. Castellano
|
Director
(Since 2019) |
Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Group LLC from 2001 to 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd from 2004 to 2011; Director, Support Our Aging Religious (non-profit) from 2009 to June 2015 and since 2017; Director, National Advisory Board of Church Management at Villanova University since 2010; Trustee, Domestic Church Media Foundation since 2012; Director, CircleBlack Inc. (financial technology company) since 2015. | 86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios | None | ||||
Cynthia
L. Egan
|
Director
(Since 2019) |
Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2014 to 2015; President, Retirement Plan Services, for T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; executive positions within Fidelity Investments from 1989 to 2007. | 86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios | Unum (insurance); The Hanover Insurance Group (insurance); Envestnet (investment platform) from 2013 until 2016 | ||||
Frank
J. Fabozzi4
|
Director
(Since 2019) |
Editor of The Journal of Portfolio Management since 1986; Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School (France) since 2011; Visiting Professor, Princeton University for the 2013 to 2014 academic year and Spring 2017 semester; Professor in the Practice of Finance, Yale University School of Management from 1994 to 2011 and currently a Teaching Fellow in Yale’s Executive Programs; Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Funds from 2014 to 2016; affiliated professor Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from 2008 to 2011. | 87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios | None | ||||
Henry
Gabbay
|
Director
(Since 2007) |
Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Bond Board from 2007 to 2018; Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Liquidity and BlackRock Closed-End Fund Boards from 2007 through 2014; 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. | 86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios | None | ||||
R.
Glenn Hubbard
|
Director
(Since 2019) |
Dean, Columbia Business School from 2004 to 2019; Faculty member, Columbia Business School since 1988. | 86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios | ADP (data and information services); Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (insurance); KKR Financial Corporation (finance) from 2004 until 2014 |
Name
and Year of Birth1,2 |
Position(s)
Held (Length of Service)3 |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
Number
of
BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (“RICs”) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen |
Public
Company and Other Investment Company Directorships Held During Past Five Years |
||||
W.
Carl Kester4
|
Director
(Since 2019) |
George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School since 2008; Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs from 2006 to 2010; Chairman of the Finance Unit, from 2005 to 2006; Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of the MBA Program from 1999 to 2005; Member of the faculty of Harvard Business School since 1981. | 87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios | None | ||||
Catherine
A. Lynch4
|
Director
(Since 2019) |
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and various other positions, National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust from 2003 to 2016; Associate Vice President for Treasury Management, The George Washington University from 1999 to 2003; Assistant Treasurer, Episcopal Church of America from 1995 to 1999. | 87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios | None | ||||
Interested Directors5 | ||||||||
Robert
Fairbairn
|
Director
(Since 2015) |
Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Member of BlackRock’s Global Executive and Global Operating Committees; Co-Chair of BlackRock’s Human Capital Committee; Senior Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2010 to 2019; oversaw BlackRock’s Strategic Partner Program and Strategic Product Management Group from 2012 to 2019; Member of the Board of Managers of BlackRock Investments, LLC from 2011 to 2018; Global Head of BlackRock’s Retail and iShares® businesses from 2012 to 2016. | 123 RICs consisting of 289 Portfolios | None | ||||
John
M. Perlowski4
|
Director
(Since 2015) and
President and Chief Executive Officer (Since 2010) |
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Accounting and Product Services since 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009. | 124 RICs consisting of 290 Portfolios | None |
1 | The address of each Director is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
2 | Each Independent Director 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 Corporation’s by-laws or charter or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. Directors who are “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act, serve until their successor is duly elected and qualifies or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Corporation’s by-laws or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Directors on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate. |
3 | 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. Certain Independent Directors first became members of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Richard E. Cavanagh, 1994; Frank J. Fabozzi, 1988; R. Glenn Hubbard, 2004; W. Carl Kester, 1995; and Karen P. Robards, 1998. Certain other Independent Directors became members of the boards of the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex as follows: Michael J. Castellano, 2011; Cynthia L. Egan, 2016; and Catherine A. Lynch, 2016. |
4 | Dr. Fabozzi, Dr. Kester, Ms. Lynch and Mr. Perlowski are also trustees of the BlackRock Credit Strategies Fund. |
5 | Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Corporation based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex. |
Name
and Year of Birth1,2 |
Position(s)
Held
(Length of Service) |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
||
Officers Who Are Not Directors | ||||
Jennifer
McGovern
|
Vice
President
(Since 2014) |
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2016; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Head of Product Development and Oversight for BlackRock’s Strategic Product Management Group since 2019; Head of Product Structure and Oversight for BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Group from 2013 to 2019. | ||
Neal
J. Andrews
|
Chief
Financial Officer
(Since 2007) |
Chief Financial Officer of the iShares® exchange traded funds since 2019; Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006. | ||
Jay
M. Fife
|
Treasurer
(Since 2007) |
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007. | ||
Charles
Park
|
Chief
Compliance Officer
(Since 2014) |
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for certain BlackRock-advised Funds from 2014 to 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income 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. | ||
Lisa
Belle
|
Anti-Money
Laundering Compliance Officer
(Since 2019) |
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Global Financial Crime Head for Asset and Wealth Management of JP Morgan from 2013 to 2019; Managing Director of RBS Securities from 2012 to 2013; Head of Financial Crimes for Barclays Wealth Americas from 2010 to 2012. | ||
Janey
Ahn
|
Secretary
(Since 2019) |
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2009 to 2017. |
1 | The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
2 | Officers of the Corporation serve at the pleasure of the Board. |
Name of Director |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the National Fund |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Short-Term Fund |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the High Yield Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in Supervised Funds |
||||
Independent Directors: | ||||||||
Michael J.
Castellano1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Richard E.
Cavanagh1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Cynthia L.
Egan1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Frank J.
Fabozzi1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Henry
Gabbay
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
R. Glenn
Hubbard1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
W. Carl
Kester1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Catherine A.
Lynch1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Karen P.
Robards1
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
Interested
Directors:
|
||||||||
Robert
Fairbairn
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 | ||||
John M.
Perlowski
|
None | None | None | Over $100,000 |
Name 1 |
Aggregate
Compensation from the High Yield Fund |
Aggregate
Compensation from the National Fund |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Short-Term Fund |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon Retirement |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Funds and Other BlackRock- Advised Funds |
|||||
Independent Directors: | ||||||||||
James H.
Bodurtha2
|
$1,108 | $5,053 | $914 | None | $342,500 | |||||
Bruce R.
Bond3
|
$1,181 | $5,815 | $952 | None | $397,500 | |||||
Michael J.
Castellano4
|
$555 | $5,981 | $412 | None | $310,000 | |||||
Richard E.
