N-CSRS 1 d715457dncsrs.htm BLACKROCK FUNDS BLACKROCK FUNDS

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: 811-05742

 

Name of Fund:   BlackRock FundsSM
  BlackRock Advantage International Fund
  BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund
  BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund
  BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund
  BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund
  BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio
  BlackRock High Equity Income Fund
  BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund
  BlackRock International Dividend Fund
  BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
  BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund
  BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

 

Fund Address:   100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock FundsSM, 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001

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

Date of fiscal year end: 05/31/2024

Date of reporting period: 11/30/2023


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders

(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

 


 

LOGO

  NOVEMBER 30, 2023

 

 

   

 

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

BlackRock FundsSM

· BlackRock Advantage International Fund

· BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

· BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc.

· BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

· BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The combination of continued economic growth and cooling inflation provided a supportive backdrop for investors during the 12-month reporting period ended November 30, 2023. Significantly tighter monetary policy helped to rein in inflation, as the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index declined to its long-term average of approximately 3% in November 2023. Meanwhile, real economic growth proved more resilient than many investors anticipated. A moderating labor market also helped ease inflationary pressure, although wages continued to grow. This robust labor market powered further growth in consumer spending, backstopping the economy. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a horrific attack on Israel. The ensuing war will have a significant humanitarian impact and could lead to heightened economic and market volatility. We see geopolitics as a structural market risk going forward. See our geopolitical risk dashboard at blackrock.com for more details.

Equity returns were solid during the period, as interest rates stabilized, and the economy proved to be more resilient than many investors expected. The U.S. economy continued to show strength, and growth further accelerated in the third quarter of 2023. However, equity returns were uneven, as the performance of a few notable technology companies supported gains among large-capitalization U.S. stocks, while small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined overall. Meanwhile, international developed market equities advanced strongly, while emerging market equities posted modest gains.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate interest rate changes. The corporate bond market benefited from improving economic sentiment, although high-yield corporate bond prices fared significantly better than investment-grade bonds as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), attempting to manage persistent inflation, raised interest rates five times during the 12-month period, but slowed and then paused its tightening later in the period. The Fed also wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity.

Supply constraints appear to have become an embedded feature of the new macroeconomic environment, making it difficult for developed economies to increase production without sparking higher inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and an aging population risk further exacerbating these constraints, keeping the labor market tight and wage growth high. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and recently opted for several pauses, we believe that the new economic regime means that the Fed will need to maintain high rates for an extended period despite the market’s hopes for interest rate cuts, as reflected in the recent rally. Furthermore, ongoing structural changes may mean that the Fed will be hesitant to cut interest rates in the event of faltering economic activity lest inflation accelerate again.

While we favor an overweight position in developed market equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance in the near term. Nevertheless, we are overweight on Japanese stocks in the near term as shareholder-friendly policies generate increased investor interest. We also believe that stocks with an AI tilt should benefit from an investment cycle that is set to support revenues and margins. In credit, there are selective opportunities in the near term despite tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six-to twelve-month horizon, we see the most attractive investments in short-term U.S. Treasuries, U.S. mortgage-backed securities, and hard-currency emerging market bonds.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, 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 November 30, 2023
     
      6-Month      12-Month  
     

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

   10.17%   13.84%
     

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

  4.24   (2.57)
     

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

  5.12   12.36 
     

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  4.60   4.21
     

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

  2.69   4.91
     

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

  (3.98)   (2.27)
     

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

  (0.80)   1.18
     

Tax-exempt municipal bonds (Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  2.29   4.28
     

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

  5.52   8.69

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

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     14  

Disclosure of Expenses

     14  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     15  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedules of Investments

     16  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     47  

Statements of Operations

     49  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     51  

Financial Highlights

     54  

Notes to Financial Statements

     78  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     93  

Additional Information

     94  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     96  

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

 

  3


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023     BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Advantage International Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE ® Index.

What factors influenced performance?

The Fund’s outperformance was mainly driven by sentiment-related insights, which correctly captured evolving market trends throughout the reporting period. Particularly, an insight looking at informed investor positioning from prime broker reports motivated a successful overweight in the outperforming industrials sector.

Traditional valuation insights also worked well. Measures comparing stocks using sales, earnings yield and research and development expenditures were among the top contributors. These measures helped motivate overweights in domestically oriented Japanese stocks that benefited from an expected policy normalization by the Bank of Japan. Quality measures that sought to avoid companies with histories of expanding their balance sheets through equity issuance led to an overweight in pharmaceutical stocks, which also contributed.

An overweight in the information technology sector, which was motivated by faster-moving macro-related insights, also worked well amid the market rally led by the artificial intelligence (“AI”) theme.

Nontraditional quality measures detracted from performance. Human capital-related insights, such as those comparing companies based on employee sentiment, veteran hiring, and firms whose founders are still in executive positions, lagged. Analyzing companies based on specific key performance indicators also detracted. In addition, environmental related measures—such as those looking at flows into low carbon emissions funds—led to an unsuccessful overweight in consumer discretionary companies.

Certain text-based sentiment measures detracted, as well. Those designed to capture sentiment from company conference calls affected the Fund’s positioning in German consumer discretionary stocks, weighing on results.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund maintained a balanced allocation of risk across all major performance drivers, while adding several new signals to the existing set of stock selection insights. The Investment adviser developed new AI insights to identify firms that are leading the market in development, deployment, and monetization of AI capabilities. This included capturing hiring trends for skills associated with AI, as well as executive comments highlighting capabilities over the past several years. Additionally, the Investment adviser developed a new insight capturing trends around GLP-1 weight loss drugs to better understand the impact on firms across sectors.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund maintained a largely sector-neutral positioning. It had slight overweights in the industrials and communication services sectors and small underweights in financials and consumer staples.

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.

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
   

 

 

 
          1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    

6-Month

Total

Returns

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

 

Institutional

    5.86     12.57     N/A       6.73     N/A       4.75     N/A  

Investor A

    5.71       12.25       6.36     6.46       5.32     4.48       3.92

Investor C

    5.37       11.46       10.46       5.68       5.68       3.83       3.83  

Class K

    5.88       12.62       N/A       6.77       N/A       4.78       N/A  

Class R

    5.61       11.99       N/A       6.20       N/A       4.17       N/A  

MSCI EAFE® Index(c)

    5.12       12.36       N/A       5.99       N/A       3.89       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” 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 seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in non-U.S. equity securities and equity-like instruments of companies that are components of, or have characteristics similar to, the companies included in the MSCI EAFE® Index and derivatives that are tied economically to securities of the MSCI EAFE® Index. The Fund’s total returns prior to June 12, 2017 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investments strategies under the name BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio.

 
(c)  

An equity index which captures large- and mid-cap representation across certain developed markets countries around the world, excluding the United States and Canada. The index covers approximately 85% of the free float adjusted market capitalization in each country.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

4  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)    BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual     Hypothetical 5% Return        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   
     

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

Institutional

    $   1,000.00        $   1,058.60        $   2.60       $   1,000.00        $   1,022.48        $   2.53       0.50

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,057.10        3.88       1,000.00        1,021.23        3.79       0.75  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,053.70        7.75       1,000.00        1,017.46        7.62       1.51  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,058.80        2.34       1,000.00        1,022.73        2.28       0.45  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,056.10        5.17       1,000.00        1,019.97        5.10       1.01  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

 
Security(a)   Percent of  
Net Assets  
 

 

 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    3.0%  

Nestlé SA, Registered Shares

    2.8    

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    2.0    

SAP SE

    2.0    

BHP Group Ltd.

    1.8    

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    1.7    

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    1.5    

AIA Group Ltd.

    1.5    

Shell PLC

    1.4    

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered Shares

    1.3    

 

 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

 

 
Country  

Percent of  

Net Assets  

 

 

 

Japan

    23.8%  

United Kingdom

    12.4    

Germany

    10.0    

Switzerland

    10.0    

France

    8.8    

Australia

    5.7    

Netherlands

    4.4    

Denmark

    4.1    

Spain

    3.6    

Italy

    2.8    

United States

    2.6    

Sweden

    2.3    

Hong Kong

    2.1    

Singapore

    1.6    

Norway

    1.4    

Belgium

    1.1    

Luxembourg

    1.0    

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.7    

Other Assets Less Liabilities

    0.6    

 

 
 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

    5  


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index, with the exception of the Investor C shares, which performed in line.

What factors influenced performance?

Fundamental measures contributed to the Fund’s relative performance. Valuation insights, such as those comparing companies based on earnings, sales, and research and development expenditures, were the top contributors. Quality insights looking at company balance sheets and cash flows also contributed. These insights motivated an underweight in industrials, which was additive to results.

Macro-related measures also performed well in the changing market environment. In particular, an insight identifying companies likely to benefit from the emerging artificial intelligence (“AI”) theme resulted in a successful overweight in the information technology sector.

Text-based insights that capture sentiment from broker reports and company conference calls correctly positioned the portfolio in the industrials sector. Faster-moving insights, such as those analyze industry trends from job postings, also contributed positively to performance.

On the other hand, certain sentiment measures underperformed. Insights based on mobile app usage struggled to capture consumer intent trends, incorrectly positioning the portfolio in the consumer staples sector. Measures that seek to measure sentiment in the bond market also lagged in the volatile environment.

Nontraditional quality insights—such as those that strive to assess companies based on green patent and green bond issuance—further detracted. Governance insights, including those evaluating company board independence and shareholder support on proposals, were additional detractors of note.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund maintained a balanced allocation of risk across all major performance drivers, while adding several new signals to the existing set of stock selection insights. The Investment adviser developed new AI insights to identify firms that are leading the market in development, deployment, and monetization of AI capabilities. This included capturing hiring trends for skills associated with AI, as well as executive comments highlighting capabilities over the past several years. Additionally, the Investment adviser developed a new insight that evaluates trends around GLP-1 weight loss drugs to better understand the impact on firms across sectors.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund maintained a largely sector-neutral positioning. It had slight overweights in the information technology and materials sectors and small underweights in real estate and communication services.

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.

Performance

 

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

6-Month

Total

Returns

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

 

Institutional

    13.60     23.81     N/A        14.20     N/A        11.48     N/A   

Investor A

    13.51       23.49       17.01     13.91       12.69     11.17       10.57

Investor C

    13.10       22.58       21.58       13.06       13.06       10.49       10.49  

Class K

    13.67       23.91       N/A       14.26       N/A       11.36       N/A  

Class R

    13.34       23.20       N/A       13.63       N/A       10.85       N/A  

Russell 1000® Growth Index(c)

    13.14       26.17       N/A       16.36       N/A       14.69       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” 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 seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities of U.S. issuers and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. The Fund’s total returns prior to June 12, 2017 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name BlackRock Flexible Equity Fund.

 
(c) 

An index that measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

6  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual         Hypothetical 5% Return           
    Beginning      Ending      Expenses         Beginning      Ending      Expenses        Annualized  
    Account Value      Account Value      Paid During         Account Value      Account Value      Paid During        Expense  
      (06/01/23)        (11/30/23)        the Period (a)          (06/01/23)        (11/30/23)        the Period (a)         Ratio  

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,136.00      $ 3.31       $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.90      $ 3.13          0.62

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,135.10        4.64         1,000.00        1,020.65        4.39          0.87  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,131.00        8.63         1,000.00        1,016.90        8.17          1.62  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,136.70        3.04         1,000.00        1,022.15        2.88          0.57  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,133.40        5.97           1,000.00        1,019.40        5.65          1.12  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Microsoft Corp.

    13.4

Apple Inc.

    11.4  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    4.9  

NVIDIA Corp.

    4.8  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    4.4  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS

    3.0  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    2.8  

Adobe, Inc.

    2.5  

Tesla, Inc.

    2.3  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    2.2  

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Information Technology

    45.0

Consumer Discretionary

    15.4  

Health Care

    11.2  

Communication Services

    10.5  

Financials

    7.0  

Industrials

    5.2  

Consumer Staples

    3.5  

Materials

    1.2  

Short-Term Securities

    1.1  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (0.1

 

(a) 

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

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

    7  


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023    BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek capital appreciation over the long term.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Index.

What factors influenced performance?

Fundamental measures contributed to performance, with valuation insights benefitting from rising interest rates. More traditional measures of valuation, such as comparing stocks using sales, earnings yield, and other financial statement measures, performed best. Contrarian quality-related measures that evaluate the sustainability of companies’ earnings and financial health, including insights that assess debt maturity and dividend consistency, also performed well. This was most observable through an overweight allocation to the outperforming industrials sector.

Macro thematic insights helped the Fund’s results, as well. Measures designed to evaluate business-to-business invoicing helped correctly position the portfolio by motivating a successful overweight in construction stocks.

Sentiment measures produced mixed results in the aggregate. Text-based measures that gauge conference call and broker reports contributed. On the other hand, measures designed to assess consumer intent by analyzing mobile app usage and online search trends led the Fund to hold to an overweight in the underperforming luxury goods industry.

Nontraditional quality insights—such as environmental, social and governance measures—also hurt relative performance. Insights designed to assess company controversies weighed on results by fueling an underweight in the outperforming healthcare sector. A preference for founder-led company management structures also detracted from performance.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund maintained a balanced allocation of risk across all major performance drivers, while adding several new signals to the existing set of stock selection insights. The Investment adviser built upon its alternative data capabilities by adding an insight that captures brand sentiment in the retail sector. Additionally, given the dynamism of the current environment, the Investment adviser instituted enhanced signal constructs to identify emerging trends, such as sentiment around supply chain disruptions and wage inflation.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund maintained a largely sector-neutral positioning. It had slight overweights in the industrials and communication services sectors and small underweights in financials 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.

Performance

 

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

6-Month

Total

Returns

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

 

Institutional

    5.96     (2.60 )%      N/A       6.08     N/A        7.08     N/A   

Investor A

    5.83       (2.85     (7.95 )%      5.82       4.68     6.82       6.24

Investor C

    5.48       (3.54     (4.50     5.02       5.02       6.17       6.17  

Class K

    5.98       (2.54     N/A       6.12       N/A       7.11       N/A  

Russell 2000® Index(c)

    4.24       (2.57     N/A       4.78       N/A       6.13       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” 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 seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes in equity securities or other financial instruments that are components of, or have market capitalizations similar to, the securities included in the Russell 2000® Index.

 
(c) 

An index that measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index representing approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of that index. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

8  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)    BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
    Beginning      Ending      Expenses           Beginning      Ending      Expenses        Annualized  
    Account Value      Account Value      Paid During           Account Value      Account Value      Paid During        Expense  
      (06/01/23)        (11/30/23)        the Period (a)            (06/01/23)        (11/30/23)        the Period (a)         Ratio  

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,059.60      $ 2.58       $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.50      $ 2.53          0.50

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,058.30        3.86         1,000.00        1,021.25        3.79          0.75  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,054.80        7.71         1,000.00        1,017.50        7.57          1.50  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,059.80        2.32               1,000.00        1,022.75        2.28          0.45  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Boise Cascade Co.

    1.1

UFP Industries, Inc.

    1.1  

Murphy Oil Corp.

    1.0  

Insperity, Inc.

    1.0  

Heartland Financial U.S.A., Inc.

    1.0  

Sanmina Corp.

    0.9  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    0.8  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    0.8  

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A

    0.8  

Atkore, Inc.

    0.8  

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Industrials

    18.2

Health Care

    15.5  

Financials

    15.4  

Information Technology

    13.8  

Consumer Discretionary

    11.8  

Energy

    7.3  

Real Estate

    5.1  

Communication Services

    3.5  

Materials

    3.2  

Consumer Staples

    2.8  

Utilities

    2.3  

Short-Term Securities

    4.6  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (3.5

 

(a) 

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

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

    9  


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth. In other words, the Fund tries to choose investments that will increase in value.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Index.

What factors influenced performance?

Fundamental measures contributed to performance. Valuation insights, such as those comparing companies based on sales and research and development expenditures, were the top contributors. Contrarian quality insights looking at external financing levels also contributed, as did those that assess companies based on analyst default expectations. These insights motivated a successful underweight in the financials sector.

Macro-related measures also performed well amid the changing market environment. In particular, an insight identifying companies likely to benefit from the emerging artificial intelligence (“AI”) theme resulted in a successful overweight in the information technology sector.

Sentiment measures produced mixed results in the aggregate, but text-based insights that seek to capture sentiment from broker reports contributed. On the other hand, measures designed to assess consumer intent by evaluating mobile app usage detracted by leading to incorrect positioning in the household products industry. Measures intended to capture sentiment from the bond market detracted, as well.

Nontraditional quality insights—such as those that strive to assess companies based on green patent and green bond issuance—also detracted. In addition, insights that evaluate companies based on news controversies hurt performance by leading to an overweight in automobile stocks

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund maintained a balanced allocation of risk across all major performance drivers, while adding several new signals to the existing set of stock selection insights. The Investment adviser developed new AI insights to identify firms that are leading the market in development, deployment, and monetization of AI capabilities. This included capturing hiring trends for skills associated with AI, as well as executive comments highlighting capabilities over the past several years. Additionally, the Investment adviser developed a new insight capturing trends around GLP-1 weight loss drugs to better understand the impact on firms across sectors.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund maintained a largely sector-neutral positioning. It had slight overweights in the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors and small underweights in real estate and utilities.

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.

Performance

 

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

6-Month

Total

Returns

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

 

Institutional

    11.37     13.26     N/A        11.68     N/A        10.89     N/A   

Investor A

    11.26       12.99       7.05     11.40       10.20     10.61       10.01

Investor C

    10.84       12.13       11.13       10.56       10.56       9.92       9.92  

Class K

    11.45       13.34       N/A       11.74       N/A       10.93       N/A  

Class R

    11.05       12.65       N/A       11.11       N/A       10.32       N/A  

Russell 1000® Index(c)

    10.32       13.57       N/A       12.25       N/A       11.56       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” 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 seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. The Fund’s total returns prior to June 12, 2017 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name BlackRock Large Cap Core Fund.

 
(c) 

An index that measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 1,000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market capitalization and current index membership. The index represents approximately 93% of the U.S. Market.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual     Hypothetical 5% Return        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   
     

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

Institutional

    $   1,000.00        $   1,113.70        $   2.54       $   1,000.00        $   1,022.60        $   2.43       0.48

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,112.60        3.86       1,000.00        1,021.35        3.69       0.73  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,108.40        7.80       1,000.00        1,017.60        7.47       1.48  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,114.50        2.27       1,000.00        1,022.85        2.17       0.43  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,110.50        5.17       1,000.00        1,020.10        4.95       0.98  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)  

Percent of

Net Assets

 

Microsoft Corp.

    7.8

Apple Inc.

    6.9  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    4.3  

NVIDIA Corp.

    3.5  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    2.9  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    2.4  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    2.0  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS

    1.6  

Amgen, Inc.

    1.5  

Medtronic PLC

    1.5  

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(a)  

Percent of

Net Assets

 

Information Technology

    28.7

Health Care

    13.2  

Financials

    12.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    12.0  

Industrials

    10.1  

Communication Services

    8.9  

Consumer Staples

    6.4  

Energy

    2.8  

Materials

    1.8  

Real Estate

    1.5  

Utilities

    1.1  

Short-Term Securities

    1.8  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (0.6

 

(a) 

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

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

    11  


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023     BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth. In other words, the Fund tries to choose investments that will increase in value.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index.

What factors influenced performance?

Fundamental measures contributed to the Fund’s relative performance. Valuation insights, such as those comparing companies based on earnings, sales, and research and development expenditures, were the top contributors. Certain contrarian quality insights also worked well during the period. Those that assess companies based on external financing levels and analyst default expectations motivated an overweight in the consumer discretionary sector, which helped Fund performance.

Macro-related measures performed well in the changing market environment. Top-down industry positioning based on company forward valuations versus historical levels led to an overweight in healthcare, contributing to results. An insight that identifies companies likely to benefit from the emerging artificial intelligence (“AI”) theme motivated an overweight in information technology, further contributing to performance.

Sentiment-related insights were net contributors. Text-based insights looking at news controversies worked well in semiconductors, and those evaluating job posting trends drove a successful underweight in utilities. On the other hand, certain sentiment measures lagged. Those that evaluate mobile app usage struggled to capture consumer intent trends, incorrectly positioning the portfolio within the consumer staples sector. Measures that seek to measure sentiment in the bond market also lagged in the volatile environment.

Fundamental quality measures were net detractors. In particular, environmental insights that evaluate companies based on green patents struggled. Insights looking at company dividend forecasts negatively impacted performance, as well.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund maintained a balanced allocation of risk across all major performance drivers, while adding several new signals to the existing set of stock selection insights. The Investment adviser developed new AI insights to identify firms that are leading the market in development, deployment, and monetization of AI capabilities. This included capturing hiring trends for skills associated with AI, as well as executive comments highlighting capabilities over the past several years. Additionally, the Investment adviser developed a new insight that evaluates trends around GLP-1 weight loss drugs to better understand the impact on firms across sectors.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund maintained a largely sector-neutral positioning. It had slight overweights in the consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors and small underweights in materials and utilities.

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.

Performance

 

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

6-Month

Total

Returns

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

 

Institutional

    9.83     3.90     N/A        7.97     N/A        8.50     N/A   

Investor A

    9.71       3.61       (1.83 )%      7.70       6.55     8.20       7.62

Investor C

    9.26       2.86       1.86       6.89       6.89       7.55       7.55  

Class K

    9.85       3.96       N/A       8.03       N/A       8.53       N/A  

Class R

    9.55       3.39       N/A       7.43       N/A       7.93       N/A  

Russell 1000® Value Index(c)

    7.14       1.36       N/A       7.52       N/A       8.09       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” 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 seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes in large cap equity securities of U.S. issuers and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. The Fund’s total returns prior to June 12, 2017 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name BlackRock Large Cap Value Fund.

 
(c) 

An index that measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

12  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual     Hypothetical 5% Return        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   
     

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

Institutional

    $   1,000.00        $   1,098.30        $   2.83       $   1,000.00        $   1,022.30        $   2.73       0.54

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,097.10        4.14       1,000.00        1,021.05        3.99       0.79  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,092.60        8.06       1,000.00        1,017.30        7.77       1.54  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,098.50        2.57       1,000.00        1,022.55        2.48       0.49  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,095.50        5.45       1,000.00        1,019.80        5.25       1.04  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)  

Percent of

Net Assets

 

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    2.2

Medtronic PLC

    1.8  

Citigroup, Inc.

    1.7  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    1.7  

FedEx Corp.

    1.6  

MetLife, Inc.

    1.4  

Amgen, Inc.

    1.4  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    1.4  

Johnson & Johnson

    1.4  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    1.4  

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(a)  

Percent of

Net Assets

 

Financials

    20.3

Health Care

    16.0  

Industrials

    14.6  

Information Technology

    10.2  

Consumer Staples

    8.2  

Energy

    7.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.2  

Communication Services

    5.3  

Utilities

    3.7  

Real Estate

    3.7  

Materials

    3.6  

Short-Term Securities

    1.6  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (0.5

 

(a) 

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

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

    13  


About Fund Performance

 

Institutional and Class K Shares are not subject to any sales charge. These shares bear no ongoing distribution or service fees and are available only to certain eligible investors. BlackRock Advantage International Fund’s, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund’s and BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of January 25, 2018 is that of Institutional Shares. BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of January 25, 2018 is that of Investor A Shares. BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of March 28, 2016 is that of Institutional Shares. The performance of each Fund’s Class K Shares would be substantially similar to Investor A Shares or Institutional Shares, as applicable, because Investor A Shares or Institutional Shares, as applicable, of a Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities and performance would only differ to the extent that Class K Shares and Investor A Shares or Institutional Shares, as applicable, have different expenses. The actual returns of Class K Shares would have been higher than those of Investor A Shares or Institutional Shares, as applicable, because Class K Shares have lower expenses than Investor A Shares and 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. On July 6, 2021, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund’s issued and outstanding Service Shares converted into Investor A Shares with the same relative aggregate net asset value (“NAV”).

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. These shares automatically convert to Investor A Shares after approximately eight years.

Class R Shares (available only in BlackRock Advantage International Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund and BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, 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 assume reinvestment of all distributions, if any, at NAV on the ex-dividend date or payable date, as applicable. 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(s) and/or reimbursement(s), each Fund’s performance would have been lower. With respect to each Fund’s voluntary waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to waive and/or reimburse or to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees and such voluntary waiver(s) may be reduced or discontinued at any time. With respect to each Fund’s contractual waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees after the applicable termination date of such agreement. See 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, administration fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) 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. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. 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.

 

14  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


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. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, among other things, the Fund must either use derivative financial instruments with embedded leverage in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. 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.

 

D E R I V A T I V E  F I N A N C I A L  I N S T R U M E N T S

    15  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Australia — 5.7%            

AGL Energy Ltd.

    24,570     $ 152,989  

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

    372,794       9,976,584  

BHP Group Ltd.

    851,571       25,923,895  

Brambles Ltd.

    498,614       4,394,082  

Charter Hall Group

    58,967       404,660  

Cochlear Ltd.

    12,774       2,303,878  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    633       43,729  

CSL Ltd.

    46,878       8,133,655  

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd.

    141,521       1,712,532  

Glencore PLC

    458,669       2,565,883  

Lendlease Corp. Ltd.

    59,556       260,333  

Macquarie Group Ltd.

    105,883       11,794,960  

Qantas Airways Ltd.(a)

    84,416       295,500  

Rio Tinto PLC

    99,680       6,812,895  

Rocketboots Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,389       128  

Sonic Healthcare Ltd.

    144,717       2,800,424  

Transurban Group

    337,885       2,886,886  

Worley Ltd.

    71,826       803,469  
   

 

 

 
       81,266,482  
Austria — 0.5%            

BAWAG Group AG(c)

    49,440       2,578,836  

Erste Group Bank AG

    96,229       3,891,639  

OMV AG

    17,946       766,272  
   

 

 

 
      7,236,747  
Belgium — 1.1%            

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NV

    22,662       1,798,521  

KBC Group NV

    33,634       1,928,156  

Sofina SA(b)

    5,017       1,118,145  

Solvay SA

    62,497       7,239,656  

UCB SA

    51,278       3,792,507  

Warehouses De Pauw CVA

    7,898       221,944  
   

 

 

 
      16,098,929  
China — 0.3%            

Budweiser Brewing Co. APAC Ltd.(c)

    296,300       523,145  

Prosus NV

    105,804       3,498,000  
   

 

 

 
      4,021,145  
Denmark — 4.1%            

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class A

    34       52,745  

AP Moller - Maersk A/S, Class B

    1,970       3,110,643  

Coloplast A/S, Class B

    343       40,473  

DSV A/S

    55,507       8,350,836  

Genmab A/S(a)

    8,091       2,544,744  

GN Store Nord AS(a)

    13,687       322,113  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    413,117       42,205,956  

Orsted AS(c)

    47,315       2,227,960  
   

 

 

 
      58,855,470  
Finland — 0.2%            

Nordea Bank Abp

    291,245       3,255,948  

UPM-Kymmene Oyj

    784       27,428  
   

 

 

 
      3,283,376  
France — 8.8%            

Aeroports de Paris SA

    822       101,355  

Air Liquide SA

    2,174       412,147  

Alstom SA

    6,020       74,594  

Amundi SA(c)

    710       43,766  

Arkema SA

    3,951       402,043  

AXA SA

    90,151       2,810,943  

Bureau Veritas SA

    11,051       267,555  
Security   Shares     Value  
France (continued)            

Carrefour SA

    256,151     $ 4,856,562  

Covivio SA

    1,806       88,265  

Credit Agricole SA

    1,064,344       13,948,860  

Dassault Aviation SA

    13,573       2,695,701  

Dassault Systemes SE

    234,484       10,997,434  

Eiffage SA

    76,213       7,726,524  

Engie SA

    491,453       8,528,234  

Eurazeo SE

    1,446       108,660  

Forvia SE(a)

    64,386       1,270,833  

Gecina SA

    16,013       1,773,059  

Getlink SE

    70,143       1,281,733  

Hermes International SCA

    8,200       16,994,612  

La Francaise des Jeux SAEM, Class A(c)

    2,389       86,449  

Legrand SA

    1,717       165,603  

L’Oreal SA

    3,293       1,547,352  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    10,102       7,730,849  

Nexans SA

    741       58,344  

Pernod Ricard SA

    18,128       3,131,800  

Rexel SA

    84,311       2,034,582  

Sanofi SA

    18,300       1,706,748  

Schneider Electric SE

    63,434       11,675,200  

TotalEnergies SE

    35,248       2,402,476  

Ubisoft Entertainment SA(a)

    133,298       3,793,964  

Valeo SE

    163,782       2,378,175  

Vallourec SACA(a)

    44,702       657,718  

Veolia Environnement SA

    338,388       10,667,844  

Vinci SA

    7,752       948,404  

Vivendi SE

    105,394       997,547  

Wendel SE

    1,711       144,887  

Worldline SA(a)(c)

    21,700       337,254  
   

 

 

 
       124,848,076  
Germany — 10.0%            

adidas AG, Class N

    7,670       1,605,589  

BASF SE

    305,306       14,202,046  

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

    5,870       200,925  

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

    82,798       8,639,334  

Delivery Hero SE(a)(c)

    26,346       835,132  

Deutsche Post AG, Registered Shares

    48,290       2,269,102  

Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered Shares

    793,372       19,015,753  

Evonik Industries AG

    4,403       82,339  

Infineon Technologies AG, Class N

    366,642       14,146,720  

KION Group AG

    4,281       156,115  

LANXESS AG

    37,765       918,735  

Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Class N

    263,908       17,159,127  

Nemetschek SE

    21,598       1,885,559  

RWE AG

    144,643       6,200,010  

SAP SE

    175,047       27,844,834  

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    142,286       23,901,567  

Zalando SE(a)(c)

    112,753       2,688,275  
   

 

 

 
      141,751,162  
Hong Kong — 2.0%            

AIA Group Ltd.

    2,398,200       20,617,643  

CK Asset Holdings Ltd.

    289,500       1,370,893  

CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

    42,500       210,458  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

    45,600       146,873  

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

    83,300       3,226,173  

New World Development Co. Ltd.(b)

    1,045,000       1,554,985  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

    342,000       344,150  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

    54,000       529,452  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

    5,500       35,644  
 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Hong Kong (continued)            

Swire Properties Ltd.

    171,600     $ 333,242  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

    223,000       702,847  
   

 

 

 
       29,072,360  
India — 0.0%            

AceVector Ltd. (Acquired 05/07/14, cost $804,375)(a)(d)(e)

    172,800       102,818  
   

 

 

 
Ireland — 0.0%            

James Hardie Industries PLC(a)

    12,940       413,232  

Kingspan Group PLC

    3,429       272,485  
   

 

 

 
      685,717  
Israel — 0.4%            

Bank Hapoalim BM

    52,371       442,450  

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM

    112,527       843,452  

Nice Ltd.(a)

    10,301       1,955,343  

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.(a)

    177,140       1,735,772  
   

 

 

 
      4,977,017  
Italy — 2.8%            

Assicurazioni Generali SpA

    85,920       1,779,377  

Enel SpA

    2,548,129       18,007,218  

Eni SpA

    2,568       42,584  

Ferrari NV

    15,486       5,580,805  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

    1,378,312       3,973,118  

Leonardo SpA

    80,068       1,228,798  

MFE-MediaForEurope NV, Class A

    23       56  

MFE-MediaForEurope NV, Class B(b)

    2       7  

Moncler SpA

    8,015       444,140  

Poste Italiane SpA(c)

    181,680       1,958,121  

Recordati Industria Chimica e Farmaceutica SpA

    24,957       1,201,943  

Snam SpA

    153,871       775,309  

UniCredit SpA

    153,182       4,178,011  
   

 

 

 
      39,169,487  
Japan — 23.8%            

Asahi Kasei Corp.

    25,600       177,741  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    749,600       9,136,024  

Canon, Inc.

    35,500       914,642  

Central Japan Railway Co.

    298,100       7,151,469  

Concordia Financial Group Ltd.

    24,900       117,193  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.

    83,900       1,758,848  

Daito Trust Construction Co. Ltd.

    12,200       1,343,889  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

    49,000       1,392,308  

Denso Corp.

    149,300       2,343,076  

DMG Mori Co. Ltd.

    163,400       2,944,071  

ENEOS Holdings, Inc.

    639,800       2,518,232  

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

    65,500       16,640,042  

GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.

    29,600       1,735,583  

Hikari Tsushin, Inc.

    400       62,038  

Hitachi Ltd.

    206,800       14,379,068  

Honda Motor Co. Ltd.

    20,800       212,762  

Hoya Corp.

    30,500       3,430,530  

Hulic Co. Ltd.

    118,500       1,176,768  

ITOCHU Corp.

    119,700       4,653,629  

J Front Retailing Co. Ltd.

    126,300       1,156,962  

Japan Exchange Group, Inc.

    44,800       914,472  

Japan Post Bank Co. Ltd.

    129,000       1,272,287  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

    1,184,200       10,462,778  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    581,100       14,942,847  

JFE Holdings, Inc.

    39,500       583,461  

JGC Holdings Corp.

    8,600       96,908  

Kakaku.com, Inc.

    137,600       1,557,338  

KDDI Corp.

    79,500       2,483,426  
Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

KDX Realty Investment Corp.

    60     $ 68,721  

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    8,600       396,706  

Komatsu Ltd.

    149,600        3,826,632  

Konica Minolta, Inc.(a)

    42,500       134,646  

Kubota Corp.

    4,300       61,760  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

    105,900       1,750,645  

Lawson, Inc.

    74,100       3,659,019  

M3, Inc.

    65,600       1,082,569  

Marubeni Corp.

    53,500       836,093  

Marui Group Co. Ltd.

    102,700       1,642,621  

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.

    589,500       3,865,470  

Mitsubishi Corp.

    282,800       13,186,470  

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

    23,300       315,621  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

    136,300       1,842,568  

Mitsubishi HC Capital, Inc.

    71,500       466,397  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    1,495,500       12,742,660  

Mitsui & Co. Ltd.

    327,100       11,928,364  

Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd.

    253,700       5,963,805  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

    224,300       3,806,300  

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.

    202,800       7,635,701  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    54,600       1,061,000  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

    73,700       1,592,559  

Nidec Corp.

    161,200       6,112,433  

Nikon Corp.

    117,200       1,131,567  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    144,000       6,712,189  

Nippon Express Holdings, Inc.

    36,300       1,980,175  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    49,500       368,997  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    2,988,600       3,497,398  

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

    1,334,900       5,298,673  

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

    182,200       746,144  

Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.

    2,700       65,843  

NSK Ltd.

    242,700       1,273,960  

Obic Co. Ltd.

    9,100       1,392,251  

Omron Corp.

    52,700       2,209,456  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    114,800       2,115,078  

Oracle Corp. Japan

    9,500       731,587  

Oriental Land Co. Ltd.

    57,700       1,960,022  

ORIX Corp.

    249,200       4,552,644  

Otsuka Corp.

    1,400       57,039  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

    59,600       2,299,096  

Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp.

    27,900       604,438  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    1,041,400       10,730,704  

Rakuten Group, Inc.

    580,700       2,294,867  

Recruit Holdings Co. Ltd.

    480,100       17,741,820  

Resona Holdings, Inc.

    190,600       992,846  

SBI Holdings, Inc.

    2,000       43,388  

SCREEN Holdings Co. Ltd.

    24,500       1,782,273  

Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.

    256,300       3,720,721  

Sekisui House Ltd.

    204,600       4,189,264  

SHIFT, Inc.(a)

    1,400       324,795  

Shiseido Co. Ltd.

    86,800       2,325,246  

Skylark Holdings Co. Ltd.(a)

    151,900       2,236,165  

SoftBank Corp.

    255,800       3,108,716  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    91,900       3,723,937  

Sompo Holdings, Inc.

    42,000       1,926,683  

Subaru Corp.

    4,700       83,845  

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

    47,300       120,784  

Sumitomo Corp.

    11,300       236,920  

Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

    60,400       750,099  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    120,200        5,913,534  

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.

    23,300       876,909  

Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.

    39,500       1,117,151  
 

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)            

T&D Holdings, Inc.

    44,700     $ 665,097  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

    146,900       4,164,312  

Terumo Corp.

    12,700       405,479  

Toho Co. Ltd.

    17,000       589,145  

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

    551,800       13,663,749  

Tokyo Electron Ltd.

    118,200       18,989,024  

Tokyo Tatemono Co. Ltd.

    9,100       129,538  

Toyota Motor Corp.

    398,300       7,562,064  

Toyota Tsusho Corp.

    4,200       232,744  
   

 

 

 
       337,175,528  
Luxembourg — 1.0%            

ArcelorMittal SA

    586,191       14,737,461  

SES SA

    9       54  
   

 

 

 
      14,737,515  
Macau — 0.1%            

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

    50,000       258,655  

Sands China Ltd.(a)

    459,600       1,127,167  
   

 

 

 
      1,385,822  
Netherlands — 4.4%            

ABN AMRO Bank NV, CVA(c)

    62,183       835,699  

Adyen NV(a)(c)

    1,331       1,556,279  

Argenx SE(a)

    3,592       1,602,183  

ASML Holding NV

    19,275       13,136,426  

Euronext NV(c)

    10,389       862,410  

ING Groep NV

    1,055,720       14,831,796  

Koninklijke Philips NV(a)

    29,030       595,732  

NN Group NV

    27,785       1,060,387  

Shell PLC

    594,458       19,215,770  

Signify NV(c)

    100,219       2,916,280  

Stellantis NV

    248,675       5,404,799  

Wolters Kluwer NV, Class C

    5,127       706,207  
   

 

 

 
      62,723,968  
New Zealand — 0.2%            

Xero Ltd.(a)

    33,619       2,292,118  
   

 

 

 
Norway — 1.4%            

DNB Bank ASA

    209,615       3,996,070  

Equinor ASA

    447,645       14,301,940  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    24,554       142,580  

Yara International ASA

    23,636       801,857  
   

 

 

 
      19,242,447  
Portugal — 0.0%            

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    51,140       244,579  
   

 

 

 
Singapore — 1.6%            

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust(b)

    377,400       513,357  

CapitaLand Investment Ltd.

    452,900       1,025,698  

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    141,400       3,358,912  

Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.

    120,400       2,568,622  

Singapore Airlines Ltd.

    1,153,700       5,470,851  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

    2,652,500       4,570,392  

STMicroelectronics NV

    54,520       2,588,027  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    111,600       2,277,675  

UOL Group Ltd.

    16,100       70,987  
   

 

 

 
      22,444,521  
South Africa — 0.0%            

Anglo American PLC

    15,745       426,106  
   

 

 

 
Spain — 3.6%            

Acciona SA

    13,022       1,838,018  

ACS Actividades de Construccion y Servicios SA

    20,931       836,661  
Security   Shares     Value  
Spain (continued)            

Amadeus IT Group SA

    100,562     $ 6,904,258  

Banco Santander SA

    4,452,681       18,457,397  

Bankinter SA

    112,063       788,459  

CaixaBank SA

    1,821,454       8,204,161  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    4,105       74,975  

Iberdrola SA

    72,836       900,179  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    161,855       6,678,954  

Repsol SA

    93,091       1,429,444  

Telefonica SA

    1,098,040       4,735,022  
   

 

 

 
      50,847,528  
Sweden — 2.3%            

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    322,346       8,258,629  

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

    63,319       836,307  

Electrolux AB, Class B(a)

    251,176       2,472,760  

Elekta AB, B Shares

    218,388       1,704,397  

Essity AB, Class B

    19,762       494,393  

Evolution AB(c)

    2,103       217,871  

H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, B Shares

    515,861       8,262,206  

Hexagon AB, B Shares

    17,458       174,857  

Investor AB, B Shares

    187,528       3,896,087  

SKF AB, B Shares

    66,306       1,247,936  

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB(a)

    6,447       153,197  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, B Shares

    17,079       84,454  

Trelleborg AB, B Shares

    105,862       3,285,783  

Volvo Car AB, Class B(a)

    336,428       1,098,105  
   

 

 

 
      32,186,982  
Switzerland — 10.0%            

ABB Ltd., Registered Shares

    476,089       18,933,373  

Avolta AG, Registered Shares(a)

    40,218       1,404,986  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, NVS

    77       952,083  

Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG, Registered Shares

    11       1,345,448  

Holcim AG

    84,541       6,218,814  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered Shares

    6,078       1,759,409  

Logitech International SA, Registered Shares

    90,445       7,906,707  

Medmix AG(c)

    2       43  

Nestlé SA, Registered Shares

    347,843       39,580,598  

Novartis AG, Registered Shares

    296,140       28,905,716  

Roche Holding AG

    3,548       1,010,828  

Roche Holding AG, NVS

    81,364       21,888,637  

SGS SA, Registered Shares

    84,268       7,171,448  

Temenos AG, Registered Shares

    55,799       4,735,104  
   

 

 

 
       141,813,194  
United Kingdom — 12.4%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    95,528       12,295,065  

Auto Trader Group PLC(c)

    447,556       4,104,968  

Aviva PLC

    154,147       813,892  

BAE Systems PLC

    1,166,265       15,473,213  

Barclays PLC

    1,869,898       3,343,350  

BP PLC

    2,921,773       17,763,423  

British American Tobacco PLC

    567,636       18,062,184  

British Land Co. PLC (The)

    654,324       2,913,958  

Bunzl PLC

    1,597       60,625  

Carnival PLC(a)

    41,221       546,891  

CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.

    31,500       158,036  

Close Brothers Group PLC

    15       146  

CNH Industrial NV

    320,403       3,405,862  

ConvaTec Group PLC(c)

    46,937       133,303  

Diageo PLC

    35,398       1,238,978  

Direct Line Insurance Group PLC(a)

    219,470       522,940  

Drax Group PLC

    37,611       207,401  
 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
United Kingdom (continued)            

Dunelm Group PLC

    24     $ 317  

easyJet PLC(a)

    282,458       1,624,596  

Experian PLC

    337,143       12,394,612  

GSK PLC

    361,216       6,490,134  

Halma PLC

    29,050       783,990  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    823,430       6,289,691  

IG Group Holdings PLC

    42,400       366,685  

IMI PLC

    29,903       591,010  

Imperial Brands PLC

    82,178       1,921,233  

Intertek Group PLC

    41,421       2,088,532  

Johnson Matthey PLC

    2,724       53,387  

Just Eat Takeaway.com NV(a)(c)

    274,812       4,301,561  

Lloyds Banking Group PLC

    378,332       208,570  

London Stock Exchange Group PLC

    60,443       6,813,946  

Pearson PLC

    7,992       94,805  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    36,434       2,487,238  

RELX PLC

    49,239       1,894,856  

Rightmove PLC

    314,791       2,171,311  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(a)

    10,018       34,186  

Smiths Group PLC

    578,658       12,073,568  

Spectris PLC

    50,844       2,162,198  

Standard Chartered PLC

    124,021       1,026,666  

Tate & Lyle PLC

    31,353       244,218  

Tesco PLC

    1,729,110       6,249,017  

Unilever PLC

    167,553       7,993,413  

Vodafone Group PLC

    15,824,702       14,229,076  

Weir Group PLC (The)

    4,003       94,883  
   

 

 

 
      175,727,934  
United States — 0.1%            

CRH PLC

    9,584       606,107  

Ferrovial SE

    15,901       549,925  
   

 

 

 
      1,156,032  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 96.8%
(Cost: $1,208,785,017)

 

     1,373,773,060  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 0.1%            
Germany — 0.1%            

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Preference Shares

    6,849       650,854  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 0.1%
(Cost: $653,795)

 

    650,854  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 96.9%
(Cost: $1,209,438,812)

 

    1,374,423,914  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 2.5%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(f)(g)

    34,662,191     $ 34,662,191  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(f)(g)(h)

    1,170,453       1,172,106  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.5%
(Cost: $35,833,932)

 

    35,834,297  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $1,245,272,744)

 

    1,410,258,211  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.6%

 

    8,417,980  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  1,418,676,191  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this 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) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $102,818, representing 0.0% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $804,375.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h) 

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

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

05/31/23

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  39,104,394     $     $  (4,442,203 )(a)    $     $     $  34,662,191       34,662,191     $ 769,785     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    2,613,380             (1,442,257 )(a)      811       172       1,172,106       1,170,453       11,798 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 811     $ 172     $  35,834,297       $  781,583     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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 EAFE Index

     291        12/15/23      $  30,942      $ 796,789  
           

 

 

 

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)

   $        $        $  796,789        $        $        $        $  796,789  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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 November 30, 2023, 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

   $        $        $ (1,296,700      $        $        $        $ (1,296,700
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ 2,073,132        $        $        $        $ 2,073,132  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 29,814,255  

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

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage International Fund

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Australia

   $ 128        $ 81,266,354        $        $ 81,266,482  

Austria

              7,236,747                   7,236,747  

Belgium

              16,098,929                   16,098,929  

China

              4,021,145                   4,021,145  

Denmark

              58,855,470                   58,855,470  

Finland

     27,428          3,255,948                   3,283,376  

France

     58,344          124,789,732                   124,848,076  

Germany

              141,751,162                   141,751,162  

Hong Kong

              29,072,360                   29,072,360  

India

                       102,818          102,818  

Ireland

              685,717                   685,717  

Israel

              4,977,017                   4,977,017  

Italy

     63          39,169,424                   39,169,487  

Japan

     3,778,096          333,397,432                   337,175,528  

Luxembourg

              14,737,515                   14,737,515  

Macau

              1,385,822                   1,385,822  

Netherlands

              62,723,968                   62,723,968  

New Zealand

              2,292,118                   2,292,118  

Norway

              19,242,447                   19,242,447  

Portugal

              244,579                   244,579  

Singapore

              22,444,521                   22,444,521  

South Africa

              426,106                   426,106  

Spain

              50,847,528                   50,847,528  

Sweden

     153,197          32,033,785                   32,186,982  

Switzerland

     43          141,813,151                   141,813,194  

United Kingdom

     451,619          175,276,315                   175,727,934  

United States

              1,156,032                   1,156,032  

Preferred Securities

              650,854                   650,854  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     34,662,191                            34,662,191  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  39,131,109        $  1,369,852,178        $ 102,818          1,409,086,105  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                    1,172,106  
                 

 

 

 
                  $  1,410,258,211  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 796,789        $        $        $ 796,789  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

    
Aerospace & Defense — 0.5%             

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    12,761      $ 5,713,993  
    

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.7%             

FedEx Corp.

    29,584        7,657,227  
    

 

 

 
Automobiles — 2.4%             

General Motors Co.

    35,382        1,118,071  

Tesla, Inc.(a)

    100,107        24,033,689  
    

 

 

 
        25,151,760  
Beverages — 1.9%             

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    82,238        4,805,989  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    87,754        14,768,120  
    

 

 

 
       19,574,109  
Biotechnology — 4.1%             

AbbVie, Inc.

    83,751        11,925,305  

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    11,662        259,829  

Amgen, Inc.

    63,937        17,239,973  

Exelixis, Inc.(a)

    63,103        1,376,276  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    136,037        7,392,251  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    22,986        2,679,938  

Seagen, Inc.(a)

    6,158        1,312,947  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    20,150        782,827  

United Therapeutics Corp.(a)

    898        215,520  
    

 

 

 
       43,184,866  
Broadline Retail — 5.1%             

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    354,501        51,789,051  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)

    1,156        1,873,252  
    

 

 

 
       53,662,303  
Building Products — 0.3%             

A O Smith Corp.

    8,200        617,952  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.(a)

    20,771        2,785,599  

Owens Corning

    1,209        163,916  
    

 

 

 
       3,567,467  
Capital Markets — 1.4%             

Moody’s Corp.

    24,741        9,029,476  

S&P Global, Inc.

    13,440        5,588,755  
    

 

 

 
       14,618,231  
Chemicals — 1.2%             

Cabot Corp.

    1        76  

Ecolab, Inc.

    10,638        2,039,624  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    38,880        10,839,744  
    

 

 

 
       12,879,444  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%  

Cintas Corp.

    18,124        10,027,103  
    

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 0.2%  

Arista Networks, Inc.(a)

    9,690        2,128,990  
    

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 0.6%  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    16,967        3,605,827  

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    11,849        2,601,685  
    

 

 

 
       6,207,512  
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 0.6%  

Sysco Corp.

    44,452        3,208,101  

Walmart, Inc.

    20,874        3,249,873  
    

 

 

 
       6,457,974  
Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 0.3%  

AMETEK, Inc.

    4,883      $ 757,988  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    8,803        2,424,698  
    

 

 

 
       3,182,686  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.5%  

Flex Ltd.(a)

    106,388        2,707,575  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    100,789        13,203,359  
    

 

 

 
        15,910,934  
Entertainment — 1.3%  

Electronic Arts, Inc.

    18,476        2,549,873  

Netflix, Inc.(a)

    15,616        7,401,516  

Spotify Technology SA(a)

    17,985        3,329,203  
    

 

 

 
       13,280,592  
Financial Services — 5.5%  

Block, Inc., Class A(a)

    133,863        8,490,930  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a)

    1,501        130,917  

Fiserv, Inc.(a)

    3,115        406,850  

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

    23,125        3,669,706  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    70,054        28,990,447  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    63,532        16,307,394  
    

 

 

 
       57,996,244  
Food Products — 0.6%  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    2,107        155,349  

Hershey Co. (The)

    32,779        6,159,830  
    

 

 

 
       6,315,179  
Ground Transportation — 0.1%  

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

    2,007        780,843  
    

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.0%  

Dexcom, Inc.(a)

    20,440        2,361,229  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    42,433        2,873,138  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    7,323        3,411,200  

Medtronic PLC

    44,635        3,538,217  

ResMed, Inc.

    12,599        1,987,240  

Stryker Corp.

    21,795        6,458,512  
    

 

 

 
       20,629,536  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.4%  

Cencora, Inc.

    2,561        520,831  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    28,268        13,554,223  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

    6,546        451,739  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    1,105        611,032  
    

 

 

 
       15,137,825  
Health Care Technology — 0.3%  

Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)

    146,987        2,666,344  
    

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.6%  

Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)

    3,840        12,002,688  

Boyd Gaming Corp.

    69,200        4,086,260  

McDonald’s Corp.

    18,051        5,087,494  

Starbucks Corp.

    46,643        4,631,650  

Travel + Leisure Co.

    40,546        1,445,059  
    

 

 

 
       27,253,151  
Household Durables — 0.4%  

DR Horton, Inc.

    19,193        2,450,370  

Toll Brothers, Inc.

    1,428        122,651  

TopBuild Corp.(a)

    5,094        1,506,704  
    

 

 

 
       4,079,725  
 

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Household Products — 0.4%  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    26,072     $ 3,225,888  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    5,996       920,506  
   

 

 

 
      4,146,394  
Insurance — 0.1%            

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    4,009       799,475  

W. R. Berkley Corp.

    1,950       141,472  
   

 

 

 
      940,947  
Interactive Media & Services — 9.2%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    147,245       19,514,380  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    231,713        31,031,005  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    141,059       46,147,452  

Pinterest, Inc., Class A(a)

    5,447       185,579  
   

 

 

 
      96,878,416  
IT Services — 0.8%            

Akamai Technologies, Inc.(a)

    16,873       1,949,338  

Amdocs Ltd.

    9,379       785,679  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    9,464       666,076  

Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)

    17,358       3,257,749  

VeriSign, Inc.(a)

    4,546       964,661  

Wix.com Ltd.(a)

    3,193       324,090  
   

 

 

 
      7,947,593  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.8%  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    66,775       8,533,845  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

    347       378,900  
   

 

 

 
      8,912,745  
Machinery — 1.0%            

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    24,254       5,874,561  

Oshkosh Corp.

    21,381       2,080,157  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    28,602       2,453,766  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

    571       247,346  
   

 

 

 
      10,655,830  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.6%            

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    73,684       3,638,516  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    38,586       22,805,869  

Zoetis, Inc., Class A

    3,891       687,423  
   

 

 

 
      27,131,808  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 9.1%  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    118,279       17,715,829  

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(b)

    24,732       1,521,018  

Broadcom, Inc.

    486       449,905  

Cirrus Logic, Inc.(a)

    9,229       700,573  

KLA Corp.

    1,329       723,800  

Lam Research Corp.

    6,244       4,470,205  

MaxLinear, Inc.(a)

    13,095       245,269  

NVIDIA Corp.

    107,750       50,394,675  

NXP Semiconductors NV

    14,557       2,970,793  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    126,869       16,372,444  
   

 

 

 
      95,564,511  
Software — 20.4%            

Adobe, Inc.(a)

    42,468       25,948,373  

Atlassian Corp., Class A(a)

    4,284       818,030  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)

    7,410       1,618,566  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    39,543       10,805,916  

Fortinet, Inc.(a)

    52,853       2,777,954  

FreedomPay, Inc.(a)(c)

    43,051       414,151  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Software (continued)            

Manhattan Associates, Inc.(a)

    34,908     $ 7,786,229  

Microsoft Corp.

    370,901       140,538,098  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)

    3,716       1,096,554  

Salesforce, Inc.(a)

    34,536       8,699,618  

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

    16,990       11,650,722  

Teradata Corp.(a)

    38,684       1,827,819  

Workday, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,561       693,314  
   

 

 

 
      214,675,344  
Specialty Retail — 3.7%  

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

    35,778       4,839,690  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    85,439       6,061,043  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    297       93,106  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a)

    4,266       4,190,833  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

    9,879       1,474,935  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    188,862       16,640,631  

Ulta Beauty, Inc.(a)

    4,530       1,929,735  

Wayfair, Inc., Class A(a)

    67,547       3,769,122  
   

 

 

 
      38,999,095  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 13.0%  

Apple Inc.

    630,587       119,780,001  

Dell Technologies, Inc., Class C

    57,747       4,381,265  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    263,868       4,462,008  

HP, Inc.

    276,122       8,101,419  

Pure Storage, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,932       97,665  
   

 

 

 
      136,822,358  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.3%  

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(a)

    23,464       10,483,715  

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A(a)

    47,682       2,808,947  
   

 

 

 
      13,292,662  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.6%  

WW Grainger, Inc.

    8,172       6,424,745  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.0%
(Cost: $636,507,246)

 

    1,040,456,486  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 1.1%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(d)(e)

    9,017,960       9,017,960  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(d)(e)(f)

    2,250,146       2,251,046  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.1%
(Cost: $11,268,913)

 

    11,269,006  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.1%
(Cost: $647,776,159)

 

    1,051,725,492  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

 

    (578,265
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  1,051,147,227  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

05/31/23

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 6,109,397     $  2,908,563 (a)    $     $     $     $ 9,017,960       9,017,960     $ 232,344     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    12,171,918             (9,919,874 )(a)      (2,273     1,275       2,251,046       2,250,146       113,214 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
         $ (2,273   $ 1,275     $ 11,269,006       $  345,558     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Long Contracts

                 

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     36          12/15/23        $ 11,510        $ 407,875  
                 

 

 

 

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)

   $      $      $  407,875      $      $      $      $  407,875  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 November 30, 2023, 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

   $      $      $  1,171,680      $      $      $      $  1,171,680  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 747      $      $      $      $ 747  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 11,193,255  

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $  1,040,042,335        $        $  414,151        $  1,040,456,486  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     9,017,960                            9,017,960  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,049,060,295        $        $ 414,151          1,049,474,446  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                    2,251,046  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 1,051,725,492  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 407,875        $        $        $ 407,875  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

    25  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Aerospace & Defense — 0.4%

   

AAR Corp.(a)(b)

    43,870     $ 3,040,191  

Ducommun, Inc.(a)

    101,955       5,136,493  

HEICO Corp., Class A

    7,286       1,001,169  

Moog, Inc., Class A

    6,214       870,022  

V2X, Inc.(a)

    40,110       1,700,664  
   

 

 

 
      11,748,539  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.1%            

Hub Group, Inc., Class A(a)

    52,281       3,949,829  
   

 

 

 
Automobile Components — 2.1%            

Adient PLC(a)

    362,401       11,669,312  

Cooper-Standard Holdings, Inc.(a)

    84,866       1,505,523  

Dana, Inc.

    1,108,365       14,641,502  

Gentherm, Inc.(a)

    41,157       1,889,930  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)(a)

    332,251       4,614,966  

Modine Manufacturing Co.(a)(b)

    130,291       6,410,317  

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.(a)

    37,624       362,695  

Patrick Industries, Inc.

    45,578       3,739,219  

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

    107,857       3,879,616  

Visteon Corp.(a)

    166,667       19,778,373  
   

 

 

 
      68,491,453  
Automobiles — 0.1%            

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

    52,980       3,424,097  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 8.4%            

Amalgamated Financial Corp.

    261,974       5,501,454  

Ameris Bancorp

    87,709       3,734,649  

Axos Financial, Inc.(a)

    79,848       3,055,783  

Bank of Marin Bancorp

    65,532       1,260,180  

Bank7 Corp.

    567       13,495  

BankFinancial Corp.

    42,534       379,829  

Bar Harbor Bankshares

    4,194       108,918  

BayCom Corp.

    962       20,106  

Business First Bancshares, Inc.

    75,468       1,526,718  

Byline Bancorp, Inc.

    19,920       398,201  

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

    184,595       4,936,070  

Capstar Financial Holdings, Inc.

    84,264       1,384,458  

Civista Bancshares, Inc.

    12,647       197,926  

Colony Bankcorp, Inc.

    3,247       34,840  

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc.

    56,023       2,229,155  

ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.

    148,378       2,917,111  

CVB Financial Corp.

    143,079       2,558,253  

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

    50,471       1,014,467  

Eagle Bancorp, Inc.

    8,553       203,048  

Enterprise Bancorp, Inc.

    21,593       583,659  

Enterprise Financial Services Corp.

    244,201       9,575,121  

FB Financial Corp.

    233,547       7,837,837  

Financial Institutions, Inc.

    70,662       1,226,692  

First Bancshares, Inc. (The)

    102,807       2,637,000  

First Busey Corp.

    122,633       2,661,136  

First Business Financial Services, Inc.

    47,081       1,646,893  

First Community Bankshares, Inc.

    65,814       2,149,485  

First Financial Corp.

    60,776       2,324,682  

First Financial Northwest, Inc.

    117,364       1,411,889  

First Foundation, Inc.

    77,299       454,518  

First Internet Bancorp

    65,618       1,439,659  

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A

     567,106        14,682,374  

First Merchants Corp.

    112,751       3,458,073  

First United Corp.

    31,236       577,866  

FS Bancorp, Inc.

    1,488       45,161  

Fulton Financial Corp.

    484,629       6,896,271  
Security   Shares     Value  
Banks (continued)            

Hancock Whitney Corp.

    647,308     $ 26,701,455  

HBT Financial, Inc.

    161,953       3,036,619  

Heartland Financial U.S.A., Inc.

    1,031,712       31,910,852  

Heritage Commerce Corp.

    709,749       6,025,769  

Heritage Financial Corp.

    37,249       663,777  

HomeTrust Bancshares, Inc.

    124,557       2,874,776  

Hope Bancorp, Inc.

    26,254       257,289  

Horizon Bancorp, Inc.

    585,531       6,376,433  

Independent Bank Corp.

    126,223       2,728,941  

Independent Bank Group, Inc.

    50,534       1,954,655  

International Bancshares Corp.

