REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | □ |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 973 | ☒ |
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ |
Amendment No. 975 | ☒ |
Counsel for the Fund: | |
John
A. MacKinnon, Esq.
Sidley Austin LLP 787 Seventh Avenue New York, New York 10019-6018 |
Janey
Ahn, Esq.
BlackRock Advisors, LLC 55 East 52nd Street New York, New York 10055 |
Prospectus |
• | BlackRock Total Factor Fund |
Investor A: BSTAX • Investor C: BSTCX • Institutional: BSTIX |
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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Details About the Fund | Information about how the Fund invests, including investment objective, investment process, principal strategies and risk factors | |
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Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distribution 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
Fund
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General Information |
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Glossary |
Glossary of Investment
Terms
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For More Information |
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Inside Back Cover |
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Back Cover |
Shareholder
Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment) |
Investor
A
Shares |
Investor
C
Shares |
Institutional
Shares |
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a 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 |
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Management Fee3 | 0.50% | 0.50% | 0.50% | |||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | None | |||
Other Expenses5 | 0.90% | 0.97% | 0.79% | |||
Other Expenses of the Fund | 0.90% | 0.97% | 0.79% | |||
Other Expenses of the Subsidiary5 | — | — | — | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses4 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses4 | 1.66% | 2.48% | 1.30% | |||
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,6 | (0.85)% | (0.92)% | (0.74)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements3,6 | 0.81% | 1.56% | 0.56% |
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 time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Investor C Shares after one year. |
3 | As described in the “Management of the Fund” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 44, 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 November 30, 2020. In addition, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive its management fees by the amount of investment advisory fees the Fund pays to BlackRock indirectly through its investment in money market funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates, through November 30, 2020. The contractual agreements may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust 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. |
6 | As described in the “Management of the Fund” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 44, 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) as a |
percentage of average daily net assets to 0.80% (for Investor A Shares), 1.55% (for Investor C Shares) and 0.55% (for Institutional Shares) through November 30, 2020. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and/or reimbursements to BlackRock in the following two years, and such repayment will terminate on December 27, 2019. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust 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 | $603 | $942 | $1,304 | $2,320 |
Investor C Shares | $259 | $685 | $1,238 | $2,747 |
Institutional Shares | $ 57 | $339 | $ 642 | $1,503 |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Investor C Shares | $159 | $685 | $1,238 | $2,747 |
■ | Commodities Related Investments Risk — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. | |
The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. | |
To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset |
only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. | |
These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. | |
A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make 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. |
■ | Depositary Receipts Risk — Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Fund to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and the risk of an illiquid market for depositary receipts. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. |
■ | 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. |
Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries. These events may spread to other countries in Europe. These events may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. |
■ | Money Market Securities Risk — If market conditions improve while the Fund has invested some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities, this strategy could result in reducing the potential gain from the market upswing, thus reducing the Fund’s opportunity to achieve its investment objective. |
■ | Non-Diversification Risk — The Fund is a non-diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred securities of larger companies. |
■ | Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities. |
■ | REIT Investment Risk — Investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings of securities and may be more volatile than other securities. REIT issuers may also fail to maintain their exemptions from investment company registration or fail to qualify for the “dividends paid deduction” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which allows REITs to reduce their corporate taxable income for dividends paid to their shareholders. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the Fund may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security and the market value of the security declines, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Short Sales Risk — Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes the Fund to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the security sold short. |
■ | Sovereign Debt Risk — Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. |
■ | Subsidiary Risk — By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The commodity-related instruments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund (see “Commodities Related Investments Risk” above). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and, unless otherwise noted in this |
prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by BlackRock, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund. |
■ | Supranational Entities Risk — The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”). The government members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to the World Bank and in many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if the World Bank is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of the World Bank will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and the Fund may lose money on such investments. |
■ | Treasury Obligations Risk — Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, due to fluctuations in interest rates, the market value of such securities may vary during the period shareholders own shares of the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Obligations Risk — Certain securities in which the Fund may invest, including securities issued by certain U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government or supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. |
■ | Variable and Floating Rate Instrument Risk — Variable and floating rate securities provide for periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the securities. These securities may be subject to greater illiquidity risk than other fixed income securities, meaning the absence of an active market for these securities could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them at any given time. |
■ | Volatility Risk — Although the Fund intends to implement strategies designed to limit volatility during times of market stress, the effectiveness of these strategies may depend on particular market conditions and other factors that are beyond the control of Fund management. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s efforts to limit volatility will be successful or that any particular level of volatility will be achieved. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years |
Since
Inception
(December 27, 2012) |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund — Investor A Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (7.69)% | 2.73% | 1.86% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (8.67)% | 1.35% | 0.42% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (4.56)% | 1.46% | 0.75% |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund — Investor C Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (4.34)% | 3.05% | 1.99% |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund — Institutional Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (2.38)% | 4.11% | 3.03% |
MSCI
World Index Hedged USD Net
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
(6.59)% | 6.38% | 9.83% |
Bloomberg
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
0.01% | 2.52% | 1.73% |
MSCI
World Index Hedged USD Net (60%)/Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (40%)
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
(3.78)% | 4.97% | 6.66% |
ICE
BofAML 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.87% | 0.63% | 0.53% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Ked Hogan, PhD | 2012 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Philip Hodges, PhD | 2012 | 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. |
■ | Borrowing — The Fund may borrow up to the limits set forth under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. |
■ | Illiquid Investments — 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Commodities Related Investments Risk — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. |
■ | Depositary Receipts Risk — Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Fund to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and the risk of an illiquid market for depositary receipts. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. |
■ | 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 capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as swaps, is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the 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 |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets may include those in countries considered emerging or developing by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. |
Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In such an event, it is possible that the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasive |
corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. National policies that may limit the Fund’s investment opportunities include restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. | |
Emerging markets may also have differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments. Sometimes, they may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Many emerging markets do not have income tax treaties with the United States, and as a result, investments by the Fund may be subject to higher withholding taxes in such countries. In addition, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors. | |
Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because the Fund will need to use brokers and counterparties that are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by the issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. The Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation. In addition, communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. | |
■ | Equity Securities Risk — Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of equity securities purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, the value may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Securities traded in foreign markets have often (though not always) performed differently from securities traded in the United States. However, such investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. In particular, the Fund is subject to the risk that because there may be fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of securities traded each day, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell securities on those exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may go up and down more than prices of securities traded in the United States. |
Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States — The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories. Some foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In addition, there may be limited or no regulatory oversight of their operations. Also, the laws of certain countries limit the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank, depository or issuer of a security, or any of their agents, goes bankrupt. In addition, it is often more expensive for the Fund to buy, sell and hold securities in certain foreign markets than in the United States. The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount the Fund can earn on its investments and typically results in a higher operating expense ratio for the Fund than for investment companies invested only in the United States. | |
Currency Risk — Securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests may be denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For this reason, changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. | |
Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk, generally known as “currency risk,” means that a strong U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors while a weak U.S. dollar will increase those returns. | |
Foreign Economy Risk — The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. Certain foreign economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a |
particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets or the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could severely affect securities prices or impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations. | |
Other potential foreign market risks include foreign exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing legal judgments in foreign courts and political and social instability. Diplomatic and political developments, including rapid and adverse political changes, social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war, could affect the economies, industries and securities and currency markets, and the value of the Fund’s investments, in non-U.S. countries. These factors are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to predict and take into account with respect to the Fund’s investments. | |
Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards — Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as such regulations exist in the United States. They also may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. For example, some foreign countries may have no laws or rules against insider trading. Insider trading occurs when a person buys or sells a company’s securities based on material non-public information about that company. In addition, some countries may have legal systems that may make it difficult for the Fund to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, and pursue legal remedies with respect to its foreign investments. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the United States. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for Fund management to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition. | |
Settlement Risk — Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement and clearance procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically associated with the settlement of U.S. investments. | |
At times, settlements in certain foreign countries have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions. These problems may make it difficult for the Fund to carry out transactions. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or, if it has contracted to sell the security to another party, the Fund could be liable for any losses incurred. | |
European Economic Risk — The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries. These events may spread to other countries in Europe. These events may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. | |
Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, the United Kingdom has voted to withdraw from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. |
■ | Money Market Securities Risk — If market conditions improve while the Fund has invested some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities, this strategy could result in reducing the potential gain from the market upswing, thus reducing the Fund’s opportunity to achieve its investment objective. |
■ | Non-Diversification Risk — The Fund is a non-diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred securities of larger companies. |
■ | Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be |
particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities. |
■ | REIT Investment Risk — In addition to the risks facing real estate-related securities, such as a decline in property values due to increasing vacancies, a decline in rents resulting from unanticipated economic, legal or technological developments or a decline in the price of securities of real estate companies due to a failure of borrowers to pay their loans or poor management, investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings of securities and may be more volatile than other securities. REIT issuers may also fail to maintain their exemptions from investment company registration or fail to qualify for the “dividends paid deduction” under the Internal Revenue Code, which allows REITs to reduce their corporate taxable income for dividends paid to their shareholders. Ordinary REIT dividends received by the Fund and distributed to the Fund’s shareholders will generally be taxable as ordinary income and will not constitute “qualified dividend income.” However, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, a non-corporate taxpayer who is a direct REIT shareholder may claim a 20% “qualified business income” deduction for ordinary REIT dividends, and proposed regulations issued in January 2019, on which taxpayers may currently rely, permit a regulated investment company to report dividends as eligible for this deduction to the extent the regulated investment company’s income is derived from ordinary REIT dividends (reduced by allocable regulated investment company expenses). A shareholder may treat the dividends as such provided the regulated investment company and the shareholder satisfy applicable holding period requirements. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the Fund may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security and the market value of the security declines, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Short Sales Risk — Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes the Fund to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the security sold short. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. As a result, if the Fund makes short sales in securities that increase in value, it will likely underperform similar funds that do not make short sales in securities they do not own. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short sale position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the amount at which it sold a security short, its potential loss is limited only by the maximum attainable price of the security, less the price at which the security was sold. The Fund may also pay transaction costs and borrowing fees in connection with short sales. |
■ | Sovereign Debt Risk — Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected. |
■ | Subsidiary Risk — By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The commodity-related instruments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund (see “Commodities Related Investments Risk” above). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by BlackRock, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund. |
■ | Supranational Entities Risk — The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the World Bank. The government members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to the World Bank and in many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if the World Bank is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of the World Bank will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and the Fund may lose money on such investments. |
■ | Treasury Obligations Risk — Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, due to fluctuations in interest rates, the market value of such securities may vary during the period shareholders own shares of the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Obligations Risk — Not all U.S. Government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Obligations of certain agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises of the U.S. Government are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., the Government National Mortgage Association); other obligations are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Banks) and others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase an agency’s obligations. Still others are backed only by the credit of the agency, authority, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise issuing the obligation. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to any of these entities if it is not obligated to do so by law. |
■ | Variable and Floating Rate Instrument Risk — Variable and floating rate securities provide for periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the securities. These securities may be subject to greater illiquidity risk than other fixed income securities, meaning the absence of an active market for these securities could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them at any given time. |
■ | Volatility Risk — Although the Fund intends to implement strategies designed to limit volatility during times of market stress, the effectiveness of these strategies may depend on particular market conditions and other factors that are beyond the control of Fund management. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s efforts to limit volatility will be successful or that any particular level of volatility will be achieved. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
Investor A | Investor C 2,3 | 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 C 2,3 | Institutional | |
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. These shares may make sense for investors who have a shorter investment horizon relative to Investor A 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 the Fund and do not have a Financial Intermediary associated with your account, you may only invest in Investor A Shares. Applications without a Financial Intermediary that select Investor C Shares will not be accepted. |
3 | The Fund will not accept a purchase order of $500,000 or more for Investor C Shares (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 $25,000 | 5.25% | 5.54% | 5.00% |
$25,000 but less than $50,000 | 4.75% | 4.99% | 4.50% |
$50,000 but less than $100,000 | 4.00% | 4.17% | 3.75% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 3.00% | 3.09% | 2.75% |
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 2.50% | 2.56% | 2.25% |
$500,000 but less than $750,000 | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.75% |
$750,000 but less than $1,000,000 | 1.50% | 1.52% | 1.25% |
$1,000,000 and over2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | — 2 |
1 | Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent. |
2 | If you invest $1,000,000 or more in Investor A Shares, you will not pay an initial sales charge. In that case, BlackRock compensates the Financial Intermediary from its own resources. However, if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase, you may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% 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 the Fund through such plans; |
■ | Exchanges pursuant to the exchange privilege, as described in “How to Buy, Sell, Exchange and Transfer Shares — How to Exchange Shares or Transfer Your Account”; |
■ | Redemptions made in connection with minimum required distributions from IRA or 403(b)(7) accounts due to the shareholder reaching the age of 70½; |
■ | Certain post-retirement withdrawals from an IRA or other retirement plan if you are over 59½ years old and you purchased your shares prior to October 2, 2006; |
■ | Redemptions made with respect to certain retirement plans sponsored by the Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate; |
■ | Redemptions resulting from shareholder death as long as the waiver request is made within one year of death or, if later, reasonably promptly following completion of probate (including in connection with the distribution of account assets to a beneficiary of the decedent); |
■ | Withdrawals resulting from shareholder disability (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) as long as the disability arose subsequent to the purchase of the shares; |
■ | Involuntary redemptions made of shares in accounts with low balances; |
■ | Certain redemptions made through the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”) offered by the Fund, BlackRock or an affiliate; |
■ | Redemptions related to the payment of BNY Mellon Investment Servicing Trust Company custodial IRA fees; and |
■ | Redemptions when a shareholder can demonstrate hardship, in the absolute discretion of the Fund. |
■ | Individuals and “Institutional Investors” with a minimum initial investment of $2 million who may purchase shares of the 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 the 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 | |
Initial Purchase | First, select the share class appropriate for you |
Refer
to the “Share Classes at a Glance” table in this prospectus (be sure to read this prospectus carefully). When you place your initial order, you must indicate which share class you select (if you do not specify a share class and do not
qualify to purchase Institutional Shares, you will receive Investor A Shares).
