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: 12/31/2020

Date of reporting period: 12/31/2020


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders

 

  (a)

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


 

LOGO

  DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

   2020 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 Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

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)

 

 

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 Health Sciences Trust II’s (BMEZ), BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust’s (BCX), BlackRock Science and Technology Trust’s (BST), BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II’s (BSTZ) and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust’s (BUI) (collectively, the “Trusts”, or individually a “Trust”) 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, 2020

 

     Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Period
   

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative

Distributions for the Fiscal Period

 

Trust Name

   

Net
Investment
Income
 
 
 
   

Net Realized
Capital Gains
Short-Term
 
 
 
   

Net Realized
Capital Gains
Long-Term
 
 
 
   
Return of
Capital
 
(a)  
   

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
 
 
 

BGR

  $ 0.317261     $     $     $   0.340439     $   0.657700       48             52     100

CII

    0.134480             0.585029       0.330491       1.050000       13             56       31       100  

BDJ

    0.294002             0.208908       0.097090       0.600000       49             35       16       100  

BOE

    0.265620                   0.490380       0.756000       35                   65       100  

BGY

    0.117881                   0.287719       0.405600       29                   71       100  

BME

                1.186350       1.213650       2.400000                   49       51       100  

BMEZ

          0.900000                   0.900000             100                   100  

BCX

    0.202689                   0.323711       0.526400       39                   61       100  

BST

                0.898847       1.151653       2.050500                   44       56       100  

BSTZ

                0.152635       1.092365       1.245000                   12       88       100  

BUI

    0.309181             0.285086       0.857733       1.452000       21             20       59       100  

 

  (a) 

Each Trust estimates that it has 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 a 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 (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:

 

Exchange Symbol    Amount Per
Common Share
 

BGR

   $ 0.0375  

CII

     0.0875  

BDJ

     0.0500  

BOE

     0.0630  

BGY

     0.0338  

BME

     0.2000  

BMEZ

     0.1000  

BCX

     0.0400  

BST

     0.1870  

BSTZ

     0.1150  

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 as 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.

 

 

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Supplemental Information  (unaudited)  (continued)

 

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.

 

 

S U P P L E M E N T A L  I N F O R M A T I O N

  3


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The 12-month reporting period as of December 31, 2020 has been a time of sudden change in global financial markets, as the emergence and spread of the coronavirus (or “COVID-19”) led to a vast disruption in the global economy and financial markets. The threat from the coronavirus became increasingly apparent throughout February and March 2020, and countries around the world took economically disruptive countermeasures. Stay-at-home orders and closures of non-essential businesses became widespread, many workers were laid off, and unemployment claims spiked, causing a global recession and a sharp fall in equity prices.

After markets hit their lowest point of the reporting period in late March 2020, a steady recovery ensued, as businesses began to re-open and governments learned to adapt to life with the virus. Equity prices continued to rise throughout the summer, fed by strong fiscal and monetary support and improving economic indicators. Many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period following a series of successful vaccine trials and passage of additional stimulus. In the United States, both large- and small-capitalization stocks posted a significant advance. International equities from developed economies grew at a more modest pace, lagging emerging market stocks, which rebounded sharply.

During the market downturn, the performance of different types of fixed-income securities initially diverged due to a reduced investor appetite for risk. U.S. Treasuries benefited from the risk-off environment, and posted solid returns, as the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) touched an all-time low. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) assuaged credit concerns and both investment-grade and high-yield bonds recovered to post positive returns.

Following the coronavirus outbreak, the Fed instituted two emergency interest rate cuts, pushing short-term interest rates, already low as the year began, close to zero. To stabilize credit markets, the Fed also implemented a new bond-buying program, as did several other central banks around the world, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan.

Looking ahead, while coronavirus-related disruptions have clearly hindered worldwide economic growth, we believe that the global expansion is likely to accelerate as vaccination efforts get under way. The results of the U.S. elections also cleared the way for additional stimulus spending in 2021, which is likely to be a solid tailwind for economic growth. Inflation should increase as the expansion continues, but a shift in central bank policy means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the equity expansion.

Overall, we favor a positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in both equities and credit. We see U.S. and Asian equities benefiting from structural growth trends in tech, while emerging markets should be particularly helped by a vaccine-led economic expansion. In credit, rising inflation should provide tailwinds for inflation-protected bonds, and Euro area peripherals and Asian bonds also provide attractive opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

In this environment, our view is that 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,
2020
     6-Month   12-Month
   

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

  22.16%   18.40%
   

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

  37.85     19.96  
   

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

  21.61     7.82  
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  31.14     18.31  
   

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

  0.07     0.67  
   

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

  (1.87)   10.58  
   

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

  1.29     7.51  
   

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

  2.92     4.95  
   

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

  11.32     7.05  
Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

4  

T H I S  P A G E  I S  N O T  P A R T  O F  Y O U R  F U N D  R E P O R T


‘Table of Contents

 

      Page  

Supplemental Information

     2  

The Markets in Review

     4  

Annual Report:

  

Option Over-Writing Strategy

     6  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     6  

Trust Summary

     7  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedules of Investments

     41  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     125  

Statements of Operations

     128  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     131  

Statements of Cash Flows

     137  

Financial Highlights

     140  

Notes to Financial Statements

     151  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     163  

Important Tax Information

     164  

Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks

     165  

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     188  

Trustee and Officer Information

     189  

Additional Information

     192  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     196  

 

 

 

  5


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.

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.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Energy and ResourcesTrust’s (BGR) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income 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

  BGR

Initial Offering Date

  December 29, 2004

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($7.10)(a)

  6.34%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0375

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.4500

 

  (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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20      12/31/19      Change     High      Low    

Market Price

  $ 7.10      $ 11.88        (40.24 )%    $ 12.66      $  4.17    

Net Asset Value

    8.17        12.57        (35.00     12.82        5.15    

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

 

LOGO

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  7


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BGR(a)(b)

    (34.74)     (29.03)

MSCI World Energy Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A       (34.62)  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV widened 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

Energy prices fell sharply in the first quarter of 2020, when concerns about the economic impact of COVID-19 led to a significant deterioration of the demand outlook. In combination with the stock market downturn that occurred in February and March, this development resulted in poor returns for energy-related equities. The sector remained under pressure through the year’s second and third quarter calendar quarters despite a gradual improvement in the economic outlook, but it staged an impressive rally in November 2020 following the approval of a vaccine for COVID-19. Still, the category finished with a sizable loss due to the extent of its earlier decline.

Consistent with this environment, the Trust produced a negative absolute return in 2020. However, a number of holdings helped it to outperform on a relative basis. One such investment was Williams Cos., Inc., a provider of gas pipeline services that outpaced the broader energy sector due to stable natural gas transportation volumes. The Trust also benefited from its zero weightings in Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Schlumberger Ltd., both of which finished the year with sizable losses. An overweight position in Cairn Energy PLC, which was boosted by a favorable legal development, was also a large contributor.

On the other hand, a zero weighting in Neste Oyj was the largest detractor from relative performance. The Norwegian refiner has a strong position in renewable diesel and has been benefiting from environmental, social and governance flows and optimism regarding its long-term growth prospects. An underweight position in the pipeline company Enbridge, Inc., which proved resilient relative to the sector as a whole, also detracted. Among stocks the Trust held, Marathon Petroleum Corp. and Suncor Energy, Inc. were notable detractors.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls were 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 investment adviser adopted a more defensive approach in early March 2020 given the risks to oil demand stemming from the coronavirus. The investment adviser sought to achieve this by remaining focused on high-quality producers it saw as having asset bases and balance sheets strong enough to weather the near-term challenges and emerge well-positioned for an eventual upturn. Toward the end of the year, the investment adviser looked to capitalize on weakness by adding to its weighting in international oil companies. In addition, the investment adviser rotated the portfolio’s positioning in the exploration and production (“E&P”) space and looked to add to some of its positions in companies that are engaging in value-accretive merger-and-acquisition transactions.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

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

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 37.3% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 4.4% 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.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Chevron Corp.

    14

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    11  

Total SA

    11  

BP PLC

    6  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    5  

ConocoPhillips

    5  

TC Energy Corp.

    4  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    4  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    3  

Williams Cos., Inc.

    3  
INDUSTRY COMPOSITION

 

Industry(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    96     97

Energy Equipment & Services

    4       3  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) 

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 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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  9


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (CII)

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.’s (CII) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide 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 New York Stock Exchange

  CII

Initial Offering Date

  April 30, 2004

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($17.40)(a)

  6.03%

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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20     12/31/19     Change     High     Low  

Market Price

    $   17.40       $   17.25          0.87     $ 17.86       $  9.56  

Net Asset Value

    19.12       17.96       6.46       19.12       12.31  

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

 

LOGO

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (CII)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

CII(a)(b)

    7.97     13.94

MSCI USA Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A       9.00  

 

  (a)

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

 
  (b)

The Trust’s discount 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 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

In the equity allocation of the Trust, the largest contribution to relative performance came from stock selection and allocation decisions in the industrials sector. Most notably, stock selection in the construction & engineering industry and an overweight allocation to aerospace & defense proved beneficial. Within the real estate sector, underweight exposure to equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and overweight exposure to the real estate management & development industry boosted relative return. An underweight exposure to utilities, primarily in the electric utilities and multi-utilities industries, provided an additional tailwind. Other notable contributors included underweight exposure to financials and stock selection in the materials sector.

Conversely, the largest detractor from relative performance was stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector. In particular, selection decisions in automobiles and in the internet & direct marketing retail industry weighed on relative return. Within the energy sector, underweight exposure to and stock selection in the oil, gas & consumable fuels industry hurt relative performance. Other modest detractors included stock selection in health care and an underweight allocation to information technology (“IT”).

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 exposure to the IT and consumer discretionary sectors. Conversely, the Trust reduced its exposure to health care and energy.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

In the equity portion of the portfolio, the Trust’s largest allocations relative to the benchmark were in the communication services, consumer discretionary and financials sectors. Conversely, the Trust’s largest relative underweights were in the utilities, health care and consumer staples sectors.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had an option overwriting program in place whereby 51% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 3.8% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 50 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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  11


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (CII)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Apple, Inc.

    7

Microsoft Corp.

    7  

Alphabet, Inc.

    5  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    4  

Facebook, Inc.

    3  

Visa, Inc.

    3  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    3  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

    3  

Comcast Corp.

    3  

Corteva, Inc.

    2  

SECTOR ALLOCATION

Sector(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Information Technology

    29     21

Consumer Discretionary

    14       12  

Communication Services

    14       13  

Financials

    12       13  

Health Care

    11       14  

Industrials

    8       9  

Consumer Staples

    5       7  

Materials

    3       3  

Energy

    3       6  

Real Estate

    1        

Utilities

          2  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) 

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.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

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 New York Stock Exchange

  BDJ

Initial Offering Date

  August 31, 2005

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($8.47)(a)

  7.08%

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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20     12/31/19     Change     High     Low  

Market Price

    $     8.47       $     9.92       (14.62)     $  9.97       $ 4.65  

Net Asset Value

    9.35       10.03       (6.78)       10.13       6.22  

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

 

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T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  13


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BDJ(a)(b)

    (7.70)     0.77

MSCI USA Value Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        (6.07)  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount 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 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

The largest contributions to relative performance during the 12-month period derived from stock selection and allocation decisions within the information technology (“IT”) sector. Notably, stock selection and an overweight to the technology hardware, storage & peripherals industry proved beneficial. Overweight exposure to software as well as stock selection within the IT services industry also boosted relative performance. Within consumer discretionary, strong stock selection in the specialty retail industry added to relative return. Other notable contributors included an underweight to real estate and stock selection within the energy sector.

The largest detractor from relative performance came from stock selection and allocation decisions in the utilities sector. In particular, selection in electric utilities weighed on relative return, as did an underweight to multi-utilities. Within industrials, underweights to both the machinery and air freight & logistics industries detracted from relative performance. Other modest detractors included stock selection in financials and an underweight to materials.

The Trust utilized an options overlay strategy in which calls are written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s option writing 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 IT, utilities and consumer staples sectors. Conversely, the Trust‘s exposures to energy, health care and industrials were reduced.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Trust’s largest allocations on an absolute basis were in the financials, health care and IT sectors. Relative to the benchmark, the Trust’s largest overweight positions were in the financials, energy and communication services sectors. Conversely, the Trust’s largest relative underweights were in the industrials, real estate and consumer staples sectors.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had an option overwriting program in place whereby 53% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 3.1% 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.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Citigroup, Inc.

    4

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    3  

Bank of America Corp.

    3  

Anthem, Inc.

    3  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    3  

American International Group, Inc.

    3  

Comcast Corp.

    3  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    2  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    2  

Medtronic PLC

    2  

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

Sector(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Financials

    28     29

Health Care

    18       19  

Information Technology

    13       9  

Consumer Staples

    9       7  

Energy

    7       10  

Industrials

    7       8  

Communication Services

    7       8  

Consumer Discretionary

    5       6  

Utilities

    4       3  

Materials

    2       1  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) 

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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  15


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

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 New York Stock Exchange

  BOE

Initial Offering Date

  May 31, 2005

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($10.91)(a)

  6.93%

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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20     12/31/19     Change     High     Low  

Market Price

    $   10.91       $   10.99       (0.73)     $  11.25       $  7.00  

Net Asset Value

    12.28       12.32       (0.32)       12.41       8.34  

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

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BOE(a)(b)

    7.22     7.65

MSCI ACWI Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A       6.78  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

The Trust’s discount to NAV widened 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

The Trust’s lack of exposure to the energy sector, particularly the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry, contributed to return during the 12-month period. Stock selection within the industrials sector, most notably within building products, also boosted relative performance. In addition, a lack of exposure to the real estate sector contributed to relative performance. At the security level, the Trust’s position in U.S.-based software company Palantir Technologies, Inc. was the top individual contributor during the period. Palantir had a strong debut with its September 2020 initial public offering, and its shares continued to rise during the remainder of the year. In addition, holdings in ventilation systems manufacturer Carrier Global Corp. represented a strong contributor during the period, as the company’s shares rallied on strong earnings growth, increased margins and a raised earnings forecast. Finally, the Trust’s position in the U.S. biotechnology company AbbVie, Inc. was another significant contributor. AbbVie’s shares rose after the company reported strong financial results, with sales for a number of its products exceeding market expectations.

Stock selection within and an underweight to information technology (“IT”), particularly a lack of holdings within the technology hardware, storage and peripherals industry, represented the largest detractor from performance. Stock selection within and an underweight to the consumer discretionary sector, especially within the internet & direct marketing retail industry, also detracted, as did selection within the communication services sector. At the security level, the Trust’s lack of exposure to technology mega-caps Apple, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. were two of the largest individual detractors during the period. Both companies represent large positions in the benchmark and performed very strongly during 2020. Additionally, the Trust’s underweight to Microsoft Corp. detracted as the company performed well over 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 contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Trust added exposure to the IT sector, mainly within the IT services and software industries. Exposure to the industrials sector also was added, especially within the trading companies & distributors industry. Conversely, positioning within health care was reduced, especially among pharmaceutical stocks. The investment adviser also trimmed exposure to the consumer discretionary sector, mainly within the distributors industry.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At the end of the period, the Trust’s largest sector exposures were in health care and IT, driven by holdings in the pharmaceuticals and IT services industries, respectively. The Trust had no exposure to real estate, utilities or energy at period end. Regionally, the majority of the portfolio was listed in the United States or Europe, with significant exposure in the United Kingdom.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had an option overwriting program in place whereby 43% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.7% 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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  17


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Sanofi

    4

Microsoft Corp.

    4  

TELUS Corp.

    3  

Paychex, Inc.

    3  

Comcast Corp.

    3  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    3  

Visa, Inc.

    3  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    3  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    3  

Unilever PLC

    3  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

Country/Geographic Region   12/31/20     12/31/19  

United States

    56     53

United Kingdom

    18       13  

France

    4       4  

Switzerland

    4       7  

Canada

    3       7  

Singapore

    3       3  

Netherlands

    2       3  

Spain

    2        

Taiwan

    2       1  

Australia

    2       3  

Denmark

    1       2  

Germany

    1       2  

Ireland

    1        

Finland

    11    

India

    (b)       

Japan

          (b) 

Sweden

          1  
 

 

(a) Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) Rounds to less than 1% of long-term investments.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

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 New York Stock Exchange

  BGY

Initial Offering Date

  May 30, 2007

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($5.87)(a)

  6.91%

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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20     12/31/19     Change     High     Low  

Market Price

  $ 5.87     $ 5.89       (0.34)   $   5.96     $   3.73  

Net Asset Value

    6.49       6.47       0.31        6.52       4.60  

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

 

LOGO

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  19


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BGY(a)(b)

    7.49     8.18

MSCI ACWI ex USA Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A        1.53  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

MSCI ACWI ex USA Call 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

During the 12-month period, the Trust’s lack of exposure to the financials sector, particularly to banks and diversified financial services, contributed to return. An overweight to health care, especially within health care equipment and supplies, also added to performance, as did a lack of exposure to the energy sector. At the security level, the Trust’s position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was the largest individual contributor during the period. The company experienced a strong year due to robust global demand for semiconductor chips based on increased technology usage by consumers and businesses. Lastly, the Trust’s holdings in Finnish engineering firm Kone OYJ represented a strong contributor as the company benefited from strong cash flows and growth in its Asian business due to strength in the Chinese market.

Conversely, stock selection within and an underweight to consumer discretionary, particularly a lack of holdings within the internet and direct marketing retail industry, represented the largest detractor from return. An underweight to the information technology (“IT”) sector, especially within the technology hardware, storage and peripherals industry, also detracted, as did stock selection within communication services. At the security level, the Trust’s exposure to Swedish communications company Tele2 AB was the largest detractor. Tele2 reported lackluster results during the fourth quarter of 2020 and was negatively affected by declining business-to-business revenue. Finally, the Trust’s holdings in United Overseas Bank Ltd. (Singapore) detracted from performance as declining interest rates negatively affected the bank’s net interest margins.

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 contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Trust added exposure to the IT sector, mainly within the IT services and semiconductors industries. Exposure to financials was also increased, especially within banks. Conversely, holdings in communication services were reduced, particularly among wireless communications companies. The investment adviser also trimmed exposure to the health care sector, mainly within pharmaceuticals stocks.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Trust’s largest sector exposures were in health care and consumer staples, driven by the pharmaceuticals and household products industries. The Trust had no exposure to the real estate, utilities or energy sectors. Regionally, the majority of the portfolio was listed in Europe ex-U.K. and the United Kingdom.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had an option overwriting program in place whereby 43% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.5% 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.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Sanofi

    6

Unilever PLC

    5  

TELUS Corp.

    5  

RELX PLC

    5  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    5  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    5  

Novartis AG

    4  

BAE Systems PLC

    4  

Amadeus IT Group SA

    4  

Ferguson PLC

    4  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

Country/Geographic Region   12/31/20     12/31/19  

United Kingdom

    35     26

Switzerland

    9       13  

France

    9       7  

Spain

    6        

Netherlands

    6       7  

Singapore

    5       5  

Canada

    5       13  

Australia

    5       5  

Taiwan

    4       2  

United States

    4       9  

Denmark

    3       3  

Germany

    3       5  

Finland

    3       2  

India

    2       (b) 

China

    1       1  

Sweden

          2  
 

 

(a) Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) Represents less than 1% of the Trust’s long-term investments.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y   21


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Health SciencesTrust’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 New York Stock Exchange

  BME

Initial Offering Date

  March 31, 2005

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($47.59)(a)

  5.04%

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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

        12/31/20        12/31/19        Change        High        Low  

Market Price

     $ 47.59        $ 42.50          11.98      $   48.67        $   27.00  

Net Asset Value

       45.66          41.19          10.85          45.66          30.41  

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BME(a)(b)

    18.69     17.50

MSCI USA IMI Health Care Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A       12.15  

 

  (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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

The health care sector performed well in 2020 due to the favorable environment for the broader market, continued innovation across a wide range of companies, and robust returns for a number of stocks that were boosted by rising demand for their products and services in the wake of COVID-19.

The Trust benefited from strong stock selection in the biotechnology and health care providers & services sub-sectors. Conversely, selection in the medical devices and supplies and pharmaceuticals industries detracted.

At the individual stock level, the largest contribution came from an overweight in the U.S. telemedicine company Teladoc Health, Inc. The spread of COVID-19, together with the subsequent social distancing and lockdown measures, resulted in unprecedented demand for virtual diagnostics and telemedicine services. In addition, the U.S. government amended certain regulatory measures—including covering telehealth-related expenses and increasing the breadth of available prescriptions—in an effort to reduce the strain on the medical system.

An out-of-benchmark position in Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc., a China-based provider of laboratory and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, was also among the Trust’s top contributors. Wuxi benefited from increased demand stemming from the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

Other notable contributors included the digital health provider Livongo Health, Inc. and the biotechnology companies Seagen, Inc. and Genmab A/S.

A zero weighting in the U.S.-based health care conglomerate Danaher Corp., which rallied due to the high demand for its COVID-19 diagnostic tests, was the largest detractor from relative performance. Not holding a position in the biotechnology giant AbbVie hurt results, as well. The stock rose due its strong third-quarter earnings and investors’ rotation into value stocks late in the period. Other notable detractors included underweights in Idexx Laboratories, Inc. and Align Technology, Inc., as well as an overweight in the medical device company Boston Scientific Corp.

The Trust utilized an option 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 reduced its weightings in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, and it increased it allocations to the health care providers & services sub-sector. The Trust’s weighting in the medical devices & supplies category was largely unchanged.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

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

The investment adviser believes two key trends—aging demographics in both developed and developing countries, together with innovation in medical technology and biopharmaceutical drugs—remain key drivers of performance in the health care sector. In the short-term, the investment adviser is closely watching developments with respect to U.S. health care policy and data related to COVID-19 and the vaccine.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 38% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 4.9% 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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    8

Abbott Laboratories

    5  

Johnson & Johnson

    4  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    3  

Medtronic PLC

    3  

Cigna Corp.

    3  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    3  

Stryker Corp.

    3  

Humana, Inc.

    3  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

    3  

INDUSTRY COMPOSITION

Industry(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    30     30

Health Care Providers & Services

    21       21  

Pharmaceuticals

    19       23  

Biotechnology

    19       17  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    9       8  

Health Care Technology

    1       1  

Diversified Financial Services

    1        

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

    (c)       

Insurance

    (c)       
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) 

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 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.

(c)

Represents less than 1% of the Trust’s long-term investments.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Health SciencesTrust II’s (BMEZ) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences group of industries. Equity derivatives in which the Trust invests include purchased and sold (written) call and put options on equity securities of companies in the health sciences group of industries.

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

  BMEZ

Initial Offering Date

  January 30, 2020

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($28.65)(a)

  4.19%

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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

         12/31/20          01/30/20 (a)         Change          High          Low  

Market Price

       $28.65          $20.00          43.25        $  30.95          $12.60  

Net Asset Value

       30.73          20.00          53.65          31.32          16.49  

 

  (a)

Commencement of operations.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value History Since Inception

 

LOGO

The Fund commenced operations on January 30, 2020.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  25


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the period since inception (January 30, 2020) to December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BMEZ(a)(b)

    48.82     59.62

MSCI ACWI 25% Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A       11.21  

 

  (a)

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

 
  (b)

The Trust moved from neither a premium nor discount to NAV 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 25% 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

The health care sector performed well in 2020 due to the favorable environment for the broader market, continued innovation across a wide range of companies, and robust returns for a number of stocks that were boosted by rising demand for their products and services in the wake of COVID-19.

The Trust was led by innovation in several key themes, including digital health, antibody drug conjugate treatments, and other next-generation therapeutics.

Stock selection was strongest in the biotechnology and health care providers & services sub-sectors. At the individual stock level, the U.S. telemedicine provider Livongo Health, Inc. was the leading contributor to performance. The spread of COVID-19, together with the subsequent social distancing and lockdown measures, resulted in unprecedented demand for virtual diagnostics and telemedicine services. In addition, the U.S. government amended certain regulatory measures—including covering telehealth-related expenses and increasing the breadth of available prescriptions—in an effort to reduce the strain on the medical system. The stock also benefited from an acquisition by the telemedicine provider Teladoc Health, Inc., which created the largest digital health company in the world.

The health care provider Oak Street Health, Inc. was the second largest contributor to the Trust’s return. The Trust initiated an investment in February 2020, when Oak Street was in the private stage. The company, which operates primary care centers for the Medicare-eligible population, subsequently underwent a very successful initial public offering.

Other notable contributors included the biotechnology companies Immunomedics, Inc. and Genmab A/S, as well as the Chinese medical device company Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.

Given that the benchmark is a broad-based index, many of the largest detractors were mega-cap technology stocks that performed well but that fall outside of the Trust’s mandate. With respect to stocks the Trust held, the health care equipment company Baxter International, Inc. and the biotechnology firm Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. were among the most notable detractors.

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 period.

As the Trust commenced operations on January 30, 2020, it initially had a significant cash balance, which was committed for pending transactions. The Trust’s cash position had no material impact on performance for the period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Trust’s exposure to the pharmaceuticals and medical devices and supplies industries decreased during the period, while its allocations to the health care providers and services and biotechnology sub-sectors increased.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The investment adviser deployed capital in both public and private markets across the next- generation health science universe. Within the public markets, the investment adviser sought opportunities to add exposure to innovative biotechnology and health care providers & services companies. Conversely, the Trust reduced its weightings in certain securities that experienced strong price appreciation and those that suffered clinical development setbacks. The Trust added exposure to innovative therapeutic companies with robust clinical pipelines, as well as attractively valued health care services companies.

At the end of the period, the Trust held 41% of assets in the biotechnology industry, 34% in medical devices & supplies, 16% in health care providers & services, and 6% in pharmaceuticals. These weightings were the result of bottom-up stock selection.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 22% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 5.7% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 54 days.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

 

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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  27


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Oak Street Health, Inc.

    3

Seagen, Inc.

    3  

Genmab A/S

    3  

Amedisys, Inc.

    2  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

    2  

Teleflex, Inc.

    2  

PPD, Inc.

    2  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.

    2  

LHC Group, Inc.

    2  

Alcon, Inc.

    2  

 

INDUSTRYCOMPOSITION

Industry(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Biotechnology

    42     17

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    24       30  

Health Care Providers & Services

    13       21  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    10       8  

Pharmaceuticals

    6       23  

Diversified Financial Services

    2        

Health Care Technology

    2       1  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

    1        

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    (c)       

Insurance

    (c)       
 
(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) 

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 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.

(c)

Represents less than 1% of the Trust’s long-term investments.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

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 New York Stock Exchange

  BCX

Initial Offering Date

  March 30, 2011

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($7.41)(a)

  6.48%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.0400

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.4800

 

  (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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20     12/31/19     Change     High     Low  

Market Price

  $ 7.41     $ 8.07       (8.18)   $   8.21     $   3.28  

Net Asset Value

    8.45       9.04       (6.53)       9.07       4.99  
         

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

 

LOGO

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  29


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BCX(a)(b)

    (0.23)     1.56

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

    N/A        (5.10

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b)

The Trust’s discount to NAV widened 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

Natural resources equities, although performing well in November and December 2020, finished with a small loss for the full year. The sector was hit hard when the emergence of COVID-19 in the first quarter of 2020 led to a significant deterioration in the demand outlook. Both commodities and the broader equity market declined in response, and natural resource equities underperformed both. The sector remained under pressure over the course of the year despite a gradual improvement in the economic outlook, and it only rallied in November 2020 following the approval of a vaccine for COVID-19. However, the recovery was strong enough to bring the category close to the break-even mark for 2020.

An underweight position in Exxon Mobil Corp., which lagged in part due to expectations that the company would take a large write-down of its natural gas assets, contributed to relative performance. Overweight positions in select precious metals stocks, such as Wheaton Precious Metals Corp., also added value due to strong demand for gold at the beginning of the year. An overweight in Vale SA further benefited results. Although the company downgraded its production guidance for 2021, Vale performed well late in the year behind strength in iron ore prices and a broader rotation into Brazil’s stock market.

Underweight positions in the equipment producers Deere & Co. and Kubota Corp. detracted from relative performance. A rally in crop prices to eight-year highs was seen as being supportive for farmer incomes, particularly in the United States. The Trust’s underweight in Newmont Corp., a gold producer that released stronger-than-expected results and increased its quarterly dividend, also detracted. Among stocks the Trust held, BP PLC and WestRock Co. were notable detractors.

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

Describe recent portfolio activity.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the investment adviser closely analyzed the portfolio to identify companies facing higher risk due to the combination of above-average debt and dependence on a single asset, and it sold any positions it believed faced these risks. In addition, the investment adviser made some stock-specific changes in an effort to capitalize on relative-value opportunities. Toward the end of the year, the investment adviser started to increase the Trust’s position in the energy sector based on its belief that there was reduced risk for oil demand.

Within the energy sector, the investment adviser remained focused on high-quality producers with the asset bases and balance sheets needed to weather near-term disruptions and emerge well-positioned for the resulting upturn. The investment adviser also favored companies that maintained capital discipline and stayed focused on returning cash flow to shareholders. Similarly, the investment adviser’s approach to the mining sector was to emphasize lower-cost producers with strong balance sheets.

In the agriculture sector, the Trust remained underweight in the paper and packaging industry in order to fund overweights in health and wellness companies with more attractive growth prospects. The investment adviser believes health and wellness companies that are positioned to take advantage of shifting consumer preferences toward food and nutrition could offer compelling opportunities.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

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

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 39% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 4.6% 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.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments  

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security(a)  

Percent of

Total Investments

 

BHP Group PLC

    6

Total SA

    6  

Vale SA

    6  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    5  

Chevron Corp.

    5  

Anglo American PLC

    4  

BP PLC

    4  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    3  

FMC Corp.

    3  

Bunge Ltd.

    3  
INDUSTRYCOMPOSITION

 

Industry(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Metals & Mining

    35     35

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    34       35  

Chemicals

    14       11  

Containers & Packaging

    7       9  

Food Products

    5       7  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    2       1  

Specialty Retail

    1       1  

Machinery

    1       1  

Energy Equipment & Services

    1        

Paper & Forest Products

    (c)       

Advertising Agencies

    (c)       
 
(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

 

(b) 

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 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.

 

(c) 

Represents less than 1% of the Trust’s long-term investments.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

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 New York Stock Exchange

  BST

Initial Offering Date

  October 30, 2014

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($53.30)(a)

  4.21%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.1870

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $2.2440

 

  (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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

     12/31/20      12/31/19      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 53.30      $ 33.27        60.20    $   54.00      $   22.41  

Net Asset Value

    51.94 (a)       32.45        60.06        52.74        25.57  

 

  (a)

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of a certain investment was adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on December 31, 2020.

 

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

 

LOGO

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BST(a)(b)

    68.92     68.76 %(c) 

MSCI ACWI IT Call Overwrite Index(d)

    N/A       32.08  

 

  (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) 

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of a certain investment was adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on December 31, 2020.

 

 

  (d) 

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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

During the 12-month period, stock selection within the software sub-sector and an overweight to the internet sub-sector contributed positively to the Trust’s return. The largest individual contributor to performance came from an out-of-benchmark position in the artificial intelligence software company C3 AI, Inc. The Trust initially held C3 AI as a private investment, but the company had a successful initial public offering in December 2020. A private investment in a British commercial electric vehicle maker was also a strong contributor as the company announced a merger with a special purpose acquisition firm.

Conversely, stock selection within the internet sub-sector and an underweight to the hardware sub-sector were the most significant detractors from performance. The Trust’s underweight allocation to Apple, Inc. was the largest individual detractor as Apple continued to experience strong sales growth for its 5G iPhone released in 2020. Additionally, the absence of holding a position in semiconductor manufacturer NVIDIA Corp. was among the largest detractors from performance. NVIDIA’s stock rose throughout the period based on increased data center demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Trust increased exposure to the software and hardware sub-sectors, while decreasing exposure to the internet, services and semiconductors sub-sectors. From a regional perspective, the Trust’s allocations to the emerging markets and Europe decreased, while exposure to the United States and the United Kingdom increased.

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. Currently approximately 40% of the portfolio consists of these “core” legacy companies and 60% made up of the “opportunistic,” high-growth portion. At period end, the Trust’s largest sub-sector exposures were to internet and software & services companies, while the Trust held underweight positions in semiconductors and hardware.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 28% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 5.1% out of the money) and with an average time until expiration of 49 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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  33


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020(continued)    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Apple, Inc.

    4

Microsoft Corp.

    3  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    3  

C3.AI, Inc.

    2  

Square, Inc.

    2  

Twilio, Inc.

    2  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    2  

Mastercard, Inc.

    2  

Alphabet, Inc.

    2  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

    2  
SECTOR COMPOSITION

 

Sector(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Software

    27     26

IT Services

    19       19  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    15       15  

Interactive Media & Services

    10       10  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

    10       10  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    4       3  

Automobiles

    3        

Entertainment

    3       3  

Road & Rail

    2       3  

Diversified Consumer Services

    2       2  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    1       4  

Banks

    1       1  

Health Care Technology

    1       1  

Diversified Financial Services

    1        

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1       1  

Food Products

    (c)       

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    (c)       

Communications Equipment

    (c)      1  

Professional Services

    (c)      1  

Capital Markets

    (c)       
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

 

(b) 

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 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.

 

(c) 

Represents less than 1% of the Trust’s long-term investments.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

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 New York Stock Exchange

  BSTZ

Initial Offering Date

  June 27, 2019

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($36.38)(a)

  3.79%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.1150

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $1.3800

 

  (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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20      12/31/19      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 36.38      $ 20.50        77.46    $   38.33      $   12.00  

Net Asset Value

    38.72        20.95        84.82        39.14        15.57  

Market Price and Net Asset Value History Since Inception

 

LOGO

The Trust commenced operations on June 27, 2019.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  35


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BSTZ(a)(b)

    86.85     94.60

MSCI ACWI 25% Call Overwrite Index(c)

    N/A       11.20  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

MSCI ACWI 25% 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

At the individual security level, the largest contribution to the Trust’s performance during the 12-month period came from an out-of-benchmark position in the artificial intelligence software company C3 AI, Inc. The Trust initially held C3 AI as a private investment, but the company had a successful initial public offering in December 2020. In addition, an overweight position in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla, Inc. was among the largest contributors to Trust’s return. The stock performed well after the company posted strong revenue growth and four consecutive quarters of positive earnings. Tesla’s recent addition to the S&P 500® Index also boosted investor confidence. Lastly, an out-of-benchmark position in European online luxury retailer Farfetch Ltd. was a strong performer for the period. The company recently announced partnerships with Chinese technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Swiss luxury goods company Cie Financiere Richemont SA to sponsor Farfetch’s entry into the Chinese market, fueling demand for its stock.

Conversely, the absence of holding a position in Apple, Inc. was the largest individual detractor as Apple continued to experience strong sales growth for its 5G iPhone released in 2020. Similarly, the Trust not holding a position in e-commerce company Amazon.com, Inc. was among the largest detractors after Amazon’s e-commerce and cloud computing businesses benefited from COVID-19 related lockdowns and social distancing measures. Lastly, the Trust’s out-of-benchmark position in Chinese technology-centric coffee company Luckin Coffee, Inc. was among the largest detractors from performance. The company announced that in 2019 its chief operating officer, as well as other employees reporting to him, fabricated transactions amounting to 2.2 billion yuan, or $310 million. The Trust has since exited the position.

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

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Trust deployed capital across companies the investment adviser believes will experience increased demand in the current environment as well as those the investment adviser believe are positioned to benefit from longer-term demand trends. This encompasses firms that are seeing an increase in demand from the migration to working remotely, and increased adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital transformation and e-commerce. In addition, the investment adviser continues to perform due diligence on multiple new opportunities in the private equity universe, and expects to further increase exposure to private assets over the coming quarters given a robust pipeline of private transaction opportunities. Over the 12-month period, the Trust initiated 17 new investments in private technology companies. As of December 31, 2020, the Trust held 24 private investments, comprising 15% of total assets, or a total commitment of approximately $451 million.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Trust held 37% of portfolio assets in software stocks, 20% in internet, 17% in services, 15% in semiconductors, 9% in hardware and 2% in content & infrastructure. These industry exposures were the result of bottom-up stock selection.

As of December 31, 2020, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 22% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at prices above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 6.6% 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.

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

C3.AI, Inc.

    4

Tesla, Inc.

    3  

Farfetch Ltd.

    2  

Square, Inc.

    2  

Arrival Ltd.

    2  

Twilio, Inc.

    2  

Snap, Inc.

    2  

Kakao Corp.

    2  

Locaweb Servicos de Internet SA

    2  

Klarna Holdings AB

    2  
INDUSTRYCOMPOSITION

 

Industry(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Software

    30     26

IT Services

    19       17  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    15       20  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

    7       7  

Interactive Media & Services

    7       5  

Automobiles

    6       1  

Entertainment

    3       3  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    2       6  

Diversified Consumer Services

    2       3  

Banks

    2       1  

Health Care Technology

    1       2  

Multi-line Retail

    1       2  

Road & Rail

    1       1  

Capital Markets

    1       1  

Specialty Retail

    1        

Food Products

    1        

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    1       1  

Professional Services

    (c)      1  

Communications Equipment

    (c)      2  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    (c)      1  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) 

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 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.

(c) 

Represents less than 1% of the Trust’s long-term investments.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  37


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020    BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

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 New York Stock Exchange

  BUI

Initial Offering Date

  November 25, 2011

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($25.04)(a)

  5.80%

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 may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. 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.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/20      12/31/19      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

  $ 25.04      $ 22.31        12.24    $   25.09      $   12.48  

Net Asset Value

    23.80        22.02        8.08        23.80        15.06  

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

 

LOGO

 

 

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Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

BUI(a)(b)

    20.32     15.87

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

    N/A       (0.71

 

  (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 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

The largest contributors to relative returns were the Trust’s positions in wind-power utility companies. Among individual companies, Spanish renewable energy utility EDP Renovaveis SA and Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S were notable performers, due largely to a favorable policy environment and the prospects for potentially beneficial changes to tariffs. Vestas also won multiple orders for large-scale projects and offered an upbeat outlook for future orders. Elsewhere, several of the Trust’s positions in solar energy systems providers benefited from strong stock-price performance, including First Solar, Inc., Canadian Solar, Inc., and Sunrun, Inc. In particular, Sunrun saw little impact on its business from the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to acquire industry peer Vivint Solar, Inc.

The largest detractor from relative returns came from the Trust’s stock selection decisions with respect to certain companies in the electric utilities and building products industries. Specifically, the Trust’s lack of a position in Japanese air conditioning system manufacturer Daikin Industries Ltd. weighed on relative performance, as the stock rose sharply during the period. The Trust’s lack of a position in Danish multinational power company Orsted A/S also detracted. Finally, a small cash position held back relative returns in a rising market.

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 contributed positively to relative performance for the 12-month period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the first half of the period, the Trust took advantage of heightened market volatility to increase its exposure to companies playing a role in the energy transition from fossil-fuel based energy sources to renewable energy. In particular, the Trust added to positions in clean-power utilities, as well as companies in the solar power value chain. Later in the period, however, the Trust reduced exposure to the solar power industry following strong stock performance.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the utilities sector accounted for approximately 55% of the Trust’s assets. The Trust had approximately 25% and 7% 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, 2020, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby approximately 34% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 3.3% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 56 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.

 

 

T R U S T  S U M M A R Y

  39


Trust Summary  as of December 31, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    9

Enel SpA

    6  

Iberdrola SA

    4  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    4  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    3  

RWE AG

    3  

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    3  

National Grid PLC

    3  

Vinci SA

    3  

Waste Management, Inc.

    2  
INDUSTRYCOMPOSITION

 

Industry(a)(b)   12/31/20     12/31/19  

Electric Utilities

    33     31

Multi-Utilities

    14       17  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

    8       8  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    8       11  

Electrical Equipment

    7       9  

Building Products

    7       5  

Chemicals

    5       6  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    5       3  

Commercial Services & Supplies

    4       2  

Construction & Engineering

    4       5  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    3       2  

Machinery

    2       1  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities and options written.

(b) 

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 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.

 

 

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Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Energy Equipment & Services — 3.9%            

Baker Hughes, Inc. Class A

    203,272     $ 4,238,221  

Darling Ingredients, Inc.(a)

    52,500       3,028,200  

Schlumberger NV

    87,167       1,902,856  
   

 

 

 
      9,169,277  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 96.9%            

Aker BP ASA

    174,421       4,401,334  

BP PLC

    4,323,500       14,919,283  

Cairn Energy PLC(a)

    1,144,126       3,280,591  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    203,024       4,879,020  

Chevron Corp.(b)(c)

    408,323       34,482,877  

CNOOC Ltd.

    3,700,000       3,394,459  

Concho Resources, Inc.

    55,097       3,214,910  

ConocoPhillips(c)

    273,189       10,924,828  

Enbridge, Inc.

    152,200       4,867,674  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    57,634       2,874,208  

Equinor ASA

    282,500       4,767,605  

Exxon Mobil Corp.(b)

    283,611       11,690,445  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    481,598       5,103,203  

Hess Corp.

    119,300       6,297,847  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    582,014       7,956,131  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)

    1,306,265       3,069,723  

Lukoil PJSC - ADR

    36,241       2,464,859  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    30,788       1,273,392  

Oil Search Ltd.(a)

    883,663       2,532,521  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

    432,901       4,861,478  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    63,858       7,272,788  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A, ADR

    745,253       26,188,190  

Santos Ltd.

    675,280       3,270,183  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    531,669       8,917,537  

TC Energy Corp.

    237,666       9,662,358  
Security   Shares     Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)            

Total SA

    586,530     $ 25,315,924  

Valero Energy Corp.

    94,572       5,349,938  

Williams Cos., Inc.

    364,401       7,306,240  
   

 

 

 
      230,539,546  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.8%
(Cost: $265,901,573)

      239,708,823  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 1.4%

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(d)(e)

    3,418,486       3,418,486  

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.4%
(Cost: $3,418,486)

      3,418,486  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 102.2%
(Cost: $269,320,059)

 

    243,127,309  
 

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.3)%
(Premiums Received: $(3,306,044))

 

    (3,139,751
 

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.9%
(Cost: $266,014,015)

 

    239,987,558  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.9)%

 

    (2,119,080
 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 237,868,478  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(e) Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
12/31/19
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
12/31/20
     Shares
Held at
12/31/20
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $ 12,745,390      $      $ (9,326,904 )(a)    $      $      $ 3,418,486        3,418,486      $ 41,384      $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

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

                    

ConocoPhillips

     60        01/08/21        USD        42.50        USD        240      $   (1,470

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     732        01/08/21        USD        42.50        USD        3,017          (24,156

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

     315        01/08/21        USD        15.00        USD        431        (1,575

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     30        01/08/21        USD        117.00        USD        342        (5,775

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  41


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)                                                   

Baker Hughes, Inc. Class A

     448          01/15/21        USD     20.00        USD     934        $ (57,120

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     200          01/15/21        CAD     30.00        CAD     612          (19,247

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     12          01/15/21        CAD     34.00        CAD     37          (85

Chevron Corp.

     276          01/15/21        USD     87.50        USD     2,331          (33,810

Chevron Corp.

     584          01/15/21        USD     90.00        USD     4,932          (37,668

ConocoPhillips

     86          01/15/21        USD     45.00        USD     344          (1,935

Darling Ingredients, Inc.

     137          01/15/21        USD     50.00        USD     790          (110,970

Enbridge, Inc.

     249          01/15/21        CAD     39.00        CAD     1,014          (36,482

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

     654          01/15/21        USD     13.00        USD     894          (52,974

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     131          01/15/21        USD     42.50        USD     542          (15,000

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

     641          01/15/21        USD     9.00        USD     720          (142,622

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     190          01/15/21        USD     105.00        USD     2,164          (190,950

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

     679          01/15/21        USD     27.50        USD     2,386          (519,435

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

     705          01/15/21        USD     40.00        USD     2,477          (7,050

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     490          01/15/21        CAD     22.00        CAD     1,046          (17,130

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     782          01/15/21        CAD     24.00        CAD     1,669          (6,451

Suncor Energy, Inc.

     782          01/15/21        CAD     25.00        CAD     1,670          (3,993

TC Energy Corp.

     434          01/15/21        CAD     58.00        CAD     2,246          (2,046

Valero Energy Corp.

     99          01/15/21        USD     55.00        USD     560          (30,195

Valero Energy Corp.

     186          01/15/21        USD     60.00        USD     1,052          (16,275

Williams Cos., Inc.

     114          01/15/21        USD     21.00        USD     229          (2,109

Baker Hughes, Inc. Class A

     330          01/22/21        USD     23.40        USD     688          (6,504

Chevron Corp.

     358          01/22/21        USD     91.50        USD     3,023          (27,208

Concho Resources, Inc.

     105          01/22/21        USD     61.50        USD     613          (12,600

ConocoPhillips

     103          01/22/21        USD     44.50        USD     412          (4,687

Enbridge, Inc.

     332          01/22/21        CAD     43.50        CAD     1,352          (2,608

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     181          01/22/21        USD     43.00        USD     746          (13,575

Hess Corp.

     228          01/22/21        USD     57.50        USD     1,204          (20,748

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

     614          01/22/21        USD     15.50        USD     839          (2,763

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

     459          01/22/21        USD     11.00        USD     515          (25,933

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

     816          01/22/21        USD     38.50        USD     2,867          (44,880

Valero Energy Corp.

     76          01/22/21        USD     60.00        USD     430          (9,880

Williams Cos., Inc.

     426          01/22/21        USD     23.00        USD     854          (2,130

Chevron Corp.

     358          01/29/21        USD     92.50        USD     3,023          (43,318

Concho Resources, Inc.

     105          01/29/21        USD     61.50        USD     613          (15,750

ConocoPhillips

     255          01/29/21        USD     43.50        USD     1,020          (21,420

ConocoPhillips

     368          01/29/21        USD     40.50        USD     1,472          (65,688

EOG Resources, Inc.

     192          01/29/21        USD     54.50        USD     957          (18,336

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

     641          01/29/21        USD     15.50        USD     876          (5,128

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

     329          01/29/21        USD     11.50        USD     369          (14,970

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     23          01/29/21        USD     115.00        USD     262          (12,765

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

     647          01/29/21        USD     38.50        USD     2,273          (42,055

Schlumberger NV

     340          01/29/21        USD     23.00        USD     742          (25,500

Williams Cos., Inc.

     426          01/29/21        USD     23.01        USD     854          (3,925

Williams Cos., Inc.

     426          02/05/21        USD     23.01        USD     854          (5,276

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     559          02/19/21        CAD     32.00        CAD     1,710          (49,624

ConocoPhillips

     172          02/19/21        USD     43.00        USD     688          (25,026

Darling Ingredients, Inc.

     63          02/19/21        USD     60.00        USD     363          (16,380

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     170          02/19/21        USD     45.00        USD     701          (17,765

Hess Corp.

     228          02/19/21        USD     57.50        USD     1,204          (48,450

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

     225          02/19/21        USD     10.00        USD     253          (32,512

TC Energy Corp.

     474          02/19/21        CAD     58.00        CAD     2,453          (9,496
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (1,983,423
                          

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                                                                 

Lukoil PJSC - ADR

   Goldman Sachs International      5,100        01/05/21        USD       65.05        USD       347      $     (18,765

Total SA

   Goldman Sachs International      49,400        01/05/21        EUR       35.70        EUR       1,745        (11,298

 

 

42  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

    

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                     

Aker BP ASA

   Barclays Bank PLC      21,800        01/06/21        NOK       184.60        NOK       4,717      $ (80,826

Statoil ASA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      44,000        01/06/21        NOK       146.05        NOK       6,367        (11,673

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      596,500        01/07/21        GBP       2.14        GBP       1,505        (317,077

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Goldman Sachs International      68,500        01/07/21        EUR       7.54        EUR       594        (95,039

CNOOC Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      800,000        01/12/21        HKD       7.58        HKD       5,690        (8,722

Lukoil PJSC—ADR

   Goldman Sachs International      7,000        01/12/21        USD       57.65        USD       476        (80,537

Total SA

   Credit Suisse International      23,100        01/12/21        EUR       35.67        EUR       816        (11,230

Total SA

   Goldman Sachs International      20,400        01/12/21        EUR       28.29        EUR       721        (175,427

Santos Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      245,700        01/13/21        AUD       6.19        AUD       1,543        (43,514

BP PLC

   Credit Suisse International      139,500        01/15/21        GBP       2.45        GBP       352        (24,843

Statoil ASA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      44,000        01/15/21        NOK       147.47        NOK       6,367        (16,040

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      570,000        01/20/21        GBP       2.75        GBP       1,438        (20,647

Oil Search Ltd.

   UBS AG      118,000        01/20/21        AUD       3.84        AUD       439        (7,116

BP PLC

   Credit Suisse International      373,200        01/26/21        GBP       2.86        GBP       942        (9,172

Equinor ASA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      19,900        01/27/21        NOK       150.90        NOK       2,879        (7,431

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Barclays Bank PLC      115,500        01/27/21        EUR       9.58        EUR       1,002        (29,744

Total SA

   Goldman Sachs International      62,500        01/27/21        EUR       38.06        EUR       2,208        (21,318

Santos Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      12,400        01/28/21        AUD       6.76        AUD       78        (916

Aker BP ASA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      44,800        02/02/21        NOK       223.50        NOK       9,693        (26,998

CNOOC Ltd.

   UBS AG      606,000        02/02/21        HKD       6.94        HKD       4,310        (42,895

Oil Search Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      219,700        02/03/21        AUD       3.65        AUD       817        (35,806

Total SA

   Barclays Bank PLC      68,800        02/03/21        EUR       36.63        EUR       2,431        (59,294
                     

 

 

 
                      $ (1,156,328
                     

 

 

 

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

 

Description    Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

   $      $      $ 1,667,571      $ (1,501,278    $ (3,139,751

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

   $      $      $ 3,139,751      $      $      $      $ 3,139,751  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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

   $      $      $   (3,816,216    $      $      $      $   (3,816,216
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ 1,280,070      $      $      $      $ 1,280,070  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

                                                              

Average value of option contracts written

                                                         $ 2,380,286  

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  43


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

    

 

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

   $      $ 3,139,751  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

            3,139,751  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (1,983,423
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 1,156,328  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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)  

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 169,864      $      $ (169,864    $      $  

Credit Suisse International

     45,245               (45,245              

Goldman Sachs International

     740,108               (740,108              

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

     80,236                             80,236  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     70,864               (70,864              

UBS AG

     50,011                             50,011  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,156,328      $      $ (1,026,081    $      $ 130,247  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

           

Energy Equipment & Services

   $ 9,169,277      $      $      $ 9,169,277  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     161,089,584        69,449,962               230,539,546  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     3,418,486                      3,418,486  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 173,677,347      $ 69,449,962      $      $ 243,127,309  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (1,967,718    $ (1,172,033    $      $ (3,139,751
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

44  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  

December 31, 2020

  

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

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Common Stocks             
Aerospace & Defense — 1.4%             

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

    431,524      $   11,715,877  
    

 

 

 
Automobiles — 2.0%             

General Motors Co.(a)

    401,550        16,720,542  
    

 

 

 
Banks — 3.4%             

Bank of America Corp.(b)

    425,083        12,884,266  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    126,481        16,071,940  
    

 

 

 
       28,956,206  
Beverages — 1.7%             

Coca-Cola Co.

    258,748        14,189,740  
    

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 0.7%             

Biogen, Inc.(a)

    23,533        5,762,290  
    

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 3.2%             

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    67,814        7,818,276  

Morgan Stanley

    218,301        14,960,168  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.(a)

    48,875        4,675,871  
    

 

 

 
       27,454,315  
Chemicals — 3.4%             

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.(a)

    328,225        9,370,824  

Corteva, Inc.

    490,682        18,999,207  
    

 

 

 
       28,370,031  
Communications Equipment(a) — 2.9%             

Ciena Corp.

    158,490        8,376,196  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    356,209        15,940,353  
    

 

 

 
       24,316,549  
Construction & Engineering — 1.6%             

Quanta Services, Inc.

    188,868        13,602,273  
    

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 1.9%             

Ally Financial, Inc.

    283,440        10,107,471  

Capital One Financial Corp.

    58,525        5,785,196  
    

 

 

 
       15,892,667  
Diversified Financial Services — 2.6%             

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)

    95,508        22,145,440  
    

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments &
Components — 0.2%
            

Vontier Corp.(a)

    48,775        1,629,085  
    

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.2%             

Walmart, Inc.

    73,439        10,586,232  
    

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.1%             

Koninklijke Philips NV, NY Shares(a)

    174,159        9,434,193  
    

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 6.7%             

Anthem, Inc.

    40,910        13,135,792  

Humana, Inc.

    16,528        6,780,943  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

    63,675        12,961,046  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    67,013        23,500,119  
    

 

 

 
       56,377,900  
Health Care Technology — 0.2%             

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A(a)

    7,040        1,916,640  
    

 

 

 
Security   Shares      Value  
Insurance — 1.0%             

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

    135,607      $   5,300,877  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    24,842        2,879,188  
    

 

 

 
       8,180,065  
Interactive Media & Services(a) — 8.3%             

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(b)

    24,968        43,759,916  

Facebook, Inc., Class A

    96,539        26,370,593  
    

 

 

 
       70,130,509  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail(a) — 5.5%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

    43,423        10,105,835  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    11,033        35,933,709  
    

 

 

 
       46,039,544  
IT Services — 6.3%             

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    204,027        16,720,012  

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(a)

    46,319        12,637,213  

Visa, Inc., Class A(b)

    108,986        23,838,508  
    

 

 

 
       53,195,733  
Machinery — 2.2%             

Fortive Corp.

    132,313        9,370,407  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    137,827        9,310,214  
    

 

 

 
       18,680,621  
Media — 3.6%             

Comcast Corp., Class A(a)

    400,807        21,002,287  

Fox Corp., Class A

    335,535        9,770,779  
    

 

 

 
       30,773,066  
Multi-line Retail(a) — 2.7%             

Dollar General Corp.

    25,901        5,446,980  

Dollar Tree, Inc.

    162,022        17,504,857  
    

 

 

 
       22,951,837  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.8%             

BP PLC, ADR

    257,159        5,276,903  

Chevron Corp.

    97,193        8,207,949  

ConocoPhillips

    248,359        9,931,876  
    

 

 

 
       23,416,728  
Personal Products — 1.7%             

Unilever PLC, ADR

    240,598        14,522,495  
    

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 2.2%             

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    96,803        6,761,690  

Sanofi, ADR

    240,322        11,677,246  
    

 

 

 
       18,438,936  
Professional Services — 1.4%             

Robert Half International, Inc.

    185,410        11,584,417  
    

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.1%  

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a)

    146,164        9,167,406  
    

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 1.6%             

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    56,140        13,339,425  
    

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 4.8%  

Applied Materials, Inc.(a)

    196,540        16,961,402  

NXP Semiconductors NV

    30,318        4,820,865  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

    170,335        18,573,329  
    

 

 

 
       40,355,596  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  45


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Software — 7.7%             

CDK Global, Inc.

    207,532      $ 10,756,383  

Microsoft Corp.(b)

    242,061        53,839,208  
    

 

 

 
       64,595,591  
Specialty Retail(a) — 3.5%             

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    45,239        7,261,312  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

    19,472        8,812,443  

Ross Stores, Inc.

    108,948        13,379,904  
    

 

 

 
       29,453,659  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 7.3%  

Apple, Inc.(c)

    463,960        61,562,852  
    

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.6%  

Skechers USA, Inc., Class A(a)

    147,765        5,310,674  
    

 

 

 
Tobacco — 0.1%             

Altria Group, Inc.(b)

    30,630        1,255,830  
    

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.6%  

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

    800,427        13,191,037  
    

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 100.2%
    (Cost: $545,406,703)
     845,216,001  
    

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities             
Money Market Funds — 1.4%             

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(d)(e)

    11,614,004        11,614,004  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.4%
(Cost: $11,614,004)

       11,614,004  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.6%
(Cost: $557,020,707)

       856,830,005  
    

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.6)%
(Premiums Received: $(12,578,558))

       (13,103,270
    

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.0%
(Cost: $544,442,149)

       843,726,735  

Liabilities in Excess of Other
Assets — 0.0%

       (53,533
    

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%          $843,673,202  
    

 

 

 
(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) 

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

(d) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/19
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/20
    Shares
Held at
12/31/20
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 4,423,595     $ 7,190,409 (a)    $     $     $     $ 11,614,004       11,614,004     $ 22,692     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

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.

 

 

46  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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

    

 

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

                   

Apple, Inc.

    258        01/06/21        USD        124.00        USD        3,423      $     (229,663

Microsoft Corp.

    150        01/06/21        USD        221.00        USD        3,336        (60,279

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

    8        01/08/21        USD        277.50        USD        186        (116

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    41        01/08/21        USD        1,842.50        USD        7,186        (6,868

Amazon.com, Inc.

    30        01/08/21        USD        3,300.00        USD        9,771        (93,975

Anthem, Inc.

    75        01/08/21        USD        335.00        USD        2,408        (14,250

Apple, Inc.

    329        01/08/21        USD        130.00        USD        4,366        (132,422

Applied Materials, Inc.

    358        01/08/21        USD        84.50        USD        3,090        (120,825

Bank of America Corp.

    195        01/08/21        USD        30.00        USD        591        (13,553

Bank of America Corp.

    362        01/08/21        USD        27.66        USD        1,097        (96,971

Bank of America Corp.

    82        01/08/21        USD        29.06        USD        249        (11,529

Bank of America Corp.

    120        01/08/21        USD        29.58        USD        364        (12,243

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    210        01/08/21        USD        230.00        USD        4,869        (76,650

Biogen, Inc.

    37        01/08/21        USD        267.50        USD        906        (3,700

BP PLC, ADR

    296        01/08/21        USD        21.00        USD        607        (7,696

Ciena Corp.

    286        01/08/21        USD        48.00        USD        1,512        (141,570

Ciena Corp.

    54        01/08/21        USD        55.00        USD        285        (1,269

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    340        01/08/21        USD        80.00        USD        2,786        (93,500

ConocoPhillips

    410        01/08/21        USD        42.50        USD        1,640        (10,045

ConocoPhillips

    144        01/08/21        USD        46.00        USD        576        (1,296

Dollar General Corp.

    48        01/08/21        USD        217.50        USD        1,009        (1,320

Facebook, Inc., Class A

    129        01/08/21        USD        290.00        USD        3,524        (7,998

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    196        01/08/21        USD        117.75        USD        2,491        (167,597

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    87        01/08/21        USD        120.00        USD        1,106        (62,205

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    141        01/08/21        USD        157.50        USD        2,263        (59,572

Microsoft Corp.

    227        01/08/21        USD        222.50        USD        5,049        (65,035

Morgan Stanley

    318        01/08/21        USD        66.00        USD        2,179        (90,948

Ross Stores, Inc.

    65        01/08/21        USD        112.00        USD        798        (72,150

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    62        01/08/21        USD        340.00        USD        2,174        (88,195

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    16        01/08/21        USD        360.00        USD        561        (4,912

Visa, Inc., Class A

    20        01/08/21        USD        212.50        USD        437        (14,200

Walmart, Inc.

    132        01/08/21        USD        152.50        USD        1,903        (1,320

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

    40        01/15/21        USD        270.00        USD        931        (1,640

Ally Financial, Inc.

    504        01/15/21        USD        32.00        USD        1,797        (195,300

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    26        01/15/21        USD        1,780.00        USD        4,557        (62,140

Altria Group, Inc.

    276        01/15/21        USD        42.50        USD        1,132        (7,452

Amazon.com, Inc.

    10        01/15/21        USD        3,400.00        USD        3,257        (24,875

Apple, Inc.

    636        01/15/21        USD        125.00        USD        8,439        (564,450

Applied Materials, Inc.

    135        01/15/21        USD        80.00        USD        1,165        (91,125

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

    684        01/15/21        USD        28.30        USD        1,953        (60,340

Bank of America Corp.

    120        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        364        (11,160

Bank of America Corp.

    456        01/15/21        USD        26.00        USD        1,382        (198,360

Bank of America Corp.

    82        01/15/21        USD        29.00        USD        249        (13,202

Biogen, Inc.

    46        01/15/21        USD        275.00        USD        1,126        (16,100

BP PLC, ADR

    118        01/15/21        USD        20.00        USD        242        (11,151

Capital One Financial Corp.

    210        01/15/21        USD        97.50        USD        2,076        (76,650

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A

    210        01/15/21        USD        59.95        USD        1,317        (69,387

CDK Global, Inc.

    373        01/15/21        USD        51.00        USD        1,933        (67,419

Chevron Corp.

    138        01/15/21        USD        87.50        USD        1,165        (16,905

Chevron Corp.

    235        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        1,985        (15,158

Ciena Corp.

    286        01/15/21        USD        48.00        USD        1,512        (143,715

Ciena Corp.

    54        01/15/21        USD        55.00        USD        285        (2,835

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    216        01/15/21        USD        75.00        USD        1,770        (158,760

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    268        01/15/21        USD        82.50        USD        2,196        (40,200

Comcast Corp., Class A

    300        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,572        (222,750

Comcast Corp., Class A

    219        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        1,148        (56,064

ConocoPhillips

    96        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        384        (2,160

Corteva, Inc.

    393        01/15/21        USD        38.00        USD        1,522        (56,002

Dollar General Corp.

    100        01/15/21        USD        115.00        USD        1,080        (3,550

Facebook, Inc., Class A

    82        01/15/21        USD        295.00        USD        2,240        (10,045

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  47


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

    186        01/15/21        USD        36.25        USD        727      $       (55,362

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.

    98        01/15/21        USD        270.00        USD        2,674        (82,810

Fortive Corp.

    250        01/15/21        USD        70.00        USD        1,771        (48,125

General Motors Co.

    77        01/15/21        USD        47.00        USD        321        (1,194

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    305        01/15/21        USD        115.00        USD        3,516        (65,575

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    48        01/15/21        USD        110.00        USD        553        (27,840

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    106        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        1,347        (78,175

Koninklijke Philips NV, NY Shares

    567        01/15/21        USD        52.49        USD        3,071        (129,689

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    196        01/15/21        USD        210.00        USD        3,990        (28,910

Microsoft Corp.

    150        01/15/21        USD        220.00        USD        3,336        (85,125

Morgan Stanley

    341        01/15/21        USD        57.50        USD        2,337        (381,067

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    127        01/15/21        USD        250.00        USD        3,018        (13,970

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    307        01/15/21        USD        70.00        USD        2,144        (36,840

NXP Semiconductors NV

    115        01/15/21        USD        165.00        USD        1,829        (24,380

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    608        01/15/21        USD        70.00        USD        4,107        (22,800

Quanta Services, Inc.

    393        01/15/21        USD        70.90        USD        2,830        (104,263

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    151        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        1,445        (87,580

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    88        01/15/21        USD        95.00        USD        842        (19,800

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    78        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        904        (12,675

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    78        01/15/21        USD        125.00        USD        904        (4,095

Robert Half International, Inc.

    139        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        868        (8,688

Skechers USA, Inc., Class A

    133        01/15/21        USD        35.00        USD        478        (22,943

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

    236        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        2,573        (143,370

Unilever PLC, ADR

    183        01/15/21        USD        60.00        USD        1,105        (20,130

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    47        01/15/21        USD        360.00        USD        1,648        (21,620

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A

    57        01/15/21        USD        300.00        USD        1,552        (6,840

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

    580        01/15/21        USD        18.00        USD        956        (2,030

Walmart, Inc.

    102        01/15/21        USD        155.00        USD        1,470        (1,887

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    41        01/22/21        USD        1,860.00        USD        7,186        (38,745

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    46        01/22/21        USD        1,810.00        USD        8,062        (99,820

Amazon.com, Inc.

    7        01/22/21        USD        3,275.00        USD        2,280        (56,420

Apple, Inc.

    253        01/22/21        USD        128.00        USD        3,357        (178,997

Apple, Inc.

    267        01/22/21        USD        135.00        USD        3,543        (89,445

Applied Materials, Inc.

    197        01/22/21        USD        95.00        USD        1,700        (9,850

Bank of America Corp.

    253        01/22/21        USD        30.41        USD        767        (22,134

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    213        01/22/21        USD        232.50        USD        4,939        (83,602

BP PLC, ADR

    172        01/22/21        USD        23.50        USD        353        (1,892

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A

    250        01/22/21        USD        66.15        USD        1,568        (15,252

Chevron Corp.

    119        01/22/21        USD        91.50        USD        1,005        (9,044

Ciena Corp.

    245        01/22/21        USD        50.00        USD        1,295        (84,525

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    222        01/22/21        USD        44.50        USD        993        (19,758

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    88        01/22/21        USD        45.00        USD        394        (6,160

Coca-Cola Co.

    164        01/22/21        USD        53.50        USD        899        (31,160

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    73        01/22/21        USD        80.50        USD        598        (21,900

Comcast Corp., Class A

    771        01/22/21        USD        53.50        USD        4,040        (52,428

ConocoPhillips

    206        01/22/21        USD        44.50        USD        824        (9,373

Dollar General Corp.

    570        01/22/21        USD        115.00        USD        6,158        (43,605

Facebook, Inc., Class A

    317        01/22/21        USD        285.00        USD        8,659        (144,235

Fox Corp., Class A

    456        01/22/21        USD        30.50        USD        1,328        (23,940

General Motors Co.

    235        01/22/21        USD        47.00        USD        979        (5,405

General Motors Co.

    4        01/22/21        USD        43.50        USD        17        (344

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    115        01/22/21        USD        128.00        USD        1,461        (32,315

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    141        01/22/21        USD        157.50        USD        2,263        (78,960

Microsoft Corp.

    226        01/22/21        USD        222.50        USD        5,027        (114,130

Microsoft Corp.