    40,172       1,802,518  

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

    404,105       5,006,861  

MainStreet Bancshares, Inc.

    10,441       217,382  

Mercantile Bank Corp.

    60,878       2,093,594  

Meridian Corp.

    440       5,768  

Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc.

    65,703       1,321,944  

Midland States Bancorp, Inc.

    301,973       6,818,550  

MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

    17,786       374,573  

MVB Financial Corp.

    8,732       174,553  

National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A

    42,538       1,404,179  

Northrim BanCorp, Inc.

    117,783       5,814,947  

OceanFirst Financial Corp.

    1,259,093       17,451,029  

Origin Bancorp, Inc.

    69,992       2,223,646  

Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp.

    62,196       1,544,949  

Premier Financial Corp.

    339,370       6,777,219  

Primis Financial Corp.

    5,858       58,639  

RBB Bancorp

    2,173       33,203  

Republic Bancorp, Inc., Class A

    32,644       1,532,636  

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.(a)

     1,198,112       101,240  

Riverview Bancorp, Inc.

    214,923       1,285,240  

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

    237,353       5,226,513  

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida

    28,681       666,546  

Shore Bancshares, Inc.

    138,798       1,657,248  

Sierra Bancorp

    82,339       1,543,033  

SmartFinancial, Inc.

    42,987       918,632  

South Plains Financial, Inc.

    80,530       2,093,780  

Southern First Bancshares, Inc.(a)

    50,275       1,477,080  

Summit Financial Group, Inc.

    15,941       372,541  

Third Coast Bancshares, Inc.(a)

    6,565       111,277  

Timberland Bancorp, Inc.

    7,135       207,914  

Towne Bank

    188,289       4,944,469  

UMB Financial Corp.

    74,003       5,303,055  

United Bankshares, Inc.

    191,347       6,335,499  

Univest Financial Corp.

    186,626       3,525,365  

Veritex Holdings, Inc.

    66,755       1,277,691  

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

    211,109       5,645,055  

WesBanco, Inc.

    342,447       9,115,939  

Western New England Bancorp, Inc.

    6,620       51,967  

Wintrust Financial Corp.

    13,885       1,189,528  
   

 

 

 
       281,319,345  
Beverages — 1.0%            

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

    1,476       1,084,151  

MGP Ingredients, Inc.

    93,362       7,977,783  

National Beverage Corp.(a)

    56,451       2,683,681  

Primo Water Corp.

    1,368,028       19,658,562  

Vita Coco Co., Inc. (The)(a)

    27,685       776,841  
   

 

 

 
      32,181,018  
Biotechnology — 7.1%            

2seventy bio, Inc.(a)

    87,321       159,797  

4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    64,588       821,559  

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    196,111       4,369,353  

Agenus, Inc.(a)(b)

    795,301       618,028  
 

 

 

26  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Biotechnology (continued)

   

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    127,088     $ 2,825,166  

Alector, Inc.(a)(b)

    677,289       3,670,906  

Alkermes PLC(a)

    453,202       10,940,296  

Allakos, Inc.(a)(b)

    111,299       247,084  

Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    337,216       792,458  

ALX Oncology Holdings, Inc.(a)

    45,110       353,662  

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    174,181       1,919,475  

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    39,041       855,388  

Apollomics, Inc., Class A(a)

    4,107       3,881  

Applied Molecular Transport, Inc.(a)

    65,272       12,793  

Arcus Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    212,865       3,205,747  

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    57,707       1,223,388  

ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    65       314  

Atossa Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    338,308       251,397  

Beam Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    221,014       6,206,073  

BioAtla, Inc.(a)

    141,176       249,882  

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    448,493       2,637,139  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)

    174,304       12,138,531  

Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.(a)(b)

    54,816       1,573,767  

C4 Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    309,264       504,100  

CareDx, Inc.(a)

    325,330       3,158,954  

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    78,853       1,137,849  

Chinook Therapeutics, Inc., CVR(a)(c)

    35,990       15,476  

Coherus Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    1,002,292       2,134,882  

Cytokinetics, Inc.(a)(b)

    114,577       3,836,038  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    329,851       4,159,421  

Denali Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    456,350       8,451,602  

Dynavax Technologies Corp.(a)(b)

    605,833       8,299,912  

Dyne Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    116,378       1,289,468  

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    25,084       146,741  

Editas Medicine, Inc.(a)

    285,709       3,008,516  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(a)(b)

    1,079,154       2,309,390  

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    111,289       1,039,439  

Erasca, Inc.(a)

    1,734       2,948  

Fate Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

     1,352,646       3,368,089  

G1 Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    5,173       9,725  

Graphite Bio, Inc.(a)

    9,136       20,739  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    292,832       11,306,244  

Homology Medicines, Inc.(a)

    191,198       101,526  

Ideaya Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    71,183       2,238,705  

ImmunoGen, Inc.(a)

    140,308       4,118,040  

Insmed, Inc.(a)

    58,946       1,474,829  

Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    286,243       8,481,380  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A(a)

    793,336       7,854,026  

iTeos Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    226,751       2,122,389  

Jounce Therapeutics, Inc., CVR(a)

    10,334       91  

Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    744,877       573,555  

Kezar Life Sciences, Inc.(a)

    61,112       51,187  

Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Class A(a)

    203,881       3,296,756  

Kinnate Biopharma, Inc.(a)

    9,740       22,110  

Kodiak Sciences, Inc.(a)

    547,366       1,324,626  

Kronos Bio, Inc.(a)(b)

    43,065       51,247  

Kura Oncology, Inc.(a)

    377,895       3,654,245  

Kymera Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    100,803       2,092,670  

MacroGenics, Inc.(a)(b)

    366,989       3,012,980  

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    2,616       531,833  

MiMedx Group, Inc.(a)

    139,128       1,081,025  

Mural Oncology PLC(a)

    45,320       163,605  

Myriad Genetics, Inc.(a)

    143,515        2,739,701  

NextCure, Inc.(a)

    169,789       200,351  

Nkarta, Inc.(a)

    39,690       104,782  

Nurix Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    130,731       813,147  
Security   Shares     Value  

Biotechnology (continued)

   

Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    153,452     $ 2,140,655  

Organogenesis Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

    46,047       117,420  

ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    2,176       17,190  

Passage Bio, Inc.(a)

    143,703       90,691  

PMV Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    297,837       682,047  

Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    155,138       414,219  

Prelude Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    6,387       21,141  

Prothena Corp. PLC(a)

    23,604       769,018  

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    252,998       5,824,014  

Puma Biotechnology, Inc.(a)

    222,711       868,573  

RayzeBio, Inc.(a)

    1,705       40,715  

REGENXBIO, Inc.(a)

    374,365       7,307,605  

Relay Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    410,233       3,244,943  

Replimune Group, Inc.(a)(b)

    102,018       1,140,561  

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.(a)(b)

    124,641       2,907,875  

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    767,935       875,446  

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    16,359       320,309  

Sana Biotechnology, Inc.(a)(b)

    128,988       523,691  

Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    1,674,563       720,062  

Scholar Rock Holding Corp.(a)

    69,672       877,171  

Shattuck Labs, Inc.(a)

    4,414       8,652  

Surface Oncology, Inc., CVR(a)

    58,721       5,515  

Sutro Biopharma, Inc.(a)

    358,425       935,489  

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    478,823       7,970,009  

TG Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    45,869       587,582  

Travere Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    591,926       3,717,295  

Twist Bioscience Corp.(a)

    336,018       8,081,233  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)(b)

    51,420       1,997,667  

Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    637,008       2,369,670  

Vaxcyte, Inc.(a)

    70,137       3,630,993  

Veracyte, Inc.(a)

    335,016       8,576,410  

Vericel Corp.(a)(b)

    88,753       3,154,282  

Vir Biotechnology, Inc.(a)

    376,225       3,570,375  

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    51,478       373,730  

Xencor, Inc.(a)

    341,421       6,261,661  
   

 

 

 
       235,524,332  
Broadline Retail — 0.1%            

Dillard’s, Inc., Class A

    6,418       2,227,624  
   

 

 

 

Building Products — 2.0%

   

American Woodmark Corp.(a)

    50,601       3,663,512  

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

    60,601       2,733,105  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.(a)

    5,994       803,855  

Caesarstone Ltd.(a)

    78,729       319,640  

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.(a)

    162,529       10,920,324  

Janus International Group, Inc.(a)(b)

    543,033       5,728,998  

JELD-WEN Holding, Inc.(a)

    510,420       8,156,512  

UFP Industries, Inc.

     327,899       35,947,567  
   

 

 

 
      68,273,513  
Capital Markets — 1.7%            

Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc., Class A

    101,886       3,836,008  

AssetMark Financial Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    47,541       1,218,951  

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

    52,287       3,058,267  

Federated Hermes, Inc., Class B

    83,185       2,646,947  

GCM Grosvenor, Inc., Class A

    31,780       256,464  

Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A

    111,929       10,952,253  

Houlihan Lokey, Inc., Class A

    230,475       24,826,767  

Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc., Class A, NVS

    11,876       472,783  

Patria Investments Ltd., Class A

    105,598       1,495,268  

PJT Partners, Inc., Class A

    26,237       2,362,904  

Victory Capital Holdings, Inc., Class A

    211,580       6,802,297  
   

 

 

 
      57,928,909  
 

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Chemicals — 0.9%

   

Alto Ingredients, Inc.(a)

    77,029     $ 187,951  

Cabot Corp.

    98,215       7,454,518  

Ingevity Corp.(a)

    23,133       897,329  

Innospec, Inc.

    39,324       4,131,773  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    67,368       4,219,932  

Quaker Chemical Corp.

    60,544       10,824,662  

Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.(a)

     228,885       755,320  
   

 

 

 
       28,471,485  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.6%            

BrightView Holdings, Inc.(a)

    487,565       3,724,997  

CECO Environmental Corp.(a)

    62,082       1,195,078  

CoreCivic, Inc.(a)

    328,588       4,754,668  

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

    382,819       3,717,172  

Interface, Inc., Class A

    62,800       634,908  

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.(a)

    199,351       175,748  

Steelcase, Inc., Class A

    542,041       6,672,525  
   

 

 

 
      20,875,096  
Communications Equipment — 0.4%            

Calix, Inc.(a)(b)

    250,295       9,658,884  

Extreme Networks, Inc.(a)

    63,817       1,030,006  

Lantronix, Inc.(a)

    1,949       11,324  

NETGEAR, Inc.(a)

    168,956       2,304,560  
   

 

 

 
      13,004,774  
Construction & Engineering — 2.9%            

Arcosa, Inc.

    7,492       555,907  

Comfort Systems U.S.A., Inc.(b)

    82,195       15,911,308  

Construction Partners, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    71,296       2,991,580  

Dycom Industries, Inc.(a)

    47,115       4,893,835  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    131,228       27,888,575  

Fluor Corp.(a)

    337,742       12,844,328  

Matrix Service Co.(a)

    83,144       828,114  

MYR Group, Inc.(a)

    101,086       12,577,120  

Primoris Services Corp.

    316,052       9,595,339  

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.(a)

    101,804       6,465,572  

Tutor Perini Corp.(a)

    220,495       1,845,543  
   

 

 

 
      96,397,221  
Construction Materials — 0.4%            

Summit Materials, Inc., Class A(a)

    398,839       13,835,725  
   

 

 

 

Consumer Finance — 1.2%

   

Enova International, Inc.(a)

    304,685       12,553,022  

EZCORP, Inc., Class A, NVS(a)

    1,037,792       8,509,894  

FirstCash Holdings, Inc.

    75,598       8,466,976  

LendingClub Corp.(a)

    153,039       964,146  

LendingTree, Inc.(a)(b)

    191,905       3,396,719  

Oportun Financial Corp.(a)(b)

    49,135       127,751  

PROG Holdings, Inc.(a)

    156,963       4,278,811  

Regional Management Corp.

    101,291       2,240,557  
   

 

 

 
      40,537,876  
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 0.3%  

Andersons, Inc. (The)

    54,049       2,694,883  

PriceSmart, Inc.

    55,820       3,761,710  

SpartanNash Co.

    110,457       2,448,832  

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.(a)

    46,046       1,983,661  
   

 

 

 
      10,889,086  
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.7%            

2U, Inc.(a)

    110,489       108,544  

American Public Education, Inc.(a)

    74,677       587,708  

Chegg, Inc.(a)

    323,218       3,209,555  

Duolingo, Inc., Class A(a)

    25,619       5,438,657  
Security   Shares     Value  

Diversified Consumer Services (continued)

 

Frontdoor, Inc.(a)

    521,714     $ 17,910,442  

Laureate Education, Inc., Class A

    1,701,792       22,344,529  

OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd.(a)

    143,552       1,729,801  

Rover Group, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    136,705       1,495,553  

Stride, Inc.(a)

    75,703       4,586,088  
   

 

 

 
      57,410,877  
Diversified REITs — 0.5%            

American Assets Trust, Inc.

    653,860       13,168,740  

Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc.

    142,328       1,562,762  

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    123,526       1,106,793  
   

 

 

 
      15,838,295  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.5%  

Bandwidth, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    228,375       2,507,558  

Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc.

    82,321       5,257,019  

EchoStar Corp., Class A(a)

     255,109       2,670,991  

IDT Corp., Class B(a)

    36,063       1,058,449  

Iridium Communications, Inc.

    35,774       1,362,989  

Liberty Latin America Ltd., Class A(a)

    40,329       273,027  

Lumen Technologies, Inc.(a)

    99,428       130,251  

Ooma, Inc.(a)

    425,239       4,932,773  
   

 

 

 
      18,193,057  
Electric Utilities — 0.3%            

ALLETE, Inc.

    95,710       5,309,991  

Portland General Electric Co.

    88,944       3,652,040  
   

 

 

 
      8,962,031  
Electrical Equipment — 1.8%            

Allient, Inc.

    26,896       701,448  

Atkore, Inc.(a)

    207,020       26,891,898  

Encore Wire Corp.

    77,678       14,316,055  

EnerSys

    174,861       15,471,701  

Thermon Group Holdings, Inc.(a)

    84,687       2,553,313  
   

 

 

 
      59,934,415  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 3.9%  

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.

    15,811       1,502,835  

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

    224,346       5,597,433  

ePlus, Inc.(a)

    196,995       12,505,243  

Fabrinet(a)

    72,333       11,710,713  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.(a)(b)

    119,885       18,152,987  

Itron, Inc.(a)

    260,120       17,526,886  

Kimball Electronics, Inc.(a)

    57,402       1,414,385  

Methode Electronics, Inc.

    1,181       28,025  

OSI Systems, Inc.(a)

    26,026       3,208,745  

PC Connection, Inc.

    192,592       11,484,261  

Plexus Corp.(a)

    44,491       4,533,188  

Rogers Corp.(a)

    9,103       1,177,928  

Sanmina Corp.(a)

    618,478       30,991,933  

ScanSource, Inc.(a)

    114,277       3,820,280  

TTM Technologies, Inc.(a)

    353,709       5,309,172  
   

 

 

 
       128,964,014  
Energy Equipment & Services — 2.1%            

Archrock, Inc.

    549,371       7,960,386  

Borr Drilling Ltd.(a)(b)

    965,881       6,085,050  

ChampionX Corp.

    64,422       1,888,853  

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.(a)

    857,343       7,990,437  

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

    275,957       9,997,922  

Liberty Energy, Inc., Class A

    438,104       8,696,365  

Oil States International, Inc.(a)

    486,853       3,354,417  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

    341,868       4,003,274  

ProPetro Holding Corp.(a)

    1,258,589       11,465,746  

RPC, Inc.

    124,713       904,169  
 

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Energy Equipment & Services (continued)

 

Solaris Oilfield Infrastructure, Inc., Class A

    140,840     $ 1,205,590  

U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.(a)

    445,557       5,025,883  
   

 

 

 
      68,578,092  
Entertainment — 0.2%            

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    197,034       2,807,735  

Eros Media World PLC, Class A(a)

    23,977       3  

IMAX Corp.(a)

    34,003       542,348  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class A(a)

    95,487       843,150  

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class B, NVS(a)

    68,951       576,430  

Marcus Corp. (The)

    31,463       437,650  
   

 

 

 
      5,207,316  
Financial Services — 1.9%            

Essent Group Ltd.

    144,014       6,961,637  

Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., Class C, NVS

    14,603       2,421,762  

Marqeta, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    628,330       3,989,895  

NMI Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

    335,450       9,224,875  

Pagseguro Digital Ltd., Class A(a)

    1,679,788       16,932,263  

Radian Group, Inc.

    70,686       1,817,337  

Repay Holdings Corp., Class A(a)

    299,265       2,244,488  

StoneCo Ltd., Class A(a)

     1,343,667       20,961,205  
   

 

 

 
      64,553,462  
Food Products — 0.6%            

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

    128,790       6,171,617  

Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.

    61,543       1,403,180  

J M Smucker Co. (The)

    1       64  

Lancaster Colony Corp.

    18,386       3,050,238  

Sovos Brands, Inc.(a)(b)

    57,832       1,267,099  

SunOpta, Inc.(a)

    498,545       2,462,812  

Vital Farms, Inc.(a)

    420,625       5,602,725  
   

 

 

 
      19,957,735  
Gas Utilities — 1.0%            

Brookfield Infrastructure Corp., Class A

    103,751       3,222,506  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

    490,347       20,692,643  

ONE Gas, Inc.

    148,885       8,580,243  
   

 

 

 
      32,495,392  
Ground Transportation — 0.2%            

Covenant Logistics Group, Inc., Class A

    135,683       5,776,026  

FTAI Infrastructure, Inc.

    566,566       2,096,294  

Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.

    42       1,039  
   

 

 

 
      7,873,359  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.3%  

Accuray, Inc.(a)

    347,494       906,959  

AngioDynamics, Inc.(a)(b)

    219,606       1,434,027  

Artivion, Inc.(a)

    117,248       2,079,980  

AtriCure, Inc.(a)

    75,051       2,662,810  

Atrion Corp.

    4,068       1,254,368  

Cerus Corp.(a)

    251,325       404,633  

Glaukos Corp.(a)

    31,651       2,022,182  

Haemonetics Corp.(a)

    17,141       1,386,193  

Inari Medical, Inc.(a)

    58,605       3,498,132  

Inmode Ltd.(a)

    123,260       2,927,425  

Inogen, Inc.(a)

    35,734       207,972  

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.(a)(b)

    17,183       2,496,862  

iRadimed Corp.

    15,690       689,419  

Lantheus Holdings, Inc.(a)

    27,575       1,974,922  

LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.

    39,079       2,059,463  

LivaNova PLC(a)

    172,237       7,724,829  

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

    308,404        22,069,390  

NeuroPace, Inc.(a)

    911       8,190  

Nevro Corp.(a)

    66,205       1,146,671  
Security   Shares     Value  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)

 

Omnicell, Inc.(a)

    75,528     $ 2,519,614  

OraSure Technologies, Inc.(a)

    490,919       3,593,527  

Paragon 28, Inc.(a)

    50,402       556,942  

SI-BONE, Inc.(a)(b)

    89,094       1,689,222  

STAAR Surgical Co.(a)

    175,744       5,511,332  

Tactile Systems Technology, Inc.(a)

    237,765       3,169,407  

Varex Imaging Corp.(a)(b)

    205,851       3,880,291  

Zimvie, Inc.(a)

    28,688       271,102  
   

 

 

 
       78,145,864  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.7%            

Accolade, Inc.(a)(b)

    98,345       858,552  

Addus HomeCare Corp.(a)

    6,822       594,878  

Alignment Healthcare, Inc.(a)

    81,717       612,878  

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.(a)(b)

    12,296       833,669  

Aveanna Healthcare Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    142,707       389,590  

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.(a)

    267,276       1,416,563  

CorVel Corp.(a)

    8,801       1,838,177  

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.(a)

    90,198       1,828,313  

Ensign Group, Inc. (The)(b)

    184,361       19,739,532  

Fulgent Genetics, Inc.(a)

    22,525       621,240  

Guardant Health, Inc.(a)

    255,468       6,430,130  

HealthEquity, Inc.(a)

    92,777       6,217,915  

Hims & Hers Health, Inc., Class A(a)

    425,527       3,782,935  

NeoGenomics, Inc.(a)

    73,071       1,327,700  

OPKO Health, Inc.(a)(b)

    739,872       1,080,213  

Option Care Health, Inc.(a)

    195,412       5,813,507  

Patterson Cos., Inc.

    39,488       1,003,390  

PetIQ, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    196,189       3,417,612  

Privia Health Group, Inc.(a)(b)

    233,974       4,833,903  

Progyny, Inc.(a)(b)

    583,561       20,051,156  

Quipt Home Medical Corp.(a)

    67,512       317,306  

R1 RCM, Inc.(a)

    46,208       488,881  

RadNet, Inc.(a)

    173,863       5,777,467  

Viemed Healthcare, Inc.(a)

    189,325       1,471,055  
   

 

 

 
      90,746,562  
Health Care REITs — 0.0%            

Diversified Healthcare Trust

    309,983       725,360  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Technology — 0.3%

   

American Well Corp., Class A(a)

    1,156,459       1,468,703  

Health Catalyst, Inc.(a)

    230,801       1,657,151  

HealthStream, Inc.

    29,841       746,025  

Phreesia, Inc.(a)

    20,771       320,081  

Schrodinger, Inc.(a)

    16,488       512,612  

Sharecare, Inc., Class A(a)

    76,700       71,914  

Veradigm, Inc.(a)(b)

    311,869       3,580,256  
   

 

 

 
      8,356,742  
Hotel & Resort REITs — 0.9%            

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

    110,796       1,846,969  

Braemar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    1,894,001       3,977,402  

Chatham Lodging Trust

    139,414       1,381,593  

RLJ Lodging Trust

    1,954,048       20,888,773  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

    11,973       1,201,491  

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

    335,157       2,098,083  
   

 

 

 
      31,394,311  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.2%            

Accel Entertainment, Inc., Class A(a)

    215,508       2,185,251  

Bally’s Corp.(a)

    209,743       2,416,239  

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.(a)

    130,315       3,900,328  

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

    311,525       2,352,014  

Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.(a)

    12,400       436,480  
 

 

 

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

  29


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

 

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.(a)

    170,515     $ 1,416,980  

Everi Holdings, Inc.(a)

    252,152       2,634,988  

Hilton Grand Vacations, Inc.(a)

    128,486       4,401,930  

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.

    72,145       4,536,478  

Papa John’s International, Inc.

    10,268       669,884  

PlayAGS, Inc.(a)

    181,033       1,384,903  

Shake Shack, Inc., Class A(a)

    80,431       4,870,901  

Super Group SGHC Ltd.(a)

    142,030       431,771  

Wingstop, Inc.

    39,380       9,465,377  
   

 

 

 
      41,103,524  
Household Durables — 2.4%            

Century Communities, Inc.

    143,289       10,336,868  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

    150,901       4,050,183  

GoPro, Inc., Class A(a)

    223,254       805,947  

Hooker Furnishings Corp.

    26,598       475,572  

Installed Building Products, Inc.

    103,850       15,630,463  

iRobot Corp.(a)

    39,103       1,412,009  

KB Home

    201,065       10,475,487  

MDC Holdings, Inc.

    63,345       2,803,650  

Meritage Homes Corp.

    25,823       3,648,790  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A(a)

    447,530       20,183,603  

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc.(a)

    359,228       10,482,273  

Universal Electronics, Inc.(a)

    18,302       142,573  

Vizio Holding Corp., Class A(a)

    83,548       559,772  
   

 

 

 
      81,007,190  
Household Products — 0.2%            

Central Garden & Pet Co.(a)(b)

    14,301       580,335  

Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A, NVS(a)

    202,476       7,345,829  
   

 

 

 
      7,926,164  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%  

Brookfield Renewable Corp., Class A

    153,565       4,075,615  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class A

    572,077       13,541,063  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C

    452,268       11,293,132  

Spruce Power Holding Corp.(a)

    110       386  
   

 

 

 
      28,910,196  
Industrial REITs — 0.3%            

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

    60,784       2,859,887  

Industrial Logistics Properties Trust

    190,894       647,131  

Terreno Realty Corp.

    122,571       7,000,030  
   

 

 

 
      10,507,048  
Insurance — 1.9%            

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.(a)

    205,033       3,024,237  

CNO Financial Group, Inc.

    302,908       8,027,062  

Crawford & Co., Class A, NVS

    55,606       621,675  

Donegal Group, Inc., Class A

    107,663       1,532,044  

eHealth, Inc.(a)(b)

    213,998       1,590,005  

Genworth Financial, Inc., Class A(a)

    506,494       2,983,250  

Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc.(a)

    129,896       1,141,786  

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.

    33,953       11,886,945  

Mercury General Corp.

    394,603       14,698,962  

Oscar Health, Inc., Class A(a)

    762,817       6,483,945  

Palomar Holdings, Inc.(a)

    20,690       1,210,572  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

    99,076       10,075,038  

Selectquote, Inc.(a)

     299,974       377,967  

Tiptree, Inc.

    15,625       291,250  

United Fire Group, Inc.

    30,387       634,784  
   

 

 

 
       64,579,522  
Interactive Media & Services — 1.9%            

Bumble, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    617,670       8,560,906  

Cargurus, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    403,889       8,732,080  
Security   Shares     Value  

Interactive Media & Services (continued)

   

DHI Group, Inc.(a)

    13,808     $ 33,968  

Eventbrite, Inc., Class A(a)

    365,141       2,574,244  

EverQuote, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    101,979       1,068,740  

fuboTV, Inc.(a)

    219,645       700,668  

QuinStreet, Inc.(a)

    67,642       844,849  

Shutterstock, Inc.

    144,236       6,333,403  

TrueCar, Inc.(a)(b)

    276,207       770,617  

Vimeo, Inc.(a)

    1,032,757       3,635,305  

Yelp, Inc.(a)

    476,264       20,817,499  

ZipRecruiter, Inc., Class A(a)

    670,333       8,989,165  
   

 

 

 
      63,061,444  
IT Services — 0.4%            

Backblaze, Inc., Class A(a)

    46,578       337,225  

Brightcove, Inc.(a)

    60,357       147,875  

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.(a)

    20,596       610,053  

Fastly, Inc., Class A(a)

    262,929       4,367,251  

Grid Dynamics Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

    56,199       712,603  

Hackett Group, Inc. (The)

    200,652       4,476,546  

Information Services Group, Inc.

    12,718       52,907  

Rackspace Technology, Inc.(a)

    62,574       78,843  

Squarespace, Inc., Class A(a)

    86,593       2,427,202  

Unisys Corp.(a)

    190,974       914,765  
   

 

 

 
      14,125,270  
Leisure Products — 0.1%            

MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.(a)

    75,869       1,517,380  

Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.(a)(b)

    105,318       1,291,199  
   

 

 

 
      2,808,579  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.6%            

AbCellera Biologics, Inc.(a)(b)

    411,163       1,936,578  

Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp.(a)

    866,616       3,795,778  

Akoya Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    686       3,011  

Alpha Teknova, Inc.(a)

    665       1,357  

Codexis, Inc.(a)

    534,328       1,261,014  

CryoPort, Inc.(a)

    81,459       1,142,055  

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.(a)

    307       1,308  

Medpace Holdings, Inc.(a)

    8,798       2,381,795  

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.(a)

    685,699       5,814,727  

Personalis, Inc.(a)

    701,514       1,073,316  

Quanterix Corp.(a)

    32,339       775,166  

Quantum-Si, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    316,298       509,240  

Seer, Inc., Class A(a)

    343,146       552,465  

Singular Genomics Systems, Inc.(a)(b)

    130,459       51,114  

SomaLogic, Inc., Class A(a)

    160,615       452,934  
   

 

 

 
      19,751,858  
Machinery — 3.3%            

Alamo Group, Inc.

    4,987       916,112  

Albany International Corp., Class A

    15,731       1,350,034  

Astec Industries, Inc.

    111,575       3,468,867  

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

    15,140       528,689  

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.(a)

    30,827       200,992  

Federal Signal Corp.

    30,386       2,094,811  

Franklin Electric Co., Inc.

    219,377        19,524,553  

Kadant, Inc.

    688       179,307  

Kennametal, Inc.

    477,669       11,134,464  

Manitowoc Co., Inc. (The)(a)

    440,601       6,313,812  

Mueller Industries, Inc.

     236,747       9,832,103  

NN, Inc.(a)

    1,027       2,465  

Tennant Co.

    56,753       4,859,192  

Terex Corp.

    305,059       15,100,420  

Trinity Industries, Inc.

    221,809       5,536,353  

Wabash National Corp.

    62,359       1,366,909  
 

 

 

30  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Machinery (continued)            

Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A

    121,794     $ 23,446,563  

Xylem, Inc.

    45,680       4,802,338  
   

 

 

 
       110,657,984  
Marine Transportation — 0.5%        

Matson, Inc.

    163,823       15,689,329  
   

 

 

 
Media — 0.6%            

Cardlytics, Inc.(a)(b)

    86,862       691,422  

Entravision Communications Corp., Class A

    316,952       1,258,300  

EW Scripps Co. (The), Class A, NVS(a)(b)

    190,320       1,315,111  

Gambling.com Group Ltd.(a)

    73,906       706,541  

Gray Television, Inc.

    70,655       546,163  

iHeartMedia, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    179,947       471,461  

Integral Ad Science Holding Corp.(a)

    225,784       3,294,189  

PubMatic, Inc., Class A(a)

    83,904       1,402,036  

TEGNA, Inc.

    295,635       4,532,085  

Thryv Holdings, Inc.(a)

    285,017       5,070,452  

Townsquare Media, Inc., Class A

    77       765  
   

 

 

 
      19,288,525  
Metals & Mining — 1.9%            

Atlas Lithium Corp.(a)(b)

    15,821       391,886  

Caledonia Mining Corp. PLC

    14,352       170,071  

Century Aluminum Co.(a)

    25,555       200,862  

Coeur Mining, Inc.(a)

     1,798,765       5,486,233  

Commercial Metals Co.

    580,205       26,300,693  

Constellium SE, Class A(a)

    276,426       4,809,812  

i-80 Gold Corp.(a)

    547,630       887,161  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

    22,117       1,293,402  

Materion Corp.

    35,847       4,054,654  

NioCorp Developments Ltd.(a)

    41,996       136,487  

Novagold Resources, Inc.(a)

    672,408       2,824,114  

Olympic Steel, Inc.

    36,998       2,091,497  

Perpetua Resources Corp.(a)

    17,005       53,736  

Ryerson Holding Corp.

    126,151       3,906,896  

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A

    257,735       6,605,748  

SunCoke Energy, Inc.

    75,792       705,624  

Tredegar Corp.

    71,043       333,902  

Warrior Met Coal, Inc.(b)

    45,760       2,561,187  

Worthington Enterprises, Inc.

    4,198       300,997  
   

 

 

 
      63,114,962  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.2%  

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.

    101,337       1,264,686  

Granite Point Mortgage Trust, Inc.

    8,770       48,235  

Great Ajax Corp.

    186,200       880,726  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

    92,165       2,231,315  

Ladder Capital Corp., Class A

    72,925       817,489  
   

 

 

 
      5,242,451  
Multi-Utilities — 0.1%            

Avista Corp.

    110,121       3,738,608  

Unitil Corp.

    23,223       1,125,851  
   

 

 

 
      4,864,459  
Office REITs — 1.0%            

Brandywine Realty Trust

    362,091       1,614,926  

City Office REIT, Inc.

    24,622       118,924  

COPT Defense Properties

    399,909       9,677,798  

Equity Commonwealth

    276,403       5,193,612  

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

    269,644       1,582,810  

Office Properties Income Trust

    267,324       1,491,668  
Security   Shares     Value  
Office REITs (continued)            

Paramount Group, Inc.

    2,424,306     $ 11,394,238  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A

    367,548       2,286,149  
   

 

 

 
      33,360,125  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 5.3%        

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

    34,182       464,875  

California Resources Corp.

    9,429       482,859  

CVR Energy, Inc.

    460,645       14,634,692  

Delek U.S. Holdings, Inc.

    489,921       13,296,456  

Dorian LPG Ltd.

    20,311       860,374  

Encore Energy Corp.(a)

    204,685       798,272  

Energy Fuels, Inc.(a)(b)

    154,728       1,230,088  

Evolution Petroleum Corp.

    251,072       1,488,857  

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A

     1,264,989       27,197,263  

Matador Resources Co.

    223,106       12,913,375  

Murphy Oil Corp.

    798,469       34,150,519  

Ovintiv, Inc.

    79,963       3,545,559  

Par Pacific Holdings, Inc.(a)

    255,468       8,754,888  

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A

    326,375       14,491,050  

REX American Resources Corp.(a)

    11,189       548,485  

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    144,364       7,924,140  

SM Energy Co.

    626,517       23,463,062  

World Kinect Corp.

    481,374       10,128,109  
   

 

 

 
       176,372,923  
Passenger Airlines — 0.5%            

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.(a)

    283,967       1,275,012  

JetBlue Airways Corp.(a)

    2,514,189       11,112,716  

SkyWest, Inc.(a)

    54,368       2,570,519  

Spirit Airlines, Inc.

    159,537       2,364,338  
   

 

 

 
      17,322,585  
Personal Care Products — 0.6%            

BellRing Brands, Inc.(a)

    203,987       10,790,912  

elf Beauty, Inc.(a)

    71,086       8,394,546  

Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.(a)

    1,259       21,567  
   

 

 

 
      19,207,025  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.5%            

ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    25,819       1,286,044  

Arvinas, Inc.(a)

    230,825       5,071,225  

Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    674,327       2,016,238  

Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    210,667       5,399,395  

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    627,072       15,971,524  

Endo International PLC(a)

    724,513       1,811  

Evolus, Inc.(a)

    82,077       777,269  

Harmony Biosciences Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    221,545       6,438,098  

Innoviva, Inc.(a)

    74,163       1,027,158  

Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc.(a)

    61,926       3,800,399  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    20,302       1,183,810  

Longboard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    216       812  

Mind Medicine MindMed, Inc.(a)(b)

    16,675       55,027  

Nektar Therapeutics(a)(b)

    1,042,322       510,738  

Nuvation Bio, Inc., Class A(a)

    607,913       753,812  

Pacira BioSciences, Inc.(a)

    143,903       3,925,674  

Prestige Consumer Healthcare, Inc.(a)(b)

    340,174       19,508,979  

Scilex Holding Co. (Acquired 03/05/21 - 01/09/23,cost $9,826,744), NVS(a)(b)(d)

    430,177       519,499  

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    602,298       16,412,620  

Trevi Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    45       51  

Xeris Biopharma Holdings, Inc.(a)

    196,461       365,417  
   

 

 

 
      85,025,600  
Professional Services — 2.6%            

Conduent, Inc.(a)

    505,625       1,537,100  
 

 

 

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

  31


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Professional Services (continued)            

CSG Systems International, Inc.

    106,710     $ 5,249,065  

ExlService Holdings, Inc.(a)

    596,197       16,914,109  

Exponent, Inc.

    60,741       4,674,627  

Franklin Covey Co.(a)

    81,753       3,178,557  

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.(a)

    68,927       7,180,126  

Insperity, Inc.

    287,529       32,706,424  

KBR, Inc.

    70,885       3,662,628  

Kelly Services, Inc., Class A, NVS

    153,363       3,188,417  

Kforce, Inc.

    67,999       4,739,530  

Korn Ferry

    19,321       999,668  

Maximus, Inc.

    12,359       1,031,853  

Parsons Corp.(a)

    2,829       176,218  

ShiftPixy, Inc.(a)

    3       25  

TTEC Holdings, Inc.

    4,978       93,188  
   

 

 

 
      85,331,535  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%        

Anywhere Real Estate, Inc.(a)(b)

    223,010       1,199,794  

Compass, Inc., Class A(a)

    228,234       506,679  

FRP Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    28,662       1,580,709  

Opendoor Technologies, Inc.(a)

    604,698       1,820,141  

Redfin Corp.(a)

    72,372       504,433  

RMR Group, Inc. (The), Class A

    183,150       4,364,465  

St. Joe Co. (The)

    96,495       4,962,738  
   

 

 

 
      14,938,959  
Residential REITs — 0.5%            

Bluerock Homes Trust, Inc., Class A(a)

    77       1,055  

Elme Communities

    127,712       1,678,135  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

    807,631       10,999,934  

NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc.

    124,646       3,795,471  
   

 

 

 
      16,474,595  
Retail REITs — 1.0%            

Acadia Realty Trust

    622,296       9,409,115  

Kite Realty Group Trust

    925,691       19,550,594  

RPT Realty

     245,833       2,856,579  

Tanger, Inc.

    57,512       1,435,500  
   

 

 

 
       33,251,788  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.4%        

Ambarella, Inc.(a)

    97,699       5,735,908  

Amkor Technology, Inc.

    417,425       11,758,862  

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.(a)

    197,764       24,578,110  

Diodes, Inc.(a)(b)

    46,882       3,113,902  

FormFactor, Inc.(a)

    20,230       760,243  

Ichor Holdings Ltd.(a)

    62,844       1,642,114  

inTEST Corp.(a)

    37,722       493,027  

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.

    108,053       5,566,891  

MaxLinear, Inc.(a)

    424,096       7,943,318  

Photronics, Inc.(a)

    137,980       2,915,517  

Power Integrations, Inc.

    90,399       6,907,388  

Rambus, Inc.(a)

    19,983       1,352,250  

Silicon Laboratories, Inc.(a)(b)

    50,220       5,291,681  

Synaptics, Inc.(a)

    33,101       3,351,145  
   

 

 

 
      81,410,356  
Software — 5.9%            

8x8, Inc.(a)

    664,458       2,053,175  

ACI Worldwide, Inc.(a)

    201,627       5,391,506  

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.(a)

    88,736       4,834,337  

Appfolio, Inc., Class A(a)

    46,207       8,744,675  

Asana, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    261,357       5,491,111  

Aurora Innovation, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    457,155       1,001,169  

Bit Digital, Inc.(a)(b)

    554,668       1,431,043  
Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)            

BlackLine, Inc.(a)

    173,535     $ 10,039,000  

Box, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    393,240       10,291,091  

Braze, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    5,338       293,270  

C3.ai, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    39,176       1,140,805  

Cerence, Inc.(a)

    34,254       592,252  

Cleanspark, Inc.(a)(b)

    156,533       976,766  

CommVault Systems, Inc.(a)

    115,259       8,480,757  

Domo, Inc., Class B(a)

     259,379       2,461,507  

eGain Corp.(a)

    1,996       15,210  

EngageSmart, Inc.(a)

    71,125       1,622,361  

Everbridge, Inc.(a)

    322,279       6,561,600  

Expensify, Inc., Class A(a)

    140,286       326,866  

Freshworks, Inc., Class A(a)

    124,215       2,486,784  

Intapp, Inc.(a)

    49,310       1,849,125  

Kaltura, Inc.(a)

    29,153       49,852  

Klaviyo, Inc., Class A(a)

    29,916       886,411  

LivePerson, Inc.(a)(b)

    603,971       1,715,278  

LiveRamp Holdings, Inc.(a)

    206,397       6,844,125  

MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    2,577       1,284,119  

Model N, Inc.(a)

    239,991       5,507,793  

PROS Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    116,306       4,250,984  

Q2 Holdings, Inc.(a)

    742,183       26,362,340  

Qualys, Inc.(a)(b)

    69,665       12,876,879  

Rapid7, Inc.(a)

    205,925       11,150,839  

Sapiens International Corp. NV

    56       1,441  

SEMrush Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

    211,394       2,308,422  

Sprinklr, Inc., Class A(a)

    45,871       719,257  

Sprout Social, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    92,302       5,251,984  

Telos Corp.(a)

    82,597       339,474  

Tenable Holdings, Inc.(a)

    122,247       5,059,803  

Upland Software, Inc.(a)

    151,227       713,791  

Varonis Systems, Inc.(a)(b)

    496,382       20,793,442  

Verint Systems, Inc.(a)

    180,257       4,428,915  

Workiva, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    28,589       2,749,404  

Yext, Inc.(a)

    155,117       1,028,426  

Zeta Global Holdings Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    133,590       1,091,430  

Zuora, Inc., Class A(a)

    606,688       5,532,995  
   

 

 

 
       197,031,814  
Specialized REITs — 0.4%            

Outfront Media, Inc.

    1,144,820       14,001,149  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 3.9%            

1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., Class A(a)

    564,990       4,988,862  

Aaron’s Co., Inc. (The)

    258,259       2,275,262  

Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Class A(a)

    196,031       14,876,793  

Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc.

    49,759       2,531,240  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    120,600       2,295,018  

Beyond, Inc.(a)

    54,326       1,044,146  

CarParts.com, Inc.(a)

    239,564       733,066  

Carvana Co., Class A(a)(b)

    107,286       3,360,197  

Cato Corp. (The), Class A

    7,208       49,879  

Citi Trends, Inc.(a)(b)

    25,929       619,184  

Conn’s, Inc.(a)

    344,706       1,137,530  

Container Store Group, Inc. (The)(a)(b)

    88,112       165,650  

Duluth Holdings, Inc., Class B(a)

    25,957       130,045  

Foot Locker, Inc.

    75,926       2,044,687  

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    98,696       27,842,142  

Guess?, Inc.

    67,884       1,494,806  

Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc.

    34,174       1,071,013  

Lands’ End, Inc.(a)(b)

    77,927       550,165  

Lulu’s Fashion Lounge Holdings, Inc.(a)

    163       445  

Murphy U.S.A., Inc.

    48,304       17,850,743  

National Vision Holdings, Inc.(a)

    7,822       144,316  
 

 

 

32  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Specialty Retail (continued)            

ODP Corp. (The)(a)

    202,746     $ 9,235,080  

Revolve Group, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    398,211       5,304,170  

Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A

    21,377       1,095,999  

Stitch Fix, Inc., Class A(a)

    972,734       3,638,025  

Upbound Group, Inc.

    99,037       2,881,977  

Urban Outfitters, Inc.(a)

    303,558       10,837,021  

Warby Parker, Inc., Class A(a)

    354,802       3,693,489  

Winmark Corp.

    9,741       4,188,630  

Zumiez, Inc.(a)

    172,658       3,259,783  
   

 

 

 
       129,339,363  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.8%  

Super Micro Computer, Inc.(a)

    74,473       20,366,131  

Turtle Beach Corp.(a)

    11,679       132,090  

Xerox Holdings Corp.

    333,417       4,664,504  
   

 

 

 
      25,162,725  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%            

Crocs, Inc.(a)

    39,588       4,180,889  

Figs, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    78,353       568,843  

Fossil Group, Inc.(a)

    118,097       129,907  

G-III Apparel Group Ltd.(a)

    61,350       1,765,039  

Oxford Industries, Inc.

    16,498       1,491,914  

Unifi, Inc.(a)

    38,167       248,085  

Vera Bradley, Inc.(a)

    4,643       34,869  
   

 

 

 
      8,419,546  
Tobacco — 0.1%            

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

    91,419       2,087,096  
   

 

 

 

Trading Companies & Distributors — 3.3%

   

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

    98,130       15,707,669  

BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.(a)

    2,406       211,367  

Boise Cascade Co.

    334,671       36,579,476  

GATX Corp.

    89,447       9,749,723  

Global Industrial Co.

    16,004       569,903  

GMS, Inc.(a)

    126,550       8,559,842  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

    111,272       4,930,462  

Herc Holdings, Inc.

    46,265       5,721,130  

McGrath RentCorp

    94,802       9,640,416  

MRC Global, Inc.(a)

    79,247       819,414  

NOW, Inc.(a)

    128,810       1,284,236  

Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A

    382,251       15,163,897  

Titan Machinery, Inc.(a)

    31,626       722,970  
   

 

 

 
      109,660,505  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.3%  

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

    330,428       6,509,432  

United States Cellular Corp.(a)

    99,513       4,520,875  
   

 

 

 
      11,030,307  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.9%
(Cost: $3,350,572,351)

      3,298,483,307  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Rights

   
Biotechnology — 0.0%            

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc., CVR(a)(c)

    73,745     $ 38,347  

Radius Health, Inc., CVR(a)

    72,193       5,776  
   

 

 

 
      44,123  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%            

Resolute Forest Products, Inc., CVR(a)(c)

    72,036       105,893  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.0%            

Albireo Pharma Inc., CVR(a)(b)(c)

    28,456       89,352  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $ —)

      239,368  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.9%
(Cost: $3,350,572,351)

      3,298,722,675  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 4.6%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(e)(f)

    35,851,323       35,851,323  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(e)(f)(g)

    116,222,403       116,268,892  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 4.6%
(Cost: $152,051,673)

 

    152,120,215  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 103.5%
(Cost: $3,502,624,024)

 

    3,450,842,890  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (3.5)%

 

    (116,771,005
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  3,334,071,885  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(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 $519,499, representing 0.0% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $9,826,744.

(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(g) 

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

 

 

 

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

  33


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
05/31/23
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
11/30/23
    

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

     Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  32,705,335      $ 3,145,988 (a)    $      $      $      $ 35,851,323        35,851,323      $ 816,142     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    99,134,034        17,090,927 (a)             27,040        16,891        116,268,892        116,222,403        395,589 (b)       
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 27,040      $ 16,891      $  152,120,215         $  1,211,731     $  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

         
Description  

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

    

Notional

Amount

(000)

    

Value/

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

Long Contracts

          

Russell 2000 E-Mini Index

    407        12/15/23      $ 36,878      $ 344,156  
          

 

 

 

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)

  $      $      $  344,156      $      $      $      $  344,156  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 November 30, 2023, 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

  $      $      $ 689,947      $      $      $      $ 689,947  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                   

Futures contracts

  $      $      $  615,656      $      $      $      $  615,656  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

34  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 38,691,175   

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

         
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

          

Investments

          

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

          

Aerospace & Defense

  $    11,748,539      $     —      $     —      $    11,748,539  

Air Freight & Logistics

    3,949,829                      3,949,829  

Automobile Components

    68,491,453                      68,491,453  

Automobiles

    3,424,097                      3,424,097  

Banks

    281,319,345                      281,319,345  

Beverages

    32,181,018                      32,181,018  

Biotechnology

    235,503,250        5,606        15,476        235,524,332  

Broadline Retail

    2,227,624                      2,227,624  

Building Products

    68,273,513                      68,273,513  

Capital Markets

    57,928,909                      57,928,909  

Chemicals

    28,471,485                      28,471,485  

Commercial Services & Supplies

    20,875,096                      20,875,096  

Communications Equipment

    13,004,774                      13,004,774  

Construction & Engineering

    96,397,221                      96,397,221  

Construction Materials

    13,835,725                      13,835,725  

Consumer Finance

    40,537,876                      40,537,876  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

    10,889,086                      10,889,086  

Diversified Consumer Services

    57,410,877                      57,410,877  

Diversified REITs

    15,838,295                      15,838,295  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

    18,193,057                      18,193,057  

Electric Utilities

    8,962,031                      8,962,031  

Electrical Equipment

    59,934,415                      59,934,415  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    128,964,014                      128,964,014  

Energy Equipment & Services

    68,578,092                      68,578,092  

Entertainment

    5,207,316                      5,207,316  

Financial Services

    64,553,462                      64,553,462  

Food Products

    19,957,735                      19,957,735  

Gas Utilities

    32,495,392                      32,495,392  

Ground Transportation

    7,873,359                      7,873,359  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    78,145,864                      78,145,864  

Health Care Providers & Services

    90,746,562                      90,746,562  

Health Care REITs

    725,360                      725,360  

Health Care Technology

    8,356,742                      8,356,742  

Hotel & Resort REITs

    31,394,311                      31,394,311  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    41,103,524                      41,103,524  

Household Durables

    81,007,190                      81,007,190  

Household Products

    7,926,164                      7,926,164  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

    28,910,196                      28,910,196  

Industrial REITs

    10,507,048                      10,507,048  

Insurance

    64,579,522                      64,579,522  

Interactive Media & Services

    63,061,444                      63,061,444  

IT Services

    14,125,270                      14,125,270  

Leisure Products

    2,808,579                      2,808,579  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    19,751,858                      19,751,858  

Machinery

    110,657,984                      110,657,984  

Marine Transportation

    15,689,329                      15,689,329  

Media

    19,288,525                      19,288,525  

 

 

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

    35  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Common Stocks (continued)

                 

Metals & Mining

   $ 63,114,962        $        $        $ 63,114,962  

Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

     5,242,451                            5,242,451  

Multi-Utilities

     4,864,459                            4,864,459  

Office REITs

     33,360,125                            33,360,125  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     176,372,923                            176,372,923  

Passenger Airlines

     17,322,585                            17,322,585  

Personal Care Products

     19,207,025                            19,207,025  

Pharmaceuticals

     84,506,101           519,499                   85,025,600  

Professional Services

     85,331,535                            85,331,535  

Real Estate Management & Development

     14,938,959                            14,938,959  

Residential REITs

     16,474,595                            16,474,595  

Retail REITs

     33,251,788                            33,251,788  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     81,410,356                            81,410,356  

Software

     197,031,814                            197,031,814  

Specialized REITs

     14,001,149                            14,001,149  

Specialty Retail

     129,339,363                            129,339,363  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     25,162,725                            25,162,725  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     8,419,546                            8,419,546  

Tobacco

     2,087,096                            2,087,096  

Trading Companies & Distributors

     109,660,505                            109,660,505  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

     11,030,307                            11,030,307  

Rights

              5,776           233,592          239,368  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     35,851,323                            35,851,323  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  3,333,794,049        $ 530,881        $ 249,068          3,334,573,998  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                    116,268,892  
                 

 

 

 
                  $  3,450,842,890  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 344,156        $        $        $ 344,156  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient or its equivalent as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 1.4%            

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    86,557     $ 38,757,628  
   

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics — 1.1%            

FedEx Corp.

    118,661       30,713,027  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 2.1%            

General Motors Co.

    1,131,782       35,764,311  

Tesla, Inc.(a)

    94,049       22,579,284  
   

 

 

 
      58,343,595  
Banks — 1.1%            

Bank of America Corp.

    524,871       16,003,317  

Citigroup, Inc.

    11,776       542,874  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    12,283       334,957  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    215       315,596  

KeyCorp

    1,191,068       14,757,333  
   

 

 

 
      31,954,077  
Beverages — 2.5%            

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    567,757       33,179,719  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    213,563       35,940,517  
   

 

 

 
      69,120,236  
Biotechnology — 4.1%            

AbbVie, Inc.

    172,366       24,543,195  

Amgen, Inc.

    154,195       41,577,140  

Exelixis, Inc.(a)

    445,637       9,719,343  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    75,537       5,786,134  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    354,183       19,246,304  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    16,251       1,894,704  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    7,974       6,569,061  

Seagen, Inc.(a)

    9,024       1,924,007  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    32,298       1,254,777  

United Therapeutics Corp.(a)

    6,657       1,597,680  
   

 

 

 
       114,112,345  
Broadline Retail — 4.3%            

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    818,394       119,559,179  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 0.8%            

A O Smith Corp.

    74,049       5,580,333  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.(a)

    37,630       5,046,559  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    76,435       4,035,768  

Owens Corning

    49,513       6,712,972  
   

 

 

 
      21,375,632  
Capital Markets — 1.8%            

Invesco Ltd.

    63,053       899,766  

Moody’s Corp.

    92,949       33,922,667  

Nasdaq, Inc.

    300,616       16,786,398  
   

 

 

 
      51,608,831  
Chemicals — 1.8%            

Ecolab, Inc.

    108,559       20,814,017  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    100,169       9,526,072  

PPG Industries, Inc.

    11,908       1,690,817  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    67,571       18,838,795  
   

 

 

 
      50,869,701  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.1%            

Cintas Corp.

    36,419       20,148,812  

Republic Services, Inc.

    67,147       10,867,070  
   

 

 

 
      31,015,882  
Construction & Engineering — 1.3%            

AECOM

    179,897       15,985,647  
Security   Shares     Value  
Construction & Engineering (continued)            

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    29,831     $ 6,339,684  

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    67,373       14,793,090  
   

 

 

 
      37,118,421  
Consumer Finance — 0.1%            

OneMain Holdings, Inc.

    50,416       2,132,597  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 0.7%  

Sysco Corp.

    136,794       9,872,423  

Walmart, Inc.

    59,133       9,206,417  
   

 

 

 
      19,078,840  
Electric Utilities — 0.7%            

Evergy, Inc.

    95,330       4,865,643  

IDACORP, Inc.

    17,183       1,658,160  

OGE Energy Corp.

    162,570       5,698,078  

Portland General Electric Co.

    42,766       1,755,972  

PPL Corp.

    272,036       7,105,580  
   

 

 

 
      21,083,433  
Electrical Equipment — 0.7%            

AMETEK, Inc.

    64,189       9,964,059  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    36,353       10,013,070  
   

 

 

 
      19,977,129  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.3%  

Flex Ltd.(a)

    79,235       2,016,531  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    255,967       33,531,677  
   

 

 

 
      35,548,208  
Entertainment — 0.7%            

Electronic Arts, Inc.

    117,436       16,207,343  

Playtika Holding Corp.(a)(b)

    219,900       1,910,931  

Warner Bros Discovery, Inc., Class A(a)

    61,005       637,502  
   

 

 

 
      18,755,776  
Financial Services — 4.9%            

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)

    28,419       10,230,840  

Block, Inc., Class A(a)

    380,918       24,161,628  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a)

    47,273       4,123,151  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    37,978       2,227,030  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    136,336       56,419,927  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    149,085       38,267,138  
   

 

 

 
       135,429,714  
Food Products — 2.0%            

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    362,210       26,705,744  

Hershey Co. (The)

    130,897       24,598,164  

J M Smucker Co. (The)

    33,955       3,725,882  
   

 

 

 
      55,029,790  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.3%            

Abbott Laboratories

    179,066       18,674,793  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    46,378       3,140,254  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    1,185       551,997  

Medtronic PLC

    520,360       41,248,937  

ResMed, Inc.

    27,149       4,282,212  

Stryker Corp.

    77,667       23,015,062  
   

 

 

 
      90,913,255  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.9%            

Cencora, Inc.

    26,025       5,292,704  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    85,378       40,937,897  

Ensign Group, Inc. (The)(b)

    30,256       3,239,510  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    18,754       4,697,502  
   

 

 

 
      54,167,613  
Health Care REITs — 0.0%            

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    57,552       279,127  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  37


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Technology — 0.4%            

Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)(b)

    610,639     $ 11,076,991  
   

 

 

 
Hotel & Resort REITs — 0.0%            

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    51,880       769,380  

RLJ Lodging Trust

    56       599  
   

 

 

 
      769,979  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.1%            

Booking Holdings, Inc.(a)

    1,456       4,551,019  

Boyd Gaming Corp.

    58,936       3,480,171  

McDonald’s Corp.

    18,864       5,316,630  

Starbucks Corp.

    46,080       4,575,744  

Travel + Leisure Co.

    343,881       12,255,919  
   

 

 

 
       30,179,483  
Household Durables — 0.7%            

DR Horton, Inc.

    33,056       4,220,260  

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    106,081       2,426,072  

Lennar Corp., Class A

    5,512       705,095  

Toll Brothers, Inc.

    127,477       10,949,000  
   

 

 

 
      18,300,427  
Household Products — 1.3%            

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    290,743       35,973,631  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    2,722       417,882  
   

 

 

 
      36,391,513  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.3%  

AES Corp. (The)

    547,009       9,414,025  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%            

Honeywell International, Inc.

    45,954       9,003,308  
   

 

 

 
Industrial REITs — 0.1%            

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    10,294       1,788,582  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 4.4%            

American Financial Group, Inc.

    7,565       865,360  

Everest Group Ltd.

    23,127       9,494,790  

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    113,970       8,907,895  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    83,343       16,620,261  

MetLife, Inc.

    564,745       35,934,725  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    59,911       9,769,088  

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    136,010       24,566,126  

W. R. Berkley Corp.

    219,282       15,908,909  
   

 

 

 
      122,067,154  
Interactive Media & Services — 7.0%            

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    618,347       81,949,528  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    333,041       44,600,851  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    206,841       67,668,033  
   

 

 

 
      194,218,412  
IT Services — 0.0%            

Amdocs Ltd.

    6,178       517,531  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.8%            

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    168,537       21,539,028  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

    1,715       1,872,660  
   

 

 

 
      23,411,688  
Machinery — 2.9%            

Flowserve Corp.

    26,358       1,008,457  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    110,621       26,793,512  

Oshkosh Corp.

    280,929       27,331,583  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    22,359       1,918,179  

Snap-on, Inc.

    23,164       6,362,919  

Xylem, Inc.

    158,095       16,620,527  
   

 

 

 
      80,035,177  
Security   Shares     Value  
Media — 1.2%            

Comcast Corp., Class A

    257,846     $ 10,801,169  

Fox Corp., Class A, NVS

    686,306       20,273,479  

Fox Corp., Class B

    10,034       277,540  

Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty SiriusXM, NVS(a)

    123,324       3,328,515  
   

 

 

 
      34,680,703  
Office REITs — 0.0%            

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    4,012       438,913  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    15,482       293,384  
   

 

 

 
      732,297  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.8%            

Chevron Corp.

    78,470       11,268,292  

ConocoPhillips

    83,659       9,668,471  

Devon Energy Corp.

    392,320       17,642,630  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    88,151       10,848,744  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    76,865       7,897,110  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    34,210       869,960  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    53,633       8,001,507  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    15,239       3,529,962  

Valero Energy Corp.

    71,160       8,920,618  
   

 

 

 
      78,647,294  
Pharmaceuticals — 2.6%            

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    501,668       24,772,366  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    55,696       32,918,564  

Johnson & Johnson

    9,651       1,492,624  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    29,463       3,019,368  

Pfizer, Inc.

    365,701       11,142,909  

Zoetis, Inc., Class A

    3,121       551,387  
   

 

 

 
      73,897,218  
Residential REITs — 0.9%            

Apartment Income REIT Corp.

    9,758       303,669  

Camden Property Trust

    158,601       14,315,326  

Equity Residential

    180,471       10,257,972  
   

 

 

 
      24,876,967  
Retail REITs — 0.1%            

Kimco Realty Corp.

    53,008       1,024,114  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    13,819       1,725,855  
   

 

 

 
      2,749,969  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 7.2%  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    263,492       39,465,832  

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(b)

    60,420       3,715,830  

Intel Corp.

    263,730       11,788,731  

Lam Research Corp.

    11,096       7,943,848  

MaxLinear, Inc.(a)

    16,605       311,012  

NVIDIA Corp.

    211,549       98,941,467  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    291,559       37,625,689  
   

 

 

 
       199,792,409  
Software — 12.0%            

Adobe, Inc.(a)

    58,711       35,873,008  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)

    18,736       4,092,504  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    53,837       14,712,037  

Fortinet, Inc.(a)

    118,928       6,250,856  

InterDigital, Inc.

    7       699  

Manhattan Associates, Inc.(a)

    103,467       23,078,314  

Microsoft Corp.

    577,155       218,689,801  

RingCentral, Inc., Class A(a)

    89,819       2,556,249  

Salesforce, Inc.(a)

    94,284       23,750,140  

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)(b)

    6,541       4,485,425  

Workday, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,026       277,759  
   

 

 

 
      333,766,792  
 

 

 

38  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Specialized REITs — 0.4%            

Equinix, Inc.

    2,283     $ 1,860,668  

Public Storage

    27,416       7,094,164  

SBA Communications Corp.

