UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-22991

Name of Fund: BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

Fund Address:  100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Science and

            Technology Trust, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 882-0052, Option 4

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31/2019

Date of reporting period: 12/31/2019

 


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders

 


 

LOGO   DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

   2019 Annual Report

 

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (CII)

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of each Trust’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from BlackRock or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you hold accounts directly with BlackRock, you can call Computershare at (800) 699-1236 to request that you continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you hold accounts through a financial intermediary, you can follow the instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, or contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC or its affiliates, or all funds held with your financial intermediary, as applicable.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive electronic delivery of shareholder reports and other communications by contacting your financial intermediary, if you hold accounts through a financial intermediary. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service.

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


Supplemental Information  (unaudited)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust’s (BGR), BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.’s (CII), BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust’s (BDJ), BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust’s (BOE), BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust’s (BGY), BlackRock Health Sciences Trust’s (BME), BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust’s (BCX), BlackRock Science and Technology Trust’s (BST), BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ) and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust’s (BUI) (each, a “Trust” and collectively, the “Trusts”), amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Trust’s investment experience during its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Each Trust will provide a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

December 31, 2019

 

          Total Fiscal Year to Date
Cumulative Distributions by Character
    Percentage of Fiscal Year to Date
Cumulative Distributions by Character
 
Fund   Ticker  

Net

Investment

Income

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

Short-Term

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

Long-Term

    Return of
Capital*
   

Total Per

Common
Share

   

Net

Investment

Income

   

Net Realized
Capital Gains

Short-Term

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

Long-Term

    Return of
Capital
    Total Per
Common
Share
 

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust

 

BGR

  $ 0.393543     $     $     $ 0.537657     $ 0.931200       42     0     0     58     100

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.

 

CII

    0.200165             0.504097       0.294038       0.998300       20       0       50       30       100  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

 

BDJ

    0.205304             0.545882             0.751186       27       0       73       0       100  

BlackRock Global Opportunities Equity Trust

 

BOE

    0.341056                   0.414944       0.756000       45       0       0       55       100  

BlackRock International Growth & Income Trust

 

BGY

    0.173185                   0.232415       0.405600       43       0       0       57       100  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

 

BME

    0.074037             2.325963             2.400000       3       0       97       0       100  

BlackRock Resources and Commodities Strategy Trust

 

BCX

    0.250327                   0.368873       0.619200       40       0       0       60       100  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

 

BST

                3.500699             3.500699       0       0       100       0       100  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II

 

BSTZ

                      0.500000       0.500000       0       0       0       100       100  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities Trust

 

BUI

    0.439154             1.012846             1.452000       30       0       70       0       100  

 

  *

Certain Trusts estimate that they have distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in a Trust is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect a Trust’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Trust’s net asset value per share.

 

Section 19(a) notices for the Trusts, as applicable, are available on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com.

Section 19(b) Disclosure

The Trusts, acting pursuant to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) exemptive order and with the approval of each Trust’s Board of Trustees/Directors (the “Board”), each have adopted a managed distribution plan, consistent with its investment objectives and policies to support a level distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital (the “Plan”). In accordance with the Plans, the Trusts currently distribute the following fixed amounts per share on a monthly basis as of December 31, 2019:

 

Exchange Symbol   Amount Per
Common Share
 

BGR

  $ 0.0776  

CII

    0.0875  

BDJ

    0.0500  

BOE

    0.0630  

BGY

    0.0338  

BME

    0.2000  

BCX

    0.0516  

BST

    0.1655  

BSTZ

    0.1000  

BUI

    0.1210  

The fixed amounts distributed per share are subject to change at the discretion of each Trust’s Board. Under its Plan, each Trust will distribute all available investment income to its shareholders required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains) is not earned on a monthly basis, the Trusts will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return of capital to shareholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each monthly distribution to shareholders is expected to be at the fixed amount established by the Board; however, each Trust may make additional distributions from time to time, including additional capital gain distributions at the end of the taxable year, if required to meet requirements imposed by the Code and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about each Trust’s investment performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms of the Plan. Each Trust’s total return performance is presented in its financial highlights table.

The Board may amend, suspend or terminate a Trust’s Plan at any time without prior notice to the Trust’s shareholders if it deems such actions to be in the best interests of the Trust or its shareholders. The suspension or termination of the Plan could have the effect of creating a trading discount (if the Trust’s stock is trading at or above net asset value) or widening an existing trading discount. The Trusts are subject to risks that could have an adverse impact on their ability to maintain level distributions. Examples of potential risks include, but are not limited to, economic downturns impacting the markets, changes in interest rates, decreased market volatility, companies suspending or decreasing corporate dividend distributions and changes in the Code. Please refer to BME, BST and BUI’s prospectuses for a more complete description of each Trust’s risks.

 

 

2    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

U.S. equities and bonds finished the last year of the decade with impressive returns, putting an exclamation point on a decade of strong performance despite the fears and doubts about the economy that were ultimately laid to rest with unprecedented monetary stimulus and a sluggish yet resolute performance from the U.S. economy. In many ways, it was fitting that the themes of 2019 — geopolitical uncertainty, fears of recession, and decisive monetary stimulus — put the capstone on a decade that was defined by grappling with these competing forces.

Equity and bond markets posted solid returns, particularly in the second half of the year, as investors began to realize that the U.S. economy was maintaining the modest yet steady growth that has characterized this economic cycle. U.S. large cap equities advanced the most, while equities at the high end of the risk spectrum — emerging markets and U.S. small cap — lagged while still posting solid returns.

Fixed-income securities played an important role in diversified portfolios by delivering strong returns amid economic uncertainty, as interest rates declined (and bond prices rose). Long-term bonds, particularly long-term Treasuries, generally posted the strongest returns, as inflation remained low. Investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds also posted solid returns, as the credit fundamentals in corporate markets remained relatively solid.

As equity performance faltered in late 2018 and global economic growth slowed, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) shifted away from policies designed to decrease inflation in favor of renewed efforts to stimulate economic activity. The Fed left interest rates unchanged in January 2019, then reduced interest rates three times thereafter, starting in July 2019. Similarly, the Fed took measures to support liquidity in short-term lending markets. Following in the Fed’s footsteps, the European Central Bank announced aggressive economic stimulus measures, including lower interest rates and the return of its bond purchasing program. The Bank of Japan signaled a continuation of accommodative monetary policy, while China committed to looser credit conditions and an increase in fiscal spending.

The outpouring of global economic stimulus led to a sharp rally in risk assets throughout the world despite the headwind of rising geopolitical and trade tensions. Hopes continued to remain high as the current economic expansion became the longest in U.S. history.

Looking ahead, we believe U.S. economic growth will stabilize and gradually improve in 2020. The primary drivers of recent market performance — trade and monetary policies — could take a back seat to a nascent expansion in manufacturing and a recent uptick in global growth. The headwinds of policy uncertainty in 2019 could become tailwinds in 2020 due to pro-cyclical policy shifts.

Overall, we favor increasing investment risk to benefit from the brighter outlook. In addition to having a positive view for equities overall, we favor emerging market equities over developed market equities. Increasing cyclical exposure through value-style investing and maintaining a meaningful emphasis on high-quality companies through quality factors also makes sense for diversified investors. In fixed income, government bonds continue to be important portfolio stabilizers, while emerging market bonds, particularly local currency bonds, offer relatively attractive income opportunities.

In this environment, investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of December 31, 2019
     6-month   12-month

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

  10.92%   31.49%

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

  7.30   25.52

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

  7.01   22.01

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  7.09   18.42

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofAML 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

  1.03   2.28

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofAML 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

  1.36   8.91

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

  2.45   8.72

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

  2.21   7.26

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

  3.98   14.32
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT      3  


Table of Contents

 

      Page   

Section 19(a) Notices

     2  

Section 19(b) Disclosure

     2  

The Markets in Review

     3  

Annual Report:

  

The Benefits and Risks of Option Over-Writing

     5  

Trust Information

     6  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     26  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedules of Investments

     27  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     99  

Statements of Operations

     101  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     103  

Statements of Cash Flows

     108  

Financial Highlights

     110  

Notes to Financial Statements

     120  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     132  

Important Tax Information

     133  

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement

     134  

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plans

  

Trustee and Officer Information

     138  

Additional Information

     141  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     143  

 

 

4        


Option Over-Writing Strategy

 

Overview

In general, the goal of each of the Trusts is to provide total return through a combination of current income and realized and unrealized gains (capital appreciation). The Trusts seek to pursue these goals primarily by investing in a portfolio of equity securities and also by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options in an effort to generate current gains from option premiums and to enhance each Trust’s risk-adjusted return. Each Trust’s objectives cannot be achieved in all market conditions.

Each Trust primarily writes single stock covered call options, and may also from time to time write single stock put options. When writing (selling) a covered call option, a Trust holds an underlying equity security and enters into an option transaction which allows the counterparty to purchase the equity security at an agreed-upon price (“strike price”) within an agreed-upon time period. The Trust receives cash premiums from the counterparties upon writing (selling) the option, which along with net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally available to support current or future distributions paid by the Trust. During the option term, the counterparty may elect to exercise the option if the market value of the equity security rises above the strike price, and the Trust is obligated to sell the equity security to the counterparty at the strike price, realizing a gain or loss. Premiums received increase gains or reduce losses realized on the sale of the equity security. If the option remains unexercised upon its expiration, the Trust realizes gains equal to the premiums received. Alternatively, an option may be closed out by an offsetting purchase or sale of an option prior to expiration. The Trust realizes a capital gain from a closing purchase or sale transaction if the premium paid is less than the premium received from writing the option. The Trust realizes a capital loss from a closing purchase or sale transaction if the premium received is less than the premium paid to purchase the option.

Writing covered call options entails certain risks, which include, but are not limited to, the following: an increase in the value of the underlying equity security above the strike price can result in the exercise of a written option (sale by a Trust to the counterparty) when the Trust might not otherwise have sold the security; exercise of the option by the counterparty may result in a sale below the current market value and a gain or loss being realized by the Trust; and limiting the potential appreciation that could be realized on the underlying equity security to the extent of the strike price of the option. The premium that a Trust receives from writing a covered call option may not be sufficient to offset the potential appreciation on the underlying equity security above the strike price of the option that could have otherwise been realized by the Trust. As such, an option over-writing strategy may outperform the general equity market in flat or falling markets but underperform in rising markets.

Option Over-Writing Strategy Illustration

To illustrate these concepts, assume the following: (1) a common stock purchased at and currently trading at $37.15 per share; (2) a three-month call option is written by a Trust with a strike price of $40 (i.e., 7.7% higher than the current market price); and (3) the Trust receives $2.45, or 6.6% of the common stock’s value, as a premium. If the stock price remains unchanged, the option expires and there would be a 6.6% return for the three-month period. If the stock were to decline in price by 6.6% (i.e., decline to $34.70 per share), the option strategy would “break-even” from an economic perspective resulting in neither a gain nor a loss. If the stock were to climb to a price of $40 or above, the option would be exercised and the stock would return 7.7% coupled with the option premium received of 6.6% for a total return of 14.3%. Under this scenario, the Trust loses the benefit of any appreciation of the stock above $40, and thus is limited to a 14.3% total return. The premium from writing the call option serves to offset some of the unrealized loss on the stock in the event that the price of the stock declines, but if the stock were to decline more than 6.6% under this scenario, the Trust’s downside protection is eliminated and the stock could eventually become worthless.

Each Trust intends to write covered call and other options to varying degrees depending upon market conditions. Please refer to each Trust’s Schedule of Investments and the Notes to Financial Statements for details of written options.

 

 

THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF OPTION OVER-WRITING      5  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust’s (BGR) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of energy and natural resources companies and equity derivatives with exposure to the energy and natural resources industry. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. The Trust seeks to pursue this goal primarily by investing in a portfolio of equity securities and also by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)

  BGR

Initial Offering Date

  December 29, 2004

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($11.88)(a)

  7.84%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0776

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.9312

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BGR(a)(b)

    23.23      13.74

MSCI World Energy Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        10.47  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI World Energy Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI World Energy Index with a 33% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

Crude oil prices experienced considerable gains in 2019, reflecting the backdrop of steady global growth, production discipline by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia, and declining shale production in the United States. Energy stocks also delivered a positive total return, as global equities were boosted by the favorable economic outlook and the accommodative policies of the world’s central banks. However, the sector lagged the broader equity market due to lower capital spending by large, integrated producers, as well as concerns U.S. production may have peaked.

The Trust’s overweight position in the exploration & production (“E&P”) subsector contributed to relative performance. An out-of-benchmark position in Kosmos Energy Ltd. was the leading contributor at the individual stock level. The company reported better-than-expected results and announced its intent to sell part of its stake in its assets off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal. An overweight position in Anadarko Petroleum Corp. — which was taken over by Occidental Petroleum Corp. — was also a top contributor.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

U.S. natural gas prices declined in 2019, reflecting strong supply growth, adverse weather conditions and weakness in the European gas market. In this environment, the Trust’s out-of-benchmark position in the natural gas producer EQT Corp. was among the largest detractors from relative performance.

An underweight in midstream energy companies, including Enbridge, Inc. and Kinder Morgan, Inc. also detracted. Interest rate-sensitive stocks were boosted by the three rate cuts by the Fed and the corresponding downturn in bond yields.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

Among other shifts, the investment adviser increased the Trust’s weighting in the integrated energy subsector by increasing its weighting in TOTAL SA and initiating a position in Eni SpA. This move was funded by decreasing the portfolio’s allocation to E&P stocks, including the sale of Devon Energy Corp.

 

 

6    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust

 

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The investment adviser continued to focus on companies that are displaying signs of capital discipline and steady growth, as well as those that stand to benefit from growth in the emerging liquified natural gas industry.

The integrated energy subsector represented the Trust’s largest allocation, followed by the E&P, distribution, refining & marketing, and oil services industries, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 32% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.7% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 54 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 11.88      $ 10.45        13.68    $ 12.61      $ 10.16  

Net Asset Value

    12.57        11.98        4.92        13.92        11.34  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR

    12

TOTAL SA

    8  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    8  

BP PLC

    8  

ConocoPhillips

    6  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    4  

TC Energy Corp

    4  

Williams Cos., Inc.

    4  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    4  

Chevron Corp.

    4  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry   12/31/19     12/31/18  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    97     94

Energy Equipment & Services

    3       6  

 

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 
 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      7  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.’s (CII) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide investors with a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. The Trust also seeks to achieve its investment objective by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  CII

Initial Offering Date

  April 30, 2004

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($17.25)(a)

  6.09%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0875

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $1.0500

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

CII(a)(b)

    30.38      25.08

MSCI USA Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        25.70  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI USA Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI USA Index with a 55% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

In the equity allocation of the Trust, the largest detractor from relative performance for the 12-month period was stock selection within the consumer staples sector. In particular, overweight positions in beer-maker Molson Coors Beverage Co. and tobacco company Altria Group, Inc. weighed on relative performance. Stock selection in health care also detracted, with overweight positions in pharmaceutical company Pfizer, Inc. and biotech Biogen, Inc. produced weakness. Finally, security selection within the industrials sector further weighed on relative returns.

The largest equity allocation contributors to performance for the 12-month period was stock selection within the consumer discretionary sector. Most notably, overweight positions in homebuilder D.R. Horton, Inc. and discount retailer Dollar General Corp. provided strong relative returns. Among financials, the Trust’s lack of a position in insurance giant Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. and its overweight position in Bank of America Corp. enhanced performance. Stock selection within utilities, particularly with the Trust’s overweight position in Virginia-based AES Corp., further contributed to relative performance.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the 12-month period, the Trust significantly increased its exposure to the communication services sector. Holdings within consumer discretionary and industrials were also increased. Conversely, the Trust significantly reduced exposure to the health care sector. The Trust also lowered its allocation to materials and utilities.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

Relative to the benchmark, the Trust’s largest overweight positions were in the communication services, consumer discretionary and energy sectors. Conversely, the Trust’s largest relative underweights were in the real estate, information technology and utilities sectors.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 48% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.1% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 51 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

 

 

8    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 17.25      $ 14.08        22.51    $ 17.33      $ 13.92  

Net Asset Value

    17.96        15.28        17.54        17.99        14.97  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

Microsoft Corp.

    6

Apple, Inc.

    6  

Alphabet, Inc.

    5  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    4  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    3  

Bank of America Corp.

    3  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    3  

Comcast Corp.

    3  

Walmart, Inc.

    3  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    3  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector   12/31/19     12/31/18  

Information Technology

    21     20

Health Care

    14       18  

Financials

    13       15  

Communication Services

    13       9  

Consumer Discretionary

    12       10  

Industrials

    9       7  

Consumer Staples

    7       7  

Energy

    6       6  

Materials

    3       5  

Utilities

    2       3  

 

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s sector classifications refer to any one or more of the sector sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such sector sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 
 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      9  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust’s (BDJ) (the “Trust”) primary investment objective is to provide current income and current gains, with a secondary investment objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in common stocks that pay dividends and have the potential for capital appreciation and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options. The Trust invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in dividend paying equities. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objectives will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BDJ

Initial Offering Date

  August 31, 2005

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($9.92)(a)

  6.05%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0500

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.6000

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BDJ(a)(b)

    38.53      24.52

MSCI USA Value Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        19.58  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI USA Value Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI USA Value Index with a 55% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

The most significant contributors to relative performance during the 12-month period were stock selection and allocation decisions within the financials sector. Specifically, selection within and an overweight to the banks, insurance and capital markets industries proved beneficial. In health care, stock selection in the health care providers & services industry boosted relative return, as did stock selection and an overweight to the health care equipment & supplies industry. Other notable contributors included stock selection in the energy and information technology (“IT”) sectors.

The largest detractor from relative performance came from stock selection and an underweight to the utilities sector. Notably, selection decisions and an underweight to the electric utilities industry weighed on relative return, as did an underweight to multi-utilities. Within communication services, stock selection in diversified telecommunication services also weighed on relative performance. Other modest detractors during the period included underweight allocations to the real estate and consumer sectors.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, a combination of portfolio trading activity and market price changes resulted in increased exposure to the financials, consumer discretionary and industrials sectors. Conversely, the Trust’s exposures to IT, health care and utilities were reduced.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Trust’s largest allocations were in the financials, health care and energy sectors. Relative to the benchmark, the Trust’s largest overweight positions were in the financials, health care and energy sectors. The Trust’s largest relative underweights were in the real estate, consumer staples and utilities sectors.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 51% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.1% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 53 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

 

 

10    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 9.92      $ 7.77        27.67    $ 9.92      $ 7.72  

Net Asset Value

    10.03        8.74        14.76        10.11        8.64  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    5

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    4  

Citigroup, Inc.

    4  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    4  

Bank of America Corp.

    3  

Medtronic PLC

    3  

Anthem, Inc.

    3  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    2  

Comcast Corp.

    2  

American International Group, Inc.

    2  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 
   

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector   12/31/19     12/31/18  

Financials

    29     25

Health Care

    19       23  

Energy

    10       11  

Information Technology

    9       12  

Industrials

    8       6  

Communication Services

    8       7  

Consumer Staples

    7       7  

Consumer Discretionary

    6       3  

Utilities

    3       4  

Materials

    1       2  

 

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s sector classifications refer to any one or more of the sector sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such sector sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 
 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      11  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust’s (BOE) (the “Trust”) primary investment objective is to provide current income and current gains, with a secondary investment objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies located in countries throughout the world and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options. Under normal circumstances, the Trust invests at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying equity securities and at least 40% of its assets outside of the U.S. (unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by Trust management, in which case the Trust would invest at least 30% of its assets outside of the U.S.). The Trust may invest in securities of companies of any market capitalization, but intends to invest primarily in securities of large capitalization companies. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objectives will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BOE

Initial Offering Date

  May 31, 2005

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($10.99)(a)

  6.88%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0630

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.7560

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BOE(a)(b)

    25.98      19.54

MSCI ACWI Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        23.66  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI ACWI Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI Index with a 45% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

Stock selection in the industrials sector, particularly within air freight & logistics, contributed to returns during the 12-month period. Stock selection in the health care sector also contributed, largely due to an overweight position in pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the Trust’s lack of exposure to energy stocks added value. At the individual security level, British American Tobacco PLC was the top contributor to returns. The company’s shares rose following a favorable earnings forecast. Certain tobacco stocks were also boosted by press reports suggesting that all e-cigarette flavors other than menthol or tobacco would be banned, and after the Food and Drug Administration removed proposed rules regarding nicotine reduction from its web site, signaling that the momentum behind increased tobacco product regulation in the United States had waned. Holdings in the German courier company Deutsche Post AG also contributed, as the company reported solid financial results.

Stock selection within and an underweight to information technology (“IT”), particularly a lack of holdings within technology hardware, represented the largest detractor from performance. Stock selection within the financials and consumer discretionary sectors also weighed on the Trust’s return. At the security level, British tobacco company Imperial Brands PLC represented the largest detractor. The company issued a profit warning as sales of Imperial’s “Next Generation” smoking product disappointed, and the Trust exited the position. A lack of holdings in Apple Inc. also detracted from relative returns.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy detracted from relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The most significant change to the portfolio during the 12-month period was a material reduction within consumer staples, mostly attributable to sales of tobacco stocks. The Trust reinvested the proceeds among high quality, dividend-paying names where the investment adviser has high conviction, including health care and consumer discretionary stocks.

 

 

12    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust

 

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Trust’s largest sector exposures were in health care and consumer staples, with an emphasis on the pharmaceuticals and tobacco industries, respectively. The largest underweights were to IT and energy. The Trust had no exposure to utilities, real estate or energy at the end of the period. From a regional perspective, a majority of portfolio assets was invested either within the United States or Europe, with significant exposure in the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 43% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.0% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 53 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 10.99      $ 9.37        17.29    $ 11.09      $ 9.30  

Net Asset Value

    12.32        11.07        11.29        12.33        10.91  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

TELUS Corp.

    4

Johnson & Johnson

    3  

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    3  

Genuine Parts Co.

    3  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    3  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    3  

Rogers Communications, Inc.

    3  

Amcor PLC

    3  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    3  

British American Tobacco PLC

    3  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 
   
   
   

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country   12/31/19     12/31/18  

United States

    53     43

United Kingdom

    13       16  

Switzerland

    7       6  

Canada

    7       7  

France

    4       4  

Netherlands

    3       2  

Singapore

    3       3  

Australia

    3       6  

Germany

    2       2  

Denmark

    2       1  

Finland

    1       3  

Taiwan

    1       2  

Sweden

    1       1  

India

          1  

Ireland

          1  

China

          1  

Other(a)

          1  

 

  (a) 

Other includes a 1% holding or less in Japan.

 
 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      13  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust’s (BGY) (the “Trust”) primary investment objective is to provide current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies of any market capitalization located in countries throughout the world and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options. The Trust invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying equity securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any market capitalization, but intends to invest primarily in securities of large capitalization companies. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objectives will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BGY

Initial Offering Date

  May 30, 2007

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of as of December 31, 2019 ($5.89)(a)

  6.89%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0338

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.4056

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BGY(a)(b)

    27.22      20.20

MSCI ACWI ex USA Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        19.75  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI ACWI ex USA Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index with a 45% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

During the 12-month period, stock selection in the health care sector contributed to performance, largely due to an overweight position in pharmaceuticals. Security selection within the industrials sector also added to returns. Additionally, the Trust’s lack of exposure to energy stocks added value. At the individual security level, British American Tobacco PLC was the top contributor to returns. The company’s shares rose following a favorable earnings forecast. Certain tobacco stocks were also boosted by press reports suggesting that all e-cigarette flavors other than menthol or tobacco would be banned, and after the Food and Drug Administration removed proposed rules regarding nicotine reduction from its web site, signaling that the momentum behind increased tobacco product regulation in the United States had waned. Holdings in the German courier company Deutsche Post AG also contributed, as the company reported solid financial results.

Stock selection within the financials sector detracted from performance. The Trust’s underweight to information technology (“IT”) also subtracted from returns. In addition, stock selection within the consumer discretionary sector weighed on the Trust’s return. At the security level, British tobacco company Imperial Brands PLC represented the largest detractor. The company issued a profit warning as sales of Imperial’s “Next Generation” smoking product disappointed, and the Trust exited the position. The Trust’s holdings in the Canadian media company Rogers Communications, Inc. also detracted from relative return.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy detracted from relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The most significant change to the portfolio during the 12-month period was a material reduction within consumer staples, mostly attributable to sales of tobacco stocks. The Trust reinvested the proceeds among high quality, dividend-paying names where the investment adviser has high conviction, including health care and communication services stocks.

 

 

14    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

 

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Trust’s largest sector exposures were in health care and consumer staples, with an emphasis on the pharmaceuticals and tobacco industries, respectively. The largest underweights were to consumer discretionary and IT. The Trust had no exposure to utilities, real estate or energy at the end of the period. From a regional perspective, a majority of portfolio assets was invested in Europe, with significant exposure to Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 43% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.0% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 54 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 5.89      $ 4.98        18.27    $ 5.89      $ 4.94  

Net Asset Value

    6.47        5.79        11.74        6.48        5.73  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

TELUS Corp.

    7

British American Tobacco PLC

    6  

Amcor PLC

    6  

Rogers Communications, Inc.

    5  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    5  

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    5  

Unilever PLC

    5  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    5  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

    5  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    4  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country   12/31/19     12/31/18  

United Kingdom

    26     28

Switzerland

    13       10  

Canada

    13       11  

United States

    9       5  

France

    7       6  

Netherlands

    7       4  

Australia

    5       9  

Germany

    5       4  

Singapore

    5       3  

Denmark

    3       2  

Finland

    2       5  

Taiwan

    2       3  

Sweden

    2       3  

China

    1       3  

India

    (a)      2  

Japan

          2  

 

  (a) 

Represents less than 1% of the Trust’s total investments.

 
 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      15  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust’s (BME) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies engaged in the health sciences and related industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences industry. The Trust seeks to pursue this goal primarily by investing in a portfolio of equity securities and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BME

Initial Offering Date

  March 31, 2005

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($42.50)(a)

  5.65%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.2000

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $2.4000

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BME(a)(b)

    24.15      22.26

MSCI USA IMI Health Care Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        19.02  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s premium to NAV widened during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI USA IMI Health Care Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI IMI Health Care Index with a 33% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

Health care stocks generated a robust gain in 2019, as equities in general were boosted by optimism surrounding the economic outlook and global central bank policy. However, the sector lagged the broader market due largely to its underperformance in the first half of the year.

Strong stock selection, primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical subsectors, was the primary reason for the Trust’s positive relative performance.

A zero weighting in the biotechnology firm AbbVie, Inc. was the leading contributor to performance, as the stock declined after announcing its acquisition of the pharmaceutical firm Allergan PLC. In addition, AbbVie missed earnings expectations and lowered its guidance for 2019. An underweight position in the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer contributed to results, as well. The stock declined in August after the company announced that it was spinning off its off-patent and generic drug division and merging it with Mylan NV. While the spin-off sought to shift the company’s efforts into higher-margin areas of health care, the financially dilutive impact of the deal was viewed negatively by the market. Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC, Seattle Genetics, Inc. and RA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. also benefited performance.

Stock selection in the medical devices & supplies and health care providers & services sub-sectors detracted from relative performance.

A zero weighting in Celgene Corp., which was taken over at a substantial premium by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., was the largest individual detractor. Not holding the medical devices & supplies firm Danaher Corp. also detracted, as investors reacted favorably to its acquisition of General Electric’s biopharmaceutical business. Holdings in Eli Lilly & Co., Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., and Alcon, Inc. further detracted from performance.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Trust increased its allocation to the medical devices & supplies subsector, while its weightings in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and health care providers & services subsectors remained largely the same.

 

 

16    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

 

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The investment adviser continued to look for opportunities stemming from key trends in the health care sector, such as the aging global population and the rising demand for more extensive medical care from the growing middle class in the emerging markets. Accordingly, the Trust was positioned with an overweight in the medical devices & supplies sub-sector. The investment adviser identified a number of companies in this area with strong fundamentals and increased penetration in the emerging markets.

Global demographic changes, particularly increased longevity, have led to growing demand in the health sciences industry. This trend has been further supported by innovation across multiple areas in health care. In drug development, for example, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies’ use of genomic research has allowed for earlier diagnosis of disease and has facilitated a shift towards preventative care. In addition, there has been significant innovation in areas such as medical equipment, diagnostic services and biosensors.

At the close of the period, the Trust was overweight in the medical devices & supplies and health care providers & services sub-sectors, and it was underweight in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 36% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 3% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 52 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 42.50      $ 36.45        16.60    $ 42.50      $ 35.75  

Net Asset Value

    41.19        35.87        14.83        41.33        34.65  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    9

Abbott Laboratories

    5  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    4  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    4  

Medtronic PLC

    3  

Amgen, Inc.

    3  

Johnson & Johnson

    3  

Stryker Corp.

    3  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

    3  

Zoetis, Inc.

    2  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry   12/31/19     12/31/18  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    30     27

Pharmaceuticals

    23       25  

Health Care Providers & Services

    21       23  

Biotechnology

    17       18  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    8       5  

Health Care Technology

    1       1  

Diversified Consumer Services

          1  

 

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 
 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      17  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust’s (BCX) (the “Trust”) primary investment objective is to seek high current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Trust will seek to achieve its investment objectives, under normal market conditions, by investing at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by commodity or natural resources companies, derivatives with exposure to commodity or natural resources companies or investments in securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movement of commodities or natural resources. While permitted, the Trust does not currently expect to invest in securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movement of commodities or natural resources. The Trust seeks to pursue this goal primarily by investing in a portfolio of equity securities and also by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objectives will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BCX

Initial Offering Date

  March 30, 2011

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($8.07)(a)

  7.67%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0516

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.6192

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BCX(a)(b)

    23.67      15.88

MSCI ACWI Select Liquidity Natural Resources Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        9.13  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI ACWI Select Liquidity Natural Resources Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI Select Liquidity Natural Resources Index with a 33% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

Natural resources stocks, while posting a gain in 2019, lagged the strong return of the broader world equity market. The shortfall was due, in part, to concerns about slowing economic growth in China and persistent uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-China trade dispute. Since China is the world’s leading consumer of commodities, both of these factors had an outsized impact on the resources sector compared to other areas of the market.

In the physical commodity space, prices of bulk commodities and precious metals rose while most base metals came under pressure. Crude oil prices rallied, due in part to the favorable backdrop of steady global growth, production discipline by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia, and declining shale production in the United States. In the agriculture sector, the most noteworthy event was the sharp decline in China’s pork supply brought about by African Swine Fever. The severity of the crisis caused global pork prices to rise exponentially, with U.S. pork sales to China doubling and European pork prices reaching a six-year high.

The Trust’s overweight positions in the mining and energy sectors contributed to relative performance. An out-of-benchmark holding in JBS SA was the largest contributor at the individual stock level. The company was viewed as a beneficiary of rising prices for pork, beef and chicken in the wake of the African Swine Fever crisis.

An out-of-benchmark position in Glanbia PLC, a global leader in sports nutrition, was a key detractor from relative performance. The stock plunged to its lowest level in five years after weaker international sales caused the company to issue a profit warning. The lack of a position in Fortescue Metals Group Ltd., which benefited from its high sensitivity to iron ore prices, also detracted from results.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

Among other decisions, the investment adviser shifted the Trust’s holdings in the diversified mining sector. The Trust’s position in Glencore PLC was sold on the belief that the company had an unfavorable commodity mix and rising environmental, social and governance risks, and the proceeds were rotated into Anglo American PLC. The investment adviser also sold Nestle SA in order to fund opportunities within the protein space; for example, increasing the Fund’s position in Tyson Foods, Inc.

 

 

18    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

 

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The mining industry represented the Trust’s largest allocation, followed by energy and agriculture, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 35% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 3.1% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 52 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 8.07      $ 7.06        14.31    $ 8.38      $ 6.98  

Net Asset Value

    9.04        8.44        7.11        9.64        8.30  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

TOTAL SA

    6

BP PLC — ADR

    5  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR

    5  

BHP Group PLC

    5  

Anglo American PLC

    4  

Vale SA — ADR

    3  

FMC Corp.

    3  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    3  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    3  

Packaging Corp. of America

    3  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry   12/31/19     12/31/18  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    35     33

Metals & Mining

    35       38  

Chemicals

    11       14  

Containers & Packaging

    9       3  

Food Products

    7       7  

Specialty Retail

    1        

Machinery

    1       1  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    1       1  

Paper & Forest Products

          1  

Pharmaceuticals

          1  

Energy Equipment & Services

          1  

 

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 
 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      19  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust’s (BST) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide income and total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. science and technology companies in any market capitalization range, selected for their rapid and sustainable growth potential from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology (high growth science and technology stocks), and/or potential to generate current income from advantageous dividend yields (cyclical science and technology stocks). The Trust seeks to pursue this goal primarily by investing in a portfolio of equity securities and also by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BST

Initial Offering Date

  October 30, 2014

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($33.27)(a)

  5.97%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.1655

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $1.9860

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BST(a)(b)

    34.77      37.82

MSCI ACWI IT Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        40.28  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s premium to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI ACWI IT Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI IT Index with a 33% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

At the sub-sector level, stock selection within services and semiconductors contributed to relative return during the 12-month period. At the individual security level, the Trust’s position in the hardware and streaming services company Roku, Inc. was the top performer for the period, as the stock posted very strong returns on continued sales growth, with quarterly earnings above expectations and revenues also rising sharply. The Trust’s lack of exposure to Cisco Systems, Inc. also added to relative performance as the company reported its slowest growth rate in two years.

Conversely, the Trust’s overweight to the internet sub-sector as well as stock selection in gaming and data center stocks represented the most significant detractors from relative performance. At the security level, an underweight to Apple Inc. was the primary detractor from returns as the company’s share price rallied in 2019 based on continued operational strength. In addition, an out-of-benchmark position in Chinese gaming company Tencent Holdings Ltd. constrained relative performance due to increased geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, and weakened ad sales for the company within the Chinese market.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the 12-month period, the Trust increased exposure to semiconductors, hardware and services, while decreasing exposure to software, internet, gaming and data center stocks. From a regional perspective, the Trust’s allocations to emerging markets and the United Kingdom increased, while exposure to the United States was significantly reduced.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Trust’s investment process aims to provide a balance of legacy technology firms that can continually innovate, and new disruptive companies displacing those companies failing to innovate, with approximately 40% of the portfolio consisting of these “core” legacy companies, and 60% making up the “opportunistic,” high-growth

 

 

20    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

 

portion. At period end, the largest sub-sector exposures were to internet, software and services companies, as these firms are supported by the longer-term tailwinds of innovation and the transition to cloud computing. The Trust’s software exposure was characterized by companies that offer enterprise software solutions, cloud computing services and software-as-a-service, and are less cyclical in nature. Conversely, the Trust held an underweight position in the semiconductors and hardware sub-sectors due their more cyclical nature.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 32% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 4.2% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 51 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 33.27      $ 27.48        21.07    $ 34.94      $ 26.89  

Net Asset Value

    32.45        26.21        23.81        34.27        25.18  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

Microsoft Corp.

    5

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

    4  

Apple, Inc.

    4  

Alphabet, Inc.

    3  

Mastercard, Inc.

    3  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    3  

Visa, Inc.

    3  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    3  

salesforce.com, Inc.

    2  

Adobe, Inc.

    2  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry   12/31/19     12/31/18  

Software

    26     28

IT Services

    19       18  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    15       11  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

    10       16  

Interactive Media & Services

    10       11  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    4       2  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    3       3  

Entertainment

    3       6  

Road & Rail

    3        

Diversified Consumer Services

    2       1  

Health Care Technology

    1       1  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1       1  

Banks

    1        

Communications Equipment

    1       1  

Professional Services

    1        

Automobiles

          1  

Other

          (a) 

 

  (a) 

Other includes a 1% holding or less in each of the following industries:

 

Household Durables and Wireless Telecommunication Services

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      21  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II’s (BSTZ) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. science and technology companies in any market capitalization range, selected for their rapid and sustainable growth potential from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology. The Trust seeks to pursue this goal primarily by investing in a portfolio of equity securities and also by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BSTZ

Initial Offering Date

  June 27, 2019

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($20.50)(a)

  5.85%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.1000

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $1.2000

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the period since inception (June 27, 2019) to December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BSTZ(a)(b)

    5.10      7.40

MSCI ACWI 25% Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        9.18  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust moved to a discount to NAV during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI ACWI Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI Index with a 25% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

At the individual security level, a position in the Chinese coffee shop chain Luckin Coffee, Inc. was among the largest positive contributors during the period. Luckin Coffee’s strategy is based on reducing the price of a cup of coffee substantially by employing an app-centric approach that allows it to utilize small storefronts, greatly minimizing real estate costs. Luckin Coffee’s shares benefited from strong growth within China, as well as from a significant recent investment by an American hedge fund, which in turn boosted investor confidence in the stock. In addition, the Trust’s holdings in the European food delivery company Delivery Hero SE contributed positively during the period. The company announced a $4 billion acquisition of the largest Korean food delivery service Woowa Brothers, which reduces competition in the global food delivery space, provides a foothold for the company in Asia, and should serve to improve Delivery Hero’s profit margins.

Conversely, at the security level, a position in U.K.-based luxury apparel e-commerce retailer FarFetch Ltd. was among the largest detractors from returns. FarFetch’s shares declined sharply after investors reacted unfavorably to its acquisition of Italian competitor New Guards Group. In addition, the Trust’s position in the U.S. enterprise software and cloud computing company Twilio, Inc. detracted as its shares were negatively impacted by investors’ rotation into value stocks during the period. Twilio’s bullish growth outlook had fueled a strong rally in its shares earlier in 2019, and the investment adviser continues to hold a favorable outlook regarding the company’s growth potential.

The Trust held an elevated cash position at times throughout the period. The Trust’s cash position had a negative effect on Trust performance.

As of period end, the Trust held nine private investments, comprising 8% of total assets or a total commitment of approximately $120 million. These investments are predominantly a mix of next-generation semiconductor-related companies and emerging software businesses in areas such as codeless application development platforms. These holdings did not significantly impact performance during the period.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s options overlay strategy detracted from absolute performance for the 12-month period.

 

 

22    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II

 

Describe recent portfolio activity.

Following the Trust’s initial public offering on June 26, 2019, the investment adviser began to deploy capital to both public and private markets across the next-generation technology universe. The investment adviser made considerable use of put sales during the Trust’s ramp-up phase. This approach was taken to establish portfolio positions at more attractive valuations.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Trust held 94% of its net asset value in equity securities, and 6% in cash and equivalents. Within this, the Trust held 29% in software, 19% in semiconductors, 17% in services, 16% in internet, 9% in hardware and 4% in content/telecoms. These industry exposures were a result of bottom-up stock selection.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 24% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 4.7% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 52 days.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      06/27/19 (a)      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 20.50      $ 20.00        2.50    $ 23.11      $ 19.61  

Net Asset Value

    20.95        20.00        4.75        21.01        18.79  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History Since Inception

 

 

LOGO

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

Delivery Hero SE

    2

C3 AI, Inc.

    2  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    2  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    1  

TeamViewer AG

    1  

Magazine Luiza SA

    1  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    1  

GDS Holdings Ltd. — ADR

    1  

Lasertec Corp.

    1  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    1  

 

  *

Figures exclude assets held in money market funds and option positions.

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry   12/31/19     06/30/19  

Software

    26     34

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    20       14  

IT Services

    17       19  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

    7       8  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    6       1  

Interactive Media & Services

    5       6  

Entertainment

    3       4  

Diversified Consumer Services

    3       2  

Communications Equipment

    2       2  

Health Care Technology

    2       2  

Multiline Retail

    2       1  

Automobiles

    1        

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    1       1  

Banks

    1        

Road & Rail

    1        

Capital Markets

    1       1  

Professional Services

    1       1  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1       2  

Electrical Equipment

          1  

Household Durables

          1  

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      23  


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019    BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust’s (BUI) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities business segments anywhere in the world and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options. The Trust considers the “Utilities” business segment to include products, technologies and services connected to the management, ownership, operation, construction, development or financing of facilities used to generate, transmit or distribute electricity, water, natural resources or telecommunications, the “Infrastructure” business segment to include companies that own or operate infrastructure assets or that are involved in the development, construction, distribution or financing of infrastructure assets and the “Power Opportunities” business segment to include companies with a significant involvement in, supporting, or necessary to renewable energy technology and development, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, automotive and sustainable mobility and technologies that enable or support the growth and adoption of new power and energy sources. Under normal circumstances, the Trust invests a substantial amount of its total assets in foreign issuers, issuers that primarily trade in a market located outside the United States or issuers that do a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

 

Symbol on NYSE

  BUI

Initial Offering Date

  November 25, 2011

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2019 ($22.31)(a)

  6.51%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.1210

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $1.4520

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. See the Financial Highlights for the actual sources and character of distributions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price      Net Asset Value  

BUI(a)(b)

    20.91      25.63

MSCI World Select Energy, Utilities and Industry Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        26.79  

 

  (a) 

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s premium to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.

 
  (c) 

MSCI World Select Energy, Utilities and Industry Call Overwrite Index incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI World Select Energy, Utilities and Industry Index with a 33% overwrite level.

 

N/A — Not applicable as the index does not have a market price.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s relative performance based on the index cited above:

What factors influenced performance?

One of the largest detractors from relative returns was the Trust’s position in Infineon Technologies AG. The German automotive power and management chip manufacturer faced a difficult environment throughout the period as the global automotive market remained weak.

The largest contributor to relative returns was the Trust’s position in clean-power utility company NextEra Energy, Inc., which benefited from positive financial results and the market’s preference for companies with defensive earnings characteristics as bond yields fell during the period. In addition, the Trust’s out-of-benchmark position in France’s Schneider Electric SE also contributed positive to relative returns, as the company reported strong organic growth for the first quarter of 2019 that started a year-long rally. The Trust’s out-of-benchmark position in German specialty chemicals maker Sika AG also added to Trust performance, showing strong revenue growth and reacting favorably to news late in the period that the U.S. and China had reached tentative agreement on a phase one trade deal.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option overlay strategy detracted from relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Trust continued to reduce its exposure to traditional infrastructure companies, selling its positions in Australian toll-road operator Transurban Group and Italian airport and motorway operator Atlantia SpA. The Trust also reduced exposure to higher-carbon energy sources, decreasing positions in U.S. utilities Dominion Energy, Inc. and Duke Energy Corp. The Trust used the proceeds to invest in its favored energy-transition holdings, including German multi-utility operator RWE AG and Danish wind power specialist Vestas Wind Systems A/S.

 

 

24    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Information  as of December 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

 

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the utilities sector accounted for approximately 54% of the Trust’s assets. The Trust had approximately 21% and 11% of its assets invested in the industrials and energy sectors, respectively, and the remainder was invested in other infrastructure- and power-related sectors.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 32% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 1.8% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 54 days.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/19      12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 22.31      $ 19.76        12.90    $ 24.50      $ 19.26  

Net Asset Value

    22.02        18.77        17.31        22.02        18.60  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

 

LOGO

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments *

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   12/31/19  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    10

Enel SpA

    5  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    5  

Williams Cos., Inc.

    4  

Vinci SA

    4  

Iberdrola SA

    3  

TC Energy Corp.

    3  

RWE AG

    3  

National Grid PLC

    3  

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    3  

 

  *

Excludes option positions and money market funds.

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

Industry   12/31/19     12/31/18  

Electric Utilities

    31     39

Multi-Utilities

    17       20  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    11       13  

Electrical Equipment

    9       6  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

    8       7  

Chemicals

    6       4  

Building Products

    5       2  

Construction & Engineering

    5        

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    3       2  

Commercial Services & Supplies

    2        

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

   
2
 
     

Machinery

   
1
 
    1  

Transportation Infrastructure

   

 
    6  

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer
to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

 

TRUST INFORMATION      25  


Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Trusts may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. The Trusts’ successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation a Trust can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Trusts’ investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

26    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks — 97.8%

 

Energy Equipment & Services — 2.5%  

Baker Hughes Co.(a)

    364,050      $ 9,330,602  
    

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 95.3%  

BP PLC

    4,913,550        30,910,173  

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.(a)

    186,250        3,242,613  

Cairn Energy PLC(b)

    1,432,591        3,919,185  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    324,710        10,502,345  

Chevron Corp.(a)(c)

    115,405        13,907,457  

CNOOC Ltd.

    4,605,000        7,657,329  

Concho Resources, Inc.(a)

    90,259        7,903,981  

ConocoPhillips(a)

    345,150        22,445,104  

Enbridge, Inc.

    152,100        6,047,455  

Eni SpA

    658,800        10,231,973  

EOG Resources, Inc.(a)

    188,990        15,829,802  

Equinor ASA

    388,550        7,748,568  

Exxon Mobil Corp.(a)(c)

    450,812        31,457,661  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    258,935        4,347,015  

Hess Corp.(a)

    73,590        4,916,548  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.

    1,032,784        5,886,869  

Lundin Petroleum AB

    88,900        3,018,549  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.(a)

    210,175        12,663,044  

Noble Energy, Inc.(a)

    196,194        4,873,459  

Oil Search Ltd.

    962,233        4,906,462  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR(a)

    120,400        1,919,176  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.(a)

    54,816        8,297,498  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    129,298        3,829,059  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR,
Class A(a)

    737,150        43,477,107  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    440,070        14,423,302  

TC Energy Corp.

    288,990        15,391,435  

TOTAL SA

    574,213        31,863,371  

Valero Energy Corp.(a)

    117,168        10,972,783  
Security   Shares      Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Williams Cos., Inc.(a)

    627,150      $ 14,875,998  
    

 

 

 
       357,465,321  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 97.8%
(Cost — $358,628,402)

 

     366,795,923  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities — 3.4%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 1.51%(d)(e)

    12,745,390        12,745,390  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 3.4%
(Cost — $12,745,390)

 

     12,745,390  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.2%
(Cost — $371,373,792)

 

     379,541,313  
    

 

 

 

Options Written — (0.9)%
(Premiums Received — $2,439,918)

 

     (3,553,695
    

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.3%
(Cost — $368,933,874)

 

     375,987,618  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.3)%

 

     (1,091,795
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

   $ 374,895,823  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
(e) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     5,006,975        7,738,415        12,745,390      $ 12,745,390      $ 182,286      $ 23      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     115          01/03/20        USD     70.00        USD     802        $ (3,162

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     248          01/03/20        USD     70.50        USD     1,731          (2,976

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     104          01/03/20        USD     16.00        USD     166          (1,092

ConocoPhillips

     160          01/10/20        USD     64.00        USD     1,040          (27,040

EOG Resources, Inc.

     209          01/10/20        USD     75.50        USD     1,751          (174,515

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     263          01/10/20        USD     70.50        USD     1,835          (12,229

Williams Cos., Inc.

     347          01/10/20        USD     22.55        USD     823          (41,904

Baker Hughes Co.

     519          01/17/20        USD     24.00        USD     1,330          (90,825

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      27  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

     325          01/17/20        USD     18.00        USD     566        $ (7,312

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     605          01/17/20        CAD     38.00        CAD     2,541          (189,856

Chevron Corp.

     46          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     554          (9,637

Concho Resources, Inc.

     152          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     1,331          (193,800

ConocoPhillips

     477          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     3,102          (250,425

EOG Resources, Inc.

     298          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     2,496          (265,965

Enbridge, Inc.

     137          01/17/20        CAD     50.00        CAD     707          (19,571

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     408          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     2,847          (38,556

Hess Corp.

     79          01/17/20        USD     69.00        USD     528          (7,426

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     63          01/17/20        USD     67.50        USD     380          (630

Noble Energy, Inc.

     531          01/17/20        USD     22.50        USD     1,319          (131,423

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     5          01/17/20        USD     17.00        USD     8          (45

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     113          01/17/20        USD     16.00        USD     180          (4,011

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     87          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     1,317          (104,835

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR, Class A

     654          01/17/20        USD     60.50        USD     3,857          (10,907

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     550          01/17/20        CAD     43.50        CAD     2,341          (5,506

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     79          01/17/20        CAD     42.00        CAD     336          (5,354

TC Energy Corp.

     250          01/17/20        CAD     71.00        CAD     1,729          (3,658

Valero Energy Corp.

     44          01/17/20        USD     97.50        USD     412          (2,024

Valero Energy Corp.

     136          01/17/20        USD     101.00        USD     1,274          (1,217

Williams Cos., Inc.

     347          01/17/20        USD     22.55        USD     823          (43,989

Chevron Corp.

     47          01/24/20        USD     120.00        USD     566          (11,233

Concho Resources, Inc.

     163          01/24/20        USD     85.00        USD     1,427          (72,535

ConocoPhillips

     335          01/24/20        USD     64.00        USD     2,179          (76,213

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     317          01/24/20        USD     70.00        USD     2,212          (35,663

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     249          01/24/20        USD     71.00        USD     1,738          (16,932

Hess Corp.

     178          01/24/20        USD     65.50        USD     1,189          (51,442

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     276          01/24/20        USD     64.00        USD     1,663          (15,042

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     80          01/24/20        USD     61.00        USD     482          (12,160

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     124          01/24/20        USD     16.00        USD     198          (5,332

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     49          01/24/20        USD     149.00        USD     742          (28,420

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

     340          01/24/20        USD     59.00        USD     2,005          (28,050

Williams Cos., Inc.

     396          01/24/20        USD     23.50        USD     939          (26,136

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

     325          01/31/20        USD     18.00        USD     566          (11,375

Chevron Corp.

     199          01/31/20        USD     121.00        USD     2,398          (44,278

ConocoPhillips

     43          01/31/20        USD     63.00        USD     280          (13,867

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     103          01/31/20        USD     63.50        USD     621          (11,587

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     39          01/31/20        USD     16.50        USD     62          (1,170

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     55          01/31/20        USD     157.50        USD     833          (15,812

Royal Dutch Shell PLC

     248          01/31/20        USD     58.00        USD     1,463          (44,640

Williams Cos., Inc.

     362          01/31/20        USD     23.50        USD     859          (26,426

ConocoPhillips

     150          02/07/20        USD     68.00        USD     975          (16,350

Baker Hughes Co.

     513          02/10/20        USD     25.75        USD     1,315          (41,789

Baker Hughes Co.

     242          02/21/20        USD     23.20        USD     620          (62,865

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     534          02/21/20        CAD     40.00        CAD     2,243          (114,733

Chevron Corp.

     111          02/21/20        USD     120.00        USD     1,338          (39,683

ConocoPhillips

     43          02/21/20        USD     65.00        USD     280          (11,072

EOG Resources, Inc.

     101          02/21/20        USD     80.00        USD     846          (60,095

Noble Energy, Inc.

     340          02/21/20        USD     25.00        USD     845          (41,650

TC Energy Corp.

     334          02/21/20        CAD     70.00        CAD     2,310          (29,322

TC Energy Corp.

     250          02/21/20        CAD     71.00        CAD     1,729          (14,343

Williams Cos., Inc.

     396          02/21/20        USD     24.00        USD     939          (26,334

Williams Cos., Inc.

     347          02/21/20        USD     23.31        USD     823          (37,995
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (2,694,434
                          

 

 

 

 

 

28    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call                                                    

Oil Search Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      159,800        01/07/20        AUD       7.32        AUD       1,162      $ (7,132

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      270,000        01/09/20        GBP       5.24        GBP       1,283        (162

CNOOC Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      333,000        01/09/20        HKD       12.90        HKD       4,316        (10,611

Eni SpA

   Goldman Sachs International      78,400        01/09/20        EUR       14.45        EUR       1,086        (159

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR, Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      50,500        01/09/20        USD       60.20        USD       2,978        (6,886

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      25,000        01/09/20        NOK       182.02        NOK       4,377        (1,112

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Goldman Sachs International      25,000        01/14/20        EUR       15.51        EUR       374        (938

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Goldman Sachs International      25,700        01/14/20        EUR       14.68        EUR       385        (10,547

Lundin Petroleum AB

   Goldman Sachs International      33,700        01/14/20        SEK       317.40        SEK       10,718        (18,820

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

   Credit Suisse International      26,000        01/14/20        GBP       23.64        GBP       581        (368

Total SA

   Credit Suisse International      31,800        01/14/20        EUR       50.40        EUR       1,573        (2,665

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      584,300        01/15/20        GBP       4.82        GBP       2,775        (33,653

CNOOC Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      977,000        01/15/20        HKD       11.50        HKD       12,662        (186,497

Enbridge, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      41,100        01/15/20        CAD       51.40        CAD       2,122        (18,662

Statoil ASA

   UBS AG      18,300        01/15/20        NOK       170.09        NOK       3,204        (12,329

Eni SpA

   UBS AG      82,400        01/21/20        EUR       14.61        EUR       1,141        (2,767

Oil Search Ltd.

