N-CSR 1 d833636dncsr.htm BLACKROCK ASIAN DRAGON FUND, INC. BLACKROCK ASIAN DRAGON FUND, INC.

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: 811-02661

Name of Fund: BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

Fund Address:    100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 441-7762

Date of fiscal year end: 04/30/2020

Date of reporting period: 04/30/2020


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders


 

LOGO   APRIL 30, 2020

 

   2020 Annual Report

 

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

 

 

 

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

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you hold accounts directly with BlackRock, you can call (800) 441-7762 to inform BlackRock that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you hold accounts through a financial intermediary, you can follow the instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, or contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Fund Advisors or their affiliates, or all funds held with your financial intermediary, as applicable.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive electronic delivery of shareholder reports and other communications by: (i) accessing the BlackRock website at blackrock.com/edelivery and logging into your accounts, if you hold accounts directly with BlackRock, or (ii) contacting your financial intermediary, if you hold accounts through a financial intermediary. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service.

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The last 12 months have been a time of sudden change in global financial markets, as a long period of growth and positive returns was interrupted in early 2020 by the emergence and spread of the coronavirus. For much of the reporting period, U.S. equities and bonds both delivered impressive returns, despite fears and doubts about the economy that were ultimately laid to rest with unprecedented monetary stimulus and a sluggish yet resolute performance from the U.S. economy. But as the threat from the coronavirus became more apparent throughout February and March 2020, leading countries around the world took economically disruptive countermeasures, causing equity prices to fall sharply. While markets have since recovered some of these losses as countries around the world begin reopening, there is still significant uncertainty surrounding the long-term impact of the pandemic on the global economy.

Returns for most securities were robust for the first three quarters of the reporting period, as investors began to realize that the U.S. economy was maintaining the modest yet steady growth that had characterized this economic cycle. However, once stay-at-home orders and closures of non-essential businesses became widespread, many workers were laid off and unemployment claims spiked. With large portions of the global economy on hold, all types of international equities ended the reporting period with negative performance, while in the U.S. only large-capitalization stocks delivered a slightly positive return.

The performance of different types of fixed-income securities diverged substantially due to a reduced investor appetite for risk. Treasuries benefited from the risk-off environment, and posted healthy returns, as the 10-year yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) fell to an all-time low. Investment-grade corporate bonds also delivered a positive return, while high-yield corporates were down due to credit concerns.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) reduced interest rates three times in 2019, to support slowing economic growth. After the coronavirus outbreak, the Fed instituted two emergency rate cuts, pushing short-term interest rates close to zero. To stabilize credit markets, the Fed also announced 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 disruption is certain to hurt worldwide economic growth, the global expansion is likely to continue once the impact of the outbreak subsides. Nonetheless, there are promising signs that a strong coordinated monetary and fiscal response is underway, both in the United States and abroad. With measures being taken to contain the virus and provide support to impacted businesses and individuals, we anticipate a sharp increase in economic activity as life returns to normal.

Overall, we favor a neutral stance toward risk, given the uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of coronavirus countermeasures. Among equities, we see an advantage in U.S. stocks compared to other developed markets, given the diversity of the U.S. economy and the impressive scope of monetary and fiscal stimulus. In bonds, the swift action taken by the world’s central banks means there are attractive opportunities in credit, and we expect credit spreads to narrow as markets stabilize. Both U.S. Treasuries and sustainable investments can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of April 30, 2020
     6-month   12-month

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

  (3.16)%   0.86%

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

  (15.47)   (16.39)

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

  (14.21)   (11.34)

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (10.50)   (12.00)

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

  0.85   2.07

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

  10.73   19.78

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

  4.86   10.84

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

  (1.26)   2.21

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

  (6.60)   (4.08)
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

2    THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Annual Report:

  

Fund Summaries

     4  

Portfolio Information

     12  

About Fund Performance

     14  

Disclosure of Expenses

     14  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     14  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedules of Investments

     15  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     29  

Statements of Operations

     31  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     33  

Financial Highlights

     35  

Notes to Financial Statements

     52  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     68  

Important Tax Information

     69  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    
70
 

Director and Officer Information

     71  

Additional Information

     75  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     76  

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

          3  


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek to maximize total return.

On November 13, 2019, the Board approved a change in the fiscal year-end of the Fund, effective as of April 30, 2020, from December 31 to April 30.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the abbreviated annual period from January 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020, the Fund’s Institutional, Investor A, Investor C, Class K and Class R Shares returned (12.80)%, (12.84)%, (13.17)%, (12.80)% and (12.98)%, respectively, underperforming its benchmark, the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index, which returned (11.07)%.

What factors influenced performance?

During the period, stock selection in India and an overweight position to and stock selection within Indonesia were the main detractors from Fund performance. In terms of individual positions, IndusInd Bank Ltd., Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd. and China Oilfield Services Ltd. represented the largest detractors. IndusInd Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra were hurt by the spread of the coronavirus, India’s national lockdown, fears of increases in non-performing assets, and deposit outflows due to the country’s liquidity squeeze. Sentiment with respect to China Oilfield Services Ltd. suffered from falling energy prices as oil markets suffered a technical collapse, causing one measure of crude oil prices to turn negative for the first time in history.

Stock selection in China and South Korea, as well as the Fund’s cash position, were the principal contributors to Fund performance. Individual holdings that led positive contributions included Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd. and Samsung Biologics Co. Ltd. Shenzhen Mindray, a Chinese medical device company, was the top contributor as the company received an emergency purchase order of 10,000 units of medical equipment from the Italian government on the heels of delivering more than 50,000 units in China over a two-month period. The stock price of Chinese pharmaceutical company Asymchem Laboratories benefited alongside China’s health care sector amid the coronavirus outbreak, and was boosted by news in February that Hong Kong-based investment firm Hillhouse Capital Management will acquire a stake in Asymchem. Lastly, the stock price of the South Korean biopharmaceutical company Samsung Biologics was rewarded for its activities related to the coronavirus.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

Toward the end of the period, the Fund rotated out of more defensive positions, reducing exposure to health care, consumer staples and telecommunication services. Proceeds were invested in cyclical stocks that the investment adviser believes can benefit from fiscal stimulus, and areas such as energy that have experienced significant market dislocations due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Fund purchased shares of China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), as the company is delivering growth while its valuation remains attractive. The Fund also purchased the Chinese medical device company Lepu Medical Technology Co. Ltd. based on the firm’s strong pipeline for both medical devices and drugs. In addition, the Fund took advantage of the equity market downturn and purchased aggressively sold-off stocks including China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., the Hong Kong-based online travel agency Trip.com Group Ltd., Thailand’s PTT Exploration & Production Co. Ltd. and the South Korean diversified holding company SK Group. The Fund also purchased the Chinese concrete firm Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd. and the Chinese gaming company Galaxy Macau. These purchases were funded by selling relative outperformers as the Fund exited Asymchem and trimmed Shenzhen Mindray, China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd., NCSoft Corp. (video games, South Korea), Bharti Airtel Ltd. (telecommunications, India), Yum China Holdings, Inc. (restaurants) and CK Asset Holdings Ltd. (property developer, Hong Kong). The Fund reduced its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (South Korea) on the potential for reduced memory demand.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

Relative to the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index, the Fund was overweight in Indonesia as the country represents a growth market in a lower growth environment. The Fund was also overweight in Thailand based on stock selection, with its most significant underweights in Taiwan and South Korea. At the sector level, communication services, energy and real estate were the most significant overweights, while financials, industrials and materials were the largest underweights.

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.

 

 

4    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON A $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

(a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any, transaction costs and other operating expenses, including investment advisory fees. Institutional Shares do not have a sales charge.

(b) 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of companies located, or exercising the predominant part of their economic activity, in Asia, excluding Japan. The Fund’s total returns prior to October 31, 2017 are the returns of the Fund when it followed a different investment objective and different investment strategies under the name BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc.

(c) 

A free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure equity market performance of the following 11 developed and emerging market countries or regions: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Performance Summary for the Period Ended April 30, 2020

 

                Average Annual Total Returns (a)(b)  
                1 Year           5 Years           10 Years  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

          

w/o sales

charge

   

w/sales

charge

          

w/o sales

charge

    w/sales
charge
          

w/o sales

charge

    w/sales
charge
 

Institutional

    (6.90 )%        (9.21 )%      N/A         (0.06 )%      N/A         4.15     N/A  

Investor A

    (6.99       (9.40     (14.15 )%        (0.29     (1.36 )%        3.91       3.35

Investor C

    (7.42       (10.22     (11.11       (1.09     (1.09       3.09       3.09  

Class K

    (6.85       (9.17     N/A         (0.04     N/A         4.16       N/A  

Class R

    (7.18       (9.79     N/A         (0.75     N/A         3.41       N/A  

MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index

    (4.91             (7.45     N/A               1.66       N/A               4.45       N/A  

 

  (a)

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any. Average annual total returns with and without sales charges reflect reductions for distribution and service fees. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees, and how performance was calculated for certain share classes.

 
  (b)

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of companies located, or exercising the predominant part of their economic activity, in Asia, excluding Japan. The Fund’s total returns prior to October 31, 2017, are the returns of the Fund when it followed a different investment objective and different investment strategies under the name BlackRock Pacific Fund, Inc.

 

N/A — Not applicable as share class and index do not have a sales charge.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (b)           
    

Beginning

Account Value

(11/01/19)

    

Ending

Account Value

(04/30/20)

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period (a)

          

Beginning

Account Value

(11/01/19)

    

Ending

Account Value

(04/30/20)

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period (a)

      

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 931.00      $ 4.27       $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.44      $ 4.47          0.89

Investor A

    1,000.00        930.10        5.47         1,000.00        1,019.19        5.72          1.14  

Investor C

    1,000.00        925.80        9.96         1,000.00        1,014.52        10.42          2.08  

Class K

    1,000.00        931.50        4.75         1,000.00        1,019.94        4.97          0.99  

Class R

    1,000.00        928.20        6.38               1,000.00        1,018.25        6.67          1.33  

 

  (a) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the six-month period shown).

 
  (b) 

Hypothetical 5% return before expenses is calculated by pro rating the number of days in the most recent six-months divided by 366.

 

See “Disclosure of Expenses” on page 14 for further information on how expenses were calculated.

 

 

FUND SUMMARY      5  


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020    BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing in securities, principally equity securities, of issuers in countries having smaller capital markets.

On November 13, 2019, the Board approved a change in the fiscal year-end of the Fund, effective as of April 30, 2020, from October 31 to April 30.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the abbreviated annual period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020, the Fund’s Institutional, Investor A, Investor C and Class K Shares returned (7.95)%, (8.09)%, (8.42)% and (7.91)%, respectively, outperforming the benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which returned (10.50)%.

What factors influenced performance?

In a difficult period for emerging markets, the Fund’s outperformance relative to the benchmark was driven by stock selection in Brazil, China and South Korea. In particular, the Fund’s position in the Chinese pharmaceutical company Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd. was the top individual contributor, most recently benefiting from a favorable re-rating of the Chinese health care sector following the coronavirus crisis. Holdings in Chinese gaming company Tencent also boosted performance as internet exposure remained resilient. Heightened cash exposure over the period also benefited returns.

Conversely, allocation to Mexico and stock selection in Indonesia and Poland detracted most from relative returns. An overweight position in Bank Pekao (Bank Polska Kasa Opieki) weighed on Fund performance as stock declined on news of recently appointed CEO resignation. In addition, off-benchmark exposure to media company, ZEE Entertainment, was among the largest detractors amid weak near-term earnings. Lastly, an overweight position to the Indonesian automotive conglomerate Astra International Tbk PT detracted too as sentiment with respect to the stock suffered from a weakened industry outlook and the investor flight to safety in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund had adjusted its exposures within China beginning last year. Most recently, the Fund took advantage of coronavirus-related volatility by selectively adding to names with the potential to benefit from the disruptions. Holdings in China’s hotel management company Huazhu Hotels Group Ltd. and private education firm New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. are examples of strong franchises that have been expanding market share as smaller players are squeezed and the respective industries consolidate. In addition, the Fund has renewed focus on countries that can benefit from a return of foreign capital flows, supported by coordinated global stimulus and signs of economic re-opening. The Fund has notably added exposure to India through new positions in telecommunication services (“telecom”) company Bharti Airtel Ltd., media firm Zee Entertainment Enterprises and non-bank financial company Bajaj Finance Ltd. Similarly, the Fund has added to its holdings in Indonesia at the margins. Elsewhere, the Fund targeted cyclical stocks that should benefit from fiscal stimulus, such as the Chinese cement producer Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., as well as select gaming names that can benefit from the easing of stay-at-home lockdown measures. The Fund also targeted market leaders in sectors that have suffered severe price dislocations, including travel/leisure and energy. Conversely, exposures to more defensive areas of the market such as consumer staples and telecom have been reduced. The Fund also lowered exposure to banks across regions as continued monetary easing puts pressure on net interest margins, reducing profitability.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

Relative to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the Fund ended the period overweight in Mexico, India and Turkey, and underweight in Taiwan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. At the sector level, the Fund was overweight in select consumer-related businesses, and underweight in consumer staples and financials.

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.

 

 

6    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON A $10,000 INVESTMENT

LOGO

 

(a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any, transaction costs and other operating expenses, including investment advisory fees. Institutional Shares do not have a sales charge.

(b) 

Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities of issuers located in countries with developing capital markets.

(c) 

A free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index consists of the following 26 emerging market country indexes: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

Performance Summary for the Period Ended April 30, 2020

 

                Average Annual Total Returns (a)  
                1 Year           5 Years           10 Years  
     6-Month
Total Returns
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
 

Institutional

    (7.95 )%        (5.44 )%      N/A         2.91     N/A         2.87     N/A  

Investor A

    (8.09       (5.69     (10.64 )%        2.56       1.46       2.52       1.96

Investor C

    (8.42       (6.39     (7.32       1.74       1.74         1.68       1.68  

Class K

    (7.91       (5.37     N/A         2.95       N/A         2.89       N/A  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

    (10.50             (12.00     N/A               (0.10     N/A               1.45       N/A  

 

  (a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any. Average annual total returns with and without sales charges reflect reductions for distribution and service fees. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees, and how performance was calculated for certain share classes.

 

N/A — Not applicable as share class and index do not have a sales charge.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (b)           
     Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(04/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (a)
           Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(04/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (a)
       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 920.50      $ 4.11       $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.59      $ 4.32          0.86

Investor A

    1,000.00        919.10        5.30         1,000.00        1,019.34        5.57          1.11  

Investor C

    1,000.00        915.80        8.86         1,000.00        1,015.61        9.32          1.86  

Class K

    1,000.00        920.90        3.87               1,000.00        1,020.84        4.07          0.81  

 

  (a) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the six-month period shown).

 
  (b) 

Hypothetical 5% return before expenses is calculated by prorating the number of days in the most recent six-months divided by 366.

 

See “Disclosure of Expenses” on page 14 for further information on how expenses were calculated.

 

 

FUND SUMMARY      7  


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020    BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in Latin American equity and debt securities.

On November 13, 2019, the Board approved a change in the fiscal year-end of the Fund, effective as of April 30, 2020, from October 31 to April 30.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the abbreviated annual period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020, the Fund’s Institutional and Class K Shares returned (38.76)% and (38.74)%, respectively, outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Latin America Index, which returned (38.85)%. For the same period, the Fund’s Investor A Shares returned (38.84)%, performing in line with the benchmark, while the Fund’s Investor C Shares returned (39.10)%, underperforming the benchmark.

What factors influenced performance?

In a very difficult period for Latin American equity markets, the Fund’s allocation to Mexico as well as stock selection in Argentina contributed the most to relative returns. An overweight position in Brazilian online retailer B2W Cia Digita was the top individual contributor on a relative basis as online retailers benefited from the coronavirus-related lockdown in 2020. In addition, an out-of-benchmark position in Arco Platform Ltd., an educational software company, added to relative performance given Arco’s strong business growth, high profit margins and healthy free cash flow.

Conversely, the Fund’s allocation to Chile detracted most from relative returns. A lack of holdings in WEG Industries, a Brazilian company specializing in electrical engineering, power and automation technology, weighed most on performance as the stock rose after the company received new electronic vehicle contracts. The Fund’s lack of exposure to Brazilian retailer Magazine Luiza also detracted as the company displayed strong business growth.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Fund rotated its exposure within Brazil, which remained the portfolio’s largest country overweight position. The Fund’s position in the Brazilian bank Itau Unibanco Holding SA was reduced, on the view that the bank’s earnings will recede in a lower interest rate and weaker growth environment. In addition, the Fund sold Brazilian brewer AMBEV SA, as the stock had outperformed during the recent sell-off. AMBEV’s underlying company fundamentals seem challenged going forward due to pricing and volume pressure from competition. The Fund purchased shares of Brazilian health care insurance broker Qualicorp Consultoria e Corretora de Seguros SA, as the investment adviser expects the company to see increased demand and less risk from potential medical losses. Additionally, the Fund initiated a position in Brazilian retail chain Lojas Americanas on a positive view of the company’s strategy to grow within e-commerce, and improvements made to Lojas’ convenience store business model. Lastly, the Fund increased exposure to Mexico by initiating a position in Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV and adding to its holdings in telecommunications company America Movil SAB de CV on the stock’s inexpensive valuation and positive operating trend momentum.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Fund was overweight in Brazil, slightly overweight in Mexico, underweight in Chile, Colombia and Peru, and neutrally weighted in Argentina. At the sector level, the Fund was overweight in consumer discretionary and real estate, and underweight in consumer staples and materials.

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

 

 

8    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON A $10,000 INVESTMENT

LOGO

 

(a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any, transaction costs and other operating expenses, including investment advisory fees. Institutional Shares do not have a sales charge.

(b) 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes in Latin American securities.

(c) 

A free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets in Latin America.