|
Next, determine the amount of your investment |
Refer
to the minimum initial investment in the “Share Classes at a Glance” table of this prospectus. Be sure to note the maximum investment amounts in Investor C Shares.
|
|
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.
|
|
Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) | To purchase shares directly from BlackRock, call (800) 441-7762 and request a new account application. Mail the completed application along with a check payable to “BlackRock Funds” to the Transfer Agent at the address on the application. | |
Add to Your Investment | Purchase additional shares | For Investor A and Investor C Shares, the minimum investment for additional purchases is generally $50 for all accounts (with the exception of certain employer-sponsored retirement plans which may have a lower minimum for additional purchases). The minimums for additional purchases may be waived under certain circumstances. Institutional Shares have no minimum for additional purchases. |
Have your Financial Intermediary submit your purchase order for additional shares | To purchase additional shares, you may contact your Financial Intermediary. For more details on purchasing by Internet see below. | |
Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) |
Purchase
by Telephone: Call (800) 441-7762 and speak with one of our representatives. The Fund has the right to reject any telephone request for any reason.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Add to Your Investment (continued) | Or contact BlackRock (for accounts held directly with BlackRock) (continued) |
day
after the purchase is made.
|
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.
|
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) | Have your Financial Intermediary submit your sales order (continued) |
Certain
Financial Intermediaries may charge a fee to process a redemption of shares.
|
Selling shares held directly with BlackRock |
Methods
of Redeeming
Payment of Redemption Proceeds |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Full or Partial Redemption of Shares (continued) | Selling shares held directly with BlackRock (continued) |
The
Fund reserves the right to reinvest any dividend or distribution amounts (e.g., income dividends or capital gains) which you have elected to receive by check should your check be returned as undeliverable or remain uncashed for more than 6 months.
No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed checks. Your check will be reinvested in your account at the net asset value next calculated, on the day of the investment. When reinvested, those amounts are subject to the risk of loss
like any fund investment. If you elect to receive distributions in cash and a check remains undeliverable or uncashed for more than 6 months, your cash election may also be changed automatically to reinvest and your future dividend and capital gains
distributions will be reinvested in the Fund at the net asset value as of the date of payment of the distribution.
***
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 |
Your Choices | Important Information for You to Know | |
Redemption Proceeds (continued) | (continued) |
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
A, Investor C 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 | |
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. |
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (continued) | This feature can be used by investors who want to receive regular distributions from their accounts. (continued) |
To
participate in the SWP, shareholders must have their dividends reinvested. Shareholders may change or cancel the SWP at any time, with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. If a shareholder purchases additional Investor A Shares of a fund at the
same time he or she redeems shares through the SWP, that investor may lose money because of the sales charge involved. No CDSC will be assessed on redemptions of Investor A or Investor C Shares made through the SWP that do not exceed 12% of the
account’s net asset value on an annualized basis. For example, monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual SWP redemptions of Investor A or Investor C Shares will not be subject to the CDSC if they do not exceed 1%, 3% and 6%, respectively, of an
account’s net asset value on the redemption date. SWP redemptions of Investor A or Investor C Shares in excess of this limit will still pay any applicable CDSC.
|
Reinstatement Privilege | If you redeem Investor A or Institutional Shares and buy new Investor A Shares of the same or another BlackRock Fund (equal to all or a portion of the redemption amount) within 90 days of such redemption, you will not pay a sales charge on the new purchase amount. This right may be exercised within 90 days of the redemption, provided that the Investor A Share class of that fund is currently open to new investors or the shareholder has a current account in that closed fund. Shares will be purchased at the net asset value calculated at the close of trading on the day the request is received. To exercise this privilege, the Fund must receive written notification from the shareholder of record or the Financial Intermediary of record, at the time of purchase. Investors should consult a tax adviser concerning the tax consequences of exercising this reinstatement privilege. |
■ | 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 |
First $1 billion | 0.50% |
$1 billion – $3 billion | 0.47% |
$3 billion – $5 billion | 0.45% |
$5 billion – $10 billion | 0.44% |
Greater than $10 billion | 0.43% |
Contractual
Caps1 on
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) |
|
Investor A Shares | 0.80% |
Investor C Shares | 1.55% |
Institutional Shares | 0.55% |
1 | The contractual caps are in effect through November 30, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust 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 |
Ked Hogan, PhD | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Member of Global Market Strategies Group and Scientific Active Equity Group; various positions with Barclays Global Investors from 1997 to 2009. |
Philip Hodges, PhD | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Member of Market Advantage Investment Committee since 2009; Associate at Barclays Global Investors from 2007 to 2009. |
Institutional | |||||
Year Ended July 31, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $ 10.18 | $ 10.18 | $ 9.79 | $ 9.96 | $ 10.11 |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | 0.16 | 0.08 | 0.00 (b) | (0.04) | (0.06) |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 0.44 | 0.39 | 0.53 | 0.29 | 0.28 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.60 | 0.47 | 0.53 | 0.25 | 0.22 |
Distributions (c) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.24) | — | (0.04) | (0.42) | (0.35) |
From net realized gain | (0.04) | (0.47) | (0.10) | — | (0.02) |
Total distributions | (0.28) | (0.47) | (0.14) | (0.42) | (0.37) |
Net asset value, end of year | $ 10.50 | $ 10.18 | $ 10.18 | $ 9.79 | $ 9.96 |
Total Return(d) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 6.10% | 4.59% | 5.46% | 2.86% | 2.24% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(e) | |||||
Total expenses | 1.29% | 1.82% | 1.65% | 1.61% | 1.52% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.55% | 0.54% | 0.68% | 1.00% | 1.00% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.55% | 0.76% | (0.03)% | (0.45)% | (0.61)% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $206,351 | $122,627 | $31,334 | $27,712 | $35,597 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 74% | 64% | 73% | 11% | 4% |
(a) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(b) | Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share. |
(c) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(d) | Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
(e) | Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows: |
Year Ended July 31, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.11% | 0.08% | 0.09% |
Investor A | |||||
Year Ended July 31, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $10.15 | $10.15 | $ 9.77 | $ 9.93 | $10.09 |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | 0.13 | 0.02 | (0.02) | (0.07) | (0.09) |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 0.44 | 0.42 | 0.52 | 0.30 | 0.28 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.57 | 0.44 | 0.50 | 0.23 | 0.19 |
Distributions (b) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.22) | — | (0.02) | (0.39) | (0.33) |
From net realized gain | (0.04) | (0.44) | (0.10) | — | (0.02) |
Total distributions | (0.26) | (0.44) | (0.12) | (0.39) | (0.35) |
Net asset value, end of year | $10.46 | $10.15 | $10.15 | $ 9.77 | $ 9.93 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 5.80% | 4.35% | 5.16% | 2.68% | 1.97% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 1.65% | 2.20% | 2.09% | 2.03% | 1.94% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.80% | 0.80% | 0.91% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
Net investment income (loss) | 1.28% | 0.18% | (0.21)% | (0.70)% | (0.86)% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $7,423 | $4,936 | $2,327 | $1,448 | $1,811 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 74% | 64% | 73% | 11% | 4% |
(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 July 31, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.11% | 0.08% | 0.09% |
Investor C | |||||
Year Ended July 31, | |||||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Net asset value, beginning of year | $10.08 | $10.07 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.84 | $10.02 |
Net investment income (loss)(a) | 0.04 | (0.11) | (0.10) | (0.13) | (0.16) |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 0.44 | 0.48 | 0.52 | 0.29 | 0.29 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.48 | 0.37 | 0.42 | 0.16 | 0.13 |
Distributions (b) | |||||
From net investment income | (0.12) | — | — | (0.29) | (0.29) |
From net realized gain | (0.04) | (0.36) | (0.06) | — | (0.02) |
Total distributions | (0.16) | (0.36) | (0.06) | (0.29) | (0.31) |
Net asset value, end of year | $10.40 | $10.08 | $10.07 | $ 9.71 | $ 9.84 |
Total Return(c) | |||||
Based on net asset value | 4.95% | 3.62% | 4.40% | 1.82% | 1.32% |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(d) | |||||
Total expenses | 2.47% | 2.98% | 2.80% | 2.72% | 2.59% |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 1.55% | 1.55% | 1.68% | 2.00% | 2.00% |
Net investment income (loss) | 0.41% | (1.08)% | (1.01)% | (1.45)% | (1.56)% |
Supplemental Data | |||||
Net assets, end of year (000) | $ 608 | $ 755 | $ 908 | $ 659 | $ 851 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 74% | 64% | 73% | 11% | 4% |
(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 July 31, | |||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.11% | 0.08% | 0.09% |
■ | 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 Total Factor Fund |
Class K: BSTKX |
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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Details About the Fund | Information about how the Fund invests, including investment objective, investment process, principal strategies and risk factors | |
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Account Information | Information about account services, sales charges and waivers, shareholder transactions, and distribution 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) |
Class
K
Shares |
|
Management Fee1 | 0.50% | |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | None | |
Other Expenses3 | 0.79% | |
Other Expenses of the Fund | 0.79% | |
Other Expenses of the Subsidiary3 | — | |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2 | 0.01% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 1.30% | |
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,4 | (0.79)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements1,4 | 0.51% |
1 | As described in the “Management of the Fund” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 32, 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 November 30, 2020. In addition, BlackRock has contractually agreed to waive its management fees by the amount of investment advisory fees the Fund pays to BlackRock indirectly through its investment in money market funds managed by BlackRock or its affiliates, through November 30, 2020. The contractual agreements may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust 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 ratio of expenses to average net assets given in the Fund’s most recent annual report, which does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. |
3 | The Other Expenses of the BlackRock Cayman Strategic Risk Allocation Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”) were less than 0.01% for the most recent fiscal year. |
4 | As described in the “Management of the Fund” section of the Fund’s prospectus beginning on page 32, 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 0.50% of average daily net assets through November 30, 2020. The Fund may have to repay some of these waivers and/or reimbursements to BlackRock in the following two years, and such repayment arrangement will terminate on December 27, 2019. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust 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 | $52 | $334 | $637 | $1,498 |
■ | Commodities Related Investments Risk — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. | |
The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Fund’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management. | |
To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities. | |
These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change. | |
A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Fund’s performance. | |
Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make 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. |
■ | Depositary Receipts Risk — Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Fund to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and the risk of an illiquid market for depositary receipts. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that |
is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. | |
■ | 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. |
Risks Specific to Certain Derivatives Used by the Fund |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. |
■ | Equity Securities Risk — Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include: |
■ | The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight. |
■ | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
■ | The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. |
■ | The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. |
■ | Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. |
■ | Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. |
■ | The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries. These events may spread to other countries in Europe. These events may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. |
■ | Money Market Securities Risk — If market conditions improve while the Fund has invested some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities, this strategy could result in reducing the potential gain from the market upswing, thus reducing the Fund’s opportunity to achieve its investment objective. |
■ | Non-Diversification Risk — The Fund is a non-diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred securities of larger companies. |
■ | Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the |
general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities. |
■ | REIT Investment Risk — Investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings of securities and may be more volatile than other securities. REIT issuers may also fail to maintain their exemptions from investment company registration or fail to qualify for the “dividends paid deduction” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which allows REITs to reduce their corporate taxable income for dividends paid to their shareholders. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the Fund may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security and the market value of the security declines, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Short Sales Risk — Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes the Fund to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the security sold short. |
■ | Sovereign Debt Risk — Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. |
■ | Subsidiary Risk — By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The commodity-related instruments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund (see “Commodities Related Investments Risk” above). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by BlackRock, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information and could adversely affect the Fund. |