   UBS AG      175,000        01/21/20        AUD       7.51        AUD       1,272        (6,601

Statoil ASA

   Credit Suisse International      25,200        01/21/20        NOK       181.33        NOK       4,412        (3,429

BP PLC

   Credit Suisse International      595,000        01/22/20        GBP       5.14        GBP       2,826        (3,455

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      19,300        01/22/20        GBP       21.98        GBP       432        (15,063

Total SA

   Credit Suisse International      19,900        01/22/20        EUR       49.35        EUR       984        (11,204

Total SA

   Credit Suisse International      33,100        01/22/20        EUR       49.00        EUR       1,637        (24,929

BP PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      270,500        01/28/20        GBP       4.72        GBP       1,285        (44,476

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Credit Suisse International      40,000        01/28/20        EUR       15.39        EUR       599        (5,007

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      34,000        01/29/20        NOK       170.23        NOK       5,953        (26,015

Suncor Energy, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      43,600        01/29/20        CAD       42.21        CAD       1,856        (31,038

Total SA

   UBS AG      17,800        01/29/20        EUR       47.44        EUR       881        (41,635

Suncor Energy, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      11,500        02/03/20        CAD       43.47        CAD       489        (4,246

Eni SpA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      69,800        02/04/20        EUR       13.73        EUR       967        (24,428

Total SA

   Goldman Sachs International      67,200        02/04/20        EUR       47.70        EUR       3,324        (138,229

CNOOC Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      301,000        02/05/20        HKD       12.72        HKD       3,901        (23,443

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR, Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      83,300        02/05/20        USD       59.49        USD       4,913        (76,240

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      33,400        02/05/20        NOK       177.65        NOK       5,848        (12,294

TransCanada Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      17,800        02/06/20        CAD       68.45        CAD       1,231        (21,522

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

   Bank of America N.A.      3,600        02/07/20        USD       16.10        USD       57        (1,937

Total SA

   Goldman Sachs International      31,200        02/11/20        EUR       50.07        EUR       1,543        (20,394

Suncor Energy, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      36,000        02/12/20        CAD       43.47        CAD       1,532        (10,368
                     

 

 

 
                      $ (859,261
                     

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

      Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 618,557      $ (1,732,334    $ (3,553,695

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $ 3,553,695      $      $      $      $ 3,553,695  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      29  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (2,157    $      $      $      $ (2,157

Options written

                   3,610,497                             3,610,497  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 3,608,340      $      $      $      $ 3,608,340  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (6,598    $      $      $      $ (6,598

Options written

                   (3,619,831                           (3,619,831
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (3,626,429    $      $      $      $ (3,626,429
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 3,244,575  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at any quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Options

   $        $ 3,553,695  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (2,694,434
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 859,261  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (b)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 1,937        $        $        $        $ 1,937  

Citibank N.A.

     31,038                                     31,038  

Credit Suisse International

     51,057                   (51,057                  

Goldman Sachs International

     313,885                   (313,885                  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     303,677                   (303,677                  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     94,335                   (42,845                 51,490  

UBS AG

     63,332                                     63,332  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 859,261        $        $ (711,464      $        $ 147,797  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b)

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

30    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks:

 

Energy Equipment & Services

   $ 9,330,602        $        $             —        $ 9,330,602  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     249,033,637          108,431,684                   357,465,321  

Short-Term Securities

     12,745,390                            12,745,390  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 271,109,629        $ 108,431,684        $        $ 379,541,313  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

 

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (2,453,768      $ (1,099,927      $        $ (3,553,695
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      31  


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund (CII)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 101.0%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.4%  

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

    376,267     $ 11,393,365  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 1.4%  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

    192,016       11,229,096  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 9.6%  

Bank of America Corp.(a)

    664,691       23,410,417  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    200,786       27,989,569  

Regions Financial Corp.

    300,652       5,159,188  

Truist Financial Corp.

    104,510       5,886,003  

U.S. Bancorp

    230,849       13,687,037  
   

 

 

 
      76,132,214  
Beverages — 1.0%  

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

    141,867       7,646,631  
   

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 1.4%  

Biogen, Inc.(b)

    37,865       11,235,681  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 1.3%  

E*Trade Financial Corp.

    228,935       10,386,781  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 2.0%  

Corteva, Inc.(b)

    521,070       15,402,829  
   

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.2%  

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

    440,257       9,593,200  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 2.5%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    419,455       20,117,062  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.6%  

Quanta Services, Inc.

    313,589       12,766,208  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 1.7%  

Ally Financial, Inc.

    347,882       10,631,274  

SLM Corp.

    269,299       2,399,454  
   

 

 

 
      13,030,728  
Containers & Packaging — 0.9%  

Packaging Corp. of America

    64,410       7,213,276  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.9%  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    378,325       23,229,155  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 1.4%  

Hubbell, Inc.

    76,730       11,342,229  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.9%  

CDW Corp.

    51,080       7,296,267  
   

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.6%  

Walmart, Inc.

    170,324       20,241,304  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.1%  

Baxter International, Inc.

    17,014       1,422,710  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    148,301       7,237,089  
   

 

 

 
      8,659,799  
Health Care Providers & Services — 7.6%  

Humana, Inc.

    45,877       16,814,838  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(b)

    100,378       16,980,946  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    88,350       25,973,133  
   

 

 

 
      59,768,917  
Household Durables — 3.1%  

D.R. Horton, Inc.

    279,743       14,756,443  

Sony Corp. — ADR, ADR

    148,026       10,065,768  
   

 

 

 
      24,822,211  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.7%  

AES Corp.

    685,384       13,639,142  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Insurance — 0.9%  

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

    136,105     $ 6,671,867  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 5.6%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    31,924       42,758,686  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(b)

    1,028       1,374,457  
   

 

 

 
      44,133,143  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 1.2%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR(b)

    46,109       9,779,719  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 1.9%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    235,977       14,635,294  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 1.5%  

Fortive Corp.

    159,383       12,175,267  
   

 

 

 
Media — 4.8%  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    498,393       22,412,733  

DISH Network Corp., Class A(b)

    230,285       8,168,209  

Fox Corp., Class A

    202,020       7,488,882  
   

 

 

 
      38,069,824  
Multiline Retail — 4.0%  

Dollar General Corp.

    98,514       15,366,214  

Dollar Tree, Inc. (b)

    174,389       16,401,285  
   

 

 

 
      31,767,499  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 5.6%  

BP PLC — ADR

    316,179       11,932,596  

Chevron Corp.

    112,743       13,586,659  

ConocoPhillips

    161,601       10,508,913  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    584,730       7,940,633  
   

 

 

 
      43,968,801  
Personal Products — 1.2%  

Unilever NV — NY Shares

    170,390       9,790,609  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 4.3%

 

Novartis AG — ADR

    75,802       7,177,691  

Novo Nordisk A/S — ADR

    170,252       9,854,186  

Pfizer, Inc.

    439,967       17,237,907  
   

 

 

 
      34,269,784  
Road & Rail — 0.9%  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    36,850       7,153,691  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.8%  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. — ADR

    242,309       14,078,153  
   

 

 

 
Software — 7.5%  

CDK Global, Inc.

    151,303       8,273,248  

Microsoft Corp.(a)

    325,454       51,324,096  
   

 

 

 
      59,597,344  
Specialty Retail — 4.1%  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.(a)

    148,857       17,827,114  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(b)

    33,300       14,594,058  
   

 

 

 
      32,421,172  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 6.2%  

Apple, Inc.(c)

    167,338       49,138,804  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 2.2%  

Altria Group, Inc.(a)

    349,364       17,436,757  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 101.0%
(Cost — $563,039,897)

 

    800,233,823  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

32    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund (CII)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities — 0.5%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class,
1.51%(d)(e)

    4,423,595     $ 4,423,595  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.5%
(Cost — $4,423,595)

 

    4,423,595  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.5%
(Cost — $567,463,492)

 

    804,657,418  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.4)%
(Premiums Received — $8,711,246)

 

    (11,303,321
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.1%
(Cost — $558,752,246)

 

    793,354,097  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

 

    (715,701
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 792,638,396  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

(e) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     14,789,354        (10,365,759      4,423,595      $ 4,423,595      $ 97,853      $ 9      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     12          01/03/20        USD     1,290.00        USD     1,607        $ (58,620

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     58          01/03/20        USD     64.50        USD     360          (290

D.R. Horton, Inc.

     275          01/03/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,451          (2,200

Dollar Tree, Inc.

     90          01/03/20        USD     114.00        USD     846          (4,500

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     195          01/03/20        USD     118.00        USD     2,335          (38,805

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

     92          01/03/20        USD     54.00        USD     496          (2,760

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     129          01/03/20        USD     192.50        USD     2,504          (29,025

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     266          01/03/20        USD     61.00        USD     1,633          (12,768

Walmart, Inc.

     147          01/03/20        USD     122.00        USD     1,747          (367

Comcast Corp., Class A

     83          01/07/20        USD     45.75        USD     373          (1,112

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     12          01/10/20        USD     205.00        USD     255          (9,780

Altria Group, Inc.

     472          01/10/20        USD     47.15        USD     2,356          (131,891

BP PLC — ADR

     174          01/10/20        USD     40.17        USD     657          (49

Bank of America Corp.

     1,166          01/10/20        USD     34.00        USD     4,107          (152,163

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     130          01/10/20        USD     63.00        USD     806          (3,575

ConocoPhillips

     80          01/10/20        USD     64.00        USD     520          (13,520

D.R. Horton, Inc.

     253          01/10/20        USD     56.00        USD     1,335          (885

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     220          01/10/20        USD     57.00        USD     1,287          (38,390

E*Trade Financial Corp.

     233          01/10/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,057          (3,961

Fox Corp., Class A

     30          01/10/20        USD     36.50        USD     111          (2,550

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     52          01/10/20        USD     135.00        USD     725          (23,400

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     355          01/10/20        USD     119.00        USD     4,251          (68,515

Marathon Oil Corp.

     1,155          01/10/20        USD     12.82        USD     1,568          (95,164

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      33  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund (CII)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Microsoft Corp.

     206          01/10/20        USD     152.50        USD     3,249        $ (112,270

Pfizer, Inc.

     158          01/10/20        USD     38.07        USD     619          (19,596

Sony Corp. — ADR

     146          01/10/20        USD     67.00        USD     993          (20,805

U.S. Bancorp

     277          01/10/20        USD     61.00        USD     1,642          (1,800

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     277          01/10/20        USD     285.00        USD     8,143          (270,075

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     371          01/10/20        USD     61.25        USD     2,278          (9,296

Walmart, Inc.

     145          01/10/20        USD     122.00        USD     1,723          (2,030

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     12          01/17/20        USD     190.00        USD     255          (27,150

Ally Financial, Inc.

     1,380          01/17/20        USD     32.00        USD     4,217          (51,750

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     35          01/17/20        USD     1,360.00        USD     4,688          (33,950

Altria Group, Inc.

     310          01/17/20        USD     51.50        USD     1,547          (7,130

Apple, Inc.

     103          01/17/20        USD     260.00        USD     3,025          (350,458

Apple, Inc.

     193          01/17/20        USD     265.00        USD     5,667          (552,945

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

     72          01/17/20        USD     49.00        USD     353          (5,256

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

     310          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     1,520          (8,525

Bank of America Corp.

     110          01/17/20        USD     32.00        USD     387          (36,300

Bank of America Corp.

     788          01/17/20        USD     33.00        USD     2,775          (187,150

Baxter International, Inc.

     170          01/17/20        USD     82.50        USD     1,422          (38,165

Biogen, Inc.

     120          01/17/20        USD     285.00        USD     3,561          (174,600

CDK Global, Inc.

     530          01/17/20        USD     53.33        USD     2,898          (108,792

CDW Corp.

     287          01/17/20        USD     135.00        USD     4,100          (249,690

CDW Corp.

     29          01/17/20        USD     145.00        USD     414          (5,147

Chevron Corp.

     162          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,952          (3,969

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     45          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     216          (5,062

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     76          01/17/20        USD     63.99        USD     471          (1,822

Comcast Corp., Class A

     419          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     1,884          (26,816

ConocoPhillips

     285          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,853          (149,625

Corteva, Inc.

     792          01/17/20        USD     28.00        USD     2,341          (140,580

D.R. Horton, Inc.

     319          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,683          (7,815

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     180          01/17/20        USD     57.50        USD     1,053          (32,310

Dollar General Corp.

     58          01/17/20        USD     165.00        USD     905          (435

E*Trade Financial Corp.

     370          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,679          (20,535

Fortive Corp.

     344          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     2,628          (80,324

Fox Corp., Class A

     270          01/17/20        USD     37.00        USD     1,001          (19,575

Fox Corp., Class A

     166          01/17/20        USD     38.00        USD     615          (4,980

Hubbell, Inc.

     174          01/17/20        USD     150.00        USD     2,572          (30,885

Humana, Inc.

     70          01/17/20        USD     340.00        USD     2,566          (191,450

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     301          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     4,196          (284,445

KAR Auction Services, Inc.

     381          01/17/20        USD     22.50        USD     830          (4,762

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

     319          01/17/20        USD     171.25        USD     5,397          (74,765

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     118          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     1,413          (21,594

Marathon Oil Corp.

     590          01/17/20        USD     13.00        USD     801          (44,545

Microsoft Corp.

     226          01/17/20        USD     150.00        USD     3,564          (183,625

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

     92          01/17/20        USD     52.50        USD     496          (17,020

Novartis AG — ADR

     360          01/17/20        USD     92.50        USD     3,409          (91,800

Novartis AG — ADR

     110          01/17/20        USD     95.00        USD     1,042          (10,175

Novo Nordisk A/S — ADR

     295          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,707          (8,112

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

     115          01/17/20        USD     450.00        USD     5,040          (24,438

Packaging Corp. of America

     222          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     2,486          (14,985

Pfizer, Inc.

     158          01/17/20        USD     38.00        USD     619          (22,199

Regions Financial Corp.

     544          01/17/20        USD     17.00        USD     934          (23,936

SLM Corp.

     784          01/17/20        USD     9.00        USD     699          (15,680

Sony Corp. — ADR

     159          01/17/20        USD     62.50        USD     1,081          (90,630

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. — ADR

     285          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,656          (17,100

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. — ADR

     139          01/17/20        USD     52.00        USD     808          (85,396

Truist Financial Corp.

     250          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     1,408          (88,750

U.S. Bancorp

     371          01/17/20        USD     59.19        USD     2,200          (34,204

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     124          01/17/20        USD     280.00        USD     3,645          (196,850

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     153          01/17/20        USD     290.00        USD     4,498          (130,433

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     212          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,302          (31,058

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     200          01/17/20        USD     60.25        USD     1,228          (19,070

Walmart, Inc.

     325          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     3,862          (29,088

 

 

34    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund (CII)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     26          01/24/20        USD     210.00        USD     551        $ (16,835

Altria Group, Inc.

     490          01/24/20        USD     50.50        USD     2,446          (33,320

Altria Group, Inc.

     107          01/24/20        USD     51.00        USD     534          (5,136

Apple, Inc.

     53          01/24/20        USD     262.50        USD     1,556          (169,998

BP PLC — ADR

     334          01/24/20        USD     38.50        USD     1,261          (9,853

Bank of America Corp.

     137          01/24/20        USD     33.30        USD     483          (29,503

Biogen, Inc.

     116          01/24/20        USD     317.50        USD     3,442          (20,590

Chevron Corp.

     223          01/24/20        USD     120.00        USD     2,687          (53,297

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     45          01/24/20        USD     47.00        USD     216          (5,647

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     80          01/24/20        USD     46.50        USD     384          (12,840

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     159          01/24/20        USD     48.00        USD     763          (10,971

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     91          01/24/20        USD     63.50        USD     564          (4,550

Comcast Corp., Class A

     44          01/24/20        USD     45.50        USD     198          (3,058

Comcast Corp., Class A

     156          01/24/20        USD     43.50        USD     702          (28,860

ConocoPhillips

     220          01/24/20        USD     64.00        USD     1,431          (50,050

Corteva, Inc.

     515          01/24/20        USD     28.60        USD     1,522          (72,820

D.R. Horton, Inc.

     297          01/24/20        USD     56.50        USD     1,567          (3,712

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     600          01/24/20        USD     58.00        USD     3,509          (99,900

Dollar General Corp.

     120          01/24/20        USD     155.00        USD     1,872          (37,800

Dollar Tree, Inc.

     132          01/24/20        USD     96.00        USD     1,241          (17,160

E*Trade Financial Corp.

     192          01/24/20        USD     48.50        USD     871          (8,544

E*Trade Financial Corp.

     270          01/24/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,225          (18,630

Fox Corp., Class A

     226          01/24/20        USD     36.00        USD     838          (32,770

Fox Corp., Class A

     560          01/24/20        USD     37.00        USD     2,076          (46,200

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     210          01/24/20        USD     137.00        USD     2,927          (74,550

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     97          01/24/20        USD     121.00        USD     1,162          (14,695

Marathon Oil Corp.

     466          01/24/20        USD     13.00        USD     633          (38,678

Microsoft Corp.

     61          01/24/20        USD     152.50        USD     962          (36,448

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

     156          01/24/20        USD     53.00        USD     841          (25,740

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     129          01/24/20        USD     195.00        USD     2,504          (56,760

Pfizer, Inc.

     247          01/24/20        USD     38.50        USD     968          (27,047

Pfizer, Inc.

     142          01/24/20        USD     38.70        USD     556          (13,544

Sony Corp. — ADR

     227          01/24/20        USD     68.00        USD     1,544          (28,375

U.S. Bancorp

     278          01/24/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,648          (18,904

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     91          01/24/20        USD     62.00        USD     559          (2,639

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     91          01/24/20        USD     61.00        USD     559          (6,916

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     79          01/31/20        USD     220.00        USD     1,676          (23,384

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     9          01/31/20        USD     1,357.50        USD     1,205          (19,395

Altria Group, Inc.

     478          01/31/20        USD     51.50        USD     2,386          (32,982

Apple, Inc.

     210          01/31/20        USD     285.00        USD     6,167          (312,900

Apple, Inc.

     113          01/31/20        USD     280.00        USD     3,318          (209,333

BP PLC — ADR

     90          01/31/20        USD     38.00        USD     340          (5,310

Bank of America Corp.

     234          01/31/20        USD     32.99        USD     824          (58,253

Chevron Corp.

     98          01/31/20        USD     121.00        USD     1,181          (21,805

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     80          01/31/20        USD     47.00        USD     384          (11,240

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     160          01/31/20        USD     48.50        USD     767          (10,160

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     57          01/31/20        USD     63.50        USD     354          (3,990

ConocoPhillips

     107          01/31/20        USD     63.00        USD     696          (34,508

Corteva, Inc.

     515          01/31/20        USD     28.60        USD     1,522          (78,141

D.R. Horton, Inc.

     295          01/31/20        USD     57.00        USD     1,556          (11,652

DISH Network Corp., Class A

     710          01/31/20        USD     37.50        USD     2,518          (42,600

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

     190          01/31/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,111          (17,005

E*Trade Financial Corp.

     354          01/31/20        USD     48.50        USD     1,606          (19,647

Humana, Inc.

     48          01/31/20        USD     375.00        USD     1,759          (28,080

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     390          01/31/20        USD     138.00        USD     5,437          (129,675

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     157          01/31/20        USD     123.00        USD     1,880          (16,878

Marathon Oil Corp.

     576          01/31/20        USD     13.50        USD     782          (33,408

Microsoft Corp.

     256          01/31/20        USD     157.50        USD     4,037          (104,960

Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B

     539          01/31/20        USD     52.50        USD     2,905          (117,233

Pfizer, Inc.

     243          01/31/20        USD     38.48        USD     952          (25,892

Quanta Services, Inc.

     362          01/31/20        USD     41.50        USD     1,474          (31,399

Sony Corp. — ADR

     227          01/31/20        USD     68.50        USD     1,544          (28,375

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      35  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund (CII)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

U.S. Bancorp

     244          01/31/20        USD     59.60        USD     1,447        $ (23,633

Unilever NV — NY Shares

     403          01/31/20        USD     57.47        USD     2,316          (41,859

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     72          01/31/20        USD     62.00        USD     442          (4,248

Walmart, Inc.

     279          01/31/20        USD     122.00        USD     3,316          (19,809

Novo Nordisk A/S — ADR

     300          02/03/20        USD     56.15        USD     1,736          (76,113

Fortive Corp.

     213          02/04/20        USD     78.26        USD     1,627          (22,453

Bank of America Corp.

     137          02/07/20        USD     36.50        USD     483          (5,959

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     228          02/07/20        USD     48.50        USD     1,093          (17,784

ConocoPhillips

     202          02/07/20        USD     68.00        USD     1,314          (22,018

Marathon Oil Corp.

     373          02/07/20        USD     14.50        USD     507          (9,325

Pfizer, Inc.

     210          02/07/20        USD     39.97        USD     823          (9,549

Sony Corp. — ADR

     158          02/07/20        USD     68.00        USD     1,074          (38,315

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     466          02/07/20        USD     62.00        USD     2,861          (31,921

Pfizer, Inc.

     93          02/14/20        USD     40.02        USD     364          (4,770

AES Corp.

     1,220          02/21/20        USD     19.00        USD     2,428          (134,200

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     24          02/21/20        USD     205.00        USD     509          (31,260

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     8          02/21/20        USD     210.00        USD     170          (7,980

Alphabet, Inc., Class C

     1          02/21/20        USD     1,360.00        USD     134          (3,375

Altria Group, Inc.

     309          02/21/20        USD     52.50        USD     1,542          (20,858

Apple, Inc.

     252          02/21/20        USD     275.00        USD     7,400          (596,610

Apple, Inc.

     113          02/21/20        USD     280.00        USD     3,318          (226,848

BP PLC — ADR

     334          02/21/20        USD     38.00        USD     1,261          (28,223

Bank of America Corp.

     585          02/21/20        USD     35.00        USD     2,060          (74,003

CDK Global, Inc.

     409          02/21/20        USD     55.00        USD     2,236          (85,890

Chevron Corp.

     216          02/21/20        USD     120.00        USD     2,603          (77,220

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     215          02/21/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,031          (38,593

Comcast Corp., Class A

     156          02/21/20        USD     45.00        USD     702          (20,826

ConocoPhillips

     107          02/21/20        USD     65.00        USD     696          (27,553

D.R. Horton, Inc.

     295          02/21/20        USD     57.50        USD     1,556          (15,488

Dollar General Corp.

     166          02/21/20        USD     155.00        USD     2,589          (80,510

Humana, Inc.

     42          02/21/20        USD     350.00        USD     1,539          (106,890

Marathon Oil Corp.

     465          02/21/20        USD     13.25        USD     631          (42,118

Microsoft Corp.

     390          02/21/20        USD     160.00        USD     6,150          (143,325

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

     91          02/21/20        USD     450.00        USD     3,988          (97,370

Pfizer, Inc.

     288          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,128          (17,712

Regions Financial Corp.

     353          02/21/20        USD     18.00        USD     606          (8,472

U.S. Bancorp

     261          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     1,547          (8,221

Unilever NV — NY Shares

     214          02/21/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,230          (8,025

Unilever NV — NY Shares

     209          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     1,201          (2,090

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     576          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     3,537          (38,304

Walmart, Inc.

     160          02/21/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,901          (18,240

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     215          03/20/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,031          (46,870
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (10,147,388
                          

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call                                                

AES Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      73,200        01/06/20      USD     17.15      USD     1,457      $ (201,633

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

   Credit Suisse International      44,100        01/06/20      USD     30.36      USD     1,335        (10,710

Regions Financial Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      48,600        01/06/20      USD     16.65      USD     834        (26,714

Packaging Corp. of America

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      20,900        01/07/20      USD     112.52      USD     2,341        (18,620

Quanta Services, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      58,500        01/07/20      USD     42.27      USD     2,382        (2,827

Unilever NV — NY Shares

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      9,000        01/07/20      USD     60.52      USD     517        (147

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

   Credit Suisse International      28,900        01/08/20      USD     30.07      USD     875        (12,533

DISH Network Corp., Class A

   Citibank N.A.      72,100        01/08/20      USD     35.87      USD     2,557        (36,175

Hubbell, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      17,900        01/08/20      USD     146.44      USD     2,646        (52,813

Quanta Services, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      58,500        01/09/20      USD     42.15      USD     2,382        (3,774

Regions Financial Corp.

   Barclays Bank PLC      48,100        01/14/20      USD     17.15      USD     825        (15,460

AES Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      114,900        01/15/20      USD     18.25      USD     2,287        (190,774

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

   Citibank N.A.      28,800        01/15/20      USD     30.24      USD     872        (13,230

Quanta Services, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      41,200        01/15/20      USD     43.08      USD     1,677        (5,517

 

 

36    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund (CII)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call (continued)                                                    

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

   Bank of America N.A.      33,500        01/22/20        USD       29.64        USD       1,014      $ (29,925

Unilever NV — NY Shares

   Bank of America N.A.      14,000        01/22/20        USD       60.49        USD       804        (2,911

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Barclays Bank PLC      23,200        01/24/20        USD       49.09        USD       1,132        (25,920

Truist Financial Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      39,700        01/24/20        USD       56.96        USD       2,236        (27,107

Hubbell, Inc.

   UBS AG      12,200        01/28/20        USD       146.50        USD       1,803        (59,104

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

   Citibank N.A.      29,400        01/29/20        USD       30.10        USD       890        (20,377

SLM Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      88,500        01/29/20        USD       9.37        USD       789        (12,634

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Barclays Bank PLC      23,200        01/31/20        USD       49.09        USD       1,132        (29,970

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      30,300        01/31/20        USD       172.04        USD       5,126        (96,325

AES Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      115,000        02/03/20        USD       18.91        USD       2,289        (116,899

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      28,000        02/03/20        USD       50.57        USD       1,373        (9,826

Kar Auction Services, Inc.

   UBS AG      50,900        02/04/20        USD       22.06        USD       1,109        (21,765

Ally Financial, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      77,600        02/05/20        USD       32.04        USD       2,371        (52,415

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

   Barclays Bank PLC      25,000        02/07/20        USD       31.49        USD       757        (6,622

Kar Auction Services, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      65,000        02/11/20        USD       22.09        USD       1,416        (30,733

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

   Barclays Bank PLC      25,000        02/14/20        USD       31.49        USD       757        (7,839

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      28,000        02/18/20        USD       50.57        USD       1,373        (14,634
                     

 

 

 
                      $ (1,155,933
                     

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

      Swap
Premium
Paid
     Swap
Premium
Received
    

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Unrealized

Depreciation

     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 1,879,518      $ (4,471,593    $ (11,303,321

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options Written

                    

Investments at value

   $      $      $ 11,303,321      $      $      $      $ 11,303,321  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For year ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (5,034    $      $      $      $ (5,034

Options written

                   (16,485,259                           (16,485,259
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (16,490,293    $      $      $      $ (16,490,293
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ 7,849      $      $      $      $ 7,849  

Options written

                   (7,152,549                           (7,152,549
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (7,144,700    $      $      $      $ (7,144,700
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      37  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund (CII)

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average market value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average market value of option contracts written

   $ 9,205,007  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 11,303,321  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (10,147,388
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 1,155,933  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 (b)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 32,836        $        $        $        $ 32,836  

Barclays Bank PLC

     138,624                   (138,624                  

Citibank N.A.

     179,281                   (179,281                  

Credit Suisse International

     140,142                                     140,142  

Goldman Sachs International

     205,407                                     205,407  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     378,774                   (378,774                  

UBS AG

     80,869                                     80,869  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,155,933        $        $ (696,679      $        $ 459,254  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b)

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Long-Term Investments(a)

   $ 800,233,823        $        $             —        $ 800,233,823  

Short-Term Securities

     4,423,595                            4,423,595  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 804,657,418        $        $        $ 804,657,418  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

 

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (8,947,434        (2,355,887      $        $ (11,303,321
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

See above Schedule of Investments for values in each industry.

 
  (b) 

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 101.1%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 3.0%  

BAE Systems PLC

    3,962,310     $ 29,667,068  

Lockheed Martin Corp.(a)

    30,820       12,000,692  

Northrop Grumman Corp.(a)

    30,330       10,432,610  

Raytheon Co.(a)

    22,900       5,032,046  
   

 

 

 
    57,132,416  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.9%  

FedEx Corp.(a)

    116,030       17,544,896  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 1.3%  

General Motors Co.(a)

    659,810       24,149,046  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 15.5%  

Bank of America Corp.(a)

    1,729,866       60,925,881  

Citigroup, Inc.(a)(b)

    926,059       73,982,853  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.(a)

    604,367       84,248,760  

Wells Fargo & Co.(a)(b)

    1,335,651       71,858,024  
   

 

 

 
    291,015,518  
Beverages — 1.4%  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A(a)

    88,830       16,855,492  

PepsiCo, Inc.(a)

    75,810       10,360,953  
   

 

 

 
    27,216,445  
Capital Markets — 4.1%  

Charles Schwab Corp.(a)

    344,690       16,393,456  

Morgan Stanley(a)

    663,256       33,905,647  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.(a)

    143,600       12,846,456  

State Street Corp.(a)

    169,642       13,418,682  
   

 

 

 
    76,564,241  
Chemicals — 1.1%  

Corteva, Inc.(a)(c)

    364,551       10,776,127  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.(a)

    166,114       10,664,519  
   

 

 

 
    21,440,646  
Communications Equipment — 2.1%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

    379,850       18,217,606  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.(a)

    127,760       20,587,246  
   

 

 

 
    38,804,852  
Construction Materials — 0.3%  

CRH PLC

    150,747       6,079,910  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.0%  

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.(a)

    725,482       17,977,444  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(c)

    83,300       18,867,450  
   

 

 

 
    36,844,894  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.7%  

BCE, Inc.(a)

    40,770       1,889,690  

Verizon Communications, Inc.(a)(b)

    1,411,030       86,637,242  
   

 

 

 
    88,526,932  
Electric Utilities — 2.4%  

FirstEnergy Corp.(a)

    635,900       30,904,740  

NextEra Energy, Inc.(a)

    55,706       13,489,765  
   

 

 

 
    44,394,505  
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.0%  

Baker Hughes Co.(a)

    723,400       18,540,742  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 2.6%  

Conagra Brands, Inc.(a)

    340,824       11,669,814  

Kellogg Co.(a)

    177,180       12,253,769  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    227,173       24,594,929  
   

 

 

 
    48,518,512  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 5.8%  

Alcon, Inc.(c)

    243,630     $ 13,799,597  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    915,569       44,756,400  

Medtronic PLC(a)

    453,570       51,457,516  
   

 

 

 
    110,013,513  
Health Care Providers & Services — 7.0%  

Anthem, Inc.(a)

    159,101       48,053,275  

CVS Health Corp.(a)

    399,389       29,670,609  

Humana, Inc.(a)

    83,417       30,573,999  

McKesson Corp.(a)

    53,050       7,337,876  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.(a)

    63,100       6,738,449  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(a)

    31,930       9,386,781  
   

 

 

 
    131,760,989  
Household Durables — 2.2%  

Newell Brands, Inc.(a)

    779,126       14,974,802  

Sony Corp.

    394,900       26,812,786  
   

 

 

 
    41,787,588  
Industrial Conglomerates — 2.4%  

General Electric Co.(a)

    1,904,653       21,255,927  

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    180,330       23,549,572  
   

 

 

 
    44,805,499  
Insurance — 7.6%  

American International Group, Inc.(a)

    772,691       39,662,229  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.(a)

    225,438       21,468,461  

MetLife, Inc.(a)

    698,233       35,588,936  

Travelers Cos., Inc.(a)

    153,040       20,958,828  

Willis Towers Watson PLC(a)

    126,380       25,521,177  
   

 

 

 
    143,199,631  
IT Services — 1.8%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.,
Class A(a)

    546,039       33,865,339  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 0.9%  

Fortive Corp.(a)

    64,920       4,959,239  

Pentair PLC(a)

    279,280       12,810,573  
   

 

 

 
    17,769,812  
Media — 3.2%  

Comcast Corp., Class A(a)

    897,125       40,343,711  

Fox Corp., Class A(a)

    550,700       20,414,449  
   

 

 

 
    60,758,160  
Multi-Utilities — 0.3%  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.(a)

    97,948       5,783,829  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 1.3%  

Dollar General Corp.(a)

    150,517       23,477,642  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.3%  

BP PLC

    6,264,480       39,408,607  

ConocoPhillips(a)

    192,070       12,490,312  

Enterprise Products Partners LP(a)

    979,160       27,573,146  

Equinor ASA

    353,730       7,054,178  

Marathon Oil Corp.(a)

    951,580       12,922,456  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.(a)

    540,106       32,541,387  

TOTAL SA — ADR(a)

    220,777       12,208,968  

Williams Cos., Inc.(a)

    1,309,909       31,071,042  
   

 

 

 
    175,270,096  
Personal Products — 1.3%  

Unilever NV — NY Shares(a)

    436,650       25,089,909  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 6.6%  

AstraZeneca PLC

    314,551       31,484,018  

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

    283,874       23,077,989  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a)

    265,940       17,070,689  

Johnson & Johnson(a)

    67,850       9,897,279  

Pfizer, Inc.(a)

    559,798       21,932,886  

Sanofi

    200,340       20,119,631  
   

 

 

 
    123,582,492  
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      39  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Road & Rail — 0.5%  

Union Pacific Corp.(a)

    53,820     $ 9,730,118  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.5%  

NXP Semiconductors NV(a)

    71,530       9,102,908  
   

 

 

 
Software — 2.7%  

Constellation Software, Inc.

    8,536       8,290,218  

Microsoft Corp.(a)

    210,010       33,118,577  

Oracle Corp.(a)

    170,088       9,011,262  
   

 

 

 
    50,420,057  
Specialty Retail — 1.0%  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.(a)

    153,510       18,384,358  
   

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.9%  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., — GDR

    30,029       35,935,546  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 1.7%  

Altria Group, Inc.(a)

    629,190       31,402,873  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.7%  

Ferguson PLC

    148,150       13,482,663  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 101.1%
(Cost — $1,416,429,634)

 

    1,902,396,577  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks — 0.5%

 

Household Products — 0.5%

 

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, 0.00%

    82,390       8,510,925  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.5%
(Cost — $8,165,007)

 

    8,510,925  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 101.6%
(Cost — $1,424,594,641)

 

    1,910,907,502  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.6%
(Cost — $1,424,594,641)

 

    1,910,907,502  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.4)%
(Premiums Received — $20,683,026)

 

    (25,599,474
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.2%
(Cost — $1,403,911,615)

 

    1,885,308,028  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)%

 

    (3,632,738
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 1,881,675,290  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(b) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class(b)

     44,526,058        (44,526,058           $      $ 462,065      $ 14      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held by the Trust.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

40    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     428          01/03/20        USD     64.50        USD     2,654        $ (2,140

General Electric Co.

     2,512          01/03/20        USD     12.00        USD     2,803          (2,512

General Motors Co.

     844          01/03/20        USD     36.50        USD     3,089          (28,274

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     253          01/03/20        USD     118.00        USD     3,030          (50,347

Medtronic, Inc.

     442          01/03/20        USD     113.00        USD     5,014          (33,592

PepsiCo, Inc.

     144          01/03/20        USD     136.00        USD     1,968          (14,040

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     1,147          01/03/20        USD     61.00        USD     7,043          (55,056

Comcast Corp.

     223          01/07/20        USD     45.75        USD     1,003          (2,988

MetLife, Inc.

     624          01/07/20        USD     49.50        USD     3,181          (99,763

Altria Group, Inc.

     679          01/10/20        USD     47.15        USD     3,389          (189,733

American International Group, Inc.

     552          01/10/20        USD     55.71        USD     2,833          (332

Bank of America Corp.

     1,739          01/10/20        USD     34.00        USD     6,125          (226,940

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     214          01/10/20        USD     58.60        USD     1,374          (110,570

Citigroup, Inc.

     980          01/10/20        USD     75.50        USD     7,829          (445,900

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     657          01/10/20        USD     63.00        USD     4,075          (18,067

ConocoPhillips

     90          01/10/20        USD     64.00        USD     585          (15,210

Fox Corp.

     1,063          01/10/20        USD     36.50        USD     3,941          (90,355

General Electric Co.

     1,030          01/10/20        USD     11.50        USD     1,149          (5,665

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     259          01/10/20        USD     135.00        USD     3,610          (116,550

Johnson & Johnson

     186          01/10/20        USD     143.00        USD     2,713          (62,310

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     147          01/10/20        USD     395.00        USD     5,724          (19,845

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     46          01/10/20        USD     119.00        USD     551          (8,878

Marathon Oil Corp.

     820          01/10/20        USD     12.82        USD     1,114          (67,562

Medtronic PLC

     761          01/10/20        USD     115.00        USD     8,634          (41,474

Microsoft Corp.

     303          01/10/20        USD     152.50        USD     4,778          (165,135

Morgan Stanley

     942          01/10/20        USD     50.00        USD     4,816          (129,054

NXP Semiconductors NV

     69          01/10/20        USD     122.00        USD     878          (38,122

Newell Brands, Inc.

     1,255          01/10/20        USD     20.01        USD     2,412          (11,675

PepsiCo, Inc.

     102          01/10/20        USD     138.00        USD     1,394          (5,202

Pfizer, Inc.

     540          01/10/20        USD     38.07        USD     2,116          (66,975

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     97          01/10/20        USD     108.25        USD     1,036          (3,913

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     114          01/10/20        USD     285.00        USD     3,351          (111,150

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     1,079          01/10/20        USD     61.25        USD     6,625          (27,036

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,622          01/10/20        USD     54.80        USD     8,726          (55,060

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,424          01/10/20        USD     22.55        USD     3,378          (171,962

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     518          01/17/20        USD     25.00        USD     1,284          (19,425

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     478          01/17/20        USD     24.47        USD     1,184          (30,827

Altria Group, Inc.

     772          01/17/20        USD     51.50        USD     3,853          (17,756

American International Group, Inc.

     755          01/17/20        USD     55.25        USD     3,875          (4,365

Anthem, Inc.

     290          01/17/20        USD     300.00        USD     8,759          (195,025

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

     426          01/17/20        USD     91.75        USD     4,057          (160,897

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

     613          01/17/20        USD     92.30        USD     5,838          (203,892

BCE, Inc.

     132          01/17/20        USD     47.40        USD     612          (2,202

Baker Hughes Co.

     1,461          01/17/20        USD     24.00        USD     3,745          (255,675

Bank of America Corp.

     755          01/17/20        USD     32.00        USD     2,659          (249,150

Bank of America Corp.

     3,512          01/17/20        USD     33.00        USD     12,369          (834,100

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

     229          01/17/20        USD     230.00        USD     5,187          (22,442

CVS Health Corp.

     373          01/17/20        USD     72.50        USD     2,771          (95,115

CVS Health Corp.

     358          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     2,660          (35,800

Charles Schwab Corp.

     403          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     1,917          (118,885

Charles Schwab Corp.

     26          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     124          (715

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     65          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     312          (7,312

Citigroup, Inc.

     1,021          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     8,157          (541,130

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     594          01/17/20        USD     63.99        USD     3,684          (14,242

Comcast Corp.

     807          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     3,629          (51,648

Conagra Brands, Inc.

     599          01/17/20        USD     29.00        USD     2,051          (317,470

Conagra Brands, Inc.

     408          01/17/20        USD     30.00        USD     1,397          (175,440

ConocoPhillips

     174          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,132          (91,350

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

     361          01/17/20        USD     195.00        USD     6,850          (115,520

Corteva, Inc.

     973          01/17/20        USD     28.00        USD     2,876          (172,708

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      41  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Dollar General Corp.

     767          01/17/20        USD     165.00        USD     11,964        $ (5,752

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     324          01/17/20        USD     65.00        USD     2,080          (30,132

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     1,874          01/17/20        USD     27.00        USD     5,277          (248,305

FedEx Corp.

     142          01/17/20        USD     165.00        USD     2,147          (3,337

FirstEnergy Corp.

     781          01/17/20        USD     49.00        USD     3,796          (29,287

FirstEnergy Corp.

     306          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,487          (53,550

FirstEnergy Corp.

     959          01/17/20        USD     48.00        USD     4,661          (91,105

Fortive Corp.

     178          01/17/20        USD     78.26        USD     1,360          (9,859

Fox Corp.

     906          01/17/20        USD     34.00        USD     3,359          (280,860

General Electric Co.

     1,551          01/17/20        USD     11.00        USD     1,731          (52,734

General Motors Co.

     735          01/17/20        USD     39.00        USD     2,690          (4,777

Humana, Inc.

     208          01/17/20        USD     340.00        USD     7,624          (568,880

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     1,364          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     19,014          (1,288,980

Johnson & Johnson

     187          01/17/20        USD     145.00        USD     2,728          (43,477

Kellogg Co.

     219          01/17/20        USD     65.00        USD     1,515          (94,170

Kellogg Co.

     160          01/17/20        USD     65.95        USD     1,107          (55,143

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     80          01/17/20        USD     390.00        USD     3,115          (38,400

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     250          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     2,994          (45,750

Marathon Oil Corp.

     1,289          01/17/20        USD     13.00        USD     1,750          (97,320

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     444          01/17/20        USD     67.50        USD     2,675          (4,440

McKesson Corp.

     48          01/17/20        USD     155.00        USD     664          (480

MetLife, Inc.

     623          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     3,175          (84,105

Microsoft Corp.

     230          01/17/20        USD     150.00        USD     3,627          (186,875

Morgan Stanley

     821          01/17/20        USD     49.00        USD     4,197          (211,818

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     444          01/17/20        USD     165.00        USD     7,155          (61,050

NXP Semiconductors NV

     117          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,489          (49,140

Newell Brands, Inc.

     1,255          01/17/20        USD     20.00        USD     2,412          (21,962

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     48          01/17/20        USD     222.35        USD     1,162          (96,179

Northrop Grumman Corp.

     98          01/17/20        USD     355.00        USD     3,371          (9,800

Pentair PLC

     377          01/17/20        USD     43.10        USD     1,729          (110,607

Pentair PLC

     628          01/17/20        USD     43.25        USD     2,881          (171,090

PepsiCo, Inc.

     101          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     1,380          (3,080

Pfizer, Inc.

     540          01/17/20        USD     38.00        USD     2,116          (75,870

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     329          01/17/20        USD     61.22        USD     1,943          (4,556

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     203          01/17/20        USD     103.28        USD     2,168          (70,173

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     475          01/17/20        USD     90.25        USD     4,249          (48,352

Raytheon Co.

     63          01/17/20        USD     220.00        USD     1,384          (17,766

State Street Corp.

     477          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     3,773          (236,115

TOTAL SA — ADR

     49          01/17/20        USD     54.22        USD     271          (4,628

TOTAL SA — ADR

     528          01/17/20        USD     54.80        USD     2,920          (34,064

Travelers Cos., Inc.

     434          01/17/20        USD     137.00        USD     5,944          (73,734

Union Pacific Corp.

     151          01/17/20        USD     175.00        USD     2,730          (107,965

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     45          01/17/20        USD     280.00        USD     1,323          (71,438

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     70          01/17/20        USD     290.00        USD     2,058          (59,675

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     857          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     5,262          (125,551

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     1,238          01/17/20        USD     60.25        USD     7,601          (118,045

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,250          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     6,725          (60,000

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,424          01/17/20        USD     22.55        USD     3,378          (180,518

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     182          01/22/20        USD     235.52        USD     4,407          (140,593

Altria Group, Inc.

     53          01/24/20        USD     51.00        USD     265          (2,544

American International Group, Inc.

     825          01/24/20        USD     54.00        USD     4,235          (14,025

Bank of America Corp.

     924          01/24/20        USD     33.30        USD     3,254          (198,986

CVS Health Corp.

     382          01/24/20        USD     76.50        USD     2,838          (22,347

Charles Schwab Corp.

     349          01/24/20        USD     50.00        USD     1,660          (13,087

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     65          01/24/20        USD     47.00        USD     312          (8,157

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     116          01/24/20        USD     46.50        USD     556          (18,618

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     233          01/24/20        USD     48.00        USD     1,117          (16,077

Citigroup, Inc.

     124          01/24/20        USD     79.50        USD     991          (25,296

Citigroup, Inc.

     691          01/24/20        USD     80.50        USD     5,520          (103,996

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     896          01/24/20        USD     63.50        USD     5,557          (44,800

Comcast Corp.

     161          01/24/20        USD     45.50        USD     724          (11,189

Comcast Corp.

     718          01/24/20        USD     43.50        USD     3,229          (132,830

 

 

42    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

ConocoPhillips

     170          01/24/20        USD     64.00        USD     1,106        $ (38,675

Corteva, Inc

     516          01/24/20        USD     28.60        USD     1,525          (72,961

Dollar General Corp.

     3          01/24/20        USD     155.00        USD     47          (945

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     435          01/24/20        USD     67.00        USD     2,793          (21,750

FedEx Corp.

     127          01/24/20        USD     160.00        USD     1,920          (11,049

FirstEnergy Corp.

     322          01/24/20        USD     49.10        USD     1,565          (16,283

Fox Corp.

     298          01/24/20        USD     37.00        USD     1,105          (24,585

General Electric Co.

     1,055          01/24/20        USD     11.00        USD     1,177          (42,200

General Electric Co.

     1,171          01/24/20        USD     11.50        USD     1,307          (18,736

General Motors Co.

     767          01/24/20        USD     36.50        USD     2,807          (66,729

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     975          01/24/20        USD     137.00        USD     13,592          (346,125

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     124          01/24/20        USD     121.00        USD     1,485          (18,786

Marathon Oil Corp.

     766          01/24/20        USD     13.00        USD     1,040          (63,578

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     646          01/24/20        USD     61.00        USD     3,892          (98,192

McKesson Corp.

     44          01/24/20        USD     145.00        USD     609          (5,720

Medtronic PLC

     562          01/24/20        USD     113.00        USD     6,376          (116,896

MetLife, Inc.

     593          01/24/20        USD     49.50        USD     3,023          (110,891

Microsoft Corp.

     58          01/24/20        USD     152.50        USD     915          (34,655

NXP Semiconductors NV

     138          01/24/20        USD     129.00        USD     1,756          (34,293

Northrop Grumman Corp.

     99          01/24/20        USD     347.50        USD     3,405          (42,570

PepsiCo, Inc.

     145          01/24/20        USD     138.00        USD     1,982          (16,457

Pfizer, Inc.

     398          01/24/20        USD     38.70        USD     1,559          (37,962

Raytheon Co.

     62          01/24/20        USD     217.50        USD     1,362          (32,395

Union Pacific Corp.

     145          01/24/20        USD     182.50        USD     2,621          (54,738

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     478          01/24/20        USD     62.00        USD     2,935          (13,862

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     478          01/24/20        USD     61.00        USD     2,935          (36,328

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,196          01/24/20        USD     55.00        USD     6,434          (69,966

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,015          01/24/20        USD     23.50        USD     2,408          (66,990

Charles Schwab Corp.

     715          01/30/20        USD     44.40        USD     3,401          (271,686

Altria Group, Inc.

     240          01/31/20        USD     51.50        USD     1,198          (16,560

American International Group, Inc.

     412          01/31/20        USD     53.00        USD     2,115          (20,394

Anthem, Inc.

     346          01/31/20        USD     300.00        USD     10,450          (344,270

Bank of America Corp.

     1,180          01/31/20        USD     32.99        USD     4,156          (293,753

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     410          01/31/20        USD     64.00        USD     2,632          (60,475

CVS Health Corp.

     126          01/31/20        USD     75.25        USD     936          (18,352

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     116          01/31/20        USD     47.00        USD     556          (16,298

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     233          01/31/20        USD     48.50        USD     1,117          (14,795

Citigroup, Inc.

     888          01/31/20        USD     77.00        USD     7,094          (368,520

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     428          01/31/20        USD     63.50        USD     2,654          (29,960

Comcast Corp.

     1,299          01/31/20        USD     44.50        USD     5,842          (170,819

ConocoPhillips

     265          01/31/20        USD     63.00        USD     1,723          (85,463

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

     127          01/31/20        USD     187.50        USD     2,410          (96,520

Corteva, Inc

     516          01/31/20        USD     28.60        USD     1,525          (78,293

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     154          01/31/20        USD     65.50        USD     989          (23,562

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     1,716          01/31/20        USD     28.00        USD     4,832          (120,120

FedEx Corp.

     149          01/31/20        USD     165.00        USD     2,253          (8,791

FirstEnergy Corp.

     322          01/31/20        USD     49.25        USD     1,565          (17,511

Fox Corp.

     761          01/31/20        USD     37.50        USD     2,821          (60,880

General Electric Co.

     1,606          01/31/20        USD     12.00        USD     1,792          (24,893

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     735          01/31/20        USD     138.00        USD     10,246          (244,388

Kellogg Co.

     48          01/31/20        USD     67.52        USD     332          (11,321

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     171          01/31/20        USD     123.00        USD     2,048          (18,382

Marathon Oil Corp.

     709          01/31/20        USD     13.50        USD     963          (41,122

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     132          01/31/20        USD     63.50        USD     795          (14,850

Medtronic PLC

     287          01/31/20        USD     115.00        USD     3,256          (37,884

MetLife, Inc.

     1,334          01/31/20        USD     52.00        USD     6,799          (72,703

Microsoft Corp.

     225          01/31/20        USD     157.50        USD     3,548          (92,250

Morgan Stanley

     942          01/31/20        USD     51.00        USD     4,816          (131,409

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     132          01/31/20        USD     243.00        USD     3,197          (55,646

Oracle Corp.

     480          01/31/20        USD     56.50        USD     2,543          (2,880

Pfizer, Inc.

     474          01/31/20        USD     38.48        USD     1,857          (50,505

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     314          01/31/20        USD     91.50        USD     2,809          (41,444

Unilever NV — NY Shares

     588          01/31/20        USD     57.47        USD     3,379          (61,075

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      43  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     996          01/31/20        USD     62.00        USD     6,115        $ (58,764

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,274          01/31/20        USD     55.00        USD     6,854          (89,180

Williams Cos., Inc.

     900          01/31/20        USD     23.50        USD     2,135          (65,700

BCE, Inc.

     133          02/04/20        USD     46.71        USD     616          (8,997

Conagra Brands, Inc.

     599          02/04/20        USD     30.00        USD     2,051          (260,803

Fortive Corp.

     178          02/04/20        USD     78.26        USD     1,360          (18,764

Newell Brands, Inc.

     1,775          02/04/20        USD     18.85        USD     3,412          (158,980

Willis Towers Watson PLC

     220          02/04/20        USD     205.40        USD     4,443          (62,784

Bank of America Corp.

     362          02/07/20        USD     36.50        USD     1,275          (15,747

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     410          02/07/20        USD     65.00        USD     2,632          (57,195

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     327          02/07/20        USD     48.50        USD     1,568          (25,506

ConocoPhillips

     92          02/07/20        USD     68.00        USD     598          (10,028

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     1,795          02/07/20        USD     28.50        USD     5,055          (85,263

Marathon Oil Corp.

     884          02/07/20        USD     14.50        USD     1,200          (22,100

Pfizer, Inc.

     633          02/07/20        USD     39.97        USD     2,480          (28,784

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     954          02/07/20        USD     62.00        USD     5,858          (65,349

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     1,462          02/10/20        USD     25.75        USD     3,747          (119,096

FirstEnergy Corp.