    339        01/22/21        USD        227.50        USD        7,540        (98,310

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    125        01/22/21        USD        240.00        USD        2,970        (61,250

Skechers USA, Inc., Class A

    410        01/22/21        USD        37.50        USD        1,474        (35,875

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

    132        01/22/21        USD        106.00        USD        1,439        (79,860

Visa, Inc., Class A

    118        01/22/21        USD        215.00        USD        2,581        (87,025

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

    580        01/22/21        USD        18.00        USD        956        (7,830

Walmart, Inc.

    120        01/22/21        USD        152.50        USD        1,730        (6,780

CDK Global, Inc.

    353        01/27/21        USD        52.00        USD        1,830        (70,184

 

 

 

48  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (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

    225        01/29/21        USD        265.00        USD        5,236      $       (40,950

Altria Group, Inc.

    29        01/29/21        USD        43.00        USD        119        (1,624

Amazon.com, Inc.

    8        01/29/21        USD        3,160.00        USD        2,606        (143,560

Apple, Inc.

    267        01/29/21        USD        131.00        USD        3,543        (178,890

Bank of America Corp.

    253        01/29/21        USD        30.41        USD        767        (24,003

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    125        01/29/21        USD        227.50        USD        2,898        (97,500

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    53        01/29/21        USD        225.00        USD        1,229        (46,243

BP PLC, ADR

    150        01/29/21        USD        22.50        USD        308        (4,725

CBRE Group, Inc., Class A

    488        01/29/21        USD        66.15        USD        3,061        (46,774

Chevron Corp.

    120        01/29/21        USD        92.50        USD        1,013        (14,520

Coca-Cola Co.

    165        01/29/21        USD        54.00        USD        905        (29,535

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    290        01/29/21        USD        81.50        USD        2,377        (78,300

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    28        01/29/21        USD        82.50        USD        229        (6,440

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1,063        01/29/21        USD        51.50        USD        5,570        (224,824

ConocoPhillips

    197        01/29/21        USD        43.50        USD        788        (16,548

ConocoPhillips

    324        01/29/21        USD        40.50        USD        1,296        (57,834

Dollar General Corp.

    113        01/29/21        USD        215.00        USD        2,376        (31,923

Dollar General Corp.

    350        01/29/21        USD        116.00        USD        3,781        (31,850

Facebook, Inc., Class A

    80        01/29/21        USD        295.00        USD        2,185        (33,400

Fox Corp., Class A

    39        01/29/21        USD        31.00        USD        114        (1,755

General Motors Co.

    401        01/29/21        USD        46.75        USD        1,670        (20,694

General Motors Co.

    5        01/29/21        USD        44.00        USD        21        (490

Humana, Inc.

    29        01/29/21        USD        412.50        USD        1,190        (36,540

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    96        01/29/21        USD        121.25        USD        1,220        (65,505

Microsoft Corp.

    135        01/29/21        USD        227.50        USD        3,003        (68,512

Morgan Stanley

    650        01/29/21        USD        64.00        USD        4,454        (365,625

Norfolk Southern Corp.

    103        01/29/21        USD        240.00        USD        2,447        (72,100

Skechers USA, Inc., Class A

    387        01/29/21        USD        38.00        USD        1,391        (35,798

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

    228        01/29/21        USD        113.00        USD        2,486        (74,670

Visa, Inc., Class A

    125        01/29/21        USD        215.00        USD        2,734        (107,500

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

    736        01/29/21        USD        17.50        USD        1,213        (13,248

Walmart, Inc.

    103        01/29/21        USD        150.00        USD        1,485        (14,008

Sanofi — ADR

    757        02/01/21        USD        49.38        USD        3,678        (83,448

Ally Financial, Inc.

    505        02/05/21        USD        34.75        USD        1,801        (111,046

Amazon.com, Inc.

    14        02/05/21        USD        3,420.00        USD        4,560        (123,760

Apple, Inc.

    256        02/05/21        USD        144.00        USD        3,397        (67,712

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    83        02/05/21        USD        45.50        USD        371        (6,350

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    219        02/05/21        USD        44.55        USD        980        (26,393

Coca-Cola Co.

    576        02/05/21        USD        55.50        USD        3,159        (79,200

Comcast Corp., Class A

    113        02/05/21        USD        53.00        USD        592        (17,063

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

    736        02/05/21        USD        17.55        USD        1,213        (20,893

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    386        02/12/21        USD        45.95        USD        1,727        (38,852

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    260        02/12/21        USD        67.25        USD        1,756        (75,639

Apple, Inc.

    656        02/19/21        USD        130.00        USD        8,704        (572,360

Bank of America Corp.

    233        02/19/21        USD        29.00        USD        706        (51,260

BP PLC, ADR

    171        02/19/21        USD        24.00        USD        351        (4,874

Capital One Financial Corp.

    158        02/19/21        USD        105.00        USD        1,562        (50,560

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    163        02/19/21        USD        45.00        USD        729        (26,080

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    83        02/19/21        USD        46.00        USD        371        (9,628

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    70        02/19/21        USD        82.50        USD        574        (25,550

Comcast Corp., Class A

    31        02/19/21        USD        52.50        USD        162        (6,200

ConocoPhillips

    162        02/19/21        USD        43.00        USD        648        (23,571

ConocoPhillips

    25        02/19/21        USD        48.00        USD        100        (1,313

Corteva, Inc.

    463        02/19/21        USD        41.00        USD        1,793        (52,087

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

    668        02/19/21        USD        38.10        USD        2,611        (153,609

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.

    64        02/19/21        USD        290.00        USD        1,746        (44,160

Fortive Corp.

    583        02/19/21        USD        75.00        USD        4,129        (84,535

Fox Corp., Class A

    92        02/19/21        USD        30.00        USD        268        (11,730

Koninklijke Philips NV, NY Shares

    418        02/19/21        USD        54.32        USD        2,264        (91,018

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    205        02/19/21        USD        210.00        USD        4,173        (127,100

Microsoft Corp.

    297        02/19/21        USD        225.00        USD        6,606        (243,540

Morgan Stanley

    66        02/19/21        USD        72.50        USD        452        (11,616

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  49


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    300        02/19/21        USD        75.00        USD        2,096      $       (26,250

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

    68        02/19/21        USD        490.00        USD        3,077        (34,680

Quanta Services, Inc.

    601        02/19/21        USD        70.00        USD        4,328        (285,475

Quanta Services, Inc.

    195        02/19/21        USD        70.69        USD        1,404        (85,259

Robert Half International, Inc.

    509        02/19/21        USD        65.00        USD        3,180        (118,342

Ross Stores, Inc.

    319        02/19/21        USD        115.00        USD        3,918        (362,065

Sanofi — ADR

    757        02/19/21        USD        50.00        USD        3,678        (77,592

Unilever PLC, ADR

    147        02/19/21        USD        62.50        USD        887        (14,333

Visa, Inc., Class A

    118        02/19/21        USD        220.00        USD        2,581        (93,810

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

    169        02/19/21        USD        18.00        USD        279        (4,563
                   

 

 

 
                    $ (12,550,507
                   

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description   Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                      

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      40,200        01/06/21        USD            26.16        USD        1,091      $       (44,484

Koninklijke Philips NV, NY Shares

  Credit Suisse International      11,200        01/06/21        USD            53.93        USD        607        (10,058

Unilever PLC, ADR

  Bank of America N.A.      18,300        01/06/21        USD            59.93        USD        1,105        (14,895

Corteva, Inc.

  Credit Suisse International      86,100        01/08/21        USD            35.75        USD        3,334        (263,405

Unilever PLC, ADR

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      10,700        01/11/21        USD            62.95        USD        646        (973

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      40,200        01/13/21        USD            26.16        USD        1,091        (51,028

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      40,200        01/20/21        USD            26.17        USD        1,092        (56,405

Unilever PLC, ADR

  Citibank N.A.      22,200        01/27/21        USD            60.18        USD        1,340        (33,816

BAE Systems PLC, ADR

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      30,400        01/28/21        USD            27.61        USD        825        (24,366

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

  Goldman Sachs International      49,500        02/16/21        USD            29.30        USD        1,413        (53,333
                      

 

 

 
                       $ (552,763
                      

 

 

 

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

 

Description   Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
    Value  

Options Written

  $  —      $  —      $  3,547,070        $ (4,071,782     $ (13,103,270

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

  $  —      $      $  13,103,270      $      $  —      $      $  13,103,270  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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

  $  —      $      $ (44,862,223   $      $      $      $ (44,862,223
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                  

Options written

  $      $      $ 2,067,363     $      $      $      $ 2,067,363  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

50  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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

    

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

       

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 11,668,897  

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

  $      $ 13,103,270  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

           13,103,270  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

           (12,550,507
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

  $      $ 552,763  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

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) 

Bank of America N.A

  $ 14,895      $      $     $ (14,895   $  

Citibank N.A

    33,816               (33,816            

Credit Suisse International

    273,463                           273,463  

Goldman Sachs International

    53,333                           53,333  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

    176,283               (176,283            

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    973                           973  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  $ 552,763      $      $ (210,099   $ (14,895   $ 327,769  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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 financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Assets

        

Investments

        

Long-Term Investments

        

Common Stocks

  $ 845,216,001     $     $      $ 845,216,001  

Short-Term Securities

        

Money Market Funds

    11,614,004                    11,614,004  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 856,830,005     $     $      $ 856,830,005  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

        

Liabilities

        

Equity Contracts

  $ (10,514,932   $ (2,588,338   $      $ (13,103,270
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  51


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 2.1%            

BAE Systems PLC

    5,386,436     $ 35,920,929  
   

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%            

FedEx Corp.

    11,240       2,918,129  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 2.0%            

General Motors Co.(a)

    845,100       35,189,964  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 11.0%            

Bank of America Corp.

    1,769,472       53,632,696  

Citigroup, Inc.(b)

    1,025,502       63,232,453  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.(b)

    209,159       26,577,834  

Wells Fargo & Co.(b)

    1,586,448       47,879,001  
   

 

 

 
        191,321,984  
Beverages — 2.7%            

Coca-Cola Co.

    438,130       24,027,049  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    102,101       22,365,224  
   

 

 

 
      46,392,273  
Capital Markets — 6.5%            

Charles Schwab Corp.

    630,510       33,442,250  

CME Group, Inc.

    77,270       14,067,004  

Morgan Stanley

    492,294       33,736,908  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    327,920       31,372,106  
   

 

 

 
      112,618,268  
Chemicals — 2.4%            

Corteva, Inc.

    299,221       11,585,837  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

    218,923       15,567,614  

PPG Industries, Inc.

    97,780       14,101,832  
   

 

 

 
      41,255,283  
Communications Equipment — 3.3%            

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    889,218       39,792,505  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    105,810       17,994,049  
   

 

 

 
      57,786,554  
Consumer Finance — 0.8%            

American Express Co.

    121,880       14,736,511  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.6%            

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)

    131,215       30,424,822  

Equitable Holdings, Inc.

    577,262       14,772,135  
   

 

 

 
      45,196,957  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.3%  

Verizon Communications, Inc.(b)

    965,690       56,734,288  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 1.9%            

Edison International

    272,860       17,141,065  

Exelon Corp.

    142,700       6,024,794  

PPL Corp.

    380,364       10,726,265  
   

 

 

 
      33,892,124  
Electrical Equipment — 0.2%            

Siemens Energy AG(a)

    77,065       2,824,394  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.7%            

Danone SA

    59,890       3,941,130  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    73,168       8,649,282  
   

 

 

 
      12,590,412  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 6.4%            

Alcon, Inc.(a)

    325,190       21,591,342  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

Koninklijke Philips NV(a)

    641,781     $ 34,571,159  

Medtronic PLC

    322,969       37,832,589  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    112,730       17,370,566  
   

 

 

 
        111,365,656  
Health Care Providers & Services — 7.0%            

Anthem, Inc.(b)

    159,101       51,085,740  

Cigna Corp.

    24,280       5,054,610  

CVS Health Corp.

    314,822       21,502,343  

Humana, Inc.

    14,480       5,940,710  

McKesson Corp.

    84,086       14,624,237  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    66,280       23,243,070  
   

 

 

 
      121,450,710  
Household Durables — 0.7%            

Newell Brands, Inc.

    539,676       11,457,322  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 3.0%            

General Electric Co.

    2,775,843       29,979,104  

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    154,130       22,201,872  
   

 

 

 
      52,180,976  
Insurance — 7.5%            

Allstate Corp.

    111,657       12,274,454  

American International Group, Inc.

    1,175,986       44,522,830  

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

    284,878       35,242,258  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

    419,519       16,398,998  

First American Financial Corp.

    52,340       2,702,314  

MetLife, Inc.

    425,413       19,973,140  
   

 

 

 
      131,113,994  
IT Services — 3.8%            

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    390,399       31,993,198  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    64,520       6,782,343  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    124,803       27,298,160  
   

 

 

 
      66,073,701  
Media — 3.6%            

Comcast Corp., Class A

    809,755       42,431,162  

Fox Corp., Class A

    668,190       19,457,693  
   

 

 

 
      61,888,855  
Multi-line Retail — 0.3%            

Dollar General Corp.

    26,622       5,598,607  
   

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 2.5%            

Ameren Corp.

    96,000       7,493,760  

NiSource, Inc.

    471,490       10,815,981  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    434,035       25,304,240  
   

 

 

 
      43,613,981  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.4%            

BP PLC

    2,644,260       9,124,659  

ConocoPhillips

    370,880       14,831,491  

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    1,281,901       25,112,441  

Equinor ASA

    902,240       15,226,634  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    800,596       33,112,650  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    178,139       20,288,251  

Williams Cos., Inc.

    588,399       11,797,400  
   

 

 

 
      129,493,526  
Personal Products — 2.0%            

Unilever PLC, ADR

    584,530       35,282,231  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

52  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals — 4.3%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    196,348     $ 19,578,501  

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

    434,144       25,575,924  

Sanofi

    301,690       29,240,703  
   

 

 

 
      74,395,128  
Road & Rail — 1.1%            

Union Pacific Corp.

    88,320       18,389,990  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.3%  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    110,200       9,510,260  

NXP Semiconductors NV

    86,720       13,789,347  
   

 

 

 
      23,299,607  
Software — 2.5%            

CDK Global, Inc.

    195,735       10,144,945  

Microsoft Corp.

    113,157       25,168,380  

Open Text Corp.

    183,693       8,350,684  
   

 

 

 
          43,664,009  
Specialty Retail — 2.3%            

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    42,040       6,747,840  

Ross Stores, Inc.(a)

    173,330       21,286,657  

TJX Cos., Inc.

    169,030       11,543,059  
   

 

 

 
      39,577,556  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.3%  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Registered Shares,        

GDR

    21,729       39,520,438  
   

 

 

 
Tobacco — 1.8%            

Altria Group, Inc.

    783,116       32,107,756  
   

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.7%        

Ferguson PLC

    97,960       11,902,182  
   

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 100.2%            

    (Cost: $1,334,137,341)

      1,741,754,295  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 1.3%            
Household Products — 1.3%            

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares

    203,170     $ 22,908,325  
   

 

 

 
Total Preferred Securities — 1.3%            

(Cost: $18,703,928)

      22,908,325  
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 101.5%        

    (Cost: $1,352,841,269)

      1,764,662,620  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.7%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(c)(d)

    12,016,637       12,016,637  
   

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%        

    (Cost: $12,016,637)

 

    12,016,637  
 

 

 

 
Total Investments Before Options Written — 102.2%        

    (Cost: $1,364,857,906)

 

    1,776,679,257  
 

 

 

 
Options Written — (2.2)%        

    (Premiums Received: $(27,204,237))

 

    (36,953,673
 

 

 

 
Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.0%        

    (Cost: $1,337,653,669)

 

    1,739,725,584  
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — 0.0%     (603,279)  
 

 

 

 

    Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 1,739,122,305  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/19
   

Purchases

at Cost

    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/20
    Shares
Held at
12/31/20
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $     $  12,016,637 (a)    $  —     $  —     $  —     $   12,016,637       12,016,637     $   32,973     $  —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

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

                   

Microsoft Corp.

    99        01/06/21        USD        221.00        USD        2,202      $ (39,784

Allstate Corp.

    305        01/08/21        USD        105.49        USD        3,353        (142,880

Altria Group, Inc.

    1,162        01/08/21        USD        42.50        USD        4,764        (13,944

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  53


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)                                                 

American Express Co.

     400        01/08/21        USD        125.00        USD        4,836      $ (24,000

American International Group, Inc.

     909        01/08/21        USD        40.00        USD        3,441        (10,454

Anthem, Inc.

     159        01/08/21        USD        335.00        USD        5,105        (30,210

Applied Materials, Inc.

     188        01/08/21        USD        84.50        USD        1,622        (63,450

Bank of America Corp.

     422        01/08/21        USD        30.00        USD        1,279        (29,329

Bank of America Corp.

     1,535        01/08/21        USD        27.66        USD        4,653        (411,190

Bank of America Corp.

     601        01/08/21        USD        29.06        USD        1,822        (84,500

Bank of America Corp.

     512        01/08/21        USD        29.58        USD        1,552        (52,235

Charles Schwab Corp.

     906        01/08/21        USD        52.50        USD        4,805        (103,737

Cigna Corp.

     65        01/08/21        USD        212.50        USD        1,353        (25,513

Citigroup, Inc.

     471        01/08/21        USD        56.00        USD        2,904        (268,470

CME Group, Inc.

     209        01/08/21        USD        182.50        USD        3,805        (44,935

ConocoPhillips

     56        01/08/21        USD        42.50        USD        224        (1,372

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

     361        01/08/21        USD        212.50        USD        7,908        (359,195

CVS Health Corp.

     506        01/08/21        USD        70.00        USD        3,456        (23,782

Dollar General Corp.

     24        01/08/21        USD        217.50        USD        505        (660

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     1,271        01/08/21        USD        21.00        USD        2,490        (4,449

FedEx Corp.

     60        01/08/21        USD        305.00        USD        1,558        (690

Fox Corp., Class A

     1,062        01/08/21        USD        32.00        USD        3,093        (42,480

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     257        01/08/21        USD        117.75        USD        3,266        (219,757

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     174        01/08/21        USD        120.00        USD        2,211        (124,410

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     56        01/08/21        USD        157.50        USD        899        (23,660

McKesson Corp.

     91        01/08/21        USD        182.50        USD        1,583        (2,639

Medtronic PLC

     766        01/08/21        USD        116.00        USD        8,973        (168,137

MetLife, Inc.

     406        01/08/21        USD        49.50        USD        1,906        (3,857

Microsoft Corp.

     78        01/08/21        USD        222.50        USD        1,735        (22,347

Morgan Stanley

     1,369        01/08/21        USD        66.00        USD        9,382        (391,534

Newell Brands, Inc.

     1,080        01/08/21        USD        21.98        USD        2,293        (10,983

NXP Semiconductors NV

     124        01/08/21        USD        167.50        USD        1,972        (8,060

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     227        01/08/21        USD        117.00        USD        2,585        (43,697

Ross Stores, Inc.

     303        01/08/21        USD        112.00        USD        3,721        (336,330

TJX Cos., Inc.

     211        01/08/21        USD        66.00        USD        1,441        (55,915

Union Pacific Corp.

     242        01/08/21        USD        210.00        USD        5,039        (49,731

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     219        01/08/21        USD        360.00        USD        7,680        (67,233

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     1,480        01/08/21        USD        61.00        USD        8,695        (5,920

Visa, Inc., Class A

     57        01/08/21        USD        212.50        USD        1,247        (40,470

Allstate Corp.

     309        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        3,397        (168,405

Altria Group, Inc.

     1,272        01/15/21        USD        42.50        USD        5,215        (34,344

American Express Co.

     165        01/15/21        USD        125.00        USD        1,995        (21,038

American International Group, Inc.

     1,128        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        4,271        (36,660

American International Group, Inc.

     1,360        01/15/21        USD        42.00        USD        5,149        (12,920

Anthem, Inc.

     159        01/15/21        USD        340.00        USD        5,105        (33,788

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

     680        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        8,412        (302,600

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     1,331        01/15/21        USD        24.75        USD        3,406        (178,069

Bank of America Corp.

     512        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        1,552        (47,616

Bank of America Corp.

     1,632        01/15/21        USD        26.00        USD        4,947        (709,920

Bank of America Corp.

     601        01/15/21        USD        29.00        USD        1,822        (96,761

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

     308        01/15/21        USD        235.00        USD        7,142        (61,754

CDK Global, Inc.

     335        01/15/21        USD        51.00        USD        1,736        (60,551

Charles Schwab Corp.

     479        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        2,541        (161,662

Citigroup, Inc.

     921        01/15/21        USD        47.50        USD        5,679        (1,314,727

CME Group, Inc.

     129        01/15/21        USD        185.00        USD        2,348        (26,123

Coca-Cola Co.

     261        01/15/21        USD        55.00        USD        1,431        (21,924

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     1,197        01/15/21        USD        75.00        USD        9,809        (879,795

Comcast Corp., Class A

     990        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        5,188        (735,075

Comcast Corp., Class A

     759        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        3,977        (194,304

ConocoPhillips

     449        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,796        (10,103

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

     123        01/15/21        USD        215.00        USD        2,694        (108,240

Corteva, Inc.

     673        01/15/21        USD        38.00        USD        2,606        (95,902

CVS Health Corp.

     277        01/15/21        USD        72.50        USD        1,892        (9,141

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     716        01/15/21        USD        67.50        USD        5,092        (298,930

Edison International

     799        01/15/21        USD        67.50        USD        5,019        (7,990

 

 

54  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)                                                 

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     1,272        01/15/21        USD        19.00        USD        2,492      $   (104,304

Exelon Corp.

     52        01/15/21        USD        44.00        USD        220        (1,300

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

     1,236        01/15/21        USD        36.25        USD        4,832        (367,890

First American Financial Corp.

     103        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        532        (34,248

General Electric Co.

     1,251        01/15/21        USD        8.00        USD        1,351        (350,280

General Electric Co.

     1,078        01/15/21        USD        9.00        USD        1,164        (194,579

General Motors Co.

     1,044        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        4,347        (233,856

Humana, Inc.

     33        01/15/21        USD        435.00        USD        1,354        (7,343

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     328        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        4,168        (241,900

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     161        01/15/21        USD        170.00        USD        2,584        (8,614

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     686        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        2,837        (164,640

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     1,221        01/15/21        USD        42.50        USD        5,050        (139,804

McKesson Corp.

     91        01/15/21        USD        185.00        USD        1,583        (7,189

Medtronic PLC

     523        01/15/21        USD        115.00        USD        6,126        (180,435

MetLife, Inc.

     432        01/15/21        USD        42.50        USD        2,028        (197,640

MetLife, Inc.

     455        01/15/21        USD        47.50        USD        2,136        (39,812

Microsoft Corp.

     100        01/15/21        USD        220.00        USD        2,224        (56,750

Morgan Stanley

     660        01/15/21        USD        60.00        USD        4,523        (572,550

Morgan Stanley

     374        01/15/21        USD        67.50        USD        2,563        (85,272

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     388        01/15/21        USD        170.00        USD        6,598        (127,070

Newell Brands, Inc.

     1,346        01/15/21        USD        21.00        USD        2,858        (87,490

NXP Semiconductors NV

     19        01/15/21        USD        165.00        USD        302        (4,028

Open Text Corp.

     466        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        2,118        (52,425

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     75        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        854        (75,375

PPL Corp.

     877        01/15/21        USD        31.00        USD        2,473        (4,385

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     2,007        01/15/21        USD        60.00        USD        11,701        (40,140

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     969        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        9,270        (562,020

Ross Stores, Inc.

     240        01/15/21        USD        100.00        USD        2,947        (550,800

TJX Cos., Inc.

     211        01/15/21        USD        67.50        USD        1,441        (43,255

Unilever PLC, ADR

     793        01/15/21        USD        60.00        USD        4,787        (87,230

Union Pacific Corp.

     122        01/15/21        USD        210.00        USD        2,540        (41,480

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     640        01/15/21        USD        62.50        USD        3,760        (2,880

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,172        01/15/21        USD        25.00        USD        3,537        (621,160

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,705        01/15/21        USD        27.50        USD        5,146        (497,860

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,019        01/15/21        USD        21.00        USD        2,043        (18,852

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     495        01/15/21        USD        150.00        USD        7,627        (316,800

American Express Co.

     105        01/22/21        USD        121.00        USD        1,270        (35,438

American International Group, Inc.

     910        01/22/21        USD        40.00        USD        3,445        (45,500

American International Group, Inc.

     815        01/22/21        USD        42.00        USD        3,086        (14,263

Anthem, Inc.

     221        01/22/21        USD        332.50        USD        7,096        (107,185

Anthem, Inc.

     97        01/22/21        USD        320.00        USD        3,115        (100,395

Applied Materials, Inc.

     188        01/22/21        USD        95.00        USD        1,622        (9,400

Bank of America Corp.

     1,529        01/22/21        USD        30.41        USD        4,634        (133,766

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

     194        01/22/21        USD        232.50        USD        4,498        (76,145

Charles Schwab Corp.

     1,376        01/22/21        USD        52.00        USD        7,298        (308,224

Cigna Corp.

     68        01/22/21        USD        225.00        USD        1,416        (16,014

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     98        01/22/21        USD        44.50        USD        439        (8,722

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     359        01/22/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,607        (25,130

Citigroup, Inc.

     469        01/22/21        USD        59.00        USD        2,892        (182,910

Citigroup, Inc.

     432        01/22/21        USD        57.40        USD        2,664        (216,164

CME Group, Inc.

     128        01/22/21        USD        185.00        USD        2,330        (34,240

Coca-Cola Co.

     589        01/22/21        USD        53.50        USD        3,230        (111,910

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     538        01/22/21        USD        80.50        USD        4,409        (161,400

Comcast Corp., Class A

     1,107        01/22/21        USD        53.50        USD        5,801        (75,276

ConocoPhillips

     714        01/22/21        USD        44.50        USD        2,855        (32,487

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

     48        01/22/21        USD        222.50        USD        1,051        (27,360

CVS Health Corp.

     208        01/22/21        USD        75.00        USD        1,421        (4,576

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     214        01/22/21        USD        69.50        USD        1,522        (62,916

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     2,334        01/22/21        USD        21.00        USD        4,572        (39,678

Fox Corp., Class A

     859        01/22/21        USD        30.50        USD        2,501        (45,097

General Electric Co.

     1,252        01/22/21        USD        11.00        USD        1,352        (42,568

General Electric Co.

     1,078        01/22/21        USD        11.50        USD        1,164        (20,482

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  55


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)                                                 

General Motors Co.

     903        01/22/21        USD        47.00        USD        3,760      $ (20,769

General Motors Co.

     512        01/22/21        USD        43.50        USD        2,132        (44,032

Humana, Inc.

     46        01/22/21        USD        417.50        USD        1,887        (37,260

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     112        01/22/21        USD        128.00        USD        1,423        (31,472

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     56        01/22/21        USD        157.50        USD        899        (31,360

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     673        01/22/21        USD        43.00        USD        2,784        (94,220

Medtronic PLC

     226        01/22/21        USD        119.00        USD        2,647        (41,923

Microsoft Corp.

     109        01/22/21        USD        227.50        USD        2,424        (31,610

Newell Brands, Inc.

     1,080        01/22/21        USD        21.98        USD        2,293        (53,647

NXP Semiconductors NV

     167        01/22/21        USD        160.00        USD        2,655        (83,917

TJX Cos., Inc.

     85        01/22/21        USD        68.50        USD        580        (16,150

TJX Cos., Inc.

     422        01/22/21        USD        70.00        USD        2,882        (51,695

Union Pacific Corp.

     121        01/22/21        USD        205.00        USD        2,519        (98,917

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     157        01/22/21        USD        345.00        USD        5,506        (220,192

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     638        01/22/21        USD        61.00        USD        3,748        (8,613

Visa, Inc., Class A

     165        01/22/21        USD        215.00        USD        3,609        (121,687

Wells Fargo & Co.

     365        01/22/21        USD        30.00        USD        1,102        (47,085

Wells Fargo & Co.

     365        01/22/21        USD        29.50        USD        1,102        (58,217

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,143        01/22/21        USD        23.00        USD        2,292        (5,715

CDK Global, Inc.

     741        01/27/21        USD        52.00        USD        3,841        (147,326

AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.

     978        01/28/21        USD        27.11        USD        2,503        (60,457

Altria Group, Inc.

     1,112        01/29/21        USD        43.00        USD        4,559        (62,272

American International Group, Inc.

     1,345        01/29/21        USD        39.00        USD        5,092        (129,792

Applied Materials, Inc.

     230        01/29/21        USD        88.50        USD        1,985        (63,825

Bank of America Corp.

     1,529        01/29/21        USD        30.41        USD        4,634        (145,064

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

     155        01/29/21        USD        227.50        USD        3,594        (120,900

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

     64        01/29/21        USD        225.00        USD        1,484        (55,840

Charles Schwab Corp.

     706        01/29/21        USD        50.50        USD        3,745        (246,394

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     1,196        01/29/21        USD        45.00        USD        5,352        (102,258

Citigroup, Inc.

     566        01/29/21        USD        59.50        USD        3,490        (215,080

Coca-Cola Co.

     589        01/29/21        USD        54.00        USD        3,230        (105,431

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     104        01/29/21        USD        82.50        USD        852        (23,920

Comcast Corp., Class A

     651        01/29/21        USD        51.50        USD        3,411        (137,686

ConocoPhillips

     87        01/29/21        USD        43.50        USD        348        (7,308

ConocoPhillips

     344        01/29/21        USD        40.50        USD        1,376        (61,404

CVS Health Corp.

     99        01/29/21        USD        71.00        USD        676        (9,554

Dollar General Corp.

     122        01/29/21        USD        215.00        USD        2,566        (34,465

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

     315        01/29/21        USD        72.00        USD        2,240        (72,922

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     2,401        01/29/21        USD        22.00        USD        4,704        (26,411

FedEx Corp.

     13        01/29/21        USD        300.00        USD        338        (1,177

Fox Corp., Class A

     272        01/29/21        USD        31.00        USD        792        (12,240

General Electric Co.

     2,413        01/29/21        USD        10.60        USD        2,606        (291,271

General Motors Co.

     409        01/29/21        USD        46.75        USD        1,703        (21,107

General Motors Co.

     512        01/29/21        USD        44.00        USD        2,132        (50,176

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     279        01/29/21        USD        121.25        USD        3,545        (190,375

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     673        01/29/21        USD        45.00        USD        2,784        (68,309

McKesson Corp.

     182        01/29/21        USD        185.00        USD        3,165        (34,580

Medtronic PLC

     261        01/29/21        USD        117.00        USD        3,057        (82,215

MetLife, Inc.

     1,046        01/29/21        USD        47.50        USD        4,911        (138,072

Microsoft Corp.

     6        01/29/21        USD        227.50        USD        133        (3,045

Morgan Stanley

     304        01/29/21        USD        64.00        USD        2,083        (171,000

NXP Semiconductors NV

     166        01/29/21        USD        162.50        USD        2,640        (80,510

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     440        01/29/21        USD        115.00        USD        5,011        (244,200

PPG Industries, Inc.

     280        01/29/21        USD        147.00        USD        4,038        (74,900

Ross Stores, Inc.

     410        01/29/21        USD        120.00        USD        5,035        (254,200

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     1,687        01/29/21        USD        61.00        USD        9,911        (55,671

Visa, Inc., Class A

     197        01/29/21        USD        215.00        USD        4,309        (169,420

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,661        01/29/21        USD        29.50        USD        5,013        (290,675

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,143        01/29/21        USD        23.01        USD        2,292        (10,530

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     523        02/05/21        USD        45.50        USD        2,340        (40,009

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     531        02/05/21        USD        44.55        USD        2,376        (63,995

Citigroup, Inc.

     602        02/05/21        USD        59.25        USD        3,712        (238,557

 

 

56  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                                

Coca-Cola Co.

     970          02/05/21          USD          55.50          USD          5,320        $ (133,375

Comcast Corp., Class A

     380          02/05/21          USD          53.00          USD          1,991          (57,380

General Electric Co.

     4,583          02/05/21          USD          10.40          USD          4,950          (381,723

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     866          02/05/21          USD          59.00          USD          5,088          (87,466

Williams Cos., Inc.

     1,143          02/05/21          USD          23.01          USD          2,292          (14,155

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

     203          02/09/21          USD          105.25          USD          2,134          (89,394

PPL Corp.

     1,215          02/10/21          USD          28.25          USD          3,426          (114,532

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     1,047          02/12/21          USD          45.95          USD          4,685          (105,384

Citigroup, Inc.

     321          02/12/21          USD          64.83          USD          1,979          (52,317

General Electric Co.

     1,401          02/12/21          USD          11.11          USD          1,513          (77,457

General Electric Co.

     2,211          02/12/21          USD          11.39          USD          2,388          (97,653

Altria Group, Inc.

     981          02/19/21          USD          42.50          USD          4,022          (94,666

Ameren Corp.

     521          02/19/21          USD          80.00          USD          4,067          (97,687

Arthur J Gallagher & Co.

     889          02/19/21          USD          127.00          USD          10,998          (255,721

Bank of America Corp.

     859          02/19/21          USD          29.00          USD          2,604          (188,980

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     612          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          2,739          (97,920

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     523          02/19/21          USD          46.00          USD          2,340          (60,668

Citigroup, Inc.

     320          02/19/21          USD          65.00          USD          1,973          (58,080

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

     308          02/19/21          USD          82.50          USD          2,524          (112,420

Comcast Corp., Class A

     566          02/19/21          USD          52.50          USD          2,966          (113,200

ConocoPhillips

     171          02/19/21          USD          43.00          USD          684          (24,881

ConocoPhillips

     218          02/19/21          USD          48.00          USD          872          (11,445

Corteva, Inc.

     1,044          02/19/21          USD          41.00          USD          4,042          (117,450

CVS Health Corp.

     208          02/19/21          USD          75.00          USD          1,421          (16,432

Edison International

     746          02/19/21          USD          64.69          USD          4,686          (126,956

Exelon Corp.

     392          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          1,655          (24,500

Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

     1,071          02/19/21          USD          38.10          USD          4,187          (246,280

First American Financial Corp.

     45          02/19/21          USD          55.59          USD          232          (4,563

Fox Corp., Class A

     1,482          02/19/21          USD          30.00          USD          4,316          (188,955

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

     151          02/19/21          USD          110.00          USD          1,587          (37,373

Microsoft Corp.

     230          02/19/21          USD          225.00          USD          5,116          (188,600

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     193          02/19/21          USD          175.00          USD          3,282          (99,395

NiSource, Inc.

     1,165          02/19/21          USD          24.00          USD          2,673          (46,600

Open Text Corp.

     544          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          2,473          (112,880

PPG Industries, Inc.

     280          02/19/21          USD          150.00          USD          4,038          (88,200

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     381          02/19/21          USD          59.00          USD          2,215          (55,258

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

     840          02/19/21          USD          94.00          USD          8,036          (420,026

Unilever PLC, ADR

     436          02/19/21          USD          62.50          USD          2,632          (42,510

Visa, Inc., Class A

     267          02/19/21          USD          220.00          USD          5,840          (212,265

Wells Fargo & Co.

     1,173          02/19/21          USD          30.00          USD          3,540          (211,140

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     125          02/19/21          USD          160.00          USD          1,926          (60,000

NiSource, Inc.

     515          02/25/21          USD          22.16          USD          1,181          (66,808
                                

 

 

 
                                 $   (27,244,902
                                

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call

                                     

Danone SA

   Goldman Sachs International        32,900          01/05/21          EUR          55.53          EUR          1,772        $ (5,377

Henkel & KGAA Pref AG

   Goldman Sachs International        35,600          01/05/21          EUR          94.84          EUR          3,286          (4,657

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Barclays Bank PLC        127,500          01/05/21          EUR          45.99          EUR          5,622          (9,898

AstraZeneca PLC

   UBS AG        109,300          01/06/21          GBP          84.86          GBP          7,970          (735

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        570,100          01/06/21          GBP          4.55          GBP          2,780          (255,441

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.        22,600          01/06/21          USD          63.46          USD          1,607          (172,993

Equinor ASA

   Goldman Sachs International        304,300          01/06/21          NOK          127.43          NOK          44,033          (615,805

Exelon Corp.

   Citibank N.A.        34,000          01/06/21          USD          43.03          USD          1,435          (8,722

First American Financial Corp.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        13,900          01/06/21          USD          51.86          USD          718          (20,047

Sanofi

   Goldman Sachs International        94,000          01/06/21          EUR          87.17          EUR          7,458          (172

Unilever PLC, ADR

   Bank of America N.A.        79,300          01/06/21          USD          59.93          USD          4,787          (64,545

Alcon, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC        35,500          01/07/21          CHF          56.74          CHF          2,087          (92,060

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  57


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

    

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Exercise Price    

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Call (continued)

                

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International     62,800       01/07/21       EUR       45.80       EUR       3,028     $ (207,178

Unilever PLC, ADR

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     92,300       01/11/21       USD       62.95       USD       5,571       (8,390

Alcon, Inc.

   UBS AG     85,300       01/12/21       CHF       58.22       CHF       5,014       (132,963

BAE Systems PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC     214,000       01/12/21       GBP       4.46       GBP       1,044       (123,315

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG     667,600       01/12/21       GBP       4.77       GBP       3,256       (140,433

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

   UBS AG     49,500       01/12/21       EUR       44.03       EUR       2,387       (267,267

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Goldman Sachs International     143,900       01/13/21       EUR       45.88       EUR       6,345       (50,500

Equinor ASA

   Credit Suisse International     82,600       01/15/21       NOK       138.48       NOK       11,952       (76,671

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Registered Shares,

   Credit Suisse International     14,700       01/15/21       USD       1,423.46       USD       26,736       (5,903,682

Alcon, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International     37,200       01/20/21       CHF       59.12       CHF       2,187       (42,594

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International     68,000       01/20/21       EUR       49.03       EUR       3,279       (115,544

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International     588,400       01/20/21       GBP       2.84       GBP       1,485       (10,886

Sanofi

   Goldman Sachs International     58,600       01/20/21       EUR       85.64       EUR       4,649       (14,039

Henkel & KGAA Pref AG

   Barclays Bank PLC     76,100       01/21/21       EUR       91.68       EUR       7,024       (194,153

Siemens Energy AG

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     42,300       01/21/21       EUR       26.65       EUR       1,269       (193,943

NiSource, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International     91,300       01/22/21       USD       24.80       USD       2,094       (9,030

AstraZeneca PLC

   Credit Suisse International     2,500       01/26/21       GBP       78.68       GBP       182       (1,962

BAE Systems PLC

   Credit Suisse International     351,400       01/26/21       GBP       5.19       GBP       1,714       (15,175

BP PLC

   Goldman Sachs International     866,000       01/26/21       GBP       2.77       GBP       2,185       (37,921

Sanofi

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     13,300       01/26/21       EUR       79.47       EUR       1,055       (30,359

Equinor ASA

   Credit Suisse International     109,400       01/27/21       NOK       150.89       NOK       15,830       (40,851

Unilever PLC, ADR

   Citibank N.A.     33,300       01/27/21       USD       60.18       USD       2,010       (50,723

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International     351,400       02/02/21       GBP       5.31       GBP       1,714       (9,372

Ferguson PLC

   Credit Suisse International     7,000       02/02/21       GBP       87.59       GBP       622       (31,095

Ferguson PLC

   UBS AG     31,200       02/02/21       GBP       90.23       GBP       2,772       (82,760

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International     84,700       02/02/21       EUR       117.32       EUR       9,987       (449,167

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Citibank N.A.     40,200       02/03/21       CHF       103.08       CHF       4,207       (125,128

Ferguson PLC

   UBS AG     31,200       02/10/21       GBP       90.23       GBP       2,772       (93,218
                

 

 

 
                 $   (9,708,771
                

 

 

 

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

 

Description    Swap
Premiums
Paid
       Swap
Premiums
Received
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
       Value  

Options Written

   $        $        $ 7,261,575        $  (17,011,011      $  (36,953,673

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

   $        $        $   36,953,673        $        $        $        $   36,953,673  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

58  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

    

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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)

   $        $        $ (1,788,785      $        $        $        $ (1,788,785

Options written

                       (45,230,658                                   (45,230,658
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $        $ (47,019,443      $        $        $        $ (47,019,443
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                                

Options written

   $        $        $ (4,832,988      $        $        $        $ (4,832,988
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ 9,845  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 24,135,207  

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

   $        $ 36,953,673  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

              36,953,673  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (27,244,902
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 9,708,771  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

   $ 64,545        $        $      $        $ 64,545  

Barclays Bank PLC

     419,426                   (294,514               124,912  

Citibank N.A

     357,566                   (357,566                

Credit Suisse International

     6,069,436                   (6,069,436                

Goldman Sachs International

     1,827,683                   (1,827,683                

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     252,739                   (116,777               135,962  

UBS AG

     717,376                   (717,376                
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 9,708,771        $        $ (9,383,352    $        $ 325,419  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  59


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Aerospace & Defense

   $        $ 35,920,929        $        $ 35,920,929  

Air Freight & Logistics

     2,918,129                            2,918,129  

Automobiles

     35,189,964                            35,189,964  

Banks

     191,321,984                            191,321,984  

Beverages

     46,392,273                            46,392,273  

Capital Markets

     112,618,268                            112,618,268  

Chemicals

     41,255,283                            41,255,283  

Communications Equipment

     57,786,554                            57,786,554  

Consumer Finance

     14,736,511                            14,736,511  

Diversified Financial Services

     45,196,957                            45,196,957  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     56,734,288                            56,734,288  

Electric Utilities

     33,892,124                            33,892,124  

Electrical Equipment

     2,824,394                            2,824,394  

Food Products

              12,590,412                   12,590,412  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     55,203,155          56,162,501                   111,365,656  

Health Care Providers & Services

     121,450,710                            121,450,710  

Household Durables

     11,457,322                            11,457,322  

Industrial Conglomerates

     29,979,104          22,201,872                   52,180,976  

Insurance

     131,113,994                            131,113,994  

IT Services

     66,073,701                            66,073,701  

Media

     61,888,855                            61,888,855  

Multi-line Retail

     5,598,607                            5,598,607  

Multi-Utilities

     43,613,981                            43,613,981  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     105,142,233          24,351,293                   129,493,526  

Personal Products

     35,282,231                            35,282,231  

Pharmaceuticals

              74,395,128                   74,395,128  

Road & Rail

     18,389,990                            18,389,990  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     23,299,607                            23,299,607  

Software

     43,664,009                            43,664,009  

Specialty Retail

     39,577,556                            39,577,556  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

              39,520,438                   39,520,438  

Tobacco

     32,107,756                            32,107,756  

Trading Companies & Distributors

              11,902,182                   11,902,182  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

              22,908,325                   22,908,325  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     12,016,637                            12,016,637  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,476,726,177        $ 299,953,080        $         —        $ 1,776,679,257  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (21,909,347      $ (15,044,326      $        $ (36,953,673
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 1.5%            

Ansell Ltd.

    237,398     $ 6,346,141  

Ensogo Ltd.(a)(b)

    418,198       3  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    231,648       5,739,501  
   

 

 

 
      12,085,645  
Canada — 3.4%            

TELUS Corp.

    1,356,985       26,875,318  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 1.3%            

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    150,439       10,494,495  
   

 

 

 
Finland — 0.8%            

Kone OYJ, Class B

    72,997       5,947,806  
   

 

 

 
France — 4.6%            

Sanofi

    302,407       29,310,197  

Schneider Electric SE

    44,251       6,395,483  
   

 

 

 
      35,705,680  
Germany — 1.2%            

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

    187,484       9,287,162  
   

 

 

 
India — 0.1%            

Jasper Infotech Private Ltd., , Series I, (Acquired 05/07/14, Cost: $2,637,143)(a)(c)

    3,540       893,673  
   

 

 

 
Ireland — 1.0%            

Medtronic PLC(d)

    69,323       8,120,496  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands(b) — 2.3%            

Heineken NV

    57,723       6,432,589  

Koninklijke Philips NV

    212,109       11,425,788  
   

 

 

 
      17,858,377  
Singapore — 2.6%            

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    618,868       11,727,999  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    516,100       8,796,619  
   

 

 

 
      20,524,618  
Spain — 2.1%            

Amadeus IT Group SA(b)

    220,051       16,243,559  
   

 

 

 
Switzerland — 4.0%            

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    132,728       15,689,945  

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    170,060       16,012,490  
   

 

 

 
      31,702,435  
Taiwan — 2.0%            

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    838,000       15,852,833  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 17.8%            

Amcor PLC

    644,160       7,649,539  

AstraZeneca PLC

    91,737       9,147,396  

BAE Systems PLC

    2,931,452       19,549,193  

British American Tobacco PLC

    512,582       19,035,691  

Diageo PLC

    159,028       6,292,542  

Ferguson PLC

    133,222       16,186,531  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    225,636       20,138,974  

RELX PLC

    817,664       19,980,922  

Unilever PLC

    365,139       21,898,724  
   

 

 

 
      139,879,512  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States — 55.9%            

AbbVie, Inc.(d)(e)

    150,836     $ 16,162,077  

Assurant, Inc.(d)

    88,769       12,092,113  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(d)

    350,884       21,765,335  

Carrier Global Corp.(d)

    343,151       12,943,656  

Cisco Systems, Inc.(d)(e)

    231,960       10,380,210  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.(d)

    423,376       15,139,926  

Coca-Cola Co.(d)(e)

    187,237       10,268,077  

Comcast Corp., Class A(d)(e)

    491,496       25,754,390  

Eaton Corp. PLC(d)

    86,550       10,398,117  

Genuine Parts Co.(d)(e)

    73,739       7,405,608  

Hasbro, Inc.(d)

    227,522       21,282,408  

International Paper Co.(d)

    266,636       13,257,142  

Johnson & Johnson(d)(e)

    49,872       7,848,855  

Lockheed Martin Corp.(d)

    62,412       22,155,012  

M&T Bank Corp.(d)

    110,456       14,061,049  

Microsoft Corp.(d)(e)

    124,170       27,617,891  

Otis Worldwide Corp.(d)

    232,377       15,697,066  

Palantir Technologies, Inc., (Acquired 02/07/14, Cost: $2,495,155)(c)

    407,040       9,351,472  

Paychex, Inc.(d)(e)

    282,416       26,315,523  

Philip Morris International, Inc.(d)(e)

    284,853       23,582,980  

Procter & Gamble Co.(d)

    96,628       13,444,820  

Progressive Corp.(d)

    120,068       11,872,324  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.(d)

    126,276       9,029,997  

Sysco Corp.(d)

    153,417       11,392,746  

Texas Instruments, Inc.(d)(e)

    156,866       25,746,417  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(d)

    57,561       20,185,491  

Visa, Inc., Class A(d)(e)

    110,424       24,153,042  
   

 

 

 
      439,303,744  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options
Written — 100.6%
(Cost: $660,327,827)

      790,775,353  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.1)%
(Premiums Received: $(8,161,678))

      (8,328,517
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options
Written — 99.5%
(Cost: $652,166,149)

      782,446,836  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.5%

      3,783,166  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 786,230,002  
   

 

 

 

 

(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 $10,245,145, representing 1.30% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $5,132,298.

(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.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  61


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

    

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
12/31/19
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/20
    Shares
Held at
12/31/20
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

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

   $ 1,138,392     $     $ (1,138,392 )(b)    $     $     $           $ 25,270     $  
        

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

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

                                

Eaton Corp. PLC

     153          01/08/21          USD          123.00          USD          1,838        $ (9,563

Hasbro, Inc.

     330          01/08/21          USD          95.00          USD          3,087          (29,700

Johnson & Johnson

     82          01/08/21          USD          155.00          USD          1,291          (25,051

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     89          01/08/21          USD          375.00          USD          3,159          (2,225

Microsoft Corp.

     86          01/08/21          USD          222.50          USD          1,913          (24,639

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

     221          01/08/21          USD          75.00          USD          1,580          (3,536

Sysco Corp.

     354          01/08/21          USD          78.50          USD          2,629          (5,310

Visa, Inc., Class A

     104          01/08/21          USD          212.50          USD          2,275          (73,840

Visa, Inc., Class A

     106          01/08/21          USD          220.00          USD          2,319          (24,327

AbbVie, Inc.

     288          01/15/21          USD          100.00          USD          3,086          (214,560

Assurant, Inc.

     190          01/15/21          USD          135.00          USD          2,588          (59,375

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     275          01/15/21          USD          65.00          USD          1,706          (8,800

Carrier Global Corp.

     170          01/15/21          USD          42.00          USD          641          (1,700

Carrier Global Corp.

     320          01/15/21          USD          40.50          USD          1,207          (12,042

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

     510          01/15/21          USD          35.00          USD          1,824          (77,775

Coca-Cola Co.

     541          01/15/21          USD          55.00          USD          2,967          (45,444

Comcast Corp., Class A

     375          01/15/21          USD          45.00          USD          1,965          (278,437

Comcast Corp., Class A

     278          01/15/21          USD          50.00          USD          1,457          (71,168

Eaton Corp. PLC

     146          01/15/21          USD          120.00          USD          1,754          (37,230

Genuine Parts Co.

     166          01/15/21          USD          105.00          USD          1,667          (10,375

Hasbro, Inc.

     136          01/15/21          USD          95.00          USD          1,272          (21,080

International Paper Co.

     206          01/15/21          USD          50.00          USD          1,024          (20,600

Johnson & Johnson

     60          01/15/21          USD          150.00          USD          944          (46,650

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     109          01/15/21          USD          380.00          USD          3,869          (5,723

M&T Bank Corp.

     96          01/15/21          USD          130.00          USD          1,222          (27,360

M&T Bank Corp.

     290          01/15/21          USD          125.00          USD          3,692          (159,500

Medtronic PLC

     337          01/15/21          USD          115.00          USD          3,948          (116,265

Microsoft Corp

     108          01/15/21          USD          235.00          USD          2,402          (7,236

Otis Worldwide Corp.

     618          01/15/21          USD          70.00          USD          4,175          (23,175

Paychex, Inc.

     347          01/15/21          USD          87.50          USD          3,233          (211,670

Paychex, Inc.

     279          01/15/21          USD          95.00          USD          2,600          (30,690

Procter & Gamble Co.

     118          01/15/21          USD          145.00          USD          1,642          (3,245

Progressive Corp.

     270          01/15/21          USD          100.00          USD          2,670          (14,850

TELUS Corp.

     1,393          01/15/21          CAD          26.00          CAD          3,512          (4,925

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     198          01/15/21          USD          165.00          USD          3,250          (56,628

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     110          01/15/21          USD          350.00          USD          3,857          (99,000

AbbVie, Inc.

     220          01/22/21          USD          109.00          USD          2,357          (35,200

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     548          01/22/21          USD          64.00          USD          3,399          (40,278

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     237          01/22/21          USD          44.50          USD          1,061          (21,093

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     73          01/22/21          USD          45.00          USD          327          (5,110

Coca-Cola Co.

     150          01/22/21          USD          53.50          USD          823          (28,500

Comcast Corp., Class A

     348          01/22/21          USD          53.50          USD          1,824          (23,664

Hasbro, Inc.

     166          01/22/21          USD          89.50          USD          1,553          (87,980

International Paper Co.

     444          01/22/21          USD          51.50          USD          2,208          (26,640

 

 

62  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                                

Johnson & Johnson

     82          01/22/21          USD          155.00          USD          1,291        $ (41,000

Lockheed Martin Corp.

     82          01/22/21          USD          365.00          USD          2,911          (34,850

Microsoft Corp.

     197          01/22/21          USD          222.50          USD          4,382          (99,485

Microsoft Corp.

     112          01/22/21          USD          227.50          USD          2,491          (32,480

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     60          01/22/21          USD          86.50          USD          497          (2,700

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     468          01/22/21          USD          84.50          USD          3,875          (47,268

Procter & Gamble Co.

     160          01/22/21          USD          142.00          USD          2,226          (28,080

Raytheon Technologies Corp.

     220          01/22/21          USD          76.00          USD          1,573          (26,620

Sysco Corp.

     354          01/22/21          USD          77.50          USD          2,629          (35,400

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     332          01/22/21          USD          167.50          USD          5,449          (102,090

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     75          01/22/21          USD          345.00          USD          2,630          (105,187

Visa, Inc., Class A

     65          01/22/21          USD          215.00          USD          1,422          (47,937

AbbVie, Inc.

     143          01/29/21          USD          108.00          USD          1,532          (30,030

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     137          01/29/21          USD          64.00          USD          850          (13,495

Coca-Cola Co.

     151          01/29/21          USD          54.00          USD          828          (27,029

Comcast Corp., Class A

     203          01/29/21          USD          51.50          USD          1,064          (42,934

Hasbro, Inc.

     164          01/29/21          USD          100.00          USD          1,534          (15,580

International Paper Co.

     283          01/29/21          USD          51.50          USD          1,407          (24,762

Medtronic PLC

     11          01/29/21          USD          117.00          USD          129          (3,465

Microsoft Corp.

     55          01/29/21          USD          227.50          USD          1,223          (27,912

Philip Morris International, Inc.

     468          01/29/21          USD          84.50          USD          3,875          (61,542

Procter & Gamble Co.

     156          01/29/21          USD          140.00          USD          2,171          (40,950

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     74          01/29/21          USD          352.50          USD          2,595          (83,990

Visa, Inc., Class A

     156          01/29/21          USD          215.00          USD          3,412          (134,160

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     71          02/05/21          USD          45.50          USD          318          (5,432

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     270          02/05/21          USD          44.55          USD          1,208          (32,540

Comcast Corp., Class A

     141          02/05/21          USD          53.00          USD          739          (21,291

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     179          02/12/21          USD          45.95          USD          801          (18,017

Otis Worldwide Corp.

     427          02/12/21          USD          67.25          USD          2,884          (124,223

AbbVie, Inc.

     234          02/19/21          USD          105.00          USD          2,507          (117,000

Assurant, Inc.

     209          02/19/21          USD          140.00          USD          2,847          (75,240

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     618          02/19/21          USD          65.00          USD          3,833          (80,031

Carrier Global Corp.

     577          02/19/21          USD          41.00          USD          2,176          (66,355

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     141          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          631          (22,560

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     71          02/19/21          USD          46.00          USD          318          (8,236

Comcast Corp., Class A

     375          02/19/21          USD          52.50          USD          1,965          (75,000

Eaton Corp. PLC

     90          02/19/21          USD          120.00          USD          1,081          (45,000

Genuine Parts Co.

     165          02/19/21          USD          100.00          USD          1,657          (76,725

Paychex, Inc.

     362          02/19/21          USD          97.50          USD          3,373          (51,585

Progressive Corp.

     270          02/19/21          USD          97.50          USD          2,670          (66,825

TELUS Corp.

     1,393          02/19/21          CAD          26.00          CAD          3,512          (27,359

Texas Instruments, Inc.

     175          02/19/21          USD          170.00          USD          2,872          (74,375

Visa, Inc., Class A

     65          02/19/21          USD          220.00          USD          1,422          (51,675
                                

 

 

 
                                 $ (4,280,574
                                

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call

                                     

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Barclays Bank PLC        14,600          01/05/21          EUR          45.99          EUR          639        $ (1,133

RELX PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC        52,000          01/05/21          EUR          20.74          EUR          1,042          (893

Unilever PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC        66,300          01/05/21          GBP          47.62          GBP          2,912          (13

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG        13,700          01/06/21          AUD          42.35          AUD          476           

AstraZeneca PLC

   UBS AG        11,100          01/06/21          GBP          84.86          GBP          813          (75

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        265,200          01/06/21          GBP          4.55          GBP          1,296          (118,826

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   UBS AG        72,500          01/06/21          SGD          21.66          SGD          1,815          (189,316

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International        46,500          01/06/21          CHF          104.58          CHF          4,848          (47,960

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        43,700          01/06/21          GBP          70.90          GBP          2,859          (266

RELX PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        139,500          01/06/21          EUR          18.54          EUR          2,794          (248,783

Sanofi

   Goldman Sachs International        30,100          01/06/21          EUR          87.17          EUR          2,369          (55

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  63


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                                     

British American Tobacco PLC

   UBS AG        44,700          01/07/21          GBP          26.28          GBP          1,210        $ (65,009

Kone OYJ, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International        37,200          01/07/21          EUR          74.55          EUR          2,472           

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   UBS AG        64,100          01/07/21          CHF          77.23          CHF          5,362          (444,392

Unilever PLC

   UBS AG        53,700          01/07/21          GBP          47.01          GBP          2,359          (274

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG        60,000          01/12/21          GBP          4.77          GBP          293          (12,621

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Barclays Bank PLC        21,500          01/12/21          DKK          458.71          DKK          9,173          (1,023

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   UBS AG        345,000          01/12/21          USD          465.59          USD          182,850          (791,509

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG        13,700          01/13/21          AUD          42.35          AUD          476          (1

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        71,700          01/13/21          SGD          25.13          SGD          1,795          (23,247

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Goldman Sachs International        9,200          01/13/21          EUR          45.88          EUR          403          (3,229

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International        42,700          01/13/21          CHF          81.14          CHF          3,572          (133,337

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

   UBS AG        103,200          01/15/21          EUR          40.15          EUR          4,180          (142,799

Schneider Electric SE

   UBS AG        18,200          01/15/21          EUR          121.13          EUR          2,153          (22,830

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        62,000          01/15/21          SGD          22.03          SGD          1,401          (32,962

Ansell Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        31,100          01/20/21          AUD          39.09          AUD          1,082          (1,022

BAE Systems PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC        272,000          01/20/21          GBP          5.06          GBP          1,330          (17,171

British American Tobacco PLC

   Credit Suisse International        89,800          01/20/21          GBP          28.24          GBP          2,432          (44,179

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Barclays Bank PLC        61,300          01/20/21          DKK          441.75          DKK          26,154          (36,866

Sanofi

   Goldman Sachs International        52,800          01/20/21          EUR          85.64          EUR          4,155          (12,649

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International        116,000          01/20/21          USD          506.94          USD          61,480          (105,373

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        62,000          01/20/21          SGD          22.48          SGD          1,401          (20,884

Amadeus IT Group SA

   UBS AG        49,500          01/21/21          EUR          66.15          EUR          2,948          (35,026

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG        12,700          01/21/21          AUD          35.44          AUD          442          (6,968

Schneider Electric SE

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        6,200          01/21/21          EUR          119.00          EUR          733          (16,123

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        86,300          01/21/21          AUD          34.01          AUD          2,775          (8,482

Unilever PLC

   Credit Suisse International        44,400          01/21/21          GBP          44.55          GBP          1,950          (34,076

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        56,600          01/21/21          SGD          23.23          SGD          1,279          (6,443

AstraZeneca PLC

   Credit Suisse International        17,900          01/26/21          GBP          78.68          GBP          1,311          (14,047

BAE Systems PLC

   Credit Suisse International        214,400          01/26/21          GBP          5.19          GBP          1,048          (9,259

British American Tobacco PLC

   Credit Suisse International        45,000          01/26/21          GBP          29.46          GBP          1,219          (10,027

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   UBS AG        134,200          01/26/21          SGD          26.07          SGD          3,360          (26,809

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        23,400          01/26/21          CHF          81.73          CHF          1,957          (68,460

RELX PLC

   Credit Suisse International        33,400          01/26/21          EUR          20.33          EUR          669          (14,110

Sanofi

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        46,500          01/26/21          EUR          79.47          EUR          3,660          (106,141

Amcor PLC

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        9,900          01/27/21          AUD          15.97          AUD          152          (1,209

Ansell Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        45,000          01/27/21          AUD          34.70          AUD          1,565          (41,385

Diageo PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        24,800          01/27/21          GBP          30.31          GBP          714          (8,209

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Credit Suisse International        71,700          01/27/21          EUR          44.07          EUR          3,139          (119,780

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   UBS AG        41,300          01/27/21          AUD          32.99          AUD          1,328          (13,600

Carrier Global Corp.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        82,000          02/01/21          USD          37.25          USD          3,093          (172,983

TELUS Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International        239,000          02/01/21          CAD          25.25          CAD          6,025          (84,498

Amadeus IT Group SA

   UBS AG        49,500          02/02/21          EUR          66.15          EUR          2,948          (62,005

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        214,400          02/02/21          GBP          5.31          GBP          1,048          (5,718

Kone OYJ, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International        3,000          02/02/21          EUR          69.25          EUR          199          (2,337

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        35,000          02/02/21          GBP          66.35          GBP          2,290          (63,272

RELX PLC

   Goldman Sachs International        61,200          02/02/21          EUR          20.58          EUR          1,226          (21,380

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   UBS AG        51,100          02/02/21          SGD          23.50          SGD          1,154          (6,437

Amcor PLC

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        280,000          02/03/21          AUD          15.38          AUD          4,295          (93,028

Ansell Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        14,300          02/03/21          AUD          36.47          AUD          497          (6,737

Diageo PLC

   UBS AG        30,900          02/03/21          GBP          30.43          GBP          889          (12,947

Heineken NV

   UBS AG        26,000          02/03/21          EUR          90.53          EUR          2,372          (105,946

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Citibank N.A.        13,200          02/03/21          CHF          103.08          CHF          1,376          (41,087

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

   UBS AG        22,800          02/10/21          GBP          66.89          GBP          1,492          (41,239

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International        97,000          02/25/21          USD          35.00          USD          3,469          (242,542

TELUS Corp.

   Credit Suisse International        93,000          03/01/21          CAD          25.75          CAD          2,345          (26,936
                                     

 

 

 
                                      $ (4,047,943
                                     

 

 

 

 

 

64  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

    

 

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

 

Description    Swap
Premiums
Paid
       Swap
Premiums
Received
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
       Value  

Options Written

   $        $        $ 2,543,325        $ (2,710,164      $ (8,328,517

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

  $     $     $ 8,328,517     $     $     $     $   8,328,517  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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

  $     $     $  (12,159,861   $     $     $     $  (12,159,861
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

             

Options written

  $     $     $ 1,625,233     $     $     $     $ 1,625,233  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

        

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 7,157,245  

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

   $                             —        $ 8,328,517  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

              8,328,517  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (4,280,574
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 4,047,943  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  65


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

    

 

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) 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 57,099        $        $ (57,099    $        $  

Citibank N.A.

     41,087                   (41,087                

Credit Suisse International

     514,956                   (514,956                

Goldman Sachs International

     855,892                   (835,892      (20,000         

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     178,067                   (178,067                

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     421,039                   (306,941               114,098  

UBS AG

     1,979,803                   (1,979,803                
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 4,047,943        $        $ (3,913,845    $ (20,000      $ 114,098  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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 financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Australia

   $        $ 12,085,642        $ 3        $ 12,085,645  

Canada

     26,875,318                            26,875,318  

Denmark

              10,494,495                   10,494,495  

Finland

              5,947,806                   5,947,806  

France

              35,705,680                   35,705,680  

Germany

              9,287,162                   9,287,162  

India

                       893,673          893,673  

Ireland

     8,120,496                            8,120,496  

Netherlands

     6,432,589          11,425,788                   17,858,377  

Singapore

              20,524,618                   20,524,618  

Spain

              16,243,559                   16,243,559  

Switzerland

              31,702,435                   31,702,435  

Taiwan

              15,852,833                   15,852,833  

United Kingdom

              139,879,512                   139,879,512  

United States

     429,952,272          9,351,472                   439,303,744  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 471,380,675        $ 318,501,002        $ 893,676        $ 790,775,353  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (4,093,752      $ (4,234,765      $        $ (8,328,517
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

66  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

     
Australia — 4.9%                  

Ansell Ltd.

                       613,729     $ 16,406,249  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

      679,160       16,827,426  
     

 

 

 
        33,233,675  
Canada — 5.1%                  

TELUS Corp.

      1,727,668         34,216,757  
     

 

 

 
Denmark — 3.6%                  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

      345,791       24,122,082  
     

 

 

 
Finland — 2.6%                  

Kone OYJ, Class B

      218,918       17,837,471  
     

 

 

 
France — 8.5%                  

Sanofi

      392,415       38,034,043  

Schneider Electric SE

      136,936       19,791,007  
     

 

 

 
        57,825,050  
Germany — 2.9%                  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

      399,971       19,812,865  
     

 

 

 
India — 2.4%                  

HDFC Bank Ltd.(a)

      755,604       14,882,739  

Jasper Infotech Private Ltd., , Series I, (Acquired 05/07/14, Cost: $3,948,600)(b)(c)

      5,300       1,337,985  
     

 

 

 
        16,220,724  
Netherlands — 5.6%                  

Heineken NV

      122,687       13,672,107  

Koninklijke Philips NV(a)

      454,709       24,494,052  
     

 

 

 
        38,166,159  
Singapore — 5.2%                  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

      1,013,900       19,214,144  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

      916,400       15,619,495  
     

 

 

 
        34,833,639  
Spain — 6.3%                  

Amadeus IT Group SA

      374,163       27,619,683  

Bankinter SA

      2,709,667       14,697,857  
     

 

 

 
        42,317,540  
Switzerland — 9.0%                  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

      263,027       31,092,755  

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

      318,673       30,005,576  
     

 

 

 
        61,098,331  
Taiwan — 4.0%                  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

      1,446,000       27,354,649  
     

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 34.9%                  

Amcor PLC

      1,416,141       16,816,980  

AstraZeneca PLC

      227,903       22,724,953  

BAE Systems PLC

      4,273,692       28,500,290  

British American Tobacco PLC

      717,913       26,661,041  

Diageo PLC

      338,003       13,374,361  
Security        Shares     Value  
United Kingdom (continued)                

Ferguson PLC

      225,759     $ 27,429,816  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

                   367,025       32,758,545  

RELX PLC

      1,352,303       33,045,677  

Unilever PLC

      582,975       34,963,148  
     

 

 

 
          236,274,811  
United States — 3.7%                

Visa, Inc., Class A(d)

      114,099       24,956,874  
     

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 98.7%                

    (Cost: $543,152,010)

        668,270,627  
     

 

 

 
Preferred Securities                
Preferred Stocks — 0.7%                
China — 0.7%                

Xiaoju Kuaizhi, Inc., Series A-17, (Acquired 07/28/15, Cost: $2,106,332)(b)(c)

      76,800       4,323,072  
     

 

 

 
Total Preferred Securities — 0.7%  

    (Cost: $2,106,332)

        4,323,072  
     

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%  

    (Cost: $545,258,342)

        672,593,699  
     

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities                
Money Market Funds — 0.1%                

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(e)(f)

      287,381       287,381  
     

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%                

    (Cost: $287,381)

        287,381  
     

 

 

 
Total Investments Before Options Written — 99.5%  

    (Cost: $545,545,723)

        672,881,080  
     

 

 

 
Options Written — (1.1)%                

    (Premiums Received: $(6,345,108))

 

    (7,029,731
     

 

 

 
Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 98.4%  

    (Cost: $539,200,615)

        665,851,349  
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 1.6%     11,097,408  
     

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%             $  676,948,757  
     

 

 

 

 

(a)   

Non-income producing security.