Cavanagh5
|
$616 | $6,743 | $455 | None | $412,500 | |||||
Cynthia L.
Egan6
|
$549 | $5,904 | $408 | None | $337,500 | |||||
Honorable Stuart E.
Eizenstat7
|
$1,108 | $5,053 | $914 | None | $344,500 | |||||
Frank J.
Fabozzi8
|
$537 | $5,752 | $400 | None | $340,000 | |||||
Henry
Gabbay
|
$1,608 | $10,347 | $1,288 | None | $352,500 | |||||
Lena G.
Goldberg9
|
$1,181 | $5,815 | $952 | None | $377,500 | |||||
Robert M.
Hernandez10
|
$1,346 | $7,559 | $1,040 | None | $477,500 | |||||
R. Glenn
Hubbard11
|
$518 | $5,523 | $387 | None | $312,500 | |||||
Henry R.
Keizer12
|
$1,181 | $5,815 | $952 | None | $397,500 |
Name 1 |
Aggregate
Compensation from the High Yield Fund |
Aggregate
Compensation from the National Fund |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Short-Term Fund |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon Retirement |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Funds and Other BlackRock- Advised Funds |
|||||
W. Carl
Kester
|
$494 | $5,219 | $370 | None | $310,000 | |||||
Catherine A.
Lynch
|
$500 | $5,295 | $374 | None | $310,000 | |||||
John F.
O’Brien13
|
$1,108 | $5,053 | $914 | None | $334,500 | |||||
Donald C.
Opatrny14
|
$1,181 | $5,815 | $952 | None | $387,500 | |||||
Karen P.
Robards15
|
$622 | $6,819 | $459 | None | $415,000 | |||||
Interested
Directors:
|
||||||||||
Robert
Fairbairn
|
None | None | None | None | None | |||||
John M.
Perlowski
|
None | None | None | None | None |
1 | For the number of BlackRock-advised Funds from which each Director receives compensation see the Biographical Information Chart beginning on page I-16. Each Independent Director other than Mr. Gabbay was elected as a Director of the Corporation effective January 1, 2019 and served as a director/trustee of the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 2018. |
2 | Mr. Bodurtha served as a Director of the Corporation through December 31, 2018 and as Chair of the Compliance Committee through December 31, 2017. |
3 | Mr. Bond served as a Director of the Corporation and Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee through December 31, 2018. |
4 | Mr. Castellano was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee effective January 1, 2019. |
5 | Mr. Cavanagh was appointed Co-Chair of the Board effective January 1, 2019. |
6 | Ms. Egan was appointed Chair of the Compliance Committee effective January 1, 2019. |
7 | Mr. Eizenstat served as a Director of the Corporation through December 31, 2018. |
8 | Dr. Fabozzi was appointed Chair of the Performance Oversight Committee effective January 1, 2019. |
9 | Ms. Goldberg served as a Director of the Corporation and Chair of the Compliance Committee through December 31, 2018. |
10 | Mr. Hernandez served as a Director of the Corporation and Chair of the Board through December 31, 2018. |
11 | Dr. Hubbard was appointed Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee effective January 1, 2019. |
12 | Mr. Keizer served as a Director of the Corporation and Chair of the Audit Committee through December 31, 2018. |
13 | Mr. O’Brien served as a Director of the Corporation through December 31, 2018. |
14 | Mr. Opatrny served as a Director of the Corporation and Chair of the Performance Committee through December 31, 2018. |
15 | Ms. Robards was appointed as Co-Chair of the Board effective January 1, 2019. |
16 | For the Independent Directors (other than Mr. Gabbay), this amount represents the aggregate compensation earned from the closed-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 2018. Of this amount, Mr. Cavanagh, Ms. Robards, Mr. Castellano, Ms. Egan, Dr. Fabozzi, Dr. Hubbard, Dr. Kester and Ms. Lynch deferred $136,125, $20,750, $93,000, $0, $0, $156,250, $40,000 and $62,000, respectively, pursuant to the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex’s deferred compensation plan. |
Management Fee Rate | ||||
Aggregate of average daily net assets of the two combined Funds |
National
Fund |
Short-Term
Fund |
||
First $250
million
|
0.410% | 0.360% |
Management Fee Rate | ||||
Aggregate of average daily net assets of the two combined Funds |
National
Fund |
Short-Term
Fund |
||
$250 million — $400
million
|
0.385% | 0.340% | ||
$400 million — $550
million
|
0.385% | 0.320% | ||
Greater than $550
million
|
0.385% | 0.290% |
Management Fee Rate | ||||
Aggregate of average daily net assets of the two combined Funds |
National
Fund |
Short-Term
Fund |
||
First $250
million
|
0.450% | 0.400% | ||
$250 million — $400
million
|
0.425% | 0.375% | ||
$400 million — $550
million
|
0.425% | 0.350% | ||
Greater than $550
million
|
0.425% | 0.325% |
Management Fee Rate | ||
Aggregate of average daily net assets of the Fund | High Yield Fund | |
Not exceeding $1
billion
|
0.47% | |
In excess of $1 billion but not exceeding $3
billion
|
0.44% | |
In excess of $3 billion but not exceeding $5
billion
|
0.42% | |
In excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $10
billion
|
0.41% | |
In excess of $10
billion
|
0.40% |
Management Fee Rate | ||
Aggregate of average daily net assets of the Fund | High Yield Fund | |
First $250
million
|
0.550% | |
$250 million — $500
million
|
0.525% | |
Greater than $500
million
|
0.500% |
National Fund | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
Paid
to the
Manager |
Waived
by the
Manager1,2 |
Reimbursements
by the Manager2 |
|||
2019
|
$37,457,187 | $2,724,919 | $2,582,398 | |||
2018
|
$32,744,598 | $2,775,356 | $3,290,412 | |||
2017
|
$28,851,254 | $3,189,376 | $2,931,793 |
Short-Term Fund | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
Paid
to the
Manager |
Waived
by the
Manager1,3 |
Reimbursements
by the Manager3 |
|||
2019
|
$1,440,895 | $330,535 | $124,067 | |||
2018
|
$1,346,674 | $318,170 | $211,999 | |||
2017
|
$1,855,485 | $440,581 | $306,211 |
High Yield Fund | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
Paid
to the
Manager |
Waived
by the
Manager1,4 |
Reimbursements
by the Manager4 |
|||
2019
|
$4,555,491 | $300,179 | $ 7,846 | |||
2018
|
$3,827,869 | $195,261 | $ 35,070 | |||
2017
|
$3,923,775 | $181,402 | $158,187 |
1 | In addition to the contractual waivers described above, the Manager may voluntarily waive a portion of the Fund’s management fee in connection with the Fund’s investment in an affiliated money market fund. |
2 | Effective May 31, 2018, the Manager 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 (as defined in the Fund’s Prospectuses)) as a percentage of average daily net assets to 0.68% for Investor A Shares, 1.43% for Investor C Shares, 0.43% for Institutional Shares, 1.23% for Investor C1 Shares, 0.68% for Service Shares and 0.38% for Class K Shares through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Prior to May 31, 2018, the Manager contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fees Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) as a percentage of average daily net assets to 0.69% for Investor A Shares, 1.44% for Investor C Shares, 0.44% for Institutional Shares, 1.24% for Investor C1 Shares, 0.69% for Service Shares and 0.39% for Class K Shares. |
3 | The Manager has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees and/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) as a percentage of average daily net assets to: 0.61% for Investor A Shares, 0.46% for Investor A1 Shares, 1.36% for Investor C Shares, 0.36% for Institutional Shares and 0.31% for Class K Shares through October 31, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. |
4 | Effective December 29, 2017, the Manager 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) as a percentage of average daily net assets to: 0.79% for Investor A Shares, 1.54% for Investor C Shares, 0.54% for Institutional Shares and 0.49% for Class K Shares through October 31, 2020. This contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Directors of the Corporation or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. From June 15, 2016 through December 28, 2017, the Manager had 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) as a percentage of average daily net assets to: 0.82% for Investor A Shares, 1.57% for Investor C Shares and 0.57% for Institutional Shares. |
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 |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
$15.31 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
$22.29 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
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 |
Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
$516.1 Million | $0 | $4.38 Billion | $0 | $0 | $4.38 Billion | |
Kristi Manidis* | 6 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
$6.62 Billion | $0 | $13.11 Billion | $0 | $0 | $13.11 Billion |
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 |
Theodore R. Jaeckel, Jr., CFA | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
$28.23 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Walter O’Connor, CFA | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
$25.36 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Portfolio Manager | Benchmark | |
Theodore
R. Jaeckel, Jr., CFA
Walter O’ Connor, CFA Kristi Manidis Michael Kalinoski Kevin A. Schiatta, CFA |
A combination of market-based indices (e.g., Standard & Poor’s Municipal Bond Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups. |
Portfolio Manager | Portfolio(s) Managed | Dollar Range of Equity Securities Owned | ||
Theodore R. Jaeckel, Jr.,
CFA
|
High Yield Fund | $100,001 – $500,000 | ||
Walter O’Connor, CFA
|
National Fund | $50,001 – $100,000 | ||
High Yield Fund | $10,001 – $50,000 | |||
Kevin A. Schiatta,
CFA
|
Short-Term Fund | None | ||
Kristi
Manidis*
|
Short-Term Fund | None | ||
Michael Kalinoski,
CFA
|
National Fund | $10,001 – $50,000 |
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, | National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |||
2017 | ||||||
Paid to the
Manager
|
$66,045 | $2,564 | $4,047 | |||
Fees
Waived
|
$49,540 | $ 653 | $2,713 |
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, | National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |||
2019 | ||||||
Paid to State
Street
|
$ 828,282 | $ 94,524 | $141,666 | |||
Paid to the
Manager
|
$ 112,616 | $ 6,211 | $ 10,752 | |||
2018 | ||||||
Paid to State
Street
|
$1,062,080 | $ 82,318 | $172,844 | |||
Paid to the
Manager
|
$ 90,666 | $ 4,652 | $ 7,843 | |||
2017 | ||||||
Paid to State
Street
|
$ 909,905 | $125,667 | $159,820 | |||
Paid to the
Manager
|
$ 80,413 | $ 6,688 | $ 10,852 |
Investor A Shares | ||||||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
Gross
Sales
Charges Collected |
Sales
Charges
Retained by BRIL |
Sales
Charges
Paid To Affiliates |
CDSCs
Received
on Redemption of Load-Waived Shares |
||||
National Fund | ||||||||
2019
|
$859,030 | $58,488 | $58,488 | $88,371 | ||||
2018
|
$622,730 | $43,851 | $43,851 | $94,350 | ||||
2017
|
$778,332 | $54,502 | $54,502 | $96,824 | ||||
Short-Term Fund | ||||||||
2019
|
$ 34,293 | $ 3,468 | $ 3,468 | $13,493 | ||||
2018
|
$ 13,168 | $ 1,261 | $ 1,261 | $ 5,029 | ||||
2017
|
$ 32,623 | $ 3,136 | $ 3,136 | $18,353 |
Investor A Shares | ||||||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
Gross
Sales
Charges Collected |
Sales
Charges
Retained by BRIL |
Sales
Charges
Paid To Affiliates |
CDSCs
Received
on Redemption of Load-Waived Shares |
||||
High Yield Fund | ||||||||
2019
|
$340,287 | $24,314 | $24,314 | $56,430 | ||||
2018
|
$174,444 | $12,015 | $12,015 | $37,737 | ||||
2017
|
$246,345 | $15,789 | $15,789 | $51,773 |
Investor A1 Shares | ||||||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
Gross
Sales
Charges Collected |
Sales
Charges
Retained by BRIL |
Sales
Charges
Paid To Affiliates |
CDSCs
Received
on Redemption of Load-Waived Shares |
||||
Short-Term Fund | ||||||||
2019
|
$0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||||
2018
|
$0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||||
2017
|
$0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Investor C Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
paid
to Affiliates |
||
National Fund | ||||
2019
|
$14,267 | $14,267 | ||
2018
|
$15,041 | $15,041 | ||
2017
|
$62,273 | $62,273 | ||
Short-Term Fund | ||||
2019
|
$ 229 | $ 229 | ||
2018
|
$ 0 | $ 0 | ||
2017
|
$ 727 | $ 727 | ||
High Yield Fund | ||||
2019
|
$ 5,914 | $ 5,914 | ||
2018
|
$ 3,026 | $ 3,026 | ||
2017
|
$ 9,665 | $ 9,665 |
Investor C1 Shares | ||||
For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
CDSCs
Received
by BRIL |
CDSCs
paid
to Affiliates |
||
National Fund | ||||
2019
|
$ 0 | $ 0 | ||
2018
|
$ 0 | $ 0 | ||
2017
|
$1,694 | $1,694 |
Paid to BRIL | ||||||
Class Name | National Fund | Short-Term Fund | High Yield Fund | |||
Investor A
Shares
|
$6,794,336 | $216,794 | $664,424 | |||
Investor A1
Shares
|
N/A | $ 16,349 | N/A | |||
Investor C
Shares
|
$2,914,117 | $167,456 | $602,113 | |||
Investor C1 Shares
|
$ 32,294 | N/A | N/A | |||
Service Class
|
$ 6,905 | N/A | N/A |
Investor A Shares | |||
National Fund | High Yield Fund | ||
Net
Assets
|
$3,227,893,638 | $345,254,725 | |
Number of Shares Outstanding
|
291,518,117 | 34,988,804 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number
of shares
outstanding)
|
$11.07 | $9.87 | |
Sales Charge (for Investor A Shares:
4.25% of offering price; 4.44% of net asset value per
share)1
|
$0.49 | $0.44 | |
Offering Price
|
$11.56 | $10.31 |
Short-Term Fund | |||
Investor A Shares | Investor A1 Shares | ||
Net Assets
|
$109,461,649 | $15,569,667 | |
Number of Shares
Outstanding
|
10,779,242 | 1,532,944 | |
Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number
of shares
outstanding)
|
$10.15 | $10.16 | |
Sales Charge (for Investor A and Investor A1 Shares:
3.00% and 1.00% of offering price; 3.09% and 1.01% of net asset value per share, respectively)1
|
$0.31 | $0.10 | |
Offering Price
|
$10.46 | $10.26 |
1 | Assumes maximum sales charge is applicable. |
Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
Total
Brokerage
Commissions Paid |
Commissions
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
National Fund | ||||
2019
|
$335,024 | $0 | ||
2018
|
$ 98,169 | $0 | ||
2017
|
$ 75,624 | $0 | ||
Short-Term Fund | ||||
2019
|
$ 0 | $0 | ||
2018
|
$ 0 | $0 | ||
2017
|
$ 0 | $0 | ||
High Yield Fund | ||||
2019
|
$ 8,463 | $0 | ||
2018
|
$ 6,385 | $0 | ||
2017
|
$ 6,600 | $0 |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
NFS LLC FEBO |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
55.77% | Investor A Shares | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. for the Benefit of Customers |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
15.19% | Investor A Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
11.31% | Investor A Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
38.24% | Investor C Shares | |||
Wells Fargo Clearing Services |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
12.93% | Investor C Shares | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. for the Benefit of Customers |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
8.48% | Investor C Shares | |||
UBS WM USA |
1000
Harbor Boulevard
Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
6.87% | Investor C Shares | |||
American Enterprise Investment Svc. |
707
2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
6.41% | Investor C Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC |
1
New York Plaza
12th Floor New York, NY 10004 |
5.38% | Investor C Shares | |||
Pershing LLC |
1
Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001 |
5.16% | Investor C Shares | |||
Vanguard Brokerage Services |
P.
O. Box 1170
Valley Forge, PA 19482-1170 |
14.53% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
Oppenheimer & Co Inc. |
301
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
11.96% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
American Enterprise Investment Svc. |
707
2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
10.70% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
10.38% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
NFS LLC |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
9.93% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
Arthur J. Liola |
301
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
6.91% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
James
J. Pulcini &
Guy O. Pulcini JT TEN |
301
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
6.69% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
Linda Westerfeld |
301
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
5.44% | Investor C1 Shares | |||
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. |
101
Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
18.21% | Institutional Class | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
17.34% | Institutional Class | |||
NFS LLC |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
10.20% | Institutional Class | |||