     807          02/10/20        USD     49.00        USD     3,922          (42,233

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     978          02/12/20        USD     25.27        USD     2,423          (53,603

Pfizer, Inc.

     328          02/14/20        USD     40.02        USD     1,285          (16,824

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     927          02/21/20        USD     25.01        USD     2,297          (84,793

Altria Group, Inc.

     772          02/21/20        USD     52.50        USD     3,853          (52,110

American International Group, Inc.

     595          02/21/20        USD     52.50        USD     3,054          (78,838

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     1,055          02/21/20        USD     23.20        USD     2,704          (274,061

Bank of America Corp.

     1,042          02/21/20        USD     35.00        USD     3,670          (131,813

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     213          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     1,367          (64,007

CVS Health Corp.

     358          02/21/20        USD     77.50        USD     2,660          (44,392

Charles Schwab Corp.

     402          02/21/20        USD     51.10        USD     1,912          (22,670

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     279          02/21/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,338          (50,081

Comcast Corp.

     1,292          02/21/20        USD     45.00        USD     5,810          (172,482

Conagra Brands, Inc.

     1,043          02/21/20        USD     34.05        USD     3,571          (145,680

ConocoPhillips

     265          02/21/20        USD     65.00        USD     1,723          (68,238

Dollar General Corp.

     57          02/21/20        USD     155.00        USD     889          (27,645

FedEx Corp.

     220          02/21/20        USD     155.00        USD     3,327          (85,800

General Motors Co.

     293          02/21/20        USD     38.00        USD     1,072          (23,879

Humana, Inc.

     156          02/21/20        USD     350.00        USD     5,718          (397,020

Kellogg Co.

     109          02/21/20        USD     68.50        USD     754          (29,240

Marathon Oil Corp.

     765          02/21/20        USD     13.25        USD     1,039          (69,291

McKesson Corp.

     120          02/21/20        USD     150.00        USD     1,660          (24,900

Medtronic PLC

     442          02/21/20        USD     115.00        USD     5,014          (113,815

MetLife, Inc.

     666          02/21/20        USD     50.00        USD     3,395          (130,203

Microsoft Corp.

     339          02/21/20        USD     160.00        USD     5,346          (124,583

Morgan Stanley

     942          02/21/20        USD     52.50        USD     4,816          (94,200

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     387          02/21/20        USD     166.00        USD     6,236          (115,190

NXP Semiconductors NV

     69          02/21/20        USD     130.00        USD     878          (30,705

Pentair PLC

     644          02/21/20        USD     45.00        USD     2,954          (133,630

Pfizer, Inc.

     165          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     646          (10,147

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     307          02/21/20        USD     60.24        USD     1,813          (27,850

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     110          02/21/20        USD     110.00        USD     1,175          (15,675

State Street Corp.

     201          02/21/20        USD     77.50        USD     1,590          (82,913

State Street Corp.

     255          02/21/20        USD     82.50        USD     2,017          (45,007

TOTAL SA — ADR

     637          02/21/20        USD     55.00        USD     3,523          (73,255

Travelers Cos., Inc.

     407          02/21/20        USD     137.00        USD     5,574          (125,021

Unilever NV — NY Shares

     679          02/21/20        USD     60.00        USD     3,902          (25,462

Unilever NV — NY Shares

     43          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     247          (430

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     533          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     3,273          (35,444

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,015          02/21/20        USD     24.00        USD     2,408          (67,498

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,426          02/21/20        USD     23.31        USD     3,382          (156,141

Willis Towers Watson PLC

     305          02/21/20        USD     201.25        USD     6,159          (175,236

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     215          03/20/20        USD     65.00        USD     1,380          (46,547

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     279          03/20/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,338          (60,822
                          

 

 

 
     $ (21,654,422
    

 

 

 

 

 

44    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call  

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      33,400        01/07/20      GBP     76.89      GBP     2,524      $ (14,536

Boeing Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      131,500        01/07/20      GBP     5.92      GBP     743        (193

Nestle SA

   UBS AG      86,700        01/07/20      CHF     108.61      CHF     9,084        (2,141

Unilever NV — NY Shares

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      41,100        01/07/20      USD     60.52      USD     2,362        (673

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      1,336,000        01/09/20      GBP     5.24      GBP     6,346        (800

Banco Santander SA

   Goldman Sachs International      56,800        01/09/20      EUR     85.54      EUR     5,085        (256,711

CRH PLC

   UBS AG      64,400        01/09/20      GBP     29.47      GBP     1,961        (89,212

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      38,000        01/09/20      NOK     182.02      NOK     6,653        (1,690

Bayer AG

   Goldman Sachs International      63,200        01/14/20      EUR     70.32      EUR     4,581        (195,735

Boeing Corp.

   UBS AG      133,600        01/14/20      GBP     6.00      GBP     755        (857

CRH PLC

   UBS AG      35,100        01/14/20      GBP     29.51      GBP     1,069        (49,603

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      12,300        01/14/20      EUR     41.00      EUR     536        (35,893

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      37,500        01/14/20      CHF     102.84      CHF     3,929        (87,750

Sony Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      91,300        01/14/20      JPY     7,016.36      JPY     673,558        (315,486

Alcon, Inc.

   UBS AG      110,400        01/15/20      CHF     54.71      CHF     6,052        (77,984

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      4,700        01/15/20      GBP     74.59      GBP     355        (11,046

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      178,200        01/15/20      GBP     4.82      GBP     846        (10,264

Ferguson PLC

   UBS AG      40,700        01/15/20      GBP     66.89      GBP     2,796        (116,044

Statoil ASA

   UBS AG      25,300        01/15/20      NOK     170.09      NOK     4,430        (17,045

Boeing Corp.

   UBS AG      134,000        01/21/20      GBP     5.89      GBP     757        (3,530

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      17,300        01/21/20      EUR     95.46      EUR     1,593        (7,154

Statoil ASA

   Credit Suisse International      37,900        01/21/20      NOK     181.33      NOK     6,636        (5,156

BP PLC

   Credit Suisse International      1,347,000        01/22/20      GBP     5.14      GBP     6,398        (7,822

Ferguson PLC

   UBS AG      40,700        01/22/20      GBP     66.88      GBP     2,796        (124,913

Koninklijke Philips NV

   UBS AG      213,100        01/22/20      EUR     42.54      EUR     9,287        (324,379

Sony Corp.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      132,700        01/22/20      JPY     7,239.96      JPY     978,984        (259,973

Unilever NV — NY Shares

   Bank of America N.A.      68,000        01/22/20      USD     60.49      USD     3,907        (14,139

Alcon, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      23,500        01/23/20      CHF     56.38      CHF     1,288        (5,913

Banco Santander SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      26,600        01/23/20      EUR     85.62      EUR     2,381        (127,330

Bayer AG

   UBS AG      50,400        01/23/20      EUR     70.38      EUR     3,653        (174,051

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      400        01/23/20      CHF     103.47      CHF     42        (871

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      39,500        01/23/20      EUR     120.60      EUR     4,599        (45,052

Constellation Software, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International      2,000        01/24/20      CAD     1,367.00      CAD     2,522        (3,805

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      59,600        01/24/20      EUR     119.62      EUR     6,939        (91,935

AstraZeneca PLC

   UBS AG      151,200        01/28/20      GBP     74.16      GBP     11,425        (516,482

BP PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      719,800        01/28/20      GBP     4.72      GBP     3,419        (118,349

Boeing Corp.

   UBS AG      634,800        01/29/20      GBP     5.54      GBP     3,587        (147,940

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Goldman Sachs International      278,100        01/29/20      EUR     43.44      EUR     12,120        (328,139

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      43,000        01/29/20      NOK     170.23      NOK     7,528        (32,901

Kellogg Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      17,000        01/31/20      USD     67.15      USD     1,176        (44,591

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      17,300        02/04/20      EUR     95.45      EUR     1,593        (13,835

Willis Towers Watson PLC

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      17,000        02/04/20      USD     204.24      USD     3,433        (76,114

Boeing Corp.

   UBS AG      551,000        02/05/20      GBP     5.80      GBP     3,113        (46,287

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      50,300        02/05/20      NOK     177.65      NOK     8,807        (18,515

Constellation Software, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      2,600        02/06/20      CAD     1,301.23      CAD     3,279        (38,781

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      42,600        02/21/20      USD     95.29      USD     4,057        (83,432
                     

 

 

 
   $ (3,945,052
  

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

      Swap
Premium
Paid
     Swap
Premium
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 4,438,339      $ (9,354,787    $ (25,599,474

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      45  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written, at value

   $      $      $ 25,599,474      $      $      $      $ 25,599,474  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
       Credit
Contracts
       Equity
Contracts
       Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
       Interest
Rate
Contracts
       Other
Contracts
       Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                                

Options purchased(a)

   $        $        $ 77,762        $        $        $        $ 77,762  

Options written

                       (59,909,611                                   (59,909,611
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $        $ (59,831,849      $        $        $        $ (59,831,849
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
       Credit
Contracts
       Equity
Contracts
       Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
       Interest
Rate
Contracts
       Other
Contracts
       Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on:

                                

Options purchased(a)

   $        $        $ 21,427        $        $        $        $ 21,427  

Options written

                       (18,297,872                                   (18,297,872
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $        $ (18,276,445      $        $        $        $ (18,276,445
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments.

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 23,599,203  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at any quarter-end. The risk expoure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 25,599,474  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (21,654,422
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 3,945,052  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

46    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (b)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 58,730        $        $        $        $ 58,730  

Credit Suisse International

     16,783                   (16,783                  

Goldman Sachs International

     1,342,115                   (1,342,115                  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     160,219               (160,219                  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     675,866                   (675,866                  

UBS AG

     1,691,339                   (1,691,339                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,945,052        $        $ (3,886,322      $        $ 58,730  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Excess of collateral pledged from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b)

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks:

 

Aerospace & Defense

   $ 27,465,348        $ 29,667,068        $             —        $ 57,132,416  

Air Freight & Logistics

     17,544,896                            17,544,896  

Automobiles

     24,149,046                            24,149,046  

Banks

     291,015,518                            291,015,518  

Beverages

     27,216,445                            27,216,445  

Capital Markets

     76,564,241                            76,564,241  

Chemicals

     21,440,646                            21,440,646  

Communications Equipment

     38,804,852                            38,804,852  

Construction Materials

              6,079,910                   6,079,910  

Diversified Financial Services

     36,844,894                            36,844,894  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     88,526,932                            88,526,932  

Electric Utilities

     44,394,505                            44,394,505  

Energy Equipment & Services

     18,540,742                            18,540,742  

Food Products

     23,923,583          24,594,929                   48,518,512  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     51,457,516          58,555,997                   110,013,513  

Health Care Providers & Services

     131,760,989                            131,760,989  

Household Durables

     14,974,802          26,812,786                   41,787,588  

Industrial Conglomerates

     21,255,927          23,549,572                   44,805,499  

Insurance

     143,199,631                            143,199,631  

IT Services

     33,865,339                            33,865,339  

Machinery

     17,769,812                            17,769,812  

Media

     60,758,160                            60,758,160  

Multi-Utilities

     5,783,829                            5,783,829  

Multiline Retail

     23,477,642                            23,477,642  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     128,807,311          46,462,785                   175,270,096  

Personal Products

     25,089,909                            25,089,909  

Pharmaceuticals

     48,900,854          74,681,638                   123,582,492  

Road & Rail

     9,730,118                            9,730,118  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     9,102,908                            9,102,908  

Software

     50,420,057                            50,420,057  

Specialty Retail

     18,384,358                            18,384,358  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

              35,935,546                   35,935,546  

Tobacco

     31,402,873                            31,402,873  

Trading Companies & Distributors

              13,482,663                   13,482,663  

Preferred Stocks

              8,510,925                   8,510,925  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,562,573,683        $ 348,333,819        $        $ 1,910,907,502  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      47  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

 

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (16,091,070      $ (9,508,404      $             —        $ (25,599,474
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

48    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 99.5%

 

Australia — 2.5%  

Ansell Ltd.

    406,296     $ 8,273,364  

Ensogo Ltd.(a)(b)

    418,198       3  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    589,003       11,876,022  
   

 

 

 
    20,149,389  
Canada — 6.8%  

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

    465,850       23,131,961  

TELUS Corp.

    825,453       31,961,632  
   

 

 

 
    55,093,593  
Denmark — 1.8%  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    249,921       14,482,631  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 1.0%  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    124,717       8,154,975  
   

 

 

 
France — 3.6%  

Sanofi

    169,826       17,055,189  

Schneider Electric SE

    114,921       11,806,951  
   

 

 

 
    28,862,140  
Germany — 2.4%  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

    498,985       18,973,482  
   

 

 

 
India — 0.1%  

Jasper Infotech Private Ltd., Series I,
(Acquired 08/08/15, cost $2,637,143)(a)(c)

    3,540       892,257  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 3.4%  

Heineken NV

    95,721       10,216,094  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    358,621       17,530,721  
   

 

 

 
    27,746,815  
Singapore — 3.1%  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    661,968       12,763,563  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    606,000       11,917,971  
   

 

 

 
    24,681,534  
Sweden — 0.8%  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    595,529       6,413,994  
   

 

 

 
Switzerland — 7.3%  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Registered Shares

    79,365       6,202,446  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    209,358       22,666,185  

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    251,072       23,773,900  

SGS SA, Registered Shares

    2,439       6,679,625  
   

 

 

 
    59,322,156  
Taiwan — 0.8%  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    611,000       6,762,441  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 13.3%  

AstraZeneca PLC

    85,875       8,595,395  

BAE Systems PLC

    2,118,097       15,858,862  

British American Tobacco PLC

    512,582       21,785,797  

Diageo PLC

    227,280       9,576,819  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    999,677       23,489,433  

RELX PLC

    308,940       7,792,334  

Unilever PLC

    355,270       20,336,590  
   

 

 

 
    107,435,230  
United States — 52.6%  

3M Co.(d)

    69,763       12,307,588  

AbbVie, Inc.(d)

    235,546       20,855,243  

Altria Group, Inc.(d)

    384,570       19,193,889  

Amcor PLC

    2,092,500       22,879,838  

Cisco Systems, Inc.(d)(e)

    482,645       23,147,654  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.(d)

    322,624       13,101,761  

Coca-Cola Co.(d)(e)

    377,070       20,870,824  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)  

Darden Restaurants, Inc.(d)

    102,395     $ 11,162,079  

Genuine Parts Co.(d)(e)

    222,717       23,659,227  

Hasbro, Inc.(d)

    140,929       14,883,512  

Home Depot, Inc.(d)

    45,601       9,958,346  

International Paper Co.(d)(e)

    451,156       20,775,734  

Johnson & Johnson(d)(e)

    200,071       29,184,357  

Lockheed Martin Corp.(d)

    31,984       12,453,930  

M&T Bank Corp.(d)

    69,614       11,816,976  

Medtronic PLC (d)

    150,988       17,129,589  

Paychex, Inc.(d)

    206,567       17,570,589  

PepsiCo, Inc.(d)

    99,785       13,637,616  

Pfizer, Inc.(d)

    530,086       20,768,769  

Philip Morris International, Inc.(d)(e)

    255,495       21,740,070  

Procter & Gamble Co.(d)

    121,966       15,233,553  

Texas Instruments, Inc.(d)

    94,158       12,079,530  

U.S. Bancorp(d)

    202,179       11,987,193  

United Technologies Corp.(d)

    107,041       16,030,460  

Wells Fargo & Co.(d)

    228,246       12,279,635  
   

 

 

 
    424,707,962  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.5%
(Cost — $717,419,861)

 

    803,678,599  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks – 0.4%

 

United States — 0.4%

 

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series I
(Acquired 3/27/14, cost $3,118,944),
0.00%(a)(c)

    508,800       3,012,096  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.4%
(Cost — $3,118,944)

 

    3,012,096  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.9%
(Cost — $720,538,805)

 

    806,690,695  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities — 0.1%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 1.51%(f)(g)

    1,138,392       1,138,392  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%
(Cost — $1,138,392)

 

    1,138,392  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 100.0%
(Cost — $721,677,197)

 

    807,829,087  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (0.9)%
(Premiums Received — $5,828,656)

 

    (7,620,728
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.1%
(Cost — $715,848,541)

 

    800,208,359  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.9%

 

    7,503,423  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 807,711,782  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $3,904,353, representing 0.5% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $5,756,087.

(d) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(e) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      49  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

(g) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     19,702,446        (18,564,054      1,138,392      $ 1,138,392      $ 101,682      $ 3      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call  

Genuine Parts Co.

     285          01/03/20        USD     104.00        USD     3,028        $ (64,125

Medtronic PLC

     22          01/03/20        USD     113.00        USD     250          (1,672

PepsiCo, Inc.

     178          01/03/20        USD     136.00        USD     2,433          (17,355

AbbVie, Inc.

     240          01/09/20        USD     89.50        USD     2,125          (14,699

3M Co.

     58          01/10/20        USD     172.50        USD     1,023          (28,275

Altria Group, Inc.

     296          01/10/20        USD     47.15        USD     1,477          (82,711

Genuine Parts Co.

     193          01/10/20        USD     105.00        USD     2,050          (36,188

International Paper Co.

     283          01/10/20        USD     46.61        USD     1,303          (10,162

Johnson & Johnson

     21          01/10/20        USD     143.00        USD     306          (7,035

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     52          01/10/20        USD     395.00        USD     2,025          (7,020

Medtronic PLC

     255          01/10/20        USD     115.00        USD     2,893          (13,898

PepsiCo, Inc.

     138          01/10/20        USD     138.00        USD     1,886          (7,038

Pfizer, Inc.

     126          01/10/20        USD     38.07        USD     494          (15,627

Procter & Gamble Co.

     318          01/10/20        USD     127.00        USD     3,972          (10,176

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     144          01/10/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,847          (52,416

U.S. Bancorp

     188          01/10/20        USD     61.00        USD     1,115          (1,222

Wells Fargo & Co.

     184          01/10/20        USD     54.80        USD     990          (6,246

3M Co.

     65          01/17/20        USD     175.00        USD     1,147          (25,350

AbbVie, Inc.

     240          01/17/20        USD     87.50        USD     2,125          (45,360

Altria Group, Inc.

     145          01/17/20        USD     51.50        USD     724          (3,335

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     67          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     321          (7,537

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

     287          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,166          (34,440

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

     339          01/17/20        USD     42.50        USD     1,377          (7,627

Coca-Cola Co.

     306          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,694          (24,021

Coca-Cola Co.

     356          01/17/20        USD     52.50        USD     1,970          (105,376

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

     230          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     2,507          (1,150

Genuine Parts Co.

     331          01/17/20        USD     110.00        USD     3,516          (7,447

Hasbro, Inc.

     117          01/17/20        USD     100.00        USD     1,236          (71,370

Hasbro, Inc.

     164          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     1,732          (39,360

Home Depot, Inc.

     108          01/17/20        USD     215.00        USD     2,359          (54,810

Johnson & Johnson

     20          01/17/20        USD     145.00        USD     292          (4,650

Johnson & Johnson

     163          01/17/20        USD     135.00        USD     2,378          (182,968

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     24          01/17/20        USD     390.00        USD     935          (11,520

Paychex, Inc.

     310          01/17/20        USD     85.00        USD     2,637          (32,550

Paychex, Inc.

     350          01/17/20        USD     82.50        USD     2,977          (99,750

PepsiCo, Inc.

     137          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     1,872          (4,178

Pfizer, Inc.

     126          01/17/20        USD     38.00        USD     494          (17,703

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     309          01/17/20        USD     85.00        USD     2,629          (40,016

Procter & Gamble Co.

     196          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     2,448          (25,382

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

     535          01/17/20        CAD     66.00        CAD     3,450          (13,184

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     205          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     2,630          (87,125

U.S. Bancorp

     78          01/17/20        USD     59.19        USD     462          (7,191

United Technologies Corp.

     73          01/17/20        USD     150.00        USD     1,093          (14,491

Wells Fargo & Co.

     191          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,028          (9,168

AbbVie, Inc.

     184          01/24/20        USD     91.50        USD     1,629          (11,040

Altria Group, Inc.

     389          01/24/20        USD     50.50        USD     1,941          (26,452

Altria Group, Inc.

     67          01/24/20        USD     51.00        USD     334          (3,216

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     67          01/24/20        USD     47.00        USD     321          (8,408

 

 

50    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     120          01/24/20        USD     46.50        USD     576        $ (19,260

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     240          01/24/20        USD     48.00        USD     1,151          (16,560

Coca-Cola Co.

     154          01/24/20        USD     55.00        USD     852          (13,860

Hasbro, Inc.

     212          01/24/20        USD     105.00        USD     2,239          (61,480

International Paper Co.

     464          01/24/20        USD     47.00        USD     2,137          (25,288

Johnson & Johnson

     166          01/24/20        USD     145.00        USD     2,421          (51,045

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     44          01/24/20        USD     397.50        USD     1,713          (11,110

Medtronic PLC

     317          01/24/20        USD     113.00        USD     3,596          (65,936

PepsiCo, Inc.

     95          01/24/20        USD     138.00        USD     1,298          (10,782

Pfizer, Inc.

     226          01/24/20        USD     38.50        USD     885          (24,747

Pfizer, Inc.

     286          01/24/20        USD     38.70        USD     1,121          (27,280

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     162          01/24/20        USD     87.50        USD     1,378          (8,586

Procter & Gamble Co.

     156          01/24/20        USD     128.00        USD     1,948          (17,160

U.S. Bancorp

     188          01/24/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,115          (12,784

United Technologies Corp.

     140          01/24/20        USD     150.00        USD     2,097          (45,500

Wells Fargo & Co.

     239          01/24/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,286          (13,982

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     423          01/29/20        USD     84.00        USD     3,599          (96,160

3M Co.

     132          01/31/20        USD     172.50        USD     2,329          (102,960

Altria Group, Inc.

     303          01/31/20        USD     51.50        USD     1,512          (20,907

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     120          01/31/20        USD     47.00        USD     576          (16,860

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     241          01/31/20        USD     48.50        USD     1,156          (15,304

Coca-Cola Co.

     681          01/31/20        USD     54.25        USD     3,769          (114,178

Genuine Parts Co.

     193          01/31/20        USD     107.00        USD     2,050          (32,810

International Paper Co.

     832          01/31/20        USD     47.00        USD     3,831          (71,968

Medtronic PLC

     214          01/31/20        USD     115.00        USD     2,428          (28,248

Pfizer, Inc.

     158          01/31/20        USD     38.48        USD     619          (16,835

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     74          01/31/20        USD     131.00        USD     949          (18,278

U.S. Bancorp

     182          01/31/20        USD     59.60        USD     1,079          (17,628

Wells Fargo & Co.

     184          01/31/20        USD     55.00        USD     990          (12,880

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     339          02/07/20        USD     48.50        USD     1,626          (26,442

Pfizer, Inc.

     385          02/07/20        USD     39.97        USD     1,508          (17,507

Pfizer, Inc.

     254          02/14/20        USD     40.02        USD     995          (13,029

3M Co.

     58          02/21/20        USD     185.00        USD     1,023          (16,153

AbbVie, Inc.

     395          02/21/20        USD     90.00        USD     3,497          (81,568

Altria Group, Inc.

     145          02/21/20        USD     52.50        USD     724          (9,787

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     294          02/21/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,410          (52,773

Coca-Cola Co.

     576          02/21/20        USD     55.00        USD     3,188          (88,416

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

     230          02/21/20        USD     114.50        USD     2,507          (17,305

Home Depot, Inc.

     97          02/21/20        USD     225.00        USD     2,118          (26,869

Johnson & Johnson

     167          02/21/20        USD     145.00        USD     2,436          (73,480

M&T Bank Corp.

     243          02/21/20        USD     169.50        USD     4,125          (132,262

Medtronic PLC

     22          02/21/20        USD     115.00        USD     250          (5,665

Pfizer, Inc.

     294          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,152          (18,081

U.S. Bancorp

     71          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     421          (2,236

United Technologies Corp.

     162          02/21/20        USD     150.00        USD     2,426          (69,660

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     294          03/20/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,410          (64,092
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (3,107,741
                          

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call                                                

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      27,000        01/07/20      AUD     28.46      AUD     784      $ (12,588

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      11,300        01/07/20      GBP     76.89      GBP     854        (4,918

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      310,900        01/07/20      GBP     5.92      GBP     1,757        (457

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

   Citibank N.A.      143,600        01/07/20      EUR     33.16      EUR     4,868        (135,709

Diageo PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      29,000        01/07/20      GBP     31.80      GBP     922        (10,615

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      42,800        01/07/20      CHF     88.23      CHF     3,922        (152,311

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   UBS AG      61,200        01/07/20      DKK     390.27      DKK     23,626        (29,110

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      50,300        01/08/20      USD     39.59      USD     2,043        (61,872

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      51  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call (continued)                                                

KONE OYJ, Class B

   Citibank N.A.      33,100        01/08/20      EUR     58.47      EUR     1,929      $ (23,190

KONE OYJ, Class B

   Credit Suisse International      16,000        01/08/20      EUR     57.87      EUR     933        (16,793

RELX PLC

   UBS AG      52,000        01/08/20      EUR     22.06      EUR     1,169        (31,468

TELUS Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      34,000        01/08/20      CAD     47.71      CAD     1,710        (67,728

Unilever PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      66,300        01/08/20      GBP     46.76      GBP     2,865        (8

British American Tobacco PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      24,200        01/09/20      GBP     29.24      GBP     777        (91,556

SGS SA, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      700        01/09/20      CHF     2,641.80      CHF     1,855        (19,016

Sanofi

   Goldman Sachs International      30,100        01/09/20      EUR     85.70      EUR     2,695        (130,841

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      34,200        01/09/20      AUD     29.90      AUD     983        (281

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      124,000        01/09/20      SGD     27.42      SGD     3,280        (752

Johnson & Johnson

   Citibank N.A.      16,300        01/10/20      USD     133.19      USD     2,378        (208,105

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      31,100        01/14/20      AUD     29.10      AUD     903        (7,924

BAE Systems PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      145,200        01/14/20      GBP     5.60      GBP     820        (22,207

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      10,700        01/14/20      GBP     6.00      GBP     60        (69

British American Tobacco PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      213,400        01/14/20      GBP     29.47      GBP     6,848        (751,806

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      20,300        01/14/20      CHF     77.89      CHF     1,535        (12,498

Diageo PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      86,600        01/14/20      GBP     32.16      GBP     2,755        (25,989

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      86,700        01/14/20      GBP     17.34      GBP     1,538        (59,235

Heineken NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      33,500        01/14/20      EUR     95.17      EUR     3,188        (37,662

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      114,000        01/14/20      EUR     41.00      EUR     4,968        (332,666

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      22,100        01/14/20      CHF     102.84      CHF     2,316        (51,714

Amcor PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      249,000        01/15/20      AUD     14.91      AUD     3,879        (125,244

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      35,900        01/15/20      GBP     74.59      GBP     2,713        (84,370

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      23,400        01/15/20      CHF     91.78      CHF     2,144        (23,810

Sanofi

   UBS AG      16,900        01/15/20      EUR     89.71      EUR     1,513        (19,187

Schneider Electric SE

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      13,600        01/15/20      EUR     89.44      EUR     1,246        (41,915

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      85,000        01/15/20      AUD     28.87      AUD     2,442        (19,972

Unilever PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      38,500        01/15/20      GBP     45.63      GBP     1,664        (819

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      14,300        01/15/20      SGD     25.44      SGD     378        (11,138

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      92,000        01/20/20      USD     324.45      USD     30,524        (30,749

Ansell Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      32,300        01/21/20      AUD     29.78      AUD     937        (3,882

BAE Systems PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      145,200        01/21/20      GBP     5.60      GBP     820        (24,732

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      9,000        01/21/20      GBP     5.89      GBP     51        (237

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      65,000        01/21/20      EUR     35.03      EUR     2,204        (10,729

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      46,700        01/21/20      CHF     90.57      CHF     4,280        (91,422

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      23,000        01/21/20      DKK     391.79      DKK     8,879        (20,531

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      27,200        01/21/20      DKK     403.75      DKK     10,501        (8,401

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      68,900        01/21/20      AUD     29.73      AUD     1,979        (5,609

Amcor PLC

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      200,700        01/22/20      AUD     14.92      AUD     3,127        (102,078

Koninklijke Philips NV

   UBS AG      44,900        01/22/20      EUR     42.54      EUR     1,957        (68,346

RELX PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      35,100        01/22/20      EUR     21.76      EUR     789        (34,772

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   Goldman Sachs International      152,200        01/22/20      SEK     97.76      SEK     15,354        (59,789

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   UBS AG      11,800        01/22/20      SEK     97.51      SEK     1,190        (4,846

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      38,900        01/22/20      CAD     50.00      CAD     1,956        (27,476

Sanofi

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,200        01/23/20      EUR     85.62      EUR     645        (34,465

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      15,500        01/23/20      CHF     76.63      CHF     1,172        (19,508

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      89,700        01/23/20      SGD     25.90      SGD     2,326        (22,747

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      142,000        01/23/20      SGD     25.85      SGD     3,682        (38,464

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      16,000        01/23/20      EUR     35.49      EUR     542        (1,775

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      50,000        01/23/20      GBP     17.76      GBP     887        (20,805

Heineken NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      19,100        01/23/20      EUR     96.00      EUR     1,817        (27,565

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      46,500        01/23/20      CHF     103.47      CHF     4,872        (101,261

SGS SA, Registered Shares

   Citibank N.A.      400        01/23/20      CHF     2,663.22      CHF     1,060        (14,175

Sanofi

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      22,200        01/23/20      EUR     87.04      EUR     1,988        (79,514

Schneider Electric SE

   UBS AG      38,200        01/23/20      EUR     90.82      EUR     3,499        (96,094

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   Citibank N.A.      152,200        01/23/20      SEK     104.50      SEK     15,354        (8,647

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      73,800        01/23/20      SGD     26.62      SGD     1,952        (15,547

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      32,300        01/28/20      AUD     30.16      AUD     937        (3,239

Diageo PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      9,400        01/28/20      GBP     31.07      GBP     299        (14,386

 

 

52    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call (continued)                                                

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      13,000        01/28/20      DKK     393.25      DKK     5,019      $ (15,273

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      13,000        01/28/20      DKK     396.04      DKK     5,019        (13,557

Amcor PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      282,700        01/29/20      AUD     15.31      AUD     4,404        (88,189

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      60,200        01/29/20      GBP     5.54      GBP     340        (14,030

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Goldman Sachs International      9,200        01/29/20      EUR     43.44      EUR     401        (10,855

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   Goldman Sachs International      11,800        01/29/20      SEK     92.35      SEK     1,190        (10,890

TELUS Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      56,700        01/31/20      CAD     50.75      CAD     2,851        (26,233

Ansell Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      31,100        02/04/20      AUD     29.18      AUD     903        (15,155

Rogers Communication, Inc., Class B

   Credit Suisse International      58,000        02/04/20      CAD     64.97      CAD     3,740        (48,345

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      60,000        02/05/20      GBP     5.80      GBP     339        (5,040

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   UBS AG      213,200        02/05/20      GBP     18.30      GBP     3,782        (48,275

KONE OYJ, Class B

   UBS AG      19,500        02/05/20      EUR     59.81      EUR     1,137        (25,503

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      46,500        02/05/20      CHF     105.06      CHF     4,872        (73,366

RELX PLC

   UBS AG      52,000        02/05/20      EUR     22.71      EUR     1,169        (24,325

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      77,000        02/05/20      AUD     30.21      AUD     2,212        (7,356

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      38,800        02/05/20      CAD     49.92      CAD     1,951        (33,575

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      47,200        02/05/20      CAD     50.20      CAD     2,373        (34,881

Unilever PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      55,000        02/05/20      GBP     44.36      GBP     2,377        (31,811

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      34,900        02/10/20      CAD     49.90      CAD     1,755        (32,272

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      47,200        02/10/20      CAD     50.20      CAD     2,373        (37,255

Rogers Communication, Inc., Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      49,100        02/11/20      CAD     65.80      CAD     3,166        (36,460

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      244,000        02/11/20      USD     321.36      USD     80,954        (124,791

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      29,000        02/12/20      AUD     29.94      AUD     842        (9,116

Paychex, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      26,900        02/12/20      USD     85.67      USD     2,288        (30,183

Rogers Communication, Inc., Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      49,000        02/18/20      CAD     65.80      CAD     3,160        (40,638

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      73,800        02/19/20      CAD     50.43      CAD     3,711        (58,279
                     

 

 

 
   $ (4,512,987
  

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

      Swap
Premium
Paid
     Swap
Premium
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 1,215,601      $ (3,007,673    $ (7,620,728

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

                 

Options written

                    

Options written, at value

   $      $      $ 7,620,728      $      $      $      $ 7,620,728  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
       Credit
Contracts
       Equity
Contracts
       Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
       Interest
Rate
Contracts
       Other
Contracts
       Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                                

Options purchased(a)

   $        $        $ (9,992      $        $        $        $ (9,992

Options written

                       (20,867,912                                   (20,867,912
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $        $ (20,877,904      $        $        $        $ (20,877,904
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      53  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
       Credit
Contracts
       Equity
Contracts
       Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
       Interest
Rate
Contracts
       Other
Contracts
       Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

                        

Options purchased(a)

   $        $        $ 3,011        $        $        $        $ 3,011  

Options written

                       (5,578,406                                   (5,578,406
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $        $ (5,575,395      $        $        $        $ (5,575,395
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

     7,558,819  

 

  (a)

Derivative not held at any quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 7,620,728  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (3,107,741
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 4,512,987  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 

Citibank N.A.

   $ 576,408        $        $ (576,408      $        $  

Credit Suisse International

     65,138                   (65,138                  

Goldman Sachs International

     1,607,531                   (1,607,531                  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     256,317                   (256,317                  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     1,477,190                   (1,477,190                  

UBS AG

     530,403                   (530,403                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 4,512,987        $        $ (4,512,987      $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 

 

 

54    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

     

Level 1

       Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks:

 

Australia

   $        $ 20,149,386        $ 3        $ 20,149,389  

Canada

     55,093,593                            55,093,593  

Denmark

              14,482,631                   14,482,631  

Finland

              8,154,975                   8,154,975  

France

              28,862,140                   28,862,140  

Germany

              18,973,482                   18,973,482  

India

                       892,257          892,257  

Netherlands

              27,746,815                   27,746,815  

Singapore

              24,681,534                   24,681,534  

Sweden

              6,413,994                   6,413,994  

Switzerland

              59,322,156                   59,322,156  

Taiwan

              6,762,441                   6,762,441  

United Kingdom

              107,435,230                   107,435,230  

United States

     401,828,123          22,879,839                   424,707,962  

Preferred Stocks

                       3,012,096          3,012,096  

Short-Term Securities

     1,138,392                            1,138,392  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 458,060,108        $ 345,864,623        $ 3,904,356        $ 807,829,087  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

 

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (2,518,921      $ (5,101,807      $        $ (7,620,728
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Derivative financial instruments are options written which are shown at value.

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

     

Common

Stocks

      

Preferred

Stocks

       Total  

Assets:

            

Opening Balance, as of December 31, 2018

   $ 4,529,927        $ 5,843,081        $ 10,373,008  

Transfers into Level 3

                        

Transfers out of Level 3

                        

Accrued discounts/premiums

                        

Net realized gain (loss)

     (2,514,046                 (2,514,046

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     1,824,023          (1,764,884        59,139  

Purchases

                        

Sales

     (2,947,644        (1,066,101        (4,013,745
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of December 31, 2019

   $ 892,260        $ 3,012,096        $ 3,904,356  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019(b)

   $ 181,036        $ 259,488        $ 440,524  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      55  


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 96.3%

 

Australia — 4.7%  

Ansell Ltd.

    619,030     $ 12,605,245  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    967,086       19,499,280  
   

 

 

 
    32,104,525  
Canada — 12.5%  

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

    740,075       36,748,709  

TELUS Corp.

    1,249,938       48,397,738  
   

 

 

 
    85,146,447  
Denmark — 3.4%  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    397,145       23,014,090  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 2.0%  

Kone OYJ, Class B

    214,075       13,997,902  
   

 

 

 
France — 7.1%  

Sanofi

    288,798       29,003,241  

Schneider Electric SE

    192,423       19,769,485  
   

 

 

 
    48,772,726  
Germany — 4.7%  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

    843,233       32,063,221  
   

 

 

 
India — 0.2%  

Jasper Infotech Private Ltd., Series I,
(Acquired 08/08/15, cost $3,948,600)(a)(b)

    5,300       1,335,865  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 6.8%  

Heineken NV

    165,959       17,712,443  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    596,040       29,136,640  
   

 

 

 
    46,849,083  
Singapore — 4.6%  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    829,900       16,001,501  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    772,900       15,200,329  
   

 

 

 
    31,201,830  
Sweden — 1.5%  

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

    974,276       10,493,193  
   

 

 

 
Switzerland — 13.1%  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Registered Shares

    137,616       10,754,815  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    306,564       33,190,211  

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    367,647       34,812,336  

SGS SA, Registered Shares

    3,828       10,483,643  
   

 

 

 
    89,241,005  
Taiwan — 1.5%  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    958,000       10,602,976  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 25.7%  

AstraZeneca PLC

    130,539       13,065,901  

BAE Systems PLC

    3,376,085       25,277,816  

British American Tobacco PLC

    884,912       37,610,593  

Diageo PLC

    404,101       17,027,464  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    1,505,565       35,376,295  

RELX PLC

    538,869       13,591,789  

Unilever PLC

    582,969       33,370,680  
   

 

 

 
    175,320,538  
United States — 8.5%  

3M Co. (c)(d)

    119,721       21,121,179  

Amcor PLC

    3,383,849       36,999,721  
   

 

 

 
    58,120,900  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 96.3%
(Cost — $588,837,298)

 

    658,264,301  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Stocks — 0.6%

 

Preferred Stocks — 0.6%

   
China — 0.6%  

Xiaoju Kuaizhi, Inc., Series A-17
(Acquired 07/28/15, cost $2,106,332)(a)(b)

    76,800     $ 3,911,424  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 0.6%
(Cost — $2,106,332)

 

    3,911,424  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 96.9%
(Cost — $590,943,630)

 

    662,175,725  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities — 2.6%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 1.51%(e)(f)

    17,518,842       17,518,842  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.6%
(Cost — $17,518,842)

 

    17,518,842  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 99.5%
(Cost — $608,462,472)

 

    679,694,567  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.0)%
(Premiums Received — $4,710,918)

 

    (6,538,218
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 98.5%
(Cost — $603,751,554)

 

    673,156,349  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 1.5%

 

    10,090,778  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 683,247,127  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(b) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $5,247,289, representing 0.8% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $6,054,932.

(c) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(d) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

56    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

(f) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     25,489,943        (7,971,101      17,518,842      $ 17,518,842      $ 213,854      $ 33      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

3M Co.

     82          01/10/20        USD     172.50        USD     1,447        $ (39,975

3M Co.

     137          01/17/20        USD     175.00        USD     2,417          (53,430

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

     1,025          01/17/20        CAD     66.00        CAD     6,609          (25,259

3M Co.

     237          01/31/20        USD     172.50        USD     4,181          (184,860

3M Co.

     82          02/21/20        USD     185.00        USD     1,447          (22,837
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (326,361
                          

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call                                                

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      42,000        01/07/20      AUD     28.46      AUD     1,219      $ (19,581

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      10,300        01/07/20      GBP     76.89      GBP     778        (4,483

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      282,300        01/07/20      GBP     5.92      GBP     1,595        (415

Deutsche Post AG

   Citibank N.A.      193,900        01/07/20      EUR     33.16      EUR     6,573        (183,244

Diageo PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      74,000        01/07/20      GBP     31.80      GBP     2,354        (27,086

Nestle SA

   UBS AG      8,100        01/07/20      CHF     108.61      CHF     849        (200

Novartis AG

   Goldman Sachs International      82,600        01/07/20      CHF     88.23      CHF     7,569        (293,946

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   UBS AG      93,800        01/07/20      DKK     390.27      DKK     36,211        (44,616

KONE OYJ, Class B

   Citibank N.A.      42,100        01/08/20      EUR     58.47      EUR     2,454        (29,495

Relx PLC

   UBS AG      40,700        01/08/20      EUR     22.06      EUR     915        (24,630

TELUS Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      68,000        01/08/20      CAD     47.71      CAD     2,634        (135,456

Unilever PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      137,000        01/08/20      GBP     46.76      GBP     5,921        (16

British American Tobacco PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      74,600        01/09/20      GBP     29.24      GBP     2,394        (282,235

SGS SA

   UBS AG      1,100        01/09/20      CHF     2,641.80      CHF     2,916        (29,882

Sanofi SA

   Goldman Sachs International      47,600        01/09/20      EUR     85.70      EUR     4,262        (206,912

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      89,000        01/09/20      AUD     29.90      AUD     2,557        (731

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      112,000        01/09/20      SGD     27.42      SGD     2,962        (679

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      45,900        01/14/20      AUD     29.10      AUD     1,332        (11,695

BAE Systems PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      96,700        01/14/20      GBP     5.60      GBP     546        (14,789

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      217,600        01/14/20      GBP     6.00      GBP     1,229        (1,396

British American Tobacco PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      138,200        01/14/20      GBP     29.47      GBP     4,435        (486,877

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   Goldman Sachs International      27,500        01/14/20      CHF     77.89      CHF     2,080        (16,930

Diageo PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      86,100        01/14/20      GBP     32.16      GBP     2,739        (25,839

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      100,700        01/14/20      GBP     17.73      GBP     1,786        (32,203

Heineken NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      64,700        01/14/20      EUR     95.17      EUR     6,156        (72,739

Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      128,300        01/14/20      EUR     41.00      EUR     5,591        (374,395

Nestle SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      25,900        01/14/20      CHF     102.84      CHF     2,714        (60,606

Amcor Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      393,800        01/15/20      AUD     14.91      AUD     6,135        (198,077

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      61,400        01/15/20      GBP     74.59      GBP     4,639        (144,298

Novan, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      29,400        01/15/20      CHF     91.78      CHF     2,694        (29,915

Sanofi SA

   UBS AG      42,500        01/15/20      EUR     89.71      EUR     3,805        (48,251

Schneider Electric SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      43,800        01/15/20      EUR     89.44      EUR     4,012        (134,992

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      57  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call (continued)                                                    

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      90,000        01/15/20        AUD       28.87        AUD       2,586      $ (21,147

Unilever PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      55,500        01/15/20        GBP       45.63        GBP       2,399        (1,181

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      40,900        01/15/20        SGD       25.44        SGD       1,082        (31,857

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      104,000        01/20/20        USD       324.45        USD       34,505        (34,760

Ansell Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      43,400        01/21/20        AUD       29.78        AUD       1,259        (5,216

BAE Systems PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      96,700        01/21/20        GBP       5.60        GBP       546        (16,471

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      218,000        01/21/20        GBP       5.89        GBP       1,232        (5,743

Deutsche Post AG

   UBS AG      162,600        01/21/20        EUR       35.03        EUR       5,512        (26,840

Novan, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      53,400        01/21/20        CHF       90.57        CHF       4,894        (104,539

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      39,500        01/21/20        DKK       391.79        DKK       15,249        (35,260

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      17,100        01/21/20        DKK       403.75        DKK       6,601        (5,281

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      95,000        01/21/20        AUD       29.73        AUD       2,729        (7,734

Amcor Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      386,800        01/22/20        AUD       14.92        AUD       6,026        (196,730

Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

   UBS AG      105,300        01/22/20        EUR       42.54        EUR       4,589        (160,287

Relx PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      132,700        01/22/20        EUR       21.76        EUR       2,984        (131,459

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   Goldman Sachs International      262,800        01/22/20        SEK       97.76        SEK       26,511        (103,237

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   UBS AG      163,000        01/22/20        SEK       97.51        SEK       16,443        (66,942

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      68,800        01/22/20        CAD       50.00        CAD       2,665        (48,596

British American Tobacco PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      97,000        01/23/20        GBP       32.95        GBP       3,113        (56,766

Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      34,400        01/23/20        CHF       76.63        CHF       2,602        (43,294

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      169,500        01/23/20        SGD       25.90        SGD       4,395        (42,984

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      121,000        01/23/20        SGD       25.85        SGD       3,138        (32,776

Deutsche Post AG

   Goldman Sachs International      42,800        01/23/20        EUR       35.49        EUR       1,451        (4,749

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      286,000        01/23/20        GBP       17.76        GBP       5,074        (119,004

Heineken NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      26,500        01/23/20        EUR       96.00        EUR       2,521        (38,245

KONE OYJ, Class B

   Citibank N.A.      12,900        01/23/20        EUR       59.22        EUR       752        (15,310

Nestle SA

   UBS AG      67,300        01/23/20        CHF       103.47        CHF       7,052        (146,556

SGS SA

   Citibank N.A.      700        01/23/20        CHF       2,663.22        CHF       1,855        (24,807

Sanofi SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      39,800        01/23/20        EUR       87.04        EUR       3,563        (142,551

Schneider Electric SA

   UBS AG      42,700        01/23/20        EUR       90.82        EUR       3,911        (107,414

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   Citibank N.A.      220,300        01/23/20        SEK       104.50        SEK       22,224        (12,516

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      117,700        01/23/20        SGD       26.62        SGD       3,113        (24,795

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      43,400        01/28/20        AUD       30.16        AUD       1,259        (4,352

Diageo PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      62,100        01/28/20        GBP       31.07        GBP       1,975        (95,036

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      41,000        01/28/20        DKK       393.25        DKK       15,828        (48,170

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      27,000        01/28/20        DKK       396.04        DKK       10,423        (28,156

Amcor Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      403,800        01/29/20        AUD       15.31        AUD       6,291        (125,967

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      135,200        01/29/20        GBP       5.54        GBP       764        (31,508

Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

   Goldman Sachs International      34,600        01/29/20        EUR       43.44        EUR       1,508        (40,826

Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class A

   Goldman Sachs International      19,400        01/29/20        SEK       92.35        SEK       1,957        (17,905

TELUS Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      76,000        01/31/20        CAD       50.75        CAD       2,943        (35,163

Ansell Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      45,900        02/04/20        AUD       29.18        AUD       1,332        (22,367

Rogers Communication, Inc., Class B

   Credit Suisse International      72,000        02/04/20        CAD       64.97        CAD       4,643        (60,014

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      135,000        02/05/20        GBP       5.80        GBP       763        (11,341

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   UBS AG      140,300        02/05/20        GBP       18.30        GBP       2,489        (31,768

KONE OYJ, Class B

   UBS AG      62,800        02/05/20        EUR       59.81        EUR       3,661        (82,131

Nestle S.A.

   Goldman Sachs International      67,300        02/05/20        CHF       105.06        CHF       7,052        (106,183

Relx PLC

   UBS AG      69,000        02/05/20        EUR       22.71        EUR       1,552        (32,277

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      120,000        02/05/20        AUD       30.21        AUD       3,448        (11,463

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      68,800        02/05/20        CAD       49.92        CAD       2,665        (59,536

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      57,200        02/05/20        CAD       50.20        CAD       2,215        (42,271

Unilever PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      53,700        02/05/20        GBP       44.36        GBP       2,321        (31,059

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      51,300        02/10/20        CAD       49.90        CAD       1,987        (47,438

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      57,200        02/10/20        CAD       50.20        CAD       2,215        (45,149

Rogers Communication, Inc., Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      79,200        02/11/20        CAD       65.80        CAD       5,107        (58,811

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      423,000        02/11/20        USD       321.36        USD       140,343        (216,339

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      58,000        02/12/20        AUD       29.94        AUD       1,683        (18,232

Rogers Communication, Inc., Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      79,300        02/18/20        CAD       65.80        CAD       5,113        (65,767

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      115,200        02/19/20        CAD       50.43        CAD       4,462        (90,972
                     

 

 

 
                      $ (6,211,857
                     

 

 

 

 

 

58    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

     

Swap
Premium

Paid

    

Swap
Premium

Received

    

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Unrealized

Depreciation

     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 999,329      $ (2,826,629    $ (6,538,218

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instrument

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $ 6,538,218      $      $      $      $ 6,538,218  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (468    $      $      $      $ (468

Options written

                   (18,604,008                           (18,604,008
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (18,604,476    $      $      $      $ (18,604,476
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (4,725,459    $      $      $      $ (4,725,459
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average market value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average market value of option contracts written

   $ 6,480,162  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at any quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Trust’s Investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 6,538,218  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (326,361
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 6,211,857  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      59  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 

Citibank N.A.

   $ 470,751        $        $ (470,751      $        $  

Credit Suisse International

     60,014                            (60,014         

Goldman Sachs International

     2,042,847                   (2,042,847                  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     374,066                   (374,066                  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     2,358,537                   (2,358,537                  

UBS AG

     905,642                   (905,642                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 6,211,857        $        $ (6,151,843      $ (60,014      $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a)

Excess of collateral pledged from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks:

 

Australia

   $        $ 32,104,525        $        $ 32,104,525  

Canada

     85,146,447                            85,146,447  

Denmark

              23,014,090                   23,014,090  

Finland

              13,997,902                   13,997,902  

France

              48,772,726                   48,772,726  

Germany

              32,063,221                   32,063,221  

India

                       1,335,865          1,335,865  

Netherlands

              46,849,083                   46,849,083  

Singapore

              31,201,830                   31,201,830  

Sweden

              10,493,193                   10,493,193  

Switzerland

              89,241,005                   89,241,005  

Taiwan

              10,602,976                   10,602,976  

United Kingdom

              175,320,538                   175,320,538  

United States

     21,121,179          36,999,721                   58,120,900  

Preferred Stocks

                       3,911,424          3,911,424  

Short-Term Securities

     17,518,842                            17,518,842  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 123,786,468        $ 550,660,810        $ 5,247,289        $ 679,694,567  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

 

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (326,361      $ (6,211,857      $        $ (6,538,218
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 100.4%

 

Biotechnology — 17.5%  

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    10,320     $ 441,490  

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.(a)(b)

    36,751       1,948,538  

Acerta Pharma BV, Series B,
(Acquired 2/01/16, cost $986,402)(c)(d)

    17,146,440       2,162,166  

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    17,150       818,913  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    8,338       901,755  

Allakos, Inc.(a)(b)

    25,025       2,386,384  

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    40,796       1,059,880  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    31,268       3,601,136  

Amgen, Inc.(b)

    58,918       14,203,362  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    22,450       687,419  

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    28,554       1,296,923  

Atreca, Inc., Class A(a)

    19,203       297,070  

Biogen, Inc.(a)(b)

    14,600       4,332,258  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    54,878       4,639,935  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)(b)

    9,503       761,285  

ChemoCentryx, Inc.(a)

    7,300       288,715  

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.(a)(e)

    34,538       188,577  

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    8,058       462,449  

Frequency Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    6,589       115,505  

Galapagos NV, ADR(a)(b)

    5,722       1,183,481  

Genfit ADR(a)(e)

    7,762       154,464  

Genmab A/S(a)

    12,773       2,840,759  

Genmab A/S, ADR(a)

    38,411       857,718  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(b)

    73,387       4,768,687  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    25,750       456,548  

Immunovant, Inc.(a)

    29,600       469,160  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    25,137       2,194,963  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    9,401       1,211,413  

Molecular Templates, Inc.(a)

    21,176       296,146  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)(b)

    35,662       3,833,308  

NextCure, Inc.(a)(e)

    10,934       615,912  

Principia Biopharma, Inc.(a)

    4,135       226,515  

Ra Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    45,620       2,140,947  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    8,408       1,084,968  

Seattle Genetics, Inc.(a)(b)

    53,668       6,132,106  

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    16,128       141,604  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    40,163       8,793,689  
   

 

 

 
    77,996,148  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 29.8%  

Abbott Laboratories(b)

    242,900       21,098,294  

ABIOMED, Inc.(a)(b)

    10,307       1,758,271  

Alcon, Inc.(a)(b)

    111,323       6,297,542  

Baxter International, Inc.(b)

    115,466       9,655,267  

Becton Dickinson & Co.(b)

    17,353       4,719,495  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)(b)

    185,853       8,404,273  

ConvaTec Group PLC(f)

    1,066,374       2,806,408  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)(b)

    52,215       12,181,237  

Envista Holdings Corp.(a)

    36,250       1,074,450  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)(b)

    17,678       10,450,350  

Masimo Corp.(a)(b)

    29,400       4,646,964  

Medtronic PLC(b)

    135,596       15,383,366  

Nevro Corp.(a)(b)

    13,182       1,549,412  

ResMed, Inc.(b)

    26,094       4,043,787  

SI-BONE, Inc.(a)

    4,237       91,096  

Silk Road Medical, Inc.(a)

    9,292       375,211  

Stryker Corp.