(b)   

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(c)   

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $5,661,057, representing 0.84% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $6,054,932.

(d)   

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

(e)   

Affiliate of the Trust.

(f)   

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  67


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

    

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/19
    Purchases
at Cost
   

Proceeds

from Sales

    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/20
    Shares
Held at
12/31/20
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 17,518,842     $  —     $  (17,231,461)(a)     $  —     $  —     $ 287,381       287,381     $ 56,675     $  —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

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

             

Visa, Inc., Class A

    185       01/08/21       USD       212.50       USD     4,047   $            (131,350)

TELUS Corp.

    2,282       01/15/21       CAD       26.00       CAD     5,753   (8,067)

Visa, Inc., Class A

    72       01/22/21       USD       215.00       USD     1,575   (53,100)

Visa, Inc., Class A

    184       01/29/21       USD       215.00       USD     4,025   (158,240)

TELUS Corp.

    2,282       02/19/21       CAD       26.00       CAD     5,753   (44,819)

Visa, Inc., Class A

    72       02/19/21       USD       220.00       USD     1,575   (57,240)
             

 

              $            (452,816)
             

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                       

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Barclays Bank PLC      59,900        01/05/21        EUR        45.99        EUR        2,622      $ (4,650

RELX PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC      40,700        01/05/21        EUR        20.74        EUR        815        (699

Unilever PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC      161,000        01/05/21        GBP        47.62        GBP        7,071        (31

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      39,700        01/06/21        AUD        42.35        AUD        1,381         

AstraZeneca PLC

   UBS AG      40,800        01/06/21        GBP        84.86        GBP        2,988        (274

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      328,300        01/06/21        GBP        4.55        GBP        1,605        (147,099

Bankinter SA

   Barclays Bank PLC      492,000        01/06/21        EUR        3.41        EUR        2,177        (619,135

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   UBS AG      145,300        01/06/21        SGD        21.66        SGD        3,638        (379,416

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      59,400        01/06/21        CHF        104.58        CHF        6,193        (61,264

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      45,200        01/06/21        GBP        70.90        GBP        2,957        (275

RELX PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      167,900        01/06/21        EUR        18.54        EUR        3,363        (299,431

Sanofi

   Goldman Sachs International      45,700        01/06/21        EUR        87.17        EUR        3,597        (84

British American Tobacco PLC

   UBS AG      54,000        01/07/21        GBP        26.28        GBP        1,462        (78,534

Kone OYJ, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      42,100        01/07/21        EUR        74.55        EUR        2,798         

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      82,900        01/07/21        CHF        77.23        CHF        6,935        (574,728

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      40,500        01/07/21        DKK        438.98        DKK        17,279        (9,652

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

   UBS AG      109,900        01/07/21        AUD        36.44        AUD        3,533        (16

Unilever PLC

   UBS AG      69,800        01/07/21        GBP        47.01        GBP        3,066        (357

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      310,000        01/12/21        GBP        4.77        GBP        1,515        (65,210

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Barclays Bank PLC      81,700        01/12/21        DKK        458.71        DKK        34,857        (3,886

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   UBS AG      544,000        01/12/21        TWD        465.59        TWD        288,320        (1,248,061

Ansell Ltd.

   UBS AG      39,700        01/13/21        AUD        42.35        AUD        1,381        (3

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      64,300        01/13/21        SGD        25.13        SGD        1,610        (20,848

Koninklijke Philips NV

   Goldman Sachs International      43,900        01/13/21        EUR        45.88        EUR        1,922        (15,406

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      63,300        01/13/21        CHF        81.14        CHF        5,295        (197,663

Heineken NV

   Goldman Sachs International      26,300        01/14/21        EUR        92.66        EUR        2,399        (34,249

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      121,800        01/15/21        EUR        40.15        EUR        4,933        (168,536

Schneider Electric SE

   UBS AG      71,000        01/15/21        EUR        121.13        EUR        8,399        (89,063

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      100,000        01/15/21        SGD        22.03        SGD        2,259        (53,165

Ansell Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      38,200        01/20/21        AUD        39.09        AUD        1,329        (1,255

BAE Systems PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC      442,000        01/20/21        GBP        5.06        GBP        2,160        (27,903

 

 

68  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                       

British American Tobacco PLC

     Credit Suisse International        100,200        01/20/21        GBP        28.24        GBP        2,713      $ (49,295

Kone OYJ

     Goldman Sachs International        62,800        01/20/21        EUR        72.76        EUR        4,174        (3,564

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

     Barclays Bank PLC        53,700        01/20/21        DKK        441.75        DKK        22,911        (32,295

Sanofi

     Goldman Sachs International        84,500        01/20/21        EUR        85.64        EUR        6,650        (20,244

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     Goldman Sachs International        329,000        01/20/21        TWD        506.94        TWD        174,370        (298,860

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        110,000        01/20/21        SGD        22.48        SGD        2,485        (37,052

Amadeus IT Group SA

     UBS AG        71,900        01/21/21        EUR        66.15        EUR        4,282        (50,876

Ansell Ltd.

     UBS AG        121,200        01/21/21        AUD        35.44        AUD        4,215        (66,500

Schneider Electric SE

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        10,500        01/21/21        EUR        119.00        EUR        1,242        (27,306

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        150,900        01/21/21        AUD        34.01        AUD        4,851        (14,831

Unilever PLC

     Credit Suisse International        30,300        01/21/21        GBP        44.55        GBP        1,331        (23,255

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        60,400        01/21/21        SGD        23.23        SGD        1,364        (6,876

Amadeus IT Group SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        24,500        01/26/21        EUR        61.36        EUR        1,459        (65,304

AstraZeneca PLC

     Credit Suisse International        50,100        01/26/21        GBP        78.68        GBP        3,669        (39,315

BAE Systems PLC

     Credit Suisse International        296,000        01/26/21        GBP        5.19        GBP        1,447        (12,783

Bankinter SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        492,000        01/26/21        EUR        4.66        EUR        2,177        (47,591

British American Tobacco PLC

     Credit Suisse International        97,000        01/26/21        GBP        29.46        GBP        2,627        (21,613

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

     UBS AG        246,600        01/26/21        SGD        26.07        SGD        6,175        (49,263

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

     Credit Suisse International        98,200        01/26/21        EUR        41.84        EUR        3,977        (72,421

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        31,100        01/26/21        CHF        81.73        CHF        2,602        (90,987

RELX PLC

     Credit Suisse International        119,700        01/26/21        EUR        20.33        EUR        2,398        (50,567

Sanofi

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        39,900        01/26/21        EUR        79.47        EUR        3,140        (91,076

Amcor PLC

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        301,200        01/27/21        AUD        15.97        AUD        4,620        (36,789

Ansell Ltd.

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        59,000        01/27/21        AUD        34.70        AUD        2,052        (54,261

Diageo PLC

     Goldman Sachs International        97,800        01/27/21        GBP        30.31        GBP        2,815        (32,373

Koninklijke Philips NV

     Credit Suisse International        100,800        01/27/21        EUR        44.07        EUR        4,413        (168,394

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

     UBS AG        112,700        01/27/21        AUD        32.99        AUD        3,623        (37,112

TELUS Corp.

     Goldman Sachs International        287,000        02/01/21        CAD        25.25        CAD        7,235        (101,468

Amadeus IT Group SA

     UBS AG        71,900        02/02/21        EUR        66.15        EUR        4,282        (90,064

BAE Systems PLC

     Goldman Sachs International        119,500        02/02/21        GBP        5.31        GBP        584        (3,187

Bankinter SA

     Credit Suisse International        235,400        02/02/21        EUR        4.65        EUR        1,041        (26,536

Kone OYJ, Class B

     Goldman Sachs International        15,600        02/02/21        EUR        69.25        EUR        1,037        (12,152

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

     Goldman Sachs International        57,700        02/02/21        GBP        66.35        GBP        3,775        (104,308

RELX PLC

     Goldman Sachs International        162,600        02/02/21        EUR        20.58        EUR        3,257        (56,805

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

     UBS AG        141,900        02/02/21        SGD        23.50        SGD        3,206        (17,874

Amcor PLC

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        336,000        02/03/21        AUD        15.38        AUD        5,154        (111,633

Ansell Ltd.

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        39,700        02/03/21        AUD        36.47        AUD        1,381        (18,704

Diageo PLC

     UBS AG        20,600        02/03/21        GBP        30.43        GBP        593        (8,631

Heineken NV

     UBS AG        29,000        02/03/21        EUR        90.53        EUR        2,645        (118,170

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

     Citibank N.A.        58,900        02/03/21        CHF        103.08        CHF        6,141        (183,335

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

     UBS AG        62,200        02/10/21        GBP        66.89        GBP        4,069        (112,504

TELUS Corp.

     Credit Suisse International        34,000        03/01/21        CAD        25.75        CAD        857        (9,848
                       

 

 

 
                        $ (6,576,915
                       

 

 

 

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

 

Description    Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

   $  —      $  —      $ 2,609,686      $ (3,294,309    $ (7,029,731

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  69


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

    

 

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

   $             —    $  —      $ 7,029,731      $     $  —      $     $ 7,029,731  
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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

   $            —    $      $ (14,426,621    $     $      $     $ (14,426,621
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                  

Options written

   $            —    $      $ 1,142,677      $     $      $     $ 1,142,677  
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

       

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 6,086,704  

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

   $        $ 7,029,731  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

              7,029,731  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (452,816
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 6,576,915  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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) 

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 688,599      $      $     $ (688,599   $  

Citibank N.A.

    183,335               (5,335     (178,000      

Credit Suisse International

    474,027               (186,027     (288,000      

Goldman Sachs International

    1,388,432               (1,388,432            

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

    278,191                     (181,000     97,191  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    409,139                     (409,139      

UBS AG

    3,155,192               (3,155,192            
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 6,576,915      $      $   (4,734,986   $   (1,744,738   $ 97,191  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

70  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Australia

   $        $ 33,233,675        $        $ 33,233,675  

Canada

     34,216,757                            34,216,757  

Denmark

              24,122,082                   24,122,082  

Finland

              17,837,471                   17,837,471  

France

              57,825,050                   57,825,050  

Germany

              19,812,865                   19,812,865  

India

              14,882,739          1,337,985          16,220,724  

Netherlands

     13,672,107          24,494,052                   38,166,159  

Singapore

              34,833,639                   34,833,639  

Spain

              42,317,540                   42,317,540  

Switzerland

              61,098,331                   61,098,331  

Taiwan

              27,354,649                   27,354,649  

United Kingdom

              236,274,811                   236,274,811  

United States

     24,956,874                            24,956,874  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

                       4,323,072          4,323,072  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     287,381                            287,381  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 73,133,119        $ 594,086,904        $ 5,661,057        $ 672,881,080  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (452,816      $ (6,576,915      $        $ (7,029,731
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  71


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security        Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Biotechnology — 18.3%  

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.(a)(b)

      38,325     $ 4,903,301  

Acerta Pharma BV, Series B, (Acquired 05/06/15, Cost: $986,402)(c)(d)

      17,146,440       2,331,744  

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

      21,625       937,011  

Allakos, Inc.(a)(b)

      25,320       3,544,800  

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      30,786       777,039  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

      31,968       4,154,881  

Amgen, Inc.(a)

      55,702         12,807,004  

Annexon, Inc.(b)

      5,545       138,791  

Annexon, Inc., (Acquired 06/26/20, Cost: $190,006)(d)

      15,164       377,446  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

      21,950       1,255,540  

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.(b)

      42,378       1,192,093  

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

      14,984       1,151,221  

Atreca, Inc., Class A(b)

      19,453       314,166  

Biogen, Inc.(a)(b)

      10,940       2,678,768  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)(b)

      34,929       3,062,924  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)(b)

      9,623       1,079,220  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(b)

      12,589       208,726  

ChemoCentryx, Inc.(a)(b)

      9,383       580,995  

Cytokinetics, Inc.(a)(b)

      16,280       338,298  

Decibel Therapeutics, Inc., (Acquired 11/02/20, Cost: $132,438)(c)(d)

      76,709       132,438  

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

      14,790       325,824  

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      7,258       955,008  

Everest Medicines Ltd., (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $218,631)(b)(d)(e)

      30,500       259,104  

FibroGen, Inc.(a)(b)

      5,980       221,798  

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(b)

      11,947       416,950  

Galapagos NV, ADR(a)(b)

      5,792       573,292  

Genmab A/S(b)

      14,763       5,986,306  

Genmab A/S, ADR(a)(b)

      48,661       1,978,556  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.(a)

      76,159       4,437,023  

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      6,939       300,528  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      25,850       1,104,054  

Imago Biosciences, Inc., (Acquired 11/12/20, Cost: $235,002)(c)(d)

      194,570       235,430  

Immunovant, Inc.(b)

      30,416       1,404,915  

Incyte Corp.(a)(b)

      23,637       2,055,946  

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      13,419       729,994  

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      30,890       1,433,296  

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.(a)(b)

      9,010       1,323,659  

Kronos Bio, Inc., (Acquired 10/09/20, Cost: $260,000)(d)

      16,099       467,920  

Krystal Biotech, Inc.(b)

      5,200       312,000  

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      57,220       1,522,624  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      10,876       2,388,805  

Molecular Templates, Inc.(a)(b)

      21,176       198,843  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)(b)

      18,372       1,760,956  

Panacea Acquisition Corp., Class A(b)

      12,152       142,178  

Prothena Corp. PLC(a)(b)

      21,064       252,979  

Rapt Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      8,660       171,035  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

      11,420       5,517,116  

Relay Therapeutics, Inc.(b)

      10,918       453,752  

Remegen Co. Ltd., Class H, (Acquired 11/03/20, Cost: $369,944)(b)(d)(e)

      54,500       643,922  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      8,718       1,486,332  

Seagen, Inc.(a)(b)

      65,708       11,508,099  

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      24,015       588,368  
Security          Shares     Value  
Biotechnology (continued)  

Sigilon Therapeutics, Inc., (Acquired 02/14/20, Cost: $264,000)(d)

      19,555     $ 899,310  

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      8,696       538,543  

Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.(b)

      13,722       364,182  

Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc., (Acquired 07/30/20, Cost: $268,600)(d)

      17,214       446,453  

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

      10,160       314,249  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

      17,563       4,150,839  
     

 

 

 
        99,836,594  
Diversified Financial Services(b) — 0.6%  

ARYA Sciences Acquisition Corp. III, Class A

      16,560       179,676  

BCTG Acquisition Corp.

      8,720       99,757  

Deerfield Healthcare Technology Acquisitions Corp., Class A

      21,007       327,709  

FS Development Corp., Class A

      2,973       32,703  

Health Assurance Acquisition Corp.

      90,235       994,390  

Health Sciences Acquisitions Corp.

      13,696       175,446  

Helix Acquisition Corp., Class A

      11,715       126,873  

Longview Acquisition Corp., Class A

      35,345       699,478  

MedTech Acquisition Corp.

      42,753       448,906  

Therapeutics Acquisition Corp., Class A

      27,000       376,650  
     

 

 

 
        3,461,588  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 29.3%  

Abbott Laboratories(a)

      241,542       26,446,433  

ABIOMED, Inc.(a)(b)

      10,709       3,471,858  

Alcon, Inc.(a)(b)

      115,995       7,653,350  

Baxter International, Inc.(a)

      96,487       7,742,117  

Becton Dickinson and Co.(a)

      31,871       7,974,762  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)(b)

      372,187       13,380,123  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)(b)

      156,845       14,308,969  

Envista Holdings Corp.(b)

      36,720       1,238,565  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)(b)

      14,158       11,582,660  

Kangji Medical Holdings Ltd.(b)

      264,936       513,742  

Masimo Corp.(a)(b)

      24,540       6,586,045  

Medtronic PLC(a)

      140,686       16,479,958  

Nevro Corp.(a)(b)

      13,928       2,410,937  

ResMed, Inc.(a)

      25,377       5,394,135  

SI-BONE, Inc.(b)

      4,237       126,686  

Silk Road Medical, Inc.(a)(b)

      9,292       585,210  

Straumann Holding AG, Registered Shares

      2,745       3,215,550  

Stryker Corp.(a)

      59,696       14,627,908  

Teleflex, Inc.(a)

      19,140       7,877,450  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.(a)

      54,022       8,324,250  
     

 

 

 
        159,940,708  
Health Care Providers & Services — 20.8%  

Amedisys, Inc.(a)(b)

      19,072       5,594,390  

AmerisourceBergen Corp.(a)

      14,280       1,396,013  

Anthem, Inc.(a)

      38,737       12,438,063  

Cardinal Health, Inc.(a)

      25,630       1,372,743  

Centene Corp.(a)(b)

      99,507       5,973,405  

Cigna Corp.(a)

      74,904       15,593,515  

Encompass Health Corp.(a)

      40,167       3,321,409  

Humana, Inc.(a)

      35,650       14,626,126  

LHC Group, Inc.(a)(b)

      20,224       4,314,184  

McKesson Corp.(a)

      6,180       1,074,826  

Oak Street Health, Inc.(a)(b)

      8,409       514,294  

Oak Street Health, Inc., (Acquired 03/04/20, Cost: $575,147)(d)

      54,700       3,314,785  
 

 

 

72  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security        Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.(a)

      12,824     $ 1,528,236  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(f)

      121,699       42,677,405  
     

 

 

 
        113,739,394  
Health Care Technology — 0.8%  

Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)(b)

      21,980       4,395,121  
     

 

 

 
Insurance(b) — 0.1%  

GoHealth, Inc., Class A

      36,551       499,287  

Selectquote, Inc.(a)

      9,800       203,350  
     

 

 

 
        702,637  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.6%                

JD Health International, Inc., (Acquired 12/01/20, Cost: $1,501,357)(d)

      163,250       3,019,171  
     

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 8.6%                

Agilent Technologies, Inc.(a)

      13,960       1,654,120  

Avantor, Inc.(a)(b)

      131,114       3,690,859  

Illumina, Inc.(a)(b)

      14,327       5,300,990  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

      37,963       6,801,831  

PPD, Inc.(a)(b)

      79,280       2,712,962  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(a)

      38,043       17,719,668  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(e)

      225,785       4,429,272  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.(b)(e)

      361,500       4,793,971  
     

 

 

 
        47,103,673  
Pharmaceuticals — 19.3%                

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a)

      167,023       10,360,437  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

      24,300       1,737,769  

Eli Lilly & Co.(a)

      88,848       15,001,096  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(b)(e)

      882,438       4,276,513  

Hua Medicine(b)(e)(g)

      735,105       549,021  

Johnson & Johnson(a)

      151,324       23,815,371  

Merck & Co., Inc.(a)

      103,567       8,471,781  

Merck KGaA

      24,331       4,173,115  

Nektar Therapeutics(a)(b)

      24,513       416,721  

Ocumension Therapeutics, (Acquired 07/06/20, Cost: $65,918)(b)(d)(e)

      34,500       119,822  

Pfizer, Inc.(a)

      327,078       12,039,741  

Roche Holding AG

      12,627       4,397,965  

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A(a)

      15,446       773,072  

Sanofi

      68,800       6,668,303  

Sanofi, ADR(a)

      54,625       2,654,229  

Viatris, Inc.(b)

      40,225       753,817  

Zoetis, Inc.(a)

      54,489       9,017,929  
     

 

 

 
        105,226,702  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.4%
(Cost: $320,239,282)

 

    537,425,588  
     

 

 

 

Security

        

Benefical

Interest (000)

   

Value

 

Other Interests(h)

     
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%                  

Afferent Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(c)

    $ 190     $ 254,814  
     

 

 

 

Total Other Interests — 0.1%
(Cost: $ — )

 

    254,814  
     

 

 

 
            Shares         

Preferred Securities

     
Preferred Stocks — 0.3%(c)(d)                  
Biotechnology — 0.3%                  

Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 11/20/20, Cost: $348,001)

      136,471       348,001  

Ambrx Biopharma, Inc.

     

Series A, (Acquired 11/06/20, Cost: $250,001)

      159,931       250,004  

Series B, (Acquired 11/06/20, Cost: $250,001)

      143,938       250,006  

Connect Biopharma Holdings Ltd., Series C, (Acquired 12/01/20, Cost: $250,023)

      39,540       250,023  

Goldfinch Bio, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 06/26/20, Cost: $149,465)

      126,665       163,398  

Neurogene, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 12/14/20, Cost: $156,340)

      64,074       156,341  
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $1,403,831)

 

    1,417,773  
     

 

 

 

Warrants

     
Biotechnology(b) — 0.0%                  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Expires 10/27/2025)

      4,196       23,707  

Panacea Acquisition Corp. (Expires 07/07/2027)

      4,050       12,960  
     

 

 

 
        36,667  
Diversified Financial Services(b) — 0.0%  

Deerfield Healthcare Technology Acquisitions Corp. (Expires 07/16/2025)

      4,201       17,224  

Longview Acquisition Corp. (Expires 06/29/2025)

      11,781       77,637  
     

 

 

 
        94,861  
     

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $32,657)

 

    131,528  
     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.8%
(Cost: $321,675,770)

 

      539,229,703  
     

 

 

 
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  73


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security        Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

     
Money Market Funds — 2.5%                

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(i)(j)

      13,774,637       $  13,774,637  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 0.17%(i)(j)(k)

      102,671       102,701  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.5%
(Cost: $13,877,338)

      13,877,338  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.3%
(Cost: $335,553,108)

 

    553,107,041  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.4)%
(Premiums Received: $(6,475,846))

      (7,788,592
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options
Written — 99.9%
(Cost: $329,077,262)

      545,318,449  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      618,050  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

      $  545,936,499  
 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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 $13,665,318, representing 2.50% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $6,471,276.

(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) 

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

(g) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(h) 

Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.

(i) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(j) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(k) 

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

12/31/19

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sales

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

12/31/20

   

Shares

Held at

12/31/20

    Income    

Capital Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 3,489,138     $ 10,285,499 (a)    $     $     $     $ 13,774,637       13,774,637     $ 31,667     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    253,877             (150,804 )(a)      (368     (4     102,701       102,671       9,874 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (368   $ (4   $ 13,877,338       $ 41,541     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (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

                    

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.

     14        01/05/21        USD        84.72        USD        184      $ (65,607

Avantor, Inc.

     265        01/06/21        USD        27.00        USD        746        (34,199

Abbott Laboratories

     362        01/08/21        USD        110.00        USD        3,964        (45,250

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     30        01/08/21        USD        103.00        USD        293        (750

Baxter International, Inc.

     55        01/08/21        USD        79.50        USD        441        (7,975

Becton Dickinson and Co.

     50        01/08/21        USD        245.00        USD        1,251        (31,750

Biogen, Inc.

     18        01/08/21        USD        267.50        USD        441        (1,800

Boston Scientific Corp.

     561        01/08/21        USD        35.00        USD        2,017        (64,795

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     92        01/08/21        USD        64.00        USD        571        (2,254

Cardinal Health, Inc.

     49        01/08/21        USD        57.50        USD        262        (735

Centene Corp.

     123        01/08/21        USD        65.50        USD        738        (1,169

Cigna Corp.

     72        01/08/21        USD        212.50        USD        1,499        (28,260

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

     1        01/08/21        USD        86.00        USD        9        (515

 

 

74  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

    

Exercise Price

    

Notional

Amount (000)

    

Value

 

Call (continued)

                    

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     152        01/08/21        USD        62.50        USD        886      $ (2,052

Humana, Inc.

     39        01/08/21        USD        420.00        USD        1,600        (15,015

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     17        01/08/21        USD        777.50        USD        1,391        (70,465

Johnson & Johnson

     82        01/08/21        USD        150.00        USD        1,291        (61,500

Johnson & Johnson

     122        01/08/21        USD        155.00        USD        1,920        (37,271

McKesson Corp.

     6        01/08/21        USD        182.50        USD        104        (174

Medtronic PLC

     125        01/08/21        USD        116.00        USD        1,464        (27,437

Merck & Co., Inc.

     107        01/08/21        USD        82.50        USD        875        (7,651

Pfizer, Inc.

     707        01/08/21        USD        43.50        USD        2,602        (1,061

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     26        01/08/21        USD        207.50        USD        520        (6,695

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     57        01/08/21        USD        340.00        USD        1,999        (81,082

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     65        01/08/21        USD        360.00        USD        2,279        (19,955

Zoetis, Inc.

     126        01/08/21        USD        162.50        USD        2,085        (52,290

Abbott Laboratories

     174        01/15/21        USD        115.00        USD        1,905        (8,439

ABIOMED, Inc.

     21        01/15/21        USD        290.00        USD        681        (81,060

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

     57        01/15/21        USD        135.00        USD        729        (15,247

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     55        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        652        (9,350

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     50        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        217        (8,625

Alcon, Inc.

     115        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        759        (24,150

Allakos, Inc.

     75        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        1,050        (268,125

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.

     123        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        310        (3,383

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     64        01/15/21        USD        140.00        USD        832        (19,200

Amedisys, Inc.

     73        01/15/21        USD        250.00        USD        2,141        (319,010

Amgen, Inc.

     61        01/15/21        USD        250.00        USD        1,402        (2,745

Anthem, Inc.

     49        01/15/21        USD        340.00        USD        1,573        (10,413

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     44        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        252        (56,100

Baxter International, Inc.

     145        01/15/21        USD        80.00        USD        1,163        (24,650

Becton Dickinson and Co.

     49        01/15/21        USD        240.00        USD        1,226        (57,575

Biogen, Inc.

     25        01/15/21        USD        275.00        USD        612        (8,750

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     106        01/15/21        USD        85.00        USD        929        (69,430

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     19        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        213        (17,290

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     19        01/15/21        USD        100.00        USD        213        (25,175

Boston Scientific Corp.

     282        01/15/21        USD        38.00        USD        1,014        (8,178

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     170        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        1,054        (5,440

Cardinal Health, Inc.

     53        01/15/21        USD        57.50        USD        284        (928

Centene Corp.

     123        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        738        (3,383

Cigna Corp.

     80        01/15/21        USD        230.00        USD        1,665        (6,880

Cytokinetics, Inc.

     33        01/15/21        USD        20.00        USD        69        (5,115

Cytokinetics, Inc.

     23        01/15/21        USD        25.00        USD        48        (575

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     30        01/15/21        USD        22.50        USD        66        (3,075

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

     156        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        1,423        (43,680

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.

     14        01/15/21        USD        85.00        USD        184        (64,400

Eli Lilly & Co.

     87        01/15/21        USD        150.00        USD        1,469        (165,300

Encompass Health Corp.

     80        01/15/21        USD        80.00        USD        662        (30,400

Encompass Health Corp.

     80        01/15/21        USD        85.00        USD        662        (10,000

FibroGen, Inc.

     23        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        85        (115

Genmab A/S, ADR

     12        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        49        (2,370

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     152        01/15/21        USD        62.50        USD        886        (7,524

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.

     14        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        61        (1,995

Humana, Inc.

     43        01/15/21        USD        435.00        USD        1,764        (9,568

Illumina, Inc.

     21        01/15/21        USD        310.00        USD        777        (126,105

Incyte Corp.

     118        01/15/21        USD        87.50        USD        1,026        (38,350

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.

     26        01/15/21        USD        35.00        USD        141        (51,870

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.

     27        01/15/21        USD        55.00        USD        147        (16,470

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     12        01/15/21        USD        790.00        USD        982        (47,220

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.

     61        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        283        (42,700

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

     51        01/15/21        USD        175.00        USD        914        (30,855

Johnson & Johnson

     160        01/15/21        USD        150.00        USD        2,518        (124,400

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.

     13        01/15/21        USD        115.00        USD        191        (43,160

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.

     23        01/15/21        USD        135.00        USD        338        (38,295

LHC Group, Inc.

     45        01/15/21        USD        210.00        USD        960        (32,625

Masimo Corp.

     91        01/15/21        USD        245.00        USD        2,442        (229,775

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  75


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

Description   

Number of

Contracts

      

Expiration

Date

      

Exercise Price

      

Notional

Amount (000)

      

Value

 

Call (continued)

                                

McKesson Corp.

     6          01/15/21          USD          185.00          USD          104        $ (474

Medtronic PLC

     190          01/15/21          USD          115.00          USD          2,226          (65,550

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

     228          01/15/21          USD          30.00          USD          607          (29,640

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.

     32          01/15/21          USD          240.00          USD          703          (11,840

Molecular Templates, Inc.

     84          01/15/21          USD          10.00          USD          79          (5,670

Nektar Therapeutics

     49          01/15/21          USD          19.00          USD          83          (1,348

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

     27          01/15/21          USD          101.00          USD          259          (4,095

Nevro Corp.

     27          01/15/21          USD          170.00          USD          467          (24,435

Oak Street Health, Inc.

     16          01/15/21          USD          50.00          USD          98          (19,200

Prothena Corp. PLC

     42          01/15/21          USD          13.00          USD          50          (1,995

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     52          01/15/21          USD          125.00          USD          620          (2,990

Rapt Therapeutics, Inc.

     25          01/15/21          USD          30.00          USD          49          (375

ResMed, Inc.

     50          01/15/21          USD          220.00          USD          1,063          (9,750

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

     31          01/15/21          USD          45.00          USD          155          (16,585

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

     17          01/15/21          USD          160.00          USD          290          (43,435

Seagen, Inc.

     133          01/15/21          USD          195.00          USD          2,329          (13,965

Selectquote, Inc.

     26          01/15/21          USD          22.50          USD          54          (650

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.

     52          01/15/21          USD          35.00          USD          127          (2,210

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.

     22          01/15/21          USD          30.00          USD          54          (1,430

Silk Road Medical, Inc.

     28          01/15/21          USD          65.00          USD          176          (4,200

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.

     9          01/15/21          USD          55.00          USD          56          (7,290

Stryker Corp.

     120          01/15/21          USD          240.00          USD          2,940          (99,600

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.

     20          01/15/21          USD          30.00          USD          62          (6,750

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     24          01/15/21          USD          195.00          USD          480          (26,880

Teleflex, Inc.

     38          01/15/21          USD          380.00          USD          1,564          (129,200

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     73          01/15/21          USD          480.00          USD          3,400          (29,565

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     194          01/15/21          USD          360.00          USD          6,803          (89,240

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     54          01/15/21          USD          230.00          USD          1,276          (56,430

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     114          01/15/21          USD          150.00          USD          1,757          (72,960

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     24          01/15/21          USD          155.41          USD          370          (8,201

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

     27          01/22/21          USD          103.00          USD          264          (1,485

Amgen, Inc.

     58          01/22/21          USD          235.00          USD          1,334          (20,271

Amgen, Inc.

     51          01/22/21          USD          240.00          USD          1,173          (9,945

Anthem, Inc.

     53          01/22/21          USD          332.50          USD          1,702          (25,705

Anthem, Inc.

     50          01/22/21          USD          320.00          USD          1,605          (51,750

Baxter International, Inc.

     181          01/22/21          USD          82.00          USD          1,452          (18,100

Becton Dickinson and Co.

     24          01/22/21          USD          255.00          USD          601          (9,120

Boston Scientific Corp.

     270          01/22/21          USD          35.50          USD          971          (35,775

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     237          01/22/21          USD          64.00          USD          1,470          (17,419

Centene Corp.

     2          01/22/21          USD          65.00          USD          12          (79

Cigna Corp.

     65          01/22/21          USD          225.00          USD          1,353          (15,307

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

     314          01/22/21          USD          88.00          USD          2,865          (144,440

Eli Lilly & Co.

     180          01/22/21          USD          148.00          USD          3,039          (382,050

Humana, Inc.

     37          01/22/21          USD          417.50          USD          1,518          (29,970

Illumina, Inc.

     35          01/22/21          USD          345.00          USD          1,295          (95,550

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     15          01/22/21          USD          805.00          USD          1,227          (58,875

Johnson & Johnson

     123          01/22/21          USD          155.00          USD          1,936          (61,500

Medtronic PLC

     57          01/22/21          USD          119.00          USD          668          (10,574

Merck & Co., Inc.

     154          01/22/21          USD          82.00          USD          1,260          (26,488

Nektar Therapeutics

     49          01/22/21          USD          20.50          USD          83          (1,470

Pfizer, Inc.

     294          01/22/21          USD          39.50          USD          1,082          (6,615

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     33          01/22/21          USD          502.50          USD          1,594          (27,225

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

     17          01/22/21          USD          175.00          USD          290          (40,630

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     12          01/22/21          USD          205.00          USD          240          (9,900

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     168          01/22/21          USD          345.00          USD          5,891          (235,620

ChemoCentryx, Inc.

     17          01/28/21          USD          64.37          USD          105          (5,679

Abbott Laboratories

     189          01/29/21          USD          112.00          USD          2,069          (40,351

Amgen, Inc.

     50          01/29/21          USD          240.00          USD          1,150          (13,000

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     84          01/29/21          USD          64.00          USD          521          (8,274

Centene Corp.

     73          01/29/21          USD          65.00          USD          438          (5,183

Cigna Corp.

     80          01/29/21          USD          210.00          USD          1,665          (63,600

Eli Lilly & Co.

     88          01/29/21          USD          177.50          USD          1,486          (23,672

 

 

76  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call (continued)

                                

Humana, Inc.

     23          01/29/21          USD          412.50          USD          944        $ (28,980

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     12          01/29/21          USD          760.00          USD          982          (84,960

Johnson & Johnson

     113          01/29/21          USD          155.00          USD          1,778          (67,517

McKesson Corp.

     12          01/29/21          USD          185.00          USD          209          (2,280

Medtronic PLC

     95          01/29/21          USD          116.00          USD          1,113          (35,862

Medtronic PLC

     95          01/29/21          USD          117.00          USD          1,113          (29,925

Pfizer, Inc.

     295          01/29/21          USD          38.50          USD          1,086          (15,487

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     12          01/29/21          USD          515.00          USD          580          (9,180

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     12          01/29/21          USD          210.00          USD          240          (9,660

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     33          01/29/21          USD          240.00          USD          780          (25,245

Zoetis, Inc.

     91          01/29/21          USD          165.00          USD          1,506          (43,225

Sanofi — ADR

     109          02/01/21          USD          49.38          USD          530          (12,016

LHC Group, Inc.

     17          02/03/21          USD          208.00          USD          363          (18,813

Amedisys, Inc.

     3          02/05/21          USD          276.50          USD          88          (6,876

Allakos, Inc.

     28          02/12/21          USD          125.25          USD          392          (67,978

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     43          02/12/21          USD          55.25          USD          246          (28,417

PPD, Inc.

     40          02/12/21          USD          36.75          USD          137          (4,470

Abbott Laboratories

     219          02/19/21          USD          110.00          USD          2,398          (85,957

ABIOMED, Inc.

     21          02/19/21          USD          291.00          USD          681          (96,137

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

     94          02/19/21          USD          145.00          USD          1,203          (39,010

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     36          02/19/21          USD          36.00          USD          156          (31,445

Alcon, Inc.

     231          02/19/21          USD          65.00          USD          1,524          (74,497

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     63          02/19/21          USD          145.00          USD          819          (32,130

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     59          02/19/21          USD          75.00          USD          453          (41,300

Avantor, Inc.

     259          02/19/21          USD          30.00          USD          729          (27,195

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     34          02/19/21          USD          100.00          USD          298          (13,090

Boston Scientific Corp.

     351          02/19/21          USD          38.00          USD          1,262          (30,010

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     85          02/19/21          USD          65.00          USD          527          (11,007

Centene Corp.

     72          02/19/21          USD          67.50          USD          432          (5,760

ChemoCentryx, Inc.

     20          02/19/21          USD          65.00          USD          124          (8,600

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     29          02/19/21          USD          25.00          USD          64          (6,380

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

     156          02/19/21          USD          90.00          USD          1,423          (78,000

Galapagos NV, ADR

     23          02/19/21          USD          105.00          USD          228          (9,775

Genmab A/S, ADR

     170          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          691          (15,300

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

     103          02/19/21          USD          46.00          USD          440          (19,570

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

     51          02/19/21          USD          180.00          USD          914          (40,290

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

     49          02/19/21          USD          185.00          USD          878          (26,950

Masimo Corp.

     31          02/19/21          USD          275.00          USD          832          (30,380

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.

     11          02/19/21          USD          240.00          USD          242          (11,550

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

     46          02/19/21          USD          100.00          USD          441          (20,700

Nevro Corp.

     25          02/19/21          USD          190.00          USD          433          (11,000

Oak Street Health, Inc.

     17          02/19/21          USD          65.00          USD          104          (6,078

PPD, Inc.

     237          02/19/21          USD          40.00          USD          811          (10,073

ResMed, Inc.

     51          02/19/21          USD          220.00          USD          1,084          (39,015

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

     30          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          150          (19,950

Sanofi — ADR

     109          02/19/21          USD          50.00          USD          530          (11,172

Seagen, Inc.

     129          02/19/21          USD          220.00          USD          2,259          (35,152

Selectquote, Inc.

     13          02/19/21          USD          25.00          USD          27          (455

Silk Road Medical, Inc.

     10          02/19/21          USD          62.25          USD          63          (4,592

Stryker Corp.

     118          02/19/21          USD          240.00          USD          2,891          (156,940

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.

     20          02/19/21          USD          30.00          USD          62          (9,800

Teleflex, Inc.

     38          02/19/21          USD          410.00          USD          1,564          (83,410

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     75          02/19/21          USD          480.00          USD          3,493          (92,625

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     74          02/19/21          USD          160.00          USD          1,140          (35,520

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.

     25          02/26/21          USD          61.00          USD          155          (18,538

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.

     62          03/19/21          USD          55.00          USD          288          (22,010
                                

 

 

 
                                 $ (6,971,004
                                

 

 

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E   O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  77


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)     

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description   Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
   

Expiration

Date

    Exercise Price    

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Call

               

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H

  UBS AG     18,800       01/05/21       HKD       142.69       HKD       2,854     $ (23,702

Alcon AG

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     11,500       01/06/21       USD       63.79       USD       759       (28,032

Envista Holdings Corp.

  Bank of America N.A.     14,600       01/06/21       USD       29.89       USD       492       (56,111

Genmab A/S, ADR

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     1,200       01/06/21       USD       37.66       USD       49       (3,673

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

  UBS AG     80,000       01/06/21       HKD       35.11       HKD       3,008       (25,417

LHC Group, Inc.

  UBS AG     1,800       01/06/21       USD       222.85       USD       384       (1,093

Sanofi

  Goldman Sachs International     11,100       01/06/21       EUR       87.17       EUR       873       (20

Genmab A/S, ADR

  UBS AG     3,200       01/07/21       DKK       2,334.87       DKK       7,882       (81,342

Roche Holding AG

  UBS AG     2,900       01/12/21       CHF       329.27       CHF       896       (679

Genmab A/S, ADR

  Barclays Bank PLC     2,700       01/13/21       DKK       2,419.38       DKK       6,650       (43,324

Merck KGaA

  Credit Suisse International     5,000       01/13/21       EUR       136.29       EUR       702       (31,728

Straumann Holding AG, Registered Shares

  Goldman Sachs International     1,000       01/13/21       CHF       1,109.82       CHF       1,031       (1,019

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

  Citibank N.A.     88,000       01/20/21       HKD       34.82       HKD       3,309       (32,308

Immunovant, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     12,100       01/20/21       USD       54.23       USD       559       (3,356

PPD, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     4,000       01/20/21       USD       35.23       USD       137       (3,634

Sanofi

  Goldman Sachs International     8,300       01/20/21       EUR       85.64       EUR       653       (1,988

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     8,400       01/21/21       USD       30.98       USD       236       (8,992

Merck KGaA

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     4,900       01/21/21       EUR       138.58       EUR       688       (25,586

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

  Citibank N.A.     52,000       01/26/21       HKD       36.41       HKD       1,955       (11,956

Sanofi

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     7,900       01/26/21       EUR       79.47       EUR       622       (18,033

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     30,500       01/26/21       HKD       138.53       HKD       4,630       (59,324

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     8,500       01/27/21       USD       31.27       USD       239       (10,626

Eisai Co. Ltd.

  UBS AG     9,600       01/27/21       JPY       7,983.50       JPY       70,771       (7,246

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     2,400       01/27/21       USD       47.41       USD       84       (564

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

  UBS AG     52,000       01/27/21       HKD       35.25       HKD       1,955       (17,706

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

  UBS AG     80,000       01/28/21       HKD       36.75       HKD       3,008       (16,628

Roche Holding AG

  Goldman Sachs International     2,100       01/28/21       CHF       317.11       CHF       649       (7,961

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     144,000       01/28/21       HKD       91.72       HKD       14,803       (232,503

Prothena Corp. PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     2,100       01/29/21       USD       14.58       USD       25       (1,297

Krystal Biotech, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     2,000       02/01/21       USD       54.00       USD       120       (15,124

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     2,400       02/03/21       USD       47.41       USD       84       (913

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     41,000       02/03/21       HKD       151.94       HKD       6,224       (39,178

Prothena Corp. PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     2,100       02/05/21       USD       14.57       USD       25       (1,171

Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     4,300       02/11/21       USD       51.26       USD       179       (5,354
               

 

 

 
                $   (817,588
               

 

 

 

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

 

Description   

Swap

Premiums

Paid

      

Swap

Premiums

Received

      

Unrealized

Appreciation

      

Unrealized

Depreciation

       Value  

Options Written

   $        $        $ 1,699,136        $ (3,011,882      $ (7,788,592

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

  $     $     $ 7,788,592     $     $     $     $ 7,788,592  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

78  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)     

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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)

  $     $     $ (2,301   $     $     $     $ (2,301

Options written

                (10,979,173                       (10,979,173
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $     $     $ (10,981,474   $     $     $     $ (10,981,474
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

             

Options written

  $     $     $ 216,344     $     $     $     $ 216,344  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

Options

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 6,914,451  

 

  (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) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

       

Options

   $        $ 7,788,592  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

              7,788,592  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (6,971,004
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 817,588  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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.

   $ 78,066        $        $      $        $ 78,066  

Barclays Bank PLC

     43,324                                   43,324  

Citibank N.A.

     44,264                                   44,264  

Credit Suisse International

     31,728                   (31,728                

Goldman Sachs International

     10,988                                   10,988  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

     341,668                   (341,668                

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     93,737                                   93,737  

UBS AG

     173,813                   (50,498               123,315  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 817,588        $        $ (423,894    $        $ 393,694  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  79


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)     

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Biotechnology

   $ 88,056,521        $ 9,080,461        $ 2,699,612        $ 99,836,594  

Diversified Financial Services

     3,461,588                            3,461,588  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     156,211,416          3,729,292                   159,940,708  

Health Care Providers & Services

     110,424,609          3,314,785                   113,739,394  

Health Care Technology

     4,395,121                            4,395,121  

Insurance

     702,637                            702,637  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

              3,019,171                   3,019,171  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     37,880,430          9,223,243                   47,103,673  

Pharmaceuticals

     83,853,215          21,373,487                   105,226,702  

Other Interests

                       254,814          254,814  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

                       1,417,773          1,417,773  

Warrants

     131,528                            131,528  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     13,774,637                            13,774,637  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 498,891,702        $ 49,740,439        $ 4,372,199          553,004,340  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    102,701  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 553,107,041  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (6,563,941      $ (1,224,651      $        $ (7,788,592
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

80  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

 

Biotechnology — 40.8%  

Abbisko Cayman Ltd., (Acquired 12/21/20, Cost: $14,841,983)(a)(b)

    1,037,825      $      14,841,983  

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.(c)(d)

    314,516        40,239,177  

ADC Therapeutics SA(d)

    159,142        5,094,135  

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(c)(d)

    441,750        19,141,027  

Akeso, Inc.(d)(e)(f)

    1,660,000        8,159,834  

Akouos, Inc.(d)

    304,621        6,040,634  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(c)(d)

    168,926        26,392,998  

Allakos, Inc.(c)(d)

    248,989        34,858,460  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(c)(d)

    277,448        36,059,917  

ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.(d)

    286,427        24,690,007  

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(c)(d)

    445,917        10,296,224  

Annexon, Inc.(d)

    183,965        4,604,644  

Annexon, Inc., (Acquired 06/26/20, Cost: $4,170,549)(b)

    332,856        8,285,100  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    170,260        9,738,872  

Applied Molecular Transport, Inc.(d)

    165,609        5,095,789  

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.(d)

    155,075        4,362,260  

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(c)(d)

    132,665        10,192,652  

Argenx SE, ADR(c)(d)

    121,001        35,585,184  

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    85,746        6,579,291  

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.(d)

    367,800        9,386,256  

Beam Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    169,779        13,860,758  

BioAtla, Inc.(d)

    146,528        4,983,417  

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co.
Ltd.(d)

    54,550        4,675,481  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(d)

    201,275        17,649,805  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(d)

    75,909        8,513,194  

C4 Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    387,947        12,852,684  

CareDx, Inc.(d)

    227,093        16,452,888  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(d)

    204,554        3,391,505  

Certara, Inc.(d)

    518,016        17,467,500  

ChemoCentryx, Inc.(d)

    85,640        5,302,829  

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    66,300        1,909,440  

Cytokinetics, Inc.(d)

    293,035        6,089,267  

Decibel Therapeutics, Inc., (Acquired 11/02/20, Cost: $3,884,625)(a)(b)

    2,250,000        3,884,625  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    82,195        4,690,869  

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    402,384        8,864,520  

Dyne Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    160,234        3,364,914  

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    120,528        15,859,074  

Everest Medicines Ltd., (Acquired 05/29/20, Cost: $11,209,200)(b)

    3,113,667        26,451,262  

Everest Medicines Ltd., (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $3,200,620)(b)(d)

    446,500        3,793,112  

Fate Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    112,925        10,268,270  

FibroGen, Inc.(d)

    160,848        5,965,852  

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(d)

    543,025        18,951,572  

Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    436,446        5,128,241  

Galecto, Inc.(d)

    630,719        7,883,988  

Genetron Holdings Ltd.(d)

    970,000        13,580,000  

Genmab A/S(d)

    218,365        88,545,670  

Genmab A/S, ADR(c)(d)

    690,930        28,093,214  

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    200,216        8,671,355  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    297,201        12,693,455  

HBM Holdings Ltd., (Acquired 12/04/20, Cost: $12,186,104)(b)

    7,553,000        9,828,202  

Imago Biosciences, Inc., (Acquired 11/12/20, Cost: $10,000,009)(a)(b)

    8,279,524        10,018,224  

Immunovant, Inc.(d)

    256,486        11,847,088  

Insmed, Inc.(d)

    132,872        4,423,309  
Security   Shares      Value  
Biotechnology (continued)  

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    147,621      $ 8,030,582  

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.(d)

    429,894        19,947,082  

Kadmon Holdings, Inc.(d)

    1,454,723        6,037,100  

Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    406,215        6,288,208  

Keros Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    212,296        14,975,360  

Kinnate Biopharma, Inc.(d)

    304,595        12,116,789  

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.(d)

    180,183        26,470,685  

Kronos Bio, Inc., (Acquired 10/09/20, Cost: $4,591,000)(b)

    284,272        8,262,414  

Krystal Biotech, Inc.(d)

    163,538        9,812,280  

Kymera Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    271,425        16,828,350  

Kymera Therapeutics, Inc., (Acquired 03/11/20, Cost: $4,939,996)(b)

    473,850        28,986,984  

MacroGenics, Inc.(d)

    100,800        2,304,288  

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    1,558,929        41,483,101  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(c)(d)

    100,272        22,023,742  

Molecular Templates, Inc.(d)

    203,575        1,911,569  

Morphic Holding, Inc.(d)

    100,431        3,369,460  

Nkarta, Inc.(d)

    422,882        25,994,557  

Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    412,662        19,840,789  

Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $2,939,996)(b)

    265,767        12,288,251  

ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    196,430        6,649,156  

Panacea Acquisition Corp., Class A(d)

    206,640        2,417,688  

Passage Bio, Inc.(d)

    190,016        4,858,709  

PMV Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    484,687        29,813,097  

Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc.(d)

    485,486        26,711,440  

Prothena Corp. PLC(d)

    363,100        4,360,831  

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    217,336        13,264,016  

Rapt Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    188,948        3,731,723  

Relay Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    61,429        2,552,989  

Remegen Co. Ltd., Class H, (Acquired 11/03/20, Cost: $3,624,770)(b)(d)

    534,000        6,309,254  

Revolution Medicines, Inc.(d)

    103,258        4,087,984  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(c)(d)

    72,754        12,403,829  

Seagen, Inc.(c)(d)(g)

    545,960        95,619,434  

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    358,010        8,771,245  

Sigilon Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    365,314        17,546,031  

Sigilon Therapeutics, Inc., (Acquired 02/14/20, Cost: $3,051,798)(b)

    226,059        10,396,165  

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    214,742        13,298,972  

Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc.(d)

    178,700        4,742,698  

Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc., (Acquired 07/30/20, Cost: $4,283,184)(b)

    274,502        7,119,341  

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    228,499        7,067,474  

Travere Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    394,274        10,745,938  

Twist Bioscience Corp.(c)(d)

    242,154        34,213,939  

United Therapeutics Corp.(c)(d)

    58,950        8,948,020  

Vir Biotechnology, Inc.(d)

    132,400        3,545,672  

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    262,830        1,879,235  

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR(d)

    194,310        26,297,915  

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(d)

    227,113        11,796,249  

Zymeworks, Inc.(d)

    252,147        11,916,467  
    

 

 

 
       1,413,637,130  
Diversified Financial Services(d) — 2.1%         

ARYA Sciences Acquisition Corp. III, Class A

    324,000        3,515,400  

BCTG Acquisition Corp.

    167,744        1,918,991  

Deerfield Healthcare Technology Acquisitions Corp., Class A

    319,040        4,977,024  

Eucrates Biomedical Acquisition Corp.

    897,657        9,299,727  

FS Development Corp., Class A

    51,350        564,850  

Health Assurance Acquisition Corp.

    1,361,273        15,001,228  
 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  81


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Diversified Financial Services (continued)  

Health Sciences Acquisitions Corp.

    233,344      $ 2,989,137  

Helix Acquisition Corp., Class A

    216,150        2,340,905  

Lifesci Acquisition II Corp.

    728,200        7,733,484  

Longview Acquisition Corp., Class A

    486,550        9,628,824  

MedTech Acquisition Corp.

    917,284        9,631,482  

Therapeutics Acquisition Corp., Class A

    407,000        5,677,650  
    

 

 

 
       73,278,702  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%

 

908 Devices, Inc.(d)

    290,054        16,518,575  
    

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 23.9%

 

ABIOMED, Inc.(c)(d)

    80,185        25,995,977  

Alcon, Inc.

    780,009        51,464,994  

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.(d)

    168,900        7,391,064  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    20,658        3,159,204  

ConvaTec Group PLC(f)

    4,668,285        12,716,696  

Demant A/S(d)

    700,875        27,702,526  

DexCom, Inc.(c)(d)

    40,467        14,961,459  

Eargo, Inc.(d)

    194,195        8,703,820  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(c)(d)

    281,385        25,670,754  

Envista Holdings Corp.(d)

    390,050        13,156,387  

GN Store Nord A/S

    631,506        50,339,936  

Haemonetics Corp.(c)(d)

    276,008        32,775,950  

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.(c)

    146,385        14,341,338  

Insulet Corp.(c)(d)

    142,744        36,489,649  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(c)(d)

    74,498        60,946,814  

Kangji Medical Holdings Ltd.(d)

    5,001,419        9,698,333  

Masimo Corp.(c)

    190,788        51,203,683  

Nevro Corp.(c)(d)

    249,851        43,249,208  

NuVasive, Inc.(d)

    137,340        7,736,362  

Penumbra, Inc.(c)(d)

    113,661        19,890,675  

Pulmonx Corp.(d)

    111,383        7,687,655  

ResMed, Inc.(c)

    177,227        37,671,371  

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    200,120        13,092,202  

Silk Road Medical, Inc.(d)

    301,640        18,997,287  

SmileDirectClub, Inc.(d)

    1,342,680        16,031,599  

Sonova Holding AG, Registered Shares

    81,863        21,292,038  

STERIS PLC

    139,421        26,425,856  

Straumann Holding AG, Registered Shares

    37,641        44,093,447  

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.(c)(d)

    151,279        14,474,375  

Teleflex, Inc.(c)

    144,275        59,379,262  

Venus MedTech Hangzhou, Inc.,
Class H(d)(f)

    181,000        1,847,215  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.(c)

    308,795        47,582,222  
    

 

 

 
       826,169,358  

Health Care Providers & Services — 12.3%

 

Addus HomeCare Corp.(d)

    45,200        5,292,468  

Amedisys, Inc.(c)(d)(g)

    230,923        67,736,643  

Amplifon SpA

    646,544        26,874,359  

Centene Corp.(c)(d)

    434,934        26,109,088  

Chemed Corp.

    24,300        12,942,423  

Encompass Health Corp.(c)

    414,007        34,234,239  

Humana, Inc.(c)

    90,356        37,070,356  

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.(e)(f)

    19,509,100        39,700,146  

LHC Group, Inc.(c)(d)

    247,591        52,816,112  

Oak Street Health, Inc.(d)

    47,017        2,875,560  
Security   Shares      Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

Oak Street Health, Inc., (Acquired 03/04/20, Cost: $19,349,483)(b)

    1,840,247      $ 111,517,803  

Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA

    568,046        7,469,397  
    

 

 

 
       424,638,594  

Health Care Technology(d) — 1.6%

 

American Well Corp., Class A(e)

    668,554        16,934,473  

Teladoc Health, Inc.

    195,191        39,030,456  
    

 

 

 
       55,964,929  

Insurance — 0.3%

 

Selectquote, Inc.(d)

    559,762        11,615,062  
    

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.9%

 

JD Health International, Inc., (Acquired 12/01/20, Cost: $15,336,373)(b)

    1,667,600        30,840,850  
    

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services — 10.3%

 

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A(d)

    48,300        6,839,280  

Avantor, Inc.(d)

    766,938        21,589,305  

Berkeley Lights, Inc.(d)

    339,395        30,345,307  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(c)(d)

    91,264        22,803,223  

Gerresheimer AG

    156,300        16,855,156  

Illumina, Inc.(c)(d)

    35,617        13,178,290  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(c)(d)

    144,911        25,963,704  

Lonza Group AG, Registered Shares

    35,745        23,025,731  

PPD, Inc.(d)(g)

    1,702,394        58,255,922  

Sotera Health Co.(d)

    1,248,670        34,263,505  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H(f)

    2,391,060        46,905,925  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.(d)(f)

    4,287,303        56,855,348  
    

 

 

 
       356,880,696  

Pharmaceuticals — 5.5%

 

Antengene Corp. Ltd., (Acquired 11/18/20, Cost: $7,091,948)(b)

    5,019,274        10,665,626  

Antengene Corp. Ltd., (Acquired 11/13/20, Cost: $5,976,889)(b)(d)

    2,537,500        5,392,020  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    247,800        17,720,958  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.(d)(f)

    9,306,068        45,099,514  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC(d)

    167,800        12,274,570  

Merck KGaA

    200,999        34,474,205  

Nektar Therapeutics(d)

    354,718        6,030,206  

Ocumension Therapeutics, (Acquired 07/06/20, Cost: $1,489,361)(b)(d)(f)

    779,500        2,707,278  

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.(d)

    262,500        8,418,375  

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

    142,470        7,130,624  

UCB SA

    390,226        40,309,318  
    

 

 

 
       190,222,694  
    

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.2%

 

(Cost: $2,182,019,835)

       3,399,766,590  
    

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

    

Preferred Stocks — 3.2%(a)(b)

 

Biotechnology — 1.6%

 

Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Series B, (Acquired 11/20/20, Cost: $3,252,000)

    1,275,294        3,252,000  

Ambrx Biopharma, Inc.

    

Series A, (Acquired 11/06/20, Cost: $7,290,000).

    4,663,576        7,290,102  

Series B, (Acquired 11/06/20, Cost: $7,290,000)

    4,197,218        7,290,148  
 

 

 

82  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Biotechnology (continued)  

Connect Biopharma Holdings Ltd., Series C, (Acquired 12/01/20, Cost: $14,579,980)

    2,305,747      $ 14,579,930  

Goldfinch Bio, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 06/26/20, Cost: $3,029,231)

    2,567,145        3,311,617  

LianBio, Series A, (Acquired 10/28/20, Cost: $5,960,632)

    105,200        5,960,632  

Neurogene, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 12/14/20, Cost: $5,729,950)

    2,348,340        5,729,949  

Talaris Therapeutics, Inc.,
Series B, (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $7,369,358)

    4,005,086        7,369,358  
    

 

 

 
       54,783,736  

Health Care Providers & Services — 1.3%

 

Adicon Holdings Ltd., (Acquired 12/22/20, Cost: $17,840,000)

    2,139,245,197        17,839,166  

Everly Well, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 11/25/20, Cost: $9,999,986)

    382,775        9,999,976  

Immuneering Corp, Series B, (Acquired 12/21/20, Cost: $3,599,991)

    350,255        3,600,621  

IsoPlexis Corp., Series D, (Acquired 12/30/20, Cost: $14,800,024)

    192,408        14,800,023  
    

 

 

 
       46,239,786  

Pharmaceuticals — 0.3%

 

Immunocore Ltd., Series C, (Acquired 12/21/20, Cost: $5,861,799)

    64,380        5,861,799  

Insitro, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 05/21/20, Cost: $5,000,000)

    802,478        5,184,008  
    

 

 

 
       11,045,807  
    

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 3.2%

       112,069,329  
    

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 3.2%

 

(Cost: $111,602,951)

       112,069,329  
    

 

 

 

Warrants

    
Biotechnology(d) — 0.0%  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Expires 10/27/2025)

    68,184        385,240  

Panacea Acquisition Corp. (Expires 07/07/2027)

    68,880        220,416  
    

 

 

 
       605,656  
Diversified Financial Services(d) — 0.1%  

Deerfield Healthcare Technology Acquisitions Corp. (Expires 07/16/2025)

    63,808        261,613  

Longview Acquisition Corp. (Expires 06/29/2025)

    162,183        1,068,786  
    

 

 

 
       1,330,399  
    

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.1%

    

(Cost: $501,507)

       1,936,055  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 101.5%

 

(Cost: $2,294,124,293)

       3,513,771,974  
    

 

 

 
Security   Shares      Value  

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 0.8%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(h)(i)

    18,347,773      $ 18,347,773  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 0.17%(h)(i)(j)

    9,574,817        9,577,689  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.8%

    

(Cost: $27,925,462)

       27,925,462  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 102.3%

 

(Cost: $2,322,049,755)

       3,541,697,436  
    

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.5)%

    

(Premiums Received: $(34,031,611))

 

     (49,747,249
    

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.8%

 

(Cost: $2,288,018,144)

 

     3,491,950,187  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.8)%

 

     (29,312,143
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $ 3,462,638,044  
    

 

 

 

 

(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 $423,657,823, representing 12.24% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $243,770,839.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Non-income producing security.

(e) 

All or a portion of this 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) 

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

(h) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(i) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(j) 

All or a portion of this security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  83


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

    

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

01/30/20

    

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sales

    

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Value at

12/31/20

    

Shares

Held at

12/31/20

     Income    

Capital Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $      $  18,347,773 (a)    $      $     $      $ 18,347,773        18,347,773      $ 2,382,340     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

           9,578,694 (a)             (1,005            9,577,689        9,574,817        154,133 (b)       
         

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (1,005   $      $ 27,925,462         $ 2,536,473     $  
         

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (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

                   

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.

    156        01/05/21        USD        84.72        USD        2,053      $ (731,046

Avantor, Inc.

    958        01/06/21        USD        27.00        USD        2,697        (123,632

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

    202        01/08/21        USD        36.75        USD        884        (143,208

Centene Corp.

    228        01/08/21        USD        65.50        USD        1,369        (2,166

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

    268        01/08/21        USD        86.00        USD        2,445        (138,020

Humana, Inc.

    79        01/08/21        USD        420.00        USD        3,241        (30,415

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

    79        01/08/21        USD        777.50        USD        6,463        (327,455

SmileDirectClub, Inc., Class A

    1,745        01/08/21        USD        13.00        USD        2,084        (23,557

Teladoc Health, Inc.

    55        01/08/21        USD        207.50        USD        1,100        (14,163

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

    60        01/15/21        USD        160.00        USD        850        (6,300

ABIOMED, Inc.

    100        01/15/21        USD        290.00        USD        3,242        (386,000

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

    330        01/15/21        USD        135.00        USD        4,222        (88,275

Addus HomeCare Corp.

    36        01/15/21        USD        100.00        USD        422        (62,100

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    552        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        2,392        (95,220

Alcon, Inc.

    525        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        3,464        (110,250

Allakos, Inc.

    323        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        4,522        (1,154,725

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    374        01/15/21        USD        140.00        USD        4,861        (112,200

Amedisys, Inc.

    303        01/15/21        USD        250.00        USD        8,888        (1,324,110

American Well Corp., Class A

    545        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        1,380        (14,988

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.

    580        01/15/21        USD        23.00        USD        1,339        (110,200

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    212        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,213        (270,300

Argenx SE, ADR

    190        01/15/21        USD        270.00        USD        5,588        (527,250

Argenx SE, ADR

    28        01/15/21        USD        310.00        USD        823        (15,540

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    111        01/15/21        USD        70.00        USD        852        (101,565

Beam Therapeutics, Inc.

    230        01/15/21        USD        80.00        USD        1,878        (213,900

Berkeley Lights, Inc.

    333        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        2,977        (154,845

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co. Ltd.

    76        01/15/21        USD        95.00        USD        651        (47,880

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

    162        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        1,421        (68,850

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

    30        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        336        (27,300

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

    167        01/15/21        USD        100.00        USD        1,873        (221,275

CareDx, Inc.

    290        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        2,101        (253,750

Centene Corp.

    228        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        1,369        (6,270

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

    114        01/15/21        USD        240.00        USD        2,848        (144,780

Chemed Corp.

    63        01/15/21        USD        500.00        USD        3,355        (227,115

Cytokinetics, Inc.

    381        01/15/21        USD        20.00        USD        792        (59,055

Cytokinetics, Inc.

    320        01/15/21        USD        25.00        USD        665        (8,000

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    103        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        588        (14,163

 

 

84  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

Description  

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

DexCom, Inc.

    36        01/15/21        USD        370.00        USD        1,331      $     (51,120

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    505        01/15/21        USD        22.50        USD        1,113        (51,762

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

    113        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        1,031        (31,640

Eidos Therapeutics, Inc.

    156        01/15/21        USD        85.00        USD        2,053        (717,600

Encompass Health Corp.

    660        01/15/21        USD        80.00        USD        5,458        (250,800

Encompass Health Corp.

    416        01/15/21        USD        85.00        USD        3,440        (52,000

Fate Therapeutics, Inc.

    191        01/15/21        USD        52.25        USD        1,737        (740,042

FibroGen, Inc.

    450        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        1,669        (2,250

Genmab A/S, ADR

    614        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        2,497        (121,265

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.

    105        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        455        (4,200

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.

    216        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        935        (30,780

Haemonetics Corp.

    350        01/15/21        USD        111.00        USD        4,156        (316,492

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

    505        01/15/21        USD        42.00        USD        2,157        (112,362

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

    234        01/15/21        USD        100.00        USD        2,292        (44,460

Horizon Therapeutics PLC

    260        01/15/21        USD        80.00        USD        1,902        (36,400

Humana, Inc.

    85        01/15/21        USD        435.00        USD        3,487        (18,913

Illumina, Inc.

    33        01/15/21        USD        310.00        USD        1,221        (198,165

Insulet Corp.

    170        01/15/21        USD        260.00        USD        4,346        (127,500

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.

    184        01/15/21        USD        35.00        USD        1,001        (367,080

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.

    198        01/15/21        USD        55.00        USD        1,077        (120,780

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

    29        01/15/21        USD        790.00        USD        2,372        (114,115

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.

    540        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        2,506        (378,000

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

    259        01/15/21        USD        175.00        USD        4,640        (156,695

Kadmon Holdings, Inc.

    950        01/15/21        USD        5.00        USD        394        (14,250

Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.

    510        01/15/21        USD        17.50        USD        789        (39,525

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.

    150        01/15/21        USD        115.00        USD        2,204        (498,000

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.

    354        01/15/21        USD        135.00        USD        5,201        (589,410

LHC Group, Inc.

    180        01/15/21        USD        210.00        USD        3,840        (130,500

MacroGenics, Inc.

    123        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        281        (2,153

Masimo Corp.

    189        01/15/21        USD        245.00        USD        5,072        (477,225

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.

    4,365        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        11,615        (567,450

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.

    201        01/15/21        USD        240.00        USD        4,415        (74,370

Molecular Templates, Inc.

    570        01/15/21        USD        10.00        USD        535        (38,475

Nevro Corp.

    311        01/15/21        USD        170.00        USD        5,383        (281,455

NuVasive, Inc.

    150        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        845        (149,250

Oak Street Health, Inc.

    61        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        373        (73,200

Penumra, Inc.