    4,482       1,106,875  
   

 

 

 
      10,061,707  
Specialty Retail — 3.0%            

AutoNation, Inc.(a)(b)

    78,639       10,637,498  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    330,744       23,462,979  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.(a)

    403       395,899  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.(b)

    50,508       7,540,844  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    433,037       38,154,890  

Ulta Beauty, Inc.(a)

    1,354       576,791  

Wayfair, Inc., Class A(a)

    49,107       2,740,171  
   

 

 

 
      83,509,072  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 8.3%  

Apple Inc.

    1,019,726       193,696,954  

Dell Technologies, Inc., Class C

    89,972       6,826,176  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    1,736,338       29,361,475  

HP, Inc.

    31,082       911,946  
   

 

 

 
      230,796,551  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.8%            

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(a)

    27,106       12,110,961  

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A(a)

    196,827       11,595,078  
   

 

 

 
      23,706,039  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.5%  

WW Grainger, Inc.

    16,320     $ 12,830,621  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.8%
(Cost: $2,014,716,556)

      2,754,165,945  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 1.8%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(c)(d)

    28,896,447       28,896,447  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(c)(d)(e)

    20,975,000       20,983,390  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.8%
(Cost: $49,877,756)

      49,879,837  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.6%
(Cost: $2,064,594,312)

      2,804,045,782  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.6)%

 

    (16,650,480
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 2,787,395,302  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer    Value at
05/31/23
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
11/30/23
     Shares
Held at
11/30/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $  25,513,614      $ 3,382,833 (a)     $      $      $      $ 28,896,447        28,896,447      $ 678,485      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

     1,007,234        19,973,070 (a)              1,729        1,357        20,983,390        20,975,000        331,788 (b)        
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 1,729      $ 1,357      $  49,879,837         $  1,010,273      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

 

 

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

  39


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

 

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

           

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     155        12/15/23      $ 35,470      $ 1,460,879  
           

 

 

 

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)

   $      $      $  1,460,879      $      $      $      $  1,460,879  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (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 November 30, 2023, 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

   $      $      $ 2,631,972      $      $      $      $ 2,631,972  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (667,584    $      $      $      $ (667,584
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

  

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 35,911,806  

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

 

 

40  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

   $ 2,754,165,945        $        $        $ 2,754,165,945  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     28,896,447                            28,896,447  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  2,783,062,392        $        $          2,783,062,392  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                    20,983,390  
                 

 

 

 
                  $  2,804,045,782  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ 1,460,879        $        $        $ 1,460,879  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient or its equivalent as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

    41  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 1.7%            

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    14,930     $ 6,685,206  

Textron, Inc.

    37,691       2,889,392  
   

 

 

 
       9,574,598  
Air Freight & Logistics — 1.6%  

FedEx Corp.

    34,189       8,849,139  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 0.3%            

Ford Motor Co.

    166,698       1,710,321  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 4.8%  

Citigroup, Inc.

    211,576       9,753,654  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    7,356       200,598  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    54       79,266  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    38,675       6,036,394  

KeyCorp

    512,997       6,356,033  

Synovus Financial Corp.

    13,609       419,021  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    99,322       4,428,768  
   

 

 

 
      27,273,734  
Beverages — 2.5%  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    129,320       7,557,461  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    37,436       6,300,104  
   

 

 

 
      13,857,565  
Biotechnology — 3.7%  

AbbVie, Inc.

    15,226       2,168,030  

Amgen, Inc.

    29,575       7,974,603  

Exelixis, Inc.(a)

    90,345       1,970,424  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    27,015       2,069,349  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    70,471       3,829,394  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    679       79,165  

RayzeBio, Inc.(a)

    193       4,609  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    2,151       1,772,015  

United Therapeutics Corp.(a)

    5,042       1,210,080  
   

 

 

 
      21,077,669  
Broadline Retail — 1.0%  

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    38,944       5,689,329  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 0.9%  

A O Smith Corp.

    13,093       986,689  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    50,863       2,685,566  

Owens Corning

    10,641       1,442,707  
   

 

 

 
      5,114,962  
Capital Markets — 3.7%  

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

    6,548       887,581  

Franklin Resources, Inc.

    18,459       457,783  

Invesco Ltd.

    231,332       3,301,108  

Moody’s Corp.

    19,562       7,139,348  

MSCI, Inc., Class A

    106       55,210  

Nasdaq, Inc.

    97,952       5,469,640  

S&P Global, Inc.

    8,180       3,401,489  
   

 

 

 
      20,712,159  
Chemicals — 3.1%  

Eastman Chemical Co.

    2,506       210,078  

Huntsman Corp.

    5,533       136,112  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    75,929       7,220,848  

Mosaic Co. (The)

    23,795       854,002  

PPG Industries, Inc.

    26,959       3,827,908  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    15,417       4,298,260  

Westlake Corp.

    8,097       1,039,574  
   

 

 

 
      17,586,782  
Security   Shares     Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.5%            

Cintas Corp.

    6,023     $ 3,332,225  

Republic Services, Inc.

    29,918       4,841,929  
   

 

 

 
      8,174,154  
Communications Equipment — 0.4%  

Juniper Networks, Inc.

    71,730        2,040,718  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 1.5%  

AECOM

    50,559       4,492,673  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    2,816       598,456  

Valmont Industries, Inc.

    16,259       3,569,989  
   

 

 

 
      8,661,118  
Construction Materials — 0.1%  

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

    1,113       517,088  

Summit Materials, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,607       55,747  
   

 

 

 
      572,835  
Consumer Finance — 0.3%  

OneMain Holdings, Inc.

    23,151       979,287  

Synchrony Financial

    26,251       849,483  
   

 

 

 
      1,828,770  
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 1.0%  

Sysco Corp.

    4,299       310,259  

Walmart, Inc.

    35,378       5,508,001  
   

 

 

 
      5,818,260  
Containers & Packaging — 0.2%  

AptarGroup, Inc.

    4,778       606,280  

International Paper Co.

    17,176       634,482  
   

 

 

 
      1,240,762  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.5%  

AT&T Inc.

    160,109       2,653,006  
   

 

 

 
Electric Utilities — 2.9%  

Entergy Corp.

    2,008       203,631  

Evergy, Inc.

    100,234       5,115,943  

IDACORP, Inc.

    7,798       752,507  

OGE Energy Corp.

    95,059       3,331,818  

Portland General Electric Co.

    21,075       865,340  

PPL Corp.

    243,553       6,361,604  
   

 

 

 
      16,630,843  
Electrical Equipment — 1.0%  

AMETEK, Inc.

    25,664       3,983,823  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

    6,396       1,761,714  
   

 

 

 
      5,745,537  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.4%  

Flex Ltd.(a)

    29,883       760,522  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    53,655       7,028,805  
   

 

 

 
      7,789,327  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.2%  

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    35,905       1,211,794  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 0.7%  

Electronic Arts, Inc.

    23,887       3,296,645  

Playtika Holding Corp.(a)(b)

    32,843       285,406  

Warner Bros Discovery, Inc., Class A(a)

    18,916       197,672  
   

 

 

 
      3,779,723  
Financial Services — 5.1%  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)

    34,900       12,564,000  

Block, Inc., Class A(a)

    71,709       4,548,502  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(a)

    18,154       1,583,392  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    30,251       1,773,919  
 

 

 

42  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  
Financial Services (continued)  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    16,587      $ 6,864,198  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    5,945        1,525,962  
    

 

 

 
        28,859,973  
Food Products — 2.9%  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    105,222        7,758,018  

Bunge Global SA

    2,304        253,141  

Hershey Co. (The)

    24,509        4,605,731  

J M Smucker Co. (The)

    33,799        3,708,764  
    

 

 

 
       16,325,654  
Gas Utilities — 0.0%  

UGI Corp.

    11,977        263,374  
    

 

 

 
Ground Transportation — 0.3%  

CSX Corp.

    39,309        1,269,681  

Ryder System, Inc.

    1,453        155,674  
    

 

 

 
       1,425,355  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 4.1%  

Abbott Laboratories

    63,954        6,669,763  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(a)

    3,963        268,335  

Enovis Corp.(a)

    3,517        173,951  

Medtronic PLC

    129,021        10,227,495  

ResMed, Inc.

    1,276        201,263  

Stryker Corp.

    18,804        5,572,189  
    

 

 

 
       23,112,996  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.8%  

Cencora, Inc.

    5,775        1,174,462  

CVS Health Corp.

    47,387        3,219,947  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    19,976        9,578,292  

Ensign Group, Inc. (The)

    6,447        690,280  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    3,828        958,837  
    

 

 

 
       15,621,818  
Health Care REITs — 0.0%  

Medical Properties Trust, Inc.

    18,396        89,221  
    

 

 

 
Health Care Technology — 0.4%  

Teladoc Health, Inc.(a)(b)

    122,767        2,226,993  
    

 

 

 
Hotel & Resort REITs — 0.1%  

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    52,356        776,439  
    

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.9%  

Boyd Gaming Corp.

    22,567        1,332,581  

McDonald’s Corp.

    8,036        2,264,866  

Travel + Leisure Co.

    37,715        1,344,163  
    

 

 

 
       4,941,610  
Household Durables — 1.3%  

DR Horton, Inc.

    9,114        1,163,584  

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

    52,526        1,201,270  

Lennar Corp., Class A

    5,261        672,987  

Mohawk Industries, Inc.(a)

    13,519        1,193,863  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A(a)

    6,360        286,836  

Toll Brothers, Inc.

    32,154        2,761,707  
    

 

 

 
       7,280,247  
Household Products — 1.8%  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    55,327        6,845,610  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    20,983        3,221,310  
    

 

 

 
       10,066,920  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.7%  

AES Corp. (The)

    219,890        3,784,307  
    

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 1.2%  

Honeywell International, Inc.

    34,931        6,843,681  
    

 

 

 
Security   Shares      Value  
Insurance — 6.3%  

Everest Group Ltd.

    5,365      $  2,202,601  

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    46,464        3,631,626  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

    16,712        3,332,707  

MetLife, Inc.

    125,770        8,002,745  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

    26,027        2,544,920  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    43,410        7,078,434  

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)

    39,845        7,196,804  

Unum Group

    4,842        208,206  

W. R. Berkley Corp.

    19,305        1,400,578  
    

 

 

 
       35,598,621  
Interactive Media & Services — 1.5%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    48,628        6,444,669  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    6,448        2,109,463  
    

 

 

 
       8,554,132  
IT Services — 0.2%  

Amdocs Ltd.

    12,792        1,071,586  
    

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.8%  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    34,333        4,387,757  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

    337        367,981  
    

 

 

 
       4,755,738  
Machinery — 4.5%  

Cummins, Inc.

    10,647        2,386,632  

Flowserve Corp.

    10,066        385,125  

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

    25,653        6,213,413  

Oshkosh Corp.

    71,411        6,947,576  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    6,986        599,329  

Snap-on, Inc.

    13,285        3,649,257  

Timken Co. (The)

    13,504        977,690  

Xylem, Inc.

    38,757        4,074,523  
    

 

 

 
       25,233,545  
Media — 2.6%  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    169,076        7,082,594  

Fox Corp., Class A, NVS

    163,794        4,838,475  

Fox Corp., Class B

    4,416        122,146  

Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty SiriusXM,
NVS(a)(b)

    92,339        2,492,230  

Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty SiriusXM,
Class A(a)

    2,159        58,163  

Paramount Global, Class B, NVS

    20,159        289,685  
    

 

 

 
       14,883,293  
Metals & Mining — 0.2%  

Nucor Corp.

    843        143,285  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    7,816        931,120  
    

 

 

 
       1,074,405  
Multi-Utilities — 0.1%  

CMS Energy Corp.

    8,578        486,887  
    

 

 

 
Office REITs — 0.2%  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    7,567        827,830  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    13,683        259,293  
    

 

 

 
       1,087,123  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 6.9%  

Chevron Corp.

    50,610        7,267,596  

ConocoPhillips

    59,486        6,874,797  

Devon Energy Corp.

    74,443        3,347,702  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    29,502        3,630,811  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    77,295        7,941,288  

Marathon Oil Corp.

    32,524        827,085  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    24,625        3,673,804  
 

 

 

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

  43


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    9,063      $ 2,099,353  

Valero Energy Corp.

    25,416        3,186,150  
    

 

 

 
        38,848,586  
Passenger Airlines — 0.1%  

United Airlines Holdings, Inc.(a)

    16,513        650,612  
    

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 4.2%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    134,302        6,631,833  

Johnson & Johnson

    51,055        7,896,166  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    20,124        2,062,308  

Perrigo Co. PLC

    15,622        475,846  

Pfizer, Inc.

    215,392        6,562,994  

Viatris, Inc.

    7,904        72,559  
    

 

 

 
       23,701,706  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.0%  

Zillow Group, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,607        63,300  
    

 

 

 
Residential REITs — 1.9%  

Apartment Income REIT Corp.

    8,245        256,584  

Camden Property Trust

    51,706        4,666,984  

Equity Residential

    95,106        5,405,825  

Independence Realty Trust, Inc.

    18,230        248,293  
    

 

 

 
       10,577,686  
Retail REITs — 1.3%  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    149,708        2,892,359  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    35,217        4,398,251  
    

 

 

 
       7,290,610  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 4.4%  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    40,697        6,095,597  

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(b)

    12,044        740,706  

Cirrus Logic, Inc.(a)(b)

    4,444        337,344  

Intel Corp.

    143,276        6,404,437  

NVIDIA Corp.

    9,228        4,315,935  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    51,975        6,707,374  
    

 

 

 
       24,601,393  
Software — 2.4%  

Adobe, Inc.(a)

    2,654        1,621,621  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    267        72,963  

Fortinet, Inc.(a)

    1,324        69,589  

Klaviyo, Inc., Class A(a)

    3,413        101,127  

Manhattan Associates, Inc.(a)

    20,070        4,476,614  

Microsoft Corp.

    18,378        6,963,608  
    

 

 

 
       13,305,522  
Specialized REITs — 0.1%  

Equinix, Inc.

    75        61,126  

Public Storage

    2,706        700,204  
    

 

 

 
       761,330  
Security   Shares      Value  

 

 
Specialty Retail — 2.2%  

AutoNation, Inc.(a)

    11,199      $ 1,514,889  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    46,095        3,269,979  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.(b)

    10,689        1,595,868  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    69,008        6,080,295  
    

 

 

 
       12,461,031  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.5%  

Apple Inc.

    8,673        1,647,436  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    402,701        6,809,674  

HP, Inc.

    8,763        257,107  
    

 

 

 
       8,714,217  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.5%  

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(a)

    1,915        855,622  

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A(a)

    35,072        2,066,092  

Under Armour, Inc., Class C, NVS(a)

    5,385        41,249  
    

 

 

 
       2,962,963  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.4%  

WW Grainger, Inc.

    2,663        2,093,624  
    

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.9%
(Cost: $504,703,272)

 

     557,989,603  
    

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

    
Money Market Funds — 1.6%             

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(c)(d)

    4,846,867        4,846,867  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(c)(d)(e)

    3,956,254        3,957,837  
    

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.6%
(Cost: $8,803,886)

 

     8,804,704  
    

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.5%
(Cost: $513,507,158)

 

     566,794,307  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.5)%

 

     (2,807,782
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

   $  563,986,525  
    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(e) 

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

 

 

 

44  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
05/31/23
   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    Value at
11/30/23
   

Shares

Held at
11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  4,925,122     $     $ (78,255 )(a)    $     $     $ 4,846,867       4,846,867     $ 130,264     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    973,342       2,984,145 (a)            226       124       3,957,837       3,956,254       1,785 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 226     $ 124     $ 8,804,704       $  132,049     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

         
Description   

Number of

Contracts

      

Expiration

Date

      

Notional

Amount

(000)

       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     29          12/15/23        $ 6,636        $ 353,978  
                 

 

 

 

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)

   $        $        $  353,978        $        $        $        $  353,978  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (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 November 30, 2023, 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

   $        $        $  393,188        $        $        $        $  393,188  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                                

Futures contracts

   $        $        $ 594        $        $        $        $ 594  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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

    45  


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Futures contracts

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

  $ 6,705,144  

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

         
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

          

Investments

          

Long-Term Investments

          

Common Stocks

  $ 557,989,603      $      $      $ 557,989,603  

Short-Term Securities

          

Money Market Funds

    4,846,867                      4,846,867  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $  562,836,470      $      $        562,836,470  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

             3,957,837  
          

 

 

 
           $  566,794,307  
          

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

          

Assets

          

Equity Contracts

  $ 353,978      $      $      $ 353,978  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient or its equivalent as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

46  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Advantage

International

Fund

   

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Growth Fund

   

BlackRock

Advantage

Small Cap

Core Fund

   

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Core Fund

   

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Value Fund

 

ASSETS

         

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $  1,374,423,914     $  1,040,456,486     $  3,298,722,675     $  2,754,165,945     $  557,989,603  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    35,834,297       11,269,006       152,120,215       49,879,837       8,804,704  

Cash

                229,977       52,207       83  

Cash pledged:

         

Futures contracts

    1,097,000       628,000       2,599,000       1,652,000       317,006  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    623,265       79,389                    

Receivables:

         

Investments sold

    8,415,327       10,452,576       13,969,230       25,207,981       5,211,300  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    642       111,248       26,733       331,005        

Capital shares sold

    6,868,197       197,377       4,757,298       549,195       185,940  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    7,926,020       1,094,305       5,032,915       4,520,300       1,566,461  

Dividends — affiliated

    133,578       40,235       122,290       104,083       18,936  

Interest — unaffiliated

                453              

From the Manager

    90,896       48,683       52,139       133,847       19,841  

Variation margin on futures contracts

                143,610       130,865       24,367  

Prepaid expenses

    106,787       68,389       55,372       75,370       74,105  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,435,519,923         1,064,445,694         3,477,831,907         2,836,802,635         574,212,346  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Collateral on securities loaned

    1,177,275       2,252,161       116,245,412       20,983,225       3,955,809  

Payables:

         

Investments purchased

    13,511,674       9,462,792       17,920,199       24,505,247       5,007,589  

Administration fees

    44,932       34,611       102,339       84,845       19,056  

Capital shares redeemed

    810,666       657,073       7,129,762       1,482,602       649,410  

Investment advisory fees

    390,143       414,436       1,032,101       824,503       172,369  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    4,100       3,852       10,766       7,989       3,337  

Other accrued expenses

    473,517       144,573       918,966       755,550       184,444  

Other affiliate fees

    178,292       81,772       57,502       439,827       5,310  

Professional fees

    136,342       104,093       68,416       36,178       141,801  

Registration fees

                200,033       (18,480      

Service and distribution fees

    67,428       118,626       74,526       305,847       86,696  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    49,363       24,478                    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    16,843,732       13,298,467       143,760,022       49,407,333       10,225,821  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

         

NET ASSETS

  $ 1,418,676,191     $ 1,051,147,227     $ 3,334,071,885     $ 2,787,395,302     $ 563,986,525  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

         

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,337,119,480     $ 642,012,794     $ 3,765,133,771     $ 2,101,835,547     $ 503,577,157  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    81,556,711       409,134,433       (431,061,886     685,559,755       60,409,368  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 1,418,676,191     $ 1,051,147,227     $ 3,334,071,885     $ 2,787,395,302     $ 563,986,525  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a)  Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 1,209,438,812     $ 636,507,246     $ 3,350,572,351     $ 2,014,716,556     $ 504,703,272  

(b)  Securities loaned, at value

  $ 1,111,891     $ 1,500,600     $ 111,852,779     $ 19,269,817     $ 3,842,600  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 35,833,932     $ 11,268,913     $ 152,051,673     $ 49,877,756     $ 8,803,886  

(d)  Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 628,960     $ 84,645     $     $     $  

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  47


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Advantage

International

Fund

    

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Growth Fund

    

BlackRock

Advantage

Small Cap

Core Fund

    

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Core Fund

    

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Value Fund

 

NET ASSET VALUE

             

Institutional

             

Net assets

  $ 924,659,681      $ 535,664,289      $ 2,041,957,264      $ 1,328,441,339      $ 167,486,086  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    53,018,993        23,889,541        137,432,963        68,986,965        5,761,502  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 17.44      $ 22.42      $ 14.86      $ 19.26      $ 29.07  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        400 million        400 million  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor A

             

Net assets

  $ 234,912,272      $ 483,042,568      $ 330,206,916      $ 1,374,381,546      $ 360,528,805  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    13,646,048        22,924,991        22,390,995        75,566,929        12,775,876  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 17.21      $ 21.07      $ 14.75      $ 18.19      $ 28.22  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        300 million        400 million  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor C

             

Net assets

  $ 12,002,786      $ 26,990,295      $ 9,381,614      $ 40,382,218      $ 14,510,359  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    719,279        1,603,788        658,955        2,804,557        568,342  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 16.69      $ 16.83      $ 14.24      $ 14.40      $ 25.53  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        400 million        400 million  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class K

             

Net assets

  $ 217,562,795      $ 4,778,510      $ 952,526,091      $ 30,697,246      $ 14,542,413  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    12,472,293        213,059        64,046,886        1,593,324        500,160  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 17.44      $ 22.43      $ 14.87      $ 19.27      $ 29.08  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited        2 billion        2 billion  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class R

             

Net assets

  $ 29,538,657      $ 671,565      $ N/A      $ 13,492,953      $ 6,918,862  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    1,717,949        30,273        N/A        823,008        258,778  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 17.19      $ 22.18      $ N/A      $ 16.39      $ 26.74  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited        N/A        200 million        200 million  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ N/A      $ 0.10      $ 0.10  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

48  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Advantage

International

Fund

   

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Growth Fund

   

BlackRock

Advantage

Small Cap

Core Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 15,567,895     $ 4,179,445     $ 29,278,443  

Dividends — affiliated

    769,785       232,344       816,142  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    11,798       113,214       395,589  

Other income

    14,843              

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,359,486     (5,005     (73,822

Foreign withholding tax claims

    268,791              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    15,273,626       4,519,998       30,416,352  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    2,876,180       2,833,110       7,434,625  

Transfer agent — class specific

    783,100       596,907       1,037,765  

Service and distribution — class specific

    372,847       658,601       467,059  

Administration

    262,159       205,049       652,804  

Custodian

    170,177       20,995       150,970  

Administration — class specific

    129,741       99,456       348,191  

Professional

    96,132       49,699       49,467  

Accounting services

    53,863       45,541       113,597  

Registration

    52,011       43,135       89,540  

Printing and postage

    21,686       17,560       25,233  

Directors and Officer

    8,166       7,009       18,203  

Miscellaneous

    1,893       8,879       36,986  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    4,827,955       4,585,941       10,424,440  

Interest expense

    2,468              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    4,830,423       4,585,941       10,424,440  

Less:

     

Administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific

    (129,741     (96,599     (346,428

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (592,864     (396,655     (737,126

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific

    (511,132     (353,570     (418,331
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    3,596,686       3,739,117       8,922,555  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    11,676,940       780,881       21,493,797  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    19,791,166       35,028,658       (18,369,380

Investments — affiliated

    811       (2,273     27,040  

Futures contracts

    (1,296,700     1,171,680       689,947  

Foreign currency transactions

    (290,833           (827
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    18,204,444       36,198,065       (17,653,220
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    43,760,160       91,192,351       200,504,987  

Investments — affiliated

    172       1,275       16,891  

Futures contracts

    2,073,132       747       615,656  

Foreign currency translations

    255,745       1,426        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    46,089,209       91,195,799       201,137,534  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    64,293,653       127,393,864       183,484,314  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 75,970,593     $ 128,174,745     $ 204,978,111  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  49


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Core Fund

   

BlackRock

Advantage

Large Cap

Value Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

   

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 21,362,023     $ 6,732,459  

Dividends — affiliated

    678,485       130,264  

Interest — unaffiliated

          2,007  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    331,788       1,785  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (7,359     (823
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    22,364,937       6,865,692  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

   

Investment advisory

    6,209,385       1,380,079  

Transfer agent — class specific

    1,942,864       300,529  

Service and distribution — class specific

    1,877,975       542,885  

Administration

    548,717       118,910  

Administration — class specific

    288,624       56,353  

Accounting services

    97,323       33,727  

Registration

    61,594       45,871  

Professional

    55,922       53,639  

Printing and postage

    21,311       16,069  

Directors and Officer

    15,238       5,598  

Custodian

    (3,280     17,388  

Miscellaneous

    31,874       13,131  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    11,147,547       2,584,179  

Interest expense

    1,230        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    11,148,777       2,584,179  

Less:

   

Administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific

    (288,624     (56,353

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (834,065     (304,209

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific

    (1,234,475     (164,135
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    8,791,613       2,059,482  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    13,573,324       4,806,210  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    54,508,770       18,390,909  

Investments — affiliated

    1,729       226  

Futures contracts

    2,631,972       393,188  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    57,142,471       18,784,323  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    228,080,320       27,931,281  

Investments — affiliated

    1,357       124  

Futures contracts

    (667,584     594  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    227,414,093       27,931,999  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    284,556,564       46,716,322  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $  298,129,888     $  51,522,532  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

50  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock Advantage International Fund     

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth

Fund

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
    Six Months             Six Months        
    Ended             Ended        
    11/30/23      Year Ended      11/30/23     Year Ended  
     (unaudited)      05/31/23      (unaudited)     05/31/23  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

  $ 11,676,940      $ 32,597,808      $ 780,881     $ 3,192,201  

Net realized gain (loss)

    18,204,444        (65,982,615      36,198,065       (14,259,907

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    46,089,209        90,742,580        91,195,799       67,271,524  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    75,970,593        57,357,773        128,174,745       56,203,818  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

Institutional

    (12,784,819      (23,002,049      (653,618     (1,487,169

Investor A

    (3,450,967      (6,936,172      (208,707     (734,722

Investor C

    (31,829      (57,995             

Class K

    (3,257,321      (3,878,150      (5,247     (6,578

Class R

    (304,188      (73,700            (147
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (19,829,124      (33,948,066      (867,572     (2,228,616
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

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

    144,687,666        135,628,015        (29,275,235     1,585,172  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total increase in net assets

    200,829,135        159,037,722        98,031,938       55,560,374  

Beginning of period

    1,217,847,056        1,058,809,334        953,115,289       897,554,915  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $   1,418,676,191      $   1,217,847,056      $ 1,051,147,227     $ 953,115,289  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  51


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund     

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core

Fund

 
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
    Six Months             Six Months        
    Ended             Ended        
    11/30/23      Year Ended      11/30/23     Year Ended  
    (unaudited)      05/31/23      (unaudited)     05/31/23  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

         

OPERATIONS

         

Net investment income

    $ 21,493,797         $ 34,024,253        $ 13,573,324       $ 29,099,395  

Net realized gain (loss)

    (17,653,220      (243,633,261      57,142,471       (57,935,346

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    201,137,534        (2,236,033      227,414,093       30,100,345  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    204,978,111        (211,845,041      298,129,888       1,264,394  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

         

Institutional

    (5,890,136      (65,785,212      (6,048,621     (87,947,101

Investor A

    (571,241      (8,392,738      (4,326,414     (78,931,541

Investor C

           (218,628      (47,818     (2,397,702

Class K

    (2,976,424      (26,282,902      (119,106     (1,924,102

Class R

                  (36,181     (849,067
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (9,437,801      (100,679,480      (10,578,140     (172,049,513
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

         

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

    (303,644,208      (84,503,292      (325,415,087     (48,914,390
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

         

Total decrease in net assets

    (108,103,898      (397,027,813      (37,863,339     (219,699,509

Beginning of period

    3,442,175,783        3,839,203,596        2,825,258,641       3,044,958,150  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $   3,334,071,885      $   3,442,175,783      $ 2,787,395,302     $ 2,825,258,641  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

52  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value
Fund
 
    

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 4,806,210     $ 8,666,756  

Net realized gain (loss)

    18,784,323       (1,730,009

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    27,931,999       (38,708,040
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    51,522,532       (31,771,293
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Institutional

    (1,089,515     (9,937,889

Investor A

    (1,977,245     (20,893,090

Investor C

    (44,976     (893,218

Class K

    (80,975     (574,235

Class R

    (32,227     (460,361
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (3,224,938     (32,758,793
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (26,687,285     (11,079,734
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    21,610,309       (75,609,820

Beginning of period

    542,376,216       617,986,036  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 563,986,525     $ 542,376,216  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  53


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage International Fund  
 

 

 

 
    Institutional  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.73     $ 16.48     $ 19.89      $ 14.52      $ 16.12     $ 16.97      $ 16.77  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.16       0.48       0.46        0.38        0.22       0.44        0.45  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.82       0.29       (2.28      5.30        (1.37     (0.90      (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.98       0.77       (1.82      5.68        (1.15     (0.46      0.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                

From net investment income

    (0.27     (0.52     (0.62      (0.31      (0.45     (0.39      (0.13

From net realized gain

                (0.97                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.27     (0.52     (1.59      (0.31      (0.45     (0.39      (0.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.44     $ 16.73     $ 16.48      $ 19.89      $ 14.52     $ 16.12      $ 16.97  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                

Based on net asset value

    5.86 %(d)      5.10     (9.93 )%       39.57      (7.45 )%(d)      (2.52 )%       1.94 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                

Total expenses

    0.72 %(g)      0.68     0.73      0.78      0.82 %(g)      0.88      0.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.50 %(g)      0.50     0.50      0.50      0.50 %(g)      0.59      0.64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.85 %(g)      3.08     2.51      2.21      2.17 %(g)      2.78      2.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 924,660     $ 771,698     $ 710,116      $ 616,649      $ 477,944     $ 446,831      $ 403,149  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     128     132      247      131     140      106
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is 1.82%.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

54  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage International Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Investor A  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.52     $ 16.28     $ 19.65      $ 14.35      $ 15.93     $ 16.78      $ 16.60  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.13       0.44       0.35        0.33        0.19       0.40        0.38  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.81       0.28       (2.19      5.24        (1.35     (0.90      (0.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.94       0.72       (1.84      5.57        (1.16     (0.50      0.28  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                

From net investment income

    (0.25     (0.48     (0.56      (0.27      (0.42     (0.35      (0.10

From net realized gain

                (0.97                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.25     (0.48     (1.53      (0.27      (0.42     (0.35      (0.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.21     $ 16.52     $ 16.28      $ 19.65      $ 14.35     $ 15.93      $ 16.78  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                

Based on net asset value

    5.71 %(d)      4.82     (10.13 )%       39.21      (7.61 )%(d)      (2.77 )%       1.68 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                

Total expenses

    0.92 %(g)      1.00     1.02      1.05      1.08 %(g)      1.16      1.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.75 %(g)      0.75     0.75      0.75      0.75 %(g)      0.84      0.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.59 %(g)      2.82     1.93      1.95      1.85 %(g)      2.56      2.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 234,912     $ 230,879     $ 240,255      $ 456,083      $ 366,411     $ 404,739      $ 302,725  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     128     132      247      131     140      106
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is 1.56%.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  55


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage International Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.03     $ 15.81     $ 19.12      $ 13.95      $ 15.43     $ 16.11      $ 15.96  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.11       0.32       0.22        0.16        0.10       0.23        0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.75       0.27       (2.15      5.14        (1.31     (0.80      (0.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.86       0.59       (1.93      5.30        (1.21     (0.57      0.15  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                

From net investment income

    (0.20     (0.37     (0.41      (0.13      (0.27     (0.11       

From net realized gain

                (0.97                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.20     (0.37     (1.38      (0.13      (0.27     (0.11       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 16.69     $ 16.03     $ 15.81      $ 19.12      $ 13.95     $ 15.43      $ 16.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                

Based on net asset value

    5.37 %(d)      4.04     (10.83 )%       38.21      (8.05 )%(d)      (3.51 )%       0.94 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                

Total expenses

    1.71 %(g)      1.78     1.83      1.88      1.84 %(g)      1.88      1.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.51 %(g)      1.50     1.50      1.50      1.50 %(g)      1.59      1.64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.33 %(g)      2.10     1.27      0.98      1.04 %(g)      1.52      1.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 12,003     $ 2,598     $ 2,356      $ 3,664      $ 6,193     $ 9,448      $ 23,111  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     128     132      247      131     140      106
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is 0.81%.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds. (g) Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

56  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage International Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Class K  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

 

 

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

 

 

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

 

 

    

Period from

01/25/18

to 09/30/18

 

(a) 

 

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.73     $ 16.48     $ 19.89      $ 14.52      $ 16.12     $ 16.98      $ 18.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.16       0.52       0.46        0.46        0.23       0.56        0.39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.83       0.26       (2.28      5.23        (1.37     (1.03      (1.74
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.99       0.78       (1.82      5.69        (1.14     (0.47      (1.35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                

From net investment income

    (0.28     (0.53     (0.62      (0.32      (0.46     (0.39       

From net realized gain

                (0.97                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.28     (0.53     (1.59      (0.32      (0.46     (0.39       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.44     $ 16.73     $ 16.48      $ 19.89      $ 14.52     $ 16.12      $ 16.98  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                

Based on net asset value

    5.88 %(e)      5.16     (9.89 )%       39.64      (7.40 )%(e)      (2.53 )%       (7.37 )%(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                

Total expenses

    0.57 %(h)      0.57     0.61      0.63      0.65 %(h)      0.75      0.80 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.45 %(h)      0.45     0.45      0.45      0.45 %(h)      0.54      0.59 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.89 %(h)      3.28     2.55      2.65      2.20 %(h)      3.59      3.33 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 217,563     $ 193,748     $ 103,329      $ 103,454      $ 43,073     $ 43,721      $ 8,175  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     128     132      247      131     140      106 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is (7.42)%.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  57


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage International Fund (continued)  
    Class R  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.53     $ 16.29     $ 19.68      $ 14.36      $ 15.91     $ 16.74      $ 16.53  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.11       0.45       0.33        0.28        0.15       0.34        0.32  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.82       0.23       (2.23      5.26        (1.34     (0.88      (0.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.93       0.68       (1.90      5.54        (1.19     (0.54      0.24  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                

From net investment income

    (0.27     (0.44     (0.52      (0.22      (0.36     (0.29      (0.03

From net realized gain

                (0.97                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.27     (0.44     (1.49      (0.22      (0.36     (0.29      (0.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.19     $ 16.53     $ 16.29      $ 19.68      $ 14.36     $ 15.91      $ 16.74  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                

Based on net asset value

    5.61 %(d)      4.54     (10.42 )%       38.91      (7.75 )%(d)      (3.04 )%       1.44 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                

Total expenses

    1.27 %(g)      1.33     1.35      1.36      1.37 %(g)      1.44      1.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.01 %(g)      1.00     1.00      1.00      1.00 %(g)      1.09      1.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.32 %(g)      2.75     1.81      1.67      1.47 %(g)      2.20      1.91
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 29,539     $ 18,925     $ 2,753      $ 3,416      $ 3,310     $ 5,244      $ 7,572  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     128     132      247      131     140      106
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is 1.26%.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

58  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund  
 

 

 

 
    Institutional  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.76     $ 18.77     $ 23.33      $ 18.23      $ 16.49     $ 17.89      $ 15.20  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.03       0.09       0.03        0.04        0.07       0.13        0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.66       0.96       (1.25      6.59        2.40       (0.22      3.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.69       1.05       (1.22      6.63        2.47       (0.09      3.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                

From net investment income

    (0.03     (0.06            (0.07      (0.14     (0.13      (0.08

From net realized gain

                (3.34      (1.46      (0.59     (1.18      (0.88
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.03     (0.06     (3.34      (1.53      (0.73     (1.31      (0.96
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.42     $ 19.76     $ 18.77      $ 23.33      $ 18.23     $ 16.49      $ 17.89  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                

Based on net asset value

    13.60 %(d)      5.62     (7.80 )%       37.54      15.34 %(d)      0.41      25.31
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                

Total expenses

    0.82 %(f)      0.75     0.75      0.83      0.86 %(f)      0.87      0.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.62 %(f)      0.61     0.61      0.62      0.62 %(f)      0.62      0.62
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.29 %(f)      0.50     0.15      0.21      0.65 %(f)      0.82      0.83
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  535,664     $ 499,742     $ 432,076      $ 125,061      $ 89,737     $ 79,564      $ 74,886  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     130     130      134      70     154      162
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  59


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Investor A  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.57     $ 17.67     $ 22.13      $ 17.35      $ 15.71     $ 17.11      $ 14.59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.00       0.04       (0.03      (0.01      0.04       0.09        0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.51       0.89       (1.16      6.27        2.28       (0.22      3.37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.51       0.93       (1.19      6.26        2.32       (0.13      3.46  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                

From net investment income

    (0.01     (0.03            (0.02      (0.09     (0.09      (0.06

From net realized gain

                (3.27      (1.46      (0.59     (1.18      (0.88
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.01     (0.03     (3.27      (1.48      (0.68     (1.27      (0.94
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 21.07     $ 18.57     $ 17.67      $ 22.13      $ 17.35     $ 15.71      $ 17.11  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                

Based on net asset value

    13.51 %(d)      5.28     (8.05 )%       37.28      15.16 %(d)      0.15      24.98
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                

Total expenses

    1.00 %(f)      1.06     1.07      1.08      1.12 %(f)      1.12      1.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.87 %(f)      0.87     0.87      0.87      0.87 %(f)      0.87      0.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.04 %(f)      0.24     (0.16 )%       (0.04 )%       0.40 %(f)      0.57      0.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 483,043     $ 441,983     $ 452,791      $ 909,344      $ 713,162     $ 699,247      $ 730,996  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     130     130      134      70     154      162
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23
(unaudited)

    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
     Year Ended
05/31/21
    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

    Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.88     $ 14.24     $ 18.42      $ 14.67      $ 13.35     $ 14.55      $ 12.53  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.05     (0.07     (0.16      (0.13      (0.03     (0.03      (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.00       0.71       (0.87      5.27        1.93       (0.17      2.89  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.95       0.64       (1.03      5.14        1.90       (0.20      2.86  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (3.15      (1.39      (0.58     (1.00      (0.84
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 16.83     $ 14.88     $ 14.24      $ 18.42      $ 14.67     $ 13.35      $ 14.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                

Based on net asset value

    13.10 %(d)      4.50     (8.74 )%       36.25      14.56 %(d)      (0.59 )%       24.09
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                

Total expenses

    1.82 %(f)      1.87     1.83      1.84      1.83 %(f)      1.85      1.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.62 %(f)      1.62     1.62      1.62      1.62 %(f)      1.62      1.62
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.69 )%(f)      (0.51 )%      (0.89 )%       (0.78 )%       (0.35 )%(f)      (0.22 )%       (0.19 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 26,990     $ 8,372     $ 10,162      $ 12,989      $ 14,728     $ 15,277      $ 48,702  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     130     130      134      70     154      162
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  61


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Class K  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

 

 

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

 

 

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

 

 

    

Period from

01/25/18

to 09/30/18

 

(a) 

 

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.76     $ 18.77     $ 23.33      $ 18.23      $ 16.49     $ 17.89      $ 16.37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.04       0.10       0.04        0.05        0.08       0.14        0.11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.66       0.95       (1.25      6.59        2.40       (0.23      1.41  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.70       1.05       (1.21      6.64        2.48       (0.09      1.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                

From net investment income

    (0.03     (0.06            (0.08      (0.15     (0.13       

From net realized gain

                (3.35      (1.46      (0.59     (1.18       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.03     (0.06     (3.35      (1.54      (0.74     (1.31       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.43     $ 19.76     $ 18.77      $ 23.33      $ 18.23     $ 16.49      $ 17.89  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                

Based on net asset value

    13.67 %(e)      5.63     (7.76 )%       37.60      15.40 %(e)      0.47      9.29 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                

Total expenses

    0.68 %(g)      0.69     0.69      0.69      0.70 %(g)      0.71      0.72 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.57 %(g)      0.57     0.57      0.57      0.57 %(g)      0.57      0.57 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.35 %(g)      0.53     0.18      0.25      0.72 %(g)      0.85      0.93 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 4,779     $ 2,489     $ 2,177      $ 1,152      $ 715     $ 973      $ 609  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     130     130      134      70     154      162 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

62  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (continued)  
    Class R  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.57     $ 18.64     $ 23.17      $ 18.10      $ 16.32     $ 17.69      $ 15.01  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.02     (0.00 )(b)      (0.09      (0.06      0.02       0.05        0.05  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.63       0.94       (1.25      6.55        2.38       (0.23      3.49  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.61       0.94       (1.34      6.49        2.40       (0.18      3.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                

From net investment income

          (0.01                   (0.03     (0.01       

From net realized gain

                (3.19      (1.42      (0.59     (1.18      (0.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

          (0.01     (3.19      (1.42      (0.62     (1.19      (0.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.18     $ 19.57     $ 18.64      $ 23.17      $ 18.10     $ 16.32      $ 17.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                

Based on net asset value

    13.34 %(e)      5.03     (8.28 )%       36.93      14.99 %(e)      (0.15 )%       24.68
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                

Total expenses

    1.38 %(g)      1.42     1.50      1.36      1.46 %(g)      1.42      1.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.12 %(g)      1.12     1.12      1.12      1.12 %(g)      1.12      1.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.21 )%(g)      (0.03 )%      (0.39 )%       (0.30 )%       0.16 %(g)      0.33      0.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 672     $ 530     $ 349      $ 577      $ 536     $ 867      $ 1,864  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65     130     130      134      70     154      162
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  63


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund  
    Institutional  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Year Ended

05/31/20

    

Year Ended

05/31/19

 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.06     $ 15.35     $ 20.72      $ 13.09      $ 13.13      $ 14.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.09       0.14       0.13        0.12        0.14        0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.75       (1.02     (3.28      7.97        (0.05      (1.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.84       (0.88     (3.15      8.09        0.09        (1.00
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

              

From net investment income

    (0.04     (0.12     (0.14      (0.10      (0.13      (0.11

From net realized gain

          (0.29     (2.08      (0.36      (0.00 )(c)       (0.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.04     (0.41     (2.22      (0.46      (0.13      (0.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.86     $ 14.06     $ 15.35      $ 20.72      $ 13.09      $ 13.13  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    5.96 %(e)      (5.75 )%      (16.89 )%       62.61      0.61      (6.89 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

    0.58 %(g)      0.59     0.59      0.60      0.64      0.70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.50 %(g)      0.50     0.50      0.50      0.50      0.49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.25 %(g)      0.93     0.69      0.65      0.99      0.95
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  2,041,957     $  2,152,757     $  2,501,959      $  2,802,145      $  847,753      $  551,833  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38     93     81      63      101      100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

64  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Year Ended

05/31/20

    

Year Ended

05/31/19

 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 13.96     $ 15.24     $ 20.58      $ 13.02      $ 13.05      $ 14.73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.07       0.10       0.08        0.08        0.10        0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.75       (1.01     (3.25      7.91        (0.03      (1.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.82       (0.91     (3.17      7.99        0.07        (1.04
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

              

From net investment income

    (0.03     (0.08     (0.09      (0.07      (0.10      (0.08

From net realized gain

          (0.29     (2.08      (0.36      (0.00 )(c)       (0.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.03     (0.37     (2.17      (0.43      (0.10      (0.64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.75     $ 13.96     $ 15.24      $ 20.58      $ 13.02      $ 13.05  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    5.83 %(e)      (5.98 )%      (17.08 )%       62.05      0.45      (7.16 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

    0.93 %(g)      0.93     0.92      0.95      1.01      1.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.75 %(g)      0.75     0.75      0.75      0.75      0.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.00 %(g)      0.67     0.44      0.45      0.75      0.69
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 330,207     $ 315,694     $ 358,594      $ 530,664      $ 277,926      $ 248,574  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38     93     81      63      101      100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  65


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Year Ended

05/31/20

    

Year Ended

05/31/19

 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 13.50     $ 14.80     $ 20.08      $ 12.74      $ 12.80      $ 14.48  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.02       (0.01     (0.05      (0.05      0.00 (b)       (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.72       (0.98     (3.18      7.74        (0.04      (1.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.74       (0.99     (3.23      7.69        (0.04      (1.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

              

From net investment income

          (0.02                   (0.02      (0.01

From net realized gain

          (0.29     (2.05      (0.35      (0.00 )(d)       (0.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

          (0.31     (2.05      (0.35      (0.02      (0.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.24     $ 13.50     $ 14.80      $ 20.08      $ 12.74      $ 12.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

              

Based on net asset value

    5.48 %(f)      (6.70 )%      (17.74 )%       60.90      (0.33 )%       (7.83 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

              

Total expenses

    1.72 %(h)      1.69     1.64      1.70      1.71      1.81
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.50 %(h)      1.50     1.50      1.50      1.50      1.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.25 %(h)      (0.07 )%      (0.30 )%       (0.32 )%       0.01      (0.06 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 9,382     $ 9,276     $ 10,969      $ 12,880      $ 4,955      $ 4,363  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38     93     81      63      101      100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(e) 

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

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

66  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund (continued)  
    Class K  
   

Six Months

Ended
11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Year Ended

05/31/20

    

Year Ended

05/31/19

 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.07     $ 15.36     $ 20.73      $ 13.10      $ 13.13      $ 14.81  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.10       0.14       0.13        0.13        0.14        0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.74       (1.02     (3.27      7.97        (0.03      (1.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.84       (0.88     (3.14      8.10        0.11        (1.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

              

From net investment income

    (0.04     (0.12     (0.15      (0.11      (0.14      (0.11

From net realized gain

          (0.29     (2.08      (0.36      (0.00 )(c)       (0.56
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.04     (0.41     (2.23      (0.47      (0.14      (0.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.87     $ 14.07     $ 15.36      $ 20.73      $ 13.10      $ 13.13  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    5.98 %(e)      (5.70 )%      (16.84 )%       62.63      0.73      (6.93 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

    0.52 %(g)      0.51     0.51      0.52      0.56      0.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.45 %(g)      0.45     0.45      0.45      0.45      0.45
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.30 %(g)      0.97     0.73      0.71      0.99      1.00
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  952,526     $  964,449     $  967,682      $  920,752      $  188,885      $  56,316  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38     93     81      63      101      100
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  67


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund  
 

 

 

 
    Institutional  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Period from

10/01/21

to 05/31/22

   

Year Ended

09/30/21

   

Year Ended

09/30/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

   

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 17.36     $ 18.39     $ 23.32     $ 18.78     $ 16.87     $ 18.18     $ 21.42  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.10       0.20       0.13       0.19       0.22       0.25       0.25  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.87       (0.18     (0.87     5.31       2.41       (0.13     2.71  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.97       0.02       (0.74     5.50       2.63       0.12       2.96  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.07     (0.20     (0.19     (0.22     (0.29     (0.20     (0.23

From net realized gain

          (0.85     (4.00     (0.74     (0.43     (1.23     (5.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.07     (1.05     (4.19     (0.96     (0.72     (1.43     (6.20
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 19.26     $ 17.36     $ 18.39     $ 23.32     $ 18.78     $ 16.87     $ 18.18  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    11.37 %(d)      0.63     (5.20 )%(d)      30.31     15.96     1.41     17.36
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    0.64 %(f)      0.63     0.61 %(f)(g)      0.68 %(h)      0.84 %(i)      0.82 %(i)      0.79 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.48 %(f)      0.48     0.48 %(f)(g)      0.48 %(h)      0.48 %(i)      0.47 %(i)      0.48 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.06 %(f)      1.17     0.92 %(f)(g)      0.87 %(h)      1.29 %(i)      1.54 %(i)      1.44 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,328,441     $ 1,479,014     $ 1,547,621     $ 1,721,850     $ 1,399,612     $ 1,325,232     $ 1,197,729  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    55     105     73     111     99     151     148
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(f) 

Annualized.

 
(g) 

From October 1, 2021 through April 25, 2022, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(h) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to April 25, 2022.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

68  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Investor A  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Period from

10/01/21

to 05/31/22

   

Year Ended

09/30/21

   

Year Ended

09/30/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

   

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.40     $ 17.44     $ 22.30     $ 18.00     $ 16.20     $ 17.52     $ 20.84  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.07       0.15       0.09       0.13       0.17       0.20       0.20  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.78       (0.19     (0.82     5.08       2.31       (0.12     2.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.85       (0.04     (0.73     5.21       2.48       0.08       2.83  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.06     (0.15     (0.13     (0.17     (0.25     (0.17     (0.18

From net realized gain

          (0.85     (4.00     (0.74     (0.43     (1.23     (5.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.06     (1.00     (4.13     (0.91     (0.68     (1.40     (6.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 18.19     $ 16.40     $ 17.44     $ 22.30     $ 18.00     $ 16.20     $ 17.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    11.26 %(d)      0.34     (5.37 )%(d)      30.01     15.66     1.18     17.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    0.90 %(f)      0.90     0.86 %(f)(g)      0.93 %(h)      1.09 %(i)      1.10 %(i)      1.14 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.73 %(f)      0.73     0.73 %(f)(g)      0.73 %(h)      0.73 %(i)      0.73 %(i)      0.73 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.83 %(f)      0.92     0.67 %(f)(g)      0.62 %(h)      1.04 %(i)      1.30 %(i)      1.19 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  1,374,382     $  1,271,384     $  1,382,899     $  1,519,185     $  1,325,195     $  1,202,715     $  929,540  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    55     105     73     111     99     151     148
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(f) 

Annualized.

 
(g) 

From October 1, 2021 through April 25, 2022, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(h) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to April 25, 2022.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  69


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Period from

10/01/21

to 05/31/22

   

Year Ended

09/30/21

   

Year Ended

09/30/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

   

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 13.01     $ 14.06     $ 18.68     $ 15.14     $ 13.72     $ 15.03     $ 18.61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.01       0.02       (0.01     (0.02     0.04       0.07       0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.40       (0.16     (0.61     4.28       1.95       (0.12     2.29  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.41       (0.14     (0.62     4.26       1.99       (0.05     2.35  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.02     (0.06     (0.00 )(c)            (0.14     (0.03      

From net realized gain

          (0.85     (4.00     (0.72     (0.43     (1.23     (5.93
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.02     (0.91     (4.00     (0.72     (0.57     (1.26     (5.93
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.40     $ 13.01     $ 14.06     $ 18.68     $ 15.14     $ 13.72     $ 15.03  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    10.84 %(e)      (0.42 )%      (5.81 )%(e)      29.03     14.80     0.37     16.24
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

    1.72 %(g)      1.72     1.69 %(g)(h)      1.69 %(i)      1.87 %(j)      1.89 %(j)      1.92 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.48 %(g)      1.48     1.48 %(g)(h)      1.48 %(i)      1.48 %(j)      1.48 %(j)      1.48 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.08 %(g)      0.17     (0.08 )%(g)(h)      (0.13 )%(i)      0.32 %(j)      0.52 %(j)      0.44 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 40,382     $ 31,813     $ 38,506     $ 42,561     $ 31,921     $ 95,571     $ 159,351  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(k)

    55     105     73     111     99     151     148
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

 
(b) 

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

 
(c) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

 
(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 
(e) 

Not annualized.

 
(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(g) 

Annualized.

 
(h) 

From October 1, 2021 through April 25, 2022, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(k) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to April 25, 2022.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

70  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Class K  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

 

   

Period from

10/01/21

to 05/31/22

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

09/30/21

 

 

   

Year Ended

09/30/20

 

 

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

 

 

   

Period from

01/25/18

to 09/30/18

 

(a) 

 

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 17.36     $ 18.40     $ 23.34     $ 18.79     $ 16.88     $ 18.19     $ 17.48  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.10       0.21       0.13       0.20       0.22       0.31       0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.89       (0.19     (0.87     5.32       2.42       (0.18     0.53  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.99       0.02       (0.74     5.52       2.64       0.13       0.71  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (0.08     (0.21     (0.20     (0.23     (0.30     (0.21      

From net realized gain

          (0.85     (4.00     (0.74     (0.43     (1.23      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.08     (1.06     (4.20     (0.97     (0.73     (1.44      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 19.27     $ 17.36     $ 18.40     $ 23.34     $ 18.79     $ 16.88     $ 18.19  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    11.45 %(e)      0.63     (5.18 )%(e)      30.42     16.01     1.45     4.06 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

    0.53 %(g)      0.54     0.51 %(g)(h)      0.55 %(i)      0.70 %(j)      0.72 %(j)      0.72 %(g)(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.43 %(g)      0.43     0.43 %(g)(h)      0.43 %(i)      0.43 %(j)      0.43 %(j)      0.43 %(g)(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.13 %(g)      1.22     0.98 %(g)(h)      0.91 %(i)      1.30 %(j)      1.87 %(j)      1.55 %(g)(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 30,697     $ 31,568     $ 61,965     $ 56,736     $ 34,078     $ 3,079     $ 2,458  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(k)

    55     105     73     111     99     151     148
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(g) 

Annualized.

 
(h) 

From October 1, 2021 through April 25, 2022, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(k) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to April 25, 2022.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  71


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (continued)  
    Class R  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Period from

10/01/21

to 05/31/22

   

Year Ended

09/30/21

   

Year Ended

09/30/20

    Year Ended
09/30/19
   

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.80     $ 15.84     $ 20.60     $ 16.66     $ 15.03     $ 16.38     $ 19.85  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.05       0.10       0.05       0.07       0.13       0.15       0.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.58       (0.17     (0.72     4.70       2.13       (0.13     2.47  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.63       (0.07     (0.67     4.77       2.26       0.02       2.62  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.04     (0.12     (0.09     (0.09     (0.20     (0.14     (0.12

From net realized gain

          (0.85     (4.00     (0.74     (0.43     (1.23     (5.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.04     (0.97     (4.09     (0.83     (0.63     (1.37     (6.09
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 16.39     $ 14.80     $ 15.84     $ 20.60     $ 16.66     $ 15.03     $ 16.38  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    11.05 %(d)      0.14     (5.55 )%(d)      29.67     15.38     0.88     16.83
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.22 %(f)      1.24     1.23 %(f)(g)      1.26 %(h)      1.37 %(i)      1.32 %(i)      1.38 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.98 %(f)      0.98     0.98 %(f)(g)      0.98 %(h)      0.98 %(i)      0.98 %(i)      0.98 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.58 %(f)      0.68     0.42 %(f)(g)      0.37 %(h)      0.83 %(i)      1.04 %(i)      0.94 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 13,493     $ 11,479     $ 13,967     $ 14,399     $ 12,416     $ 27,003     $ 41,488  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(j)

    55     105     73     111     99     151     148
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(f) 

Annualized.

 
(g) 

From October 1, 2021 through April 25, 2022, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(h) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to April 25, 2022.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

72  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund  
 

 

 

 
    Institutional  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

   

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

   

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 26.63     $ 29.79     $ 35.07      $ 24.74     $ 28.08     $ 30.89     $ 28.32  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.27       0.47       0.45        0.46       0.39       0.57       0.55  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.35       (2.02     (0.21      10.36       (2.60     (0.26     2.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.62       (1.55     0.24        10.82       (2.21     0.31       3.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

              

From net investment income

    (0.18     (0.47     (0.47      (0.49     (0.58     (0.59     (0.43

From net realized gain

          (1.14     (5.05            (0.55     (2.53     (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.18     (1.61     (5.52      (0.49     (1.13     (3.12     (0.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 29.07     $ 26.63     $ 29.79      $ 35.07     $ 24.74     $ 28.08     $ 30.89  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

              

Based on net asset value

    9.83 %(d)      (4.97 )%      0.63      44.37     (8.36 )%(d)      1.80     11.16
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

              

Total expenses

    0.72 %(f)      0.70     0.70      0.84 %(g)      0.89 %(f)(h)      0.87 %(h)      0.92 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.54 %(f)      0.54     0.54      0.54 %(g)      0.54 %(f)(h)      0.54 %(h)      0.54 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.89 %(f)      1.72     1.41      1.58 %(g)      2.20 %(f)(h)      2.09 %(h)      1.87 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 167,486     $ 164,434     $ 186,903      $ 194,452     $ 146,365     $ 192,744     $ 169,089  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    60     116     136      126 %(j)      70     161     143
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(f) 

Annualized.

 
(g) 

From June 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.03%.

 
(h) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.05% and 0.03% for the period October 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to March 1, 2021.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  73


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Investor A  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

   

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.86     $ 28.98     $ 34.26      $ 24.18     $ 27.45     $ 30.26     $ 27.76  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.23       0.39       0.36        0.38       0.34       0.49       0.47  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.28       (1.97     (0.20      10.13       (2.55     (0.25     2.51  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.51       (1.58     0.16        10.51       (2.21     0.24       2.98  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

              

From net investment income

    (0.15     (0.40     (0.39      (0.43     (0.51     (0.52     (0.36

From net realized gain

          (1.14     (5.05            (0.55     (2.53     (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.15     (1.54     (5.44      (0.43     (1.06     (3.05     (0.48
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 28.22     $ 25.86     $ 28.98      $ 34.26     $ 24.18     $ 27.45     $ 30.26  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

              

Based on net asset value

    9.71 %(d)      (5.22 )%      0.40      44.01     (8.53 )%(d)      1.56     10.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

              

Total expenses

    0.98 %(f)      0.97     0.97      1.10 %(g)      1.15 %(f)(h)      1.14 %(h)      1.20 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.79 %(f)      0.79     0.79      0.79 %(g)      0.79 %(f)(h)      0.79 %(h)      0.79 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.65 %(f)      1.47     1.16      1.33 %(g)      1.95 %(f)(h)      1.84 %(h)      1.61 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 360,529     $ 345,671     $ 394,334      $ 405,607     $ 280,449     $ 336,565     $ 337,798  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    60     116     136      126 %(j)      70     161     143
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(f) 

Annualized.

 
(g) 

From June 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.03%.

 
(h) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.05% and 0.03% for the period October 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to March 1, 2021.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

74  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

   

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 23.43     $ 26.40     $ 31.69      $ 22.31     $ 25.32     $ 28.06     $ 25.71  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.11       0.17       0.12        0.16       0.19       0.27       0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.06       (1.78     (0.19      9.37       (2.36     (0.24     2.33  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.17       (1.61     (0.07      9.53       (2.17     0.03       2.56  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

              

From net investment income

    (0.07     (0.22     (0.17      (0.15     (0.29     (0.24     (0.09

From net realized gain

          (1.14     (5.05            (0.55     (2.53     (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.07     (1.36     (5.22      (0.15     (0.84     (2.77     (0.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.53     $ 23.43     $ 26.40      $ 31.69     $ 22.31     $ 25.32     $ 28.06  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

              

Based on net asset value

    9.26 %(d)      (5.89 )%      (0.38 )%       42.99     (9.00 )%(d)      0.79     10.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

              

Total expenses

    1.77 %(f)      1.74     1.73      1.85 %(g)      1.91 %(f)(h)      1.94 %(h)      1.97 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.54 %(f)      1.54     1.54      1.54 %(g)      1.54 %(f)(h)      1.54 %(h)      1.54 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.89 %(f)      0.72     0.41      0.63 %(g)      1.20 %(f)(h)      1.08 %(h)      0.87 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 14,510     $ 14,894     $ 18,099      $ 20,880     $ 43,395     $ 63,659     $ 94,919  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    60     116     136      126 %(j)      70     161     143
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(f) 

Annualized.

 
(g) 

From June 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.03%.