    58,936       12,373,024  

Teleflex, Inc.(b)

    18,400       6,926,496  

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(a)(b)

    39,749       5,644,756  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.(b)

    22,684       3,395,341  
   

 

 

 
    132,875,040  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services — 21.0%  

Amedisys, Inc.(a)

    17,432     $ 2,909,749  

Anthem, Inc.(b)

    37,297       11,264,813  

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. Series C,
(Acquired 10/08/19, cost $431,098)(c)(d)

    74,138       431,098  

Centene Corp.(a)(b)

    72,754       4,574,044  

Cigna Corp.(a)(b)

    52,317       10,698,303  

Encompass Health Corp.(b)

    35,457       2,456,106  

Guardant Health, Inc.(a)(b)

    4,853       379,213  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.(b)

    46,691       6,901,397  

Humana, Inc.(b)

    28,700       10,519,124  

LHC Group, Inc.(a)(b)

    17,064       2,350,737  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.(b)

    12,364       1,320,352  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(b)

    135,902       39,952,470  
   

 

 

 
    93,757,406  
Health Care Technology — 1.0%  

Cerner Corp.(b)

    21,518       1,579,206  

Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)(b)

    36,070       3,019,780  
   

 

 

 
    4,598,986  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 7.7%  

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    4,779       364,399  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.(b)

    27,180       2,318,726  

Avantor, Inc.(a)

    133,844       2,429,269  

Illumina, Inc.(a)(b)

    13,692       4,542,184  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    25,443       3,931,198  

QIAGEN NV(a)(b)

    25,333       856,255  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(b)

    50,311       16,344,535  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(f)

    164,220       2,036,044  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.(a)(f)

    130,000       1,646,507  
   

 

 

 
    34,469,117  
Pharmaceuticals — 23.4%  

AstraZeneca PLC

    77,736       7,780,747  

AstraZeneca PLC — ADR(b)

    44,756       2,231,534  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(b)

    161,103       10,341,202  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    22,700       1,499,204  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    30,000       2,244,778  

Eli Lilly & Co.(b)

    43,223       5,680,799  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

    97,482       2,290,537  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(a)(f)

    812,000       2,704,235  

Hua Medicine(a)(e)(f)

    735,105       472,630  

Johnson & Johnson(b)

    94,037       13,717,177  

Merck & Co., Inc.(b)

    210,067       19,105,594  

Merck KGaA

    18,096       2,133,405  

MyoKardia, Inc.(a)(b)

    17,691       1,289,408  

Nektar Therapeutics(a)

    24,013       518,321  

Pfizer, Inc.(b)

    173,095       6,781,862  

Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    7,723       1,578,813  

Roche Holding AG

    10,627       3,453,803  

Sanofi

    55,485       5,572,216  

Sanofi — ADR

    53,135       2,667,377  

Theravance Biopharma, Inc.(a)

    4,803       124,350  

Tricida, Inc.(a)

    12,925       487,789  

Urovant Sciences Ltd.(a)

    6,784       105,220  

Zoetis, Inc.(b)

    89,614       11,860,413  
   

 

 

 
    104,641,414  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 100.4%
(Cost — $288,796,721)

 

    448,338,111  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      61  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Other Interests(g) — 0.0%

 

Pharmaceuticals — 0.0%  

Afferent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Series C(c)

    190     $ 129,309  
   

 

 

 

Total Other Interests — 0.0%
(Cost — $—)

 

    129,309  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.4%
(Cost — $288,796,721)

 

    448,467,420  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities — 0.8%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class,
1.51%(h)(i)

    3,489,138       3,489,138  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series,
1.80%(h)(i)(j)

    253,827       253,877  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.8%
(Cost — $3,743,011)

 

    3,743,015  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.2%
(Cost — $292,539,732)

 

    452,210,435  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.2)%
(Premiums Received — $3,970,215)

 

    (5,499,305
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.0%
(Cost — $288,569,517)

 

    446,711,130  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.0%

 

    61,461  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 446,772,591  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(c) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $2,593,264, representing 0.5% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $1,417,500.

(e) 

Security, or a portion of the security, is on loan.

(f) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(g) 

Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.

(h) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(i) 

Security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 
(j) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     25,967,520        (22,478,382      3,489,138      $ 3,489,138      $ 384,813      $ 12      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

     4,665        249,162        253,827        253,877        56,867  (b)       81        4  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,743,015      $ 441,680        93      $ 4  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

Represents all or a portion of securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Medtronic PLC

     47          01/03/20        USD     113.00        USD     533        $ (3,572

Zoetis, Inc.

     112          01/03/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,482          (86,240

Baxter International, Inc.

     126          01/10/20        USD     84.00        USD     1,054          (10,332

Becton Dickinson & Co.

     36          01/10/20        USD     265.00        USD     979          (28,440

Boston Scientific Corp.

     217          01/10/20        USD     43.50        USD     981          (38,735

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     131          01/10/20        USD     58.60        USD     841          (67,685

Cigna Corp.

     144          01/10/20        USD     202.50        USD     2,945          (62,640

 

 

62    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

     95          01/10/20        USD     143.00        USD     1,404        $ (50,350

Medtronic PLC

     117          01/10/20        USD     115.00        USD     1,327          (6,376

Merck & Co., Inc.

     181          01/10/20        USD     89.00        USD     1,646          (40,454

Pfizer, Inc.

     40          01/10/20        USD     38.07        USD     157          (4,961

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     27          01/10/20        USD     108.25        USD     288          (1,089

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     101          01/10/20        USD     285.00        USD     2,969          (98,475

10X Genomics, Inc.

     19          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     145          (11,020

ABIOMED, Inc.

     20          01/17/20        USD     200.00        USD     341          (2,900

Abbott Laboratories

     399          01/17/20        USD     85.00        USD     3,466          (100,149

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.

     20          01/17/20        USD     49.00        USD     86          (900

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

     43          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     228          (20,103

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

     44          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     233          (38,060

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     106          01/17/20        USD     80.00        USD     904          (53,265

Alcon, Inc.

     176          01/17/20        USD     60.35        USD     996          (294

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     16          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     173          (840

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     73          01/17/20        USD     95.00        USD     841          (150,015

Amgen, Inc.

     120          01/17/20        USD     240.00        USD     2,893          (55,800

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     60          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     273          (3,720

Baxter International, Inc.

     190          01/17/20        USD     82.50        USD     1,589          (42,655

Becton Dickinson & Co.

     33          01/17/20        USD     250.00        USD     898          (73,920

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     100          01/17/20        USD     80.00        USD     846          (57,500

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     38          01/17/20        USD     85.00        USD     304          (10,545

Boston Scientific Corp.

     87          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     393          (7,743

Centene Corp.

     174          01/17/20        USD     57.50        USD     1,094          (97,440

Cigna Corp.

     65          01/17/20        USD     200.00        USD     1,329          (45,988

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

     104          01/17/20        USD     250.00        USD     2,426          (1,300

Eli Lilly & Co.

     180          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     2,366          (210,600

Encompass Health Corp.

     141          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     977          (18,330

Galapagos NV

     22          01/17/20        USD     195.00        USD     455          (31,900

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     254          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     1,650          (6,604

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     39          01/17/20        USD     67.50        USD     253          (2,184

Guardant Health, Inc.

     19          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     148          (855

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

     91          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     1,345          (75,075

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

     100          01/17/20        USD     19.00        USD     177          (1,500

Humana, Inc.

     24          01/17/20        USD     340.00        USD     880          (65,640

Illumina, Inc.

     10          01/17/20        USD     320.00        USD     332          (18,750

Incyte Corp.

     98          01/17/20        USD     87.50        USD     856          (22,540

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     34          01/17/20        USD     600.00        USD     2,010          (30,940

Johnson & Johnson

     127          01/17/20        USD     135.00        USD     1,853          (142,558

LHC Group, Inc.

     68          01/17/20        USD     135.00        USD     937          (31,960

Masimo Corp.

     120          01/17/20        USD     160.00        USD     1,897          (33,000

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.

     36          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     464          (90,540

MyoKardia, Inc.

     70          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     510          (31,500

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

     139          01/17/20        USD     110.00        USD     1,494          (30,580

Nevro Corp.

     51          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     599          (69,615

Pfizer, Inc.

     40          01/17/20        USD     38.00        USD     157          (5,620

QIAGEN NV

     104          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     352          (4,680

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     25          01/17/20        USD     103.28        USD     267          (8,642

ResMed, Inc.

     83          01/17/20        USD     150.00        USD     1,286          (50,630

Seattle Genetics, Inc.

     214          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     2,445          (98,440

Silk Road Medical, Inc.

     37          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     149          (6,382

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     71          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     594          (7,100

Teleflex, Inc.

     39          01/17/20        USD     340.00        USD     1,468          (143,325

Teleflex, Inc.

     40          01/17/20        USD     370.00        USD     1,506          (42,000

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     200          01/17/20        USD     320.00        USD     6,497          (160,000

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     101          01/17/20        USD     290.00        USD     2,969          (86,103

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

     87          01/17/20        USD     135.00        USD     1,235          (69,165

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     157          01/17/20        USD     210.00        USD     3,438          (174,270

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     45          01/17/20        USD     150.33        USD     674          (9,377

Zoetis, Inc.

     73          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     966          (56,210

Abbott Laboratories

     173          01/24/20        USD     87.00        USD     1,503          (26,988

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.

     21          01/24/20        USD     49.00        USD     90          (1,260

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      63  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     17          01/24/20        USD     116.00        USD     184        $ (2,337

AstraZeneca PLC

     88          01/24/20        USD     50.00        USD     439          (7,040

Biogen, Inc.

     50          01/24/20        USD     317.50        USD     1,484          (8,875

Boston Scientific Corp.

     439          01/24/20        USD     45.50        USD     1,985          (32,267

Medtronic PLC

     171          01/24/20        USD     113.00        USD     1,940          (35,568

Merck & Co., Inc.

     230          01/24/20        USD     90.00        USD     2,092          (46,115

Pfizer, Inc.

     100          01/24/20        USD     38.50        USD     392          (10,950

Pfizer, Inc.

     62          01/24/20        USD     38.70        USD     243          (5,914

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

     33          01/24/20        USD     135.00        USD     426          (13,860

Zoetis, Inc.

     100          01/24/20        USD     128.00        USD     1,324          (57,500

Abbott Laboratories

     399          01/31/20        USD     88.00        USD     3,466          (53,466

Amgen, Inc.

     115          01/31/20        USD     245.00        USD     2,772          (47,725

AstraZeneca PLC

     91          01/31/20        USD     50.00        USD     454          (8,872

Becton Dickinson & Co.

     17          01/31/20        USD     270.00        USD     462          (13,685

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     504          01/31/20        USD     64.00        USD     3,235          (74,340

Centene Corp.

     117          01/31/20        USD     60.50        USD     736          (41,535

Humana, Inc.

     45          01/31/20        USD     375.00        USD     1,649          (26,325

Illumina, Inc.

     10          01/31/20        USD     335.00        USD     332          (14,400

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     36          01/31/20        USD     592.50        USD     2,128          (69,660

Medtronic PLC

     159          01/31/20        USD     115.00        USD     1,804          (20,988

Merck & Co., Inc.

     199          01/31/20        USD     92.00        USD     1,810          (22,487

Pfizer, Inc.

     127          01/31/20        USD     38.48        USD     498          (13,532

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     45          01/31/20        USD     150.33        USD     674          (13,252

Zoetis, Inc.

     73          01/31/20        USD     130.00        USD     966          (29,930

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     23          02/07/20        USD     65.00        USD     148          (3,208

Pfizer, Inc.

     142          02/07/20        USD     39.97        USD     556          (6,457

Pfizer, Inc.

     87          02/14/20        USD     40.02        USD     341          (4,463

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

     60          02/21/20        USD     55.00        USD     318          (27,000

Alcon, Inc.

     269          02/21/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,522          (67,923

Allakos, Inc.

     100          02/21/20        USD     135.00        USD     954          (19,500

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.

     163          02/21/20        USD     30.00        USD     423          (11,410

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     52          02/21/20        USD     125.00        USD     599          (23,140

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     54          02/21/20        USD     50.00        USD     245          (8,829

Baxter International, Inc.

     145          02/21/20        USD     85.00        USD     1,212          (32,698

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     122          02/21/20        USD     62.50        USD     783          (36,661

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

     104          02/21/20        USD     240.00        USD     2,426          (71,240

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.

     32          02/21/20        USD     65.00        USD     184          (8,880

Humana, Inc.

     45          02/21/20        USD     350.00        USD     1,649          (114,525

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

     101          02/21/20        USD     155.00        USD     1,561          (48,985

Johnson & Johnson

     126          02/21/20        USD     140.00        USD     1,838          (99,855

Johnson & Johnson

     123          02/21/20        USD     145.00        USD     1,794          (54,120

Medtronic PLC

     48          02/21/20        USD     115.00        USD     545          (12,360

Merck & Co., Inc.

     230          02/21/20        USD     90.00        USD     2,092          (71,300

Pfizer, Inc.

     94          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     368          (5,781

QIAGEN NV

     106          02/21/20        USD     43.00        USD     358          (5,830

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     71          02/21/20        USD     110.00        USD     758          (10,117

Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     30          02/21/20        USD     230.00        USD     613          (21,300

ResMed, Inc.

     13          02/21/20        USD     155.00        USD     201          (9,490

ResMed, Inc.

     34          02/21/20        USD     165.00        USD     527          (11,560

Sanofi — ADR

     177          02/21/20        USD     50.47        USD     889          (22,766

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

     71          02/21/20        USD     145.00        USD     1,008          (33,015

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     25          03/20/20        USD     65.00        USD     160          (5,412

Cerner Corp.

     86          03/20/20        USD     72.50        USD     631          (30,530
                          

 

 

 
     $ (4,687,347
    

 

 

 
Put  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

     25          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     386        $ (375
                          

 

 

 
     $ (4,687,722
    

 

 

 

 

 

64    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty   

Number of

Contracts

     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call  

Avantor, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International      26,000        01/06/20      USD     16.27      USD     472      $ (49,961

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      15,300        01/07/20      GBP     76.89      GBP     1,156        (6,659

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      51,000        01/08/20      HKD     88.61      HKD     5,033        (66,193

Convatec Group PLC

   UBS AG      208,000        01/09/20      GBP     2.06      GBP     414        (3,918

Rogers Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      4,100        01/09/20      CHF     298.86      CHF     1,290        (66,927

Sanofi

   Goldman Sachs International      6,900        01/09/20      EUR     85.70      EUR     618        (29,994

Sanofi ADR

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      3,500        01/09/20      USD     46.39      USD     176        (13,399

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      4,400        01/14/20      JPY     6,942.45      JPY     31,575        (14,103

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      324,000        01/14/20      HKD     24.28      HKD     8,408        (79,144

AstraZeneca PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      15,700        01/15/20      GBP     74.59      GBP     1,186        (36,897

Amedisys, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      6,900        01/17/20      USD     164.75      USD     1,152        (38,080

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      4,400        01/22/20      JPY     6,942.45      JPY     31,575        (16,047

Banco Santander SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      15,200        01/23/20      EUR     85.62      EUR     1,361        (72,760

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      38,900        01/23/20      GBP     17.76      GBP     690        (16,186

Merck & Co., Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      7,000        01/23/20      EUR     106.32      EUR     736        (8,351

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      64,200        01/23/20      HKD     106.73      HKD     6,202        (5,755

Genmab Sponsored ADR

   Credit Suisse International      5,100        01/24/20      DKK     1,647.30      DKK     7,556        (3,288

Stryker Corp.

   Barclays Bank PLC      11,800        01/24/20      USD     205.48      USD     2,477        (74,029

Stryker Corp.

   Barclays Bank PLC      11,800        01/30/20      USD     205.48      USD     2,477        (78,679

Convatec Group PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      218,500        02/05/20      GBP     1.98      GBP     435        (20,702

Avantor, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      27,500        02/06/20      USD     18.60      USD     499        (21,988

Teladoc Health, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      7,300        02/12/20      USD     85.42      USD     611        (31,888

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

   UBS AG      11,900        02/21/20      USD     85.57      USD     1,006        (48,955

Tricida, Inc.

   UBS AG      5,100        02/24/20      USD     40.88      USD     192        (7,680
                     

 

 

 
   $ (811,583
  

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

     

Swap

Premiums

Paid

    

Swap

Premiums

Received

    

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Unrealized

Depreciation

     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 685,336      $ (2,214,426    $ (5,499,305

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

     

Commodity

Contracts

     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $ 5,499,305      $      $      $      $ 5,499,305  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (2,229    $      $      $      $ (2,229

Options written

                   (6,904,281                           (6,904,281
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (6,906,510    $      $      $      $ (6,906,510
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      65  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ 49      $      $      $      $ 49  

Options written

                   (2,646,072                           (2,646,072
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (2,646,023    $      $      $      $ (2,646,023
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a)  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 3,677,811  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at any quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 5,499,305  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (4,687,722
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 811,583  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (a)
 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 222,676        $        $        $        $ 222,676  

Credit Suisse International

     53,249                                     53,249  

Goldman Sachs International

     131,729                                     131,729  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     144,681                                     144,681  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     198,695                                     198,695  

UBS AG

     60,553                                     60,553  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 811,583        $        $        $        $ 811,583  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

66    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks:

 

Biotechnology

   $ 72,993,223        $ 2,840,759        $ 2,162,166        $ 77,996,148  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     130,068,632          2,806,408                   132,875,040  

Health Care Providers & Services

     93,326,308                   431,098          93,757,406  

Health Care Technology

     4,598,986                            4,598,986  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     30,786,566          3,682,551               34,469,117  

Pharmaceuticals

     76,962,489          27,678,925                   104,641,414  

Other Interests

                       129,309          129,309  

Short-Term Securities

     3,489,138                            3,489,138  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 412,225,342        $ 37,008,643        $ 2,722,573        $ 451,956,558  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    253,877  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments

                  $ 452,210,435  
    

 

 

 

Derivative financial Instruments(b)

 

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (4,529,290      $ (970,015      $        $ (5,499,305
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain investments of the Trust were fair valued using NAV per share or its equivalent as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (b) 

Derivative financial instruments are options written which are shown at value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      67  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 97.6%

 

Chemicals — 11.4%  

Albemarle Corp.

      131,688     $ 9,618,492  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

      327,199       15,620,488  

FMC Corp.(b)

      256,777       25,631,480  

Koninklijke DSM NV

      119,358       15,605,533  

Nutrien Ltd.

      230,523       11,036,629  

Umicore SA

      333,958       16,275,105  
     

 

 

 
    93,787,727  
Containers & Packaging — 8.8%  

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.(b)

      822,160       13,688,964  

International Paper Co.(a)

      396,216       18,245,747  

Packaging Corp. of America(b)

      188,828       21,146,848  

Westrock Co.(b)

      457,004       19,610,041  
     

 

 

 
    72,691,600  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.8%  

Trimble, Inc.(c)

      160,904       6,708,088  
     

 

 

 
Food Products — 6.7%  

JBS SA

      2,200,208       14,111,260  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

      102,466       12,769,402  

Salmar ASA

      165,398       8,476,017  

Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A

      218,186       19,863,653  
     

 

 

 
    55,220,332  
Machinery — 0.9%  

Deere & Co.

      40,395       6,998,838  
     

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 33.1%  

Anglo American PLC

      1,220,367       35,058,598  

Barrick Gold Corp.

      1,186,922       22,064,880  

BHP Group PLC

      1,814,999       42,532,523  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

      1,855,148       18,815,062  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

      136,639       14,109,525  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

      759,184       9,960,494  

Fresnillo PLC

      844,741       7,164,982  

Lundin Mining Corp.

      3,049,792       18,225,240  

Neo Lithium Corp.(c)(d)

      5,113,514       1,968,932  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

      389,721       8,230,507  

Polyus PJSC — GDR

      173,403       9,831,950  

Rio Tinto PLC — ADR

      230,629       13,690,138  

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

      1,489,537       12,514,611  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

      741,734       12,883,920  

Vale SA — ADR

      2,026,989       26,756,255  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

      628,744       18,705,134  
     

 

 

 
    272,512,751  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 34.8%  

BP PLC — ADR

      1,178,306       44,469,269  

CNOOC Ltd.

      9,618,000       15,993,093  

ConocoPhillips(a)

      287,339       18,685,655  

EOG Resources, Inc.

      147,942       12,391,622  

Equinor ASA

      643,934       12,841,504  

Exxon Mobil Corp.(a)(b)

      323,708       22,588,344  

Gazprom PJSC — ADR

      1,193,075       9,847,072  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.

      929,959       5,300,766  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

      201,804       12,158,691  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

      557,900       8,892,926  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR, Class A

      741,430       43,729,541  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

      561,099       18,390,030  

TOTAL SA

      863,909       47,938,749  

Williams Cos., Inc.

      562,575       13,344,279  
     

 

 

 
    286,571,541  
Security          Shares     Value  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%  

Precious Woods Holding AG(c)

      20,000     $ 167,390  
     

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 1.1%  

Tractor Supply Co.

      92,625       8,654,880  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.6%
(Cost — $700,503,701)

 

    803,313,147  
     

 

 

 
            Par
(000)
        

Corporate Bonds — 1.7%

 

Metals & Mining — 1.7%  

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd., 4.00%, 12/31/22

    CAD       5,652       4,399,555  

Pilgangoora Operations Pty Ltd., 12.00%, 06/21/22

    USD       9,000       9,581,183  
     

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 1.7%
(Cost — $13,511,495)

 

    13,980,738  
     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.3%
(Cost — $714,015,196)

 

    817,293,885  
     

 

 

 
            Shares         

Short-Term Securities — 1.7%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 1.51%(e)(g)

      13,708,365       13,708,365  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series,
1.80%(e)(f)(g)

      183,142       183,179  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.7%
(Cost — $13,891,502)

 

    13,891,544  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.0%
(Cost — $727,906,698)

 

    831,185,429  
     

 

 

 

Options Written — (0.9)%
(Premiums Received — $6,337,262)

 

    (7,527,774
     

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.1%
(Cost — $721,569,436)

 

    823,657,655  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

 

    (903,917
     

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 822,753,738  
     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(b) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

(d) 

Security, or a portion of the security, is on loan.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

Security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

68    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

(g) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss) (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     13,652,388        55,977        13,708,365      $ 13,708,365      $ 296,199      $ 36      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

     276,499        (93,357      183,142        183,179        53,396 (b)              71  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 13,891,544      $ 349,595      $ 36      $ 71  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     106          01/03/20        USD     70.00        USD     740        $ (2,915

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     207          01/03/20        USD     70.50        USD     1,444          (2,484

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     293          01/03/20        USD     16.00        USD     467          (3,076

Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A

     220          01/03/20        USD     90.50        USD     2,003          (19,250

BP PLC — ADR

     785          01/10/20        USD     40.17        USD     2,963          (221

ConocoPhillips

     423          01/10/20        USD     64.00        USD     2,751          (71,487

EOG Resources, Inc.

     87          01/10/20        USD     75.50        USD     729          (72,645

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     237          01/10/20        USD     70.50        USD     1,654          (11,020

International Paper Co.

     348          01/10/20        USD     47.50        USD     1,603          (4,002

International Paper Co.

     118          01/10/20        USD     48.00        USD     543          (767

Teck Resources Ltd.

     219          01/10/20        USD     17.50        USD     380          (6,460

Tractor Supply Co.

     105          01/10/20        USD     99.50        USD     981          (1,050

Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A

     166          01/10/20        USD     91.50        USD     1,511          (17,430

Williams Cos., Inc.

     199          01/10/20        USD     22.55        USD     472          (24,031

Albemarle Corp.

     342          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     2,498          (135,090

Barrick Gold Corp.

     1,654          01/17/20        USD     18.00        USD     3,075          (129,012

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     433          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     2,067          (11,691

ConocoPhillips

     180          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,171          (94,500

Deere & Co.

     46          01/17/20        USD     175.00        USD     797          (10,005

Deere & Co.

     115          01/17/20        USD     180.00        USD     1,992          (7,475

EOG Resources, Inc.

     42          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     352          (37,485

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     304          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     2,121          (28,728

FMC Corp.

     665          01/17/20        USD     100.00        USD     6,638          (108,063

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

     1,041          01/17/20        CAD     12.00        CAD     1,371          (108,225

Franco-Nevada Corp.

     270          01/17/20        CAD     135.00        CAD     3,620          (43,560

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     1,012          01/17/20        USD     12.00        USD     1,328          (120,428

International Paper Co.

     468          01/17/20        USD     47.50        USD     2,155          (12,402

Lundin Mining Corp.

     3,123          01/17/20        CAD     7.00        CAD     2,423          (185,184

Lundin Mining Corp.

     1,326          01/17/20        CAD     8.00        CAD     1,029          (9,190

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     32          01/17/20        USD     67.50        USD     193          (320

Nutrien Ltd.

     406          01/17/20        CAD     66.00        CAD     2,524          (2,189

Packaging Corp. of America

     155          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     1,736          (10,462

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     138          01/17/20        USD     17.00        USD     220          (1,242

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     11          01/17/20        USD     16.00        USD     18          (390

Rio Tinto PLC — ADR

     584          01/17/20        USD     54.39        USD     3,467          (300,760

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR

     756          01/17/20        USD     60.50        USD     4,459          (12,608

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     990          01/17/20        CAD     43.50        CAD     4,213          (9,911

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     92          01/17/20        CAD     42.00        CAD     392          (6,235

Teck Resources Ltd.

     910          01/17/20        USD     18.00        USD     1,581          (21,385

Tractor Supply Co.

     80          01/17/20        USD     97.50        USD     748          (3,600

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      69  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A

     319          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     2,904        $ (72,573

Vale SA — ADR

     1,106          01/17/20        USD     13.50        USD     1,460          (21,014

Westrock Co.

     395          01/17/20        USD     42.50        USD     1,695          (46,413

Williams Cos., Inc.

     199          01/17/20        USD     22.55        USD     472          (25,227

BP PLC — ADR

     914          01/24/20        USD     38.50        USD     3,449          (26,963

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     216          01/24/20        USD     46.50        USD     1,031          (43,632

ConocoPhillips

     142          01/24/20        USD     64.00        USD     923          (32,305

EOG Resources, Inc.

     179          01/24/20        USD     78.00        USD     1,499          (113,218

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     233          01/24/20        USD     70.00        USD     1,626          (26,212

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     207          01/24/20        USD     71.00        USD     1,444          (14,076

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     1,012          01/24/20        USD     14.00        USD     1,328          (20,746

International Paper Co.

     238          01/24/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,096          (12,971

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     209          01/24/20        USD     64.00        USD     1,259          (11,390

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     585          01/24/20        USD     16.00        USD     932          (25,155

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR, Class A

     400          01/24/20        USD     59.00        USD     2,359          (33,000

Teck Resources Ltd.

     218          01/24/20        USD     17.50        USD     379          (10,900

Teck Resources Ltd.

     156          01/24/20        USD     18.00        USD     271          (4,758

Teck Resources Ltd.

     233          01/24/20        USD     18.50        USD     405          (4,077

Tractor Supply Co.

     185          01/24/20        USD     98.50        USD     1,729          (8,787

Tyson Foods, Inc. Class A

     167          01/24/20        USD     92.50        USD     1,520          (21,710

Vale SA — ADR

     1,895          01/24/20        USD     13.50        USD     2,501          (46,428

Williams Cos., Inc.

     499          01/24/20        USD     23.50        USD     1,184          (32,934

BP PLC — ADR

     1,029          01/31/20        USD     38.00        USD     3,883          (60,711

Barrick Gold Corp.

     1,653          01/31/20        USD     18.50        USD     3,073          (106,619

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     225          01/31/20        USD     48.00        USD     1,074          (29,363

ConocoPhillips

     187          01/31/20        USD     65.00        USD     1,216          (37,026

ConocoPhillips

     36          01/31/20        USD     63.00        USD     234          (11,610

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     1,012          01/31/20        USD     14.50        USD     1,328          (17,204

International Paper Co.

     412          01/31/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,897          (35,638

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     358          01/31/20        USD     63.50        USD     2,157          (40,275

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     456          01/31/20        USD     16.50        USD     727          (13,680

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR, Class A

     156          01/31/20        USD     58.00        USD     920          (28,080

Teck Resources Ltd.

     156          01/31/20        USD     18.00        USD     271          (6,084

Teck Resources Ltd.

     233          01/31/20        USD     18.50        USD     405          (5,708

Vale SA — ADR

     1,297          01/31/20        USD     13.50        USD     1,712          (39,559

Vale SA — ADR

     1,074          01/31/20        USD     13.00        USD     1,418          (60,681

Williams Cos., Inc.

     182          01/31/20        USD     23.50        USD     432          (13,286

ConocoPhillips

     145          02/07/20        USD     68.00        USD     943          (15,805

Teck Resources Ltd.

     841          02/07/20        USD     18.50        USD     1,461          (26,492

BP PLC — ADR

     1,202          02/21/20        USD     38.00        USD     4,536          (101,569

Barrick Gold Corp.

     1,440          02/21/20        USD     19.00        USD     2,677          (98,640

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     434          02/21/20        USD     47.50        USD     2,072          (95,914

ConocoPhillips

     36          02/21/20        USD     65.00        USD     234          (9,270

EOG Resources, Inc.

     283          02/21/20        USD     80.00        USD     2,370          (168,385

Franco-Nevada Corp.

     276          02/21/20        CAD     135.00        CAD     3,701          (90,332

Nutrien Ltd.

     300          02/21/20        CAD     66.00        CAD     1,865          (11,551

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

     456          02/21/20        USD     17.00        USD     727          (14,592

Rio Tinto PLC — ADR

     338          02/21/20        USD     58.75        USD     2,006          (78,676

Trimble, Inc.

     301          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,255          (87,290

Vale SA — ADR

     1,107          02/21/20        USD     14.00        USD     1,461          (30,443

Westrock Co.

     193          02/21/20        USD     45.00        USD     828          (16,405

Williams Cos., Inc.

     499          02/21/20        USD     24.00        USD     1,184          (33,184

Williams Cos., Inc.

     202          02/21/20        USD     23.31        USD     479          (22,118
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (3,707,657
                          

 

 

 

 

 

70    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
  

Exercise
Price

     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call  

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      87,000      01/06/20      USD       15.07        USD       1,449      $ (137,634

Gazprom PJSC — ADR

   Goldman Sachs International      255,000      01/07/20      USD       8.33        USD       2,104        (18,016

Packaging Corp. of America

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      15,600      01/07/20      USD       112.52        USD       1,747        (13,898

Anglo American PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      91,800      01/08/20      GBP       21.06        GBP       1,991        (91,001

BHP Group PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      243,900      01/08/20      GBP       17.44        GBP       4,315        (127,733

Lundin Mining Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      63,600      01/08/20      CAD       7.44        CAD       494        (16,893

CNOOC Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      1,738,000      01/09/20      HKD       12.90        HKD       22,524        (55,381

Equinor ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      69,100      01/09/20      NOK       182.02        NOK       12,098        (3,073

Fresnillo PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      112,200      01/09/20      GBP       7.27        GBP       718        (927

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      63,200      01/09/20      USD       60.20        USD       3,728        (8,618

Vale SA — ADR

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      162,800      01/09/20      USD       12.98        USD       2,149        (58,587

Anglo American PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      51,000      01/14/20      GBP       21.48        GBP       1,106        (37,685

Fresnillo PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      5,300      01/14/20      GBP       6.60        GBP       34        (737

TOTAL SA

   Credit Suisse International      70,200      01/14/20      EUR       50.40        EUR       3,473        (5,884

Umicore SA

   UBS AG      41,550      01/14/20      EUR       40.44        EUR       1,805        (164,932

Westrock Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      62,000      01/14/20      USD       41.20        USD       2,660        (127,163

BHP Group PLC

   UBS AG      237,000      01/15/20      GBP       17.64        GBP       4,193        (112,473

CNOOC Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      296,000      01/15/20      HKD       11.50        HKD       3,836        (56,503

Gazprom PJSC — ADR

   Goldman Sachs International      255,100      01/15/20      USD       7.79        USD       2,105        (120,611

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

   Credit Suisse International      4,700      01/15/20      USD       16.66        USD       78        (1,049

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      78,500      01/15/20      USD       16.77        USD       1,307        (13,915

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

   UBS AG      18,600      01/15/20      USD       16.26        USD       310        (8,812

Salmar ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      33,000      01/15/20      NOK       464.05        NOK       14,847        (20,797

Statoil ASA

   UBS AG      23,100      01/15/20      NOK       170.09        NOK       4,044        (15,563

Trimble, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      34,200      01/15/20      USD       41.19        USD       1,426        (36,663

Statoil ASA

   Credit Suisse International      114,000      01/21/20      NOK       181.33        NOK       19,959        (15,510

Umicore SA

   UBS AG      41,550      01/21/20      EUR       40.44        EUR       1,805        (178,225

Anglo American PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      258,600      01/22/20      GBP       21.00        GBP       5,609        (335,308

JBS SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      577,000      01/22/20      USD       28.02        USD       14,887        (41,515

Koninkilijke DSM NV

   Goldman Sachs International      23,200      01/22/20      EUR       120.25        EUR       2,704        (10,696

TOTAL SA

   Credit Suisse International      60,500      01/22/20      EUR       49.35        EUR       2,993        (34,064

TOTAL SA

   Credit Suisse International      52,300      01/22/20      EUR       49.00        EUR       2,587        (39,390

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

   Citibank N.A.      27,700      01/23/20      EUR       112.41        EUR       3,077        (67,894

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

   Goldman Sachs International      13,300      01/24/20      EUR       119.65        EUR       1,478        (4,180

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      91,900      01/27/20      USD       16.73        USD       1,530        (25,228

Lundin Mining Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      112,000      01/27/20      CAD       7.50        CAD       869        (33,119

Packaging Corp. of America

   Barclays Bank PLC      44,400      01/27/20      USD       113.72        USD       4,972        (89,632

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      46,000      01/29/20      NOK       170.23        NOK       8,054        (35,196

Suncor Energy, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      64,500      01/29/20      CAD       42.21        CAD       2,745        (45,916

TOTAL SA

   UBS AG      66,700      01/29/20      EUR       47.44        EUR       3,300        (156,014

Umicore SA

   UBS AG      18,300      01/29/20      EUR       43.16        EUR       795        (50,648

Suncor Energy, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      12,700      02/03/20      CAD       43.47        CAD       541        (4,689

Fresnillo PLC

   UBS AG      220,400      02/04/20      GBP       5.83        GBP       1,411        (190,214

Koninkilijke DSM NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      24,500      02/04/20      EUR       115.66        EUR       2,856        (93,119

TOTAL SA

   Goldman Sachs International      72,000      02/04/20      EUR       47.70        EUR       3,562        (148,103

Westrock Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      62,000      02/04/20      USD       41.20        USD       2,660        (158,373

Anglo American PLC

   UBS AG      86,700      02/05/20      GBP       22.34        GBP       1,881        (49,223

BHP Group PLC

   UBS AG      245,000      02/05/20      GBP       18.52        GBP       4,334        (64,129

CNOOC Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      1,813,000      02/05/20      HKD       12.72        HKD       23,496        (141,204

FMC Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      36,200      02/05/20      USD       102.19        USD       3,613        (54,899

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      102,100      02/05/20      USD       59.49        USD       6,022        (93,447

Statoil ASA

   Goldman Sachs International      46,100      02/05/20      NOK       177.65        NOK       8,071        (16,969

JBS SA

   Credit Suisse International      303,000      02/06/20      USD       26.74        USD       7,817        (73,496

Umicore SA

   UBS AG      32,200      02/06/20      EUR       43.99        EUR       1,399        (84,698

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

   Bank of America N.A.      29,200      02/07/20      USD       16.10        USD       465        (15,712

Lundin Mining Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      104,000      02/10/20      CAD       7.73        CAD       807        (24,151

TOTAL SA

   Goldman Sachs International      23,800      02/11/20      EUR       50.07        EUR       1,177        (15,557

Suncor Energy, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      39,000      02/12/20      CAD       43.47        CAD       1,660        (11,232

Albemarle Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      18,400      02/13/20      USD       75.65        USD       1,344        (44,080

Lundin Mining Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      103,700      02/18/20      CAD       7.87        CAD       805        (25,627

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      71  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
  

Exercise
Price

     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call (continued)  

Lundin Mining Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      196,000      02/25/20      CAD       7.99        CAD       1,521      $ (45,186

Lundin Mining Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      196,000      03/03/20      CAD       7.99        CAD       1,521        (48,926
                     

 

 

 
   $ (3,820,117
                     

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

      Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 1,372,077      $ (2,562,589    $ (7,527,774

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options Written

                    

Options written, at value

   $      $      $ 7,527,774      $      $      $      $ 7,527,774  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (12,845    $      $      $        (12,845

Options written

           573,394                 573,394  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 560,549      $      $      $      $ 560,549  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

              

Options purchased(b)

   $      $      $ (3,011    $      $      $      $ (3,011

Options written

                   (5,446,682                           (5,446,682
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (5,449,693    $      $      $      $ (5,449,693
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 
  (b) 

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments.

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ 356  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 9,330,972  

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

72    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 7,527,774  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (3,707,657
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 3,820,117  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 (b)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 326,476        $        $        $        $ 326,476  

Barclays Bank PLC

     89,632                                     89,632  

Citibank N.A.

     207,922                   (35,934                 171,988  

Credit Suisse International

     307,189                   (307,189                  

Goldman Sachs International

     414,780                   (414,780                  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     659,930                   (659,930                  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     739,257                   (739,257                  

UBS AG

     1,074,931                   (1,074,931                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,820,117        $        $ (3,232,021      $        $ 588,096  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b)

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

Chemicals

   $ 61,907,089        $ 31,880,638        $             —        $ 93,787,727  

Containers & Packaging

     72,691,600                            72,691,600  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     6,708,088                            6,708,088  

Food Products

     46,744,315          8,476,017                   55,220,332  

Machinery

     6,998,838                            6,998,838  

Metals & Mining

     179,526,141          92,986,610                   272,512,751  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     199,951,123          86,620,418                   286,571,541  

Paper & Forest Products

              167,390                   167,390  

Specialty Retail

     8,654,880                            8,654,880  

Corporate Bonds

     4,399,555          9,581,183                   13,980,738  

Short-Term Securities

     13,708,365                            13,708,365  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 601,289,994        $ 229,712,256        $        $ 831,002,250  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    183,179  
                 

 

 

 

Total Investments

                  $ 831,185,429  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

 

    

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (3,544,775      $ (3,982,999      $        $ (7,527,774
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Certain investments of the Trust were fair valued using (“NAV”) per share as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (b)

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      73  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or rend of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

      Common Stocks        Corporate Bonds        Total  

Assets:

            

Opening Balance, as of December 31, 2018

   $ 15,030,251        $ 1,578,600        $ 16,608,851  

Transfers into Level 3

                        

Transfers out of Level 3

                        

Accrued discounts/premiums

                        

Net realized gain (loss)

     (9,184,456        90,000          (9,094,456

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     6,561,855          221,400          6,783,255  

Purchases

                        

Sales

     (12,407,650        (1,890,000        (14,297,650
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of December 31, 2019

   $        $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019(b)

   $        $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

74    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Shares

    Value  

Common Stocks — 93.2%

 

Banks — 0.6%  

Klarna Holdings AB,
(Acquired 08/07/19, cost $3,966,981)(a)(b)

    17,130     $ 4,433,223  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 0.2%  

XP, Inc., Class A(c)

    46,609       1,795,379  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 0.6%  

Viavi Solutions, Inc.(c)(d)

    285,197       4,277,955  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.7%  

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A(c)

    178,434       7,886,783  

TAL Education Group — ADR(c)(d)

    91,547       4,412,565  
   

 

 

 
    12,299,348  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.4%            

TransferWise,
(Acquired 06/03/19, cost $2,471,478)(a)(b)

    27,945       2,819,930  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.6%            

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    70,077       4,488,432  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 3.7%            

Keysight Technologies, Inc.(c)(d)

    48,994       5,028,254  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    73,900       4,548,439  

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

    33,360       3,588,237  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    433,600       7,512,600  

Yageo Corp.

    457,000       6,658,030  
   

 

 

 
    27,335,560  
Entertainment — 3.2%            

Activision Blizzard, Inc.(d)

    112,280       6,671,678  

NetEase, Inc. — ADR(d)

    14,651       4,492,583  

Netflix, Inc.(c)(d)

    15,909       5,147,675  

Roku, Inc.(c)(d)

    54,506       7,298,353  
   

 

 

 
    23,610,289  
Health Care Technology — 1.1%            

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.(c)(e)

    499,378       3,644,806  

Teladoc Health, Inc.(c)(d)

    56,786       4,754,124  
   

 

 

 
    8,398,930  
Interactive Media & Services — 11.2%            

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    18,684       25,025,163  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    50,531       10,371,488  

IAC/InterActiveCorp.(c)(d)

    26,427       6,583,230  

Kakao Corp.(c)

    38,281       5,070,110  

Pinterest, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    132,688       2,473,304  

Snap, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    307,882       5,027,713  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    423,900       20,421,859  

Yandex NV, Class A(c)(d)

    189,418       8,237,789  
   

 

 

 
    83,210,656  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 10.0%            

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR(c)(d)

    125,013       26,515,257  

Amazon.com, Inc.(c)(d)

    12,480       23,061,043  

Delivery Hero SE(c)(e)

    105,963       8,398,545  

Ensogo Ltd.(c)(b)

    173,282       1  

Jasper Infotech Private Ltd., Series I,
(Acquired 08/08/15, cost $1,998,435)(a)(b)

    1,054       265,661  

Meituan Dianping, Class B(c)

    627,396       8,197,647  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(c)(d)

    14,121       8,076,365  
   

 

 

 
    74,514,519  
IT Services — 18.2%            

Adyen NV(c)(e)

    5,501       4,525,098  

Endava PLC, ADR(c)

    74,433       3,468,578  

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

    83,300       5,704,492  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A(d)

    78,207       23,351,828  
Security  

Shares

    Value  
IT Services (continued)            

MongoDB, Inc.(c)(d)

    29,217     $ 3,845,249  

Network International Holdings PLC(c)(e)

    518,898       4,392,617  

Okta, Inc.(c)(d)

    70,468       8,129,893  

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A (c)(d)

    145,697       4,977,010  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(c)(d)

    108,079       11,690,905  

Shopify, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    24,001       9,542,318  

Square, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    151,049       9,449,625  

StoneCo Ltd., Class A(c)(d)

    164,056       6,544,194  

TRAX Ltd.,
(Acquired 09/12/19, cost $4,000,013)(a)(b)

    106,667       3,979,746  

Twilio, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    105,410       10,359,695  

Tyro Payments Ltd.(c)

    469,990       1,160,950  

Visa, Inc., Class A(d)

    109,303       20,538,034  

Wix.com Ltd.(c)(d)

    31,495       3,854,358  
   

 

 

 
    135,514,590  
Professional Services — 0.6%            

HeadHunter Group PLC, ADR

    197,029       4,226,272  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.3%            

Uber Technologies, Inc.(c)(d)

    85,473       2,541,967  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 14.2%            

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(c)(d)

    259,135       11,883,931  

ASML Holding NV

    38,455       11,384,850  

Cree, Inc.(c)(d)

    117,709       5,432,270  

Inphi Corp.(c)(d)

    87,198       6,454,396  

Lam Research Corp.(d)

    37,918       11,087,223  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.(d)

    370,758       9,847,333  

Micron Technology, Inc.(c)(d)

    123,884       6,662,482  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(d)

    30,837       5,489,603  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(c)(d)

    159,846       3,897,045  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(c)(d)

    38,269       4,438,439  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.(d)

    41,063       4,963,695  

SOITEC(c)

    77,629       8,195,762  

STMicroelectronics NV

    273,979       7,392,120  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. — ADR(d)

    147,934       8,594,965  
   

 

 

 
    105,724,114  
Software — 23.0%            

Adobe, Inc.(c)(d)

    45,768       15,094,744  

Altium Ltd.

    203,034       4,947,161  

Aspen Technology, Inc.(c)(d)

    32,593       3,941,471  

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A(c)(d)

    49,029       5,900,150  

Autodesk, Inc.(c)(d)

    38,191       7,006,521  

Avalara, Inc.(c)(d)

    87,853       6,435,232  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(c)(d)

    56,636       3,928,273  

Coupa Software, Inc.(c)(d)

    49,253       7,203,251  

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    45,670       2,277,563  

Elastic NV(c)(d)

    40,881       2,628,648  

Fair Isaac Corp.(c)(d)

    13,437       5,034,575  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

    4,483,000       4,484,970  

Microsoft Corp.(d)

    235,864       37,195,753  

RingCentral, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    38,010       6,411,147  

salesforce.com, Inc.(c)(d)

    98,923       16,088,837  

ServiceNow, Inc.(c)(d)

    30,117       8,502,631  

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    58,280       2,617,938  

SVMK, Inc.(c)(d)

    199,985       3,573,732  

TeamViewer AG(c)

    253,980       9,082,273  

Xero Ltd.(c)

    114,004       6,404,927  

Zendesk, Inc.(c)(d)

    73,677       5,645,868  

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A(c)(d)

    39,443       2,683,702  

Zscaler, Inc.(c)(d)

    81,950       3,810,675  
   

 

 

 
    170,900,042  
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      75  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Shares

    Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 3.5%        

Apple, Inc.(d)

    89,009     $ 26,137,493  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 93.1%
(Cost — $324,361,105)

 

    692,228,699  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks — 6.4%

   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.4%

   

TransferWise (Seed Preferred),
(Acquired 06/03/19, cost $849,295),
0.00%(a)(b)

    9,603       969,039  

TransferWise, Series A,
(Acquired 06/03/19, cost $1,004,242), 0.00%(a)(b)

    11,355       1,145,833  

TransferWise, Series B,
(Acquired 06/03/19, cost $288,408),
0.00%(a)(b)

    3,261       329,068  

TransferWise, Series C,
(Acquired 06/03/19, cost $161,315),
0.00%(a)(b)

    1,824       184,060  

TransferWise, Series D,
(Acquired 06/03/19, cost $44,579),
0.00%(a)(b)

    504       50,859  

TransferWise, Series E,
(Acquired 06/03/19, cost $4,688),
0.00%(a)(b)

    53       5,348  
   

 

 

 
      2,684,207  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.5%            

Postmates, Inc., Series F,
(Acquired 01/08/19, Cost $3,130,001), 0.00%(a)(b)

    392,275       3,357,874  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 0.9%            

Ant Financial, Series A-18
(Acquired 05/18/18, $6,492,863), 0.00%(a)(b)

    1,157,373       6,863,222  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 1.5%            

FlixMobility GmbH, Series F
(Acquired 07/26/19, $5,479,356), 0.00%(a)(b)

    275       5,524,918  

Xiaoju Kuaizhi, Inc.,(a)(b): Series A-17
(Acquired 07/28/15, cost $3,016,964), 0.00%

    110,003       5,602,453  
   

 

 

 
      11,127,371  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.8%            

Innovium, Inc., Series E
(Acquired 08/21/19, $3,000,003), 0.00%(a)(b)

    353,478       3,046,980  

Psiquantum Corp., Series C
(Acquired 09/09/19, $3,200,234), 0.00%(a)(b)

    690,003       3,194,714  
   

 

 

 
      6,241,694  
Software — 2.3%            

C3 AI, Inc., Series H
(Acquired 08/14/19, cost $7,129,478),
0.00%(a)(b)

    1,415,000       7,131,600  

Databricks, Inc., Series F,
(Acquired 10/22/19, cost $3,999,999), 0.00%(a)(b)

    93,135       4,000,148  

GitLab, Inc., Series E
(Acquired 09/10/19, cost $2,915,501),
0.00%(a)(b)

    156,500       2,870,210  
Security  

Shares

    Value  
Software (continued)            

Unqork, Inc., Series B
(Acquired 09/19/19, $3,198,416), 0.00%(a)(b)

    7,027     $ 3,211,690  
   

 

 

 
      17,213,648  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 6.4%
(Cost — $43,915,342)

      47,488,016  
   

 

 

 

Warrants — 0.1%

   
IT Services — 0.1%            

TRAX Ltd.,
(Acquired 09/12/19, cost $0)(a)(b)

    17,065       19,454  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.1%
(Cost — $—)

 

    19,454  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.6%
(Cost — $368,276,447)

 

    739,736,169  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities — 1.2%

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 1.51%(f)(g)

    8,881,516       8,881,516  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.2%
(Cost — $8,881,516)

 

    8,881,516  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options
Written — 100.8%
(Cost — $377,157,963)

 

    748,617,685  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.4)%
(Premiums Received — $7,482,654)

 

    (10,388,743
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options
Written — 99.4%
(Cost — $369,675,309)

 

    738,228,942  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.6%

 

    4,442,576  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 742,671,518  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $59,006,029, representing 7.9% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $56,352,249.

(b) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

(d) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(e) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
(g) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     4,738,937        4,142,579        8,881,516      $ 8,881,516      $ 90,006      $ 4      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series(b)

     1,710,252        (1,710,252                    416,427 (c)       (117      167  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,881,516      $ 506,433      $ (113    $ 167  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held by the Trust.

 
  (c) 

Represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

 

 

76    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s sector classifications refer to one or more of the sector sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such sector sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Alphabet, Inc.

     6          01/03/20        USD     1,290.00        USD     804        $ (29,310

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     162          01/03/20        USD     26.50        USD     430          (4,212

Mastercard, Inc.

     38          01/03/20        USD     295.00        USD     1,135          (15,295

ServiceNow, Inc.

     29          01/03/20        USD     285.00        USD     819          (3,117

Snap, Inc.

     77          01/03/20        USD     16.50        USD     126          (1,078

Visa, Inc.

     7          01/03/20        USD     187.50        USD     132          (787

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

     52          01/03/20        USD     80.00        USD     354          (780

Adobe, Inc.

     63          01/10/20        USD     310.00        USD     2,078          (128,520

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     89          01/10/20        USD     39.00        USD     408          (61,855

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     70          01/10/20        USD     205.00        USD     1,485          (57,050

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc.

     90          01/10/20        USD     58.50        USD     449          (1,800

Facebook, Inc.

     78          01/10/20        USD     197.50        USD     1,601          (66,300

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     85          01/10/20        USD     26.50        USD     226          (4,547

Mastercard, Inc.

     39          01/10/20        USD     297.50        USD     1,165          (14,235

Micron Technology, Inc.

     140          01/10/20        USD     54.00        USD     753          (14,840

Microsoft Corp.

     49          01/10/20        USD     152.50        USD     773          (26,705

NetEase, Inc.

     14          01/10/20        USD     324.05        USD     429          (1,015

Okta, Inc.

     82          01/10/20        USD     120.00        USD     946          (9,430

ServiceNow, Inc.

     54          01/10/20        USD     280.00        USD     1,525          (32,130

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     138          01/10/20        USD     106.75        USD     1,356          (3,662

Visa, Inc.

     61          01/10/20        USD     185.00        USD     1,146          (23,180

salesforce.com, Inc.

     71          01/10/20        USD     162.50        USD     1,155          (14,732

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     176          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,046          (82,280

Adobe, Inc.

     43          01/17/20        USD     305.00        USD     1,418          (111,693

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     185          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     848          (113,313

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     155          01/17/20        USD     37.00        USD     711          (139,113

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     69          01/17/20        USD     190.00        USD     1,463          (156,113

Alphabet, Inc.

     9          01/17/20        USD     1,360.00        USD     1,205          (8,730

Amazon.com, Inc.