Performance Summary for the Period Ended April 30, 2020

 

                Average Annual Total Returns (a)  
                1 Year           5 Years           10 Years  
     6-Month
Total Returns
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
 

Institutional

    (38.76 )%        (36.82 )%      N/A         (5.83 )%      N/A         (5.64 )%      N/A  

Investor A

    (38.84       (36.99     (40.29 )%        (6.12     (7.12 )%        (5.91     (6.41 )% 

Investor C

    (39.10       (37.52     (38.14       (6.91     (6.91       (6.68     (6.68

Class K

    (38.74       (36.80     N/A         (5.81     N/A         (5.63     N/A  

MSCI Emerging Markets Latin America Index

    (38.85             (37.31     N/A               (6.59     N/A               (6.07     N/A  

 

  (a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any. Average annual total returns with and without sales charges reflect reductions for distribution and service fees. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees, and how performance was calculated for certain share classes.

 

N/A — Not applicable as share class and index do not have a sales charge.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (b)           
     Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(04/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (a)
           Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(04/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (a)
       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 612.40      $ 5.97       $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.45      $ 7.47          1.49

Investor A

    1,000.00        611.60        7.17         1,000.00        1,015.96        8.97          1.79  

Investor C

    1,000.00        609.00        10.52         1,000.00        1,011.78        13.16          2.63  

Class K

    1,000.00        612.60        5.85               1,000.00        1,017.60        7.32          1.46  

 

  (a) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the six-month period shown).

 
  (b) 

Hypothetical 5% annual return before expenses is calculated by prorating the number of days in the most recent six-months divided by 366.

 

See “Disclosure of Expenses” on page 14 for further information on how expenses were calculated.

 

 

FUND SUMMARY      9  


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020    BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to provide high total investment return.

On November 13, 2019, the Board approved a change in the fiscal year-end of the Fund, effective as of April 30, 2020, from October 31 to April 30.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the abbreviated annual period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020, the Fund’s Institutional, Investor A, Investor C and Class R Shares returned (6.45)%, (6.61)%, (6.97)% and (6.74)%, outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index (“ACWI”), which returned (7.68)%.

What factors influenced performance?

The largest contributions to performance during the period came from the Fund’s holdings in U.S. managed care company UnitedHealth Group, Inc., Japanese consumer electronics company Sony Corp., Swiss food firm Nestle SA, U.S. health care company Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., and British consumer goods firm Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

The largest detractor from relative performance came from the Fund’s position in a private company, a holding the investment adviser held from the Fund’s previous investment team. The holding was written down to two thirds of its value in December 2019 and then again by approximately another 50% in January 2020. The investment adviser does not anticipate further investments in private holdings going forward. Other positions that detracted included Spanish financial firm Bankinter SA and Brazilian bank Itau Unibanco Holding SA. A lack of holdings in Apple Inc. and an underweight position in Microsoft Corp. also weighed on relative performance.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund increased its weightings in the consumer staples, communication services and information technology sectors. Some recent additions to the portfolio include Reckitt Benckiser, Microsoft, U.S.-based food company Mondelez International, Inc., and home improvement retail chain Tractor Supply Co. The Fund’s holdings in financials and health care were reduced. Some recent key sales out of the portfolio included ASML Holding NV, Medtronic PLC and Itau Unibanco.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

As of period end, the Fund’s most significant sector overweight positions were to consumer staples, communication services and industrials, while the largest underweights were to financials, materials, energy, utilities and real estate. The largest regional exposures were in the United States and Europe.

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

 

 

10    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of April 30, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON A $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

(a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any, transaction costs and other operating expenses, including advisory fees. Institutional Shares do not have a sales charge.

(b) 

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. The Fund’s returns prior to October 15, 2012 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name “BlackRock Global Dynamic Equity Fund.”

(c) 

This unmanaged index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. The MSCI ACWI consists of 49 country indexes comprising 23 developed and 26 emerging market country indexes.

Performance Summary for the Period Ended April 30, 2020

 

                Average Annual Total Returns (a)(b)  
                1 Year           5 Years           10 Years  
     6-Month
Total Returns
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
           w/o sales
charge
    w/sales
charge
 

Institutional

    (6.45 )%        (0.66 )%      N/A         4.69     N/A         7.03     N/A  

Investor A

    (6.61       (0.96     (6.16 )%        4.41       3.29       6.72       6.15

Investor C

    (6.97       (1.68     (2.57       3.60       3.60         5.91       5.91  

Class R

    (6.74       (1.33     N/A         3.99       N/A         6.28       N/A  

MSCI ACWI

    (7.68             (4.96     N/A               4.37       N/A               6.94       N/A  

 

  (a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any. Average annual total returns with and without sales charges reflect reductions for distribution and service fees. See “About Fund Performance” on page 14 for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees.

 
  (b) 

The Fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. The Fund’s returns prior to October 15, 2012 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name “BlackRock Global Dynamic Equity Fund.”

 

N/A — Not applicable as share class and index do not have a sales charge.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (b)           
     Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(04/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (a)
           Beginning
Account Value
(11/01/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(04/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (a)
       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 935.50      $ 4.91       $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.79      $ 5.12          1.02

Investor A

    1,000.00        933.90        6.15         1,000.00        1,018.50        6.42          1.28  

Investor C

    1,000.00        930.30        10.13         1,000.00        1,014.37        10.57          2.11  

Class R

    1,000.00        932.60        8.02               1,000.00        1,016.56        8.37          1.67  

 

  (a) 

Expenses for the Fund are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the six-month period shown).

 
  (b) 

Hypothetical 5% return before expenses is calculated by pro rating the number of days in the most recent six-months divided by 366.

 

See “Disclosure of Expenses” on page 14 for further information on how expenses were calculated.

 

 

FUND SUMMARY      11  


Portfolio Information  as of April 30, 2020   

 

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    8

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

    7  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    5  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    4  

CNOOC Ltd.

    3  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    2  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    2  

China Mobile Ltd.

    2  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

    2  

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

    2  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region   Percent of
Net Assets
 

China

    45

South Korea

    11  

Taiwan

    10  

India

    9  

Hong Kong

    8  

United States

    5  

Thailand

    4  

Indonesia

    4  

Singapore

    2  

United Kingdom

    1  

Macau

    1  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (a) 

 

  (a)

Represents less than 1%.

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market 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.

 

 

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   Percent of
Total Investments (a)
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    7

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

    6  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    4  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    3  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    3  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

    2  

SJM Holdings Ltd.

    2  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    2  

Huazhu Group Ltd.

    2  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    2  

 

  (a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

     Percent of
Total Investments (a)
 
Country/Geographic Region  

Long

           Short            Total  

China

    38             38

India

    12                 12  

South Korea

    10                 10  

Taiwan

    7                 7  

Brazil

    6                 6  

Russia

    5                 5  

Mexico

    4                 4  

Indonesia

    3                 3  

United States

    2                 2  

Macau

    2                 2  

Hong Kong

    2                 2  

United Kingdom

    2                 2  

Canada

    1                 1  

Hungary

    1                 1  

Egypt

    1                 1  

Philippines

    1                 1  

Italy

    1                 1  

Turkey

    1                 1  

Panama

    1                             1  
      100                         100

 

  (a) 

Total investments include the gross notional values of long and short equity securities of the underlying derivative contracts utilized by the Fund and exclude short-term securities.

 
 

 

 

12    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Portfolio Information  as of April 30, 2020 (continued)   

 

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Vale SA — ADR

    8

America Movil SAB de CV

    6  

Banco Bradesco SA — ADR

    6  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

    5  

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

    5  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

    4  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    4  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares — ADR

    4  

Lojas Renner SA

    3  

B2W Cia Digital

    3  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Brazil

    63

Mexico

    22  

Chile

    3  

United States

    3  

Argentina

    2  

Peru

    2  

Panama

    1  

Columbia

    1  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    3  
 

 

BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    7

Comcast Corp.

    6  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    6  

Boston Scientific Corp.

    5  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    5  

British American Tobacco PLC

    5  

Mondelez International, Inc.

    4  

Mastercard, Inc.

    4  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    4  

Trane Technologies PLC

    4  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

Country/Geographic Region   Percent of
Net Assets
 

United States

    57

United Kingdom

    11  

Sweden

    7  

China

    6  

Switzerland

    6  

Ireland

    4  

Japan

    3  

Germany

    2  

India

    2  

Spain

    2  

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market 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

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO INFORMATION      13  


About Fund Performance

 

Institutional and Class K Shares (Class K Shares are available only in BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.) are not subject to any sales charge. These shares bear no ongoing distribution or service fees and are available only to certain eligible investors. Class K Shares performance of BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of January 25, 2018 is that of Institutional Shares. The performance of BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. Class K Shares would be substantially similar to the performances of the applicable Fund’s Institutional Shares because Class K Shares and Institutional Shares of each Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities and performance would only differ to the extent that Class K Shares and Institutional Shares have different expenses. The actual returns of Class K Shares would have been higher than those of the Institutional Shares because Class K Shares have lower expenses than Institutional Shares.

Investor A Shares are subject to a maximum initial sales charge (front-end load) of 5.25% and a service fee of 0.25% per year (but no distribution fee). Certain redemptions of these shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. These shares are generally available through financial intermediaries.

Class R Shares (available only in BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund) are not subject to any sales charge. These shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. These shares are available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Investor C Shares are subject to a 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. In addition, these shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.75% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. These shares are generally available through financial intermediaries. Effective November 8, 2018, the Funds adopted an automatic conversion feature whereby Investor C Shares held for approximately ten years will be automatically converted into Investor A Shares.

Performance information reflects past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Refer to blackrock.com to obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Figures shown in the performance tables on the previous pages assume reinvestment of all distributions, if any, at NAV on the ex-dividend date. Investment return and principal value of shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Distributions paid to each class of shares will vary because of the different levels of service, distribution and transfer agency fees applicable to each class, which are deducted from the income available to be paid to shareholders.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), each Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually and/or voluntarily agreed to waive and/or reimburse a portion of each Fund’s expenses. Without such waiver and/or reimbursement, each Fund’s performance would have been lower. With respect to BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund’s voluntary waiver, the Manager is under no obligation to waive and/or reimburse or to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees and such voluntary waiver may be reduced or discontinued at any time. With respect to each Fund’s contractual waivers, the Manager is under no obligation to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees after the applicable termination date of such agreement. See Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information on waivers and/or reimbursements.

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of each Fund may incur the following charges: (a) transactional expenses, such as sales charges; and (b) operating expenses, including investment advisory fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown on the previous pages (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested on November 1, 2019 and held through April 30, 2020) are intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in each Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The expense examples provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number corresponding to their Fund and share class under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense examples also provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on a Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in these Funds and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical examples with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense examples are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect transactional expenses, such as sales charges, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical examples are useful in comparing ongoing expenses only, and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Funds 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 Funds’ 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 Fund can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Funds’ investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

14    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 91.2%

 

China — 42.6%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR(a)

    40,097     $ 8,126,459  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

    201,500       1,588,904  

China Construction Bank Corp., Class H

    1,165,000       935,103  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    783,000       1,669,903  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    550,000       1,947,609  

China Mobile Ltd.

    340,000       2,733,279  

China Oilfield Services Ltd., Class H

    1,036,000       806,956  

China Resources Land Ltd.

    478,000       1,975,193  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    529,533       1,779,617  

CNOOC Ltd.

    2,879,000       3,183,084  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    207,000       2,333,400  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    792,000       1,231,973  

Guangshen Railway Co. Ltd., Class H

    1,660,000       351,234  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd., Class A

    116,500       1,244,248  

Lepu Medical Technology Beijing Co. Ltd., Class A

    273,495       1,455,929  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

    591,082       1,866,326  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. — ADR(a)

    18,208       2,324,433  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

    167,000       1,699,435  

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Class A

    34,396       1,227,838  

SJM Holdings Ltd.

    1,219,000       1,203,570  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    175,700       9,236,449  

Topsports International Holdings Ltd.(b)

    400,000       505,665  

Yum China Holdings, Inc.(a)

    52,278       2,533,392  
   

 

 

 
    51,959,999  
Hong Kong — 7.4%  

AIA Group Ltd.

    184,800       1,696,051  

BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.

    378,500       1,161,667  

Budweiser Brewing Co. APAC Ltd.(b)

    510,400       1,386,972  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

    392,500       2,480,106  

Link REIT

    261,300       2,329,291  
   

 

 

 
    9,054,087  
India — 9.1%  

ACC Ltd.

    538       8,369  

Axis Bank Ltd.

    219,969       1,285,159  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    12,203       373,115  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.(a)

    380,975       2,594,486  

Godrej Industries Ltd.

    122,933       431,512  

Havells India Ltd.

    102,351       762,829  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    89,432       1,174,398  

IndusInd Bank Ltd.

    69,171       422,011  

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.(a)

    456,440       562,580  

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd.

    343,481       747,910  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    254,601       1,831,111  

UPL Ltd.

    170,933       945,889  
   

 

 

 
    11,139,369  
Indonesia — 3.9%  

Astra International Tbk PT

    3,233,900       827,123  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

    1,210,200       2,096,296  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    4,562,700       1,356,314  

Cikarang Listrindo Tbk PT(b)

    9,753,052       451,599  
   

 

 

 
    4,731,332  
Macau — 1.1%  

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

    203,000       1,305,595  
   

 

 

 
Malaysia — 0.2%  

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd

    215,200       261,636  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 2.3%  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    1,400,400       2,798,331  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
South Korea — 9.1%  

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd.(a)

    38,684     $ 544,929  

Doosan Bobcat, Inc.

    82,596       1,598,676  

NCSoft Corp.

    2,725       1,443,839  

Samsung Biologics Co. Ltd.(a)(b)

    2,340       1,117,777  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    123,338       5,071,353  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    661       156,152  

SK Innovation Co. Ltd.

    15,064       1,215,209  
   

 

 

 
    11,147,935  
Taiwan — 9.9%  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    1,167,000       2,999,151  

Largan Precision Co. Ltd.

    12,000       1,635,763  

Nanya Technology Corp.

    636,000       1,365,226  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    605,000       6,103,116  
   

 

 

 
    12,103,256  
Thailand — 4.4%  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services PCL — NVDR

    2,049,000       1,301,910  

PTT Exploration & Production PCL — NVDR

    677,300       1,748,257  

Thai Beverage PCL

    4,640,900       2,258,976  
   

 

 

 
    5,309,143  
United Kingdom — 1.2%  

Prudential PLC

    105,840       1,493,128  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 91.2%
(Cost — $106,239,118)

 

    111,303,811  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stocks — 4.1%

 

China — 2.3%  

Xiaoju Kuaizhi Inc., Series A-17, (Acquired 07/28/15, cost $1,202,337), 0.00%(c)(d)

    43,839       2,042,021  

Xiaoju Kuaizhi Inc., Series A-18, (Acquired 5/23/16, cost $592,482), 0.00%(c)(d)

    15,499       721,943  
   

 

 

 
    2,763,964  
South Korea — 1.8%  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Preference Shares, 0.00%

    63,567       2,203,588  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 4.1%
(Cost — $4,270,779)

 

    4,967,552  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 95.3%
(Cost — $110,509,897)

 

    116,271,363  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities — 4.5%

 

Money Market Funds — 4.5%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.12%(e)(f)

    5,454,244       5,454,244  
   

 

 

 

Total Money Market Funds — 4.5%

 

    5,454,244  
   

 

 

 
     Par
(000)
        
Time Deposits — 0.0%  
Hong Kong — 0.0%  

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd.,
0.52%, 05/01/20

  HKD 24       3,087  
   

 

 

 

Total Time Deposits — 0.0%

 

    3,087  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 4.5%
(Cost — $5,457,318)

 

    5,457,331  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost — $115,967,215)

 

    121,728,694  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

 

    221,370  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 121,950,064  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      15  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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.

(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 Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $2,763,964 representing 2.27% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $1,794,819.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

    

 
(f) 

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund during the period ended April 30, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Shares
Purchased
    

Shares

Sold

     Shares
Held at
04/30/20
     Value at
04/30/20
     Income     

Net

Realized
Gain (Loss)(a)

     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     896,884        4,557,360 (b)              5,454,244      $ 5,454,244      $ 5,669      $      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series(c)

            2,558,280        (2,558,280                    166 (d)       157         
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 5,454,244      $ 5,835      $ 157      $  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b)

Represents net shares purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 
  (d) 

All or 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.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

Hang Seng Index

     11          05/28/20        $ 1,738        $ 41,432  

Mini Hang Seng Index

     76          05/28/20          2,402          26,486  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 67,918  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

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  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

                 

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on Futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 67,918      $      $      $      $ 67,918  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

 

 

16    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

For the period ended April 30, 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:

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 44,688      $      $      $      $ 44,688  
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                 

Futures Contracts

   $      $      $ 67,918      $      $      $      $ 67,918  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments:

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 3,202,183  

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

China

   $ 12,984,284        $ 38,975,715        $        $ 51,959,999  

Hong Kong

              9,054,087                   9,054,087  

India

              11,139,369                   11,139,369  

Indonesia

              4,731,332                   4,731,332  

Macau

              1,305,595                   1,305,595  

Malaysia

              261,636                   261,636  

Singapore

              2,798,331                   2,798,331  

South Korea

              11,147,935                   11,147,935  

Taiwan

              12,103,256                   12,103,256  

Thailand

              5,309,143                   5,309,143  

United Kingdom

              1,493,128                   1,493,128  

Preferred Stocks(a)

              2,203,588          2,763,964          4,967,552  

Short-Term Securities:

                 

Money Market Funds

     5,454,244                            5,454,244  

Time Deposits

              3,087                   3,087  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 18,438,528        $ 100,526,202        $ 2,763,964        $ 121,728,694  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Assets:

                 

Future contracts

   $ 67,918        $        $        $ 67,918  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

See above Schedule of Investments for values in each country or political subdivision.

 
  (b)

Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts. Futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      17  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

     

Preferred

Stocks

 

Assets:

  

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2019

   $ 3,022,084  

Transfers into Level 3

      

Transfers out of Level 3

      

Accrued discounts/premiums

      

Net realized gain (loss)

      

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     (258,120

Purchases

      

Sales

      
  

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of April 30, 2020

   $ 2,763,964  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at April 30, 2020(b)

   $ (258,120
  

 

 

 

 

  (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 April 30, 2020 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end.