■ | Supranational Entities Risk — The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”). The government members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to the World Bank and in many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if the World Bank is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of the World Bank will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and the Fund may lose money on such investments. |
■ | Treasury Obligations Risk — Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, due to fluctuations in interest rates, the market value of such securities may vary during the period shareholders own shares of the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Obligations Risk — Certain securities in which the Fund may invest, including securities issued by certain U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government or supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. |
■ | Variable and Floating Rate Instrument Risk — Variable and floating rate securities provide for periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the securities. These securities may be subject to greater illiquidity risk than other fixed income securities, meaning the absence of an active market for these securities could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them at any given time. |
■ | Volatility Risk — Although the Fund intends to implement strategies designed to limit volatility during times of market stress, the effectiveness of these strategies may depend on particular market conditions and other factors that are beyond the control of Fund management. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s efforts to limit volatility will be successful or that any particular level of volatility will be achieved. |
As
of 12/31/18
Average Annual Total Returns |
1 Year | 5 Years |
Since
Inception
(December 27, 2012) |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund — Class K Shares | |||
Return Before Taxes | (2.36)% | 4.12% | 3.04% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions | (3.48)% | 2.62% | 1.49% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | (1.40)% | 2.49% | 1.61% |
MSCI
World Index Hedged USD Net
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
(6.59)% | 6.38% | 9.83% |
Bloomberg
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
0.01% | 2.52% | 1.73% |
MSCI
World Index Hedged USD Net (60%)/Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (40%)
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
(3.78)% | 4.97% | 6.66% |
ICE
BofAML 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index
(Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
1.87% | 0.63% | 0.53% |
Name |
Portfolio
Manager
of the Fund Since |
Title |
Ked Hogan, PhD | 2012 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
Philip Hodges, PhD | 2012 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. |
■ | Borrowing — The Fund may borrow up to the limits set forth under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief. |
■ | Illiquid Investments — 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Commodities Related Investments Risk — Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. |
■ | Convertible Securities Risk — The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock. |
■ | Debt Securities Risk — Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things. |
Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. |
■ | Depositary Receipts Risk — Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Fund to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and the risk of an illiquid market for depositary receipts. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. |
■ | 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 capital gains. In addition, certain derivatives are subject to mark-to-market or straddle provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). If such provisions are applicable, there could be an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the Fund. In addition, the tax treatment of certain derivatives, such as swaps, is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulation or administrative pronouncements issued by the 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 |
■ | Emerging Markets Risk — The risks of foreign investments are usually much greater for emerging markets. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets may include those in countries considered emerging or developing by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the International Finance Corporation or the United Nations. Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. They are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets. Since these markets are often small, they may be more likely to suffer sharp and frequent price changes or long-term price depression because of adverse publicity, investor perceptions or the actions of a few large investors. In addition, traditional measures of investment value used in the United States, such as price to earnings ratios, may not apply to certain small markets. Also, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. |
Many emerging markets have histories of political instability and abrupt changes in policies. As a result, their governments are more likely to take actions that are hostile or detrimental to private enterprise or foreign investment than those of more developed countries, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In such an event, it is possible that the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected market. Some countries have pervasive |
corruption and crime that may hinder investments. Certain emerging markets may also face other significant internal or external risks, including the risk of war, and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. In addition, governments in many emerging market countries participate to a significant degree in their economies and securities markets, which may impair investment and economic growth. National policies that may limit the Fund’s investment opportunities include restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. | |
Emerging markets may also have differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments. Sometimes, they may lack or be in the relatively early development of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Many emerging markets do not have income tax treaties with the United States, and as a result, investments by the Fund may be subject to higher withholding taxes in such countries. In addition, some countries with emerging markets may impose differential capital gains taxes on foreign investors. | |
Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because the Fund will need to use brokers and counterparties that are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. The possibility of fraud, negligence, undue influence being exerted by the issuer or refusal to recognize ownership exists in some emerging markets, and, along with other factors, could result in ownership registration being completely lost. The Fund would absorb any loss resulting from such registration problems and may have no successful claim for compensation. In addition, communications between the United States and emerging market countries may be unreliable, increasing the risk of delayed settlements or losses of security certificates. | |
■ | Equity Securities Risk — Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of equity securities purchased by the Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Fund invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, the value may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment. |
■ | Foreign Securities Risk — Securities traded in foreign markets have often (though not always) performed differently from securities traded in the United States. However, such investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. In particular, the Fund is subject to the risk that because there may be fewer investors on foreign exchanges and a smaller number of securities traded each day, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell securities on those exchanges. In addition, prices of foreign securities may go up and down more than prices of securities traded in the United States. |
Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States — The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories. Some foreign banks and securities depositories may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business. In addition, there may be limited or no regulatory oversight of their operations. Also, the laws of certain countries limit the Fund’s ability to recover its assets if a foreign bank, depository or issuer of a security, or any of their agents, goes bankrupt. In addition, it is often more expensive for the Fund to buy, sell and hold securities in certain foreign markets than in the United States. The increased expense of investing in foreign markets reduces the amount the Fund can earn on its investments and typically results in a higher operating expense ratio for the Fund than for investment companies invested only in the United States. | |
Currency Risk — Securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests may be denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For this reason, changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio. | |
Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency loses value because the currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar decreases in value against a foreign currency, a security denominated in that currency gains value because the currency is worth more U.S. dollars. This risk, generally known as “currency risk,” means that a strong U.S. dollar will reduce returns for U.S. investors while a weak U.S. dollar will increase those returns. | |
Foreign Economy Risk — The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. Certain foreign economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a |
particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets or the imposition of punitive taxes. In addition, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries. Any of these actions could severely affect securities prices or impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund’s assets or income back into the United States, or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations. | |
Other potential foreign market risks include foreign exchange controls, difficulties in pricing securities, defaults on foreign government securities, difficulties in enforcing legal judgments in foreign courts and political and social instability. Diplomatic and political developments, including rapid and adverse political changes, social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war, could affect the economies, industries and securities and currency markets, and the value of the Fund’s investments, in non-U.S. countries. These factors are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to predict and take into account with respect to the Fund’s investments. | |
Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards — Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as such regulations exist in the United States. They also may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws. For example, some foreign countries may have no laws or rules against insider trading. Insider trading occurs when a person buys or sells a company’s securities based on material non-public information about that company. In addition, some countries may have legal systems that may make it difficult for the Fund to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, and pursue legal remedies with respect to its foreign investments. Accounting standards in other countries are not necessarily the same as in the United States. If the accounting standards in another country do not require as much detail as U.S. accounting standards, it may be harder for Fund management to completely and accurately determine a company’s financial condition. | |
Settlement Risk — Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets differ significantly from those in the United States. Foreign settlement and clearance procedures and trade regulations also may involve certain risks (such as delays in payment for or delivery of securities) not typically associated with the settlement of U.S. investments. | |
At times, settlements in certain foreign countries have not kept pace with the number of securities transactions. These problems may make it difficult for the Fund to carry out transactions. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a sale of securities, it may lose money if the value of the security then declines or, if it has contracted to sell the security to another party, the Fund could be liable for any losses incurred. | |
European Economic Risk — The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries. These events may spread to other countries in Europe. These events may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Fund’s investments. | |
Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, the United Kingdom has voted to withdraw from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Mid Cap Securities Risk — The securities of mid cap companies generally trade in lower volumes and are generally subject to greater and less predictable price changes than the securities of larger capitalization companies. |
■ | Money Market Securities Risk — If market conditions improve while the Fund has invested some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities, this strategy could result in reducing the potential gain from the market upswing, thus reducing the Fund’s opportunity to achieve its investment objective. |
■ | Non-Diversification Risk — The Fund is a non-diversified fund. Because the Fund may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely. |
■ | Preferred Securities Risk — Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred securities of larger companies. |
■ | Real Estate-Related Securities Risk — The main risk of real estate-related securities is that the value of the underlying real estate may go down. Many factors may affect real estate values. These factors include both the general and local economies, vacancy rates, tenant bankruptcies, the ability to re-lease space under expiring leases on attractive terms, the amount of new construction in a particular area, the laws and regulations (including zoning, environmental and tax laws) affecting real estate and the costs of owning, maintaining and improving real estate. The availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates may also affect real estate values. If the Fund’s real estate-related investments are concentrated in one geographic area or in one property type, the Fund will be |
particularly subject to the risks associated with that area or property type. Many issuers of real estate-related securities are highly leveraged, which increases the risk to holders of such securities. The value of the securities the Fund buys will not necessarily track the value of the underlying investments of the issuers of such securities. |
■ | REIT Investment Risk — In addition to the risks facing real estate-related securities, such as a decline in property values due to increasing vacancies, a decline in rents resulting from unanticipated economic, legal or technological developments or a decline in the price of securities of real estate companies due to a failure of borrowers to pay their loans or poor management, investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings of securities and may be more volatile than other securities. REIT issuers may also fail to maintain their exemptions from investment company registration or fail to qualify for the “dividends paid deduction” under the Internal Revenue Code, which allows REITs to reduce their corporate taxable income for dividends paid to their shareholders. Ordinary REIT dividends received by the Fund and distributed to the Fund’s shareholders will generally be taxable as ordinary income and will not constitute “qualified dividend income.” However, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, a non-corporate taxpayer who is a direct REIT shareholder may claim a 20% “qualified business income” deduction for ordinary REIT dividends, and proposed regulations issued in January 2019, on which taxpayers may currently rely, permit a regulated investment company to report dividends as eligible for this deduction to the extent the regulated investment company’s income is derived from ordinary REIT dividends (reduced by allocable regulated investment company expenses). A shareholder may treat the dividends as such provided the regulated investment company and the shareholder satisfy applicable holding period requirements. |
■ | Repurchase Agreements Risk — If the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the Fund may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security and the market value of the security declines, the Fund may lose money. |