    190        01/15/21        USD        280.00        USD        3,325        (7,600

Prothena Corp. PLC

    472        01/15/21        USD        13.00        USD        567        (22,420

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

    270        01/15/21        USD        61.75        USD        1,648        (49,755

Rapt Therapeutics, Inc.

    368        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        727        (5,520

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

    240        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        770        (48,000

ResMed, Inc.

    317        01/15/21        USD        220.00        USD        6,738        (61,815

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

    190        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        951        (101,650

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

    92        01/15/21        USD        160.00        USD        1,569        (235,060

Seagen, Inc.

    707        01/15/21        USD        195.00        USD        12,382        (74,235

Selectquote, Inc.

    696        01/15/21        USD        22.50        USD        1,444        (17,400

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.

    467        01/15/21        USD        35.00        USD        1,144        (19,847

Seres Therapeutics, Inc.

    232        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        568        (15,080

Silk Road Medical, Inc.

    334        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        2,104        (50,100

SmileDirectClub, Inc., Class A

    1,745        01/15/21        USD        14.00        USD        2,084        (27,047

STERIS PLC

    172        01/15/21        USD        200.00        USD        3,260        (24,940

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.

    76        01/15/21        USD        55.00        USD        471        (61,560

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.

    115        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        1,100        (1,150

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.

    309        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        956        (104,287

Teladoc Health, Inc.

    226        01/15/21        USD        195.00        USD        4,519        (253,120

Teleflex, Inc.

    130        01/15/21        USD        380.00        USD        5,350        (442,000

Travere Therapeutics, Inc.

    515        01/15/21        USD        25.00        USD        1,404        (135,187

Twist Bioscience Corp.

    194        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        2,741        (718,770

Twist Bioscience Corp.

    266        01/15/21        USD        130.00        USD        3,758        (430,920

Vir Biotechnology, Inc.

    344        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        921        (25,800

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR

    155        01/15/21        USD        105.25        USD        2,098        (467,273

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    401        01/15/21        USD        155.41        USD        6,179        (137,025

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  85


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

Description  

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Zymeworks, Inc.

    340        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        1,607      $     (132,600

Zymeworks, Inc.

    366        01/15/21        USD        55.00        USD        1,730        (88,755

Centene Corp.

    169        01/22/21        USD        65.00        USD        1,014        (6,676

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

    238        01/22/21        USD        88.00        USD        2,171        (109,480

Humana, Inc.

    47        01/22/21        USD        417.50        USD        1,928        (38,070

Illumina, Inc.

    59        01/22/21        USD        345.00        USD        2,183        (161,070

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

    70        01/22/21        USD        805.00        USD        5,727        (274,750

Nektar Therapeutics

    496        01/22/21        USD        20.50        USD        843        (14,880

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.

    97        01/22/21        USD        175.00        USD        1,654        (231,830

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.

    163        01/22/21        USD        100.00        USD        1,560        (55,827

Teladoc Health, Inc.

    132        01/22/21        USD        205.00        USD        2,639        (108,900

Twist Bioscience Corp.

    218        01/22/21        USD        131.00        USD        3,080        (374,030

ChemoCentryx, Inc.

    118        01/28/21        USD        64.37        USD        731        (39,416

Centene Corp.

    296        01/29/21        USD        65.00        USD        1,777        (21,016

Humana, Inc.

    41        01/29/21        USD        412.50        USD        1,682        (51,660

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

    30        01/29/21        USD        760.00        USD        2,454        (212,400

Nektar Therapeutics

    496        01/29/21        USD        20.00        USD        843        (19,840

Teladoc Health, Inc.

    133        01/29/21        USD        210.00        USD        2,659        (107,065

LHC Group, Inc.

    250        02/03/21        USD        208.00        USD        5,333        (276,664

Dexcom, Inc.

    69        02/04/21        USD        362.00        USD        2,551        (179,368

Amedisys, Inc.

    343        02/05/21        USD        276.50        USD        10,061        (786,156

United Therapeutics Corp.

    83        02/10/21        USD        148.25        USD        1,260        (82,757

Allakos, Inc.

    292        02/12/21        USD        125.25        USD        4,088        (708,911

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    264        02/12/21        USD        55.25        USD        1,510        (174,470

PPD, Inc.

    1,123        02/12/21        USD        36.75        USD        3,843        (125,491

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

    75        02/19/21        USD        160.00        USD        1,062        (34,875

ABIOMED, Inc.

    124        02/19/21        USD        291.00        USD        4,020        (567,664

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.

    550        02/19/21        USD        145.00        USD        7,037        (228,250

Addus HomeCare Corp.

    90        02/19/21        USD        115.00        USD        1,054        (62,550

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    684        02/19/21        USD        36.00        USD        2,964        (597,449

Alcon, Inc.

    1,129        02/19/21        USD        65.00        USD        7,449        (364,102

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    347        02/19/21        USD        145.00        USD        4,510        (176,970

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    55        02/19/21        USD        160.00        USD        715        (12,375

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.

    660        02/19/21        USD        24.00        USD        1,524        (282,150

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    371        02/19/21        USD        75.00        USD        2,850        (259,700

Argenx SE, ADR

    120        02/19/21        USD        300.00        USD        3,529        (222,600

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    130        02/19/21        USD        77.25        USD        997        (116,321

Avantor, Inc.

    1,189        02/19/21        USD        30.00        USD        3,347        (124,845

Beam Therapeutics, Inc.

    245        02/19/21        USD        80.00        USD        2,000        (347,900

Berkeley Lights, Inc.

    367        02/19/21        USD        95.00        USD        3,281        (266,075

Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Co. Ltd.

    76        02/19/21        USD        100.00        USD        651        (72,580

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

    402        02/19/21        USD        100.00        USD        3,525        (154,770

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

    270        02/19/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,182        (76,275

CareDx, Inc.

    340        02/19/21        USD        70.00        USD        2,463        (246,500

Centene Corp.

    296        02/19/21        USD        67.50        USD        1,777        (23,680

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

    140        02/19/21        USD        250.00        USD        3,498        (169,400

ChemoCentryx, Inc.

    121        02/19/21        USD        65.00        USD        749        (52,030

Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    185        02/19/21        USD        33.50        USD        533        (65,483

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    127        02/19/21        USD        60.00        USD        725        (50,800

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    621        02/19/21        USD        25.00        USD        1,368        (136,620

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

    168        02/19/21        USD        90.00        USD        1,533        (84,000

Envista Holdings Corp.

    468        02/19/21        USD        33.00        USD        1,579        (137,826

Fate Therapeutics, Inc.

    102        02/19/21        USD        95.00        USD        927        (118,320

Genmab A/S, ADR

    607        02/19/21        USD        45.00        USD        2,468        (54,630

Haemonetics Corp.

    422        02/19/21        USD        120.00        USD        5,011        (339,710

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

    327        02/19/21        USD        46.00        USD        1,397        (62,130

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

    175        02/19/21        USD        100.00        USD        1,714        (80,500

Horizon Therapeutics PLC

    210        02/19/21        USD        85.00        USD        1,536        (57,225

Insmed, Inc.

    370        02/19/21        USD        39.00        USD        1,232        (47,175

Insulet Corp.

    229        02/19/21        USD        260.00        USD        5,854        (328,615

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

    146        02/19/21        USD        180.00        USD        2,616        (115,340

MacroGenics, Inc.

    159        02/19/21        USD        35.00        USD        363        (9,938

 

 

86  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

Description   Number of
Contracts
    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Masimo Corp.

    575        02/19/21        USD        275.00        USD        15,432      $ (563,500

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.

    79        02/19/21        USD        240.00        USD        1,735        (82,950

Nevro Corp.

    388        02/19/21        USD        190.00        USD        6,716        (170,720

NuVasive, Inc.

    234        02/19/21        USD        50.00        USD        1,318        (248,040

Oak Street Health, Inc.

    70        02/19/21        USD        65.00        USD        428        (25,025

Penumra, Inc.

    128        02/19/21        USD        192.00        USD        2,240        (137,520

PPD, Inc.

    443        02/19/21        USD        40.00        USD        1,516        (18,828

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

    338        02/19/21        USD        75.00        USD        2,063        (36,335

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

    313        02/19/21        USD        40.00        USD        1,004        (35,995

ResMed, Inc.

    179        02/19/21        USD        220.00        USD        3,805        (136,935

Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A

    200        02/19/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,001        (133,000

Seagen, Inc.

    821        02/19/21        USD        220.00        USD        14,379        (223,722

Selectquote, Inc.

    871        02/19/21        USD        25.00        USD        1,807        (30,485

Silk Road Medical, Inc.

    510        02/19/21        USD        62.25        USD        3,212        (234,184

STERIS PLC

    220        02/19/21        USD        190.00        USD        4,170        (171,600

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.

    93        02/19/21        USD        50.00        USD        576        (130,200

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.

    219        02/19/21        USD        60.00        USD        1,356        (164,250

TCR2 Therapeutics, Inc.

    330        02/19/21        USD        30.00        USD        1,021        (161,700

Teleflex, Inc.

    272        02/19/21        USD        410.00        USD        11,195        (597,040

Travere Therapeutics, Inc.

    588        02/19/21        USD        26.10        USD        1,603        (267,654

United Therapeutics Corp.

    83        02/19/21        USD        150.00        USD        1,260        (81,755

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR

    380        02/19/21        USD        120.00        USD        5,143        (767,600

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    463        02/19/21        USD        160.00        USD        7,134        (222,240

Stoke Therapeutics, Inc.

    213        02/26/21        USD        61.00        USD        1,319        (157,944

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.

    663        03/19/21        USD        55.00        USD        3,076        (235,365
                   

 

 

 
                    $ (33,441,155
                   

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

Description   Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                      

Applied Molecular Transport, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        43,000        01/04/21        USD        32.25        USD        1,323      $ (10,068

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        27,000        01/05/21        USD        27.66        USD        689        (2,962

Revolution Medicines, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        15,800        01/05/21        USD        31.75        USD        626            (123,930

Alcon AG

    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        52,500        01/06/21        USD        63.79        USD        3,464        (127,972

Convatec Group PLC

    Goldman Sachs International        630,200        01/06/21        GBP        2.07        GBP        1,255        (1,913

Envista Holdings Corp.

    Bank of America N.A.        62,400        01/06/21        USD        29.89        USD        2,105        (239,818

Genmab A/S, ADR

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        61,300        01/06/21        USD        37.66        USD        2,492        (187,652

GN Store Nord A/S

    Barclays Bank PLC        55,400        01/06/21        DKK        524.48        DKK        26,905        (642

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

    UBS AG        434,000        01/06/21        HKD        35.11        HKD        16,306        (137,888

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.

    Citibank N.A.        872,000        01/06/21        HKD        10.03        HKD        13,757        (645,988

LHC Group, Inc.

    UBS AG        21,300        01/06/21        USD        222.85        USD        4,544        (12,938

PPD, Inc.

    Citibank N.A.        160,000        01/06/21        USD        35.58        USD        5,475        (39,653

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd.,
Class H

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        161,700        01/06/21        HKD        128.51        HKD        24,592        (491,894

ADC Therapeutics SA

    Bank of America N.A.        21,000        01/07/21        USD        36.00        USD        672        (4,812

Akouos, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        13,100        01/07/21        USD        23.09        USD        260        (1,241

Amplifon SpA

    Credit Suisse International        64,700        01/07/21        EUR        35.48        EUR        2,201        (13,130

Demant A/S

    Barclays Bank PLC        44,100        01/07/21        DKK        227.22        DKK        10,620        (107,344

Genmab A/S, ADR

    UBS AG        21,700        01/07/21        DKK        2,334.87        DKK        53,608        (551,603

Lonza Group AG

    UBS AG        3,200        01/07/21        CHF        598.84        CHF        1,825        (2,428

Relmada Therapeutics, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        18,200        01/07/21        USD        34.93        USD        584        (8,017

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Barclays Bank PLC        28,000        01/07/21        USD        39.60        USD        1,454        (345,591

Kadmon Holdings, Inc.

    Bank of America N.A.        189,000        01/08/21        USD        4.25        USD        784        (43,081

Immunovant, Inc.

    Barclays Bank PLC        26,000        01/11/21        USD        49.50        USD        1,201        (41,074

American Well Corp., Class A

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        65,000        01/12/21        USD        24.12        USD        1,646        (135,234

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    Barclays Bank PLC        5,300        01/12/21        DKK        975.00        DKK        4,927        (2,282

Amplifon SpA

    Barclays Bank PLC        52,000        01/13/21        EUR        36.47        EUR        1,769        (9,649

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

    Bank of America N.A.        23,800        01/13/21        USD        30.69        USD        607        (1,508

Berkeley Lights, Inc.

    Citibank N.A.        25,000        01/13/21        USD        87.10        USD        2,235        (140,174

Demant A/S

    Goldman Sachs International        44,100        01/13/21        DKK        225.26        DKK        10,620        (128,735

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  87


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

    

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

Description   Counterparty      Number of
Contracts
    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                      

Genmab A/S, ADR

    Barclays Bank PLC        35,000        01/13/21        DKK        2,419.38        DKK        86,465      $ (561,613

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        1,342,000        01/13/21        HKD        12.89        HKD        21,171        (498,901

Lonza Group AG

    Credit Suisse International        2,900        01/13/21        CHF        611.61        CHF        1,654        (2,028

Merck KGaA

    Credit Suisse International        15,000        01/13/21        EUR        136.29        EUR        2,106        (95,185

ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        27,000        01/13/21        USD        24.10        USD        914        (264,044

Straumann Holding AG, Registered Shares

    Goldman Sachs International        4,000        01/13/21        CHF        1,109.82        CHF        4,148        (4,076

UCB SA

    Barclays Bank PLC        38,000        01/13/21        EUR        98.94        EUR        3,213        (140

Akouos, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        13,100        01/14/21        USD        23.09        USD        260        (3,937

ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.

    Bank of America N.A.        26,600        01/14/21        USD        82.60        USD        2,293        (259,366

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        23,800        01/14/21        USD        34.63        USD        607        (104

C4 Therapeutics, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        25,000        01/14/21        USD        35.05        USD        828        (30,354

Eargo, inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     25,200        01/14/21        USD        50.10        USD        1,129        (39,967

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        37,000        01/14/21        USD        41.73        USD        1,291        (10,995

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        25,000        01/14/21        USD        43.75        USD        873        (3,743

Generation Bio Co.

    Goldman Sachs International        35,000        01/14/21        USD        13.29        USD        490        (42,029

Keros Therapeutics, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        26,500        01/14/21        USD        71.77        USD        1,869        (89,245

Kymera Therapeutics, Inc.

    Bank of America N.A.        24,200        01/14/21        USD        57.97        USD        1,500        (154,601

Nkarta, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     40,000        01/14/21        USD        52.24        USD        2,459        (417,186

Pmv Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     25,000        01/14/21        USD        48.70        USD        1,538        (324,366

Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        63,000        01/14/21        USD        45.94        USD        3,466        (618,053

Pulmonx Corp.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     14,900        01/14/21        USD        53.44        USD        1,028        (232,888

Revolution Medicines, Inc.

    Bank of America N.A.        11,000        01/14/21        USD        48.03        USD        435        (5,575

Venus MedTech Hangzhou, Inc., Class H

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        24,000        01/14/21        HKD        79.01        HKD        1,899        (11,487

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.

    Citibank N.A.        35,500        01/14/21        USD        9.27        USD        254        (7,959

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     15,000        01/14/21        USD        58.97        USD        779        (8,636

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        40,500        01/15/21        JPY        8,535.64        JPY        299,056        (2,388

Gerresheimer AG

    Credit Suisse International        20,000        01/15/21        EUR        101.67        EUR        1,765        (443

Kymera Therapeutics, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        27,400        01/19/21        USD        70.48        USD        1,699        (55,626

Nkarta, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        25,000        01/19/21        USD        70.46        USD        1,537        (60,947

Akouos, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     11,300        01/20/21        USD        20.85        USD        224        (12,098

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

    Citibank N.A.        512,000        01/20/21        HKD        34.82        HKD        19,236        (187,974

Immunovant, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        16,600        01/20/21        USD        54.23        USD        767        (4,604

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.

    UBS AG        1,342,000        01/20/21        HKD        14.85        HKD        21,171        (191,438

ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        12,000        01/20/21        USD        30.91        USD        406        (51,597

Passage Bio, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        23,700        01/20/21        USD        22.75        USD        606        (79,869

PPD, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        160,000        01/20/21        USD        35.23        USD        5,475        (145,374

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     21,700        01/21/21        USD        30.98        USD        610        (23,230

Gerresheimer AG

    Credit Suisse International        23,700        01/21/21        EUR        94.47        EUR        2,092        (6,655

Merck KGaA

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     37,300        01/21/21        EUR        138.58        EUR        5,237        (194,770

Morphic Holding, Inc.

    Barclays Bank PLC        15,000        01/21/21        USD        31.00        USD        503        (46,993

Akouos, Inc.

   

Morgan Stanley & Co.

International PLC


 

     25,000        01/26/21        USD        20.58        USD        496        (34,560

ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        27,700        01/26/21        USD        84.00        USD        2,388        (327,222

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        21,000        01/26/21        USD        35.63        USD        536        (610

C4 Therapeutics, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        30,000        01/26/21        USD        35.39        USD        994        (53,873

Eargo, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        25,200        01/26/21        USD        50.94        USD        1,129        (63,305

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

    Citibank N.A.        348,000        01/26/21        HKD        36.41        HKD        13,074        (80,010

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        758,000        01/26/21        HKD        15.64        HKD        11,958        (69,896

Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.

    UBS AG        27,300        01/26/21        USD        16.93        USD        423        (38,126

Keros Therapeutics, Inc.

    Credit Suisse International        28,600        01/26/21        USD        84.56        USD        2,017        (38,018

Kymera Therapeutics, Inc.

    Bank of America N.A.        24,300        01/26/21        USD        59.07        USD        1,507        (174,019

Morphic Holding, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     11,100        01/26/21        USD        34.17        USD        372        (16,581

Nkarta, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        25,000        01/26/21        USD        70.45        USD        1,537        (82,083

ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     12,000        01/26/21        USD        38.07        USD        406        (18,778

Passage Bio, Inc.

    Bank of America N.A.        25,700        01/26/21        USD        28.78        USD        657        (21,168

PMV Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     33,000        01/26/21        USD        47.31        USD        2,030        (482,365

Praxis Precision Medicines, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     63,200        01/26/21        USD        44.99        USD        3,477        (720,757

Pulmonx Corp.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     14,000        01/26/21        USD        54.98        USD        966        (202,205

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        243,900        01/26/21        HKD        138.53        HKD        37,093        (474,394

WuXi Biologics, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        810,000        01/26/21        HKD        86.10        HKD        83,274        (1,778,410

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     16,000        01/26/21        USD        59.53        USD        831        (18,588

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.

   
Morgan Stanley & Co.
International PLC
 
 
     21,700        01/27/21        USD        31.27        USD        610        (27,126

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    UBS AG        11,900        01/27/21        JPY        7,983.50        JPY        87,871        (8,982

 

 

88  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

    

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

Description   Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Exercise Price    

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Call (continued)

               

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     45,000       01/27/21       USD       47.41       USD       1,571     $ (10,582

GN Store Nord A/S

  Barclays Bank PLC     52,200       01/27/21       DKK       494.12       DKK       25,351       (112,284

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

  UBS AG     690,000       01/27/21       HKD       35.25       HKD       25,924       (234,952

Jinxin Fertility Group Ltd.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     758,000       01/27/21       HKD       14.48       HKD       11,958       (140,640

Lonza Group AG

  Goldman Sachs International     3,100       01/27/21       CHF       564.48       CHF       1,768       (68,618

Straumann Holding AG, Registered Shares

  Credit Suisse International     2,700       01/27/21       CHF       1,080.98       CHF       2,800       (35,393

UCB SA

  Barclays Bank PLC     23,600       01/27/21       EUR       90.76       EUR       1,996       (16,272

Akeso, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     232,000       01/28/21       HKD       33.93       HKD       8,841       (156,110

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.

  UBS AG     434,000       01/28/21       HKD       36.75       HKD       16,306       (90,204

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     32,800       01/28/21       USD       8.61       USD       235       (21,301

Prothena Corp. PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     27,200       01/29/21       USD       14.58       USD       327       (16,793

Krystal Biotech, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     42,000       02/01/21       USD       54.00       USD       2,520       (317,599

Amplifon SpA

  Credit Suisse International     51,500       02/02/21       EUR       32.99       EUR       1,752       (119,667

Convatec Group PLC

  Credit Suisse International     583,500       02/02/21       GBP       2.11       GBP       1,162       (11,027

Demant A/S

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     44,000       02/02/21       DKK       227.20       DKK       10,595       (143,539

Sonova Holding AG

  Goldman Sachs International     12,700       02/02/21       CHF       229.60       CHF       2,924       (95,687

Venus MedTech Hangzhou, Inc., Class H

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     23,000       02/02/21       HKD       82.64       HKD       1,820       (12,302

Akouos, Inc.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     11,300       02/03/21       USD       20.85       USD       224       (17,184

ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.

  Barclays Bank PLC     25,800       02/03/21       USD       96.52       USD       2,224       (219,661

Demant A/S

  Goldman Sachs International     64,000       02/03/21       DKK       243.08       DKK       15,412       (118,157

Eisai Co. Ltd.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     16,900       02/03/21       JPY       7,612.80       JPY       124,791       (33,439

Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     45,000       02/03/21       USD       47.41       USD       1,571       (17,110

GN Store Nord A/S

  Barclays Bank PLC     69,200       02/03/21       DKK       502.05       DKK       33,607       (136,530

Immunovant, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     29,200       02/03/21       USD       57.05       USD       1,349       (47,397

Straumann Holding AG, Registered Shares

  UBS AG     3,800       02/03/21       CHF       1,045.50       CHF       3,941       (148,377

UCB SA

  UBS AG     47,600       02/03/21       EUR       87.04       EUR       4,025       (95,559

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class H

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     263,800       02/03/21       HKD       151.94       HKD       40,119       (252,074

WuXi Biologics, Inc.

  Goldman Sachs International     390,000       02/03/21       HKD       98.65       HKD       40,095       (422,813

Prothena Corp. PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     27,200       02/05/21       USD       14.58       USD       327       (15,166

Akouos, Inc.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     11,300       02/10/21       USD       20.85       USD       224       (19,339

Sonova Holding AG

  UBS AG     10,200       02/10/21       CHF       227.64       CHF       2,349       (98,121

Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     17,200       02/11/21       USD       51.26       USD       715       (21,416
               

 

 

 
                $ (16,306,094
               

 

 

 

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

Description   Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
    Value  

Options Written

  $  —      $  —      $ 7,705,439      $ (23,421,077   $ (49,747,249

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

  $      $      $ 49,747,249      $      $      $      $ 49,747,249  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  89


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

    

 

For the period ended December 31, 2020, 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

  $      $      $ (121,511   $      $      $      $ (121,511

Options written

                  (73,164,412                          (73,164,412
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $      $ (73,285,923   $      $      $      $ (73,285,923
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                  

Options written

  $      $      $ (15,715,638   $      $      $      $ (15,715,638
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

Options

       

Average value of option contracts purchased

  $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 37,497,101  

 

  (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) were as follows:

 

     Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

    

Options(a)

  $      $ 49,747,249  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

           49,747,249  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

           (33,441,155
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

  $                 —      $ 16,306,094  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes options purchased at value which is included in Investments at value — unaffiliated in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and reported in the Schedule of Investments.

 

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

  $ 1,270,655      $      $ (1,270,655   $     $  

Barclays Bank PLC

    1,600,075               (1,600,075            

Citibank N.A

    1,101,758               (1,101,758            

Credit Suisse International

    609,196               (194,196     (415,000      

Goldman Sachs International

    882,028                     (655,000     227,028  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

    6,096,371               (6,096,371            

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    3,135,395               (3,119,395     (16,000      

UBS AG

    1,610,616               (1,433,616     (177,000      
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 16,306,094      $      $ (14,816,066   $ (1,263,000   $ 227,028  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

90  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)     

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Biotechnology

   $ 1,166,466,709        $ 218,425,589        $ 28,744,832        $ 1,413,637,130  

Diversified Financial Services

     73,278,702                            73,278,702  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     16,518,575                            16,518,575  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     654,944,457          171,224,901                   826,169,358  

Health Care Providers & Services

     246,546,286          178,092,308                   424,638,594  

Health Care Technology

     55,964,929                            55,964,929  

Insurance

     11,615,062                            11,615,062  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

              30,840,850                   30,840,850  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     213,238,536          143,642,160                   356,880,696  

Pharmaceuticals

     33,853,775          156,368,919                   190,222,694  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

                       112,069,329          112,069,329  

Warrants

     1,936,055                            1,936,055  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     18,347,773                            18,347,773  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,492,710,859        $   898,594,727        $     140,814,161          3,532,119,747  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    9,577,689  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 3,541,697,436  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (25,706,013      $ (24,041,236      $        $ (49,747,249
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 financial instruments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the year 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 January 30, 2020

   $        $        $  

Transfers into Level 3

                        

Transfers out of Level 3

                        

Accrued discounts/premiums

                        

Net realized gain (loss)

                        

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     18,215          466,379          484,594  

Purchases

     28,726,617          111,602,950          140,329,567  

Sales

                        
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2020

   $   28,744,832        $   112,069,329        $   140,814,161  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2020(b)

   $ 18,215        $ 466,379        $ 484,594  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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, 2020 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  91


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)     

 

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 financial instruments 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

   $ 28,744,832          Market          Recent Transactions                  

Preferred Stocks

     112,069,329          Market          Volatility          77% - 79%        78%  
               Time to Exit          3.0 - 5.0        4.2  
               Recent Transactions                  
                             
  

 

 

                   
   $     140,814,161                    
  

 

 

                   

 

  (a) 

A significant change in unobservable input would have resulted in a correlated (inverse) significant change to value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

92  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

 

Chemicals — 14.0%             

Albemarle Corp.(a)

    32,299      $ 4,764,749  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    995,834        38,548,734  

FMC Corp.(a)(b)

    218,147        25,071,635  

Koninklijke DSM NV

    92,561        15,917,824  

Nutrien Ltd.(a)

    184,537        8,887,302  

Symrise AG

    83,664        11,122,571  
    

 

 

 
       104,312,815  
Containers & Packaging(a) — 7.1%             

International Paper Co.

    269,331        13,391,137  

Packaging Corp. of America(b)

    153,606        21,183,803  

Westrock Co.(b)

    428,088        18,634,671  
    

 

 

 
       53,209,611  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments &
Components — 2.3%
            

Trimble, Inc.(a)(c)

    255,445        17,056,063  
    

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.2%             

Darling Ingredients, Inc.(a)(c)

    158,023        9,114,767  
    

 

 

 
Food Products — 4.8%             

Bunge Ltd.(a)

    369,649        24,241,581  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    80,658        11,715,043  
    

 

 

 
       35,956,624  
Machinery — 1.3%             

Deere & Co.(a)

    36,887        9,924,447  
    

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 35.0%             

Anglo American PLC

    974,748        32,188,359  

BHP Group PLC

    1,790,111        47,266,787  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    522,519        9,379,809  

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

    560,232        10,119,135  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.(a)(c)

    735,747        19,144,137  

Kinross Gold Corp.

    1,587,919        11,651,476  

Lundin Mining Corp.

    1,350,994        11,993,269  

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC, ADR

    318,090        9,914,414  

Neo Lithium Corp.(c)

    4,199,973        6,566,067  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

    228,035        4,551,066  

Newmont Corp.(a)(b)

    325,966        19,522,104  

Polyus PJSC, Registered Shares, GDR

    81,979        8,262,797  

Rio Tinto PLC

    82,592        6,216,956  

Stelco Holdings, Inc.(c)

    685,252        12,236,450  

Vale SA, ADR(a)

    2,541,939        42,602,898  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    233,934        9,764,405  
    

 

 

 
       261,380,129  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 34.0%  

Aker BP ASA

    266,000        6,712,236  

BP PLC, ADR(a)

    1,356,057        27,826,290  

Chevron Corp.(a)(b)

    426,431        36,012,098  

CNOOC Ltd.

    9,230,000        8,467,799  

ConocoPhillips(a)

    364,555        14,578,554  

Equinor ASA

    728,500        12,294,515  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    715,887        7,585,822  

Hess Corp.

    98,200        5,183,978  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.(c)

    2,060,397        4,841,933  

Lukoil PJSC - ADR

    181,318        12,331,980  
Security          Shares     Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR(a)

      1,107,631     $ 12,438,696  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.(a)

      87,751       9,993,961  

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

      728,790       25,609,681  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

      939,470       15,757,471  

Total SA

      996,554       43,013,460  

Valero Energy Corp.(a)

      193,107       10,924,063  
     

 

 

 
        253,572,537  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%  

Precious Woods Holding AG, Registered Shares(c)

      20,000       220,264  
     

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 1.4%  

Tractor Supply Co.(a)

      70,853       9,960,515  
     

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 101.1%  

(Cost: $623,428,896)

        754,707,772  
     

 

 

 
           

Par

( 000)

        

Corporate Bonds

     
Metals & Mining — 0.6%                  

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd., 4.00%, 12/31/22(d)

    CAD       5,652       4,706,670  
     

 

 

 
Total Corporate Bonds — 0.6%  

    (Cost: $4,511,494)

        4,706,670  
     

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 101.7%  

(Cost: $627,940,390)

        759,414,442  
     

 

 

 
            Shares         

Short-Term Securities

     
Money Market Funds — 0.1%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class,

     

0.00%(e)(f)

      289,665       289,665  
     

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%  

(Cost: $289,665)

        289,665  
     

 

 

 
Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.8%  

(Cost: $628,230,055)

        759,704,107  
     

 

 

 
Options Written — (2.2)%  

(Premiums Received: $(9,419,468))

        (16,243,847
     

 

 

 
Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.6%  

(Cost: $618,810,587)

        743,460,260  
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.4%     3,155,103  
     

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%     $746,615,363  
     

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Convertible security.

(e) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  93


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

    

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
12/31/19
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
12/31/20
     Shares
Held at
12/31/20
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $ 13,708,365      $      $ (13,418,700 )(a)    $      $      $ 289,665        289,665      $ 51,624      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market
Series(b)

     183,179               (183,221 )(a)      84        (42                    6,091 (c)        
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
           $ 84      $ (42    $ 289,665         $ 57,715      $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

                   

BP PLC, ADR

    1,131        01/08/21        USD        21.00        USD        2,321      $     (29,406

ConocoPhillips

    434        01/08/21        USD        42.50        USD        1,736        (10,633

Deere & Co.

    74        01/08/21        USD        257.50        USD        1,991        (90,835

Newmont Corp.

    103        01/08/21        USD        61.50        USD        617        (4,532

Nutrien Ltd.

    371        01/08/21        USD        51.50        USD        1,787        (5,565

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    165        01/08/21        USD        117.00        USD        1,879        (31,763

Vale SA, ADR

    985        01/08/21        USD        12.85        USD        1,651        (385,905

Albemarle Corp.

    129        01/15/21        USD        155.00        USD        1,903        (30,960

BP PLC, ADR

    874        01/15/21        USD        20.00        USD        1,793        (82,593

Bunge Ltd.

    772        01/15/21        USD        62.50        USD        5,063        (281,780

Bunge Ltd.

    200        01/15/21        USD        65.00        USD        1,312        (40,000

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    244        01/15/21        USD        32.50        USD        945        (156,160

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    771        01/15/21        USD        35.00        USD        2,985        (300,690

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    594        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        2,299        (35,640

Chevron Corp.

    321        01/15/21        USD        87.50        USD        2,711        (39,323

Chevron Corp.

    728        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        6,148        (46,956

ConocoPhillips

    464        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,856        (10,440

Darling Ingredients, Inc.

    347        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        2,001        (281,070

FMC Corp.

    506        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        5,815        (30,360

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    720        01/15/21        USD        21.00        USD        1,873        (361,800

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    1,012        01/15/21        USD        20.00        USD        2,633        (609,730

International Paper Co.

    334        01/15/21        USD        50.00        USD        1,661        (33,400

Kinross Gold Corp.

    520        01/15/21        CAD        12.00        CAD        486        (1,430

Kinross Gold Corp.

    573        01/15/21        CAD        11.00        CAD        535        (2,701

Lundin Mining Corp.

    2,018        01/15/21        CAD        9.00        CAD        2,280        (366,217

Lundin Mining Corp.

    2,647        01/15/21        CAD        10.00        CAD        2,991        (278,653

Newmont Corp.

    469        01/15/21        USD        70.00        USD        2,809        (2,814

Packaging Corp. of America

    311        01/15/21        USD        130.00        USD        4,289        (267,460

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

    1,184        01/15/21        USD        9.00        USD        1,330        (263,440

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    40        01/15/21        USD        105.00        USD        456        (40,200

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    391        01/15/21        USD        27.50        USD        1,374        (299,115

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

    783        01/15/21        USD        40.00        USD        2,751        (7,830

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

    1,250        01/15/21        CAD        16.00        CAD        2,841        (660,401

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    1,893        01/15/21        CAD        22.00        CAD        4,042        (66,178

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    1,049        01/15/21        CAD        24.00        CAD        2,240        (8,653

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    1,049        01/15/21        CAD        25.00        CAD        2,240        (5,357

 

 

94  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                    

Tractor Supply Co.

     143        01/15/21        USD        135.00        USD        2,010      $ (102,245

Trimble, Inc.

     529        01/15/21        USD        60.00        USD        3,532        (367,655

Valero Energy Corp.

     289        01/15/21        USD        55.00        USD        1,635        (88,145

Valero Energy Corp.

     240        01/15/21        USD        60.00        USD        1,358        (21,000

Westrock Co.

     414        01/15/21        USD        45.00        USD        1,802        (28,980

BP PLC, ADR

     1,139        01/22/21        USD        23.50        USD        2,337        (12,529

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     1,020        01/22/21        USD        39.00        USD        3,948        (124,950

Chevron Corp.

     333        01/22/21        USD        91.50        USD        2,812        (25,308

ConocoPhillips

     270        01/22/21        USD        44.50        USD        1,080        (12,285

Deere & Co.

     74        01/22/21        USD        257.50        USD        1,991        (108,780

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

     2,350        01/22/21        CAD        21.00        CAD        5,370        (415,390

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     690        01/22/21        USD        25.00        USD        1,795        (130,065

International Paper Co.

     456        01/22/21        USD        51.50        USD        2,267        (27,360

Kinross Gold Corp.

     1,574        01/22/21        CAD        10.00        CAD        1,470        (30,295

Nutrien Ltd.

     371        01/22/21        USD        51.50        USD        1,787        (10,203

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

     912        01/22/21        USD        11.00        USD        1,024        (51,528

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

     894        01/22/21        USD        38.50        USD        3,142        (49,170

Tractor Supply Co.

     142        01/22/21        USD        144.00        USD        1,996        (43,665

Vale SA, ADR

     1,866        01/22/21        USD        18.00        USD        3,127        (55,047

Valero Energy Corp.

     209        01/22/21        USD        60.00        USD        1,182        (27,170

BP PLC, ADR

     1,174        01/29/21        USD        22.50        USD        2,409        (36,981

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

     1,377        01/29/21        USD        40.79        USD        5,330        (104,205

Chevron Corp.

     334        01/29/21        USD        92.50        USD        2,821        (40,414

ConocoPhillips

     179        01/29/21        USD        43.50        USD        716        (15,036

ConocoPhillips

     6        01/29/21        USD        40.50        USD        24        (1,071

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     180        01/29/21        USD        25.00        USD        468        (40,050

International Paper Co.

     239        01/29/21        USD        51.50        USD        1,188        (20,913

Kinross Gold Corp.

     1,574        01/29/21        CAD        10.00        CAD        1,470        (40,188

Newmont Corp.

     280        01/29/21        USD        60.00        USD        1,677        (62,300

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

     1,306        01/29/21        USD        11.50        USD        1,467        (59,423

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

     148        01/29/21        USD        115.00        USD        1,686        (82,140

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

     864        01/29/21        USD        38.50        USD        3,036        (56,160

Vale SA, ADR

     2,353        01/29/21        USD        14.10        USD        3,944        (678,401

Newmont Corp.

     394        02/05/21        USD        63.50        USD        2,360        (48,462

Vale SA, ADR

     2,093        02/05/21        USD        17.50        USD        3,508        (129,766

Packaging Corp. of America

     183        02/12/21        USD        136.00        USD        2,524        (127,865

Packaging Corp. of America

     124        02/12/21        USD        137.71        USD        1,710        (74,952

BP PLC, ADR

     1,138        02/19/21        USD        24.00        USD        2,335        (32,433

ConocoPhillips

     40        02/19/21        USD        43.00        USD        160        (5,820

Darling Ingredients, Inc.

     288        02/19/21        USD        60.00        USD        1,661        (74,880

FMC Corp.

     327        02/19/21        USD        120.00        USD        3,758        (101,370

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     478        02/19/21        USD        24.00        USD        1,244        (154,155

Kinross Gold Corp.

     573        02/19/21        CAD        12.00        CAD        535        (6,977

Kinross Gold Corp.

     1,574        02/19/21        CAD        10.00        CAD        1,470        (63,682

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR

     1,204        02/19/21        USD        10.00        USD        1,352        (173,978

Trimble, Inc.

     340        02/19/21        USD        65.00        USD        2,270        (156,400

Trimble, Inc.

     110        02/19/21        USD        70.00        USD        734        (25,025

Vale SA, ADR

     2,420        02/19/21        USD        17.00        USD        4,056        (240,790

Westrock Co.

     1,222        02/19/21        USD        47.50        USD        5,319        (137,475
                    

 

 

 
                     $ (9,693,072
                    

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

Description   Counterparty   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                      

Lukoil PJSC - ADR

  Goldman Sachs International      9,000        01/05/21        USD        65.05        USD        612      $ (33,114

Total SA

  Goldman Sachs International      84,500        01/05/21        EUR        35.70        EUR        2,985        (19,326

BHP Group PLC

  Credit Suisse International      636,000        01/06/21        GBP        17.07        GBP        12,280        (1,958,840

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

  Goldman Sachs International      13,200        01/06/21        EUR        118.35        EUR        1,569        (26,032

Koninklijke DSM NV

  Credit Suisse International      22,700        01/06/21        EUR        144.68        EUR        3,195        (11,645

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  95


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                

Anglo American PLC

   UBS AG     69,000       01/07/21       GBP       19.28       GBP       1,666     $ (459,119

BHP Group PLC

   UBS AG     125,500       01/07/21       GBP       15.69       GBP       2,423       (620,424

Rio Tinto PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC     33,000       01/07/21       GBP       51.27       GBP       1,816       (171,100

CNOOC Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley And Co. International     910,000       01/12/21       HKD       7.58       HKD       6,472       (9,921

Lukoil PJSC - ADR

   Goldman Sachs International     13,900       01/12/21       USD       57.65       USD       945       (159,924

Total SA

   Credit Suisse International     99,900       01/12/21       EUR       35.67       EUR       3,530       (48,566

Anglo American PLC

   Credit Suisse International     70,000       01/13/21       GBP       22.80       GBP       1,690       (147,855

Equinor ASA

   Morgan Stanley And Co. International     124,300       01/15/21       NOK       149.43       NOK       17,987       (35,297

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     114,200       01/15/21       AUD       17.04       AUD       2,676       (562,874

Aker BP ASA

   Morgan Stanley And Co. International     53,200       01/21/21       NOK       223.40       NOK       11,510       (22,156

Anglo American PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC     240,000       01/21/21       GBP       25.47       GBP       5,796       (101,127

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

   UBS AG     111,200       01/21/21       AUD       22.14       AUD       2,605       (148,829

Lukoil PJSC - ADR

   Credit Suisse International     50,000       01/21/21       USD       74.42       USD       3,401       (15,568

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC

   Credit Suisse International     128,000       01/21/21       USD       32.83       USD       3,990       (41,839

Polyus PJSC, Registered Shares, GDR

   Credit Suisse International     16,500       01/26/21       USD       103.69       USD       1,663       (49,639

Polyus PJSC, Registered Shares, GDR

   Goldman Sachs International     16,500       01/26/21       USD       99.91       USD       1,663       (76,782

Bunge Ltd.

   Credit Suisse International     51,800       01/27/21       USD       65.12       USD       3,397       (136,066

Equinor ASA

   Morgan Stanley And Co. International     124,300       01/27/21       NOK       150.89       NOK       17,987       (46,415

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Barclays Bank PLC     155,700       01/27/21       EUR       9.58       EUR       1,351       (40,097

Symrise AG

   Credit Suisse International     33,500       01/27/21       EUR       109.46       EUR       3,646       (76,782

Total SA

   Goldman Sachs International     71,500       01/27/21       EUR       38.06       EUR       2,526       (24,388

CNOOC Ltd.

   Societe Generale     2,782,000       01/28/21       HKD       7.49       HKD       19,786       (76,107

Equinor ASA

   Goldman Sachs International     42,800       01/28/21       NOK       154.65       NOK       6,193       (11,562

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

   UBS AG     91,300       01/28/21       AUD       27.82       AUD       2,364       (19,943

Aker BP ASA

   Morgan Stanley And Co. International     53,200       02/02/21       NOK       223.50       NOK       11,511       (32,060

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

   Credit Suisse International     200,000       02/02/21       CAD       17.65       CAD       4,546       (936,213

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Goldman Sachs International     118,000       02/03/21       EUR       8.69       EUR       1,024       (82,000

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

   Goldman Sachs International     17,700       02/03/21       EUR       122.81       EUR       2,104       (32,775

Koninklijke DSM NV

   Barclays Bank PLC     12,700       02/03/21       EUR       143.33       EUR       1,788       (45,443

Total SA

   Barclays Bank PLC     125,100       02/03/21       EUR       36.63       EUR       4,420       (107,816

Lundin Mining Corp.

   Credit Suisse International     202,000       02/08/21       CAD       10.50       CAD       2,283       (163,131
                

 

 

 
                 $ (6,550,775
                

 

 

 

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

 

Description    Swap
Premiums
Paid
       Swap
Premiums
Received
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
       Value  

Options Written

   $        $        $ 2,673,321        $ (9,497,700      $ (16,243,847

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

  $     $     $ 16,243,847     $     $     $     $ 16,243,847  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

96  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

    

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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)

  $     $     $ (14,885   $     $     $     $ (14,885

Options written

                (27,953,946                       (27,953,946
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $     $     $ (27,968,831   $     $     $     $ (27,968,831
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

             

Options written

  $     $     $ (5,633,867   $     $     $     $ (5,633,867
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 9,288,968  

 

  (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) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

       

Options

   $        $ 16,243,847  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

              16,243,847  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (9,693,072
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 6,550,775  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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) 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 465,583        $        $ (465,583    $        $  

Credit Suisse International

     3,586,144                   (3,586,144                

Goldman Sachs International

     1,028,777                   (1,028,777                

Morgan Stanley And Co. International

     145,849                   (145,849                

Societe Generale

     76,107                                   76,107  

UBS AG

     1,248,315                   (1,248,315                
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 6,550,775        $        $ (6,474,668    $        $ 76,107  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  97


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Chemicals

   $ 77,272,420        $ 27,040,395        $        $ 104,312,815  

Containers & Packaging

     53,209,611                            53,209,611  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     17,056,063                            17,056,063  

Energy Equipment & Services

     9,114,767                            9,114,767  

Food Products

     24,241,581          11,715,043                   35,956,624  

Machinery

     9,924,447                            9,924,447  

Metals & Mining

     142,860,615          118,519,514                   261,380,129  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     163,166,725          90,405,812                   253,572,537  

Paper & Forest Products

              220,264                   220,264  

Specialty Retail

     9,960,515                            9,960,515  

Corporate Bonds

     4,706,670                            4,706,670  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     289,665                            289,665  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 511,803,079        $ 247,901,028        $        $ 759,704,107  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (8,321,744      $ (7,922,103      $                 —        $ (16,243,847
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

98  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

     
Automobiles — 1.6%                  

Tesla, Inc.(a)(b)

      29,130     $      20,556,167  
     

 

 

 
Banks — 1.1%                  

Klarna Holdings AB, (Acquired 08/07/19, Cost: $7,971,978)(c)(d)

      26,430       14,722,238  
     

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.6%                  

Chegg, Inc.(a)(b)

      120,357       10,871,848  

TAL Education Group, ADR(a)(b)

      101,223       7,238,457  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $1,524,948)(c)(d)

      997       2,237,821  
     

 

 

 
        20,348,126  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%                  

TransferWise, (Acquired 06/03/19, Cost: $2,471,478)(c)(d)

      27,945       4,108,753  
     

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication
Services — 0.5%
                 

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      44,009       6,762,863  
     

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments &
Components — 0.8%
                 

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

      18,473       10,705,981  
     

 

 

 
Entertainment(a) — 3.1%                  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

      105,896       9,832,444  

NetEase, Inc., ADR

      75,395       7,220,579  

Netflix, Inc.(b)

      12,993       7,025,705  

Roku, Inc.(b)

      48,457       16,088,693  
     

 

 

 
        40,167,421  
Health Care Technology — 0.7%                  

Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)(b)

      46,645       9,327,134  
     

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.2%                  

Airbnb, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      19,351       2,840,727  
     

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 9.2%                  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      14,326       25,108,321  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      46,979       12,832,784  

Kakao Corp.

      47,555       17,063,707  

Snap, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      317,203       15,882,354  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

      366,300       26,356,666  

Yandex NV, Class A(a)(b)

      158,418       11,022,724  

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      238,831       11,518,819  
     

 

 

 
        119,785,375  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 9.9%                  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

      85,351       19,863,738  

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)(b)

      10,748       35,005,484  

Delivery Hero SE(b)(e)

      98,747       15,442,934  

Ensogo Ltd.(b)(c)

      173,282       2  

Jasper Infotech Private Ltd., , Series I, (Acquired 08/18/15, Cost:
$1,998,435)(c)(d)

      1,054       266,082  

JD Health International, Inc., (Acquired 12/01/20, Cost: $7,167,887)(d)

      779,400       14,414,343  

Meituan, Class B(b)

      548,896       20,662,341  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)(b)

      13,192       22,099,502  
     

 

 

 
        127,754,426  
IT Services — 18.0%                  

Adyen NV(b)(e)

      5,060       11,757,116  

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

      73,400       9,863,735  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A(a)

      73,391       26,196,183  

MongoDB, Inc.(a)(b)

      29,473       10,581,986  

Okta, Inc.(a)(b)

      63,350       16,107,371  
Security        Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)                

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A(a)(b)

      150,560     $        8,563,853  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

      104,901       24,567,814  

Shopify, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      17,891       20,251,717  

Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      8,644       2,432,422  

Square, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      143,351       31,198,912  

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A(a)(b)

      167,534       14,059,453  

TRAX Ltd., (Acquired 09/12/19, Cost: $4,000,012)(c)(d) .

      106,667       5,990,419  

Twilio, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      86,226       29,187,501  

Visa, Inc., Class A(a)

      101,604       22,223,843  
     

 

 

 
        232,982,325  
Road & Rail(b) — 1.0%                

Lyft, Inc., Class A(a)

      134,851       6,625,230  

Uber Technologies, Inc.

      133,856       6,826,656  
     

 

 

 
        13,451,886  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment — 13.7%
               

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)(b)

      230,770       21,163,917  

ASML Holding NV

      35,591       17,232,342  

Cree, Inc.(a)(b)

      120,271       12,736,699  

Inphi Corp.(a)(b)

      89,383       14,343,290  

Lam Research Corp.(a)

      35,645       16,834,064  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.(a)

      343,206       16,316,013  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(a)

      33,117       12,128,439  

Qualcomm, Inc.(a)

      50,414       7,680,069  

Renesas Electronics Corp.(b)

      1,059,100       11,085,583  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.(a)

      49,227       7,525,824  

SOITEC(b)

      74,283       14,405,259  

STMicroelectronics NV

      293,649       10,863,763  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR(a) .

      138,998       15,156,342  
     

 

 

 
        177,471,604  
Software — 25.2%                

Adobe, Inc.(a)(b)

      40,482       20,245,858  

Altium Ltd.

      255,296       6,704,210  

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A(a)(b)

      49,062       11,474,130  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)(b)

      41,442       12,653,900  

Avalara, Inc.(a)(b)

      81,089       13,370,765  

C3.AI, Inc., (Acquired 12/08/20, Cost: $7,129,478)(d)

      235,833       31,285,704  

C3.AI, Inc., Class A, 08/14/19(a)(b)

      28,286       3,924,683  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)(b)

      77,759       10,608,660  

Coupa Software, Inc.(a)(b)

      45,108       15,287,552  

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      56,369       11,940,082  

Databricks, Inc., (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $960,476)(c)(d)

      19,999       1,345,533  

Elastic NV(a)(b)

      56,525       8,259,998  

Fair Isaac Corp.(a)(b)

      12,734       6,507,583  

Intuit, Inc.(a)

      23,692       8,999,406  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

      3,972,000       16,215,924  

Microsoft Corp.(a)

      193,601       43,060,734  

Online Ventures Pty Ltd., (Acquired 01/21/20, Cost: $6,160,136)(c)(d)

      53,642       6,876,559  

Paycom Software, Inc.(a)(b)

      19,990       9,040,477  

RingCentral, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

      41,312       15,656,009  

salesforce.com, Inc.(a)(b)

      41,103       9,146,651  

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)(b)

      28,212       15,528,731  

Unity Software, Inc.(a)(b)

      82,957       12,731,411  

Xero Ltd.(b)

      112,503       12,768,989  

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.,
Class A(a)(b)

      17,820       6,011,042  

Zscaler, Inc.(a)(b)

      84,629       16,901,258  
     

 

 

 
        326,545,849  
 

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D  S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  99


Consolidated Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  
Specialty Retail — 0.1%                  

Cazoo Ltd., (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $1,414,228)(c)(d) .

      102,926     $ 1,496,187  
     

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage &
Peripherals — 4.0%
                 

Apple, Inc.(a)

      387,449       51,410,608  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 91.0%
(Cost: $321,584,178)

        1,180,437,670  
     

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

     
Preferred Stocks — 9.7%(c)(d)                  
Automobiles — 1.6%                  

Arrival Ltd., Series A, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $5,997,600)

      1,496,000       20,322,784  
     

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%                  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., Series F, (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $3,052,975)

      1,054       2,365,761  
     

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%                  

TransferWise

     

Series A, (Acquired 06/03/19, Cost: $1,004,242)

      11,355       1,669,526  

Series B, (Acquired 06/03/19, Cost: $288,407)

      3,261       479,465  

Series C, (Acquired 06/03/19, Cost: $161,315)

      1,824       268,183  

Series D, (Acquired 06/03/19, Cost: $44,579)

      504       74,103  

Series E, (Acquired 06/03/19, Cost: $4,688)

      53       7,792  

TransferWise (Seed Preferred), (Acquired 06/03/19, Cost: $849,295)

      9,603       1,411,929  
     

 

 

 
        3,910,998  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments &
Components — 0.5%
                 

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     

Series D, (Acquired 03/20/20, Cost: $5,000,001)

      1,001,382       5,818,029  

Series D+, (Acquired 01/22/20, Cost: $404,498)

      69,679       404,835  
     

 

 

 
        6,222,864  
Food Products — 0.3%                  

Farmer’s Business Network, Inc.,
Series F, (Acquired 07/31/20, Cost: $2,999,886)

      90,750       3,226,163  
     

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 0.8%                  

ByteDance Ltd., Series E-1, (Acquired 11/11/20, Cost: $9,999,959)

      91,262       9,999,959  
     

 

 

 
IT Services — 1.0%                  

Ant Group Co., Ltd, Series C, (Acquired 05/18/18, Cost: $6,492,862)

      1,157,373       8,934,919  

Trumid Holdings LLC(f)

     

Class J-A, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $2,499,716)

      5,038       2,227,300  

Class J-B, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $1,499,830)

      5,038       2,227,300  
     

 

 

 
        13,389,519  
Road & Rail — 0.7%                  

FlixMobility GmbH, Series F, (Acquired 07/26/19, Cost: $5,482,937)

      275       3,175,771  

Xiaoju Kuaizhi, Inc., Series A-17, (Acquired 07/28/15, Cost: $3,016,964)

      110,003       6,192,069  
     

 

 

 
        9,367,840  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment — 1.8%
                 

Innovium, Inc.

     

Series E, (Acquired 08/21/19, Cost: $3,000,003)

      353,478       3,301,485  

Series F, (Acquired 06/10/20, Cost: $2,999,996)

      296,062       3,123,454  
Security          Shares     Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor
Equipment (continued)
                 

Nuvia, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 09/17/20, Cost: $2,999,998)

      935,352     $ 2,993,126  

Psiquantum Corp., Series C, (Acquired 09/09/19, Cost: $3,200,234)

      690,003       3,263,714  

SambaNova Systems, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 02/20/20, Cost: $9,972,126)

      187,300       11,185,556  
     

 

 

 
        23,867,335  
Software — 2.2%                  

Avidxchange, Inc., (Acquired 07/29/20, Cost: $2,022,088)

      41,257       2,280,687  

Databricks, Inc., Series F, (Acquired 10/22/19, Cost: $3,999,999)

      93,135       6,266,123  

DataRobot, Inc. , Series F, (Acquired 10/27/20, Cost: $2,999,996)

      228,276       2,999,546  

GitLab, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 09/10/19, Cost: $2,915,501)

      156,500       6,707,590  

Unqork, Inc.

     

Series B, (Acquired 09/19/19, Cost: $3,198,416)

      7,027       8,608,848  

Series C, (Acquired 09/18/20, Cost: $1,303,260)

      1,190       1,457,881  
     

 

 

 
        28,320,675  
Specialty Retail — 0.3%                  

Cazoo Ltd.

     

Series A, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $46,195)

      3,362       48,872  

Series B, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $808,325)

      58,829       855,170  

Series C, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $16,392)

      1,193       17,342  

Series D, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $2,887,649)

      210,160       3,054,998  
     

 

 

 
        3,976,382  
     

 

 

 
Total Preferred Stocks — 9.7%               124,970,280  
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 9.7%
(Cost: $91,169,932)

        124,970,280  
     

 

 

 

Warrants

     
IT Services — 0.0%                  

TRAX Ltd., (Acquired 09/12/19, Cost: $0)(c)(d)

      17,065       189,763  
     

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $ — )

        189,763  
     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.7%
(Cost: $412,754,110)

 

    1,305,597,713  
     

 

 

 
 

 

 

100  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

 

 
Money Market Funds — 0.7%        

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(g)(h)

    9,266,737     $ 9,266,737  
 

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%
(Cost: $9,266,737)
    9,266,737  
 

 

 

 
Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.4%
(Cost: $422,020,847)
    1,314,864,450  
 

 

 

 
Options Written — (1.8)%
(Premiums Received: $(15,190,758))
    (23,184,725)  
 

 

 

 
Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.6%
(Cost: $406,830,089)
    1,291,679,725  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.4%

 

    5,664,378  
 

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%     $1,297,344,103  
 

 

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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 $207,903,682, representing 16.03% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $131,968,988.

 

(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) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

(g) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

 

(h) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated
Issuer
   Value at
12/31/19
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
12/31/20
     Shares
Held at
12/31/20
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $ 8,881,516      $ 385,221 (a)     $      $      $      $ 9,266,737        9,266,737      $ 26,604      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series(b)

            495 (a)               (495                           24,063 (c)        
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (495    $      $ 9,266,737         $ 50,667      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

                          

Apple, Inc.

     32          01/06/21        USD     124.00        USD     425          $      (28,485

Microsoft Corp.

     37          01/06/21        USD     221.00        USD     823          (14,869

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     130          01/08/21        USD     81.00        USD     1,207          (154,375

Adobe, Inc.

     30          01/08/21        USD     510.00        USD     1,500          (9,510

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     121          01/08/21        USD     103.00        USD     1,110          (1,513

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

     188          01/08/21        USD     277.50        USD     4,375          (2,726

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     15          01/08/21        USD     1,842.50        USD     2,629          (2,513

Apple, Inc.

     92          01/08/21        USD     130.00        USD     1,221          (37,030

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     4          01/08/21        USD     237.50        USD     94          (1,440

Autodesk, Inc.

     37          01/08/21        USD     280.00        USD     1,130          (94,997

Facebook, Inc., Class A

     20          01/08/21        USD     290.00        USD     546          (1,240

Lam Research Corp.

     67          01/08/21        USD     460.00        USD     3,164          (113,062

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     193          01/08/21        USD     44.00        USD     918          (72,375

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     38          01/08/21        USD     350.00        USD     1,356          (35,435

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  101


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                          

Microsoft Corp.

     73          01/08/21        USD     222.50        USD     1,624          $      (20,915

MongoDB, Inc.

     6          01/08/21        USD     265.00        USD     216          (56,550

Netflix, Inc.

     14          01/08/21        USD     520.00        USD     757          (33,600

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     38          01/08/21        USD     335.00        USD     1,440          (167,390

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     76          01/08/21        USD     150.00        USD     1,162          (34,770

Snap, Inc., Class A

     583          01/08/21        USD     53.00        USD     2,919          (29,733

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A

     84          01/08/21        USD     74.00        USD     705          (84,420

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

     277          01/08/21        USD     104.00        USD     3,020          (153,735

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     49          01/08/21        USD     207.50        USD     980          (12,618

Tesla, Inc.

     12          01/08/21        USD     590.00        USD     847          (140,460

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     56          01/08/21        USD     325.00        USD     1,896          (102,760

Visa, Inc., Class A

     37          01/08/21        USD     212.50        USD     809          (26,270

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A

     32          01/08/21        USD     450.00        USD     1,080          (800

Zscaler, Inc.

     81          01/08/21        USD     185.00        USD     1,618          (126,967

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     68          01/15/21        USD     85.00        USD     631          (54,740

Adobe, Inc.

     35          01/15/21        USD     480.00        USD     1,750          (83,912

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     160          01/15/21        USD     90.00        USD     1,467          (70,000

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     170          01/15/21        USD     97.50        USD     1,559          (23,885

Airbnb, Inc., Class A

     34          01/15/21        USD     160.00        USD     499          (8,160

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

     126          01/15/21        USD     270.00        USD     2,932          (5,166

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     10          01/15/21        USD     1,780.00        USD     1,753          (23,900

Amazon.com, Inc.

     10          01/15/21        USD     3,400.00        USD     3,257          (24,875

Apple, Inc.

     101          01/15/21        USD     125.00        USD     1,340          (89,637

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     159          01/15/21        USD     220.00        USD     3,719          (255,990

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     8          01/15/21        USD     240.00        USD     187          (3,600

Autodesk, Inc.

     34          01/15/21        USD     280.00        USD     1,038          (90,525

Avalara, Inc.

     150          01/15/21        USD     160.00        USD     2,473          (140,250

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     82          01/15/21        USD     160.00        USD     1,260          (42,230

C3.AI, Inc., Class A

     99          01/15/21        USD     150.00        USD     1,374          (69,300

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     141          01/15/21        USD     115.00        USD     1,924          (297,510

Chegg, Inc.

     212          01/15/21        USD     75.00        USD     1,915          (329,660

Chegg, Inc.

     209          01/15/21        USD     90.00        USD     1,888          (71,060

Coupa Software, Inc.

     74          01/15/21        USD     320.00        USD     2,508          (180,560

Cree, Inc.

     95          01/15/21        USD     77.50        USD     1,006          (276,450

Cree, Inc.

     226          01/15/21        USD     82.50        USD     2,393          (550,310

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     83          01/15/21        USD     155.00        USD     1,758          (476,835

Elastic NV

     98          01/15/21        USD     120.00        USD     1,432          (254,310

Facebook, Inc., Class A

     9          01/15/21        USD     295.00        USD     246          (1,103

Fair Isaac Corp.

     23          01/15/21        USD     470.00        USD     1,175          (101,200

Inphi Corp.

     161          01/15/21        USD     150.00        USD     2,584          (186,760

Intuit, Inc.

     34          01/15/21        USD     370.00        USD     1,292          (47,940

Lam Research Corp.

     27          01/15/21        USD     425.00        USD     1,275          (133,110

Lyft, Inc., Class A

     180          01/15/21        USD     45.00        USD     884          (85,050

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     310          01/15/21        USD     44.00        USD     1,474          (124,000

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     31          01/15/21        USD     350.00        USD     1,107          (35,495

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     25          01/15/21        USD     1,420.00        USD     4,188          (646,875

Microsoft Corp.

     36          01/15/21        USD     220.00        USD     801          (20,430

MongoDB, Inc.

     48          01/15/21        USD     290.00        USD     1,723          (330,960

NetEase, Inc., ADR

     128          01/15/21        USD     93.31        USD     1,226          (53,120

Netflix, Inc.

     16          01/15/21        USD     515.00        USD     865          (50,240

Okta, Inc.

     99          01/15/21        USD     240.00        USD     2,517          (177,457

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A

     145          01/15/21        USD     47.50        USD     825          (141,375

Paycom Software, Inc.

     69          01/15/21        USD     380.00        USD     3,121          (499,905

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

     77          01/15/21        USD     210.00        USD     1,803          (193,462

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     37          01/15/21        USD     310.00        USD     1,402          (256,225

Roku, Inc.

     41          01/15/21        USD     240.00        USD     1,361          (379,557

Roku, Inc.

     18          01/15/21        USD     335.00        USD     598          (23,535

salesforce.com, Inc.

     86          01/15/21        USD     280.00        USD     1,914          (731

ServiceNow, Inc.

     42          01/15/21        USD     520.00        USD     2,312          (146,370

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     16          01/15/21        USD     1,040.00        USD     1,811          (166,880

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     11          01/15/21        USD     975.00        USD     1,245          (176,825

Snap, Inc., Class A

     61          01/15/21        USD     46.00        USD     306          (28,518

 

 

102  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                          

Snap, Inc., Class A

     137          01/15/21        USD     45.00        USD     686          $      (75,350

Square, Inc., Class A

     90          01/15/21        USD     200.00        USD     1,959          (184,050

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

     22          01/15/21        USD     105.00        USD     240          (13,365

TAL Education Group, ADR

     160          01/15/21        USD     77.50        USD     1,144          (8,400

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     25          01/15/21        USD     195.00        USD     500          (28,000

Tesla, Inc.

     14          01/15/21        USD     590.00        USD     988          (167,265

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     44          01/15/21        USD     310.00        USD     1,489          (143,990

Unity Software, Inc.

     145          01/15/21        USD     150.00        USD     2,225          (151,525

Yandex NV, Class A

     41          01/15/21        USD     65.00        USD     285          (19,475

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A

     412          01/15/21        USD     50.00        USD     1,987          (69,010

Zscaler, Inc.

     56          01/15/21        USD     155.00        USD     1,118          (252,420

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     95          01/22/21        USD     83.50        USD     882          (93,337

Adobe, Inc.

     23          01/22/21        USD     495.00        USD     1,150          (35,305

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     356          01/22/21        USD     105.00        USD     3,265          (36,846

Airbnb, Inc., Class A

     33          01/22/21        USD     175.00        USD     485          (8,085

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     14          01/22/21        USD     1,860.00        USD     2,454          (13,230

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     14          01/22/21        USD     1,810.00        USD     2,454          (30,380

Amazon.com, Inc.

     7          01/22/21        USD     3,275.00        USD     2,280          (56,420

Apple, Inc.

     94          01/22/21        USD     128.00        USD     1,247          (66,505

Apple, Inc.

     116          01/22/21        USD     135.00        USD     1,539          (38,860

Autodesk, Inc.

     33          01/22/21        USD     285.00        USD     1,008          (76,313

Coupa Software, Inc.

     83          01/22/21        USD     375.00        USD     2,813          (41,915

Cree, Inc.

     99          01/22/21        USD     92.00        USD     1,048          (147,015

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     35          01/22/21        USD     200.00        USD     741          (62,563

Facebook, Inc., Class A

     37          01/22/21        USD     285.00        USD     1,011          (16,835

Intuit, Inc.

     11          01/22/21        USD     365.00        USD     418          (21,010

Lam Research Corp.

     30          01/22/21        USD     535.00        USD     1,417          (7,395

Lyft, Inc., Class A

     146          01/22/21        USD     47.00        USD     717          (54,020

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     193          01/22/21        USD     44.00        USD     918          (77,682

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     104          01/22/21        USD     45.50        USD     494          (29,796

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     39          01/22/21        USD     340.00        USD     1,392          (78,780

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     21          01/22/21        USD     1,600.00        USD     3,518          (230,265

Microsoft Corp.

     92          01/22/21        USD     222.50        USD     2,046          (46,460

Microsoft Corp.

     139          01/22/21        USD     227.50        USD     3,092          (40,310

MongoDB, Inc.

     49          01/22/21        USD     345.00        USD     1,759          (119,315

NetEase, Inc., ADR

     135          01/22/21        USD     91.50        USD     1,293          (78,975

Netflix, Inc.

     15          01/22/21        USD     550.00        USD     811          (32,925

Okta, Inc.

     105          01/22/21        USD     255.00        USD     2,670          (124,162

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

     146          01/22/21        USD     227.50        USD     3,419          (181,040

Qualcomm, Inc.

     88          01/22/21        USD     155.00        USD     1,341          (33,220

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     33          01/22/21        USD     370.00        USD     1,251          (71,280

salesforce.com, Inc.

     61          01/22/21        USD     240.00        USD     1,358          (9,394

ServiceNow, Inc.

     40          01/22/21        USD     570.00        USD     2,202          (40,200

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     38          01/22/21        USD     1,080.00        USD     4,301          (316,350

Snap, Inc., Class A

     165          01/22/21        USD     53.50        USD     826          (22,110

Square, Inc., Class A

     215          01/22/21        USD     240.00        USD     4,679          (83,312

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A

     166          01/22/21        USD     75.00        USD     1,393          (165,170

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

     167          01/22/21        USD     106.00        USD     1,821          (101,035

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     45          01/22/21        USD     205.00        USD     900          (37,125

Tesla, Inc.