 
(h) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.05% and 0.03% for the period October 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to March 1, 2021.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  75


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund (continued)  
 

 

 

 
    Class K  
 

 

 

 
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

 

 

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

 

 

   

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

 

 

   

Period from

01/25/18

to 09/30/18

 

(a) 

 

               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 26.64     $ 29.80     $ 35.08      $ 24.74     $ 28.09     $ 30.90     $ 30.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.28       0.48       0.47        0.47       0.40       0.58       0.39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.34       (2.01     (0.22      10.38       (2.60     (0.26     (0.39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.62       (1.53     0.25        10.85       (2.20     0.32        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

              

From net investment income

    (0.18     (0.49     (0.48      (0.51     (0.60     (0.60      

From net realized gain

          (1.14     (5.05            (0.55     (2.53      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.18     (1.63     (5.53      (0.51     (1.15     (3.13      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 29.08     $ 26.64     $ 29.80      $ 35.08     $ 24.74     $ 28.09     $ 30.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    9.85 %(e)      (4.91 )%      0.69      44.48     (8.35 )%(e)      1.85     0.00 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

    0.63 %(g)      0.63     0.63      0.74 %(h)      0.80 %(g)(i)      0.79 %(i)      0.83 %(g)(j) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.49 %(g)      0.49     0.49      0.49 %(h)      0.49 %(g)(i)      0.49 %(i)      0.49 %(g)(j) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.96 %(g)      1.77     1.47      1.62 %(h)      2.24 %(g)(i)      2.14 %(i)      1.88 %(g)(j) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 14,542     $ 10,451     $ 10,210      $ 8,258     $ 4,971     $ 5,699     $ 5,459  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    60     116     136      126 %(k)      70     161     143
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(g) 

Annualized.

 
(h) 

From June 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.03%.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.05% and 0.03% for the period October 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

 
(j) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(k) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to March 1, 2021.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

76  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund (continued)  
    Class R  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
     Year Ended
05/31/21
   

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 24.52     $ 27.56     $ 32.84      $ 23.18     $ 26.29     $ 29.10     $ 26.70  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18       0.31       0.27        0.29       0.28       0.41       0.38  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.16       (1.87     (0.19      9.71       (2.43     (0.26     2.42  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.34       (1.56     0.08        10.00       (2.15     0.15       2.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

              

From net investment income

    (0.12     (0.34     (0.31      (0.34     (0.41     (0.43     (0.28

From net realized gain

          (1.14     (5.05            (0.55     (2.53     (0.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.12     (1.48     (5.36      (0.34     (0.96     (2.96     (0.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.74     $ 24.52     $ 27.56      $ 32.84     $ 23.18     $ 26.29     $ 29.10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

              

Based on net asset value

    9.55 %(d)      (5.43 )%      0.14      43.63     (8.65 )%(d)      1.29     10.60
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

              

Total expenses

    1.35 %(f)      1.36     1.35      1.41 %(g)      1.43 %(f)(h)      1.44 %(h)      1.47 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.04 %(f)      1.04     1.04      1.04 %(g)      1.04 %(f)(h)      1.04 %(h)      1.04 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.40 %(f)      1.22     0.91      1.11 %(g)      1.69 %(f)(h)      1.59 %(h)      1.37 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 6,919     $ 6,925     $ 8,440      $ 9,015     $ 10,820     $ 18,321     $ 29,497  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    60     116     136      126 %(j)      70     161     143
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

 
(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

 
(f) 

Annualized.

 
(g) 

From June 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021, the Fund invested in the Master Portfolio as part of a master-feeder structure and received its corresponding allocated fees waived and expenses and/or net investment income from the Master Portfolio. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.03%.

 
(h) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of 0.05% and 0.03% for the period October 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively.

 
(i) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. Includes the Fund’s share of the Master Portfolio’s allocated fees waived of less than 0.01%.

 
(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate includes transactions from the Master Portfolio prior to March 1, 2021.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  77


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) and BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”) are each registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as open-end management investment companies. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Corporation is organized as a Maryland corporation. BlackRock Advantage International Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund and BlackRock Small Cap Core Fund are series of the Trust. BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund and BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund are series of the Corporation. The following are referred to herein collectively as the “Funds” or individually as a “Fund”:

 

 

Fund Name   Herein Referred To As    Diversification Classification

 

BlackRock Advantage International Fund

  Advantage International    Diversified

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

  Advantage Large Cap Growth    Diversified

BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund

  Advantage Small Cap Core    Diversified

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

  Advantage Large Cap Core    Diversified

BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund

  Advantage Large Cap Value    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 8 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 the Corporation and the Board of Trustees of the Trust are collectively referred to throughout this report as the “Board”, and the directors/trustees thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as “Directors”.

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 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 using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend dates may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend dates. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily 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 effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Foreign taxes withheld”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of November 30, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. Certain Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations include tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Bank Overdraft: Certain Funds had outstanding cash disbursements exceeding deposited cash amounts at the custodian during the reporting period. The Funds are obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses, where applicable. For financial reporting purposes, overdraft fees, if any, are included in interest expense in the Statements of Operations.

Collateralization: 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.

Distributions: Distributions paid by the Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. 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. 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. 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.

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 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) each day that the Funds are open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of each Fund has approved the designation of the Fund’s Manager as the valuation designee for the Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under the Manager’s policies. 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 the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. The Manager has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

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 that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

 

   

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.

 

   

Futures contracts are valued based on that day’s last reported settlement or trade price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee 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 Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

    79  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 Valuation Committee and third-party pricing services utilized by the Valuation Committee include one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

Standard Inputs Generally Considered By The Valuation Committee And 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. Enterprise valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”), current value method or a hybrid of those techniques are used as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of these valuation techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

The Private Companies are not subject to the public company disclosure, timing, and reporting standards applicable to other investments held by a 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 financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each 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); and

 

   

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

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

As of November 30, 2023, certain investments of the Funds were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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 Fund 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 Fund is 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.

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. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are disclosed in the Fund’s Schedules of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of related collateral, if any, are shown separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value – unaffiliated and collateral on securities loaned, respectively.

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 the Funds 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 on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

 

 
Fund Name/Counterparty  

Securities

Loaned at Value

    

Cash

Collateral Received(a)

   

Non-Cash

Collateral Received,

at Fair Value(a)

    

Net

Amount

 

 

 

Advantage International

         

BofA Securities, Inc.

  $ 127      $ (127   $      $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    366,627        (366,627             

Morgan Stanley

    745,137        (745,137             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,111,891      $ (1,111,891   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advantage Large Cap Growth

         

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 1,500,600      $ (1,500,600   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advantage Small Cap Core

         

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 765,422      $ (765,422   $      $  

BNP Paribas SA

    12,846,456        (12,846,456             

BofA Securities, Inc.

    4,689,628        (4,689,628             

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    2,662,971        (2,662,971             

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    615,504        (615,504             

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    37,174,483        (37,174,483             

Jefferies LLC

    1,097,444        (1,097,444             

Morgan Stanley

    47,246,150        (47,246,150             

National Financial Services LLC

    3,490,466        (3,490,466             

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    378,876        (378,876             

TD Prime Services LLC

    885,379        (885,379             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 111,852,779      $  (111,852,779   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advantage Large Cap Core

         

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 11,444,208      $ (11,444,208   $      $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    1,690,969        (1,690,969             

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    6,134,640        (6,134,640             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 19,269,817      $ (19,269,817   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Advantage Large Cap Value

         

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

  $ 826,613      $ (826,613   $      $  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    2,678,583        (2,678,583             

Morgan Stanley

    337,404        (337,404             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 3,842,600      $ (3,842,600   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
         

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, 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.

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

    81  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (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 over-the-counter (“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 exchange-traded 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 rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Trust, on behalf of Advantage International, Advantage Large Cap Growth and Advantage Small Cap Core, and the Corporation, on behalf of Advantage Large Cap Core and Advantage Large Cap Value, 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 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  

Advantage

International

    

Advantage Large

Cap Growth

    

Advantage Small

Cap Core

    

Advantage Large

Cap Core

    

Advantage Large

Cap Value

 

First $1 billion

    0.45      0.57      0.45      0.45      0.49

$1 billion - $3 billion

    0.42        0.54        0.42        0.42        0.46  

$3 billion - $5 billion

    0.41        0.51        0.41        0.41        0.44  

$5 billion - $10 billion

    0.39        0.50        0.39        0.39        0.43  

Greater than $10 billion

    0.38        0.48        0.38        0.38        0.42  

 

 

Service and Distribution Fees: The Trust, on behalf of Advantage International, Advantage Large Cap Growth and Advantage Small Cap Core, and the Corporation, on behalf of Advantage Large Cap Core and Advantage Large Cap Value, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution and Service Plan 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:

 

       
    Advantage International      Advantage Large Cap Growth      Advantage Small Cap Core  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Share Class   Service Fees      Distribution Fees      Service Fees      Distribution Fees      Service Fees      Distribution Fees  

Investor A

    0.25      N/A        0.25      N/A        0.25      N/A  

Investor C

    0.25        0.75      0.25        0.75      0.25      0.75

Class R

    0.25        0.25        0.25        0.25        N/A        N/A  

 

     
    Advantage Large Cap Core     Advantage Large Cap Value  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
Share Class   Service Fees     Distribution Fees     Service Fees     Distribution Fees  

Investor A

    0.25     N/A       0.25     N/A  

Investor C

    0.25       0.75     0.25       0.75

Class R

    0.25       0.25       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 BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing and/or distribution related services to shareholders.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific service and distribution fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Investor A      Investor C      Class R      Total  

 

 

Advantage International

  $ 288,487      $ 29,816      $  54,544      $ 372,847  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

    581,245        75,774        1,582        658,601  

Advantage Small Cap Core

    418,958        48,101               467,059  

Advantage Large Cap Core

    1,669,256        176,457        32,262        1,877,975  

Advantage Large Cap Value

    449,121        76,448        17,316        542,885  

 

 

Administration: The Trust, on behalf of Advantage International, Advantage Large Cap Growth and Advantage Small Cap Core, and the Corporation, on behalf of Advantage Large Cap Core and Advantage Large Cap Value, entered into an Administration Agreement with the Manager, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide administrative services. For these services, the Manager receives an administration fee computed daily and payable monthly, based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The administration fee, which is shown as administration in the Statements of Operations, is paid at the annual rates below.

 

 

 

 
  Average Daily Net Assets   Administration Fees   
 

 

 
 

First $500 million

    0.0425%  
 

$500 million - $1 billion

    0.0400    
 

$1 billion - $2 billion

    0.0375    
 

$2 billion - $4 billion

    0.0350    
 

$4 billion - $13 billion

    0.0325    
 

Greater than $13 billion

    0.0300    
 

 

 

In addition, the Manager charges each of the share classes an administration fee, which is shown as administration — class specific in the Statements of Operations, at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific administration fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

 

 
Fund Name      Institutional        Investor A        Investor C        Class K        Class R        Total  

 

 

Advantage International

     $ 83,333        $ 23,040        $ 596        $  20,607        $ 2,165        $ 129,741  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

       51,114          46,389          1,510          380          63          99,456  

Advantage Small Cap Core

       214,492          33,453          960          99,286                   348,191  

Advantage Large Cap Core

       147,613          133,207          3,520          3,002          1,282          288,624  

Advantage Large Cap Value

       17,005          35,863          1,526          1,267          692          56,353  

 

 

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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Funds paid the following amounts to affiliates of BlackRock in return for these services, which are included in transfer agent — class specific in the Statements of Operations:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional      Total  

 

 

Advantage International

  $ 368,461      $  368,461  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

    234,092        234,092  

Advantage Small Cap Core

    133,599        133,599  

Advantage Large Cap Core

    639,169        639,169  

 

 

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. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, 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:

 

 

 
Fund Name      Institutional        Investor A        Investor C        Class K        Class R        Total  

 

 

Advantage International

     $ 3,225        $ 5,444        $ 132        $ 207        $ 46        $ 9,054  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

       3,130          43,534          2,000          23          19          48,706  

Advantage Small Cap Core

       7,109          13,921          593          2,706                   24,329  

Advantage Large Cap Core

       24,369          150,856          3,110          82          155          178,572  

Advantage Large Cap Value

       697          24,799          1,260          46          104          26,906  

 

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

 

 
Fund Name      Institutional        Investor A        Investor C        Class K        Class R      Total  

 

 

Advantage International

     $ 638,683        $ 117,332        $ 4,075        $ 1,954        $  21,056      $ 783,100  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

       392,706          191,507          11,870          162          662        596,907  

Advantage Small Cap Core

       720,327          279,277          9,902          28,259                 1,037,765  

Advantage Large Cap Core

       974,174          916,532          36,099          2,966          13,093        1,942,864  

Advantage Large Cap Value

       83,686          196,535          11,569          661          8,078        300,529  

 

 

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

    83  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Other Fees: For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of each Fund’s Investor A Shares as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts  

 

 

Advantage International

  $ 2,756  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

    4,814  

Advantage Small Cap Core

    5,962  

Advantage Large Cap Core

    11,729  

Advantage Large Cap Value

    2,309  

 

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates received CDSCs as follows:

 

 

 
Share Class     

Advantage

International

      

Advantage

Large Cap

Growth

      

Advantage

Small Cap

Core

      

Advantage

Large Cap

Core

      

Advantage

Large Cap

Value

 

 

 

Investor A

     $ 326        $        $ 1,143        $ 2,551        $ 332  

Investor C

       49          149          343          542          241  

 

 

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: With respect to each Fund, 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 June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Trust or the Corporation, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. 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. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amounts waived were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts Waived  

 

 

Advantage International

  $ 11,130  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

    3,350  

Advantage Small Cap Core

    11,825  

Advantage Large Cap Core

    9,953  

Advantage Large Cap Value

    1,887  

 

 

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 June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, there were no fees waived by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

With respect to each Fund, 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:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional     Investor A     Investor C     Class K     Class R    

 

 

Advantage International

    0.50     0.75     1.50     0.45     1.00%  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

    0.62       0.87       1.62       0.57       1.12    

Advantage Small Cap Core

    0.50       0.75       1.50       0.45       N/A    

Advantage Large Cap Core

    0.48       0.73       1.48       0.43       0.98    

Advantage Large Cap Value

    0.54       0.79       1.54       0.49       1.04    

 

 

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue the contractual expense limitations through June 30, 2025 (June 30, 2034 with respect to Advantage Large Cap Growth Class R Shares), 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.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed investment advisory fees, which is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations, as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts Waived  

 

 

Advantage International

  $ 581,734  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

    393,305  

Advantage Small Cap Core

    725,301  

Advantage Large Cap Core

    824,112  

Advantage Large Cap Value

    302,322  

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

In addition, these amounts waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager are included in administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific and transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific, service and distribution fees waived and service distribution fees reimbursed respectively, in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements were as follows:

 

 

 
     Administration Fees Waived by the Manager - Class Specific  
  

 

 

 
Fund Name    Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Class R      Total  

 

 

Advantage International

    $ 83,332       $ 23,040       $ 597       $ 20,607      $ 2,165        $ 129,741  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

     51,114        43,579        1,463        380        63        96,599  

Advantage Small Cap Core

     213,412        33,279        955        98,782               346,428  

Advantage Large Cap Core

     147,613        133,207        3,520        3,002        1,282        288,624  

Advantage Large Cap Value

     17,005        35,863        1,526        1,267        692        56,353  

 

 
                 

 

 
     Transfer Agent Fees Waived and/or Reimbursed by the Manager - Class Specific  
  

 

 

 
Fund Name    Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Class R      Total  

 

 

Advantage International

    $ 430,135       $ 60,412       $ 2,585       $ 1,954      $ 16,046        $ 511,132  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

     264,911        79,890        8,099        161        509        353,570  

Advantage Small Cap Core

     186,536        196,087        7,581        28,127               418,331  

Advantage Large Cap Core

     605,183        588,523        27,715        2,966        10,088        1,234,475  

Advantage Large Cap Value

     41,187        107,984        7,924        661        6,379        164,135  

 

 

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, Money Market Series, managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the Money Market Series to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the Money Market Series will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Funds. The Money Market Series may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of the Money Market Series. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. Each 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 (except Advantage International) retains 81% 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. Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, Advantage International 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 (except Advantage International), pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 81% 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. Advantage International, 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. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, each Fund paid BIM the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts  

 

 

Advantage International

  $ 2,400  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

    26,506  

Advantage Small Cap Core

    98,091  

Advantage Large Cap Core

    79,123  

Advantage Large Cap Value

    1,500  

 

 

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, each Fund other than Advantage Large Cap Growth 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. Advantage International is currently permitted to borrow under the Interfund Lending Program. Advantage Small Cap Core is 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

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

    85  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Funds did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

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

Other Transactions: The Funds may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common directors or trustees. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with an affiliated fund in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name      Purchases        Sales       

Net Realized

Gain

 

 

 

Advantage International

     $  109,815,840        $ 110,654,018        $ 3,350,225  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

       122,231,959          111,280,936          5,203,221  

Advantage Small Cap Core

       17,742,653          46,134,952          4,788,179  

Advantage Large Cap Core

       120,992,535          137,839,981          1,730,090  

Advantage Large Cap Value

       29,936,880          37,325,865          3,034,703  

 

 

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name      Purchases        Sales  

 

 

Advantage International

     $ 951,366,457        $ 814,875,394  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

       643,993,678          674,507,445  

Advantage Small Cap Core

       1,288,605,463          1,581,652,654  

Advantage Large Cap Core

       1,562,249,167          1,886,506,081  

Advantage Large Cap Value

       333,669,888          358,750,756  

 

 

 

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 each Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for a period of three years after they are filed. 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 November 30, 2023, 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.

As of May 31, 2023, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains and qualified late-year losses as follows:

 

 

Advantage International      Advantage Large Cap Growth      Advantage Small Cap Core      Advantage Large Cap Core      Advantage Large Cap Value

 

$     90,015,175

     $       25,713,241      $      320,410,727      $      84,219,781      $       10,898,011

 

As of November 30, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name      Tax Cost       

Gross Unrealized

Appreciation

      

Gross Unrealized

Depreciation

    

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Advantage International

     $  1,270,810,033        $ 165,982,712        $ (25,737,745    $ 140,244,967  

Advantage Large Cap Growth

       653,933,979          407,034,110          (8,834,722      398,199,388  

Advantage Small Cap Core

       3,569,177,370          415,847,457          (533,837,781      (117,990,324

Advantage Large Cap Core

       2,104,717,496          761,513,474          (60,724,309      700,789,165  

Advantage Large Cap Value

       519,188,187          62,122,609          (14,162,511      47,960,098  

 

 

 

 

86  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, on behalf of Advantage International, Advantage Large Cap Growth and Advantage Small Cap Core, and the Corporation, on behalf of Advantage Large Cap Core and Advantage Large Cap Value, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates (“Participating Funds”), is party to a 364-day, $2.50 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) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.80% per annum, (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 or (c) the sum of (x) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.10% and (y) 0.80% per annum. The agreement expires in April 2024 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Funds did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, the 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.

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 discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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.

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, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. 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.

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 and centrally cleared swaps 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.

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

    87  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with each fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedules of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the Funds invest.

Advantage International 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 as well as acts of war in the region. 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. 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. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Advantage International invests a significant portion of its 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 Fund’s investments.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     
       Six Months Ended 11/30/23      Year Ended 05/31/23  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 Fund Name/Share Class      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 Advantage International

             

 Institutional

             

 Shares sold

       10,344,910      $ 175,017,976        11,508,058      $  175,708,419  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       721,796        12,689,180        1,525,765        22,800,749  

 Shares redeemed

       (4,181,149      (71,314,769      (9,987,110      (150,703,357
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       6,885,557      $  116,392,387        3,046,713      $ 47,805,811  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Investor A

             

 Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

       848,134      $ 14,347,328        1,491,738      $ 22,573,584  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       180,558        3,136,287        426,965        6,301,933  

 Shares redeemed

       (1,360,004      (23,042,358      (2,700,529      (41,155,670
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (331,312    $ (5,558,743      (781,826    $ (12,280,153
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

88  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     
       Six Months Ended 11/30/23      Year Ended 05/31/23  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 Fund Name/Share Class      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 Advantage International (continued)

             

 Investor C

             

 Shares sold

       591,094      $ 9,519,740        51,816      $ 776,986  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       1,886        31,829        4,022        57,985  

 Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

       (35,778      (582,020      (42,803      (646,954
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       557,202      $ 8,969,549        13,035      $ 188,017  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Class K

             

 Shares sold

       1,242,662      $ 21,297,186        6,766,930      $ 106,688,626  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       185,286        3,257,321        259,872        3,878,150  

 Shares redeemed

       (536,605      (9,143,187      (1,714,155      (27,125,496
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       891,343      $ 15,411,320        5,312,647      $ 83,441,280  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Class R

             

 Shares sold

       726,494      $ 12,028,496        1,023,690      $ 17,224,244  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       17,512        304,188        4,989        73,701  

 Shares redeemed

       (170,695      (2,859,531      (53,022      (824,885
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       573,311      $ 9,473,153        975,657      $ 16,473,060  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       8,576,101      $   144,687,666        8,566,226      $ 135,628,015  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Advantage Large Cap Growth

             

 Institutional

             

 Shares sold

       1,200,638      $ 25,123,726        6,868,840      $  118,137,284  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       30,127        651,052        84,195        1,481,839  

 Shares redeemed

       (2,635,642      (55,553,193      (4,676,497      (85,552,119
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (1,404,877    $ (29,778,415      2,276,538      $ 34,067,004  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Investor A

             

 Shares sold

       443,044      $ 8,780,909        783,596      $ 13,193,623  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       9,977        202,834        43,075        713,736  

 Shares redeemed

       (1,324,139      (26,349,865      (2,657,309      (44,721,957
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (871,118    $ (17,366,122      (1,830,638    $ (30,814,598
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Investor C

             

 Shares sold

       1,152,821      $ 17,784,083        63,364      $ 871,927  

 Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

       (111,488      (1,790,077      (214,528      (2,877,817
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       1,041,333      $ 15,994,006        (151,164    $ (2,005,890
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Class K

             

 Shares sold

       109,386      $ 2,274,947        33,825      $ 619,234  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       226        4,882        331        5,828  

 Shares redeemed

       (22,514      (469,999      (24,166      (435,384
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       87,098      $ 1,809,830        9,990      $ 189,678  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Class R

             

 Shares sold

       5,227      $ 107,802        10,387      $ 185,989  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     8        147  

 Shares redeemed

       (2,038      (42,336      (2,056      (37,158
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       3,189      $ 65,466        8,339      $ 148,978  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (1,144,375    $ (29,275,235      313,065      $ 1,585,172  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

    89  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     
       Six Months Ended 11/30/23      Year Ended 05/31/23  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 Fund Name/Share Class      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

 Advantage Small Cap Core

             

 Institutional

             

 Shares sold

       10,565,736      $ 156,504,690        47,919,449      $ 701,900,107  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       370,782        5,876,893        4,704,458        65,751,152  

 Shares redeemed

       (26,651,881      (396,101,764      (62,510,640      (917,764,827
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (15,715,363    $  (233,720,181      (9,886,733    $  (150,113,568
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Investor A

             

 Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

       1,963,797      $ 29,150,406        3,601,657      $ 52,810,767  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       36,256        571,034        605,080        8,387,411  

 Shares redeemed

       (2,229,150      (32,820,035      (5,120,440      (74,615,130
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (229,097    $ (3,098,595      (913,703    $ (13,416,952
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Investor C

             

 Shares sold

       71,836      $ 1,005,482        125,566      $ 1,786,554  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     16,415        218,327  

 Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

       (99,868      (1,416,478      (196,132      (2,747,776
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (28,032    $ (410,996      (54,151    $ (742,895
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Class K

             

 Shares sold

       4,062,310      $ 60,904,116        19,864,648      $ 291,931,230  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       187,474        2,973,342        1,873,351        26,253,904  

 Shares redeemed

       (8,750,229      (130,291,894      (16,189,057      (238,415,011
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (4,500,445    $ (66,414,436      5,548,942      $ 79,770,123  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (20,472,937    $ (303,644,208      (5,305,645    $ (84,503,292
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Advantage Large Cap Core

             

 Institutional

             

 Shares sold

       1,733,512      $ 31,931,994        7,232,763      $ 117,472,203  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       297,302        5,636,850        5,176,989        82,730,713  

 Shares redeemed

       (18,261,497      (330,483,436      (11,342,719      (183,436,037
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (16,230,683    $ (292,914,592      1,067,033      $ 16,766,879  
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Investor A

             

 Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

       2,124,620      $ 36,992,551        4,614,359      $ 72,748,020  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       226,419        4,057,431        4,932,185        74,491,359  

 Shares redeemed

       (4,300,939      (74,856,158      (11,328,154      (178,943,679
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (1,949,900    $ (33,806,176      (1,781,610    $ (31,704,300
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Investor C

             

 Shares sold

       739,702      $ 10,067,550        492,228      $ 6,204,724  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       3,283        46,720        196,124        2,351,728  

 Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

       (383,562      (5,338,075      (982,251      (12,432,749
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       359,423      $ 4,776,195        (293,899    $ (3,876,297
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 Class K

             

 Shares sold

       247,561      $ 4,551,187        645,071      $ 10,729,466  

 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

       6,279        119,106        120,270        1,924,102  

 Shares redeemed

       (478,539      (8,868,893      (2,315,017      (41,205,381
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       (224,699    $ (4,198,600      (1,549,676    $ (28,551,813
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

90  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R TT O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

       
    Six Months Ended 11/30/23          Year Ended 05/31/23  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Fund Name/Share Class   Shares           Amount           Shares           Amount  

Advantage Large Cap Core (continued)

                

Class R

                

Shares sold

    78,197        $ 1,215,065          81,548        $ 1,163,716  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    2,238          36,181          62,298          849,067  

Shares redeemed

    (33,188        (523,160        (249,611        (3,561,642
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    47,247        $ 728,086          (105,765      $ (1,548,859
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (17,998,612      $  (325,415,087        (2,663,917      $ (48,914,390
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Advantage Large Cap Value

                

Institutional

                

Shares sold

    355,174        $ 10,001,797          881,237        $ 24,019,416  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    33,148          966,923          344,992          8,902,293  

Shares redeemed

    (801,067        (22,272,843        (1,325,202        (36,046,939
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (412,745      $ (11,304,123        (98,973      $ (3,125,230
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investor A

                

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    248,376        $ 6,821,959          1,375,001        $ 36,028,089  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    62,832          1,780,650          759,779          19,035,751  

Shares redeemed

    (900,326        (24,735,994        (2,376,037        (62,562,160
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (589,118      $ (16,133,385        (241,257      $ (7,498,320
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investor C

                

Shares sold

    28,233        $ 701,954          135,087        $ 3,243,871  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,721          44,248          38,671          875,749  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (97,343        (2,428,018        (223,496        (5,340,361
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (67,389      $ (1,681,816        (49,738      $ (1,220,741
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class K

                

Shares sold

    149,259        $ 4,215,393          128,817        $ 3,493,709  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    2,776          80,975          22,234          574,235  

Shares redeemed

    (44,256        (1,242,978        (101,295        (2,693,778
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    107,779        $ 3,053,390          49,756        $ 1,374,166  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Class R

                

Shares sold

    10,727        $ 278,039          46,745        $ 1,166,823  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,197          32,173          19,382          459,713  

Shares redeemed

    (35,616        (931,563        (89,884        (2,236,145
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (23,692      $ (621,351        (23,757      $ (609,609
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
    (985,165      $ (26,687,285        (363,969      $   (11,079,734
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of November 30, 2023, shares owned by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Funds, were as follows:

 

 

 
Share Class  

Advantage

Large Cap

Growth

 

 

 

Class K

    12,217  

 

 

 

12.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDINGS TAX CLAIMS

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which Advantage International is able to pass through to shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, the Fund will be able to offset the prior years’ withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the Fund.

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

    91  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

13.

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.

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) and BlackRock Large Cap Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”) have adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for BlackRock Advantage International Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund, BlackRock Advantage Small Cap Core Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core Fund and BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund (the “Funds”), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Board of Directors of the Corporation (together, the “Board”), on behalf of the Funds, met on November 16-17, 2023 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Advisors, LLC or BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), each an investment adviser to certain BlackRock funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program, as applicable. BlackRock also previously 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 management 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 October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including the imposition of capital controls in certain countries.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each 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 or reverse repurchase agreements), such borrowings were factored into the Program’s calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. A fund’s 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 redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size utilized for liquidity classifications. 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 committed to each Fund, 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, and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF, a series of BlackRock ETF Trust II). 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 other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. 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.

 

S T A T E M E N T  R E G A R D I N G  L I Q U I D I T Y  R I S K  M A N A G E M E N T  P R O G R A M

    93  


Additional Information

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and ETFs

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

General Information

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Funds may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Householding

The Funds will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, Rule 30e-3 notices and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Funds at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and 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 without charge, upon request (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com; and (3) 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 visit blackrock.com for more information.

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.

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.

 

 

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Additional Information (continued)

 

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.

Fund and Service Providers

 

Investment Adviser and Administrator

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Boston, MA 02116

Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent

 

Distributor

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

 

BlackRock Investments, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

New York, NY 10001

Custodian

 

Legal Counsel

The Bank of New York Mellon

 

Sidley Austin LLP

New York, NY 10286

 

New York, NY 10019

 

Address of the Trust and the Corporation

 

100 Bellevue Parkway

 

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

A D D I T I O N A L  I N F O R M A T I O N

    95  


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
S&P    Standard & Poor’s

 

 

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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 the Funds unless preceded or accompanied by the Funds’ 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.

SC2-11/23-SAR

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  NOVEMBER 30, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

   

 

BlackRock FundsSM

 

·  

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund

 

·  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

 

·  

BlackRock International Dividend Fund

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The combination of continued economic growth and cooling inflation provided a supportive backdrop for investors during the 12-month reporting period ended November 30, 2023. Significantly tighter monetary policy helped to rein in inflation, as the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index declined to its long-term average of approximately 3% in November 2023. Meanwhile, real economic growth proved more resilient than many investors anticipated. A moderating labor market also helped ease inflationary pressure, although wages continued to grow. This robust labor market powered further growth in consumer spending, backstopping the economy. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a horrific attack on Israel. The ensuing war will have a significant humanitarian impact and could lead to heightened economic and market volatility. We see geopolitics as a structural market risk going forward. See our geopolitical risk dashboard at blackrock.com for more details.

Equity returns were solid during the period, as interest rates stabilized, and the economy proved to be more resilient than many investors expected. The U.S. economy continued to show strength, and growth further accelerated in the third quarter of 2023. However, equity returns were uneven, as the performance of a few notable technology companies supported gains among large-capitalization U.S. stocks, while small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined overall. Meanwhile, international developed market equities advanced strongly, while emerging market equities posted modest gains.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate interest rate changes. The corporate bond market benefited from improving economic sentiment, although high-yield corporate bond prices fared significantly better than investment-grade bonds as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), attempting to manage persistent inflation, raised interest rates five times during the 12-month period, but slowed and then paused its tightening later in the period. The Fed also wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity.

Supply constraints appear to have become an embedded feature of the new macroeconomic environment, making it difficult for developed economies to increase production without sparking higher inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and an aging population risk further exacerbating these constraints, keeping the labor market tight and wage growth high. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and recently opted for several pauses, we believe that the new economic regime means that the Fed will need to maintain high rates for an extended period despite the market’s hopes for interest rate cuts, as reflected in the recent rally. Furthermore, ongoing structural changes may mean that the Fed will be hesitant to cut interest rates in the event of faltering economic activity lest inflation accelerate again.

While we favor an overweight position in developed market equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance in the near term. Nevertheless, we are overweight on Japanese stocks in the near term as shareholder-friendly policies generate increased investor interest. We also believe that stocks with an AI tilt should benefit from an investment cycle that is set to support revenues and margins. In credit, there are selective opportunities in the near term despite tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most attractive investments in short-term U.S. Treasuries, U.S. mortgage-backed securities, and hard-currency emerging market bonds.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, 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 November 30, 2023
     
     6-Month    12-Month
   

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

   10.17%    13.84%
   

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

  4.24   (2.57)
   

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

  5.12   12.36
   

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  4.60   4.21
   

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

  2.69   4.91
   

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

  (3.98)   (2.27)
   

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

  (0.80)   1.18
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds (Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  2.29   4.28
   

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

  5.52   8.69

 

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

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

            

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     11  

Disclosure of Expenses

     11  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedules of Investments

     12  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     22  

Statements of Operations

     24  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     25  

Financial Highlights

     28  

Notes to Financial Statements

     39  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     49  

Additional Information

     50  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     52  

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

  3


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 

   BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Funds (the Fund) investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed the benchmark, the MSCI World Energy Index.

What factors influenced performance?

Stock selection contributed positively to performance. Selection in the exploration and production (“E&P”) subsector had the largest positive effect on results, while selection in the refining and marketing subsector was the most noteworthy detractor. Sector allocation was a net detractor from performance. The Fund’s underweights in the refining and marketing and coal and uranium subsectors detracted.

At the individual stock level, an underweight in Chevron Corp.—which underperformed due in part to its bid for Hess Corp.—was a leading contributor. An overweight in Cheniere Energy, Inc. also contributed positively to performance on the strength of rising natural gas prices. The Fund further benefited from its zero weighting in the pipeline operator Enbridge, Inc. The company announced an equity issuance to fund acquisitions, weighing on its share price.

The Fund’s lack of a position in Phillips66, which benefited from strengthening refining margins, was the leading detractor. Similarly, a zero weighting in the uranium producer Cameco Corp. weighed on results. Uranium prices rose on expectations for a revival in the nuclear energy industry, fueling a rally in Cameco Corp. stock. Positions in a number of midstream distribution companies, including Kinder Morgan, Inc., also detracted due in part to the backdrop of elevated interest rates.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The investment adviser increased the Fund’s allocation to the E&P subsector. It also reduced its weighting in the distribution subsector and rotated the proceeds into oil services stocks.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The investment adviser maintained a bias toward higher-quality international oil producers, together with select positions in United States shale companies. The investment adviser believed valuations across the energy sector appeared attractive given that companies are expected to maintain capital discipline and deliver high free cash flows.

The Fund was overweight in the integrated and oil services subsectors at the close of the reporting period, and it was underweight in the E&P, coal and uranium, distribution, and refining and marketing subsectors.

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.

Performance

          Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
   

 

 

 
          1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     6-Month
Total
Returns
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    14.58     (0.27 )%      N/A       9.07     N/A       1.32     N/A  

Investor A

    14.30       (0.70     (5.91 )%      8.61       7.45     0.90       0.36

Investor C

    13.86       (1.39     (2.36     7.84       7.84       0.32       0.32  

MSCI World Energy Index(c)

    13.67       (0.96     N/A       7.68       N/A       2.33       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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees.

 
(b) 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of global energy and natural resources companies and companies in associated businesses, as well as utilities (such as gas, water, cable, electrical and telecommunications utilities).

 
(c) 

An index that is designed to capture the large- and mid-cap segments across developed markets countries. All securities in the index are classified in the energy sector as per the Global Industry Classification Standard.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual      Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

 

 

   

 

 

    
     

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

   

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

    

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

Institutional

  $  1,000.00      $  1,145.80      $  4.89     $  1,000.00     $  1,020.44      $  4.60        0.91

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,143.00        7.08       1,000.00       1,018.39        6.66        1.32  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,138.60        10.92       1,000.00       1,014.79        10.28        2.04  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS
Security(a)  

 

Percent of  

Net Assets  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

  16.7%

Shell PLC

  10.5  

Chevron Corp.

  6.9  

TotalEnergies SE

  6.9  

ConocoPhillips

  6.7  

BP PLC

  4.9  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

  4.4  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

  4.3  

EOG Resources, Inc.

  4.1  

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

  4.0  
INDUSTRY ALLOCATION  
Industry(b)  

 

Percent of  

Net Assets  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

  90.3%

Energy Equipment & Services

  8.4  

Short-Term Securities

  0.7  

Other Assets

  0.6  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

  5


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 

    

   BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock High Equity Income Funds (the Fund) investment objective is to seek high current income while maintaining prospects for capital appreciation.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index.

What factors influenced performance?

The largest detractor from the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark was stock selection within the consumer staples sector, specifically within the consumer staples distribution and retail subsector. Positioning in the industrials sector was the second largest detractor, driven by stock selection within the aerospace and defense subsector. Stock selection within the materials sector also detracted from relative performance.

The largest contributor to the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark was an overweight to the real estate sector. Within real estate, stock selection in the specialized real estate investment trust subsector proved additive to relative results for the reporting period. Positioning with respect to utilities was the second largest contributor, driven by an overweight to the sector versus the benchmark as well as stock selection within the multi-utilities subsector. Stock selection within the energy sector also contributed to relative performance.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

As a result of portfolio activity and market price movements during the period, the largest increases in the Fund’s sector exposures were in industrials and energy. Conversely, the Fund’s exposure to the healthcare and consumer discretionary sectors declined.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund ended the reporting period with its largest absolute allocations in the financials, healthcare and industrials sectors. Relative to the benchmark, the Fund’s largest overweight positions were in the healthcare and communication services sectors, while the largest relative underweights were in more expensive and cyclical sectors, most notably real estate 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.

Performance

          Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
   

 

 

 
          1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    

6-Month

Total

Returns

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

   

Without

Sales

Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

 

Institutional

    6.29     2.41     N/A       7.55     N/A       7.81     N/A  

Investor A

    6.17       2.17       (3.19 )%      7.27       6.12     7.49       6.91

Investor C

    5.77       1.40       0.45       6.49       6.49       6.84       6.84  

Class K

    6.35       2.50       N/A       7.58       N/A       7.82       N/A  

Russell 1000® Value Index(c)

    7.14       1.36       N/A       7.52       N/A       8.09       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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees.

 
(b) 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities and equity-related instruments, including equity-linked notes. The Fund may invest in securities of companies with any market capitalization, but will generally focus on large cap securities. The Fund’s total returns prior to June 12, 2017, are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio.

 
(c) 

An index that measures the performance of the large-cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower expected growth values.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

6  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual       Hypothetical 5% Return     
 

 

 

   

 

 

    
     

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

    

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

   

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

 

 

 

   

Ending

Account Value

(11/30/23)

 

 

 

    

Expenses

Paid During

the Period

 

 

(a) 

    

Annualized

Expense

Ratio

 

 

 

Institutional

  $  1,000.00      $  1,062.90      $  4.38     $  1,000.00     $  1,020.75      $  4.29        0.85

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,061.70        5.67       1,000.00       1,019.50        5.55        1.10  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,057.70        9.52       1,000.00       1,015.75        9.32        1.85  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,063.50        4.12       1,000.00       1,021.00        4.04        0.80  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS
Security(a)  

 

Percent of  

Net Assets  

Wells Fargo & Co.

  2.0%

Citigroup, Inc.

  1.9  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Registered Shares, GDR

  1.8  

BP PLC

  1.8  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

  1.6  

Kraft Heinz Co. (The)

  1.5  

Shell PLC

  1.5  

Baxter International, Inc.

  1.5  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  1.4  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

  1.4  
SECTOR ALLOCATION  
Sector(b)  

 

Percent of  

Net Assets  

Financials

  21.7%

Health Care

  19.1  

Industrials

  12.9  

Information Technology

  9.0  

Consumer Staples

  8.0  

Energy

  7.9  

Communication Services

  7.5  

Consumer Discretionary

  4.7  

Utilities

  4.6  

Materials

  2.8  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

  0.6  

Short-Term Securities

  0.6  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

  0.6  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

  7


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 

   BlackRock International Dividend Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock International Dividend Funds (the Fund) investment objective is to seek long-term total return and current income.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI All Country World ex-U.S. Index.

What factors influenced performance?

The largest detractors from relative performance over the period were stock selection within and an underweight to the financials sector along with stock selection within and an overweight to healthcare. Stock selection within consumer discretionary also detracted.

Lonza Group, the Swiss pharmaceutical and biotech company and biologics contract manufacturer, was the largest detractor from relative performance. The unexpected departure of the CEO in September 2023 weighed on investor confidence about the group’s prospects, particularly given its timing ahead of new medium-term guidance expected at the company’s upcoming October Capital Markets Day. The Fund exited the position given the lack of clarity provided by management into this departure and concerns that it may indicate a lack of competitive advantage for Lonza. Prudential Financial, Inc., the U.K.-based multinational insurance company and leading provider of insurance products and services in Asia, also detracted during the reporting period. Despite the shares being under pressure due to weaker sentiment in China, the company posted strong new business profits for the first half of 2023. In addition, the new CEO announced plans for a $1 billion investment program designed to drive strong organic new business premium growth over the 2022-27 period. Fast food restaurant company Yum China Holdings also detracted as third quarter earnings fell short of forecasts due to flat margins and weaker consumer demand.

The largest contributors to relative performance over the period were stock selection in the industrials and materials sectors along with stock selection within and an underweight to information technology. Mediatek Inc., the Taiwanese semiconductor company, led positive contributions to relative return as third quarter earnings exceeded estimates. The company has benefited from a significant improvement in inventory levels and expects an acceleration in smartphone-related demand with tailwinds from its new flagship 5G system-on-chip. The Fund has maintained the position as the smartphone market continues to recover and Mediatek is positioned to continue to gain share.

Baker Hughes Company, the United States energy technology company with business segments including oilfield services and equipment and industrial and energy technology, was another significant contributor to relative performance. Energy stocks in general had reflected a higher probability of recession relative to other cyclical sectors and benefited as recession fears eased and OPEC+ production cuts led to a rally in oil prices. RELX plc (“RELX”), the British multinational information and analytics company, also contributed to relative performance. The market appeared to reassess the value of the data and analytics offered by RELX given the recent positive sentiment around artificial intelligence, especially in the legal field. In addition, the ongoing strength of the company’s results and upbeat guidance continued to support the outlook for an extended period of strong top-line growth.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund increased its weightings in the information technology, financials and materials sectors, with newly added positions in Keyence Corp., FinecoBank S.p.A. and Symrise AG. Conversely, the Fund reduced exposure to consumer staples, healthcare and consumer discretionary, exiting positions in Lonza Group, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc and Inditex.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

From a sector perspective, the Fund was overweight in industrials, healthcare and information technology at the end of the period. The Fund was underweight in consumer discretionary and had zero exposure to utilities and real estate. Regionally, the Fund held the most significant exposure to the United Kingdom and France.

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  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock International Dividend Fund

 

Performance

          Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
   

 

 

 
          1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     6-Month
Total
Returns
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    1.71     7.57     N/A       7.59     N/A       3.46     N/A  

Investor A

    1.59       7.33       1.69     7.33       6.18     3.18       2.63

Investor C

    1.19       6.54       5.54       6.53       6.53       2.57       2.57  

Class K

    1.73       7.66       N/A       7.65       N/A       3.49       N/A  

MSCI All Country World Index ex-U.S.(c)

    5.07       9.26       N/A       5.06       N/A       3.41       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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees.

 
(b) 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in dividend-paying equity securities issued by foreign companies of any market capitalization and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. The Fund’s total returns prior to June 12, 2017 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio.

 
(c) 

An index that captures large- and mid-cap representation across certain developed markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and certain emerging markets countries.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

Expense Example

 

    Actual     Hypothetical 5% Return         
 

 

 

   

 

 

    
     

Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
 
 
 
    

Ending
Account Value
(11/30/23)
 
 
 
    

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
   

Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
 
 
 
   

Ending
Account Value
(11/30/23)
 
 
 
    

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
    

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 

Institutional

  $  1,000.00      $  1,017.10      $  3.36     $  1,000.00     $  1,021.67      $  3.39        0.67

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,015.90        4.62       1,000.00       1,020.42        4.65        0.92  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,011.90        8.38       1,000.00       1,016.67        8.42        1.67  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,017.30        3.11       1,000.00       1,021.92        3.13        0.62  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

 

 

F U N D  S U M M A R Y

  9


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock International Dividend Fund

 

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS
Security(a)  

 

Percent of  

Net Assets  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

  4.9%

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  3.8  

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

  3.5  

RELX PLC

  3.5  

Keyence Corp.

  3.4  

Shell PLC

  3.1  

Air Liquide SA

  3.1  

Koninklijke KPN NV

  3.1  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

  3.0  

ASML Holding NV

  3.0  
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION  
Country  

 

Percent of  

Net Assets  

United Kingdom

  13.1%

Netherlands

  11.5  

France

  10.6  

United States

  9.7  

Japan

  7.6  

Taiwan

  7.6  

Sweden

  5.3  

Germany

  5.1  

Switzerland

  4.6  

Canada

  4.5  

Denmark

  3.8  

Singapore

  3.8  

Italy

  3.0  

Mexico

  2.8  

India

  2.6  

Brazil

  1.6  

Indonesia

  1.5  

China

  1.2  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

  0.1  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 

 

10  

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About Fund Performance

 

Institutional and Class K Shares (Class K Shares are available only for BlackRock High Equity Income Fund and BlackRock International Dividend Fund) are not subject to any sales charge. These shares bear no ongoing distribution or service fees and are available only to certain eligible investors. BlackRock High Equity Income Fund’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of April 21, 2020 is that of Institutional Shares. BlackRock International Dividend Fund’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of January 25, 2018 is that of Institutional Shares. The performance of each Fund’s Class K Shares would be substantially similar to Institutional Shares, because the share classes of a 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 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. On July 6, 2021, BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund and BlackRock International Dividend Fund’s and on August 18, 2021, BlackRock High Equity Income Fund’s issued and outstanding Service Shares converted into Investor A Shares with the same relative aggregate net asset value (“NAV”), respectively.

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. These shares automatically convert to Investor A Shares after approximately eight years.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, 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 assume reinvestment of all distributions, if any, at NAV on the ex-dividend date or payable date, as applicable. 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 waivers and/or reimbursements, each Fund’s performance would have been lower. With respect to each Fund’s voluntary waivers, if any, the Manager is under no obligation to waive and/or reimburse or to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees and such voluntary waivers may be reduced or discontinued at any time. With respect to each Fund’s contractual waivers, if any, the Manager is under no obligation to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees after the applicable termination date of such agreement. See 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, administration fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) 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. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. 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.

 

 

A B O U T  F U N D  P E R F O R M A N C E  /  D I S C L O S U R EO F  E X P E N S E S

  11


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   

Energy Equipment & Services — 8.4%

 

ARC Resources Ltd.

    316,466     $ 5,046,851  

NOV, Inc.

    73,357       1,380,579  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

    86,608       1,014,180  

Poseidon Concepts Corp.(a)

    35,081        

Schlumberger NV

    222,327       11,569,897  

TechnipFMC PLC

    181,059       3,751,542  

Tenaris SA

    159,866       2,758,134  

Weatherford International PLC(a)

    14,493       1,314,370  
   

 

 

 
      26,835,553  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 90.3%

 

BP PLC

    2,561,354       15,572,194  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    208,602       13,929,347  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

    468,542       8,311,143  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    77,825       14,175,824  

Chevron Corp.

    154,354       22,165,234  

ConocoPhillips

    185,258       21,410,267  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    49,668       7,669,236  

Eni SpA

    395,506       6,558,475  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    105,994       13,044,682  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    519,913       53,415,862  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    192,196       2,855,823  

Gazprom PJSC(a)(b)

    639,500       71  

Hess Corp.

    76,698       10,780,671  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)

    252,884       1,717,082  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    77,300       11,532,387  

Shell PLC

    1,039,878           33,613,907  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

 

TC Energy Corp.

    121,025     $ 4,538,828  

TotalEnergies SE

    323,039       22,018,086  

Tourmaline Oil Corp.

    118,789       5,749,704  

Valero Energy Corp.

    62,270       7,806,167  

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

    347,330       12,778,271  
   

 

 

 
      289,643,261  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.7%

    (Cost: $209,554,933)

 

 

    316,478,814  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 
Money Market Funds — 0.7%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(c)(d)

    2,150,632       2,150,632  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.7%
(Cost: $2,150,632)

 

    2,150,632  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $211,705,565)

 

    318,629,446  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.6%

 

    2,069,897  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $   320,699,343  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

05/31/23

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $   2,370,913     $       $  (220,281) (a)    $     $     $   2,150,632       2,150,632     $   71,151     $  

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

          264 (a)            (264                       98 (c)        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (264   $     $ 2,150,632       $ 71,249     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K R O C K   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Energy Equipment & Services

   $ 24,077,419        $ 2,758,134        $        $ 26,835,553  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     209,024,705          80,618,485          71          289,643,261  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     2,150,632                            2,150,632  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  235,252,756        $  83,376,619        $   71        $  318,629,446  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  13


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Common Stocks            
Aerospace & Defense — 2.9%            

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    164,591     $ 31,405,609  

RTX Corp.

       320,093           26,081,177  
   

 

 

 
      57,486,786  
Automobile Components — 0.9%            

Aptiv PLC(a)

    122,820       10,174,409  

Lear Corp.

    52,779       7,059,191  
   

 

 

 
      17,233,600  
Automobiles — 0.9%            

General Motors Co.

    581,873       18,387,187  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 5.2%            

Citigroup, Inc.

    844,276       38,921,124  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    239,160       6,521,893  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    14,072       20,656,148  

Wells Fargo & Co.

    877,713       39,137,223  
   

 

 

 
      105,236,388  
Building Products — 0.4%            

Allegion PLC

    68,780       7,296,870  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 2.1%            

Carlyle Group, Inc. (The)

    619,230       21,227,205  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    19,510       6,663,445  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    132,136       13,894,100  
   

 

 

 
      41,784,750  
Chemicals — 0.7%            

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    194,830       14,686,285  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 1.2%            

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    393,388       19,032,111  

Nokia Oyj, NVS, ADR

    1,707,952       5,943,673  
   

 

 

 
      24,975,784  
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 1.3%  

Dollar General Corp.

    206,073       27,020,292  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 1.2%            

Sealed Air Corp.

    723,340       24,145,089  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.9%  

AT&T Inc.

    664,654       11,013,317  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    719,679       27,585,296  
   

 

 

 
      38,598,613  
Electric Utilities — 2.5%            

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    187,582       14,922,148  

Edison International

    118,808       7,958,948  

Exelon Corp.

    328,712       12,658,699  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    59,660       3,490,707  

PG&E Corp.(a)

    637,989       10,954,271  
   

 

 

 
      49,984,773  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)

    43,090       10,211,468  
   

 

 

 
Financial Services — 2.8%            

Equitable Holdings, Inc.

    484,405       14,866,390  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    459,530       26,946,839  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    52,782       13,548,084  
   

 

 

 
      55,361,313  
Food Products — 1.6%            

Danone SA

    15,585       1,002,160  

Kraft Heinz Co. (The)

    870,507       30,563,501  
   

 

 

 
      31,565,661  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Ground Transportation — 0.3%            

Union Pacific Corp.

    29,300     $ 6,600,411  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 4.5%  

Baxter International, Inc.

       835,827           30,156,638  

Koninklijke Philips NV(a)

    538,261       11,045,785  

Medtronic PLC

    326,931       25,915,820  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    202,625       23,567,314  
   

 

 

 
      90,685,557  
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.8%            

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    218,023       23,345,903  

Cigna Group (The)

    94,209       24,765,662  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    45,495       21,814,398  

Humana, Inc.

    9,994       4,845,691  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    102,562       22,246,723  
   

 

 

 
      97,018,377  
Household Durables — 1.1%            

Newell Brands, Inc.

    1,025,577       7,825,153  

Sony Group Corp., ADR

    157,120       13,504,464  
   

 

 

 
      21,329,617  
Household Products — 0.6%            

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares

    75,260       5,920,736  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    90,332       6,166,690  
   

 

 

 
      12,087,426  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%            

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    40,882       6,867,463  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 4.1%            

American International Group, Inc.

    380,048       25,010,959  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    559,820       25,102,329  

Prudential PLC

    1,482,221       16,211,643  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

    65,867       16,223,042  
   

 

 

 
      82,547,973  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.2%            

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    9,690       3,170,084  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 1.0%            

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    298,686       21,021,521  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.3%            

Fortrea Holdings, Inc.(a)

    210,694       6,202,831  
   

 

 

 
Machinery — 1.0%            

Komatsu Ltd.

    758,000       19,388,951  
   

 

 

 
Media — 1.4%            

Comcast Corp., Class A

    461,704       19,340,780  

Fox Corp., Class A, NVS

    317,683       9,384,356  
   

 

 

 
      28,725,136  
Multi-Utilities — 0.7%            

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    67,983       4,244,179  

Sempra

    126,226       9,198,088  
   

 

 

 
      13,442,267  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 5.3%            

BP PLC

    5,865,134       35,658,095  

ConocoPhillips

    47,823       5,526,904  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)

    1,405,717       9,544,818  

Shell PLC

    938,252       30,328,862  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    531,820       17,544,742  

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

    187,343       6,892,349  
   

 

 

 
      105,495,770  
Personal Care Products — 0.5%            

Unilever PLC, ADR

    206,759       9,862,404  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

14  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security        

Shares

   

Value

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 2.8%                  

AstraZeneca PLC

      62,216     $ 8,007,597  

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

      349,268       11,955,120  

Eli Lilly & Co.

      12,812       7,572,404  

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

      27,024       2,752,124  

Sanofi SA

      268,422       25,034,362  
     

 

 

 
        55,321,607  
Professional Services — 3.7%                  

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.

       1,478,660           15,659,009  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

      248,058       26,621,585  

Robert Half, Inc.

      45,352       3,717,957  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

      489,478       27,538,032  
     

 

 

 
        73,536,583  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.8%  

Intel Corp.

      135,151       6,041,250  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

      577,000       10,554,552  
     

 

 

 
        16,595,802  
Software — 0.8%                  

Microsoft Corp.

      41,232       15,623,217  
     

 

 

 
Specialized REITs — 0.4%                  

American Tower Corp.

      17,230       3,597,279  

Crown Castle, Inc.

      32,830       3,850,303  
     

 

 

 
        7,447,582  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.1%  

HP, Inc.