■ | Short Sales Risk — Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes the Fund to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the security sold short. The Fund will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. As a result, if the Fund makes short sales in securities that increase in value, it will likely underperform similar funds that do not make short sales in securities they do not own. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out a short sale position at any particular time or at an acceptable price. Although the Fund’s gain is limited to the amount at which it sold a security short, its potential loss is limited only by the maximum attainable price of the security, less the price at which the security was sold. The Fund may also pay transaction costs and borrowing fees in connection with short sales. |
■ | Sovereign Debt Risk — Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example, to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected. |
■ | Subsidiary Risk — By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The commodity-related instruments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund (see “Commodities Related Investments Risk” above). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Fund and the Subsidiary are both managed by BlackRock, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Fund, except that the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund. |
■ | Supranational Entities Risk — The Fund may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the World Bank. The government members, or “stockholders,” usually make initial capital contributions to the World Bank and in many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if the World Bank is unable to repay its borrowings. There is no guarantee that one or more stockholders of the World Bank will continue to make any necessary additional capital contributions. If such contributions are not made, the entity may be unable to pay interest or repay principal on its debt securities, and the Fund may lose money on such investments. |
■ | Treasury Obligations Risk — Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury have historically involved little risk of loss of principal if held to maturity. However, due to fluctuations in interest rates, the market value of such securities may vary during the period shareholders own shares of the Fund. |
■ | U.S. Government Obligations Risk — Not all U.S. Government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Obligations of certain agencies, authorities, instrumentalities and sponsored enterprises of the U.S. Government are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (e.g., the Government National Mortgage Association); other obligations are backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., the Federal Home Loan Banks) and others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase an agency’s obligations. Still others are backed only by the credit of the agency, authority, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise issuing the obligation. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to any of these entities if it is not obligated to do so by law. |
■ | Variable and Floating Rate Instrument Risk — Variable and floating rate securities provide for periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the securities. These securities may be subject to greater illiquidity risk than other fixed income securities, meaning the absence of an active market for these securities could make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of them at any given time. |
■ | Volatility Risk — Although the Fund intends to implement strategies designed to limit volatility during times of market stress, the effectiveness of these strategies may depend on particular market conditions and other factors that are beyond the control of Fund management. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s efforts to limit volatility will be successful or that any particular level of volatility will be achieved. |
■ | 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. |
■ | Illiquid Investments Risk — 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. |
■ | 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. |
■ | 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. |
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 the 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 the 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 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 the 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 the 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 Shares to Another Financial Intermediary (continued) |
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 |
First $1 billion | 0.50% |
$1 billion – $3 billion | 0.47% |
$3 billion – $5 billion | 0.45% |
$5 billion – $10 billion | 0.44% |
Greater than $10 billion | 0.43% |
Contractual
Cap1 on
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 (excluding Dividend Expense, Interest Expense, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and certain other Fund expenses) |
|
Class K Shares | 0.50% |
1 | The contractual cap is in effect through November 30, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the non-interested trustees of the Trust 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 |
Ked Hogan, PhD | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Member of Global Market Strategies Group and Scientific Active Equity Group; various positions with Barclays Global Investors from 1997 to 2009. |
Philip Hodges, PhD | Jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio, including setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. | 2012 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Member of Market Advantage Investment Committee since 2009; Associate at Barclays Global Investors from 2007 to 2009. |
Class K | |||
Year Ended July 31, |
Period
from
02/03/17(a) to 07/31/17 |
||
(For a share outstanding throughout each period) | 2019 | 2018 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.18 | $ 10.18 | $ 9.76 |
Net investment income(b) | 0.14 | 0.28 | 0.01 |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 0.47 | 0.19 | 0.41 |
Net increase from investment operations | 0.61 | 0.47 | 0.42 |
Distributions (c) | |||
From net investment income | (0.24) | — | — |
From net realized gain | (0.04) | (0.47) | — |
Total distributions | (0.28) | (0.47) | — |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.51 | $ 10.18 | $10.18 |
Total Return(d) | |||
Based on net asset value | 6.23% | 4.61% | 4.30% (e) |
Ratios to Average Net Assets(f) | |||
Total expenses | 1.29% | 1.81% | 1.84% (g) |
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly | 0.50% | 0.50% | 0.49% (g) |
Net investment income | 1.43% | 2.79% | 0.28% (g) |
Supplemental Data | |||
Net assets, end of period (000) | $18,383 | $28,440 | $ 230 |
Portfolio turnover rate | 74% | 64% | 73% (h) |
(a) | Commencement of operations. |
(b) | Based on average 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 July 31, |
Period
from
02/03/17(a) to 07/31/17 |
||
2019 | 2018 | ||
Investments in underlying funds | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.11% |
(g) | Annualized. |
(h) | Portfolio turnover rate is representative of the Portfolio for the entire year. |
■ | Access the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery; and |
■ | Log into your account. |
Class | Ticker Symbol | |
Investor A
Shares
|
BSTAX | |
Investor C
Shares
|
BSTCX | |
Institutional
Shares
|
BSTIX | |
Class K
Shares
|
BSTKX |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund | |
144A Securities | X |
Asset-Backed Securities | X |
Asset-Based Securities | X |
Precious Metal-Related Securities | X |
Bank Loans | X |
Borrowing and Leverage | X |
Cash Flows; Expenses | X |
Cash Management | X |
Collateralized Debt Obligations | X |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund | |
Collateralized Bond Obligations | |
Collateralized Loan Obligations | X |
Commercial Paper | X |
Commodity-Linked Derivative Instruments and Hybrid Instruments | X |
Qualifying Hybrid Instruments | X |
Hybrid Instruments Without Principal Protection | X |
Limitations on Leverage | X |
Counterparty Risk | X |
Convertible Securities | X |
Credit Linked Securities | X |
Cyber Security Issues | X |
Debt Securities | X |
Inflation-Indexed Bonds | X |
Investment Grade Debt Obligations | X |
High Yield Investments (“Junk Bonds”) | X |
Mezzanine Investments | X |
Pay-in-kind Bonds | X |
Supranational Entities | X |
Depositary Receipts (ADRs, EDRs and GDRs) | X |
Derivatives | X |
Hedging | X |
Speculation | X |
Risk Factors in Derivatives | X |
Correlation Risk | X |
Counterparty Risk | X |
Credit Risk | X |
Currency Risk | X |
Illiquidity Risk | X |
Leverage Risk | X |
Market Risk | X |
Valuation Risk | X |
Volatility Risk | X |
Futures | X |
Swap Agreements | X |
Credit Default Swaps and Similar Instruments | X |
Interest Rate Swaps, Floors and Caps | X |
Total Return Swaps | X |
Options | X |
Options on Securities and Securities Indices | X |
Call Options | X |
Put Options | X |
Options on Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) Certificates | X |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund | |
Options on Swaps (“Swaptions”) | X |
Foreign Exchange Transactions | X |
Spot Transactions and FX Forwards | X |
Currency Futures | X |
Currency Options | X |
Currency Swaps | X |
Distressed Securities | X |
Equity Securities | X |
Real Estate-Related Securities | X |
Securities of Smaller or Emerging Growth Companies | X |
Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”) | X |
Foreign Investments | X |
Foreign Investment Risks | X |
Foreign Market Risk | X |
Foreign Economy Risk | X |
Currency Risk and Exchange Risk | X |
Governmental Supervision and Regulation/Accounting Standards | X |
Certain Risks of Holding Fund Assets Outside the United States | X |
Publicly Available Information | X |
Settlement Risk | X |
Sovereign Debt | X |
Funding Agreements | X |
Guarantees | |
Illiquid Investments | 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 |
Inflation Risk | X |
Initial Public Offering (“IPO”) Risk | X |
Interfund Lending Program | X |
Borrowing, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions | X |
Lending, to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions | X |
Investment in Emerging Markets | X |
Brady Bonds | X |
China Investments Risk | X |
Investment in Other Investment Companies | X |
Exchange-Traded Funds | X |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund | |
Lease Obligations | X |
Life Settlement Investments | |
Liquidity Risk Management | X |
Master Limited Partnerships | X |
Merger Transaction Risk | X |
Money Market Obligations of Domestic Banks, Foreign Banks and Foreign Branches of U.S. Banks | X |
Money Market Securities | X |
Mortgage-Related Securities | |
Mortgage-Backed Securities | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”) | |
Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities | |
CMO Residuals | |
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities | |
Tiered Index Bonds | |
TBA Commitments | |
Mortgage Dollar Rolls | |
Net Interest Margin (NIM) Securities | |
Municipal Investments | |
Risk Factors and Special Considerations Relating to Municipal Bonds | |
Description of Municipal Bonds | |
General Obligation Bonds | |
Revenue Bonds | |
Private Activity Bonds (“PABs”) | |
Moral Obligation Bonds | |
Municipal Notes | |
Municipal Commercial Paper | |
Municipal Lease Obligations | |
Tender Option Bonds | |
Yields | |
Variable Rate Demand Obligations (“VRDOs”) and Participating VRDOs | |
Transactions in Financial Futures Contracts on Municipal Indexes | |
Call Rights | |
Municipal Interest Rate Swap Transactions | |
Insured Municipal Bonds | |
Build America Bonds | |
Tax-Exempt Municipal Investments | |
Participation Notes | X |
Portfolio Turnover Rates | X |
Preferred Stock | X |
Tax-Exempt Preferred Shares | |
Trust Preferred Securities | X |
BlackRock Total Factor Fund | |
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) | X |
Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts | X |
Restricted Securities | X |
Reverse Repurchase Agreements | X |
Rights Offerings and Warrants to Purchase | X |
Securities Lending | X |
Short Sales | X |
Standby Commitment Agreements | X |
Stripped Securities | X |
Structured Notes | |
Taxability Risk | |
Temporary Defensive Measures | X |
U.S. Government Obligations | X |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | X |
U.S. Treasury Rolls | X |
Utility Industries | X |
When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments | X |
Yields and Ratings | X |
Zero Coupon Securities | X |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Independent Trustees | ||
Bruce R. Bond | Bruce R. Bond has served for approximately 20 years on the board of registered investment companies, having served as a member of the boards of certain BlackRock-advised Funds and predecessor funds, including the legacy-BlackRock funds and the State Street Research Mutual Funds. He also has executive management and business experience, having served as president and chief executive officer of several communications networking companies. Mr. Bond also has corporate governance experience from his service as a director of a computer equipment company. | |
Susan J. Carter | Susan J. Carter has over 35 years of experience in investment management. She has served as President & Chief Executive Officer of Commonfund Capital, Inc. (“CCI”), a registered investment adviser focused on non-profit investors, from 1997 to 2013, Chief Executive Officer of CCI from 2013 to 2014 and Senior Advisor to CCI in 2015. Ms. Carter also served as trustee to the Pacific Pension Institute from 2014 to 2018. She currently serves as trustee to the Financial Accounting Foundation, Advisory Board Member for the Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship at Tuck School of Business, Board Member for Girls Who Invest, Advisory Board Member for Bridges Fund Management and Practitioner Advisory Board Member for Private Capital Research Institute (“PCRI”). These positions have provided her with insight and perspective on the markets and the economy. | |
Collette Chilton | Collette Chilton has over 20 years of experience in investment management. She has held the position of Chief Investment Officer of Williams College since October 2006. Prior to that she was President and Chief Investment Officer of Lucent Asset Management Corporation, where she oversaw approximately $40 billion in pension and retirement savings assets for the company. These positions have provided her with insight and perspective on the markets and the economy. | |
Neil A. Cotty | Neil A. Cotty has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 19 years at Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates, where he served, at different times, as the Chief Financial Officer of various businesses including Investment Banking, Global Markets, Wealth Management and Consumer and also served ten years as the Chief Accounting Officer for Bank of America Corporation. Mr. Cotty has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable Commission rules. | |
Lena G. Goldberg | Lena G. Goldberg has more than 20 years of business and oversight experience, most recently through her service as a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School. Prior thereto, she held legal and management positions at FMR LLC/Fidelity Investments as well as positions on the boards of various Fidelity subsidiaries over a 12-year period. She has additional corporate governance experience as a member of board and advisory committees for privately held corporations and non-profit organizations. Ms. Goldberg also has more than 17 years of legal experience as an attorney in private practice, including as a partner in a law firm. |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Robert M. Hernandez | Robert M. Hernandez has served for approximately 23 years on the board of registered investment companies, having previously served as chair of the boards of certain BlackRock-advised Funds and predecessor funds and as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Audit and Nominating/Governance Committees of certain predecessor funds, including certain legacy-BlackRock funds. Mr. Hernandez has business and executive experience through his service as group president, chief financial officer, Chairman and vice chairman, among other positions, of publicly-held energy, steel, and metal companies. He has served as a director of other public companies in various industries throughout his career. He also has broad corporate governance experience, having served as a board member of publicly-held energy, insurance, chemicals, metals and electronics companies. Mr. Hernandez has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable Commission rules. | |