     11          01/22/21        USD     650.00        USD     776          (82,445

Tesla, Inc.

     14          01/22/21        USD     700.00        USD     988          (61,495

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     82          01/22/21        USD     375.00        USD     2,776          (42,230

Visa, Inc., Class A

     47          01/22/21        USD     215.00        USD     1,028          (34,663

Yandex NV, Class A

     245          01/22/21        USD     76.50        USD     1,705          (58,188

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     115          01/27/21        USD     335.00        USD     4,212          (407,034

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

     77          01/29/21        USD     90.00        USD     715          (39,078

Adobe, Inc.

     30          01/29/21        USD     495.00        USD     1,500          (55,125

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

     68          01/29/21        USD     265.00        USD     1,583          (12,376

Amazon.com, Inc.

     6          01/29/21        USD     3,160.00        USD     1,954          (107,670

Apple, Inc.

     116          01/29/21        USD     131.00        USD     1,539          (77,720

Autodesk, Inc.

     41          01/29/21        USD     300.00        USD     1,252          (56,888

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     79          01/29/21        USD     205.00        USD     1,673          (127,782

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D   S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  103


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                          

Facebook, Inc., Class A

     98          01/29/21        USD     295.00        USD     2,677        $ (40,915

Intuit, Inc.

     37          01/29/21        USD     372.50        USD     1,406          (58,460

Lyft, Inc., Class A

     145          01/29/21        USD     57.50        USD     712          (10,150

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     218          01/29/21        USD     49.00        USD     1,036          (30,302

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     38          01/29/21        USD     340.00        USD     1,356          (82,365

Okta, Inc.

     17          01/29/21        USD     290.00        USD     432          (6,588

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

     144          01/29/21        USD     237.50        USD     3,373          (122,040

Qualcomm, Inc.

     88          01/29/21        USD     157.50        USD     1,341          (29,480

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     36          01/29/21        USD     385.00        USD     1,364          (59,760

ServiceNow, Inc.

     17          01/29/21        USD     535.00        USD     936          (57,120

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     9          01/29/21        USD     1,070.00        USD     1,019          (87,615

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     5          01/29/21        USD     1,180.00        USD     566          (20,875

Snap, Inc., Class A

     165          01/29/21        USD     53.50        USD     826          (30,113

Snowflake, Inc., Class A

     30          01/29/21        USD     335.00        USD     844          (19,800

Square, Inc., Class A

     196          01/29/21        USD     255.00        USD     4,266          (51,254

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A

     85          01/29/21        USD     85.00        USD     713          (36,550

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

     20          01/29/21        USD     113.00        USD     218          (6,550

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     44          01/29/21        USD     210.00        USD     880          (35,420

Tesla, Inc.

     27          01/29/21        USD     640.00        USD     1,905          (241,650

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     58          01/29/21        USD     365.00        USD     1,963          (68,295

Visa, Inc., Class A

     72          01/29/21        USD     215.00        USD     1,575          (61,920

Yandex NV, Class A

     23          01/29/21        USD     71.00        USD     160          (6,843

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A

     66          01/29/21        USD     412.50        USD     2,226          (28,710

Zscaler, Inc.

     159          01/29/21        USD     185.00        USD     3,175          (309,652

Amazon.com, Inc.

     14          02/05/21        USD     3,420.00        USD     4,560          (123,760

Apple, Inc.

     30          02/05/21        USD     144.00        USD     398          (7,935

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     61          02/05/21        USD     380.00        USD     2,065          (69,693

Adobe, Inc.

     23          02/19/21        USD     500.00        USD     1,150          (49,738

Apple, Inc.

     193          02/19/21        USD     130.00        USD     2,561          (168,392

Avalara, Inc.

     133          02/19/21        USD     170.00        USD     2,193          (140,315

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     74          02/19/21        USD     180.00        USD     1,137          (48,840

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     131          02/19/21        USD     130.00        USD     1,787          (146,065

Elastic NV

     99          02/19/21        USD     150.00        USD     1,447          (86,130

Fair Isaac Corp.

     21          02/19/21        USD     560.00        USD     1,073          (16,485

Inphi Corp.

     151          02/19/21        USD     160.00        USD     2,423          (121,555

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     183          02/19/21        USD     48.00        USD     870          (47,946

Microsoft Corp.

     10          02/19/21        USD     225.00        USD     222          (8,200

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A

     156          02/19/21        USD     52.50        USD     887          (102,180

Roku, Inc.

     110          02/19/21        USD     290.00        USD     3,652          (611,875

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     9          02/19/21        USD     1,080.00        USD     1,019          (108,225

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     11          02/19/21        USD     1,200.00        USD     1,245          (72,930

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

     96          02/19/21        USD     155.00        USD     1,468          (76,320

TAL Education Group, ADR

     194          02/19/21        USD     82.50        USD     1,387          (23,280

Tesla, Inc.

     11          02/19/21        USD     660.00        USD     776          (104,582

Tesla, Inc.

     13          02/19/21        USD     720.00        USD     917          (85,117

Unity Software, Inc.

     145          02/19/21        USD     160.00        USD     2,225          (219,675

Visa, Inc., Class A

     47          02/19/21        USD     220.00        USD     1,028          (37,365

Yandex NV, Class A

     245          02/19/21        USD     70.00        USD     1,705          (96,775

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A

     423          02/19/21        USD     46.25        USD     2,040          (240,914
                          

 

 

 
                           $ (18,307,749
                          

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                                                                 

Delivery Hero SE

   Barclays Bank PLC      9,100        01/05/21        EUR       115.72        EUR       1,156      $ (144,111

Adyen NV

   Barclays Bank PLC      1,800        01/06/21        EUR       1,644.20        EUR       3,429        (567,819

SOITEC

   Barclays Bank PLC      8,000        01/06/21        EUR       136.53        EUR       1,275        (217,348

SOITEC

   Barclays Bank PLC      6,000        01/07/21        EUR       133.18        EUR       956           (187,497

STMicroelectronics NV

   Barclays Bank PLC      27,400        01/07/21        EUR       29.33        EUR       830        (43,502

 

 

104  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                                                                 

Kakao Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      2,000        01/12/21        USD       390,529.34        USD       779,000      $ (15,737

Kingdee International Software
Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      557,000        01/12/21        HKD       28.46        HKD       17,601        (231,437

Kingdee International Software
Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      296,000        01/12/21        HKD       25.23        HKD       9,354        (245,204

SOITEC

   Barclays Bank PLC      1,600        01/12/21        EUR       141.44        EUR       255        (33,839

Altium Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      44,200        01/13/21        AUD       37.87        AUD       1,502        (622

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      14,000        01/15/21        JPY       13,587.00        JPY       193,760        (88,236

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      18,300        01/15/21        AUD       127.21        AUD       2,687        (282,467

Altium Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      37,400        01/20/21        AUD       36.67        AUD       1,271        (4,261

ASML Holding NV

   Goldman Sachs International      12,500        01/20/21        EUR       366.11        EUR       4,969        (518,121

Delivery Hero SE

   Goldman Sachs International      25,400        01/20/21        EUR       101.39        EUR       3,226        (883,695

Meituan, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      99,600        01/20/21        HKD       286.83        HKD       29,342        (121,942

SOITEC

   UBS AG      2,400        01/20/21        EUR       139.67        EUR       382        (57,173

Meituan, Class B

   UBS AG      95,000        01/21/21        HKD       287.91        HKD       27,987        (119,535

Renesas Electronics Corp.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      216,800        01/21/21        JPY       1,088.71        JPY       233,927        (78,237

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   Societe Generale      11,700        01/26/21        JPY       14,395.50        JPY       161,928        (49,560

STMicroelectronics NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      31,300        01/26/21        EUR       31.01        EUR       948        (39,191

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      63,500        01/26/21        HKD       602.41        HKD       35,814        (49,274

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      64,800        01/26/21        HKD       596.13        HKD       36,547        (61,038

Altium Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,800        01/28/21        AUD       35.91        AUD       265        (2,703

Kakao Corp.

   UBS AG      7,400        01/28/21        USD       380,070.00        USD       2,882,300        (128,848

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      537,000        01/28/21        HKD       29.61        HKD       16,969        (191,079

SOITEC

   Credit Suisse International      8,000        02/02/21        EUR       156.05        EUR       1,274        (73,027

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      21,000        02/02/21        AUD       145.23        AUD       3,083        (107,706

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      6,400        02/03/21        USD       582,750.00        USD       4,019,200        (333,767
                     

 

 

 
                        $ (4,876,976
                     

 

 

 

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

 

Description    Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

   $      $      $ 2,848,981      $ (10,842,947    $ (23,184,725

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated 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

   $      $      $ 23,184,725      $      $      $      $  23,184,725  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D  S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  105


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

    

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated 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)

   $      $      $ (1,274    $      $      $      $ (1,274

Options written

                   (84,555,532                           (84,555,532
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (84,556,806    $      $      $      $ (84,556,806
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (5,087,878    $      $      $      $ (5,087,878
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a)  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 16,830,793  

 

  (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 Consolidated 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

   $      $ 23,184,725  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

            23,184,725  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (18,307,749
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $         —      $ 4,876,976  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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)  

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 1,194,116        $        $        $ (960,000    $ 234,116  

Citibank N.A.

     49,274                            (49,274       

Credit Suisse International

     73,027                            (73,027       

Goldman Sachs International

     1,974,969                            (1,640,000      334,969  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     919,264                            (570,000      349,264  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     311,210                            (311,210       

Societe Generale

     49,560                                   49,560  

UBS AG

     305,556                            (60,000      245,556  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,876,976        $        $        $ (3,663,511    $   1,213,465  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Automobiles

   $ 20,556,167        $        $        $ 20,556,167  

Banks

                       14,722,238          14,722,238  

Diversified Consumer Services

     18,110,305                   2,237,821          20,348,126  

Diversified Financial Services

                       4,108,753          4,108,753  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     6,762,863                            6,762,863  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

              10,705,981                   10,705,981  

Entertainment

     40,167,421                            40,167,421  

Health Care Technology

     9,327,134                            9,327,134  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     2,840,727                            2,840,727  

Interactive Media & Services

     76,365,002          43,420,373                   119,785,375  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

     76,968,724          50,519,618          266,084          127,754,426  

IT Services

     205,371,055          21,620,851          5,990,419          232,982,325  

Road & Rail

     13,451,886                            13,451,886  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     123,884,657          53,586,947                   177,471,604  

Software

     251,348,930          66,974,827          8,222,092          326,545,849  

Specialty Retail

                       1,496,187          1,496,187  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     51,410,608                            51,410,608  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

                       124,970,280          124,970,280  

Warrants

                       189,763          189,763  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     9,266,737                            9,266,737  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 905,832,216        $ 246,828,597        $ 162,203,637        $  1,314,864,450  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (17,616,447      $ (5,568,278      $        $ (23,184,725
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 financial instruments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the year 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, 2019

   $ 11,498,561      $ 47,488,016      $ 19,454      $ 59,006,031  

Transfers into Level 3

                           

Transfers out of Level 3

                           

Accrued discounts/premiums

                           

Net realized gain (loss)

                           

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     11,480,248        30,227,670        170,309        41,878,227  

Purchases

     14,064,786        57,514,073               71,578,859  

Sales

            (10,259,479             (10,259,479
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2020

   $ 37,043,595      $ 124,970,280      $ 189,763      $ 162,203,638  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2020(b)

   $ 11,480,248      $ 30,457,668      $ 170,309      $ 42,108,225  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Consolidated 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, 2020 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D  S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  107


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

    

 

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 financial instruments 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(b)

   $ 37,043,595          Market        Revenue Multiple        6.25x - 16.25x        10.32x  
             Recent Transactions                

Preferred Stocks(c)(d)

     124,970,280          Market        Revenue Multiple        2.75x - 45.00x        11.73x  
             EBITDA Multiple        20.50x         
             Volatility        39% - 57%        51%  
             Time to Exit        2.5 - 5.0        3.0  
             Recent Transactions                
          Income        Discount Rate        17%         

Warrants(e)

     189,763          Market        Recent Transactions                
  

 

 

                   
   $   162,203,638                    
  

 

 

                   

 

  (a)

A significant change in unobservable input would have resulted in a correlated (inverse) significant change to value.

 
  (b) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Common Stocks amounting to $5,990,419 changed to Transaction Price approach. The investments were previously valued utilizing Option Pricing Model approach. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 
  (c) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $15,633,963 changed to Current Value 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.

 
  (d) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $8,608,848 changed to Current Value Method. The investments were previously valued utilizing Option Pricing Model approach. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 
  (e) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Warrants amounting to $189,763 changed to Transaction Price approach. The investments were previously valued utilizing Option Pricing Model approach. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments  

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Common Stocks        
Automobiles — 4.3%        

Fisker Inc. PIPE

    1,000,000     $ 14,650,000  

Tesla, Inc.(a)(b)

    118,974       83,956,383  

XPeng, Inc., ADR(b)

    746,493       31,972,295  
   

 

 

 
    130,578,678  
Banks — 1.6%        

Klarna Holdings AB, (Acquired 08/07/19, Cost: $23,354,997)(c)(d)

    86,839       48,371,717  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets(b) — 0.8%        

Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp., Class A

    733,300       9,730,891  

XP, Inc., Class A

    339,969       13,486,570  
   

 

 

 
    23,217,461  
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.8%        

Afya Ltd., Class A(b)

    445,013       11,258,829  

Chegg, Inc.(b)

    356,167       32,172,565  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $7,113,729)(c)(d)

    4,651       10,439,424  
   

 

 

 
    53,870,818  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.7%        

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A(b)

    131,252       20,169,495  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.4%  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    73,697       42,710,913  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment(b) — 2.9%        

Big Hit Entertainment Co. Ltd.

    127,263       18,744,435  

NCSoft Corp.

    17,362       14,906,166  

Roku, Inc.(a)

    107,900       35,824,958  

Zynga, Inc., Class A

    1,977,032       19,513,306  
   

 

 

 
    88,988,865  
Health Care Technology(b) — 1.4%        

GoodRx Holdings, Inc., Class A

    253,295       10,217,920  

Teladoc Health, Inc.

    166,752       33,343,730  
   

 

 

 
    43,561,650  
Interactive Media & Services — 5.3%        

Kakao Corp.

    153,473       55,069,254  

Snap, Inc., Class A(b)

    1,138,997       57,029,580  

Yandex NV, Class A(b)

    304,795       21,207,636  

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A(b)

    541,171       26,100,677  
   

 

 

 
    159,407,147  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail(b) — 6.9%        

Delivery Hero SE(e)

    286,669       44,831,848  

Farfetch Ltd., Class A

    1,168,620       74,569,642  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)

    27,387       45,879,250  

Ozon Holdings PLC, ADR

    578,640       23,961,482  

Shop Apotheke Europe NV(e)

    114,589       20,746,172  
   

 

 

 
      209,988,394  
IT Services — 18.1%        

Adyen NV(b)(e)

    15,862       36,856,004  

Endava PLC, ADR(b)

    344,230       26,419,652  

GDS Holdings Ltd., ADR(b)

    213,834       20,023,416  

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

    227,700       30,599,080  

Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc.(b)

    1,033,537       13,022,566  

Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd., ADR(b)

    648,082       28,223,971  

Locaweb Servicos de Internet SA(e)

    3,532,329       54,951,480  

MongoDB, Inc.(b)

    72,741       26,116,929  

Okta, Inc.(b)

    124,199       31,578,838  

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A(b)

    353,932       20,131,652  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)        

Shift4 Payments, Inc., Class A(b)

    167,572     $ 12,634,929  

Shopify, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    30,928       35,008,950  

Square, Inc., Class A(b)

    315,799       68,730,494  

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A(b)

    412,922       34,652,414  

TRAX Ltd., (Acquired 09/12/19, Cost: $10,999,987)(c)(d) 293,333

      16,473,581  

Twilio, Inc., Class A(b)

    179,070       60,615,195  

Tyro Payments Ltd.(b)

    3,696,369       9,069,984  

Wix.com Ltd.(b)

    86,880       21,716,525  
   

 

 

 
    546,825,660  
Multi-line Retail — 1.2%        

Magazine Luiza SA

    7,456,472       35,754,999  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services — 0.5%        

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)(b)

    16,972       15,686,880  
   

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.7%        

Lyft, Inc., Class A(b)

    427,221       20,989,368  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 12.7%  

ACM Research, Inc., Class A(b)

    266,804       21,677,825  

ASMedia Technology Inc.

    271,000       15,183,016  

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

    238,450       14,319,232  

Cree, Inc.(b)

    331,402       35,095,472  

Inphi Corp.(b)

    251,146       40,301,399  

Lasertec Corp.

    333,100       39,096,907  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.(b)

    508,416       23,295,621  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

    747,230       35,523,314  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(a)

    89,399       32,740,596  

Qorvo, Inc.(b)

    170,179       28,295,662  

Silergy Corp.

    397,000       34,166,475  

SOITEC(b)

    168,756       32,725,843  

STMicroelectronics NV

    811,600       30,025,746  
   

 

 

 
      382,447,108  
Software — 26.9%        

Altium Ltd.

    792,994       20,824,448  

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A(b)

    101,575       23,755,345  

Avalara, Inc.(b)

    162,203       26,745,653  

C3.AI, Inc., (Acquired 12/08/20, Cost: $24,890,190)(d)

    823,333       109,223,699  

C3.AI, Inc., Class A, 08/14/19(b)

    65,043       9,024,716  

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A(b)

    260,072       19,762,871  

Coupa Software, Inc.(b)

    77,061       26,116,744  

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(b)

    170,844       36,188,176  

Databricks, Inc., (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $5,501,687)(c)(d)

    114,553       7,707,126  

Elastic NV(b)

    176,254       25,755,997  

Five9, Inc.(b)

    200,109       34,899,010  

Freee KK(b)

    379,600       37,122,483  

Kingdee International Software Group Co.
Ltd.(b)

    9,876,000       40,319,351  

Lightspeed POS Inc.(b)

    660,139       46,591,946  

Ming Yuan Cloud Group Holdings Ltd., (Acquired 09/21/20, Cost: $10,707,272)(b)(d)

    4,979,000       29,983,160  

Online Ventures Pty Ltd., (Acquired 01/21/20, Cost: $20,875,811)(c)(d)

    181,785       23,303,667  

Rakus Co. Ltd.

    1,285,400       29,771,644  

RingCentral, Inc., Class A(b)

    103,965       39,399,616  

Snorkel Al, Inc., (Acquired 10/13/20, Cost: $2,017,593)(c)(d)

    500,250       2,016,007  

Snyk Ltd., (Acquired 11/02/20, Cost: $1,787,403)(c)(d)

    360,378       1,787,403  

Synopsys, Inc.(b)

    101,630       26,346,561  

Trade Desk, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    36,416       29,169,216  

Unity Software, Inc.(b)

    252,158       38,698,688  
 

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D  S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  109


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)        

Weimob, Inc.(b)(e)

    15,644,000     $ 28,201,486  

Xero Ltd.(b)

    246,720       28,002,497  

Zendesk, Inc.(b)

    192,371       27,532,138  

Zscaler, Inc.(b)

    233,071       46,546,609  
   

 

 

 
    814,796,257  
Specialty Retail — 0.2%        

Cazoo Ltd., (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $5,656,927)(c)(d)

    411,705       5,984,763  
   

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 87.4%
(Cost: $1,116,502,806)
      2,643,350,173  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

 

 
Preferred Stocks — 13.3%(d)        
Automobiles — 2.3%        

Arrival Ltd., Series A, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $19,992,003)(c)

    4,986,668       67,742,633  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.4%        

Think & Learn Private Ltd., Series F, (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $14,251,080)(c)

    4,920       11,043,209  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.8%  

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

 

 

Series D, (Acquired 03/20/20, Cost: $19,999,997)(c)

    4,005,527       23,272,112  

Series D+, (Acquired 01/22/20, Cost: $1,617,982)

    278,714       1,619,328  
   

 

 

 
    24,891,440  
Food Products(c) — 0.7%        

Farmer’s Business Network, Inc., Series F, (Acquired 07/31/20, Cost: $11,961,002)

    361,834       12,863,199  

GrubMarket, Inc. , Series D, (Acquired 07/23/20, Cost: $8,000,000)

    1,762,969       8,391,732  
   

 

 

 
    21,254,931  
Interactive Media & Services — 1.4%        

ByteDance Ltd., Series E-1, (Acquired 11/11/20, Cost: $35,000,075)

    319,419       35,000,075  

ResearchGate GmbH, Series D, (Acquired 09/24/20, Cost: $6,999,988)(c)

    424,688       7,079,549  
   

 

 

 
    42,079,624  
IT Services(b)(c)(f) — 0.6%        

Trumid Holdings LLC

 

 

Class J-A, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $9,999,857)

    20,154       8,910,083  

Class J-B, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $5,999,914)

    20,154       8,910,084  
   

 

 

 
    17,820,167  
Road & Rail — 0.3%        

FlixMobility GmbH, Series F, (Acquired
07/26/19, Cost: $16,947,253)(c)

    850       9,816,020  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment(c)
2.7%
       

CNEX Labs, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 02/06/20, Cost: $7,000,000)

    3,296,755     $ 5,802,289  

Innovium, Inc.

 

 

Series E, (Acquired 08/21/19, Cost: $8,999,992)

    1,060,432       9,904,435  

Series F, (Acquired 06/10/20, Cost: $6,999,998)

    690,812       7,288,067  

Nuvia, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 09/17/20, Cost: $12,000,000)

    3,741,410       11,972,512  

Psiquantum Corp., Series C, (Acquired 09/09/19, Cost: $9,101,310)

    1,962,335       9,281,844  

SambaNova Systems, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 02/20/20, Cost: $33,904,162)

    636,800       38,029,696  
   

 

 

 
    82,278,843  
Software(c) — 3.6%        

Avidxchange, Inc., (Acquired 07/29/20, Cost: $7,474,330)

    152,500       8,430,200  

Databricks, Inc., Series F, (Acquired 10/22/19, Cost: $13,200,019)

    307,346       20,678,239  

DataRobot, Inc. , Series F, (Acquired 10/27/20, Cost: $11,499,999)

    875,059       11,498,275  

GitLab, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 09/10/19, Cost: $11,670,984)

    626,482       26,851,018  

Snorkel Al, Inc. , Series B, (Acquired 10/13/20, Cost: $999,996)

    247,943       999,210  

Snyk Ltd. , (Acquired 11/02/20, Cost: $13,212,590)

    2,663,936       13,212,590  

Unqork, Inc.

 

 

Series B, (Acquired 09/19/19, Cost: $6,801,016)

    14,942       18,305,594  

Series C, (Acquired 09/18/20, Cost: $7,994,787)

    7,300       8,943,303  
   

 

 

 
       108,918,429  
Specialty Retail(c) — 0.5%        

Cazoo Ltd.

 

 

Series A, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $184,683)

    13,441       195,386  

Series B, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $3,233,326)

    235,318       3,420,708  

Series C, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $65,637)

    4,777       69,441  

Series D, (Acquired 10/08/20, Cost: $11,550,639)

    840,643       12,220,035  
   

 

 

 
    15,905,570  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 13.3%

 

    401,750,866  
   

 

 

 
Total Preferred Securities — 13.3%
    (Cost: $316,662,619)
    401,750,866  
   

 

 

 
Warrants        
Capital Markets — 0.0%        

Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp.(b)

    146,660       627,705  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

110  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services — 0.0%        

TRAX Ltd., (Acquired 09/12/19,
Cost: $0)(c)(d)

    46,928     $ 521,839  
 

 

 

 
Total Warrants — 0.0%        

(Cost: $353,480)

 

    1,149,544  
 

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 100.7%        

(Cost: $1,433,518,905)

 

    3,046,250,583  
 

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 
Money Market Funds — 0.7%        

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(g)(h)

    21,688,765       21,688,765  
 

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%        

(Cost: $21,688,765)

 

    21,688,765  
 

 

 

 
Total Investments Before Options
Written — 101.4%
       

(Cost: $1,455,207,670)

 

    3,067,939,348  
 

 

 

 
Options Written — (1.9)%        

(Premiums Received: $(32,019,256))

 

    (58,550,377
 

 

 

 
Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.5%        

(Cost: $1,423,188,414)

 

    3,009,388,971  
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.5%     14,355,037  
 

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%     $3,023,744,008  
 

 

 

 

 

(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) 

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 $657,563,252, representing 21.75% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $429,568,215.

 

(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) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

(g) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

 

(h) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
12/31/19
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sales
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
12/31/20
     Shares
Held at
12/31/20
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $  96,230,373      $      $ (74,541,608 )(a)    $      $      $ 21,688,765        21,688,765      $ 140,622      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series(b)

     66,921,514               (66,933,727 )(a)      12,213                             384,979 (c)        
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
           $ 12,213      $      $  21,688,765         $  525,601      $  
          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

                    

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     133        01/08/21        USD        237.50        USD        3,110      $ (47,880

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     265        01/08/21        USD        44.00        USD        1,260        (99,375

MongoDB, Inc.

     77        01/08/21        USD        265.00        USD        2,765        (725,725

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     50        01/08/21        USD        335.00        USD        1,895             (220,250

Snap, Inc., Class A

     411        01/08/21        USD        53.00        USD        2,058        (20,961

 

 

C O N S O L I D A T E D  S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  111


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                                

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A

     104          01/08/21          USD          74.00          USD          873        $ (104,520

Zscaler, Inc.

     133          01/08/21          USD          185.00          USD          2,656          (208,477

Zynga, Inc., Class A

     1,610          01/08/21          USD          9.00          USD          1,589          (140,070

ACM Research, Inc., Class A

     354          01/15/21          USD          85.00          USD          2,876          (111,510

Atlassian Corp. PLC, Class A

     131          01/15/21          USD          240.00          USD          3,064          (58,950

Avalara, Inc.

     254          01/15/21          USD          160.00          USD          4,188          (237,490

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     153          01/15/21          USD          160.00          USD          2,351          (78,795

C3.AI, Inc., Class A

     188          01/15/21          USD          150.00          USD          2,609          (131,600

Chegg, Inc.

     460          01/15/21          USD          75.00          USD          4,155          (715,300

Chegg, Inc.

     572          01/15/21          USD          90.00          USD          5,167          (194,480

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A

     212          01/15/21          USD          70.00          USD          1,611          (156,880

CoStar Group, Inc.

     25          01/15/21          USD          930.00          USD          2,311          (46,375

Coupa Software, Inc.

     73          01/15/21          USD          320.00          USD          2,474          (178,120

Cree, Inc.

     215          01/15/21          USD          77.50          USD          2,277          (625,650

Cree, Inc.

     403          01/15/21          USD          82.50          USD          4,268          (981,305

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     199          01/15/21          USD          155.00          USD          4,215            (1,143,255

Elastic NV

     266          01/15/21          USD          120.00          USD          3,887          (690,270

Farfetch Ltd., Class A

     650          01/15/21          USD          46.00          USD          4,148          (1,173,250

Five9, Inc.

     234          01/15/21          USD          150.00          USD          4,081          (566,280

GDS Holdings Ltd., ADR

     250          01/15/21          USD          90.00          USD          2,341          (127,500

GoodRx Holdings, Inc., Class A

     242          01/15/21          USD          55.00          USD          976          (1,815

GoodRx Holdings, Inc., Class A

     174          01/15/21          USD          50.00          USD          702          (3,915

Inphi Corp.

     329          01/15/21          USD          150.00          USD          5,279          (381,640

Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd., ADR

     735          01/15/21          USD          40.00          USD          3,201          (352,800

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

     729          01/15/21          USD          45.00          USD          3,340          (158,557

Lightspeed POS Inc.

     750          01/15/21          CAD          60.00          CAD          6,738          (1,741,103

Lightspeed POS Inc.

     966          01/15/21          CAD          76.00          CAD          8,679          (1,106,092

Lyft, Inc., Class A

     370          01/15/21          USD          45.00          USD          1,818          (174,825

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     485          01/15/21          USD          44.00          USD          2,306          (194,000

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     44          01/15/21          USD          1,420.00          USD          7,371          (1,138,500

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     145          01/15/21          USD          306.00          USD          5,310          (876,934

Okta, Inc.

     86          01/15/21          USD          240.00          USD          2,187          (154,155

Ozon Holdings PLC, ADR

     839          01/15/21          USD          55.00          USD          3,474          (23,073

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A

     176          01/15/21          USD          47.50          USD          1,001          (171,600

Qorvo, Inc.

     163          01/15/21          USD          150.00          USD          2,710          (275,470

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     80          01/15/21          USD          310.00          USD          3,032          (554,000

Roku, Inc.

     159          01/15/21          USD          240.00          USD          5,279          (1,471,942

Roku, Inc.

     32          01/15/21          USD          335.00          USD          1,062          (41,840

Shift4 Payments, Inc., Class A

     218          01/15/21          USD          65.00          USD          1,644          (235,440

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     17          01/15/21          USD          1,040.00          USD          1,924          (177,310

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     23          01/15/21          USD          975.00          USD          2,603          (369,725

Snap, Inc., Class A

     671          01/15/21          USD          46.00          USD          3,360          (313,692

Snap, Inc., Class A

     168          01/15/21          USD          45.00          USD          841          (92,400

Square, Inc., Class A

     376          01/15/21          USD          200.00          USD          8,183          (768,920

Synopsys, Inc.

     116          01/15/21          USD          240.00          USD          3,007          (236,060

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     229          01/15/21          USD          195.00          USD          4,579          (256,480

Tesla, Inc.

     29          01/15/21          USD          800.00          USD          2,046          (22,475

Trade Desk, Inc., Class A

     51          01/15/21          USD          880.00          USD          4,085          (45,135

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     91          01/15/21          USD          310.00          USD          3,080          (297,797

Unity Software, Inc.

     364          01/15/21          USD          150.00          USD          5,586          (380,380

Wix.com Ltd.

     113          01/15/21          USD          270.00          USD          2,825          (34,183

XP, Inc., Class A

     430          01/15/21          USD          40.00          USD          1,706          (90,300

XPeng, Inc., ADR

     940          01/15/21          USD          45.00          USD          4,026          (248,630

XPeng, Inc., ADR

     1,000          01/15/21          USD          90.00          USD          4,283          (7,000

Yandex NV, Class A

     353          01/15/21          USD          65.00          USD          2,456          (167,675

Zendesk, Inc.

     500          01/15/21          USD          135.00          USD          7,156          (497,500

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A

     778          01/15/21          USD          50.00          USD          3,752          (130,315

Zscaler, Inc.

     69          01/15/21          USD          155.00          USD          1,378          (311,017

ZYNGA, Inc., Class A

     1,798          01/15/21          USD          9.00          USD          1,775          (167,214

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A

     322          01/22/21          USD          83.50          USD          2,447          (65,205

Coupa Software, Inc.

     150          01/22/21          USD          375.00          USD          5,084          (75,750

Cree, Inc.

     343          01/22/21          USD          92.00          USD          3,632          (509,355

 

 

112  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                                

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     98          01/22/21          USD          200.00          USD          2,076        $ (175,175

Lyft, Inc., Class A

     370          01/22/21          USD          47.00          USD          1,818          (136,900

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     266          01/22/21          USD          44.00          USD          1,265          (107,065

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     161          01/22/21          USD          45.50          USD          765          (46,127

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     29          01/22/21          USD          1,600.00          USD          4,858          (317,985

MongoDB, Inc.

     133          01/22/21          USD          345.00          USD          4,775          (323,855

Okta, Inc.

     115          01/22/21          USD          255.00          USD          2,924          (135,988

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     66          01/22/21          USD          370.00          USD          2,501          (142,560

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     29          01/22/21          USD          1,080.00          USD          3,283          (241,425

Snap, Inc., Class A

     527          01/22/21          USD          60.00          USD          2,639          (21,871

Snap, Inc., Class A

     765          01/22/21          USD          53.50          USD          3,830          (102,510

Square, Inc., Class A

     261          01/22/21          USD          240.00          USD          5,680          (101,138

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A

     204          01/22/21          USD          75.00          USD          1,712          (202,980

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     127          01/22/21          USD          205.00          USD          2,539          (104,775

Tesla, Inc.

     29          01/22/21          USD          750.00          USD          2,046          (70,760

Tesla, Inc.

     57          01/22/21          USD          700.00          USD          4,022          (250,372

Trade Desk, Inc., Class A

     54          01/22/21          USD          950.00          USD          4,325          (23,490

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     103          01/22/21          USD          375.00          USD          3,487          (53,045

Yandex NV, Class A

     166          01/22/21          USD          76.50          USD          1,155          (39,425

ZYNGA, Inc., Class A

     1,108          01/22/21          USD          9.25          USD          1,094          (80,203

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     114          01/27/21          USD          335.00          USD          4,175          (403,495

Cloudfare, Inc., Class A

     450          01/28/21          USD          75.00          USD          3,420          (279,010

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     198          01/29/21          USD          205.00          USD          4,194          (320,265

Lyft, Inc., Class A

     498          01/29/21          USD          57.50          USD          2,447          (34,860

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     737          01/29/21          USD          49.00          USD          3,504          (102,443

Okta, Inc.

     159          01/29/21          USD          290.00          USD          4,043          (61,613

RingCentral, Inc., Class A

     104          01/29/21          USD          385.00          USD          3,941          (172,640

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     24          01/29/21          USD          1,070.00          USD          2,717          (233,640

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     30          01/29/21          USD          1,180.00          USD          3,396          (125,250

Snap, Inc., Class A

     765          01/29/21          USD          53.50          USD          3,830          (139,612

Square, Inc., Class A

     278          01/29/21          USD          255.00          USD          6,050          (72,697

StoneCo. Ltd., Class A

     104          01/29/21          USD          85.00          USD          873          (44,720

Teladoc Health, Inc.

     127          01/29/21          USD          210.00          USD          2,540          (102,235

Tesla, Inc.

     114          01/29/21          USD          640.00          USD          8,045          (1,020,300

Tesla, Inc.

     29          01/29/21          USD          800.00          USD          2,046          (60,973

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     216          01/29/21          USD          365.00          USD          7,312          (254,340

Yandex NV, Class A

     364          01/29/21          USD          71.00          USD          2,533          (108,290

Zscaler, Inc.

     473          01/29/21          USD          185.00          USD          9,446          (921,167

Zynga, Inc., Class A

     304          01/29/21          USD          11.00          USD          300          (5,016

Twilio, Inc., Class A

     109          02/05/21          USD          380.00          USD          3,690          (124,533

ACM Research, Inc., Class A

     420          02/19/21          USD          85.00          USD          3,413          (306,600

Avalara, Inc.

     167          02/19/21          USD          170.00          USD          2,754          (176,185

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A

     178          02/19/21          USD          180.00          USD          2,735          (117,480

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A

     446          02/19/21          USD          65.00          USD          3,389          (619,940

CoStar Group, Inc.

     25          02/19/21          USD          940.00          USD          2,311          (78,750

Elastic NV

     244          02/19/21          USD          150.00          USD          3,566          (212,280

Five9, Inc.

     346          02/19/21          USD          185.00          USD          6,034          (249,120

GDS Holdings Ltd., ADR

     370          02/19/21          USD          100.00          USD          3,465          (137,825

GoodRX Holdings, Inc., Class A

     318          02/19/21          USD          46.00          USD          1,283          (81,231

Inphi Corp.

     399          02/19/21          USD          160.00          USD          6,403          (321,195

Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd., ADR

     1,120          02/19/21          USD          50.00          USD          4,878          (277,200

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

     745          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          3,414          (301,725

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

     252          02/19/21          USD          48.00          USD          1,198          (66,024

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A

     177          02/19/21          USD          52.50          USD          1,007          (115,935

Qorvo, Inc.

     330          02/19/21          USD          160.00          USD          5,487          (463,650

Roku, Inc.

     121          02/19/21          USD          290.00          USD          4,017          (673,062

Shift4 Payments, Inc., Class A

     260          02/19/21          USD          75.00          USD          1,960          (211,900

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     24          02/19/21          USD          1,080.00          USD          2,717          (288,600

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     23          02/19/21          USD          1,200.00          USD          2,603          (152,490

Synopsys, Inc.

     178          02/19/21          USD          250.00          USD          4,614          (314,170

Tesla, Inc.

     29          02/19/21          USD          1,000.00          USD          2,046          (34,075

Tesla, Inc.

     58          02/19/21          USD          720.00          USD          4,093          (379,755

 

 

O N S O L I D A T E D  C H E D U L E   O F  N V E S T M E N T S

  113


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                                

Unity Software, Inc.

     300          02/19/21          USD          160.00          USD          4,604        $ (454,500

Wix.com Ltd.

     138          02/19/21          USD          290.00          USD          3,449          (86,940

XP, Inc., Class A

     555          02/19/21          USD          45.00          USD          2,202          (56,888

XPeng, Inc., ADR

     224          02/19/21          USD          75.00          USD          959          (24,416

ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc., Class A

     791          02/19/21          USD          46.25          USD          3,815          (450,503
                                

 

 

 
                                 $ (37,023,674
                                

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Exercise Price    

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Call

                

Delivery Hero SE

   Barclays Bank PLC     15,900       01/05/21       EUR       115.72       EUR       2,019     $ (251,799

Freee KK

   Societe Generale     46,600       01/05/21       JPY       9,028.80       JPY       470,660       (500,737

Lasertec Corp.

   Societe Generale     15,600       01/05/21       JPY       10,022.40       JPY       188,916       (316,825

Adyen NV

   Barclays Bank PLC     4,300       01/06/21       EUR       1,644.20       EUR       8,192       (1,356,457

Afya Ltd., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     56,000       01/06/21       USD       27.77       USD       1,417       (2,185

Farfetch Class A Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     88,000       01/06/21       USD       36.28       USD       5,615       (2,422,717

SOITEC

   Barclays Bank PLC     5,200       01/06/21       EUR       136.53       EUR       828       (141,276

SOITEC

   Barclays Bank PLC     10,000       01/07/21       EUR       133.18       EUR       1,593       (312,495

STMicroelectronics NV

   Barclays Bank PLC     39,000       01/07/21       EUR       29.33       EUR       1,181       (61,918

Endava PLC

   Bank of America N.A.     28,500       01/11/21       USD       68.60       USD       2,187       (233,096

Delivery Hero SE

   Goldman Sachs International     58,700       01/12/21       EUR       117.97       EUR       7,455       (890,433

Kakao Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     4,600       01/12/21       USD       390,529.34       USD       1,791,700       (36,194

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     1,000,000       01/12/21       HKD       25.23       HKD       31,600       (828,391

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     192,000       01/12/21       HKD       28.46       HKD       6,067       (79,777

Silergy Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     46,000       01/12/21       USD       2,480.40       USD       110,860       (119,264

SOITEC

   Barclays Bank PLC     14,600       01/12/21       EUR       141.44       EUR       2,326       (308,784

Altium Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     46,500       01/13/21       AUD       37.87       AUD       1,581       (654

Locaweb Servicos de Internet SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     370,000       01/13/21       USD       66.43       USD       29,774       (1,006,023

Magazine Luiza SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     1,940,000       01/13/21       USD       23.87       USD       48,403       (519,183

Samsung CDI Co., Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     11,000       01/13/21       USD       513,240.00       USD       6,908,000       (1,162,289

Weimob, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     2,562,000       01/13/21       HKD       11.82       HKD       35,714       (729,016

Endava American Depository Shares

   UBS AG     19,900       01/14/21       USD       70.36       USD       1,527       (130,321

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     54,000       01/15/21       EUR       47.51       EUR       2,677       (150,137

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

   UBS AG     8,400       01/15/21       EUR       39.83       EUR       417       (95,997

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     23,600       01/15/21       JPY       13,587.00       JPY       326,624       (148,741

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     27,200       01/15/21       AUD       127.21       AUD       3,994       (419,842

Altium Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     95,000       01/20/21       AUD       36.67       AUD       3,229       (10,823

Asmedia Technology, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International     43,000       01/20/21       USD       1,704.65       USD       67,510       (49,259

Delivery Hero SE

   Goldman Sachs International     2,300       01/20/21       EUR       101.39       EUR       292       (80,020

Freee KK

   Societe Generale     62,000       01/20/21       JPY       8,841.50       JPY       626,200       (859,190

Rakus Ltd.

   Societe Generale     121,500       01/20/21       JPY       2,499.00       JPY       290,628       (130,443

Shop Apotheke Europe NV

   Goldman Sachs International     16,500       01/20/21       EUR       133.78       EUR       2,445       (359,681

SOITEC

   UBS AG     3,800       01/20/21       EUR       139.67       EUR       605       (90,523

Tyro Payments Ltd.

   UBS AG     466,000       01/20/21       AUD       3.70       AUD       1,487       (5,123

Weimob, Inc.

   Societe Generale     3,481,000       01/20/21       HKD       10.86       HKD       48,525       (1,403,634

NCSoft Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     5,000       01/21/21       USD       910,796.05       USD       4,655,000       (176,467

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

   Societe Generale     36,200       01/26/21       JPY       14,395.50       JPY       501,008       (153,338

Silergy Corp.

   Citibank N.A.     58,000       01/26/21       USD       2,693.25       USD       139,780       (117,016

STMicroelectronics NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     40,800       01/26/21       EUR       31.01       EUR       1,235       (51,087

Weimob, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     2,561,000       01/27/21       HKD       10.87       HKD       35,700       (1,047,082

Altium Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     64,600       01/28/21       AUD       35.91       AUD       2,196       (22,389

Asmedia Technology, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International     35,000       01/28/21       USD       1,762.80       USD       54,950       (39,098

Endava American Depository Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     19,000       01/28/21       USD       70.60       USD       1,458       (127,508

Farfetch Class A Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.     88,000       01/28/21       USD       54.50       USD       5,615       (899,605

Freee KK

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     103,700       01/28/21       JPY       10,458.57       JPY       1,047,370       (597,356

Kakao Corp.

   UBS AG     11,300       01/28/21       USD       380,070.00       USD       4,401,350       (196,755

 

 

114  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

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)

                

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     1,498,000       01/28/21       HKD       29.61       HKD       47,337     $  (533,028

Lasertec Corp.

   Citibank N.A.     69,600       01/28/21       JPY       12,561.00       JPY       842,856       (266,798

Rakus Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     84,400       01/28/21       JPY       2,433.41       JPY       201,885       (133,565

Rakus Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     128,400       02/02/21       JPY       2,385.12       JPY       307,133       (248,894

Shop Apotheke Europe NV

   Credit Suisse International     13,200       02/02/21       EUR       145.03       EUR       1,956       (214,643

SOITEC

   Credit Suisse International     10,000       02/02/21       EUR       156.05       EUR       1,593       (91,284

Tyro Payments Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     495,000       02/02/21       AUD       3.62       AUD       1,579       (16,073

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International     36,900       02/02/21       AUD       145.23       AUD       5,418       (189,255

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     10,300       02/03/21       USD       582,750.00       USD       6,468,400       (537,156

Endava PLC

   UBS AG     32,400       02/04/21       USD       76.86       USD       2,487       (93,548

Farfetch Class A Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.     63,000       02/08/21       USD       59.75       USD       4,020       (442,123

Afya Ltd., Class A

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     73,000       02/16/21       USD       25.03       USD       1,847       (119,388
                

 

 

 
                 $  (21,526,703
                

 

 

 

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

 

Description   Swap
Premiums
Paid
    Swap
Premiums
Received
    Unrealized
Appreciation
    Unrealized
Depreciation
    Value  

Options Written

  $  —     $  —     $  5,421,794     $  (31,952,915)     $  (58,550,377)  

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated 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

  $  —     $     $  58,550,377     $     $  —     $     $  58,550,377  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated 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)

  $     $     $ 4,312     $     $     $     $ 4,312  

Options written

                (202,293,958                       (202,293,958
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $     $     $  (202,289,646   $     $     $     $  (202,289,646
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on

             

Options written

  $     $     $ (19,964,341   $     $     $     $ (19,964,341
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

       

Average value of option contracts purchased

  $ (a)  

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 35,056,662  

 

  (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 Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

O N S O L I D A T E D  C H E D U L E   O F  N V E S T M E N T S

  115


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

    

 

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

   $         —        $ 58,550,377  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

              58,550,377  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (37,023,674
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 21,526,703  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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.

  $ 233,096     $     $     $ (20,000   $ 213,096  

Barclays Bank PLC

    2,432,729                   (2,430,000     2,729  

Citibank N.A.

    1,725,542                   (1,510,000     215,542  

Credit Suisse International

    305,927                   (80,000     225,927  

Goldman Sachs International

    2,177,226                   (1,880,000     297,226  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

    7,549,650                   (6,960,000     589,650  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    3,126,099                   (2,900,000     226,099  

Societe Generale

    3,364,167                   (2,980,000     384,167  

UBS AG

    612,267                   (612,267      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 21,526,703     $     $     $  (19,372,267   $ 2,154,436  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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 Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Automobiles

   $  115,928,678        $ 14,650,000        $        $  130,578,678  

Banks

                       48,371,717          48,371,717  

Capital Markets

     23,217,461                            23,217,461  

Diversified Consumer Services

     43,431,394                   10,439,424          53,870,818  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     20,169,495                            20,169,495  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

              42,710,913                   42,710,913  

Entertainment

     74,082,699          14,906,166                   88,988,865  

Health Care Technology

     43,561,650                            43,561,650  

Interactive Media & Services

     104,337,893          55,069,254                   159,407,147  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

     165,156,546          44,831,848                   209,988,394  

IT Services

     398,875,531          131,476,548          16,473,581          546,825,660  

Multi-line Retail

              35,754,999                   35,754,999  

Professional Services

     15,686,880                            15,686,880  

Road & Rail

     20,989,368                            20,989,368  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     216,929,889          165,517,219                   382,447,108  

Software

     456,533,286          323,448,768          34,814,203          814,796,257  

Specialty Retail

                       5,984,763          5,984,763  

 

 

116  

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

    

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

   $        $        $ 401,750,866        $ 401,750,866  

Warrants

     627,705                   521,839          1,149,544  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     21,688,765                            21,688,765  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,721,217,240        $ 828,365,715        $  518,356,393        $  3,067,939,348  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (34,685,084)        $ (23,865,293)        $        $ (58,550,377)  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 financial instruments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the year 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, 2019

  $ 29,199,661     $ 91,720,586     $ 53,498     $ 120,973,745  

Transfers into Level 3

                       

Transfers out of Level 3

                       

Accrued discounts/premiums

                       

Net realized gain (loss)

                       

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

    36,911,367       84,967,363       468,341       122,347,071  

Purchases

    49,972,660       249,953,107             299,925,767  

Sales

          (24,890,190           (24,890,190
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2020

  $  116,083,688     $  401,750,866     $ 521,839     $  518,356,393  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2020(b)

  $ 36,911,367     $ 84,974,773     $ 468,341     $ 122,354,481  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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, 2020 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

 

 

O N S O L I D A T E D  C H E D U L E   O F  N V E S T M E N T S

  117


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

    

 

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 financial instruments 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(b)

  $ 116,083,688       Market       Revenue Multiple       6.25x - 16.25x       10.42x  
        Recent Transactions              

Preferred Stocks(c)(d)

    401,750,866       Market       Revenue Multiple       0.57x - 45.00x       12.93x  
        Volatility       28% - 57     49%  
        Time to Exit       2.5 - 5.0       3.1  
        Recent Transactions              

Warrants(e)

    521,839       Market       Recent Transactions              
 

 

 

         
  $ 518,356,393          
 

 

 

         

 

  (a) 

A significant change in unobservable input would have resulted in a correlated (inverse) significant change to value.

 
  (b) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Common Stocks amounting to $16,473,581 changed to Transaction Price approach. The investments were previously valued utilizing Option Pricing Model approach. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 
  (c) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $30,494,259 changed to Current Value 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.

 
  (d) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $18,305,594 changed to Current Value Method. The investments were previously valued utilizing Option Pricing Model approach. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 
  (e) 

For the period end December 31, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Warrants amounting to $521,839 changed to Transaction Price approach. The investments were previously valued utilizing Option Pricing Model approach. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

118  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

Common Stocks

    
Building Products — 7.0%             

AO Smith Corp.(a)

    96,120      $ 5,269,298  

Johnson Controls International PLC(a)

    218,259        10,168,687  

Kingspan Group PLC

    80,965        5,677,486  

Trane Technologies PLC(a)

    70,950        10,299,102  
    

 

 

 
       31,414,573  
Chemicals — 5.1%             

Air Liquide SA

    32,889        5,392,047  

LG Chem Ltd.

    4,950        3,764,061  

Linde PLC(b)

    25,622        6,755,918  

Sika AG, Registered Shares

    16,890        4,604,100  

Umicore SA

    44,550        2,141,298  
    

 

 

 
       22,657,424  
Commercial Services & Supplies(a) — 4.4%         

Waste Connections, Inc.

    83,950        8,610,752  

Waste Management, Inc.

    94,050        11,091,316  
    

 

 

 
       19,702,068  
Construction & Engineering — 3.5%             

Quanta Services, Inc.(a)

    59,660        4,296,713  

Vinci SA

    111,950        11,151,265  
    

 

 

 
       15,447,978  
Electric Utilities — 32.9%             

American Electric Power Co., Inc.(a)

    68,150        5,674,851  

Duke Energy Corp.(a)

    100,868        9,235,474  

Edison International(a)

    154,000        9,674,280  

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    968,100        6,076,284  

Enel SpA

    2,621,075        26,668,724  

Entergy Corp.(a)

    26,950        2,690,688  

Exelon Corp.(a)

    131,208        5,539,602  

FirstEnergy Corp.(a)

    213,100        6,522,991  

Iberdrola SA

    1,376,425        19,779,626  

Neoenergia SA

    1,423,250        4,858,878  

NextEra Energy, Inc.(a)(c)

    486,630        37,543,505  

PPL Corp.(a)

    257,600        7,264,320  

Xcel Energy, Inc.(a)

    70,890        4,726,236  
    

 

 

 
       146,255,459  
Electrical Equipment — 7.3%             

Eaton Corp. PLC(a)

    46,490        5,585,309  

Schneider Electric SE

    69,432        10,034,828  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    63,460        14,991,112  

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Class H

    929,400        1,872,824  
    

 

 

 
       32,484,073  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 2.7%  

Hexagon AB, B Shares(b)

    51,550        4,726,207  

Rogers Corp.(a)(b)

    19,196        2,980,947  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    7,350        4,259,674  
    

 

 

 
       11,966,828  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 7.6%  

AES Corp.(a)

    345,490        8,119,015  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    9,726,000        9,779,512  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    567,942        15,819,242  
    

 

 

 
       33,717,769  
Security   Shares      Value  
Machinery — 2.3%             

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

    227,650      $ 10,218,632  
    

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 14.2%         

CMS Energy Corp.(a)

    147,660        9,008,737  

Dominion Energy, Inc.(a)(b)(c)

    157,198        11,821,289  

National Grid PLC

    984,924        11,639,271  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.(a)

    182,842        10,659,688  

RWE AG

    352,200        14,900,609  

Sempra Energy(a)

    39,500        5,032,695  
    

 

 

 
       63,062,289  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.4%         

Enterprise Products Partners LP(a)

    198,913        3,896,706  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.(a)(b)

    714,050        9,761,063  

TC Energy Corp.

    246,250        10,011,342  

Williams Cos., Inc.(a)

    464,555        9,314,328  
    

 

 

 
       32,983,439  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 4.6%  

Canadian Solar, Inc.(b)

    76,790        3,934,720  

First Solar, Inc.(a)(b)

    26,034        2,575,283  

Infineon Technologies AG

    123,200        4,704,836  

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.(a)(b)

    51,040        4,524,696  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)(b)

    140,180        4,588,092  
    

 

 

 
       20,327,627  
    

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 99.0%         

    (Cost: $290,880,807)

       440,238,159  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

  
Money Market Funds — 1.9%             

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(d)(e)

    8,385,590        8,385,590  
    

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Securities — 1.9%             

    (Cost: $8,385,590)

 

     8,385,590  
    

 

 

 
Total Investments Before Options Written — 100.9%         

    (Cost: $299,266,397)

 

     448,623,749  
    

 

 

 
Options Written — (1.2)%         

    (Premiums Received: $(3,877,608))

 

     (5,640,230
    

 

 

 
Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.7%         

    (Cost: $295,388,789)

 

     442,983,519  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

     1,542,454  
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

   $ 444,525,973  
    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  119


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

12/31/19

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sales

    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/20
    Shares
Held at
12/31/20
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  12,716,146     $  —     $  (4,330,556)(a)     $  —     $  —     $  8,385,590       8,385,590     $  37,673     $  —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

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

                   

AO Smith Corp.

    336        01/06/21        USD        57.50        USD        1,842      $ (3,259

Eaton Corp. PLC

    74        01/08/21        USD        123.00        USD        889        (4,625

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    326        01/08/21        USD        21.00        USD        639        (1,141

Johnson Controls International PLC

    265        01/08/21        USD        47.00        USD        1,235        (12,588

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    657        01/08/21        USD        15.00        USD        898        (3,285

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    119        01/15/21        USD        85.00        USD        991        (9,520

CMS Energy Corp.

    234        01/15/21        USD        61.55        USD        1,428        (21,172

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    251        01/15/21        USD        82.50        USD        1,888        (1,255

Duke Energy Corp.

    171        01/15/21        USD        97.50        USD        1,566        (1,710

Eaton Corp. PLC

    53        01/15/21        USD        120.00        USD        637        (13,515

Edison International

    169        01/15/21        USD        67.50        USD        1,062        (1,690

Entergy Corp.

    94        01/15/21        USD        115.00        USD        939        (1,410

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    80        01/15/21        USD        19.00        USD        157        (6,560

Exelon Corp.

    340        01/15/21        USD        44.00        USD        1,435        (8,500

First Solar, Inc.

    91        01/15/21        USD        90.00        USD        900        (91,682

FirstEnergy Corp.

    297        01/15/21        USD        30.00        USD        909        (34,155

Johnson Controls International PLC

    340        01/15/21        USD        47.00        USD        1,584        (22,950

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    599        01/15/21        USD        13.00        USD        819        (48,519

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

    74        01/15/21        USD        85.00        USD        656        (31,820

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    1,177        01/15/21        USD        80.00        USD        9,081        (61,792

ON Semiconductor Corp.

    343        01/15/21        USD        29.00        USD        1,123        (130,340

PPL Corp.

    541        01/15/21        USD        31.00        USD        1,526        (2,705

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    309        01/15/21        USD        60.00        USD        1,801        (6,180

Quanta Services, Inc.

    167        01/15/21        USD        70.90        USD        1,203        (44,305

Sempra Energy

    69        01/15/21        USD        135.00        USD        879        (1,380

TC Energy Corp.

    407        01/15/21        CAD        58.00        CAD        2,106        (1,918

Trane Technologies PLC

    113        01/15/21        USD        150.00        USD        1,640        (13,278

Waste Connections, Inc.

    184        01/15/21        USD        110.00        USD        1,887        (2,300

Waste Management, Inc.

    160        01/15/21        USD        125.00        USD        1,887        (2,000

Williams Cos., Inc.

    379        01/15/21        USD        21.00        USD        760        (7,012

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    115        01/15/21        USD        74.83        USD        767        (112

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    40        01/22/21        USD        21.00        USD        78        (680

Johnson Controls International PLC

    158        01/22/21        USD        46.00        USD        736        (25,280

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    426        01/22/21        USD        15.00        USD        582        (4,047

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    409        01/22/21        USD        15.50        USD        559        (1,841

ON Semiconductor Corp.

    147        01/22/21        USD        32.50        USD        481        (19,477

Williams Cos., Inc.

    415        01/22/21        USD        23.00        USD        832        (2,075

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    250        01/29/21        USD        22.00        USD        490        (2,750

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

    408        01/29/21        USD        15.50        USD        558        (3,264

Williams Cos., Inc.

    415        01/29/21        USD        23.01        USD        832        (3,823

Williams Cos., Inc.

    415        02/05/21        USD        23.01        USD        832        (5,139

 

 

120  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

    

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

PPL Corp.

    357        02/10/21        USD        28.25        USD        1,007      $ (33,653

AES Corp.

    560        02/19/21        USD        23.00        USD        1,316        (74,200

AES Corp.

    260        02/19/21        USD        24.00        USD        611        (21,450

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    119        02/19/21        USD        87.50        USD        991        (13,388

CMS Energy Corp.

    282        02/19/21        USD        62.00        USD        1,720        (36,004

Dominion Energy, Inc.

    299        02/19/21        USD        78.50        USD        2,248        (33,492

Duke Energy Corp.

    182        02/19/21        USD        94.00        USD        1,666        (24,605

Eaton Corp. PLC

    35        02/19/21        USD        120.00        USD        420        (17,500

Edison International

    370        02/19/21        USD        64.69        USD        2,324        (62,967

Exelon Corp.

    119        02/19/21        USD        45.00        USD        502        (7,438

FirstEnergy Corp.

    297        02/19/21        USD        31.75        USD        909        (25,520

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

    104        02/19/21        USD        85.00        USD        922        (63,960

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    526        02/19/21        USD        77.50        USD        4,058        (145,965

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    330        02/19/21        USD        59.00        USD        1,924        (47,988

Quanta Services, Inc.

    49        02/19/21        USD        70.00        USD        353        (23,275

Rogers Corp.

    67        02/19/21        USD        165.00        USD        1,040        (38,190

Sempra Energy

    69        02/19/21        USD        135.00        USD        879        (11,040

TC Energy Corp.

    454        02/19/21        CAD        58.00        CAD        2,349        (9,095

Trane Technologies PLC

    135        02/19/21        USD        150.00        USD        1,960        (54,675

Waste Connections, Inc.

    109        02/19/21        USD        105.00        USD        1,118        (26,160

Waste Management, Inc.

    169        02/19/21        USD        120.00        USD        1,993        (46,052

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    133        02/19/21        USD        70.00        USD        887        (13,633
                   

 

 

 
                    $  (1,491,304
                   

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description   Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Exercise Price    

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Call

               

EDP Renovaveis SA

  Credit Suisse International     27,800       01/05/21       EUR       17.32       EUR       634     $  (186,056

Enel SpA

  Credit Suisse International     410,600       01/06/21       EUR       8.21       EUR       3,398       (85,721

Infineon Technologies AG

  Goldman Sachs International     38,100       01/06/21       EUR       27.75       EUR       1,196       (164,408

Kingspan Group PLC

  Barclays Bank PLC     5,800       01/06/21       EUR       81.91       EUR       333        

Kingspan Group PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     24,000       01/06/21       EUR       79.63       EUR       1,378        

Vinci SA

  Barclays Bank PLC     22,900       01/06/21       EUR       91.58       EUR       1,863       (61

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

  Goldman Sachs International     26,800       01/07/21       SEK       372.18       SEK       9,871       (12,612

EDP Renovaveis SA

  Barclays Bank PLC     39,800       01/07/21       EUR       17.10       EUR       907       (277,062

Hexagon AB, B Shares

  Goldman Sachs International     9,000       01/07/21       SEK       687.28       SEK       6,748       (73,377

Iberdrola SA

  Credit Suisse International     239,000       01/07/21       EUR       10.84       EUR       2,796       (277,343

Linde PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     4,800       01/07/21       EUR       205.91       EUR       1,022       (60,888

RWE AG

  Credit Suisse International     43,600       01/07/21       EUR       34.89       EUR       1,507       (23,258

Sika AG, Registered Shares

  Barclays Bank PLC     3,400       01/07/21       CHF       242.20       CHF       822       (11,360

AES Corp.

  Citibank N.A.     26,000       01/12/21       USD       21.00       USD       611       (65,334

AES Corp.

  Credit Suisse International     12,900       01/12/21       USD       21.95       USD       303       (20,995

Enel SpA

  Goldman Sachs International     276,000       01/13/21       EUR       8.35       EUR       2,284       (39,427

Iberdrola SA

  Credit Suisse International     242,700       01/13/21       EUR       11.56       EUR       2,840       (61,263

Neoenergia SA

  Credit Suisse International     498,000       01/13/21       USD       17.13       USD       8,775       (65,890

RWE AG

  Goldman Sachs International     40,500       01/13/21       EUR       34.73       EUR       1,400       (33,863

Samsung CDI Co., Ltd.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     2,600       01/13/21       USD       513,240.00       USD       1,632,800       (274,723

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

  Credit Suisse International     18,000       01/13/21       DKK       1,193.18       DKK       25,911       (730,277

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

  UBS AG     27,500       01/15/21       SEK       387.81       SEK       10,128       (6,805

EDP Renovaveis SA

  Barclays Bank PLC     89,200       01/15/21       EUR       18.53       EUR       2,034       (464,952

Schneider Electric SE

  UBS AG     15,500       01/15/21       EUR       121.13       EUR       1,834       (19,443

EDP Renovaveis SA

  Credit Suisse International     60,000       01/20/21       EUR       17.70       EUR       1,368       (373,442

LG Chem Ltd.

  Citibank N.A.     1,700       01/20/21       USD       879,840.00       USD       1,400,800       (22,707

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     25,300       01/21/21       SEK       380.40       SEK       9,318       (15,064

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

  Goldman Sachs International     169,400       01/21/21       EUR       4.84       EUR       873       (67,448

RWE AG

  Credit Suisse International     41,400       01/21/21       EUR       34.57       EUR       1,431       (49,039

Schneider Electric SE

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     9,500       01/21/21       EUR       119.00       EUR       1,124       (24,705

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

  Credit Suisse International     5,100       01/21/21       DKK       1,352.40       DKK       7,342       (92,058

Linde PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     4,100       01/26/21       EUR       213.52       EUR       873       (36,622

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  121


Schedule of Investments   (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description   Counterparty  

Number of

Contracts

   

Expiration

Date

    Exercise Price    

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Call (continued)

               

Air Liquide SA

  Goldman Sachs International     11,500       01/27/21       EUR       139.15       EUR       1,544     $ (10,306

EDP Renovaveis SA

  Barclays Bank PLC     34,500       01/27/21       EUR       18.48       EUR       787       (182,139

Enel SpA

  Barclays Bank PLC     228,000       01/27/21       EUR       8.40       EUR       1,887       (25,400

National Grid PLC

  Goldman Sachs International     220,300       01/27/21       GBP       8.95       GBP       1,906       (28,524

Sika AG

  Credit Suisse International     2,600       01/27/21       CHF       232.97       CHF       629       (36,384

Umicore SA

  Barclays Bank PLC     15,500       01/27/21       EUR       38.74       EUR       609       (34,988

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

  Goldman Sachs International     169,400       01/28/21       EUR       4.84       EUR       873       (69,839

FirstEnergy Corp.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     15,100       01/28/21       USD       31.60       USD       462       (18,534

Hexagon AB

  Credit Suisse International     10,800       02/02/21       SEK       729.03       SEK       8,098       (48,009

Vinci SA

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     16,200       02/02/21       EUR       88.06       EUR       1,318       (18,798

NovaGold Resources, Inc.

  UBS AG     124,400       02/03/21       GBP       8.64       GBP       1,076       (39,802
               

 

 

 
                $  (4,148,926
               

 

 

 

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

 

Description   Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
    Value  

Options Written

  $  —      $  —      $  1,468,071      $  (3,230,692   $  (5,640,230

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

  $  —     $  —     $  5,640,230     $     $  —     $     $  5,640,230  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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

  $     $     $  (18,127,502   $     $     $     $  (18,127,502
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation

(Depreciation) on

             

Options written

  $     $     $ (401,327   $     $     $     $ (401,327
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options

       

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 4,117,043  

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

 

 

122  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

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

   $        $ 5,640,230  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

              5,640,230  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (1,491,304
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $         —        $ 4,148,926  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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)  

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 995,962        $        $ (232,470    $ (9,600    $ 753,892  

Citibank N.A.