Saxon and Co. |
PO
Box 94597
Cleveland, OH 44101-4597 |
9.87% | Institutional Class | |||
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC |
1
New York Plaza
12th Floor New York, NY 10004 |
8.80% | Institutional Class | |||
American Enterprise Investment Svc. |
707
2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
5.88% | Institutional Class | |||
JPMorgan Securities LLC |
4
Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11245 |
57.63% | Class K Shares | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
29.95% | Class K Shares | |||
TD Ameritrade Inc. |
PO
Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103-2226 |
47.77% | Service Shares | |||
NFS LLC FEBO |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
21.33% | Service Shares | |||
Gloria Becker and Alvin Becker JTWROS |
301
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
5.29% | Service Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
30.37% | Investor A Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
22.11% | Investor A Shares | |||
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC |
1
New York Plaza
Fl 12 New York, NY 10004-1901 |
20.99% | Investor A Shares | |||
UBS WM USA |
1000
Harbor Blvd
Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
8.57% | Investor A Shares | |||
NFS LLC |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
5.84% | Investor A Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
79.41% | Investor A1 Shares | |||
UBS WM USA |
1000
Harbor Blvd
Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
6.68% | Investor A1 Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
55.35% | Investor C Shares | |||
Wells Fargo Clearing Services |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
11.09% | Investor C Shares | |||
Raymond James |
880
Carillon Pkwy
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1102 |
6.99% | Investor C Shares | |||
UBS WM USA |
1000
Harbor Blvd
Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
6.44% | Investor C Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
28.00% | Institutional Class | |||
Saxon and Co. |
PO
Box 94597
Cleveland, OH 44101-4597 |
17.12% | Institutional Class | |||
NFS LLC |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
16.05% | Institutional Class | |||
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. |
101
Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
11.43% | Institutional Class | |||
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC |
1
New York Plaza
Fl 12 New York, NY 10004-1901 |
6.52% | Institutional Class | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
61.60% | Class K Shares | |||
JPMorgan Securities LLCS |
4
Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11245 |
21.39% | Class K Shares | |||
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC |
1
New York Plaza
Fl 12 New York, NY 10004-1901 |
8.26% | Class K Shares | |||
Bank
of America
FBO Nicole Ross |
301
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
5.73% | Class K Shares |
Name | Address | % | Class | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
25.79% | Investor A Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
17.31% | Investor A Shares | |||
Pershing LLC |
1
Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001 |
8.41% | Investor A Shares | |||
NFS LLC |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
7.79% | Investor A Shares | |||
Wells Fargo Clearing Services |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
6.95% | Investor A Shares | |||
JPMorgan Securities LLC |
4
Chase MetroTech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11245 |
5.08% | Investor A Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
28.55% | Investor C Shares | |||
Wells Fargo Clearing Services |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
12.21% | Investor C Shares | |||
Pershing LLC |
1
Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001 |
10.12% | Investor C Shares | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
8.64% | Investor C Shares | |||
UBS WM USA |
1000
Harbor Blvd
Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
7.69% | Investor C Shares | |||
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC |
1
New York Plaza
Fl 12 New York, NY 10004-1901 |
6.63% | Investor C Shares | |||
American Enterprise Investment Svc. |
707
2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
5.75% | Investor C Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated |
4800
Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
42.46% | Institutional Class | |||
Charles Schwab and Co, Inc. |
101
Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
11.88% | Institutional Class | |||
NFS LLC |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
10.80% | Institutional Class | |||
UBS WM USA |
1000
Harbor Blvd
Weehawken, NJ 07086 |
7.26% | Institutional Class | |||
Wells Fargo Clearing Services |
2801
Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
5.79% | Institutional Class | |||
Edward D. Jones and Co. |
12555
Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-3710 |
73.08% | Class K Shares | |||
NFS LLC |
499
Washington Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
13.26% | Class K Shares | |||
EGap & Co. |
Two
Burlington Square
PO Box 820 Burlington, VT 05402-0820 |
10.80% | Class K 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. |
• | Junk bonds may be less liquid than higher rated fixed-income securities even under normal economic conditions. Under certain economic and/or market conditions, a Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain high yield securities due to the limited number of investors in that sector of the market. There are fewer dealers in the junk bond market, and there may be significant differences in the prices quoted for junk bonds by the dealers, and such quotations may not be the actual prices available for a purchase or sale. Because junk bonds are less liquid than higher rated bonds, judgment may play a greater role in valuing certain of a Fund’s portfolio securities than in the case of securities trading in a more liquid market. |
• | 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 NAV 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 directly or indirectly on the credit of the United States; |
(k) | fixed and variable rate notes and similar debt instruments rated MIG-2, VMIG-2 or Prime-2 or higher by Moody’s, SP-2 or A-2 or higher by S&P, or F-2 or higher by Fitch; |
(l) | tax-exempt commercial paper and similar debt instruments rated Prime-2 or higher by Moody’s, A-2 or higher by S&P, or F-2 or higher by Fitch; |
(m) | municipal bonds rated A or higher by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch; |
(n) | unrated notes, paper or other instruments that are of comparable quality to the instruments described above, as determined by the Fund’s Manager under guidelines established by the Board; and |
(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. |
• | Portfolio Holdings: “Portfolio Holdings” are a Fund’s portfolio securities and other instruments, and include, but are not limited to: |
• | for equity securities, information such as issuer name, CUSIP, ticker symbol, total shares and market value; |
• | for fixed income securities, information such as issuer name, CUSIP, ticker symbol, coupon, maturity, current face value and market value; |
• | for all securities, information such as quantity, SEDOL, market price, yield, WAL, duration and convexity as of a specific date; |
• | for derivatives, indicative data including, but not limited to, pay leg, receive leg, notional amount, reset frequency and trade counterparty; and |
• | trading strategies, specific portfolio holdings, including the number of shares held, weightings of particular holdings, trading details, pending or recent transactions and portfolio management plans to purchase or sell particular securities or allocation within particular sectors. |
• | Portfolio Characteristics: “Portfolio Characteristics” include, but are not limited to, sector allocation, credit quality breakdown, maturity distribution, duration and convexity measures, average credit quality, average maturity, average coupon, top 10 holdings with percent of the fund held, average market capitalization, capitalization range, risk related information (e.g., value at risk, standard deviation), ROE, P/E, P/B, P/CF, P/S and EPS. |