Henry R. Keizer | Henry R. Keizer brings over 40 years of executive, financial, operational, strategic and global expertise gained through his 35 year career at KPMG, a global professional services organization and by his service as a director to both publicly and privately held organizations. He has extensive experience with issues facing complex, global companies and expertise in financial reporting, accounting, auditing, risk management, and regulatory affairs for such companies. Mr. Keizer’s experience also includes service as an audit committee chair to both publicly and privately held organizations across numerous industries including professional services, property and casualty reinsurance, insurance, diversified financial services, banking, direct to consumer, business to business and technology. Mr. Keizer is a certified public accountant and also served on the board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Keizer has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable Commission rules. | |
Cynthia A. Montgomery | Cynthia A. Montgomery has served for over 20 years on the boards of registered investment companies, most recently as a member of the boards of certain BlackRock-advised Funds and predecessor funds, including the legacy Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) funds. The Board benefits from Ms. Montgomery’s more than 20 years of academic experience as a professor at Harvard Business School where she taught courses on corporate strategy and corporate governance. Ms. Montgomery also has business management and corporate governance experience through her service on the corporate boards of a variety of public companies. She has also authored numerous articles and books on these topics. | |
Donald C. Opatrny | Donald C. Opatrny has more than 39 years of business, oversight and executive experience, including through his service as president, director and investment committee chair for academic and not-for-profit organizations, and his experience as a partner, managing director and advisory director at Goldman Sachs for 32 years. He also has investment management experience as a board member of Athena Capital Advisors LLC. | |
Joseph P. Platt | Joseph P. Platt has served for over 15 years on the boards of registered investment companies, most recently as a member of the boards of certain BlackRock-advised Funds and predecessor funds, including the legacy BlackRock funds. Mr. Platt currently serves as general partner at Thorn Partners, LP, a private investment company. Prior to his joining Thorn Partners, LP, he was an owner, director and executive vice president with Johnson and Higgins, an insurance broker and employee benefits consultant. He has over 25 years of experience in the areas of insurance, compensation and benefits. Mr. Platt also serves on the boards of public, private and non-profit companies. | |
Mark Stalnecker | Mark Stalnecker has gained a wealth of experience in investing and asset management from his over 13 years of service as the Chief Investment Officer of the University of Delaware as well as from his various positions with First Union Corporation, including Senior Vice President and State Investment Director of First Investment Advisors. The Board benefits from his experience and perspective as the Chief Investment Officer of a university endowment and from the oversight experience he gained from service on various private and non-profit boards. |
Trustees | Experience, Qualifications and Skills | |
Kenneth L. Urish | Kenneth L. Urish has served for over 15 years on the boards of registered investment companies, most recently as a member of the boards of certain BlackRock-advised Funds and predecessor funds, including the legacy BlackRock funds. He has over 30 years of experience in public accounting. Mr. Urish has served as a managing member of an accounting and consulting firm. Mr. Urish has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable Commission rules. | |
Claire A. Walton | Claire A. Walton has over 25 years of experience in investment management. She has served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Square Asset Management, LP from 1998 to 2015, an investment manager that specialized in long/short non-U.S. equity investments, and has been an owner and General Partner of Neon Liberty Capital Management, LLC since 2003, a firm focusing on long/short equities in global emerging and frontier markets. These positions have provided her with insight and perspective on the markets and the economy. Ms. Walton has been determined by the Audit Committee to be an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in the applicable Commission rules. | |
Interested Trustees | ||
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 Fixed-Income Complex. | |
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 BlackRock-advised Funds provides him with a strong understanding of the BlackRock-advised Funds, their operations, and the business and regulatory issues facing the BlackRock-advised Funds. Mr. Perlowski’s prior position as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Product Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and his former service as Treasurer and Senior Vice President of the Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds and as Director of the Goldman Sachs Offshore Funds provides the Board 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 Fixed-Income Complex. |
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 Trustees | ||||||||
Mark
Stalnecker
|
Chair
of the Board
(Since 2019) and Trustee (Since 2015) |
Chief Investment Officer, University of Delaware from 1999 to 2013; Trustee and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committees, Winterthur Museum and Country Estate from 2005 to 2016; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Public Employees’ Retirement System since 2002; Member of the Investment Committee, Christiana Care Health System from 2009 to 2017; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Community Foundation from 2013 to 2014; Director and Chair of the Audit Committee, SEI Private Trust Co. from 2001 to 2014. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None | ||||
Bruce
R. Bond
|
Trustee
(Since 2019) |
Board Member, Amsphere Limited (software) since 2018; Trustee and Member of the Governance Committee, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 1997 to 2005; Board Member of Governance, Audit and Finance Committee, Avaya Inc. (computer equipment) from 2003 to 2007. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None | ||||
Susan
J. Carter
|
Trustee
(Since 2016) |
Director, Pacific Pension Institute from 2014 to 2018; Advisory Board Member, Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship at Tuck School of Business since 1997; Senior Advisor, CCI (investment adviser) in 2015; Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 2013 to 2014; President & Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 1997 to 2013; Advisory Board Member, Girls Who Invest from 2015 to 2018 and Board Member thereof since 2018; Advisory Board Member, Bridges Fund Management since 2016; Trustee, Financial Accounting Foundation since 2017; Practitioner Advisory Board Member, PCRI since 2017. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None | ||||
Collette
Chilton
|
Trustee
(Since 2015) |
Chief Investment Officer, Williams College since 2006; Chief Investment Officer, Lucent Asset Management Corporation from 1998 to 2006. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None | ||||
Neil
A. Cotty
|
Trustee
(Since 2016) |
Bank of America Corporation from 1996 to 2015, serving in various senior finance leadership roles, including Chief Accounting Officer from 2009 to 2015, Chief Financial Officer of Global Banking, Markets and Wealth Management from 2008 to 2009, Chief Accounting Officer from 2004 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Consumer Bank from 2003 to 2004, Chief Financial Officer of Global Corporate Investment Bank from 1999 to 2002. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None |
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 |
||||
Lena
G. Goldberg
|
Trustee
(Since 2019) |
Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School, since 2008; Director, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. since 2013; FMR LLC/Fidelity Investments (financial services) from 1996 to 2008, serving in various senior roles including Executive Vice President – Strategic Corporate Initiatives and Executive Vice President and General Counsel; Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP from 1985 to 1996 and Associate thereof from 1979 to 1985. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None | ||||
Robert
M. Hernandez
|
Trustee
(Since 2019) |
Director, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of USX Corporation (energy and steel business) from 1991 to 2001; Director and non-executive Chairman, RTI International Metals, Inc. from 1990 to 2015; Director, TE Connectivity (electronics) from 2006 to 2012. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | Chubb Limited (insurance company); Eastman Chemical Company | ||||
Henry
R. Keizer
|
Trustee
(Since 2019) |
Director, Park Indemnity Ltd. (captive insurer) since 2010; Director, MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (financial and bank holding company) from 2014 to 2016; Director, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants from 2009 to 2011; Director, KPMG LLP (audit, tax and advisory services) from 2004 to 2005 and 2010 to 2012; Director, KPMG International in 2012, Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer thereof from 2010 to 2012 and U.S. Vice Chairman of Audit thereof from 2005 to 2010; Global Head of Audit, KPMGI (consortium of KPMG firms) from 2006 to 2010; Director, YMCA of Greater New York from 2006 to 2010. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | Hertz Global Holdings (car rental); Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd. (publicly held property and casualty reinsurance) from 2013 until 2015; WABCO (commercial vehicle safety systems); Sealed Air Corp. (packaging) | ||||
Cynthia
A. Montgomery
|
Trustee
(Since 2007) |
Professor, Harvard Business School since 1989. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios |
Newell
Rubbermaid,
Inc. (manufacturing) |
||||
Donald
C. Opatrny
|
Trustee
(Since 2019) |
Trustee, Vice Chair, Member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Investment Committee, Cornell University since 2004; President, Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum from 2007 to 2014; Member of the Board and Investment Committee, University School from 2007 to 2018; Member of the Investment Committee, Mellon Foundation from 2009 to 2015; Trustee, Artstor (a Mellon Foundation affiliate) from 2010 to 2015; President and Trustee, the Center for the Arts, Jackson Hole from 2011 to 2018; Director, Athena Capital Advisors LLC (investment management firm) since 2013; Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee, Community Foundation of Jackson Hole since 2014; Member of Affordable Housing Supply Board of Jackson, Wyoming since 2018; Member, Investment Funds Committee, State of Wyoming since 2017; Trustee, Phoenix Art Museum since 2018. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None |
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 |
||||
Joseph
P. Platt
|
Trustee
(Since 2007) |
General Partner, Thorn Partners, LP (private investments) since 1998; Director, WQED Multi-Media (public broadcasting not-for-profit) since 2001; Chair, Basic Health International (non-profit) since 2015. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios |
Greenlight
Capital
Re, Ltd. (reinsurance company); Consol Energy Inc. |
||||
Kenneth
L. Urish
|
Trustee
(Since 2007) |
Managing Partner, Urish Popeck & Co., LLC (certified public accountants and consultants) since 1976; Past-Chairman of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Committee Member thereof since 2007; Member of External Advisory Board, The Pennsylvania State University Accounting Department since founding in 2001; Principal, UP Strategic Wealth Investment Advisors, LLC since 2013; Trustee, The Holy Family Institute from 2001 to 2010; President and Trustee, Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates from 2003 to 2008; Director, Inter-Tel from 2006 to 2007. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None | ||||
Claire
A. Walton
|
Trustee
(Since 2016) |
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Square Asset Management, LP from 1998 to 2015; General Partner of Neon Liberty Capital Management, LLC since 2003; Director, Boston Hedge Fund Group from 2009 to 2018; Director, Woodstock Ski Runners since 2013; Director, Massachusetts Council on Economic Education from 2013 to 2015. | 37 RICs consisting of 179 Portfolios | None | ||||
Interested Trustees4 | ||||||||
Robert
Fairbairn
|
Trustee
(Since 2018) |
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. Perlowski5
|
Trustee
(Since 2015) 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 Trustee is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. |
2 | Independent Trustees serve until their resignation, retirement, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 75. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Trustees 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. Furthermore, effective January 1, 2019, three BlackRock Fund Complexes were realigned and consolidated into two BlackRock Fund Complexes. As a result, although the chart shows the year that each Independent Trustee joined the Board, certain Independent Trustees first became members of the boards of other BlackRock-advised Funds, legacy MLIM funds or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Bruce R. Bond, 2005; Robert M. Hernandez, 1996; Cynthia A. Montgomery, 1994; Joseph P. Platt, 1999; Kenneth L. Urish, 1999; Lena G. Goldberg, 2016; Henry R. Keizer, 2016; Donald C. Opatrny, 2015. |
4 | Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act, of the Trust based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex. |
5 | Mr. Perlowski is also a trustee of the BlackRock Credit Strategies Fund. |
Name
and Year of Birth1,2 |
Position(s)
Held
(Length of Service) |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years |
||
Officers Who Are Not Trustees | ||||
Thomas
Callahan
|
Vice
President
(Since 2016) |
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2013; Member of the Board of Managers of BlackRock Investments, LLC (principal underwriter) since 2019 and Managing Director thereof since 2017; Head of BlackRock’s Global Cash Management Business since 2016; Co-Head of the Global Cash Management Business from 2014 to 2016; Deputy Head of the Global Cash Management Business from 2013 to 2014; Member of the Cash Management Group Executive Committee since 2013; Chief Executive Officer of NYSE Liffe U.S. from 2008 to 2013. | ||
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 Trust serve at the pleasure of the Board. |
Name |
Dollar
Range
of Equity Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in Supervised Funds |
||
Independent Trustees: | ||||
Bruce R.
Bond1
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Susan J.
Carter
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Collette
Chilton
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Neil A.
Cotty
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Lena G.
Goldberg1
|
None | Over $100,000 |
Name |
Dollar
Range
of Equity Securities in the Fund |
Aggregate
Dollar Range
of Equity Securities in Supervised Funds |
||
Robert M.
Hernandez1
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Henry R.
Keizer1
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Cynthia A.
Montgomery
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Donald C.
Opatrny1
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Joseph P.
Platt
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Mark
Stalnecker
|
Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | ||
Kenneth L.
Urish
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Claire A.
Walton
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Interested
Trustees:
|
||||
Robert
Fairbairn
|
None | Over $100,000 | ||
John M.
Perlowski
|
None | Over $100,000 |
1 | Elected as a Trustee of the Trust effective January 1, 2019. |
Name |
Compensation
from the Fund |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits upon Retirement |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Fund and Other BlackRock- Advised Funds1 |
|||
Independent Trustees | ||||||
Bruce R.
Bond2
|
$486 | None | $397,500 |
Name |
Compensation
from the Fund |
Estimated
Annual
Benefits upon Retirement |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Fund and Other BlackRock- Advised Funds1 |
|||
Susan J.
Carter
|
$855 | None | $390,000 | |||
Collette
Chilton
|
$855 | None | $384,000 | |||
Neil A.
Cotty
|
$855 | None | $390,000 | |||
Lena G.
Goldberg2,3
|
$511 | None | $377,500 | |||
Robert M.
Hernandez2
|
$486 | None | $477,500 | |||
Rodney D.
Johnson4
|
$394 | None | $500,000 | |||
Henry R.
Keizer2,5
|
$511 | None | $397,500 | |||
Cynthia A.
Montgomery6
|
$882 | None | $400,000 | |||
Donald C.
Opatrny2,7
|
$511 | None | $387,500 | |||
Joseph P.
Platt8
|
$857 | None | $392,000 | |||
Robert C. Robb,
Jr.9
|
$369 | None | $400,000 | |||
Mark
Stalnecker10
|
$965 | None | $430,000 | |||
Kenneth L.
Urish11
|
$860 | None | $410,000 | |||
Claire A.
Walton
|
$855 | None | $390,000 | |||
Frederick W.
Winter9
|
$369 | None | $392,000 | |||
Interested Trustees | ||||||
Robert
Fairbairn12
|
None | None | None | |||
Barbara G.
Novick13
|
None | None | None | |||
John M.