     88,041                          (88,041       

Credit Suisse International

     2,049,735                   (1,017,210             1,032,525  

Goldman Sachs International

     499,804                          (499,804       

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     274,723                   (92,301             182,422  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     174,611                   (174,611              

UBS AG

     66,050                          (33,500      32,550  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,148,926        $        $ (1,516,592    $ (630,945    $ 2,001,389  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Trust’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Building Products

   $ 31,414,573        $        $         —        $ 31,414,573  

Chemicals

              22,657,424                   22,657,424  

Commercial Services & Supplies

     19,702,068                            19,702,068  

Construction & Engineering

     4,296,713          11,151,265                   15,447,978  

Electric Utilities

     88,871,947          57,383,512                   146,255,459  

Electrical Equipment

     5,585,309          26,898,764                   32,484,073  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     2,980,947          8,985,881                   11,966,828  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

     23,938,257          9,779,512                   33,717,769  

Machinery

              10,218,632                   10,218,632  

Multi-Utilities

     36,522,409          26,539,880                   63,062,289  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     32,983,439                            32,983,439  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     15,622,791          4,704,836                   20,327,627  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     8,385,590                            8,385,590  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 270,304,043        $ 178,319,706        $        $ 448,623,749  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

S C H E D U L E  O F  I N V E S T M E N T S

  123


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

December 31, 2020

   BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (1,149,265      $ (4,490,965      $         —        $ (5,640,230
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2020

 

     BGR     CII      BDJ      BOE  

ASSETS

         

Investments at value — unaffiliated(a)

  $ 239,708,823     $ 845,216,001      $ 1,764,662,620      $ 790,775,353  

Investments at value — affiliated(b)

    3,418,486       11,614,004        12,016,637         

Cash pledged:

         

Collateral — exchange-traded options written

                        4,880,000  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

          30,000               20,000  

Foreign currency at value(c)

    58,926              1,737        5,770  

Receivables:

         

Investments sold

    52,107       332,978                

Options written

          121,670                

Dividends — unaffiliated

    258,912       701,304        2,399,393        2,382,713  

Dividends — affiliated

    109       334        217        204  

Prepaid expenses

    7,014       2,923        82,666         
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    243,504,377       858,019,214        1,779,163,270        798,064,040  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Bank overdraft

                 66,281        1,372,586  

Options written at value(d)

    3,139,751       13,103,270        36,953,673        8,328,517  

Payables:

         

Investments purchased

    1,187,885                      

Capital shares redeemed

    330,212                     354,323  

Income dividend distributions

    62,372       219,143        345,981        149,437  

Investment advisory fees

    202,132       599,293        1,163,829        544,481  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    539,340       253,799        1,128,450        777,465  

Options written

          485                

Other accrued expenses

    174,207       170,022        382,751        307,229  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    5,635,899       14,346,012        40,040,965        11,834,038  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 237,868,478     $ 843,673,202      $ 1,739,122,305      $ 786,230,002  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

         

Paid-in capital(e)(f)(g)

  $ 547,187,771     $ 561,321,996      $ 1,309,268,867      $ 718,742,397  

Accumumlated earnings (loss)

    (309,319,293     282,351,206        429,853,438        67,487,605  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 237,868,478     $ 843,673,202      $ 1,739,122,305      $ 786,230,002  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value(e)(f)(g)

  $ 8.17     $ 19.12      $ 9.35      $ 12.28  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)   Investments at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 265,901,573     $ 545,406,703      $ 1,352,841,269      $ 660,327,827  

(b)  Investments at cost — affiliated

  $ 3,418,486     $ 11,614,004      $ 12,016,637      $  

(c)   Foreign currency at cost

  $ 58,875     $      $ 1,757      $ 14,381  

(d)  Premiums received

  $ 3,306,044     $ 12,578,558      $ 27,204,237      $ 8,161,678  

(e)  Shares outstanding

    29,108,471       44,121,400        186,003,434        64,043,874  

(f)    Shares authorized

    Unlimited       200 million        Unlimited        Unlimited  

(g)  Par value

  $ 0.001     $ 0.10      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  125


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

December 31, 2020

 

     BGY      BME      BMEZ      BCX  

ASSETS

          

Investments at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 672,593,699      $ 539,229,702      $ 3,513,771,974      $ 759,414,442  

Investments at value — affiliated(c)

    287,381        13,877,338        27,925,462        289,665  

Cash

           211,253               134,698  

Cash pledged:

          

Collateral — exchange-traded options written

    7,091,000                       

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    2,009,649               1,263,000         

Foreign currency at value(d)

    1,634,600        443        1,005        88,854  

Receivables:

          

Investments sold

    10,120        37,550        648,606        4,147,472  

Securities lending income — affiliated

           245        49,938         

Capital shares sold

           618,194                

Dividends — unaffiliated

    2,363,975        446,071        593,687        851,839  

Dividends — affiliated

    295        383        412        119  

Deferred offering costs

           126,806                

Prepaid expenses

           4,777        20,218         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    685,990,719        554,552,762        3,544,274,302        764,927,089  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

          

Bank overdraft

                  205,455         

Collateral on securities loaned at value

           102,701        9,577,820         

Options written at value(e)

    7,029,731        7,788,592        49,747,249        16,243,847  

Payables:

          

Investments purchased

           114,211        15,741,399        148,223  

Capital shares redeemed

                         542,457  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

    379,423                       

Income dividend distributions

    168,457               2,301,292        128,065  

Investment advisory fees

    509,945        449,048        3,565,202        629,557  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    660,629        25,461        47,447        318,288  

Other accrued expenses

    293,777        136,250        450,394        301,289  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    9,041,962        8,616,263        81,636,258        18,311,726  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 676,948,757      $ 545,936,499      $ 3,462,638,044      $ 746,615,363  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

          

Paid-in capital(f)(g)(h)

  $ 618,323,885      $ 339,108,431      $ 2,253,396,500      $ 1,114,975,900  

Accumumlated earnings (loss)

    58,624,872        206,828,068        1,209,241,544        (368,360,537
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 676,948,757      $ 545,936,499      $ 3,462,638,044      $ 746,615,363  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value(f)(g)(h)

  $ 6.49      $ 45.66      $ 30.73      $ 8.45  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Investments at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 545,258,342      $ 321,675,770      $ 2,294,124,293      $ 627,940,390  

(b)  Securities loaned at value

  $      $ 97,092      $ 9,079,455      $  

(c)  Investments at cost — affiliated

  $ 287,381      $ 13,877,338      $ 27,925,462      $ 289,665  

(d)  Foreign currency at cost

  $ 1,637,147      $ 443      $ 973      $ 88,777  

(e)  Premiums received

  $ 6,345,108      $ 6,475,846      $ 34,031,611      $ 9,419,468  

(f)  Shares outstanding

    104,237,971        11,955,814        112,669,825        88,315,994  

(g)  Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  

(h)  Par value

  $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

December 31, 2020

 

            BST(a)      BSTZ(a)      BUI  

ASSETS

        

Investments at value — unaffiliated(b)

   $ 1,305,597,713      $ 3,046,250,583      $ 440,238,159  

Investments at value — affiliated(c)

     9,266,737        21,688,765        8,385,590  

Cash

     736,065        33,690        295,557  

Cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives

     3,870,000        19,400,000        733,100  

Foreign currency at value(d)

     1,342        2,167         

Receivables:

        

Investments sold

            23,999         

Options written

     121,670                

Securities lending income — affiliated

            14,620         

Capital shares sold

     1,823,743               737,330  

Dividends — unaffiliated

     157,800        336,131        949,711  

Dividends — affiliated

     373        908        268  

Deferred offering costs

     210,921               97,719  

Prepaid expenses

     9,533        2,482        7,830  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,321,795,897        3,087,753,345        451,445,264  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Options written at value(e)

     23,184,725        58,550,377        5,640,230  

Payables:

        

Investments purchased

                   707,712  

Income dividend distributions

            1,759,523         

Investment advisory fees

     951,665        3,073,880        356,937  

Offering costs

     2,935               5,604  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

     732        54,029        719  

Options written

     485                

Other accrued expenses

     311,252        571,528        208,089  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     24,451,794        64,009,337        6,919,291  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 1,297,344,103      $ 3,023,744,008      $ 444,525,973  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

        

Paid-in capital(f)(g)(h)

   $ 433,020,307      $ 1,506,840,775      $ 314,870,698  

Accumulated earnings

     864,323,796        1,516,903,233        129,655,275  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 1,297,344,103      $ 3,023,744,008      $ 444,525,973  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value(f)(g)(h)

   $ 51.94      $ 38.72      $ 23.80  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a)  Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

        

(b)  Investments at cost — unaffiliated

   $ 412,754,110      $ 1,433,518,905      $ 290,880,807  

(c)  Investments at cost — affiliated

   $ 9,266,737      $ 21,688,765      $ 8,385,590  

(d)  Foreign currency at cost

   $ 1,339      $ 2,088      $  

(e)  Premiums received

   $ 15,190,758      $ 32,019,256      $ 3,877,608  

(f)  Shares outstanding

     24,976,858        78,089,962        18,677,765  

(g) Shares authorized

     Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  

(h) Par value

   $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  127


 

Statements of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE  

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 13,079,849     $ 12,836,186     $ 49,360,528     $ 24,447,690  

Dividends — affiliated

    41,384       22,692       32,973       25,270  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (865,770     (272,738     (1,073,758     (899,179
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    12,255,463       12,586,140       48,319,743       23,573,781  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    2,986,600       6,313,770       12,807,171       7,257,133  

Professional

    87,693       127,013       223,802       155,317  

Transfer agent

    71,496       89,167       174,840       98,131  

Custodian

    59,263       45,368       176,510       100,903  

Accounting services

    45,021       50,023       95,033       60,025  

Trustees and Officer

    43,385       53,137       146,025       61,943  

Registration

    10,425       15,423       90,378       22,924  

Rating agency

    10,289       15,228       23,809       15,057  

Printing and postage

    10,273       33,593       32,252       13,261  

Miscellaneous

    93,010       39,400       76,471       145,256  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,417,455       6,782,122       13,846,291       7,929,950  

Less:

       

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (553,940     (7,381     (10,209     (1,275,573
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    2,863,515       6,774,741       13,836,082       6,654,377  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    9,391,948       5,811,399       34,483,661       16,919,404  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (85,109,574     71,730,365       71,244,334       (8,100,649

Foreign currency transactions

    (57,041           (49,686     (85,071

Options written

    (3,816,216     (44,862,223     (45,230,658     (12,159,861
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (88,982,831     26,868,142       25,963,990       (20,345,581
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (34,360,271     62,615,372       (74,491,510     44,295,636  

Foreign currency translations

    101             20,428       71,358  

Options written

    1,280,070       2,067,363       (4,832,988     1,625,233  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (33,080,100     64,682,735       (79,304,070     45,992,227  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (122,062,931     91,550,877       (53,340,080     25,646,646  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (112,670,983   $ 97,362,276     $ (18,856,419   $ 42,566,050  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Operations  (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

     BGY     BME     BMEZ(a)     BCX  

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 20,350,032     $ 5,277,171     $ 4,687,435     $ 25,574,373  

Dividends — affiliated

    56,675       31,667       2,382,340       51,624  

Interest — unaffiliated

                      883,954  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

          9,874       154,133       6,091  

Other income — affiliated

                18,746        

Foreign withholding tax claims

    43,971                    

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,535,345     (77,204     (307,594     (1,427,980
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    18,915,333       5,241,508       6,935,060       25,088,062  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    6,318,928       4,718,363       30,599,805       6,760,439  

Professional

    144,422       101,384       189,672       145,079  

Transfer agent

    90,439       69,764       137,710       99,945  

Custodian

    83,110       105,982       180,373       98,346  

Trustees and Officer

    51,020       30,224       138,070       46,847  

Accounting services

    50,024       30,018       243,116       60,025  

Registration

    36,940       11,657             31,829  

Rating agency

    14,119       12,518       32,278       41,954  

Printing and postage

    13,023       15,224       20,864       12,133  

Offering

          34,000              

Miscellaneous

    163,743       50,173       93,502       103,634  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    6,965,768       5,179,307       31,635,390       7,400,231  

Less:

       

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (639,642     (6,655     (211,250     (7,408
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    6,326,126       5,172,652       31,424,140       7,392,823  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    12,589,207       68,856       (24,489,080     17,695,239  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (11,496,986     32,372,500       204,396,889       (23,691,336

Investments — affiliated

          (368     (1,005     84  

Foreign currency transactions

    162,785       (3,374     (52,049     (12,315

Options written

    (14,426,621     (10,979,173     (73,164,412     (27,953,946
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (25,760,822     21,389,585       131,179,423       (51,657,513
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    55,723,839 (b)      57,883,233       1,219,647,681       28,195,363  

Investments — affiliated

          (4           (42

Foreign currency translations

    94,713       2,414       22,001       8,940  

Options written

    1,142,677       216,344       (15,715,638     (5,633,867
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    56,961,229       58,101,987       1,203,954,044       22,570,394  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    31,200,407       79,491,572       1,335,133,467       (29,087,119
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 43,789,614     $ 79,560,428     $  1,310,644,387     $ (11,391,880
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Commencement of Operations January 30, 2020.

(b) Net of deferred foreign capital gain tax

       
  $ (379,423   $     $     $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  129


 

Statements of Operations  (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

     BST(a)     BSTZ(a)     BUI  

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 2,581,030     $ 3,156,085     $ 9,960,872  

Dividends — affiliated

    26,603       140,622       37,673  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    24,064       384,979        

Non-cash dividends — unaffiliated

                573,051  

Other income — affiliated

          25,547        

Foreign taxes withheld

    (167,348     (311,399     (506,180
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,464,349       3,395,834       10,065,416  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    9,223,005       25,390,167       3,761,645  

Custodian

    162,942       205,525       65,004  

Professional

    153,129       281,333       105,068  

Transfer agent

    99,658       82,860       60,316  

Trustees and Officer

    54,924       120,585       23,956  

Accounting services

    50,023       205,319       50,023  

Offering

    34,000             34,000  

Printing and postage

    17,225       31,608       12,368  

Rating agency

    17,023       27,814       38,955  

Registration

    9,611       28,012       9,937  

Miscellaneous

    260,319       594,860       72,335  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    10,081,859       26,968,083       4,233,607  

Less:

     

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (927,479     (19,394     (101,037
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    9,154,380       26,948,689       4,132,570  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (6,690,031     (23,552,855     5,932,846  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    96,307,302       270,681,723       23,201,036  

Investments — affiliated

    (495     12,213        

Foreign currency transactions

    (154,604     (348,350     3,238  

Options written

    (84,555,532     (202,293,958     (18,127,502
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    11,596,671       68,051,628       5,076,772  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    521,383,881       1,460,465,693       47,664,924  

Foreign currency translations

    548       (99     16,070  

Options written

    (5,087,878     (19,964,341     (401,327
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    516,296,551       1,440,501,253       47,279,667  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    527,893,222       1,508,552,881       52,356,439  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 521,203,191     $ 1,485,000,026     $ 58,289,285  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)  

Consolidated Statement of Operations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BGR          CII  
    Year Ended December 31,          Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019           2020     2019  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 9,391,948     $ 10,075,651        $ 5,811,399     $ 8,012,154  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (88,982,831     (24,802,316        26,868,142       20,096,351  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (33,080,100     60,005,258          64,682,735       134,499,339  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (112,670,983     45,278,593          97,362,276       162,607,844  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (9,329,536     (10,080,237        (46,327,470     (27,696,642

Return of capital

    (10,213,545     (17,693,107              (16,349,752
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (19,543,081     (27,773,344        (46,327,470     (44,046,394
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (4,813,281                     
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (137,027,345     17,505,249          51,034,806       118,561,450  

Beginning of year

    374,895,823       357,390,574          792,638,396       674,076,946  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 237,868,478     $ 374,895,823        $  843,673,202     $ 792,638,396  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  131


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BDJ            BOE  
    Year Ended December 31,            Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019             2020     2019  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 34,483,661     $ 35,572,226        $ 16,919,404     $ 20,684,957  

Net realized gain (loss)

    25,963,990       79,452,284          (20,345,581     (37,889,330

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (79,304,070     269,293,501          45,992,227       148,014,247  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (18,856,419     384,318,011          42,566,050       130,809,874  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (112,342,324     (140,879,229        (16,818,451     (20,682,389

Return of capital

                   (32,343,267     (29,979,719
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (112,342,324     (140,879,229        (49,161,718     (50,662,108
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (11,354,242              (14,886,112     (27,037,545
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (142,552,985     243,438,782          (21,481,780     53,110,221  

Beginning of year

    1,881,675,290       1,638,236,508          807,711,782       754,601,561  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  1,739,122,305     $  1,881,675,290        $  786,230,002     $  807,711,782  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BGY           

BME

 
    Year Ended December 31,            Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019             2020     2019  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 12,589,207     $ 16,918,169        $ 68,856     $ 633,566  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (25,760,822     (36,948,302        21,389,585       23,093,368  

Net change in unrealized appreciation

    56,961,229       134,495,399          58,101,987       56,152,699  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    43,789,614       114,465,266          79,560,428       79,879,633  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (12,744,924     (36,797,115        (27,390,801     (25,002,003

Return of capital

    (29,856,975     (6,617,930               
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (42,601,899     (43,415,045        (27,390,801     (25,002,003
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net proceeds from the issuance of shares

                   45,251,850       37,463,441  

Reinvestment of distributions

                   1,742,431       1,756,542  

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (7,486,085     (11,037,544               
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (7,486,085     (11,037,544        46,994,281       39,219,983  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (6,298,370     60,012,677          99,163,908       94,097,613  

Beginning of year

    683,247,127       623,234,450          446,772,591       352,674,978  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  676,948,757     $ 683,247,127        $  545,936,499     $ 446,772,591  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  133


 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BMEZ     BCX  
    Period from              
    01/30/20 (a)       Year Ended December 31,  
     to 12/31/20     2020     2019  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (24,489,080   $ 17,695,239     $ 21,201,953  

Net realized gain (loss)

    131,179,423       (51,657,513     (20,246,713

Net change in unrealized appreciation

    1,203,954,044       22,570,394       108,031,599  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1,310,644,387       (11,391,880     108,986,839  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

     

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (101,402,843     (20,310,556     (21,302,066

Return of capital

          (27,173,604     (36,208,319
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (101,402,843     (47,484,160     (57,510,385
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

Net proceeds from the issuance of shares

    2,253,296,500              

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

          (17,262,335     (27,004,375
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    2,253,296,500       (17,262,335     (27,004,375
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

     

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    3,462,538,044       (76,138,375     24,472,079  

Beginning of period

    100,000       822,753,738       798,281,659  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 3,462,638,044     $ 746,615,363     $ 822,753,738  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BST     BSTZ  
                      Period from  
    Year Ended December 31,       Year Ended       06/27/19 (a)  
      2020 (b)       2019       12/31/20 (b)       to 12/31/19  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment loss

  $ (6,690,031   $ (3,710,069   $ (23,552,855   $ (3,753,861

Net realized gain (loss)

    11,596,671       75,947,016       68,051,628       (28,717,347

Net change in unrealized appreciation

    516,296,551       146,625,953       1,440,501,253       145,700,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    521,203,191       218,862,900       1,485,000,026       113,229,299  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(c)

       

From net realized gain

    (49,046,315     (78,918,792     (85,373,164      

Return of capital

                (11,848,839     (39,001,740
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (49,046,315     (78,918,792     (97,222,003     (39,001,740
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net proceeds from the issuance of shares

    80,490,747       9,976,531             1,557,499,120  

Reinvestment of distributions

    2,024,962       4,843,194             4,139,306  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    82,515,709       14,819,725             1,561,638,426  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase in net assets

    554,672,585       154,763,833       1,387,778,023       1,635,865,985  

Beginning of period

    742,671,518       587,907,685       1,635,965,985       100,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,297,344,103     $ 742,671,518     $ 3,023,744,008     $ 1,635,965,985  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)  

Commencement of operations.

(b)  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

(c)  

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  135


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BUI  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 5,932,846     $ 6,287,990  

Net realized gain

    5,076,772       18,652,295  

Net change in unrealized appreciation

    47,279,667       54,988,272  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    58,289,285       79,928,557  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (22,859,592     (22,233,727

Return of capital

    (3,077,573     (2,538,581
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (25,937,165     (24,772,308
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net proceeds from the issuance of shares

    27,563,701       7,651,380  

Reinvestment of distributions

    1,273,042       1,596,219  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    28,836,743       9,247,599  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase in net assets

    61,188,863       64,403,848  

Beginning of year

    383,337,110       318,933,262  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 444,525,973     $ 383,337,110  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)  

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (112,670,983   $ 97,362,276     $ (18,856,419   $ 42,566,050  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities

       

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments

    160,179,901       430,156,552       924,261,878       495,069,567  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (151,796,605     (341,452,003     (782,417,279     (442,959,231

Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities

    9,326,904       (7,190,409     (12,016,637     1,138,392  

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (26,865,023     (145,267,425     (242,007,859     (72,492,653

Premiums received from options written

    24,043,374       104,473,038       203,800,891       63,183,112  

Net realized (gain) loss on investments and options written

    89,167,084       (26,828,137     (25,321,871     20,379,264  

Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations

    33,080,152       (64,682,735     79,324,498       (45,920,869

(Increase) Decrease in Assets

       

Receivables

       

Dividends — affiliated

    15,037       6,569       25,644       3,955  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    32,290       228,043       (329,329     1,175,693  

Prepaid expenses

    (4,328     8,031       (68,906     5,872  

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities

       

Payables

       

Investment advisory fees

    (395,603     (504,837     (1,332,433     (548,460

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    (6,356     13,488       32,029       (16,100

Other accrued expenses

    81,619       48,055       116,284       99,614  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    24,187,463       46,370,506       125,210,491       61,684,206  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

    (19,617,826     (46,304,732     (113,368,211     (49,142,599

Net payments on redemption of capital shares

    (4,483,069           (11,354,242     (14,531,789

Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft

    (27,693     (35,774     (487,574     1,372,586  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

    (24,128,588     (46,340,506     (125,210,027     (62,301,802
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

       

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

    51             85       (4,728
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

       

Net increase (decrease) in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    58,926       30,000       549       (622,324

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

                1,188       5,528,094  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year

  $ 58,926     $ 30,000     $ 1,737     $ 4,905,770  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

       

Cash pledged

       

Collateral — exchange-traded options written

  $     $     $     $ 4,880,000  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

          30,000             20,000  

Foreign currency at value

    58,926             1,737       5,770  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 58,926     $ 30,000     $ 1,737     $ 4,905,770  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  137


 

Statements of Cash Flows  (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

     BGY     BME     BMEZ(a)     BCX  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 43,789,614     $ 79,560,428     $ 1,310,644,387     $ (11,391,880

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

    401,896,747       132,111,714       1,011,206,347       584,871,424  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (368,119,885     (133,081,959     (3,109,523,503     (527,031,550

Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities

    17,231,461       (10,134,696     (27,926,468     13,601,921  

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (59,499,156     (58,620,700     (220,307,256     (89,836,687

Premiums received from options written

    46,823,706       50,615,469       203,412,129       65,180,026  

Net realized (gain) loss on investments and options written

    25,931,291       (21,316,455     (129,786,632     51,974,747  

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations

    (56,961,229     (58,099,573     (1,203,932,043     (22,561,454

(Increase) Decrease in Assets

       

Receivables

       

Dividends — affiliated

    22,686       6,447       (412     20,075  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,213,454       (53,102     (593,687     358,802  

Securities lending income — affiliated

          7,266       (49,938     1,300  

Prepaid expenses

    4,936       833       (20,218     5,949  

Deferred offering costs

          22,798              

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities

       

Collateral on securities loaned at value

          (151,101     9,577,820       (180,501

Payables

       

Deferred capital gain tax

    379,423                    

Investment advisory fees

    (490,543     (269,708     3,565,202       (707,718

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    (22,748     1,832       47,447       (18,746

Other accrued expenses

    117,048       49,649       450,394       95,035  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

    52,316,805       (19,350,858     (2,153,236,431     64,380,743  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

    (42,603,977     (25,648,370     (99,101,551     (47,524,083

Net payments on redemption of capital shares

    (7,486,085                 (16,719,878

Increase in bank overdraft

                205,455        

Proceeds from issuance of capital shares

          45,085,719       2,253,296,500        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) for financing activities

    (50,090,062     19,437,349       2,154,400,404       (64,243,961
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

       

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

    (8,055           32       (281
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

       

Net increase in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    2,218,688       86,491       1,164,005       136,501  

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of period

    8,516,561       125,205       100,000       87,051  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of period

  $ 10,735,249     $ 211,696     $ 1,264,005     $ 223,552  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of distributions paid to shareholders

  $     $ 1,742,431     $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

       

Cash

  $     $ 211,253     $     $ 134,698  

Cash pledged

       

Collateral — exchange-traded options written

    7,091,000                    

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    2,009,649             1,263,000        

Foreign currency at value

    1,634,600       443       1,005       88,854  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 10,735,249     $ 211,696     $ 1,264,005     $ 223,552  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of Operations January 30, 2020.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

138  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Cash Flows  (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2020

 

     BST(a)     BSTZ(a)     BUI  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 521,203,191     $ 1,485,000,026     $ 58,289,285  

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

    234,337,327       1,164,068,540       146,995,127  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (182,718,806     (923,624,640     (142,793,758

Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities

    (385,716     141,475,335       4,330,556  

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (184,853,117     (392,002,278     (43,759,673

Premiums received from options written

    108,147,719       207,908,420       27,192,864  

Net realized gain on investments and options written

    (11,743,774     (68,399,978     (4,906,853

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations

    (516,296,003     (1,440,501,352     (47,263,597

(Increase) Decrease in Assets

     

Receivables

     

Dividends — affiliated

    23,632       113,806       15,015  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,686       (65,078     (260,796

Securities lending income — affiliated

    6,359       102,583        

Prepaid expenses

    (4,119     (494     (5,076

Deferred offering costs

    40,507             27,640  

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities

     

Collateral on securities loaned at value

          (66,926,868      

Payables

     

Investment advisory fees

    (89,959     (209,977     (245,337

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    327       45,206       653  

Other accrued expenses

    154,195       183,262       103,017  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

    (32,176,551     107,166,513       (2,280,933
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

    (47,021,353     (96,983,159     (24,664,123

Payments for offering costs

    (35,805           (30,176

Proceeds from issuance of capital shares

    80,908,562             27,182,140  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) for financing activities

    33,851,404       (96,983,159     2,487,841  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

     

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

    27       60        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

     

Net increase in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    1,674,880       10,183,414       206,908  

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

    2,932,527       9,252,443       821,749  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year

  $ 4,607,407     $ 19,435,857     $ 1,028,657  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of distributions paid to shareholders

  $ 2,024,962     $     $ 1,273,042  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

Cash

  $ 736,065     $ 33,690     $ 295,557  

Cash pledged

     

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    3,870,000       19,400,000       733,100  

Foreign currency at value

    1,342       2,167        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 4,607,407     $ 19,435,857     $ 1,028,657  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  139


 

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BGR  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 12.57     $ 11.98     $ 15.79     $ 16.33     $ 14.05  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.32       0.34       0.28       0.40 (b)       0.27  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (4.06     1.18       (3.16     (0.01     3.01  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (3.74     1.52       (2.88     0.39       3.28  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.32     (0.34     (0.27     (0.40     (0.27

Return of capital

    (0.34     (0.59     (0.66     (0.53     (0.73
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.66     (0.93     (0.93     (0.93     (1.00
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 8.17     $ 12.57     $ 11.98     $ 15.79     $ 16.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 7.10     $ 11.88     $ 10.45     $ 14.18     $ 14.44  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    (29.03 )%      13.74     (18.84 )%      3.49     25.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (34.74 )%      23.23     (21.16 )%      5.11     24.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    1.37 %(e)       1.35     1.29     1.31     1.31
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.15 %(e)       1.16     1.14     1.18     1.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.77 %(e)       2.67     1.87     2.69 %(b)       1.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 237,868     $ 374,896     $ 357,391     $ 471,062     $ 487,064  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    62     24     32     24     33
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.

(e) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.01%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

140  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Financial Highlights   (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    CII  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 17.96     $ 15.28     $ 17.19     $ 15.08     $ 15.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.13       0.18       0.17       0.15       0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.08       3.50       (1.09     2.95       0.99  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.21       3.68       (0.92     3.10       1.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

         

From net investment income

    (0.13     (0.19     (0.17 )(c)       (0.15     (0.13

From net realized gain

    (0.92     (0.44     (0.28 )(c)             (0.04

Return of capital

          (0.37     (0.54     (0.84     (0.98
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.05     (1.00     (0.99     (0.99     (1.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 19.12     $ 17.96     $ 15.28     $ 17.19     $ 15.08  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 17.40     $ 17.25     $ 14.08     $ 16.38     $ 13.71  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    13.94     25.08     (5.44 )%      21.69     8.66
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    7.97     30.38     (8.56 )%      27.54     5.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.91     0.91     0.90     0.93     0.95
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.91     0.91     0.90     0.93     0.95
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.78     1.08     1.00     0.94     0.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 843,673     $ 792,638     $ 674,077     $ 758,400     $ 665,159  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    46     32     27     32     54
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  141


 

Financial Highlights   (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BDJ  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.03     $ 8.74     $ 9.96     $ 9.22     $ 8.70  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18       0.18       0.18 (b)       0.16       0.17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.26     1.86       (0.84     1.14       0.91  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.08     2.04       (0.66     1.30       1.08  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.15     (0.08     (0.18 )(d)       (0.17     (0.17

From net realized gain

    (0.45     (0.67     (0.38 )(d)       (0.39      

Return of capital

                            (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.60     (0.75     (0.56     (0.56     (0.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 9.35     $ 10.03     $ 8.74     $ 9.96     $ 9.22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 8.47     $ 9.92     $ 7.77     $ 9.23     $ 8.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    0.77     24.52     (6.59 )%      15.06     13.90
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (7.70 )%      38.53     (10.39 )%      20.63     15.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    0.86     0.87     0.85     0.86     0.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.86     0.87     0.85     0.86     0.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.15     1.99     1.85 %(b)       1.73     1.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 1,739,122     $ 1,881,675     $ 1,638,237     $ 1,868,457     $ 1,741,649  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    48     40     34     42     33
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

142  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BOE  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 12.32     $ 11.07     $ 13.22     $ 13.38     $ 14.25  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.26       0.30       0.31       0.17       0.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.46       1.71       (1.61     1.96       0.03  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.72       2.01       (1.30     2.13       0.18  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

         

From net investment income

    (0.26     (0.31     (0.31 )(c)       (0.19     (0.10

From net realized gain

                (0.52 )(c)       (2.10      

Return of capital

    (0.50     (0.45     (0.02           (0.95
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.76     (0.76     (0.85     (2.29     (1.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 12.28     $ 12.32     $ 11.07     $ 13.22     $ 13.38  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 10.91     $ 10.99     $ 9.37     $ 12.51     $ 11.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    7.65     19.54     (9.63 )%      17.22 %(e)      2.62
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    7.22     25.98     (19.16 )%      28.28     (0.90 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

         

Total expenses

    1.09     1.12     1.08     1.09     1.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.92     0.94     0.94     1.02     1.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.33     2.62     2.52     1.20     1.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  786,230     $  807,712     $  754,602     $ 911,227     $  929,897  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    61     26     28     133     64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(f) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
             2020             2019             2018             2017             2016  

Investments in underlying funds

                0.01    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  143


 

Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BGY  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2020       2019       2018       2017       2016  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 6.47     $ 5.79     $ 7.06     $ 6.28     $ 6.95  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.12       0.16       0.17 (b)       0.09       0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.31       0.93       (1.00     1.15       (0.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.43       1.09       (0.83     1.24       (0.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.13     (0.16     (0.16 )(d)       (0.09     (0.07

From net realized gain

          (0.19     (0.28 )(d)              

Return of capital

    (0.28     (0.06           (0.37     (0.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.41     (0.41     (0.44     (0.46     (0.52
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 6.49     $ 6.47     $ 5.79     $ 7.06     $ 6.28  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 5.87     $ 5.89     $ 4.98     $ 6.52     $ 5.51  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

         

Based on net asset value

    8.18     20.20     (11.48 )%      20.88 %(f)      (1.12 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    7.49     27.22     (17.55 )%      27.23     (3.37 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

         

Total expenses

    1.10     1.13     1.09     1.12     1.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.00     1.03     0.99     1.02     1.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.99     2.57     2.59 %(b)       1.31     1.41
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 676,949     $ 683,247     $ 623,234     $ 769,678     $ 690,628  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    60     28     60     90     74
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.10 per share and 29%, respectively, resulting from a non-recurring 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 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,  
                  2020                   2019                   2018                   2017                   2016  

Investments in underlying funds

               —                —               —         0.02         0.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

144  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BME  
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2020       2019       2018       2017       2016  
           

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 41.19     $ 35.87     $ 35.69     $ 31.30     $ 36.19  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.01       0.06       0.07       0.02       0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    6.86       7.66       2.51       6.77       (1.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    6.87       7.72       2.58       6.79       (1.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

         

From net investment income

    (0.05     (0.12     (0.07 )(c)       (0.04     (0.03

From net realized gain

    (2.35     (2.28     (2.33 )(c)       (2.11     (2.97

Return of capital

                      (0.25      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (2.40     (2.40     (2.40     (2.40     (3.00
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 45.66     $ 41.19     $ 35.87     $ 35.69     $ 31.30  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 47.59     $ 42.50     $ 36.45     $ 36.50     $ 31.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    17.50     22.26     7.26     22.17     (5.36 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    18.69     24.15     6.57     23.17     (11.71 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

         

Total expenses

    1.10     1.09     1.11     1.12     1.15 %(f)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.10     1.09     1.11     1.12     1.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.01     0.16     0.19     0.06     0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 545,936     $ 446,773     $ 352,675     $ 331,858     $ 270,693  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28     47     37     38     59
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
                  2020                   2019                   2018                   2017                   2016  

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.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  145


 

Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BMEZ  
   

Period from

01/30/20

to 12/31/20

 

(a)  

 

   

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.00  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.22

Net realized and unrealized gain

    11.85  
 

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    11.63  
 

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gains(c)

    (0.90
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.73  
 

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 28.65  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    59.62 %(e)(f)  
 

 

 

 

Based on market price

    48.82 %(f)  
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.29 %(g)(h)  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.28 %(g)(h)  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1.00 )%(g)(h) 
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  3,462,638  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    43
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d) 

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) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(f) 

Aggregate total return.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.02%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

146  

2 0 2 0  B L A C K R O C K  A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BCX  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 9.04     $ 8.44     $ 10.64     $ 9.86     $ 8.35  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.20       0.23       0.22       0.20 (b)       0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.26     0.99       (1.80     1.19       1.95  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.06     1.22       (1.58     1.39       2.09  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.23     (0.23     (0.19     (0.24     (0.15

Return of capital

    (0.30     (0.39     (0.43     (0.37     (0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.53     (0.62     (0.62     (0.61     (0.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 8.45     $ 9.04     $ 8.44     $ 10.64     $ 9.86  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 7.41     $ 8.07     $ 7.06     $ 9.77     $ 8.27  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    1.56     15.88     (14.90 )%      15.60     27.41
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (0.23 )%      23.67     (22.47 )%      26.55     25.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    1.09     1.11     1.08     1.08     1.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.09     1.11     1.08     1.08     1.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.62     2.56     2.17     2.06 %(b)       1.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  746,615     $  822,754     $  798,282     $ 1,027,472     $  976,899  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    78     69     66     73     101
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  147


 

Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BST  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020(a)     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 32.45     $ 26.21     $ 27.73     $ 20.10     $ 19.70  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.28     (0.17     (0.13     (0.05     0.00 (c)  

Net realized and unrealized gain

    21.82       9.92       0.37       8.96       1.60  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    21.54       9.75       0.24       8.91       1.60  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

         

From net investment income

                (e)       (0.05      

From net realized gain

    (2.05     (3.51     (1.76 )(e)       (0.22      

Return of capital

                      (1.01     (1.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (2.05     (3.51     (1.76     (1.28     (1.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 51.94     $ 32.45     $ 26.21     $ 27.73     $ 20.10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 53.30     $ 33.27     $ 27.48     $ 26.69     $ 17.94  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(f)

         

Based on net asset value

    68.76 %(g)       37.82     0.24     45.73     9.36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    68.92     34.77     9.18     57.15     11.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    1.09     1.08     1.09     1.09     1.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.99     0.92     0.89     0.89     0.90
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.73 )%      (0.52 )%      (0.43 )%      (0.19 )%      0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  1,297,344     $  742,672     $  587,908     $  620,300     $  452,443  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    20     32     53     41     74
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Financial Highlights.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(d) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(e) 

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.

(f) 

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.

(g) 

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of a certain investment was adjusted as of the report date. Accordingly, the net asset value (“NAV”) per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published as of December 31, 2020.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BSTZ  
     

Year Ended

12/31/20

(a) 

 

   

Period from

06/27/19

to 12/31/19

 

(b)  

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.95     $ 20.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(c)

    (0.30     (0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain

    19.32       1.50  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    19.02       1.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

   

From net realized gain

    (1.10      

Return of capital

    (0.15     (0.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.25     (0.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 38.72     $ 20.95  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 36.38     $ 20.50  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

   

Based on net asset value

    94.60 %(f)       7.40 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    86.85     5.10 %(g)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

   

Total expenses

    1.33     1.32 %(h)(i)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.33     1.30 %(h)(i)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1.16 )%      (0.48 )%(h)(i)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  3,023,744     $  1,635,966  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    45     16
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Financial Highlights.

(b) 

Commencement of operations.

(c) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(d) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(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 from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(g) 

Aggregate total return.

(h)

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of approximately 0.04%.

(i) 

Annualized.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BUI  
    Year Ended December 31,  
     2020     2019     2018     2017     2016  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 22.02     $ 18.77     $ 21.12     $ 19.42     $ 19.50  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.33       0.37       0.49       0.56       0.56  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.90       4.33       (1.39     2.59       0.81  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    3.23       4.70       (0.90     3.15       1.37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

         

From net investment income

    (0.20     (0.24     (0.63 )(c)       (0.47     (0.49

From net realized gain

    (1.08     (1.06     (0.81 )(c)       (0.98     (0.53

Return of capital

    (0.17     (0.15     (0.01           (0.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.45     (1.45     (1.45     (1.45     (1.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 23.80     $ 22.02     $ 18.77     $ 21.12     $ 19.42  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 25.04     $ 22.31     $ 19.76     $ 21.62     $ 18.41  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    15.87     25.63     (4.40 )%      16.62     7.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    20.32     20.91     (1.68 )%      25.93     18.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

         

Total expenses

    1.13     1.12     1.12     1.11     1.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.10     1.10     1.09     1.09     1.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.58     1.78     2.46     2.70     2.83
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  444,526     $  383,337     $  318,933     $ 357,776     $  328,297  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39     39     28     31     8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.

 

 

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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 Health Sciences Trust II

  BMEZ    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

  BCX    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

  BST    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II

  BSTZ    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

  BUI    Delaware    Diversified

The Boards of Directors and Boards of Trustees of the Trusts are collectively referred to throughout this report as 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 January 30, 2020, BMEZ had no operations other than those relating to organizational matters and the sale of 5,000 common shares on November 6, 2019 to BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of BMEZ, for $100,000. Investment operations for BMEZ commenced on January 30, 2020.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of BST include the accounts of BST Subsidiary, LLC (the “BST Taxable Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of BST. The BST Taxable Subsidiary enables BST to hold an investment in an operating partnership and satisfy Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) tax requirements. Income earned and gains realized on the investment held by the BST Taxable Subsidiary are subject to US federal and state taxes to such subsidiary. A tax provision for income, if any, is shown as income tax in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BST. A tax provision for realized and unrealized gains, if any, is included as a reduction of realized and/or unrealized gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BST. BST may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the BST Taxable Subsidiary. The net assets of the BST Taxable Subsidiary as of period end were $4,454,600, which is 0.3% of BST’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The BST Taxable Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to BST.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of BSTZ include the accounts of BSTZ Subsidiary, LLC (the “BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of BSTZ. The BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary enables BSTZ to hold an investment in an operating partnership and satisfy Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) tax requirements. Income earned and gains realized on the investment held by the BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary are subject to US federal and state taxes to such subsidiary. A tax provision for income, if any, is shown as income tax in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BSTZ. A tax provision for realized and unrealized gains, if any, is included as a reduction of realized and/or unrealized gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BSTZ. BSTZ may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary. The net assets of the BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary as of period end were $17,820,167, which is 0.6% of BSTZ’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to BSTZ.

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 using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. 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, is recognized daily 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Each Trust does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments 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 “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 Income Tax Information note 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, if any, 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: Prior to commencement of operations, organization costs associated with the establishment of BMEZ and offering expenses of BMEZ with respect to the issuance of shares in the amounts of $140,500 and $4,295,804, respectively, were paid by the Manager. BMEZ 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: Each Trust’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Trust is open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Each Trust determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. 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 that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. 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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 investments for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid price 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), market data, 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.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

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.

 

   

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 and options on swaps (“swaptions”) 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 market closure, market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that 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 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. 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 applicable to 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.

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting 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); and

 

   

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 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 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 that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

As of December 31, 2020, certain investments of were fair valued using NAV 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.

Commitments: Commitments are agreements to acquire an investment at a future date (subject to conditions) in connection with a potential public or non-public offering. Such agreements may obligate the Trusts to make future cash payments. As of December 31, 2020, BME, BMEZ, and BSTZ had outstanding commitments of $1,742,350, $35,818,890, and $7,403,800, respectively. These commitments are not included in the net assets of the Trusts as of December 31, 2020.

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 -, 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

 

 

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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 table is a summary of the Trusts’ securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

Fund Name/Counterparty

   
Securities
Loaned at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a)  
   
Net
Amount
 
 

BME

      

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  $ 97,092      $ (97,092   $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

BMEZ

      

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 737,334      $ (737,334   $  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,474,669        (1,474,669      

Goldman Sachs & Co.

    271,031        (271,031      

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    6,596,421        (6,596,421      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 9,079,455      $ (9,079,455   $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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.

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 to the extent 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 its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help it mitigate its counterparty risk, a Trust may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a 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, a 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. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against 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 Trust 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

 

 

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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 the counterparties are not fully collateralized, each Trust bears 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, each Trust bears 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      BDJ      BOE      BME  

Investment advisory fees

    1.20%        0.80%        1.00%        1.00%  

Average daily value of each Trusts’s net assets:

 

             CII      BGY      BUI  

Investment advisory fees

             0.85%        1.00%        1.00%  

Average daily value of each Trusts’s managed assets:

 

             BMEZ      BST      BSTZ  

Investment advisory fees

             1.25%        1.00%        1.25%  

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, “net assets” mean the total assets of BGR, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, CII, BCX and BUI minus the sum of its accrued liabilities.

For purposes of calculating these fees, “managed assets” are determined as total assets of BST, BSTZ and BMEZ (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 for that portion of each Trust for which BIL acts as sub-adviser, 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 BST and BSTZ Subsidiary. The Manager does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing investment management or administrative services. However, BST and BSTZ 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, 2020 amounted to $91,491, $55,741, and $162,963 for each of BME, BST and BUI, respectively.

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager 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

    0.10     December 31, 2020  
      0.05       December 31, 2021  

 

 

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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     BOE     BGY     BUI  
       0.220     0.175     0.100     0.025

These voluntary waivers may be reduced or discontinued at any time without notice.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, 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:

 

Trust Name   Amounts Waived  

BGR

  $ 547,543  

BOE

    1,269,999  

BGY

    631,893  

BST

    922,300  

BUI

    94,041  

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, 2022. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Trust. These amounts are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the amounts waived were as follows:

 

Trust Name   Amounts Waived  

BGR

  $ 6,397  

CII

    7,381  

BDJ

    10,209  

BOE

    5,574  

BGY

    7,749  

BME

    6,655  

BMEZ

    211,250  

BCX

    7,408  

BST

    5,179  

BSTZ

    19,394  

BUI

    6,996  

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, 2022. 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, 2020, there were no fees waived by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“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, SL Liquidity Series, LLC (“Money Market Series”), managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the Money Market Series to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the Money Market Series will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Trusts. The Money Market Series 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. 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.

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.

 

 

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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, 2020, each Trust paid BIM the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

Trust Name   Amounts  

BME

  $ 1,998  

BMEZ

    29,923  

BCX

    1,337  

BST

    5,220  

BSTZ

    81,848  

BSTZ and BMEZ recorded a payment from an affiliate to compensate for foregone securities lending revenue in the amount of $25,547 and $18,746, respectively, which is included in Other income-affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

Trustees and Officers: Certain trustees and/or officers of the Trusts are directors 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 year ended December 31, 2020, 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:

 

Trust Name   Purchases      Sales     

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

 

BST

  $      $ 19,456      $ (9,222)  

BSTZ

    4,681,538        20,687,465        6,750,083  

7.    PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:

 

Trust Name   Purchases      Sales  

BGR

  $ 152,984,490      $ 160,232,008  

CII

    341,452,003        430,489,530  

BDJ

    779,378,886        923,012,270  

BOE

    442,944,912        494,496,158  

BGY

    368,119,885        401,906,867  

BME

    133,198,471        132,144,807  

BMEZ

    3,125,137,390        1,011,854,953  

BCX

    527,164,888        589,018,896  

BST

    182,717,532        234,337,327  

BSTZ

    925,859,425        1,164,076,901  

BUI

    143,501,470        146,995,127  

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 a period of three fiscal years after they are filed. 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, 2020, 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 Funds’ 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 NAVs 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     BMEZ      BCX      BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Paid-in capital

  $         —      $         —      $ (5,845   $         —      $         —      $ (34,000   $         —      $         —      $ (6,830,674   $ 3,578     $ (34,085

Accumulated earnings (loss)

                  5,845                     34,000                     6,830,674       (3,578     34,085  

 

 

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The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     Periods     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY     BME     BMEZ     BCX     BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Ordinary income

    12/31/20     $ 9,329,536     $ 5,824,766     $ 27,765,611     $ 16,818,451     $ 12,744,924     $ 7,153,739     $ 101,402,843     $ 20,310,556     $     $ 6,255,953     $ 8,067,250  
    12/31/19       10,080,237       8,072,143       22,868,103       20,682,389       16,830,492       1,199,799             21,302,066                   4,110,805  

Long-term capital gains

    12/31/20             40,502,704       84,576,713                   20,237,062                   49,046,315       79,117,211       14,792,342  
    12/31/19             19,624,499       118,011,126             19,966,623       23,802,204                   78,918,792             18,122,922  

Return of capital

    12/31/20       10,213,545                   32,343,267       29,856,975                   27,173,604             11,848,839       3,077,573  
    12/31/19       17,693,107       16,349,752             29,979,719       6,617,930                   36,208,319             39,001,740       2,538,581  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    12/31/20     $ 19,543,081     $ 46,327,470     $ 112,342,324     $ 49,161,718     $ 42,601,899     $ 27,390,801     $ 101,402,843     $ 47,484,160     $ 49,046,315     $ 97,222,003     $ 25,937,165  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    12/31/19     $ 27,773,344     $ 44,046,394     $ 140,879,229     $ 50,662,108     $ 43,415,045     $ 25,002,003     $ 0     $ 57,510,385     $ 78,918,792     $ 39,001,740     $ 24,772,308  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of period end, the tax components of accumulated earnings (loss) were as follows:

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY     BME     BMEZ     BCX     BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Undistributed ordinary income

  $     $     $ 25,399,594     $     $     $     $ 45,158,499     $     $     $     $  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

                46,187,968                   805,059                   16,479,083              

Non-expiring capital loss carryforwards(a)

    (249,097,412                 (36,829,140     (34,422,227                 (459,136,748                  

Net unrealized gains (losses)(b)

    (60,221,881     286,707,545       358,265,876       104,316,745       93,047,099       206,023,009       1,164,083,045       90,776,211       850,251,326       1,516,903,233       130,545,444  

Qualified late- year losses(c)

          (4,356,339                                         (2,406,613           (890,169
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ (309,319,293   $  282,351,206     $  429,853,438     $ 67,487,605     $  58,624,872     $  206,828,068     $  1,209,241,544     $  (368,360,537)     $  864,323,796     $  1,516,903,233     $  129,655,275  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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 and foreign currency 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.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Trusts listed below utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforward:

 

Trust Name   Amounts  

BSTZ

  $ 16,443,626  
 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2020, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ     BOE     BGY     BME     BMEZ     BCX     BST     BSTZ     BUI  

Tax cost

  $ 300,645,046     $ 559,631,232     $ 1,380,994,216     $ 669,893,362     $ 555,076,969     $ 336,946,386     $ 2,332,040,982     $ 646,507,710     $ 422,928,390     $ 1,459,793,681     $ 298,062,211  

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 9,872,015     $ 310,613,415     $ 433,245,269     $ 139,749,910     $ 135,741,867     $ 219,636,376     $ 1,246,445,000     $ 166,131,916     $ 900,295,749     $ 1,628,165,038     $ 156,946,689  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (67,223,459     (13,939,354     (47,655,911     (19,034,758     (18,622,379     (4,788,467     (52,504,184     (59,759,898     (16,353,656     (46,550,492     (8,180,953
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  $ (57,351,444   $ 296,674,061     $ 385,589,358     $ 120,715,152     $ 117,119,488     $ 214,847,909     $ 1,193,940,816     $ 106,372,018     $ 883,942,093     $ 1,581,614,546     $ 148,765,736  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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. Local, regional or global events

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements   (continued)

 

such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Trusts and their investments. 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 funds to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting a Trust’s 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.

Market Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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 it believes 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, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. 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.

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 each Trust deposits collateral with its counterparty to a written option.

With exchange-traded 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: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within certain Trust’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

As of period end, the Trusts listed below invested a significant portion of their assets in securities in the following sectors:

 

Sectors   Trust Name  

Energy

    BGR, BCX  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

    

Sectors   Trust Name  

Financials

    BDJ  

Health Care

    BME, BMEZ  

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.

Certain Trusts invest a substantial amount of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a Trust concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in those countries may have a significant impact on their investment performance and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Trust’s portfolio. 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.

Certain Trusts 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.

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 withdrawn 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.

LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) by the end of 2021, and it is expected that LIBOR will cease to be published after that time. The Trusts may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Trusts is uncertain.

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  
Trust Name   12/31/20     12/31/19  

BME

    1,066,906       969,840  

BST

    2,038,416       304,272  

BUI

    1,205,766       349,552  

For the periods shown, shares issued and outstanding increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestment:

 

     Year Ended  
Trust Name   12/31/20     12/31/19  

BME

    42,015       46,035  

BST

    52,101       150,491  

BSTZ

          210,006  

BUI

    59,571       75,584  

For the year ended December 31, 2020 and year ended December 31, 2019, shares issued and outstanding remained constant for CII. For the year ended December 31, 2020, shares issued and outstanding remained constant for BSTZ.

Shares of BMEZ issued and outstanding for the period January 30, 2020 to December 31, 2020, increased by 105,000,000 from the Trust’s initial public offering and 7,664,825 from the underwriters’ overallotment option. As of December 31, 2020, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of BMEZ, owned 5,000 shares of BMEZ.

BME, BST and BUI have each filed a prospectus with the SEC allowing it to issue an additional 5,000,000, 12,067,384 and 4,347,047 Common Shares, respectively, through an equity Shelf Offering. 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 each Fund’s NAV per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). As of period end, 3,446,855,

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

10,657,312 and 3,444,682 Common Shares, respectively, remain available for issuance under the 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.

From December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020, each Trust may repurchase up to 5% of its 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. On September 28, 2020, each Trust (other than BSTZ and BMEZ) announced a continuation of its open market share repurchase program. Commencing on December 1, 2020, each Trust (other than BSTZ and BMEZ) may repurchase through November 30, 2021, up to 5% of its common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2020, 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:

 

 

  BGR  
     Shares     Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2020

    716,855     $  4,813,281  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

           

 

 

  BDJ  
     Shares     Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2020

    1,538,971     $  11,354,242  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

           

 

 

  BOE  
     Shares     Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2020

    1,539,117     $  14,886,112  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

    2,600,735       27,037,545  

 

 

  BGY  
     Shares     Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2020

    1,441,544     $ 7,486,085  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

    2,027,081       11,037,544  

 

 

  BCX  
     Shares     Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2020

    2,744,110     $  17,262,335  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

    3,485,024       27,004,375  

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:

The Trusts declared and paid distributions to Common Shareholders as follows:

 

 

  Dividend Per Common Share  
Trust Name     Paid (a)       Declared (b) 

BGR

  $  0.037500     $  0.037500  

CII

    0.087500       0.087500  

BDJ

    0.050000       0.050000  

BOE

    0.063000       0.063000  

BGY

    0.033800       0.033800  

BME

    0.200000       0.200000  

BMEZ

    0.100000       0.100000  

BCX

    0.040000       0.040000  

BST

    0.187000       0.187000  

BSTZ

    0.115000       0.115000  

BUI

    0.121000       0.121000  

 

  (a) 

Net investment income dividend paid on January 29, 2021 to Common Shareholders of record on January 15, 2021.

 
  (b)

Net investment income dividend declared on February 1, 2021, payable to Common Shareholders of record on February 16, 2021.

 

 

 

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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 Health Sciences Trust II, 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 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 Health Sciences Trust II, BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust, (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations, cash flows, changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, and the related notes. Such financial statements and financial highlights of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust and BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II are consolidated as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of December 31, 2020, and the results of their operations, their cash flows, changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Fund   Statements of Operations and Statements
of Cash Flows
    Statements of Changes in Net Assets   Financial Highlights

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

    For the year ended December 31, 2020     For each of the two years in the period
ended December 31, 2020
  For each of the five years in the period
ended December 31, 2020

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II

    For the year ended December 31, 2020     For the year ended December 31, 2020 and for the period from June 27, 2019 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2019

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II

    For the period from January 30, 2020 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020

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, 2020, 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 23, 2021

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 1992.

 

 

R E P O R T  O F  I N D E P E N D E N T  R E G I S T E R E D  P U B L I C  A C C O U N T I N G  F I R M

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Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 that qualified for the dividends-received deduction were as follows:

 

Trust Name   Dividends-Received
Deduction
 

BGR

    53.96

CII

    100.00  

BDJ

    98.54  

BOE

    65.03  

BGY

    1.50  

BME

    56.67  

BMEZ

    1.12  

BCX

    31.53  

BSTZ

    8.15  

BUI

    62.82  

The following maximum amounts are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Trust Name   Qualified Dividend
Income
 

BGR

  $  10,928,474  

CII

    11,402,991  

BDJ

    41,700,651  

BOE

    18,526,051  

BGY

    11,921,160  

BME

    4,975,260  

BMEZ

    3,800,404  

BCX

    19,145,405  

BSTZ

    1,701,989  

BUI

    8,761,695  

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Trusts earned foreign source income and paid foreign taxes which they intend to pass through to their shareholders:

 

Trust Name   Foreign Source
Income Earned
   

Foreign

Taxes Paid

 

BGR

  $ 5,436,687     $ 886,637  

BGY

    13,016,191       1,453,906  

BCX

    12,565,054       1,374,984  

The following distribution amounts are hereby designated for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Trust Name   Short-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends
    20% Rate
Long-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends
 

CII

  $     $ 40,502,704  

BDJ

          84,576,713  

BME

    6,582,570       20,237,069  

BMEZ

    101,402,843        

BST

          49,046,315  

BSTZ

    6,255,953       79,117,211  

BUI

    4,518,493       14,792,342  

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks

 

Recent Changes

The following information is a summary of certain changes since December 31, 2019 (for each Trust other than BMEZ) and since January 28, 2020 (the effective date of the registration statement relating to BMEZ’s initial public offering). This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the relevant Trust.

Effective July 11, 2020, BST’s classification changed from non-diversified to diversified.

Except as noted above, during each Trust’s most recent fiscal year, there were no material changes in the Trust’s investment objectives or policies that have not been approved by shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Trust.

Investment Objectives and Policies

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

The Trust’s investment objective is primarily to seek current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without prior shareholder approval.

The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies located in countries throughout the world and by utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance current gains. BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”) from time to time may vary the percentage of the Trust’s assets invested in any particular type of equity security, based on factors such as market and economic conditions, fiscal and monetary policy and the relative security valuation of the various equity asset classes.

The Trust also seeks to achieve its investment objective by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options on indices of securities and sectors of securities. The Trust intends to write covered put and call options with respect to approximately 30% to 45% of its total assets, although this percentage may vary from time to time with market conditions. In addition to its option strategy on indices, the Trust may pursue a strategy that includes the writing (selling) of both call and put options on individual common stocks. These option strategies are intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s shareholders. As the Trust writes calls and puts over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust is required to invest 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.). Equity securities in which the Trust invests include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depository receipts and equity interests in real estate investment trusts. The Trust may invest in companies located anywhere in the world. The Trust may invest in companies of any size market capitalization, but intends to invest primarily in the securities of large capitalization companies. The Trust may invest in companies conducting initial public offerings. The Trust may invest up to 25% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers in emerging countries. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt securities, including debt securities issued by companies located in emerging markets. The Trust may invest up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities, commonly known as “junk bonds.”

Application of the Trust’s investment philosophy, from time to time, may cause the Trust to invest a significant portion of its assets in a particular country or region of the world. The Trust’s investment strategy causes it to invest in issuers located in a number of countries throughout the world, but the actual number of countries represented in the Trust’s portfolio will vary over time. Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests in the equity securities of issuers in at least three different countries, including the United States. However, the Trust may invest in the securities of non-U.S. issuers without limit.

The Trust may engage in various portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return or to hedge its portfolio against movements in interest rates, in currency rates and in the securities markets through the use of derivatives, such as indexed and inverse securities, options, futures, options on futures, interest rate transactions, including interest rate swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps and short selling and foreign exchange transactions. Each of these portfolio strategies is described below. No assurance can be given that the Trust will employ these strategies or that, if employed, they will be effective.

The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of investment, and the Trust will not be required to sell securities due to subsequent changes in the value of securities it owns.

To the extent the Trust invests in dividend-paying common stocks, the Manager currently intends to emphasize those securities that: (i) are eligible to pay “qualified dividend” income and/or (ii) make payments that are eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate taxpayers pursuant to Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income are currently eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates for individuals. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income included in distributions of a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) to its individual shareholders are generally passed through to such shareholders and taxed at such reduced rates. Pursuant to Section 243 of the Code, corporations generally may deduct a portion of the dividend income they receive from domestic corporations. Corporate shareholders of a RIC generally are permitted to claim a deduction with respect to that portion of their dividend distributions attributable to amounts that the RIC designates as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction. Although the Trust has the ability to borrow money for investment purposes, it has no current intention to do so. If, however, the Trust did use leverage, the use of leverage through borrowings may reduce the amount of dividends it can designate as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction which will, in turn, limit the tax benefit to a corporate shareholder of investing in the Trust. Corporate shareholders should consider whether an investment in the Trust is appropriate in light of the Trust’s ability to borrow. No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the Trust’s common stock will be eligible for: (i) the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains for individuals or (ii) the Dividends Received Deduction for corporate shareholders of the Trust.

In selecting investments for the Trust, the Manager combines fundamental research with a top-down strategy, analyzing 70 sub-industry groups on an ongoing basis. The Manager seeks to identify companies that it believes have the potential to outperform the market. The Manager’s investment techniques for the Trust include assessing

 

 

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industry structure and dynamics, evaluating growth catalysts on an industry and individual company basis and assessing a company’s valuation relative to the broad market and its respective industry group. The Manager seeks to invest in companies that it believes have sizeable market opportunities, global, regional or local competitive advantages, sound business models and financial strength, proven management teams and compelling relative and absolute valuations.

Leverage: The Trust may, but does not currently intend to, incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes.

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

The Trust’s investment objectives are to provide income and total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval.

BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”) may consider a variety of factors when choosing investments for the Trust, such as:

 

   

selecting companies with the potential for rapid and sustainable growth from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology (high growth science and technology stocks); and

 

   

identifying companies that have above-average return potential based on factors such as revenue and earnings growth, profitability, valuation and dividend yield (cyclical science and technology stocks).

In addition, a variety of countries, including emerging market countries, and industries are likely to be represented in the Trust’s portfolio.

The Trust generally will sell a stock when, in the Manager’s opinion, the stock is fully valued, there is a need to rebalance the portfolio or there is a better opportunity elsewhere.

The Trust may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to seek to achieve its investment objectives.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests 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 (high growth science and technology stocks), and/or potential to generate current income from advantageous dividend yields (cyclical science and technology stocks).

Science and technology companies are companies whose products, processes or services, in the Manager’s view, are being, or are expected to be, significantly benefited by the use or commercial application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries. These companies include companies that, in the Manager’s view, derive a competitive advantage by the application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries to grow their business or increase their competitive advantage, as well as companies that utilize science and/or technology as an agent of change to significantly enhance their business opportunities.

Science, technology and science- or technology-related companies may include companies operating in any industry, including, but not limited to software, internet software & services, IT services, hardware, communications equipment, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment, media, internet retail, consumer finance, life sciences tools & services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, defense/aerospace, diversified telecom services and wireless telecom services. Examples of potential high growth companies include those operating in IT services, the internet, software and sciences; examples of potential cyclical companies include those operating in hardware, telecom, semiconductors and components. The Manager determines, in its discretion, whether a company is a science, technology or science- or technology-related company.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world, including companies located in emerging markets. Equity securities in which the Trust may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds and equity interests in real estate investment trusts and master limited partnerships. From time to time, the Trust may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings. The Trust may also invest, without limit, in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies. The Trust currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in companies that do not have a class of securities registered, or that are not subject to periodic reporting, pursuant the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated.

The Trust may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and business development companies, subject to applicable regulatory limits, that invest primarily in securities of the types in which the Trust may invest directly. The Trust classifies its investments in such investment companies as “equity securities” for purposes of its investment policies based upon such investment companies’ stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

The Trust will concentrate its investments in companies operating in one or more industries within the technology group of industries.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are not science or technology companies and in debt securities issued by any issuer, including non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter options.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances. The Manager’s

 

 

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determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may invest in structured instruments (such as equity-linked notes) for investment purposes, as an alternative or complement to its options writing strategy or for risk management or leveraging purposes.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

The Trust may lend securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its Managed Assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security.

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval. The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of initial investment and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns. The Trust’s policy to invest 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 may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust; however, if this policy changes, the Trust will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into “dollar roll” transactions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

The Trust’s investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve this objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies engaged in the energy and natural resources business and equity derivatives with exposure to the energy and natural resources industry.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests 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 will not invest, under normal market conditions, less than 25% of its total assets in securities of energy and natural resources companies and equity derivatives with exposure to the energy and natural resources industry without shareholder approval. Companies in the energy and natural resources industry include those companies involved in the exploration, production or distribution of energy or natural resources, such as gas, oil, metals and minerals as well as related transportation companies and equipment manufacturers. These equity securities may include common stocks, preferred shares, convertible securities, warrants, depository receipts, equity interests in Canadian Royalty Trusts and equity interests in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Trust will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in MLPs. The Trust may invest in companies located anywhere in the world. The Trust expects to invest primarily in companies located in developed countries, but may invest in companies located in emerging markets. Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 30% of its total assets in at least two countries other than the United States. The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization, including small capitalization and mid-capitalization companies. The Trust does not intend to invest directly in commodities.

As part of its strategy, the Trust currently intends to employ an option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on common stocks. The Trust seeks to produce current income and gains generated from option writing premiums. In addition to its covered call strategy the Trust may, to a lesser extent, pursue an option strategy that includes the sale (writing) of both put options and call options on certain of the common stocks in the Trust’s portfolio.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other U.S. and other non-U.S. investments. These investments may include equity and debt securities of companies not engaged in the energy and natural resources industry. The Trust reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities, commonly known as “junk bonds.”

 

 

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In addition to the option strategies discussed above, the Trust may engage in transactions such as options, futures, swaps, foreign currency transactions including forward foreign currency contracts, currency swaps or options on currency and currency futures and other derivatives transactions for hedging purposes or to enhance total return. The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities.

The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of investment and the Trust will not be required to sell securities due to subsequent changes in the value of securities it owns.

BlackRock International Limited, the Trust’s sub-advisor (the “Sub-Advisor”), believes inefficient pricing in the energy sector provides the opportunity for enhanced investment returns. The Sub-Advisor seeks to take advantage of value dislocations through the combination of top-down macro analysis and bottom-up security selection. The Sub-Advisor’s Energy Team’s knowledge and experience enable it to evaluate the macro environment and assess its impact on the various industries within the energy sector. Within this framework, the Sub-Advisor seeks to identify attractively valued securities with strong growth prospects through rigorous bottom-up fundamental research.

The top-down component of the investment process is designed to assess the various interrelated macro variables affecting the energy sector as a whole. These variables generally include the supply, demand, inventory, raw material and transportation factors for crude oil, natural gas, coal and electricity on a worldwide basis. By comparing the market’s perception of these factors relative to the Sub-Advisor’s outlook, the Sub-Advisor seeks to identify value dislocations. The greater the conviction and value dislocation, the greater the potential investment returns.

Risk/reward analysis is a key component of the Sub-Advisor’s macro view. The Sub-Advisor’s evaluate energy sub-sectors (i.e., oil, gas, coal, pipes, etc.) to determine optimal portfolio positioning. Industry selection is a direct result of the Sub-Advisor’s sub-sector analysis. Once the evaluation of the various energy industries is complete, the Sub-Advisor identifies those that are most attractive based on its long-term macro view.

Bottom-up security selection is focused on identifying the most compelling investment opportunities within each industry. The Sub-Advisor seeks to identify reasonably priced companies with attractive long-term prospects, quality management and strong cash-flow growth.

Application of the Trust’s investment philosophy, from time to time, may cause the Trust to invest a significant portion of its assets in a particular country or region of the world. The Trust anticipates that its investment strategy will cause it to invest in a number of countries throughout the world, but the actual number of countries represented in the Trust’s portfolio will vary over time. The Trust anticipates that application of its investment philosophy currently would cause it to invest in issuers located in 10 countries globally, including the United States. Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest in the equity securities of issuers in at least three different countries, including the United States, and will invest at least 30% of its total assets at the time of investment in the equity securities of non-United States issuers. However, the Trust may invest in the securities of non-United States issuers without limit.

Leverage: The Trust may, but does not currently intend to, incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes.

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

The Trust’s investment objective is to provide current income and capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objective is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquiring Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”) from time to time may vary the percentage of the Trust’s assets invested in any particular type of equity security based on such factors as market and economic conditions, fiscal and monetary policy and the relative security valuation of the various equity asset classes.

The Trust also seeks to achieve its investment objective by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options on indices of securities and sectors of securities. In addition to its option strategy on indices, the Trust may pursue a strategy that includes the writing (selling) of both call and put options on individual common stocks. These option strategies are intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s stockholders. As the Trust writes calls and puts over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

To the extent the Trust invests in dividend-paying common stocks, the Manager currently intends to emphasize those securities that: (i) are eligible to pay “qualified dividend” income and/or (ii) make payments that are eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate taxpayers (“Dividends Received Deduction”) pursuant to Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income are currently eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates for individuals. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income included in distributions of a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) to its individual stockholders are generally passed through to such stockholders and taxed at such reduced rates. Pursuant to Section 243 of the Code, corporations generally may deduct a portion of the dividend income they receive from domestic corporations. Corporate stockholders of a RIC generally are permitted to claim a deduction with respect to that portion of their dividend distributions attributable to amounts that the RIC designates as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction. Although the Trust has the ability to borrow money for investment purposes, it has no current intention to do so. If, however, the Trust did use leverage, the use of leverage through borrowings may reduce the amount of dividends it can designate as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction which will, in turn, limit the tax benefit to a corporate stockholder of investing in the Trust. Corporate stockholders should consider whether an investment in the Trust is appropriate in light of the Trust’s ability to borrow. No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the Trust’s common stock will be eligible for: (i) the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains for individuals or (ii) the Dividends Received Deduction for corporate stockholders of the Trust.