 

      Value      Valuation
Approach
     Unobservable Inputs      Range of
Unobservable
Inputs
Utilized(a)

Assets:

           

Preferred Stocks(b)

   $ 2,763,964        Market        Revenue Multiple      2.50x
  

 

 

          
   $ 2,763,964           
  

 

 

          

 

  (a) 

A significant change in unobservable input would have resulted in a correlated (inverse) significant change to value.

 
  (b) 

For the period end April 30, 2020, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $2,763,964 changed to Current Value approach. 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.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks 88.3%

 

Brazil 5.6%  

B2W Cia Digital(a)

    877,702     $ 11,822,886  

BB Seguridade Participacoes SA

    1,721,599       8,405,534  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao, ADR(b)

    152,666       1,864,052  

Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes SA

    1,007,381       10,153,653  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR

    1,973,660       13,637,991  

Vale SA — ADR

    1,510,760       12,463,770  
   

 

 

 
    58,347,886  
Canada 1.4%  

Eldorado Gold Corp.(a)

    1,236,121       11,706,066  

Eldorado Gold Corp.(a)

    284,929       2,716,339  
   

 

 

 
    14,422,405  
China 34.4%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR(a)

    313,920       63,622,166  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

    2,736,000       21,574,395  

Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd., Class A

    275,206       7,222,191  

Beijing New Building Materials PLC

    2,714,962       9,687,865  

China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H

    5,424,000       11,567,758  

China Mobile Ltd.

    1,295,500       10,414,598  

CNOOC Ltd.

    12,984,000       14,355,390  

CNOOC Ltd. — ADR

    50,465       5,670,752  

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.

    2,390,300       26,944,565  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    7,333,000       11,406,640  

Huazhu Group Ltd., ADR(b)

    505,068       18,187,499  

iQIYI, Inc., ADR(a)

    515,794       8,753,024  

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. — ADR

    751,489       11,888,556  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. — ADR(a)

    113,674       14,511,623  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd., Class H

    932,000       9,484,273  

SJM Holdings Ltd.

    20,228,000       19,971,960  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd.

    2,540,000       11,362,058  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    1,298,100       68,240,380  

Walvax Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Class A

    2,733,463       15,456,121  
   

 

 

 
    360,321,814  
Egypt 0.7%  

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE

    1,822,488       7,408,471  
   

 

 

 
Hong Kong 1.7%  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

    8,565,000       18,322,305  
   

 

 

 
Hungary 1.2%  

Wizz Air Holdings PLC(a)(c)

    345,803       12,497,520  
   

 

 

 
India 10.7%  

ACC Ltd.

    491,570       7,646,895  

Bajaj Finance Ltd.

    274,489       8,392,695  

Bharti Airtel Ltd.(a)

    1,608,542       10,954,366  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    1,234,326       16,208,845  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    3,331,802       16,715,104  

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

    215,630       15,307,925  

Petronet LNG Ltd.

    4,763,727       15,346,954  

Tech Mahindra Ltd.

    1,534,005       11,032,690  

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.

    4,940,516       10,354,585  
   

 

 

 
    111,960,059  
Indonesia 3.1%  

Astra International Tbk PT

    60,828,500       15,557,881  

Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT

    56,307,200       16,737,944  
   

 

 

 
    32,295,825  
Italy 0.9%  

Prada SpA

    3,040,900       9,872,796  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Mexico 3.8%  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV

    1,273,009     $ 8,227,734  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV — ADR

    118,200       7,603,806  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV — ADR

    61,356       3,804,072  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, Class B

    606,118       3,787,451  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Series O

    2,423,486       6,627,607  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    4,300,397       10,343,721  
   

 

 

 
    40,394,391  
Panama 0.5%  

Copa Holdings SA, Class A

    125,368       5,542,519  
   

 

 

 
Philippines 1.1%  

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    9,742,310       11,189,538  
   

 

 

 
Russia 4.5%  

Lukoil PJSC — ADR

    98,583       6,431,332  

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC

    1,615,229       6,987,025  

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC — ADR

    1,471,401       12,609,906  

Sberbank of Russia PJSC

    2,636,972       6,949,038  

Sberbank of Russia PJSC — ADR

    814,485       8,646,930  

Tatneft PAO — ADR

    134,069       5,972,587  
   

 

 

 
    47,596,818  
South Korea 9.3%  

Coway Co. Ltd.

    196,913       9,979,904  

NCSoft Corp.

    20,503       10,863,494  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    1,063,423       43,725,323  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    52,836       12,481,757  

SK Holdings Co. Ltd.

    90,045       13,440,656  

SK Hynix, Inc.

    103,712       7,137,206  
   

 

 

 
    97,628,340  
Taiwan 6.9%  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

    7,053,000       18,125,973  

Largan Precision Co. Ltd.

    112,000       15,267,116  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    2,721,000       27,448,893  

Wiwynn Corp.

    449,000       11,520,942  
   

 

 

 
    72,362,924  
Turkey — 0.7%  

Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS(a)

    530,782       6,892,786  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 0.9%            

Prudential PLC

    664,261       9,371,001  
   

 

 

 
United States — 0.9%            

FirstCash, Inc.

    131,597       9,453,928  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 88.3%
(Cost — $951,851,966)

 

    925,881,326  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Stock — 0.0%

 

Banks — 0.0%

 

Banco Nacional SA, Preference Shares(d)

    42,567,626       78  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 0.0%
(Cost-$0)

 

    78  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 88.3%
(Cost — $951,851,966)

 

    925,881,404  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      19  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities — 13.7%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class,

   

0.12%(e)(g)

  $ 130,852,320     $ 130,852,320  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 0.79%(e)(f)(g)

    12,141,753       12,151,467  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 13.7%
(Cost — $142,996,315)

 

    143,003,787  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 102.0%
(Cost — $1,094,848,281)

 

    1,068,885,191  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (2.0)%

 

    (20,504,946
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 1,048,380,245  
   

 

 

 
(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security, or a portion of the security, is on loan.

(c) 

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.

(d) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

Security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 
(g) 

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund during the period ended April 30, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   

Shares
Held at

10/31/19

     Shares
Purchased
     Shares
Sold
     Shares
Held at
04/30/20
     Value at
04/30/20
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss) (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     60,286,005        70,566,315 (b)              130,852,320      $ 130,852,320      $ 505,234      $ 164      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

     202,871        11,938,882 (b)              12,141,753        12,151,467        34,652 (c)       (12,672      7,418  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 143,003,787      $ 539,886      $ (12,508    $ 7,418  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

Represents net shares purchased (sold).

 
  (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.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description   

Number of

Contracts

       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
      

Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

Long Contracts

                 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     907          06/19/20        $ 41,083        $ 975,829  
            

 

 

      

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     11,872,572        TRY     76,400,000        HSBC Bank USA N.A.        06/11/20        $ 1,046,564  
USD     3,150,085        KRW     3,824,833,212        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        07/03/20          (1,476
USD     10,739,717        KRW     13,044,352,303        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        07/03/20          (8,484
USD     28,252,335        HKD     222,006,846        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        08/26/20          (350,801
                       

 

 

 
                          (360,761
                       

 

 

 
                        $ 685,803  
                       

 

 

 

 

 

20    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

OTC Total Return Swaps(a)

 

Reference Entity    Counterparty   

Expiration

Date

  

Net Notional

Amount

  

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Net Value of

Reference Entities

    

Gross

Notional

Amount

Net Asset

Percentage

 
Equity Securities Long    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.    02/08/23    $55,526,213    $ 2,534,133 (b)     $ 57,929,661        5.30
        

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  (a) 

In regards to total return swaps with multiple financing rate benchmarks, the Fund receives or pays the total return on a portfolio of long positions underlying the total return swap. In addition, the Fund pays or receives a variable rate of interest, based on a specified benchmark, plus or minus a spread in a range of 55-95 basis points. The benchmark and spread are determined based upon the country and/or currency of the individual underlying positions. The following are the specified benchmarks used in determining the variable rate of interest:

HKD — 1M Hong Kong Interbank Offer rate (HIBOR)

USD — 1D Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR01)

USD — 1M US Dollar LIBOR BBA

 

  (b) 

Amount includes $130,685 of net dividends and financing fees.

 

The following table represents the individual long positions and related values of the equity securities underlying the total return swap with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. as of April 30, 2020 expiration date 02/08/23:

 

     Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Long

 

China  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

    40,313,000     $ 15,348,929       26.5

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    495,900       26,071,406       45.0  
   

 

 

   
      41,420,335    
Egypt        

Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE

    960,441       3,904,222       6.7  
   

 

 

   
     Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 
India        

ICICI Bank Ltd. — ADR

    400,219     $ 3,906,138       6.8 %  
   

 

 

   
United Kingdom        

Prudential PLC

    616,624       8,698,966       15.0  
   

 

 

   
     

Total Reference Entity — Long

      57,929,661    
   

 

 

   

Net Value of Reference Entity — JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

    $ 57,929,661    
   

 

 

   
 

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for OTC Swaps

 

      Swap
Premiums
Paid
    

Swap
Premiums

Received

     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Swaps

   $      $      $ 2,534,133      $  

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      21  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

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  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

                 

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $ 975,829      $      $      $      $ 975,829  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          1,046,564                      1,046,564  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

                   2,534,133                             2,534,133  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 3,509,962      $ 1,046,564      $      $      $ 4,556,526  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments                                            

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 360,761      $      $      $ 360,761  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended April 30, 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:

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (1,504,406    $      $      $      $ (1,504,406

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          (164,104                    (164,104

Swaps

                   (281,700                           (281,700
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (1,786,106    $ (164,104    $      $      $ (1,950,210
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                            

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 628,226      $      $      $      $ 628,226  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          1,408,983                      1,408,983  

Swaps

                   2,358,658                             2,358,658  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 2,986,884      $ 1,408,983      $      $      $ 4,395,867  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 32,276,150  

Average notional value of contracts — short

   $ 2,797,810  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 46,751,244  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ (a) 

Total return swaps:

  

Average notional amount

   $ 52,875,139  

 

  (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 Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

22    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Futures contracts

   $        $ 859,295  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     1,046,564          360,761  

Swaps – OTC(a)

     2,534,133           
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

   $ 3,580,697        $ 1,220,056  

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

              (859,295
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 3,580,697        $ 360,761  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC swaps and swap premiums (paid/received) in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

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

 

Counterparty   

Derivative
Assets
Subject to

an MNA by
Counterparty

       Derivatives
Available
for Offset (a)
       Non-cash
Collateral
Received
       Cash
Collateral
Received
 (b)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
  (c)(d)
 

HSBC Bank USA N.A.

   $ 1,046,564        $        $        $        $ 1,046,564  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     2,534,133          (360,761                 (2,173,372         
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 3,580,697        $ (360,761      $        $ (2,173,372      $ 1,046,564  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

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

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

   $ 360,761        $ (360,761      $        $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative asset and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Excess of collateral received from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (c) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (d) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      23  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s investments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

Brazil

   $ 58,347,886        $        $        $ 58,347,886  

Canada

     14,422,405                            14,422,405  

China

     122,633,620          217,716,234                   340,349,854  

Egypt

              7,408,471                   7,408,471  

Hong Kong

              18,322,305                   18,322,305  

Hungary

              12,497,520                   12,497,520  

India

              111,960,059                   111,960,059  

Indonesia

              32,295,825                   32,295,825  

Italy

              9,872,796                   9,872,796  

Macau

              19,971,960                   19,971,960  

Mexico

     40,394,391                            40,394,391  

Panama

     5,542,519                            5,542,519  

Philippines

              11,189,538                   11,189,538  

Russia

     12,609,906          34,986,912                   47,596,818  

South Korea

              97,628,340                   97,628,340  

Taiwan

              72,362,924                   72,362,924  

Turkey

              6,892,786                   6,892,786  

United Kingdom

              9,371,001                   9,371,001  

United States

     9,453,928                            9,453,928  

Preferred Stock(a)

                       78          78  

Short-Term Securities

     130,852,320                            130,852,320  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 394,256,975        $ 662,476,671        $ 78        $ 1,056,733,724  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(b)

                    12,151,467  
                 

 

 

 

Total Investments

                    1,068,885,191  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(c)

                 

Assets:

                 

Equity contracts

   $ 975,829        $ 2,534,133        $        $ 3,509,962  

Forward foreign currency contracts

              1,046,564                   1,046,564  

Liabilities:

                 

Forward foreign currency contracts

              (360,761                 (360,761
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 975,829        $ 3,219,936        $        $ 4,195,765  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

See above Schedule of Investments for values in each country or political subdivision.

 
  (b)

Certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV per share as no quoted market value is available therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (c)

Derivative financial instruments are swaps, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Swaps, futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See Notes to financial Statements

 

 

24    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    

Security

  Shares     Value  

Common Stocks 93.8%

 

Argentina 1.7%

 

MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)(b)

    2,307     $ 1,346,158  
   

 

 

 
Brazil 60.1%  

Afya Ltd., Class A(a)(b)

    62,016       1,348,228  

Arco Platform Ltd., Class A(a)(b)

    22,887       1,149,385  

B2W Cia Digital

    184,644       2,487,205  

B3 SA — Brasil Bolsa Balcao

    528,201       3,731,860  

Banco Bradesco SA — ADR(a)

    1,263,710       4,448,259  

Banco do Brasil SA

    243,854       1,278,037  

BB Seguridade Participacoes SA

    307,718       1,502,402  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA

    242,126       1,079,747  

Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao

    84,183       1,025,138  

Energisa SA

    201,361       1,618,175  

Equatorial Energia SA

    292,740       986,764  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares — ADR(a)

    671,386       2,826,535  

Linx SA

    172,130       687,203  

Lojas Americanas SA

    223,311       834,865  

Lojas Renner SA

    385,320       2,720,248  

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA

    336,535       1,292,818  

Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes SA

    53,747       541,730  

Petrobras Distribuidora SA(a)

    373,830       1,342,596  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA(a)

    47,011       161,231  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR(a)(b)

    591,435       3,944,872  

Petroleo Brasileiro SA — ADR(a)

    447,343       3,091,140  

Qualicorp Consultoria e Corretora de Seguros SA

    402,800       1,919,965  

Vale SA — ADR(a)

    773,877       6,384,485  

Via Varejo SA(a)

    303,470       512,303  

XP, Inc., Class A(a)

    37,865       952,684  
   

 

 

 
      47,867,875  
Chile 3.3%  

Banco de Chile

    13,068,439       1,152,039  

Banco Santander Chile — ADR(a)

    85,940       1,445,511  
   

 

 

 
      2,597,550  
Colombia 0.9%  

Bancolombia SA — ADR(a)

    26,542       692,746  
   

 

 

 
Mexico 22.0%  

America Movil SAB de CV, Class L — ADR(b)

    376,580       4,534,023  

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    215,370       829,542  

Corp. Inmobiliaria Vesta SAB de CV

    826,844       1,133,175  

Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV

    1,843,215       1,511,985  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV — ADR(a)

    26,211       1,686,154  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV — ADR(a)

    20,617       1,278,254  

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV, Class B

    97,661       610,255  

Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua SAB de CV

    134,011       389,005  

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Series O

    765,169       2,092,539  

Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV

    526,541       621,336  

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    1,189,196       2,860,367  
   

 

 

 
      17,546,635  
Panama 1.0%  

Copa Holdings SA, Class A

    18,032       797,195  
   

 

 

 
Peru 1.6%  

Southern Copper Corp.(a)

    40,432       1,311,614  
   

 

 

 
United States 3.2%  

FirstCash, Inc.(a)

    15,111       1,085,574  

JBS SA

    343,780       1,507,147  
   

 

 

 
      2,592,721  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks 93.8%
(Cost
$84,763,180)

 

    74,752,494  
   

 

 

 
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Corporate Bonds 0.1%  
Brazil 0.1%  

Klabin SA:

   

7.25%, 06/15/20

  BRL 22     $ 72,977  

1.00%, 06/15/22

    9       28,068  

Lupatech SA, 6.50%, 04/15/21(a)(c)(d)

    2,128        
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds 0.1%
(Cost
$1,280,748)

 

    101,045  
   

 

 

 
     Shares         
Preferred Stocks 2.9%  
Brazil 2.9%  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, Preference ‘B’ Shares

    126,798       649,158  

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, Preference Shares

    233,249       531,876  

Lojas Americanas SA, Preference Shares

    253,863       1,161,498  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks 2.9%
(Cost
$4,797,729)

 

    2,342,532  
   

 

 

 

Warrants 0.0%

 

Brazil 0.0%  

Klabin SA (Expires 06/15/20)(c)

    22,282        
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants 0.0%
(Cost
$ )

 

     
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments 96.8%
(Cost
$90,841,657)

 

    77,196,071  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities 5.3%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.12%(e)(g)

    1,030,200       1,030,200  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series,
0.79%(e)(f)(g)

    3,148,843       3,151,362  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities 5.3%
(Cost
$4,179,902)

 

    4,181,562  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments 102.1%
(Cost
$95,021,559)

 

    81,377,633  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (2.1)%

 

    (1,697,932
   

 

 

 

Net Assets 100.0%

 

  $ 79,679,701  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Security, or a portion of the security, is on loan.

(c) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) 

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

All or a portion of the security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      25  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

 

(g) 

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund during the period ended April 30, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Shares
Held at
10/31/19
     Shares
Purchased
     Shares
Sold
     Shares
Held at
04/30/20
     Value at
04/30/20
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss) (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     2,150,514               (1,120,314 )(b)       1,030,200      $ 1,030,200      $ 9,836      $ 4      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

     3,691,652               (542,809 )(b)       3,148,843      $ 3,151,362      $ 7,355 (c)     $ (1,800    $ 1,184  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,181,562      $ 17,191      $ (1,796    $ 1,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

Represents net shares purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

All or a position 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.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s investments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks(a)

   $ 74,752,494        $        $             —        $ 74,752,494  

Corporate Bonds(a)

              101,045               101,045  

Preferred Stocks(a)

     2,342,532                            2,342,532  

Short-Term Securities

     1,030,200                            1,030,200  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 78,125,226        $ 101,045        $        $ 78,226,271  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at net asset value (“NAV”)(b)

                    3,151,362  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Investments

   $ 78,125,226        $ 101,045        $        $ 81,377,633  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

See above Schedule of Investments for values in each country.