     17          01/17/20        USD     1,810.00        USD     3,141          (95,243

Aspen Technology, Inc.

     62          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     750          (6,510

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     100          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,203          (23,000

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     38          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     457          (4,275

Autodesk, Inc.

     60          01/17/20        USD     170.00        USD     1,101          (86,700

Avalara, Inc.

     155          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     1,135          (28,675

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     111          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     711          (57,165

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     15          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     104          (1,650

Coupa Software, Inc.

     92          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     1,346          (84,180

Cree, Inc.

     199          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     918          (5,771

Cree, Inc.

     111          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     512          (22,977

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc.

     132          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     658          (2,640

Elastic NV

     104          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     669          (4,940

Facebook, Inc.

     20          01/17/20        USD     205.00        USD     411          (8,200

Fair Isaac Corp.

     26          01/17/20        USD     370.00        USD     974          (26,650

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

     49          01/17/20        USD     230.00        USD     1,221          (98,245

Inphi Corp.

     156          01/17/20        USD     80.00        USD     1,155          (5,850

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

     93          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     954          (930

Lam Research Corp.

     60          01/17/20        USD     285.00        USD     1,754          (68,700

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     84          01/17/20        USD     27.00        USD     223          (4,032

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     26          01/17/20        USD     560.00        USD     1,487          (57,720

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     35          01/17/20        USD     520.00        USD     2,002          (191,100

Micron Technology, Inc.

     177          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     952          (73,455

MongoDB, Inc.

     54          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     711          (31,050

MongoDB, Inc.

     39          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     513          (7,020

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     52          01/17/20        USD     180.00        USD     926          (16,380

NetEase, Inc.

     40          01/17/20        USD     296.55        USD     1,227          (55,400

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      77  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Netflix, Inc.

     23          01/17/20        USD     310.00        USD     744        $ (38,755

ON Semiconductor Corp.

     294          01/17/20        USD     23.00        USD     717          (46,305

ON Semiconductor Corp.

     75          01/17/20        USD     25.00        USD     183          (3,000

Okta, Inc.

     104          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,200          (7,800

Pagseguro Digital Ltd.

     257          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     878          (1,927

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

     153          01/17/20        USD     110.00        USD     1,655          (18,742

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     239          01/17/20        USD     22.00        USD     445          (1,195

RingCentral, Inc.

     61          01/17/20        USD     180.00        USD     1,029          (5,185

Roku, Inc.

     70          01/17/20        USD     155.00        USD     937          (11,970

SVMK, Inc.

     187          01/17/20        USD     17.50        USD     334          (14,025

ServiceNow, Inc.

     30          01/17/20        USD     280.00        USD     847          (22,950

Shopify, Inc.

     58          01/17/20        USD     320.00        USD     2,306          (455,010

Shopify, Inc.

     7          01/17/20        USD     375.00        USD     278          (20,230

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

     70          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     812          (23,450

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     65          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     786          (104,650

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A

     53          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     238          (1,590

Snap, Inc.

     77          01/17/20        USD     17.00        USD     126          (2,233

Square, Inc.

     125          01/17/20        USD     65.00        USD     782          (10,375

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     252          01/17/20        USD     36.00        USD     1,005          (107,100

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     203          01/17/20        USD     42.00        USD     810          (12,180

TAL Education Group

     170          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     819          (33,575

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     42          01/17/20        USD     53.27        USD     244          (21,102

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. — ADR

     218          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     1,267          (13,080

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. — ADR

     35          01/17/20        USD     52.00        USD     203          (21,503

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     104          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     871          (10,400

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     207          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     2,034          (19,769

Uber Technologies, Inc.

     142          01/17/20        USD     32.00        USD     422          (3,905

Viavi Solutions, Inc.

     405          01/17/20        USD     16.00        USD     608          (2,632

Visa, Inc.

     152          01/17/20        USD     190.00        USD     2,856          (23,788

Wix.com Ltd.

     78          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     955          (4,680

Wix.com Ltd.

     69          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     844          (13,282

Yandex NV, Class A

     74          01/17/20        USD     36.00        USD     322          (58,090

Zendesk, Inc.

     61          01/17/20        USD     77.50        USD     467          (10,980

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

     75          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     510          (1,687

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

     15          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     102          (1,912

Zscaler, Inc.

     305          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,418          (45,750

salesforce.com, Inc.

     128          01/17/20        USD     170.00        USD     2,082          (5,952

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     96          01/24/20        USD     56.50        USD     570          (33,600

Adobe, Inc.

     32          01/24/20        USD     322.50        USD     1,055          (36,160

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     309          01/24/20        USD     43.00        USD     1,417          (116,648

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     131          01/24/20        USD     210.00        USD     2,779          (84,823

Apple, Inc.

     84          01/24/20        USD     262.50        USD     2,467          (269,430

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     159          01/24/20        USD     127.00        USD     1,913          (51,675

Autodesk, Inc.

     27          01/24/20        USD     177.50        USD     495          (22,545

Autodesk, Inc.

     11          01/24/20        USD     187.50        USD     202          (3,003

Coupa Software, Inc.

     83          01/24/20        USD     157.50        USD     1,214          (15,977

Lam Research Corp.

     40          01/24/20        USD     280.00        USD     1,170          (63,300

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     84          01/24/20        USD     27.00        USD     223          (5,124

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     154          01/24/20        USD     27.50        USD     409          (6,699

Mastercard, Inc.

     40          01/24/20        USD     295.00        USD     1,194          (29,200

Microsoft Corp.

     470          01/24/20        USD     152.50        USD     7,412          (280,825

Netflix, Inc.

     32          01/24/20        USD     342.50        USD     1,035          (25,840

Okta, Inc.

     18          01/24/20        USD     125.00        USD     208          (2,160

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

     150          01/24/20        USD     109.00        USD     1,623          (29,400

Roku, Inc.

     176          01/24/20        USD     157.50        USD     2,357          (37,136

Snap, Inc.

     257          01/24/20        USD     15.50        USD     420          (29,555

Snap, Inc.

     272          01/24/20        USD     16.00        USD     444          (22,576

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     164          01/24/20        USD     41.50        USD     654          (15,990

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     160          01/24/20        USD     103.00        USD     1,572          (28,000

Uber Technologies, Inc.

     157          01/24/20        USD     30.00        USD     467          (16,485

Yandex NV, Class A

     74          01/24/20        USD     40.50        USD     322          (24,420

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

     75          01/24/20        USD     67.00        USD     510          (23,250

 

 

78    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

salesforce.com, Inc.

     82          01/24/20        USD     162.50        USD     1,334        $ (28,085

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     251          01/30/20        USD     26.50        USD     667          (25,014

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     141          01/31/20        USD     61.00        USD     838          (15,439

Adobe, Inc.

     22          01/31/20        USD     330.00        USD     726          (16,885

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     129          01/31/20        USD     42.00        USD     592          (68,370

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     58          01/31/20        USD     220.00        USD     1,230          (17,168

Alphabet, Inc.

     22          01/31/20        USD     1,357.50        USD     2,947          (47,410

Amazon.com, Inc.

     19          01/31/20        USD     1,845.00        USD     3,511          (115,710

Apple, Inc.

     20          01/31/20        USD     280.00        USD     587          (37,050

Autodesk, Inc.

     24          01/31/20        USD     180.00        USD     440          (17,520

Autodesk, Inc.

     11          01/31/20        USD     187.50        USD     202          (3,712

Cree, Inc.

     101          01/31/20        USD     46.50        USD     466          (25,200

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc.

     74          01/31/20        USD     52.50        USD     369          (16,095

Facebook, Inc.

     79          01/31/20        USD     205.00        USD     1,621          (61,225

Lam Research Corp.

     32          01/31/20        USD     307.50        USD     936          (16,640

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     161          01/31/20        USD     27.50        USD     428          (9,016

Mastercard, Inc.

     40          01/31/20        USD     295.00        USD     1,194          (37,600

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     31          01/31/20        USD     590.00        USD     1,773          (40,145

Micron Technology, Inc.

     116          01/31/20        USD     53.00        USD     624          (30,044

Okta, Inc.

     222          01/31/20        USD     125.00        USD     2,561          (38,295

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

     76          01/31/20        USD     110.00        USD     822          (20,786

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     212          01/31/20        USD     19.50        USD     395          (11,130

Roku, Inc.

     51          01/31/20        USD     140.00        USD     683          (37,358

Snap, Inc.

     154          01/31/20        USD     16.00        USD     251          (15,400

Square, Inc.

     311          01/31/20        USD     67.00        USD     1,946          (25,813

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     245          01/31/20        USD     41.50        USD     977          (30,013

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     29          01/31/20        USD     106.00        USD     285          (4,524

Yandex NV, Class A

     350          01/31/20        USD     43.50        USD     1,522          (48,125

Zscaler, Inc.

     227          01/31/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,056          (47,670

salesforce.com, Inc.

     65          01/31/20        USD     165.00        USD     1,057          (18,297

Viavi Solutions, Inc.

     406          02/03/20        USD     16.01        USD     609          (6,831

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     162          02/06/20        USD     27.50        USD     430          (10,923

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     88          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     404          (63,360

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     42          02/21/20        USD     205.00        USD     891          (54,705

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

     67          02/21/20        USD     210.00        USD     1,421          (66,833

Amazon.com, Inc.

     7          02/21/20        USD     1,810.00        USD     1,293          (64,978

Apple, Inc.

     54          02/21/20        USD     275.00        USD     1,586          (127,845

Apple, Inc.

     20          02/21/20        USD     280.00        USD     587          (40,150

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     23          02/21/20        USD     125.00        USD     277          (12,420

Avalara, Inc.

     155          02/21/20        USD     80.00        USD     1,135          (51,925

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     142          02/21/20        USD     65.00        USD     910          (66,030

Elastic NV

     105          02/21/20        USD     70.00        USD     675          (19,425

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

     43          02/21/20        USD     241.75        USD     1,071          (73,884

Inphi Corp.

     149          02/21/20        USD     73.75        USD     1,103          (57,177

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

     92          02/21/20        USD     105.00        USD     944          (34,960

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     154          02/21/20        USD     28.00        USD     409          (10,934

MongoDB, Inc.

     97          02/21/20        USD     135.00        USD     1,277          (69,840

Okta, Inc.

     37          02/21/20        USD     120.00        USD     427          (18,315

Pagseguro Digital Ltd.

     360          02/21/20        USD     35.00        USD     1,230          (79,200

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     13          02/21/20        USD     20.00        USD     24          (1,267

RingCentral, Inc.

     10          02/21/20        USD     180.00        USD     169          (5,000

RingCentral, Inc.

     61          02/21/20        USD     175.00        USD     1,029          (41,480

Roku, Inc.

     57          02/21/20        USD     145.00        USD     763          (61,275

Shopify, Inc.

     10          02/21/20        USD     390.00        USD     398          (33,900

Shopify, Inc.

     81          02/21/20        USD     455.00        USD     3,220          (83,835

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     86          02/21/20        USD     100.00        USD     1,040          (190,060

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A

     96          02/21/20        USD     45.00        USD     431          (29,280

Square, Inc.

     92          02/21/20        USD     70.00        USD     576          (7,682

TAL Education Group

     150          02/21/20        USD     49.00        USD     723          (36,375

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     151          02/21/20        USD     105.00        USD     1,484          (63,043

Yandex NV, Class A

     166          02/21/20        USD     41.00        USD     722          (61,420

Zendesk, Inc.

     196          02/21/20        USD     82.50        USD     1,502          (44,590
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (7,183,541
                          

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      79  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Exercise
Price
    Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call                                            

Altium Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     18,700       01/07/20     AUD     33.57     AUD     649      $ (16,570

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     11,000       01/07/20     USD     44.32     USD     486        (10,328

Delivery Hero AG

   Citibank N.A.     26,600       01/07/20     EUR     43.22     EUR     1,880        (818,987

Endava PLC

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     4,300       01/07/20     USD     40.36     USD     200        (26,881

Kakao Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International     7,000       01/07/20     KRW     142,773.66     KRW     1,074,500        (65,314

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.     5,800       01/07/20     USD     164.76     USD     1,033        (77,548

StoneCo Ltd. Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     20,200       01/07/20     USD     41.45     USD     806        (7,267

Adyen NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     1,300       01/08/20     EUR     654.22     EUR     950        (115,709

Altium Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     37,400       01/08/20     AUD     34.85     AUD     1,299        (15,637

Elastic NV

   Citibank N.A.     7,000       01/08/20     USD     77.83     USD     450        (64

Endava PLC

   Credit Suisse International     2,200       01/08/20     USD     44.73     USD     103        (4,756

HeadHunter Group PLC

   Citibank N.A.     24,200       01/08/20     USD     20.56     USD     519        (27,577

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     92,000       01/08/20     HKD     59.06     HKD     5,232        (11,124

SVMK, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC     5,100       01/08/20     USD     17.87     USD     91        (1,888

SVMK, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     9,400       01/08/20     USD     17.85     USD     168        (3,601

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A

   Citibank N.A.     5,400       01/08/20     USD     43.35     USD     243        (11,617

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     46,800       01/08/20     HKD     132.82     HKD     6,318        (25,162

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   BNP Paribas S.A.     15,500       01/09/20     JPY     6,309.39     JPY     104,563        (55,332

STMicroelectronics NV

   Goldman Sachs International     70,600       01/09/20     EUR     21.96     EUR     1,698        (166,670

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     11,400       01/09/20     KRW     114,533.94     KRW     1,425,000        (103,967

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

   UBS AG     44,500       01/09/20     HKD     138.53     HKD     6,008        (9,867

Yageo Corp.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     82,000       01/09/20     USD     334.73     USD     35,812        (277,472

Wix.com Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.     7,700       01/10/20     USD     124.17     USD     942        (11,997

SOITEC

   Goldman Sachs International     6,200       01/14/20     EUR     106.70     EUR     584        (257

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   Barclays Bank PLC     23,200       01/15/20     USD     45.58     USD     1,025        (20,799

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.     9,100       01/15/20     USD     68.22     USD     631        (21,650

Endava PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC     8,700       01/15/20     USD     48.34     USD     405        (5,595

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International     15,000       01/15/20     JPY     7,518.48     JPY     112,200        (34,274

Kakao Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     550       01/15/20     KRW     153,000.00     KRW     84,425        (1,463

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     624,000       01/15/20     HKD     8.26     HKD     4,867        (3,770

Meituan Dianping

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     112,700       01/15/20     HKD     108.82     HKD     11,475        (13,169

TeamViewer AG

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     32,000       01/15/20     EUR     29.62     EUR     1,020        (81,503

Yageo Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     43,200       01/15/20     USD     391.11     USD     18,867        (66,460

Endava PLC

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     5,000       01/21/20     USD     47.07     USD     233        (6,712

Adyen NV

   Credit Suisse International     1,900       01/22/20     EUR     672.59     EUR     1,389        (130,798

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.     9,100       01/22/20     USD     68.22     USD     631        (24,113

SOITEC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     6,200       01/22/20     EUR     106.70     EUR     584        (918

ASML Holding NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     8,500       01/23/20     EUR     269.58     EUR     2,243        (36,671

Adyen NV

   Citibank N.A.     500       01/23/20     EUR     735.62     EUR     366        (8,596

Altium Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     7,841       01/23/20     AUD     37.12     AUD     272        (1,601

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     11,200       01/23/20     JPY     7,655.71     JPY     83,776        (25,973

Meituan Dianping

   Goldman Sachs International     85,100       01/23/20     HKD     109.11     HKD     8,665        (15,483

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     65,300       01/23/20     HKD     58.76     HKD     3,714        (18,354

SVMK, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC     5,100       01/23/20     USD     17.87     USD     91        (3,223

SVMK, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     9,400       01/23/20     USD     17.77     USD     168        (6,496

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     21,000       01/23/20     AUD     83.13     AUD     1,681        (19,413

Network International Holdings PLC

   Citibank N.A.     191,300       01/24/20     GBP     5.90     GBP     1,222        (130,297

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.     6,300       01/24/20     USD     118.64     USD     731        (21,466

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     74,300       01/24/20     HKD     339.90     HKD     27,892        (341,697

Aspen Technology, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC     5,600       01/27/20     USD     123.22     USD     677        (17,601

Kakao Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International     550       01/28/20     KRW     153,000.00     KRW     84,425        (1,964

SOITEC

   UBS AG     8,100       01/28/20     EUR     117.42     EUR     762        (323

SVMK, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     10,200       01/28/20     USD     18.00     USD     182        (6,581

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     577,000       01/29/20     HKD     8.44     HKD     4,501        (5,124

ON Semiconductor Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     19,000       01/29/20     USD     24.56     USD     463        (15,019

Viavi Solutions, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.     22,000       01/30/20     USD     15.04     USD     330        (9,466

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     14,000       01/31/20     USD     48.87     USD     619        (8,666

Snap, Inc., Class A

   UBS AG     27,300       01/31/20     USD     15.89     USD     446        (29,000

Delivery Hero AG

   Goldman Sachs International     10,500       02/05/20     EUR     68.50     EUR     742        (52,700

Endava PLC

   Bank of America N.A.     5,000       02/05/20     USD     47.97     USD     233        (7,310

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     19,000       02/05/20     AUD     83.80     AUD     1,521        (21,629

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     368,000       02/06/20     HKD     8.19     HKD     2,870        (7,306

 

 

80    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Exercise
Price
    Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call (continued)                                                

SOITEC

   Credit Suisse International     8,100       02/06/20       EUR       121.28       EUR       762      $ (331

SVMK, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.     15,000       02/06/20       USD       18.65       USD       268        (11,374

Endava PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC     800       02/12/20       USD       48.32       USD       37        (1,219

Teladoc Health, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC     10,000       02/12/20       USD       85.42       USD       837        (43,683

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     74,100       02/12/20       HKD       388.93       HKD       27,817        (46,679

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     14,000       02/13/20       USD       48.87       USD       619        (13,141
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (3,205,202
                 

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

     

Swap

Premium

Paid

    

Swap

Premium

Received

    

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Unrealized

Depreciation

     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 1,898,756      $ (4,804,845    $ (10,388,743

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

     

Commodity

Contracts

     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $ 10,388,743      $      $      $      $ 10,388,743  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

     

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (15,344    $      $      $      $ (15,344

Options written

                   (19,500,509                           (19,500,509
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (19,515,853    $      $      $      $ (19,515,853
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (6,133,637    $      $      $      $ (6,133,637
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ 1,628  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 8,465,665  

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 10,388,743  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (7,183,541
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 3,205,202  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      81  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
      

Non-cash

Collateral

Pledged

      

Cash

Collateral
Pledged
 (a)

       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (b)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 7,310        $        $        $        $ 7,310  

Barclays Bank PLC

     94,008                                     94,008  

BNP Paribas S.A.

     55,332                                     55,332  

Citibank N.A.

     1,174,752                            (960,000        214,752  

Credit Suisse International

     135,885                            (20,000        115,885  

Goldman Sachs International

     403,836                            (403,836         

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     649,171                            (649,171         

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     645,718                            (440,000        205,718  

UBS AG

     39,190                            (39,190         
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,205,202        $        $        $ (2,512,197      $ 693,005  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

Banks

   $        $        $ 4,433,223        $ 4,433,223  

Capital Markets

     1,795,379                            1,795,379  

Communications Equipment

     4,277,955                            4,277,955  

Diversified Consumer Services

     12,299,348                            12,299,348  

Diversified Financial Services

                       2,819,930          2,819,930  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     4,488,432                            4,488,432  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     5,028,254          22,307,306                   27,335,560  

Entertainment

     23,610,289                            23,610,289  

Health Care Technology

     4,754,124          3,644,806                   8,398,930  

Interactive Media & Services

     57,718,687          25,491,969                   83,210,656  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

     57,652,665          16,596,192          265,662          74,514,519  

IT Services

     116,912,637          14,622,207          3,979,746          135,514,590  

Professional Services

     4,226,272                            4,226,272  

Road & Rail

     2,541,967                            2,541,967  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     78,751,382          26,972,732                   105,724,114  

Software

     155,062,984          15,837,058                   170,900,042  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     26,137,493                            26,137,493  

Preferred Stocks

                       47,488,016          47,488,016  

Warrants

                       19,454          19,454  

Short-Term Securities

     8,881,516                            8,881,516  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 564,139,384        $ 125,472,270        $ 59,006,031        $ 748,617,685  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities:

                 

Equity contracts

   $ (6,907,031      $ (3,481,712      $        $ (10,388,743
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

 

 

82    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

     

Common

Stocks

     Preferred
Stocks
    

Warrants

     Total  

Assets:

           

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2018

   $ 211,760      $ 15,491,176      $      $ 15,702,936  

Transfers into Level 3

                           

Transfers out of Level 3

                           

Accrued discounts/premiums

                           

Net realized gain (loss)

                           

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     848,329        591,372        19,454        1,459,155  

Purchases

     10,438,472        34,405,516               44,843,988  

Sales

            (3,000,048             (3,000,048
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of December 31, 2019

   $ 11,498,561      $ 47,488,016      $ 19,454      $ 59,006,031  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019(b)

   $ 848,329      $ 1,640,603      $ 19,454      $ 2,508,386  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Trust’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $1. A significant change in the third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

 

      Value        Valuation Approach        Unobservable Inputs        Range of
unobservable
Inputs Utilized
 (a)
       Weighted
Average of
Unobservable
Inputs Based
on Fair Value
 

Assets:

                      

Common Stocks

   $ 11,498,560          Market          Revenue Multiple          4.86x – 12.50x          8.09x  
               Volatility          34%           
               Time to Exit          3.0           

Preferred Stocks(b)(c)

     47,488,016          Market          Revenue Multiple          4.00x – 15.50x          7.84x  
               EBITDA Multiple          15.00x           
               Volatility          32% – 66%          44
               Time to Exit          2.6 – 5.0          3.6  
               Recent Transactions                    
          Income          Discount Rate          15%           

Warrants

     19,454          Market          Revenue Multiple          4.86x           
               Volatility          34%           
               Time to Exit          3.0           
  

 

 

                     
   $ 59,006,030                      
  

 

 

                     

 

  (a) 

A significant change in unobservable input would have resulted in a correlated (inverse) significant change to value.

 
  (b) 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $6,863,222 changed to a hybrid of a Current Value Method and Discounted Cash Flow Method. The investments were previously valued utilizing Transaction Price approach. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 
  (c) 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $5,602,453 changed to Transaction Price approach. The investments were previously valued utilizing Current Value Method. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      83  


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 89.5%

 

Automobiles — 1.3%        

Tesla, Inc.(a)(b)

    51,796     $ 21,667,821  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 1.1%  

Klarna Holdings AB,
(Acquired 08/07/19, cost $16,335,486)(c)(d)

    70,539       18,255,407  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 1.0%  

ChaSerg Technology Acquisition Corp.(a)(e)

    980,000       10,593,800  

XP, Inc., Class A (a)

    141,138       5,436,636  
   

 

 

 
    16,030,436  
Communications Equipment — 2.2%  

Acacia Communications, Inc.(a)

    144,009       9,765,250  

Lumentum Holdings, Inc. (a)(e)

    217,936       17,282,325  

Viavi Solutions, Inc.(a)

    593,929       8,908,935  
   

 

 

 
    35,956,510  
Diversified Consumer Services — 2.8%  

Afya Ltd., Class A(a)(e)

    510,830       13,853,709  

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A(a)

    378,459       16,727,888  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group,
Inc. — ADR(a)

    125,047       15,161,949  
   

 

 

 
    45,743,546  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.5%  

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A(a)

    133,045       8,521,532  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 5.5%  

Keysight Technologies, Inc.(a)

    147,594       15,147,572  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    274,000       16,864,307  

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

    114,664       12,333,383  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    1,436,300       24,885,485  

Yageo Corp.

    1,454,000       21,183,318  
   

 

 

 
    90,414,065  
Entertainment — 3.2%  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    362,759       21,555,140  

NetEase, Inc. — ADR(b)

    55,299       16,956,885  

Roku, Inc.(a)(b)

    105,863       14,175,056  
   

 

 

 
    52,687,081  
Health Care Technology — 2.1%  

Livongo Health, Inc.(a)(e)

    250,164       6,269,110  

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co.
Ltd.(a)(f)

    2,000,600       14,601,762  

Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)

    154,611       12,944,033  
   

 

 

 
    33,814,905  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.2%  

Luckin Coffee, Inc., ADR(a)(e)

    487,817       19,200,477  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 5.0%  

IAC/InterActiveCorp.(a)(b)

    59,770       14,889,305  

Kakao Corp.(a)

    160,676       21,280,664  

Pinterest, Inc., Class A(a)

    457,182       8,521,872  

Snap, Inc., Class A(a)(e)

    1,257,022       20,527,169  

Yandex NV, Class A(a)

    373,538       16,245,168  
   

 

 

 
    81,464,178  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 6.7%  

Delivery Hero SE(a)(f)

    334,164       26,485,578  

Farfetch Ltd., Class A(a)(e)

    1,225,993       12,689,028  

Meituan Dianping, Class B(a)

    1,433,400       18,729,012  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)(b)

    28,105       16,074,374  

RealReal, Inc.(a)

    374,505       7,059,419  

Trainline PLC(a)(f)

    2,114,672       14,322,274  

Zalando SE (a)(f)

    271,500       13,691,780  
   

 

 

 
    109,051,465  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services — 16.0%  

Adyen NV(a)(f)

    17,419     $ 14,328,792  

Endava PLC, ADR(a)

    219,008       10,205,773  

EPAM Systems, Inc.(a)(b)(e)

    59,682       12,662,133  

GDS Holdings Ltd. — ADR(a)(e)

    430,461       22,203,178  

Global Payments, Inc.(b)

    84,922       15,503,360  

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

    319,700       21,893,469  

MongoDB, Inc.(a)(e)

    73,941       9,731,375  

Network International Holdings PLC(a)(f)

    2,055,528       17,400,621  

Okta, Inc.(a)(e)

    127,495       14,709,098  

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A(a)(e)

    271,959       9,290,119  

Shopify, Inc., Class A(a)(b)(e)

    51,524       20,484,912  

Square, Inc., Class A(a)

    337,910       21,139,650  

StoneCo Ltd., Class A(a)

    294,113       11,732,168  

TRAX Ltd.,
(Acquired 09/12/19, cost $10,999,988)(c)(d)

    293,333       10,944,254  

Twilio, Inc., Class A(a)(e)

    204,646       20,112,609  

Tyro Payments Ltd.(a)

    1,969,640       4,865,326  

Wirecard AG(e)

    94,197       11,358,533  

Wix.com Ltd.(a)

    102,561       12,551,415  
   

 

 

 
    261,116,785  
Multiline Retail — 1.3%  

Magazine Luiza SA

    1,877,085       22,257,925  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.6%  

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)(b)

    18,025       10,784,358  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 18.2%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)

    521,352       23,909,203  

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

    237,950       9,237,944  

Cree, Inc.(a)(e)

    338,798       15,635,528  

Ichor Holdings Ltd.(a)(e)

    429,730       14,297,117  

Inphi Corp.(a)

    231,200       17,113,424  

Lasertec Corp.

    434,600       22,040,738  

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.(a)

    620,343       16,501,124  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    837,960       22,256,218  

Micron Technology, Inc.(a)

    389,616       20,953,548  

MKS Instruments, Inc.

    104,784       11,527,288  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(b)

    80,700       14,366,214  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)(e)

    627,161       15,290,185  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    133,312       15,461,526  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    182,305       22,037,028  

SOITEC SA(a)

    168,756       17,816,590  

STMicroelectronics NV

    808,731       21,820,053  

Win Semiconductors Corp.

    1,774,000       17,480,086  
   

 

 

 
    297,743,814  
Software — 20.8%  

Alteryx, Inc., Class A(a)(e)

    102,680       10,275,188  

Altium Ltd.

    606,973       14,789,608  

Anaplan, Inc. (a)

    347,924       18,231,218  

Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)

    82,859       10,020,139  

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A(a)

    105,176       12,656,880  

Avalara, Inc.(a)

    164,003       12,013,220  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)(e)

    277,132       19,221,876  

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A(a)

    283,122       4,830,061  

Coupa Software, Inc.(a)

    73,772       10,789,155  

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)(e)

    143,601       7,161,382  

Elastic NV(a)

    171,421       11,022,370  

Fair Isaac Corp.(a)(b)

    41,965       15,723,446  

Five9, Inc.(a)

    187,174       12,274,871  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

    12,322,000       12,327,416  

Linx SA, ADR(a)(e)

    1,529,503       13,398,446  

RIB Software SE(e)

    322,760       8,138,188  

RingCentral, Inc., Class A(a)

    105,479       17,791,143  

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A(a)(e)

    244,161       10,967,712  

Splunk, Inc.(a)(e)

    105,703       15,831,138  
 

 

 

84    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)  

SVMK, Inc.(a)(e)

    670,257     $ 11,977,493  

TeamViewer AG(a)

    645,634       23,087,739  

Trade Desk, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    41,122       10,682,673  

Weimob, Inc.(a)(e)(f)

    20,125,000       8,754,095  

Xero Ltd.(a)

    246,720       13,861,123  

Zendesk, Inc.(a)

    167,148       12,808,551  

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.,
Class A(a)(e)

    123,162       8,379,942  

Zscaler, Inc.(a)(e)

    279,115       12,978,847  
   

 

 

 
    339,993,920  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 89.5%
(Cost — $1,312,612,621)

 

    1,464,704,225  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks — 5.6%

 

Road & Rail — 1.1%

 

FlixMobility GmbH, Series F
(Acquired 07/26/19, $16,936,192),
0.00%(c)(d)

    850       17,077,019  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.1%  

Innovium, Inc., Series E
(Acquired 08/21/19 , $8,999,992),
0.00%(c)(d)

    1,060,432       9,140,924  

Psiquantum Corp., Series C
(Acquired 09/09/19 , $9,101,310),
0.00%(c)(d)

    1,962,335       9,085,611  
   

 

 

 
    18,226,535  
Software — 3.4%  

C3 AI, Inc., Series H
(Acquired 08/14/19, cost $24,890,190), 0.00%(c)(d)

    4,940,000       24,897,600  

Databricks, Inc., Series F,
(Acquired 10/22/19, cost $13,200,019), 0.00%(c)(d)

    307,346       13,200,511  

GitLab, Inc., Series E
(Acquired 09/10/19 , $11,670,984), 0.00%(c)(d)

    626,482       11,489,680  

Unqork, Inc., Series B
(Acquired 09/19/19 , $6,801,016),
0.00%(c)(d)

    14,942       6,829,241  
   

 

 

 
    56,417,032  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 5.6%
(Cost — $91,599,703)

 

    91,720,586  
   

 

 

 

Warrants — 0.0%

   

IT Services — 0.0%

   

TRAX Ltd.,
(Acquired 09/12/19, cost $0)(c)(d)

    46,928       53,498  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost — $— )

 

    53,498  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 95.1%
(Cost — $1,404,212,324)

 

    1,556,478,309  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Short-Term Securities — 10.0%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 1.51%(g)(i)

    96,230,373     $ 96,230,373  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series,
1.80%(g)(h)(i)

    66,908,133       66,921,514  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 10.0%
(Cost — $163,151,887)

 

    163,151,887  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 105.1%
(Cost — $1,567,364,211)

 

    1,719,630,196  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.3)%
(Premiums Received — $14,797,471)

 

    (21,364,251
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 103.8%
(Cost — $1,552,566,740)

 

    1,698,265,945  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (3.8)%

 

    (62,299,960
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 1,635,965,985  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(c) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $120,973,745 representing 7.4% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $118,935,177.

(d) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(e) 

Security, or a portion of the security, is on loan.

(f) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h) 

Security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 
(i) 

During the period ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     96,230,373        96,230,373      $ 96,230,373      $ 4,189,240      $ 102      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

     66,908,133        66,908,133        66,921,514        1,122,071 (b)       (5,353       
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $ 163,151,887      $ 5,311,311      $ (5,251    $  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b)

Represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      85  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     366          01/03/20        USD     26.50        USD     972        $ (9,516

Snap, Inc., Class A

     491          01/03/20        USD     16.50        USD     802          (6,874

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A

     59          01/03/20        USD     80.00        USD     401          (885

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     133          01/10/20        USD     39.00        USD     610          (92,435

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     90          01/10/20        USD     58.50        USD     449          (1,800

Farfetch Ltd., Class A

     1,000          01/10/20        USD     10.07        USD     1,035          (60,189

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     165          01/10/20        USD     26.50        USD     438          (8,827

Micron Technology, Inc.

     340          01/10/20        USD     54.00        USD     1,829          (36,040

NetEase, Inc. — ADR

     6          01/10/20        USD     324.05        USD     184          (435

Okta, Inc.

     177          01/10/20        USD     120.00        USD     2,042          (20,355

Tesla, Inc.

     33          01/10/20        USD     350.00        USD     1,380          (227,618

Trade Desk, Inc., Class A

     20          01/10/20        USD     270.00        USD     520          (7,900

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     68          01/10/20        USD     106.75        USD     668          (1,805

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     174          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,034          (81,345

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     235          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,078          (143,938

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     215          01/17/20        USD     37.00        USD     986          (192,963

Afya Ltd., Class A

     760          01/17/20        USD     28.25        USD     2,061          (47,005

Alteryx, Inc., Class A

     256          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     2,562          (50,560

Anaplan, Inc.

     275          01/17/20        USD     52.50        USD     1,441          (48,813

Anaplan, Inc.

     275          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,441          (22,000

Aspen Technology, Inc.

     125          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,512          (13,125

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     67          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     806          (15,410

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     277          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     3,333          (31,163

Avalara, Inc.

     205          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     1,502          (37,925

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     149          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     954          (76,735

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     184          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     1,276          (20,240

CoStar Group, Inc.

     23          01/17/20        USD     580.00        USD     1,376          (61,065

CoStar Group, Inc.

     23          01/17/20        USD     600.00        USD     1,376          (31,970

Coupa Software, Inc.

     368          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     5,382          (336,720

Cree, Inc.

     216          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     997          (6,264

Cree, Inc.

     18          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     83          (3,726

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     689          01/17/20        USD     60.00        USD     3,436          (13,780

EPAM Systems, Inc.

     71          01/17/20        USD     210.00        USD     1,506          (41,180

EPAM Systems, Inc.

     78          01/17/20        USD     220.00        USD     1,655          (13,260

Elastic NV

     406          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     2,611          (19,285

Fair Isaac Corp.

     41          01/17/20        USD     370.00        USD     1,536          (42,025

Farfetch Ltd., Class A

     2,000          01/17/20        USD     11.00        USD     2,070          (65,000

Five9, Inc.

     270          01/17/20        USD     65.00        USD     1,771          (62,775

GDS Holdings Ltd. — ADR

     296          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,527          (143,560

Global Payments, Inc.

     106          01/17/20        USD     185.00        USD     1,935          (19,875

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

     75          01/17/20        USD     230.00        USD     1,868          (150,375

Ichor Holdings Ltd.

     125          01/17/20        USD     35.00        USD     416          (8,437

Inphi Corp.

     307          01/17/20        USD     80.00        USD     2,272          (11,512

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

     174          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     1,786          (1,740

Livongo Health, Inc.

     281          01/17/20        USD     30.00        USD     704          (4,215

Luckin Coffee, Inc., ADR

     240          01/17/20        USD     29.00        USD     945          (254,400

Luckin Coffee, Inc., ADR

     214          01/17/20        USD     32.00        USD     842          (172,270

Lumentum Holdings, Inc.

     210          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     1,665          (112,350

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.

     1,550          01/17/20        USD     26.65        USD     4,123          (149,685

MKS Instruments, Inc.

     120          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     1,320          (3,300

MKS Instruments, Inc.

     54          01/17/20        USD     110.00        USD     594          (16,200

MKS Instruments, Inc.

     69          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     759          (7,072

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     165          01/17/20        USD     27.00        USD     438          (7,920

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     12          01/17/20        USD     560.00        USD     686          (26,640

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     68          01/17/20        USD     520.00        USD     3,889          (371,280

 

 

86    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Micron Technology, Inc.

     292          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     1,570        $ (121,180

MongoDB, Inc.

     6          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     79          (3,450

MongoDB, Inc.

     219          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     2,882          (39,420

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     74          01/17/20        USD     180.00        USD     1,317          (23,310

NetEase, Inc. — ADR

     128          01/17/20        USD     296.55        USD     3,925          (177,280

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. — ADR

     312          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     3,783          (17,160

ON Semiconductor Corp.

     109          01/17/20        USD     23.00        USD     266          (17,167

ON Semiconductor Corp.

     134          01/17/20        USD     25.00        USD     327          (5,360

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A

     401          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,370          (3,007

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     221          01/17/20        USD     22.00        USD     412          (1,105

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     145          01/17/20        USD     180.00        USD     2,446          (12,325

Roku, Inc.

     161          01/17/20        USD     155.00        USD     2,156          (27,531

SVMK, Inc.

     230          01/17/20        USD     17.50        USD     411          (17,250

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     182          01/17/20        USD     320.00        USD     7,236          (1,427,790

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     4          01/17/20        USD     375.00        USD     159          (11,560

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

     120          01/17/20        USD     115.00        USD     1,392          (40,200

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     286          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     3,457          (460,460

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A

     198          01/17/20        USD     50.00        USD     889          (5,940

Snap, Inc., Class A

     491          01/17/20        USD     17.00        USD     802          (14,239

Splunk, Inc

     103          01/17/20        USD     140.00        USD     1,543          (109,695

Square, Inc., Class A

     411          01/17/20        USD     65.00        USD     2,571          (34,113

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     278          01/17/20        USD     36.00        USD     1,109          (118,150

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     388          01/17/20        USD     42.00        USD     1,548          (23,280

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     74          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     620          (7,400

Tesla, Inc.

     38          01/17/20        USD     370.00        USD     1,590          (194,370

Tesla, Inc.

     13          01/17/20        USD     355.00        USD     544          (84,370

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     493          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     4,845          (47,082

Viavi Solutions, Inc.

     465          01/17/20        USD     16.00        USD     698          (3,022

Wix.com Ltd.

     188          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     2,301          (11,280

Wix.com Ltd.

     290          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     3,549          (55,825

Yandex NV, Class A

     465          01/17/20        USD     36.00        USD     2,022          (365,025

Zendesk, Inc.

     247          01/17/20        USD     77.50        USD     1,893          (44,460

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A

     309          01/17/20        USD     75.00        USD     2,102          (6,952

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A

     65          01/17/20        USD     70.00        USD     442          (8,287

Zscaler, Inc.

     1,485          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     6,905          (222,750

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     327          01/24/20        USD     56.50        USD     1,943          (114,450

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     232          01/24/20        USD     43.00        USD     1,064          (87,580

Coupa Software, Inc.

     37          01/24/20        USD     157.50        USD     541          (7,122

Cree, Inc.

     316          01/24/20        USD     48.00        USD     1,458          (30,968

Luckin Coffee, Inc., ADR

     200          01/24/20        USD     31.50        USD     787          (174,000

Lumentum Holdings, Inc.

     308          01/24/20        USD     78.00        USD     2,442          (112,420

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     166          01/24/20        USD     27.00        USD     441          (10,126

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     218          01/24/20        USD     27.50        USD     579          (9,483

Okta, Inc.

     122          01/24/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,408          (14,640

Roku, Inc.

     297          01/24/20        USD     157.50        USD     3,977          (62,667

Snap, Inc., Class A

     273          01/24/20        USD     15.50        USD     446          (31,395

Snap, Inc., Class A

     452          01/24/20        USD     16.00        USD     738          (37,516

Square, Inc., Class A

     57          01/24/20        USD     147.00        USD     854          (34,200

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     387          01/24/20        USD     41.50        USD     1,544          (37,733

Tesla, Inc.

     12          01/24/20        USD     367.50        USD     502          (65,940

Tesla, Inc.

     7          01/24/20        USD     405.00        USD     293          (18,305

Trade Desk, Inc., Class A

     47          01/24/20        USD     252.50        USD     1,221          (76,375

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     140          01/24/20        USD     103.00        USD     1,376          (24,500

Yandex NV, Class A

     346          01/24/20        USD     40.50        USD     1,505          (114,180

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A

     309          01/24/20        USD     67.00        USD     2,102          (95,790

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     85          01/31/20        USD     61.00        USD     505          (9,307

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     91          01/31/20        USD     42.00        USD     417          (48,230

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     132          01/31/20        USD     46.00        USD     605          (35,442

Coupa Software, Inc.

     74          01/31/20        USD     155.00        USD     1,082          (24,420

Cree, Inc.

     262          01/31/20        USD     46.50        USD     1,209          (65,369

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     146          01/31/20        USD     52.50        USD     728          (31,755

Luckin Coffee, Inc., ADR

     438          01/31/20        USD     35.00        USD     1,724          (286,890

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      87  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call (continued)                                                   

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     367          01/31/20        USD     27.50        USD     975        $ (20,552

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     102          01/31/20        USD     590.00        USD     5,834          (132,090

Micron Technology, Inc.

     5          01/31/20        USD     53.00        USD     27          (1,295

Okta, Inc.

     176          01/31/20        USD     125.00        USD     2,031          (30,360

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     578          01/31/20        USD     19.50        USD     1,077          (30,345

Roku, Inc.

     162          01/31/20        USD     140.00        USD     2,169          (118,665

Snap, Inc., Class A

     982          01/31/20        USD     16.00        USD     1,604          (98,200

Splunk, Inc

     53          01/31/20        USD     144.00        USD     794          (46,375

Square, Inc., Class A

     140          01/31/20        USD     67.00        USD     876          (11,620

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

     470          01/31/20        USD     41.50        USD     1,875          (57,575

Trade Desk, Inc., Class A

     35          01/31/20        USD     280.00        USD     909          (22,050

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     136          01/31/20        USD     106.00        USD     1,337          (21,216

Yandex NV, Class A

     30          01/31/20        USD     43.50        USD     130          (4,125

Zscaler, Inc.

     263          01/31/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,223          (55,230

Viavi Solutions, Inc.

     465          02/03/20        USD     16.01        USD     698          (7,824

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     366          02/06/20        USD     27.50        USD     972          (24,677

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     320          02/07/20        USD     59.50        USD     1,901          (66,080

Micron Technology, Inc.

     337          02/07/20        USD     58.00        USD     1,812          (30,330

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     134          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     615          (96,480

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     131          02/21/20        USD     46.00        USD     601          (45,523

Anaplan, Inc.

     44          02/21/20        USD     57.50        USD     231          (6,050

Anaplan, Inc.

     275          02/21/20        USD     55.00        USD     1,441          (59,813

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     277          02/21/20        USD     125.00        USD     3,333          (149,580

Avalara, Inc.

     205          02/21/20        USD     80.00        USD     1,502          (68,675

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     184          02/21/20        USD     65.00        USD     1,179          (85,560

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     180          02/21/20        USD     70.00        USD     1,248          (51,300

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A

     376          02/21/20        USD     20.00        USD     641          (18,800

Elastic NV

     406          02/21/20        USD     70.00        USD     2,611          (75,110

Five9, Inc.

     160          02/21/20        USD     66.60        USD     1,049          (49,877

Global Payments, Inc.

     106          02/21/20        USD     185.00        USD     1,935          (57,770

IAC/InterActiveCorp.

     75          02/21/20        USD     241.75        USD     1,868          (128,867

Ichor Holdings Ltd.

     280          02/21/20        USD     35.00        USD     932          (50,400

Inphi Corp.

     243          02/21/20        USD     73.75        USD     1,799          (93,249

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

     194          02/21/20        USD     105.00        USD     1,991          (73,720

Livongo Health, Inc.

     282          02/21/20        USD     30.00        USD     707          (28,200

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     62          02/21/20        USD     27.00        USD     165          (6,789

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     219          02/21/20        USD     28.00        USD     582          (15,549

MongoDB, Inc.

     223          02/21/20        USD     135.00        USD     2,935          (160,560

Okta, Inc.

     353          02/21/20        USD     120.00        USD     4,073          (174,735

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A

     680          02/21/20        USD     35.00        USD     2,323          (149,600

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     343          02/21/20        USD     20.00        USD     639          (33,443

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     24          02/21/20        USD     180.00        USD     405          (12,000

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     82          02/21/20        USD     175.00        USD     1,383          (55,760

Roku, Inc.

     68          02/21/20        USD     145.00        USD     911          (73,100

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     146          02/21/20        USD     390.00        USD     5,805          (494,940

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     2          02/21/20        USD     455.00        USD     80          (2,070

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     159          02/21/20        USD     100.00        USD     1,922          (351,390

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A

     214          02/21/20        USD     45.00        USD     961          (65,270

Splunk, Inc

     51          02/21/20        USD     150.00        USD     764          (35,190

Square, Inc., Class A

     293          02/21/20        USD     70.00        USD     1,833          (24,465

Tesla, Inc.

     26          02/21/20        USD     385.00        USD     1,088          (132,015

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     493          02/21/20        USD     105.00        USD     4,845          (205,828

Yandex NV, Class A

     44          02/21/20        USD     41.00        USD     191          (16,280

Zendesk, Inc.

     170          02/21/20        USD     82.50        USD     1,303          (38,675
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (12,801,622
    

 

 

 

 

 

88    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty   

Number of

Contracts

     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value  
Call                                                

Altium Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      40,900        01/07/20      AUD     33.57      AUD     1,420      $ (36,241

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      18,000        01/07/20      USD     44.32      USD     796        (16,900

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

   Credit Suisse International      14,400        01/07/20      EUR     34.62      EUR     498        (7,705

Delivery Hero AG

   Citibank N.A.      15,700        01/07/20      EUR     43.22      EUR     1,109        (483,387

Endava PLC, ADR

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      9,200        01/07/20      USD     40.36      USD     429        (57,512

Kakao Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      11,000        01/07/20      KRW     142,773.66      KRW     1,684,821        (102,637

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      12,300        01/07/20      USD     164.76      USD     2,190        (164,456

StoneCo Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      38,800        01/07/20      USD     41.45      USD     1,548        (13,958

Weimob, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      668,000        01/07/20      HKD     4.06      HKD     2,265        (3

Wirecard AG

   Goldman Sachs International      4,600        01/07/20      EUR     120.50      EUR     495        (1,175

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      12,900        01/07/20      AUD     70.14      AUD     1,033        (89,353

Adyen NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      8,700        01/08/20      EUR     654.22      EUR     6,380        (774,359

Altium Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      64,900        01/08/20      AUD     34.85      AUD     2,253        (27,134

Elastic NV

   Citibank N.A.      30,200        01/08/20      USD     77.83      USD     1,942        (277

Endava PLC, ADR

   Credit Suisse International      12,600        01/08/20      USD     44.73      USD     587        (27,241

Lasertec Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      43,200        01/08/20      JPY     4,318.58      JPY     238,051        (493,195

Magazine Luiza SA

   Citibank N.A.      148,000        01/08/20      USD     45.65      USD     7,060        (100,949

Network International Holdings PLC

   Citibank N.A.      100,000        01/08/20      GBP     5.53      GBP     639        (116,967

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      208,700        01/08/20      HKD     59.06      HKD     11,869        (25,234

SVMK, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      16,200        01/08/20      USD     17.87      USD     289        (5,997

SVMK, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      28,300        01/08/20      USD     17.85      USD     506        (10,840

Smartsheet, Inc., Class A

   Citibank N.A.      19,800        01/08/20      USD     43.35      USD     889        (42,596

Weimob, Inc.

   UBS AG      1,234,000        01/08/20      HKD     3.88      HKD     4,183        (138

Wirecard AG

   Citibank N.A.      9,300        01/08/20      EUR     127.02      EUR     1,000        (510

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   Societe Generale      16,000        01/09/20      JPY     7,747.36      JPY     119,053        (16,139

Lasertec Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      65,400        01/09/20      JPY     4,073.65      JPY     360,383        (893,981

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   BNP Paribas S.A.      23,900        01/09/20      JPY     6,309.39      JPY     159,833        (85,318

RIB Software SE

   Goldman Sachs International      32,500        01/09/20      EUR     24.06      EUR     731        (1,834

RealReal, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      37,500        01/09/20      USD     19.66      USD     707        (15,075

SOITEC SA

   Goldman Sachs International      18,200        01/09/20      EUR     108.15      EUR     1,713        (28

STMicroelectronics NV

   Goldman Sachs International      78,100        01/09/20      EUR     21.96      EUR     1,878        (184,376

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      27,000        01/09/20      KRW     114,533.94      KRW     3,358,503        (246,237

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

   UBS AG      220,500        01/09/20      HKD     138.53      HKD     29,770        (48,892

Trainline PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      264,300        01/09/20      GBP     4.55      GBP     1,351        (183,480

Win Semiconductors Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      391,000        01/09/20      USD     298.94      USD     115,494        (68,918

Win Semiconductors Corp.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      52,000        01/09/20      USD     329.34      USD     15,360        (465

Wix.com Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      18,800        01/10/20      USD     124.17      USD     2,301        (29,291

Network International Holdings PLC

   Citibank N.A.      223,000        01/14/20      GBP     5.37      GBP     1,425        (308,708

SOITEC SA

   Goldman Sachs International      7,000        01/14/20      EUR     106.70      EUR     659        (290

Weimob, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      1,190,000        01/14/20      HKD     3.35      HKD     4,034        (19,693

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      29,500        01/14/20      AUD     79.98      AUD     2,362        (40,120

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   Barclays Bank PLC      15,800        01/15/20      USD     45.58      USD     698        (14,165

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      16,400        01/15/20      USD     68.22      USD     1,138        (39,018

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A

   Citibank N.A.      33,100        01/15/20      USD     17.36      USD     565        (19,817

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      40,300        01/15/20      JPY     7,518.48      JPY     299,865        (92,082

Kakao Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      2,300        01/15/20      KRW     153,000.00      KRW     352,281        (6,120

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      578,000        01/15/20      HKD     8.26      HKD     4,508        (3,492

Meituan Dianping, Class B

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      143,400        01/15/20      HKD     108.82      HKD     14,601        (16,756

TeamViewer AG

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      53,000        01/15/20      EUR     29.62      EUR     1,690        (134,989

Trainline PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      264,300        01/15/20      GBP     5.27      GBP     1,351        (26,474

Yageo Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      174,000        01/15/20      USD     391.11      USD     75,991        (267,687

GDS Holdings Ltd. — ADR

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      24,000        01/17/20      USD     52.03      USD     1,238        (28,147

Magazine Luiza SA

   Citibank N.A.      149,000        01/17/20      USD     45.65      USD     7,107        (123,061

Delivery Hero AG

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      50,800        01/21/20      EUR     45.65      EUR     3,590        (1,443,217

Endava PLC, ADR

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      8,900        01/21/20      USD     47.07      USD     415        (11,947

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      89  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty   

Number of

Contracts

     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value  
Call (continued)                                                

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      16,400        01/22/20      USD     68.22      USD     1,138      $ (43,456

SOITEC SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,000        01/22/20      EUR     106.70      EUR     659        (1,037

Adyen NV

   Citibank N.A.      2,650        01/23/20      EUR     735.62      EUR     1,943        (45,559

Altium Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      40,900        01/23/20      AUD     37.12      AUD     1,420        (8,350

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

   Goldman Sachs International      45,000        01/23/20      EUR     35.78      EUR     1,557        (34,242

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      23,600        01/23/20      JPY     7,655.71      JPY     175,604        (54,729

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   UBS AG      578,000        01/23/20      HKD     8.55      HKD     4,508        (2,590

Meituan Dianping, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      214,900        01/23/20      HKD     109.11      HKD     21,881        (39,098

Network International Holdings PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      100,700        01/23/20      GBP     5.96      GBP     643        (63,764

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      291,400        01/23/20      HKD     58.76      HKD     16,572        (81,906

SVMK, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      16,200        01/23/20      USD     17.87      USD     289        (10,238

SVMK, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      28,300        01/23/20      USD     17.77      USD     506        (19,558

Weimob, Inc.