Investment in the Trust’s common stock offers the individual investor several potential benefits. The Trust offers investors the opportunity to invest in a professionally managed portfolio which contains common stocks and preferred securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Manager provides professional management, which includes the extensive securities and credit analysis needed to invest in common stocks, preferred securities and foreign securities. The Trust also relieves the investor of the burdensome

 

 

 

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administrative details involved in managing a portfolio of such investments. These benefits are at least partially offset by the expenses involved in running an investment company. Such expenses primarily consist of advisory fees and operational costs. The use of leverage also involves certain expenses and risk considerations.

The Trust may engage in various portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return or to hedge its portfolio against movements in interest rates, in currency rates and in the securities markets through the use of derivatives, such as indexed and inverse securities, options, futures, options on futures, total return swaps, short selling and foreign exchange transactions. No assurance can be given that the Trust will employ these strategies or that, if employed, they will be effective.

The Trust may vary its investment objective and policies for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which the Manager believes that conditions in the securities markets or other economic, financial or political conditions warrant and in order to keep the Trust’s cash fully invested, including during the periods which the net proceeds of the offering are being invested. Under such conditions, the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its instrumentalities or agencies, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper rated in the highest category by an established rating service, or other debt securities deemed by the Manager to be consistent with a defensive posture, or may hold its assets in cash.

Leverage: The Trust does not currently intend to, but may, leverage its portfolio through borrowings, the issuance of debt securities, the issuance of preferred stock or a combination thereof.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

The Trust’s primary investment objective is to provide current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

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 utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance distributions to its shareholders. The Trust uses an option strategy that writes options on approximately 50-60% of its total assets.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests at least 80% of its total assets in dividend-paying equities and may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers that do not pay dividends.

To the extent the Trust invests in dividend-paying common stocks, BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”) may emphasize those securities that: (i) are eligible to pay “qualified dividend” income, and/or (ii) make payments that are eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate taxpayers pursuant to Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income are currently eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates for individuals. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income properly reported as being included in distributions of a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) to its individual shareholders are generally passed through to such shareholders and taxed at such reduced rates. Pursuant to Section 243 of the Code, corporations generally may deduct a portion of the dividend income they receive from domestic corporations. Corporate shareholders of a RIC generally are permitted to claim a deduction with respect to that portion of their dividend distributions attributable to amounts that the RIC reports as qualifying for the dividends received deduction. Although the Trust has the ability to borrow money for investment purposes, it has no current intention to do so. If, however, the Trust did use leverage, the use of leverage through borrowings may reduce the amount of dividends it can designate as qualifying for the dividends received deduction which will, in turn, limit the tax benefit to a corporate shareholder of investing in the Trust. Corporate shareholders should consider whether an investment in the Trust is appropriate in light of the Trust’s ability to borrow. No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the Trust’s common stock will be eligible for: (i) the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains for individuals, or (ii) the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders of the Trust.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in preferred securities.

The Trust may invest in shares of real estate investment trusts.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S. securities, which may include securities denominated in U.S. dollars or in foreign currencies or multinational currency units. The Trust may invest in foreign securities of emerging market issuers, but investments in such securities will not comprise more than 10% of its total assets. The Trust will consider a company a U.S. company and not a foreign company if it meets one or more of the following tests: (i) such company was organized in the United States; (ii) such company’s primary business office is in the United States; (iii) the principal trading market for such company’s assets are located in the United States; (iv) 50% or more of such company’s assets are located in the United States; or (v) 50% or more of such issuer’s revenues are derived from the United States.

The Trust may enter into forward currency contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or another foreign currency.

The Trust may enter into are interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. The Trust expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Trust anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Trust intends to use these transactions for hedging and risk management purposes and not as a speculative investment. The Trust will not sell interest rate caps or floors that it does not own. The Trust will only enter into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.

The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of the Trust’s total assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may also make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations.

Leverage: The Trust may also borrow funds for investment purposes and/or issue debt securities or preferred shares to purchase additional securities. These practices are known as “leverage.” The Trust may borrow from banks and other financial institutions and may also borrow additional funds using such investment techniques as the Manager may from time to time determine. The Trust may borrow in an amount up to 5% of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes.

 

 

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The Trust currently does not intend to incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes, except in connection with derivative instruments such as exchange listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial futures, equity indices, and other financial instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon, swaps, forward foreign currency contracts and various interest rate transactions, short sales, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, when issued or forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

The Trust’s 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. Equity derivatives in which the Trust invests as part of this non-fundamental investment policy include purchased and sold (written) call and put options on equity securities of companies in the health sciences and related industries.

The Trust’s investment objective may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval; however, the Trust will not change its policy of 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 unless it provides shareholders with notice at least 60 days prior to changing this non-fundamental policy, or unless such change was previously approved by shareholders.

Companies in the health sciences industry include health care providers as well as businesses involved in researching, developing, producing, distributing or delivering medical, dental, optical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology products, supplies, equipment or services or that provide support services to these companies. These companies also include those that own or operate health facilities and hospitals or provide related administrative, management or financial support. Other health sciences industries in which the Trust may invest include: clinical testing laboratories; diagnostics; hospital, laboratory or physician ancillary products and support services; rehabilitation services; employer health insurance management services; and vendors of goods and services specifically to companies engaged in the health sciences. BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”) determines, in its discretion, whether a company is engaged in the health sciences and related industries.

While the Trust will invest primarily in companies providing products and services for human health, it may also invest in companies whose products or services relate to the growth or survival of animals and plants. Non-human health sciences industries include companies engaged in the development, production or distribution of products or services that: increase crop, animal and animal product yields by enhancing growth or increasing disease resistance, improve agricultural product characteristics, such as taste, appearance, nutritional content and shelf life; reduce the cost of producing agricultural products; or improve pet health.

The Trust will consider a company to be principally engaged in a health sciences or related industry if 50% or more of its revenues are derived from, or 50% or more of its assets are related to, its health sciences business. Although the Trust generally will invest in companies included in the Russell 3000® Index, the Trust may invest in equity securities of health sciences companies with any size market capitalization, including small and mid-cap health sciences companies and companies that are not included in the Russell 3000® Index.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust employs an option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on common stocks in its portfolio, writing other call and put options on individual common stocks and, to a lesser extent, writing call and put options on indices of health sciences securities. The Trust seeks to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. The Trust generally intends to write call and put options with respect to approximately 30% to 50% of its total assets, although this percentage may vary from time to time with market conditions.

The Trust invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and depository receipts, of issuers engaged in the health sciences or related industries and equity interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) that own hospitals. The Trust may invest in companies of any size market capitalization.

The Trust may invest in preferred securities, including preferred securities that may be converted into common stock or other securities of the same or a different issuer. The types of preferred securities in which the Trust may invest include trust preferred securities.

The Trust may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred security or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula.

The Trust may purchase warrants, which are privileges issued by corporations enabling the owners to subscribe to and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of time.

The Trust may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and other similar global instruments.

The Trust may invest in equity interests of REITs. REITs possess certain risks which differ from an investment in common stocks. REITs are financial vehicles that pool investor’s capital to purchase or finance real estate. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas or in specific property types (i.e., hotels, shopping malls, residential complexes and office buildings).

The Trust may invest without limitation in securities of U.S. issuers and non-U.S. issuers located in countries throughout the world, including in developed and emerging markets. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated. For purposes of the Trust, a company is deemed to be a non-U.S. company if it meets the following tests: (i) such company was not organized in the United States; (ii) such company’s primary business office is not in the United States; (iii) the principal trading market for such company’s securities is not located in the United States; (iv) less than 50% of such company’s assets are located in the United States; or (v) 50% or more of such issuer’s revenues are derived from outside the United States.

 

 

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The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other investments. These investments may include equity and debt securities of companies not engaged in the health sciences industry. Fixed-income securities in which the Trust may invest include bonds or other debt securities issued by U.S. or foreign (non-U.S.) corporations or other business entities and U.S. Government and agency securities. The Trust has no set policy regarding portfolio maturity or duration of the fixed-income securities it may hold, and such securities may be of any maturity.

The Trust reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities rated, at the time of investment, below investment grade quality, such as those rated “Ba” or below by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and “BB” or below by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), or securities comparably rated by other rating agencies or in securities determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality. Such securities commonly are referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds.

The Trust may invest in registered investment companies in accordance with the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Trust from investing more than 5% of its assets in any one other investment company or more than 10% of its assets in all other investment companies.

In addition to the option strategies discussed above, the Trust may engage in strategic transactions to facilitate portfolio management, mitigate risks and generate total return. The Trust may use a variety of other investment management techniques and instruments. The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques. The Trust also may purchase derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments.

In connection with its hedging and other risk management strategies, the Trust may also enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery (“future contracts”) of securities, aggregates of securities, financial indices, and U.S. Government debt securities or options on the foregoing to hedge the value of its portfolio securities that might result from a change in interest rates or market movements. The Trust may engage in such transactions for bona fide hedging, risk management and other appropriate portfolio management purposes.

The Trust may enter into such transactions without limit for bona fide strategic purposes, including risk management and duration management and other portfolio strategies. The Trust may also engage in transactions in futures contracts or related options for non-strategic purposes to enhance income or gain provided that the Trust will not enter into a futures contract or related option (except for closing transactions) for purposes other than bona fide strategic purposes, or risk management including duration management unless it does so consistent with the rules of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”).

The Trust may engage in options and futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets.

The Trust intends to enter into options and futures transactions only with banks or dealers the Manager believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.

The CFTC subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (“CFTC Derivatives”), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent the Trust uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a “commodity pool” or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Manager is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA in respect of the Trust.

In order to enhance income or reduce fluctuations in net asset value, the Trust may sell or purchase call options on securities and indices based upon the prices of futures contracts and debt or equity securities that are traded on U.S. and non-U.S. securities exchanges and on the over-the-counter markets.

As with calls, the Trust may purchase put options on securities (whether or not it holds such securities in its portfolio), indices or future contracts. For the same purposes, the Trust may also sell puts on securities, indices or futures contracts on such securities if the Trust’s contingent obligations on such puts are secured by designating cash or liquid assets on its books and records having a value not less than the exercise price. The Trust will not sell puts if, as a result, more than 50% of the Trust’s assets would be required to be segregated on its books to cover its potential obligation under its hedging and other investment transactions.

The Trust may enter into interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. The Trust expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Trust anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Trust may enter into interest rate swaps, caps and floors on either an asset-based or liability-based basis.

The Trust intends to use these transactions for risk management purposes and not as a speculative investment. The Trust will not sell interest rate caps or floors that it does not own. The Trust will only enter into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with counterparties the Manager believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.

The Trust may engage in credit derivative transactions. There are two broad categories of credit derivatives: default price risk derivatives and market spread derivatives. Default price risk derivatives are linked to the price of reference securities or loans after a default by the issuer or borrower, respectively. Market spread derivatives are based on the risk that changes in market factors, such as credit spreads, can cause a decline in the value of a security, loan or index. There are three basic transactional forms for credit derivatives: swaps, options and structured instruments.

The Trust may enter into forward currency contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or another foreign currency. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (term) from the date of the forward currency contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time the forward currency contract is entered into. Forward currency contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.

 

 

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The Trust may make short sales of securities for risk management, in order to maintain portfolio flexibility or to enhance income or gain. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may also make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale, the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security.

The Trust may invest in illiquid investments. Illiquid investments are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on disposition or lack an established secondary market. The sale of restricted and illiquid investments often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of investments eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted investments may sell at a price lower than similar investments that are not subject to restrictions on resale.

The Trust may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis and may purchase or sell securities on a “forward commitment” basis in order to acquire the security or to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Trust will enter into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be.

The Trust may lend securities with a value up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

As temporary investments, the Trust may invest in repurchase agreements. The Trust will only enter into repurchase agreements with registered securities dealers or domestic banks that, in the opinion of the Manager, present minimal credit risk.

The Trust may deviate from its investment strategy and invest all or any portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or short-term debt securities when the Manager determines that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so or pending re-investment of proceeds received in connection with the sale of a security. The Trust may not achieve its investment objective when it does so. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent. Short-term debt investments include U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association, repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities, and commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.

Leverage: The Trust does not currently borrow money for investment purposes or have preferred shares outstanding, and has no present intention of borrowing money for investment purposes or issuing preferred shares in the future.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and “dollar roll” transactions.

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

The Trust’s primary investment objective is to seek current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. “Current gains” means gains realized from the Trust’s option strategy (described below) pursuant to which the Trust seeks to enhance monthly distributions to investors. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Trust seeks to achieve its objectives by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies of any market capitalization located in countries throughout the world and utilizing an option writing (selling) strategy to enhance current gains. Under normal circumstances, the Trust invests 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 up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers located in the United States. The Trust may invest up to 50% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers located in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries generally include every nation in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most countries in Western Europe. Equity securities in which the Trust anticipates investing include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depository receipts and equity interests in real estate investment trusts.

Under normal circumstances, the Trust anticipates it will allocate a substantial amount (approximately 40% or more — unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”), in which case the Trust would invest at least 30%) — of its total assets in securities of (i) foreign government issuers, (ii) issuers organized or located outside the U.S., (iii) issuers which primarily trade in a market located outside the U.S., or (iv) issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the U.S., which the Trust considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the U.S. or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the U.S. The Trust will allocate its assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no less than three different countries). For temporary defensive purposes, the Trust may deviate very substantially from the allocation described above.

The Trust seeks to generate current dividends and income by investing in equity securities that pay dividends. The Trust will seek income a portion of which is classified as “qualified dividend income,” which is dividend income that is eligible to be taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of generally 20%. The lower U.S. federal tax rates generally apply to dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by both the Trust and the shareholder.

 

 

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As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to write (sell) covered call and put options on individual common stocks, stock indices and stock sectors. The Trust may utilize over-the-counter options to a significant extent in order to employ its option strategy. This option strategy is intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s shareholders. As the Trust writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

A call option written by the Trust on a security is “covered” if the Trust owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, the Trust’s custodian segregates sufficient cash or other assets determined to be liquid by BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”) (in accordance with procedures established by the board of trustees)) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by the Trust. A call option is also covered if the Trust holds a call on the same security as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid by the Manager as described above.

A put option written by the Trust on a security is “covered” if the Trust segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Manager (in accordance with procedures established by the board of trustees) equal to the exercise price. A put option is also covered if the Trust holds a put on the same security as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid by the Manager as described above.

An index- or sector-oriented option is considered “covered” if the Trust maintains with its custodian assets determined to be liquid in an amount equal to the contract value of the applicable basket of securities. An index or sector call option also is covered if the Trust holds a call on the same basket of securities as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid. An index or sector put option also is covered if the Trust holds a put on the same basket of securities as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or more than the exercise price of the put written or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid. Because index and sector options both refer to options on baskets of securities and generally have similar characteristics, we refer to these types of options collectively as “index options.”

The Trust generally intends to write covered put and call options with respect to approximately 30% to 45% of its total assets, although this percentage may vary from time to time with market conditions. As the Trust writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

The Trust may hold or have exposure to equity securities of issuers of any size, including small and medium capitalization companies, and to issuers in any industry or sector. The Trust will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in any single industry.

The Trust may invest in the securities of smaller, less seasoned companies. The Trust also may engage in short sales of securities and may lend its portfolio securities to banks or dealers which meet the creditworthiness standards established by the board of trustees of the Trust.

Although not intended to be a significant element in the Trust’s investment strategy, from time to time the Trust may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial futures, equity indices and other financial instruments, purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, engage in swaps and purchase derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments for hedging and risk management purposes or to enhance total return. The percentage limitations set herein apply at the time of investment, and the Trust will not be required to sell securities because of subsequent changes in market values.

Leverage: Although the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that the Board of Trustees of the Trust may authorize the Trust to issue preferred shares or incur indebtedness, the Trust currently does not intend to issue preferred shares or incur indebtedness for investment purposes.

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

The Trust’s 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 objectives by investing substantially all of its 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, including commodity-linked derivatives such as commodity-linked notes, commodity futures, forward contracts and swaps and other similar derivative instruments and investment vehicles that invest in commodities, natural resources or commodity-linked derivatives. The Trust’s investment objectives are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board.

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, including commodity-linked derivatives such as commodity-linked notes, commodity futures, forward contracts and swaps and other similar derivative instruments and investment vehicles that invest in commodities, natural resources or commodity-linked derivatives. Commodities and natural resources include, without limitation, minerals, metals (including precious, industrial and rare metals), steel, agricultural products and commodities, livestock, environmental commodities, wool, ethanol, chemicals, forest products (including wood, pulp and paper), plastic, rubber, sugar, cotton, cocoa, coffee, basic materials, building materials, water, oil, gas, consumable fuel, energy and other natural resources. Commodity and natural resources companies, include, but are not limited to, companies in commodities, natural resources and energy businesses and in associated businesses and companies that provide services or have exposure to such businesses (collectively, the “Commodities and Natural Resources Sector”). These companies include, without limitation, companies engaged in the exploration, ownership, production, refinement, processing, transportation, distribution or marketing of commodities or natural resources, companies that use commodities and natural resources extensively in their products, including companies that are engaged in businesses such as integrated oil, oil and gas exploration and production, gold, metals and minerals, steel and iron ore production, aluminum and related products, energy services, and technology, metal production, forest products, including timber and related wood and paper products, chemicals, fertilizer and agricultural chemicals, building materials, coal and other consumable fuel, alternative energy sources, environmental services and agricultural products (including crop

 

 

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growers, owners of plantations, and companies that produce and process foods), as well as related transportation companies and equipment manufacturers. The Trust will consider a company to be a commodity or natural resources company if: (i) at least 50% of the company’s assets, income, sales or profits are committed to or derived from the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector; or (ii) a third party classification (such as (a) Standard Industry Classifications and the North American Industry Classification System, each of which is published by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget and (b) classifications used by third party data providers including, without limitation, FactSet Research Systems Inc. and MSCI Barra), has given the company an industry or sector classification consistent with the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector.

Equity securities held by the Trust may include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depository receipts, equity interests in Canadian Royalty Trusts, and equity interests in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Trust will not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in MLPs. The Trust’s economic exposure to securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movements of commodities or natural resources, including commodity-linked derivatives such as commodity-linked notes, commodity futures, forward contracts and swaps and other similar derivative instruments and investment vehicles that invest in commodities, natural resources or commodity-linked derivatives (“Commodity-Related Instruments”) will not exceed 20% of its total assets. Commodity-Related Instruments may include, but will not be limited to, investments in structured notes, partnership interests, exchange-traded funds that make commodity-related or natural resources-related investments, mutual funds and strategic transactions, including futures contracts on commodities and natural resources, forward contracts on commodities and natural resources and swap contracts on commodities and natural resources.

The Trust may invest in such Commodity-Related Instruments either directly or indirectly through the BlackRock Cayman Resources & Commodities Strategy Fund, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust formed in the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). Investments in the Subsidiary are intended to provide the Trust with exposure to commodities market returns within the limitations of the federal tax requirements that apply to the Trust. The Trust may gain exposure to certain Commodity-Related Instruments and certain other commodity-related and natural resources-related investments that, if the Trust invested in such investments directly, would not produce qualifying income for purposes of the income tests applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by investing in the Subsidiary. The assets of the Subsidiary and the assets of the Trust, taken as a whole, are subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follow the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Trust.

Although the Trust is permitted to invest up to 20% of its total assets in Commodity-Related Instruments, the Trust is not required to invest in Commodity-Related Instruments and does not currently expect to invest in securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movement of commodities or natural resources. The Trust may invest in Commodity-Related Instruments (either directly or through the Subsidiary) when BlackRock Advisors LLC (the “Manager”) believes it is advantageous for the Trust to do so.

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; therefore, the Trust does not currently intend to invest any assets in the Subsidiary.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests directly or indirectly more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (“CFTC Derivatives”), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent the Trust uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a “commodity pool” or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Manager is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA in respect of the Trust.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world. The Trust expects to invest primarily in companies located in developed countries, but may invest in companies located in emerging markets.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt securities issued by companies in the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector or any type of securities issued by companies that are not in the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust may employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) covered put options and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) covered call and put options on indices of securities and sectors of securities. This option strategy is intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s shareholders.

In addition to the option strategies discussed above, the Trust may engage in strategic transactions for hedging purposes or to enhance total return. The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities.

The Trust may lend securities with a value up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may implement various temporary “defensive” strategies at times when the Manager or BlackRock International Limited, the Trust’s sub-advisor, determines that conditions in the markets make pursuing the Trust’s basic investment strategy inconsistent with the best interests of its shareholders. These strategies may include investing all or a portion of the Trust’s assets in U.S. Government obligations and short-term debt securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable.

Under current market conditions, the Trust currently does not intend to engage in short sales or incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes, except the Trust may engage for hedging purposes, risk management, or to enhance total return, including engaging in transactions, such as options, futures, swaps, foreign currency transactions, such as forward foreign currency contracts, currency swaps or options on currency and currency futures and other derivatives transactions , repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, when issued or forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies, which may give rise to a form of leverage.

 

 

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Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment objectives and investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. In addition, the percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of investment, and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns.

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

The Trust’s investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objective may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval.

The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure or Power Opportunities business segments (as defined below) anywhere in the world and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) covered call and put options.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure or Power Opportunities business segments. 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 (as described herein), 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. Such companies may include, among others, electrical equipment producers (such as wind turbine manufacturers), producers of industrial and specialty chemicals (such as building insulation producers) and semi-conductor and equipment companies (such as solar panel manufacturers).

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization. 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. Although the Trust expects to invest primarily in companies located in developed countries, it may invest in companies located in emerging markets. Equity securities in which the Trust may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds, equity interests in real estate investment trusts, Canadian Royalty Trusts and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Trust will not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in MLPs. The Trust may invest directly in equity securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are not engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure or Power Opportunities business segments and debt securities issued by any issuer, including up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter options.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objective under these circumstances. BlackRock Advisors, LLC’s (the “Manager”) and BlackRock International Limited’s, the Trust’s sub-advisor, determination that they are temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

The Trust may lend securities with a value up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 15% of the value of its total assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 15% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security.

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment objective and policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust without prior shareholder approval. The Trust’s policy to invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities business segments may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust; however, if this policy changes, the Trust will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with the SEC.

 

 

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Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares. Any such leveraging will not be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Trust’s investment objective and policies.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

BlackRock Science & Technology Trust II (BSTZ)

The Trust’s investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) may consider a variety of factors when choosing investments for the Trust, but expects to select companies with the potential for rapid and sustainable growth from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology.

In addition, a variety of countries, including emerging market countries, and industries are likely to be represented in the Trust’s portfolio.

The Trust generally will sell a stock when, in the Manager’s opinion, the stock is fully valued, there is a need to rebalance the portfolio or there is a better opportunity elsewhere.

The Trust may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to seek to achieve its investment objectives.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest 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.

Science and technology companies are companies whose products, processes or services, in the Manager’s view, are being, or are expected to be, significantly benefited by the use or commercial application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries. These companies include companies that, in the Manager’s view, derive a competitive advantage by the application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries to grow their business or increase their competitive advantage, as well as companies that utilize science and/or technology as an agent of change to significantly enhance their business opportunities.

Science, technology and science- or technology-related companies may include companies operating in any industry, including, but not limited to software, internet software & services, IT services, hardware, communications equipment, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment, media, internet retail, consumer finance, life sciences tools & services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, defense/aerospace, diversified telecom services and wireless telecom services. It is anticipated that the Trust’s investments will be focused on companies within such industries that the Manager expects will generate a majority of their revenues from the development, advancement, use or sale of new and emerging, or “next generation,” science- or technology-related products, processes or services. There is no assurance, however, that any of the Trust’s assets will be invested in such companies at any time. The Manager determines, in its discretion, whether a company is a science, technology or science- or technology-related company.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world, including companies located in emerging markets. Equity securities in which the Trust may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and equity interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and master limited partnerships. The Trust may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings (“IPOs”). The Trust may also invest, without limit, in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies. Issuers of these securities may not have a class of securities registered, and may not be subject to periodic reporting, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1943, as amended. Under normal market conditions, the Trust currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in such securities. The Trust expects certain of such investments to be in “pre-IPO securities,” which are securities of new and early stage companies, often funded by venture capital, whose securities have not been offered to the public and are not publicly traded. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated.

The Trust may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs and business development companies, subject to applicable regulatory limits, that invest primarily in securities of the types in which the Trust may invest directly. The Trust classifies its investments in such investment companies as “equity securities” for purposes of its investment policies based upon such investment companies’ stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

The Trust will concentrate its investments in companies operating in one or more industries within the technology group of industries.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are not science or technology companies and in debt securities issued by any issuer, including non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter options.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks  (continued)

 

 

Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may invest in structured instruments (such as equity-linked notes) for investment purposes, as an alternative or complement to its options writing strategy or for risk management or leveraging purposes.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

The Trust may lend securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its Managed Assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Trust’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust without prior shareholder approval. The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of initial investment and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns. The Trust’s policy to invest 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 may be changed by the Board of Trustees; however, if this policy changes, the Trust will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares. Any such leveraging will not be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Trust’s investment objectives and policies.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into “dollar roll” transactions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II (BMEZ)

The Trust’s investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) believes that the knowledge and experience of its Health Sciences Team enable it to evaluate the macro environment and assess its impact on health sciences companies and the various sub-industries within the health sciences group of industries. Within this framework, the Manager identifies stocks with attractive characteristics, evaluates the use of options and provides ongoing portfolio risk management.

The top-down or macro component of the investment process is designed to assess the various interrelated macro variables affecting the health sciences group of industries as a whole. The Manager evaluates health sciences sub-industries (i.e., pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare services, etc.). Selection of sub-industries within the health sciences group of industries is a result of both the Manager’s sub-industry analysis, as well as the Manager’s bottom-up fundamental company analysis. Risk/reward analysis is a key component of both top-down and bottom-up analysis.

Bottom-up security selection is focused on identifying companies with the most attractive characteristics within each sub-industry of the health sciences group of industries. The Manager seeks to identify companies with strong product potential, solid earnings growth and/or earnings power which are under appreciated by investors, a quality management team and compelling relative and absolute valuation. The Manager believes that the knowledge and experience of its Health Sciences Team enables it to identify attractive health sciences securities.

 

 

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Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

The Manager intends to utilize option strategies that consist of writing (selling) call options on a portion of the common stocks in the Trust’s portfolio, as well as other option strategies such as writing other calls and puts or using options to manage risk. The portfolio management team will work closely to determine which option strategies to pursue to seek to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences group of industries. Equity derivatives in which the Trust invests as part of this non-fundamental investment policy include purchased and sold (written) call and put options on equity securities of companies in the health sciences group of industries.

The Trust will consider a company to be principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries if (i) it is classified in an industry within the health sciences group of industries by a third-party industry classification system or (ii) it is not classified in any industry by such third-party industry classification system and the Manager determines that the company is principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries.

Companies in the health sciences group of industries include health care providers as well as businesses involved in researching, developing, producing, distributing or delivering medical, dental, optical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology products, supplies, equipment or services or that provide support services to these companies. These companies also include those that own or operate health facilities and hospitals or provide related administrative, management or financial support. Other companies in the health sciences group of industries in which the Trust may invest include: clinical testing laboratories; diagnostics; hospital, laboratory or physician ancillary products and support services; rehabilitation services; employer health insurance management services; and vendors of goods and services specifically to companies engaged in the health sciences. The Trust will concentrate its investments in the health sciences group of industries.

While the Trust will invest primarily in companies providing products and services for human health, it may also invest in companies whose products or services relate to the growth or survival of animals and plants. Non-human health sciences companies include those engaged in the development, production or distribution of products or services that: increase crop, animal and animal product yields by enhancing growth or increasing disease resistance; improve agricultural product characteristics, such as taste, appearance, nutritional content and shelf life; reduce the cost of producing agricultural products; or improve pet health.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world, including companies located in emerging markets. The Trust will focus its investments in mid- and small-capitalization companies. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated.

The Trust invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and depository receipts, of health sciences companies and limited partnership interests in REITs that own hospitals.

The Trust may invest in shares of companies through IPOs. The Trust may also invest, without limit, in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies. Issuers of these securities may not have a class of securities registered, and may not be subject to periodic reporting, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under normal market conditions, the Trust currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in such securities. The Trust expects certain of such investments to be in “late-stage private securities,” which are securities of private companies that have demonstrated sustainable business operations and generally have a well-known product or service with a strong market presence. Late-stage private companies have generally had large cash flows from their core business operations and are expanding into new markets with their products or services. Late-stage private companies may also be referred to as “pre-IPO companies.”

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other investments, including equity securities issued by companies that are not principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and debt securities issued by any issuer, including non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities. The Trust has no set policy regarding portfolio maturity or duration of the fixed-income securities it may hold, and such securities may be of any maturity.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter (“OTC”) options.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks  (continued)

 

 

Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

The Trust may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and business development companies, subject to applicable regulatory limits, that invest primarily in securities of the types in which the Trust may invest directly. The Trust classifies its investments in such investment companies as “equity securities” for purposes of its investment policies based upon such investment companies’ stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

The Trust may lend securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its Managed Assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Trust’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust without prior shareholder approval. The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of initial investment and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees without prior shareholder approval; however, the Trust will not change its policy of investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences group of industries unless it provides shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares. Any such leveraging will not be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Trust’s investment objectives and policies.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into “dollar roll” transactions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have economic leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

Risk Factors

This section contains a discussion of the general risks of investing in each Trust. The net asset value and market price of, and dividends paid on, the common shares will fluctuate with and be affected by, among other things, the risks more fully described below. As with any fund, there can be no guarantee that a Trust will meet its investment objective or that the Trust’s performance will be positive for any period of time. Each risk noted below is applicable to each Trust unless the specific Trust or Trusts are noted in a parenthetical.

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

Limited Term Risk (BSTZ and BMEZ): In accordance with the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Trust intends to dissolve as of the first business day following the twelfth anniversary of the effective date of the Trust’s initial registration statement (the “Dissolution Date”); provided that the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board”) may, by a vote of a majority of the Board and seventy-five percent (75%) of the members of the Board who either (i) have been a member of the Board for a period of at least thirty-six months (or since the commencement of the Trust’s operations, if less than thirty-six months) or (ii) were nominated to serve as a member of the Board by a majority of the Continuing Trustees then members of the Board (a “Board Action Vote”), without shareholder approval, extend the Dissolution Date: (i) once for up to one year, and (ii) once for up to an additional six months, to a date up to and including eighteen months after the initial Dissolution Date (which date shall then become the Dissolution Date). As of a date within twelve months preceding the Dissolution Date (as may be extended as described above), the Board may, by a Board Action Vote, cause the Trust to conduct a tender offer to all common shareholders to purchase 100% of the then outstanding common shares of the Trust at a price equal to the net asset value (“NAV”) per common share on the expiration date of the tender offer (an “Eligible Tender Offer”). The Board has established that the Trust must have at least $200 million of aggregate net assets immediately following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer to ensure the continued viability of the Trust (the “Dissolution Threshold”). In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Trust will offer to purchase all common shares held by each common shareholder; provided that if the payment for properly tendered common shares would result in the Trust having aggregate net assets below the Dissolution Threshold, the Eligible Tender Offer will be canceled and no common shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer. Instead, the Trust will begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio and proceed to dissolve on or about the Dissolution Date. If the payment for properly tendered common shares would result in the Trust having aggregate net assets greater than or equal to the Dissolution Threshold, all common shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be purchased by the Trust pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board may, by a Board Action Vote, eliminate the Dissolution Date without shareholder approval and provide for the Trust’s perpetual existence.

Unless the limited term provision of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust is amended by shareholders in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, or unless the Trust completes an Eligible Tender Offer and converts to perpetual existence, the Trust will dissolve on or about the first business day following the twelfth anniversary of the effective date of the Trust’s initial registration statement (the “Dissolution Date”). The Trust is not a so called “target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset

 

 

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Risk Factors (continued)

allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date, often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Trust is not a “target term” fund and thus does not seek to return its initial public offering price per common share upon dissolution. As the assets of the Trust will be liquidated in connection with its dissolution, the Trust may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Trust to lose money. In addition, as the Trust approaches the Dissolution Date, the Manager may invest the proceeds of sold, matured or called securities in money market mutual funds, cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or agencies, high quality, short-term money market instruments, short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid debt securities, which may adversely affect the Trust’s investment performance. Rather than reinvesting proceeds received from sales of or payments received in respect of portfolio securities, the Trust may distribute such proceeds in one or more liquidating distributions prior to the final dissolution, which may cause the Trust’s fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares, or the Trust may invest the proceeds in lower yielding securities or hold the proceeds in cash or cash equivalents, which may adversely affect the performance of the Trust. The final distribution of net assets upon dissolution may be more than, equal to or less than $20.00 per common share. Because the Trust may adopt a plan of liquidation and make liquidating distributions in advance of the Dissolution Date, the total value of the Trust’s assets returned to common shareholders upon dissolution will be impacted by decisions of the Board and the Manager regarding the timing of adopting a plan of liquidation and making liquidating distributions. This may result in common shareholders receiving liquidating distributions with a value more or less than the value that would have been received if the Trust had liquidated all of its assets on the Dissolution Date, or any other potential date for liquidation, and distributed the proceeds thereof to shareholders.

If the Trust conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, the Trust anticipates that funds to pay the aggregate purchase price of shares accepted for purchase pursuant to the tender offer will be first derived from any cash on hand and then from the proceeds from the sale of portfolio investments held by the Trust. The risks related to the disposition of securities in connection with the Trust’s dissolution also would be present in connection with the disposition of securities in connection with an Eligible Tender Offer. It is likely that during the pendency of a tender offer, and possibly for a time thereafter, the Trust will hold a greater than normal percentage of its total assets in cash and cash equivalents, which may impede the Trust’s ability to achieve its investment objectives and decrease returns to shareholders. The tax effect of any such dispositions of portfolio investments will depend on the difference between the price at which the investments are sold and the tax basis of the Trust in the investments. Any capital gains recognized on such dispositions, as reduced by any capital losses the Trust realizes in the year of such dispositions and by any available capital loss carryforwards, will be distributed to shareholders as capital gain dividends (to the extent of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) or ordinary dividends (to the extent of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) during or with respect to such year, and such distributions will generally be taxable to common shareholders. If the Trust’s tax basis for the investments sold is less than the sale proceeds, the Trust will recognize capital gains, which the Trust will be required to distribute to common shareholders. In addition, the Trust’s purchase of tendered common shares pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have tax consequences for tendering common shareholders and may have tax consequences for non-tendering common shareholders. See “Tax Matters” below.

The purchase of common shares by the Trust pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Trust of non-tendering common shareholders. All common shareholders remaining after an Eligible Tender Offer will be subject to any increased risks associated with the reduction in the Trust’s assets resulting from payment for the tendered common shares, such as greater volatility due to decreased diversification and proportionately higher expenses. The reduced assets of the Trust as a result of an Eligible Tender Offer may result in less investment flexibility for the Trust and may have an adverse effect on the Trust’s investment performance. Such reduction in the Trust’s assets may also cause common shares of the Trust to become thinly traded or otherwise negatively impact secondary trading of common shares. A reduction in assets, and the corresponding increase in the Trust’s expense ratio, could result in lower returns and put the Trust at a disadvantage relative to its peers and potentially cause the Trust’s common shares to trade at a wider discount to NAV than they otherwise would. Furthermore, the portfolio of the Trust following an Eligible Tender Offer could be significantly different and, therefore, common shareholders retaining an investment in the Trust could be subject to greater risk. For example, the Trust may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio investments to purchase common shares that are tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, which would leave a less liquid, lower quality portfolio for remaining shareholders. The prospects of an Eligible Tender Offer may attract arbitrageurs who would purchase the common shares prior to the tender offer for the sole purpose of tendering those shares which could have the effect of exacerbating the risks described herein for shareholders retaining an investment in the Trust following an Eligible Tender Offer.

The Trust is not required to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If the Trust conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, there can be no assurance that the payment for tendered common shares would not result in the Trust having aggregate net assets below the Dissolution Threshold, in which case the Eligible Tender Offer will be canceled, no common shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer and the Trust will liquidate on the Dissolution Date (subject to possible extensions). Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer in which the payment for tendered common shares would result in the Trust having aggregate net assets greater than or equal to the Dissolution Threshold, the Board may, by a Board Action Vote, eliminate the Dissolution Date without shareholder approval and provide for the Trust’s perpetual existence. Thereafter, the Trust will have a perpetual existence. There is no guarantee that the Board will eliminate the Dissolution Date following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer so that the Trust will have a perpetual existence. The Manager may have a conflict of interest in recommending to the Board that the Dissolution Date be eliminated and the Trust have a perpetual existence. The Trust is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to perpetual existence. Therefore, remaining common shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV, and as a result remaining common shareholders may only be able to sell their shares at a discount to NAV.

Although it is anticipated that the Trust will have distributed substantially all of its net assets to shareholders as soon as practicable after the Dissolution Date, securities for which no market exists or securities trading at depressed prices, if any, may be placed in a liquidating trust. Securities placed in a liquidating trust may be held for an indefinite period of time, potentially several years or longer, until they can be sold or pay out all of their cash flows. During such time, the shareholders will continue to be exposed to the risks associated with the Trust and the value of their interest in the liquidating trust will fluctuate with the value of the liquidating trust’s remaining assets. Additionally, the tax treatment of the liquidating trust’s assets may differ from the tax treatment applicable to such assets when held by the Trust. To the extent the costs associated with a liquidating trust exceed the value of the remaining securities, the liquidating trust trustees may determine to dispose of the remaining securities in a manner of their choosing. The Trust cannot predict the amount, if any, of securities that will be required to be placed in a liquidating trust or how long it will take to sell or otherwise dispose of such securities.

Investment and Market Discount Risk: An investment in the Trust’s common shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. As with any stock, the price of the Trust’s common shares will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. If shares are sold, the price received may be more or

 

 

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Risk Factors (continued)

less than the original investment. Common shares are designed for long-term investors and the Trust should not be treated as a trading vehicle. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the Trust’s net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities. At any point in time an investment in the Trust’s common shares may be worth less than the original amount invested, even after taking into account distributions paid by the Trust. During periods in which the Trust may use leverage, the Trust’s investment, market discount and certain other risks will be magnified.

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

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

Small and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk: Companies with small or mid-size market capitalizations will normally have more limited product lines, markets and financial resources and will be dependent upon a more limited management group than larger capitalized companies. In addition, it is more difficult to get information on smaller companies, which tend to be less well known, have shorter operating histories, do not have significant ownership by large investors and are followed by relatively few securities analysts.

Preferred Securities Risk: Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred securities of larger companies.

Convertible Securities Risk (BOE, BST, BDJ, BGR, BME, BGY, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock.

Warrants Risk (BOE, BST, BGR, BME, BGY, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Trust will lose any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve substantially 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.

Depositary Receipts Risk (BOE, BST, BGR, BME, BGY, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Trust to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and the risk of an illiquid market for depositary receipts. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

REIT Investment Risk (BOE, BST, BDJ, BME, BGY, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings of securities and may be more volatile than other securities. REIT issuers may also fail to maintain their exemptions from investment company registration or fail to qualify for the “dividends paid deduction” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which allows REITs to reduce their corporate taxable income for dividends paid to their shareholders.

Master Limited Partnerships Risk (BST, BGR, BCX, BUI and BSTZ): The common units of a master limited partnership (“MLP”) are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges and their value fluctuates predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited voting rights and have no ability to annually elect directors. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not over debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.

Canadian Royalty Trust Risk (BGR, BCX and BUI): Canadian Royalty Trusts are exposed to many of the same risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk.

Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”) Risk (BOE, BST, BME, BSTZ and BMEZ): The Trust may invest in shares of companies through IPOs. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for limited periods of time. In addition, the prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile or may decline shortly after the IPO.

Investments in Unseasoned Companies (BOE, BDJ, BME, BGY, BCX, BSTZ and BMEZ): The Trust may invest in the securities of smaller, less seasoned companies. These investments may present greater opportunities for growth, but also involve greater risks than customarily are associated with investments in securities of more established companies. Some of the companies in which the Trust may invest may be start-up companies which may have insubstantial operational or earnings histories or

 

 

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may have limited products, markets, financial resources or management depth. Some may also be emerging companies at the research and development stage with no products or technologies to market or approved for marketing. Securities of emerging companies may lack an active secondary market and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger, more established companies or stock market averages in general. Competitors of certain companies may have substantially greater financial resources than many of the companies in which the Trust may invest. Further, an unseasoned company is more at risk of loss in an adverse market due to its lack of financial resources and ability to sustain itself for an extended period of time in such a market.

Dividend-Paying Equity Securities Risk (BOE, CII, BDJ and BGY): Dividends on common equity securities that the Trust may hold are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of an issuer’s board of directors. Companies that have historically paid dividends on their securities are not required to continue to pay dividends on such securities. There is no guarantee that the issuers of the common equity securities in which the Trust invests will declare dividends in the future or that, if declared, they will remain at current levels or increase over time. Therefore, there is the possibility that such companies could reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends in the future. Dividend producing equity securities, in particular those whose market price is closely related to their yield, may exhibit greater sensitivity to interest rate changes. The Trust’s investments in dividend producing equity securities may also limit its potential for appreciation during a broad market advance.

The prices of dividend producing equity securities can be highly volatile. Investors should not assume that the Trust’s investments in these securities will necessarily reduce the volatility of the Trust’s NAV or provide “protection,” compared to other types of equity securities, when markets perform poorly.

Investment Style Risk: Under certain market conditions, growth investments have performed better during the later stages of economic expansion and value investments have performed better during periods of economic recovery. Therefore, these investment styles may over time go in and out of favor. At times when the investment style used by the Trust is out of favor, the Trust may underperform other equity funds that use different investment styles.

Risks Associated with the Trust’s Options Strategy: The ability of the Trust to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns is partially dependent on the successful implementation of its options strategy. There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events.

 

   

Risks of Writing Options — As the writer of a covered call option, the Trust forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. In other words, as the Trust writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, the Trust’s ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

If the Trust writes call options on individual securities or index call options that include securities, in each case, that are not in the Trust’s portfolio or that are not in the same proportion as securities in the Trust’s portfolio, the Trust will experience loss, which theoretically could be unlimited, if the value of the individual security, index or basket of securities appreciates above the exercise price of the index option written by the Trust.

When the Trust writes put options, it bears the risk of loss if the value of the underlying stock declines below the exercise price minus the put premium. If the option is exercised, the Trust could incur a loss if it is required to purchase the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the market price of the stock at the time of exercise plus the put premium the Trust received when it wrote the option. While the Trust’s potential gain in writing a put option is limited to the premium received from the purchaser of the put option, the Trust risks a loss equal to the entire exercise price of the option minus the put premium

 

   

Exchange-Listed Options Risks — There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Trust seeks to close out an exchange-listed option position. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the “OCC”) may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options).

 

   

Over-the-Counter Options Risk — The Trust may write (sell) unlisted OTC options. OTC options differ from exchange-listed options in that they are two-party contracts, with exercise price, premium and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-listed options. The OTC options written by the Trust will not be issued, guaranteed or cleared by the OCC. In addition, the Trust’s ability to terminate OTC options may be more limited than with exchange-traded options. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions participating in such transactions may fail to settle a transaction in accordance with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty, the Trust may be unable to liquidate an OTC option position.

 

   

Index Options Risk — The Trust may sell index put and call options from time to time. The purchaser of an index put option has the right to any depreciation in the value of the index below the exercise price of the option on or before the expiration date. The purchaser of an index call option has the right to any appreciation in the value of the index over the exercise price of the option on or before the expiration date. Because the exercise of index options is settled in cash, sellers of index call options, such as the Trust, cannot provide in advance for their potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. The Trust will lose money if it is required to pay the purchaser of an index option the difference between the cash value of the index on which the option was written and the exercise price and such difference is greater than the premium received by the Trust for writing the option.

 

   

Limitation on Options Writing Risk — The number of call options the Trust can write is limited by the total assets the Trust holds and is further limited by the fact that all options represent 100 share lots of the underlying common stock. Furthermore, the Trust’s options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded.

 

 

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Risk Factors (continued)

   

Tax Risk — Income on options on individual stocks will generally not be recognized by the Trust for tax purposes until an option is exercised, lapses or is subject to a “closing transaction” (as defined by applicable regulations) pursuant to which the Trust’s obligations with respect to the option are otherwise terminated. If the option lapses without exercise or is otherwise subject to a closing transaction, the premiums received by the Trust from the writing of such options will generally be characterized as short-term capital gain. If an option written by the Trust is exercised, the Trust may recognize taxable gain depending on the exercise price of the option, the option premium, and the tax basis of the security underlying the option. The character of any gain on the sale of the underlying security as short-term or long-term capital gain will depend on the holding period of the Trust in the underlying security. In general, distributions received by shareholders of the Trust that are attributable to short-term capital gains recognized by the Trust from its options writing activities will be taxed to such shareholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income.

Index options will generally be “marked-to-market” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust will generally recognize gain or loss on the last day of each taxable year equal to the difference between the value of the index option on that date and the adjusted basis of the index option. The adjusted basis of the index option will consequently be increased by such gain or decreased by such loss. Any gain or loss with respect to index options will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss to the extent of 40% of such gain or loss and long-term capital gain or loss to the extent of 60% of such gain or loss. Because the mark-to-market rules may cause the Trust to recognize gain in advance of the receipt of cash, the Trust may be required to dispose of investments in order to meet its distribution requirements.

Debt Securities Risk (BOE, BST, BGR, BME, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other things.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk — The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.

The Trust may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Trust’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Trust’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Trust, but will be reflected in the Trust’s net asset value. The Trust may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Trust management.

To the extent the Trust invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Trust) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Trust to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.

These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.

A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Trust to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Trust’s performance.

 

   

Credit Risk — Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Trust’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

 

   

Extension Risk — When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall.

 

   

Prepayment Risk — When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Trust may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.

Junk Bonds Risk (BOE, BST, BGR, BME, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and may cause income and principal losses for the Trust.

U.S. Government Obligations Risk (CII, BME, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Certain securities in which the Trust may invest, including securities issued by certain U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government or supported by the full faith and credit of the United States.

Structured Products Risk (BST, BME, BCX, BSTZ and BMEZ): Holders of structured products bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk. The Trust may have the right to receive payments only from the structured product, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold the assets to be securitized. Certain structured products may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market. In addition to the general risks associated with debt securities discussed herein, structured products carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; and the possibility that the structured products are subordinate to other classes. Structured notes are based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, reference bonds and stock indices, and

 

 

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changes in interest rates and impact of these factors may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the reference instrument or security may cause the interest rate on the structured note to be reduced to zero.

Derivatives Risk: The Trust’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Trust’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:

 

   

Volatility Risk — Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Trust’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.

 

   

Counterparty Risk — Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation.

 

   

Market and Illiquidity Risk — The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Trust to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Trust to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Trust to value accurately.

 

   

Valuation Risk — Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them.

 

   

Hedging Risk — Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Trust’s hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences.

 

   

Tax Risk — Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Trust realizes from its investments.

 

   

Regulatory Risk — Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe, Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Trust with respect to such derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of OTC swaps with the Trust. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be phased-in through at least 2021. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Trust, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Trust of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Trust.

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Trust will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), treat derivatives as senior securities so that a failure to comply with the limits would result in a statutory violation and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Foreign Securities Risk: Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Trust will lose money. These risks include:

 

   

The Trust generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.

 

   

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Trust’s portfolio.

 

   

The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.

 

   

The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their capital markets or in certain industries.

 

   

Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.

 

   

Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks  (continued)

 

 

Risk Factors (continued)

   

The Trust’s claims to recover foreign withholding taxes may not be successful, and if the likelihood of recovery of foreign withholding taxes materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Trust’s net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect the Trust’s net asset value.

Foreign Currency Transactions Risk (BGR, BDJ, BME, BCX): The Trust may invest in forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate movements in the value of non-U.S. currencies and securities but rather allow the Trust to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain.

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.

Concentration Risk (BST, BGR, BME, BCX, BSTZ and BMEZ): The Trust’s strategy of concentrating a particular industry means that its performance will be closely tied to the performance of a particular market segment. The Trust’s concentration in these companies may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the economy. A downturn in these companies would have a larger impact on the Trust than on a fund that does not concentrate in such companies. At times, the performance of these companies will lag the performance of other industries or the broader market as a whole.

Science and Technology Risk (BST and BSTZ): The Trust’s investments in science and technology companies expose the Trust to special risks. For example, rapid advances in science and technology might cause existing products to become obsolete, and the Trust’s returns could suffer to the extent it holds an affected company’s shares. Companies in a number of science and technology industries are also subject to more government regulations and approval processes than many other industries. This fact may affect a company’s overall profitability and cause its stock price to be more volatile. Additionally, science and technology companies are dependent upon consumer and business acceptance as new technologies evolve.

Health Sciences and Healthcare Companies Risk (BME and BMEZ): The Trust’s investments in health sciences companies are subject to a number of risks, including the adverse impact of legislative actions and government regulations. These actions and regulations can affect the approval process for patents, medical devices and drugs, the funding of research and medical care programs, and the operation and licensing of facilities and personnel. The goods and services of health sciences companies are subject to risks of rapid technological change and obsolescence, product liability litigation, and intense price and other competitive pressures.

Energy Sector Risk (BGR): The market value of securities in the energy sector may decline for many reasons, including, among others, changes in energy prices, energy supply and demand, government regulations and energy conservation efforts. Energy companies can be significantly affected by the supply of, and demand for, specific products (e.g., oil and natural gas) and services, exploration and production spending, government subsidization, world events and general economic conditions. In 2020, the energy sector has experienced increased volatility. In particular, significant market volatility occurred and is continuing in the crude oil markets as well as the oil futures markets, which resulted in the market price of the front month futures contract falling fell below zero for a period of time.

Energy and Natural Resources Risk (BCX): The Trust’s investments in energy and natural resources companies are especially affected by variations in the commodities markets (that may be due to market events, regulatory developments or other factors that the Trust cannot control) and these companies may lack the resources and the broad business lines to weather hard times. Energy companies can be significantly affected by the supply of and demand for specific products and services, the supply of and demand for oil and gas, the price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. Natural resources companies can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices, and tax and government regulations.

Commodities Related Investments Risk (BCX): Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Trust to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.

Commodities Market Risk (BCX): Stocks of companies engaged in commodities related industries, such as energy or natural resources companies, are especially affected by variations in the commodities markets (that may be due to market events, regulatory developments or other factors that the Trust cannot control) and these companies may lack the resources and the broad business lines to weather hard times.

Risks of Investing in Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities Issuers (BUI): Investments in issuers in the Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities business segments are subject to certain risks, including the following, among others:

 

   

Utilities Companies Risk: A variety of factors may adversely affect the business or operations of Utilities issuers, including, but not limited to: high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs; governmental regulation of rates charged to customers (including the potential that costs incurred by the utility change more rapidly than the rate the utility is permitted to charge its customers); costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other regulations; effects of economic slowdowns and surplus capacity; increased competition from other providers of utility services; inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment; costs associated with reduced availability of certain types of fuel; the effects of energy conservation policies; effects of a national energy policy; technological innovations; potential impact of terrorist activities; the impact of natural or man-made disasters; regulation by various governmental authorities, including the imposition of special tariffs; and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards.

 

   

Infrastructure Companies Risk: Infrastructure issuers may be susceptible to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business and operations, including, but not limited to: high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs; high leverage; costs associated with environmental and other regulations; surplus capacity costs; and reduced investment in public and private infrastructure projects. A slowdown in new infrastructure projects in developing or developed markets may

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks  (continued)

 

 

Risk Factors (continued)

constrain the abilities of Infrastructure issuers to grow in global markets. Other developments, such as significant changes in population levels or changes in the urbanization and industrialization of developing countries, may reduce demand for products or services provided by Infrastructure issuers.

 

   

Power Opportunities Companies Risk: A variety of factors may adversely affect the business or operations of Power Opportunities issuers, including, but not limited to: research and development costs related to new technologies; the success or failure of efforts to develop or implement new or existing technologies; government regulation (including environmental regulation); world events and economic conditions, the cyclical nature of the energy sector; intense competition; events relating to domestic and international political developments; energy conservation; environmental costs and liabilities; and the success of exploration projects.

Supply and Demand Risk (BGR): A decrease in the production of natural gas, natural gas liquids (“NGLs”), crude oil, coal or other energy commodities or a decrease in the volume of such commodities available for transportation, mining, processing, storage or distribution may adversely impact the financial performance of energy and natural resources companies. Production declines and volume decreases could be caused by various factors, including catastrophic events affecting production, depletion of resources, labor difficulties, environmental proceedings, increased regulations, equipment failures and unexpected maintenance problems, import supply disruption, increased competition from alternative energy sources or commodity prices. Alternatively, a sustained decline in demand for such commodities could also adversely affect the financial performance of energy and natural resources companies. Factors which could lead to a decline in demand include economic recession or other adverse economic conditions, higher fuel taxes or governmental regulations, increases in fuel economy, consumer shifts to the use of alternative fuel sources, changes in commodity prices, or weather.

Depletion and Exploration Risk (BGR): Many energy and natural resources companies are either engaged in the production of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal, or are engaged in transporting, storing, distributing and processing these items on behalf of shippers. To maintain or grow their revenues, these companies or their customers need to maintain or expand their reserves through exploration of new sources of supply, through the development of existing sources, through acquisitions, or through long-term contracts to acquire reserves. The financial performance of energy and natural resources companies may be adversely affected if they, or the companies to whom they provide the service, are unable to cost-effectively acquire additional reserves sufficient to replace the natural decline.

Commodity Pricing Risk (BGR): The operations and financial performance of energy and natural resources companies may be directly affected by energy commodity prices, especially those energy and natural resources companies which own the underlying energy commodity. Commodity prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in market and economic conditions, the impact of weather on demand, levels of domestic production and imported commodities, energy conservation, domestic and foreign governmental regulation and taxation and the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems. Volatility of commodity prices, which may lead to a reduction in production or supply, may also negatively impact the performance of energy and natural resources companies which are solely involved in the transportation, processing, storing, distribution or marketing of commodities. Volatility of commodity prices may also make it more difficult for energy and natural resources companies to raise capital to the extent the market perceives that their performance may be directly or indirectly tied to commodity prices.

Leverage Risk: The Trust utilizes leverage for investment purposes by entering into reverse repurchase agreements, derivative instruments with leverage embedded in then and dollar rolls, as applicable. The Trust’s use of leverage may increase or decrease from time to time in its discretion and the Trust may, in the future, determine not to use leverage.

 

   

the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value, market price and dividend rate of the common shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; • the risk that fluctuations in interest rates or dividend rates on any leverage that the Trust must pay will reduce the return to the common shareholders;

 

   

the effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the common shares than if the Trust were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the common shares;

 

   

leverage may increase operating costs, which may reduce total return.

Any decline in the net asset value of the Trust’s investments will be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Trust’s portfolio declines, leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Trust were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk (BST, BDJ, BME, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Trust with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Trust could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Trust, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Trust. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will be less than the interest expense.

Dollar Rolls Risk (BST, BME, BSTZ and BMEZ): Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Trust is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Trust has sold. These transactions may involve leverage.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk (BDJ, BME, BCX, BSTZ and BMEZ): When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Trust buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Trust may lose both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks  (continued)

 

 

Risk Factors (continued)

Short Sales Risk (BST, BDJ, BGY, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes the Trust to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. The Trust will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Trust replaces the security sold short.

Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk (BDJ, BME, BCX, BSTZ and BMEZ): If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the Trust may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value of the security declines, the Trust may lose money.

Illiquid Investments Risk: The 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. The Trust may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Trust could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Trust may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Trust’s net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. The financial markets in general, and certain segments of the mortgage-related securities markets in particular, have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional measures of intrinsic value. During such periods, some investments could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time. 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.

Investment Companies and ETFs Risk (BST, BME, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Subject to the limitations set forth in the Investment Company Act, or as otherwise limited by the SEC, the Trust may acquire shares in other investment companies and in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), some of which may be affiliated investment companies. The market value of the shares of other investment companies and ETFs may differ from their net asset value. As an investor in investment companies and ETFs, the Trust would bear its ratable share of that entity’s expenses, including its investment advisory and administration fees, while continuing to pay its own advisory and administration fees and other expenses (to the extent not offset by the Manager through waivers). As a result, shareholders will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies and ETFs (to the extent not offset by the Manager through waivers).

The securities of other investment companies and ETFs in which the Trust may invest may be leveraged. As a result, the Trust may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities. An investment in securities of other investment companies and ETFs that use leverage may expose the Trust to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Trust’s long-term returns on such securities (and, indirectly, the long-term returns of shares of the Trust) will be diminished.

As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, are subject to market and selection risk. To the extent the Trust is held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Trust itself to hold other investment companies may be limited.

Subsidiary Risk (BCX): By investing in the Subsidiary, the Trust is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The commodity-related instruments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Trust and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Trust (see “Commodities Related Investments Risk” above). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the 1940 Act, and, unless otherwise noted, is not subject to all the investor protections of the 1940 Act. However, the Trust wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Trust and the Subsidiary are both managed by Manager, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Trust and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Trust, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Trust’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Trust. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Trust and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described and could adversely affect the Trust.

Securities Lending Risk (BST, BJD, BME, BGY, BCX, BUI, BSTZ and BMEZ): Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Trust may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Trust could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Trust.

Market Risk and Selection Risk: Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Trust invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Trust and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Trust management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.

A recent outbreak of an infectious coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

 

 

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Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

Pursuant to BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Reinvestment Plan”), Common Shareholders are automatically enrolled to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains and other distributions reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Reinvestment Plan Agent”) in the respective Trust’s Common Shares pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan. Shareholders who do not participate in the Reinvestment Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check and mailed directly to the shareholders of record (or if the shares are held in street name or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Reinvestment Plan Agent, which serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Reinvestment Plan.

After BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI declare a dividend or determine to make a capital gain or other distribution, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will acquire shares for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the following circumstances, either (i) through receipt of unissued but authorized shares from the Trusts (“newly issued shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the open market or on the Trust’s primary exchange (“open-market purchases”). If, on the dividend payment date, the net asset value per share (“NAV”) is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a “market premium”), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares acquired on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the NAV on the date the shares are issued. However, if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date. If, on the dividend payment date, the NAV is greater than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a “market discount”), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases. If the Reinvestment Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases, or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest any un-invested portion in newly issued shares. Investments in newly issued shares made in this manner would be made pursuant to the same process described above and the date of issue for such newly issued shares will substitute for the dividend payment date.

You may elect not to participate in the Reinvestment Plan and to receive all dividends in cash by contacting the Reinvestment Plan Agent, at the address set forth below.

Participation in the Reinvestment Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Reinvestment Plan Agent prior to the dividend record date. Additionally, the Reinvestment Plan Agent seeks to process notices received after the record date but prior to the payable date and such notices often will become effective by the payable date. Where late notices are not processed by the applicable payable date, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution.

The Reinvestment Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of the reinvestment of distributions will be paid by each Trust. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Reinvestment Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of all distributions. The automatic reinvestment of all distributions will not relieve participants of any U.S. federal, state or local income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

Each Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Reinvestment Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Reinvestment Plan; however, each Trust reserves the right to amend the Reinvestment Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Participants in BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI that request a sale of shares are subject to a $2.50 sales fee and a $0.15 per share sold brokerage commission fee. Participants in BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI that request a sale of shares are subject to a $0.02 per share sold brokerage commission. All correspondence concerning the Reinvestment Plan should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. through the internet at computershare.com/blackrock, or in writing to Computershare, P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, KY 40233, Telephone: (800) 699-1236. Overnight correspondence should be directed to the Reinvestment Plan Agent at Computershare, 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202.

 

 

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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

 

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.   84 RICs consisting of 108 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.   84 RICs consisting of 108 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 from 2017 to September 2020; 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) from 2015 to July 2020.   84 RICs consisting of 108 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.   84 RICs consisting of 108 Portfolios   Unum (insurance); The Hanover Insurance Group (Board Chair) (insurance); Huntsman Corporation (chemical products); Envestnet (investment platform) from 2013 until 2016

Frank J. Fabozzi(d)

1948

  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; Visiting Professor, Rutgers University for the Spring 2019 semester; Visiting Professor, New York University for the 2019 academic year.   85 RICs consisting of 109 Portfolios   None

 

 

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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

 

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.   84 RICs consisting of 108 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.   85 RICs consisting of 109 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.   85 RICs consisting of 109 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

 

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.   117 RICs consisting of 267 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.   118 RICs consisting of 268 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.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information  (continued)

 

(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.

(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 1940 Act, of the Fund 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.

 

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 from 2019 to 2020; 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.

 

Neal J. Andrews retired as the Chief Financial Officer effective December 31, 2020, and Trent Walker was elected as the Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2021.

 

Effective June 1, 2020, the portfolio managers of BMEZ and BME are Erin Xie, Kyle McClements, Christopher Accettella, Xiang Liu and Jeffrey Lee. Messrs. Liu and Lee joined BMEZ’s and BME’s portfolio management team effective June 1, 2020. Mr. Liu has been a Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2016 and Vice President thereof from 2008 to 2016. Mr. Lee has been a Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. since 2011. Effective June 1, 2020, the portfolio managers of BSTZ and BST are Tony Kim, Kyle McClements, Christopher Accettella and Reid Menge. Mr. Menge joined BSTZ’s and BST’s portfolio management team effective June 1, 2020. Mr. Menge has been a Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2014.

 

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.

 

 

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Additional Information

 

Proxy Results

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 27, 2020 for shareholders of record on May 29, 2020, to elect trustee nominees for each Trust. There were no broker non-votes with regard to any of the Trusts.

Shareholders elected the Class I Trustees as follows:

 

     Michael J. Castellano     R. Glenn Hubbard     John M. Perlowski     W. Carl Kester  
Trust Name   Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld  

BDJ

    153,842,634       9,556,399       159,960,898       3,438,135       160,672,011       2,727,022       160,565,584       2,833,449  

BGR

    24,311,885       883,852       24,304,929       890,808       24,312,187       883,550       24,286,559       909,178  

BOE

    47,803,164       10,672,716       55,589,148       2,886,732       55,555,634       2,920,246       55,487,459       2,988,421  

BME

    9,473,833       285,853       9,465,135       294,551       9,515,774       243,912       9,506,892       252,794  

BGY

    81,885,830       14,695,328       91,783,060       4,798,098       91,741,182       4,839,976       91,724,728       4,856,430  

BCX

    75,888,003       4,662,592       78,582,693       1,967,902       78,569,203       1,981,392       78,427,715       2,122,880  

BUI

    14,874,523       330,070       14,836,687       367,906       14,836,171       368,422       14,811,137       393,456  

BST

    20,559,115       504,078       20,570,331       492,862       20,596,667       466,526       20,583,304       479,889  

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 Richard E. Cavanagh, Cynthia L. Egan, Robert Fairbairn, Catherine A. Lynch, Karen P. Robards and Frank J. Fabozzi.

Shareholders elected the Class I Trustees as follows:

 

 

  Cynthia L. Egan     Michael J. Castellano     Catherine A. Lynch  
Trust Name   Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld     Votes For     Votes Withheld  

BMEZ

    101,484,554       1,118,815       101,456,053       1,147,316       101,565,689       1,037,680  

BSTZ

    69,435,268       1,370,326       69,415,311       1,390,283       69,470,538       1,335,056  

CII

    37,179,489       1,708,345       36,895,915       1,991,919       37,210,067       1,677,767  

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 Richard E. Cavanagh, Robert Fairbairn, R. Glenn Hubbard, John M. Perlowski, Karen P. Robards, Frank J. Fabozzi and W. Carl Kester.

Trust 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.

Regulation Regarding Derivatives

On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies (“Rule 18f-4”). The Trusts will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by the third quarter of 2022. Once implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat derivatives as senior securities so that a failure to comply with the limits would result in a statutory violation and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Integration

Although a Trust does not seek to implement a specific ESG, impact or sustainability strategy unless otherwise disclosed, Trust management will consider ESG characteristics as part of the investment process for actively managed Trusts. These considerations will vary depending on a Trust’s particular investment strategies and may include consideration of third-party research as well as consideration of proprietary BlackRock research across the ESG risks and opportunities regarding an issuer. Trust management will consider those ESG characteristics it deems relevant or additive when making investment decisions for a Trust. The ESG characteristics utilized in a Trust’s investment process are anticipated to evolve over time and one or more characteristics may not be relevant with respect to all issuers that are eligible for investment. ESG characteristics are not the sole considerations when making investment decisions for a Trust. Further, investors can differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG characteristics. As a result, a Trust may invest in issuers that do not reflect the beliefs and values with respect to ESG of any particular investor. ESG considerations may affect a Trust’s exposure to certain companies or industries and a Trust may forego certain investment opportunities. While Trust management views ESG considerations as having the potential to contribute to a Trust’s long-term performance, there is no guarantee that such results will be achieved.

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.

 

 

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

Dividend Policy (continued)

The distributions paid by a Trust for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by a Trust during such month. Furthermore, the final tax characterization of distributions is determined after the year-end of a 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. Each 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.

General Information

The Trusts, other than BME, BST and BUI, do not make available copies of their Statements of Additional Information because the Trusts’ shares, other than BME, BST and BUI, are not continuously offered, which means that the Statement of Additional Information of each Trust, other than BME, BST and BUI, has not been updated after completion of the respective Trust’s offerings and the information contained in each 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.

The following information is a summary of certain changes since December 31, 2019. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the relevant Trust.