Perlowski
|
None | None | None |
1 | For the number of BlackRock-advised Funds from which each Trustee receives compensation, see the Biographical Information chart beginning on page I-14. |
2 | Messrs. Bond, Hernandez, Keizer and Opatrny and Ms. Goldberg were elected as Trustees of the Trust effective January 1, 2019. They each served as a director or trustee to certain other BlackRock-advised Funds prior to January 1, 2019. |
3 | Ms. Goldberg was appointed Chair of the Compliance Committee effective January 1, 2019. |
4 | Mr. Johnson retired as a Trustee of the Trust and as Chair of the Board and Chair of the Ad Hoc Topics Committee effective December 31, 2018. |
5 | Mr. Keizer was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee effective January 1, 2019. |
6 | Chair of the Governance Committee. |
7 | Mr. Opatrny was appointed Chair of the Performance Oversight Committee effective January 1, 2019. |
8 | Mr. Platt served as the Chair of the Compliance Committee through December 31, 2018. |
9 | Messrs. Robb and Winter retired as Trustees of the Trust effective December 31, 2018 and have been retained as consultants to the Independent Trustees. |
10 | Mr. Stalnecker was appointed Chair of the Board and Chair of the Ad Hoc Topics Committee effective January 1, 2019. He served as Chair Elect of the Board from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 and served as the Chair of the Performance Oversight Committee through December 31, 2018. |
11 | Mr. Urish served as the Chair of the Audit Committee through December 31, 2018. |
12 | Mr. Fairbairn was appointed as a Trustee of the Trust effective February 22, 2018. He served as a director or trustee to certain other BlackRock-advised Funds prior to February 22, 2018. |
13 | Ms. Novick resigned as a Trustee of the Trust effective February 22, 2018. |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
Fees
Paid
to BlackRock |
Fees
Waived
by BlackRock |
Fees
Reimbursed
by BlackRock |
|||
2019
|
$888,632 | $888,632 | $366,070 | |||
2018
|
$327,999 | $322,334 | $495,135 | |||
2017
|
$186,263 | $171,761 | $127,526 |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
Fees
Paid
to the Administrator |
Fees
Waived
by the Administrator |
||
2019
|
$111,078 | $76,230 | ||
2018
|
$ 40,979 | $27,819 | ||
2017
|
$ 20,159 | $12,911 |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
Fees
Paid to
BlackRock |
Fees
Waived
by BlackRock |
||
2019
|
$1,038 | $841 | ||
2018
|
$ 750 | $557 | ||
2017
|
$ 313 | $273 |
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities
Beneficially Owned |
|
Ked Hogan,
PhD
|
$100,001-$500,000 | |
Philip Hodges,
PhD
|
$ 50,001-$100,000 |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
Amount
Paid
to Accounting Services Providers |
|
2019
|
$417,494 | |
2018
|
$210,831 | |
2017
|
$ 9,632 |
Investor A Shares | ||||||||
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
Gross
Sales Charges Collected |
Sales
Charges Retained by BRIL |
Sales
Charges Paid To Affiliates |
CDSCs
Received on Redemption of Load-Waived Shares |
||||
2019
|
$ 3,246 | $ 330 | $ 330 | $0 | ||||
2018
|
$22,693 | $1,690 | $1,690 | $0 | ||||
2017
|
$24,464 | $1,940 | $1,940 | $0 |
Investor C Shares | ||||
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
CDSCs
Received by BRIL |
CDSCs
Paid
to Affiliates |
||
2019
|
$291 | $291 | ||
2018
|
$ 0 | $ 0 | ||
2017
|
$ 16 | $ 16 |
Class Name | Paid to BRIL | |
Investor A
Shares
|
$14,489 | |
Investor C
Shares
|
$ 6,401 |
Investor
A
Shares |
|
Net
Assets
|
$7,423,070 |
Number of Shares
Outstanding
|
709,499 |
Net Asset Value Per Share (net assets divided by number of shares
outstanding)
|
$10.46 |
Sales Charge (5.25% of offering price; 5.54% of net asset value per
share)1
|
$0.58 |
Offering
Price
|
$11.04 |
1 | Rounded to the nearest one-hundredth percent; assumes maximum sales charge is applicable. |
Fiscal Year Ended July 31, |
Aggregate
Brokerage Commissions Paid |
Brokerage
Commissions Paid to Affiliates |
||
20191
|
$83,427 | $0 | ||
2018
|
$30,232 | $0 | ||
2017
|
$ 9,335 | $0 |
Amount
of Commissions
Paid to Brokers for Providing 28(e) Eligible Research Services |
Amount
of Brokerage
Transactions Involved |
|||
$0 | $0 |
Name | Address | Percentage | Class | |||
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. |
101
Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
35.98% | Investor A Shares | |||
Ascensus Trust Company |
P.O.
Box 10758
Fargo, ND 58106 |
17.44% | Investor A Shares |
Name | Address | Percentage | Class | |||
National Financial Services LLC |
499
Washington Blvd. Fl 5
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
14.23% | Investor A Shares | |||
TD Ameritrade |
P
O Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103-2226 |
11.72% | Investor A Shares | |||
Pershing LLC |
1
Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399 |
6.09% | Investor A Shares | |||
National Financial Services LLC |
499
Washington Blvd. Fl 5
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
34.04% | Investor C Shares | |||
LPL Financial |
4707
Executive Drive
San Diego, CA 92121 |
29.92% | Investor C Shares | |||
American Enterprise Investment SVC |
707
2nd Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55402-2405 |
9.89% | Investor C Shares | |||
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith |
4800
East Deer Lake Drive
3rd Floor Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 |
7.64% | Investor C Shares | |||
Pershing LLC |
1
Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001 |
7.07% | Investor C Shares | |||
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. |
101
Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122 |
22.58% | Institutional Shares | |||
Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund |
4225
Interwood N Parkway
Houston, TX 77032 |
21.09% | Institutional Shares | |||
National Financial Services LLC |
499
Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
18.36% | Institutional Shares | |||
TD Ameritrade |
P
O Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103-2226 |
17.33% | Institutional Shares | |||
SEI Private Trust Company |
One
Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks, PA 19456 |
10.31% | Institutional Shares | |||
Augusta Health Care Inc. |
c/o
BlackRock
55 E 52nd St. New York, NY 10055 |
57.64% | Class K Shares | |||
BlackRock
Funds Inc. LLC
LifePath Active Portfolio 2025 |
100
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
8.89% | Class K Shares | |||
BlackRock
Funds Inc. LLC
LifePath Active Portfolio 2020 |
100
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
8.26% | Class K Shares | |||
BlackRock
Funds Inc. LLC
LifePath Active Portfolio 2030 |
100
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
6.03% | Class K Shares | |||
John Hancock Trust Company LLC |
690
Canton St. Suite 100
Westwood, MA 02090 |
5.95% | Class K Shares | |||
BlackRock
Funds Inc. LLC
LifePath Active Portfolio 2015 |
100
Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
5.09% | 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 | — | Articles of Incorporation |
(a) | — | Declaration of Trust of Registrant dated December 22, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 33-26305) (the “Registration Statement”) filed on January 27, 1998. |
(b) | — | Amendment No. 1 to Declaration of Trust dated May 4, 1989 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 27, 1998. |
(c) | — | Amendment No. 2 to the Declaration of Trust dated December 23, 1993 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 27, 1998. |
(d) | — | Amendment No. 3 to the Declaration of Trust dated January 5, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(d) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 18, 1996. |
(e) | — | Amendment No. 4 to the Declaration of Trust dated December 23, 1997 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 27, 1998. |
(f) | — | Amended and Restated Certificate of Classification of Shares dated July 23, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 960 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 29, 2019. |
2 | — | By-laws |
(a) | — | Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of Registrant, effective as of November 29, 2018 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 962 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 25, 2019. |
3 | — | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders |
(a) | — | Article IV, Article V (Sections 5.1 and 5.4), Article VI (Sections 6.2, 6.5 and 6.7), Article VIII, Article IX (Sections 9.2, 9.5 and 9.6) and Article X (Sections 10.1, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.8 and 10.9) of Registrant’s Declaration of Trust dated December 22, 1988, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 27, 1998; Article I, Article II (Sections 2 and 3), Article IV (Section 1) and Article V (Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6) of Registrant’s Amended and Restated Code of Regulations are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 962 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 25, 2019. |
4 | — | Investment Advisory Contracts. |
(a) | — | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC relating to non-index funds is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 13, 2006. |
(b) | — | Form of Addendum No. 6 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund and BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Emerging Markets Long/Short Equity Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 186 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 29, 2011. |
(c) | — | Form of Addendum No. 7 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Short Obligations Fund, BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund, BlackRock Total Factor Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Strategic Risk Allocation Fund) and BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 259 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 21, 2012. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(d) | — | Form of Addendum No. 8 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Disciplined Small Cap Core Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on March 13, 2013. |
(e) | — | Form of Addendum No. 9 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Total Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 295 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 16, 2013. |
(f) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International, Ltd. with respect to BlackRock International Dividend Fund (f/k/a BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 13, 2006. |
(g) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2011. |
(h) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Total Factor Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Strategic Risk Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 259 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 21, 2012. |
(i) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited with respect to BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 269 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2013. |
(j) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Total Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 295 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 16, 2013. |
(k) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited with respect to BlackRock Total Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 295 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 16, 2013 |
(l) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited with respect to BlackRock Total Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 295 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 16, 2013. |
(m) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2015. |
(n) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited with respect to BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 450 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2015. |
(o) | — | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Midcap Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 454 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 13, 2015. |
(p) | — | Appendix A to Form of Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Midcap Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 465 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on June 8, 2015. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(q) | — | Form of Addendum No. 1 with respect to iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Developed Real Estate Index Fund) to Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 473 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015. |
(r) | — | Form of Addendum No. 2 with respect to iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Small/Mid Cap Index Fund) to Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 474 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015. |
(s) | — | Form of Addendum No. 3 with respect to iShares Total U.S. Stock Market Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Total Stock Market Index Fund) to Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 475 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015. |
(t) | — | Form of Addendum No. 13 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Impact U.S. Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 486 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 5, 2015. |
(u) | — | Form of Addendum No. 5 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio, BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio), BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock Asset Allocation Portfolio)), BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio, BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio), BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio, BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio, BlackRock High Equity Income Fund (f/k/a BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio), BlackRock Advantage International Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio), BlackRock International Dividend Fund (f/k/a BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio), BlackRock Exchange Portfolio and BlackRock Money Market Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 491 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 24, 2015. |
(v) | — | Form of Amendment to Addendum No. 5 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock High Equity Income Fund (f/k/a BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 491 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 24, 2015. |
(w) | — | Form of Addendum No. 4 with respect to iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) to Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 537 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 16, 2016. |
(x) | — | Form of Addendum No. 14 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Emerging Markets Equity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 545 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 22, 2016. |
(y) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Emerging Markets Equity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 545 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 22, 2016. |
(z) | — | Form of Addendum No. 5 with respect to iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Multifactor USA Index Fund), iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Intl Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Multifactor International Index Fund), iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Min Vol USA Index Fund) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Min Vol EAFE Index Fund) to Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 590 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 12, 2016. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(aa) | — | Form of Amendment to Addendum No. 6 to Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 620 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 22, 2016. |
(bb) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 620 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 22, 2016. |
(cc) | — | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Fund Advisors is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 649 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 20, 2016. |
(dd) | — | Form of Amendment No. 2 to Addendum No. 5 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 663 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 27, 2017. |
(ee) | — | Form of Amendment to Addendum No. 9 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Total Emerging Markets Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 851 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 27, 2018. |
(ff) | — | Form of Amendment to Addendum No. 5 to the Investment Advisory Agreement for certain index funds between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Multifactor USA Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 757 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 21, 2017. |
(gg) | — | Form of Amendment No. 3 to Addendum No. 5 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock High Equity Income Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund, BlackRock Advantage International Fund and BlackRock International Dividend Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 757 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 21, 2017. |
(hh) | — | Form of Amendment No. 2 to Addendum No. 6 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 757 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 21, 2017. |
(ii) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Fund Advisors with respect to iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Developed Real Estate Index Fund), iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Min Vol EAFE Index Fund), iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Min Vol USA Index Fund), iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Intl Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Multifactor International Index Fund), iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Multifactor USA Index Fund), iShares Russell Mid-Cap Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Midcap Index Fund), iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Small/Mid Cap Index Fund), iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) and iShares Total U.S. Stock Market Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Total Stock Market Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 757 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 21, 2017. |
(jj) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock International Dividend Fund (f/k/a BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 808 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 25, 2018. |
(kk) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 808 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 25, 2018. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(ll) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 808 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 25, 2018. |
(mm) | — | Form of Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 808 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 25, 2018. |
(nn) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited with respect to BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 808 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 25, 2018. |
(oo) | — | Form of Amendment No. 4 to Addendum No. 5 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio and BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 851 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 27, 2018. |
(pp) | — | Form of Amendment No. 3 to Addendum No. 6 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 851 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 27, 2018. |
(qq) | — | Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited with respect to BlackRock Emerging Markets Equity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 852 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 27, 2018. |
(rr) | — | Form of Addendum No. 1 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Fund Advisors with respect to iShares Municipal Bond Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 865 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 31, 2018. |
(ss) | — | Form of Addendum No. 16 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock China A Opportunities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 920 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 21, 2018. |
(tt) | — | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Liquid Environmentally Aware Fund is incorporated by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 945 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 8, 2019. |
(uu) | — | Form of Amended and Restated Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 968 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 22, 2019. |
(vv) | — | Form of Amendment No. 4 to Addendum No. 6 to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 970 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 22, 2019. |
(ww) | — | Form of Amended and Restated Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement between BlackRock Advisors, LLC and BlackRock International Limited with respect to BlackRock Total Factor Fund is filed herewith. |
5 | — | Underwriting Contracts |
(a) | — | Form of Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC is incorporated herein 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. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
6 | — | Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts |
(a) | — | None |
7 | — | Custodian Agreements |
(a) | — | Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 10, 2004 between BlackRock Funds and PFPC Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 3, 2004. |
(b) | — | Custody Agreement dated October 12, 2011 between BlackRock Funds and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 387 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 29, 2014. |
(c) | — | Form of Custody Agreement (U.S. Dollar Only) between BlackRock Funds and The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 728 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 28, 2017. |
(d) | — | Form of Master Global Custody Agreement between BlackRock Funds and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 728 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 28, 2017. |