 
  (b) 

Certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV per share as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    

Security

  Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 96.3%

   
China — 5.8%  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR(a)

    30,478     $ 6,176,976  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

    821,000       6,991,661  
   

 

 

 
      13,168,637  
Germany — 2.0%  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

    156,052       4,635,865  
   

 

 

 
India — 1.9%  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    341,461       4,483,976  
   

 

 

 
Ireland — 4.1%  

Trane Technologies PLC

    107,377       9,386,897  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 2.9%  

Sony Corp.

    102,800       6,615,599  
   

 

 

 
Spain — 1.6%  

Bankinter SA

    865,698       3,573,793  
   

 

 

 
Sweden — 7.6%  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    458,914       8,215,445  

Hexagon AB, B Shares

    186,457       9,149,807  
   

 

 

 
      17,365,252  
Switzerland — 5.6%  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    120,497       12,761,840  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 11.6%  

British American Tobacco PLC

    284,938       10,982,711  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    185,548       15,456,102  
   

 

 

 
      26,438,813  
United States — 53.2%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(a)

    5,466       7,371,776  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    301,776       11,310,564  

Charles Schwab Corp.

    152,863       5,765,992  

Cognex Corp.

    113,149       6,250,351  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    341,931       12,866,863  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    30,651       4,349,377  

Intuit, Inc.

    28,297       7,634,814  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    35,177       9,672,620  

Microsoft Corp.

    39,096       7,006,394  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    198,641       10,218,093  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    28,883       9,666,562  

Tractor Supply Co.

    92,085       9,340,182  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    37,967       11,104,208  

Walt Disney Co.

    83,692       9,051,290  
   

 

 

 
      121,609,086  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 96.3%
(Cost — $179,146,217)

 

    220,039,758  
   

 

 

 
     Par
(000)
        

Corporate Bonds — 0.0%

 

China — 0.0%  

China Milk Products Group Ltd.,
0.00%, 01/05/12(a)(b)(c)(d)

  USD  1,000       2,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 0.0%
(Cost — $1,000,000)

 

    2,000  
   

 

 

 
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

Preferred Securities — 0.4%

 

United States — 0.4%            

Proteus Digital Health, (Acquired 7/22/14, cost $7,000,007), 0.00%(a)(e)(f)

    533     $ 990,868  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 0.4%
(Cost — $7,000,007)

 

    990,868  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 96.7%
(Cost — $187,146,224)

 

    221,032,626  
   

 

 

 
     Shares         

Short-Term Securities — 3.1%

 

Money Market Fund — 3.0%        

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund,
Institutional Class, 0.12%(g)(h)

    6,769,717       6,769,717  
   

 

 

 

Total Money Market Fund — 3.0%

 

    6,769,717  
   

 

 

 
    

Par

(000)

        

Time Deposits — 0.1%

 

Europe — 0.0%        

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., (0.65%), 05/01/20

  EUR  14       15,342  
Switzerland — 0.1%        

BNP Paribas SA, (1.50%), 05/01/20

  CHF  211       219,085  
   

 

 

 

Total Time Deposits — 0.1%

 

    234,427  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 3.1%
(Cost — $7,004,144)

 

    7,004,144  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.8%
(Cost — $194,150,368)

 

    228,036,770  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

 

    468,213  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 228,504,983  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

(c) 

Convertible security.

(d) 

Zero-coupon bond.

(e) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(f) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $990,868, representing 0.4% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $7,000,007.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      27  


Schedule of Investments  (continued)

April 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

 

  (h) 

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund during the period ended April 30, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

Affiliated Issuer    Shares
Held at
10/31/19
     Shares
Purchased
    

Shares

Sold

     Shares
Held at
04/30/20
     Value at
04/30/20
    
Income
     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss) (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     542,293        6,227,424 (b)              6,769,717      $ 6,769,717      $ 8,985      $ 3      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series(c)

            21,745,098        (21,745,098                    1,096 (d)       (25       
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 6,769,717      $ 10,081      $ (22    $  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

Represents net shares purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

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

 
  (d) 

All or 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.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s investments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

China

   $ 6,176,977        $ 6,991,660        $        $ 13,168,637  

Germany

              4,635,865                   4,635,865  

India

              4,483,976                   4,483,976  

Ireland

     9,386,897                            9,386,897  

Japan

              6,615,599                   6,615,599  

Spain

              3,573,793                   3,573,793  

Sweden

              17,365,252                   17,365,252  

Switzerland

              12,761,840                   12,761,840  

United Kingdom

              26,438,813                   26,438,813  

United States

     121,609,086                            121,609,086  

Corporate Bonds(a)

              2,000                   2,000  

Preferred Securities(a)

                       990,868          990,868  

Short-Term Securities:

                 

Money Market Fund

     6,769,717                            6,769,717  

Time Deposits(a)

              234,427                   234,427  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 143,942,677        $ 83,103,225        $ 990,868        $ 228,036,770  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

See above Schedule of Investments for values in each country.

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

     

Preferred

Stocks

 

Assets:

  

Opening balance, as of October 31, 2019

   $ 6,914,771  

Transfers into Level 3

      

Transfers out of Level 3

      

Accrued discounts/premiums

      

Net realized gain (loss)

      

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     (5,923,903

Purchases

      

Sales

      
  

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of April 30, 2020

   $ 990,868  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at April 30, 2020(b)

   $ (5,923,903
  

 

 

 

 

  (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 April 30, 2020 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

28    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities

April 30, 2020

 

     BlackRock
Asian Dragon
Fund, Inc.
     BlackRock
Emerging
Markets
Fund, Inc.
    BlackRock
Latin America
Fund, Inc.
    BlackRock
Long-Horizon
Equity Fund
 

ASSETS

        

Investments at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 116,274,450      $ 925,881,404     $ 77,196,071     $ 221,267,053  

Investments at value — affiliated(c)

    5,454,244        143,003,787       4,181,562       6,769,717  

Cash

    157                     

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    528,000        4,846,000              

Foreign currency at value(d)

    142,692        382,149       58,508        

Receivables:

        

Investments sold

    110,350        1,464,891       1,937,573        

Securities lending income — affiliated

           5,481       1,345       19  

Capital shares sold

    13,352        7,225,706       15,874       285,835  

Dividends — affiliated

    889        15,380       80       1,075  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    106,279        469,644       448,999       1,106,533  

Interest — unaffiliated

                 1,435        

Variation margin on futures contracts

    54,509                     

Unrealized appreciation on:

        

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

           1,046,564              

OTC swaps

           2,534,133              

Prepaid expenses

    48,240        149,544       39,285       39,182  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    122,733,162        1,087,024,683       83,880,732       229,469,414  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

      

Foreign bank overdraft

                       15,046  

Bank overdraft

           1,681              

Cash received as collateral for OTC derivatives

           3,630,000              

Cash collateral on securities loaned at value

           12,157,584       3,152,539        

Payables:

        

Investments purchased

           16,447,778       607,795       1,253  

Capital shares redeemed

    309,186        3,808,240       67,567       404,053  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

           1,903              

Investment advisory fees

    110,717        1,037,206       144,250       270,438  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    2,567        1,908       2,683       2,586  

Other accrued expenses

    346,157        279,455       213,345       227,339  

Other affiliates

    439        1,476       460       775  

Service and distribution fees

    14,032        57,151       12,392       40,594  

Variation margin on futures contracts

           859,295              

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

           360,761              

Other liabilities

                       2,347  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    783,098        38,644,438       4,201,031       964,431  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 121,950,064      $ 1,048,380,245     $ 79,679,701     $ 228,504,983  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

      

Paid-in capital

  $ 119,429,698      $ 1,089,309,222     $ 116,102,939     $ 184,757,801  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    2,520,366        (40,928,977     (36,423,238     43,747,182  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 121,950,064      $ 1,048,380,245     $ 79,679,701     $ 228,504,983  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 110,512,971      $ 951,851,966     $ 90,841,657     $ 187,380,651  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(b) Securities loaned at value

  $      $ 11,943,562     $ 3,018,071     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(c)  Investments at cost — affiliated

  $ 5,454,244      $ 142,996,315     $ 4,179,902     $ 6,769,717  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(d) Foreign currency at cost

  $ 141,439      $ 381,664     $ 58,508     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      29  


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (continued)

April 30, 2020

 

     BlackRock
Asian Dragon
Fund, Inc.
     BlackRock
Emerging
Markets
Fund, Inc.
     BlackRock
Latin America
Fund, Inc.
     BlackRock
Long-Horizon
Equity Fund
 

NET ASSET VALUE

          
Institutional                           

Net assets

  $ 58,412,269      $ 660,314,763      $ 26,217,756      $ 38,428,154  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized

    4,080,767        29,728,082        833,771         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, unlimited shares authorized

                         3,155,133  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 14.31      $ 22.21      $ 31.44      $ 12.18  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.10      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Investor A                           

Net assets

  $ 59,492,872      $ 196,836,013      $ 50,073,994      $ 182,892,456  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized

    4,213,555        9,189,808        1,612,407         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, unlimited shares authorized

                         15,022,189  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 14.12      $ 21.42      $ 31.06      $ 12.17  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.10      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Investor C                           

Net assets

  $ 2,392,481      $ 24,639,497      $ 2,951,592      $ 6,500,936  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized

    255,695        1,366,849        103,982         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, unlimited shares authorized

                         532,118  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 9.36      $ 18.03      $ 28.39      $ 12.22  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.10      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Class K                           

Net assets

  $ 808,677      $ 166,589,972      $ 436,359         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, 2 billion shares authorized

    56,542        7,498,539        13,883         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 14.30      $ 22.22      $ 31.43         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value per share

  $ 0.10      $ 0.10      $ 0.10         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Class R                           

Net assets

  $ 843,765      $             $ 683,437  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, 200 million shares authorized

    78,654                       
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding, unlimited shares authorized

                         55,643  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 10.73      $             $ 12.28  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value per share

  $ 0.10      $             $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Operations

 

         BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.                 BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.  
      Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
    Year Ended
12/31/19
             Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

             

Dividends — affiliated

   $ 5,669     $ 65,504         $ 505,234      $ 676,749  

Dividends — unaffiliated

     366,931       3,194,648           5,039,699        13,544,742  

Interest — unaffiliated

     58       836                  14,947  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

     166       8,226           34,652        149,184  

Foreign taxes withheld

     (40,341     (261,866         (500,053      (1,282,359
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     332,483       3,007,348           5,079,532        13,103,263  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

             

Investment advisory

     265,802       899,239           3,292,084        4,320,990  

Professional

     112,643       110,305           107,367        117,354  

Service and distribution — class specific

     64,724       228,440           402,395        805,726  

Transfer agent — class specific

     62,878       203,380           511,815        762,181  

Printing

     57,854       21,095           35,452        34,920  

Custodian

     31,071       99,914           122,269        184,348  

Registration

     26,933       77,047           59,608        99,520  

Accounting services

     13,783       41,997           75,822        94,283  

Directors and Officer

     4,415       12,922           10,080        13,726  

Organization and offering

           4,045                   

Board realignment and consolidation

                            15,473  

Offering

                            8,064  

Miscellaneous

     10,300       27,856           20,025        26,819  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     650,403       1,726,240           4,636,917        6,483,404  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less:

             

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

     (645     (2,211         (428,017      (383,357

Fees paid indirectly

                     (1,996      (318

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific

                     (346,504      (550,119
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

     649,758       1,724,029           3,860,400        5,549,610  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     (317,275     1,283,319           1,219,132        7,553,653  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

             

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Capital gain distributions from investment companies — affiliated

           9           164         

Futures contracts

     44,688       292,789           (1,504,406      409,574  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                     (164,104      910,915  

Foreign currency transactions

     (25,211     (44,359         (7,662      (155,905

Investments — affiliated

     157       814           (12,672      1,681  

Investments — unaffiliated

     2,866,063       (5,867,807         (3,474,423 )(a)       (6,491,435

Swaps

                     (281,700      970,569  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,885,697       (5,618,554         (5,444,803      (4,354,601
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

             

Futures contracts

     67,918                 628,226        977,371  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                     1,408,983        (723,180

Foreign currency translations

     144,504       3,269           (16,956      1,612  

Investments — affiliated

                     7,418        278  

Investments — unaffiliated

     (21,449,130     33,571,329           (89,138,954 )(b)       71,104,819  

Swaps

                     2,358,658        175,475  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (21,236,708     33,574,598           (84,752,625      71,536,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (18,351,011     27,956,044           (90,197,428      67,181,774  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (18,668,286   $ 29,239,363         $ (88,978,296    $ 74,735,427  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Including $31,097 foreign capital gain tax.

(b) 

Including $1,908 foreign capital gain tax.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      31  


Statements of Operations  (continued)

 

         BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.                 BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund  
      Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
             Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

             

Dividends — affiliated

   $ 9,836     $ 36,290         $ 8,985      $ 28,752  

Dividends — unaffiliated

     2,358,302       5,413,185           2,274,371        4,573,507  

Interest — unaffiliated

     26,717       30,260                   

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

     7,355       19,403           1,096        4,628  

Other income

                     5,130         

Foreign taxes withheld

     (275,984     (457,936         (148,800      (189,204
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     2,126,226       5,041,202           2,140,782        4,417,683  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

EXPENSES

             

Investment advisory

     632,434       1,593,554           1,003,817        2,054,038  

Service and distribution — class specific

     121,235       313,934           290,000        606,176  

Professional

     95,544       85,099           84,896        91,279  

Transfer agent — class specific

     92,925       221,203           106,908        220,046  

Custodian

     44,340       44,177           18,062        30,987  

Registration

     33,735       70,897           33,142        64,738  

Printing

     27,578       27,183           30,939        34,003  

Accounting services

     21,064       45,939           34,053        66,941  

Directors and Officer

     5,986       12,998           6,145        14,563  

Offering

           7,804                   

Board realignment and consolidation

           4,873                  1,872  

Miscellaneous

     13,077       18,921           35,735        53,973  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,087,918       2,446,582           1,643,697        3,238,616  

Less:

             

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

     (574     (4,008         (63,720      (129,334

Fees paid indirectly

     (118     (301                 

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific

                     (54      (219
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

     1,087,226       2,442,273           1,579,923        3,109,063  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,039,000       2,598,929           560,859        1,308,620  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

             

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Capital gain distributions from investment companies — affiliated

     4                 3         

Foreign currency transactions

     8,319       (167,689         (22,897      130,634  

Investments — affiliated

     (1,800     (709         (25      697  

Investments — unaffiliated

     (5,481,659     4,828,508           9,582,244        28,035,363  

Litigation proceeds

     903,714                         
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (4,571,422     4,660,110           9,559,325        28,166,694  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

             

Foreign currency translations

     (29,896     6,711           214,010        25,608  

Investments — affiliated

     1,184       1,217                  9  

Investments — unaffiliated

     (51,093,018     5,382,692           (26,884,292      18,084,017  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (51,121,730     5,390,620           (26,670,282      18,109,634  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (55,693,152     10,050,730           (17,110,957      46,276,328  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $ (54,654,152   $ 12,649,659         $ (16,550,098    $ 47,584,948  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.           BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc  
   

Period from

01/01/20
to 04/30/20

     Year Ended December 31,          

Period from

11/01/19
to 04/30/20

     Year Ended October 31,  
      2019     2018             2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (317,275    $ 1,283,319     $ 1,510,615       $ 1,219,132      $ 7,553,653     $ 2,364,389  

Net realized gain (loss)

    2,885,697        (5,618,554     4,330,574         (5,444,803      (4,354,601     16,252,435  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (21,236,708      33,574,598       (37,699,730       (84,752,625      71,536,375       (46,744,083
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (18,668,286      29,239,363       (31,858,541       (88,978,296      74,735,427       (28,127,259
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

               

Institutional

           (644,549     (3,571,342       (5,354,190      (1,031,885     (385,038

Investor A

           (482,547     (3,564,757       (2,821,044      (1,095,473     (354,409

Investor C

           (9,266     (252,809       (231,852             

Class K

           (6,122     (28,798       (2,366,183      (15,478      

Class R

           (4,206     (123,677                     
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

           (1,146,690     (7,541,383       (10,773,269      (2,142,836     (739,447
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (9,051,646      (23,939,472     (48,447,246       494,421,747        281,188,608       (12,001,228
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

               

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (27,719,932      4,153,201       (87,847,170       394,670,182        353,781,199       (40,867,934

Beginning of period

    149,669,996        145,516,795       233,363,965         653,710,063        299,928,864       340,796,798  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 121,950,064      $ 149,669,996     $ 145,516,795       $ 1,048,380,245      $ 653,710,063     $ 299,928,864  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      33  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

 

    BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.           BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund  
   

Period from

11/01/19
to 04/30/20

     Year Ended October 31,          

Period from

11/01/19
to 04/30/20

     Year Ended October 31,  
      2019     2018             2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

               

OPERATIONS

 

        

Net investment income

  $ 1,039,000      $ 2,598,929     $ 1,525,576       $ 560,859      $ 1,308,620     $ 1,334,232  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (4,571,422      4,660,110       6,474,108         9,559,325        28,166,694       16,921,092  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (51,121,730      5,390,620       (9,147,748       (26,670,282      18,109,634       (6,733,155
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (54,654,152      12,649,659       (1,148,064       (16,550,098      47,584,948       11,522,169  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

 

        

Institutional

    (1,064,724      (684,146     (746,930       (5,124,619      (3,291,922     (1,968,772

Investor A

    (1,606,497      (765,993     (873,457       (22,943,941      (14,323,962     (8,032,005

Investor B

                                      (883

Investor C

    (44,901                    (811,756      (572,310     (844,160

Class K

    (16,700      (9,377                           

Class R

                         (81,505      (69,381     (67,493
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (2,732,822      (1,459,516     (1,620,387       (28,961,821      (18,257,575     (10,913,313
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

        

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (11,897,940      (25,171,244     (23,052,337       7,998,054        (22,167,140     (31,961,630
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

 

        

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (69,284,914      (13,981,101     (25,820,788       (37,513,865      7,160,233       (31,352,774

Beginning of period

    148,964,615        162,945,716       188,766,504         266,018,848        258,858,615       290,211,389  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 79,679,701      $ 148,964,615     $ 162,945,716       $ 228,504,983      $ 266,018,848     $ 258,858,615  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.  
    Institutional  
    Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.41       $ 13.58      $ 17.15      $ 16.06      $ 15.91      $ 17.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.03       0.15        0.15        0.21        0.19        0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (2.07       2.83        (3.00      4.25        0.21        (0.48
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (2.10       2.98        (2.85      4.46        0.40        (0.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

 

From net investment income

            (0.15      (0.12      (0.47      (0.25      (0.27

From net realized gain

                   (0.60      (2.90             (0.71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

            (0.15      (0.72      (3.37      (0.25      (0.98
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.31       $ 16.41      $ 13.58      $ 17.15      $ 16.06      $ 15.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (12.80 )%(d)        21.97      (16.73 )%       28.38      2.47      (1.49 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.14 %(e)(f)        0.99      1.06      1.22      1.00      0.94
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.14 %(e)(f)        0.99      1.05      1.11      0.99      0.94
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.56 )%(e)        1.02      0.94      1.14      1.19      1.29
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 58,412       $ 71,202      $ 68,280      $ 112,064      $ 94,489      $ 113,185  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    13       55      44      123      81      89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

Aggregate total return.