Effective October 19, 2020, CII has elected to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the “MCSAA”). In general, the MCSAA limits the ability of holders of “control shares” to vote those shares above various threshold levels that start at 10% unless the other stockholders of CII, as applicable, reinstate those voting rights at a meeting of stockholders as provided in the MCSAA. “Control shares” are generally defined in the MCSAA as shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock that are either (i) owned by a person or (ii) as to which that person is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power, except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, would entitle that person to exercise voting power in electing directors above various thresholds of voting power starting at 10%. CII’s Bylaws also provide that the provisions of the MCSAA shall not apply to the voting rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock of CII, but the MCSAA would apply to any common stock held by the same holder.

Except if noted otherwise herein, there were no changes 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. Except if noted otherwise herein, 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 and, for BME, BST and BUI only, prospectuses, 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 adviser. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Trusts will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including for BME, BST and BUI only, prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, Rule 30e-3 notices 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 at (800) 882-0052.

 

 

A D D I T I O N A L  I N F O R M A T I O N

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

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 their reports on Form N-PORT. The Trusts’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Trust makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.

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’ portfolios 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, BME, BST and BUI may seek to raise additional equity capital through an equity shelf program (a “Shelf Offering”). In a Shelf Offering, BME, BST and BUI 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 BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). While any such Shelf Offering may allow BME, BST and BUI 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 and BUI each have filed a final base prospectus dated April 29, 2020 and BST and BUI each have filed a final prospectus supplement dated April 29, 2020 with the SEC in connection with their Shelf Offering. This report and the base prospectuses of BME, BST and BUI and prospectus supplements of 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 base prospectuses of these Trusts and prospectus supplements of BST and BUI contains important information about the Trusts, including its investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Investors are urged to read the base prospectuses of these Trusts and prospectus supplements of BST and BUI carefully and in its entirety before investing. Copies of the base prospectuses for these Trusts and prospectus supplements of BST and BUI can be obtained from BlackRock at blackrock.com.

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.

 

 

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

(continued)

Trust and Service Providers

 

Investment Adviser

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Sub-Adviser

BlackRock International Limited(a)

Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

United Kingdom

Accounting Agent and Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Canton, MA 02021

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC(b)

New York, NY 10022

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

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, BST and BUI.

 

 

A D D I T I O N A L  I N F O R M A T I O N

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency Abbreviation
AUD   Australian Dollar
CAD   Canadian Dollar
CHF   Swiss Franc
DKK   Danish Krone
EUR   Euro
GBP   British Pound
HKD   Hong Kong Dollar
JPY   Japanese Yen
KRW   South Korean Won
NOK   Norwegian Krone
SEK   Swedish Krona
SGD   Singapore Dollar
TWD   New Taiwan Dollar
USD   United States Dollar
Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR   American Depositary Receipt
CDI   CREST Depository Interest
CME   Chicago Mercantile Exchange
GDR   Global Depositary Receipt
LP   Limited Partnership
PJSC   Public Joint Stock Company

 

 

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Want to know more?

blackrock.com   |   800-882-0052

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-BK9-12/20-AR

 

LOGO

  LOGO


  (b)

Not Applicable

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

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    $42,330    $53,244    $4,000    $4,000    $17,400    $20,300    $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    $1,984,000    $2,050,500

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 $1,984,000 and $2,050,500 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    $21,400    $24,300   

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
$1,984,000    $2,050,500

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 Registrant

 

  (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

   

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, a copy of the Fund’s Global Corporate Governance & Engagement Principles are attached as Exhibit 99.GLOBAL.CORP.GOV and a copy of the Fund’s Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Guidelines for U.S. Securities are attached as Exhibit 99.US.CORP.GOV. 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, Christopher Accettella, Director at BlackRock and Reid Menge, Director at BlackRock. Messrs. Kim, McClements, Accettella and Menge 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. Mr. Menge has been a member of the Fund’s portfolio management team since 2020.

 

5


Portfolio Manager    Biography
Tony Kim    Managing Director of BlackRock since 2013; Senior Research Analyst at Artisan Partners from 2006 to 2013.
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.
Reid Menge    Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2020; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2014 to 2019; Associate Director of UBS from 2009 to 2013.

(a)(2) As of December 31, 2020:

 

     

(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    3    4    2    0    0    0
     $11.04 Billion    $15.10 Billion    $2.08 Billion    $0    $0    $0
Kyle G. McClements, CFA    11    9    1    0    0    0
     $12.83 Billion    $1.09 Billion    $534.6 Million    $0    $0    $0
Christopher Accettella    11    6    1    0    0    0
     $12.83 Billion    $714.8 Million    $534.6 Million    $0    $0    $0
Reid Menge    3    4    3    0    0    0
     $11.04 Billion    $15.10 Billion    $1.73 Billion    $0    $0    $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

 

6


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 Messrs. Kim and Menge 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. Messrs. Kim and Menge may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts.

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, 2020:

Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview

The discussion below describes the portfolio managers’ compensation as of December 31, 2020.

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 – Messrs. Kim and Menge

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 managers, such benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are: BST Opt

 

7


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.

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.

 

8


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 ($285,000 for 2020). 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, 2020.

 

Portfolio Manager    Dollar Range of Equity Securities
of the Fund Beneficially Owned
Tony Kim    $100,001 - $500,000
Kyle G. McClements, CFA    $10,001 - $50,000
Christopher Accettella    $10,001 - $50,000
Reid Menge    $1 - $10,000

(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

 

9


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, 2020.

 

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

  (1)  

  

Gross income from securities lending activities

           $29,550

  (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    $5,220                    
   (b)    Collateral management expenses (including fees deducted from a polled cash collateral vehicle) not included in (a)       $197                    
   (c)    Administrative fees not included in (a)           $0
   (d)    Indemnification fees not included in (a)           $0
   (e)    Rebate (paid to borrowers)         $69
   (f)    Other fees not included in (a)           $0

  (3)  

  

Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities

           $5,486

  (4)  

  

Net income from securities lending activities

           $24,064

(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) Section 302 Certifications are attached

(a)(3) Not Applicable

(a)(4) Not Applicable

(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached

(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

 

10


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.

 

11


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 5, 2021

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 5, 2021

 

By:       /s/ Trent Walker                            
             Trent Walker
 

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

Date: March 5, 2021

 

12

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 5, 2021

/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, Trent Walker, 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 5, 2021

/s/ Trent Walker        

Trent Walker

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, 2020 (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 5, 2021

 

/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, 2020 (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 5, 2021

 

/s/ Trent Walker
Trent Walker

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, 2021  

Pay Date

     January 29, 2021  

Distribution Amount per share

   $                 0.187000  

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.

 

     Current Distribution      % Breakdown
of the Current
Distribution
     Total Cumulative
Distributions for the
Fiscal Year to Date
     % Breakdown of the
Total Cumulative
Distributions for the
Fiscal Year to Date
 

Net Investment Income

   $ -            0%      $ -            0%  

Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains

   $ -            0%      $ -            0%  

Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains

   $ -            0%      $ -            0%  

Return of Capital

   $                             0.187000        100%      $ 0.187000        100%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (per common share)

   $                             0.187000                    100%      $ 0.187000        100%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on December 31, 2020

 

     30.06%  
           

 

 

 

Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of December 31, 2020

 

     4.31%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through December 31, 2020

 

     69.12%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as of December 31, 2020

 

        0.36%  
           

 

 

 

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


BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

Cusip: 09258G104

Ticker: BST

 

Record Date

     February 16, 2021  

Pay Date

     February 26, 2021  

Distribution Amount per share

   $                 0.187000  

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 income, net realized short-term capital gains, net realized long-term capital gains and return of capital. All amounts are expressed per common share.

 

     Current Distribution     

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

     Total Cumulative
Distributions for the
Fiscal Year to Date
     % Breakdown of the
Total Cumulative
Distributions for the
Fiscal Year to Date
 

Net Income

   $ -            0%      $ -            0%  

Net Realized Short-Term Capital Gains

   $ -            0%        0        0%  

Net Realized Long-Term Capital Gains

   $ 0.187000        100%      $ 0.374000        100%  

Return of Capital

   $ -            0%      $ -            0%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (per common share)

   $                             0.187000                    100%      $ 0.374000        100%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5-year period ending on January 31, 2021

 

     32.44%  
           

 

 

 

Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of January 31, 2021

 

     4.23%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through January 31, 2021

 

     2.20%  
           

 

 

 

Cumulative fiscal year distributions as a percentage of NAV as of January 31, 2021

 

     0.35%  
           

 

 

 

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

Closed-End Fund Proxy Voting Policy

October 1, 2020

 

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Closed-End Fund Proxy Voting Policy

 

Procedures Governing Delegation of Proxy Voting to Fund Adviser

 
Effective Date: October 1, 2020

 

 

 

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 and BlackRock 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.

 

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Contents

 

Introduction to BlackRock

     3  

Philosophy on investment stewardship

     3  

Key themes

     4  

Boards and directors

     5  

Auditors and audit-related issues

     7  

Capital structure, mergers, asset sales and other special transactions

     7  

Compensation and benefits

     8  

Environmental and social issues

     9  

General corporate governance matters and shareholder protections

     10  

Shareholder proposals

     10  

BlackRock’s oversight of our investment stewardship activities

     11  

Vote execution

     11  

Conflicts management policies and procedures

     12  

Voting guidelines

     13  

Reporting and vote transparency

     13  

 

The purpose of this document is to provide an overarching explanation of

BlackRock’s approach globally to our responsibilities as a shareholder on

behalf of our clients, our expectations of companies, and our commitments to

clients in terms of our own governance and transparency.

 

If you would like additional information, please contact:

ContactStewardship@blackrock.com

 

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Introduction to BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. 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. As part of our fiduciary duty to our clients, we have determined that it is generally in the best long-term interest of our clients to promote sound corporate governance through voting as an informed, engaged shareholder. This is the responsibility of the Investment Stewardship Team.

Philosophy on investment stewardship

Companies are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate governance structures to serve the interests of shareholders and other key stakeholders. 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 to create sustainable value. Shareholders should have the right to vote to elect, remove, and nominate directors, approve the appointment of the auditor, and 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. In addition, shareholder voting rights should be proportionate to their economic ownership—the principle of “one share, one vote” helps achieve this balance.

Consistent with these shareholder rights, we believe BlackRock has a responsibility to monitor and provide feedback to companies, in our role as stewards of our clients’ investments. BlackRock Investment Stewardship (“BIS”) does this through engagement with management teams and/or board members on material business issues including environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) matters and, for those clients who have given us authority, through voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of our clients. We also participate in the public debate to shape global norms and industry standards with the goal of a policy framework consistent with our clients’ interests as long-term shareholders.

BlackRock looks to companies to provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive reporting on all material governance and business matters, including ESG issues. This allows shareholders to appropriately understand and assess how relevant risks and opportunities are being effectively identified and managed. Where company reporting and disclosure is inadequate or the approach taken is inconsistent with our view of what supports sustainable long-term value creation, we will engage with a company and/or use our vote to encourage a change in practice.

BlackRock views engagement as an important activity; engagement provides us with the opportunity to improve our understanding of the business and ESG risks and opportunities that are material to the companies in which our clients invest. As long-term investors on behalf of clients, we seek to have regular and continuing dialogue with executives and board directors to advance sound governance and sustainable business practices, as well as to understand the effectiveness of the company’s management and oversight of material issues. Engagement is an important mechanism for providing feedback on company practices and disclosures, particularly where we believe they could be enhanced. We primarily engage through direct dialogue but may use other tools such as written correspondence to share our perspectives. Engagement also informs our voting decisions.

We vote in support of management and boards where and to the extent they demonstrate an approach consistent with creating sustainable long-term value. If we have concerns about a company’s approach, we may choose to engage to explain our expectations. Where we consider that a company has failed to address one or more material issues within an appropriate timeframe, we may hold directors accountable or take other voting actions to signal our concerns. We apply our voting guidelines to achieve the outcome we believe is most aligned with our clients’ long-term economic interests.

 

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Key themes

We recognize that accepted standards and norms of corporate governance differ between markets; however, there are sufficient common threads globally to identify this overarching set of principles (the “Principles”) which are anchored in transparency and accountability. At a minimum, we expect companies to observe the accepted corporate governance standards in their domestic market or to explain why not doing so supports sustainable long-term value creation.

Our regional and market-specific voting guidelines explain how these Principles inform our voting decisions in relation to specific ballot items for shareholder meetings.

These Principles cover seven key themes:

 

 

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

 

 

Shareholder proposals

 

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Boards and directors

The performance of the board is critical to the economic success of the company and the protection of shareholders’ interests. As part of their responsibilities, board members owe fiduciary duties to 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 support boards whose approach is consistent with creating sustainable long-term value. This includes the effective management of strategic, operational, and material ESG factors and the consideration of key stakeholder interests. Our primary focus is on the performance of the board of directors. The board should establish and maintain a framework of robust and effective governance mechanisms to support its oversight of the company’s strategic aims. We look to the board to articulate the effectiveness of these mechanisms in overseeing the management of business risks and opportunities and the fulfillment of the company’s purpose. Disclosure of material issues that affect the company’s long-term strategy and value creation, including material ESG factors, is essential for shareholders to be able to appropriately understand and assess how the board is effectively identifying, managing, and mitigating risks.

Where a company has not adequately disclosed and demonstrated these responsibilities, we will consider withholding our support for the re-election of directors whom we hold accountable. We assess director performance on a case-by-case basis and in light of each company’s particular circumstances, taking into consideration our assessment of their governance, sustainable business practices, and performance. In serving the interests of shareholders, the responsibility of the board of directors includes, but is not limited to, the following:

 

 

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

 

 

Providing oversight on the identification and management of material, business operational and sustainability-related risks

 

 

Overseeing the financial resilience of the company, the integrity of financial statements, and the robustness of a company’s Enterprise Risk Management1 frameworks

 

 

Making decisions on matters that require independent evaluation which may include mergers, acquisitions and disposals, activist situations or other similar cases

 

 

Establishing appropriate executive compensation structures

 

 

Addressing business issues, including environmental and social issues, when they have the potential to materially impact the company’s long-term value

There should be clear definitions of the role of the board, the committees of the board and senior management. We set out below ways in which boards and directors can demonstrate a commitment to acting in the best interests of long-term shareholders. We will seek to engage with the appropriate directors where we have concerns about the performance of the company, board, or individual directors. As noted above, we believe that when a company is not effectively addressing a material issue, its directors should be held accountable.

 

 

 

1 Enterprise risk management is a process, effected by the entity’s board of directors, management, and other personnel, applied in strategy setting and across the enterprise, designed to identify potential events that may affect the entity, and manage risk to be within the risk appetite, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives. (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), Enterprise Risk Management — Integrated Framework, September 2004, New York, NY).

 

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Regular accountability

BlackRock believes that directors should stand for re-election on a regular basis, ideally annually. In our experience, annual re-elections allow shareholders to reaffirm their support for board members or hold them accountable for their decisions in a timely manner. When board members are not re-elected annually, we believe it is good practice for boards to have a rotation policy to ensure that, through a board cycle, all directors have had their appointment re-confirmed, with a proportion of directors being put forward for re-election at each annual general meeting.

Effective board composition

Regular director elections also give boards the opportunity to adjust their composition in an orderly way to reflect the evolution of the company’s strategy and the market environment. BlackRock believes it is beneficial for new directors to be brought onto the board periodically to refresh the group’s thinking and in a manner that supports both continuity and appropriate succession planning. We expect companies to keep under regular review the effectiveness of its board (including its size), and assess directors nominated for election or re-election in the context of the composition of the board as a whole. This assessment should consider a number of factors, including the potential need to address gaps in skills or experience, the diversity of the board, and the balance of independent and non-independent directors. We also consider the average tenure of the overall board, where we are seeking a balance between the knowledge and experience of longer-serving members and the fresh perspectives of newer members.

When nominating new directors to the board, there should be detailed information on the individual candidates in order for shareholders to assess the suitability of an individual nominee and the overall board composition. These disclosures should give a clear sense of how the collective experience and expertise of the board aligns with the company’s long-term strategy and business model. We also expect disclosures to demonstrate how diversity is accounted for within the proposed board composition, including demographic factors such as gender, ethnicity, and age; as well as professional characteristics, such as a director’s industry experience, specialist areas of expertise, and geographic location.

We expect there to be a sufficient number of independent directors, free from conflicts of interest or undue influence from connected parties, to ensure objectivity in the decision-making of the board and its ability to oversee management. Common impediments to independence may include but are not limited to:

 

 

Current or recent employment at the company or a subsidiary

 

 

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 a director’s ability to act in the best interests of the company

BlackRock believes that the board is able to fulfill its fiduciary duty 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), a lead independent 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 director or another appropriate director should be available to shareholders in those situations where an independent director is best placed to explain and justify a company’s approach.

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 objective oversight of such matters is best achieved when the board forms committees comprised entirely of independent directors. 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 involving a related party, or to investigate a significant adverse event.

Sufficient capacity

As the role of a director is demanding, directors must be able to commit an appropriate amount of time to board and committee matters. It is important that every director has the capacity to meet all of his/her responsibilities – including when there are unforeseen events – and therefore, he/she should not take on an excessive number of roles that would impair his/her ability to fulfill his/her duties.

 

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Auditors and audit-related issues

BlackRock recognizes the critical importance of financial statements, which should provide a true and fair picture of a company’s financial condition. Accordingly, the assumptions made by management and reviewed by the auditor in preparing the financial statements should be reasonable and justified.

The accuracy of financial statements, inclusive of financial and non-financial information, is clearly of paramount importance to BlackRock. Investors’ views on financial materiality are developing to encompass a broader range of risks. Over time, we expect increased scrutiny of the assumptions underlying financial reports.

In this context, audit committees, or equivalent, play a vital role in a company’s financial reporting system by providing independent oversight of the accounts, material financial and non-financial information, internal control frameworks, and Enterprise Risk Management systems. BlackRock believes that effective audit and risk committee oversight strengthens the quality and reliability of a company’s financial statements and provides an important level of reassurance to shareholders.

We hold the members of the audit committee or equivalent responsible for overseeing the management of the audit function. Audit committees or equivalent should have clearly articulated charters that set out the committee’s responsibilities and have a rotation plan in place that allows for a periodic refreshment of the committee memberships.

We take particular note of critical accounting matters, cases involving significant financial restatements or ad hoc notifications of material financial weakness. In this respect, audit committees should provide timely disclosure on the remediation of Key and Critical Audit Matters identified either by the external auditor or Internal Audit function.

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 and the quality of the external audit process.

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. The audit committee or equivalent should periodically review the company’s risk assessment and risk management policies and significant risks and exposures identified by management, the internal auditors or the independent accountants, and management’s steps to address them. In the absence of robust disclosures, we may reasonably conclude that companies are not adequately managing risk.

Capital structure, mergers, asset sales, and other special transactions

The capital structure of a company is critical to 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 basic rights of share ownership and we believe strongly in one vote for one share as a guiding principle that supports effective corporate governance. Shareholders, as the residual claimants, have the strongest interest in protecting company value, and voting power should match economic exposure.

In principle, we disagree with the creation of a share class with equivalent economic exposure and preferential, differentiated voting rights as it violates the fundamental corporate governance principle of proportionality, and results in a concentration of power in the hands of a few shareholders, thus disenfranchising other shareholders and amplifying any potential conflicts of interest. However, we recognize that in certain markets, at least for a period of time, companies may have a valid argument for dual-class listings. We believe that such companies should review these share 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 at the company’s shareholder meeting. 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.

 

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In assessing mergers, asset sales, or other special transactions, BlackRock’s primary consideration is the long-term economic interests of our clients as 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 ideally, the terms have been assessed through an independent appraisal process. In addition, it is good practice that it be approved by a separate vote of the non-conflicted shareholders.

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 linked with performance that aligns with shareholder interests, particularly the generation of sustainable long-term value. We would expect the compensation committee to carefully consider 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 rigorous performance metrics 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 value creation. We are not supportive of one-off or special bonuses unrelated to company or individual performance. Where discretion has been used by the compensation committee, we expect disclosure relating to how and why the discretion was used, and further, how the adjusted outcome is aligned with the interests of shareholders. We acknowledge that the use of peer group evaluation by compensation committees can help ensure competitive pay; however, we are concerned when the rationale for increases in total compensation at a company is solely based on peer benchmarking rather than a rigorous measure of outperformance.

We support incentive plans that foster the sustainable achievement of results consistent with the company’s long-term strategic initiatives. 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 and/or when compensation was based on faulty financial reporting or deceptive business practices. We also favor recoupment from any senior executive whose behavior caused material financial harm to shareholders, material reputational risk to the company, or resulted in a criminal investigation, even if such actions did not ultimately result in a material restatement of past results. 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.

 

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Environmental and social issues

We believe that well-managed companies will deal effectively with material ESG factors relevant to their businesses. As stated throughout this document, governance is the core structure by which boards can oversee the creation of sustainable long-term value —appropriate risk oversight of environmental and social (“E&S”) considerations stems from this construct.

Robust disclosure is essential for investors to effectively gauge companies’ business practices and strategic planning related to E&S risks and opportunities. When a company’s reporting is inadequate, investors, including BlackRock, will increasingly conclude that companies are not adequately managing risk. Given the increased understanding of material sustainability risks and opportunities, and the need for better information to assess them, BlackRock will advocate for continued improvement in companies’ reporting and will hold management and/or directors accountable where disclosures or the business practices underlying them are inadequate.

BlackRock views the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the standards put forward by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) as appropriate and complementary frameworks for companies to adopt for the disclosure of financially material sustainability information. While the TCFD framework was crafted with the aim of climate-related risk disclosure, the four pillars of the TCFD Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, and Metrics and Targets are a useful way for companies to disclose how they identify, assess, manage, and oversee a variety of sustainability-related risks and opportunities. SASB’s industry-specific guidance (as identified in its materiality map) is beneficial in helping companies identify key performance indicators (KPIs) across various dimensions of sustainability that are considered to be financially material and decision-useful within their industry,

Accordingly, we ask companies to:

 

   

Disclose the identification, assessment, management, and oversight of sustainability-related risks in accordance with the four pillars of TCFD; and

 

   

Publish SASB-aligned reporting with industry-specific, material metrics and rigorous targets2.

Companies may also adopt or refer to guidance on sustainable and responsible business conduct issued by supranational organizations such as the United Nations or the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Further, industry specific initiatives on managing specific operational risks may be useful. Companies should disclose any global standards adopted, the industry initiatives in which they participate, any peer group benchmarking undertaken, and any assurance processes to help investors understand their approach to sustainable and responsible business practices.

Climate risk

BlackRock believes that climate change has become a defining factor in companies’ long-term prospects. We expect every company to help their investors understand how the company may be impacted by climate-related risk and opportunities, and how they are considered within strategy. Specifically, we expect companies to articulate how they are aligned to a scenario in which global warming is limited to well below 2°C and is consistent with a global aspiration to reach net zero GHG emissions by 20503.

The public and private sectors have roles to play in aligning greenhouse gas reduction efforts with targets based on science, where available, to curb the worst effects of climate change and reach the global goal of carbon neutrality by the mid-century. Companies have an opportunity to utilize and contribute to the development of current and future low-carbon transition technologies, which are an important consideration for the rate at which emissions can be reduced. We expect companies to disclose how they are considering these challenges, alongside opportunities for innovation, within their strategy and emissions reduction efforts.

 

 

2 See our commentary on our approach to engagement on TCFD and SASB aligned reporting for greater detail of our expectations.

3 The global aspiration is reflective of aggregated efforts; companies in developed and emerging markets are not equally equipped to transition their business and reduce emissions at the same rate—those in developed markets with the largest market capitalization are better positioned to adapt their business models at an accelerated pace. Government policy and regional targets may be reflective of these realities.

 

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Key stakeholder interests

Given our expectation that companies operate in long-term shareholders’ interests to create sustainable value and fulfill their purpose, BlackRock believes that companies should take due account of their key stakeholders’ interests. It is for each company to determine its key stakeholders based on what is material to its business, but they are likely to include employees, business partners (such as suppliers and distributors), clients and consumers, government and regulators, and the communities in which they operate, as well as investors.

Having regard to the interests of key stakeholders recognizes the collective nature of long-term value creation, and the extent to which each company’s prospects for growth are tied to its ability to foster strong sustainable relationships with those stakeholders. Companies should articulate how they address adverse impacts that could arise from their business practices and affect critical business relationships with their stakeholders. We expect companies to implement, to the extent appropriate, monitoring processes (often referred to as due diligence) to identify and mitigate potential adverse impacts, and grievance mechanisms to remediate any actual adverse impacts. The maintenance of trust within these relationships is often equated with a company’s social license to operate.

To ensure transparency and accountability, companies should report on how they have identified their key stakeholders and considered their interests in business decision-making, demonstrating the applicable governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. This approach should be overseen by the board, whose job it is to ensure that the approach taken is informed by and aligns with the company’s purpose.

General corporate governance matters and shareholder protections

BlackRock believes that shareholders have a right to material and timely 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 structures. 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.

Shareholder proposals

In most markets in which BlackRock invests on behalf of clients, shareholders have the right to submit proposals to be voted on by shareholders at a company’s annual or extraordinary meeting, as long as eligibility and procedural requirements are met. The matters that we see put forward by shareholders address a wide range of topics, including governance reforms, capital management, and improvements in the management or disclosure of environmental and social risks.

When assessing shareholder proposals, we evaluate each proposal on its merit, with a singular focus on its implications for long-term value creation. We consider the business and economic relevance of the issue raised, as well as its materiality and the urgency with which we believe it should be addressed. We take into consideration the legal effect of the proposal, as shareholder proposals may be advisory or legally binding depending on the jurisdiction. We would not support proposals that we believe would result in over-reaching into the basic business decisions of the issuer.

Where a proposal is focused on an issue that we agree needs to be addressed and the intended outcome is consistent with long-term value creation, we will look to the board and management to demonstrate that the company has met the intent of the request made in the shareholder proposal. Where our analysis and / or engagement indicate a need for improvement in the company’s approach to the issue, we will support shareholder proposals that are reasonable and not unduly constraining on management. Alternatively, or in addition, we may vote against the re-election of one of more directors if, in our assessment, the board has not responded sufficiently or with an appropriate sense of urgency.

 

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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. To meet this standard, BIS is comprised of BlackRock employees who do not have other responsibilities other than their roles in BIS. BIS is considered an investment function.

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 BIS 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, a senior legal representative, 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 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 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 the 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 contribute to and 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.

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 our clients as 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 the applicable Stewardship Advisory Committees. BIS analysts 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.

 

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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 share-blocking 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 share-blocking 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 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

 

 

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 advance our clients’ interests in 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.

 

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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 BlackRock, Inc. and companies affiliated with BlackRock, Inc. BlackRock may also use an independent fiduciary to vote proxies of:

 

  i.

public companies that include BlackRock employees on their boards of directors,

 

  ii.

public companies of which a BlackRock, Inc. board member serves as a senior executive,

 

  iii.

public companies that are the subject of certain transactions involving BlackRock Funds,

 

  iv.

public companies that are joint venture partners with BlackRock, and

 

  v.

public 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 fiduciaries, 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 voting the loaned securities that were recalled 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. The 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, the Guidelines do not indicate how BIS will vote in every instance. Rather, they reflect our view about corporate governance issues generally, and provide insight into how we typically approach issues that commonly arise on corporate ballots.

Reporting and vote transparency

Investment stewardship is how we use our voice as an investor to promote sound corporate governance and business practices to help maximize long-term shareholder value for our clients, the vast majority of whom are investing for long-term goals such as retirement. We are committed to transparency in the stewardship work we do on behalf of clients. 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 as well as quarterly stewardship reports which provide a global overview of our investment stewardship engagement and voting activities during the quarter, including market

 

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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. We also publish commentaries to share our perspective on market developments and emerging key themes.

At a more granular level, we publish quarterly our vote record for each company that held a shareholder meeting during the period, showing how we voted on each proposal and explaining any votes against management proposals or on shareholder proposals. For shareholder meetings where a vote might be high profile or of significant interest to clients, we publish a voting bulletin shortly after the meeting, disclosing and explaining our vote on key proposals. We also publish a quarterly list of all companies we engaged and the key topics addressed in the engagement meeting.

In this way, we help inform our clients about the work we do on their behalf in promoting the governance and business practices that support long-term sustainable value creation.

 

 

 

 

This document is provided for information purposes only and is subject to change. Reliance upon this information is at the sole discretion of the reader.

Prepared by BlackRock, Inc.

©2020 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

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Contents

 

Introduction

     3  

Voting guidelines

     3  

Boards and directors

     3  

Auditors and audit-related issues

     9  

Capital structure proposals

     9  

Mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and other special transactions

     10  

Executive compensation

     11  

Environmental and social issues

     13  

General corporate governance matters

     15  

Shareholder protections

     16  

If you would like additional information, please contact:

ContactStewardship@blackrock.com

 

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These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the BlackRock Investment Stewardship Global Principles.

Introduction

We believe BlackRock has a responsibility to monitor and provide feedback to companies, in our role as stewards of our clients’ investments. BlackRock Investment Stewardship (“BIS”) does this through engagement with management teams and/or board members on material business issues, including environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) matters and, for those clients who have given us authority, through voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of our clients.

The following issue-specific proxy voting guidelines (the “Guidelines”) are intended to summarize BIS’ general philosophy and approach to ESG factors, as well as our expectations of directors, that most commonly arise in proxy voting for U.S. securities. These Guidelines are not intended to limit the analysis of individual issues at specific companies or provide a guide to how BlackRock will vote in every instance. They are applied with discretion, taking into consideration the range of issues and facts specific to the company, as well as individual ballot items.

Voting guidelines

These guidelines are divided into eight key themes, which group together the issues that frequently appear on the agenda of annual and extraordinary meetings of shareholders:

 

 

Boards and directors

 

 

Auditors and audit-related issues

 

 

Capital structure

 

 

Mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and other special transactions

 

 

Executive compensation

 

 

Environmental and social issues

 

 

General corporate governance matters

 

 

Shareholder protections

Boards and directors

The effective performance of the board is critical to the economic success of the company and the protection of shareholders’ interests. As part of their responsibilities, board members owe fiduciary duties to 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 critical responsibilities.

Disclosure of material issues that affect the company’s long-term strategy and value creation, including material ESG factors, is essential for shareholders to be able to appropriately understand and assess how effectively the board is identifying, managing, and mitigating risks.

Where we conclude that a board has failed to address or disclose one or more material issues within a specified timeframe, we may hold directors accountable or take other appropriate action in the context of our voting decisions.

Director elections

Where a board has not adequately demonstrated, through company disclosures and actions, how material issues are appropriately identified, managed, and overseen, we will consider withholding our support for the re-election of directors whom we hold accountable.

 

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In addition, we may withhold votes from directors or members of particular board committees in certain situations, as indicated below.

Independence

We expect a majority of the directors on the board to be independent. In addition, all members of key committees, including audit, compensation, and nominating/ governance committees, should be independent. Our view of independence may vary from listing standards.

Common impediments to independence may include:

 

 

Employment as a senior executive by the company or a subsidiary within the past five years

 

 

An equity ownership in the company in excess of 20%

 

 

Having any other interest, business, or relationship (professional or personal) which could, or could reasonably be perceived to, materially interfere with the director’s ability to act in the best interests of the company

 

 

When evaluating controlled companies, as defined by the U.S. stock exchanges, we may vote against insiders or affiliates who sit on the audit committee, but not other key committees

We may vote against directors serving on key committees who we do not consider to be independent.

Oversight

We expect the board to exercise appropriate oversight over management and business activities of the company. We will consider voting against committee members and/or individual directors in the following circumstances:

 

 

Where the board has failed to exercise sufficient oversight with regard to material ESG risk factors, or the company has failed to provide shareholders with adequate disclosure to conclude appropriate strategic consideration is given to these factors by the board

 

 

Where the board has failed to exercise oversight with regard to accounting practices or audit oversight, we will consider voting against the current audit committee, and any other members of the board who may be responsible. For example, we may vote against members of the audit committee during a period when the board failed to facilitate quality, independent auditing if substantial accounting irregularities suggest insufficient oversight by that committee

 

 

Members of the compensation committee during a period in which executive compensation appears excessive relative to performance and peers, and where we believe the compensation committee has not already substantially addressed this issue

 

 

The chair of the nominating/ governance committee, or where no chair exists, the nominating/governance committee member with the longest tenure, where the board is not comprised of a majority of independent directors. This may not apply in the case of a controlled company

 

 

Where it appears the director has acted (at the company or at other companies) in a manner that compromises his/ her ability to represent the best long-term economic interests of shareholders

 

 

Where a director has a multi-year pattern of poor attendance at combined board and applicable committee meetings, or a director has poor attendance in a single year with no disclosed rationale. Excluding exigent circumstances, BlackRock generally considers attendance at less than 75% of the combined board and applicable committee meetings to be poor attendance

 

 

Where a director serves on an excessive number of boards, which may limit his/ her capacity to focus on each board’s requirements. The following identifies the maximum number of boards on which a director may serve, before he/ she is considered to be over-committed:

 

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Public Company        

Executive or Fund        

Manager1        

 

   # Outside Public Boards2             Total # of Public Boards      
       

Director A

 

      1    2
       

Director B

 

        3    4

Responsiveness to shareholders

We expect a board to be engaged and responsive to its shareholders, including acknowledging voting outcomes for shareholder proposals, director elections, compensation, and other ballot items. Where we believe a board has not substantially addressed shareholder concerns, we may vote against the responsible committees and/or individual directors. The following illustrates common circumstances:

 

 

The independent chair or lead independent director, members of the nominating/governance committee, and/or the longest tenured director(s), where we observe a lack of board responsiveness to shareholders, evidence of board entrenchment, and/or failure to plan for adequate board member succession

 

 

The chair of the nominating/governance committee, or where no chair exists, the nominating/governance committee member with the longest tenure, where board member(s) at the most recent election of directors have received against votes from more than 25% of shares voted, and the board has not taken appropriate action to respond to shareholder concerns. This may not apply in cases where BlackRock did not support the initial against vote

 

 

The independent chair or lead independent director and/ or members of the nominating/governance committee, where a board fails to consider shareholder proposals that receive substantial support, and the proposals, in our view, have a material impact on the business, shareholder rights, or the potential for long-term value creation

Shareholder rights

We expect a board to act with integrity and to uphold governance best practices. Where we believe a board has not acted in the best interests of its shareholders, we may vote against the appropriate committees and/or individual directors. The following illustrates common circumstances:

 

 

The independent chair or lead independent director and members of the nominating/governance committee, where a board implements or renews a poison pill without shareholder approval

 

 

The independent chair or lead independent director and members of the nominating/governance committee, where a board amends the charter/articles/bylaws such that the effect may be to entrench directors or to significantly reduce shareholder rights

 

 

Members of the compensation committee where the company has repriced options without shareholder approval

 

 

If a board maintains a classified structure, it is possible that the director(s) with whom we have a particular concern may not be subject to election in the year that the concern arises. In such situations, if we have a concern regarding the actions of a committee and the responsible member(s) or committee chair are not up for re-election, we will generally register our concern by voting against all available members of the relevant committee

 

 

1 In this instance, “fund manager” refers to individuals whose full-time employment involves responsibility for the investment and oversight of fund vehicles, and those who have employment as professional investors and provide oversight for those holdings.

2 In addition to the company under review

 

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Board composition and effectiveness

We encourage boards to periodically renew their membership to ensure relevant skills and experience within the boardroom. To this end, regular performance reviews and skills assessments should be conducted by the nominating/ governance committee or the lead independent director.

Furthermore, we expect boards to be comprised of a diverse selection of individuals who bring their personal and professional experiences to bear in order to create a constructive debate of a variety of views and opinions in the boardroom. We recognize that diversity has multiple dimensions. In identifying potential candidates, boards should take into consideration the full breadth of diversity, including personal factors, such as gender, ethnicity, race, and age, as well as professional characteristics, such as a director’s industry, area of expertise, and geographic location. In addition to other elements of diversity, we encourage companies to have at least two women directors on their board. Our publicly available commentary explains our approach to engaging on board diversity.

We encourage boards to disclose:

 

 

The mix of competencies, experience, and other qualities required to effectively oversee and guide management in light of the stated long-term strategy of the company

 

 

The process by which candidates are identified and selected, including whether professional firms or other sources outside of incumbent directors’ networks have been engaged to identify and/or assess candidates

 

 

The process by which boards evaluate themselves and any significant outcomes of the evaluation process, without divulging inappropriate and/ or sensitive details

 

 

Demographics related to board diversity, including, but not limited to, gender, ethnicity, race, age, and geographic location, in addition to measurable milestones to achieve a boardroom reflective of multi-faceted racial, ethnic, and gender representation

Our primary concern is that board members are able to contribute effectively as corporate strategy evolves and business conditions change. We acknowledge that no single person can be expected to bring all relevant skill sets to a board; at the same time, we generally do not believe it is necessary or appropriate to have any particular director on the board solely by virtue of a singular background or specific area of expertise.

Where boards find that age limits or term limits are the most efficient and objective mechanism for ensuring periodic board refreshment, we generally defer to the board’s determination in setting such limits. BlackRock will also consider the average board tenure to evaluate processes for board renewal. We may oppose boards that appear to have an insufficient mix of short-, medium-, and long-tenured directors.

To the extent that a company has not adequately accounted for diversity in its board composition within a reasonable timeframe, based on our assessment, we may vote against members of the nominating/governance committee for an apparent lack of commitment to board effectiveness.

Board size

We typically defer to the board in setting the appropriate size and believe directors are generally in the best position to assess the optimal board size to ensure effectiveness. However, we may oppose boards that appear too small to allow for the necessary range of skills and experience or too large to function efficiently.

CEO and management succession planning

There should be a robust CEO and senior management succession plan in place at the board level that is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. We expect succession planning to cover both long-term planning consistent with the strategic direction of the company and identified leadership needs over time, as well as short-term planning in the event of an unanticipated executive departure. We encourage the company to explain its executive succession planning process,

 

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including where accountability lies within the boardroom for this task, without prematurely divulging sensitive information commonly associated with this exercise.

Classified board of directors/staggered terms

We believe that directors should be re-elected annually; classification of the board generally limits shareholders’ rights to regularly evaluate a board’s performance and select directors. While we will typically support proposals requesting board de-classification, we may make exceptions, should the board articulate an appropriate strategic rationale for a classified board structure, such as when a company needs consistency and stability during a time of transition, e.g. newly public companies or companies undergoing a strategic restructuring. A classified board structure may also be justified at non-operating companies, e.g. closed-end funds or business development companies (BDC),3 in certain circumstances. We would, however, expect boards with a classified structure to periodically review the rationale for such structure and consider when annual elections might be more appropriate.

Without a voting mechanism to immediately address concerns about a specific director, we may choose to vote against the available slate of directors (see “Shareholder rights” for additional detail).

Contested director elections

The details of contested elections, or proxy contests, are assessed on a case-by-case basis. We evaluate a number of factors, which may include: the qualifications of the dissident and management candidates; the validity of the concerns identified by the dissident; the viability of both the dissident’s and management’s plans; the ownership stake and holding period of the dissident; the likelihood that the dissident’s solutions will produce the desired change; and whether the dissident represents the best option for enhancing long-term shareholder value.

Cumulative voting

We believe that a majority vote standard is in the best long-term interests of shareholders. It ensures director accountability through the requirement to be elected by more than half of the votes cast. As such, we will generally oppose proposals requesting the adoption of cumulative voting, which may disproportionately aggregate votes on certain issues or director candidates.

Director compensation and equity programs

We believe that compensation for directors should be structured to attract and retain directors, while also aligning their interests with those of shareholders. We believe director compensation packages that are based on the company’s long-term value creation and include some form of long-term equity compensation are more likely to meet this goal. In addition, we expect directors to build meaningful share ownership over time.

Majority vote requirements

BlackRock believes that directors should generally be elected by a majority of the shares voted and will normally support proposals seeking to introduce bylaws requiring a majority vote standard for director elections. Majority vote standards assist in ensuring that directors who are not broadly supported by shareholders are not elected to serve as their representatives. Some companies with a plurality voting standard have adopted a resignation policy for directors who do not receive support from at least a majority of votes cast. Where we believe that the company already has a sufficiently robust majority voting process in place, we may not support a shareholder proposal seeking an alternative mechanism.

We note that majority voting may not be appropriate in all circumstances, for example, in the context of a contested election, or for majority-controlled companies.

 

 

3A BDC is a special investment vehicle under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that is designed to facilitate capital formation for small and middle-market companies.

 

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Risk oversight

Companies should have an established process for identifying, monitoring, and managing business and material ESG risks. Independent directors should have access to relevant management information and outside advice, as appropriate, to ensure they can properly oversee risk. We encourage companies to provide transparency around risk management, mitigation, and reporting to the board. We are particularly interested in understanding how risk oversight processes evolve in response to changes in corporate strategy and/or shifts in the business and related risk environment. 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.

Separation of chairman and CEO

We believe that independent leadership is important in the boardroom. There are two commonly accepted structures for independent board leadership: 1) an independent chairman; or 2) a lead independent director when the roles of chairman and CEO are combined.

In the absence of a significant governance concern, we defer to boards to designate the most appropriate leadership structure to ensure adequate balance and independence.

In the event that the board chooses a combined chair/CEO model, we generally support the designation of a lead independent director if they have the power to: 1) provide formal input into board meeting agendas; 2) call meetings of the independent directors; and 3) preside at meetings of independent directors. Furthermore, while we anticipate that most directors will be elected annually, we believe an element of continuity is important for this role to provide appropriate leadership balance to the chair/CEO.

The following table illustrates examples of responsibilities under each board leadership model:

 

   
     Combined Chair/ CEO Model    Separate Chair Model
     
     Chair/ CEO    Lead Independent Director    Chair

Board Meetings

  

 

Authority to call full meetings of the board of directors

  

 

Attends full meetings of the board of directors

 

Authority to call meetings of independent directors

 

Briefs CEO on issues arising from executive sessions

 

  

 

Authority to call full meetings of the board of directors

Agenda

  

 

Primary responsibility for shaping board agendas, consulting with the lead independent director

 

   Collaborates with chair/ CEO to set board agenda and board information    Primary responsibility for shaping board agendas, in conjunction with CEO

Board
Communications

  

 

Communicates with all directors on key issues and concerns outside of full board meetings

  

 

Facilitates discussion among independent directors on key issues and concerns outside of full board meetings, including contributing to the oversight of CEO and management succession planning

  

 

Facilitates discussion among independent directors on key issues and concerns outside of full board meetings, including contributing to the oversight of CEO and management succession planning

 

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Auditors and audit-related issues

BlackRock recognizes the critical importance of financial statements to provide a complete and accurate portrayal of a company’s financial condition. Consistent with our approach to voting on boards of directors, we seek to hold the audit committee of the board responsible for overseeing the management of the audit function at a company, and may vote against the audit committee members where the board has failed to facilitate quality, independent auditing. We look to the audit committee report for insight into the scope of the audit committee responsibilities, including an overview of audit committee processes, issues on the audit committee agenda, and key decisions taken by the audit committee. We take particular note of cases involving significant financial restatements or material weakness disclosures, and we expect timely disclosure and remediation of accounting irregularities.

The integrity of financial statements depends on the auditor effectively fulfilling its role. To that end, we favor an independent auditor. In addition, to the extent that an auditor fails to reasonably identify and address issues that eventually lead to a significant financial restatement, or the audit firm has violated standards of practice that protect the interests of shareholders, we may also vote against ratification.

From time to time, shareholder proposals may be presented to promote auditor independence or the rotation of audit firms. We may support these proposals when they are consistent with our views as described above.

Capital structure proposals

Equal voting rights

BlackRock believes that shareholders should be entitled to voting rights in proportion to their economic interests. We believe that companies that look to add or already have dual or multiple class share structures should review these structures on a regular basis, or as company circumstances change. Companies with multiple share classes should receive shareholder approval of their capital structure on a periodic basis via a management proposal on 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.

Blank check preferred stock

We frequently oppose proposals requesting authorization of a class of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights (“blank check” preferred stock) because they may serve as a transfer of authority from shareholders to the board and as a possible entrenchment device. We generally view the board’s discretion to establish voting rights on a when-issued basis as a potential anti-takeover device, as it affords the board the ability to place a block of stock with an investor sympathetic to management, thereby foiling a takeover bid without a shareholder vote.

Nonetheless, we may support the proposal where the company:

 

 

Appears to have a legitimate financing motive for requesting blank check authority

 

 

Has committed publicly that blank check preferred shares will not be used for anti-takeover purposes

 

 

Has a history of using blank check preferred stock for financings

 

 

Has blank check preferred stock previously outstanding such that an increase would not necessarily provide further anti-takeover protection but may provide greater financing flexibility

Increase in authorized common shares

BlackRock will evaluate requests to increase authorized shares on a case-by-case basis, in conjunction with industry-specific norms and potential dilution, as well as a company’s history with respect to the use of its common shares.

 

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Increase or issuance of preferred stock

We generally support proposals to increase or issue preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and where the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.

Stock splits

We generally support stock splits that are not likely to negatively affect the ability to trade shares or the economic value of a share. We generally support reverse stock splits that are designed to avoid delisting or to facilitate trading in the stock, where the reverse split will not have a negative impact on share value (e.g. one class is reduced while others remain at pre-split levels). In the event of a proposal for a reverse split that would not proportionately reduce the company’s authorized stock, we apply the same analysis we would use for a proposal to increase authorized stock.

Mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and other special transactions

In assessing mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, or other special transactions, BlackRock’s primary consideration is the long-term economic interests of our clients as 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. While mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and other special transaction proposals vary widely in scope and substance, we closely examine certain salient features in our analyses, such as:

 

 

The degree to which the proposed transaction represents a premium to the company’s trading price. We consider the share price over multiple time periods prior to the date of the merger announcement. We may consider comparable transaction analyses provided by the parties’ financial advisors and our own valuation assessments. For companies facing insolvency or bankruptcy, a premium may not apply

 

 

There should be clear strategic, operational, and/ or financial rationale for the combination

 

 

Unanimous board approval and arm’s-length negotiations are preferred. We will consider whether the transaction involves a dissenting board or does not appear to be the result of an arm’s-length bidding process. We may also consider whether executive and/ or board members’ financial interests appear likely to affect their ability to place shareholders’ interests before their own

 

 

We prefer transaction proposals that include the fairness opinion of a reputable financial advisor assessing the value of the transaction to shareholders in comparison to recent similar transactions

Poison pill plans

Where a poison pill is put to a shareholder vote by management, our policy is to examine these plans individually. Although we oppose most plans, we may support plans that include a reasonable “qualifying offer clause.” Such clauses typically require shareholder ratification of the pill and stipulate a sunset provision whereby the pill expires unless it is renewed. These clauses also tend to specify that an all-cash bid for all shares that includes a fairness opinion and evidence of financing does not trigger the pill, but forces either a special meeting at which the offer is put to a shareholder vote, or requires the board to seek the written consent of shareholders, where shareholders could rescind the pill at their discretion. We may also support a pill where it is the only effective method for protecting tax or other economic benefits that may be associated with limiting the ownership changes of individual shareholders.

We generally vote in favor of shareholder proposals to rescind poison pills.

Reimbursement of expenses for successful shareholder campaigns

We generally do not support shareholder proposals seeking the reimbursement of proxy contest expenses, even in situations where we support the shareholder campaign. We believe that introducing the possibility of such reimbursement may incentivize disruptive and unnecessary shareholder campaigns.

 

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Executive compensation

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 the generation of sustainable long-term value.

We expect the compensation committee to carefully consider the specific circumstances of the company and the key individuals the board is focused on incentivizing. We encourage companies to ensure that their compensation plans incorporate appropriate and rigorous performance metrics 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 value creation. We are generally not supportive of one-off or special bonuses unrelated to company or individual performance. Where discretion has been used by the compensation committee, we expect disclosure relating to how and why the discretion was used and further, how the adjusted outcome is aligned with the interests of shareholders.

We acknowledge that the use of peer group evaluation by compensation committees can help calibrate competitive pay; however, we are concerned when the rationale for increases in total compensation is solely based on peer benchmarking, rather than absolute outperformance.

We support incentive plans that foster the sustainable achievement of results consistent with the company’s long-term strategic initiatives. The vesting timeframes associated with incentive plans should facilitate a focus on long-term value creation. 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.

“Say on Pay” advisory resolutions

In cases where there is a “Say on Pay” vote, BlackRock will respond to the proposal as informed by our evaluation of compensation practices at that particular company and in a manner that appropriately addresses the specific question posed to shareholders. In a commentary on our website, entitled “BlackRock Investment Stewardship’s approach to executive compensation,” we explain our expectations related to executive compensation practices, our “Say on Pay” analysis framework, and our typical approach to engagement and voting on “Say on Pay.”

Where we conclude that a company has failed to align pay with performance, we will vote against the management compensation proposal and consider voting against the compensation committee members.

Frequency of “Say on Pay” advisory resolutions

BlackRock will generally support annual advisory votes on executive compensation, and will consider biennial and triennial timeframes, absent compensation concerns. In evaluating pay, we believe that the compensation committee is responsible for constructing a plan that appropriately incentivizes executives for long-term value creation, utilizing relevant metrics and structure to promote overall pay and performance alignment.

Clawback proposals

We generally favor recoupment from any senior executive whose compensation was based on faulty financial reporting or deceptive business practices. We also favor recoupment from any senior executive whose behavior caused material financial harm to shareholders, material reputational risk to the company, or resulted in a criminal proceeding, even if such actions did not ultimately result in a material restatement of past results. This includes, but is not limited to, settlement agreements arising from such behavior and paid for directly by the company. We typically support shareholder proposals on these matters unless the company already has a robust claw back policy that sufficiently addresses our concerns.

 

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Employee stock purchase plans

We believe employee stock purchase plans (“ESPP”) are an important part of a company’s overall human capital management strategy and can provide performance incentives to help align employees’ interests with those of shareholders. The most common form of ESPP qualifies for favorable tax treatment under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. We will typically support qualified ESPP proposals.

Equity compensation plans

BlackRock supports equity plans that align the economic interests of directors, managers, and other employees with those of shareholders. We believe that boards should establish policies prohibiting the use of equity awards in a manner that could disrupt the intended alignment with shareholder interests (e.g. the use of stock as collateral for a loan; the use of stock in a margin account; the use of stock in hedging or derivative transactions). We may support shareholder proposals requesting the establishment of such policies.

Our evaluation of equity compensation plans is based on a company’s executive pay and performance relative to peers and whether the plan plays a significant role in a pay-for-performance disconnect. We generally oppose plans that contain “evergreen” provisions, which allow for the unlimited increase of shares reserved without requiring further shareholder approval after a reasonable time period. We also generally oppose plans that allow for repricing without shareholder approval. We may also oppose plans that provide for the acceleration of vesting of equity awards even in situations where an actual change of control may not occur. We encourage companies to structure their change of control provisions to require the termination of the covered employee before acceleration or special payments are triggered (commonly referred to as “double trigger” change of control provisions).

Golden parachutes

We generally view golden parachutes as encouragement to management to consider transactions that might be beneficial to shareholders. However, a large potential pay-out under a golden parachute arrangement also presents the risk of motivating a management team to support a sub-optimal sale price for a company.

When determining whether to support or oppose an advisory vote on a golden parachute plan, BlackRock may consider several factors, including:

 

 

Whether we believe that the triggering event is in the best interests of shareholders

 

 

Whether management attempted to maximize shareholder value in the triggering event

 

 

The percentage of total premium or transaction value that will be transferred to the management team, rather than shareholders, as a result of the golden parachute payment

 

 

Whether excessively large excise tax gross-up payments are part of the pay-out

 

 

Whether the pay package that serves as the basis for calculating the golden parachute payment was reasonable in light of performance and peers

 

 

Whether the golden parachute payment will have the effect of rewarding a management team that has failed to effectively manage the company

It may be difficult to anticipate the results of a plan until after it has been triggered; as a result, BlackRock may vote against a golden parachute proposal even if the golden parachute plan under review was approved by shareholders when it was implemented.

We may support shareholder proposals requesting that implementation of such arrangements require shareholder approval. We generally support proposals requiring shareholder approval of plans that exceed 2.99 times an executive’s current salary and bonus, including equity compensation.

 

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Option exchanges

We believe that there may be legitimate instances where underwater options create an overhang on a company’s capital structure and a repricing or option exchange may be warranted. We will evaluate these instances on a case-by-case basis. BlackRock may support a request to reprice or exchange underwater options under the following circumstances:

 

 

The company has experienced significant stock price decline as a result of macroeconomic trends, not individual company performance

 

 

Directors and executive officers are excluded; the exchange is value neutral or value creative to shareholders; tax, accounting, and other technical considerations have been fully contemplated

 

 

There is clear evidence that absent repricing, the company will suffer serious employee incentive or retention and recruiting problems

BlackRock may also support a request to exchange underwater options in other circumstances, if we determine that the exchange is in the best interests of shareholders.

Supplemental executive retirement plans

BlackRock may support shareholder proposals requesting to put extraordinary benefits contained in supplemental executive retirement plans (“SERP”) to a shareholder vote unless the company’s executive pension plans do not contain excessive benefits beyond what is offered under employee-wide plans.

Environmental and social issues

We believe that well-managed companies deal effectively with material ESG factors relevant to their businesses. As stated throughout this document, governance is the core structure by which boards can oversee the creation of sustainable long-term value—appropriate risk oversight of environmental and social (“E&S”) considerations stems from this construct.

Robust disclosure is essential for investors to effectively gauge companies’ business practices and strategic planning related to E&S risks and opportunities. When a company’s reporting is inadequate, investors, including BlackRock, will increasingly conclude that the company is not adequately managing risk. Given the increased understanding of material sustainability risks and opportunities, and the need for better information to assess them, BlackRock will advocate for continued improvement in companies’ reporting and will hold management and/ or directors accountable where disclosures or the business practices underlying them are inadequate.

BlackRock views the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the standards put forth by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) as appropriate and complementary frameworks for companies to disclose financially material sustainability information. While the TCFD framework was crafted with the aim of climate-related risk disclosure, the four pillars of the TCFD—Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, and Metrics and Targets—are a useful way for companies to disclose how they identify, assess, manage, and oversee a variety of sustainability-related risks and opportunities. SASB’s industry-specific guidance (as identified in its materiality map) is beneficial in helping companies identify key performance indicators (KPIs) across various dimensions of sustainability that are considered to be financially material and decision-useful within their industry.

Accordingly, we ask companies to:

 

   

Disclose the identification, assessment, management, and oversight of sustainability-related risks in accordance with the four pillars of TCFD

 

   

Publish SASB-aligned reporting with industry-specific, material metrics and rigorous targets

See our commentary on our approach to engagement on TCFD- and SASB-aligned reporting for greater detail of our expectations.

 

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Climate risk

BlackRock believes that climate change has become a defining factor in companies’ long-term prospects. We expect every company to help their investors understand how the company may be impacted by climate-related risks and opportunities, and how they are considered within the company’s strategy.

Specifically, we expect companies to articulate how they are aligned to a scenario in which global warming is limited to well below 2° C and is consistent with a global aspiration to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050.4 In order to assess companies’ progress, BIS expects carbon-intensive companies to disclose explicit GHG emissions reduction targets.

The public and private sectors have roles to play in aligning greenhouse gas reduction efforts with targets based on science, where available to curb the worst effects of climate change and reach the global goal of carbon neutrality by mid-century. Companies have an opportunity to utilize and contribute to the development of current and future low-carbon transition technologies, which are an important consideration for the rate at which emissions can be reduced. We expect companies to disclose how they are considering these challenges, alongside opportunities for innovation, within their strategy and emissions reduction efforts.

We may support shareholder proposals that ask companies to disclose climate plans aligned with our expectations.

Key stakeholder interests

As a long-term investor, we believe that in order to deliver value for shareholders, companies should also consider their stakeholders. While stakeholder groups may vary across industries, they are likely to include employees; business partners (such as suppliers and distributors); clients and consumers; government and regulators; and the communities in which companies operate. Companies that build strong relationships with their stakeholders are more likely to meet their own strategic objectives, while poor relationships may create adverse impacts that expose a company to legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks and jeopardize their social license to operate. We expect companies to effectively oversee and mitigate these risks with appropriate due diligence processes and board oversight.

Human capital management

A company’s approach to human capital management is a critical factor in fostering an inclusive, diverse, and engaged workforce, which contributes to business continuity, innovation, and long-term value creation. As an important component of strategy, we expect boards to oversee human capital management.

We believe that clear and consistent reporting on these matters is critical for investors to understand the composition of a company’s workforce. We expect companies to disclose workforce demographics, such as gender, race, and ethnicity in line with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s EEO-1 Survey, alongside the steps they are taking to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Where we believe a company’s disclosures or practices fall short relative to the market or peers, or we are unable to ascertain the board and management’s effectiveness in overseeing related risks and opportunities, we may vote against members of the appropriate committee or support relevant shareholder proposals. Our commentary on human capital management provides more information on our expectations.

Corporate political activities

Companies may engage in certain political activities, within legal and regulatory limits, in order to influence public policy consistent with the companies’ values and strategies. These activities can also create risks, including: the potential for allegations of corruption; reputational risk associated with a candidate, party, or issue; and risks that arise from the complex legal, regulatory, and compliance considerations associated with corporate political spending and lobbying

 

 

4 The global aspiration is reflective of aggregated efforts; companies in developed and emerging markets are not equally equipped to transition their business and reduce emissions at the same rate—those in developed markets with the largest market capitalization are better positioned to adapt their business models at an accelerated pace. Government policy and regional targets may be reflective of these realities.

 

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activity. Companies that engage in political activities should develop and maintain robust processes to guide these activities and mitigate risks, including board oversight.

When presented with shareholder proposals requesting increased disclosure on corporate political activities, BlackRock will evaluate publicly available information to consider how a company’s lobbying may impact the company. We will also evaluate whether there is alignment between a company’s stated positions on policy matters material to its strategy and the positions taken by industry groups of which it is a member. We may decide to support a shareholder proposal requesting additional disclosure if we identify a material misalignment. Additional detail can be found in our commentary on political contributions and lobbying disclosures.

General corporate governance matters

Adjourn meeting to solicit additional votes

We generally support such proposals unless the agenda contains items that we judge to be detrimental to shareholders’ best long-term economic interests.

Bundled proposals

We believe that shareholders should have the opportunity to review substantial governance changes individually without having to accept bundled proposals. Where several measures are grouped into one proposal, BlackRock may reject certain positive changes when linked with proposals that generally contradict or impede the rights and economic interests of shareholders.

Exclusive forum provisions

BlackRock generally supports proposals to seek exclusive forum for certain shareholder litigation. In cases where a board unilaterally adopts exclusive forum provisions that we consider unfavorable to the interests of shareholders, we will vote against the independent chair or lead independent director and members of the nominating/governance committee.

Multi-jurisdictional companies

Where a company is listed on multiple exchanges or incorporated in a country different from its primary listing, we will seek to apply the most relevant market guideline(s) to our analysis of the company’s governance structure and specific proposals on the shareholder meeting agenda. In doing so, we typically consider the governance standards of the company’s primary listing, the market standards by which the company governs itself, and the market context of each specific proposal on the agenda. If the relevant standards are silent on the issue under consideration, we will use our professional judgment as to what voting outcome would best protect the long-term economic interests of investors. We expect companies to disclose the rationale for their selection of primary listing, country of incorporation, and choice of governance structures, particularly where there is conflict between relevant market governance practices.

Other business

We oppose giving companies our proxy to vote on matters where we are not given the opportunity to review and understand those measures and carry out an appropriate level of shareholder oversight.

Reincorporation

Proposals to reincorporate from one state or country to another are most frequently motivated by considerations of anti-takeover protections, legal advantages, and/or cost savings. We will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, the economic and strategic rationale behind the company’s proposal to reincorporate. In all instances, we will evaluate the changes to shareholder protections under the new charter/articles/bylaws to assess whether the move increases or decreases shareholder protections. Where we find that shareholder protections are diminished, we may support reincorporation if we determine that the overall benefits outweigh the diminished rights.

 

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IPO governance

We expect boards to consider and disclose how the corporate governance structures adopted upon initial public offering (“IPO”) are in shareholders’ best long-term interests. We also expect boards to conduct a regular review of corporate governance and control structures, such that boards might evolve foundational corporate governance structures as company circumstances change, without undue costs and disruption to shareholders. In our letter on unequal voting structures, we articulate our view that “one vote for one share” is the preferred structure for publicly-traded companies. We also recognize the potential benefits of dual class shares to newly public companies as they establish themselves; however, we believe that these structures should have a specific and limited duration. We will generally engage new companies on topics such as classified boards and supermajority vote provisions to amend bylaws, as we believe that such arrangements may not be in the best interest of shareholders in the long-term.

We will typically apply a one-year grace period for the application of certain director-related guidelines (including, but not limited to, responsibilities on other public company boards and board composition concerns), during which we expect boards to take steps to bring corporate governance standards in line with our expectations.

Further, if a company qualifies as an emerging growth company (an “EGC”) under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), we will give consideration to the NYSE and NASDAQ governance exemptions granted under the

JOBS Act for the duration such a company is categorized as an EGC. We expect an EGC to have a totally independent audit committee by the first anniversary of its IPO, with our standard approach to voting on auditors and audit-related issues applicable in full for an EGC on the first anniversary of its IPO.

Shareholder protections

Amendment to charter/articles/bylaws

We believe that shareholders should have the right to vote on key corporate governance matters, including changes to governance mechanisms and amendments to the charter/articles/bylaws. We may vote against certain directors where changes to governing documents are not put to a shareholder vote within a reasonable period of time, particularly if those changes have the potential to impact shareholder rights (see “Director elections”). In cases where a board’s unilateral adoption of changes to the charter/articles/bylaws promotes cost and operational efficiency benefits for the company and its shareholders, we may support such action if it does not have a negative effect on shareholder rights or the company’s corporate governance structure.

When voting on a management or shareholder proposal to make changes to the charter/articles/bylaws, we will consider in part the company’s and/or proponent’s publicly stated rationale for the changes; the company’s governance profile and history; relevant jurisdictional laws; and situational or contextual circumstances which may have motivated the proposed changes, among other factors. We will typically support amendments to the charter/articles/bylaws where the benefits to shareholders outweigh the costs of failing to make such changes.

Proxy access

We believe that long-term shareholders should have the opportunity, when necessary and under reasonable conditions, to nominate directors on the company’s proxy card.

In our view, securing the right of shareholders to nominate directors without engaging in a control contest can enhance shareholders’ ability to meaningfully participate in the director election process, encourage board attention to shareholder interests, and provide shareholders an effective means of directing that attention where it is lacking. Proxy access mechanisms should provide shareholders with a reasonable opportunity to use this right without stipulating overly restrictive or onerous parameters for use, and also provide assurances that the mechanism will not be subject to abuse by short-term investors, investors without a substantial investment in the company, or investors seeking to take control of the board.

In general, we support market-standardized proxy access proposals, which allow a shareholder (or group of up to 20 shareholders) holding three percent of a company’s outstanding shares for at least three years the right to nominate the

 

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greater of up to two directors or 20% of the board. Where a standardized proxy access provision exists, we will generally oppose shareholder proposals requesting outlier thresholds.

Right to act by written consent

In exceptional circumstances and with sufficiently broad support, shareholders should have the opportunity to raise issues of substantial importance without having to wait for management to schedule a meeting. We therefore believe that shareholders should have the right to solicit votes by written consent provided that: 1) there are reasonable requirements to initiate the consent solicitation process (in order to avoid the waste of corporate resources in addressing narrowly supported interests); and 2) shareholders receive a minimum of 50% of outstanding shares to effectuate the action by written consent. We may oppose shareholder proposals requesting the right to act by written consent in cases where the proposal is structured for the benefit of a dominant shareholder to the exclusion of others, or if the proposal is written to discourage the board from incorporating appropriate mechanisms to avoid the waste of corporate resources when establishing a right to act by written consent. Additionally, we may oppose shareholder proposals requesting the right to act by written consent if the company already provides a shareholder right to call a special meeting that we believe offers shareholders a reasonable opportunity to raise issues of substantial importance without having to wait for management to schedule a meeting.

Right to call a special meeting

In exceptional circumstances and with sufficiently broad support, shareholders should have the opportunity to raise issues of substantial importance without having to wait for management to schedule a meeting. Accordingly, shareholders should have the right to call a special meeting in cases where a reasonably high proportion of shareholders (typically a minimum of 15% but no higher than 25%) are required to agree to such a meeting before it is called. However, we may oppose this right in cases where the proposal is structured for the benefit of a dominant shareholder, or where a lower threshold may lead to an ineffective use of corporate resources. We generally believe that a right to act via written consent is not a sufficient alternative to the right to call a special meeting.

Simple majority voting

We generally favor a simple majority voting requirement to pass proposals. Therefore, we will support the reduction or the elimination of supermajority voting requirements to the extent that we determine shareholders’ ability to protect their economic interests is improved. Nonetheless, in situations where there is a substantial or dominant shareholder, supermajority voting may be protective of minority shareholder interests and we may support supermajority voting requirements in those situations.

Virtual meetings

Shareholders should have the opportunity to participate in the annual and special meetings for the companies in which they are invested, as these meetings facilitate an opportunity for shareholders to provide feedback and hear from the board and management. While these meetings have traditionally been conducted in-person, virtual meetings are an increasingly viable way for companies to utilize technology to facilitate shareholder accessibility, inclusiveness, and cost efficiencies. We expect shareholders to have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the meeting and interact with the board and management in these virtual settings; companies should facilitate open dialogue and allow shareholders to voice concerns and provide feedback without undue censorship.

 

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This document is provided for information purposes only and is subject to change. Reliance upon this information is at the sole discretion of the reader.

Prepared by BlackRock, Inc.

©2020 BlackRock, Inc. All rights reserved.

 

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