      215,040       6,309,274  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Registered Shares, GDR

      25,976       36,194,204  
     

 

 

 
        42,503,478  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%        

Ralph Lauren Corp., Class A

      43,682       5,651,577  
     

 

 

 
Tobacco — 1.3%                  

British American Tobacco PLC

      808,544       25,727,880  
     

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.4%        

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B, NVS

      285,380       12,288,406  

Vodafone Group PLC

      18,382,282       16,528,772  
     

 

 

 
        28,817,178  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 65.8%
(Cost: $1,223,204,115)

        1,319,645,551  
     

 

 

 
     
         

Par

(000)

       

 

 

Equity-Linked Notes

     
Aerospace & Defense — 1.6%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.) 15.26% 01/25/24

    USD       91,400       17,238,971  

SG Americas Securities LLC (RTX Corp.) 12.84% 01/05/24

      186,200       15,283,359  
     

 

 

 
        32,522,330  
Automobile Components — 0.5%                  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Lear Corp.) 22.37% 12/07/23

      71,700       9,590,780  
     

 

 

 
Automobiles — 0.4%                  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (General Motors Co.) 28.07% 01/19/24

      254,200       7,399,179  
     

 

 

 
Banks — 2.5%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Citizens Financial Group, Inc.) 25.49% 12/26/23

      176,700       4,567,355  
Security        

Par

(000)

   

Value

 

 

 
Banks (continued)                  

BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Citigroup, Inc.) 22.21% 12/14/23

    USD       360,600     $ 14,712,246  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (Wells Fargo & Co.) 14.45% 12/26/23

      410,700       17,327,025  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (First Citizens BancShares, Inc.) 26.79% 12/14/23

      10,100       13,818,593  
     

 

 

 
        50,425,219  
Building Products — 0.2%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Allegion PLC) 12.94% 01/19/24

          38,500            4,081,739  
     

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 1.1%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Carlyle Group, Inc. (The)) 33.19% 12/11/23

      363,000       11,237,199  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (Raymond James Financial, Inc.) 14.59% 12/26/23

      75,400       7,757,216  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)) 14.63% 01/16/24

      10,900       3,665,745  
     

 

 

 
        22,660,160  
Chemicals — 0.3%                  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.) 21.47% 01/16/24

      85,800       6,318,744  
     

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 0.7%        

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Nokia Oyj) 30.49% 12/11/23

      1,001,200       3,473,671  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Cisco Systems, Inc.) 16.87% 12/07/23

      203,600       9,853,109  
     

 

 

 
        13,326,780  
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 0.5%  

Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Dollar General Corp.) 19.99% 12/21/23

      86,300       10,960,528  
     

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 0.5%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Sealed Air Corp.) 31.57% 12/26/23

      321,800       10,689,501  
     

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.1%        

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (Verizon Communications, Inc.) 7.91% 12/26/23

      411,200       15,294,212  

Nomura Securities International, Inc. (AT&T Inc.) 19.93% 01/11/24

      376,000       6,023,236  
     

 

 

 
        21,317,448  
Electric Utilities — 1.2%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (NextEra Energy, Inc.) 17.46% 01/25/24

      33,100       1,929,780  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (PG&E Corp.) 16.29% 01/25/24

      354,300       6,116,365  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (American Electric Power Co., Inc.) 22.12% 12/07/23

      107,300       8,262,418  

Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Exelon Corp.) 15.06% 01/11/24

      185,900       7,219,796  
     

 

 

 
        23,528,359  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.2%  

BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Zebra Technologies Corp.) 20.31% 01/16/24

      18,600       3,989,708  
     

 

 

 
Financial Services — 1.3%                  

BNP Paribas Securities Corporation (Equitable Holdings, Inc.) 28.04% 12/11/23

      283,900       8,306,993  
 

 

 

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

  15


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security        

Par

(000)

    Value  

 

 
Financial Services (continued)                  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.) 24.42% 01/05/24

    USD          210,300     $     11,148,500  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Visa, Inc.) 13.55% 01/25/24(b)

      29,200       7,377,056  
     

 

 

 
        26,832,549  
Food Products — 0.9%                  

BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC (Danone SA) 8.04% 01/22/24

    EUR       27,000       1,720,774  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (Kraft Heinz Co. (The)) 14.47% 01/25/24

    USD       483,600       16,795,158  
     

 

 

 
        18,515,932  
Ground Transportation — 0.2%                  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (Union Pacific Corp.) 11.26% 01/16/24

      16,500       3,580,847  
     

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.3%        

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.) 13.73% 01/19/24

      119,400       13,578,815  

HSBC Securities (USA), Inc. (Koninklijke Philips NV) 22.90% 02/01/24(b)

    EUR       299,000       6,154,477  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (Medtronic PLC) 16.94% 01/19/24

    USD       183,300       14,225,585  

RBC Capital Markets LLC (Baxter International, Inc.) 26.91% 12/11/23

      381,500       12,827,957  
     

 

 

 
        46,786,834  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.6%        

BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Humana, Inc.) 12.34% 01/11/24

      5,500       2,644,877  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (Elevance Health, Inc.) 12.40% 01/19/24

      25,400       12,007,587  

Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Cigna Group (The)) 13.58% 01/11/24

      45,600       12,077,690  

Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings) 11.08% 01/11/24

      60,300       12,684,832  

RBC Capital Markets LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.) 17.11% 12/11/23

      140,900       13,548,945  
     

 

 

 
        52,963,931  
Household Durables — 0.6%                  

BNP Paribas Securities Corporation (Newell Brands, Inc.) 47.68% 12/11/23

      468,100       3,495,790  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (Sony Group Corp.) 16.80% 12/26/23

      89,700       7,775,204  
     

 

 

 
        11,270,994  
Household Products — 0.2%                  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC) 8.05% 01/08/24

    GBP       51,100       3,497,300  
     

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.2%                  

BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC (Siemens AG) 12.34% 01/08/24

    EUR       23,000       3,405,986  
     

 

 

 
Insurance — 2.6%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Willis Towers Watson PLC) 13.64% 01/25/24

    USD       39,060       9,477,557  

BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC (Prudential PLC) 18.16% 01/22/24

    GBP       838,800       9,275,988  

RBC Capital Markets LLC (American International Group, Inc.) 17.35% 12/21/23

    USD       259,354       16,708,844  

RBC Capital Markets LLC (Fidelity National Financial, Inc.) 18.73% 12/21/23

      383,700       15,880,643  
     

 

 

 
        51,343,032  
Security        

Par

(000)

    Value  

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 0.1%        

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Alphabet Inc.) 13.92% 01/05/24

    USD           10,100     $      1,323,499  

SG Americas Securities LLC (Meta Platforms, Inc.) 13.99% 01/05/24

      3,800       1,227,283  
     

 

 

 
        2,550,782  
IT Services — 0.8%                  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.) 21.67% 12/07/23

      229,000       16,021,033  
     

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.2%        

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (Fortrea Holdings, Inc.) 20.42% 01/16/24

      119,100       3,596,548  
     

 

 

 
Media — 0.8%                  

BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Comcast Corp.) 15.96% 12/14/23

      270,600       11,338,280  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Fox Corp.) 14.72% 01/05/24

      184,800       5,517,130  
     

 

 

 
        16,855,410  
Multi-Utilities — 0.3%                  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.) 16.21% 01/19/24

      29,400       1,845,276  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Sempra) 12.56% 12/21/23

      64,500       4,658,354  
     

 

 

 
        6,503,630  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.6%        

BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC (BP PLC) 12.81% 01/22/24

    GBP       2,835,700       17,092,855  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (Shell PLC) 17.68% 01/08/24

      597,800       19,564,053  

Nomura Securities International, Inc. (Williams Cos., Inc. (The)) 17.24% 01/11/24

    USD       106,000       3,795,911  

RBC Capital Markets LLC (Kosmos Energy Ltd.) 19.37% 12/21/23

      817,900       5,617,279  

SG Americas Securities LLC (ConocoPhillips) 21.59% 12/14/23

      27,900       3,250,047  

SG Americas Securities LLC (Suncor Energy, Inc.) 28.64% 12/14/23

      105,800       3,506,119  
     

 

 

 
        52,826,264  
Personal Care Products — 0.3%                  

SG Americas Securities LLC (Unilever PLC) 13.78% 12/21/23

      145,200       6,964,084  
     

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 1.5%                  

BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Eli Lilly & Co.) 26.63% 12/14/23

      7,500       4,414,851  

BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC (AstraZeneca PLC) 15.89% 01/08/24

    GBP       35,200       4,523,727  

BNP Paribas Securities Corporation (Novo Nordisk A/S) 23.25% 01/11/24

    USD       15,200       1,546,779  

HSBC Securities (USA), Inc. (Sanofi SA) 18.60% 02/01/24(b)

    EUR       149,100       13,761,023  

RBC Capital Markets LLC (Bayer AG) 28.51% 02/01/24

      194,000       6,461,518  
     

 

 

 
        30,707,898  
Professional Services — 2.1%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.) 19.98% 01/25/24

    USD       821,500       8,310,126  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Robert Half, Inc.) 18.43% 01/25/24

      25,100       2,046,570  
 

 

 

16  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security        

Par

(000)

    Value  

 

 
Professional Services (continued)                  

BNP Paribas Securities Corporation (SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.) 13.08% 01/05/24

    USD       284,700     $ 15,188,838  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Leidos Holdings, Inc.) 15.17% 01/05/24

         168,900           17,283,653  
     

 

 

 
        42,829,187  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.2%  

Mizuho Securities USA LLC (Intel Corp.) 27.72% 12/07/23

      77,200       2,980,216  
     

 

 

 
Software — 0.5%                  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (Microsoft Corp.) 17.99% 12/14/23

      27,000       9,409,307  
     

 

 

 
Specialized REITs — 0.2%                  

Barclays Capital, Inc. (Crown Castle, Inc.) 20.58% 01/19/24

      18,400       2,000,505  

BMO Capital Markets Corp. (American Tower Corp.) 18.13% 01/16/24

      9,600       1,850,108  
     

 

 

 
        3,850,613  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.2%  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (HP, Inc.) 22.64% 01/11/24

      121,600       3,459,327  
     

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.2%        

BNP Paribas Securities Corporation (Ralph Lauren Corp.) 21.86% 12/11/23

      25,600       3,115,209  
     

 

 

 
Tobacco — 0.7%                  

JP Morgan Securities LLC (British American Tobacco PLC) 23.09% 02/01/24

    GBP       449,200       14,468,572  
     

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%        

BNP Paribas Securities Corporation (MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.) 19.92% 12/11/23

    USD       21,900       2,133,923  
     

 

 

 
Security        

Par

(000)

    Value  

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.5%        

BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC (Vodafone Group PLC) 41.53% 01/22/24

    GBP       10,403,600     $ 9,646,548  
     

 

 

 

Total Equity-Linked Notes — 33.0%
(Cost: $652,922,823)

 

    662,926,431  
     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 98.8%
(Cost: $1,876,126,938)

 

    1,982,571,982  
     

 

 

 
          Shares        

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 0.6%                  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(c)(d)

      12,389,094       12,389,094  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.6%
(Cost: $12,389,094)

 

    12,389,094  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $1,888,516,032)

 

    1,994,961,076  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.6%

 

    11,748,152  
     

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  2,006,709,228  
     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

05/31/23

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $     $  12,389,094 (a)    $     $     $     $  12,389,094       12,389,094     $ 1,411,274     $  

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

          23 (a)            (23                       914 (c)        
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (23   $     $ 12,389,094       $  1,412,188     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

 

 

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

  17


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Aerospace & Defense

   $ 57,486,786        $        $        $ 57,486,786  

Automobile Components

     17,233,600                            17,233,600  

Automobiles

     18,387,187                            18,387,187  

Banks

     105,236,388                            105,236,388  

Building Products

     7,296,870                            7,296,870  

Capital Markets

     41,784,750                            41,784,750  

Chemicals

     14,686,285                            14,686,285  

Communications Equipment

     24,975,784                            24,975,784  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

     27,020,292                            27,020,292  

Containers & Packaging

     24,145,089                            24,145,089  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     38,598,613                            38,598,613  

Electric Utilities

     49,984,773                            49,984,773  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     10,211,468                            10,211,468  

Financial Services

     55,361,313                            55,361,313  

Food Products

     30,563,501          1,002,160                   31,565,661  

Ground Transportation

     6,600,411                            6,600,411  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     79,639,772          11,045,785                   90,685,557  

Health Care Providers & Services

     97,018,377                            97,018,377  

Household Durables

     21,329,617                            21,329,617  

Household Products

              12,087,426                   12,087,426  

Industrial Conglomerates

              6,867,463                   6,867,463  

Insurance

     66,336,330          16,211,643                   82,547,973  

Interactive Media & Services

     3,170,084                            3,170,084  

IT Services

     21,021,521                            21,021,521  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     6,202,831                            6,202,831  

Machinery

              19,388,951                   19,388,951  

Media

     28,725,136                            28,725,136  

Multi-Utilities

     13,442,267                            13,442,267  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     39,508,813          65,986,957                   105,495,770  

Personal Care Products

     9,862,404                            9,862,404  

Pharmaceuticals

     10,324,528          44,997,079                   55,321,607  

Professional Services

     73,536,583                            73,536,583  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     6,041,250          10,554,552                   16,595,802  

Software

     15,623,217                            15,623,217  

Specialized REITs

     7,447,582                            7,447,582  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     6,309,274          36,194,204                   42,503,478  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     5,651,577                            5,651,577  

Tobacco

              25,727,880                   25,727,880  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

     12,288,406          16,528,772                   28,817,178  

Equity-Linked Notes

              635,633,875          27,292,556          662,926,431  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     12,389,094                            12,389,094  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  1,065,441,773        $  902,226,747        $  27,292,556        $  1,994,961,076  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

 

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:

 

 

 
    

Equity-Linked

Notes

 

 

 

Assets

  

Opening Balance, as of May 31, 2023

   $ 17,914,666  

Transfers into Level 3

      

Transfers out of Level 3

      

Accrued discounts/premiums

      

Net realized gain (loss)

     61,896  

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

     103,735  

Purchases

     27,832,252  

Sales

     (18,619,993
  

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of November 30, 2023

   $   27,292,556  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 2023(b)

   $ (539,696
  

 

 

 

 

  (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 November 30, 2023, is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock International Dividend Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   
Brazil — 1.6%            

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

    4,108,484     $ 11,168,419  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 4.5%            

Canadian National Railway Co.

    155,820       18,081,298  

TELUS Corp.

    796,423       14,250,452  
   

 

 

 
      32,331,750  
China — 1.2%            

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

    201,282       8,691,357  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 3.8%            

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    266,399       27,216,562  
   

 

 

 
France — 10.6%            

Air Liquide SA

    117,117       22,203,063  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    78,306       14,952,316  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    23,752       18,176,908  

Sanofi SA

    224,329       20,922,031  
   

 

 

 
      76,254,318  
Germany — 5.1%            

MTU Aero Engines AG, Class N

    80,015       16,397,541  

Symrise AG

    180,361       20,301,702  
   

 

 

 
      36,699,243  
India — 2.6%            

AceVector Ltd. (Acquired 05/07/14 - 10/29/14, cost $7,423,816)(a)(b)(c)

    1,595,200       949,158  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    947,376       17,760,832  
   

 

 

 
      18,709,990  
Indonesia — 1.5%            

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    31,980,700       10,883,812  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 3.0%            

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

     1,624,913         21,927,134  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 7.6%            

KDDI Corp.

    372,100       11,623,682  

Keyence Corp.

    57,900       24,793,692  

Sony Group Corp.

    215,700       18,548,266  
   

 

 

 
      54,965,640  
Mexico — 2.8%            

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    5,112,941       20,129,712  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 11.5%            

ASML Holding NV

    31,279       21,317,472  

Heineken NV

    190,169       17,408,650  

Koninklijke KPN NV

    6,430,756       22,027,482  

Shell PLC

    676,915       22,288,644  
   

 

 

 
      83,042,248  
Singapore — 3.8%            

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    580,535       13,790,426  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    653,354       13,334,482  
   

 

 

 
      27,124,908  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Sweden — 5.3%            

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    689,565     $ 17,666,921  

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

    1,345,411       20,768,175  
   

 

 

 
      38,435,096  
Switzerland — 4.6%            

Nestlé SA, Registered Shares

    156,269       17,781,644  

Zurich Insurance Group AG, Class N

    30,383       15,222,379  
   

 

 

 
      33,004,023  
Taiwan — 7.6%            

MediaTek, Inc.

    655,000       19,780,679  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    1,914,000       35,011,116  
   

 

 

 
      54,791,795  
United Kingdom — 13.1%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    164,815       21,212,745  

BAE Systems PLC

    1,072,571       14,230,145  

Prudential PLC

    1,686,291       18,443,639  

RELX PLC

    651,834       25,109,801  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    556,673       7,216,555  

Taylor Wimpey PLC

    5,119,751       8,391,464  
   

 

 

 
      94,604,349  
United States — 9.3%            

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    755,837       25,509,499  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    199,309       7,438,212  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    171,200       14,687,248  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    74,428       19,104,179  
   

 

 

 
      66,739,138  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $670,121,960)

 

    716,719,494  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

Money Market Funds — 0.4%

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(d)(e)

    2,721,522       2,721,522  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.4%
(Cost: $2,721,522)

 

    2,721,522  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.9%
(Cost: $672,843,482)

 

    719,441,016  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

 

    724,722  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  720,165,738  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $949,158, representing 0.1% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $7,423,816.

(d) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

20  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock International Dividend Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

05/31/23

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

 

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  25,743,453     $       $ (23,021,931)(a)     $     $     $  2,721,522       2,721,522     $  403,935     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Brazil

   $ 11,168,419        $        $        $ 11,168,419  

Canada

     32,331,750                            32,331,750  

China

     8,691,357                            8,691,357  

Denmark

              27,216,562                   27,216,562  

France

              76,254,318                   76,254,318  

Germany

              36,699,243                   36,699,243  

India

              17,760,832          949,158          18,709,990  

Indonesia

              10,883,812                   10,883,812  

Italy

              21,927,134                   21,927,134  

Japan

              54,965,640                   54,965,640  

Mexico

     20,129,712                            20,129,712  

Netherlands

              83,042,248                   83,042,248  

Singapore

              27,124,908                   27,124,908  

Sweden

              38,435,096                   38,435,096  

Switzerland

              33,004,023                   33,004,023  

Taiwan

              54,791,795                   54,791,795  

United Kingdom

              94,604,349                   94,604,349  

United States

     66,739,138                            66,739,138  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     2,721,522                            2,721,522  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  141,781,898        $  576,709,960        $  949,158        $  719,441,016  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  21


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Energy

Opportunities

Fund

      

BlackRock

High Equity Income

Fund

      

BlackRock

International

Dividend

Fund

      

ASSETS

             

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)

  $ 316,478,814        $ 1,982,571,982        $ 716,719,494    

Investments, at value — affiliated(b)

    2,150,632          12,389,094          2,721,522    

Cash

    27,201          229,126             

Foreign currency, at value(c)

    5,294          17,293,575          479,537    

Receivables:

             

Investments sold

    890,983          32,877,414          9,135,596    

Capital shares sold

    435,297          3,744,624          2,222,680    

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,744,091          5,076,230          1,080,591    

Dividends — affiliated

    1,518          236,297          26,174    

Interest — unaffiliated

             4,654,181             

From the Manager

    12,511          78,489          37,481    

Prepaid expenses

    32,405          87,096          97,069    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Total assets

    321,778,746          2,059,238,108          732,520,144    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

LIABILITIES

             

Payables:

             

Investments purchased

             41,210,058          8,314,163    

Administration fees

    11,781          64,836          24,298    

Capital shares redeemed

    461,914          8,744,621          2,488,753    

Income dividend distributions

             524,160             

Investment advisory fees

    207,565          1,168,788          284,621    

IRS compliance fee for foreign withholding tax claims

                      874,455    

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    3,194          6,190          2,387    

Other accrued expenses

    42,710          96,565          52,179    

Other affiliate fees

    1,894                      

Professional fees

    99,085          129,165          106,404    

Service and distribution fees

    59,082          107,442          29,560    

Transfer agent fees

    192,178          477,055          177,586    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Total liabilities

    1,079,403          52,528,880          12,354,406    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Commitments and contingent liabilities

             

NET ASSETS

  $ 320,699,343        $ 2,006,709,228        $ 720,165,738    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

             

Paid-in capital

  $ 524,812,405        $ 2,098,343,930        $ 692,547,410    

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (204,113,062        (91,634,702        27,618,328    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

NET ASSETS

  $ 320,699,343        $ 2,006,709,228        $ 720,165,738    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 209,554,933        $ 1,876,126,938        $ 670,121,960    

(b) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 2,150,632        $ 12,389,094        $ 2,721,522    

(c) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 5,060        $ 17,293,575        $ 484,331    

 

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Energy

Opportunities

Fund

      

BlackRock

High Equity Income

Fund

      

BlackRock

International

Dividend

Fund

      

NET ASSET VALUE

             
Institutional                            

Net assets

  $ 94,307,547        $ 1,438,569,780        $ 516,484,124    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares outstanding

    7,012,641          53,432,138          15,682,596    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Net asset value

  $ 13.45        $ 26.92        $ 32.93    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares authorized

    Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Par value

  $ 0.001        $ 0.001        $ 0.001    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   
Investor A                            

Net assets

  $   207,746,089        $ 292,431,304        $   124,215,531    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares outstanding

    15,940,759          12,983,395          4,096,029    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Net asset value

  $ 13.03        $ 22.52        $ 30.33    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares authorized

    Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Par value

  $ 0.001        $ 0.001        $ 0.001    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   
Investor C                            

Net assets

  $ 18,645,707        $ 59,790,043        $ 4,332,103    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares outstanding

    1,488,830          4,277,444          167,655    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Net asset value

  $ 12.52        $ 13.98        $ 25.84    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares authorized

    Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Par value

  $ 0.001        $ 0.001        $ 0.001    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   
Class K                            

Net assets

    N/A        $ 215,918,101        $ 75,133,980    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares outstanding

    N/A          8,024,599          2,280,867    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Net asset value

    N/A        $ 26.91        $ 32.94    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Shares authorized

    N/A          Unlimited          Unlimited    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Par value

    N/A        $ 0.001        $ 0.001    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  23


 

Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Energy

Opportunities

Fund

      

BlackRock

High Equity Income

Fund

      

BlackRock

International

Dividend

Fund

     

INVESTMENT INCOME

             

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 6,901,814        $ 20,928,444        $ 6,709,680    

Dividends — affiliated

    71,151          1,411,274          403,935    

Interest — unaffiliated

             57,328,500             

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    98          914             

Other income

    4,103                   94,994    

Foreign taxes withheld

    (338,241        (201,549        (679,113  

Foreign withholding tax claims

    40,711                   408,913    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Total investment income

    6,679,636          79,467,583          6,938,409    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

EXPENSES

             

Investment advisory

    1,393,261          7,912,338          2,109,534    

Service and distribution — class specific

    365,736          678,269          177,571    

Transfer agent — class specific

    346,827          998,123          379,147    

Administration

    78,951          396,458          146,886    

Professional

    50,285          42,506          109,595    

Registration

    43,231          135,719          56,759    

Administration — class specific

    37,223          201,707          70,239    

Accounting services

    28,476          73,529          37,562    

Custodian

    19,837          84,714          40,929    

Printing and postage

    15,726          22,497          17,741    

Trustees and Officer

    5,000          11,981          5,575    

Miscellaneous

    4,892          15,693          21,407    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    2,389,445          10,573,534          3,172,945    

Interest expense

             2,551          7,309    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Total expenses

    2,389,445          10,576,085          3,180,254    

Less:

             

Administration fees waived — class specific

    (35,833        (201,629        (70,239  

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (1,033        (629,411        (386,043  

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific

    (108,719        (537,343        (220,616  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    2,243,860          9,207,702          2,503,356    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Net investment income

    4,435,776          70,259,881          4,435,053    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

             

Net realized gain (loss) from:

             

Investments — unaffiliated(a)

    8,853,099          (68,196,396        (15,306,271  

Investments — affiliated

    (264        (23           

Foreign currency transactions

    (29,713        (2,913,284        186,813    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   
    8,823,122          (71,109,703        (15,119,458  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

             

Investments — unaffiliated(a)

    37,886,676          122,566,059          18,832,381    

Foreign currency translations

    4,064          378,968          (12,630  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   
    37,890,740          122,945,027          18,819,751    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

    46,713,862          51,835,324          3,700,293    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $   51,149,638        $ 122,095,205        $    8,135,346    
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

(a) Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

                      26,396    

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K R O C K   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund        
    

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

     

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income

  $ 4,435,776     $ 12,034,678    

Net realized gain

    8,823,122       3,433,394    

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    37,890,740       (68,192,358  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    51,149,638       (52,724,286  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

     

Institutional

    (2,486,827     (4,153,602  

Investor A

    (3,284,236     (4,979,465  

Investor C

    (256,391     (385,896  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (6,027,454     (9,518,963  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

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

    (101,042,040     50,744,840    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET ASSETS

     

Total decrease in net assets

    (55,919,856     (11,498,409  

Beginning of period

    376,619,199       388,117,608    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

End of period

  $  320,699,343     $  376,619,199    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  25


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BlackRock High Equity Income Fund        
    

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

       

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income

  $ 70,259,881     $ 118,917,910    

Net realized loss

    (71,109,703     (92,991,127  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    122,945,027       (89,960,124  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    122,095,205       (64,033,341  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

     

Institutional

    (52,501,917     (94,841,361  

Investor A

    (10,147,398     (20,115,999  

Investor C

    (1,827,000     (3,255,218  

Class K

    (5,773,210     (5,726,980  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (70,249,525     (123,939,558  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

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

    (14,048,548     867,175,165    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET ASSETS

     

Total increase in net assets

    37,797,132       679,202,266    

Beginning of period

    1,968,912,096       1,289,709,830    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

End of period

  $   2,006,709,228     $   1,968,912,096    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K R O C K   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BlackRock International Dividend Fund        
    

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

       

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

     

OPERATIONS

     

Net investment income

  $ 4,435,053     $ 8,395,328    

Net realized loss

    (15,119,458     (290,320  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    18,819,751       8,859,050    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    8,135,346       16,964,058    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

     

Institutional

    (6,986,081     (4,254,124  

Investor A

    (1,727,641     (3,455,327  

Investor C

    (56,286     (111,861  

Class K

    (922,773     (679,380  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (9,692,781     (8,500,692  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

     

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    102,590,058       357,362,077    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

NET ASSETS

     

Total increase in net assets

    101,032,623       365,825,443    

Beginning of period

    619,133,115       253,307,672    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

End of period

  $   720,165,738     $   619,133,115    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  27


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund  
    Institutional  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

05/31/23

    

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.94       $ 13.73      $ 8.55      $ 6.64      $ 9.66     $ 12.34      $ 11.13  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.17         0.42        0.32        0.26        0.21       0.29        0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.56         (1.88      5.11        1.90        (2.93     (2.66      1.30  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.73         (1.46      5.43        2.16        (2.72     (2.37      1.53  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.22       (0.33      (0.25      (0.25      (0.30     (0.31      (0.32
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.45       $ 11.94      $ 13.73      $ 8.55      $ 6.64     $ 9.66      $ 12.34  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                   

Based on net asset value

    14.58 %(d)        (10.59 )%       65.17      33.50      (29.02 )%(d)      (19.24 )%       14.08
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                   

Total expenses

    1.07 %(f)        1.03      1.11      1.33      1.40 %(f)(g)      1.30      1.29
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.91 %(f)        0.91      0.91      0.91      0.91 %(f)(g)      0.91      0.92
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.62 %(f)        3.28      3.05      3.75      3.89 %(f)      2.91      1.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  94,308       $  153,530      $  128,580      $  52,377      $  38,779     $  23,579      $  22,255  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    10       77      75      79      39     37      37
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Reorganization, Audit and Printing 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 1.47% and 0.91%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

05/31/23

    

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.58       $ 13.33      $ 8.31      $ 6.46      $ 9.39     $ 11.99      $ 10.83  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.15         0.37        0.27        0.23        0.18       0.24        0.17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.50         (1.84      4.97        1.84        (2.85     (2.59      1.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.65         (1.47      5.24        2.07        (2.67     (2.35      1.44  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.20       (0.28      (0.22      (0.22      (0.26     (0.25      (0.28
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.03       $ 11.58      $ 13.33      $ 8.31      $ 6.46     $ 9.39      $ 11.99  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                   

Based on net asset value

    14.30 %(d)        (10.97 )%       64.51      33.00      (29.23 )%(d)      (19.61 )%       13.59
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                   

Total expenses

    1.35 %(f)         1.33      1.43      1.73      1.94 %(f)(g)      1.66      1.65
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.32 %(f)         1.32      1.32      1.32      1.32 %(f)(g)      1.33      1.34
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.31 %(f)         2.94      2.66      3.30      3.65 %(f)      2.44      1.52
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $   207,746       $   204,035      $   232,979      $   103,858      $   72,733     $   34,574      $   41,644  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    10       77      75      79      39     37      37
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Reorganization, Audit and Printing 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 2.00% and 1.32%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  29


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Year Ended
05/31/21
    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.14       $ 12.83      $ 8.01      $ 6.24      $ 9.03     $ 11.39      $ 10.30  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.10         0.27        0.19        0.17        0.14       0.14        0.09  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.44         (1.76      4.79        1.77        (2.75     (2.44      1.22  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.54         (1.49      4.98        1.94        (2.61     (2.30      1.31  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.16       (0.20      (0.16      (0.17      (0.18     (0.06      (0.22
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.52       $ 11.14      $ 12.83      $ 8.01      $ 6.24     $ 9.03      $ 11.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                   

Based on net asset value

    13.86 %(d)        (11.57 )%       63.37      31.89      (29.51 )%(d)      (20.21 )%       12.90
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                   

Total expenses(f)

    2.09 %(g)        2.05      2.16      2.53      2.61 %(g)(h)      2.35      2.36
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    2.04 %(g)        2.03      2.04      2.04      2.04 %(g)(h)      2.05      2.06
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.58 %(g)        2.22      1.92      2.60      2.77 %(g)      1.48      0.80
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  18,646       $  19,054      $  26,559      $  10,699      $  11,152     $   7,554      $  21,878  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    10       77      75      79      39     37      37
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees, the ratios were as follows:

 

               
    

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Year Ended

05/31/22

   

Year Ended

05/31/21

   

Period from

10/01/19

to 5/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

   

Year Ended

09/30/18

 

Expense ratios

    N/A        N/A          N/A          N/A          2.61 %        2.35 %        N/A    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Reorganization, Audit and Printing 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% and 2.04%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

30  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock High Equity Income Fund  
    Institutional  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

05/31/23

    

Year Ended

05/31/22

   

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 26.23       $ 29.54      $ 29.99     $ 22.81      $ 26.57     $ 28.16      $ 27.33  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.94         1.86        1.99       1.81        0.94       1.24        1.32  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.69         (3.25      (0.20     7.13        (3.54     (0.73      0.75  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.63         (1.39      1.79       8.94        (2.60     0.51        2.07  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                  

From net investment income

    (0.94       (1.86      (1.95     (1.76      (1.16     (1.05      (1.05

From net realized gain

            (0.06      (0.29                  (1.05      (0.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.94       (1.92      (2.24     (1.76      (1.16     (2.10      (1.24
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.92       $ 26.23      $ 29.54     $ 29.99      $ 22.81     $ 26.57      $ 28.16  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                  

Based on net asset value

    6.29 %(d)         (4.70 )%       6.28 %(e)       40.81      (9.94 )%(d)      2.27      7.81
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                  

Total expenses

    0.99 %(g)         1.00      1.02     1.12      1.12 %(g)       1.12      1.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.85 %(g)         0.85      0.85     0.85      0.85 %(g)       0.85      0.85
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    7.03 %(g)         6.81      6.76     6.93      5.63 %(g)       4.80      4.79
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                  

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  1,438,570       $  1,475,683      $  953,582     $  277,653      $  128,474     $  151,747      $  248,847  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    41       126      140     146      76     79      75
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  31


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock High Equity Income Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

05/31/23

    

Year Ended

05/31/22

   

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

10/01/19

to 05/31/20

   

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 21.94       $ 24.73      $ 25.16     $ 19.14      $ 22.43     $ 24.12      $ 23.53  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.76         1.49        1.58       1.42        0.75       1.00        1.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.58         (2.72      (0.14     6.03        (2.98     (0.64      0.65  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.34         (1.23      1.44       7.45        (2.23     0.36        1.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                  

From net investment income

    (0.76       (1.50      (1.58     (1.43      (1.06     (1.00      (0.95

From net realized gain

            (0.06      (0.29                  (1.05      (0.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.76       (1.56      (1.87     (1.43      (1.06     (2.05      (1.14
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.52       $ 21.94      $ 24.73     $ 25.16      $ 19.14     $ 22.43      $ 24.12  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                  

Based on net asset value

    6.17 %(d)         (4.96 )%       5.99 %(e)       40.44      (10.09 )%(d)      2.02      7.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                  

Total expenses

    1.23 %(g)         1.24      1.31     1.40      1.40 %(g)       1.37      1.38
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.10 %(g)         1.10      1.10     1.10      1.10 %(g)       1.10      1.10
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    6.79 %(g)         6.54      6.41     6.64      5.35 %(g)       4.55      4.57
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                  

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  292,431       $  296,254      $  293,050     $  208,207      $  172,696     $  215,121      $  214,095  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    41       126      140     146      76     79      75
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

32  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock High Equity Income Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
    Year Ended
05/31/21
     Period from
10/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 13.62       $ 15.37      $ 15.75     $ 11.98      $ 14.35     $ 16.19      $ 16.13  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.42         0.82        0.87       0.78        0.41       0.55        0.61  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.36         (1.68      (0.09     3.78        (1.88     (0.45      0.44  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.78         (0.86      0.78       4.56        (1.47     0.10        1.05  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                  

From net investment income

    (0.42       (0.83      (0.87     (0.79      (0.90     (0.89      (0.80

From net realized gain

            (0.06      (0.29                  (1.05      (0.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.42       (0.89      (1.16     (0.79      (0.90     (1.94      (0.99
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.98       $ 13.62      $ 15.37     $ 15.75      $ 11.98     $ 14.35      $ 16.19  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                  

Based on net asset value

    5.77 %(d)        (5.63 )%       5.17 %(e)      39.41      (10.52 )%(d)      1.30      6.75
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                  

Total expenses

    1.98 %(g)        1.98      2.04     2.18      2.16 %(g)      2.12      2.10
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.85 %(g)        1.85      1.85     1.85      1.85 %(g)      1.85      1.85
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    6.04 %(g)        5.80      5.67     5.85      4.57 %(g)      3.84      3.82
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                  

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  59,790       $  59,276      $  42,543     $  22,379      $  24,163     $  36,132      $  93,399  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    41       126      140     146      76     79      75
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  33


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock High Equity Income Fund (continued)  
    Class K  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

05/31/23

    

Year Ended

05/31/22

   

Year Ended

05/31/21

    

Period from

04/21/20(a)

to 05/31/20

 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 26.21       $ 29.53      $ 30.00     $ 22.81      $ 21.04  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.95         1.87        2.00       1.78        0.20  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.70         (3.25      (0.21     7.19        1.77  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.65         (1.38      1.79       8.97        1.97  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

             

From net investment income

    (0.95       (1.88      (1.97     (1.78      (0.20

From net realized gain

            (0.06      (0.29             
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.95       (1.94      (2.26     (1.78      (0.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.91       $ 26.21      $ 29.53     $ 30.00      $ 22.81  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

             

Based on net asset value

    6.35 %(e)         (4.68 )%       6.27 %(f)      40.93      9.35 %(e) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

    0.89 %(h)         0.89      0.98     1.01      0.99 %(h) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.80 %(h)         0.80      0.80     0.80      0.80 %(h) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    7.11 %(h)         6.88      6.76     6.94      8.28 %(h) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  215,918       $  137,700      $    535     $ 359      $ 288  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    41       126      140     146      76 %(i)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock International Dividend Fund  
    Institutional  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Year Ended
05/31/21
     Period from
10/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 32.82       $ 32.36      $ 36.36      $ 28.23      $ 28.67     $ 29.16      $ 31.36  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.21         0.86        0.64        0.85        0.42       0.70        0.76  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.36         0.56        (2.45      7.81        (0.40     0.32        (1.57
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.57         1.42        (1.81      8.66        0.02       1.02        (0.81
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                   

From net investment income

    (0.46       (0.43      (0.79      (0.53      (0.39     (0.66      (0.98

From net realized gain

            (0.53      (1.40             (0.07     (0.85      (0.41
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.46       (0.96      (2.19      (0.53      (0.46     (1.51      (1.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 32.93       $ 32.82      $ 32.36      $ 36.36      $ 28.23     $ 28.67      $ 29.16  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                   

Based on net asset value

    1.71 %(d)         4.81      (5.23 )%       30.98      0.08 %(d)      3.86      (2.67 )%(e) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                   

Total expenses

    0.85 %(g)         1.07      1.18      1.13      1.17 %(g)(h)      1.15      1.14
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.67 %(g)         0.84      0.87      0.84      0.84 %(g)(h)      0.84      0.84
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.30 %(g)         2.71      1.85      2.63      2.23 %(g)      2.52      2.50
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  516,484       $  432,855      $  118,637      $  101,899      $  74,681     $  83,814      $  102,541  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39       34      50      83      29     22      25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is (2.81)%.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Audit and Printing 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 1.19% and 0.84%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  35


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock International Dividend Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Year Ended
05/31/21
     Period from
10/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 30.26       $ 29.91      $ 33.78      $ 26.26      $ 26.69     $ 27.26      $ 29.30  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.16         0.50        0.45        0.70        0.34       0.60        0.61  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.33         0.74        (2.21      7.28        (0.37     0.27        (1.43
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.49         1.24        (1.76      7.98        (0.03     0.87        (0.82
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                   

From net investment income

    (0.42       (0.36      (0.71      (0.46      (0.33     (0.59      (0.81

From net realized gain

            (0.53      (1.40             (0.07     (0.85      (0.41
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.42       (0.89      (2.11      (0.46      (0.40     (1.44      (1.22
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.33       $ 30.26      $ 29.91      $ 33.78      $ 26.26     $ 26.69      $ 27.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                   

Based on net asset value

    1.59 %(d)         4.56      (5.48 )%       30.67      (0.08 )%(d)      3.57      (2.89 )%(e) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                   

Total expenses

    1.16 %(g)         1.39      1.46      1.45      1.48 %(g)(h)      1.43      1.44
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.92 %(g)         1.11      1.12      1.09      1.09 %(g)(h)      1.09      1.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.08 %(g)         1.76      1.42      2.34      1.92 %(g)       2.30      2.14
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  124,216       $  121,411      $  113,512      $ 128,077      $  100,753     $  125,196      $  140,473  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39       34      50      83      29     22      25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is (3.03)%.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Audit and Printing 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 1.51% and 1.09%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock International Dividend Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Year Ended
05/31/21
     Period from
10/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.85       $ 25.71      $ 29.33      $ 22.85      $ 23.25     $ 23.94      $ 25.81  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.04         0.26        0.16        0.33        0.18       0.32        0.39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.28         0.61        (1.87      6.41        (0.32     0.26        (1.30
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.32         0.87        (1.71      6.74        (0.14     0.58        (0.91
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                   

From net investment income

    (0.33       (0.20      (0.51      (0.26      (0.19     (0.42      (0.55

From net realized gain

            (0.53      (1.40             (0.07     (0.85      (0.41
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.33       (0.73      (1.91      (0.26      (0.26     (1.27      (0.96
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.84       $ 25.85      $ 25.71      $ 29.33      $ 22.85     $ 23.25      $ 23.94  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                   

Based on net asset value

    1.19 %(d)        3.77      (6.17 )%       29.70      (0.58 )%(d)      2.80      (3.63 )%(e) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                   

Total expenses

    1.97 %(g)        2.19      2.30      2.28      2.27 %(g)(h)      2.20      2.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.67 %(g)        1.86      1.86      1.84      1.84 %(g)(h)      1.84      1.84
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.33 %(g)        1.06      0.60      1.31      1.15 %(g)      1.39      1.57
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  4,332       $  4,517      $  4,067      $  5,607      $  9,906     $  14,805      $  36,239  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39       34      50      83      29     22      25
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is (3.79)%.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Audit and Printing 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 2.29% and 1.84%, respectively.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L  H I G H L I G H T S

  37


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock International Dividend Fund (continued)  
    Class K  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Year Ended
05/31/21
     Period from
10/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    

Period from
01/25/18(a)

to 09/30/18

 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 32.83       $ 32.36      $ 36.36      $ 28.23      $ 28.68     $ 29.17      $ 32.08  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.22         0.76        0.76        0.87        0.44       0.73        0.56  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.36         0.69        (2.55      7.80        (0.42     0.30        (2.91
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.58         1.45        (1.79      8.67        0.02       1.03        (2.35
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

                   

From net investment income

    (0.47       (0.45      (0.81      (0.54      (0.40     (0.67      (0.56

From net realized gain

            (0.53      (1.40             (0.07     (0.85       
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.47       (0.98      (2.21      (0.54      (0.47     (1.52      (0.56
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 32.94       $ 32.83      $ 32.36      $ 36.36      $ 28.23     $ 28.68      $ 29.17  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

    1.73 %(e)        4.89      (5.18 )%       31.04      0.09 %(e)      3.92      (7.33 )%(e)(f) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                   

Total expenses

    0.75 %(h)        0.97      1.09      1.03      1.08 %(h)(i)      1.04      1.02 %(h)(j) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.62 %(h)        0.80      0.82      0.79      0.79 %(h)(i)      0.79      0.79 %(h) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.34 %(h)        2.42      2.23      2.68      2.28 %(h)      2.63      2.81 %(h) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  75,134       $  60,350      $  17,092      $  5,936      $  3,266     $  3,847      $  3,659  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    39       34      50      83      29     22      25 %(k)  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Includes the litigation settlement amount. Excluding this amount, the Fund’s total return is (7.45)%.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Audit and Printing 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 1.10% and 0.79%, respectively.

(j) 

Offering and board realignment consolidation costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If these expenses were annualized, the total expense ratio would have been 1.03%.

(k) 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

    

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The following, each of which is a series of the Trust, are referred to herein collectively as the “Funds” or individually as a “Fund”:

 

 

Fund Name   Herein Referred To As        Diversification Classification

 

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund

  Energy Opportunities    Non-Diversified

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

  High Equity Income    Diversified

BlackRock International Dividend Fund

  International Dividend    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 and Investor C Shares bear certain expenses related to shareholder servicing of such shares, and Investor C Shares also bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares. Investor A and Investor C Shares are generally available through financial intermediaries. 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 and Class K Shares

  No      No      None

Investor A Shares

  Yes      No (a)     None

Investor C Shares

  No      Yes (b)     To Investor A Shares after approximately 8 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 Funds, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, are included in a complex of 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 using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend dates may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend dates. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily 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 effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each 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.

Foreign Taxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Foreign taxes withheld”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of November 30, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  39


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations include tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Bank Overdraft: Certain Funds had outstanding cash disbursements exceeding deposited cash amounts at the custodian during the reporting period. The Funds are obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses, where applicable. For financial reporting purposes, overdraft fees, if any, are included in interest expense in the Statements of Operations.

Collateralization: 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.

Distributions: Distributions paid by each Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. 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. 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. 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.

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 overdrafts, subject to certain conditions.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund is open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has approved the designation of each Fund’s Manager as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under the Manager’s policies. 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 the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. The Manager has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

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 that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

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

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee, in accordance with the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee 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 Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

 

 

40  

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

    

 

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 Valuation Committee and third-party pricing services utilized by the Valuation Committee include one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

 

 

    Standard Inputs Generally Considered By The Valuation Committee And 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. Enterprise valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”), current value method or a hybrid of those techniques are used as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of these valuation techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

The Private Companies are not subject to the public company disclosure, timing, and reporting standards applicable to other investments held by a 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 financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each 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); and

 

   

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

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

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Equity-Linked Notes: Equity-linked notes seek to generate income and provide exposure to the performance of an underlying security, group of securities or exchange-traded funds (the “underlying reference instrument”). In an equity-linked note, a fund purchases a note from a bank or broker-dealer and in return, the issuer provides for interest payments during the term of the note. At maturity or when the security is sold, a fund will either settle by taking physical delivery of the underlying reference instrument or by receipt of a cash settlement amount equal to the value of the note at termination or maturity. The use of equity-linked notes involves the risk that the value of the note changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the underlying reference instrument. Equity-linked notes are considered general unsecured contractual obligations of the bank or broker-dealer. A fund must rely on the creditworthiness of the issuer for its investment returns.

 

5.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Trust, on behalf of 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 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.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  41


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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  

Energy

Opportunities

 

First $1 billion

    0.750

$1 billion - $2 billion

    0.700  

$2 billion - $3 billion

    0.675  

Greater than $3 billion

    0.650  

 

   
    Investment Advisory Fees   
 

 

 

 
Average Daily Net Assets  

High Equity

Income

   

International

Dividend

 

First $1 billion

    0.810     0.600

$1 billion - $3 billion

    0.760       0.560  

$3 billion - $5 billion

    0.730       0.540  

$5 billion - $10 billion

    0.700       0.520  

Greater than $10 billion

    0.680       0.510  

With respect to Energy Opportunities and International Dividend, the Manager entered into separate sub-advisory agreements with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL, for services it provides for that portion of each applicable Fund for which BIL 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 Trust, on behalf of each Fund, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution and Service Plan 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:

 

     
Share Class   Service Fees     Distribution Fees   

Investor A

    0.25     N/A  

Investor C

    0.25       0.75

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 BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing and/or distribution related services to shareholders.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific service and distribution fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

       
Fund Name   Investor A      Investor C      Total  

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund

  $  267,465      $ 98,271      $  365,736  

BlackRock High Equity Income Fund

    374,771        303,498        678,269  

BlackRock International Dividend Fund

    155,448        22,123        177,571  

Administration: The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, entered into an Administration Agreement with the Manager, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide administrative services. For these services, the Manager receives an administration fee computed daily and payable monthly, based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The administration fee, which is shown as administration in the Statements of Operations, is paid at the annual rates below.

 

Average Daily Net Assets   Administration Fees    

First $500 million

    0.0425%  

$500 million - $1 billion

    0.0400    

$1 billion - $2 billion

    0.0375    

$2 billion - $4 billion

    0.0350    

$4 billion - $13 billion

    0.0325    

Greater than $13 billion

    0.0300    

In addition, the Manager charges each of the share classes an administration fee, which is shown as administration — class specific in the Statements of Operations, at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific administration fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Total  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

    $  13,892        $  21,361        $    1,970        $  —      $  37,223  

High Equity Income

    149,503        29,920        6,056        16,228         201,707  

International Dividend

    50,610        12,412        443        6,774        70,239  

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

    

 

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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Funds did not pay any amounts to affiliates in return for these services.

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. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, 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:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Total  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

    $       1,951      $  23,306      $  2,824      $  —      $  28,081  

High Equity Income

    2,959        11,522        1,963        254        16,698  

International Dividend

    805        6,560        507        78        7,950  

 

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Total  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

    $  113,654         $ 214,845            $ 18,328           $  —      $  346,827  

High Equity Income

    819,914        146,716        28,514        2,979        998,123  

International Dividend

    272,598        100,115        5,069        1,365        379,147  

 

 

Other Fees: For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of each Fund’s Investor A Shares as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

   $ 7,660  

High Equity Income

    25,570  

International Dividend

    2,099  

 

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates received CDSCs as follows:

 

 

 
Share Class  

Energy

Opportunities

   

High

Equity

Income

   

International

Dividend

 

 

 

Investor A

  $ 295     $  1,974     $  514  

Investor C

     1,771       1,801       56  

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: With respect to each Fund, 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 June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. 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. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amounts waived were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts Waived  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

  $ 1,033  

High Equity Income

    19,515  

International Dividend

    5,925  

 

 

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 June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, there were no fees waived by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

With respect to each Fund, 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:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional     Investor A     Investor C     Class K       

 

 

Energy Opportunities

    0.91     1.32     2.04     0.91%(a)  

High Equity Income

    0.85       1.10       1.85       0.80%     

International Dividend

    0.65       0.90       1.65       0.60        

 

 

 

  (a) 

There were no shares outstanding as of November 30, 2023.

 

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue the contractual expense limitations through June 30, 2025, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amounts included in the Statements of Operations were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts Waived  

 

 

High Equity Income

  $  609,896  

International Dividend

    380,118  

 

 

In addition, these amounts waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager are included in administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific and transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific, respectively, in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements were as follows:

 

   
    Administration Fees Waived by the Manager - Class Specific  
 

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Total  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

  $  13,892      $  20,110      $  1,831      $  —      $   35,833  

High Equity Income

    149,503        29,920        6,056        16,150        201,629  

International Dividend

    50,610        12,412        443        6,774        70,239  

 

 

 

 

 
    Transfer Agent Fees Waived and/or Reimbursed by the Manager -
Class Specific
 
 

 

 

 
Fund Name   Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Total  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

  $  92,588      $  13,527      $  2,604      $      $  108,719  

High Equity Income

    447,159        73,121        14,086        2,977        537,343  

International Dividend

    145,903        69,423        3,925        1,365        220,616  

 

 

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”), an affiliate of the Manager, to serve as securities lending agent for the 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, SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”), managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the Money Market Series to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the Money Market Series will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Funds. The Money Market Series may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of the Money Market Series. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. Each 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, Energy Opportunities and International Dividend retain 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. Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, High Equity Income retains 81% 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, Energy Opportunities and International Dividend, 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. High Equity Income, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 81% 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. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, each Fund paid BIM the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Amounts  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

  $ 21  

High Equity Income

    178  

 

 

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Other Transactions: The Funds may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common directors or trustees. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with an affiliated fund in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Purchases      Sales     

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

International Dividend

  $  3,430,853         $   —         $     —  

 

 

 

6.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities and equity-linked notes, were as follows:

 

Fund Name   Purchases      Sales  

 

 

Energy Opportunities

  $ 36,775,950      $ 139,257,603  

High Equity Income

    544,217,682        554,774,628  

International Dividend

    373,164,403        264,462,344  

 

 

 

7.

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 each Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for a period of three years after they are filed. 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 November 30, 2023, 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.

As of May 31, 2023, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains and qualified late-year losses as follows:

 

     
Fund Name  

Non-Expiring Capital

Loss Carryforwards

      

Qualified Late-Year

Ordinary Losses

 

Energy Opportunities

  $  308,043,616        $  

High Equity Income

    35,547,927          1,926,966  

International Dividend

    1,535,989           

As of November 30, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

 

 
Fund Name   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
   

Net Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Energy Opportunities

  $ 227,957,597      $  94,626,682      $ (3,954,833   $  90,671,849  

High Equity Income

    1,981,358,199        65,099,818        (51,496,941     13,602,877  

International Dividend

    675,959,028        71,675,205        (28,193,217     43,481,988  

 

 

 

8.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates (“Participating Funds”), is party to a 364-day, $2.50 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) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.80% per annum, (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 or (c) the sum of (x) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.10% and (y) 0.80% per annum. The agreement expires in April 2024 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Funds did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, the 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

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  45


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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.

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, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. 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.

Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedules of Investments.

International Dividend invests a substantial amount of its assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in those countries may have a significant impact on its investment performance and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Fund’s investments. 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 Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the certain Funds invest.

International Dividend 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 as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of International Dividend’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. 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. These events and actions have

 

 

46  

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be, significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

 

10.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     
     Six Months Ended 11/30/23       Year Ended 05/31/23  
Fund Name/Share Class   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

Energy Opportunities

          

Institutional

          

Shares sold

    4,863,885      $ 65,835,658        12,067,659      $ 156,474,280  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    191,879        2,479,081        344,414        4,146,262  

Shares redeemed

    (10,903,806      (145,696,031      (8,916,366      (111,402,349
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (5,848,042    $ (77,381,292      3,495,707      $ 49,218,193  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor A

          

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    1,929,494      $ 25,198,678        10,055,914      $ 125,839,735  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    258,012        3,235,469        428,848        4,913,297  

Shares redeemed

    (3,870,784      (49,355,331      (10,342,732      (125,289,679
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (1,683,278    $ (20,921,184      142,030      $ 5,463,353  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor C

          

Shares sold

    113,560      $ 1,426,006        524,342      $ 6,358,068  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    21,035        254,105        34,611        378,968  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (356,846      (4,419,675      (917,902      (10,673,742
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (222,251    $ (2,739,564      (358,949    $ (3,936,706
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (7,753,571    $ (101,042,040      3,278,788      $ 50,744,840  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

High Equity Income

          

Institutional

          

Shares sold

    11,947,927      $ 319,603,239        43,564,325      $ 1,195,222,978  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,892,627        50,845,619        3,437,184        93,276,417  

Shares redeemed

    (16,676,075      (445,534,979      (23,014,916      (624,903,631
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (2,835,521    $ (75,086,121      23,986,593      $ 663,595,764  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor A

          

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    1,185,538      $ 26,555,904        3,945,697      $ 90,206,380  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    441,689        9,929,160        867,585        19,692,071  

Shares redeemed

    (2,146,650      (47,787,399      (3,160,034      (71,467,053
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (519,423    $ (11,302,335      1,653,248      $ 38,431,398  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor C

          

Shares sold

    389,234      $ 5,435,640        2,116,697      $ 30,073,990  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    130,769        1,824,013        230,643        3,252,346  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversions of shares

    (595,990      (8,287,010      (761,451      (10,735,623
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (75,987    $ (1,027,357      1,585,889      $ 22,590,713  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

N O T E S  T O  F I N A N C I A L  S T A T E M E N T S

  47


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     
     Six Months Ended 11/30/23       Year Ended 05/31/23  
Fund Name/Share Class   Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

High Equity Income (continued)

          

Class K

          

Shares sold

    3,181,397      $ 84,286,150        5,616,247      $ 152,879,817  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    214,974        5,760,855        209,416        5,701,757  

Shares redeemed

    (625,350      (16,679,740      (590,210      (16,024,284
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    2,771,021      $ 73,367,265        5,235,453      $ 142,557,290  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (659,910    $ (14,048,548      32,461,183      $ 867,175,165  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

International Dividend

          

Institutional

          

Shares sold

    6,828,286      $ 224,607,996        11,844,319      $ 384,760,335  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    197,225        6,604,943        125,517        3,705,818  

Shares redeemed

    (4,530,474      (145,856,608      (2,448,728      (77,994,091
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    2,495,037      $ 85,356,331        9,521,108      $ 310,472,062  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor A

          

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    455,372      $ 13,826,344        880,305      $ 25,436,596  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    54,373        1,682,122        124,210        3,304,279  

Shares redeemed

    (426,101      (12,729,108      (787,096      (22,191,435
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    83,644      $ 2,779,358        217,419      $ 6,549,440  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investor C

          

Shares sold

    13,698      $ 356,954        63,048      $ 1,552,610  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    2,108        56,036        4,936        111,585  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (22,930      (589,588      (51,428      (1,239,376
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    (7,124    $ (176,598      16,556      $ 424,819  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Class K

          

Shares sold

    715,690      $ 23,387,941        1,571,774      $ 48,180,217  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    27,601        922,773        23,059        679,380  

Shares redeemed

    (300,700      (9,679,747      (284,694      (8,943,841
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    442,591      $ 14,630,967        1,310,139      $ 39,915,756  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
    3,014,148      $ 102,590,058        11,065,222      $  357,362,077  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of November 30, 2023, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund, owned 11,882 Class K Shares of High Equity Income.

 

11.

FOREIGN WITHHOLDINGS TAX CLAIMS

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which each of the Energy Opportunities and International Dividend is able to pass through to shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, each of the Funds will be able to offset the prior years’ withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the Funds.

 

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.

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund, BlackRock High Equity Income Fund and BlackRock International Dividend Fund (the “Funds”), each a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, met on November 16-17, 2023 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Advisors, LLC or BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), each an investment adviser to certain BlackRock funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program, as applicable. BlackRock also previously 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 management 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 October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including the imposition of capital controls in certain countries.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each Fund’s liquidity risk, as follows:

 

  a)

The Funds 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 or reverse repurchase agreements), such borrowings were factored into the Program’s calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. A fund’s 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 redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size utilized for liquidity classifications. 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 committed to each Fund, 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, and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF, a series of BlackRock ETF Trust II). 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 other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. 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.

 

 

S T A T E M E N T   R E G A R D I N G   L I Q U I D I T Y   R I S K   M A N A G E M E N T   P R O G R A M

  49


Additional Information

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and ETFs

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

General Information

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Funds may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Householding

The Funds will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, Rule 30e-3 notices and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Funds at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and 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 without charge, upon request (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com; and (3) 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 visit blackrock.com for more information.

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.

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.

 

 

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

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.

Fund and Service Providers

 

Investment Adviser and Administrator   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Boston, MA 02116

Sub-Adviser(a)   Distributor

BlackRock International Limited

 

BlackRock Investments, LLC

Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

 

New York, NY 10022

United Kingdom

 
  Legal Counsel
Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent  

Sidley Austin LLP

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

 

New York, NY 10019

Wilmington, DE 19809

 
  Address of the Trust
Custodian  

100 Bellevue Parkway

The Bank of New York Mellon

 

Wilmington, DE 19809

New York, NY 10286

 

 

  (a) 

BlackRock Energy Opportunities Fund and BlackRock International Dividend Fund.

 

 

 

A D D I T I O N A L  I N F O R M A T I O N

  51


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency Abbreviation
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
USD    United States Dollar
Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
GDR    Global Depositary Receipt
NVS    Non-Voting Shares

  

 

 

 

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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 the Funds unless preceded or accompanied by the Funds’ 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.

EHI-11/23-SAR

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  NOVEMBER 30, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

BlackRock FundsSM

 

·  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The combination of continued economic growth and cooling inflation provided a supportive backdrop for investors during the 12-month reporting period ended November 30, 2023. Significantly tighter monetary policy helped to rein in inflation, as the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index declined to its long-term average of approximately 3% in November 2023. Meanwhile, real economic growth proved more resilient than many investors anticipated. A moderating labor market also helped ease inflationary pressure, although wages continued to grow. This robust labor market powered further growth in consumer spending, backstopping the economy. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a horrific attack on Israel. The ensuing war will have a significant humanitarian impact and could lead to heightened economic and market volatility. We see geopolitics as a structural market risk going forward. See our geopolitical risk dashboard at blackrock.com for more details.

Equity returns were solid during the period, as interest rates stabilized, and the economy proved to be more resilient than many investors expected. The U.S. economy continued to show strength, and growth further accelerated in the third quarter of 2023. However, equity returns were uneven, as the performance of a few notable technology companies supported gains among large-capitalization U.S. stocks, while small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined overall. Meanwhile, international developed market equities advanced strongly, while emerging market equities posted modest gains.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate interest rate changes. The corporate bond market benefited from improving economic sentiment, although high-yield corporate bond prices fared significantly better than investment-grade bonds as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), attempting to manage persistent inflation, raised interest rates five times during the 12-month period, but slowed and then paused its tightening later in the period. The Fed also wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity.

Supply constraints appear to have become an embedded feature of the new macroeconomic environment, making it difficult for developed economies to increase production without sparking higher inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and an aging population risk further exacerbating these constraints, keeping the labor market tight and wage growth high. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and recently opted for several pauses, we believe that the new economic regime means that the Fed will need to maintain high rates for an extended period despite the market’s hopes for interest rate cuts, as reflected in the recent rally. Furthermore, ongoing structural changes may mean that the Fed will be hesitant to cut interest rates in the event of faltering economic activity lest inflation accelerate again.

While we favor an overweight position in developed market equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance in the near term. Nevertheless, we are overweight on Japanese stocks in the near term as shareholder-friendly policies generate increased investor interest. We also believe that stocks with an AI tilt should benefit from an investment cycle that is set to support revenues and margins. In credit, there are selective opportunities in the near term despite tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most attractive investments in short-term U.S. Treasuries, U.S. mortgage-backed securities, and hard-currency emerging market bonds.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, 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 November 30, 2023

    

 6-Month 

 

 

 12-Month 

 

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

  10.17%   13.84%

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

  4.24   (2.57)

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

  5.12   12.36

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  4.60   4.21

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

  2.69   4.91

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

  (3.98)   (2.27)

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

  (0.80)   1.18

Tax-exempt municipal bonds (Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  2.29   4.28

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

  5.52   8.69

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

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

    

Page

 

 

The Markets in Review

    2  

Semi-Annual Report:

 

Fund Summary

    4  

About Fund Performance

    6  

Disclosure of Expenses

    6  

Derivative Financial Instruments

    6  

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

    7  

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    15  

Consolidated Statement of Operations

    17  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    18  

Consolidated Financial Highlights

    19  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    23  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    33  

Additional Information

    34  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

    36  

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

  3


Fund Summary  as of November 30, 2023    BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek total return.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes underperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg Commodity Index Total ReturnSM.

What factors influenced performance?

The Fund invests in both commodity futures and natural resource equities, while the benchmark consists entirely of commodity futures. Since resource stocks produced a smaller gain than physical commodities, holding equities versus futures detracted from relative performance.

The agricultural chemical producer FMC Corp. was a key detractor from relative performance. FMC Corp. came under pressure from the combination of weaker-than-expected earnings, reduced forward guidance, and a negative report from a short seller (an investor who expects the stock to fall). Sigma Lithium Corp., which lost ground due to falling lithium prices and reports of a court case involving its former co-CEO, was an additional detractor. The Fund’s position in First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (“First Quantum”) also detracted from relative performance. In October 2023, the Panamanian government announced a referendum on whether to revoke First Quantum’s mining license in the country. First Quantum’s Cobre Panama mine was subsequently closed in November 2023 after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that the concession granted to the company was unconstitutional.

Cameco Corp. was a top contributor at the individual company level. Uranium prices rose on expectations for a revival in the nuclear energy industry, leading to a rally in Cameco Corp.’s stock. A position in the midstream energy company Williams Companies, Inc., which rallied in part due to expectations for a more benign interest rate outlook, was an additional contributor of note. The agribusiness company Bunge Global SA also outperformed behind two sets of strong quarterly results and a positive outlook from its management.

The Fund seeks to achieve its allocation to commodity futures through the use of total return swaps, a form of derivative. The Fund’s use of total return swaps contributed marginally to performance. The Fund also maintained a position in cash and cash equivalents, predominantly comprised of U.S. Treasury bills, as collateral against its holdings in commodity total return swaps. The cash balance did not have a material impact on results.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

In the equity portion of the Fund, the investment adviser decreased the allocation to agriculture and industrial metals and increased the allocation to precious metals and energy.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

When combining the equity and commodity positions, the Fund was overweight in the industrial metals, precious metals and energy sectors and underweight in agriculture. The Fund’s largest equity exposure was to the energy sub-sector.

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.

Performance

 

                Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
                1 Year           5 Years           10 Years  
     6-Month
Total
Returns
           Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
           Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
           Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    4.97       (6.51 )%      N/A         8.22     N/A         1.61     N/A  

Investor A

    4.90         (6.75     (11.65 )%        7.96       6.80       1.36       0.82

Investor C

    4.45         (7.44     (8.30       7.15       7.15         0.77       0.77  

Class K

    4.99         (6.56     N/A         8.28       N/A         1.63       N/A  

Bloomberg Commodity Index Total ReturnSM(c)

    6.77               (7.68     N/A               6.29       N/A               (0.72     N/A  

 

  (a) 

The Fund utilizes two strategies and under normal circumstances expects to invest approximately 50% of its total assets in each strategy; provided, however, that from time to time, Fund management may alter the weightings if it deems it prudent to do so based on market conditions, trends or movements or other similar factors. One strategy focuses on investments in commodity-linked derivatives. The other strategy focuses on equity investments in commodity-related companies, including, but not limited to, companies operating in the mining, energy and agricultural sectors.

 
  (b) 

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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees, and how performance was calculated for certain share classes.

 
  (c) 

An index composed of futures contracts and reflects the returns on a fully collateralized investment in the Bloomberg Commodity Index (“BCOM”). This combines the returns of the BCOM with the returns on cash collateral invested in 13 week (3 Month) U.S. Treasury Bills.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

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Fund Summary  as of November 30, 2023 (continued)    BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return                 
     

Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)


 
    


Ending

Account Value
(11/30/23)

 


 

    

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
 
 
 
    

Ending
Account Value
(11/30/23)
 
 
 
    

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
              

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 

Institutional

  $   1,000.00      $   1,049.70      $   3.69       $   1,000.00      $   1,021.40      $   3.64            0.72

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,049.00        4.97         1,000.00        1,020.15        4.90            0.97  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,044.50        8.79         1,000.00        1,016.40        8.67            1.72  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,049.90        3.43               1,000.00        1,021.65        3.39                  0.67  

 

  (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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Exxon Mobil Corp

    3.2

Shell PLC

    2.0  

BHP Group Ltd.