   UBS AG      1,000,000        01/23/20      HKD     3.40      HKD     3,390        (17,487

Afya Ltd., Class A

   Citibank N.A.      25,500        01/24/20      USD     29.54      USD     692        (11,359

Network International Holdings PLC

   Citibank N.A.      90,200        01/24/20      GBP     5.90      GBP     576        (61,436

RIB Software SE

   Goldman Sachs International      32,000        01/24/20      EUR     25.48      EUR     719        (2,255

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      12,400        01/24/20      USD     118.64      USD     1,438        (42,250

Wirecard AG

   Goldman Sachs International      9,600        01/24/20      EUR     120.91      EUR     1,032        (8,392

Zalando SE

   Credit Suisse International      67,000        01/24/20      EUR     43.36      EUR     3,012        (173,461

Aspen Technology, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      8,200        01/27/20      USD     123.22      USD     992        (25,773

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      8,200        01/27/20      USD     116.34      USD     951        (27,801

Kakao Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      2,300        01/28/20      KRW     153,000.00      KRW     352,281        (8,213

SOITEC SA

   UBS AG      4,900        01/28/20      EUR     117.42      EUR     461        (196

SVMK, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      32,500        01/28/20      USD     18.00      USD     581        (20,968

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      600,000        01/29/20      HKD     8.44      HKD     4,680        (5,328

ON Semiconductor Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      33,600        01/29/20      USD     24.56      USD     819        (26,560

Viavi Solutions, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      55,400        01/30/20      USD     15.04      USD     831        (23,836

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      31,000        01/31/20      USD     48.87      USD     1,370        (19,189

Snap, Inc., Class A

   UBS AG      45,300        01/31/20      USD     15.89      USD     740        (48,121

Delivery Hero AG

   Goldman Sachs International      17,000        02/05/20      EUR     68.50      EUR     1,201        (85,324

Endava PLC, ADR

   Bank of America N.A.      8,900        02/05/20      USD     47.97      USD     415        (13,013

RIB Software SE

   Goldman Sachs International      17,000        02/05/20      EUR     20.99      EUR     382        (36,850

Weimob, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      800,000        02/05/20      HKD     3.54      HKD     2,712        (11,634

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      19,000        02/05/20      AUD     83.80      AUD     1,521        (21,629

GDS Holdings Ltd. — ADR

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      54,000        02/06/20      USD     52.03      USD     2,785        (99,207

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      1,245,000        02/06/20      HKD     8.19      HKD     9,711        (24,717

Magazine Luiza SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      172,200        02/06/20      USD     50.32      USD     8,214        (55,586

SOITEC SA

   Credit Suisse International      5,000        02/06/20      EUR     121.28      EUR     471        (204

SVMK, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      23,000        02/06/20      USD     18.65      USD     411        (17,440

RealReal, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International      56,000        02/10/20      USD     18.17      USD     1,056        (116,858

Endava PLC, ADR

   Barclays Bank PLC      12,500        02/12/20      USD     48.32      USD     583        (19,045

Teladoc Health, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      31,200        02/12/20      USD     85.42      USD     2,612        (136,291

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      31,000        02/13/20      USD     48.87      USD     1,370        (29,098
                     

 

 

 
   $ (8,562,629
  

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

     

Swap

Premiums

Paid

    

Swap

Premiums

Received

    

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Unrealized

Depreciation

     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 4,169,038      $ (10,735,818    $ (21,364,251

 

 

90    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $ 21,364,251      $      $      $      $ 21,364,251  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (3,515)      $      $      $      $ (3,515)  

Options written

                   3,472,843                             3,472,843  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $—      $      $ 3,469,328      $      $      $      $ 3,469,328  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (6,566,780)      $      $      $      $ (6,566,780)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ 23  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 9,256,674  

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

     

Options

   $      $ 21,364,251  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

            (12,801,622
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 8,562,629  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      91  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral

pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (b)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 13,013        $        $        $        $ 13,013  

Barclays Bank PLC

     239,310                                     239,310  

BNP Paribas S.A.

     85,318                                     85,318  

Citibank N.A.

     1,689,448                            (1,689,448         

Credit Suisse International

     325,469                            (325,469         

Goldman Sachs International

     1,979,597                            (1,979,597         

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     1,206,527                            (1,200,000        6,527  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     2,890,384                            (2,890,384         

Societe Generale

     16,139                            (16,139         

UBS AG

     117,424                            (117,424         
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 8,562,629        $        $        $ (8,218,461      $ 344,168  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

Automobiles

   $ 21,667,821        $        $        $ 21,667,821  

Banks

                       18,255,407          18,255,407  

Capital Markets

     16,030,436                            16,030,436  

Communications Equipment

     35,956,510                            35,956,510  

Diversified Consumer Services

     45,743,546                            45,743,546  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     8,521,532                            8,521,532  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     15,147,572          75,266,493                   90,414,065  

Entertainment

     52,687,081                            52,687,081  

Health Care Technology

     19,213,143          14,601,762                   33,814,905  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     19,200,477                            19,200,477  

Interactive Media & Services

     60,183,514          21,280,664                   81,464,178  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

     35,822,821          73,228,644                   109,051,465  

IT Services

     196,549,649          53,622,882          10,944,254          261,116,785  

Multiline Retail

     22,257,925                            22,257,925  

Professional Services

     10,784,358                            10,784,358  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     209,348,403          88,395,411                   297,743,814  

Software

     282,123,490          57,870,430                   339,993,920  

Preferred Stocks

                       91,720,586          91,720,586  

Warrants

                       53,498          53,498  

Short-Term Securities

     96,230,373                            96,230,373  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,147,468,651        $ 384,266,286        $ 120,973,745        $ 1,652,708,682  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    66,921,514  
                 

 

 

 

Total Investments

                  $ 1,719,630,196  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Liabilities:

                 

Equity contracts

   $ (12,060,729      $ (9,303,522      $        $ (21,364,251
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain investments of the Trust were fair valued using NAV per share or its equivalent as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (b) 

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

 

 

92    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

     

Common

Stocks

      

Preferred

Stocks

       Warrants        Total  

Assets:

                 

Opening Balance, as of June 27, 2019(a)

   $        $        $        $  

Transfers into Level 3

                                 

Transfers out of Level 3

                                 

Accrued discounts/premiums

                                 

Net realized gain (loss)

                                 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b)(c)

     1,864,188          120,883          53,498          2,038,569  

Purchases

     27,335,473          91,599,703                   118,935,176  

Sales

                                 
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of December 31, 2019

   $ 29,199,661        $ 91,720,586        $ 53,498        $ 120,973,745  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019(c)

   $ 1,864,188        $ 120,883        $ 53,498        $ 2,038,569  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Commencement of operations

 
  (b) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (c) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2019 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Trust’s Level 3 investments as of period end.

 

      Value        Valuation Approach        Unobservable Inputs        Range of
unobservable
Inputs Utilized
 (a)
       Weighted
Average of
Unobservable
Inputs Based
on Fair Value
 

Assets:

                      

Common Stocks

   $ 29,199,661          Market          Revenue Multiple          4.86x – 8.36x          7.05x  
               Volatility          34%           
               Time to Exit          3.0           

Preferred Stocks

     91,720,586          Market          Revenue Multiple          4.00x – 15.50x          10.05x  
               Volatility          32% – 66%          45%  
               Time to Exit          2.6 – 5.0          3.6  
               Recent Transactions                    

Warrants

     53,498          Market          Revenue Multiple          4.86x           
               Volatility          34%           
               Time to Exit          3.0           
  

 

 

                     
   $ 120,973,745                      
  

 

 

                     

 

  (a) 

A significant change in unobservable input would have resulted in a correlated (inverse) significant change to value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      93  


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 97.4%

 

Building Products — 4.9%  

Johnson Controls International PLC(a)

    191,659     $ 7,802,438  

Kingspan Group PLC

    85,625       5,229,681  

Sika AG, Registered Shares

    29,890       5,613,203  
   

 

 

 
    18,645,322  
Chemicals — 5.5%  

Air Liquide SA

    42,189       5,981,166  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    135,445       5,385,478  

Linde PLC

    27,302       5,858,212  

Umicore SA

    79,910       3,894,333  
   

 

 

 
    21,119,189  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.3%  

Waste Connections, Inc.(a)

    97,050       8,811,170  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 4.8%  

Quanta Services, Inc.(a)

    137,060       5,579,713  

Vinci SA

    116,200       12,941,607  
   

 

 

 
    18,521,320  
Electric Utilities — 30.1%  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.(a)

    64,450       6,091,170  

Duke Energy Corp.(a)

    94,568       8,625,547  

Enel SpA

    2,531,475       20,109,589  

Entergy Corp.(a)

    48,700       5,834,260  

Exelon Corp.(a)

    127,108       5,794,854  

FirstEnergy Corp.(a)

    185,130       8,997,318  

Fortis, Inc.(a)

    144,250       5,989,260  

Iberdrola SA

    1,243,049       12,810,324  

NextEra Energy, Inc.(a)(b)

    152,745       36,988,729  

Xcel Energy, Inc.(a)

    67,150       4,263,354  
   

 

 

 
    115,504,405  
Electrical Equipment — 9.0%  

ABB Ltd., Registered Shares

    218,278       5,265,550  

Eaton Corp. PLC(a)

    65,250       6,180,480  

Schneider Electric SE

    90,882       9,337,191  

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA

    168,166       2,961,515  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    106,260       10,732,943  
   

 

 

 
    34,477,679  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.7%  

Hexagon AB, Class B

    116,100       6,507,552  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 8.2%  

AES Corp.(a)

    293,050       5,831,695  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    12,875,000       8,142,035  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    1,471,000       17,325,217  
   

 

 

 
    31,298,947  
Machinery — 1.4%  

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

    155,000       5,381,761  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Multi-Utilities — 16.0%  

CMS Energy Corp.(a)

    128,150     $ 8,052,946  

Dominion Energy, Inc.(a)

    138,648       11,482,827  

National Grid PLC

    958,124       11,973,832  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.(a)

    145,582       8,596,617  

RWE AG

    395,100       12,106,637  

Sempra Energy(a)

    35,800       5,422,984  

WEC Energy Group, Inc.(a)

    40,780       3,761,140  
   

 

 

 
    61,396,983  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 10.9%  

Enbridge, Inc.

    260,740       10,369,630  

Enterprise Products Partners LP(a)

    131,703       3,708,756  

TC Energy Corp.

    228,300       12,159,122  

Williams Cos., Inc.(a)

    651,955       15,464,373  
   

 

 

 
    41,701,881  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.6%  

First Solar, Inc.(a)(c)

    72,200       4,040,312  

Texas Instruments, Inc.(a)

    44,260       5,678,115  
   

 

 

 
    9,718,427  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 97.4%
(Cost — $271,392,208)

 

    373,084,636  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities — 3.3%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class,
1.51%(d)(e)

    12,716,146       12,716,146  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 3.3%
(Cost — $12,716,146)

 

    12,716,146  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 100.7%
(Cost — $284,108,354)

 

    385,800,782  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.0)%
(Premiums Received — $2,369,014)

 

    (3,730,309
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.7%
(Cost — $281,739,340)

 

    382,070,473  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

    1,266,637  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 383,337,110  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(b) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

(e) 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Value at
12/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     9,797,799        2,918,347        12,716,146      $ 12,716,146      $ 172,565      $ 23      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

94    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call                                                   

Johnson Controls International PLC

     101          01/10/20        USD     42.00        USD     411        $ (353

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     52          01/10/20        USD     125.00        USD     667          (18,928

Williams Cos., Inc.

     292          01/10/20        USD     22.55        USD     693          (35,262

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

     122          01/17/20        USD     91.26        USD     1,153          (43,123

CMS Energy Corp.

     200          01/17/20        USD     61.01        USD     1,257          (41,609

Dominion Energy, Inc.

     188          01/17/20        USD     82.50        USD     1,557          (19,740

Dominion Resources, Inc.

     297          01/17/20        USD     82.36        USD     2,460          (33,592

Duke Energy Corp.

     162          01/17/20        USD     87.50        USD     1,478          (62,370

Duke Energy Corp.

     168          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     1,532          (28,560

Entergy Corp.

     72          01/17/20        USD     119.29        USD     863          (13,352

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     61          01/17/20        USD     27.00        USD     172          (8,082

Exelon Corp.

     323          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     1,473          (3,230

Exelon Corp.

     273          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     1,245          (26,618

First Solar, Inc.

     84          01/17/20        USD     55.00        USD     470          (18,186

FirstEnergy Corp.

     177          01/17/20        USD     49.00        USD     860          (6,637

FirstEnergy Corp.

     61          01/17/20        USD     47.00        USD     296          (10,675

FirstEnergy Corp.

     159          01/17/20        USD     48.00        USD     773          (15,105

Fortis, Inc.

     250          01/17/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,038          (43,125

Johnson Controls International PLC

     344          01/17/20        USD     44.00        USD     1,400          (3,096

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     168          01/17/20        USD     222.35        USD     4,068          (336,625

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     303          01/17/20        USD     61.22        USD     1,789          (4,196

Sempra Energy

     125          01/17/20        USD     150.00        USD     1,894          (32,813

TC Energy Corp.

     195          01/17/20        CAD     71.00        CAD     1,349          (2,853

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     29          01/17/20        USD     125.00        USD     372          (12,325

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

     71          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     655          (18,815

Waste Connections, Inc.

     170          01/17/20        USD     90.00        USD     1,543          (27,200

Williams Cos., Inc.

     292          01/17/20        USD     22.55        USD     693          (37,016

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     111          01/17/20        USD     63.00        USD     705          (12,111

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     154          01/22/20        USD     235.52        USD     3,729          (118,964

Eaton Corp.

     181          01/24/20        USD     93.00        USD     1,714          (51,585

First Solar, Inc.

     96          01/24/20        USD     56.50        USD     537          (16,128

FirstEnergy Corp.

     63          01/24/20        USD     49.10        USD     306          (3,186

Johnson Controls International PLC

     112          01/24/20        USD     43.00        USD     456          (560

Williams Cos., Inc.

     378          01/24/20        USD     23.50        USD     897          (24,948

WEC Energy Group, Inc.

     71          01/29/20        USD     92.45        USD     655          (10,554

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     124          01/29/20        USD     61.90        USD     787          (29,741

Eaton Corp.

     47          01/31/20        USD     95.00        USD     445          (9,987

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     102          01/31/20        USD     28.00        USD     287          (7,140

First Solar, Inc.

     72          01/31/20        USD     58.50        USD     403          (8,964

FirstEnergy Corp.

     63          01/31/20        USD     49.25        USD     306          (3,426

Johnson Controls International PLC

     113          01/31/20        USD     42.00        USD     460          (5,480

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     212          01/31/20        USD     243.00        USD     5,134          (89,372

Quanta Services, Inc.

     342          01/31/20        USD     41.50        USD     1,392          (29,664

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     73          01/31/20        USD     131.00        USD     937          (18,031

Williams Cos., Inc.

     468          01/31/20        USD     23.50        USD     1,110          (34,164

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     297          02/07/20        USD     28.50        USD     836          (14,108

FirstEnergy Corp.

     124          02/10/20        USD     49.00        USD     603          (6,489

AES Corp.

     450          02/21/20        USD     19.00        USD     896          (49,500

AES Corp.

     445          02/21/20        USD     20.00        USD     886          (20,025

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

     103          02/21/20        USD     92.50        USD     973          (31,930

CMS Energy Corp.

     248          02/21/20        USD     62.75        USD     1,558          (30,485

Fortis, Inc.

     254          02/21/20        USD     40.00        USD     1,055          (48,260

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     206          02/21/20        USD     60.24        USD     1,216          (18,687

TC Energy Corp.

     258          02/21/20        CAD     70.00        CAD     1,784          (22,650

TC Energy Corp.

     194          02/21/20        CAD     71.00        CAD     1,342          (11,130

Williams Cos., Inc.

     378          02/21/20        USD     24.00        USD     897          (25,137

Williams Cos., Inc.

     473          02/21/20        USD     23.31        USD     1,122          (51,792

Entergy Corp.

     98          03/20/20        USD     125.00        USD     1,174          (10,780

Waste Connections, Inc.

     170          03/20/20        USD     95.00        USD     1,543          (20,825
                          

 

 

 
     $ (1,739,289
    

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      95  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  
Call  

Enbridge, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International      30,600        01/06/20      USD     37.20      USD     1,217      $ (79,119

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      27,500        01/07/20      SEK     323.48      SEK     8,943        (16,517

Iberdrola SA

   Goldman Sachs International      116,700        01/07/20      EUR     9.05      EUR     1,072        (19,996

Johnson Matthey PLC

   UBS AG      18,900        01/07/20      GBP     32.05      GBP     567        (753

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      1,080,000        01/08/20      HKD     4.53      HKD     5,324        (55,087

RWE AG

   Citibank N.A.      43,000        01/08/20      EUR     27.01      EUR     1,175        (26,879

ABB Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      59,100        01/09/20      CHF     22.11      CHF     1,380        (75,772

Sika AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      6,100        01/09/20      CHF     179.22      CHF     1,109        (23,322

Vinci SA

   UBS AG      17,800        01/09/20      EUR     103.82      EUR     1,767        (368

Air Liquide SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,400        01/14/20      EUR     123.00      EUR     935        (30,208

Enel SpA

   Credit Suisse International      259,000        01/14/20      EUR     7.00      EUR     1,834        (38,345

Iberdrola SA

   Credit Suisse International      318,300        01/14/20      EUR     8.73      EUR     2,925        (165,646

Kingspan Group PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      10,500        01/14/20      EUR     48.72      EUR     572        (67,507

National Grid PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      229,300        01/14/20      GBP     9.02      GBP     2,162        (139,375

Enbridge, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International      27,200        01/15/20      USD     38.74      USD     1,082        (34,588

Quanta Services, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      13,700        01/15/20      USD     43.08      USD     558        (1,835

RWE AG

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      42,000        01/15/20      EUR     26.53      EUR     1,147        (47,020

Schneider Electric SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      22,400        01/15/20      EUR     89.44      EUR     2,052        (69,037

Air Liquide SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,500        01/22/20      EUR     123.00      EUR     948        (33,211

Enel SpA

   Goldman Sachs International      364,600        01/22/20      EUR     6.76      EUR     2,581        (133,853

Gamesa Corp. Tecnologica SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      64,000        01/22/20      EUR     15.14      EUR     1,005        (52,588

Hexagon AB, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      27,900        01/22/20      SEK     557.24      SEK     14,648        (7,606

Johnson Matthey PLC

   UBS AG      28,500        01/22/20      GBP     29.13      GBP     856        (51,033

Sika AG, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      4,400        01/22/20      CHF     174.63      CHF     800        (37,801

Vinci SA

   Goldman Sachs International      22,900        01/22/20      EUR     99.52      EUR     2,274        (34,866

EDP Renováveis, S.A.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      40,000        01/23/20      EUR     10.42      EUR     420        (9,641

Enel SpA

   Goldman Sachs International      227,200        01/23/20      EUR     7.12      EUR     1,609        (9,176

Hexagon AB, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      12,700        01/23/20      SEK     551.82      SEK     6,668        (8,005

Linde PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      6,400        01/23/20      EUR     192.65      EUR     1,224        (22,912

RWE AG

   Goldman Sachs International      42,000        01/23/20      EUR     26.65      EUR     1,147        (49,089

Schneider Electric SA

   UBS AG      12,600        01/23/20      EUR     90.82      EUR     1,154        (31,696

Linde PLC

   Credit Suisse International      3,200        01/24/20      EUR     186.25      EUR     612        (24,436

Umicore SA

   Credit Suisse International      23,200        01/24/20      EUR     40.59      EUR     1,008        (98,333

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

   Credit Suisse International      20,200        01/24/20      DKK     679.59      DKK     13,592        (65,585

Kingspan Group PLC

   UBS AG      19,500        01/28/20      EUR     51.61      EUR     1,062        (71,755

National Grid PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      106,100        01/28/20      GBP     9.10      GBP     1,001        (54,553

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,081,000        01/29/20      HKD     4.36      HKD     5,329        (82,091

EDP Renováveis, S.A.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      40,000        01/29/20      EUR     10.44      EUR     420        (10,129

AES Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      13,000        02/03/20      USD     18.91      USD     259        (13,215

ABB Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      17,300        02/04/20      CHF     23.80      CHF     404        (6,317

Atlas Copco AB, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      26,800        02/05/20      SEK     343.33      SEK     8,716        (10,775

Enbridge, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International      33,400        02/06/20      USD     38.43      USD     1,328        (60,813

TransCanada Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      15,300        02/06/20      CAD     68.45      CAD     1,058        (18,499

Umicore SA

   UBS AG      4,800        02/06/20      EUR     43.99      EUR     209        (12,626

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

   Credit Suisse International      20,200        02/11/20      DKK     679.59      DKK     13,592        (89,042
                     

 

 

 
   $ (1,991,020
  

 

 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written

 

     

Swap

Premiums

Paid

    

Swap

Premiums

Received

    

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Unrealized

Depreciation

     Value  

Options Written

     N/A        N/A      $ 295,958      $ (1,657,253    $ (3,730,309

 

 

96    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $ 3,730,309      $      $      $      $ 3,730,309  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (9,458,772    $      $      $      $ (9,458,772
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (2,556,761    $      $      $      $ (2,556,761
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 3,559,863  

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) are as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Options

   $        $ 3,730,309  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

              (1,739,289
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 1,991,020  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (a)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (b)
 

Citibank N.A.

   $ 28,714        $        $        $        $ 28,714  

Credit Suisse International

     669,122                   (669,122                  

Goldman Sachs International

     614,116                            (614,116         

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     55,087                   (55,087                  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     417,949                   (417,949                  

UBS AG

     206,032                   (206,032                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,991,020        $        $ (1,348,190      $ (614,116      $ 28,714  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      97  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks:

 

Building Products

   $ 13,032,119        $ 5,613,203        $             —        $ 18,645,322  

Chemicals

              21,119,189                   21,119,189  

Commercial Services & Supplies

     8,811,170                        8,811,170  

Construction & Engineering

     5,579,713          12,941,607                   18,521,320  

Electric Utilities

     82,584,492          32,919,913                   115,504,405  

Electrical Equipment

     6,180,480          28,297,199                   34,477,679  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

              6,507,552                   6,507,552  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

     23,156,912          8,142,035                   31,298,947  

Machinery

              5,381,761                   5,381,761  

Multi-Utilities

     37,316,514          24,080,469                   61,396,983  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     41,701,881                            41,701,881  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     9,718,427                            9,718,427  

Short-Term Securities

     12,716,146                            12,716,146  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 240,797,854        $ 145,002,928        $        $ 385,800,782  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

 

Liabilities:

 

Equity contracts

   $ (790,043      $ (2,940,266      $        $ (3,730,309
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are options written. Options written are shown at value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

98    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2019

 

     BGR     CII      BDJ      BOE      BGY  

ASSETS

            

Investments at value — unaffiliated(a)

  $ 366,795,923     $ 800,233,823      $ 1,910,907,502      $ 806,690,695      $ 662,175,725  

Investments at value — affiliated(b)

    12,745,390       4,423,595               1,138,392        17,518,842  

Cash pledged:

            

Collateral — options written

                        4,705,000        5,511,000  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

                        450,000        2,493,000  

Foreign currency at value(c)

                 1,188        373,094        512,561  

Receivables:

            

Investments sold

                        573,409         

Options written

          82,688        138,486        136,056         

Dividends — affiliated

    15,146       6,903        25,861        4,159        22,981  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    291,202       929,347        2,070,064        3,558,406        3,577,429  

Deferred offering costs

                                

Prepaid expenses

    2,686       10,954        13,760        5,872        4,936  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    379,850,347       805,687,310        1,913,156,861        817,635,083        691,816,474  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

            

Bank overdraft

    27,693       35,774        553,855                

Options written at value(d)

    3,553,695       11,303,321        25,599,474        7,620,728        6,538,218  

Payables:

            

Investments purchased

                        14,319         

Income dividend distributions

    137,117       196,405        1,371,868        130,318        170,535  

Investment advisory fees

    597,735       1,104,130        2,496,262        1,092,941        1,000,488  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    545,696       240,311        1,096,421        793,565        683,377  

Options written

          47,006        97,224        63,815         

Other accrued expenses

    92,588       121,967        266,467        207,615        176,729  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,954,524       13,048,914        31,481,571        9,923,301        8,569,347  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 374,895,823     $ 792,638,396      $ 1,881,675,290      $ 807,711,782      $ 683,247,127  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

            

Paid-in capital

  $ 562,214,597     $ 561,321,996      $ 1,320,628,954      $ 765,971,776      $ 655,666,945  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (187,318,774     231,316,400        561,046,336        41,740,006        27,580,182  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 374,895,823     $ 792,638,396      $ 1,881,675,290      $ 807,711,782      $ 683,247,127  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value(e)(f)

  $ 12.57     $ 17.96      $ 10.03      $ 12.32      $ 6.47  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 358,628,402     $ 563,039,897      $ 1,424,594,641      $ 720,538,805      $ 590,943,630  

(b) Investments at cost — affiliated

  $ 12,745,390     $ 4,423,595      $      $ 1,138,392      $ 17,518,842  

(c) Foreign currency at cost

  $     $      $ 1,293      $ 376,977      $ 507,053  

(d) Premiums received

  $ 2,439,918     $ 8,711,246      $ 20,683,026      $ 5,828,656      $ 4,710,918  

(e) Shares outstanding, unlimited number of shares authorized, $0.001 par value

    29,825,326              187,542,405        65,582,991        105,679,515  

(f)  Shares outstanding, 200 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

          44,121,400                       

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      99  


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)

December 31, 2019

 

     BME      BCX(a)     BST      BSTZ      BUI  

ASSETS

            

Investments at value — unaffiliated(b)(c)

  $ 448,467,420      $ 817,293,885     $ 739,736,169      $ 1,556,478,309      $ 373,084,636  

Investments at value — affiliated(d)

    3,743,015        13,891,544       8,881,516        163,151,887        12,716,146  

Cash

    74,997                     501,313        61,749  

Cash pledged:

            

Collateral — options written

    50,000                             

Collateral — OTC derivatives

                 2,930,000        8,750,000        760,000  

Foreign currency at value(e)

    208        87,051       2,527        1,130         

Receivables:

            

Investments sold

    4,457                             

Options written

                 59,885        71,442         

Securities lending income — affiliated

    7,511        1,300       6,359        117,203         

Capital shares sold

    452,063              2,241,558               355,769  

Dividends — affiliated

    6,830        20,194       24,005        114,714        15,283  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    392,969        1,210,641       159,486        271,053        688,915  

Deferred offering costs

    149,604              251,428               125,359  

Prepaid expenses

    5,610        5,949       5,414        1,988        2,754  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    453,354,684        832,510,564       754,298,347        1,729,459,039        387,810,611  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

            

Cash collateral on securities loaned at value

    253,802        180,501              66,926,868         

Options written at value(f)

    5,499,305        7,527,774       10,388,743        21,364,251        3,730,309  

Payables:

            

Income dividend distributions

           167,988              1,520,679         

Investment advisory fees

    718,756        1,337,275       1,041,624        3,283,857        602,274  

Offering costs

                 38,740               35,780  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    23,629        337,034       405        8,823        66  

Options written

                 260        310         

Other accrued expenses

    86,601        206,254       157,057        388,266        105,072  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,582,093        9,756,826       11,626,829        93,493,054        4,473,501  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 446,772,591      $ 822,753,738     $ 742,671,518      $ 1,635,965,985      $ 383,337,110  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

            

Paid-in capital

  $ 292,148,150      $ 1,159,411,839     $ 357,335,272      $ 1,518,686,036      $ 289,145,613  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    154,624,441        (336,658,101     385,336,246        117,279,949        94,191,497  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 446,772,591      $ 822,753,738     $ 742,671,518      $ 1,635,965,985      $ 383,337,110  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value(g)

  $ 41.19      $ 9.04     $ 32.45      $ 20.95      $ 22.02  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

            

(b) Investments at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 288,796,721      $ 714,015,196     $ 368,276,447      $ 1,404,212,324      $ 271,392,208  

(c) Securities loaned at value

  $ 246,262      $ 182,896     $      $ 65,785,325      $  

(d) Investments at cost — affiliated

  $ 3,743,011      $ 13,891,502     $ 8,881,516      $ 163,151,887      $ 12,716,146  

(e) Foreign currency at cost

  $ 208      $ 86,693     $ 2,551      $ 1,111      $  

(f)  Premiums received

  $ 3,970,215      $ 6,337,262     $ 7,482,654      $ 14,797,471      $ 2,369,014  

(g) Shares outstanding, unlimited number of shares authorized, $0.001 par value

    10,846,893        91,060,104       22,886,341        78,089,962        17,412,428  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

100    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY  

INVESTMENT INCOME

         

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 182,286     $ 97,853     $ 462,065     $ 101,682     $ 213,854  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    15,393,101       14,937,455       51,670,029       29,069,245       25,033,689  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,112,462     (248,573     (1,057,923     (1,066,135     (1,542,859
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    14,462,925       14,786,735       51,074,171       28,104,792       23,704,684  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

         

Accounting services

    44,249       49,240       94,248       59,248       49,250  

Custodian

    51,454       40,083       191,006       113,255       93,501  

Investment advisory

    4,529,844       6,301,352       14,284,281       7,892,036       6,589,265  

Miscellaneous

    111,561       37,382       71,183       191,618       220,359  

Trustees and Officer

    157,724       104,579       360,951       238,620       205,758  

Printing

    10,471       16,454       31,129       16,818       13,992  

Professional

    82,025       112,946       215,608       141,771       125,418  

Rating agency

    11,575       15,213       25,655       15,692       14,389  

Registration

    11,109       16,433       69,832       25,439       40,166  

Transfer agent

    76,569       84,385       173,888       109,900       101,034  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,086,581       6,778,067       15,517,781       8,804,397       7,453,132  

Less fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (699,307     (3,486     (15,836     (1,384,562     (666,617
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    4,387,274       6,774,581       15,501,945       7,419,835       6,786,515  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    10,075,651       8,012,154       35,572,226       20,684,957       16,918,169  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

         

Investments — unaffiliated

    (28,390,493     36,580,957       139,435,416       (16,932,069     (18,168,276

Capital gain distributions from investment companies — affiliated

    23       9       14       3       33  

Foreign currency transactions

    (22,343     644       (73,535     (89,352     (176,051

Options written

    3,610,497       (16,485,259     (59,909,611     (20,867,912     (18,604,008
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (24,802,316     20,096,351       79,452,284       (37,889,330     (36,948,302
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

         

Investments — unaffiliated

    63,622,918       141,651,888       287,584,817       153,553,322       139,155,898  

Foreign currency translations

    2,171             6,556       39,331       64,960  

Options written

    (3,619,831     (7,152,549     (18,297,872     (5,578,406     (4,725,459
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    60,005,258       134,499,339       269,293,501       148,014,247       134,495,399  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    35,202,942       154,595,690       348,745,785       110,124,917       97,547,097  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 45,278,593     $ 162,607,844     $ 384,318,011     $ 130,809,874     $ 114,465,266  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      101  


Statements of Operations  (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

     BME     BCX(a)     BST     BSTZ(b)     BUI  

INVESTMENT INCOME

         

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 384,813     $ 296,199     $ 90,006     $ 4,189,240     $ 172,565  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    4,554,484       30,660,068       2,459,385       1,275,063       10,572,639  

Interest — unaffiliated

          1,272,933                    

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    56,867       53,396       416,427       1,122,071        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (54,876     (1,877,131     (118,366     (63,280     (591,544
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,941,288       30,405,465       2,847,452       6,523,094       10,153,660  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

         

Accounting services

    29,249       59,248       49,250       83,250       49,250  

Custodian

    91,570       109,166       120,480       92,432       61,073  

Investment advisory

    3,949,031       8,295,268       7,091,952       9,849,811       3,524,799  

Miscellaneous

    31,978       234,559       57,238       67,261       71,901  

Trustees and Officer

    33,538       132,931       47,313       44,119       25,247  

Offering costs

    46,886                          

Printing

    11,443       16,919       16,007       25,670       10,213  

Professional

    53,483       166,371       126,191       144,151       103,975  

Rating agency

    11,749       43,496       14,892       20,180       38,726  

Registration

    10,909       35,257       9,085             9,248  

Transfer agent

    51,178       120,815       92,403       89,668       65,540  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    4,321,014       9,214,030       7,624,811       10,416,542       3,959,972  

Less fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (13,292     (10,518     (1,067,290     (139,587     (94,302
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    4,307,722       9,203,512       6,557,521       10,276,955       3,865,670  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    633,566       21,201,953       (3,710,069     (3,753,861     6,287,990  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

         

Net realized gain (loss) from:

         

Investments — unaffiliated

    30,006,790       (20,859,691     95,478,465       (32,270,130     28,254,428  

Investments — affiliated

    81             (117     (5,353      

Capital gain distributions from investment companies — affiliated

    12       36       4       102       23  

Foreign currency transactions

    (9,234     39,548       (30,827     85,191       (143,384

Options written

    (6,904,281     573,394       (19,500,509     3,472,843       (9,458,772
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    23,093,368       (20,246,713     75,947,016       (28,717,347     18,652,295  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

         

Investments — unaffiliated

    58,798,290       113,474,366       152,759,308       152,265,985       57,528,582  

Investments — affiliated

    4       71       167              

Foreign currency translations

    477       3,844       115       1,302       16,451  

Options written

    (2,646,072     (5,446,682     (6,133,637     (6,566,780     (2,556,761
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    56,152,699       108,031,599       146,625,953       145,700,507       54,988,272  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    79,246,067       87,784,886       222,572,969       116,983,160       73,640,567  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 79,879,633     $ 108,986,839     $ 218,862,900     $ 113,229,299     $ 79,928,557  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Operations.

(b) Commencement of Operations June 27, 2019.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

102    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BGR            CII  
    Year Ended December 31,            Year Ended December 31,  
     2019     2018             2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 10,075,651     $ 8,403,497        $ 8,012,154     $ 7,566,999  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (24,802,316     4,084,438          20,096,351       35,126,726  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    60,005,258       (98,385,944        134,499,339       (83,178,025
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    45,278,593       (85,898,009        162,607,844       (40,484,300
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (10,080,237     (8,135,490        (27,696,642     (19,927,105

From return of capital

    (17,693,107     (19,637,853        (16,349,752     (23,911,918
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (27,773,344     (27,773,343        (44,046,394     (43,839,023
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    17,505,249       (113,671,352        118,561,450       (84,323,323

Beginning of year

    357,390,574       471,061,926          674,076,946       758,400,269  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 374,895,823     $ 357,390,574        $ 792,638,396     $ 674,076,946  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      103  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    BDJ           BOE  
    Year Ended December 31,           Year Ended December 31,  
     2019     2018            2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 35,572,226     $ 33,747,656       $ 20,684,957     $ 21,234,142  

Net realized gain (loss)

    79,452,284       131,492,050         (37,889,330     384,068  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    269,293,501       (290,361,539       148,014,247       (112,910,961
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    384,318,011       (125,121,833       130,809,874       (91,292,751
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (140,879,229     (105,098,764       (20,682,389     (56,899,700

From return of capital

                  (29,979,719     (1,381,549
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (140,879,229     (105,098,764       (50,662,108     (58,281,249
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

                  (27,037,545     (7,051,296
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    243,438,782       (230,220,597       53,110,221       (156,625,296

Beginning of year

    1,638,236,508       1,868,457,105         754,601,561       911,226,857  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 1,881,675,290     $ 1,638,236,508       $ 807,711,782     $ 754,601,561  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

104    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    BGY           BME  
    Year Ended December 31,           Year Ended December 31,  
     2019     2018            2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 16,918,169     $ 18,248,886       $ 633,566     $ 655,319  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (36,948,302     85,049,308         23,093,368       23,295,553  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    134,495,399       (194,507,169       56,152,699       (1,509,114
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    114,465,266       (91,208,975       79,879,633       22,441,758  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (36,797,115     (48,308,022       (25,002,003     (22,690,477

From return of capital

    (6,617,930                    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (43,415,045     (48,308,022       (25,002,003     (22,690,477
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

Proceeds from shares sold

                  37,463,441       19,980,202  

Reinvestment of common distributions

                  1,756,542       1,085,098  

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (11,037,544     (6,926,639              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (11,037,544     (6,926,639       39,219,983       21,065,300  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    60,012,677       (146,443,636       94,097,613       20,816,581  

Beginning of year

    623,234,450       769,678,086         352,674,978       331,858,397  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 683,247,127     $ 623,234,450       $ 446,772,591     $ 352,674,978  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      105  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    BCX(a)           BST  
    Year Ended December 31,           Year Ended December 31,  
     2019     2018            2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 21,201,953     $ 20,773,524       $ (3,710,069   $ (2,924,164

Net realized gain (loss)

    (20,246,713     41,800,914         75,947,016       65,743,514  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    108,031,599       (215,389,129       146,625,953       (57,603,461
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    108,986,839       (152,814,691       218,862,900       5,215,889  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

         

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (21,302,066     (17,715,545       (78,918,792     (39,423,699

From return of capital

    (36,208,319     (41,596,743              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (57,510,385     (59,312,288       (78,918,792     (39,423,699
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

Proceeds from shares sold

                  9,976,531        

Reinvestment of common distributions

                  4,843,194       1,815,026  

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (27,004,375     (17,063,427              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (27,004,375     (17,063,427       14,819,725       1,815,026  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    24,472,079       (229,190,406       154,763,833       (32,392,784

Beginning of year

    798,281,659       1,027,472,065         587,907,685       620,300,469  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 822,753,738     $ 798,281,659       $ 742,671,518     $ 587,907,685  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

106    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    BSTZ            BUI  
   

Period from

06/27/19(a)

to 12/31/19

           Year Ended December 31,  
             2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

        

OPERATIONS

        

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (3,753,861      $ 6,287,990     $ 8,349,272  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (28,717,347        18,652,295       6,588,181  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    145,700,507          54,988,272       (30,087,212
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    113,229,299          79,928,557       (15,149,759
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

        

From net investment income and net realized gain

             (22,233,727     (24,524,104

From return of capital

    (39,001,740        (2,538,581     (98,239
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (39,001,740        (24,772,308     (24,622,343
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

        

Proceeds from shares sold

    1,557,499,120          7,651,380        

Reinvestment of common distributions

    4,139,306          1,596,219       928,907  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    1,561,638,426          9,247,599       928,907  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

        

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    1,635,865,985          64,403,848       (38,843,195

Beginning of year

    100,000          318,933,262       357,776,457  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 1,635,965,985        $ 383,337,110     $ 318,933,262  
 

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      107  


Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 45,278,593     $ 162,607,844     $ 384,318,011     $ 130,809,874     $ 114,465,266  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

         

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments

    111,948,035       288,356,634       837,692,026       270,198,780       231,418,235  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (89,653,544     (247,610,670     (718,834,500     (206,585,873     (178,311,261

Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities

    (7,738,415     10,365,759       44,526,058       18,564,054       7,971,101  

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (18,354,922     (81,669,440     (218,275,230     (70,978,934     (57,353,292

Premiums received from options written

    20,866,264       65,872,243       156,785,150       48,505,554       37,570,392  

Net realized (gain) loss on investments and options written

    24,779,979       (20,071,004     (79,305,834     37,985,325       36,904,954  

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency

translations

    (60,003,087     (134,499,339     (269,286,952     (147,974,372     (134,434,949

(Increase) Decrease in Assets:

         

Receivables:

         

Dividends — affiliated

    (6,112     6,956       56,134       6,959       (22,981

Dividends — unaffiliated

    325,386       (54,914     (15,951     (269,446     (361,842

Deferred offering costs

                             

Prepaid expenses

    (2,686     (3,571     (6,748     (5,344     (4,936

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities:

         

Payables:

         

Investment advisory fees

    265,962       604,655       1,359,049       551,098       517,274  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    96,761       48,425       206,338       148,830       125,512  

Other accrued expenses

    (8,278     26,617       19,281       33,375       33,777  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    27,793,936       43,980,195       139,236,832       80,989,880       58,517,250  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders

    (27,805,070     (44,061,114     (139,834,508     (50,728,516     (43,443,738

Payments on Common Shares redeemed

                      (28,122,861     (11,704,428

Increase in bank overdraft

    4,658       35,774       553,855              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

    (27,800,412     (44,025,340     (139,280,653     (78,851,377     (55,148,166
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

 

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

  $ 17     $     $ 7     $ (544   $ 4,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

         

Net increase (decrease) in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    (6,459     (45,145     (43,814     2,137,959       3,373,591  

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

    6,459       45,145       45,002       3,390,135       5,142,970  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year

  $     $     $ 1,188     $ 5,528,094     $ 8,516,561  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of distributions paid to Common Shareholders

                             
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

         

Cash pledged:

         

Collateral — options written

                      4,705,000       5,511,000  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

                      450,000       2,493,000  

Foreign currency at value

                1,188       373,094       512,561  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $     $     $ 1,188     $ 5,528,094     $ 8,516,561  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE BEGINNING OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

         

Cash

          45,145       43,458              

Cash pledged:

         

Collateral — options written

                      2,785,000       4,136,000  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

                            201,000  

Foreign currency at value

    6,459             1,544       605,135       805,970  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 6,459     $ 45,145     $ 45,002     $ 3,390,135     $ 5,142,970  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

108    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Cash Flows  (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

     BME     BCX(a)     BST     BSTZ(b)     BUI  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 79,879,633     $ 108,986,839     $ 218,862,900     $ 113,229,299     $ 79,928,557  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

         

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments

    182,049,111       635,589,612       329,269,886       173,918,062       158,539,126  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (214,060,707     (571,430,716     (233,470,900     (1,610,400,515     (135,726,150

Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities

    22,229,255       37,386       (2,432,448     (163,157,240     (2,918,347

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (31,680,127     (58,862,271     (88,412,146     (24,338,098     (27,401,131

Premiums received from options written

    26,407,460       57,477,850       68,542,541       42,537,280       17,861,739  

Net realized (gain) loss on investments and options written

    (23,280,815     20,333,004       (76,199,703     28,802,639       (18,897,220

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations

    (56,152,224     (108,028,074     (146,625,953     (145,699,224     (54,971,940

(Increase) Decrease in Assets:

         

Receivables:

         

Dividends — affiliated

    40,221       15,896       (4,076     (114,714     (4,292

Dividends — unaffiliated

    (87,976     485,448       (119,199     (271,053     185,420  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    (7,434     748       (2,361     (117,203      

Deferred offering costs

    (76,717           (251,428           (125,359

Prepaid expenses

    (5,610     (5,949     (5,414     (1,988     (2,754

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities:

         

Cash collateral on securities loaned at value

    249,127       (93,484     (1,710,283     66,926,868        

Payables:

         

Investment advisory fees

    415,894       646,857       636,995       3,283,857       333,374  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    (3,202     38,255       (16,193     8,823       (7,600

Other accrued expenses

    (18,295     32,583       (11,167     388,266       (278
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

    (14,102,406     85,223,984       68,051,051       (1,515,004,941     16,793,145  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders

    (23,245,461     (57,544,481     (74,075,598     (33,341,755     (23,176,089

Payments for offering costs

    (24,000           38,740             35,780  

Payments on Common Shares redeemed

          (27,838,068                  

Proceeds from issuance of Common Shares

    37,496,782             7,734,973       1,557,499,120       7,295,611  

Decrease in bank overdraft

                            (126,775
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (provided by) used for financing activities

    14,227,321       (85,382,549     (66,301,885     1,524,157,365       (15,971,473
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

 

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

  $ 2     $ 319     $ 64     $ 19     $ 20  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

         

Net increase (decrease) in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    124,917       (158,246     1,749,230       9,152,443       821,692  

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of period

    288       245,297       1,183,297       100,000       57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of period

  $ 125,205     $ 87,051     $ 2,932,527     $ 9,252,443     $ 821,749  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of distributions paid to Common Shareholders

    1,756,542             4,843,194       4,139,306       1,596,219  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

         

Cash

    74,997                   501,313       61,749  

Cash pledged:

         

Collateral — options written

    50,000                          

Collateral — OTC derivatives

                2,930,000       8,750,000       760,000  

Foreign currency at value

    208       87,051       2,527       1,130        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 125,205     $ 87,051     $ 2,932,527     $ 9,252,443     $ 821,749  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE BEGINNING OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

         

Cash

          43,980       21,377       100,000        

Cash pledged:

         

Collateral — written options

                1,160,000              

Foreign currency at value

    288       201,317       1,920             57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 288     $ 245,297     $ 1,183,297     $ 100,000     $ 57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

(b) 

Commencement of operations June 27, 2019.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      109  


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BGR  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018     2017     2016      2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 11.98      $ 15.79     $ 16.33     $ 14.05      $ 21.15  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.34        0.28       0.40 (b)      0.27        0.29  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.18        (3.16     (0.01     3.01        (5.89
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.52        (2.88     0.39       3.28        (5.60
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

           

From net investment income

    (0.34      (0.27     (0.40     (0.27      (0.29

From return of capital

    (0.59      (0.66     (0.53     (0.73      (1.21
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.93      (0.93     (0.93     (1.00      (1.50
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 12.57      $ 11.98     $ 15.79     $ 16.33      $ 14.05  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 11.88      $ 10.45     $ 14.18     $ 14.44      $ 12.53  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

           

Based on net asset value

    13.74      (18.84 )%      3.49     25.07      (27.47 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    23.23      (21.16 )%      5.11     24.01      (31.42 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

           

Total expenses

    1.35      1.29     1.31     1.31      1.29
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.16      1.14     1.18     1.24      1.26
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.67      1.87     2.69 %(b)      1.80      1.60
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 374,896      $ 357,391     $ 471,062     $ 487,064      $ 418,981  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    24      32     24     33      56
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $0.15 per share and 0.99%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from BakerHughes, Inc. in July 2017.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

110    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    CII  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 15.28      $ 17.19      $ 15.08      $ 15.11      $ 15.67  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18        0.17        0.15        0.13        0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    3.50        (1.09      2.95        0.99        0.53  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    3.68        (0.92      3.10        1.12        0.64  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.19      (0.17 )(c)       (0.15      (0.13      (0.14

From net realized gain

    (0.44      (0.28 )(c)              (0.04      (1.06

From return of capital

    (0.37      (0.54      (0.84      (0.98       
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.00      (0.99      (0.99      (1.15      (1.20
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 17.96      $ 15.28      $ 17.19      $ 15.08      $ 15.11  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 17.25      $ 14.08      $ 16.38      $ 13.71      $ 14.14  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    25.08      (5.44 )%       21.69      8.66      4.66
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    30.38      (8.56 )%       27.54      5.56      9.86
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    0.91      0.90      0.93      0.95      0.94
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.91      0.90      0.93      0.95      0.94
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.08      1.00      0.94      0.89      0.71
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 792,638      $ 674,077      $ 758,400      $ 665,159      $ 666,492  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    32      27      32      54      133
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c)

Amount previously presented incorrectly as solely distributions from net investment income has been revised to reflect the proper classification of distributions between net realized gain and net investment income.

(d)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      111  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BDJ  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018     2017      2016      2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 8.74      $ 9.96     $ 9.22      $ 8.70      $ 9.24  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18        0.18 (b)      0.16        0.17        0.17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.86        (0.84     1.14        0.91        (0.15
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.04        (0.66     1.30        1.08        0.02  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

            

From net investment income

    (0.08      (0.18 )(d)      (0.17      (0.17      (0.17

From net realized gain

    (0.67      (0.38 )(d)      (0.39              

From return of capital

                        (0.39      (0.39
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.75      (0.56     (0.56      (0.56      (0.56
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.03      $ 8.74     $ 9.96      $ 9.22      $ 8.70  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 9.92      $ 7.77     $ 9.23      $ 8.15      $ 7.61  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

            

Based on net asset value

    24.52      (6.59 )%      15.06      13.90      1.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    38.53      (10.39 )%      20.63      15.11      0.63
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

            

Total expenses

    0.87      0.85     0.86      0.87      0.86
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.87      0.85     0.86      0.85      0.85
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.99      1.85 %(b)      1.73      1.91      1.85
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 1,881,675      $ 1,638,237     $ 1,868,457      $ 1,741,649      $ 1,643,508  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    40      34     42      33      26
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average Common Shares outstanding.

(b)

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.01 per share and 0.14%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Amount previously presented incorrectly as solely distributions from net investment income has been revised to reflect the proper classification of distributions between net realized gain and net investment income.

(e)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

112    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BOE  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 11.07      $ 13.22     $ 13.38     $ 14.25     $ 15.27  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.30        0.31       0.17       0.15       0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.71        (1.61     1.96       0.03       0.03  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.01        (1.30     2.13       0.18       0.14  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

          

From net investment income

    (0.31      (0.31 )(d)      (0.19     (0.10     (0.17

In excess of net investment income(c)

                             (0.10

From net realized gain

           (0.52 )(d)      (2.10            

From return of capital

    (0.45      (0.02           (0.95     (0.89
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.76      (0.85     (2.29     (1.05     (1.16
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 12.32      $ 11.07     $ 13.22     $ 13.38     $ 14.25  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 10.99      $ 9.37     $ 12.51     $ 11.57     $ 12.76  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

          

Based on net asset value

    19.54      (9.63 )%      17.22 %(f)      2.62     1.81
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    25.98      (19.16 )%      28.28     (0.90 )%      6.03
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

          

Total expenses

    1.12      1.08     1.09 %(g)      1.10     1.08 %(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.94      0.94     1.02 %(g)      1.05     1.05 %(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.62      2.52     1.20 %(g)      1.15     0.73 %(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 807,712      $ 754,602     $ 911,227     $ 929,897     $ 990,318  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    26      28     133     64     72
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Taxable distribution.

(d) 

Amount previously presented incorrectly as solely distributions from net investment income has been revised to reflect the proper classification of distributions between net realized gain and net investment income.

(e) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(f) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.01%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      113  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BGY  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018     2017     2016      2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 5.79      $ 7.06     $ 6.28     $ 6.95      $ 7.61  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.16        0.17 (b)      0.09       0.09        0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.93        (1.00     1.15       (0.24      (0.15
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.09        (0.83     1.24       (0.15      (0.07
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

           

From net investment income

    (0.16      (0.16 )(d)      (0.09     (0.07      (0.11

From net realized gain

    (0.19      (0.28 )(d)                    

From return of capital

    (0.06            (0.37     (0.45      (0.48
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.41      (0.44     (0.46     (0.52      (0.59
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 6.47      $ 5.79     $ 7.06     $ 6.28      $ 6.95  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 5.89      $ 4.98     $ 6.52     $ 5.51      $ 6.24  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    20.20      (11.48 )%      20.88 %(f)      (1.12 )%       (0.47 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    27.22      (17.55 )%      27.23     (3.37 )%       0.90
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    1.13      1.09     1.12     1.12      1.09
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.03      0.99     1.02     1.02      1.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.57      2.59 %(b)      1.31     1.41      1.09
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 683,247      $ 623,234     $ 769,678     $ 690,628      $ 764,154  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28      60     90     74      67
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $0.01 per share and 0.10%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(c) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d) 

Amount previously presented incorrectly as solely distributions from net investment income has been revised to reflect the proper classification of distributions between net realized gain and net investment income.

(e) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(f) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    —       —       0.02      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

114    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BME  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 35.87      $ 35.69      $ 31.30      $ 36.19     $ 38.61  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.06        0.07        0.02        0.02       (0.06

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    7.66        2.51        6.77        (1.91     4.34  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    7.72        2.58        6.79        (1.89     4.28  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

            

From net investment income

    (0.12      (0.07 )(c)       (0.04      (0.03     (0.63

From net realized gain

    (2.28      (2.33 )(c)       (2.11      (2.97     (6.07

From return of capital

                  (0.25             
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (2.40      (2.40      (2.40      (3.00     (6.70
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 41.19      $ 35.87      $ 35.69      $ 31.30     $ 36.19  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 42.50      $ 36.45      $ 36.50      $ 31.75     $ 39.35  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

            

Based on net asset value

    22.26      7.26      22.17      (5.36 )%      10.70
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    24.15      6.57      23.17      (11.71 )%      8.87
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

            

Total expenses

    1.09      1.11      1.12      1.15 %(f)      1.13
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding amortization of offering costs

    1.09      1.11      1.12      1.14     1.12
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.16      0.19      0.06      0.07     (0.14 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 446,773      $ 352,675      $ 331,858      $ 270,693     $ 297,530  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    47      37      38      59     68
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c)

Amount previously presented incorrectly as solely distributions from net investment income has been revised to reflect the proper classification of distributions between net realized gain and net investment income.