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.31%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      35  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.20       $ 13.41      $ 16.94      $ 15.89      $ 15.75      $ 16.96  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.04       0.11        0.11        0.17        0.15        0.19  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (2.04       2.78        (2.96      4.20        0.20        (0.46
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (2.08       2.89        (2.85      4.37        0.35        (0.27
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

 

From net investment income

            (0.10      (0.08      (0.42      (0.21      (0.23

From net realized gain

                   (0.60      (2.90             (0.71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

            (0.10      (0.68      (3.32      (0.21      (0.94
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.12       $ 16.20      $ 13.41      $ 16.94      $ 15.89      $ 15.75  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (12.84 )%(d)        21.63      (16.95 )%       28.15      2.23      (1.63 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.40 %(e)(f)        1.25      1.31      1.43      1.20      1.17
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.40 %(e)(f)        1.25      1.30      1.32      1.20      1.17
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.83 )%(e)        0.75      0.72      0.94      0.99      1.07
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 59,493       $ 73,416      $ 70,891      $ 109,600      $ 93,523      $ 112,036  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    13       55      44      123      81      89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c)

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

Aggregate total return.

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.57%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.78       $ 8.95      $ 11.51      $ 11.62      $ 11.58      $ 12.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.06       0.00 (b)       0.00 (b)       0.02        0.02        0.04  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.36       1.85        (2.01      3.03        0.15        (0.34
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (1.42       1.85        (2.01      3.05        0.17        (0.30
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

 

From net investment income

            (0.02             (0.26      (0.13      (0.14

From net realized gain

                   (0.55      (2.90             (0.71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

            (0.02      (0.55      (3.16      (0.13      (0.85
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.36       $ 10.78      $ 8.95      $ 11.51      $ 11.62      $ 11.58  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    (13.17 )%(e)        20.74      (17.61 )%       27.05      1.44      (2.44 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    2.50 %(f)(g)        2.08      2.08      2.21      1.98      1.95
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    2.50 %(f)(g)        2.08      2.08      2.11      1.98      1.95
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (1.71 )%(f)        (0.01 )%       (0.01 )%       0.14      0.21      0.28
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 2,392       $ 3,238      $ 3,838      $ 8,732      $ 18,236      $ 24,176  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    13       55      44      123      81      89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Aggregate total return.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 2.67%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      37  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class K  
    Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
    Year Ended
December 31,
2019
     Period from
01/25/18 (a) to
12/31/18
 
       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.40     $ 13.57      $ 18.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(b)

    (0.02     0.16        0.22  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (2.08     2.82        (4.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (2.10     2.98        (4.38
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

 

From net investment income

          (0.15      (0.14

From net realized gain

                 (0.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

          (0.15      (0.74
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.30     $ 16.40      $ 13.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    (12.80 )%(e)      22.05      (23.55 )%(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.10 %(f)(g)      0.96      1.00 %(f)(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.10 %(f)(g)      0.96      1.00 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.42 )%(f)      1.03      1.52 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 809     $ 699      $ 446  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    13     55      44
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e)

Aggregate total return.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.27% and 1.27%, respectively.

(h)

Offering costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 1.00%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class R  
    Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.33       $ 10.20      $ 13.07      $ 12.89      $ 12.81      $ 13.97  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.05       0.03        0.04        0.07        0.06        0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.55       2.12        (2.28      3.38        0.16        (0.37
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (1.60       2.15        (2.24      3.45        0.22        (0.28
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

 

From net investment income

            (0.02      (0.03      (0.37      (0.14      (0.17

From net realized gain

                   (0.60      (2.90             (0.71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

            (0.02      (0.63      (3.27      (0.14      (0.88
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.73       $ 12.33      $ 10.20      $ 13.07      $ 12.89      $ 12.81  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (12.98 )%(d)        21.14      (17.30 )%       27.53      1.70      (2.07 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.77 %(e)(f)        1.73      1.73      1.88      1.71      1.63
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.77 %(e)(f)        1.73      1.72      1.76      1.71      1.63
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (1.21 )%(e)        0.27      0.30      0.50      0.50      0.60
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 844       $ 1,115      $ 2,062      $ 2,967      $ 2,647      $ 3,712  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    13       55      44      123      81      89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

Aggregate total return.

(e)

Annualized.

(f)

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.94%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      39  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.  
    Institutional  
    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 24.51       $ 20.73      $ 22.74      $ 18.32      $ 16.51      $ 20.56  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.04         0.40        0.24        0.14        0.16        0.19  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.94       3.58        (2.14      4.58        1.86        (4.13
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (1.90       3.98        (1.90      4.72        2.02        (3.94
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.40       (0.20      (0.11      (0.30      (0.21      (0.11
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.21       $ 24.51      $ 20.73      $ 22.74      $ 18.32      $ 16.51  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (7.95 )%(d)        19.39      (8.39 )%       26.35      12.47      (19.24 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

 

Total expenses

    1.04 %(f)        1.14      1.31      1.34      1.20      1.17
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    0.86 %(f)        0.97      1.11      1.34      1.20      1.17
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.34 %(f)        1.73      1.05      0.72      0.97      0.98
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 660,315       $ 308,719      $ 98,990      $ 77,115      $ 120,939      $ 169,509  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    63       119      121      126      92      103
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c)

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

Aggregate total return.

(e)

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    0.02             0.01      0.01                0.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f)

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 23.62       $ 19.96      $ 21.88      $ 17.62      $ 15.89      $ 19.81  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.02         0.29        0.16        0.07        0.08        0.10  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.89       3.50        (2.04      4.42        1.79        (3.99
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (1.87       3.79        (1.88      4.49        1.87        (3.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.33       (0.13      (0.04      (0.23      (0.14      (0.03
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 21.42       $ 23.62      $ 19.96      $ 21.88      $ 17.62      $ 15.89  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (8.09 )%(d)        19.11      (8.62 )%       25.95      11.95      (19.67 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

 

Total expenses

    1.36 %(f)        1.45      1.60      1.68      1.68      1.62
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.11 %(f)        1.22      1.40      1.68      1.68      1.62
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.21 %(f)        1.31      0.72      0.39      0.51      0.56
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 196,836       $ 204,061      $ 164,683      $ 210,355      $ 191,205      $ 193,165  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    63       119      121      126      92      103
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    0.02             0.01      0.01                0.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      41  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.83       $ 16.77      $ 18.50      $ 14.93      $ 13.48      $ 16.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.05       0.09        (0.02      (0.09      (0.04      (0.04

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.60       2.97        (1.71      3.76        1.53        (3.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (1.65       3.06        (1.73      3.67        1.49        (3.43
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.15                     (0.10      (0.04       
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 18.03       $ 19.83      $ 16.77      $ 18.50      $ 14.93      $ 13.48  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (8.42 )%(d)        18.25      (9.35 )%       24.84      11.07      (20.28 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

 

Total expenses

    2.22 %(f)        2.31      2.41      2.53      2.52      2.44
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.86 %(f)        1.98      2.18      2.53      2.52      2.44
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.51 )%(f)        0.50      (0.10 )%       (0.57 )%       (0.33 )%       (0.26 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 24,639       $ 31,362      $ 34,756      $ 53,327      $ 99,170      $ 110,911  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    63       119      121      126      92      103
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    0.02             0.01      0.01                0.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

42    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

      BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class K  
    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
     Period from
01/25/18 (a) to
10/31/18
 
       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 24.52     $ 20.74      $ 25.97  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.06       0.48        0.32  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.95     3.52        (5.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (1.89     4.00        (5.23
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.41     (0.22       
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.22     $ 24.52      $ 20.74  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    (7.91 )%(e)      19.48      (20.14 )%(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

 

Total expenses

    0.92 %(g)      0.98      1.16 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    0.81 %(g)      0.92      0.95 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.46 %(g)      2.08      1.82 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 166,590     $ 109,569      $ 1,500  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    63     119      121
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Aggregate total return.

(f) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

     Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
     Period from
01/25/18 to
10/31/18
 

Investments in underlying funds

    0.02      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      43  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.  
    Institutional  
    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 52.43       $ 48.89      $ 49.20      $ 45.22      $ 34.98      $ 54.16  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.44         0.94        0.56        0.40        0.56        0.49  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (20.30       3.15        (0.29      4.15        9.95        (18.53
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (19.86       4.09        0.27        4.55        10.51        (18.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (1.13       (0.55      (0.58      (0.57      (0.27      (1.14
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 31.44       $ 52.43      $ 48.89      $ 49.20      $ 45.22      $ 34.98  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (38.76 )%(d)(e)        8.53      0.58      10.37      30.32      (33.77 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.43 %(f)(g)        1.30      1.36      1.31      1.33      1.32
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.43 %(f)(g)        1.30      1.35      1.31      1.33      1.32
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.88 %(f)        1.85      1.13      0.88      1.52      1.14
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 26,218       $ 52,123      $ 59,535      $ 64,009      $ 56,867      $ 45,472  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    54       70      48      56      58      35
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Includes payment received from a settlement of litigation which impacted the Fund’s total return. Excluding the payment from a settlement of litigation, the Fund’s total return would have been (39.40)%.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.49%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

44    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 51.70       $ 48.20      $ 48.49      $ 44.57      $ 34.45      $ 53.31  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.36         0.78        0.40        0.26        0.42        0.35  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (20.05       3.12        (0.27      4.10        9.83        (18.24
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (19.69       3.90        0.13        4.36        10.25        (17.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.95       (0.40      (0.42      (0.44      (0.13      (0.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 31.06       $ 51.70      $ 48.20      $ 48.49      $ 44.57      $ 34.45  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (38.84 )%(d)(e)        8.20      0.29      10.03      29.91      (33.96 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.74 %(f)(g)        1.60      1.66      1.62      1.65      1.61
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.73 %(f)(g)        1.60      1.65      1.62      1.65      1.61
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.56 %(f)        1.57      0.83      0.58      1.17      0.83
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 50,074       $ 89,686      $ 90,613      $ 107,992      $ 105,414      $ 93,494  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    54       70      48      56      58      35
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Includes payment received from a settlement of litigation which impacted the Fund’s total return. Excluding the payment from a settlement of litigation, the Fund’s total return would have been (39.49)%.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.80% and 1.79%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      45  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Period from
11/01/19 to

04/30/20

          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 46.95       $ 43.75      $ 43.98      $ 40.45      $ 31.41      $ 48.57  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.16         0.35        0.03        (0.06      0.12        (0.02

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (18.38       2.85        (0.26      3.72        8.92        (16.64
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (18.22       3.20        (0.23      3.66        9.04        (16.66
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.34                     (0.13             (0.50
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 28.39       $ 46.95      $ 43.75      $ 43.98      $ 40.45      $ 31.41  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (39.10 )%(d)(e)        7.31      (0.52 )%       9.12      28.78      (34.53 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    2.58 %(f)(g)        2.42      2.47      2.47      2.51      2.48
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    2.57 %(f)(g)        2.42      2.46      2.47      2.51      2.47
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.74 %(f)        0.77      0.06      (0.16 )%       0.37      (0.04 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 2,952       $ 6,397      $ 12,014      $ 16,746      $ 24,117      $ 22,787  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    54       70      48      56      58      35
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Includes payment received from a settlement of litigation which impacted the Fund’s total return. Excluding the payment from a settlement of litigation, the Fund’s total return would have been (39.74)%.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 2.64% and 2.63%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

46    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class K  
    Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
         

Year Ended

October 31,
2019

           Period from
01/25/18 (a) to
10/31/18
 
           

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 52.43       $ 48.92        $ 55.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.44         0.96          0.31  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (20.28       3.14          (7.30
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (19.84       4.10          (6.99
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (1.16       (0.59         
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 31.43       $ 52.43        $ 48.92  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (38.74 )%(d)(e)        8.55        (12.50 )%(d) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.40 %(f)(g)        1.27        1.33 %(e) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.40 %(f)(g)        1.27        1.32 %(e) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.89 %(f)        1.90        0.84 %(e) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 436       $ 758        $ 784  
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    54       70        48
 

 

 

     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Includes payment received from a settlement of litigation which impacted the Fund’s total return. Excluding the payment from a settlement of litigation, the Fund’s total return would have been (39.38)%.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit, printing and tax costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.46%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      47  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund  
    Institutional  
   

Period from

11/01/19 to
04/30/20

          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.58       $ 13.08      $ 13.09      $ 10.75      $ 12.80      $ 15.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.04         0.10        0.10        0.08        0.10        0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.80       2.38        0.42        2.36        (1.21      (0.22
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.76       2.48        0.52        2.44        (1.11      (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

 

From net investment income

    (0.12       (0.10      (0.08      (0.10      (0.12      (0.19

From net realized gain

    (1.52       (0.88      (0.45             (0.82      (2.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.64       (0.98      (0.53      (0.10      (0.94      (2.38
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.18       $ 14.58      $ 13.08      $ 13.09      $ 10.75      $ 12.80  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (6.45 )%(d)        20.73      4.04      22.89      (9.06 )%       (0.28 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.04 %(e)(f)        1.01      1.01      1.01      1.02      0.98
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    0.99 %(e)(f)        0.96      0.96      0.99      1.02      0.98
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.67 %(e)        0.76      0.75      0.68      0.88      0.95
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 38,428       $ 45,641      $ 44,879      $ 48,196      $ 44,983      $ 72,806  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    27       42      24      28      80      71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Annualized.

(f) 

Audit, printing and tax cost expenses were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.07% and 1.02%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

48    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
   

Period from

11/01/19 to
04/30/20

          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.55       $ 13.05      $ 13.06      $ 10.72      $ 12.76      $ 15.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.03         0.07        0.07        0.05        0.07        0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.82       2.38        0.42        2.36        (1.21      (0.22
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.79       2.45        0.49        2.41        (1.14      (0.13
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

 

From net investment income

    (0.07       (0.07      (0.05      (0.07      (0.08      (0.15

From net realized gain

    (1.52       (0.88      (0.45             (0.82      (2.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.59       (0.95      (0.50      (0.07      (0.90      (2.34
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.17       $ 14.55      $ 13.05      $ 13.06      $ 10.72      $ 12.76  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (6.61 )%(d)        20.42      3.78      22.59      (9.32 )%       (0.55 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.30 %(e)(f)        1.27      1.27      1.27      1.28      1.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.25 %(e)(f)        1.22      1.22      1.25      1.28      1.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.43 %(e)        0.50      0.49      0.40      0.60      0.69
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 182,892       $ 211,071      $ 194,416      $ 214,372      $ 201,001      $ 273,185  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    27       42      24      28      80      71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Annualized.

(f) 

Audit, printing and tax cost expenses were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.33% and 1.28%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      49  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Period from

11/01/19 to
04/30/20

          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.50       $ 12.87      $ 12.94      $ 10.65      $ 12.68      $ 15.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.03       (0.05      (0.04      (0.03      (0.02      (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.82       2.40        0.42        2.32        (1.19      (0.21
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.85       2.35        0.38        2.29        (1.21      (0.22
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

 

From net investment income

                                        (0.05

From net realized gain

    (1.43       (0.72      (0.45             (0.82      (2.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.43       (0.72      (0.45             (0.82      (2.24
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.22       $ 14.50      $ 12.87      $ 12.94      $ 10.65      $ 12.68  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

 

Based on net asset value

    (6.97 )%(d)        19.54      2.96      21.50      (9.95 )%       (1.28 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    2.13 %(e)(f)        2.07      2.03      2.07      2.05      2.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    2.08 %(e)(f)        2.02      1.98      2.06      2.05      2.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.42 )%(e)        (0.35 )%       (0.27 )%       (0.26 )%       (0.16 )%       (0.08 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 6,501       $ 8,502      $ 18,464      $ 25,518      $ 65,842      $ 99,939  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    27       42      24      28      80      71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Annualized.

(f) 

Audit, printing and tax cost expenses were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 2.16% and 2.11%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

50    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund (continued)  
    Class R  
   

Period from

11/01/19 to
04/30/20

          Year Ended October 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.60       $ 13.06      $ 13.08      $ 10.72      $ 12.76      $ 15.21  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.00 (b)        0.01        0.01        0.01        0.02        0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.82       2.40        0.42        2.36        (1.20      (0.22
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.82       2.41        0.43        2.37        (1.18      (0.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

 

From net investment income

                          (0.01      (0.04      (0.07

From net realized gain

    (1.50       (0.87      (0.45             (0.82      (2.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.50       (0.87      (0.45      (0.01      (0.86      (2.26
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.28       $ 14.60      $ 13.06      $ 13.08      $ 10.72      $ 12.76  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    (6.74 )%(e)        19.94      3.32      22.09      (9.68 )%       (0.99 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.71 %(f)(g)        1.67      1.65      1.70      1.71      1.78
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.64 %(f)(g)        1.62      1.60      1.65      1.69      1.70
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.03 %(f)(g)        0.09      0.07      0.05      0.20      0.21
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 683       $ 806      $ 1,100      $ 2,099      $ 2,816      $ 3,721  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    27       42      24      28      80      71
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Amount is less than $0.00005 per share.