    1.6  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    1.5  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    1.5  

TotalEnergies SE

    1.3  

Chevron Corp

    1.3  

ConocoPhillips

    1.3  

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    1.0  

BP PLC

    1.0  

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

Sector(b)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Materials

    25.0

Energy

    19.5  

Consumer Staples

    2.9  

Industrials

    1.3  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    1.0  

Short-Term Securities

    49.1  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

    1.2  
 
(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


About Fund Performance

 

 

Institutional and Class K Shares 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 shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of January 25, 2018 is that of Institutional Shares. The performance of the Fund’s Class K Shares would be substantially similar to Institutional Shares because Class K Shares and Institutional Shares 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 the 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.

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. These shares automatically convert to Investor A Shares after approximately eight years.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. As a result, 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 table assumes reinvestment of all distributions, if any, at net asset value (“NAV”) on the ex-dividend date or payable date, as applicable. 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”), the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually and/or voluntarily agreed to waive and/or reimburse a portion of the Fund’s expenses. Without such waiver(s) and/or reimbursement(s), the Fund’s performance would have been lower. With respect to the Fund’s voluntary waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to waive and/or reimburse or to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees and such voluntary waiver(s) may be reduced or discontinued at any time. With respect to the Fund’s contractual waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees after the applicable termination date of such agreement. See the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on waivers and/or reimbursements.

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of the Fund may incur the following charges: (a) transactional expenses, such as sales charges; and (b) operating expenses, including investment advisory fees, administration fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other fund expenses. The expense example shown (which is based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) is intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in the Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The expense example provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. 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 share class under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense example also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the 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 the Fund and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense example are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect transactional expenses, such as sales charges, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical example is 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 Fund 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. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, among other things, the Fund must either use derivative financial instruments with embedded leverage in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. The Fund’s 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 the Fund can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Fund’s investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   

Biotechnology — 0.0%

   

Hofseth BioCare ASA(a)

    1,465,227     $ 365,348  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets — 0.2%

   

Agronomics Ltd.(a)

    13,181,355       1,730,643  
   

 

 

 

Chemicals — 1.0%

   

Albemarle Corp.

    8,517       1,032,856  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

    18,720       1,406,808  

DSM-Firmenich AG

    9,444       892,398  

Givaudan SA, Registered Shares

    226       845,785  

Nutrien Ltd.

    23,071       1,233,606  

Robertet SA(b)

    2,172       1,808,630  

Symrise AG

    12,415       1,397,451  
   

 

 

 
      8,617,534  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 0.6%

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

    2,391       1,417,241  

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.(a)

    40,504       1,142,618  

HelloFresh SE(a)

    32,662       500,834  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    53,323       1,544,208  
   

 

 

 
      4,604,901  

Containers & Packaging — 0.9%

   

Avery Dennison Corp.

    5,824       1,132,768  

Crown Holdings, Inc.

    15,035       1,293,160  

FP Corp.

    68,400       1,290,364  

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    86,103       1,951,955  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    40,620       1,543,241  
   

 

 

 
      7,211,488  

Electrical Equipment — 0.1%

   

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR

    18,171       912,911  
   

 

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services — 1.6%

   

ARC Resources Ltd.

    160,612       2,561,365  

NOV, Inc.

    38,000       715,160  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

    44,850       525,193  

Schlumberger NV

    117,028       6,090,137  

TechnipFMC PLC

    90,050       1,865,836  

Tenaris SA

    81,550       1,406,965  

Weatherford International PLC(a)

    7,500       680,175  
   

 

 

 
          13,844,831  

Food Products — 2.1%

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    24,820       1,829,979  

Barry Callebaut AG, Registered Shares

    845       1,408,194  

Bunge Global SA

    18,193       1,998,865  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.

    727,000       2,277,972  

Darling Ingredients, Inc.(a)

    13,338       585,138  

Kerry Group PLC, Class A

    18,948       1,533,626  

Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.

    88,071       1,566,125  

Nestlé SA, Registered Shares

    19,906       2,265,078  

Salmar ASA

    27,582       1,511,463  

SunOpta, Inc.(a)

    231,025       1,141,263  

Tate & Lyle PLC

    214,451       1,670,427  
   

 

 

 
      17,788,130  

Ground Transportation — 0.1%

   

Union Pacific Corp.

    3,789       853,548  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.2%

   

Compass Group PLC

    76,266       1,930,784  
   

 

 

 

Machinery — 0.9%

   

Ag Growth International, Inc.

    42,594       1,588,623  

AGCO Corp.

    14,760       1,675,703  
Security   Shares     Value  

Machinery (continued)

   

Deere & Co.

    2,309     $ 841,423  

Epiroc AB, Class A

    31,251       582,853  

John Bean Technologies Corp.

    17,408       1,798,246  

Marel HF(c)

    381,906       1,159,816  
   

 

 

 
      7,646,664  

Metals & Mining — 23.2%

   

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.

    158,543       8,511,631  

Alamos Gold, Inc., Class A

    267,231       3,960,364  

Alcoa Corp.

    28,734       771,795  

Allied Gold Corp.(a)

    277,894       767,974  

Anglo American PLC

    76,649       2,074,347  

Anglogold Ashanti PLC(b)

    138,207       2,660,485  

Antofagasta PLC

    24,097       427,795  

ArcelorMittal SA

    67,063       1,686,035  

Artemis Gold, Inc.(a)

    126,714       634,060  

Aurubis AG

    6,662       551,026  

B2Gold Corp.

    1,639,928       5,535,112  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    736,268           12,950,954  

Bellevue Gold Ltd.(a)

    1,552,074       1,741,397  

BHP Group Ltd.

    436,359       13,283,831  

Blackstone Minerals Ltd.(a)(b)

    1,332,027       76,572  

BlueScope Steel Ltd.

    45,476       623,811  

Centerra Gold, Inc.

    409,496       2,507,765  

Chalice Mining Ltd.(a)

    271,431       270,779  

Challenger Gold Ltd.(a)(b)

    2,445,816       113,125  

Champion Iron Ltd.

    250,227       1,248,757  

De Grey Mining Ltd.(a)

    707,235       636,520  

Develop Global Ltd.(a)(b)

    909,172       1,834,305  

Dundee Precious Metals, Inc.

    237,771       1,755,750  

Eldorado Gold Corp.(a)

    69,382       910,986  

Emerald Resources NL(a)(b)

    371,214       697,265  

Endeavour Mining PLC

    253,499       5,946,331  

ERO Copper Corp.(a)(b)

    46,904       577,939  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    116,754       955,921  

Foran Mining Corp.(a)

    316,379       960,597  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    64,921       7,271,229  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    139,434       5,203,677  

Fresnillo PLC

    32,286       237,038  

Glencore PLC

    1,426,264       7,978,795  

Gold Fields Ltd.

    122,335       1,874,588  

Gold Fields Ltd., ADR

    513,689       7,854,305  

Iluka Resources Ltd.

    131,493       597,138  

Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    33,748       137,227  

Ivanhoe Electric, Inc.(a)

    29,820       338,755  

Kinross Gold Corp.

    830,637       4,897,082  

Lithium Royalty Corp.(a)

    74,779       528,487  

Lundin Gold, Inc.

    163,737       1,966,847  

Lundin Mining Corp.

    233,834       1,619,838  

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd.(a)

    291,509       1,269,617  

MAG Silver Corp.(a)

    158,857       1,894,179  

Metals Acquisition Ltd. (Acquired 04/17/23, cost $0)(a)(d)(e)

    9,000       74,070  

Metals Acquisition Ltd. (Acquired 06/13/23, cost $1,287,000)(a)(e)

    128,700       1,312,740  

Metals Acquisition Ltd.(a)

    5,001       47,529  

Mineral Resources Ltd.

    46,290       1,858,081  

Newmont Corp.

    74,077       2,977,155  

Newmont Corp., CDI

    144,646       5,755,517  

Nickel Industries Ltd.

    3,231,200       1,530,373  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    573,536       3,330,407  

Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd.

    54,045       348,789  

Northern Star Resources Ltd.

    529,912       4,428,107  
 

 

 

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

  7


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining (continued)

   

Nucor Corp.

    16,867     $ 2,866,884  

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.

    171,853       2,517,733  

Osisko Mining, Inc.(a)

    858,787       1,803,709  

Pan American Silver Corp.

    220,203       3,448,379  

Polymetal International PLC(a)(d)

    381,486       43  

Polyus PJSC(a)(d)

    46,252       5  

Predictive Discovery Ltd.(a)

    3,506,786       544,521  

Rio Tinto PLC

    68,706       4,695,895  

Rupert Resources Ltd.(a)

    67,130       179,581  

Rupert Resources Ltd. (Acquired 02/24/23, cost $315,608)(a)(e)

    91,372       244,431  

Sibanye Stillwater Ltd.

    285,639       314,333  

Sigma Lithium Corp.(a)(b)

    88,034       2,648,254  

Skeena Resources Ltd.(a)(b)

    236,481       1,059,585  

Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde SAA

    28,784       898,636  

Solaris Resources, Inc.(a)

    92,436       344,008  

Solaris Resources, Inc.(a)

    39,000       145,142  

SSAB AB, B Shares

    101,812       753,570  

SSR Mining, Inc.

    199,730       2,356,814  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    23,120       2,754,286  

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

    36,475       1,185,683  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

    89,418       3,368,619  

Titan Mining Corp.

    107,731       31,757  

Titan Mining Corp.(a)

    20,773       6,123  

Torex Gold Resources, Inc.(a)

    218,046       2,346,049  

Trident Royalties PLC(a)

    889,832       393,179  

Vale SA, ADR

    506,036       7,590,540  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    263,603       12,889,244  
   

 

 

 
          195,391,802  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 17.9%

   

BP PLC

    1,314,638       7,992,569  

Cameco Corp.

    64,762       2,973,871  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    105,499       7,044,670  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

    237,473       4,212,370  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    39,440       7,183,996  

Chevron Corp.

    78,227       11,233,397  

ConocoPhillips

    94,127       10,878,257  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    25,078       3,872,294  

Eni SpA

    196,318       3,255,442  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    53,597       6,596,183  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    264,378       27,162,196  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    94,250       1,400,452  

Gazprom PJSC(a)(d)

    712,200       79  

Hess Corp.

    38,906       5,468,627  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)

    122,204       829,765  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    39,270       5,858,691  

Shell PLC

    529,593       17,119,018  

TC Energy Corp.

    61,347       2,300,710  

TotalEnergies SE

    165,515       11,281,373  

Tourmaline Oil Corp.

    59,568       2,883,250  

Valero Energy Corp.

    31,575       3,958,242  

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

    173,893       6,397,524  

Woodside Energy Group Ltd.

    15,987       324,814  
   

 

 

 
      150,227,790  

Personal Care Products — 0.3%

   

Jamieson Wellness, Inc.(c)

    94,575       2,090,902  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals — 0.3%

   

Zoetis, Inc., Class A

    11,998       2,119,687  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Professional Services — 0.3%

   

Pony Testing International Group Co. Ltd., Class A

    599,813     $ 1,167,538  

SGS SA, Registered Shares

    13,200       1,123,358  
   

 

 

 
      2,290,896  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 49.7%
(Cost: $338,579,056)

      417,627,859  
   

 

 

 

Rights

   

Metals & Mining — 0.0%

   

Kincross Gold Corp., CVR(a)(d)

    11,812        
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $ —)

       
   

 

 

 

Warrants(a)

   

Capital Markets — 0.0%

   

Agronomics Ltd. (Issued/Exercisable, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 06/01/24, Strike Price GBP 0.28)

    3,014,355       38  

Agronomics Ltd. (Issued/Exercisable, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 12/08/23, Strike Price GBP 0.30)

    3,909,350       49  
   

 

 

 
      87  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $0)

      87  
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 49.7%
    (Cost: $338,579,056)
        417,627,946  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 1.4%

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(f)(g)

    5,031,288       5,031,288  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(f)(g)(h)

        7,053,672       7,056,493  
   

 

 

 
      12,087,781  
   

 

 

 
     Par
(000)
        
U.S. Treasury Obligations(i) — 47.7%            

U.S. Treasury Bills

   

5.31%, 12/07/23

  USD 68,000       67,940,201  

5.42%, 01/04/24

    76,000       75,621,600  

5.41%, 02/08/24

    56,000       55,437,573  

5.43%, 02/29/24

    79,000       77,964,606  

5.49%, 04/11/24

    79,000       77,491,030  

5.32%, 05/16/24

    48,000       46,850,298  
   

 

 

 
      401,305,308  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 49.1%
(Cost: $413,334,856)

      413,393,089  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 98.8%
(Cost: $751,913,912)

      831,021,035  
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 1.2%         10,292,335  
   

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%         $  841,313,370  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this 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.

 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

(e) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $1,631,241, representing 0.2% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $1,602,608.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Rates are discount rates or a range of discount rates as of period end.

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
05/31/23
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
11/30/23
    Shares
Held at
11/30/23
    Income     Capital
Gain
Distributions
from Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 7,558,334     $     $   (2,527,046 )(a)    $     $     $ 5,031,288       5,031,288     $ 176,581     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    13,698,222             (6,646,486 )(a)      8,170       (3,413     7,056,493       7,053,672       216,420 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 8,170     $ (3,413   $   12,087,781       $   393,001     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

OTC Total Return Swaps

    

Paid by the Fund

        Received by the Fund   

Counterparty

  

Termination

Date

    

Notional
Amount

(000)

    

Value

    

Upfront
Premium
Paid

(Received)

    

Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Rate    Frequency         Reference    Frequency

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination           BCOMRINT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     01/04/24        USD        4,727      $ (798,463    $      $ (798,463

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     01/31/24        USD        2,338        (186,170             (186,170

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRINT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     01/31/24        USD        8,367        (2,353,874             (2,353,874

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     02/26/24        USD        35,135        (2,176,347             (2,176,347

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     02/26/24        USD        101        (3,153             (3,153

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRINT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     02/28/24        USD        20,187        (3,284,559             (3,284,559

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Merrill Lynch International

     03/14/24        USD        15,142        (525,375             (525,375

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Merrill Lynch International

     03/14/24        USD        1,841        (22,960             (22,960

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     04/01/24        USD        17,905        (700,940             (700,940

 

 

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

  9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

OTC Total Return Swaps (continued)

 

    

Paid by the Fund

        Received by the Fund         

Termination

Date

    

Notional
Amount

(000)

            

Upfront
Premium
Paid

(Received)

    

Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Rate    Frequency         Reference    Frequency    Counterparty    Value  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination           BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     04/01/24        USD        3,352      $ (12,086    $      $ (12,086

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     04/29/24        USD        4,927        (85,917             (85,917

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRINT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     05/02/24        USD        1,846        (212,359             (212,359

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     05/02/24        USD        1,024        1,985               1,985  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     05/02/24        USD        2,036        (9,485             (9,485

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Merrill Lynch International

     06/10/24        USD        12,756        (16,755             (16,755

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Merrill Lynch International

     06/10/24        USD        2,500        (28,534             (28,534

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRPRT    At Termination   

Societe Generale SA

     06/10/24        USD        1,780        18,581               18,581  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRINT    At Termination   

Goldman Sachs International

     07/01/24        USD        7,652        (165,516             (165,516

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     07/01/24        USD        296        571               571  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRPRT    At Termination   

Societe Generale SA

     07/01/24        USD        51,285        2,224,834               2,224,834  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Societe Generale SA

     07/01/24        USD        16,994        (120,724             (120,724

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     07/19/24        USD        98,878        (3,206,543             (3,206,543

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Societe Generale SA

     07/19/24        USD        9,588        (906,166             (906,166

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRPRT    At Termination   

Societe Generale SA

     07/19/24        USD        54,260        85,396               85,396  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     07/31/24        USD        96        (9,693             (9,693

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

Goldman Sachs International

     09/03/24        USD        1,344        (153,306             (153,306

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Merrill Lynch International

     09/03/24        USD        2,542        (217,773             (217,773

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Citibank N.A.

     09/25/24        USD        614        6,238               6,238  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRINT    At Termination   

Citibank N.A.

     09/25/24        USD        205        (4,456             (4,456

 

 

10  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

OTC Total Return Swaps (continued)

 

    

Paid by the Fund

        Received by the Fund         

Termination

Date

    

Notional
Amount

(000)

            

Upfront
Premium
Paid

(Received)

    

Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Rate    Frequency         Reference    Frequency    Counterparty    Value  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination           BCOMRPRT    At Termination   

Goldman Sachs International

     09/25/24        USD        512      $ 27,737      $      $ 27,737  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     09/25/24        USD        504        (74,414             (74,414

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Societe Generale SA

     09/25/24        USD        118        (11,823             (11,823

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     10/02/24        USD        338        (43,268             (43,268

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRINT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     10/02/24        USD        75        (2,193             (2,193

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRPRT    At Termination   

Goldman Sachs International

     10/11/24        USD        8,614        724,934               724,934  

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     10/11/24        USD        18,559        (2,008,081             (2,008,081

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRPRT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     12/02/24        USD        2,235                       

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRINT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     12/02/24        USD        1,300                       

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRENT    At Termination   

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     12/02/24        USD        589                       

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRAGT    At Termination   

Macquarie Bank Ltd.

     12/02/24        USD        8,545                       

3-month U.S. Treasury Bill, 5.41%(a)

   At Termination      BCOMRLIT    At Termination   

Societe Generale SA

     12/02/24        USD        294                       
                         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                          $   (14,250,657    $      $ (14,250,657
                         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

Balances Reported in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities for OTC Swaps

 

      Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Swaps

   $      $      $ 3,090,276      $   (17,340,933

 

 

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

  11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

             

Swaps — OTC

             

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps;

             

Swap premiums paid

  $ 3,090,276     $     $     $     $     $     $ 3,090,276  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

             

Swaps — OTC

             

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps;

             

Swap premiums received

  $   17,340,933     $     $     $     $     $     $   17,340,933  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the period ended November 30, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

             

Swaps

  $ (59,599,584   $     $     $     $     $     $ (59,599,584
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

             

Swaps

  $   76,232,457     $     $     $     $     $     $   76,232,457  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

Total return swaps

    Average notional amount

 

                                $459,951,553

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

Derivative Financial Instruments – Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Swaps — OTC(a)

   $   3,090,276      $   17,340,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   $ 3,090,276      $ 17,340,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 3,090,276      $ 17,340,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

12  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

The following tables present 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(b)

   

Cash

Collateral
Received(b)

   

Net

Amount of
Derivative
Assets(c)

 

Citibank N.A.(d)

  $ 6,238     $ (4,456   $     $     $ 1,782  

Goldman Sachs International(d)

    752,671       (318,822                 433,849  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A(d)

    2,556       (2,556                  

Societe Generale SA(d)

    2,328,811       (1,038,713           (1,290,098      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 3,090,276     $   (1,364,547   $     $ (1,290,098   $ 435,631  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Counterparty   Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
    Derivatives
Available
for Offset(a)
   

Non-

Cash
Collateral
Pledged(b)

    Cash
Collateral
Pledged(b)
   

Net

Amount of
Derivative
Liabilities(e)

 

Citibank N.A.(d)

  $ 4,456     $ (4,456   $     $     $  

Goldman Sachs International(d)

    318,822       (318,822                  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.(d)

    5,651,953       (2,556           (3,310,000     2,339,397  

Merrill Lynch International(d)

    811,397                   (811,397      

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC(d)

    9,515,592                   (9,515,592      

Societe Generale SA(d)

    1,038,713         (1,038,713                  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $   17,340,933     $ (1,364,547   $     $   (13,636,989   $   2,339,397  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, 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) 

Represents derivatives owned by the BlackRock Cayman Commodity Strategies Fund, Ltd., a wholly-owed subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
  (e) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Biotechnology

   $        $ 365,348        $             —        $ 365,348  

Capital Markets

     1,730,643                            1,730,643  

Chemicals

     5,481,900          3,135,634                   8,617,534  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

     2,559,859          2,045,042                   4,604,901  

Containers & Packaging

     4,377,883          2,833,605                   7,211,488  

Electrical Equipment

     912,911                            912,911  

Energy Equipment & Services

     12,437,866          1,406,965                   13,844,831  

Food Products

     8,791,797          8,996,333                   17,788,130  

Ground Transportation

     853,548                            853,548  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

              1,930,784                   1,930,784  

Machinery

     7,063,811          582,853                   7,646,664  

Metals & Mining

     139,480,682          55,837,002          74,118          195,391,802  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     108,854,043          41,373,668          79          150,227,790  

Personal Care Products

     2,090,902                            2,090,902  

Pharmaceuticals

     2,119,687                            2,119,687  

Professional Services

     1,167,538          1,123,358                   2,290,896  

Rights

                                 

 

 

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

  13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Warrants

   $        $ 87        $        $ 87  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     5,031,288                            5,031,288  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

              401,305,308                   401,305,308  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   302,954,358        $   520,935,987        $   74,197            823,964,542  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                    7,056,493  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 831,021,035  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Assets

                 

Commodity Contracts

   $        $ 3,090,276        $        $ 3,090,276  

Liabilities

                 

Commodity Contracts

              (17,340,933                 (17,340,933
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $ (14,250,657      $        $ (14,250,657
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Derivative financial instruments are swaps. Swaps are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

14  

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Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

 

     

BlackRock
Commodity

Strategies

Fund

 

ASSETS

  

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

   $ 818,933,254  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

     12,087,781  

Cash

     13,026,726  

Cash pledged:

  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

     14,280,000  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

     26,212  

Receivables:

  

Investments sold

     39,962,619  

Securities lending income — affiliated

     25,585  

Capital shares sold

     882,229  

Dividends — unaffiliated

     1,554,596  

Dividends — affiliated

     21,619  

From the Manager

     48,054  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps

     3,090,276  

Prepaid expenses

     66,837  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     904,005,788  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Cash received:

  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

     1,320,000  

Collateral on securities loaned

     7,051,059  

Payables:

  

Investments purchased

     30,810,910  

Swaps

     30,283  

Administration fees

     29,228  

Capital shares redeemed

     5,054,746  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

     17,563  

Investment advisory fees

     396,763  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

     6,446  

Other accrued expenses

     486,472  

Professional fees

     107,982  

Service and distribution fees

     40,033  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps

     17,340,933  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     62,692,418  
  

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

  

NET ASSETS

   $ 841,313,370  
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

  

Paid-in capital

   $   1,071,648,171  

Accumulated loss

     (230,334,801
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   $ 841,313,370  
  

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

   $ 739,830,820  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

   $ 6,709,448  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

   $ 12,083,092  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

   $ 26,777  

 

 

O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  15


Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

 

     

BlackRock
Commodity
Strategies

Fund

 

NET ASSET VALUE

  
Institutional       

Net assets

   $   592,905,683  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     69,950,789  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value

   $ 8.48  
  

 

 

 

Shares authorized

     Unlimited  
  

 

 

 

Par value

   $ 0.001  
  

 

 

 
Investor A       

Net assets

   $ 106,277,079  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     12,672,181  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value

   $ 8.39  
  

 

 

 

Shares authorized

     Unlimited  
  

 

 

 

Par value

   $ 0.001  
  

 

 

 
Investor C       

Net assets

   $ 21,580,134  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     2,707,221  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value

   $ 7.97  
  

 

 

 

Shares authorized

     Unlimited  
  

 

 

 

Par value

   $ 0.001  
  

 

 

 
Class K       

Net assets

   $ 120,550,474  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     14,211,172  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value

   $ 8.48  
  

 

 

 

Shares authorized

     Unlimited  
  

 

 

 

Par value

   $ 0.001  
  

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

16  

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Consolidated Statement of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

     

BlackRock
Commodity
Strategies

Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

  

Dividends — unaffiliated

   $ 8,152,825  

Dividends — affiliated

     176,581  

Interest — unaffiliated

     12,792,237  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

     216,420  

Foreign taxes withheld

     (448,897
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     20,889,166  
  

 

 

 

EXPENSES

  

Investment advisory

     3,098,899  

Transfer agent — class specific

     599,362  

Service and distribution — class specific

     272,910  

Administration

     206,195  

Registration

     115,163  

Administration — class specific

     100,513  

Professional

     68,538  

Accounting services

     45,739  

Custodian

     29,625  

Printing and postage

     27,993  

Trustees and Officer

     7,994  

Miscellaneous

     15,320  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

     4,588,251  

Interest expense

     791  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     4,589,042  

Less:

  

Administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific

     (100,513

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

     (257,909

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific

     (383,203
  

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

     3,847,417  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     17,041,749  
  

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments — unaffiliated(a)

     18,560,125  

Investments — affiliated

     8,170  

Foreign currency transactions

     (36,296

Swaps

     (59,599,584
  

 

 

 
     (41,067,585
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments — unaffiliated(b)

     4,737,950  

Investments — affiliated

     (3,413

Foreign currency translations

     9,463  

Swaps

     76,232,457  
  

 

 

 
     80,976,457  
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

     39,908,872  
  

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

   $   56,950,621  
  

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax of

     $(1,164

(b) Net of increase in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

     (3,473

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

O N S O L I D A T E D   F I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  17


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock Commodity Strategies
Fund
 
    

Six Months
Ended
11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 17,041,749     $ 40,845,467  

Net realized loss

    (41,067,585     (3,499,342

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    80,976,457       (421,860,232
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    56,950,621       (384,514,107
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Institutional

    (50,571,012     (140,578,102

Investor A

    (7,691,275     (16,226,823

Investor C

    (1,670,676     (3,106,978

Class K

    (9,118,537     (24,906,279
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (69,051,500     (184,818,182
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (272,431,461     (957,833,933
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (284,532,340     (1,527,166,222

Beginning of period

      1,125,845,710         2,653,011,932  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 841,313,370     $ 1,125,845,710  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

18  

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Consolidated Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund  
    Institutional  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Year Ended
05/31/21
    Period from
08/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
07/31/19
    Year Ended
07/31/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.62       $ 11.33     $ 9.22     $ 6.33     $ 7.18     $ 7.82     $ 7.43  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.15         0.22       0.09       0.07       0.09       0.14 (b)       0.07  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.29         (2.08     2.27       2.88       (0.79     (0.64     0.37  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.44         (1.86     2.36       2.95       (0.70     (0.50     0.44  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.58       (0.85     (0.25     (0.06     (0.15     (0.14     (0.05
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.48       $ 8.62     $ 11.33     $ 9.22     $ 6.33     $ 7.18     $ 7.82  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

               

Based on net asset value

    4.97 %(e)         (16.46 )%      26.31     46.93     (9.96 )%(e)      (6.34 )%      5.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    0.88 %(g)         0.83     0.82     0.90     1.04 %(g)       1.01     1.14
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.72 %(g)         0.72     0.72     0.72     0.72 %(g)       0.72     0.88
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.44 %(g)         2.37     0.95     0.90     1.61 %(g)       1.90 %(b)       0.90
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $   592,906       $   837,334     $   2,061,348     $   862,528     $   104,275     $   145,239     $   200,786  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    24       78     91 %(h)       58     72     76     110
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.01 per share and 0.13%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

O N S O L I D A T E D  I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  19


Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Year Ended
05/31/21
    Period from
08/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
07/31/19
    Year Ended
07/31/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.53       $ 11.23     $ 9.14     $ 6.28     $ 7.12     $ 7.74     $ 7.36  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.14         0.20       0.07       0.05       0.08       0.12 (b)       0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.29         (2.07     2.25       2.86       (0.79     (0.63     0.36  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.43         (1.87     2.32       2.91       (0.71     (0.51     0.42  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(c)

    (0.57       (0.83     (0.23     (0.05     (0.13     (0.11     (0.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.39       $ 8.53     $ 11.23     $ 9.14     $ 6.28     $ 7.12     $ 7.74  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

               

Based on net asset value

    4.90 %(e)         (16.76 )%      26.06     46.53     (10.18 )%(e)      (6.50 )%      5.69
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    1.11 %(g)         1.07     1.13     1.18     1.40 %(g)      1.38     1.55
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.97 %(g)         0.97     0.97     0.97     0.97 %(g)      0.97     1.11
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.22 %(g)         2.15     0.68     0.62     1.38 %(g)      1.68 %(b)      0.73
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $   106,277       $   120,674     $   236,887     $   127,923     $   23,628     $   33,853     $   56,622  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    24       78     91 %(h)       58     72     76     110
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.01 per share and 0.13%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

20  

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Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Year Ended
05/31/21
    Period from
08/01/19
to 05/31/20
    Year Ended
07/31/19
    Year Ended
07/31/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.13       $ 10.75     $ 8.78     $ 6.04     $ 6.84     $ 7.45     $ 7.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.10         0.13       (0.00 )(b)       (0.01     0.03       0.06 (c)       (0.00 )(b)  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.28         (1.98     2.15       2.75       (0.76     (0.60     0.35  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.38         (1.85     2.15       2.74       (0.73     (0.54     0.35  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.54       (0.77     (0.18     (0.00 )(b)       (0.07     (0.07      
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 7.97       $ 8.13     $ 10.75     $ 8.78     $ 6.04     $ 6.84     $ 7.45  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

               

Based on net asset value

    4.45 %(f)        (17.34 )%      25.06     45.48       (10.80 )%(f)      (7.19 )%      4.93
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

               

Total expenses

    1.86 %(h)        1.80     1.81     1.96     2.07 %(h)      2.11     2.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.72 %(h)        1.72     1.72     1.72     1.72 %(h)      1.72     1.87
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    2.44 %(h)        1.49     (0.04 )%      (0.15 )%      0.63 %(h)      0.92 %(c)      (0.05 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $   21,580       $   29,758     $   42,138     $   16,246     $ 4,255     $   5,832     $   7,562  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    24       78     91 %(i)       58     72     76     110
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(c) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.01 per share and 0.13%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(d) 

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

(e) 

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

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

O N S O L I D A T E D  I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  21


Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund (continued)  
    Class K  
   


Six Months
Ended
11/30/23

(unaudited)



 

 

     
Year Ended
05/31/23
 
 
   
Year Ended
05/31/22
 
 
   
Year Ended
05/31/21
 
 
   

Period from
08/01/19
to 05/31/20
 
 
 
   
Year Ended
07/31/19
 
 
   

Period from
01/25/18

to 7/31/18

 
(a)  

 

                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.62       $ 11.34     $ 9.22     $ 6.34     $ 7.19     $ 7.83     $ 8.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.15         0.23       0.10       0.06       0.09       0.14 (c)       0.07  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.29         (2.09     2.27       2.89       (0.79     (0.63     (0.51
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.44         (1.86     2.37       2.95       (0.70     (0.49     (0.44
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(d)

    (0.58       (0.86     (0.25     (0.07     (0.15     (0.15      
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.48       $ 8.62     $ 11.34     $ 9.22     $ 6.34     $ 7.19     $ 7.83  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

               

Based on net asset value

    4.99 %(f)         (16.48 )%      26.47     46.76     (9.90 )%(f)      (6.28 )%      (5.32 )%(f) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

               

Total expenses

    0.78 %(h)         0.72     0.72     0.80     0.95 %(h)      0.96     0.92 %(h)(i) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.67 %(h)         0.67     0.67     0.67     0.67 %(h)      0.67     0.74 %(h)(i) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3.52 %(h)         2.42     1.02     0.76     1.60 %(h)      1.97 %(c)      1.80 %(h) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $   120,550       $   138,079     $   312,639     $   197,360     $   25,283     $   22,520     $   22,750  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    24       78     91 %(j)       58     72     76     110
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.01 per share and 0.13%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

(i) 

Offering and board realignment and consolidation 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 0.93% and 0.76%, respectively.

(j) 

Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

22  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of the Trust. The Fund is classified as diversified.

The 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 and Investor C Shares bear certain expenses related to shareholder servicing of such shares, and Investor C Shares also bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares. Investor A and Investor C Shares are generally available through financial intermediaries. 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 and Class K Shares

  No      No      None

Investor A Shares

  Yes      No (a)     None

Investor C Shares

  No      Yes (b)     To Investor A Shares after approximately 8 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 Fund, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, is included in a complex of funds referred to as the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the accounts of BlackRock Cayman Commodity Strategies Fund, Ltd. (the “Cayman Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund and primarily invests in commodity-related instruments and other derivatives. The Cayman Subsidiary enables the Fund to hold these commodity-related instruments and satisfy regulated investment company tax requirements. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Cayman Subsidiary. The net liabilities of the Cayman Subsidiary as of period end were $(1,581,712), which is (0.19)% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The Cayman Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the Fund, except that the Cayman Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated 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. The 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 using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend dates may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend dates. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis. Income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class based on its relative net assets.

Foreign Currency Translation: The 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.

The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Consolidated Statement 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. The 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.

Foreign Taxes: The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Fund and are reflected in its Consolidated Statement of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Foreign taxes withheld”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of November 30, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N A N C I A L   S  T A T E M E N T S

  23


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Fund files withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Fund may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Consolidated Statement of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Bank Overdraft: The Fund had outstanding cash disbursements exceeding deposited cash amounts at the custodian during the reporting period. The Fund is obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses, where applicable. For financial reporting purposes, overdraft fees, if any, are included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Fund may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

Distributions: Distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Net income and realized gains from investments held by the Cayman Subsidiary are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. If a net loss is realized by the Cayman Subsidiary in any taxable year, the loss will generally not be available to offset the Fund’s ordinary income and/or capital gains for that year.

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

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

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

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the consolidated financial statements) each day that the Fund is open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Fund’s Manager as the valuation designee for the Fund. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under the Manager’s policies. 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 the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. The Manager has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

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

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

 

   

The Fund values its investment in SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”) at fair value, which is ordinarily based upon its pro rata ownership in the underlying fund’s net assets.

 

   

Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by independent pricing services 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.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Each business day, the Fund uses current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee in accordance with the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued

 

 

24  

2 0 2 3  B L A C K R O C K  S E M I - A N N U A L  R E P O R T  T O  S H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that the 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 Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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 Valuation Committee and third-party pricing services utilized by the Valuation Committee include one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

Standard Inputs Generally Considered By The Valuation Committee And 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. Enterprise valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”), current value method or a hybrid of those techniques are used as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of these valuation techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

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

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

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that the 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); and

 

   

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

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

As of November 30, 2023, certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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.

 

 

O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N A N C I A L   S  T A T E M E N T S

  25


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund 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 the 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 Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities, but does 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.

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 Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are disclosed in the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of related collateral, if any, are shown separately in the Consolidated StatementConsolidated of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value – unaffiliated and collateral on securities loaned, respectively.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund 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 Fund, 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 the 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 Fund’s securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

Counterparty    
Securities
Loaned at Value
 
 
   

Cash

Collateral Received

 

(a) 

   

Non-Cash
Collateral Received,
at Fair Value
 
 
(a)  
   
Net
Amount
 
 

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 189,045     $ (189,045   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    9,250       (9,250            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    1,665,141       (1,665,141            

Jefferies LLC

    55,503       (55,503            

Morgan Stanley

    4,682,258       (4,682,258            

SG Americas Securities LLC

    108,251       (108,251            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 6,709,448     $ (6,709,448   $     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by the Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits 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. The 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 Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Fund engages in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Fund and/or to manage its 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 Consolidated Schedule of Investments. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or over-the-counter (“OTC”).

Swaps: Swap contracts are entered into to manage exposure to issuers, markets and securities. Such contracts are agreements between the Fund 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 Consolidated Statement 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 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Fund’s basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contract is the premium received or paid.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 CCP becomes the Fund’s counterparty on the swap. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is 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 Consolidated Schedule of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted cash, are included in cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees 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 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty are amortized over the term of the contract and recorded as realized gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, including those at termination.

 

   

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 Fund receives payment from or makes a payment to the counterparty.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risks in excess of the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statement 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 its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help it mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a 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, a 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. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

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

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Consolidated Schedule 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 Fund. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Fund on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. The 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 Fund from the counterparties are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Fund has delivered collateral to a counterparty and stands ready to perform under the terms of its agreement with such counterparty, the Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Fund’s investment adviser and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), to provide investment advisory services. The Manager is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Fund.

For such services, the Fund pays 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

    0.62

$1 billion - $3 billion

    0.58  

$3 billion - $5 billion

    0.56  

$5 billion - $10 billion

    0.54  

Greater than $10 billion

    0.53  

 

 

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  27


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Manager provides investment management and other services to the Cayman Subsidiary. The Manager does not receive separate compensation from the Cayman Subsidiary for providing investment management or administrative services. However, the Fund pays the Manager based on the Fund’s net assets, which includes the assets of the Cayman Subsidiary.

With respect to the Fund, the Manager entered into a sub-advisory agreement with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL for services it provides for that portion of the Fund for which BIL acts as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Manager.

Service and Distribution Fees: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution and Service Plan 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, the 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 the Fund as follows:

 

Share Class   Service Fees     Distribution Fees  

Investor A

    0.25     N/A  

Investor C

    0.25       0.75

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

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific service and distribution fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

     Investor A        Investor C        Total  

Service and distribution — class specific

  $ 145,100        $ 127,810        $   272,910  

Administration: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, entered into an Administration Agreement with the Manager, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide administrative services. For these services, the Manager receives an administration fee computed daily and payable monthly, based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The administration fee, which is shown as administration in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, is paid at the annual rates below.

 

Average Daily Net Assets   Administration Fees  

First $500 million

    0.0425

$500 million - $1 billion

    0.0400  

$1 billion - $2 billion

    0.0375  

$2 billion - $4 billion

    0.0350  

$4 billion - $13 billion

    0.0325  

Greater than $13 billion

    0.0300  

In addition, the Manager charges each of the share classes an administration fee, which is shown as administration — class specific in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund paid the following to the Manager in return for these services, which are included in administration — class specific in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:

 

     Institutional        Investor A        Investor C        Class K        Total  

Administration — class specific

  $ 72,900        $ 11,589        $ 2,557        $   13,467        $   100,513  

Transfer Agent: Pursuant to written agreements, certain financial intermediaries, some of which may be affiliates, provide the Fund 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund did not pay any amounts to affiliates in return for these services.

The Manager maintains a call center that is responsible for providing certain shareholder services to the Fund. Shareholder services include responding to inquiries and processing purchases and sales based upon instructions from shareholders. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the 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 Consolidated Statement of Operations:

 

     Institutional        Investor A        Investor C        Class K        Total  

Reimbursed amounts

  $ 3,991        $ 3,323        $ 719        $ 650        $   8,683  

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

     Institutional        Investor A        Investor C        Class K        Total  

Transfer agent — class specific

  $ 495,254        $ 65,854        $ 14,285        $   23,969        $   599,362  

Other Fees: For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of the Fund’s Investor A Shares for a total of $1,233.

 

 

28  

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates received CDSCs as follows:

 

Share Class   Amounts  

Investor A

  $ 1,793  

Investor C

    2,943  

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees the Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”) through June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. 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. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amount waived was $2,637.

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, there were no fees waived by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

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 the Fund’s business (“expense limitation”). The expense limitations as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows:

 

Institutional      Investor A        Investor C        Class K  

0.72%

       0.97        1.72        0.67

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue the contractual expense limitations through June 30, 2025 unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed investment advisory fees of $255,272, which is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In addition, these amounts waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager are included in administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific and transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific, respectively, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements are as follows:

 

     Institutional      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Total  

Administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific

  $ 72,900      $ 11,589      $ 2,557      $   13,467      $   100,513  

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific

    313,580        37,413        8,241        23,969        383,203  

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 Fund, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. The Fund is 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, Money Market Series, managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the Money Market Series to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the Money Market Series will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Fund. The Money Market Series may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of the Money Market Series. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. The 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, the 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, the 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 the Fund is shown as securities lending income — affiliated — net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund paid BIM $43,118 for securities lending agent services.

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the 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 the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. The Fund is currently permitted to borrow and lend under the Interfund Lending Program.

 

 

O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N A N C I A L   S  T A T E M E N T S

  29


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

Trustees and Officers: Certain trustees and/or officers of the Trust are directors and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Trustees and Officer in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were $118,309,987 and $273,069,972, respectively.

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is the 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.

The 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 the Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for a period of three years after they are filed. The statutes of limitations on the 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 Fund as of November 30, 2023, 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 Fund’s consolidated financial statements.

As of May 31, 2023, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains of $231,406,260.

As of November 30, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Fund Name   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund

  $   791,809,900      $ 71,917,950      $ (46,957,472   $ 24,960,478  

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates (“Participating Funds”), is party to a 364-day, $2.50 billion credit agreement with a group of lenders. Under this agreement, the Fund may borrow to fund shareholder redemptions. Excluding commitments designated for certain individual funds, the Participating Funds, including the Fund, 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) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.80% per annum, (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 or (c) the sum of (x) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.10% and (y) 0.80% per annum. The agreement expires in April 2024 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

The Fund 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 discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

 

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Market Risk: The Fund may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. The Fund may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below the Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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

The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation 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 the 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 the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Fund manages 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 Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.

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.

Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within the Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the Fund invests.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

 

 

O T E S   T O   C O N S O L I D A T E D   I N A N C I A L   S  T A T E M E N T S

  31


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended 11/30/23     Year Ended 05/31/23  
Share Class   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Institutional

       

Shares sold

    7,888,467     $ 68,500,202       48,377,579     $ 467,663,752  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    5,484,211       47,548,112       15,381,433       135,103,945  

Shares redeemed

    (40,598,240     (352,396,024     (148,478,047     (1,392,777,097
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (27,225,562   $ (236,347,710     (84,719,035   $ (790,009,400
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    719,029     $ 6,178,603       3,826,409     $ 36,751,196  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    878,237       7,544,053       1,826,612       15,892,675  

Shares redeemed

    (3,069,119     (26,350,308     (12,608,372     (117,252,987
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,471,853   $ (12,627,652     (6,955,351   $ (64,609,116
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

       

Shares sold

    84,006     $ 689,656       998,622     $ 9,407,731  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    204,072       1,669,308       373,610       3,106,485  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (1,240,055     (10,209,818     (1,631,866     (14,422,937
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (951,977   $ (7,850,854     (259,634   $ (1,908,721
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class K

       

Shares sold

    2,437,220     $ 21,294,695       8,292,838     $ 85,776,294  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,050,199       9,115,723       2,834,330       24,904,192  

Shares redeemed

    (5,289,313     (46,015,663     (22,680,846     (211,987,182
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,801,894   $ (15,605,245     (11,553,678   $ (101,306,696
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (31,451,286   $   (272,431,461     (103,487,698   $ (957,833,933
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund 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.

 

 

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for BlackRock Commodity Strategies Fund (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, met on November 16-17, 2023 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Advisors, LLC or BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), each an investment adviser to certain BlackRock funds, as the program administrator for the Fund’s Program, as applicable. BlackRock also previously 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 management of the Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing the Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish the Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to the Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including the imposition of capital controls in certain countries.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the 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 the 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 or reverse repurchase agreements), such borrowings were factored into the Program’s calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. A fund’s 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 redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size utilized for liquidity classifications. The 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 committed to the Fund, 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, and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF, a series of BlackRock ETF Trust II). The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Fund, 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 other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. 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.

 

 

T A T E M E N T  E G A R D I N G  I Q U I D I T Y  I S K  A N A G E M E N T  R O G R A M

  33


Additional Information

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and ETFs

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Fund.

General Information

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Householding

The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, Rule 30e-3 notices and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Fund files its 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. The Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, the Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com; and (3) 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 visit blackrock.com for more information.

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.

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.

 

 

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

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.

Fund and Service Providers

Investment Adviser and Administrator   Distributor
BlackRock Advisors, LLC   BlackRock Investments, LLC
Wilmington, DE 19809   New York, NY 10001

 

Sub-Adviser

  Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
BlackRock International Limited   Deloitte & Touche LLP
Edinburgh, EH3 8BL   Boston, MA 02116
United Kingdom  
  Legal Counsel
Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent   Sidley Austin LLP
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.   New York, NY 10019
Wilmington, DE 19809  
  Address of the Trust
Custodian   100 Bellevue Parkway
The Bank of New York Mellon   Wilmington, DE 19809
New York, NY 10286  

 

 

D D I T I O N A L  N F O R M A T I O N

  35


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency Abbreviation

 

GBP   British Pound
USD   United States Dollar

 

Portfolio Abbreviation

 

ADR   American Depositary Receipt
BCOMRAGT   Bloomberg Roll Select Agriculture Subindex Total ReturnSM
BCOMRENT   Bloomberg Roll Select Energy Subindex Total ReturnSM
BCOMRINT   Bloomberg Roll Select Industrial Metals Subindex Total ReturnSM
BCOMRLIT   Bloomberg Roll Select Livestock Subindex Total ReturnSM
BCOMRPRT   Bloomberg Roll Select Precious Metals Subindex Total ReturnSM
CDI   CREST Depository Interest
CVR   Contingent Value Rights
OTC   Over-the-Counter

 

 

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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 the 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.

CSF-11/23-SAR

 

 

LOGO

   LOGO


 

LOGO

  NOVEMBER 30, 2023

 

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

BlackRock FundsSM

 

·  

BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The combination of continued economic growth and cooling inflation provided a supportive backdrop for investors during the 12-month reporting period ended November 30, 2023. Significantly tighter monetary policy helped to rein in inflation, as the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index declined to its long-term average of approximately 3% in November 2023. Meanwhile, real economic growth proved more resilient than many investors anticipated. A moderating labor market also helped ease inflationary pressure, although wages continued to grow. This robust labor market powered further growth in consumer spending, backstopping the economy. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a horrific attack on Israel. The ensuing war will have a significant humanitarian impact and could lead to heightened economic and market volatility. We see geopolitics as a structural market risk going forward. See our geopolitical risk dashboard at blackrock.com for more details.

Equity returns were solid during the period, as interest rates stabilized, and the economy proved to be more resilient than many investors expected. The U.S. economy continued to show strength, and growth further accelerated in the third quarter of 2023. However, equity returns were uneven, as the performance of a few notable technology companies supported gains among large-capitalization U.S. stocks, while small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined overall. Meanwhile, international developed market equities advanced strongly, while emerging market equities posted modest gains.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate interest rate changes. The corporate bond market benefited from improving economic sentiment, although high-yield corporate bond prices fared significantly better than investment-grade bonds as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), attempting to manage persistent inflation, raised interest rates five times during the 12-month period, but slowed and then paused its tightening later in the period. The Fed also wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity.

Supply constraints appear to have become an embedded feature of the new macroeconomic environment, making it difficult for developed economies to increase production without sparking higher inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and an aging population risk further exacerbating these constraints, keeping the labor market tight and wage growth high. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and recently opted for several pauses, we believe that the new economic regime means that the Fed will need to maintain high rates for an extended period despite the market’s hopes for interest rate cuts, as reflected in the recent rally. Furthermore, ongoing structural changes may mean that the Fed will be hesitant to cut interest rates in the event of faltering economic activity lest inflation accelerate again.

While we favor an overweight position in developed market equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance in the near term. Nevertheless, we are overweight on Japanese stocks in the near term as shareholder-friendly policies generate increased investor interest. We also believe that stocks with an AI tilt should benefit from an investment cycle that is set to support revenues and margins. In credit, there are selective opportunities in the near term despite tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most attractive investments in short-term U.S. Treasuries, U.S. mortgage-backed securities, and hard-currency emerging market bonds.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, 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 November 30, 2023

 

 
    

 

 6-Month 

 

   

 

 12-Month 

 

 
   

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

    10.17%        13.84%   
   

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

    4.24           (2.57)     
   

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

    5.12           12.36      
   

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    4.60           4.21      
   

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

    2.69           4.91      
   

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

    (3.98)          (2.27)     
   

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

    (0.80)          1.18      
   

Tax-exempt municipal bonds 
(Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

    2.29           4.28      
   

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

    5.52           8.69      

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

 

 

 

 

2  

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


Table of Contents

 

     

Page

 

 

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     6  

Disclosure of Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedule of Investments

     7  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     11  

Statement of Operations

     13  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     14  

Financial Highlights

     15  

Notes to Financial Statements

     18  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     25  

Additional Information

     26  

 

 

LOGO

 

 

  3


Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023    BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 2500TM Growth Index.

What factors influenced performance?

The largest detractors from the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark included stock selection in the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors, along with positioning in the energy sector. In consumer discretionary, stock selection among hotels, restaurants and leisure, specifically an off-benchmark position in online casino technology company Evolution AB, detracted from relative performance. In consumer staples, an overweight position in Beauty Health Co. within the personal care products industry detracted from relative performance. Lastly, within energy a lack of exposure to the energy equipment and services industry weighed on relative performance.

The largest positive contributors to the Fund’s relative performance over the period included security selection in the financials and industrials sectors, along with positioning in healthcare. In financials, an off-benchmark position in Tradeweb Markets, Inc. in the capital markets industry added to performance. In industrials, an overweight to the ground transportation industry, specifically Saia, Inc., contributed to performance. Lastly, positioning in the healthcare sector proved beneficial, most notably underweighting the biotechnology industry.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, exposure to industrials increased with an allocation to the trading companies and distributors sub-sector. Exposure to the consumer staples sector increased as well. Conversely, the allocation to consumer discretionary decreased the most, driven by reduced exposure to hotels, restaurants and leisure. Exposure to the healthcare sector declined as well.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

Relative to the Russell 2500TM Growth Index, at the end of the reporting period the Fund’s largest overweight was in the industrials sector, followed by information technology and consumer discretionary. Conversely, the healthcare sector was the largest underweight, followed by materials and consumer staples.

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.

Performance

 

                Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
     

 

 

 
                1 Year           Since Inception(c)  
     

 

 

     

 

 

 
     6-Month
Total
Returns
           Without
Sales
Charge
     With
Sales
Charge
           Without
Sales
Charge
     With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    0.97       1.42      N/A         (20.63 )%       N/A  

Investor A

    0.89         1.25        (4.07 )%        (20.83      (22.57 )% 

Class K

    1.06         1.60        N/A         (20.54      N/A  

Russell 2500 Growth Index(d)

    1.83               0.64        N/A               (10.70      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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees.

(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 issued by U.S. small- and mid-capitalization companies which Fund management believes have above-average earnings growth potential, and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such equity securities.

(c) 

The Fund commenced operations on June 29, 2021.

(d) 

An index that measures the performance of the small to mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500 companies with higher growth earning potential as defined by FTSE Russell’s leading style methodology.

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

4  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)    BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical 5% Return           
 

 

 

     

 

 

      
     

Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
 
 
 
    

Ending
Account Value
(11/30/23)
 
 
 
    

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
           

Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
 
 
 
    

Ending
Account Value
(11/30/23)
 
 
 
    

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 
 
(a) 
      

Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 
 
 

Institutional

    $      1,000.00        $      1,009.70        $      4.28         $      1,000.00        $      1,020.74        $      4.29          0.85

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,008.90        5.54         1,000.00        1,019.49        5.55          1.10  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,010.60        3.78               1,000.00        1,021.24        3.79          0.75  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Axon Enterprise, Inc.

    4.0

Bentley Systems, Inc., Class B

    2.6  

Entegris, Inc.

    2.6  

Saia, Inc.

    2.5  

Globant SA

    2.4  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    2.4  

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A

    2.4  

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A

    2.3  

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A

    2.3  

ASM International NV

    2.3  
SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(b)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Industrials

    26.3

Information Technology

    26.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    16.4  

Health Care

    15.2  

Financials

    7.3  

Communication Services

    3.9  

Energy

    2.5  

Consumer Staples

    1.5  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.3  

Short-Term Securities

    2.2  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (1.9
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

(b) 

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

 

 

F U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


About Fund Performance   

 

Institutional and Class K Shares are not subject to any sales charge. These shares bear no ongoing distribution or service fees and are available only to certain eligible investors.

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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. As a result, 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 table(s) assume reinvestment of all distributions, if any, at net asset value (“NAV”) on the ex-dividend date or payable date, as applicable. 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”), the Fund’s investment adviser, has contractually and/or voluntarily agreed to waive and/or reimburse a portion of the Fund’s expenses. Without such waiver(s) and/or reimbursement(s), the Fund’s performance would have been lower. With respect to the Fund’s voluntary waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to waive and/or reimburse or to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees and such voluntary waiver(s) may be reduced or discontinued at any time. With respect to the Fund’s contractual waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees after the applicable termination date of such agreement. See the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information on waivers and/or reimbursements.

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of the Fund may incur the following charges: (a) transactional expenses, such as sales charges; and (b) operating expenses, including investment advisory fees, administration fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other fund expenses. The expense example shown (which is based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) is intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in the Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The expense example provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. 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 share class under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense example also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the 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 the Fund and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense example are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect transactional expenses, such as sales charges, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical example is 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.

 

 

6  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K R O C K   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense — 5.9%            

Axon Enterprise, Inc.(a)

    1,520     $ 349,403  

HEICO Corp.

    940       160,768  
   

 

 

 
      510,171  
Air Freight & Logistics — 1.2%            

GXO Logistics, Inc.(a)

    1,825       102,675  
   

 

 

 
Automobile Components — 1.4%            

Fox Factory Holding Corp.(a)

    1,868       116,769  
   

 

 

 
Beverages — 1.2%            

Davide Campari-Milano NV

    9,677       105,695  
   

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 1.3%            

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    2,899       111,930  
   

 

 

 
Broadline Retail — 0.3%            

Etsy, Inc.(a)

    362       27,443  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 1.3%            

AZEK Co., Inc. (The), Class A(a)

    3,263       112,541  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 7.2%            

Carlyle Group, Inc. (The)

    663       22,728  

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

    309       74,197  

Morningstar, Inc.

    546       154,715  

TPG, Inc., Class A

    4,714       164,990  

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A

    2,115       204,943  
   

 

 

 
          621,573  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.9%            

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,671       135,150  

GFL Environmental, Inc.

    3,914       112,332  
   

 

 

 
      247,482  
Construction & Engineering — 3.6%            

Comfort Systems U.S.A., Inc.(b)

    850       164,543  

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.(a)

    3,564       148,690  
   

 

 

 
      313,233  
Distributors — 1.2%            

Pool Corp.

    303       105,238  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 3.6%            

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a)

    922       80,620  

Duolingo, Inc., Class A(a)

    750       159,217  

European Wax Center, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,746       24,933  

Mister Car Wash, Inc.(a)

    6,530       47,538  
   

 

 

 
      312,308  
Entertainment — 3.5%            

Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty Formula One, Class C(a)

    2,686       170,991  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.(a)

    1,615       136,015  
   

 

 

 
      307,006  
Financial Services — 0.2%            

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

    92       14,600  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.3%            

Freshpet, Inc.(a)

    377       26,748  
   

 

 

 
Ground Transportation — 2.5%            

Saia, Inc.(a)

    553       215,886  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.1%            

Align Technology, Inc.(a)

    564       120,583  

Inmode Ltd.(a)

    785       18,644  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)            

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

    216     $ 31,387  

Teleflex, Inc.

    420       94,790  
   

 

 

 
          265,404  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.2%            

Surgery Partners, Inc.(a)

    3,199       104,767  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Technology — 0.5%            

Certara, Inc.(a)

    1,103       15,894  

Phreesia, Inc.(a)

    1,901       29,295  
   

 

 

 
      45,189  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 6.1%            

Churchill Downs, Inc.

    1,278       147,954  

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

    41       16,109  

Penn Entertainment, Inc.(a)

    922       22,644  

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,914       197,977  

Vail Resorts, Inc.

    662       143,859  
   

 

 

 
      528,543  
Industrial REITs — 0.3%            

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    543       26,726  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 0.4%            

Match Group, Inc.(a)

    988       31,991  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 5.0%            

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.(a)

    2,011       59,566  

Globant SA(a)

    936       206,669  

MongoDB, Inc., Class A(a)

    405       168,374  
   

 

 

 
      434,609  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 9.1%            

Azenta, Inc.(a)

    1,110       62,571  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    3,278       206,186  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(a)

    762       150,175  

Repligen Corp.(a)

    1,251       196,720  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    482       169,066  
   

 

 

 
      784,718  
Machinery — 3.8%            

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.(a)(c)

    56,895       94,674  

Graco, Inc.

    1,763       142,415  

IDEX Corp.

    465       93,781  
   

 

 

 
      330,870  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.5%            

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    449       69,330  

EQT Corp.

    1,440       57,543  

Texas Pacific Land Corp.

    54       90,285  
   

 

 

 
      217,158  
Professional Services — 3.5%            

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp., Class A

    1,561       195,328  

Fiverr International Ltd.(a)

    1,594       41,587  

Paylocity Holding Corp.(a)

    446       69,875  
   

 

 

 
      306,790  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 8.8%        

ASM International NV

    384       197,227  

Entegris, Inc.