(e) | — | Master Custodian Agreement dated December 31, 2018 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 943 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 28, 2019. |
8 | — | Other Material Contracts |
(a) | — | Form of Administration Agreement dated January 1, 2015 between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Funds II (File No. 333-142592), filed on January 28, 2015. |
(b) | — | Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Administration Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Funds V (File No. 333-224371), filed on July 23, 2018. |
(c) | — | Form of Amended Schedule B to the Administration Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 336 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Funds II (File No. 333-142592), filed on October 30, 2019. |
(d) | — | Form of Administration Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC with respect to BlackRock Liquid Environmentally Aware Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 945 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 8, 2019. |
(e) | — | Form of Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated June 25, 2010 between Registrant and BNY Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (f/k/a PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc.) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(g) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (File No. 33-47875), filed on January 28, 2013. |
(f) | — | Administration and Fund Accounting Services Agreement dated December 31, 2018 between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(k) of 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. |
(g) | — | Form of Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement between Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Series Fund, Inc. (File No. 2-69062), filed on April 18, 2014. |
(h) | — | Share Acquisition Agreement dated April 29, 1998 by and among Registrant and PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Bank, Delaware, respectively, each as trustee for certain of the common trust funds listed therein is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 9(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 29, 1998. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(i) | — | Form of Ninth Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement by and between Registrant, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Fund Advisors and BlackRock Investments, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 967 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 22, 2019. |
(j) | — | Form of Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Advisors, LLC, dated July 1, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(k) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 305 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock Funds III (File No. 33-54126), filed on July 1, 2019. |
(k) | — | Form of Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Registrant, a syndicate of banks and certain other parties is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 947 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 29, 2019. |
(l) | — | Form of Fifth Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agency Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investment Management, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 923 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 25, 2019. |
(m) | — | Form of Master Fund Services Agreement between Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 728 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 28, 2017. |
(n) | — | Form of Fourth Amended and Restated Securities Lending Agency Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 8(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 923 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 25, 2019. |
9 | — | Legal Opinion |
(a) | — | None |
10 | — | Other Opinions |
(a) | — | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith. |
11 | — | Omitted Financial Statements |
(a) | — | None |
12 | — | Initial Capital Agreements |
(a) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund, BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund, BlackRock High Equity Income Fund, BlackRock International Dividend Fund, BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio, BlackRock Money Market Portfolio and BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 13, 1998. |
(b) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and Registrant’s distributor relating to BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock Global Science & Technology Portfolio)) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 10, 2000. |
(c) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock Health Sciences Portfolio), BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock Global Resources Portfolio) and BlackRock Exchange Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(t) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 3, 2004. |
(d) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock All-Cap Global Resources Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(u) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 19, 2004. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(e) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to BlackRock Advantage International Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 27, 2006. |
(f) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Distributors, Inc. relating to BlackRock Tactical Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock Asset Allocation Portfolio)), BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Growth Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio), BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio, BlackRock International Dividend Fund (f/k/a BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio), BlackRock High Equity Income Fund (f/k/a BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio), BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock Global Science & Technology Portfolio)), BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio, BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock Global Resources Portfolio), BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio (f/k/a BlackRock All-Cap Global Resources Portfolio) and BlackRock Advantage International Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(x) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 19, 2006. |
(g) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC relating to BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 187 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 29, 2011. |
(h) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC relating to BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Emerging Markets Long/Short Equity Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 188 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 6, 2011. |
(i) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC relating to BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 298 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 31, 2013. |
(j) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Investments, LLC relating to BlackRock Short Obligations Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 243 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 2, 2012. |
(k) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 257 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 19, 2012. |
(l) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to BlackRock Total Factor Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Strategic Risk Allocation Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 259 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 21, 2012. |
(m) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Disciplined Small Cap Core Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 282 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on March 13, 2013. |
(n) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to BlackRock Total Emerging Markets Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Emerging Market Allocation Portfolio) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 295 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 16, 2013. |
(o) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Russell Mid-Cap Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Midcap Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 454 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 13, 2015. |
(p) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Developed Real Estate Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 473 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(q) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Small/Mid Cap Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 474 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015. |
(r) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Total U.S. Stock Market Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Total Stock Market Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 475 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 12, 2015. |
(s) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to BlackRock Impact U.S. Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 486 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 5, 2015. |
(t) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 537 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 16, 2016. |
(u) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to BlackRock Emerging Markets Equity Strategies Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 545 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 22, 2016. |
(v) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Multifactor USA Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 590 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 12, 2016. |
(w) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Intl Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Multifactor International Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 590 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 12, 2016. |
(x) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Min Vol USA Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 590 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 12, 2016. |
(y) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. relating to iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index Fund (f/k/a BlackRock Min Vol EAFE Index Fund) is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 590 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 12, 2016. |
(z) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. relating to iShares Municipal Bond Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 894 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 19, 2018. |
(aa) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. relating to iShares Municipal Bond Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 894 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 19, 2018. |
(bb) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. relating to BlackRock China A Opportunities Fund is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 920 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 21, 2018. |
(cc) | — | Form of Purchase Agreement between Registrant and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. relating to BlackRock Liquid Environmentally Aware Fund is incorporated by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 945 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 8, 2019. |
13 | — | Rule 12b-1 Plan. |
(a) | — | Form of Distribution and Service Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13(a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2009. |
Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
(b) | — | Exhibit A to the Distribution and Service Plan, amended as of April 10, 2019, is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 962 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 25, 2019. |
14 | — | Rule 18f-3 Plan. |
(a) | — | Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 for Operation of a Multi-Class Distribution System is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 960 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 29, 2019. |
15 | — | Reserved |
16 | — | Codes of Ethics. |
(a) | — | Code of Ethics of Registrant, BlackRock Investments, LLC, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock International Limited, BlackRock (Singapore) Limited and BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 956 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 29, 2019. |
99 | — | Power of Attorney. |
(a) | — | Power of Attorney is incorporated herein by reference to an Exhibit of Post-Effective Amendment No. 922 to Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 22, 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 |
Jon Maro | Chief Operating Officer and Director | None |
Anne Ackerley | Member, Board of Managers, and Managing Director | None |
Blair Alleman | Managing Director | None |
Michael Bishopp | Managing Director | None |
Thomas Callahan | Member, Board of Managers, and Managing Director | Vice President |
Samara Cohen | Managing Director | None |
John Diorio | Managing Director | None |
Name | Position(s) and Office(s) with BRIL |
Position(s)
and
Office(s) with Registrant |
Lisa Hill | Managing Director | None |
Brendan Kyne | Managing Director | None |
Paul Lohrey | Managing Director | None |
Martin Small | Member, Board of Managers, and Managing Director | None |
Jonathan Steel | Managing Director | None |
Katrina Gil | Director | None |
Chris Nugent | Director | None |
Andrew Dickson | Director and Secretary | None |
Terri Slane | Director and Assistant Secretary | None |
Lourdes Sanchez | Vice President | None |
Lita Midwinter | Anti-Money Laundering Officer | None |
Zach Buchwald | Member, Board of Managers | None |
Gerald Pucci | Member, Board of Managers | None |
Philip Vasan | Member, Board of Managers | None |
BlackRock
FundsSM (Registrant)
on behalf of BlackRock Total Factor Fund |
|
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski |
(John
M. Perlowski,
President and Chief Executive Officer) |
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/
John M. Perlowski
(John M. Perlowski) |
Trustee,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
November 22, 2019 | ||
/s/
Neal J. Andrews
(Neal J. Andrews) |
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
November 22, 2019 | ||
Bruce
R. Bond*
(Bruce R. Bond) |
Trustee | |||
Susan
J. Carter*
(Susan J. Carter) |
Trustee | |||
Collette
Chilton*
(Collette Chilton) |
Trustee | |||
Neil
A. Cotty*
(Neil A. Cotty) |
Trustee | |||
Lena
G. Goldberg*
(Lena G. Goldberg) |
Trustee | |||
Robert
M. Hernandez*
(Robert M. Hernandez) |
Trustee | |||
Henry
R. Keizer*
(Henry R. Keizer) |
Trustee | |||
Cynthia
A. Montgomery*
(Cynthia A. Montgomery) |
Trustee | |||
Donald
C. Opatrny*
(Donald C. Opatrny) |
Trustee | |||
Joseph
P. Platt*
(Joseph P. Platt) |
Trustee |
Signature | Title | Date | ||
Mark
Stalnecker*
(Mark Stalnecker) |
Trustee | |||
Kenneth
L. Urish*
(Kenneth L. Urish) |
Trustee | |||
Claire
A. Walton*
(Claire A. Walton) |
Trustee | |||
Robert
Fairbairn*
(Robert Fairbairn) |
Trustee | |||
*By:
/s/ Janey Ahn
(Janey Ahn, Attorney-In-Fact) |
November 22, 2019 |
BlackRock Cayman Strategic Risk Allocation Fund, Ltd. | |
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski |
(John
M. Perlowski,
Director) |
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/
John M. Perlowski
(John M. Perlowski) |
Director, BlackRock Cayman Strategic Risk Allocation Fund, Ltd. | November 22, 2019 | ||
/s/
Neal J. Andrews
(Neal J. Andrews) |
Director, BlackRock Cayman Strategic Risk Allocation Fund, Ltd. | November 22, 2019 |
Exhibit 4(ww)
AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED SUB-INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT dated , 2019 (this Agreement), between BlackRock Advisors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Advisor), and BlackRock International Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of Scotland (the Sub-Advisor).
WHEREAS, the Advisor has agreed to furnish investment advisory services to BlackRock Total Factor Fund (formerly BlackRock Strategic Risk Allocation Fund) (the Fund), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), which is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act);
WHEREAS, the advisory agreement between the Advisor and the Trust, dated September 29, 2006, as amended from time to time (such agreement or the most recent successor agreement between such parties relating to advisory services to the Trust is referred to herein as the Advisory Agreement), contemplates that the Advisor may sub-contract investment advisory services with respect to the Fund to a sub-advisor;
WHEREAS, the Advisor retained the Sub-Advisor to provide it with certain sub-advisory services as described below in connection with the Advisors advisory activities on behalf of the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Investment Advisory Agreement dated January 1, 2013 (the Original Sub-Advisory Agreement);
WHEREAS, the parties now wish to amend and restate the Original Sub-Advisory Agreement to reflect the changes implemented by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (the FCA) to incorporate the requirements of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) and to make certain additional amendments; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, and the Sub-Advisor is willing to furnish such services upon the terms and conditions herein set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual premises and covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Appointment.
(a) The Advisor hereby appoints the Sub-Advisor to act as sub-advisor with respect to the Fund and the Sub-Advisor accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. For the purposes of the rules, guidance and principles of the FCA, as amended or consolidated from time to time (the FCA Rules) and based on information obtained in respect of the Advisor, the Advisor will be treated by the Sub-Advisor as a professional client. The Advisor acknowledges and accepts this categorization. The Advisor has the right to request a different categorization at any time from the Sub-Advisor, however, the Sub-Advisor only provides the services to professional clients and
will no longer be able to provide services to the Advisor in the event of a request for a change in categorization.
(b) By signing this Agreement, the Advisor acknowledges that it has been separately provided with a copy of the supplemental disclosures document provided to clients and potential clients of the Sub-Advisor that contains the Sub-Advisors disclosures required under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive 2014/65/EU and Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation EU 600/2014, as amended, and made available to the Advisor from time to time (Supplemental Disclosures), which sets out: (i) information on the services that the Sub-Advisor is required to provide to the Advisor by applicable regulation and (ii) other information which the Sub-Advisor deems appropriate. The Supplemental Disclosures include, among other things: risk disclosures (which provide a description of the nature of risks of financial instruments), a summary of the Sub-Advisors conflicts of interest policy and disclosures, a summary of the Sub-Advisors order execution policy, details of the reports the Sub-Advisor will provide in relation to the services provided hereunder, details on how the Sub-Advisor will provide the Advisor with information on costs and charges, and the Sub-Advisors data protection notice.
2. Services of the Sub-Advisor. Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, the oversight and supervision of the Advisor and the Trusts Board of Trustees, the Sub-Advisor will perform certain of the day-to-day operations of the Fund, which may include one or more of the following services, at the request of the Advisor: (a) acting as investment advisor for and managing the investment and reinvestment of those assets of the Fund as the Advisor may from time to time request and in connection therewith have complete discretion in purchasing and selling such securities and other assets for the Fund and in voting, exercising consents and exercising all other rights appertaining to such securities and other assets on behalf of the Fund; (b) arranging, subject to the provisions of Section 3 hereof, for the purchase and sale of securities and other assets of the Fund; (c) providing investment research and credit analysis concerning the Funds investments; (d) assisting the Advisor in determining what portion of the Funds assets will be invested in cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments; (e) placing orders for all purchases and sales of such investments made for the Fund; and (f) maintaining the books and records as are required to support Fund investment operations. At the request of the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor will also, subject to the oversight and supervision of the Advisor and the Trusts Board of Trustees, provide to the Advisor or the Trust any of the facilities and equipment and perform any of the services described in Section 4 of the Advisory Agreement. In addition, the Sub-Advisor will keep the Trust and the Advisor informed of developments materially affecting the Fund and shall, on its own initiative, furnish to the Fund from time to time whatever information the Sub-Advisor believes appropriate for this purpose. The Sub-Advisor will periodically communicate to the Advisor, at such times as the Advisor may direct, information concerning the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund, including: (a) the name of the issuer, (b) the amount of the purchase or sale, (c) the name of the broker or dealer, if any, through which the purchase or sale will be effected, (d) the CUSIP number of the instrument, if any, and (e) such other information as the Advisor may reasonably require for purposes of fulfilling its obligations to the Trust under the Advisory Agreement. The Sub-Advisor will provide the services rendered by it under this Agreement in accordance with the Funds investment objectives, policies and restrictions as stated in the Funds Prospectus and Statement
2
of Additional Information (as currently in effect and as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the resolutions of the Trusts Board of Trustees.