(c) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Aggregate total return.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit, printing and tax cost expenses were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.74% and 1.67%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      51  


Notes to Financial Statements  

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc., BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund are each registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as open-end management investment companies. BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. are each organized as a Maryland corporation and BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund is organized as a Delaware statutory trust. The following are referred to herein collectively as the “Funds” or individually as a “Fund”:

 

Fund Name   Herein Referred To As    Diversification
Classification

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

  Asian Dragon    Diversified

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

  Emerging Markets    Non-diversified

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

  Latin America    Non-diversified

BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

  Long-Horizon Equity    Diversified

Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares. All classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and are subject to the same terms and conditions, except that certain classes bear expenses related to the shareholder servicing and distribution of such shares. Institutional and Class K Shares are sold only to certain eligible investors. Investor A, Investor C and Class R Shares bear certain expenses related to shareholder servicing of such shares, and Investor C and Class R Shares also bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares. Investor A and Investor C Shares are generally available through financial intermediaries. Class R Shares are sold only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its shareholder servicing and distribution expenditures (except that Investor C shareholders may vote on material changes to the Investor A Shares distribution and service plan).

 

Share Class   Initial Sales Charge    CDSC      Conversion Privilege

Institutional, Class K and Class R Shares

  No      No      None

Investor A Shares

  Yes      No (a)     None

Investor C Shares

  No      Yes (b)     To Investor A Shares after approximately 10 years

 

  (a) 

Investor A Shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for certain redemptions where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase.

 
  (b) 

A CDSC of 1.00% is assessed on certain redemptions of Investor C Shares made within one year after purchase.

 

The Board of Directors of Asian Dragon, Emerging Markets and Latin America and the Board of Trustees of Long-Horizon Equity are collectively referred to throughout this report as the “Board of Directors” or the “Board,” and the directors/trustees thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as “Directors”.

During the period, the Board approved a change in the fiscal year end of Asian Dragon from December 31 to April 30 and of Emerging Markets, Latin America and Long-Horizon Equity from October 31 to April 30, each effective April 30, 2020.

The Funds, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, are included in a complex of equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds referred to as the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex.

 

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 Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds 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 on an accrual basis. Income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class based on its relative net assets.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the exchange rates from the changes in the market prices of investments held or sold for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Fund 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.

 

 

52    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund 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 Funds 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 Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, a Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. A Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against a Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

Other: Expenses directly related to a Fund or its classes are charged to that Fund or the applicable class. 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. Expenses directly related to the Funds and other shared expenses prorated to the Funds are allocated daily to each class based on their relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

The Funds have an arrangement with their custodian whereby credits are earned on uninvested cash balances, which could be used to reduce custody fees and/or overdraft charges. The Funds may incur charges on certain uninvested cash balances and overdrafts, subject to certain conditions.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Funds’ investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Funds would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Funds determine the fair values of their 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 Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at the official closing price each day, if available. For equity investments traded on more than one exchange, the official closing price on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded is used. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

Fixed-income securities for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third party pricing services. Floating rate loan interests are valued at the mean of the bid prices from one or more independent brokers or dealers as obtained from a third party pricing service. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information. Certain fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage related securities may be valued based on valuation models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. The amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless the Manager determines such method does not represent fair value.

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 Funds’ net assets. Each business day, the Funds use a pricing service to assist with the valuation of certain foreign exchange-traded equity securities and foreign exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options (the “Systematic Fair Value Price”). Using current market factors, the Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities and foreign options at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) each business day.

 

   

The Funds value their investment in SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”) at fair value, which is ordinarily based upon their pro rata ownership in the underlying fund’s net assets. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

   

Futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their last sale price.

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      53  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

   

Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by the Funds’ pricing service or through brokers, which are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades and values of the underlying reference instruments.

If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investments, or in the event that the application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee will include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

For investments in equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds (“Private Company” or collectively, the “Private Companies”) and other Fair Valued Investments, the fair valuation approaches that are used by the Global Valuation Committee and third party pricing services utilize one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

Standard Inputs Generally Considered By Third Party Pricing Services

Market approach

 

(i)  recent market transactions, including subsequent rounds of financing, in the underlying investment or comparable issuers;

(ii) recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure; and

(iii)   market multiples of comparable issuers.

Income approach

 

(i)  future cash flows discounted to present and adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, and/or market risks;

(ii) quoted prices for similar investments or assets in active markets; and

(iii)   other risk factors, such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, recovery rates, liquidation amounts and/or default rates.

Cost approach

 

(i)  audited or unaudited financial statements, investor communications and financial or operational metrics issued by the Private Company;

(ii) changes in the valuation of relevant indices or publicly traded companies comparable to the Private Company;

(iii)   relevant news and other public sources; and

(iv)   known secondary market transactions in the Private Company’s interests and merger or acquisition activity in companies comparable to the Private Company.

Investments in series of preferred stock issued by Private Companies are typically valued utilizing market approach in determining the enterprise value of the company. Such investments often contain rights and preferences that differ from other series of preferred and common stock of the same issuer. Valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”) or a hybrid of those techniques are used in allocating enterprise value of the company, as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of OPM and PWERM techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

The Private Companies are not subject to the public company disclosure, timing, and reporting standards as other investments held by a Fund. Typically, the most recently available information by a Private Company is as of a date that is earlier than the date a Fund is calculating its NAV. This factor may result in a difference between the value of the investment and the price a Fund could receive upon the sale of the investment.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial statement purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 — Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access

 

   

Level 2 — Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market–corroborated inputs)

 

   

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Global Valuation Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments)

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by Private Companies. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

As of April 30, 2020, certain investments of the Emerging Markets and Latin America were fair valued using NAV as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

54    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Zero-Coupon Bonds: Zero-coupon bonds are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. These bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than other debt obligations of similar maturity which provide for regular interest payments.

Preferred Stocks: Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally in receiving dividends as well), but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar stated yield characteristics. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Warrants: Warrants entitle a fund to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date of the warrants, if any. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the strike price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and a fund will lose any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

Securities Lending: Certain Funds may lend their securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Funds 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 Fund 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 Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund, or excess collateral returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Funds 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 Funds’ Schedules of Investments, and the value of any related collateral are shown separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value — unaffiliated, and collateral on securities loaned at value, respectively. As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested by the securities lending agent, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”), if any, is disclosed in the Schedules of Investments.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Funds 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 Funds, 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 Fund can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the Funds’ securities lending agreements by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

Counterparty   Securities
Loaned at Value
     Cash Collateral
Received
 (a)
    Net
Amount
 

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

    

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 10,936,237      $ (10,936,237   $  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    1,007,325        (1,007,325      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 11,943,562      $ (11,943,562   $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

      

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 1,367,851      $ (1,367,851   $  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    3,326        (3,326      

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    1,241,096        (1,241,096      

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    323,926        (323,926      

State Street Bank & Trust Company

    81,872        (81,872      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 3,018,071      $ (3,018,071   $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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 Fund is disclosed in the Funds’ Statements 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 Funds 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 Fund 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 Funds.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      55  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Funds engage in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Funds 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.

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedules of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Funds are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When a contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a forward foreign currency exchange contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Swaps: Swap contracts are entered into to manage exposure to issuers, markets and securities. Such contracts are agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount or a net payment upon termination. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”).

For OTC swaps, any upfront premiums paid and any upfront fees received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received, respectively, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and amortized over the term of the contract. The daily fluctuation in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC Swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statements of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Funds’ basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contract is the premium received or paid.

In a centrally cleared swap, immediately following execution of the swap contract, the swap contract is novated to a central counterparty (the “CCP”) and the Funds’ counterparty on the swap agreement becomes the CCP. The Funds are required to interface with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedules of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted cash, are included in cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on centrally cleared swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gains (losses) in the Statements of Operations.

 

   

Total return swaps — Total return swaps are entered into to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in such market or to exchange the risk/return of one security or market (e.g., fixed-income) with another security or market (e.g., equity or commodity prices) (equity risk, commodity price risk and/or interest rate risk).

 

   

Total return swaps are agreements in which there is an exchange of cash flows whereby one party commits to make payments based on the total return (distributions plus capital gains/losses) of an underlying instrument, or basket of underlying instruments, in exchange for fixed or floating rate interest payments. If the total return of the instrument(s) or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting fixed or floating interest rate obligation, the Funds receive payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

Certain total return swaps are designed to function as a portfolio of direct investments in long and short equity positions. This means that each Fund has the ability to trade in and out of these long and short positions within the swap and will receive the economic benefits and risks equivalent to direct investment in these

 

 

56    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

positions, subject to certain adjustments due to events related to the counterparty. Benefits and risks include capital appreciation (depreciation), corporate actions and dividends received and paid, all of which are reflected in the swap’s market value. The market value also includes interest charges and credits (“financing fees”) related to the notional values of the long and short positions and cash balances within the swap. These interest charges and credits are based on a specified benchmark rate plus or minus a specified spread determined based upon the country and/or currency of the positions in the portfolio.

Positions within the swap and financing fees are reset periodically. During a reset, any unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on positions and accrued financing fees become available for cash settlement between the Funds and the counterparty. The amounts that are available for cash settlement are recorded as realized gains or losses in the Statements of Operations. Cash settlement in and out of the swap may occur at a reset date or any other date, at the discretion of the Funds and the counterparty, over the life of the agreement. Certain swaps have no stated expiration and can be terminated by either party at any time.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates and/or market values associated with these transactions.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help them mitigate their counterparty risk, the Funds may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with their counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between each Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, each Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may restrict or prohibit the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

Collateral Requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds 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 Funds, 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 Funds. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Funds on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A Fund 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 Funds from their counterparties are not fully collateralized, they bear the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Funds have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, they bear the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Funds 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 Fund entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Funds’ 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 Fund’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Fund.

For such services, each Fund pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to the following percentages of the average daily value of each Fund’s net assets:

 

     Investment Advisory Fees  
Average Daily Net Assets   Asian Dragon      Emerging Markets      Latin America      Long-Horizon Equity  

First $1 Billion

    0.60      0.81      1.00      0.80

$1 Billion — $3 Billion

    0.56        0.76        0.94        0.75  

$3 Billion — $5 Billion

    0.54        0.73        0.90        0.72  

$5 Billion — $10 Billion

    0.52        0.70        0.87        0.70  

Greater than $10 Billion

    0.51        0.69        0.85        0.68  

Prior to September 19, 2019, for such services, Emerging Markets paid the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to the following percentages of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets:

 

Average Daily Net Assets

  

Investment
Advisory Fees

 

First $1 billion

     0.89

$1 billion to $3 billion

     0.84  

$3 billion to $5 billion

     0.80  

$5 billion to $10 billion

     0.77  

Greater than $10 billion

     0.76  

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      57  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

With respect to Asian Dragon and Emerging Markets and Long-Horizon Equity, the Manager entered into separate sub-advisory agreements with BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited (“BAMNA”) and with respect to Long-Horizon Equity, the Manager entered into a sub-advisory agreement with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), each an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BAMNA and BIL for services they provide for that portion of each Fund for which BAMNA and BIL, as applicable, acts as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by each Fund to the Manager.

Service and Distribution Fees: The Funds entered into a Distribution Agreement and Distribution Plans with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. Pursuant to the Distribution and Service Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each Fund pays BRIL ongoing service and distribution fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at annual rates based upon the average daily net assets of the relevant share class of each Fund as follows:

 

     Service Fees  
     Asian Dragon      Emerging Markets      Latin America      Long-Horizon Equity  

Investor A

    0.25      0.25      0.25      0.25

Investor C

    0.25        0.25        0.25        0.25  

Class R

    0.25                      0.25  
          
     Distribution Fees  
     Asian Dragon      Emerging Markets      Latin America      Long-Horizon Equity  

Investor C

    0.75      0.75      0.75      0.75

Class R

    0.25                      0.25  

BRIL and broker-dealers, pursuant to sub-agreements with BRIL, provide shareholder servicing and distribution services to the Funds. The ongoing service and/or distribution fee compensates/reimburses BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing and/or distribution related services to shareholders.

The following table shows the class specific service and distribution fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

     Period from
01/01/20
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Asian Dragon

          

Investor A

  $ 53,872      $ 182,117      $      $  

Investor C

    9,216        37,076                

Class R

    1,636        9,247                
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ 64,724      $ 228,440      $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Emerging Markets

          

Investor A

  $      $      $ 255,759      $ 475,866  

Investor C

                  146,636        329,860  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 402,395      $ 805,726  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latin America

          

Investor A

  $      $      $ 96,064      $ 231,665  

Investor C

                  25,171        82,269  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 121,235      $ 313,934  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-Horizon Equity

          

Investor A

  $      $      $ 249,733      $ 506,249  

Investor C

                  38,400        95,227  

Class R

                  1,867        4,700  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 290,000      $ 606,176  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Transfer Agent: Pursuant to written agreements, certain financial intermediaries, some of which may be affiliates, provide the Funds with sub-accounting, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and other administrative services with respect to servicing of underlying investor accounts. For these services, these entities receive an asset-based fee or an annual fee per shareholder account, which will vary depending on share class and/or net assets. For the period ended April 30, 2020 for each Fund and the year ended December 31, 2019 for Asian Dragon and the year ended October 31, 2019 for Emerging Markets, Latin America and Long-Horizon Equity, the Funds did not pay any amounts to affiliates in return for these services.

 

 

58    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The Manager maintains a call center that is responsible for providing certain shareholder services to the Funds. Shareholder services include responding to inquiries and processing purchases and sales based upon instructions from shareholders. Each Fund reimbursed the Manager the following amounts for costs incurred in running the call center, which are included in transfer agent — class specific in the Statements of Operations:

 

     Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Asian Dragon

          

Institutional

  $ 1,668      $ 5,127      $      $  

Investor A

    760        2,747                

Investor C

    282        472                

Class K

    11        43                

Class R

    6        11                
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,727      $ 8,400      $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Emerging Markets

          

Institutional

  $      $      $ 728      $ 1,384  

Investor A

                  3,822        7,232  

Investor C

                  1,092        2,233  

Class K

                  162        147  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 5,804      $ 10,996  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latin America

          

Institutional

  $      $      $ 305      $ 790  

Investor A

                  3,825        7,298  

Investor C

                  305        720  

Class K

                  5        16  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 4,440      $ 8,824  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-Horizon Equity

          

Institutional

  $      $      $ 148      $ 374  

Investor A

                  1,579        3,138  

Investor C

                  245        600  

Class R

                  3         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 1,975      $ 4,112  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

     Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Asian Dragon

          

Institutional

  $ 27,436      $ 88,964      $      $  

Investor A

    29,864        99,126                

Investor C

    4,514        7,988                

Class K

    216        475                

Class R

    848        6,827                
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ 62,878      $ 203,380      $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Emerging Markets

          

Institutional

  $      $      $ 268,184      $ 290,656  

Investor A

                  198,183        371,812  

Investor C

                  44,644        98,643  

Class K

                  804        1,070  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 511,815      $ 762,181  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latin America

          

Institutional

  $      $      $ 23,274      $ 58,885  

Investor A

                  62,856        143,509  

Investor C

                  6,539        18,263  

Class K

                  256        546  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 92,925      $ 221,203  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-Horizon Equity

          

Institutional

  $      $      $ 15,624      $ 31,613  

Investor A

                  83,825        173,315  

Investor C

                  6,543        12,920  

Class R

                  916        2,198  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $      $      $ 106,908      $ 220,046  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      59  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Other Fees: Affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of each Fund’s Investor A Shares as follows:

 

     Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Asian Dragon

  $ 857      $ 2,363      $      $  

Emerging Markets

                  6,081        10,937  

Latin America

                  579        ,227  

Long-Horizon Equity

                  617        1,196  

Affiliates received CDSCs as follows:

 

     Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Asian Dragon

          

Investor A

  $ 1      $ 47      $      $  

Investor C

    15        40                

Emerging Markets

          

Investor A

  $      $      $ 1,191      $ 2,952  

Investor C

                  1,676        1,357  

Latin America

          

Investor A

  $      $      $      $ 43  

Investor C

                  50        454  

Long-Horizon Equity

          

Investor A

  $      $      $ 66      $  

Investor C

                  25        418  

Expense Limitations, Waivers, Reimbursements, and Recoupments: With respect to Long-Horizon, the Manager voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fees equal to the annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. The amount waived was as follows:

 

     Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

  $ 62,738      $ 128,378  

The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”) through February 28, 2021 with respect to Emerging Markets, Latin America and Long-Horizon Equity and through August 31, 2021 with respect to Asian Dragon. These contractual agreements may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of a Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. With respect to Emerging Markets and Long-Horizon Equity, the amount of waivers and/or reimbursements of fees and expenses made pursuant to the expense limitation described below will be reduced by the amount of the affiliated money market fund waiver. These amounts are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. The amounts waived were as follows:

 

     Period from
01/01/20 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19 to
04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Amounts Waived

          

Asian Dragon

  $ 645      $ 2,211      $      $  

Emerging Markets

                  32,592        23,137  

Latin America

                  574        1,199  

Long-Horizon Equity

                  982        956  

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of each Fund’s assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through February 28, 2021 with respect to Emerging Markets, Latin America and Long-Horizon Equity and through August 31, 2021 with respect to Asian Dragon. These contractual agreements may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Directors or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. For the period ended April 30, 2020 for each Fund and the year ended December 31, 2019 for Asian Dragon and the year ended October 31, 2019 for Emerging Markets, Latin America and Long-Horizon Equity, there were no fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

With respect to Emerging Markets and Long-Horizon Equity, the Manager contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses, excluding interest expense, dividend expense, tax expense, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other fund expenses, which constitute extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of each Fund’s business (“expense limitation”). The expense limitations as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows:

 