(d)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e)

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    0.01      0.01      0.01      —       — 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Offering costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 1.16%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      115  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BCX  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018     2017     2016      2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 8.44      $ 10.64     $ 9.86     $ 8.35      $ 11.67  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.23        0.22       0.20 (b)      0.14        0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.99        (1.80     1.19       1.95        (2.76
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.22        (1.58     1.39       2.09        (2.51
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

           

From net investment income

    (0.23      (0.19     (0.24     (0.15      (0.25

From return of capital

    (0.39      (0.43     (0.37     (0.43      (0.56
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.62      (0.62     (0.61     (0.58      (0.81
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.04      $ 8.44     $ 10.64     $ 9.86      $ 8.35  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 8.07      $ 7.06     $ 9.77     $ 8.27      $ 7.11  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

           

Based on net asset value

    15.88      (14.90 )%      15.60     27.41      (21.31 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    23.67      (22.47 )%      26.55     25.50      (19.47 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

           

Total expenses

    1.11      1.08     1.08     1.08      1.07
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.11      1.08     1.08     1.08      1.07
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.56      2.17     2.06 %(b)      1.61      2.43
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 822,754      $ 798,282     $ 1,027,472     $ 976,899      $ 827,040  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    69      66     73     101      74
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include less than $0.04 per share and 0.39% respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Baker Hughes Inc. in July 2017.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

116    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BST  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2017     2016      2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 26.21     $ 27.73     $ 20.10     $ 19.70      $ 19.43  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.17     (0.13     (0.05     0.00 (b)       0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain

    9.92       0.37       8.96       1.60        1.44  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    9.75       0.24       8.91       1.60        1.47  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

          

From net investment income

          (d)      (0.05            (0.03

From net realized gain

    (3.51     (1.76 )(d)      (0.22            (0.01

From return of capital

                (1.01     (1.20      (1.16
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.51     (1.76     (1.28     (1.20      (1.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 32.45     $ 26.21     $ 27.73     $ 20.10      $ 19.70  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 33.27     $ 27.48     $ 26.69     $ 17.94      $ 17.31  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

          

Based on net asset value

    37.82     0.24     45.73     9.36      8.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    34.77     9.18     57.15     11.08      5.36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

          

Total expenses

    1.08     1.09     1.09     1.10      1.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.92     0.89     0.89     0.90      0.92
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.52 )%      (0.43 )%      (0.19 )%      0.02      0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 742,672     $ 587,908     $ 620,300     $ 452,443      $ 443,477  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    32     53     41     74      91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Amount previously presented incorrectly as solely distributions from net investment income has been revised to reflect the proper classification of distributions between net realized gain and net investment income.

(e)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      117  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BSTZ  
   

Period from

06/27/19 (a)

to 12/31/19

 
   

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.00  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    (0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1.50  
 

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    1.45  
 

 

 

 

Distribution from return of capital

    (0.50
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 20.95  
 

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 20.50  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    7.40 %(d) 
 

 

 

 

Based on market price

    5.10 %(d) 
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.32 %(e)(f) 
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.30 %(e)(f) 
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.48 )%(e)(f) 
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,635,966  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    16
 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations. This information includes the initial investment by BlackRock HoldCo2, Inc.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d)

Aggregate total return.

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.04%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

118    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BUI  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 18.77      $ 21.12      $ 19.42      $ 19.50      $ 22.47  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.37        0.49        0.56        0.56        0.47  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    4.33        (1.39      2.59        0.81        (1.99
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    4.70        (0.90      3.15        1.37        (1.52
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.24      (0.63 )(c)       (0.47      (0.49      (0.42

From net realized gain

    (1.06      (0.81 )(c)       (0.98      (0.53      (0.54

From return of capital

    (0.15      (0.01             (0.43      (0.49
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.45      (1.45      (1.45      (1.45      (1.45
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 22.02      $ 18.77      $ 21.12      $ 19.42      $ 19.50  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 22.31      $ 19.76      $ 21.62      $ 18.41      $ 16.78  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    25.63      (4.40 )%       16.62      7.57      (6.09 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    20.91      (1.68 )%       25.93      18.50      (12.45 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    1.12      1.12      1.11      1.13      1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.10      1.09      1.09      1.13      1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.78      2.46      2.70      2.83      2.24
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 383,337      $ 318,933      $ 357,776      $ 328,297      $ 329,747  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39      28      31      8      20
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c)

Amount previously presented incorrectly as solely distributions from net investment income has been revised to reflect the proper classification of distributions between net realized gain and net investment income.

(d)

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      119  


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

The following are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as closed-end management investment companies and are referred to herein collectively as the “Trusts”, or individually as a “Trust”:

 

Trust Name   Herein Referred To As   

Organized

   Diversification
Classification

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust

  BGR    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.

  CII    Maryland    Diversified

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

  BDJ    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust

  BOE    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

  BGY    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

  BME    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

  BCX    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

  BST    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II*

  BSTZ    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

  BUI    Delaware    Diversified

 

  *

Commenced operations on June 27, 2019.

 

The Boards of Directors and Boards of Trustees of the Trusts are collectively referred to throughout this report as the “Board of Trustees” or the “Board,” and the directors/trustees thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as “Trustees”. The Trusts determine and make available for publication the net asset values (“NAVs”) of their Common Shares on a daily basis.

The Trusts, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, are included in a complex of non-index fixed-income mutual funds and all BlackRock-advised closed-end funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

Prior to commencement of operations on June 27, 2019, BSTZ had no operations other than those relating to organizational matters and the sale of 5,000 common shares on May 3, 2019 to BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of BSTZ, for $100,000. Investment operations for BSTZ commenced on June 27, 2019.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of BCX include the account of BlackRock Cayman Resources & Commodities Strategy Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCX and primarily invests in commodity-related instruments. The Subsidiary enables BCX to hold these commodity-related instruments and satisfy regulated investment company tax requirements. BCX may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. During the year ended December 31, 2019, there were no transactions in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to BCX, except that the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Trust is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Trusts are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, are recognized on an accrual basis.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Trust’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Trust does not isolate the portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the exchange rates from the changes in the market prices of investments held or sold for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Trust reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Trust enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and options written) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Trust may segregate or designate on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a

 

 

120    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

“senior security.” Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Trusts may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments or obligations.

Distributions: Distributions paid by the Trusts are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Subject to the Trusts’ managed distribution plan, the Trusts intend to make monthly cash distributions to shareholders, which may consist of net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains on investments and/or return of capital.

The character of distributions is determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. The portion of distributions that exceeds a Trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, which are measured on a tax basis, will constitute a non-taxable return of capital. See Note 8, Income Tax Information, for the tax character of each Trust’s distributions paid during the period.

Net income and realized gains from investments held by the Subsidiary are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary in any taxable year, the loss will generally not be available to offset BCX’s ordinary income and/or capital gains for that year.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by each Trust’s Board, the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex selected by the Independent Trustees. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Trustees as if the Independent Trustees had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of each Trust, as applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in the Trustees’ and Officer’s fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Trusts until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.

Organization and Offering Costs: Organization costs associated with the establishment of BSTZ and offering expenses of BSTZ with respect to the issuance of shares in the amounts of $140,500 and $1,353,100, respectively, were paid by the Manager. BSTZ is not obligated to repay any such organizational costs or offering expenses paid by the Manager.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, a Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. A Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against a Trust, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

Other: Expenses directly related to a Trust are charged to that Trust. Other operating expenses shared by several funds, including other funds managed by the Manager, are prorated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Trusts’ investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Trusts would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Trusts determine the fair values of their financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Trust’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at the official closing price each day, if available. For equity investments traded on more than one exchange, the official closing price on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded is used. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such instruments may occur between the foreign market close and the close of trading on the NYSE that may not be reflected in the computation of the Trusts’ net assets. Each business day, the Trusts use a pricing service to assist with the valuation of certain foreign exchange-traded equity securities and foreign exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options (the “Systematic Fair Value Price”). Using current market factors, the Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities and foreign options at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

 

   

Fixed-income securities for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third party pricing services. Floating rate loan interests are valued at the mean of the bid prices from one or more independent brokers or dealers as obtained from a third party pricing service. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information. Certain fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage related securities may be valued based on valuation models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. The amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless the Manager determines such method does not represent fair value.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      121  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at NAV each business day.

 

   

The Trusts value their investment in SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”) at fair value, which is ordinarily based upon their pro rata ownership in the underlying fund’s net assets. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

   

Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices at the close of the options market in which the options trade. An exchange-traded option for which there is no mean price is valued at the last bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that the prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. OTC options are valued by an independent pricing service using a mathematical model, which incorporates a number of market data factors, such as the trades and prices of the underlying instruments.

If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investments, or in the event that the application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee will include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that each Trust might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

For investments in equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds (“Private Company” or collectively, the “Private Companies”) and other Fair Valued Investments, the fair valuation approaches that are used by the Global Valuation Committee and third party pricing services utilize one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

     Standard Inputs Generally Considered By Third Party Pricing Services

Market approach

 

(i)  recent market transactions, including subsequent rounds of financing, in the underlying investment or comparable issuers;

(ii) recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure; and

(iii)   market multiples of comparable issuers.

Income approach

 

(i)  future cash flows discounted to present and adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, and/or market risks;

(ii) quoted prices for similar investments or assets in active markets; and

(iii)   other risk factors, such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, recovery rates, liquidation amounts and/or default rates.

Cost approach

 

(i)  audited or unaudited financial statements, investor communications and financial or operational metrics issued by the Private Company;

(ii) changes in the valuation of relevant indices or publicly traded companies comparable to the Private Company;

(iii)   relevant news and other public sources; and

(iv)   known secondary market transactions in the Private Company’s interests and merger or acquisition activity in companies comparable to the Private Company.

Investments in series of preferred stock issued by Private Companies are typically valued utilizing market approach in determining the enterprise value of the company. Such investments often contain rights and preferences that differ from other series of preferred and common stock of the same issuer. Valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”) or a hybrid of those techniques are used in allocating enterprise value of the company, as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of OPM and PWERM techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

The Private Companies are not subject to the public company disclosure, timing, and reporting standards as other investments held by a Trust. Typically, the most recently available information by a Private Company is as of a date that is earlier than the date a Trust is calculating its NAV. This factor may result in a difference between the value of the investment and the price a Trust could receive upon the sale of the investment.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial statement purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 — Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Trust has the ability to access

 

   

Level 2 — Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market–corroborated inputs)

 

   

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Global Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments)

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification

 

 

122    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by Private Companies. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

As of December 31, 2019, certain investments of BME, BCX, and BSTZ were valued using NAV or its equivalent as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

Warrants: Warrants entitle a fund to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date of the warrants, if any. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the strike price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and a fund will lose any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

Securities Lending: Certain Trusts may lend their securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Trusts collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. The initial collateral received by each Trust is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Trust and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Trust, or excess collateral returned by the Trust, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Trusts are entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities, but do not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The market value of any securities on loan, all of which were classified as common stocks in the Trusts’ Schedules of Investments, and the value of any related collateral are shown separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value-unaffiliated, and collateral on securities loaned at value, respectively. As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested by the securities lending agent, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”), if any, is disclosed in the Schedules of Investments.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Trusts under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”), which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Trusts, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and a Trust can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following tables are a summary of the Trusts’ securities lending agreements by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

Counterparty   Securities
Loaned at Value
     Cash Collateral
Received
 (a)
    Net
Amount
 (b)
 

BME

      

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 11,421      $ (11,421)     $  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    46,885        (46,885      

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

    11,266        (10,903     363  

Goldman Sachs & Co

    102,871        (102,871  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    73,819        (73,819      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 246,262      $ (245,899)     $ 363  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

BCX

      

Goldman Sachs & Co.

  $ 182,896      $ (180,501   $ 2,395  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 182,896      $ (180,501   $ 2,395  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      123  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Counterparty   Securities
Loaned at Value
     Cash Collateral
Received
 (a)
    Net
Amount
 (b)
 

BSTZ

      

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 19,901,714      $ (19,901,714   $  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    104,397        (104,397      

Goldman Sachs & Co

    16,971,064        (16,971,064      

JP Morgan Securities LLC

    22,930,163        (22,930,163      

TD Prime Services LLC

    3,330,600        (3,330,600      

UBS Securities LLC

    2,547,387        (2,547,387      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 65,785,325      $ (65,785,325   $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Trust is disclosed in the Trust’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of December 31, 2019. Additional collateral is delivered to each Trust on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by the counterparty.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Trusts benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by BIM. BIM’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned if the collateral received does not cover the value on the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Trust could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by the Trusts.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Trusts engage in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Trusts and/or to manage their exposure to certain risks such as credit risk, equity risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk or other risks (e.g., inflation risk). Derivative financial instruments categorized by risk exposure are included in the Schedules of Investments. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or OTC.

Options: Certain Trusts purchase and write call and put options to increase or decrease their exposure to the risks of underlying instruments, including equity risk, interest rate risk and/or commodity price risk and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.

A call option gives the purchaser (holder) of the option the right (but not the obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller (writer) to sell (when the option is exercised) the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. A put option gives the holder the right to sell and obligates the writer to buy the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period.

Premiums paid on options purchased and premiums received on options written, as well as the daily fluctuation in market value, are included in investments at value — unaffiliated and options written at value, respectively, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the premium is offset against the cost or proceeds of the underlying instrument. When an option expires, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent of the premiums received or paid. When an option is closed or sold, a gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premiums received or paid. When the Trusts write a call option, such option is typically “covered,” meaning that they hold the underlying instrument subject to being called by the option counterparty. When the Trusts write a put option, cash is segregated in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. These amounts, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged as collateral for options written in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

In purchasing and writing options, the Trusts bear the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying instrument or the risk that they may not be able to enter into a closing transaction due to an illiquid market. Exercise of a written option could result in the Trusts purchasing or selling a security when they otherwise would not, or at a price different from the current market value.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help them mitigate their counterparty risk, the Trusts may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with their counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between each Trust and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, each Trust may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may restrict or prohibit the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

Collateral Requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Trusts and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Trusts and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Trusts, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Trusts. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Trusts on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A Trust generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Trusts from their counterparties are not fully

 

 

124    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

collateralized, they bear the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Trusts have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, they bear the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Trusts do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: Each Trust entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Trusts’ investment adviser and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock Inc. (“BlackRock”), to provide investment advisory and administrative services. The Manager is responsible for the management of each Trust’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Trust.

For such services, each Trust, except BCX pays the Manager a monthly fee at the following annual rates:

 

Average weekly value of each Trust’s net assets:

       

BGR

    1.20

BDJ

    0.80  

BOE

    1.00  

BME

    1.00  

 

Average daily value of each Trust’s net assets:

       

CII

    0.85

BGY

    1.00  

BST

    1.00  

BSTZ

    1.25  

BUI

    1.00  

For purposes of calculating these fees, “net assets” mean the total assets of BGR, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, CII, BCX and BUI minus the sum of its accrued liabilities.

For such services, BCX pays the Manager a monthly fee of 1.00% of the sum of the average daily value of the net assets of the Trust (excluding the value of the Trust’s interest in the Subsidiary) and the average daily value of the net assets of its subsidiary, which fee is allocated pro rata between the Trust and the Subsidiary based on the average daily value of their respective net assets (excluding, in the case of the Trust, the value of the Trust’s interest in the Subsidiary).

For purposes of calculating these fees, “managed assets” are determined as total assets of BST and BSTZ (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) less the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

With respect to BGR, BOE, BGY, BCX and BUI, the Manager entered into separate sub-advisory agreements with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL for services it provides, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by each Trust to the Manager.

The Manager provides investment management and other services to BCX’s Subsidiary. The Manager does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing investment management or administrative services. However, BCX pays the Manager based on the Trust’s net assets which includes the assets of the Subsidiary.

Distribution Fees: BME, BST and BUI have entered into Distribution Agreements with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager, to provide for distribution of BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s common shares on a reasonable best efforts basis through an equity shelf offering (a “Shelf Offering”) (the “Distribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, BME, BST and BUI will compensate BRIL with respect to sales of common shares at a commission rate of 1.00% of the gross proceeds of the sale of BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s common shares and a portion of such commission is re-allowed to broker-dealers engaged by BRIL. The commissions retained by BRIL during the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $75,264, $16,844 and $14,955 for BME, BST and BUI, respectively.

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager has contractually agreed to waive a portion of the investment advisory fees on BST as a percentage of its average daily managed assets as follows:

 

             Expiration Date  

BST

    0.15      December 31, 2019  
    0.10        December 31, 2020  
      0.05        December 31, 2021  

The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the investment advisory fees on the following Trusts as a percentage of their average weekly net assets (BGR and BOE) or average daily net assets (BUI and BGY), as follows:

 

BGR

    0.220

BOE

    0.175  

BUI

    0.025  

BGY

    0.100  

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      125  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

For BGR, prior to July 3, 2019, the portion of investment advisory fees which the Manager had voluntarily waived was an annual rate of 0.15% of the Trust’s average weekly net assets.

These voluntary waivers may be reduced or discontinued at any time without notice.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the investment advisory fees waived, which are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

BGR

  $ 692,861  

BOE

    1,381,106  

BGY

    658,926  

BST

    1,063,793  

BUI

    88,120  

With respect to each Trust, the Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each Trust pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”) through June 30, 2021. Prior to December 1, 2019, this waiver and/or reimbursement was voluntary. These amounts are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the amounts waived were as follows:

 

     Amount Waived  

BGR

  $ 6,446  

CII

    3,486  

BDJ

    15,836  

BOE

    3,456  

BGY

    7,691  

BME

    13,292  

BCX

    10,518  

BST

    3,497  

BSTZ

    139,587  

BUI

    6,182  

The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of each Trust’s assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through June 30, 2021. The agreement can be renewed for annual periods thereafter, and may be terminated on 90 days’ notice, each subject to approval by a majority of the Trusts’ Independent Trustees. For the year ended December 31, 2019, there were no fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager pursuant to these arrangements.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BIM, an affiliate of the Manager, to serve as securities lending agent for the Trusts, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. The Trusts are responsible for expenses in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment expenses”). The cash collateral is invested in a private investment company managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the private investment company to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the private investment company will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Trusts. The private investment company in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn or temporarily restrict withdrawals for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the private investment company’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. Each Trust retains a portion of securities lending income and remits a remaining portion to BIM as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, BIM may lend securities only when the difference between the borrower rebate rate and the risk free rate exceeds a certain level (such securities, the “specials only securities”). Each Trust retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses).

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income earned across the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex in a calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Trust, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses) in an amount equal to 85% of securities lending income.

Prior to January 1, 2019, each Trust (other than BSTZ, which commenced operations after such date) retained 80% of securities lending income (which excluded collateral investment expenses). In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income earned across a complex of closed-end funds referred to as the Closed-End Complex in a calendar year exceeded a specified threshold, the Fund would retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excluded collateral investment expenses).

 

 

126    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The share of securities lending income earned by each Trust is shown as securities lending income — affiliated — net in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2019, each Trust paid BIM the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

BME

  $ 12,100  

BCX

    11,475  

BST

    89,229  

BSTZ

    215,327  

Trustees and Officers: Certain trustees and/or officers of the Trusts are trustees and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Trusts reimburse the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Trusts’ Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Trustees and Officer in the Statements of Operations.

Other Transactions: The Trusts may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common trustees. For the period ended December 31, 2019, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales     

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

 

BST

  $      $ 818,872      $ (1,069,052

BSTZ

    237,801                

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended December 31, 2019, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

BGR

  $ 89,653,544      $ 111,948,035  

CII

    236,657,991        288,345,277  

BDJ

    717,591,358        836,864,608  

BOE

    206,594,835        270,762,197  

BGY

    178,310,793        231,418,235  

BME

    213,309,398        182,051,339  

BCX

    571,418,855        635,589,612  

BST

    230,545,748        329,313,090  

BSTZ

    1,610,392,703        173,913,766  

BUI

    135,726,150        158,539,126  

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is each Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Each Trust files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on each Trust’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for each of the four years ended December 31, 2019, except for BSTZ, which remains open for the period ended December 31, 2019. The statutes of limitations on each Trust’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Trusts as of December 31, 2019, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Trusts’ financial statements.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. As of period end, the following permanent differences attributable to non-deductible expenses and net operating losses were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

     BGR      CII      BDJ      BOE      BGY      BME     BCX      BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Paid-in capital

  $      $      $      $      $      $ (46,886   $      $ (3,736,092   $ (4,050,650   $ (27,175

Accumulated earnings (loss)

        —            —            —            —            —        46,886           —        3,736,092       4,050,650       27,175  

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      127  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY     BME     BCX     BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Ordinary income

                   

12/31/2019

  $ 10,080,237     $ 8,072,143     $ 22,868,103     $ 20,682,389     $ 16,830,492     $ 1,199,799     $ 21,302,066     $     $     $ 4,110,805  

12/31/2018

    8,135,490       7,552,897       33,730,833       22,660,720       17,828,120       692,439       17,715,545                   12,194,916  

Long-term capital gains

                   

12/31/2019

          19,624,499       118,011,126             19,966,623       23,802,204             78,918,792             18,122,922  

12/31/2018

          12,374,208       71,367,931       34,238,980       30,479,902       21,998,038             39,423,699             12,329,188  

Return of capital

                   

12/31/2019

    17,693,107       16,349,752             29,979,719       6,617,930             36,208,319             39,001,740       2,538,581  

12/31/2018

    19,637,853       23,911,918             1,381,549                   41,596,743                   98,239  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

                   

12/31/2019

  $ 27,773,344     $ 44,046,394     $ 140,879,229     $ 50,662,108     $ 43,415,045     $ 25,002,003     $ 57,510,385     $ 78,918,792     $ 39,001,740     $ 24,772,308  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

12/31/2018

  $ 27,773,343     $ 43,839,023     $ 105,098,764     $ 58,281,249     $ 48,308,022     $ 22,690,477     $ 59,312,288     $ 39,423,699     $     $ 24,622,343  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of period end, the tax components of accumulated earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY     BME     BCX     BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Undistributed ordinary income

  $     $     $ 20,731,046     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

                84,545,997                               25,963,356              

Non-expiring capital loss carryforwards(a)

    (185,729,928                 (29,524,908     (27,853,009           (426,115,393           (16,443,625      

Net unrealized gains (losses)(b)

    (1,588,846     231,316,400       455,769,293       71,264,914       55,451,537       154,892,206       89,457,292       361,137,630       145,121,027       94,207,095  

Qualified late-year losses(c)

                            (18,346     (267,765           (1,764,740     (11,397,453     (15,598
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ (187,318,774   $ 231,316,400     $ 561,046,336     $ 41,740,006     $ 27,580,182     $ 154,624,441     $ (336,658,101   $ 385,336,246     $ 117,279,949     $ 94,191,497  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and straddles, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain options contracts, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies, the timing and recognition of partnership income and the deferral of compensation to Trustees.

 
  (c) 

The Trust has elected to defer certain qualified late-year losses and recognize such losses in the next taxable period.

 

As of December 31, 2019, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY     BME     BCX     BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Tax cost

  $ 377,799,446     $ 568,752,706     $ 1,440,427,871     $ 727,564,540     $ 618,133,158     $ 293,412,772     $ 736,678,354     $ 378,138,367     $ 1,568,107,455     $ 282,713,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 25,230,236     $ 243,955,051     $ 504,070,926     $ 107,865,633     $ 83,515,198     $ 160,793,889     $ 121,216,412     $ 375,393,861     $ 216,578,649     $ 104,331,581  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (24,602,146     (10,642,414     (38,396,489     (29,393,158     (23,781,089     (3,525,316     (27,899,849     (7,820,632     (71,622,688     (2,608,872
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 628,090     $ 233,312,637     $ 465,674,437     $ 78,472,475     $ 59,734,109     $ 157,268,573     $ 93,316,563     $ 367,573,229     $ 144,955,961     $ 101,722,709  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, certain Trusts invest in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject each Trust to various risks, including among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate and price fluctuations. BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s prospectuses provide details of the risks to which each Trust is subject.

The Trusts may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Each Trust may invest without limitation in illiquid or less liquid investments or investments in which no secondary market is readily available or which are otherwise illiquid, including private placement securities. A Trust may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which a Trust could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, a Trust may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise trusts to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting a Trusts’ net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. Privately issued debt securities are often of below investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as investing in below investment grade public debt securities.

 

 

128    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A Trust may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a Trust 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. A Trust may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that they believe the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause each Trust’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a Trust may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a Trust invests.

The price a Trust could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from a Trust’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore a Trust’s results of operations. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by a Trust, and a Trust could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. A Trust’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.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Trusts may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions. The Trusts manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Trusts to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Trusts’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Trusts.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

A Trust’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain less the value of any collateral held by such Trust.

For OTC options purchased, each Trust bears the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid plus the positive change in market values net of any collateral held by the Trusts should the counterparty fail to perform under the contracts. Options written by the Trusts do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk, as options written generally obligate the Trusts, and not the counterparty, to perform. The Trusts may be exposed to counterparty credit risk with respect to options written to the extent the Trusts deposit collateral with its counterparty to a written option.

With exchange-traded options purchased and futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Trusts since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Trust does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Trusts.

Concentration Risk: As of period end, the Trusts listed below invested a significant portion of their assets in securities in the following sectors:

 

Energy .

    BGR, BCX  

Financials

    BDJ  

Health Care

    BME  

Information Technology

    BST, BSTZ  

Materials

    BCX  

Utilities

    BUI  

Changes in economic conditions affecting such sectors would have a greater impact on the Trusts and could affect the value, income and/or liquidity of positions in such securities.

BOE and BGY invest a substantial amount of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When the Trusts concentrate their investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, political and social conditions in those countries may have a significant impact on their investment performance. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedules of Investments.

BGY and BOE invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. 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 and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Trusts’ investments.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      129  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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.

 

10.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Each Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, with the exception of CII, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. CII is authorized to issue 200 million Common Shares. The par value for each Trust’s Common Shares is $0.001, except for CII, which is $0.10. The Board is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares without the approval of Common Shareholders.

For the periods shown, shares issued and outstanding increased by the following amounts as a result of shares issued through the Shelf Offering:

 

     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Year Ended
12/31/18
 

BME

    969,840        504,770  

BST

    304,272         

BUI

    349,552         

For the periods shown, shares issued and outstanding increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestment:

 

     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Year Ended
12/31/18
 

BME

    46,035        28,688  

BST

    150,491        60,353  

BSTZ

    210,006         

BUI

    75,584        46,552  

For the year ended December 31, 2019 and year December 31, 2018, for BGR, CII, and BDJ shares issued and outstanding remained constant.

Shares of BSTZ issued and outstanding for the period June 27, 2019 to December 31, 2019, increased by 77,874,956 from the Trust’s initial public offering. As of December 31, 2019, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of BSTZ, owned 5,000 shares of BSTZ.

BME, BST and BUI have each filed a prospectus with the SEC allowing it to issue an additional 5,000,000, 13,000,000 and 5,000,000 Common Shares, respectively, through an equity Shelf Offerings. Under the Shelf Offerings, BME, BST and BUI, subject to market conditions, may raise additional equity capital from time to time in varying amounts and utilizing various offering methods at a net price at or above BME, BST and BUI NAV per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). As of period end, 4,520,794, 12,695,728 and 4,650,448 Common Shares, respectively, remain available for issuance under the Shelf Offerings. From June 9, 2016 to April 28, 2019 and August 12, 2015 to June 8, 2016, BME was authorized to issue 2,500,000 Common Shares and 453,000 Common Shares, respectively, under previous Shelf Offerings. See Additional Information — Shelf Offering Program for additional information about the Shelf Offerings.

Initial costs incurred by each of BME, BST and BUI in connection with its Shelf Offering are recorded as “Deferred offering cost” in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As shares are sold, a portion of the costs attributable to the shares sold will be charged against paid-in-capital. Any remaining deferred charges at the end of the shelf offering period will be charged to expense. Any subsequent costs incurred to keep the filing active will be charged to expense as incurred.

The Trusts (other than BSTZ) participate in an open market share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”). From December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019, the Trusts (other than BSTZ) were permitted to repurchase up to 5% of their outstanding common shares under the Repurchase Program, based on common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2018, subject to certain conditions. From December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020, the Trusts (other than BSTZ) may repurchase up to 5% of their outstanding common shares under the Repurchase Program, based on common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2019, subject to certain conditions. There is no assurance that the Trusts will purchase shares in any particular amounts.

The total cost of the shares repurchased is reflected in the Trusts’ Statements of Changes in Net Assets. For the periods shown, shares repurchased and cost, including transaction costs, were as follows:

 

BOE   Shares      Amount  

December 31, 2019

    2,600,735      $ 27,037,545  

December 31, 2018

    728,069        7,051,296  

 

BGY   Shares      Amount  

December 31, 2019

    2,027,081      $ 11,037,544  

December 31, 2018

    1,342,421        6,926,639  

 

BCX   Shares      Amount  

December 31, 2019

    3,485,024      $ 27,004,375  

December 31, 2018

    2,000,565        17,063,427  

 

 

130    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Trusts’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were issued and the following items were noted:

 

     Common Dividend
Per Share
 
     Paid (a)      Declared (b)  

BGR

  $ 0.077600      $ 0.077600  

CII

    0.087500        0.087500  

BDJ

    0.050000        0.050000  

BOE

    0.063000        0.063000  

BME

    0.200000        0.200000  

BGY

    0.033800        0.033800  

BCX

    0.051600        0.051600  

BST

    0.165500        0.165500  

BSTZ

    0.100000        0.100000  

BUI

    0.121000        0.121000  

 

  (a) 

Net investment income dividend paid on January 31, 2020 to shareholders of record on January 15, 2020.

 
  (b) 

Net investment income dividend declared on February 3, 2020, payable to shareholders of record on February 14, 2020.

 

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      131  


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees/Directors of BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc., BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust, BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II, and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust, including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. We have also audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II, including the schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows, and the financial highlights for the period from June 27, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019, and the related notes. We have also audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc., BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust, and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust, (collectively, with BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust and BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II, the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II as of December 31, 2019, the results of its operations and its cash flows, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the period from June 27, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc., BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust, BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust, and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust as of December 31, 2019, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 25, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 1992.

 

 

132    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid:

 

     Payable Date    Long-Term
Capital Gains
     Non-Taxable
Return of
Capital
     Qualified
Dividend
Income
for
Individuals
  (a)
     Dividends
Qualifying for
the Dividends
Received
Deduction for
Corporations
 (a)
     Short-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends for
Non-U.S.
Residents
 (b)
     Foreign
Source
Income
     Foreign
Taxes
Paid
 (c)
 

BGR

  01/31/19 — 12/31/19           63.71      36.29      19.69           23.16      3.87

CII

  01/31/19 — 12/31/19      44.55        37.12        18.33        18.33                       

BDJ

  01/31/19 — 11/30/19      93.75               6.25        5.19        6.25                
  12/31/19      59.82               40.18        37.43        3.99                

BOE

  01/31/19 — 12/31/19             59.18        40.82        21.71               24.56        1.92  

BGY

  01/31/19 — 05/31/19      100.00                                            
  06/30/19      49.23        14.33        36.44        1.40               38.33        3.04  
  07/31/19 — 12/31/19             28.22        71.78        2.76               75.49        5.98  

BME

  1/31/19      96.89               3.11        3.11                       
  02/28/19 — 12/31/19      95.06               4.94        4.94                       

BCX

  01/31/19 — 12/31/19             62.96        37.04        10.61               28.49        3.04  

BST

  01/31/19 — 12/31/19      100.00                                            

BSTZ

  01/31/19 — 12/31/19             100.00                                     

BUI

  01/31/19 — 12/31/19      73.16        10.25        16.59        16.59                       

 

  (a) 

The Trusts hereby designate the percentages indicated above to the maximum amount allowable by law.

 
  (b) 

Represents the portion of the dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations.

 
  (c) 

The foreign taxes paid represent taxes incurred by the fund on income received from foreign sources. Foreign taxes paid may be included in taxable income with an offsetting deduction from gross income or may be taken as a credit for taxes paid to foreign governments. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the appropriate treatment of foreign taxes paid.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION      133  


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board,” the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (the “Fund”) met in person on September 5, 2019 (the “September Meeting”) to consider the approval to continue the investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Fund’s investment advisor. The Board also considered the approval to continue the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Manager, BlackRock International Limited and the Fund. The Manager and the Sub-Advisor are referred to herein as “BlackRock.” The Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are referred to herein as the “Agreements.”

The continuation of the Agreements was considered by the Board at in-person meetings on May 1, 2019 (the “May Meeting”) and June 5-6, 2019 (the “June Meeting”). At the June Meeting, the continuation of the Agreements was approved by the Board for a three-month term ending September 30, 2019, with further continuation to be considered by the Board at the September Meeting. At the September Meeting, the Board considered materials relating to its approval of the Agreements at the June Meeting, as well as additional information provided by the Manager. The factors considered by the Board at the September Meeting in connection with approval of the continuation of the Agreements were substantially the same as the factors considered at the May and June Meetings. A discussion of the basis for the Board’s approval of the Agreements at the June Meeting and the September Meeting is included below under “Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements.”

Activities and Composition of the Board

On the date of the September Meeting, the Board consisted of eleven individuals, nine of whom were not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). The Board Members are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Board Members have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Co-Chairs of the Board are Independent Board Members. The Board has established five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee, a Compliance Committee, a Performance Oversight Committee and an Executive Committee, each of which is chaired by an Independent Board Member and composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Executive Committee, which also has one interested Board Member).

The Agreements

Consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Board considers the continuation of the Agreements on at least an annual basis. The Board has four quarterly meetings per year, each typically extending for two days, and additional in-person and telephonic meetings throughout the year, as needed. While the Board also has a fifth one-day meeting to consider specific information surrounding the renewal of the Agreements, the Board’s consideration entails a year-long deliberative process whereby the Board and its committees assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund. In particular, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, BlackRock’s personnel and affiliates, including (as applicable): investment management; accounting, administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Throughout the year, including during the contract renewal process, the Independent Board Members were advised by independent legal counsel, and met with independent legal counsel in various executive sessions outside of the presence of management.

During the year, the Board, acting directly and through its committees, considers information that is relevant to its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to the Fund and its shareholders. BlackRock also furnished additional information to the Board in response to specific questions from the Board. This additional information is discussed further below in the section titled “Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements.” Among the matters the Board considered were: (a) investment performance for one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and/or since inception periods, as applicable, against peer funds, applicable benchmarks, and performance metrics, as applicable, as well as senior management’s and portfolio managers’ analyses of the reasons for any over-performance or underperformance relative to its peers, benchmarks, and other performance metrics, as applicable; (b) leverage management, as applicable; (c) fees, including advisory, administration, if applicable, and other amounts paid to BlackRock and its affiliates by the Fund for services; (d) Fund operating expenses and how BlackRock allocates expenses to the Fund; (e) the resources devoted to, risk oversight of, and compliance reports relating to, implementation of the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, and meeting regulatory requirements; (f) BlackRock and the Fund’s adherence to applicable compliance policies and procedures; (g) the nature, character and scope of non-investment management services provided by BlackRock and its affiliates and the estimated cost of such services; (h) BlackRock’s and other service providers’ internal controls and risk and compliance oversight mechanisms; (i) BlackRock’s implementation of the proxy voting policies approved by the Board; (j) the use of brokerage commissions and execution quality of portfolio transactions; (k) BlackRock’s implementation of the Fund’s valuation and liquidity procedures; (l) an analysis of management fees for products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable, and the similarities and differences between these products and the services provided as compared to the Fund; (m) BlackRock’s compensation methodology for its investment professionals and the incentives and accountability it creates, along with investment professionals’ investments in the fund(s) they manage; (n) periodic updates on BlackRock’s business; and (o) the Fund’s market discount/premium compared to peer funds.

Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements

The Approval Process: Prior to the May Meeting, the Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreements. The Independent Board Members are continuously engaged in a process with their independent legal counsel and BlackRock to review the nature and scope of the information provided to better assist its deliberations. The materials provided in connection with the May Meeting included, among other things: (a) information independently compiled and prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), based on Lipper classifications, regarding the Fund’s fees and expenses as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge (“Expense Peers”), the investment performance of the Fund as compared with a peer group of funds (“Performance Peers”) and other metrics, as applicable; (b) information on the composition of the Expense Peers and Performance Peers, and a description of Broadridge’s methodology; (c) information on the estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates pursuant to the Agreements and a discussion of fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates; (d) a general analysis provided by BlackRock concerning investment management fees received in connection with other types of investment products, such as institutional accounts,

 

 

134    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

sub-advised mutual funds, closed-end funds, and open-end funds, under similar investment mandates, as applicable; (e) review of non-management fees; (f) the existence, impact and sharing of potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund; (g) a summary of aggregate amounts paid by the Fund to BlackRock; and (h) various additional information requested by the Board as appropriate regarding BlackRock’s and the Fund’s operations.

At the May Meeting, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreements. As a result of the discussions that occurred during the May Meeting, and as a culmination of the Board’s year-long deliberative process, the Board presented BlackRock with questions and requests for additional information. BlackRock responded to these requests with additional written information in advance of the June Meeting. Topics covered included: (a) the methodology for measuring estimated fund profitability; (b) fund expenses and potential fee waivers; (c) differences in services provided and management fees between closed-end funds and other product channels; and (d) BlackRock’s option overwrite strategy.

At the June Meeting, the Board concluded its assessment of, among other things: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BlackRock; (b) the investment performance of the Fund as compared with Performance Peers and other metrics, as applicable; (c) the advisory fee and the estimated cost of the services and estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund; (d) the Fund’s fees and expenses compared to Expense Peers; (e) the sharing of potential economies of scale; (f) fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of BlackRock’s relationship with the Fund; and (g) other factors deemed relevant by the Board Members.

The Board also considered other matters it deemed important to the approval process, such as other payments made to BlackRock or its affiliates relating to securities lending and cash management, and BlackRock’s services related to the valuation and pricing of Fund portfolio holdings. The Board noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Board. The Board did not identify any particular information as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various items considered.

A. Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided by BlackRock: At the May Meeting and the June Meeting, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BlackRock, including the investment advisory services and the resulting performance of the Fund. Throughout the year, the Board compared Fund performance to the performance of a comparable group of closed-end funds, relevant benchmarks, and performance metrics, as applicable. The Board met with BlackRock’s senior management personnel responsible for investment activities, including the senior investment officers. The Board also reviewed the materials provided by the Fund’s portfolio management team discussing the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s investment objective, strategies and outlook.

The Board considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and the Fund’s portfolio management team; BlackRock’s research capabilities; investments by portfolio managers in the funds they manage; portfolio trading capabilities; use of technology; commitment to compliance; credit analysis capabilities; risk analysis and oversight capabilities; and the approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall risk management program, including the continued efforts of BlackRock and its affiliates to address cybersecurity risks and the role of BlackRock’s Risk & Quantitative Analysis Group. The Board engaged in a review of BlackRock’s compensation structure with respect to the Fund’s portfolio management team and BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain high-quality talent and create performance incentives.

In addition to investment advisory services, the Board considered the nature and quality of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided to the Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with certain administrative, shareholder and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Fund by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Fund. In particular, BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with administrative services including, among others: (i) responsibility for disclosure documents, such as the prospectus and the statement of additional information in connection with the initial public offering and periodic shareholder reports; (ii) preparing communications with analysts to support secondary market trading of the Fund; (iii) oversight of daily accounting and pricing; (iv) responsibility for periodic filings with regulators and stock exchanges; (v) overseeing and coordinating the activities of other service providers including, among others, the Fund’s custodian, fund accountant, transfer agent, and auditor; (vi) organizing Board meetings and preparing the materials for such Board meetings; (vii) providing legal and compliance support; (viii) furnishing analytical and other support to assist the Board in its consideration of strategic issues such as the merger, consolidation or repurposing of certain closed-end funds; and (ix) performing or managing administrative functions necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as tax reporting, expense management, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, and shareholder call center and other services. The Board reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRock’s fund administration, shareholder services, and legal & compliance departments and considered BlackRock’s policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

B. The Investment Performance of the Fund and BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of the Fund. In preparation for the May Meeting, the Board was provided with reports independently prepared by Broadridge, which included a comprehensive analysis of the Fund’s performance as of December 31, 2018. The performance information is based on net asset value (NAV), and utilizes Lipper data. Lipper’s methodology calculates a fund’s total return assuming distributions are reinvested on the ex-date at a fund’s ex-date NAV. Broadridge ranks funds in quartiles, ranging from first to fourth, where first is the most desirable quartile position and fourth is the least desirable. In connection with its review, the Board received and reviewed information regarding the investment performance of the Fund as compared to its Performance Peers and the performance of the Fund as compared with its custom benchmark. The Board and its Performance Oversight Committee regularly review, and meet with Fund management to discuss, the performance of the Fund throughout the year.

In evaluating performance, the Board focused particular attention on funds with less favorable performance records. The Board also noted that while it found the data provided by Broadridge generally useful, it recognized the limitations of such data, including in particular, that notable differences may exist between a fund and the Performance Peer funds (for example, the investment objective(s) and investment strategies). Further, the Board recognized that the performance data reflects a snapshot of a period as of a particular date and that selecting a different performance period could produce significantly different results. The Board also acknowledged that long-term performance could be impacted by even one period of significant outperformance or underperformance, and that a single investment theme could have the ability to affect long-term performance disproportionately.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT      135  


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

At the September Meeting, the Board noted that, as of December 31, 2018, for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, the Fund ranked in the first, second and second quartiles, respectively, against its Performance Peers.

BlackRock believes that certain other performance metrics may be more appropriate than the Performance Peers, and the Board was provided with a comparison of Fund performance relative to these metrics. These metrics include Fund return, Sharpe Ratio, stability of distribution and yield. Based on an overall rating relative to these metrics, as determined by BlackRock, the Fund generally performed in line with expectations, as of June 30, 2019.

Additionally, the Board noted that, since the Fund’s current portfolio management team has managed the Fund, the Fund had outperformed its customized benchmark, as of June 30, 2019.

C. Consideration of the Advisory/Management Fees and the Estimated Cost of the Services and Estimated Profits Realized by BlackRock and its Affiliates from their Relationship with the Fund: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the Fund’s contractual management fee rate compared with those of its Expense Peers. The contractual management fee rate represents a combination of the advisory fee and any administrative fees, before taking into account any reimbursements or fee waivers. The Board also compared the Fund’s total expense ratio, as well as its actual management fee rate as a percentage of total assets, to those of its Expense Peers. The total expense ratio represents a fund’s total net operating expenses, excluding any investment related expenses. The total expense ratio gives effect to any expense reimbursements or fee waivers that benefit a fund, and the actual management fee rate gives effect to any management fee reimbursements or waivers that benefit a fund. The Board considered the services provided and the fees charged by BlackRock and its affiliates to other types of clients with similar investment mandates, as applicable, including institutional accounts and sub-advised mutual funds (including mutual funds sponsored by third parties).

The Board received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRock’s financial condition. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology and was also provided with an estimated profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to the Fund. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to the Fund and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to available aggregate estimated profitability data provided for the prior two years. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to certain other U.S. fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the estimated profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors including, among other things, fee waivers and expense reimbursements by the Manager, the types of funds managed, precision of expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is difficult.

The Board noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s overall operating margin, in general, compared to that of certain other publicly-traded asset management firms. The Board considered the differences between BlackRock and these other firms, including the contribution of technology at BlackRock, BlackRock’s expense management, and the relative product mix.

In addition, the Board considered the estimated cost of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, and BlackRock’s and its affiliates’ estimated profits relating to the management of the Fund and the other funds advised by BlackRock and its affiliates. As part of its analysis, the Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology in allocating its costs of managing the Fund, to the Fund. The Board considered whether BlackRock has the financial resources necessary to attract and retain high quality investment management personnel to perform its obligations under the Agreements and to continue to provide the high quality of services that is expected by the Board. The Board further considered factors including but not limited to BlackRock’s commitment of time, assumption of risk, and liability profile in servicing the Fund, including in contrast to what is required of BlackRock with respect to other products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable.

At the May Meeting and the June Meeting, the Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the second quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile, relative to the Expense Peers. The Board also noted that BlackRock had agreed to voluntarily waive a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund. An advisory fee waiver has been in effect since 2017, although the amount of such waiver may have varied from time to time. After discussion between the Board, including the Independent Board Members, and BlackRock, the Board and BlackRock agreed to a continuation of the current 2.5 basis points voluntary advisory fee waiver.

D. Economies of Scale: At the May Meeting and the June Meeting, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board also considered the extent to which the Fund benefits from such economies in a variety of ways, and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable the Fund to more fully participate in these economies of scale. The Board considered the Fund’s asset levels and whether the current fee was appropriate.

Based on the Board’s review and consideration of the issue, the Board concluded that most closed-end funds do not have fund level breakpoints because closed-end funds generally do not experience substantial growth after the initial public offering. They are typically priced at scale at a fund’s inception.

E. Other Factors Deemed Relevant by the Board Members: At the May Meeting and the June Meeting, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, also took into account other ancillary or “fall-out” benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates may derive from BlackRock’s respective relationships with the Fund, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and risk management personnel, an increase in BlackRock’s profile in the investment advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRock’s affiliates as service providers to the Fund, including for administrative, securities lending and cash management services. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations. The Board also noted that, subject to applicable law, BlackRock may use and benefit from third party research obtained by soft dollars generated by certain registered fund transactions to assist in managing all or a number of its other client accounts.

In connection with its consideration of the Agreements, the Board also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.

 

 

136    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

The Board noted the competitive nature of the closed-end fund marketplace, and that shareholders are able to sell their Fund shares in the secondary market if they believe that the Fund’s fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.

The Board also considered the various notable initiatives and projects BlackRock performed in connection with its closed-end fund product line. These initiatives included developing equity shelf programs; efforts to eliminate product overlap with fund mergers; ongoing services to manage leverage that has become increasingly complex; periodic evaluation of share repurchases and other support initiatives for certain BlackRock funds; and continued communications efforts with shareholders, fund analysts and financial advisers. With respect to the latter, the Independent Board Members noted BlackRock’s continued commitment to supporting the secondary market for the common shares of its closed-end funds through a comprehensive secondary market communication program designed to raise investor and analyst awareness and understanding of closed-end funds. BlackRock’s support services included, among other things: sponsoring and participating in conferences; communicating with closed-end fund analysts covering the BlackRock funds throughout the year; providing marketing and product updates for the closed-end funds; and maintaining and enhancing its closed-end fund website.

Conclusion

At the September Meeting, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Fund for a nine-month term ending June 30, 2020, and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager, the Sub-Advisor and the Fund, for a nine-month term ending June 30, 2020. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, as well as other information, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreements were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Agreements, the Board did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all-important or controlling, but considered all factors together, and different Board Members may have attributed different weights to the various factors considered. The Independent Board Members were also assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel in making this determination.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENTS AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT      137  


Trustee and Officer Information

 

Independent Trustees (a)
         
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
   Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
 (c)
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Number of BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
 (d)
   Public Company and Other
Investment Company
Directorships Held During
Past Five Years

Richard E. Cavanagh

1946

   Co-Chair of the Board and Trustee
(Since 2007)
   Director, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 1998; Board Chair, Volunteers of America (a not-for-profit organization) from 2015 to 2018 (board member since 2009); Director, Arch Chemicals (chemical and allied products) from 1999 to 2011; Trustee, Educational Testing Service from 1997 to 2009 and Chairman thereof from 2005 to 2009; Senior Advisor, The Fremont Group since 2008 and Director thereof since 1996; Faculty Member/Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard University since 2007 and Executive Dean from 1987 to 1995; President and Chief Executive Officer, The Conference Board, Inc. (global business research organization) from 1995 to 2007.    86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios    None

Karen P. Robards

1950

   Co-Chair of the Board and Trustee
(Since 2007)
   Principal of Robards & Company, LLC (consulting and private investing) since 1987; Co-founder and Director of the Cooke Center for Learning and Development (a not-for-profit organization) since 1987; Director of Enable Injections, LLC (medical devices) since 2019; Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley from 1976 to 1987.    86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios    Greenhill & Co., Inc.; AtriCure, Inc. (medical devices) from 2000 until 2017

Michael J. Castellano

1946

   Trustee
(Since 2011)
   Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Group LLC from 2001 to 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd from 2004 to 2011; Director, Support Our Aging Religious (non-profit) from 2009 to June 2015 and since 2017; Director, National Advisory Board of Church Management at Villanova University since 2010; Trustee, Domestic Church Media Foundation since 2012; Director, CircleBlack Inc. (financial technology company) since 2015.    86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios    None

Cynthia L. Egan

1955

   Trustee
(Since 2016)
   Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2014 to 2015; President, Retirement Plan Services, for T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; executive positions within Fidelity Investments from 1989 to 2007.    86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios    Unum (insurance); The Hanover Insurance Group (insurance); Envestnet (investment platform) from 2013 until 2016

Frank J. Fabozzi (d)

1948

   Trustee Trustee
(Since 2007)
   Editor of The Journal of Portfolio Management since 1986; Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School (France) since 2011; Visiting Professor, Princeton University for the 2013 to 2014 academic year and Spring 2017 semester; Professor in the Practice of Finance, Yale University School of Management from 1994 to 2011 and currently a Teaching Fellow in Yale’s Executive Programs; Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Funds from 2014 to 2016; affiliated professor Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from 2008 to 2011.    87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios    None

Henry Gabbay

1947

   Trustee
(Since 2019)
   Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Bond Board from 2007 to 2018; Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Liquidity and BlackRock Closed-End Fund Boards from 2007 through 2014; Consultant, BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2008; Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. from 1989 to 2007; Chief Administrative Officer, BlackRock Advisors, LLC from 1998 to 2007; President of BlackRock Funds and BlackRock Allocation Target Shares (formerly, BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares) from 2005 to 2007 and Treasurer of certain closed-end funds in the BlackRock fund complex from 1989 to 2006.    86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios    None

 

 

138    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Trustees (a) (continued)
         
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
   Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
 (c)
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Number of BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
 (d)
   Public Company and Other
Investment Company
Directorships Held During
Past Five Years

R. Glenn Hubbard

1958

   Trustee
(Since 2007)
   Dean, Columbia Business School from 2004 to 2019; Faculty member, Columbia Business School since 1988.    86 RICs consisting of 110 Portfolios    ADP (data and information services); Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (insurance); KKR Financial Corporation (finance) from 2004 until 2014

W. Carl Kester (d)

1951

   Trustee
(Since 2007)
   George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School since 2008; Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs from 2006 to 2010; Chairman of the Finance Unit, from 2005 to 2006; Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of the MBA Program from 1999 to 2005; Member of the faculty of Harvard Business School since 1981.    87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios    None

Catherine A. Lynch (d)

1961

   Trustee
(Since 2016)
   Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and various other positions, National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust from 2003 to 2016; Associate Vice President for Treasury Management, The George Washington University from 1999 to 2003; Assistant Treasurer, Episcopal Church of America from 1995 to 1999.    87 RICs consisting of 111 Portfolios    None
Interested Trustees (a)(e)
         
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
   Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
 (c)
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years    Number of BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
 (d)
   Public Company and Other
Investment Company
Directorships Held During
Past Five Years

Robert Fairbairn

1965

   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 287 Portfolios    None

John M. Perlowski (d)

1964

   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 288 Portfolios    None

(a) The address of each Trustee is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

(b) Each Independent Trustee holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Trust’s by-laws or charter or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. Trustees who are “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act serve until their successor is duly elected and qualifies or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Trust’s by-laws or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Trustees on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate.