• | Additional characteristics specific to money market funds include, but are not limited to, historical daily and weekly liquid assets (as defined under Rule 2a-7) and historical fund net inflows and outflows. |
Money Market Funds | ||
Time Periods (Calendar Days) | ||
Prior
to 5 Calendar Days
After Month-End |
5
Calendar Days After
Month-End to Date of Public Filing |
|
Portfolio
Holdings |
Cannot
disclose without non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement and CCO approval except the following portfolio holdings information may be released as follows:
• Weekly portfolio holdings information released on the website at least one business day after week-end. • Other information as may be required under Rule 2a-7 (e.g., name of issuer, category of investment, principal amount, maturity dates, yields). |
May disclose to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries, consultants and third-party data providers. If portfolio holdings are disclosed to one party, they must also be disclosed to all other parties requesting the same information. |
Portfolio
Characteristics |
Cannot
disclose without non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement and CCO approval except the following information may be released on the Fund’s website daily:
• Historical NAVs per share calculated based on market factors (e.g., marked-to-market) • Percentage of fund assets invested in daily and weekly liquid assets (as defined under Rule 2a-7) • Daily net inflows and outflows • Yields, SEC yields, WAM, WAL, current assets • Other information as may be required by Rule 2a-7 |
May disclose to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries, consultants and third-party data providers. If Portfolio Characteristics are disclosed to one party, they must also be disclosed to all other parties requesting the same information. |
(i) | the preparation and posting of the Fund’s Portfolio Holdings and/or Portfolio Characteristics to its website on a more frequent basis than authorized above; |
(ii) | the disclosure of the Fund’s Portfolio Holdings to third-party service providers not noted above; and |
(iii) | the disclosure of the Fund’s Portfolio Holdings and/or Portfolio Characteristics to other parties for legitimate business purposes. |
• | Fund Fact Sheets are available 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. |
• | Money Market Performance Reports are typically available to shareholders, prospective shareholders, intermediaries and consultants by the tenth calendar day of the month (and on a one day lag for certain institutional funds). They contain monthly money market Fund performance, rolling 12-month average and benchmark performance. |
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. | Sponsors and consultants for pension and retirement 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), Wilshire Associates and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
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 Corporation and Murray, Devine & Co., Inc. |
12. | Portfolio Compliance Consultants — Oracle/i-Flex Solutions, Inc. |
13. | Third-party feeder funds — Alight Money Market Fund, Alight Series Trust, Alight Financial Solutions LLC, Homestead, Inc., Transamerica, State Farm Mutual Fund and Sterling Capital Funds and their respective boards, sponsors, administrators and other service providers. |
14. | Affiliated feeder funds —Treasury Money Market Fund (Cayman) and its board, sponsor, administrator and other service providers. |
15. | Other — Investment Company Institute, Mizuho Asset Management Co., Ltd., Nationwide Fund Advisors and State Street Bank and Trust Company. |
$1 million but less than $3
million
|
1.00% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.50% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$250,000 but less than $3 million
|
1.00% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.50% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$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
|
0.50% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.25% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.15% |
$250,000 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
|
0.15% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.10% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.05% |
$500,000 but less than $3
million
|
0.75% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.50% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$100,000 and above
|
0.25% |
$250,000 but less than $4
million
|
1.00% |
$4 million but less than $10
million
|
0.50% |
$10 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$250,000 but less than $3
million
|
0.75% |
$3 million but less than $15
million
|
0.50% |
$15 million and
above
|
0.25% |
$1,000,000 and above
|
0.10% |
$1,000,000 and above
|
0.15% |
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 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 S&P. 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; and 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 S&P 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 S&P 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 S&P 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 S&P. 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 S&P 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. |
S&P’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 | Substantial credit risk. ‘CCC’ ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present. |
CC | Very high levels of credit risk. ‘CC’ ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk. |
C | Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. ‘C’ indicates 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. |
1 | iShares MSCI Peru ETF and the iShares Sustainable ETFs, as defined in Appendix A of the Proxy Voting Policy for iShares Sustainable ETFs have separate Fund Proxy Voting Policies. |
Page | |
|
B-4 |
|
B-4 |
|
B-4 |
|
B-5 |
|
B-6 |
|
B-6 |
|
B-7 |
|
B-7 |
|
B-8 |
|
B-8 |
|
B-8 |
|
B-9 |
|
B-9 |
|
B-10 |
|
B-11 |
• | Boards and directors |
• | Auditors and audit-related issues |
• | Capital structure, mergers, asset sales and other special transactions |
• | Compensation and benefits |
• | Environmental and social issues |
• | General corporate governance matters and shareholder protections |
• | establishing an appropriate corporate governance structure |
• | supporting and overseeing management in setting long-term strategic goals, applicable measures of value-creation and milestones that will demonstrate progress, and steps taken if any obstacles are anticipated or incurred |
• | ensuring the integrity of financial statements |
• | making independent decisions regarding mergers, acquisitions and disposals |
• | establishing appropriate executive compensation structures |
• | addressing business issues, including environmental and social issues, when they have the potential to materially impact company reputation and performance |
• | current or former employment at the company or a subsidiary within the past several years |
• | being, or representing, a shareholder with a substantial shareholding in the company |
• | interlocking directorships |
• | having any other interest, business or other relationship which could, or could reasonably be perceived to, materially interfere with the director’s ability to act in the best interests of the company |
• | BlackRock clients who may be issuers of securities or proponents of shareholder resolutions |
• | BlackRock business partners or third parties who may be issuers of securities or proponents of shareholder resolutions |
• | BlackRock employees who may sit on the boards of public companies held in Funds managed by BlackRock |
• | Significant BlackRock, Inc. investors who may be issuers of securities held in Funds managed by BlackRock |
• | Securities of BlackRock, Inc. or BlackRock investment funds held in Funds managed by BlackRock |
• | BlackRock, Inc. board members who serve as senior executives of public companies held in Funds managed by BlackRock |
• | Adopted the Guidelines which are designed to protect and enhance the economic value of the companies in which BlackRock invests on behalf of clients. |