    2,130       222,372  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.(a)

    2,550       149,303  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

    351       192,601  
   

 

 

 
      761,503  
Software — 12.4%            

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

    490       143,746  

Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)

    804       151,361  

Bentley Systems, Inc., Class B

    4,311       224,431  
 

 

 

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

  7


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)            

Confluent, Inc., Class A(a)

    5,231     $ 111,002  

Five9, Inc.(a)

    361       27,515  

HubSpot, Inc.(a)

    277       136,819  

JFrog Ltd.(a)

    2,626       70,849  

PagerDuty, Inc.(a)

    1,410       30,738  

Zscaler, Inc.(a)

    915       180,740  
   

 

 

 
      1,077,201  
Specialty Retail — 2.3%            

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,180       199,928  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.5%            

Figs, Inc., Class A(a)

    2,878       20,894  

On Holding AG, Class A(a)

    3,829       111,080  
   

 

 

 
      131,974  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.6%            

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.(a)

    974       137,159  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.7%

   

(Cost: $8,920,433)

      8,635,828  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 2.2%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(d)(e)

    31,847       31,847  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(d)(e)(f)

    156,278       156,400  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.2%
(Cost: $188,217)

      188,247  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.9%
(Cost: $9,108,650)

      8,824,075  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.9)%

 

    (167,222
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $     8,656,853  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this 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) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

 

 

 

8  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K R O C K   S E M I - A N N U A L   R E P O R T   T O   S H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
05/31/23
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
11/30/23
     Shares
Held at
11/30/23
     Income      Capital
Gain
Distributions
from Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $ 7,120      $ 24,727 (a)     $      $      $      $ 31,847        31,847      $ 794      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

     660,597               (504,341 )(a)       114        30        156,400        156,278        1,237 (b)        
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 114      $ 30      $ 188,247         $ 2,031      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Aerospace & Defense

   $ 510,171        $        $        $ 510,171  

Air Freight & Logistics

     102,675                            102,675  

Automobile Components

     116,769                            116,769  

Beverages

              105,695                   105,695  

Biotechnology

     111,930                            111,930  

Broadline Retail

     27,443                            27,443  

Building Products

     112,541                            112,541  

Capital Markets

     621,573                            621,573  

Commercial Services & Supplies

     247,482                            247,482  

Construction & Engineering

     313,233                            313,233  

Distributors

     105,238                            105,238  

Diversified Consumer Services

     312,308                            312,308  

Entertainment

     307,006                            307,006  

Financial Services

     14,600                            14,600  

Food Products

     26,748                            26,748  

Ground Transportation

     215,886                            215,886  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     265,404                            265,404  

Health Care Providers & Services

     104,767                            104,767  

Health Care Technology

     45,189                            45,189  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     528,543                            528,543  

Industrial REITs

     26,726                            26,726  

Interactive Media & Services

     31,991                            31,991  

IT Services

     434,609                            434,609  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     784,718                            784,718  

Machinery

     236,196          94,674                   330,870  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     217,158                            217,158  

Professional Services

     306,790                            306,790  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     564,276          197,227                   761,503  

Software

     1,077,201                            1,077,201  

Specialty Retail

     199,928                            199,928  

 

 

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

  9


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

  

BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Common Stocks (continued)

                 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

   $ 131,974        $        $        $ 131,974  

Trading Companies & Distributors

     137,159                            137,159  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     31,847                            31,847  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   8,270,079        $   397,596        $          8,667,675  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                    156,400  
                 

 

 

 
                  $   8,824,075  
                 

 

 

 

(a) Certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

 

     BlackRock
SMID-Cap
Growth
Equity
Fund
 

ASSETS

 

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 8,635,828  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    188,247  

Receivables:

 

Securities lending income — affiliated

    589  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    4,268  

Dividends — affiliated

    158  

From the Manager

    1,937  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    8,831,027  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Collateral on securities loaned

    156,542  

Payables:

 

Administration fees

    354  

Investment advisory fees

    4,767  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    3,131  

Professional fees

    9,358  

Service fees

    22  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    174,174  
 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 8,656,853  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 15,020,500  

Accumulated loss

    (6,363,647
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 8,656,853  
 

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 8,920,433  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 154,864  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 188,217  

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  11


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

 

     BlackRock
SMID-Cap
Growth
Equity
Fund
 

NET ASSET VALUE

 
Institutional      

Net assets

  $ 59,530  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    5,207  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 11.43  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001  
 

 

 

 
Investor A      

Net assets

  $ 114,882  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    10,109  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 11.36  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001  
 

 

 

 
Class K      

Net assets

  $   8,482,441  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    740,057  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 11.46  
 

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    Unlimited  
 

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.001  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Statement of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

     BlackRock
SMID-Cap
Growth
Equity
Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 19,250  

Dividends — affiliated

    794  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    1,237  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (15
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    21,266  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    30,827  

Professional

    9,178  

Trustees and Officer

    4,160  

Administration — class specific

    2,287  

Service — class specific

    137  

Miscellaneous

    58  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    46,647  

Less:

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (13,349
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    33,298  
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (12,032
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (528,082

Investments — affiliated

    114  

Foreign currency transactions

    20  
 

 

 

 
      (527,948
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    627,507  

Investments — affiliated

    30  

Foreign currency translations

    79  
 

 

 

 
    627,616  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    99,668  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 87,636  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  13


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund  
     Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment loss

  $ (12,032   $ (22,154

Net realized loss

    (527,948       (2,544,666

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    627,616       2,465,040  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    87,636       (101,780
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

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

    36,130       (17,247
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    123,766       (119,027

Beginning of period

    8,533,087       8,652,114  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $   8,656,853     $ 8,533,087  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund  
    Institutional  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited

 

 

 

   
Year Ended
05/31/23

 
   

Period from
06/29/21

to 05/31/22


(a)  

 

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.32     $ 11.45     $ 20.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.02     (0.04     (0.09

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.13       (0.09     (8.46
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.11       (0.13     (8.55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.43     $ 11.32     $ 11.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

     

Based on net asset value

    0.97 %(d)      (1.14 )%      (42.75 )%(d) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

     

Total expenses

    1.15 %(f)      1.23     1.06 %(f)(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.85 %(f)      0.85     0.85 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.37 )%(f)      (0.36 )%      (0.56 )%(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 60     $ 59     $ 59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    20     53     54
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 1.07%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  15


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited

 

 

 

   
Year Ended
05/31/23

 
   

Period from
06/29/21

to 05/31/22


(a)  

 

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.26     $ 11.43     $ 20.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.03     (0.07     (0.13

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.13       (0.10     (8.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.10       (0.17     (8.57
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.36     $ 11.26     $ 11.43  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

     

Based on net asset value

    0.89 %(d)      (1.49 )%      (42.85 )%(d) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

     

Total expenses

    1.41 %(f)      1.48     1.31 %(f)(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.10 %(f)      1.10     1.10 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.61 )%(f)       (0.61 )%      (0.80 )%(f)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 115     $ 82     $ 66  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    20     53     54
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 1.32%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund (continued)  
    Class K  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited

 

 

 

   
Year Ended
05/31/23

 
   

Period from

06/29/21

to 05/31/22

 

(a) 

 

       

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.34     $ 11.46     $ 20.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.02     (0.03     (0.07

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.14       (0.09     (8.47
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.12       (0.12     (8.54
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.46     $ 11.34     $ 11.46  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

     

Based on net asset value

    1.06 %(d)      (1.05 )%      (42.70 )%(d) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

     

Total expenses

    1.05 %(f)      1.13     0.96 %(f)(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.75 %(f)      0.75     0.75 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.27 )%(f)      (0.26 )%      (0.46 )%(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 8,482     $ 8,392     $ 8,528  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    20     53     54
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Audit costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 0.97%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

  17


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of the Trust. The Fund is classified as diversified.

The 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 Shares bear certain expenses related to shareholder servicing of such shares. Investor A Shares are generally available through financial intermediaries. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its shareholder servicing and distribution expenditures.

 

Share Class   Initial Sales Charge    CDSC      Conversion Privilege

Institutional and Class K Shares

  No      No      None

Investor A Shares

  Yes      No (a)     None

 

  (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.

The Fund, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager” or “BAL”) or its affiliates, is included in a complex of 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. The 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 using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend dates may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend dates. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class based on its relative net assets.

Foreign Currency Translation: The 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.

The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statement 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. The 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.

Foreign Taxes: The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Fund and are reflected in its Statement of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Foreign taxes withheld”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of November 30, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund files withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Fund may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statement of Operations includes tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Fund may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

Distributions: Distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. 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, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

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

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund is open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has approved the designation of the Fund’s Manager as the valuation designee for the Fund. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under the Manager’s policies. 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 the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. The Manager has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

 

   

The Fund values its investment in SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”) at fair value, which is ordinarily based upon its pro rata ownership in the underlying fund’s net assets.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Each business day, the Fund uses current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee in accordance with the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee seeks to determine the price that the 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 Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that the 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); and

 

   

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

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

As of November 30, 2023, certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  19


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund 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 the 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 Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities, but does 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.

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 Schedule of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of related collateral, if any, are shown separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value – unaffiliated and collateral on securities loaned, respectively.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund 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 Fund, 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 the 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 Fund’s securities on loan by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

Counterparty    
Securities
Loaned at Value

 
    
Cash
Collateral Received
 
(a) 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral Received,

at Fair Value

 
 

(a)  

    
Net
Amount
 
 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 154,864      $ (154,864    $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by the Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

  

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits 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. The 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 Fund.

 

5.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Fund’s investment adviser and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), to provide investment advisory services. The Manager is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Fund.

For such services, the Fund pays 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

    0.70

$1 billion - $3 billion

    0.66  

$3 billion - $5 billion

    0.63  

$5 billion - $10 billion

    0.61  

Greater than $10 billion

    0.60  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Service and Distribution Fees: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution and Service Plan 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, the 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 the Fund as follows:

 

Share Class   Service Fees     Distribution Fees  

Investor A

    0.25     N/A  

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

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific service and distribution fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

     Investor A  

Service — class specific

  $ 137  

Administration: The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, entered into an Administration Agreement with BAL, which has agreed to provide general administrative services (other than investment advice and related portfolio activities). BAL has agreed to bear all of the Fund’s ordinary operating expenses, excluding, generally, investment advisory fees, distribution fees, brokerage and other expenses related to the execution of portfolio transactions, extraordinary expenses and certain other expenses which are borne by the Fund. BAL is entitled to receive for these administrative services an annual fee based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

Institutional

    0.15

Investor A

    0.15  

Class K

    0.05  

From time to time, BAL may waive such fees in whole or in part. Any such waiver will reduce the expenses of the Fund and, accordingly, have a favorable impact on its performance. BAL may delegate certain of its administration duties to sub-administrators. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, there were no fees waived/reimbursed by the BAL pursuant to this arrangement.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific administration fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

     Institutional        Investor A        Class K        Total  

Administration — class specific

  $ 46        $ 82        $ 2,159        $   2,287  

Other Fees: For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of the Fund’s Investor A Shares for a total of $70.

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees the Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”) through June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. 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. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amount waived was $11.

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, there were no fees waived by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

The fees and expenses of the Fund’s Independent Trustees, counsel to the Independent Trustees and the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (together, the “independent expenses”) are paid directly by the Fund. BAL has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund or provide an offsetting credit for such independent expenses through June 30, 2025. The amount waived is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amount waived was $13,338.

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 Fund, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. The Fund is 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, Money Market Series, managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the Money Market Series to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the Money Market Series will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Fund. The Money Market Series may, impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of the Money Market Series. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. The Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits a remaining portion to BIM as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

 

 

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  21


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the Fund retains 81% 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, the Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 81% 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 the Fund is shown as securities lending income — affiliated — net in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund paid BIM $488 for securities lending agent services.

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the 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 the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. The Fund is 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

Trustees and Officers: Certain trustees and/or officers of the Trust are directors and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Trustees and Officer in the Statement of Operations.

 

6.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were $1,781,052 and $1,717,221, respectively.

 

7.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is the 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.

The 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 the Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for a period of three years after they are filed. The statutes of limitations on the 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 Fund as of November 30, 2023, 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 Fund’s financial statements.

As of May 31, 2023, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains of $5,507,684 and qualified late-year ordinary losses of $17,568.

As of November 30, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Fund Name   Tax Cost     Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
    Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund

  $   9,133,950     $ 1,066,267     $ (1,376,142   $ (309,875

 

8.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates (“Participating Funds”), is party to a 364-day, $2.50 billion credit agreement with a group of lenders. Under this agreement, the Fund may borrow to fund shareholder redemptions. Excluding commitments designated for certain individual funds, the Participating Funds, including the Fund, 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) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.80% per annum, (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 or (c) the sum of (x) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.10% and (y) 0.80% per annum. The agreement expires in April

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

2024 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Fund did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

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

The Fund 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 discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Fund manages 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 Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.

Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within the Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the Fund invests.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

 

 

N O T E S   T O   F I N A N C I A L   S T A T E M E N T S

  23


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

10.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended 11/30/23     Year Ended 05/31/23  
Share Class   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Institutional

       

Shares sold

        $       87     $ 973  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold

    3,833     $ 47,156       8,702     $ 97,672  

Shares redeemed

    (1,036     (11,560     (7,124     (73,826
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,797     $ 35,596       1,578     $ 23,846  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class K

       

Shares sold

    46     $ 535       82     $ 912  

Shares redeemed

    (a)       (1     (3,998     (42,978
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    46     $ 534       (3,916   $ (42,066
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,843     $ 36,130       (2,251   $ (17,247
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Rounds to less than 1.

       

As of November 30, 2023, shares owned by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund, were as follows:

 

Share Class       

Institutional

    5,000  

Investor A

    5,000  

Class K

    740,000  

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund 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.

 

 

24  

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Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for BlackRock SMID-Cap Growth Equity Fund (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, met on November 16-17, 2023 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Advisors, LLC or BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), each an investment adviser to certain BlackRock funds, as the program administrator for the Fund’s Program, as applicable. BlackRock also previously 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 management of the Fund’s Highly Liquid Investment Minimum (“HLIM”) where applicable, and any material changes to the Program (the “Report”). The Report covered the period from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing the Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish the Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to the Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including the imposition of capital controls in certain countries.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the 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 the 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 or reverse repurchase agreements), such borrowings were factored into the Program’s calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. A fund’s 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 redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish the Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size utilized for liquidity classifications. The 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 committed to the Fund, 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, and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF, a series of BlackRock ETF Trust II). The Committee also considered other types of borrowing available to the Fund, 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 other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. 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.

 

 

S T A T E M E N T  R E G A R D I N G  L I Q U I D I T Y  R I S K  M A N A G E M E N T  P R O G R A M

  25


Additional Information

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and ETFs

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Fund.

General Information

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Householding

The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, Rule 30e-3 notices and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Fund files its 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. The Fund’s Form N-PORT is available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, the Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com; and (3) 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 visit blackrock.com for more information.

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.

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.

 

 

26  

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Additional Information (continued)

 

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.

Fund and Service Providers

Investment Adviser and Administrator

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Wilmington, DE 19809

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

New York, NY 10286

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC

New York, NY 10001

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

Legal Counsel

Sidley Austin LLP

New York, NY 10019

Address of the Trust

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

 

A D D I T I O N A L   I N F O R M A T I O N

  27


 

 

 

 

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 the 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.

SMID-11/23-SAR

 

LOGO

  LOGO


 

LOGO

  NOVEMBER 30, 2023

 

  

2023 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

    

 

 

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.

BlackRock FundsSM

 

·  

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

 

·  

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

 

·  

BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

 

·  

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

 

 

 

    Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee  


 

The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The combination of continued economic growth and cooling inflation provided a supportive backdrop for investors during the 12-month reporting period ended November 30, 2023. Significantly tighter monetary policy helped to rein in inflation, as the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index declined to its long-term average of approximately 3% in November 2023. Meanwhile, real economic growth proved more resilient than many investors anticipated. A moderating labor market also helped ease inflationary pressure, although wages continued to grow. This robust labor market powered further growth in consumer spending, backstopping the economy. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a horrific attack on Israel. The ensuing war will have a significant humanitarian impact and could lead to heightened economic and market volatility. We see geopolitics as a structural market risk going forward. See our geopolitical risk dashboard at blackrock.com for more details.

Equity returns were solid during the period, as interest rates stabilized, and the economy proved to be more resilient than many investors expected. The U.S. economy continued to show strength, and growth further accelerated in the third quarter of 2023. However, equity returns were uneven, as the performance of a few notable technology companies supported gains among large-capitalization U.S. stocks, while small-capitalization U.S. stocks declined overall. Meanwhile, international developed market equities advanced strongly, while emerging market equities posted modest gains.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose during the reporting period, driving its price down, as investors reacted to elevated inflation and attempted to anticipate interest rate changes. The corporate bond market benefited from improving economic sentiment, although high-yield corporate bond prices fared significantly better than investment-grade bonds as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), attempting to manage persistent inflation, raised interest rates five times during the 12-month period, but slowed and then paused its tightening later in the period. The Fed also wound down its bond-buying programs and incrementally reduced its balance sheet by not replacing securities that reach maturity.

Supply constraints appear to have become an embedded feature of the new macroeconomic environment, making it difficult for developed economies to increase production without sparking higher inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and an aging population risk further exacerbating these constraints, keeping the labor market tight and wage growth high. Although the Fed has decelerated the pace of interest rate hikes and recently opted for several pauses, we believe that the new economic regime means that the Fed will need to maintain high rates for an extended period despite the market’s hopes for interest rate cuts, as reflected in the recent rally. Furthermore, ongoing structural changes may mean that the Fed will be hesitant to cut interest rates in the event of faltering economic activity lest inflation accelerate again.

While we favor an overweight position in developed market equities in the long term, we prefer an underweight stance in the near term. Nevertheless, we are overweight on Japanese stocks in the near term as shareholder-friendly policies generate increased investor interest. We also believe that stocks with an AI tilt should benefit from an investment cycle that is set to support revenues and margins. In credit, there are selective opportunities in the near term despite tightening credit and financial conditions. For fixed income investing with a six- to twelve-month horizon, we see the most attractive investments in short-term U.S. Treasuries, U.S. mortgage-backed securities, and hard-currency emerging market bonds.

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, 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 November 30, 2023
       6-Month       12-Month  

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

  10.17%   13.84%

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

  4.24    (2.57)

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

  5.12    12.36  

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  4.60    4.21

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

  2.69    4.91

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

  (3.98)   (2.27)

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

  (0.80)   1.18

Tax-exempt municipal bonds (Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

  2.29    4.28

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

  5.52    8.69

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

 

 

 

 

2  

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


 

Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

About Fund Performance

     14  

Disclosure of Expenses

     14  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     15  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedules of Investments

     16  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     34  

Statements of Operations

     38  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     41  

Financial Highlights

     44  

Notes to Financial Statements

     70  

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

     86  

Additional Information

     87  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     89  

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

 

  3


 

Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023

    

   BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital.

The Board of Directors of the Fund had previously approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Fund and BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Acquiring Fund”), pursuant to which the Fund will be reorganized into the Acquiring Fund (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was originally expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2023, but has been postponed. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days’ notice in advance of the closing of the Reorganization.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index. For the same period, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed the broad-market S&P 500® Index. The following discussion of relative performance pertains to the Russell 1000® Growth Index.

What factors influenced performance?

The largest positive contributors to the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark over the period included security selection in the information technology and healthcare sectors, along with positioning in consumer staples. In information technology, an overweight position in Intuit, Inc. in the software industry benefited performance. In healthcare, an overweight allocation to the pharmaceuticals industry, most notably to Eli Lilly and Company, contributed to performance. Lastly, a lack of exposure to the consumer staples sector, and particularly the beverages industry, proved beneficial.

The largest detractors from relative performance included stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector, most notably within the hotels, restaurants and leisure, and textiles, apparel and luxury goods sub-sectors. Specifically, off-benchmark positions in online casino technology provider Evolution AB and luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton detracted from relative performance. Within industrials, an off-benchmark position in garbage pickup and dumpster rental company Waste Connections, Inc. within commercial services and supplies weighed on relative performance.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Fund’s allocation to information technology increased driven by greater exposure to the software industry. The allocation to the real estate sector increased as well. Conversely, the allocation to consumer discretionary experienced the biggest decrease as exposure to the hotels, restaurants and leisure sub-sector declined. The Fund’s allocation to the healthcare sector decreased as well.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

As of period end, the Fund’s largest overweight position relative to the Russell 1000® Growth Index was in the financials sector, followed by information technology and healthcare. Conversely, the consumer staples sector was the largest underweight, followed by industrials and communication services.

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.

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
          1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  
     6-Month
Total
Returns
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    14.53     31.35     N/A       12.92     N/A       12.78     N/A  

Investor A

    14.34       30.99       24.11     12.62       11.41     12.48       11.87

Investor C

    13.92       29.90       28.90       11.72       11.72       11.76       11.76  

Class K

    14.57       31.49       N/A       13.02       N/A       12.90       N/A  

Class R

    14.16       30.59       N/A       12.26       N/A       12.15       N/A  

Russell 1000® Growth Index(c)

    13.14       26.17       N/A       16.36       N/A       14.69       N/A  

S&P 500® Index(d)

    10.17       13.84       N/A       12.51       N/A       11.82       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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees, and how performance was calculated for certain share classes.

 
(b) 

The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of common stock of U.S. companies that Fund management believes have exhibited above-average growth rates in earnings over the long term.

 
(c) 

An index that measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000® Companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

 
(d) 

An unmanaged index that covers 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

4  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

    

   BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.

 

Expense Example

 

   

                                   Actual                                   

         

                   Hypothetical 5% Return                  

        
     Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
     Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
     Expenses   
  Paid During   
the Period(a)
          Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
    Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
     Expenses   
  Paid During   
the Period(a)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,145.30      $ 4.08          $ 1,000.00     $ 1,021.20      $ 3.84           0.76

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,143.40        5.41            1,000.00       1,019.95        5.10           1.01  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,139.20        9.91            1,000.00       1,015.74        9.32           1.85  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,145.70        3.54            1,000.00       1,021.70        3.34           0.66  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,141.60        7.27                  1,000.00       1,018.22        6.86           1.36  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Microsoft Corp.

    10.2

Apple Inc.

    9.0  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    8.8  

NVIDIA Corp.

    6.3  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    4.3  

Intuit, Inc.

    4.2  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    4.1  

Broadcom, Inc.

    3.3  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    2.9  

Tesla, Inc.

    2.8  
SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(b)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Information Technology

    46.4

Consumer Discretionary

    14.6  

Health Care

    12.8  

Financials

    11.3  

Communication Services

    9.1  

Industrials

    3.2  

Energy

    1.1  

Materials

    1.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.6  

Short-Term Securities

    0.1  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (0.2
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  5


 

Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 

    

   BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to provide long-term growth of capital.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, the Fund’s Class K Shares outperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000® Health Care Index, while the Investor A, Investor C, Class R and Service Shares underperformed. For the same period, the Fund’s Institutional Shares performed in line.

What factors influenced performance?

An underweight position in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. was the largest contributor to relative performance at the individual stock level. The pharmaceutical company reported consistently weak earnings over the reporting period, citing slow growth for a few key products. An underweight in Pfizer, which was negatively impacted by waning COVID vaccine and Paxlovid sales, was another large contributor to results. An out-of-benchmark position in McKesson Corp., a drug distributor that reported strong earnings behind robust demand, was an additional contributor of note.

An overweight position in Biogen, Inc. was the largest detractor. The biopharma company saw weaker-than-expected demand for its Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi. An overweight in Penumbra, Inc. was another large detractor from relative returns. Shares of the medical device manufacturer came under pressure on concerns that the growth of GLP-1 weight loss drugs would negatively impact demand for the company’s products. An overweight in Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., which failed to receive FDA approval for its much-anticipated Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy gene therapy was also a key detractor.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund’s allocations to the healthcare providers (17.4% to 22.3%), biotechnology (22.8% to 24.1%), and pharmaceuticals (19.9% to 20.6%) subsectors increased. Conversely, its weighting in the medical devices and supplies (37.4% to 28.8%) subsector decreased.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The investment adviser continued to seek opportunities in stocks with attractive valuations, stable growth and promising product pipelines over the medium to long term. It also sought select growth companies in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices industries with the potential to benefit from innovation and technological developments. The investment adviser continued to have a positive view on the long-term secular drivers of growth in the healthcare sector, particularly aging demographics and innovations in medical science and technology.

The Fund was overweight in the and biotechnology healthcare providers and services subsectors at the end of the reporting period, and it was underweight in pharmaceuticals and medical devices and supplies.

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.

Performance

 

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

6-Month

Total

Returns

    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    1.73     (2.38 )%      N/A       7.76     N/A       11.46     N/A  

Service

    1.58       (2.66     N/A       7.43       N/A       11.13       N/A  

Investor A

    1.60       (2.62     (7.73 )%      7.48       6.33     11.16       10.56

Investor C

    1.22       (3.35     (4.30     6.68       6.68       10.51       10.51  

Class K

    1.78       (2.28     N/A       7.86       N/A       11.46       N/A  

Class R

    1.41       (2.97     N/A       7.11       N/A       10.79       N/A  

Russell 3000® Health Care Index(c)

    1.70       (4.27     N/A       7.58       N/A       10.44       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” 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 market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities, primarily common stock, of companies in health sciences and related industries.

 
(c) 

An unmanaged index that features companies involved in medical services or health care in the Russell 3000® Index, which includes the largest 3,000 U.S. companies as determined by total market capitalization.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

6  

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Fund Summary  as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

    

   BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

 

Expense Example

 

   

                                   Actual                                   

         

                   Hypothetical 5% Return                  

        
     Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
     Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
     Expenses   
  Paid During   
the Period(a)
          Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
    Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
     Expenses   
  Paid During   
the Period(a)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.30      $ 4.23          $ 1,000.00     $ 1,020.81      $ 4.24           0.84

Service

    1,000.00        1,015.80        5.72            1,000.00       1,019.33        5.70           1.13  

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,016.00        5.48            1,000.00       1,019.57        5.50           1.09  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,012.20        9.36            1,000.00       1,015.70        9.37           1.86  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,017.80        3.76            1,000.00       1,021.27        3.79           0.75  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,014.10        7.33                  1,000.00       1,017.72        7.36           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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    9.9

Eli Lilly & Co.

    9.3  

Boston Scientific Corp.

    4.4  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    4.1  

AbbVie, Inc.

    3.7  

Amgen, Inc.

    3.6  

Danaher Corp.

    3.1  

Abbott Laboratories

    3.0  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    2.6  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    2.5  
INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

   
Industry(b)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Biotechnology

    24.1

Health Care Providers & Services

    22.3  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    20.9  

Pharmaceuticals

    20.6  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    7.8  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.2  

Short-Term Securities

    4.7  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (0.6
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  7


 

Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023

    

   BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek to maximize total return while seeking to invest in issuers which are helping to address certain United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”) through their products and services.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, the Fund underperformed its benchmark, the FTSE Developed Core Infrastructure 50/50 Net Tax Index.

What factors influenced performance?

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund is benchmark agnostic, with a view of infrastructure that looks beyond the traditional benchmarks. The reference benchmark, the FTSE Developed Core Infrastructure 50/50 Net Tax Index, doesn’t incorporate sustainability criteria and has an 11% weighting in the midstream oil and gas sector. In contrast, energy is excluded from the Fund’s sustainable universe.

At the sector level, the U.S. tower, U.S. datacenter and Eurozone toll road sectors made the largest contributions to absolute performance. Among individual stocks, SBA Communications Corp., Digital Realty Trust, Inc. and Enel SpA were the leading contributors. On the other hand, positioning in Eurozone electric utilities, U.K. multi utilities and Canadian electric utilities detracted. Orsted AS, Smart Metering Systems PLC, and Aeroports de Paris SA were the largest detractors at the individual stock level.

The Fund’s cash position had no material impact on performance.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The investment adviser increased the Fund’s allocation to the Eurozone toll road and U.K. water utilities sectors. It decreased the portfolio’s weighting in U.S. datacenters.

The investment adviser initiated a position in Ferrovial SE, a Spain-listed toll road owner and operator with majority of its assets in North America, given its favorable sustainability characteristics and a potentially attractive opportunity from underappreciated growth in its managed lanes business. It also added a position in United Utilities Group PLC (“United Utilities”), the United Kingdom’s largest listed water and sewage utility. The investment adviser believed United Utilities was poised to see improving growth, and it has a positive view on the company’s new management team. The investment adviser added Xcel Energy, Inc. on the belief that short-term weakness related to regulatory changes was obscuring the company’s longer-term growth opportunities. Portland General Electric Co., the largest electric utility in Oregon, was another new addition based on the investment adviser’s positive view on the company’s growth outlook, balance sheet strength and potential to benefit from unique demographic and decarbonization tailwinds. The investment adviser reduced its position in Eversource Energy after a punitive rate case order against a competitor raised the odds of regulatory challenges.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund’s positioning was balanced across electricity networks (36%), transportation infrastructure (21%), communications infrastructure (19%), transportation infrastructure (17%), renewables energy development (10%), water infrastructure (5%), and social infrastructure (4%). The Fund had a modest cash position to provide the flexibility to capitalize on stock-specific opportunities.

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.

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
          1 Year     Since Inception(c)  
     6-Month
Total
Returns
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    (1.64 )%      1.97     N/A       (3.03 )%      N/A  

Investor A

    (1.84     1.64       (3.70 )%      (3.30     (5.68 )% 

Class K

    (1.62     2.01       N/A       (2.99     N/A  

FTSE Developed Core Infrastructure 50/50 Net Tax Index(d)

    0.59       (3.49     N/A       0.10       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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees.

 
(b) 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in the equity securities of infrastructure-related companies or derivatives with similar economic characteristics.

 
(c) 

The Fund commenced operations on September 30, 2021.

 
(d) 

Gives participants an industry-defined interpretation of infrastructure and adjusts the exposure to certain infrastructure sub-sectors. The constituent weights are adjusted as part of the semi-annual review according to three broad industry sectors: 50% utilities; 30% transportation, including capping of 7.5% for railroads/railways; and a 20% mix of other sectors, including pipelines, satellites and telecommunication towers.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

8  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

    

   BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

 

Expense Example

 

   

                                   Actual                                   

         

                   Hypothetical 5% Return                  

        
     Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
     Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
     Expenses   
  Paid During   
the Period(a)
           Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
    Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
     Expenses   
  Paid During   
the Period(a)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 983.60      $ 4.97          $ 1,000.00     $ 1,019.99      $ 5.05           1.00

Investor A

    1,000.00        981.60        6.20                  1,000.00       1,018.74        6.31           1.25  

Class K

    1,000.00        983.80        4.72                  1,000.00       1,020.24        4.80           0.95  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

National Grid PLC

    5.9

SBA Communications Corp.

    5.5  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    4.8  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C

    4.5  

SSE PLC

    4.2  

Ferrovial SE

    4.2  

Enel SpA

    4.1  

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    3.9  

American Tower Corp.

    3.6  

Cellnex Telecom SA

    3.5  
SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(b)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Utilities

    48.9

Industrials

    22.1  

Real Estate

    16.5  

Communication Services

    5.0  

Information Technology

    1.6  

Short-Term Securities

    5.0  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

    0.9  
 

 

(a)   

Excludes short-term securities.

(b)   

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

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  9


 

Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023

    

   BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, the Fund’s Institutional and Class K Shares outperformed its benchmark, the Russell Midcap® Growth Index, while its Investor C and Class R Shares underperformed and its Investor A and Service Shares performed in line.

What factors influenced performance?

The largest positive contributors to the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark over the period included security selection in the financials and information technology sectors, along with positioning in healthcare. In financials, an overweight position in KKR & Co., Inc. in the capital markets industry benefited performance. In information technology, overweighting the software industry, specifically CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., highlighted positive contributions. Lastly, within healthcare, overweighting the healthcare equipment and supplies industry proved beneficial.

The largest detractors from relative performance were stock selection in the consumer discretionary and industrials sectors, along with positioning in the energy sector. In consumer discretionary, stock selection among hotels, restaurants & leisure, specifically an off-benchmark position in online gaming technology company Evolution AB, detracted from relative performance. In industrials, an overweight position in SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. within the trading companies and distributors industry detracted from relative performance. Lastly, within energy an underweight allocation to the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry weighed on performance.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the period, the Fund’s allocation to the industrials sector increased with additions to the aerospace and defense industry. The Fund’s allocation to the information technology sector increased as well. Conversely, the allocation to consumer discretionary decreased the most, driven by hotels, restaurants and leisure. Exposure to the communication services sector decreased as well.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

Relative to the Russell MidCap® Growth Index, at the end of the reporting period the Fund’s largest overweight allocation was to the information technology sector, followed by industrials and real estate. Conversely, the consumer discretionary sector was the largest underweight, followed by healthcare and consumer staples.

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.

Performance

 

          Average Annual Total Returns(a)(b)  
          1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  
     6-Month
Total
Returns
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    8.84     10.33     N/A       9.20     N/A       11.16     N/A  

Service

    8.72       10.04       N/A       8.93       N/A       10.86       N/A  

Investor A

    8.73       10.03       4.25     8.93       7.76     10.85       10.26

Investor C

    8.31       9.21       8.21       8.12       8.12       10.20       10.20  

Class K

    8.89       10.40       N/A       9.29       N/A       11.24       N/A  

Class R

    8.56       9.77       N/A       8.66       N/A       10.57       N/A  

Russell Midcap® Growth Index(c)

    8.71       9.98       N/A       10.05       N/A       10.11       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” for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees, and how performance was calculated for certain share classes.

 
(b) 

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities issued by U.S. mid-capitalization companies which Fund management believes have above-average earnings growth potential.

 
(c) 

An index that measures the performance of the mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

10  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

    

   BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

 

Expense Example

 

   

                                    Actual                                

         

                    Hypothetical 5% Return                   

        
     Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
     Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
     Expenses   
  Paid During   
the  Period(a)
   

 

    Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
    Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
    

Expenses   

  Paid During   
the Period(a)

     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,088.40      $ 4.18          $ 1,000.00     $ 1,021.00      $ 4.04           0.80

Service

    1,000.00        1,087.20        5.48            1,000.00       1,019.75        5.30           1.05  

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,087.30        5.48            1,000.00       1,019.75        5.30           1.05  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,083.10        9.37            1,000.00       1,016.00        9.07           1.80  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,088.90        3.72            1,000.00       1,021.44        3.59           0.71  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,085.60        6.78                  1,000.00       1,018.50        6.56           1.30  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Copart, Inc.

    3.9

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

    3.3  

KKR & Co., Inc., Class A

    3.0  

MSCI, Inc., Class A

    3.0  

CoStar Group, Inc.

    2.8  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    2.8  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

    2.7  

Ares Management Corp., Class A

    2.7  

ANSYS, Inc.

    2.6  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    2.5  
SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(b)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Information Technology

    29.9

Industrials

    22.1  

Health Care

    16.2  

Financials

    11.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    9.1  

Communication Services

    4.0  

Real Estate

    2.8  

Energy

    2.5  

Materials

    1.4  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    0.9  

Short-Term Securities

    3.6  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (3.6
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  11


Fund Summary  as of November 30, 2023

    

   BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended November 30, 2023, all of the Fund’s share classes outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI All-Country World Information Technology Index with the exception of its Investor C Shares, which performed in line.

What factors influenced performance?

An underweight position in Apple Inc., which experienced profit-taking after a strong year-to-date rally amid signs of weakening demand for smartphones, was the largest contributor to relative performance. An overweight in the credit score provider Fair Isaac Corp. was also a top contributor on the strength of growth in its software offerings. An out-of-benchmark holding in MercadoLibre, Inc. further contributed to results. The Latin American e-commerce company saw continued earnings strength with accelerating growth from sustained market share gains in Brazil and Mexico.

An out-of-benchmark position in Adyen NV was the single largest detractor from performance. In August 2023, the Dutch payment company reported the slowest quarter for revenue growth in its history as enterprises opted for lower-cost competitors. An overweight in Wolfspeed, Inc. also detracted, as the silicon carbide wafer manufacturer reported larger-than-anticipated quarterly losses and further delays in the construction of its domestic fabrication facility. An out-of-benchmark holding in the Japanese payment processer GMO Payment Gateway, Inc., which lowered its growth forecast for 2024, was another detractor of note.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The investment adviser added several companies where it identified both near-term catalysts and long-term growth potential in the supply chain for generative artificial intelligence (“AI”). It also increased its holdings in cybersecurity companies, including those that stand to benefit from the advent of AI-generated malware and the consolidation trend in the cybersecurity industry. On the other hand, the investment adviser sold Chinese internet stocks based on their elevated valuations, an uncertain regulatory environment, and country-specific growth challenges.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund’s largest absolute weightings were in the software and semiconductors sub-sectors. In addition, it maintained an out-of-benchmark allocation to the internet sub-sector. The investment adviser maintained its exposure to long-term secular themes, such as AI, renewable energy, and electric vehicles, as well as to more nascent themes such as space and quantum computing. While high-growth assets were penalized by rising interest rates, the investment adviser believed the fundamentals of its portfolio holdings remained compelling. It viewed the secular growth trends driving technology as multi-year transformations that are likely to persist regardless of the macroeconomic environment or geopolitical developments.

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.

Performance

 

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

6-Month

Total

Returns

    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
   

Without

Sales
Charge

   

With

Sales

Charge

    Without
Sales
Charge
    With
Sales
Charge
 

Institutional

    12.19     30.00     N/A       17.12     N/A       17.59     N/A  

Service

    12.06       29.68       N/A       16.83       N/A       17.31       N/A  

Investor A

    12.03       29.68       22.87     16.82       15.57     17.27       16.64

Investor C

    11.65       28.70       27.70       15.95       15.95       16.55       16.55  

Class K

    12.23       30.07       N/A       17.18       N/A       17.62       N/A  

Class R

    11.92       29.34       N/A       16.54       N/A       16.96       N/A  

MSCI All-Country World Information Technology Index(c)

    11.68       33.17       N/A       20.18       N/A       17.49       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” 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 market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. technology companies in all market capitalization ranges, selected for their rapid and sustainable growth potential from the development, advancement and use of technology. The Fund’s total returns prior to December 30, 2017 are the returns of the Fund when it followed different investment strategies under the name BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio.

 
(c) 

An index that includes large- and mid-cap securities across certain Developed Markets countries and certain Emerging Markets countries. All securities in the index are classified in the Information Technology sector as per the Global Industry Classification Standard.

 

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

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

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

 

 

12  

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Fund Summary as of November 30, 2023 (continued)

    

   BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

 

Expense Example

 

   

                                   Actual                                   

         

                    Hypothetical 5% Return                   

          
    

Beginning

Account Value

(06/01/23)

    

Ending

  Account Value

(11/30/23)

    

Expenses   

  Paid During   

the Period(a)

          Beginning
Account Value
(06/01/23)
     Ending
  Account Value
(11/30/23)
    

Expenses   

  Paid During   

the Period(a)

       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,121.90      $ 4.88          $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.40      $ 4.65             0.92

Service

    1,000.00        1,120.60        6.20            1,000.00        1,019.15        5.91             1.17  

Investor A

    1,000.00        1,120.30        6.20            1,000.00        1,019.15        5.91             1.17  

Investor C

    1,000.00        1,116.50        10.16            1,000.00        1,015.40        9.67             1.92  

Class K

    1,000.00        1,122.30        4.56            1,000.00        1,020.70        4.34             0.86  

Class R

    1,000.00        1,119.20        7.52                  1,000.00        1,017.90        7.16             1.42  

 

(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 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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

Portfolio Information

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Microsoft Corp.

    10.3

Apple Inc.

    9.5  

NVIDIA Corp.

    7.9  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

    3.6  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    2.7  

Broadcom, Inc.

    2.7  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    2.6  

ASML Holding NV

    2.4  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    2.3  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    2.3  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

   
Industry(b)   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Software

    31.9

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    26.9  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    10.8  

Interactive Media & Services

    5.7  

Financial Services

    5.1  

Broadline Retail

    4.6  

Entertainment

    3.3  

IT Services

    3.0  

Automobiles

    2.1  

Professional Services

    1.6  

Communications Equipment

    1.5  

Ground Transportation

    1.0  

Other (each representing less than 1%)

    2.6  

Short-Term Securities

    1.3  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (1.4
 
(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 

 

U N D   S U M M A R Y

  13


 

About Fund Performance

    

 

Institutional and Class K Shares are not subject to any sales charge. These shares bear no ongoing distribution or service fees and are available only to certain eligible investors. BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of August 15, 2016 is that of BlackRock Shares. BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of June 8, 2016 is that of Investor A Shares. BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of March 28, 2016 is that of Institutional Shares. BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund’s Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of December 10, 2019 is that of Institutional Shares. The performance of each Fund’s Class K Shares would be substantially similar to Investor A Shares or Institutional Shares, as applicable, because the share classes of a Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities and performance would only differ to the extent that Class K Shares and Investor A Shares or Institutional Shares, as applicable, have different expenses. The actual returns of Class K Shares would have been higher than those of the Investor A Shares or Institutional Shares, as applicable, because Class K Shares have lower expenses than the Investor A Shares and Institutional Shares.

Service Shares (not available in BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund) are not subject to any sales charge. These shares are subject to a service fee of 0.25% per year (but no distribution fee) and are only available to certain eligible investors.

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.

Investor C Shares (not available in BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund) 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. These shares automatically convert to Investor A Shares after approximately eight years.

Class R Shares (not available in BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities 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.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and trading in many instruments has been disrupted. These circumstances may continue for an extended period of time and may continue to affect adversely the value and liquidity of each Fund’s investments. As a result, 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 assume reinvestment of all distributions, if any, at net asset value (“NAV”) on the ex-dividend date or payable date, as applicable. 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(s) and/or reimbursement(s), each Fund’s performance would have been lower. With respect to each Fund’s voluntary waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to waive and/or reimburse or to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees and such voluntary waiver(s) may be reduced or discontinued at any time. With respect to each Fund’s contractual waiver(s), if any, the Manager is under no obligation to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees after the applicable termination date of such agreement. See 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, administration fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other fund expenses. The expense examples shown (which are based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held through the end of the period) 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. Annualized expense ratios reflect contractual and voluntary fee waivers, if any. 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.

 

 

14  

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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. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, among other things, the Funds must either use derivative financial instruments with embedded leverage in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. 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.

 

 

E R I V A T I V E   F I N A N C I A L   I N S T R U M E N T S

  15


 

Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   

Aerospace & Defense — 2.0%

   

TransDigm Group, Inc.

    68,453     $        65,911,340  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 2.8%            

Tesla, Inc.(a)

    377,734       90,686,379  
   

 

 

 
Broadline Retail — 8.8%            

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    1,946,722       284,396,617  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 5.1%            

Blackstone, Inc., Class A, NVS

    354,135       39,794,150  

MSCI, Inc., Class A

    125,558       65,396,884  

S&P Global, Inc.

    144,594       60,126,523  
   

 

 

 
      165,317,557  
Chemicals — 1.0%            

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    121,504       33,875,315  
   

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.2%            

Copart, Inc.(a)

    309,917       15,564,032  

Waste Connections, Inc.

    179,313       24,295,118  
   

 

 

 
      39,859,150  
Entertainment — 2.4%            

Netflix, Inc.(a)

    166,296       78,819,315  
   

 

 

 
Financial Services — 6.2%            

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    162,562       67,273,032  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    519,329       133,301,368  
   

 

 

 
      200,574,400  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.6%  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    556,846       31,122,123  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    56,207       26,182,345  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    187,409       58,254,213  
   

 

 

 
      115,558,681  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.8%            

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    163,178       90,232,539  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.0%            

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(a)

    3,392       7,470,032  

Evolution AB(b)

    239,333       24,794,911  
   

 

 

 
      32,264,943  
Interactive Media & Services — 5.7%            

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,044,141       138,380,007  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    141,402       46,259,664  
   

 

 

 
      184,639,671  
IT Services — 1.5%            

MongoDB, Inc., Class A(a)

    20,469       8,509,782  

Shopify, Inc., Class A(a)

    554,121       40,351,091  
   

 

 

 
      48,860,873  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 2.7%            

Danaher Corp.

    211,356       47,197,908  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    84,750       42,015,660  
   

 

 

 
      89,213,568  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.1%            

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    195,568       35,622,711  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 3.7%            

Eli Lilly & Co.

    157,895       93,322,261  

Zoetis, Inc., Class A

    149,433       26,400,328  
   

 

 

 
      119,722,589  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.6%

 

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)

    238,036     $ 19,766,510  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 14.4%  

ASML Holding NV, Registered Shares

    131,028       89,591,705  

Broadcom, Inc.

    116,651       107,987,330  

KLA Corp.

    121,319       66,072,754  

NVIDIA Corp.

    436,029       203,930,764  
   

 

 

 
      467,582,553  
Software — 21.5%            

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    259,260       70,847,980  

Intuit, Inc.

    239,481       136,853,812  

Microsoft Corp.

    873,418       330,946,815  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)

    166,125       49,021,826  

Roper Technologies, Inc.

    102,281       55,052,748  

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)

    82,104       56,301,997  
   

 

 

 
      699,025,178  
Specialty Retail — 0.8%            

Ross Stores, Inc.

    195,314       25,465,039  
   

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 9.0%  

Apple Inc.

    1,530,415       290,702,329  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.3%            

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    54,403       41,633,476  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 99.2%

    (Cost: $1,546,482,231)

      3,219,730,733  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

   

Preferred Stocks — 0.9%

   
Interactive Media & Services — 0.9%            

Bytedance Ltd., Series E-1 (Acquired 11/11/20, cost $19,426,516)(a)(c)(d)

    177,291       31,260,446  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.1%

    (Cost: $1,565,908,747)

      3,250,991,179  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 0.1%

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(e)(f)

    1,635,299       1,635,299  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.1%

    (Cost: $1,635,299)

      1,635,299  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.2%

    (Cost: $1,567,544,046)

      3,252,626,478  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.2)%

 

    (5,852,295
   

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%         $  3,246,774,183  
   

 

 

 

 

(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 $31,260,446, representing 1.0% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $19,426,516.

(e)   

Affiliate of the Fund.

(f)   

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

05/31/23

    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund,

                 

Institutional Class

  $   1,248,701     $ 386,598 (a)    $     $     $     $   1,635,299       1,635,299     $   80,090     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money

                 

Market Series(b)

                (3,536 )(a)      3,536                         5,978 (c)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 3,536     $     $ 1,635,299       $   86,068     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Aerospace & Defense

   $ 65,911,340        $        $        $ 65,911,340  

Automobiles

     90,686,379                            90,686,379  

Broadline Retail

     284,396,617                            284,396,617  

Capital Markets

     165,317,557                            165,317,557  

Chemicals

     33,875,315                            33,875,315  

Commercial Services & Supplies

     39,859,150                            39,859,150  

Entertainment

     78,819,315                            78,819,315  

Financial Services

     200,574,400                            200,574,400  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     115,558,681                            115,558,681  

Health Care Providers & Services

     90,232,539                            90,232,539  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     7,470,032          24,794,911                   32,264,943  

Interactive Media & Services

     184,639,671                            184,639,671  

IT Services

     48,860,873                            48,860,873  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     89,213,568                            89,213,568  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     35,622,711                            35,622,711  

Pharmaceuticals

     119,722,589                            119,722,589  

Real Estate Management & Development

     19,766,510                            19,766,510  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     467,582,553                            467,582,553  

Software

     699,025,178                            699,025,178  

Specialty Retail

     25,465,039                            25,465,039  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     290,702,329                            290,702,329  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

              41,633,476                   41,633,476  

Preferred Securities

                       31,260,446          31,260,446  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     1,635,299                            1,635,299  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   3,154,937,645        $   66,428,387        $   31,260,446        $   3,252,626,478  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  17


 

Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Biotechnology — 23.7%

 

AbbVie, Inc.

    2,069,520     $      294,678,953  

Abcam PLC, ADR(a)

    1,059,945       25,406,882  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    184,507       31,043,303  

Amgen, Inc.

    1,050,915       283,368,721  

Argenx SE, ADR(a)

    161,682       72,855,526  

BeiGene Ltd., ADR(a)(b)

    96,865       18,107,943  

Biogen, Inc.(a)

    596,508       139,630,593  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    642,970       58,561,708  

Biomea Fusion, Inc.(a)

    137,217       2,067,860  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)

    400,250       27,873,410  

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.(a)(b)

    419,920       6,739,716  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(a)

    312,854       8,112,304  

CureVac NV(a)(b)

    310,911       1,678,919  

Exact Sciences Corp.(a)

    280,808       17,971,712  

Frequency Therapeutics, Inc., CVR(a)

    8,560       116  

Genesis Therapeutics, Inc., Series B (Acquired 08/10/23, cost
$4,207,998)(a)(c)(d)

    823,870       4,209,976  

Genmab A/S(a)

    42,470       13,357,469  

Genmab A/S, ADR(a)(b)

    289,405       9,148,092  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    2,723,422       208,614,125  

Immuneering Corp., Class A(a)(b)

    264,380       1,734,333  

Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(b)

    181,355       9,562,849  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    398,775       21,669,434  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    365,540       18,083,264  

Kartos Therapeutics, Inc., Series C (Acquired 08/22/23, cost
$6,974,988)(a)(c)(d)

    1,233,856       6,971,286  

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    38,125       7,289,881  

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR(a)

    465,786       28,329,105  

Merus NV(a)

    338,562       8,376,024  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    228,510       12,967,943  

Moderna, Inc.(a)

    514,004       39,938,111  

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics(a)(b)

    144,884       6,361,856  

Morphic Holding, Inc.(a)(b)

    111,625       2,645,513  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    141,165       16,458,427  

Nuvalent, Inc., Class A(a)

    201,512       13,172,839  

Prime Medicine, Inc.(a)(b)

    360,982       2,620,729  

Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    403,935       7,355,656  

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    287,575       6,619,977  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    132,462       109,123,520  

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.(a)(b)

    260,118       6,068,553  

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    690,347       23,078,300  

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    266,176       6,209,886  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    526,617       42,803,430  

Seagen, Inc.(a)

    341,700       72,853,857  

Tenaya Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    431,076       810,423  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    203,611       7,910,287  

Vaxcyte, Inc.(a)

    405,425       20,988,852  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    396,229       140,586,012  

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    251,795       3,076,935  

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    448,099       16,391,461  
   

 

 

 
      1,883,486,071  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 20.9%  

Abbott Laboratories

    2,298,783       239,740,079  

ABIOMED INC, CVR(a)(c)

    243,643       662,709  

Alcon, Inc.

    1,276,433       96,536,628  

Align Technology, Inc.(a)

    128,790       27,535,302  

Baxter International, Inc.

    857,481       30,937,914  

Becton Dickinson & Co.

    557,620       131,698,692  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    6,262,123       349,990,054  

Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)

    197,962       66,697,357  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

Dexcom, Inc.(a)

    486,545     $        56,205,678  

Envista Holdings Corp.(a)(b)

    322,825       7,324,899  

GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc.(b)

    610,150       41,770,869  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)(b)

    109,065       50,804,658  

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

    83,905       12,192,236  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

    595,159       184,999,224  

Masimo Corp.(a)

    218,960       20,529,690  

Medtronic PLC

    1,139,497       90,327,927  

Orchestra BioMed Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    262,308       1,631,556  

Penumbra, Inc.(a)

    169,035       37,540,983  

STERIS PLC

    145,075       29,151,371  

Stryker Corp.

    600,360       177,904,679  
   

 

 

 
      1,654,182,505  
Health Care Providers & Services — 22.3%  

Cencora, Inc.

    884,445       179,869,580  

Centene Corp.(a)

    1,082,935       79,790,651  

Cigna Group (The)

    440,846       115,889,596  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    407,647       195,462,660  

Guardant Health, Inc.(a)

    219,046       5,513,388  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    315,226       78,957,808  

Humana, Inc.

    222,420       107,842,561  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    93,970       20,383,033  

McKesson Corp.

    367,850       173,095,496  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    162,538       22,305,090  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    1,420,784       785,650,928  
   

 

 

 
      1,764,760,791  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 7.8%  

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    212,123       9,231,593  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    340,743       43,546,955  

Avantor, Inc.(a)(b)

    1,282,066       27,154,158  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    185,865       11,690,909  

Danaher Corp.

    1,086,677       242,665,841  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    128,342       27,478,022  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

    14,110       15,407,132  

Nautilus Biotechnology, Inc.(a)

    308,716       848,969  

QIAGEN NV(a)

    506,921       20,864,868  

Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc., Class A(a)

    377,456       441,624  

Repligen Corp.(a)(b)

    117,900       18,539,775  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    270,197       133,952,865  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    201,490       70,674,632  
   

 

 

 
      622,497,343  
Pharmaceuticals — 20.5%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    246,769       31,760,750  

Catalent, Inc.(a)

    302,607       11,756,282  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    504,500       13,670,511  

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(a)

    1,398,355       16,472,622  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    1,252,586       740,328,429  

Johnson & Johnson

    1,013,858       156,803,278  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    3,204,144       328,360,677  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    956,675       97,738,372  

Pfizer, Inc.

    3,951,494       120,402,022  

Sanofi SA

    388,736       36,255,440  

Structure Therapeutics, Inc. (Acquired 09/29/23,cost $6,024,914)(a)(d)

    482,379       8,954,562  

Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR(a)(b)

    213,033       11,863,808  

Zoetis, Inc., Class A

    294,631       52,052,459  
   

 

 

 
      1,626,419,212  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 95.2%

    (Cost: $4,694,176,948)

      7,551,345,922  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

18  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  

 

 

Other Interests(a)(c)(d)(e)

   

Afferent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Series C (Acquired 06/30/15, cost $0)

  USD 3,421     $ 718,334  

Affinivax Inc. (Acquired 08/19/22,
cost $0)

    123       1,648,298  
   

 

 

 
Total Other Interests — 0.0%
    (Cost: $0)
                 2,366,632  
   

 

 

 
    Shares        

 

 

Preferred Securities

   

Preferred Stocks — 0.7%

   
Biotechnology — 0.3%            

Adarx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Series C (Acquired 08/02/23, cost $6,399,994)(a)(c)(d)

    769,230       6,399,994  

Cellarity, Inc., Series B (Acquired 01/15/21, cost $5,149,998)(a)(c)(d)

    858,333       2,849,665  

Goldfinch Bio, Inc., Series B (Acquired 06/26/20 - 03/21/22, cost $4,152,184)(a)(c)(d)

    3,518,800       1,196,392  

Laronde, Inc., Series B (Acquired 07/28/21, cost $10,822,560)(a)(c)(d)

    386,520       10,822,560  

Neurogene, Inc., Series B (Acquired 12/14/20 - 09/22/21, cost $5,099,600)(a)(c)(d)

    2,090,000       2,319,900  
   

 

 

 
      23,588,511  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.1%  

Exo Imaging, Inc., Series C (Acquired 06/24/21,cost $11,178,997)(a)(c)(d)

    1,908,330       5,037,991  

Swift Health Systems, Inc., Series D (Acquired 08/27/21, cost $5,271,070)(a)(c)(d)

    1,700,345       1,411,287  
   

 

 

 
      6,449,278  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%  

Quanta Dialysis Technologies Ltd., Series D (Acquired 06/18/21, cost $9,727,321)(a)(c)(d)

    80,024,425       5,354,422  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%            

Insitro, Series C (Acquired 03/10/21, cost $10,839,964)(a)(c)(d)

    592,636       6,187,120  
   

 

 

 
Software — 0.2%            

Carbon Health Technologies, Inc. (Acquired 07/09/21, cost $16,855,000)(a)(c)(d)

    1,670,499       13,647,977  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 0.7%

    (Cost: $85,496,687)

      55,227,308  
   

 

 

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Warrants(a)

   

Biotechnology — 0.0%

   

Nuvation Bio, Inc. (Issued/Exercisable 08/17/20, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 07/07/27, Strike Price USD 0.00)

    77,354     $ 3,868  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%  

CareMax, Inc. (Issued/Exercisable 09/15/20, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 07/16/25, Strike Price USD 0.00)(b)

    88,432       2,697  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%

    (Cost: $306,235)

      6,565  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 95.9%

    (Cost: $4,779,979,870)

      7,608,946,427  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 4.7%

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(f)(g)

    313,146,239       313,146,239  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(f)(g)(h)

    58,834,212       58,857,746  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 4.7%

    (Cost: $371,965,352)

      372,003,985  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 100.6%

    (Cost: $5,151,945,222)

      7,980,950,412  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.6)%

 

    (50,501,576
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   7,930,448,836  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)   

Non-income producing security.

(b)   

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(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 $77,729,764, representing 1.0% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $102,704,587.

(e)   

Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.

(f)   

Affiliate of the Fund.

(g)   

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h)   

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

 

 

 

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

  19


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

05/31/23

   

Purchases

at Cost

    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $   211,473,753     $   101,672,486 (a)    $     $     $     $   313,146,239       313,146,239     $   4,641,903     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    47,521,743       11,310,032 (a)            20,603       5,368       58,857,746       58,834,212       425,410 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 20,603     $ 5,368     $ 372,003,985       $ 5,067,313     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

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

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency Purchased      Currency Sold      Counterparty    Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
 (Depreciation)
 

USD

     88,893,484      EUR      82,488,400      Goldman Sachs International      12/14/23      $ (954,026

USD

     72,404,938      EUR      67,184,700      HSBC Bank PLC      12/14/23        (773,570

USD

     53,114,363      GBP      42,539,100      Standard Chartered Bank      12/14/23        (596,462
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (2,324,058
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $  —      $  —      $  —      $  2,324,058      $  —      $  —      $  2,324,058  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended November 30 2023, 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:

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $  —      $  —      $  —      $   (2,386,899 )    $  —      $  —      $   (2,386,899
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 94,083      $      $      $ 94,083  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

20  

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

 

Average amounts purchased — in USD

       $176,104,930

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

Derivative Financial Instruments – Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $   2,324,058  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

   $      $ 2,324,058  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 2,324,058  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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
Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

     Derivatives
Available
for Offset(a)
     Non-
Cash
Collateral
Pledged(b)
     Cash
Collateral
Pledged(b)
    

Net

Amount of
Derivative
Liabilities(c)(d)

 

Goldman Sachs International

   $ 954,026      $      $      $      $ 954,026  

HSBC Bank PLC

     773,570                             773,570  

Standard Chartered Bank

     596,462                             596,462  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,324,058      $      $      $      $ 2,324,058  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (c) 

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

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Biotechnology

   $   1,858,947,224        $ 13,357,585        $ 11,181,262        $ 1,883,486,071  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     1,653,519,796                   662,709          1,654,182,505  

Health Care Providers & Services

     1,764,760,791                            1,764,760,791  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     622,497,343                            622,497,343  

Pharmaceuticals

     1,438,039,577          188,379,635                   1,626,419,212  

Other Interests

                       2,366,632          2,366,632  

Preferred Securities

                       55,227,308          55,227,308  

Warrants

     6,565                            6,565  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     313,146,239                            313,146,239  

 

 

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

  21


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Liabilities

                 

Unfunded Commitments(a)

   $        $        $ (1,108,365      $ (1,108,365
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 7,650,917,535        $ 201,737,220        $ 68,329,546          7,920,984,301  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(b)

                    58,857,746  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 7,979,842,047  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(c)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $        $ (2,324,058      $        $ (2,324,058
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Unfunded commitments are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the commitment.

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%

 

Smart Metering Systems PLC

    10,666     $ 86,986  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 4.2%            

Ferrovial SE

    10,808       373,787  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 5.0%  

Cellnex Telecom SA(a)

    8,143       310,888  

Infrastrutture Wireless Italiane SpA(a)

    10,926       135,108  
   

 

 

 
      445,996  
Electric Utilities — 29.0%  

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    72,234       345,461  

Enel SpA

    52,125       368,359  

Eversource Energy

    2,265       134,564  

Exelon Corp.

    2,338       90,036  

Hydro One Ltd.(a)

    6,065       168,593  

Orsted AS(a)

    4,584       215,850  

Portland General Electric Co.

    5,043       207,065  

SSE PLC

    16,176       374,806  

Terna - Rete Elettrica Nazionale

    52,557       423,458  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    4,146       252,243  
   

 

 

 
        2,580,435  
Ground Transportation — 4.8%  

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd.

    2,526       181,853  

CSX Corp.

    5,037       162,695  

West Japan Railway Co.

    2,200       86,949  
   

 

 

 
      431,497  
Health Care REITs — 2.4%  

Aedifica SA

    1,446       90,537  

Physicians Realty Trust

    10,719       125,198  
   

 

 

 
      215,735  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 7.9%  

Boralex, Inc., Class A

    8,343       189,554  

Clearway Energy, Inc., Class C

    15,963       398,596  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    6,231       113,804  
   

 

 

 
      701,954  
IT Services — 1.6%            

NEXTDC Ltd.(b)

    16,351       140,405  
   

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 6.9%            

National Grid PLC

    40,715       528,044  

REN - Redes Energeticas Nacionais SGPS SA

    31,694       84,122  
   

 

 

 
      612,166  
Security   Shares     Value  

Office REITs — 1.5%

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    1,234     $ 135,000  
   

 

 

 
Specialized REITs — 12.6%            

American Tower Corp.

    1,540       321,521  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    648       89,929  

Equinix, Inc.

    272       221,683  

SBA Communications Corp.