     Emerging Markets      Long-Horizon Equity  

Institutional

    0.86      1.15

Investor A

    1.11        1.43  

Investor C

    1.86        2.29  

Class K

    0.81         

Class R

           1.70  

 

 

60    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Prior to September 19, 2019, the expense limitations as a percentage of average daily net assets were as follows:

 

     Emerging Markets  

Institutional

    0.99

Investor A

    1.24  

Investor C

    1.99  

Class K

    0.94  

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue these contractual expense limitations through February 28, 2021, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. The Manager waived and/or reimbursed amounts as follows, which is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations:

 

     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Emerging Markets

  $ 395,425      $ 344,747  

These amounts waived and/or reimbursed are included in transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific, in the Statements of Operations. Class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements are as follows:

 

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific   Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Emerging Markets

    

Institutional

  $ 161,357      $ 190,004  

Investor A

    147,031        276,897  

Investor C

    37,312        82,150  

Class K

    804        1,068  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ 346,504      $ 550,119  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-Horizon Equity

    

Investor A

  $      $ 219  

Class R

    54         
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ 54      $ 219  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Funds have incurred expenses in connection with the realignment and consolidation of the boards of directors of certain BlackRock-advised funds. The Manager has voluntarily agreed to reimburse the Funds for all or a portion of such expenses, which amounts are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. The amounts reimbursed were as follows:

 

     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Emerging Markets

  $      $ 15,473  

Latin America

           2,809  

The Funds reimbursed the Manager for certain accounting services, which is included in accounting services in the Statements of Operations. The reimbursements were as follows:

 

     Period from
01/01/20
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Asian Dragon

  $ 364      $ 1,773      $      $  

Emerging Markets

                  4,328        5,010  

Latin America

                  755        2,043  

Long-Horizon Equity

                  1,552        3,163  

With respect to Emerging Market’s contractual expense limitation, if during Emerging Market’s fiscal year the operating expenses of a share class, that at any time during the prior two fiscal years received a waiver and/or reimbursement from the Manager, are less than the current expense limitation for that share class, the Manager is entitled to be reimbursed by such share class up to the lesser of: (a) the amount of fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed during those prior two fiscal years under the agreement and (b) an amount not to exceed either the current expense limitation of that share class or the expense limitation of the share class in effect at the time that the share class received the applicable waiver and/or reimbursement, provided that:

(1) the Fund, has more than $50 million in assets for the fiscal year, and

(2) the Manager or an affiliate continues to serve as Fund’s investment adviser or administrator.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      61  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

This repayment applies only to the contractual expense limitation on net expenses and does not apply to the contractual investment advisory fee waiver described above or any voluntary waivers that may be in effect from time to time. Effective December 1, 2019, the repayment arrangement between the Fund and the Manager pursuant to which such Fund may be required to repay amounts waived and/or reimbursed under the Fund’s contractual caps on net expenses was terminated.

The following fund level and class specific waivers and/or reimbursements previously recorded by Emerging Market, which were subject to recoupment by the Manager, expired on December 1, 2019:

 

Fund level

  $ 741,946  

Institutional

    278,294  

Investor A

    463,604  

Investor C

    141,421  

Class K

    1,494  

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BIM, an affiliate of the Manager, to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. The Funds are responsible for expenses in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment expenses”). The cash collateral is invested in a private investment company managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the private investment company to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the private investment company will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Funds. The private investment company in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn or temporarily restrict withdrawals for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the private investment company’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. Each Fund 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, each Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses), and this amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income earned across the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex in a calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 85% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses), and this amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income — affiliated — net in the Statements of Operations. Each Fund paid BIM the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

     Period from
01/01/20
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
12/31/19
     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
     Year Ended
10/31/19
 

Asian Dragon

  $ 36      $ 1,802      $      $  

Emerging Markets

                  7,444        31,231  

Latin America

                  1,525        4,049  

Long-Horizon Equity

                  204        897  

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, each Fund may participate in a joint lending and borrowing facility for temporary purposes (the “Interfund Lending Program”), subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order, and to the extent permitted by each Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. Emerging Markets and Latin America are currently permitted to borrow under the Interfund Lending Program. Asian Dragon and Long-Horizon Equity are currently permitted to borrow and lend under the Interfund Lending Program.

A lending BlackRock fund may lend in aggregate up to 15% of its net assets, but may not lend more than 5% of its net assets to any one borrowing fund through the Interfund Lending Program. A borrowing BlackRock fund may not borrow through the Interfund Lending Program or from any other source more than 33 1/3% of its total assets (or any lower threshold provided for by the fund’s investment restrictions). If a borrowing BlackRock fund’s total outstanding borrowings exceed 10% of its total assets, each of its outstanding interfund loans will be subject to collateralization of at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan. All interfund loans are for temporary or emergency purposes and the interest rate to be charged will be the average of the highest current overnight repurchase agreement rate available to a lending fund and the bank loan rate, as calculated according to a formula established by the Board.

During the period ended April 30, 2020 for each Fund and the year ended December 31, 2019 for Asian Dragon and the year ended October 31, 2019 for Emerging Markets, Latin America and Long-Horizon Equity, the Funds did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

Directors and Officers: Certain directors and/or officers of the Funds are directors and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Funds reimburse the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Directors and Officer in the Statements of Operations.

 

 

62    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the period ended April 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:

 

     Asian Dragon      Emerging Markets      Latin America      Long-Horizon Equity  

Purchases

  $ 17,164,562      $ 891,200,218      $ 66,279,087      $ 67,263,117  

Sales

    31,545,672        461,931,784        78,802,896        94,390,069  

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is each Fund’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 Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on Asian Dragon’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for the period ended April 30, 2020 and each of the four years ended December 31, 2019. The statute of limitations on Emerging Market’s, Latin America’s and Long-Horizon Equity’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for the period ended April 30, 2020 and each of the four years ended October 31, 2019. The statutes of limitations on each Fund’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 Funds as of April 30, 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 net asset values per share. As of period end, the following permanent differences attributable to net operating losses were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

     Asian Dragon     Emerging Markets      Latin America      Long-Horizon Equity  

Paid-in capital

  $ (340,179   $      $      $  

Accumulated earnings

  $ 340,179     $      $      $  

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     Asian Dragon      Emerging Markets      Latin America      Long-Horizon Equity  (a)  

Ordinary income

          

04/30/20

  $      $ 10,773,269      $ 2,732,822      $ 3,774,858  

12/31/19

    1,146,690                       

12/31/18

    2,092,503                       

10/31/19

           2,142,836        1,459,516        4,304,199  

10/31/18

           739,447        1,620,387        1,053,249  

Long-term capital gains

          

04/30/20

                         25,186,963  

12/31/19

                          

12/31/18

    5,448,880                       

10/31/19

                         14,696,781  

10/31/18

                         9,860,064  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total 04/30/20

  $      $ 10,773,269      $ 2,732,822      $ 28,961,821  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

12/31/19

    1,146,690                       
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

12/31/18

    7,541,383                       
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

10/31/19

           2,142,836        1,459,516        19,000,980  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

10/31/18

           739,447        1,620,387        10,913,313  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Distribution amounts may include a portion of the proceeds from redeemed shares.

 

As of period end, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (loss) were as follows:

 

     Asian Dragon     Emerging Markets     Latin America     Long-Horizon Equity  

Undistributed ordinary income

  $ 362,420     $ 4,442,567     $ 759,282     $ 537,273  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

                      10,715,114  

Non-expiring Capital loss carryforwards (a)

    (3,108,637     (7,727,444     (19,278,651      

Net unrealized gains (losses) (b)

    5,266,583       (37,644,100     (17,903,869     32,494,795  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,520,366     $ (40,928,977   $ (36,423,238   $ 43,747,182  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (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, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain futures and foreign currency contracts, the accounting for swap agreements and the timing and recognitiion of partnership income.

 

During the period ended April 30, 2020, the Funds listed below utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforward:

 

Asian Dragon           Emerging Markets           Latin America           Long-Horizon Equity  
$ 3,056,301          $ 1,703,846          $          $  

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      63  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

As of April 30, 2020, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     Asian Dragon     Emerging Markets     Latin America     Long-Horizon Equity  

Tax cost

  $ 116,533,856     $ 1,106,182,294     $ 99,300,677     $ 195,516,487  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 23,266,980     $ 61,748,282     $ 4,200,707     $ 48,096,925  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (18,004,224     (99,396,186     (22,123,751     (15,576,642
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  $ 5,262,756     $ (37,647,904   $ (17,923,044   $ 32,520,283  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates (“Participating Funds”), are a party to a 364-day, $2.25 billion credit agreement with a group of lenders. Under this agreement, the Funds may borrow to fund shareholder redemptions. Excluding commitments designated for certain individual funds, the Participating Funds, including the Funds, can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $1.75 billion at any time outstanding, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. The credit agreement has the following terms: a fee of 0.10% per annum on unused commitment amounts and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.80% per annum or (b) the Fed Funds rate (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) in effect from time to time plus 0.80% per annum on amounts borrowed. The agreement expires in April 2021 unless extended or renewed. These fees were allocated among such funds based upon portions of the aggregate commitment available to them and relative net assets of Participating Funds. During the period ended April 30, 2020, the Funds did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, certain Funds invest in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject each Fund 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 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 Funds and their investments. Each Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which each Fund is subject.

Investments in the securities of issuers domiciled in countries with emerging capital markets involve certain additional risks that do not generally apply to investments in securities of issuers in more developed capital markets, such as (i) low or nonexistent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities; (ii) uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability, increasing the potential for expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, high rates of inflation or unfavorable diplomatic developments; and (iii) possible fluctuations in exchange rates, differing legal systems and the existence or possible imposition of exchange controls, custodial restrictions or other foreign or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to such investments.

The Funds 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.

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 Fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A Fund 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 Fund’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 Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a Fund invests.

The price a Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from a Fund’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 Fund’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 Fund, and a Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. A Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.

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 impact of the pandemic may be short term or may last for an extended period of time.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions. The Funds 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 Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds’ 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 Funds.

 

 

64    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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.

With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds 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 Fund 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 Funds.

Concentration Risk: Asian Dragon, Emerging Markets and Latin America invest a substantial amount of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When the Funds concentrate their investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, political and social conditions in those countries may have a significant impact on their investment performance. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedules of Investments.

Long-Horizon Equity invests a significant portion of its 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 Fund’s investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, the United Kingdom has 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.

Asian Dragon and Emerging Markets invests a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Asia or with significant exposure to Asian issuers or countries. The Asian financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns in several Asian countries regarding monetary policy, government intervention in the markets, rising government debt levels or economic downturns. These events may spread to other countries in Asia and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     Period from
01/01/20
to 04/30/20
    Year Ended
12/31/19
    Year Ended
12/31/18
 
Asian Dragon   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Institutional

           

Shares sold

    86,928     $ 1,355,589       196,867     $ 3,023,898       398,524     $ 6,725,845  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                36,072       560,420       222,559       3,118,102  

Shares redeemed

    (344,534     (5,246,645     (921,993     (13,971,847     (2,126,547     (35,515,755
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (257,606   $ (3,891,056     (689,054   $ (10,387,529     (1,505,464   $ (25,671,808
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

           

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    126,670     $ 1,898,480       375,024     $ 5,571,428       583,361     $ 9,297,051  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                28,556       437,705       232,764       3,222,523  

Shares redeemed

    (444,065     (6,727,230     (1,159,298     (17,160,527     (1,999,533     (32,260,566
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (317,395   $ (4,828,750     (755,718   $ (11,151,394     (1,183,408   $ (19,740,992
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

           

Shares sold

    6,652     $ 65,829       29,195     $ 289,229       70,840     $ 813,486  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                879       8,856       26,489       248,397  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (51,435     (513,924     (158,296     (1,560,152     (427,193     (4,428,383
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (44,783   $ (448,095     (128,222   $ (1,262,067     (329,864   $ (3,366,500
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                            Period from
01/25/18 (a)
to 10/31/18
 

Class K

           

Shares sold

    24,265     $ 400,047       20,011     $ 305,724       65,742     $ 1,127,567  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                288       4,475       1,491       20,933  

Shares redeemed

    (10,348     (148,979     (10,529     (156,550     (34,378     (532,436
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    13,917     $ 251,068       9,770     $ 153,649       32,855     $ 616,064  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      65  


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

     Period from
01/01/20
to 04/30/20
    Year Ended
12/31/19
    Year Ended
12/31/18
 

Class R

           

Shares sold

    11,837     $ 124,539       27,941     $ 315,254       174,833     $ 2,310,726  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                366       4,206       11,685       123,678  

Shares redeemed

    (23,660     (259,352     (139,917     (1,611,591     (211,407     (2,718,414
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (11,823   $ (134,813     (111,610   $ (1,292,131     (24,889   $ (284,010
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Decrease

    (617,690   $ (9,051,646     (1,674,834   $ (23,939,472     (3,010,770   $ (48,447,246
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
 
Emerging Markets   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Institutional

           

Shares sold

    23,561,590     $ 556,563,618       12,088,561     $ 278,694,896       3,384,432     $ 77,931,207  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    173,542       4,361,104       36,673       763,179       13,350       305,849  

Shares redeemed

    (6,600,213     (153,705,073     (4,307,217     (98,532,465     (2,013,234     (46,255,182
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    17,134,919     $ 407,219,649       7,818,017     $ 180,925,610       1,384,548     $ 31,981,874  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

           

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    1,574,412     $ 35,871,783       2,162,003     $ 47,765,956       1,053,700     $ 23,758,562  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    106,562       2,585,191       49,886       1,002,228       14,732       325,576  

Shares redeemed

    (1,132,079     (25,247,600     (1,823,297     (40,087,204     (2,428,708     (54,510,104
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    548,895     $ 13,209,374       388,592     $ 8,680,980       (1,360,276   $ (30,425,966
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

           

Shares sold

    91,323     $ 1,827,114       197,076     $ 3,588,726       175,217     $ 3,372,402  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    10,549       215,929                          

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (316,858     (6,110,969     (687,693     (12,548,184     (985,252     (18,697,435
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (214,986   $ (4,067,926     (490,617   $ (8,959,458     (810,035   $ (15,325,033
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                            Period from
01/25/18 (a)
to 10/31/18
 

Class K

           

Shares sold

    4,505,117     $ 108,687,600       4,575,144     $ 104,690,393       88,877     $ 2,136,812  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    94,033       2,363,049       662       13,780              

Shares redeemed

    (1,568,879     (32,989,999     (179,827     (4,162,697     (16,588     (368,915
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase

    3,030,271     $ 78,060,650       4,395,979     $ 100,541,476       72,289     $ 1,767,897  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease)

    20,499,099     $ 494,421,747       12,111,971     $ 281,188,608       (713,474   $ (12,001,228
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
 
Latin America   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Institutional

           

Shares sold

    126,931     $ 6,313,371       397,884     $ 20,090,723       511,404     $ 25,829,818  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    18,242       970,126       13,576       627,207       14,173       678,883  

Shares redeemed

    (305,518     (12,577,223     (635,011     (32,333,395     (608,857     (29,561,536
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (160,345   $ (5,293,726     (223,551   $ (11,615,465     (83,280   $ (3,052,835
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

           

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    51,824     $ 2,261,436       246,309     $ 12,263,903       188,703     $ 9,443,430  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    26,051       1,370,008       14,495       662,163       15,993       757,299  

Shares redeemed

    (200,342     (8,833,078     (405,893     (20,258,538     (551,694     (26,525,071
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (122,467   $ (5,201,634     (145,089   $ (7,332,472     (346,998   $ (16,324,342
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor B(b)

           

Shares redeemed

        $           $       (421   $ (19,131
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

        $           $       (421   $ (19,131
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

           

Shares sold

    1,215     $ 43,097       7,139     $ 329,235       17,719     $ 828,685  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    849       40,958                          

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (34,341     (1,461,933     (145,500     (6,472,095     (123,881     (5,384,242
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (32,277   $ (1,377,878     (138,361   $ (6,142,860     (106,162   $ (4,555,557
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

66    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (continued)

 

     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Period from
01/25/18 (a)
to 10/31/18
 
Latin America   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Class K

           

Shares sold

    1,091     $ 50,058       2,386     $ 120,960       21,112     $ 1,132,641  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    236       12,536       157       7,260              

Shares redeemed

    (1,910     (87,296     (4,107     (208,667     (5,082     (233,113
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (583   $ (24,702)       (1,564   $ (80,447     16,030     $ 899,528  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Decrease

    (315,672   $ (11,897,940     (508,565   $ (25,171,244     (520,831   $ (23,052,337
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Period from
11/01/19
to 04/30/20
    Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
 
Long-Horizon Equity   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Institutional

           

Shares sold

    167,207     $ 2,178,422       329,372     $ 4,388,186       525,255     $ 6,996,078  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    299,458       4,090,593       215,933       2,550,211       117,475       1,509,564  

Shares redeemed

    (442,182     (5,616,059     (846,997     (11,019,854     (893,071     (11,902,286
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    24,483     $ 652,956       (301,692   $ (4,081,457     (250,341   $ (3,396,644
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

           

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    248,776     $ 3,323,518       1,013,115     $ 13,500,578       456,829     $ 6,116,589  

Shares issued from conversion(b)

                            1,811       23,620  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,441,457       19,704,712       1,036,950       12,246,708       534,806       6,872,268  

Shares redeemed

    (1,175,273     (15,071,500     (2,445,095     (32,180,457     (2,505,875     (33,418,082
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    514,960     $ 7,956,730       (395,030   $ (6,433,171     (1,512,429   $ (20,405,605
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor B

           

Shares sold

        $           $           $  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                            67       868  

Shares converted(b)

                            (1,781     (23,620

Shares redeemed

                            (249     (3,272
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

        $           $       (1,963   $ (26,024
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

           

Shares sold

    15,103     $ 197,951       31,364     $ 392,633       20,768     $ 275,776  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    54,732       753,108       45,316       536,990       62,197       794,261  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (124,238     (1,568,723     (924,605     (12,189,498     (620,340     (8,192,890
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (54,403   $ (617,664)       (847,925   $ (11,259,875     (537,375   $ (7,122,853
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

           

Shares sold

    7,349     $ 101,069       13,260     $ 179,086       16,622     $ 223,023  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    5,850       80,788       5,796       68,967       5,211       67,279  

Shares redeemed

    (12,718     (175,825     (48,087     (640,690     (98,181     (1,300,806
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    481     $ 6,032       (29,031   $ (392,637     (76,348   $ (1,010,504
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Increase (Decrease)

    485,521     $ 7,998,054       (1,573,678   $ (22,167,140     (2,378,456   $ (31,961,630
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

On December 27, 2017, all issued and outstanding Investor B Shares were converted into Investor A Shares.