• | Established a reporting structure that separates BIS from employees with sales, vendor management or business partnership roles. In addition, BlackRock seeks to ensure that all engagements with corporate issuers, dissident shareholders or shareholder proponents are managed consistently and without regard to BlackRock’s relationship with such parties. Clients or business partners are not given special treatment or differentiated access to BIS. BIS prioritizes engagements based on factors including but not limited to our need for additional information to make a voting decision or our view on the likelihood that an engagement could lead to positive outcome(s) over time for the economic value of the company. Within the normal course of business, BIS may engage directly with BlackRock clients, business partners and/or third parties, and/or with employees with sales, vendor management or business partnership roles, in discussions regarding our approach to stewardship, general corporate governance matters, client reporting needs, and/or to otherwise ensure that proxy-related client service levels are met. |
• | Determined to engage, in certain instances, an independent fiduciary to vote proxies as a further safeguard to avoid potential conflicts of interest, to satisfy regulatory compliance requirements, or as may be otherwise required by applicable law. In such circumstances, the independent fiduciary provides BlackRock’s proxy voting agent with instructions, in accordance with the Guidelines, as to how to vote such proxies, and BlackRock’s proxy voting agent votes the proxy in accordance with the independent fiduciary’s determination. BlackRock uses an independent fiduciary to vote proxies of (i) any company that is affiliated with BlackRock, Inc., (ii) any public company that includes BlackRock employees on its board of directors, (iii) The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., (iv) any public company of which a BlackRock, Inc. board member serves as a senior executive, and (v) companies when legal or regulatory requirements compel BlackRock to use an independent fiduciary. In selecting an independent fiduciary, we assess several characteristics, including but not limited to: independence, an ability to analyze proxy issues and vote in the best economic interest of our clients, reputation for reliability and integrity, and operational capacity to accurately deliver the assigned votes in a timely manner. We may engage more than one independent fiduciary, in part in order to mitigate potential or perceived conflicts of interest at an independent fiduciary. The Global Committee appoints and reviews the performance of the independent fiduciar(ies), generally on an annual basis. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
1(a) | — | Articles of Incorporation, dated September 30, 1976 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-57354) (the “Registration Statement”), filed on October 4, 2004. |
(b) | — | Articles of Amendment, dated October 4, 1976 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(c) | — | Articles of Amendment changing the name of the Registrant, dated April 22, 1977 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(d) | — | Articles of Amendment increasing the number of shares of authorized capital stock, dated September 21, 1979 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(e) | — | Articles of Amendment increasing the number of shares of authorized capital stock, dated June 11, 1984 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(f) | — | Articles of Amendment increasing the number of shares of authorized capital stock, dated January 28, 1987 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(g) | — | Articles of Amendment increasing the number of shares of authorized capital stock, dated March 2, 1987 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(h) | — | Articles of Amendment reclassifying shares of common stock, dated September 30, 1988 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(h) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(i) | — | Articles Supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of shares of authorized capital stock, dated May 21, 1990 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004 |
(j) | — | Articles Supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation reclassifying shares of common stock, dated June 21, 1991 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(j) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(k) | — | Articles Supplementary to the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of shares of authorized capital stock, dated October 18, 1994 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(k) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(l) | — | Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated October 21, 1994 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(l) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 4, 2004. |
(m) | — | Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary renaming issued and outstanding shares of capital stock, dated October 4, 2001 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 14, 2003. |
(n) | — | Articles of Amendment redesignating Class A Common Stock into Class I Common Stock and Class D Common Stock into Class A Common Stock, dated April 14, 2003 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 14, 2003. |
(o) | — | Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation designating Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock, Class C Common Stock and Class I Common Stock of BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund (formerly, Limited Maturity Portfolio), dated December 28, 2004 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(o) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement, filed on September 29, 2006. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(p) | — | Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation increasing the authorized capital stock and reclassifying shares of authorized capital stock, dated March 10, 2006 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(o) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the Registration Statement, filed on March 15, 2006. |
(q) | — | Articles of Amendment to Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation increasing the authorized capital stock and reclassifying shares of authorized common stock, dated July 7, 2006 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(p) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the Registration Statement, filed on July 11, 2006. |
(r) | — | Form of Articles of Amendment changing name to BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(r) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement, filed on September 29, 2006. |
(s) | — | Form of Articles of Amendment Reclassifying Shares of Authorized Capital Stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(s) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement, filed on September 29, 2006. |
(t) | — | Form of Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation Increasing the Authorized Capital Stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(t) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement, filed on September 29, 2006. |
(u) | — | Articles of Amendment changing the name of a series of the Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(u) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 27, 2011. |
(v) | — | Form of Articles Supplementary reclassifying shares of common stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(v) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 27, 2011. |
(w) | — | Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation converting the BlackRock Shares of BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund Common Stock into Class K Common Stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(w) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2015. |
(x) | — | Articles Supplementary reclassifying shares of common stock and increasing the authorized capital stock, dated June 6, 2016 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(x) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2016. |
(y) | — | Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation converting the BlackRock Shares of BlackRock National Municipal Fund Common Stock into Class K Common Stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(y) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 26, 2017. |