(c) Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and BlackRock, Inc. in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. Certain Independent Trustees first became members of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Richard E. Cavanagh, 1994; Frank J. Fabozzi, 1988; R. Glenn Hubbard, 2004; W. Carl Kester, 1995; and Karen P. Robards, 1998. Mr. Gabbay became a member of the boards of the open-end funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex in 2007.

(d) Dr. Fabozzi, Dr. Kester, Ms. Lynch and Mr. Perlowski are also trustees of the BlackRock Credit Strategies Fund.

(e) Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both “interested persons,” as defined in the Act 1940 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 Multi-Asset Complex.

 

 

TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION      139  


Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Officers Who Are Not Trustees (a)
     
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
   Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Jonathan Diorio

1980

   Vice President
(Since 2015)
   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015.

Neal J. Andrews

1966

   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

1970

   Treasurer
(Since 2007)
   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007.

Charles Park

1967

   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.

Janey Ahn

1975

   Secretary
(Since 2012)
   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2009 to 2017.

(a) The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

(b) Officers of the Trust serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

Effective February 1, 2020, the portfolio managers of BOE and BGY are Andrew Wheatley-Hubbard, CFA, Kyle G. McClements, CFA, Christopher Accettella and Olivia Treharne, CFA. Ms. Treharne joined the Funds’ portfolio management team effective February 1, 2020. Ms. Treharne has been a Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019.

Effective February 1, 2020, the portfolio managers of CII are Todd Burnside, Kyle G. McClements, CFA, Christopher Accettella and Joseph Wolfe, CFA. Mr. Wolfe joined the Fund’s portfolio management team effective February 1, 2020. Mr. Wolfe has been a Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2012.

Effective February 19, 2020, Henry Gabbay resigned as a Trustee of the Trusts.

 

Investment Adviser

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Sub-Adviser

BlackRock International LTD.(a)

Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

United Kingdom

Custodian and Accounting Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Canton, MA 02021

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC(b)

New York, NY 10022

Legal Counsel

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

New York, NY 10019

Address of the Trusts

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

(a) 

For BGR, BOE, BGY, BCX and BUI.

(b) 

For BME.

 

 

140    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Additional Information

 

Proxy Results

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 29, 2019 for shareholders of record on May 30, 2019, to elect trustee nominees for each Trust. There were no broker non-votes with regard to any of the Trusts.

Shareholders elected the Class III Trustees as follows:

 

  

 

  Richard E. Cavanagh     Cynthia L. Egan     Robert Fairbairn     Henry Gabbay  
     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld  

BDJ

    170,034,248       4,587,151       171,886,470       2,734,929       171,863,112       2,758,287       171,886,547       2,734,852  

BGR

    27,105,070       695,053       27,100,230       699,893       27,092,089       708,034       27,109,596       690,527  

BOE

    60,554,664       2,971,275       60,507,302       3,018,637       60,559,380       2,966,559       60,544,768       2,981,171  

BME

    9,504,772       189,250       9,510,984       183,038       9,493,781       200,241       9,503,504       190,518  

BGY

    97,850,317       4,608,941       97,775,838       4,683,420       97,815,187       4,644,071       97,843,487       4,615,771  

BCX

    85,577,418       1,290,974       85,603,602       1,264,790       85,633,884       1,234,508       85,608,936       1,259,456  

BUI

    15,335,204       361,075       15,328,845       367,434       15,351,326       344,953       15,344,514       351,765  

BST

    20,533,523       422,811       20,616,714       339,620       20,593,341       362,993       20,578,096       378,238  

For the Trusts listed above, Trustees whose term of office continued after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders because they were not up for election are Michael J. Castellano, R. Glenn Hubbard, Catherine A. Lynch, John M. Perlowski, Karen P. Robards, Frank J. Fabozzi and W. Carl Kester.

Shareholders elected the Class III Trustees as follows:

 

  

 

  Richard E. Cavanagh     Frank J. Fabozzi     Robert Fairbairn     Henry Gabbay  
     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld  

CII

    40,829,123       958,035       40,485,306       1,301,852       40,849,860       937,298       40,850,553       936,605  

For the Trust listed above, Trustees whose term of office continued after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders because they were not up for election are Michael J. Castellano, Cynthia L. Egan, R. Glenn Hubbard, Catherine A. Lynch, John M. Perlowski, Karen P. Robards, and W. Carl Kester.

Fund Certification

The Trusts are listed for trading on the NYSE and have filed with the NYSE their annual chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards. The Trusts filed with the SEC the certification of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer required by section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

General Information

The Trusts, other than BME, do not make available copies of their Statements of Additional Information because the Trusts’ shares, except for BME, are not continuously offered, which means that the Statements of Additional Information of each Trust, other than BME, have not been updated after completion of the respective Trust’s offerings and the information contained in each such Trust’s Statement of Additional Information may have become outdated.

BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s Statements of Additional Information include additional information about the Board and are available, without charge upon request by calling 800-882-0052.

During the period there were no material changes in the Trusts’ investment objectives or policies or to the Trusts’ charters or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control of the Trusts that were not approved by the shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Trusts. There have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trusts’ portfolios.

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, each Trust may from time to time purchase shares of its common stock in the open market or in private transactions.

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Trusts may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Trusts and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and, for BME, BST and BUI only, prospectuses, by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports are available on BlackRock’s website.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

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

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

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION      141  


Additional Information  (continued)

 

Householding

The Trusts will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including, for BME, BST and BUI only, prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Trusts (800) 882-0052.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Trusts file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, and for reporting periods ended prior to March 31, 2019, filed such information on Form N-Q, as applicable. The Trusts’ Forms N-PORT and N-Q, as applicable, are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The Trusts’ Forms N-Q, as applicable, may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 882-0052.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trusts use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 882-0052; (2) at blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Trusts voted proxies relating to securities held in the Trusts’ portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at blackrock.com or by calling (800) 882-0052 and (2) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Availability of Trust Updates

BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Trusts on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Trusts. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Trusts and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Shelf Offering Program

From time-to-time, each Trust may seek to raise additional equity capital through an equity shelf program (a “Shelf Offering”). In a Shelf Offering, a Trust may, subject to market conditions, raise additional equity capital by issuing new Common Shares from time to time in varying amounts at a net price at or above the Trust’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). While any such Shelf Offering may allow a Trust to pursue additional investment opportunities without the need to sell existing portfolio investments, it could also entail risks — including that the issuance of additional Common Shares may limit the extent to which the Common Shares are able to trade at a premium to NAV in the secondary market.

None of the Trusts, other than BME, BST and BUI, have filed a registration statement with respect to any current Shelf Offerings. This report is not an offer to sell these Trusts’ Common Shares and is not a solicitation of an offer to buy these Trusts’ Common Shares. If any of the Trusts other than BME, BST and BUI file a registration statement with respect to any current Shelf Offering, the prospectus contained therein will contain more complete information about such Trusts and should be read carefully before investing.

BME, BST (on September 30, 2019) and BUI (on October 10, 2019) have filed a prospectus with the SEC in connection with their Shelf Offering. This report and the prospectus of BME, BST and BUI are not offers to sell these Trusts’ Common Shares or solicitations of an offer to buy these Trusts’ Common Shares in any jurisdiction where such offers or sales are not permitted. The prospectus of these Trusts contains important information about the Trusts, including its investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Investors are urged to read the prospectus of these Trusts carefully and in its entirety before investing. Copies of the prospectus for these Trusts can be obtained from BlackRock at blackrock.com.

Dividend Policy

Each Trust’s policy is to make monthly distributions to shareholders. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of dividend distributions, each Trust employs a managed distribution plan (the “Plan”), the goal of which is to provide shareholders with consistent and predictable cash flows by setting distribution rates based on expected long-term returns of each Trust. The distributions paid by the Trusts for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Trusts during such month. Furthermore, the final tax characterization of distributions is determined after the year-end of the Trust and is reported in each Trust’s annual report to shareholders. Distributions can be characterized as ordinary income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The Trust’s taxable net investment income and net realized capital gains (“taxable income”) may not be sufficient to support the level of distributions paid. To the extent that distributions exceed the Trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess may be treated as a non-taxable return of capital. A return of capital is a return of a portion of an investor’s original investment. A return of capital is not expected to be taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent disposition by the shareholder of his or her shares. It is possible that a substantial portion of the distributions paid during a calendar year may ultimately be classified as return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes when the final determination of the source and character of the distributions is made. Such distributions, under certain circumstances, may exceed a Trust’s total return performance. When total distributions exceed total return performance for the period, the difference reduces the Trust’s total assets and net asset value per share (“NAV”) and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Trust’s expense ratio and reducing the amount of assets the Trust has available for long term investment.

 

 

142    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Additional Information  (continued)

 

BlackRock Privacy Principles

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

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

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

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

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

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency
AUD    Australian Dollar
CAD    Canadian Dollar
CHF    Swiss Franc
DKK    Danish Krone
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
HKD    Hong Kong Dollar
INR    Indian Rupee
JPY    Japanese Yen
KRW    South Korean Won
NOK    Norwegian Krone
NZD    New Zealand Dollar
SEK    Swedish Krona
SGD    Singapore Dollar
TWD    Taiwan New Dollar
USD    U.S. Dollar
ZAR    South African Rand
  
Portfolio Abbreviations
ADR    American Depositary Receipts
GDR    Global Depositary Receipts
OTC    Over-the-Counter
 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT      143  


Want to know more?

blackrock.com    |    877-275-1255 (1-877-ASK-1BLK)

This report is intended for current holders. It is not a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

CEF-BK9-12/19-AR

 

 

LOGO    LOGO


Item 2 –

Code of Ethics – The registrant (or the “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to update certain information and to make other non-material changes. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, who calls 1-800-882-0052, option 4.

 

Item 3 –

Audit Committee Financial Expert – The registrant’s board of directors (the “board of directors”), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent:

Michael Castellano

Frank J. Fabozzi

Henry Gabbay

Catherine A. Lynch

Karen P. Robards

The registrant’s board of directors has determined that Karen P. Robards qualifies as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to Item 3(c)(4) of Form N-CSR.

Ms. Robards has a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as well as audit committee functions. Ms. Robards has been President of Robards & Company, a financial advisory firm, since 1987. Ms. Robards was formerly an investment banker for more than 10 years where she was responsible for evaluating and assessing the performance of companies based on their financial results. Ms. Robards has over 30 years of experience analyzing financial statements. She also is a member of the audit committee of one publicly held company and a non-profit organization.

Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.

 

Item 4 –

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”) in each of the last two fiscal years for the services rendered to the Fund:

 

2


     (a) Audit Fees   (b) Audit-Related Fees1   (c) Tax Fees2   (d) All Other Fees
Entity Name   Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
  Previous
  Fiscal Year  
End
  Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
  Previous
  Fiscal Year  
End
  Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
  Previous
  Fiscal Year  
End
  Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
  Previous
  Fiscal Year  
End
BlackRock Science
and Technology
Trust
  $53,244   $53,244   $4,000   $0   $20,300   $18,700   $0   $0

The following table presents fees billed by D&T that were required to be approved by the registrant’s audit committee (the “Committee”) for services that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund and that are rendered on behalf of BlackRock Advisors, LLC ( the “Investment Adviser” or “BlackRock”) and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BlackRock (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Affiliated Service Providers”):

 

      Current Fiscal Year End    Previous Fiscal Year End
(b) Audit-Related Fees1    $0    $0
(c) Tax Fees2    $0    $0
(d) All Other Fees3    $2,050,500    $2,274,000

1 The nature of the services includes assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements not included in Audit Fees, including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters, out-of-pocket expenses and internal control reviews not required by regulators.

2 The nature of the services includes tax compliance and/or tax preparation, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews, taxable income and tax distribution calculations.

3 Non-audit fees of $2,050,500 and $2,274,000 for the current fiscal year and previous fiscal year, respectively, were paid to the Fund’s principal accountant in their entirety by BlackRock, in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of certain other funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription. These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.

  (e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

The Committee has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the Investment Adviser and Affiliated Service Providers that relate directly to the operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are (a) consistent with the SEC’s auditor independence rules and (b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific case-by-case basis (“general pre-approval”). The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other non-audit services provided to the registrant which have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant will only be deemed pre-approved provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels.

Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each service approved

 

3


subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels.

(e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not Applicable

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees, defined as the sum of the fees shown under “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees,” paid to the accountant for services rendered by the accountant to the registrant, the Investment Adviser and the Affiliated Service Providers were:

 

Entity Name   

        Current Fiscal Year        

End

 

        Previous Fiscal Year        

End

 

                

BlackRock Science and

Technology Trust

   $24,300   $18,700  

Additionally, the amounts billed by D&T in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of other funds sponsored or advised by BlackRock or its affiliates during the current and previous fiscal years for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription were:

 

    Current Fiscal    
Year End
      Previous Fiscal    
Year End
$2,050,500   $2,274,000

These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.

(h) The Committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Adviser, and the Affiliated Service Providers that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5 –

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

 

  (a)

The following individuals are members of the registrant’s separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)):

Michael Castellano

Frank J. Fabozzi

Henry Gabbay

Catherine A. Lynch

Karen P. Robards

 

4


  (b)

Not Applicable

 

Item 6 –

Investments

(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

(b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.

 

Item 7 –

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – The board of directors has delegated the voting of proxies for the Fund’s portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Adviser’s proxy voting guidelines. Under these guidelines, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to Fund securities in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. From time to time, a vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s stockholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, on the other. In such event, provided that the Investment Adviser’s Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the “Oversight Committee”) is aware of the real or potential conflict or material non-routine matter and if the Oversight Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its general voting guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed in the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Oversight Committee may retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Oversight Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment Adviser’s clients. If the Investment Adviser determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or does not desire to follow the advice of such independent fiduciary, the Oversight Committee shall determine how to vote the proxy after consulting with the Investment Adviser’s Portfolio Management Group and/or the Investment Adviser’s Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in its client’s best interest notwithstanding the conflict. A copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are attached as Exhibit 99.PROXYPOL. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, (i) at www.blackrock.com and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Item 8 –

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

(a)(1) As of the date of filing this Report:

The registrant is managed by a team of investment professionals comprised of Tony Kim, Managing Director at BlackRock, Kyle G. McClements, CFA, Managing Director at BlackRock and Christopher Accettella, Director at BlackRock. Messrs. Kim, McClements and Accettella are the Fund’s portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Kim, McClements and Accettella have been members of the Fund’s portfolio management team since 2014.

 

Portfolio Manager   

Biography

Tony Kim

   Managing Director of BlackRock since 2013; Senior Research Analyst at Artisan Partners from 2006 to 2013.

 

5


Kyle G. McClements, CFA

   Managing Director of BlackRock since 2009; Director of BlackRock from 2006 to 2008; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. in 2005; Vice President of State Street Research & Management from 2004 to 2005.

Christopher Accettella

   Director of BlackRock since 2008; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2008.

(a)(2) As of December 31, 2019:

 

     

(ii) Number of Other Accounts Managed

and Assets by Account Type

  

(iii) Number of Other Accounts and

Assets for Which Advisory Fee is

 

Performance-Based

(i) Name of

Portfolio Manager

  

Other

Registered

Investment

Companies

  

Other Pooled

Investment

Vehicles

  

Other

Accounts

  

Other

Registered

    Investment    

Companies

  

Other Pooled

    Investment    

Vehicles

  

Other

    Accounts    

Tony Kim

   2    2    0    0    0    0
         $3.03 Billion            $2.40 Billion        $0    $0    $0    $0

Kyle G. McClements, CFA

   10    10    0    0    5    0
     $7.36 Billion    $954.9 Million    $0    $0        $574.8 Million        $0

Christopher Accettella

   9    6    0    0    5    0
    

$6.93 Billion

 

  

$609.2 Million

 

  

$0

 

  

$0

 

  

$545.3 Million

 

  

$0

 

 

  (iv)

Portfolio Manager Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

BlackRock has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Fund, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Fund. In addition, BlackRock, Inc., its affiliates and significant shareholders and any officer, director, shareholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, Inc., or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders, or any officer, director, shareholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Fund by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock, Inc.’s (or its affiliates’ or significant shareholders’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock, Inc. or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Certain portfolio managers also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a fund.    It should also be noted that Mr. Kim may be managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive fees. Mr. Kim may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts.

 

6


As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock, Inc. has adopted policies that are intended to ensure reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base, as appropriate.

(a)(3) As of December 31, 2019:

Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview

The discussion below describes the portfolio managers’ compensation as of December 31, 2019.

BlackRock’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock.

Base Compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.

Discretionary Incentive Compensation – Mr. Kim

Generally, discretionary incentive compensation for Active Equity portfolio managers is based on a formulaic compensation program. BlackRock’s formulaic portfolio manager compensation program is based on team revenue and pre-tax investment performance relative to appropriate competitors or benchmarks over 1-, 3- and 5-year performance periods, as applicable. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the funds or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers determine the benchmarks or rankings against which the performance of funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio management team is compared and the period of time over which performance is evaluated. With respect to the portfolio manager, such benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are: BST Opt Overwriting Strategy Composite Index; MSCI All Country World Information Technology- Net Return in USD.

A smaller element of portfolio manager discretionary compensation may include consideration of: financial results, expense control, profit margins, strategic planning and implementation, quality of client service, market share, corporate reputation, capital allocation, compliance and risk control, leadership, technology and innovation. These factors are considered collectively by BlackRock management and the relevant Chief Investment Officers.

 

7


Discretionary Incentive Compensation - Messrs. Accettella and McClements

Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager’s group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm’s assets or strategies under management or supervision by that portfolio manager, and/or the individual’s performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock.    Among other things, BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio manager’s compensation based on the performance of the funds, other accounts or strategies managed by each portfolio manager. Performance is generally measured on a pre-tax basis over various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. The performance of some funds, other accounts or strategies may not be measured against a specific benchmark.

Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash, deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards, and/or deferred cash awards that notionally track the return of certain BlackRock investment products.

Portfolio managers receive their annual discretionary incentive compensation in the form of cash. Portfolio managers whose total compensation is above a specified threshold also receive deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards annually as part of their discretionary incentive compensation. Paying a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in the form of deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on BlackRock’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. In some cases, additional deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock may be granted to certain key employees as part of a long-term incentive award to aid in retention, align interests with long-term shareholders and motivate performance. Deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that vest pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The portfolio managers of the Fund have deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards.

For certain portfolio managers, a portion of the discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in the form of deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage, which provides direct alignment of portfolio manager discretionary incentive compensation with investment product results. Deferred cash awards vest ratably over a number of years and, once vested, settle in the form of cash. Only portfolio managers who manage specified products and whose total compensation is above a specified threshold are eligible to participate in the deferred cash award program.

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

Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock, Inc. employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the Internal Revenue Service limit ($280,000 for 2019).

 

8


The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock, Inc. contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. All of the eligible portfolio managers are eligible to participate in these plans.

(a)(4) Beneficial Ownership of Securities – As of December 31, 2019.

 

Portfolio Manager    Dollar Range of Equity Securities of the Fund Beneficially Owned   
Tony Kim    $50,001 - $100,000   
Kyle G. McClements, CFA    $50,001 - $100,000   

Christopher Accettella

   $10,001 - $50,000   

(b) Not Applicable

 

Item 9 –

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable due to no such purchases during the period covered by this report.

 

Item 10 –

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – There have been no material changes to these procedures.

 

Item 11 –

Controls and Procedures

(a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12 –

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

(a) The following table shows the dollar amounts of income, and dollar amounts of fees and/or compensation paid, relating to the Fund’s securities lending activities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

9


   BlackRock Science and Technology Trust   

  (1)

  

Gross income from securities lending activities

     $510,104      

  (2)

   Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services   
   (a)    Securities lending income paid to BIM for services as securities lending agent      $89,229             
   (b)   

Collateral management expenses (including fees deducted from a

polled cash collateral vehicle) not included in (a)

     $1,213             
   (c)    Administrative fees not included in (a)      $0             
   (d)    Indemnification fees not included in (a)      $0             
   (e)    Rebate (paid to borrowers)      $3,235             
   (f)    Other fees not included in (a)      $0             

  (3)

   Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities      $93,677      

  (4)

   Net income from securities lending activities      $416,427      

(b) BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”) serves as securities lending agent for the Fund and in that role administers the Fund’s securities lending program pursuant to the terms of a securities lending agency agreement entered into between the Fund and BIM.

 

Item 13 –

Exhibits attached hereto

(a)(1) – Code of Ethics – See Item 2

(a)(2) – Certifications – Attached hereto

(a)(3) – Not Applicable

(a)(4) – Not Applicable

(b) – Certifications – Attached hereto

(c) – Notices to the registrant’s common shareholders in accordance with the order under Section 6(c) of the 1940 Act granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 under the 1940 Act, dated May 9, 20091

 

 

1 The Fund has received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains with respect to its outstanding common stock as frequently as twelve times each year, and as frequently as distributions are specified by or in accordance with the terms of its outstanding preferred stock. This relief is conditioned, in part, on an undertaking by the Fund to make the disclosures to the holders of the Fund’s common shares, in addition to the information required by Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder. The Fund is likewise obligated to file with the SEC the information contained in any such notice to shareholders and, in that regard, has attached hereto copies of each such notice made during the period.

 

10


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust   
By:        /s/ John M. Perlowski                   
   John M. Perlowski      
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of   
   BlackRock Science and Technology Trust   

Date: March 6, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:        /s/ John M. Perlowski                   
   John M. Perlowski      
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of   
   BlackRock Science and Technology Trust   

Date: March 6, 2020

 

By:        /s/ Neal J. Andrews                   
   Neal J. Andrews   
   Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of   
   BlackRock Science and Technology Trust   

Date: March 6, 2020

 

 

11

EX-99. CERT

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 30a-2(a) UNDER THE 1940 ACT AND SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 

I, John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust, certify that:

1.        I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust;

2.        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a)        designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)        designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)        evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

d)        disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)        all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b)        any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 6, 2020

 

/s/ John M. Perlowski                
John M. Perlowski
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust


EX-99. CERT

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 30a-2(a) UNDER THE 1940 ACT AND SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 

I, Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust, certify that:

1.        I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust;

2.        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a)        designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)        designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)        evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

d)        disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)        all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b)        any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 6, 2020

 

/s/ Neal J. Andrews                    
Neal J. Andrews
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

 

Exhibit 99.906CERT

Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (the “Registrant”), hereby certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that the Registrant’s Report on Form N-CSR for the period ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: March 6, 2020

/s/ John M. Perlowski            

John M. Perlowski

Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (the “Registrant”), hereby certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that the Registrant’s Report on Form N-CSR for the period ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: March 6, 2020

 

/s/ Neal J. Andrews            

Neal J. Andrews

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

This certification is being furnished pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

Cusip: 09258G104

Ticker: BST

 

Record Date

     January 15, 2020

Pay Date

     January 31, 2020

Distribution Amount per share

  $            0.165500

The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains, net realized long-term capital gains and return of capital. All amounts are expressed per common share.

 

                      % Breakdown of the  
          % Breakdown      Total Cumulative    Total Cumulative  
          of the Current      Distributions for the    Distributions for the  
     Current Distribution    Distribution      Fiscal Year to Date    Fiscal Year to Date  

Net Investment Income

     $ -            0%        $ -            0%  

Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains

     $ -            0%        $ -            0%  

Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains

     $ 0.165500        100%        $ 0.165500        100%  

Return of Capital

     $ -            0%        $ -            0%  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total (per common share)

     $ 0.165500        100%        $ 0.165500        100%  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on December 31, 2019

 

     19.03%  
           

 

 

 

Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of December 31, 2019

 

        6.12%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through December 31, 2019

 

        37.82%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as of December 31, 2019

 

        0.51%  
           

 

 

 

You should not draw any conclusions about the Trust’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Trust’s Managed Distribution Plan.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Contact Number: 800-882-0052


BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

Cusip: 09258G104

Ticker: BST

 

Record Date

     February 14, 2020

Pay Date

     February 28, 2020

Distribution Amount per share

  $            0.165500

The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains, net realized long-term capital gains and return of capital. All amounts are expressed per common share.

 

                      % Breakdown of the  
          % Breakdown      Total Cumulative    Total Cumulative  
          of the Current      Distributions for the    Distributions for the  
     Current Distribution    Distribution      Fiscal Year to Date    Fiscal Year to Date  

Net Investment Income

     $ -            0%        $ -            0%  

Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains

     $ -            0%        $ -            0%  

Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains

     $ 0.042160        25%        $ 0.207660        63%  

Return of Capital

     $ 0.123340        75%        $ 0.123340        37%  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Total (per common share)

     $ 0.165500        100%        $ 0.331000        100%  
  

 

 

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on January 31, 2020

 

     20.20%  
           

 

 

 

Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of January 31, 2020

 

     5.96%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through January 31, 2020

 

     3.22%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as of January 31, 2020

 

        0.50%  
           

 

 

 

You should not draw any conclusions about the Trust’s investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Trust’s Managed Distribution Plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income’.

When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Fund’s net asset value per share.

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

Contact Number: 800-882-0052

Closed-End Fund Proxy Voting Policy

September 5, 2019

 

LOGO

 Closed-End Fund Proxy Voting Policy

  Procedures Governing Delegation of Proxy Voting to Fund Adviser

 

  Effective Date: September 5, 2019

 
  Applies to the following types of Funds registered under the 1940 Act:
 

   Open-End Mutual Funds (including money market funds)

 

   Money Market Funds Only

 

   iShares ETFs

 

   Closed-End Funds

 

   Other

 
 

 

 

The Boards of Trustees/Directors (the “Directors”) of the closed-end funds advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) (the “Funds”) have the responsibility for the oversight of voting proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds, and have determined that it is in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders to delegate that responsibility to BlackRock as part of BlackRock’s authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets, all as contemplated by the Funds’ respective investment management agreements.

BlackRock has adopted guidelines and procedures (together and as from time to time amended, the “BlackRock Proxy Voting Guidelines”) governing proxy voting by accounts managed by BlackRock. BlackRock will cast votes on behalf of each of the Funds on specific proxy issues in respect of securities held by each such Fund in accordance with the BlackRock Proxy Voting Guidelines; provided, however, that in the case of underlying closed-end funds (including business development companies and other similarly-situated asset pools) held by the Funds that have, or are proposing to adopt, a classified board structure, BlackRock will typically (a) vote in favor of proposals to adopt classification and against proposals to eliminate classification, and (b) not vote against directors as a result of their adoption of a classified board structure.

BlackRock will report on an annual basis to the Directors on (1) a summary of all proxy votes that BlackRock has made on behalf of the Funds in the preceding year together with a representation that all votes were in accordance with the BlackRock Proxy Voting Guidelines (as modified pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph), and (2) any changes to the BlackRock Proxy Voting Guidelines that have not previously been reported.

 

 

LOGO   Public   
     Page 1 of 1

BlackRock

Investment

Stewardship

Global Corporate Governance &

Engagement Principles

January 2020

 

 

LOGO


Contents

 

Introduction to BlackRock

     3  

Philosophy on corporate governance

     3  

Corporate governance, engagement and voting

     4  

Boards and directors

     5  

Auditors and audit-related issues

     6  

Capital structure, mergers, asset sales and other special transactions

     6  

Compensation and benefits

     7  

Environmental and social issues

     7  

General corporate governance matters and shareholder protections

     9  

BlackRock’s oversight of our investment stewardship activities

     9  

Vote execution

     10  

Conflicts management policies and procedures

     10  

Voting guidelines

     11  

Reporting and vote transparency

     12  

If you would like additional information, please contact:

ContactStewardship@blackrock.com    

 

BLACKROCK


Introduction to BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to our clients, we provide the investment and technology solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. We manage assets on behalf of institutional and individual clients, across a full spectrum of investment strategies, asset classes and regions. Our client base includes pension plans, endowments, foundations, charities, official institutions, insurers and other financial institutions, as well as individuals around the world.

Philosophy on corporate governance

BlackRock Investment Stewardship (“BIS”) activities are focused on maximizing long-term value for our clients. BIS does this through engagement with boards and management of investee companies and, for those clients who have given us authority, through voting at shareholder meetings.

We believe that there are certain fundamental rights attached to shareholding. Companies and their boards should be accountable to shareholders and structured with appropriate checks and balances to ensure that they operate in shareholders’ best interests. Effective voting rights are central to the rights of ownership and there should be one vote for one share. Shareholders should have the right to elect, remove and nominate directors, approve the appointment of the auditor and to amend the corporate charter or by-laws. Shareholders should be able to vote on matters that are material to the protection of their investment, including but not limited to, changes to the purpose of the business, dilution levels and pre-emptive rights, and the distribution of income and capital structure. In order to make informed decisions, we believe that shareholders have the right to sufficient and timely information.

Our primary focus is on the performance of the board of directors. As the agent of shareholders, the board should set the company’s strategic aims within a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enables risk to be assessed and managed. The board should provide direction and leadership to management and oversee management’s performance. Our starting position is to be supportive of boards in their oversight efforts on shareholders’ behalf and we would generally expect to support the items of business they put to a vote at shareholder meetings. Votes cast against or withheld from resolutions proposed by the board are a signal that we are concerned that the directors or management have either not acted in the best interests of shareholders or have not responded adequately to shareholder concerns. We assess voting matters on a case-by-case basis and in light of each company’s unique circumstances taking into consideration regional best practices and long-term value creation.

These principles set out our approach to engaging with companies, provide guidance on our position on corporate governance and outline how our views might be reflected in our voting decisions. Corporate governance practices can vary internationally, so our expectations in relation to individual companies are based on the legal and regulatory framework of each local market. However, we believe there are overarching principles of corporate governance that apply globally and provide a framework for more detailed, market-specific assessments.

We believe BlackRock has a responsibility in relation to monitoring and providing feedback to companies, sometimes known as “stewardship.” These ownership responsibilities include engaging with management or board members on corporate governance matters, voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of our clients, and engaging with regulatory bodies to ensure a sound policy framework consistent with promoting long-term shareholder value creation. We also believe in the responsibility to our clients to have appropriate resources and oversight structures. Our approach is set out in the section below titled “BlackRock’s oversight of its investment stewardship activities” and is further detailed in a team profile on our website.

 

 

 

LOGO

3


Corporate governance, engagement and voting

We recognize that accepted standards of corporate governance differ between markets, but we believe there are sufficient common threads globally to identify an overarching set of principles. The objective of our investment stewardship activities is the protection and enhancement of the value of our clients’ investments in public corporations. Thus, these principles focus on practices and structures that we consider to be supportive of long-term value creation. We discuss below the principles under six key themes. In our regional and market-specific voting guidelines we explain how these principles inform our voting decisions in relation to specific resolutions that may appear on the agenda of a shareholder meeting in the relevant market.

The six key themes are:

 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

At a minimum, we expect companies to observe the accepted corporate governance standards in their domestic market or to explain why doing so is not in the interests of shareholders. Where company reporting and disclosure is inadequate or the approach taken is inconsistent with our view of what is in the best interests of shareholders, we will engage with the company and/or use our vote to encourage a change in practice. In making voting decisions, we perform independent research and analysis, such as reviewing relevant information published by the company and apply our voting guidelines to achieve the outcome we believe best protects our clients’ long-term economic interests. We also work closely with our active portfolio managers, and may take into account internal and external research.

BlackRock views engagement as an important activity; engagement provides us with the opportunity to improve our understanding of the challenges and opportunities that investee companies are facing and their governance structures. Engagement also allows us to share our philosophy and approach to investment and corporate governance with companies to enhance their understanding of our objectives. Our engagements often focus on providing our feedback on company disclosures, particularly where we believe they could be enhanced. There are a range of approaches we may take in engaging companies depending on the nature of the issue under consideration, the company and the market.

BlackRock’s engagements emphasize direct dialogue with corporate leadership on the governance issues identified in these principles that have a material impact on financial performance. These engagements enable us to cast informed votes aligned with clients’ long-term economic interests. We generally prefer to engage in the first instance where we have concerns and give management time to address or resolve the issue. As a long-term investor, we are patient and persistent in working with our portfolio companies to have an open dialogue and develop mutual understanding of governance matters, to promote the adoption of best practices and to assess the merits of a company’s approach to its governance. We monitor the companies in which we invest and engage with them constructively and privately where we believe doing so helps protect shareholders’ interests. We do not try to micro-manage companies, or tell management and boards what to do. We present our views as a long-term shareholder and listen to companies’ responses. The materiality and immediacy of a given issue will generally determine the level of our engagement and whom we seek to engage at the company, which could be management representatives or board directors.

 

 

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Boards and directors

The performance of the board is critical to the economic success of the company and to the protection of shareholders’ interests. Board members serve as agents of shareholders in overseeing the strategic direction and operation of the company. For this reason, BlackRock focuses on directors in many of our engagements and sees the election of directors as one of our most important responsibilities in the proxy voting context.

We expect the board of directors to promote and protect shareholder interests by:

 

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

There should be clear definitions of the role of the board, the committees of the board and senior management such that the responsibilities of each are well understood and accepted. Companies should report publicly the approach taken to governance (including in relation to board structure) and why this approach is in the best interest of shareholders. We will seek to engage with the appropriate directors where we have concerns about the performance of the board or the company, the broad strategy of the company, or the performance of individual board members. We believe that when a company is not effectively addressing a material issue, its directors should be held accountable.

BlackRock believes that directors should stand for re-election on a regular basis. We assess directors nominated for election or re-election in the context of the composition of the board as a whole. There should be detailed disclosure of the relevant credentials of the individual directors in order for shareholders to assess the caliber of an individual nominee. We expect there to be a sufficient number of independent directors on the board to ensure the protection of the interests of all shareholders. Common impediments to independence may include but are not limited to:

 

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 believes that the operation of the board is enhanced when there is a clearly independent, senior non-executive director to chair it or, where the chairman is also the CEO (or is otherwise not independent), an independent lead director. The role of this director is to enhance the effectiveness of the independent members of the board through shaping the agenda, ensuring adequate information is provided to the board and encouraging independent participation in board deliberations. The lead independent board director should be available to shareholders in those situations where a director is best placed to explain and justify a company’s approach.

To ensure that the board remains effective, regular reviews of board performance should be carried out and assessments made of gaps in skills or experience amongst the members. BlackRock believes it is beneficial for new directors to be brought onto the board periodically to refresh the group’s thinking and to ensure both continuity and adequate succession planning. In identifying potential candidates, boards should take into consideration the multiple dimensions of diversity, including personal factors such as gender, ethnicity, and age; as well as professional characteristics, such as a director’s industry, area of expertise, and geographic location. The board should review these dimensions of the current directors and how they might be augmented by incoming directors. We believe that directors are in the best position to assess the optimal size for the board, but we would be concerned if a board seemed too small to have an appropriate balance of directors or too large to be effective.

 

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There are matters for which the board has responsibility that may involve a conflict of interest for executives or for affiliated directors. BlackRock believes that shareholders’ interests are best served when the board forms committees of fully independent directors to deal with such matters. In many markets, these committees of the board specialize in audit, director nominations and compensation matters. An ad hoc committee might also be formed to decide on a special transaction, particularly one with a related party or to investigate a significant adverse event.

Auditors and audit-related issues

Comprehensive disclosure provides investors with a sense of the company’s long-term operational risk management practices and, more broadly, the quality of the board’s oversight. In the absence of robust disclosures, we may reasonably conclude that companies are not adequately managing risk.

BlackRock recognizes the critical importance of financial statements, which should provide a true and fair picture of a company’s financial condition. We will hold the members of the audit committee or equivalent responsible for overseeing the management of the audit function. We take particular note of cases involving significant financial restatements or ad hoc notifications of material financial weakness.

The integrity of financial statements depends on the auditor being free of any impediments to being an effective check on management. To that end, we believe it is important that auditors are, and are seen to be, independent. Where the audit firm provides services to the company in addition to the audit, the fees earned should be disclosed and explained. Audit committees should have in place a procedure for assessing annually the independence of the auditor.

Capital structure, mergers, asset sales and other special transactions

The capital structure of a company is critical to its owners, the shareholders, as it impacts the value of their investment and the priority of their interest in the company relative to that of other equity or debt investors. Pre-emptive rights are a key protection for shareholders against the dilution of their interests.

Effective voting rights are central to the rights of ownership and we believe strongly in one vote for one share as a guiding principle that supports good corporate governance. Shareholders, as the residual claimants, have the strongest interest in protecting company value, and voting power should match economic exposure.

We are concerned that the creation of a dual share class may result in an over-concentration of power in the hands of a few shareholders, thus disenfranchising other shareholders and amplifying the potential conflict of interest, which the one share, one vote principle is designed to mitigate. However, we recognize that in certain circumstances, companies may have a valid argument for dual-class listings, at least for a limited period of time. We believe that such companies should review these dual-class structures on a regular basis or as company circumstances change. Additionally, they should receive shareholder approval of their capital structure on a periodic basis via a management proposal in the company’s proxy. The proposal should give unaffiliated shareholders the opportunity to affirm the current structure or establish mechanisms to end or phase out controlling structures at the appropriate time, while minimizing costs to shareholders.    

In assessing mergers, asset sales or other special transactions, BlackRock’s primary consideration is the long-term economic interests of shareholders. Boards proposing a transaction need to clearly explain the economic and strategic rationale behind it. We will review a proposed transaction to determine the degree to which it enhances long-term shareholder value. We would prefer that proposed transactions have the unanimous support of the board and have been negotiated at arm’s length. We may seek reassurance from the board that executives’ and/or board members’ financial interests in a given transaction have not adversely affected their ability to place shareholders’ interests before their own. Where the transaction involves related parties, we would expect the recommendation to support it to come from the independent directors and it is good practice to be approved by a separate vote of the non-conflicted shareholders.

 

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BlackRock believes that shareholders have a right to dispose of company shares in the open market without unnecessary restriction. In our view, corporate mechanisms designed to limit shareholders’ ability to sell their shares are contrary to basic property rights. Such mechanisms can serve to protect and entrench interests other than those of the shareholders. We believe that shareholders are broadly capable of making decisions in their own best interests. We expect any so-called ‘shareholder rights plans’ proposed by a board to be subject to shareholder approval upon introduction and periodically thereafter for continuation.

Compensation and benefits

BlackRock expects a company’s board of directors to put in place a compensation structure that incentivizes and rewards executives appropriately and is aligned with shareholder interests, particularly generating sustainable long-term shareholder returns. We would expect the compensation committee to take into account the specific circumstances of the company and the key individuals the board is trying to incentivize. We encourage companies to ensure that their compensation plans incorporate appropriate and challenging performance conditions consistent with corporate strategy and market practice. We use third party research, in addition to our own analysis, to evaluate existing and proposed compensation structures. We hold members of the compensation committee or equivalent board members accountable for poor compensation practices or structures.

BlackRock believes that there should be a clear link between variable pay and company performance that drives shareholder returns. We are not supportive of one-off or special bonuses unrelated to company or individual performance. We acknowledge that the use of peer group evaluation by compensation committees can help ensure competitive pay; however, we are concerned when increases in total compensation at a company are justified solely on peer benchmarking rather than outperformance. We support incentive plans that foster the sustainable achievement of results relative to competitors. The vesting timeframes associated with incentive plans should facilitate a focus on long-term value creation. We believe consideration should be given to building claw back provisions into incentive plans such that executives would be required to forgo rewards when they are not justified by actual performance. Compensation committees should guard against contractual arrangements that would entitle executives to material compensation for early termination of their contract. Finally, pension contributions and other deferred compensation arrangements should be reasonable in light of market practice.

Non-executive directors should be compensated in a manner that is commensurate with the time and effort expended in fulfilling their professional responsibilities. Additionally, these compensation arrangements should not risk compromising their independence or aligning their interests too closely with those of the management, whom they are charged with overseeing.

Environmental and social issues

Our fiduciary duty to clients is to protect and enhance their economic interest in the companies in which we invest on their behalf. It is within this context that we undertake our corporate governance activities. We believe that well-managed companies will deal effectively with the material environmental and social (“E&S”) factors relevant to their businesses. Robust disclosure is essential for investors to effectively gauge companies’ business practices and planning related to E&S risks and opportunities.

BlackRock expects companies to issue reports aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the standards put forward by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB). We view the SASB and TCFD frameworks as complementary in achieving the goal of disclosing more financially material information, particularly as it relates to industry-specific metrics and target setting. TCFD’s recommendations provide an overarching framework for disclosure on the business implications of climate change, and potentially other E&S factors. We find SASB’s industry-specific guidance (as identified in its materiality map) beneficial in helping companies identify and discuss their governance, risk assessments, and performance against these key performance indicators (KPIs). Any global standards adopted, peer group benchmarking undertaken, and verification processes in place should also be disclosed and discussed in this context.

BlackRock has been engaging with companies for several years on disclosure of material E&S factors. Given the increased understanding of sustainability risks and opportunities, and the need for better information to assess them, we specifically ask companies to:

 

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  1)

publish a disclosure in line with industry-specific SASB guidelines by year-end, if they have not already done so, or disclose a similar set of data in a way that is relevant to their particular business; and

 

  2)

disclose climate-related risks in line with the TCFD’s recommendations, if they have not already done so. This should include the company’s plan for operating under a scenario where the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to less than two degrees is fully realized, as expressed by the TCFD guidelines.

See our commentary on our approach to engagement on TCFD and SASB aligned reporting for greater detail of our expectations.

We will use these disclosures and our engagements to ascertain whether companies are properly managing and overseeing these risks within their business and adequately planning for the future. In the absence of robust disclosures, investors, including BlackRock, will increasingly conclude that companies are not adequately managing risk.

We believe that when a company is not effectively addressing a material issue, its directors should be held accountable. We will generally engage directly with the board or management of a company when we identify issues. We may vote against the election of directors where we have concerns that a company might not be dealing with E&S factors appropriately. Sometimes we may reflect such concerns by supporting a shareholder proposal on the issue, where there seems to be either a significant potential threat or realized harm to shareholders’ interests caused by poor management of material E&S factors.

In deciding our course of action, we will assess the company’s disclosures and the nature of our engagement with the company on the issue over time, including whether:

 

The company has already taken sufficient steps to address the concern

 

The company is in the process of actively implementing a response

 

There is a clear and material economic disadvantage to the company in the near-term if the issue is not addressed in the manner requested by the shareholder proposal

We do not see it as our role to make social or political judgments on behalf of clients. Our consideration of these E&S factors is consistent with protecting the long-term economic interest of our clients’ assets. We expect investee companies to comply, at a minimum, with the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which they operate. They should explain how they manage situations where local laws or regulations that significantly impact the company’s operations are contradictory or ambiguous to global norms.

Climate risk

Within the framework laid out above, as well as our guidance on “How BlackRock Investment Stewardship engages on climate risk,” we believe that climate presents significant investment risks and opportunities that may impact the long-term financial sustainability of companies. We believe that the reporting frameworks developed by TCFD and SASB provide useful guidance to companies on identifying, managing, and reporting on climate-related risks and opportunities.

We expect companies to help their investors understand how the company may be impacted by climate risk, in the context of its ability to realize a long-term strategy and generate value over time. We expect companies to convey their governance around this issue through their corporate disclosures aligned with TCFD and SASB. For companies in sectors that are significantly exposed to climate-related risk, we expect the whole board to have demonstrable fluency in how climate risk affects the business and how management approaches assessing, adapting to, and mitigating that risk.

Where a company receives a shareholder proposal related to climate risk, in addition to the factors laid out above, our assessment will take into account the robustness of the company’s existing disclosures as well as our understanding of its management of the issues as revealed through our engagements with the company and board members over time. In certain instances, we may disagree with the details of a climate-related shareholder proposal but agree that the company in question has not made sufficient progress on climate-related disclosures. In these instances, we may not support the proposal, but may vote against the election of relevant directors.

 

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General corporate governance matters and shareholder protections

BlackRock believes that shareholders have a right to timely and detailed information on the financial performance and viability of the companies in which they invest. In addition, companies should also publish information on the governance structures in place and the rights of shareholders to influence these. The reporting and disclosure provided by companies help shareholders assess whether their economic interests have been protected and the quality of the board’s oversight of management. We believe shareholders should have the right to vote on key corporate governance matters, including changes to governance mechanisms, to submit proposals to the shareholders’ meeting and to call special meetings of shareholders.

BlackRock’s oversight of its investment

stewardship activities

Oversight

We hold ourselves to a very high standard in our investment stewardship activities, including proxy voting. This function is executed by a team called BlackRock Investment Stewardship (“BIS”) which is comprised of BlackRock employees who do not have other responsibilities other than their roles in BIS. BIS is considered an investment function. The team does not have sales responsibilities.    

BlackRock maintains three regional advisory committees (“Stewardship Advisory Committees”) for (a) the Americas; (b) Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and (c) Asia-Pacific, generally consisting of senior BlackRock investment professionals and/or senior employees with practical boardroom experience. The regional Stewardship Advisory Committees review and advise on amendments to the proxy voting guidelines covering markets within each respective region (“Guidelines”).

In addition to the regional Stewardship Advisory Committees, the Investment Stewardship Global Oversight Committee (“Global Committee”) is a risk-focused committee, comprised of senior representatives from various BlackRock investment teams, BlackRock’s Deputy General Counsel, the Global Head of Investment Stewardship (“Global Head”), and other senior executives with relevant experience and team oversight.

The Global Head has primary oversight of the activities of BIS, including voting in accordance with the Guidelines, which require the application of professional judgment and consideration of each company’s unique circumstances. The Global Committee reviews and approves amendments to these Global Corporate Governance & Engagement Principles. The Global Committee also reviews and approves amendments to the regional Guidelines, as proposed by the regional Stewardship Advisory Committees.

In addition, the Global Committee receives and reviews periodic reports regarding the votes cast by BIS, as well as regular updates on material process issues, procedural changes and other risk oversight considerations. The Global Committee reviews these reports in an oversight capacity as informed by the BIS corporate governance engagement program and Guidelines.

BIS carries out engagement with companies, monitors and executes proxy votes, and conducts vote operations (including maintaining records of votes cast) in a manner consistent with the relevant Guidelines. BIS also conducts research on corporate governance issues and participates in industry discussions to keep abreast of important developments in the corporate governance field. BIS may utilize third parties for certain of the foregoing activities and performs oversight of those third parties. BIS may raise complicated or particularly controversial matters for internal discussion with the relevant investment teams and/or refer such matters to the appropriate regional Stewardship Advisory Committees for review, discussion and guidance prior to making a voting decision.

 

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Vote execution

We carefully consider proxies submitted to funds and other fiduciary account(s) (“Fund” or “Funds”) for which we have voting authority. BlackRock votes (or refrains from voting) proxies for each Fund for which we have voting authority based on our evaluation of the best long-term economic interests of shareholders, in the exercise of our independent business judgment, and without regard to the relationship of the issuer of the proxy (or any shareholder proponent or dissident shareholder) to the Fund, the Fund’s affiliates (if any), BlackRock or BlackRock’s affiliates, or BlackRock employees (see “Conflicts management policies and procedures”, below).

When exercising voting rights, BlackRock will normally vote on specific proxy issues in accordance with the Guidelines for the relevant market. The Guidelines are reviewed regularly and are amended consistent with changes in the local market practice, as developments in corporate governance occur, or as otherwise deemed advisable by BlackRock’s Stewardship Advisory Committees. BIS may, in the exercise of their professional judgment, conclude that the Guidelines do not cover the specific matter upon which a proxy vote is required or that an exception to the Guidelines would be in the best long-term economic interests of BlackRock’s clients.

In the uncommon circumstance of there being a vote with respect to fixed income securities or the securities of privately held issuers, the decision generally will be made by a Fund’s portfolio managers and/or BIS based on their assessment of the particular transactions or other matters at issue.

In certain markets, proxy voting involves logistical issues which can affect BlackRock’s ability to vote such proxies, as well as the desirability of voting such proxies. These issues include but are not limited to: (i) untimely notice of shareholder meetings; (ii) restrictions on a foreigner’s ability to exercise votes; (iii) requirements to vote proxies in person; (iv) “share-blocking” (requirements that investors who exercise their voting rights surrender the right to dispose of their holdings for some specified period in proximity to the shareholder meeting); (v) potential difficulties in translating the proxy; (vi) regulatory constraints; and (vii) requirements to provide local agents with unrestricted powers of attorney to facilitate voting instructions. We are not supportive of impediments to the exercise of voting rights such as shareblocking or overly burdensome administrative requirements.

As a consequence, BlackRock votes proxies on a “best-efforts” basis. In addition, BIS may determine that it is generally in the best interests of BlackRock’s clients not to vote proxies if the costs (including but not limited to opportunity costs associated with shareblocking constraints) associated with exercising a vote are expected to outweigh the benefit the client would derive by voting on the proposal.

Portfolio managers have full discretion to vote the shares in the Funds they manage based on their analysis of the economic impact of a particular ballot item. Portfolio managers may from time to time reach differing views on how best to maximize economic value with respect to a particular investment. Therefore, portfolio managers may, and sometimes do, vote shares in the Funds under their management differently from one another. However, because BlackRock’s clients are mostly long-term investors with long-term economic goals, ballots are frequently cast in a uniform manner.    

Conflicts management policies and procedures

BIS maintains the following policies and procedures that seek to prevent undue influence on BlackRock’s proxy voting activity. Such influence might stem from any relationship between the investee company (or any shareholder proponent or dissident shareholder) and BlackRock, BlackRock’s affiliates, a Fund or a Fund’s affiliates, or BlackRock employees. The following are examples of sources of perceived or potential conflicts of interest:

 

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

 

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BlackRock, Inc. board members who serve as senior executives of public companies held in Funds managed by BlackRock

BlackRock has taken certain steps to mitigate perceived or potential conflicts including, but not limited to, the following:

 

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.

When so authorized, BlackRock acts as a securities lending agent on behalf of Funds. With regard to the relationship between securities lending and proxy voting, BlackRock’s approach is driven by our clients’ economic interests. The decision whether to recall securities on loan to vote is based on a formal analysis of the revenue producing value to clients of loans, against the assessed economic value of casting votes. Generally, we expect that the likely economic value to clients of casting votes would be less than the securities lending income, either because, in our assessment, the resolutions being voted on will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome would not be affected by BlackRock recalling loaned securities in order to vote. BlackRock also may, in our discretion, determine that the value of voting outweighs the cost of recalling shares, and thus recall shares to vote in that instance.

Periodically, BlackRock reviews our process for determining whether to recall securities on loan in order to vote and may modify it as necessary.

Voting guidelines

The issue-specific Guidelines published for each region/country in which we vote are intended to summarize BlackRock’s general philosophy and approach to issues that may commonly arise in the proxy voting context in each market where we invest. These Guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive. BIS applies the Guidelines on a case-by-case basis, in the context of the individual circumstances of each company and the specific issue under review. As such, these Guidelines do not indicate how BIS will vote in every instance. Rather, they share our view about corporate governance issues generally, and provide insight into how we typically approach issues that commonly arise on corporate ballots.

 

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Reporting and vote transparency

We inform clients about our engagement and voting policies and activities through direct communication and through disclosure on our website. Each year we publish an annual report, an annual engagement and voting statistics report, and our full voting record to our website. On a quarterly basis, we publish regional reports which provide an overview of our investment stewardship engagement and voting activities during the quarter, including market developments, speaking engagements, and engagement and voting statistics. Additionally, we make public our market-specific voting guidelines for the benefit of clients and companies with whom we engage.

 

This document is provided for information purposes only and must not be relied upon as a forecast, research, or investment advice. BlackRock is not making any recommendation or soliciting any action based upon the information contained herein and nothing in this document should be construed as constituting an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy, securities in any jurisdiction to any person. This information provided herein does not constitute financial, tax, legal or accounting advice, you should consult your own advisers on such matters.

The information and opinions contained in this document are as of January 2020 unless it is stated otherwise and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources deemed by BlackRock to be reliable, are not necessarily all-inclusive and are not guaranteed as to accuracy. Although such information is believed to be reliable for the purposes used herein, BlackRock does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Certain information contained herein represents or is based upon forward-looking statements or information. BlackRock and its affiliates believe that such statements and information are based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions. However, forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and factors may cause events or results to differ from those projected. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements and information.

Prepared by BlackRock, Inc.

©2020 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

 

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