As of April 30, 2020, shares owned by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Funds, were as follows:

 

     Class K  

Asian Dragon

    10,701  

Latin America

    3,577  

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      67  


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors/Trustees of BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc., BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc., and BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc., BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc., and BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of April 30, 2020, the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of April 30, 2020, and the results of their operations, 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   Statements of Changes in Net Assets   Financial Highlights

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

  For the period from January 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020 and for the year ended December 31, 2019   For the period from January 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019   For the period from January 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2019

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.

 

For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for the year ended October 31, 2019

 

For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2019

 

For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2019

BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc.

  For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for the year ended October 31, 2019   For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2019   For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2019

BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund

  For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for the year ended October 31, 2019   For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2019   For the period from November 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020 and for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 2019

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 April 30, 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

June 22, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 1992.

 

 

68    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Important Tax Information  (unaudited)        

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020 that qualified for the dividends-received deduction were as follows:

 

Fund   Dividends-Received
Deduction
 

Asian Dragon

    2.61

Latin America

    1.65  

Long-Horizon Equity

    99.57  

The following maximum amounts are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020:

 

Fund   Qualified Dividend
Income
 

Asian Dragon

  $ 840,956  

Emerging Markets

    12,731,794  

Latin America

    5,040,294  

Long-Horizon Equity

    6,337,591  

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, the Funds intend to pass through to their shareholders foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid by the underlying funds:

 

Fund   Foreign Source
Income Earned
     Foreign
Taxes Paid
 

Asian Dragon

  $ 725,500      $ 96,241  

Emerging Markets

    18,596,944        1,871,559  

Latin America

    7,764,765        720,701  

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, the Fund hereby designates the following maximum amounts allowable as interest-related dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations:

 

Fund   Interest-Related
Dividends
 

Emerging Markets

  $ 283,468  

The Fund hereby designates the following amount of distributions from direct federal obligation interest for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020:

 

Fund   Federal Obligation
Interest
 

Emerging Markets

  $ 171,362  

The following distribution amounts are hereby designated for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020:

 

Fund   Short-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends
     20% Rate
Long-Term
Capital Gain
Dividends
 

Long-Horizon Equity

  $ 2,381,827      $ 25,186,963  

 

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION      69  


Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”) to promote effective liquidity risk management throughout the open-end investment company industry, thereby reducing the risk that funds will be unable to meet their redemption obligations and mitigating dilution of the interests of fund shareholders.

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., on behalf of BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc., BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc., on behalf of BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc., BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc., on behalf of BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund on behalf of BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund, met on November 12-13, 2019 (the “Meeting”) to review the liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) applicable to the BlackRock open-end funds, excluding money market funds (each, a “Fund”), pursuant to the Liquidity Rule. The Board has appointed BlackRock Advisors, LLC or BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), each an investment adviser to certain Funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program, as applicable. BlackRock has delegated oversight of the Program to the 40 Act Liquidity Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”). At the Meeting, the Committee, on behalf of BlackRock, provided the Board with a report that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including the operation of each Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from December 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing a Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also described BlackRock’s methodology in establishing a Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing a Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

A. The Fund’s investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions: During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed whether each Fund’s strategy is appropriate for an open-end fund structure with a focus on Funds with more significant and consistent holdings of less liquid and illiquid assets. The Committee also factored a Fund’s concentration in an issuer into the liquidity classification methodology by taking issuer position sizes into account. Where a Fund participated in borrowings for investment purposes (such as tender option bonds and reverse repurchase agreements), such borrowings were factored into the Program’s calculation of a Fund’s liquidity bucketing. Derivative exposure was also considered in such calculation.

B. Short-term and long-term cash flow projections during both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions: During the Program Reporting Period, the Committee reviewed historical net redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size (“RATS”). Each Fund has adopted an in-kind redemption policy which may be utilized to meet larger redemption requests. The Committee may also take into consideration a Fund’s shareholder ownership concentration (which, depending on product type and distribution channel, may or may not be available), a Fund’s distribution channels, and the degree of certainty associated with a Fund’s short-term and long-term cash flow projections.

C. Holdings of cash and cash equivalents, as well as borrowing arrangements: The Committee considered the terms of the credit facility applicable to the Funds, the financial health of the institution providing the facility and the fact that the credit facility is shared among multiple Funds (including that a portion of the aggregate commitment amount is specifically designated for BlackRock Floating Rate Income Portfolio, a series of BlackRock Funds V). The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Funds, such as the ability to use reverse repurchase agreements and interfund lending, as applicable.

There were no material changes to the Program during the Program Reporting Period. The Report provided to the Board stated that the Committee concluded that based on the operation of the functions, as described in the Report, the Program is operating as intended and is effective in implementing the requirements of the Liquidity Rule.

 

 

70    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Director and Officer Information

 

Independent Directors (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

Mark Stalnecker

1951

   Chair of the Board
(Since 2019) and
Director
(Since 2015)
   Chief Investment Officer, University of Delaware from 1999 to 2013; Trustee and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committees, Winterthur Museum and Country Estate from 2005 to 2016; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Public Employees’ Retirement System since 2002; Member of the Investment Committee, Christiana Care Health System from 2009 to 2017; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Community Foundation from 2013 to 2014; Director and Chair of the Audit Committee, SEI Private Trust Co. from 2001 to 2014.    36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios   None

Bruce R. Bond

1946

  

Director

(Since 2019)

   Board Member, Amsphere Limited (software) since 2018; Trustee and Member of the Governance Committee, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 1997 to 2005; Board Member of Governance, Audit and Finance Committee, Avaya Inc. (computer equipment) from 2003 to 2007.   

36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios

 

None

Susan J. Carter

1956

  

Director

(Since 2016)

   Director, Pacific Pension Institute from 2014 to 2018; Advisory Board Member, Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship at Tuck School of Business since 1997; Senior Advisor, Commonfund Capital, Inc. (“CCI”) (investment adviser) in 2015; Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 2013 to 2014; President & Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 1997 to 2013; Advisory Board Member, Girls Who Invest from 2015 to 2018 and Board Member thereof since 2018; Advisory Board Member, Bridges Fund Management since 2016; Trustee, Financial Accounting Foundation since 2017; Practitioner Advisory Board Member, Private Capital Research Institute (“PCRI”) since 2017; Lecturer in the Practice of Management, Yale School of Management since 2019.   

36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios

 

None

Collette Chilton

1958

  

Director

(Since 2015)

   Chief Investment Officer, Williams College since 2006; Chief Investment Officer, Lucent Asset Management Corporation from 1998 to 2006.   

36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios

 

None

Neil A. Cotty

1954

  

Director

(Since 2016)

   Bank of America Corporation from 1996 to 2015, serving in various senior finance leadership roles, including Chief Accounting Officer from 2009 to 2015, Chief Financial Officer of Global Banking, Markets and Wealth Management from 2008 to 2009, Chief Accounting Officer from 2004 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Consumer Bank from 2003 to 2004, Chief Financial Officer of Global Corporate Investment Bank from 1999 to 2002.   

36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios

 

None

Lena G. Goldberg

1949

  

Director

(Since 2019)

   Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School, since 2008; Director, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. since 2013; FMR LLC/Fidelity Investments (financial services) from 1996 to 2008, serving in various senior roles including Executive Vice President — Strategic Corporate Initiatives and Executive Vice President and General Counsel; Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP from 1985 to 1996 and Associate thereof from 1979 to 1985.   

36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios

 

None

 

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION      71  


Director and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Directors (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

Henry R. Keizer

1956

  

Director

(Since 2019)

   Director, Park Indemnity Ltd. (captive insurer) since 2010; Director, MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (financial and bank holding company) from 2014 to 2016; Director, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants from 2009 to 2011; Director, KPMG LLP (audit, tax and advisory services) from 2004 to 2005 and 2010 to 2012; Director, KPMG International in 2012, Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer thereof from 2010 to 2012 and U.S. Vice Chairman of Audit thereof from 2005 to 2010; Global Head of Audit, KPMGI (consortium of KPMG firms) from 2006 to 2010; Director, YMCA of Greater New York from 2006 to 2010.   

36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios

  

Hertz Global Holdings (car rental); Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd. (publicly held property and casualty reinsurance) from 2013 until 2015; WABCO (commercial vehicle safety systems); Sealed Air Corp. (packaging)

Cynthia A. Montgomery

1952

  

Director

(Since 2007)

   Professor, Harvard Business School since 1989.    36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios    Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (manufacturing)

Donald C. Opatrny

1952

  

Director

(Since 2019)

   Trustee, Vice Chair, Member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Investment Committee, Cornell University since 2004; President, Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum from 2007 to 2014; Member of the Board and Investment Committee, University School from 2007 to 2018; Member of the Investment Committee, Mellon Foundation from 2009 to 2015; Trustee, Artstor (a Mellon Foundation affiliate) from 2010 to 2015; President and Trustee, the Center for the Arts, Jackson Hole from 2011 to 2018; Director, Athena Capital Advisors LLC (investment management firm) since 2013; Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee, Community Foundation of Jackson Hole since 2014; Member of Affordable Housing Supply Board of Jackson, Wyoming since 2018; Member, Investment Funds Committee, State of Wyoming since 2017; Trustee, Phoenix Art Museum since 2018; Trustee, Arizona Community Foundation and Member of Investment Committee since 2020.    36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios   

None

Joseph P. Platt

1947

  

Director

(Since 2007)

   General Partner, Thorn Partners, LP (private investments) since 1998; Director, WQED Multi-Media (public broadcasting not-for-profit) since 2001; Chair, Basic Health International (non-profit) since 2015.    36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios    Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (reinsurance company); Consol Energy Inc.

Kenneth L. Urish

1951

  

Director

(Since 2007)

   Managing Partner, Urish Popeck & Co., LLC (certified public accountants and consultants) since 1976; Past-Chairman of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Committee Member thereof since 2007; Member of External Advisory Board, The Pennsylvania State University Accounting Department since founding in 2001; Principal, UP Strategic Wealth Investment Advisors, LLC since 2013; Trustee, The Holy Family Institute from 2001 to 2010; President and Trustee, Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates from 2003 to 2008; Director, Inter-Tel from 2006 to 2007.    36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios   

None

Claire A. Walton

1957

  

Director

(Since 2016)

   Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Square Asset Management, LP from 1998 to 2015; General Partner of Neon Liberty Capital Management, LLC since 2003; Director, Boston Hedge Fund Group from 2009 to 2018; Director, Woodstock Ski Runners since 2013; Director, Massachusetts Council on Economic Education from 2013 to 2015.   

36 RICs consisting of 150 Portfolios

  

None

 

 

72    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Director and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Interested Directors (a)(d)
         
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

  

Director

(Since 2018)

   Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Member of BlackRock’s Global Executive and Global Operating Committees; Co-Chair of BlackRock’s Human Capital Committee; Senior Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2010 to 2019; oversaw BlackRock’s Strategic Partner Program and Strategic Product Management Group from 2012 to 2019; Member of the Board of Managers of BlackRock Investments, LLC from 2011 to 2018; Global Head of BlackRock’s Retail and iShares® businesses from 2012 to 2016.   

123 RICs consisting of 261 Portfolios

  

None

John M. Perlowski (e)

1964

   Director
(Since 2015) and
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Since 2010)
   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Accounting and Product Services since 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009.   

124 RICs consisting of 262 Portfolios

  

None

(a) The address of each Director is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

(b) Independent Directors serve until their resignation, retirement, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 75. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Director on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate.

(c) Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and BlackRock, Inc. in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. Furthermore, effective January 1, 2019, three BlackRock Fund Complexes were realigned and consolidated into two BlackRock Fund Complexes. As a result, although the chart shows the year that each Independent Director joined the Board, certain Independent Directors first became members of the boards of other BlackRock-advised Funds or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Bruce R. Bond, 2005; Cynthia A. Montgomery, 1994; Joseph P. Platt, 1999; Kenneth L. Urish, 1999; Lena G. Goldberg, 2016; Henry R. Keizer, 2016; Donald C. Opatrny, 2015.

(d) Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Funds based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

(e) Mr. Perlowski is also a trustee of the BlackRock Credit Strategies Fund.

 

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION      73  


Director and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Officers Who Are Not Directors (a)
     
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
   Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Jennifer McGovern

1977

  

Vice President

(Since 2014)

  

Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2016; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Head of Americas Product Development and Governance for BlackRock’s Global Product Group since 2019; Head of Product Structure and Oversight for BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Group from 2013 to 2019.

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.

Lisa Belle

1968

  

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

(Since 2019)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Global Financial Crime Head for Asset and Wealth Management of JP Morgan from 2013 to 2019; Managing Director of RBS Securities from 2012 to 2013; Head of Financial Crimes for Barclays Wealth Americas from 2010 to 2012.

Janey Ahn

1975

  

Secretary

(Since 2019)

   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 Funds serve at the pleasure of the Board.

Further information about each Fund’s Directors and Officers is available in each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained without charge by calling (800) 441-7762.

 

Effective December 31, 2019, Robert M. Hernandez retired as Director of the Funds.

 

Investment Adviser

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC

New York, NY 10022

Sub-Adviser

BlackRock Asset Management

North Asia Limited(a)

Hong Kong

BlackRock International Limited(b)

Wilmington, DE 19809

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

Custodian

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Boston, MA 02109

Legal Counsel

Sidley Austin LLP

New York, NY 10019

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Wilmington, DE 19809

Accounting Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, MA 02111

Address of the Funds

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

(a) 

For Asian Dragon and Emerging Markets only.

(b) 

For Long-Horizon Equity only.

 

 

74    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Additional Information

 

General Information

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports and 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 advisor. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Funds will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Funds at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, and for reporting periods ended prior to March 31, 2019, filed such information on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT and N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The Funds’ Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) at blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Funds voted proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ 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) 441-7762 and (2) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

BlackRock’s Mutual Fund Family

BlackRock offers a diverse lineup of open-end mutual funds crossing all investment styles and managed by experts in equity, fixed-income and tax-exempt investing. Visit blackrock.com for more information.

Shareholder Privileges

Account Information

Call us at (800) 441-7762 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET on any business day to get information about your account balances, recent transactions and share prices. You can also reach us on the Web at blackrock.com.

Automatic Investment Plans

Investor class shareholders who want to invest regularly can arrange to have $50 or more automatically deducted from their checking or savings account and invested in any of the BlackRock funds.

Systematic Withdrawal Plans

Investor class shareholders can establish a systematic withdrawal plan and receive periodic payments of $50 or more from their BlackRock funds, as long as their account balance is at least $10,000.

Retirement Plans

Shareholders may make investments in conjunction with Traditional, Rollover, Roth, Coverdell, Simple IRAs, SEP IRAs and 403(b) Plans.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION      75  


Additional Information  (continued)

 

BlackRock Privacy Principles

BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal non-public information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our websites.

BlackRock does not sell or disclose to non-affiliated third parties any non-public personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to respond to regulatory requests or to service Client accounts. These non-affiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to non-public personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the non-public personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

Currency
KRW    Korean Won
  
Portfolio Abbreviations
ADR    American Depositary Receipts
NVDR    Non-voting Depository Receipts

 

 

76    2020 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Want to know more?

blackrock.com    |    800-441-7762

This report is intended for current holders. It is not authorized for use as an offer of sale or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of a Fund unless preceded or accompanied by the Fund’s current prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Investment returns and principal value of shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

GLEQ4-4/20-AR

 

 

LOGO    LOGO


Item 2 –

Code of Ethics – The registrant (or the “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to update certain information and to make other non-material changes. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, who calls 1-800-441-7762.

 

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:

Neil A. Cotty

Henry R. Keizer

Kenneth L. Urish

Claire A. Walton

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:

 

      (a) Audit Fees    (b) Audit-Related Fees1    (c) Tax Fees2    (d) All Other Fees
Entity Name    Current
Fiscal Year
End
3
   Previous
Fiscal Year
End
   Current
Fiscal Year
End
3
   Previous
Fiscal Year
End
   Current
Fiscal Year
End
3
   Previous
Fiscal Year
End
   Current
Fiscal Year
End
3
   Previous
Fiscal Year
End
BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.    $38,556    $41,718    $0    $4,000    $14,900    $16,500    $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”):

 

2


      Current Fiscal Year End3    Previous Fiscal Year End

(b) Audit-Related Fees1

   $0    $0

(c) Tax Fees2

   $0    $0

(d) All Other Fees4

   $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.

3The registrant changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to April 30 effective April 30, 2020 whereby this fiscal year consists of the four months ended April 30, 2020.

4 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 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:

 

3


                  
Entity Name   

Current Fiscal Year  

End1  

  

Previous Fiscal Year  

End  

BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.    $14,900    $20,500

1The registrant changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to April 30 effective April 30, 2020

whereby this fiscal year consists of the four months ended April 30, 2020.

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 and 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

End1

  

Previous Fiscal Year

End

$1,984,000

   $2,050,500

1The registrant changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to April 30 effective

April 30, 2020 whereby this fiscal year consists of the four months ended April 30, 2020.

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 – 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 – Not Applicable

 

Item 8 –

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable

 

Item 9 –

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable

 

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 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

4


(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12 –

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable

 

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

 

5


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 Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

 

By:    /s/ John M. Perlowski                
   John M. Perlowski
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
   BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

Date: July 2, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:    /s/ John M. Perlowski                
   John M. Perlowski
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
   BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

Date: July 2, 2020

 

By:    /s/ Neal J. Andrews                  
   Neal J. Andrews
   Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
   BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.

Date: July 2, 2020

 

6