(z) | — | Articles Supplementary Authorizing and Reclassifying shares of Capital Stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1(z) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registration Statement, filed on January 25, 2018. |
(aa) | — | Articles Supplementary Reclassifying Shares of Common Stock, dated November 28, 2018.* |
(bb) | — | Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation Increasing the Authorized Capital Stock, dated September 25, 2019.* |
2 | — | Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated November 14, 2017 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registration Statement, filed on January 25, 2018. |
3 | — | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, Incorporated by Reference to Exhibits 1 and 2 above. |
4(a) | — | Form of Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”), with respect to the BlackRock National Municipal Fund and the BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 29, 2009. |
(b) | — | Form of Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and the Investment Adviser, with respect to the BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement, filed on September 29, 2006. |
(c) | — | Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and the Investment Adviser, with respect to the BlackRock National Municipal Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2016. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(d) | — | Amendment No. 1 to the Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and the Investment Adviser, with respect to the BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2016. |
(e) | — | Amendment No. 2 to the Investment Management Agreement between Registrant and the Investment Adviser, with respect to the BlackRock National Municipal Fund and the BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 26, 2017. |
5 | — | Form of Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 5 of Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Fund, Inc. (File No. 2-60836), filed on July 26, 2019. |
6 | — | Inapplicable. |
7 | — | Master Custodian Agreement between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated December 31, 2018 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 7(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 943 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock FundsSM (File No. 33-26305), filed on February 28, 2019. |
8(a) | — | Form of Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Series Fund, Inc. (File No. 69062), filed on April 18, 2014. |
(b) | — | Form of Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the Registrant, a syndicate of banks and certain other parties is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 947 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock FundSM (File No. 33-26305), filed on April 29, 2019. |
(c) | — | Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc. (formerly, Merrill Lynch Focus Twenty Fund, Inc.) (File No. 333-89775), filed on March 20, 2001. |
(d) | — | Form of Fifth Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agency Agreement between the Registrant and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 923 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock FundsSM (File No. 33-26305), filed on January 25, 2019. |
(e) | — | Form of Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant and the Investment Adviser is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(k) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 305 to the Registration Statement of BlackRock Funds III (File No. 33-54126), filed on July 1, 2019. |
(f) | — | Form of Eighth Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement, by and between the Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC, among others is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(f) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 736 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock FundsSM (File No. 33-26305), filed on September 28, 2017. |
(g) | — | Form of Amended Accounting Support Services Agreement between the Registrant and the Investment Adviser is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Natural Resources Trust (File No. 2-97095), filed on November 24, 2015. |
(h) | — | Administration and Fund Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated December 31, 2018 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(k) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Managed Account Series (File No. 333-124463), filed on February 28, 2019. |
9(a) | — | Opinion and Consent of Rogers & Wells LLP is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 29, 1999. |
(b) | — | Opinion of Miles & Stockbridge P.C. is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registration Statement, filed on January 25, 2018. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
10 | — | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm for the Registrant.* |
11 | — | Inapplicable. |
12(a) | — | Letter from Fund Asset Management, Inc. with respect to the purchase of 10,417 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement, filed on August 10, 1979. |
(b) | — | Letter from Fund Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the purchase of shares of Registrant’s Class C and Class D Common Stock of the National Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibits 13(b), 13(c) and 13(d), respectively, to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 18, 1994. |
(c) | — | Letter from Fund Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the purchase of shares of Registrant’s Class C and Class D Common Stock of the Short-Term Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibits 13(b), 13(c) and 13(d), respectively, to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 18, 1994 |
(d) | — | Certificate of the Sole Stockholder from Fund Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the purchase of shares of Registrant’s Common Stock of the High Yield Portfolio, dated July 10, 2006 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to the Registration Statement, filed on July 11, 2006. |
13(a) | — | Form of Unified Investor A Distribution Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2008. |
(b) | — | Form of Unified Investor A1 Distribution Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2008. |
(c) | — | Form of Unified Investor C Distribution Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2008. |
(d) | — | Form of Unified Investor C1 Distribution Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement, filed on October 28, 2008. |
14 | — | Amended and Restated Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Managed Account Series (File No. 333-124463), filed on November 30, 2018. |
15 | — | Reserved. |
16 | — | Code of Ethics of Registrant, BlackRock Investments, LLC and Investment Adviser is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16(a) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 956 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock FundsSM (File No. 33-26305), filed on May 29, 2019. |
17 | — | Power of Attorney is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (q) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Funds V (File No. 333-224371), filed on January 28, 2019. |
Name | Position(s) and Office(s) with BRIL |
Position(s)
and
Office(s) with Registrant |
Abigail Reynolds | Chairman and Member, Board of Managers, and Chief Executive Officer | None |
Christopher J. Meade | Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Senior Managing Director | None |
Lauren Bradley | Chief Financial Officer and Vice President | None |
Gregory Rosta | Chief Compliance Officer and Director | None |
BlackRock
Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
(Registrant) |
|
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski |
(John
M. Perlowski,
President and Chief Executive Officer) |
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/
John M. Perlowski
(John M. Perlowski) |
Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
October 25, 2019 | ||
/s/
Neal J. Andrews
(Neal J. Andrews) |
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
October 25, 2019 | ||
Michael
J. Castellano*
(Michael J. Castellano) |
Director | |||
Richard
E. Cavanagh*
(Richard E. Cavanagh) |
Director | |||
Cynthia
L. Egan*
(Cynthia L. Egan) |
Director | |||
Frank
J. Fabozzi*
(Frank J. Fabozzi) |
Director | |||
Henry
Gabbay*
(Henry Gabbay) |
Director | |||
R.
Glenn Hubbard*
(R. Glenn Hubbard) |
Director | |||
W.