The Sub-Advisor represents, warrants and covenants that it is authorized and regulated by the FCA.
3. Covenants.
(a) In the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Sub-Advisor shall at all times conform to, and act in accordance with, any requirements imposed by: (i) the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and all applicable Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC); (ii) any other applicable provision of law; (iii) the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust, as such documents are amended from time to time; (iv) the investment objectives and policies of the Fund as set forth in the Funds Registration Statement on Form N-1A and/or the resolutions of the Board of Trustees; and (v) any policies and determinations of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(b) In addition, the Sub-Advisor will:
(i) provide the Supplemental Disclosures, which include information on the Sub-Advisors order execution policy (the Order Execution Policy). The Advisor confirms that it has read and understood, and consents to, the Order Execution Policy. In particular, the Advisor consents to: (i) the Sub-Advisor trading through brokers/counterparties and/or outside of a Trading Venue (as defined in the FCA Rules), and (ii) some or all orders resulting from the Sub-Advisors decisions to deal on the Advisors behalf, or received from the Advisor, to be placed with an affiliated company, who will act as agent for the purpose of executing such orders in accordance with the Order Execution Policy. Subject to the other provisions of this paragraph, in placing orders with brokers and dealers, the Sub-Advisor will attempt to obtain the best price and the most favorable execution of its orders in accordance with the Order Execution Policy. In placing orders, the Sub-Advisor will consider the experience and skill of the firms securities traders as well as the firms financial responsibility and administrative efficiency. Consistent with this obligation, the Sub-Advisor may select brokers on the basis of the research, statistical and pricing services they provide to the Fund and other clients of the Advisor or the Sub-Advisor. Information and research received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the Sub-Advisor hereunder. A commission paid to such brokers may be higher than that which another qualified broker would have charged for effecting the same transaction, provided that the Sub-Advisor determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in terms either of the transaction or the overall responsibility of the Advisor and the Sub-Advisor to the Fund and their other clients and that the total commissions paid by the Fund will be reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Fund over the long-term. In no instance, however, will the Funds securities be purchased from or sold to the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor or any affiliated person thereof, except to the extent permitted by the SEC or by applicable law. Subject to the foregoing and the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable provisions of
3
law, the Sub-Advisor may select brokers and dealers with which it or the Fund is affiliated;
(ii) maintain books and records with respect to the Funds securities transactions and will render to the Advisor and the Trusts Board of Trustees such periodic and special reports as they may request;
(iii) maintain a policy and practice of conducting its investment advisory services hereunder independently of the commercial banking operations of its affiliates. When the Sub-Advisor makes investment recommendations for the Fund, its investment advisory personnel will not inquire or take into consideration whether the issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale for the Funds account are customers of the commercial department of its affiliates;
(iv) treat confidentially and as proprietary information of the Fund all records and other information relative to the Fund, and the Funds prior, current or potential shareholders, and will not use such records and information for any purpose other than performance of its responsibilities and duties hereunder, except after prior notification to and approval in writing by the Fund, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld and may not be withheld where the Sub-Advisor may be exposed to civil or criminal contempt proceedings for failure to comply, when requested to divulge such information by duly constituted authorities, or when so requested by the Fund; and
(v) be responsible for ensuring that the Advisor complies with any position limit that the FCA or any other applicable regulator might apply to any commodity derivatives held in the Fund. The Advisor shall provide the Sub-Advisor with information relating to any positions in commodity derivatives held outside of the Fund by the Advisor or any other member of its group, as applicable.
4. Services Not Exclusive. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Sub-Advisor or any officer, employee or other affiliate thereof from acting as investment advisor for any other person, firm or corporation, or from engaging in any other lawful activity, and shall not in any way limit or restrict the Sub-Advisor or any of its officers, employees or agents from buying, selling or trading any securities for its or their own accounts or for the accounts of others for whom it or they may be acting; provided, however, that the Sub-Advisor will undertake no activities which, in its judgment, will adversely affect the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
5. Books and Records. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Sub-Advisor hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any such records upon the Trusts request. The Sub-Advisor further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (to the extent such books and records are not maintained by the Advisor).
6. Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Advisor will bear all costs and expenses of its employees and any overhead incurred by the Sub-Advisor in connection with
4
its duties hereunder; provided that the Board of Trustees of the Trust may approve reimbursement to the Sub-Advisor of the pro-rata portion of the salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and all similar employment costs for the time spent on Fund operations (including, without limitation, compliance matters) (other than the provision of investment advice and administrative services required to be provided hereunder) of all personnel employed by the Sub-Advisor who devote substantial time to Fund operations or the operations of other investment companies advised or sub-advised by the Sub-Advisor.
7. Compensation.
(a) The Advisor agrees to pay to the Sub-Advisor and the Sub-Advisor agrees to accept as full compensation for all services rendered by the Sub-Advisor as such, a monthly fee in arrears at an annual rate equal to the amount set forth in Schedule A hereto. For any period less than a month during which this Agreement is in effect, the fee shall be prorated according to the proportion which such period bears to a full month of 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, as the case may be.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the net assets of the Fund shall be calculated pursuant to the procedures adopted by resolutions of the Trustees of the Trust for calculating the value of the Funds assets or delegating such calculations to third parties.
(c) If the Advisor waives any or all of its advisory fee payable under the Advisory Agreement, or reimburses the Trust pursuant to Section 8(b) of that Agreement, with respect to the Fund, the Sub-Advisor will bear its share of the amount of such waiver or reimbursement by waiving fees otherwise payable to it hereunder on a proportionate basis to be determined by comparing the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid to it hereunder with respect to the Fund to the aggregate fees that would otherwise be paid by the Trust to the Advisor under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund. The Advisor shall inform the Sub-Advisor prior to waiving any advisory fees.
8. Indemnity.
(a) The Fund may, in the discretion of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, indemnify the Sub-Advisor, and each of the Sub-Advisors directors, officers, employees, agents, associates and controlling persons and the directors, partners, members, officers, employees and agents thereof (including any individual who serves at the Sub-Advisors request as director, officer, partner, member, trustee or the like of another entity) (each such person being an Indemnitee) against any liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees (all as provided in accordance with applicable state law) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or investigative body in which such Indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Indemnitee may be or may have been threatened, while acting in any capacity set forth herein or thereafter by reason of such Indemnitee having acted in any such capacity, except with respect to any matter as to which such Indemnitee shall have been adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Indemnitees action was in the best interest of the Fund and furthermore, in the case of
5
any criminal proceeding, so long as such Indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful; provided, however, that (1) no Indemnitee shall be indemnified hereunder against any liability to the Fund or its shareholders or any expense of such Indemnitee arising by reason of (i) willful misfeasance, (ii) bad faith, (iii) gross negligence or (iv) reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Indemnitees position (the conduct referred to in such clauses (i) through (iv) being sometimes referred to herein as disabling conduct), (2) as to any matter disposed of by settlement or a compromise payment by such Indemnitee, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless there has been a determination that such settlement or compromise is in the best interests of the Fund and that such Indemnitee appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Indemnitees action was in the best interest of the Fund and did not involve disabling conduct by such Indemnitee and (3) with respect to any action, suit or other proceeding voluntarily prosecuted by any Indemnitee as plaintiff, indemnification shall be mandatory only if the prosecution of such action, suit or other proceeding by such Indemnitee was authorized by a majority of the full Board of Trustees of the Trust.
(b) The Fund shall make advance payments in connection with the expenses of defending any action with respect to which indemnification might be sought hereunder if the Fund receives a written affirmation of the Indemnitees good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and a written undertaking to reimburse the Fund unless it is subsequently determined that such Indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification and if the Trustees of the Trust determine that the facts then known to them would not preclude indemnification. In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met: (A) the Indemnitee shall provide a security for such Indemnitees undertaking, (B) the Fund shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any unlawful advance, or (C) a majority of a quorum consisting of Trustees of the Trust who are neither interested persons of the Trust (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) nor parties to the proceeding (Disinterested Non-Party Trustees) or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
(c) All determinations with respect to the standards for indemnification hereunder shall be made (1) by a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that such Indemnitee is not liable by reason of disabling conduct, or (2) in the absence of such a decision, by (i) a majority vote of a quorum of the Disinterested Non-Party Trustees of the Trust, or (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable or even, if obtainable, if a majority vote of such quorum so directs, independent legal counsel in a written opinion. All determinations that advance payments in connection with the expense of defending any proceeding shall be authorized shall be made in accordance with the immediately preceding clause (2) above.
The rights accruing to any Indemnitee under these provisions shall not exclude any other right to which such Indemnitee may be lawfully entitled.
9. Limitation on Liability.
6
(a) The Sub-Advisor will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Advisor or by the Trust or the Fund in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its duties under this Agreement. As used in this Section 8(a), the term Sub-Advisor shall include any affiliates of the Sub-Advisor performing services for the Fund contemplated hereby and partners, directors, officers and employees of the Sub-Advisor and such affiliates.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, as provided in Article Nine of the Declaration of Trust, this Agreement is executed by the Trustees and/or officers of the Trust, not individually but as such Trustees and/or officers of the Trust, and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but bind only the estate of the Trust.
(c) The names BlackRock FundsSM and Trustees of BlackRock FundsSM refer respectively to the trust created and the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting from time to time under a Declaration of Trust dated December 22, 1988, which is hereby referred to and a copy of which is on file at the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at the principal office of the Trust, as may be amended from time to time. The obligations of BlackRock FundsSM entered into in the name or on behalf thereof by any of the Trustees, officers, representatives or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, officers, representatives or agents of the Trust personally, but bind only the Trust Property (as defined in the Declaration of Trust), and all persons dealing with any class of shares of the Trust must look solely to the Trust Property belonging to such class for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust.
10. Duration and Termination. This Agreement shall become effective July 1, 2019 and, unless sooner terminated with respect to the Fund as provided herein, shall continue in effect for a period of one year. Thereafter, if not terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for successive periods of 12 months, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by both (a) the vote of a majority of the Trusts Board of Trustees or a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund at the time outstanding and entitled to vote and (b) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees, who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated by the Trust or the Advisor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon giving the Sub-Advisor 60 days notice (which notice may be waived by the Sub-Advisor), provided that such termination by the Trust or the Advisor shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust in office at the time or by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund entitled to vote, or by the Sub-Advisor on 60 days written notice (which notice may be waived by the Trust and the Advisor), and will terminate automatically upon any termination of the Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor. This Agreement will also immediately terminate in the event of its assignment. (As used in this Agreement, the terms
7
majority of the outstanding voting securities, interested person and assignment shall have the same meanings of such terms in the 1940 Act.)
11. Notices and Communications. Any legal notice under this Agreement shall be in writing to the other party at such address as the other party may designate from time to time for the receipt of such legal notice and shall be deemed to be received on the earlier of the date actually received or on the fourth day after the postmark if such legal notice is mailed first class postage prepaid. In relation to communications other than legal notices under this Agreement, each party may communicate with and provide information to the other party in whatever medium deemed appropriate. This may include the use of e-mail, the internet or other electronic means, in the place of paper communications.
12. Amendment of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by the parties only if such amendment is specifically approved by the vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval and, where required by the 1940 Act, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
13. Miscellaneous. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding on, and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.
14. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware for contracts to be performed entirely therein without reference to choice of law principles thereof and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions, conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall constitute an original counterpart, and all of which, together, shall constitute one Agreement.
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their duly authorized officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.
BLACKROCK ADVISORS, LLC | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
BLACKROCK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
BLACKROCK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
AGREED AND ACCEPTED
as of the date first set forth above
BLACKROCK FUNDSSM, on behalf of BlackRock Total Factor Fund
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
9
Schedule A
Sub-Investment Advisory Fee
Pursuant to Section 7, for that portion of the Fund for which the Sub-Advisor acts as sub-advisor, Advisor shall pay a fee to Sub-Advisor equal to percent ( %) of the advisory fee received by the Advisor from the Fund with respect to such portion, net of: (i) expense waivers and reimbursements, (ii) expenses relating to distribution and sales support activities borne by the Advisor, and (iii) administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services expenses borne by the Advisor.
Schedule A-1
Exhibit 10(a)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of BlackRock FundsSM of our report dated September 24, 2019, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appears in BlackRock Total Factor Funds Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the year ended July 31, 2019. We also consent to the references to us under the headings Financial Highlights, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
November 22, 2019