Carl Kester*
(W. Carl Kester) |
Director | |||
Catherine
A. Lynch*
(Catherine A. Lynch) |
Director | |||
Karen
P. Robards*
(Karen P. Robards) |
Director | |||
Robert
Fairbairn*
(Robert Fairbairn) |
Director |
Signature | Title | Date | ||
*By:
/s/ Janey Ahn
(Janey Ahn, Attorney-In-Fact) |
October 25, 2019 |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
1(aa) | — | Articles Supplementary Reclassifying Shares of Common Stock, dated November 28, 2018. |
1(bb) | — | Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation Increasing the Authorized Capital Stock, dated September 25, 2019. |
10 | — | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
Exhibit 1(aa)
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the Corporation), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland that:
FIRST: The Corporation is registered as an open-ended company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, with the authority to issue Six Billion Four Hundred Seventy-Five Million (6,475,000,000) shares of capital stock as follows:
Series and Classes |
Number of Authorized Shares | |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
||
Investor A Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |
Investor B Common Stock |
175,000,000 | |
Investor C Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |
Investor C1 Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |
Institutional Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |
Class K Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |
Service Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
||
Investor A Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Investor A1 Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Investor C Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Institutional Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Class K Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Service Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund |
||
Investor A Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |
Investor C Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |
Institutional Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |
Class K Common Stock |
2,000,000,000 | |
Total: |
6,475,000,000 |
All shares of all classes of the capital stock of the Corporation have a par value of Ten Cents ($0.10) per share and an aggregate par value of Six Hundred Forty-Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($647,500,000).
SECOND: Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation by Section 2-105(c) of the Maryland General Corporation Law and the Corporations charter, the Board of Directors hereby reclassifies all of BlackRock National Municipal Fund Investor B Common Stock as BlackRock National Municipal Fund Class K Common Stock.
THIRD: After the reclassification of authorized shares of capital stock of the Corporation set forth herein, the Corporation will have the authority to issue Six Billion Four Hundred Seventy-Five Million (6,475,000,000) shares of capital stock as follows:
Series and Classes |
Number of Authorized Shares | |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
||
Investor A Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |
Investor C Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |
Investor C1 Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |
Institutional Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |
Class K Common Stock |
550,000,000 | |
Service Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
||
Investor A Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Investor A1 Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Investor C Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Institutional Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Class K Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
Service Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund |
||
Investor A Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |
Investor C Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |
Institutional Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |
Class K Common Stock |
2,000,000,000 | |
Total: |
6,475,000,000 |
All shares of capital stock of the Corporation will have a par value of Ten Cents ($0.10) per share and an aggregate par value of Six Hundred Forty-Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($647,500,000).
FOURTH: All of the shares of the Corporations capital stock continue to have the same preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption as currently set forth in the Corporations charter.
[signatures on the next page]
- 2 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC. has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by the person named below who acknowledges that these Articles Supplementary are the act of the Corporation and that, as to all matters and facts required to be verified under oath and to the best of his knowledge, information and belief under the penalties of perjury, the matters and facts set forth herein are true in all material respects, as of this 28th day of November 2018.
ATTEST: | BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC. | |||||
/s/ Benjamin Archibald |
By: |
/s/ John M. Perlowski |
||||
Benjamin Archibald | John M. Perlowski | |||||
Secretary | President and Chief Executive Officer |
- 3 -
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC.
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the Corporation), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland that:
FIRST: The Corporation is registered as an open-ended company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, with the authority to issue Six Billion Four Hundred Seventy-Five Million (6,475,000,000) shares of capital stock as follows:
Series and Classes |
Number of Authorized Shares | |||
BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
||||
Investor A Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |||
Investor C Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |||
Investor C1 Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |||
Institutional Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |||
Class K Common Stock |
550,000,000 | |||
Service Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |||
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
||||
Investor A Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Investor A1 Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Investor C Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Institutional Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Class K Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Service Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund |
||||
Investor A Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |||
Investor C Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |||
Institutional Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |||
Class K Common Stock |
2,000,000,000 | |||
Total: |
6,475,000,000 |
All shares of all classes of the capital stock of the Corporation have a par value of Ten Cents ($0.10) per share and an aggregate par value of Six Hundred Forty-Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($647,500,000).
SECOND: Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation by Section 2-105(c) of the Maryland General Corporation Law and the Corporations charter, the Board of Directors hereby increases the total number of authorized shares of capital stock of the Corporation by One Billion Fifty Million (1,050,000,000) and designates (a) Two Hundred Fifty Million (250,000,000) of such newly authorized shares as Institutional Common Stock of BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund and (b) Eight Hundred Million (800,000,000) of such newly authorized shares as Class K Common Stock of BlackRock National Municipal Fund.
THIRD: After the reclassification of authorized shares of capital stock of the Corporation set forth herein, the Corporation will have the authority to issue Seven Billion Five Hundred Twenty-Five Million (7,525,000,000) shares of capital stock as follows:
Series and Classes |
Number of Authorized Shares | |||
BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
||||
Investor A Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |||
Investor C Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |||
Investor C1 Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |||
Institutional Common Stock |
800,000,000 | |||
Class K Common Stock |
1,350,000,000 | |||
Service Common Stock |
375,000,000 | |||
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
||||
Investor A Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Investor A1 Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Investor C Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Institutional Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Class K Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
Service Common Stock |
150,000,000 | |||
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund |
||||
Investor A Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |||
Investor C Common Stock |
100,000,000 | |||
Institutional Common Stock |
350,000,000 | |||
Class K Common Stock |
2,000,000,000 | |||
Total: |
7,525,000,000 |
All shares of capital stock of the Corporation will have a par value of Ten Cents ($0.10) per share and an aggregate par value of Seven Hundred Fifty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($752,500,000).
FOURTH: All of the shares of the Corporations capital stock continue to have the same preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption as currently set forth in the Corporations charter.
[signatures on the next page]
- 2 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC. has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by the person named below who acknowledges that these Articles Supplementary are the act of the Corporation and that, as to all matters and facts required to be verified under oath and to the best of his knowledge, information and belief under the penalties of perjury, the matters and facts set forth herein are true in all material respects, as of this 25th day of September 2019.
ATTEST: | BLACKROCK MUNICIPAL BOND FUND, INC. | |||||||
/s/ Janey Ahn |
By: |
/s/ John M. Perlowski |
||||||
Janey Ahn | John M. Perlowski | |||||||
Secretary | President and Chief Executive Officer |
- 3 -
Exhibit 10
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to Registration Statement No. 002-57354 on Form N-1A of our report dated August 21, 2019, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund, BlackRock National Municipal Fund and BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund of BlackRock Municipal Bond Fund, Inc. (the Funds), appearing in the Annual Report on Form N-CSR of the Funds for the year ended June 30, 2019, 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 LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
October 23, 2019