    1,978       488,487  
   

 

 

 
      1,121,620  
Transportation Infrastructure — 12.0%            

Aena SME SA(a)

    525       90,288  

Aeroports de Paris SA

    705       86,928  

Enav SpA(a)

    20,993       75,026  

Flughafen Zurich AG, Registered Shares

    425       90,063  

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide(b)

    3,188       182,348  

Getlink SE

    15,125       276,381  

Salik Co. PJSC

    110,325       96,129  

Transurban Group

    20,632       176,280  
   

 

 

 
      1,073,443  
Water Utilities — 5.2%            

Severn Trent PLC

    6,320       207,526  

United Utilities Group PLC

    18,866       259,971  
   

 

 

 
      467,497  
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 94.1%
    (Cost: $8,628,884)
        8,386,521  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 5.0%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(c)(d)

    440,923       440,923  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 5.0%

    (Cost: $440,923)

      440,923  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 99.1%

    (Cost: $9,069,807)

      8,827,444  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.9%

      82,054  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   8,909,498  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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.

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

(d) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

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

  23


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Value at
05/31/23
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
11/30/23
     Shares
Held at
11/30/23
     Income     

Capital

Gain
Distributions
from Underlying
Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $  733,814      $      $  (292,891 )(a)     $      $      $ 440,923        440,923      $ 12,323      $  

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

                   (1 )(a)       1                             12 (c)        
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ 1      $      $  440,923         $ 12,335      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

OTC Total Return Swaps

 

 

 
Reference Entity   

Payment  

Frequency

   Counterparty(a)      Termination
Date
     Net
Notional
     Accrued
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Net Value of
Reference
Entity
    

Gross Notional 

Amount 

Net Asset 

Percentage 

 

 

 

Equity Securities Long/Short

   Monthly        Goldman Sachs Bank USA (c)       08/19/26      $   95,210      $ 3,562 (b)     $ 98,917        1.1
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  (a) 

The Fund receives the total return on a portfolio of long positions underlying the total return swap. The Fund pays the total return on a portfolio of short positions underlying the total return swap. In addition, the Fund pays or receives a variable rate of interest, based on a specified benchmark. The benchmark and spread are determined based upon the country and/or currency of the individual underlying positions.

 
  (b) 

Amount includes $(145) of net dividends and financing fees.

 

The following are the specified benchmarks (plus or minus a range) used in determining the variable rate of interest:

 

 

(c)

Range:   26 basis points
Benchmarks:   Euro Short-Term Rate:
      EUR 1 Day

 

The following table represents the individual long positions and related values of equity securities underlying the total return swap with Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as of period end, termination date August 19, 2026:

 

 

 
       Shares        Value        % of
Basket
Value
 

 

 

Reference Entity — Long

 

    
Common Stocks               

Electric Utilities

              

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

       20,683        $ 98,917          100.0
         

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Value of Reference Entity — Goldman Sachs Bank USA

          $   98,917       
         

 

 

      

    

 

 

 

 

24  

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

 

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

 

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

 

     Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

OTC Swaps

  $      $      $ 3,562      $  —  

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

                   

Swaps — OTC

                   

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps;

                   

Swap premiums paid

  $      $      $ 3,562      $      $      $      $ 3,562  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended November 30, 2023, 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:

                                

Swaps

   $        $        $ (16,173      $        $        $        $   (16,173
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                                

Swaps

   $        $        $ 10,325        $        $        $        $ 10,325  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Total return swaps

        

Average notional amount

   $ 93,862  

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

Derivative Financial Instruments – Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

       

Swaps — OTC(a)

   $   3,562        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

   $ 3,562        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

               
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 3,562        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

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

  25


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

 

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

 

Counterparty   

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

      

Derivatives

Available

for Offset(a)

      

Non-

Cash

Collateral

Received(b)

      

Cash

Collateral

Received(b)

      

Net

Amount of

Derivative

Assets(c)

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

   $ 3,562        $        $        $        $ 3,562  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, 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.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Commercial Services & Supplies

   $ 86,986        $        $        $ 86,986  

Construction & Engineering

              373,787                   373,787  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

              445,996                   445,996  

Electric Utilities

     852,501          1,727,934                   2,580,435  

Ground Transportation

     344,548          86,949                   431,497  

Health Care REITs

     125,198          90,537                   215,735  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

     588,150          113,804                   701,954  

IT Services

              140,405                   140,405  

Multi-Utilities

              612,166                   612,166  

Office REITs

     135,000                            135,000  

Specialized REITs

     1,121,620                            1,121,620  

Transportation Infrastructure

     96,129          977,314                   1,073,443  

Water Utilities

     207,526          259,971                   467,497  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     440,923                            440,923  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   3,998,581        $   4,828,863        $        $   8,827,444  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets

                 

Equity Contracts

   $        $ 3,562        $        $ 3,562  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are swaps. Swaps are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

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Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 6.4%

 

Axon Enterprise, Inc.(a)(b)

    1,076,251     $ 247,397,818  

HEICO Corp.(b)

    1,348,302       230,600,091  

TransDigm Group, Inc.

    263,206       253,433,161  
   

 

 

 
    731,431,070  
Automobiles — 2.4%  

Ferrari NV

    756,113       271,414,322  
   

 

 

 
Beverages — 0.9%  

Davide Campari-Milano NV

    9,461,757       103,344,433  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 11.1%  

Ares Management Corp., Class A

    2,727,142       306,121,689  

KKR & Co., Inc., Class A

    4,561,044       345,909,577  

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

    44,234       10,621,468  

MSCI, Inc., Class A

    662,859       345,250,110  

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A

    2,794,116       270,749,841  
   

 

 

 
        1,278,652,685  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 7.3%  

Cintas Corp.

    162,383       89,838,395  

Copart, Inc.(a)

    9,016,463       452,806,772  

Rollins, Inc.

    4,142,297       168,757,180  

Waste Connections, Inc.

    945,368       128,087,910  
   

 

 

 
    839,490,257  
Communications Equipment — 0.3%  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    104,761       33,824,184  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 0.9%  

WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.(a)

    2,550,246       106,396,263  
   

 

 

 
Construction Materials — 1.4%  

Vulcan Materials Co.

    745,868       159,287,570  
   

 

 

 
Distributors — 0.1%  

Pool Corp.

    39,515       13,724,350  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.6%  

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.(a)(b)

    468,133       188,638,874  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 3.7%  

Liberty Media Corp. - Liberty Formula One, Class C(a)

    3,224,865       205,294,906  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.(a)(b)

    2,688,199       226,400,120  
   

 

 

 
    431,695,026  
Ground Transportation — 3.2%  

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

    718,484       279,533,385  

Saia, Inc.(a)(b)

    235,976       92,122,671  
   

 

 

 
    371,656,056  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 7.7%  

Alcon, Inc.

    2,662,178       201,340,522  

Align Technology, Inc.(a)

    691,284       147,796,519  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    503,062       234,336,341  

STERIS PLC

    823,779       165,530,152  

Teleflex, Inc.(b)

    588,330       132,780,198  
   

 

 

 
    881,783,732  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.1%  

Evolution AB(c)

    14,296       1,481,066  

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    3,293,988       223,793,545  

Vail Resorts, Inc.

    598,486       130,056,993  
   

 

 

 
    355,331,604  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.2%  

Match Group, Inc.(a)(b)

    834,672       27,026,679  
   

 

 

 
Security     Shares     Value  

IT Services — 5.2%

 

 

Globant SA(a)

 

    1,043,251     $ 230,349,821  

MongoDB, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

 

    662,478       275,418,604  

VeriSign, Inc.(a)

 

    447,846       95,032,921  
     

 

 

 
    600,801,346  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 8.5%        

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

 

    110,063       14,066,052  

Bio-Techne Corp.(b)

 

    3,717,902       233,856,036  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(a)(b)

 

    920,235       181,359,914  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

 

    9,510       10,384,254  

Repligen Corp.(a)(b)

 

    1,390,677       218,683,958  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

 

    909,195       318,909,238  
     

 

 

 
    977,259,452  
Machinery — 0.8%        

IDEX Corp.

 

    433,118       87,351,238  
     

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.5%        

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

 

    1,589,821       289,585,895  
     

 

 

 
Professional Services — 2.3%        

Equifax, Inc.

 

    1,243,672       270,759,831  
     

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.8%        

CoStar Group, Inc.(a)(b)

 

    3,939,749       327,156,757  
     

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 8.3%  

ASM International NV

 

    500,064       256,839,393  

Entegris, Inc.

 

    2,721,392       284,113,325  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

 

    569,156       312,307,280  

ON Semiconductor Corp.(a)(b)

 

    1,448,900       103,350,037  
     

 

 

 
    956,610,035  
Software — 14.5%        

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

 

    1,008,490       295,850,626  

Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)(b)

 

    985,941       185,613,253  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

 

    1,015,041       277,380,254  

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

 

    1,612,701       382,194,010  

HubSpot, Inc.(a)

 

    578,408       285,693,064  

Roper Technologies, Inc.

 

    397,968       214,206,276  

Tyler Technologies, Inc.(a)

 

    62,010       25,352,168  
     

 

 

 
    1,666,289,651  
Specialty Retail — 2.0%        

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

 

    2,451,300       224,808,723  

Tractor Supply Co.

 

    10,783       2,189,057  
     

 

 

 
    226,997,780  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.6%        

Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(a)

 

    247,146       110,424,833  

On Holding AG, Class A(a)

 

    2,584,276       74,969,846  
     

 

 

 
    185,394,679  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.2%        

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.(a)(b)

 

    948,359       133,547,914  
     

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 100.0%        

    (Cost: $8,341,523,567)

 

    11,515,451,683  
     

 

 

 
      

Par

(000)

        

Other Interests(a)(d)(e)

 

 

GCI Liberty, Inc., Class A

    USD       1,529       15  
     

 

 

 

Total Other Interests — 0.0%

    (Cost: $0)

 

 

    15  
     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.0%

    (Cost: $8,341,523,567)

 

 

      11,515,451,698  
     

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  27


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 3.6%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(f)(g)

    15,765,491     $ 15,765,491  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(f)(g)(h)

    400,343,774       400,503,912  
   

 

 

 
Total Short-Term Securities — 3.6%
    (Cost: $416,029,094)
        416,269,403  
   

 

 

 
Total Investments — 103.6%
    (Cost: $8,757,552,661)
        11,931,721,101  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (3.6)%

 

    (414,945,498
   

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%         $  11,516,775,603  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

All or a portion of this 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) 

Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

 
(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h) 

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

    

 

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
05/31/23
    Purchases at
Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
11/30/23
   

Shares

Held at

11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 34,969,706     $     $ (19,204,215 )(a)    $     $     $ 15,765,491       15,765,491     $ 370,799     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    248,967,968       151,403,592 (a)            10,515       121,837       400,503,912       400,343,774       218,709 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 10,515     $ 121,837     $   416,269,403       $   589,508     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

All or a portion represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

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

 

 

28  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

 

 

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Aerospace & Defense

   $ 731,431,070        $        $        $ 731,431,070  

Automobiles

     271,414,322                            271,414,322  

Beverages

              103,344,433                   103,344,433  

Capital Markets

     1,278,652,685                            1,278,652,685  

Commercial Services & Supplies

     839,490,257                            839,490,257  

Communications Equipment

     33,824,184                            33,824,184  

Construction & Engineering

     106,396,263                            106,396,263  

Construction Materials

     159,287,570                            159,287,570  

Distributors

     13,724,350                            13,724,350  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     188,638,874                            188,638,874  

Entertainment

     431,695,026                            431,695,026  

Ground Transportation

     371,656,056                            371,656,056  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     881,783,732                            881,783,732  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     353,850,538          1,481,066                   355,331,604  

Interactive Media & Services

     27,026,679                            27,026,679  

IT Services

     600,801,346                            600,801,346  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     977,259,452                            977,259,452  

Machinery

     87,351,238                            87,351,238  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     289,585,895                            289,585,895  

Professional Services

     270,759,831                            270,759,831  

Real Estate Management & Development

     327,156,757                            327,156,757  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     699,770,642          256,839,393                   956,610,035  

Software

     1,666,289,651                            1,666,289,651  

Specialty Retail

     226,997,780                            226,997,780  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     185,394,679                            185,394,679  

Trading Companies & Distributors

     133,547,914                            133,547,914  

Other Interests

                       15          15  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     15,765,491                            15,765,491  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $   11,169,552,282        $   361,664,892        $ 15          11,531,217,189  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                    400,503,912  
                 

 

 

 
                  $   11,931,721,101  
                 

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  29


 

Schedule of Investments (unaudited) 

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Common Stocks

   

Automobiles — 2.1%

   

Tesla, Inc.(a)

    398,316     $        95,627,705  
   

 

 

 
Broadline Retail — 4.6%            

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)

    745,743       108,945,595  

Coupang, Inc., Class A(a)

    1,334,882       20,396,997  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)

    52,783       85,532,740  
   

 

 

 
      214,875,332  
Capital Markets — 0.7%            

S&P Global, Inc.

    79,421       33,025,634  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 1.5%            

Arista Networks, Inc.(a)

    181,544       39,887,032  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    98,385       31,765,565  
   

 

 

 
      71,652,597  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.0%            

Think & Learn Private Ltd. (Acquired 09/30/20, cost $3,427,642)(a)(b)(c)

    2,241       468,893  
   

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment — 0.4%            

NEXTracker, Inc., Class A(a)

    520,857       21,167,629  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.7%  

Flex Ltd.(a)

    1,239,000       31,532,550  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 3.3%            

Netflix, Inc.(a)

    69,785       33,075,996  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    458,800       21,385,780  

Spotify Technology SA(a)

    212,902       39,410,289  

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(a)

    161,570       25,560,374  

Warner Music Group Corp., Class A

    966,652       32,005,848  
   

 

 

 
      151,438,287  
Financial Services — 5.1%  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    290,735       120,314,865  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    402,067       103,202,557  

Wise PLC, Class A(a)

    1,516,708       15,003,950  
   

 

 

 
      238,521,372  
Ground Transportation — 1.0%  

Uber Technologies, Inc.(a)

    829,414       46,762,361  
   

 

 

 
Household Durables — 0.6%            

Sony Group Corp.

    319,300       27,456,938  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 5.0%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(a)

    803,740       106,519,662  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(a)

    381,990       124,968,029  
   

 

 

 
      231,487,691  
IT Services — 3.0%            

Farmer’s Business Network, Inc.(a)(b)

    194,200       844,770  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    127,000       18,082,989  

Klarna Holdings AB (Acquired 09/15/20, cost $11,017,172)(a)(b)(c)

    25,600       5,936,654  

MongoDB, Inc., Class A(a)(d)

    154,828       64,368,193  

Shopify, Inc., Class A(a)(d)

    424,730       30,928,838  

Snowflake, Inc., Class A(a)

    93,578       17,562,719  
   

 

 

 
      137,724,163  
Professional Services — 1.6%  

RELX PLC

    1,068,873       41,133,256  

Thomson Reuters Corp.

    238,526       33,324,558  
   

 

 

 
      74,457,814  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 26.6%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)

    851,855       103,210,752  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    134,830       20,194,837  
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR(a)(d)

    478,242     $        29,411,883  

ASM International NV

    89,480       45,958,095  

ASML Holding NV

    165,388       112,716,330  

Broadcom, Inc.

    134,803       124,791,181  

Lam Research Corp.

    105,997       75,885,372  

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    1,088,794       60,678,490  

Micron Technology, Inc.

    796,999       60,667,564  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

    95,508       52,407,150  

NVIDIA Corp.

    783,066       366,239,968  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    143,105       18,467,700  

Renesas Electronics Corp.(a)

    816,900       14,237,718  

SOITEC(a)

    328,849       59,659,000  

STMicroelectronics NV

    594,007       28,197,100  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

    308,546       30,024,611  

Wolfspeed, Inc.(a)

    896,379       33,040,530  
   

 

 

 
      1,235,788,281  
Software — 30.9%            

Adobe, Inc.(a)

    73,565       44,948,951  

Altium Ltd.

    1,532,415       45,463,217  

ANSYS, Inc.(a)

    116,793       34,262,394  

Aspen Technology, Inc.(a)(d)

    112,991       21,271,686  

Autodesk, Inc.(a)

    114,433       24,995,600  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)

    614,542       167,935,892  

Constellation Software, Inc.

    22,107       51,926,483  

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(a)

    195,324       46,289,835  

Databricks, Inc. (Acquired 07/24/20 - 09/02/20, cost $5,122,891)(a)(b)(c)

    319,983       23,518,751  

Fair Isaac Corp.(a)(d)

    74,842       81,398,159  

Intuit, Inc.

    156,855       89,636,358  

Microsoft Corp.

    1,268,225       480,543,135  

Oracle Corp.

    856,532       99,537,584  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(a)(d)

    129,084       38,091,398  

Salesforce, Inc.(a)

    260,796       65,694,512  

SAP SE

    212,888       33,864,226  

ServiceNow, Inc.(a)(d)

    85,065       58,332,473  

Unqork, Inc. (Acquired 03/05/21, cost $4,093,769)(a)(b)(c)

    149,520       705,734  

Xero Ltd.(a)

    384,816       26,236,465  
   

 

 

 
      1,434,652,853  
Specialty Retail — 0.0%            

AceVector Ltd. (Acquired 05/07/14 - 10/29/14, cost $1,414,399)(a)(b)(c)

    304,000       180,883  
   

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 10.8%  

Apple Inc.

    2,319,932       440,671,083  

Quanta Computer, Inc.

    4,215,000       27,284,347  

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

    608,509       34,312,446  
   

 

 

 
      502,267,876  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 97.9%
(Cost: $2,388,994,849)

      4,549,088,859  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 2.2%            
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.1%  

FlixMobility GmbH, Series F (Acquired 07/26/19, cost $2,490,608)(a)(b)(c)

    125       3,586,559  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., Series F (Acquired 09/30/20, cost $6,867,746)(a)(b)(c)

    2,371       496,093  
   

 

 

 
          4,082,652  
 

 

 

30  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Interactive Media & Services — 0.8%

   

Bytedance Ltd., Series E-1 (Acquired 11/11/20, cost $22,196,442)(a)(b)(c)

    202,570     $        35,717,710  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.3%  

PsiQuantum Corp., Series C (Acquired 09/09/19, cost $2,698,453)(a)(b)(c)

    581,814       13,928,627  
   

 

 

 
Software — 1.0%            

Databricks, Inc.

   

Series F, 0.00% (Acquired 10/22/19, cost $3,700,005)(a)(b)(c)

    258,450       18,996,075  

Series G, 0.00% (Acquired 02/01/21, cost $12,500,003)(a)(b)(c)

    211,425       15,539,738  

SambaNova Systems, Inc., Series C (Acquired 02/20/20, cost $9,804,574)(a)(b)(c)

    184,153       11,763,694  

Unqork, Inc.

   

Series A, 0.00% (Acquired 03/05/21, cost $194,941)(a)(b)(c)

    7,120       35,742  

Series B, 0.00% (Acquired 03/05/21, cost $314,316)(a)(b)(c)

    11,480       64,173  

Series C, 0.00% (Acquired 09/18/20, cost $8,323,340)(a)(b)(c)

    304,000       2,149,280  

Series Seed, 0.00% (Acquired 03/05/21, cost $489,544)(a)(b)(c)

    17,880       85,645  

Series Seed A, 0.00% (Acquired 03/05/21, cost $180,704)(a)(b)(c)

    6,600       31,482  
   

 

 

 
      48,665,829  
   

 

 

 
Total Preferred Securities — 2.2%
    (Cost: $69,762,327)
        102,394,818  
   

 

 

 

Warrants(a)(b)

   
Software — 0.0%            

Constellation Software, Inc. (Issued/Exercisable, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 03/31/40, Strike Price CAD 0.00)

    22,107        
   

 

 

 
Total Warrants — 0.0%
    (Cost: $0)
         
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 100.1%
    (Cost: $2,458,757,176)
        4,651,483,677  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   

Money Market Funds — 1.3%

   

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.56%(e)(f)(g)

    58,980,638     $ 59,004,230  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.3%
(Cost: $58,994,550)

      59,004,230  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 101.4%
(Cost: $2,517,751,726)

      4,710,487,907  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.4)%

 

    (63,893,143
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $   4,646,594,764  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

 
(b) 

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

 
(c) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $133,205,733, representing 2.9% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $94,838,200.

 
(d) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 
(e) 

Affiliate of the Fund.

 
(f) 

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

 
(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
 

 

 

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

  31


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the six months ended November 30, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer   Value at
05/31/23
    Purchases
at Cost
   

Proceeds

from Sale

    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
   

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

11/30/23

   

Shares

Held at
11/30/23

    Income    

Capital

Gain

Distributions

from Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund(a)

  $ 37,081,328     $     $   (37,081,328 )(b)    $     $     $           $ 466,562     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    148,567,014             (89,577,084 )(b)      32,367       (18,067     59,004,230       58,980,638       51,996 (c)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $   32,367     $   (18,067   $   59,004,230       $   518,558     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Represents net amount 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.

 

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

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

The following table summarizes the Fund’s financial instruments categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The breakdown of the Fund’s financial instruments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Automobiles

   $ 95,627,705        $        $        $        95,627,705

Broadline Retail

     214,875,332                          214,875,332

Capital Markets

     33,025,634                          33,025,634

Communications Equipment

     71,652,597                          71,652,597

Diversified Consumer Services

                       468,893        468,893

Electrical Equipment

     21,167,629                          21,167,629

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     31,532,550                          31,532,550

Entertainment

     130,052,507          21,385,780                 151,438,287

Financial Services

     223,517,422          15,003,950                 238,521,372

Ground Transportation

     46,762,361                          46,762,361

Household Durables

              27,456,938                 27,456,938

Interactive Media & Services

     231,487,691                          231,487,691

IT Services

     112,859,750          18,082,989          6,781,424        137,724,163

Professional Services

     33,324,558          41,133,256                 74,457,814

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     975,020,038          260,768,243                 1,235,788,281

Software

     1,304,864,460          105,563,908          24,224,485        1,434,652,853

Specialty Retail

                       180,883        180,883

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     440,671,083          61,596,793                 502,267,876

Preferred Securities

                       102,394,818        102,394,818

Warrants

                             
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

   $  3,966,441,317        $  550,991,857        $  134,050,503        4,651,483,677
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

Investments valued at NAV(a)

                  59,004,230
                 

 

                  $   4,710,487,907
                 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

32  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

    

  

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

 

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

 

      Common
Stocks
       Preferred
Stocks
       Warrants        Total            

Assets

                      

Opening Balance, as of May 31, 2023

   $ 27,801,094        $ 103,069,338        $        $ 130,870,432                            

Transfers into Level 3

                                      

Transfers out of Level 3

                                      

Accrued discounts/premiums

                                      

Net realized gain (loss)

                                      

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

     (2,565,001        5,745,072          (c)          3,180,071       

Purchases

     6,419,592                            6,419,592       

Sales

              (6,419,592                 (6,419,592     
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

Closing Balance, as of November 30, 2023

   $     31,655,685        $   102,394,818        $ (c)        $   134,050,503       
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 2023(b)

   $ (2,565,001      $ 7,176,985        $ (c)        $ 4,611,984       
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

  (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 November 30, 2023, is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 
  (c) 

Rounds to less than $1.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Valuation Committee (the “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)
      

Weighted Average of
Unobservable Inputs

Based on Fair Value

Assets

                      

Common Stocks

   $ 31,655,685          Market        Revenue Multiple        1.00x - 27.59x        11.22x
             Volatility        70%       
             Time to Exit        3.0 years       

Preferred Stocks

     102,394,818          Market        Revenue Multiple        1.00x - 27.59x        14.48x
             Volatility        50% - 70%        53%
             Time to Exit        3.0 - 4.0 years        3.9 years
             Market Adjustment Multiple        1.20x       
  

 

 

                     
   $   134,050,503                      
  

 

 

                     

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  33


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Capital

Appreciation

Fund,

Inc.

    

BlackRock

Health

Sciences

Opportunities

Portfolio

     BlackRock
Infrastructure
Sustainable
Opportunities
Fund
 

ASSETS

       

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 3,250,991,179      $ 7,608,946,427      $ 8,386,521  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    1,635,299        372,003,985        440,923  

Cash

    3,930                

Foreign currency, at value(d)

                  100,737  

Receivables:

       

Investments sold

           64,383,172        104,712  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    1,189        22,872         

Capital shares sold

    1,193,307        3,717,367         

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,617,688        9,928,952        37,892  

Dividends — affiliated

    10,279        1,445,830        1,669  

From the Manager

                  17,115  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps

                  3,562  

Prepaid expenses

    27,436        114,828        32,026  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,255,480,307        8,060,563,433        9,125,157  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

       

Collateral on securities loaned

           58,830,898         

Payables:

       

Investments purchased

           45,230,636        104,450  

Accounting services fees

    90,159        205,321        15,461  

Administration fees

           353,384         

Capital shares redeemed

    5,735,372        14,457,159         

Investment advisory fees

    1,611,886        4,306,105         

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    8,215        21,307        2,216  

Other accrued expenses

    208,800        72,716        3,602  

Printing fees

    16,571        26,757        16,756  

Professional fees

    69,252        114,026        73,140  

Service and distribution fees

    417,408        927,907        34  

Transfer agent fees

    548,461        2,135,958         

Unrealized depreciation on:

       

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

           2,324,058         

Unfunded commitments

           1,108,365         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    8,706,124        130,114,597        215,659  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

       

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,246,774,183      $ 7,930,448,836      $ 8,909,498  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

       

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,484,068,122      $ 4,949,649,414      $ 10,059,838  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    1,762,706,061        2,980,799,422        (1,150,340
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 3,246,774,183      $ 7,930,448,836      $ 8,909,498  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 1,565,908,747      $ 4,779,979,870      $ 8,628,884  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 58,419,090      $  

(c) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 1,635,299      $ 371,965,352      $ 440,923  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $      $      $ 100,279  

 

 

34  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock
Capital
Appreciation
Fund,

Inc.

    

BlackRock

Health

Sciences

Opportunities

Portfolio

     BlackRock
Infrastructure
Sustainable
Opportunities
Fund
 

NET ASSET VALUE

       
Institutional                    

Net assets

  $ 714,737,760      $ 4,143,312,308      $ 98,006  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    19,998,360        60,619,018        11,143  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 35.74      $ 68.35      $ 8.80  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    300 million        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Service                    

Net assets

  $ N/A      $ 30,893,695      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    N/A        481,504        N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ N/A      $ 64.16      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    N/A        Unlimited        N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ N/A      $ 0.001      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Investor A                    

Net assets

  $ 1,879,798,458      $ 2,742,400,436      $ 184,727  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    60,241,666        42,957,866        21,034  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 31.20      $ 63.84      $ 8.78  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    300 million        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Investor C                    

Net assets

  $ 38,198,274      $ 333,046,809      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    2,229,791        6,348,856        N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 17.13      $ 52.46      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    300 million        Unlimited        N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.001      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Class K                    

Net assets

  $ 589,248,285      $ 447,232,206      $ 8,626,765  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    16,278,342        6,529,351        980,620  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 36.20      $ 68.50      $ 8.80  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    300 million        Unlimited        Unlimited  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Class R                    

Net assets

  $ 24,791,406      $ 233,563,382      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

    1,120,821        3,784,200        N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 22.12      $ 61.72      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares authorized

    500 million        Unlimited        N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Par value

  $ 0.10      $ 0.001      $ N/A  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  35


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Mid-Cap

Growth

Equity

Portfolio

     BlackRock
Technology
Opportunities
Fund
 

ASSETS

    

Investments, at value — unaffiliated(a)(b)

  $ 11,515,451,698      $ 4,651,483,677  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    416,269,403        59,004,230  

Foreign currency, at value(d)

           4,625  

Receivables:

    

Investments sold

    24,524,490        2,042,778  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    61,556        8,019  

Capital shares sold

    16,184,368        5,759,829  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    3,920,278        1,926,674  

Dividends — affiliated

    35,536        17,075  

From the Manager

    183,702        70,313  

Prepaid expenses

    136,514        96,561  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    11,976,767,545        4,720,413,781  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Collateral on securities loaned

    400,513,804        59,165,797  

Payables:

    

Investments purchased

    22,318,377         

Accounting services fees

    283,932        120,273  

Administration fees

    378,234        138,441  

Capital shares redeemed

    27,526,093        9,176,627  

Investment advisory fees

    5,703,589        2,848,457  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    23,202        9,249  

Other accrued expenses

    49,084        244,677  

Printing fees

    29,115        24,586  

Professional fees

    107,938        148,510  

Service and distribution fees

    515,496        572,177  

Transfer agent fees

    2,543,078        1,370,223  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    459,991,942        73,819,017  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

    

NET ASSETS

  $ 11,516,775,603      $ 4,646,594,764  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

    

Paid-in capital

  $ 10,692,192,342      $ 3,137,863,609  

Accumulated earnings

    824,583,261        1,508,731,155  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 11,516,775,603      $ 4,646,594,764  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 8,341,523,567      $ 2,458,757,176  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $ 391,835,218      $ 57,642,998  

(c) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 416,029,094      $ 58,994,550  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $      $ 5,274  

 

 

36  

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Mid-Cap

Growth

Equity

Portfolio

   

BlackRock

Technology

Opportunities

Fund

 

NET ASSET VALUE

       

Institutional

       

Net assets

    $ 5,199,993,412       $ 2,405,811,934  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      145,691,062         44,919,821  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 35.69       $ 53.56  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited         Unlimited  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

    $ 0.001       $ 0.001  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Service

       

Net assets

    $ 61,884,658       $ 47,996,080  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      1,947,267         963,538  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 31.78       $ 49.81  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited         Unlimited  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

    $ 0.001       $ 0.001  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Net assets

    $ 1,609,750,528       $ 1,702,256,246  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      53,161,281         35,030,130  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 30.28       $ 48.59  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited         Unlimited  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

    $ 0.001       $ 0.001  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor C

       

Net assets

    $ 190,583,357       $ 262,850,503  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      8,502,904         6,808,425  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 22.41       $ 38.61  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited         Unlimited  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

    $ 0.001       $ 0.001  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class K

       

Net assets

    $ 4,362,853,957       $ 190,425,622  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      121,579,772         3,547,308  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 35.88       $ 53.68  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited         Unlimited  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

    $ 0.001       $ 0.001  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Class R

       

Net assets

    $ 91,709,691       $ 37,254,379  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

      3,115,951         766,278  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value

    $ 29.43       $ 48.62  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Shares authorized

      Unlimited         Unlimited  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Par value

    $ 0.001       $ 0.001  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  37


Statements of Operations (unaudited)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

 

    

BlackRock

Capital

Appreciation

Fund,

Inc.

   

BlackRock

Health

Sciences

Opportunities

Portfolio

   

BlackRock

Infrastructure

Sustainable

Opportunities

Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

     

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 11,066,291     $ 47,928,216     $ 155,227  

Dividends — affiliated

    80,090       4,641,903       12,323  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    5,978       425,410       12  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (80,128     (408,300     (8,028
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    11,072,231       52,587,229       159,534  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

     

Investment advisory

    9,940,456       27,896,402       34,809  

Service and distribution — class specific

    2,511,699       6,061,794       200  

Transfer agent — class specific

    1,381,292       4,046,886       657  

Registration

    120,873       98,332       31,306  

Accounting services

    106,196       245,993       18,538  

Custodian

    51,083       83,737       4,665  

Professional

    20,631       61,975       75,331  

Printing and postage

    16,635       26,926       20,448  

Directors and Officer

    15,578       34,928       3,385  

Administration

          1,444,820       1,849  

Administration — class specific

          831,918       870  

Miscellaneous

    233,417       88,641       4,225  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    14,397,860       40,922,352       196,283  

Interest expense

          729       4  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    14,397,860       40,923,081       196,287  

Less:

     

Administration fees waived

                (1,849

Administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific

                (870

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (1,160     (66,885     (151,312

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific

                (593
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    14,396,700       40,856,196       41,663  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (3,324,469     11,731,033       117,871  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments — unaffiliated

    92,463,864       165,848,940       (250,986

Investments — affiliated

    3,536       20,603       1  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

          (2,386,899      

Foreign currency transactions

    (2,161     (115,292     329  

Swaps

                (16,173
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    92,465,239       163,367,352       (266,829
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

38  

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Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Capital

Appreciation

Fund,

Inc.

    

BlackRock

Health

Sciences

Opportunities

Portfolio

   

BlackRock

Infrastructure

Sustainable

Opportunities

Fund

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

      

Investments — unaffiliated

  $ 336,741,646      $ (33,112,048   $ (11,230

Investments — affiliated

           5,368        

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

           94,083        

Foreign currency translations

    2,531        132,252       1,274  

Swaps

                 10,325  

Unfunded commitments

           (1,108,365      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
    336,744,177        (33,988,710     369  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    429,209,416        129,378,642       (266,460
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 425,884,947      $ 141,109,675     $ (148,589)  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  39


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended November 30, 2023

 

    

BlackRock

Mid-Cap

Growth

Equity

Portfolio

   

BlackRock

Technology

Opportunities

Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

   

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 32,677,573     $ 10,158,144  

Dividends — affiliated

    370,799       466,562  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    218,709       51,996  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (68,843     (320,525
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    33,198,238       10,356,177  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

   

Investment advisory

    36,484,514       17,307,624  

Transfer agent — class specific

    6,131,582       2,607,174  

Service and distribution — class specific

    3,325,313       3,497,380  

Administration

    1,980,619       823,139  

Administration — class specific

    1,161,812       449,113  

Accounting services

    336,261       141,225  

Custodian

    277,885       54,641  

Registration

    195,304       138,028  

Professional

    48,119       60,475  

Directors and Officer

    44,879       19,088  

Printing and postage

    41,743       28,473  

Miscellaneous

    42,806       36,623  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    50,070,837       25,162,983  

Interest expense

          132  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    50,070,837       25,163,115  

Less:

   

Administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific

    (729,141     (431,037

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (5,423     (6,911

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific

    (1,460,372     (642,160
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    47,875,901       24,083,007  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (14,677,663     (13,726,830
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    (14,249,908     59,216,593  

Investments — affiliated

    10,515       32,367  

Foreign currency transactions

    (147,559     139,166  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (14,386,952     59,388,126  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    1,000,822,858       467,361,305  

Investments — affiliated

    121,837       (18,067

Foreign currency translations

    46,539       9,922  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,000,991,234       467,353,160  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    986,604,282       526,741,286  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 971,926,619     $ 513,014,456  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.

    BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio  
    

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

            

OPERATIONS

            

Net investment income (loss)

    $ (3,324,469   $ (4,530,704      $ 11,731,033     $ 30,828,045  

Net realized gain

      92,465,239       110,626,983          163,367,352       353,953,705  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      336,744,177       44,745,953          (33,988,710     (204,225,469
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      425,884,947       150,842,232          141,109,675       180,556,281  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

            

Institutional

      (10,825,340     (60,013,923        (85,481,994     (349,006,342

Service

                     (677,165     (2,578,561

Investor A

      (32,101,332     (137,177,573        (58,863,655     (224,765,771

Investor C

      (1,309,811     (5,779,913        (9,720,375     (43,035,902

Class K

      (10,479,396     (42,620,608        (8,871,925     (31,126,901

Class R

      (624,211     (2,479,998        (5,111,805     (18,314,016
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (55,340,090     (248,072,015        (168,726,919     (668,827,493
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

            

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      (235,879,616     (324,095,316        (511,184,926     (536,587,817
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

            

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      134,665,241       (421,325,099        (538,802,170     (1,024,859,029

Beginning of period

      3,112,108,942       3,533,434,041          8,469,251,006       9,494,110,035  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

    $     3,246,774,183     $     3,112,108,942        $     7,930,448,836     $     8,469,251,006  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  41


Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

    

 

    BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund            BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio  
    

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

    

            

OPERATIONS

            

Net investment income (loss)

    $ 117,871     $ 146,746        $ (14,677,663   $ (34,115,341

Net realized loss

      (266,829     (697,724        (14,386,952     (1,145,834,520

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      369       5,508          1,000,991,234       1,071,226,878  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

      (148,589     (545,470        971,926,619       (108,722,983
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

            

Institutional

      (1,083     (4,103               

Investor A

      (1,539     (3,968               

Class K

      (95,768     (378,721               
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

      (98,390     (386,792               
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

            

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

      32,095       64,099          (943,729,601     (2,206,262,520
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

            

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (214,884     (868,163        28,197,018       (2,314,985,503

Beginning of period

      9,124,382       9,992,545          11,488,578,585       13,803,564,088  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

    $     8,909,498     $     9,124,382        $     11,516,775,603     $     11,488,578,585  
   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

42  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (continued)

  

 

          BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund  
           

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment loss

    $ (13,726,830     $ (19,097,180

Net realized gain (loss)

      59,388,126         (264,055,854

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

      467,353,160         408,231,300  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      513,014,456         125,078,266  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

      (255,480,167       (893,403,112
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      257,534,289         (768,324,846

Beginning of period

      4,389,060,475         5,157,385,321  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

    $     4,646,594,764       $     4,389,060,475  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  43


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.  
    Institutional  
   

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited)

         

Year Ended

05/31/23

    

Year Ended

05/31/22

    

Period from

10/01/20

to 05/31/21

   

Year Ended

09/30/20

    

Year Ended

09/30/19

    

Year Ended

09/30/18

 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 31.69       $ 31.98      $ 43.32      $ 38.32     $ 30.52      $ 33.72      $ 29.08  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    (0.01       0.00 (b)       (0.09      (0.06     (0.07      (0.05      0.00 (b)(c) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    4.58         1.82        (6.14      7.06       10.81        0.23        7.97  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    4.57         1.82        (6.23      7.00       10.74        0.18        7.97  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(d)

    (0.52       (2.11      (5.11      (2.00     (2.94      (3.38      (3.33
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 35.74       $ 31.69      $ 31.98      $ 43.32     $ 38.32      $ 30.52      $ 33.72  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                   

Based on net asset value

    14.53 %(f)        6.81      (17.30 )%       18.72 %(f)      38.17      1.77      30.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                   

Total expenses

    0.76 %(h)        0.73      0.70      0.72 %(h)      0.75      0.75      0.76
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.76 %(h)        0.73      0.70      0.72 %(h)      0.75      0.75      0.76
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.07 )%(h)        0.01      (0.21 )%       (0.21 )%(h)      (0.22 )%       (0.17 )%       0.01 %(c) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 714,738       $ 678,965      $ 943,275      $ 1,072,833     $ 911,484      $ 644,983      $ 600,032  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9       43      55      25     42      48      42
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.06 per share and 0.21%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

44  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
     Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.77       $ 28.38      $ 39.00      $ 34.74     $ 27.99      $ 31.25      $ 27.16  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.05       (0.07      (0.18      (0.11     (0.14      (0.12      (0.08 )(b) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    4.00         1.57        (5.39      6.37       9.83        0.18        7.41  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    3.95         1.50        (5.57      6.26       9.69        0.06        7.33  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(c)

    (0.52       (2.11      (5.05      (2.00     (2.94      (3.32      (3.24
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 31.20       $ 27.77      $ 28.38      $ 39.00     $ 34.74      $ 27.99      $ 31.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

    14.34 %(e)        6.53      (17.51 )%       18.51 %(e)      37.84      1.48      29.85
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                   

Total expenses

    1.01 %(g)        1.00      0.97      0.97 %(g)      1.01      1.01      1.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.01 %(g)        1.00      0.97      0.97 %(g)      1.01      1.01      1.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.31 )%(g)        (0.27 )%       (0.48 )%       (0.46 )%(g)      (0.48 )%       (0.43 )%       (0.28 )%(b) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,879,798       $ 1,723,973      $ 1,871,340      $ 2,551,211     $ 2,195,906      $ 1,692,630      $ 1,751,581  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9       43      55      25     42      48      42
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment loss per share and the ratio of net investment loss to average net assets includes $ 0.06 per share and 0.21%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  45


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
     Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 15.52       $ 17.01      $ 25.27      $ 23.27     $ 19.81      $ 23.29      $ 20.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.09       (0.16      (0.29      (0.20     (0.25      (0.24      (0.23 )(b) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.22         0.78        (3.05      4.20       6.65        0.04        5.56  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.13         0.62        (3.34      4.00       6.40        (0.20      5.33  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(c)

    (0.52       (2.11      (4.92      (2.00     (2.94      (3.28      (2.92
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.13       $ 15.52      $ 17.01      $ 25.27     $ 23.27      $ 19.81      $ 23.29  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

    13.92 %(e)        5.62      (18.18 )%       17.89 %(e)      36.73      0.72      28.77
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                   

Total expenses

    1.85 %(g)        1.84      1.76      1.77 %(g)      1.79      1.81      1.84
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.85 %(g)        1.84      1.76      1.77 %(g)      1.79      1.81      1.84
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1.17 )%(g)        (1.11 )%       (1.28 )%       (1.27 )%(g)      (1.26 )%       (1.23 )%       (1.09 )%(b) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 38,198       $ 39,581      $ 48,332      $ 72,075     $ 89,336      $ 195,908      $ 276,097  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9       43      55      25     42      48      42
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment loss per share and the ratio of net investment loss to average net assets includes $ 0.06 per share and 0.21%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

46  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class K  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
     Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 32.08       $ 32.32      $ 43.71      $ 38.63     $ 30.71      $ 33.91      $ 29.24  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.00 (b)        0.02        (0.06      (0.03     (0.04      (0.02      0.04 (c) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    4.64         1.85        (6.20      7.11       10.90        0.23        8.01  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    4.64         1.87        (6.26      7.08       10.86        0.21        8.05  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(d)

    (0.52       (2.11      (5.13      (2.00     (2.94      (3.41      (3.38
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 36.20       $ 32.08      $ 32.32      $ 43.71     $ 38.63      $ 30.71      $ 33.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

                   

Based on net asset value

    14.57 %(f)        6.90      (17.22 )%       18.78 %(f)      38.33      1.86      30.36
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                   

Total expenses

    0.66 %(h)        0.65      0.64      0.63 %(h)      0.64      0.65      0.65
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.66 %(h)        0.65      0.63      0.63 %(h)      0.64      0.64      0.65
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.01 %(h)        0.08      (0.15 )%       (0.13 )%(h)      (0.11 )%       (0.06 )%       0.14 %(c) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 589,248       $ 645,860      $ 646,115      $ 845,106     $ 682,107      $ 552,523      $ 568,169  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9       43      55      25     42      48      42
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(c) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.06 per share and 0.21%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  47


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class R  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
     Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
     Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.86       $ 21.02      $ 30.12      $ 27.30     $ 22.65      $ 26.00      $ 23.12  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.07       (0.11      (0.23      (0.15     (0.17      (0.16      (0.13 )(b) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.85         1.06        (3.88      4.97       7.76        0.09        6.19  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.78         0.95        (4.11      4.82       7.59        (0.07      6.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(c)

    (0.52       (2.11      (4.99      (2.00     (2.94      (3.28      (3.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.12       $ 19.86      $ 21.02      $ 30.12     $ 27.30      $ 22.65      $ 26.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

                   

Based on net asset value

    14.16 %(e)        6.17      (17.82 )%       18.26 %(e)      37.45      1.19      29.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

                   

Total expenses

    1.36 %(g)        1.37      1.33      1.30 %(g)      1.28      1.29      1.30
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.36 %(g)        1.36      1.33      1.30 %(g)      1.28      1.29      1.30
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.66 )%(g)        (0.63 )%       (0.85 )%       (0.80 )%(g)      (0.75 )%       (0.71 )%       (0.54 )%(b) 
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 24,791       $ 23,731      $ 24,371      $ 36,933     $ 37,741      $ 54,828      $ 84,484  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9       43      55      25     42      48      42
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment loss per share and the ratio of net investment loss to average net assets includes $ 0.06 per share and 0.21%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

48  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio  
    Institutional  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 68.47              $ 72.10      $ 81.77     $ 75.37     $ 61.55     $ 67.67      $ 57.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.15         0.34        0.24       0.13       0.19       0.28        0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.07         1.07        (2.75     9.66       16.26       (1.64      12.18  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.22         1.41        (2.51     9.79       16.45       (1.36      12.42  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                 

From net investment income

            (0.38      (0.16     (0.13     (0.32     (0.23      (0.02

From net realized gain

    (1.34       (4.66      (7.00     (3.26     (2.31     (4.53      (2.01
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.34       (5.04      (7.16     (3.39     (2.63     (4.76      (2.03
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 68.35       $ 68.47      $ 72.10     $ 81.77     $ 75.37     $ 61.55      $ 67.67  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                 

Based on net asset value

    1.73 %(d)        2.25      (3.55 )%(e)      13.37 %(d)      27.34 %(f)      (1.84 )%       22.47
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                 

Total expenses

    0.84 %(h)        0.84      0.85     0.84 %(h)      0.85     0.85      0.87
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.84 %(h)        0.84      0.85     0.84 %(h)      0.85     0.84      0.86
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.43 %(h)        0.49      0.31     0.24 %(h)      0.28     0.45      0.40
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 4,143,312       $ 4,436,816      $ 5,062,514     $ 5,990,131     $ 5,133,191     $ 3,095,352      $ 2,944,146  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    17       29      51     19     28     41      39
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Includes a payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(g)

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  49


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (continued)  
    Service  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
          Year Ended
05/31/23
     Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
     Year Ended
09/30/18
 
                 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 64.44       $ 68.16      $ 77.63     $ 71.63     $ 58.66     $ 64.73      $ 54.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.04         0.13        0.01       (0.03     (0.01     0.08        0.05  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.02         1.00        (2.61     9.18       15.48       (1.57      11.67  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.06         1.13        (2.60     9.15       15.47       (1.49      11.72  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

                 

From net investment income

            (0.19                  (0.19     (0.05       

From net realized gain

    (1.34       (4.66      (6.87     (3.15     (2.31     (4.53      (1.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.34       (4.85      (6.87     (3.15     (2.50     (4.58      (1.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 64.16       $ 64.44      $ 68.16     $ 77.63     $ 71.63     $ 58.66      $ 64.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                 

Based on net asset value

    1.58 %(d)        1.94      (3.83 )%(e)      13.15 %(d)      26.96 %(f)      (2.16 )%       22.10
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

                 

Total expenses

    1.14 %(h)        1.14      1.14     1.14 %(h)      1.15     1.15      1.17
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.13 %(h)        1.14      1.14     1.14 %(h)      1.15     1.15      1.16
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.13 %(h)        0.19      0.02     (0.07 )%(h)      (0.02 )%      0.14      0.10
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 30,894       $ 33,055      $ 36,625     $ 43,825     $ 40,252     $ 34,708      $ 39,325  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    17       29      51     19     28     41      39
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Includes a payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

50  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 64.11     $ 67.84     $ 77.31     $ 71.37     $ 58.45     $ 64.50     $ 54.70  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.06       0.16       0.05       (0.01     0.01       0.10       0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.01       0.99       (2.59     9.15       15.42       (1.56     11.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.07       1.15       (2.54     9.14       15.43       (1.46     11.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

          (0.22                 (0.20     (0.06      

From net realized gain

    (1.34     (4.66     (6.93     (3.20     (2.31     (4.53     (1.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.34     (4.88     (6.93     (3.20     (2.51     (4.59     (1.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 63.84     $ 64.11     $ 67.84     $ 77.31     $ 71.37     $ 58.45     $ 64.50  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    1.60 %(d)      1.99     (3.78 )%(e)      13.18 %(d)      26.99 %(f)      (2.11 )%      22.13
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

    1.09 %(h)      1.09     1.09     1.10 %(h)      1.11     1.12     1.15
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.09 %(h)      1.09     1.09     1.10 %(h)      1.11     1.12     1.14
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.18 %(h)      0.24     0.07     (0.02 )%(h)      0.01     0.17     0.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 2,742,400     $ 2,865,706     $ 3,151,912     $ 3,496,818     $ 3,135,882     $ 2,598,888     $ 2,767,303  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    17     29     51     19     28     41     39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Includes a payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  51


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 53.11     $ 57.24     $ 66.15     $ 61.38     $ 50.74     $ 56.55     $ 48.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.16     (0.27     (0.43     (0.33     (0.40     (0.28     (0.30

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.85       0.80       (2.17     7.85       13.34       (1.38     10.20  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.69       0.53       (2.60     7.52       12.94       (1.66     9.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain

    (1.34     (4.66     (6.31     (2.75     (2.30     (4.15     (1.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 52.46     $ 53.11     $ 57.24     $ 66.15     $ 61.38     $ 50.74     $ 56.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    1.22 %(d)      1.22     (4.50 )%(e)      12.61 %(d)      26.09 %(f)      (2.82 )%      21.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

    1.86 %(h)      1.85     1.84     1.84 %(h)      1.85     1.85     1.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.86 %(h)      1.85     1.84     1.84 %(h)      1.85     1.85     1.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.59 )%(h)      (0.51 )%      (0.68 )%      (0.77 )%(h)      (0.72 )%      (0.56 )%      (0.61 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 333,047     $ 404,306     $ 542,880     $ 719,525     $ 773,522     $ 745,636     $ 1,017,205  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    17     29     51     19     28     41     39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Includes a payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

52  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (continued)  
    Class K  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 68.58     $ 72.21     $ 81.91     $ 75.50     $ 61.63     $ 67.75     $ 57.37  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18       0.40       0.33       0.18       0.27       0.34       0.32  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.08       1.08       (2.77     9.68       16.28       (1.65     12.17  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.26       1.48       (2.44     9.86       16.55       (1.31     12.49  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

          (0.45     (0.26     (0.19     (0.37     (0.28     (0.10

From net realized gain

    (1.34     (4.66     (7.00     (3.26     (2.31     (4.53     (2.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.34     (5.11     (7.26     (3.45     (2.68     (4.81     (2.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 68.50     $ 68.58     $ 72.21     $ 81.91     $ 75.50     $ 61.63     $ 67.75  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    1.78 %(d)      2.34     (3.44 )%(e)      13.45 %(d)      27.47 %(f)      (1.75 )%      22.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

    0.75 %(h)      0.75     0.74     0.74 %(h)      0.75     0.75     0.77
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.75 %(h)      0.75     0.74     0.74 %(h)      0.75     0.75     0.76
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.53 %(h)      0.59     0.42     0.34 %(h)      0.39     0.55     0.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 447,232     $ 487,287     $ 436,984     $ 464,179     $ 344,822     $ 171,517     $ 130,129  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    17     29     51     19     28     41     39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Includes a payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  53


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio (continued)  
    Class R  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 62.14     $ 65.94     $ 75.28     $ 69.54     $ 57.05     $ 63.09     $ 53.71  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.06     (0.08     (0.21     (0.18     (0.20     (0.09     (0.11

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.98       0.96       (2.52     8.91       15.05       (1.53     11.38  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.92       0.88       (2.73     8.73       14.85       (1.62     11.27  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

          (0.02                 (0.05            

From net realized gain

    (1.34     (4.66     (6.61     (2.99     (2.31     (4.42     (1.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.34     (4.68     (6.61     (2.99     (2.36     (4.42     (1.89
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 61.72     $ 62.14     $ 65.94     $ 75.28     $ 69.54     $ 57.05     $ 63.09  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    1.41 %(d)      1.62     (4.12 )%(e)      12.91 %(d)      26.60 %(f)      (2.44 )%      21.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

             

Total expenses

    1.46 %(h)      1.46     1.45     1.44 %(h)      1.45     1.45     1.46
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.46 %(h)      1.46     1.45     1.44 %(h)      1.45     1.45     1.46
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.19 )%(h)      (0.13 )%      (0.29 )%      (0.37 )%(h)      (0.32 )%      (0.15 )%      (0.20 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 233,563     $ 242,080     $ 263,195     $ 289,676     $ 260,488     $ 224,862     $ 241,495  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    17     29     51     19     28     41     39
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Includes a capital contribution from affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

Includes a payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(g) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(h) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

54  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities
Fund
 
    Institutional  
     

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

 

   

Period from

09/30/21

to 05/31/22

 

(a) 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.04     $ 9.97     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.11       0.14       0.07  

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (0.25     (0.68     (0.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.14     (0.54     0.05  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

     

From net investment income

    (0.10     (0.13     (0.04

From net realized gain

          (0.26     (0.04
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.10     (0.39     (0.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.80     $ 9.04     $ 9.97  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

     

Based on net asset value

    (1.64 )%(e)      (5.32 )%      0.45 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

     

Total expenses

    4.90 %(g)      4.54     3.62 %(g)(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.00 %(g)      1.00     1.00 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.66 %(g)      1.60     1.09 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 98     $ 102     $ 107  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    26     104     70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Audit, offering, organization and printing costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 4.45%.

(i) 

Excludes underlying investments in total return swaps.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  55


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
     

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

 

   

Period from

09/30/21

to 05/31/22

 

(a) 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.03     $ 9.96     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.10       0.13       0.06  

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (0.26     (0.69     (0.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.16     (0.56     0.03  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

     

From net investment income

    (0.09     (0.11     (0.03

From net realized gain

          (0.26     (0.04
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.09     (0.37     (0.07
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.78     $ 9.03     $ 9.96  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

     

Based on net asset value

    (1.84 )%(e)      (5.55 )%      0.29 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

     

Total expenses

    5.06 %(g)      4.75     3.88 %(g)(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.25 %(g)      1.25     1.25 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.40 %(g)      1.41     0.84 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 185     $ 156     $ 109  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    26     104     70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Audit, offering, organization and printing costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 4.71%.

(i) 

Excludes underlying investments in total return swaps.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

56  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Class K  
     

Six Months

Ended

11/30/23

(unaudited

 

 

 

   

Year Ended

05/31/23

 

 

   

Period from

09/30/21

to 05/31/22

 

(a) 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.04     $ 9.97     $ 10.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.12       0.15       0.08  

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (0.26     (0.69     (0.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.14     (0.54     0.05  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

     

From net investment income

    (0.10     (0.13     (0.04

From net realized gain

          (0.26     (0.04
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.10     (0.39     (0.08
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.80     $ 9.04     $ 9.97  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

     

Based on net asset value

    (1.62 )%(e)      (5.27 )%      0.46 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

     

Total expenses

    4.50 %(g)      4.33     3.36 %(g)(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.95 %(g)      0.95     0.95 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.72 %(g)      1.65     1.13 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 8,627     $ 8,866     $ 9,777  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    26     104     70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Audit, offering, organization and printing costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 4.21%.

(i) 

Excludes underlying investments in total return swaps.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  57


Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio  
    Institutional  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 32.79     $ 32.83     $ 45.95     $ 36.56     $ 28.68     $ 27.87     $ 22.10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.04     (0.08     (0.23     (0.15     (0.14     (0.09     (0.11

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.94       0.04       (10.52     9.54       8.14       1.95       6.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.90       (0.04     (10.75     9.39       8.00       1.86       6.52  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (2.37           (0.12     (1.05     (0.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 35.69     $ 32.79     $ 32.83     $ 45.95     $ 36.56     $ 28.68     $ 27.87  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    8.84 %(d)      (0.12 )%      (24.87 )%      25.68 %(d)      27.98     7.43     30.34
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    0.85 %(f)      0.84     0.81     0.80 %(f)      0.85     0.87     0.93 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.80 %(f)      0.80     0.80     0.80 %(f)      0.80     0.80     0.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.23 )%(f)      (0.25 )%      (0.52 )%      (0.52 )%(f)      (0.43 )%      (0.34 )%      (0.45 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 5,199,993     $ 5,266,832     $ 7,095,644     $ 9,260,191     $ 6,003,280     $ 2,700,531     $ 1,063,328  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     46     28     22     35     38     43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018, the expense ratio would have been 0.93%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

58  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio (continued)  
    Service  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 29.23     $ 29.34     $ 41.34     $ 32.95     $ 25.92     $ 25.30     $ 20.18  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.07     (0.14     (0.31     (0.20     (0.19     (0.15     (0.17

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.62       0.03       (9.39     8.59       7.34       1.76       6.04  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.55       (0.11     (9.70     8.39       7.15       1.61       5.87  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (2.30           (0.12     (0.99     (0.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 31.78     $ 29.23     $ 29.34     $ 41.34     $ 32.95     $ 25.92     $ 25.30  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    8.72 %(d)      (0.38 )%      (25.06 )%      25.46 %(d)      27.68     7.15     30.03
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.10 %(f)      1.10     1.09     1.10 %(f)      1.11     1.16     1.25 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.05 %(f)      1.05     1.05     1.05 %(f)      1.05     1.05     1.12
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.48 )%(f)      (0.50 )%      (0.77 )%      (0.78 )%(f)      (0.67 )%      (0.59 )%      (0.73 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 61,885     $ 62,693     $ 81,276     $ 104,997     $ 83,680     $ 61,293     $ 33,768  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     46     28     22     35     38     43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018, the expense ratio would have been 1.25%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  59


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.85     $ 27.96     $ 39.50     $ 31.48     $ 24.78     $ 24.22     $ 19.30  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.07     (0.14     (0.29     (0.19     (0.18     (0.14     (0.18

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.50       0.03       (8.94     8.21       7.00       1.68       5.79  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.43       (0.11     (9.23     8.02       6.82       1.54       5.61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (2.31           (0.12     (0.98     (0.69
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.28     $ 27.85     $ 27.96     $ 39.50     $ 31.48     $ 24.78     $ 24.22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    8.73 %(d)      (0.39 )%      (25.05 )%      25.48 %(d)      27.61     7.17     29.98
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.13 %(f)      1.13     1.09     1.09 %(f)      1.14     1.16     1.29 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.05 %(f)      1.05     1.05     1.05 %(f)      1.05     1.05     1.19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.48 )%(f)      (0.50 )%      (0.78 )%      (0.78 )%(f)      (0.67 )%      (0.58 )%      (0.82 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,609,751     $ 1,637,289     $ 1,913,190     $ 2,577,151     $ 1,917,773     $ 1,335,467     $ 801,263  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     46     28     22     35     38     43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018, the expense ratio would have been 1.26%

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

60  

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.69     $ 20.93     $ 30.22     $ 24.20     $ 19.21     $ 19.04     $ 15.36  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.13     (0.25     (0.43     (0.29     (0.30     (0.24     (0.26

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.85       0.01       (6.67     6.31       5.41       1.28       4.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.72       (0.24     (7.10     6.02       5.11       1.04       4.31  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (2.19           (0.12     (0.87     (0.63
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.41     $ 20.69     $ 20.93     $ 30.22     $ 24.20     $ 19.21     $ 19.04  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    8.31 %(d)      (1.15 )%      (25.61 )%      24.88 %(d)      26.72     6.33     29.05
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.84 %(f)      1.83     1.78     1.80 %(f)      1.84     1.86     1.94 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.80 %(f)      1.80     1.78     1.79 %(f)      1.80     1.80     1.88
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1.23 )%(f)      (1.25 )%      (1.51 )%      (1.52 )%(f)      (1.42 )%      (1.33 )%      (1.49 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 190,583     $ 194,849     $ 243,284     $ 357,360     $ 280,143     $ 209,923     $ 164,083  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     46     28     22     35     38     43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018, the expense ratio would have been 1.94%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  61


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio (continued)  
    Class K  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 32.95     $ 32.96     $ 46.10     $ 36.66     $ 28.74     $ 27.93     $ 22.14  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.02     (0.05     (0.17     (0.12     (0.12     (0.09     (0.07

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.95       0.04       (10.58     9.56       8.16       1.96       6.62  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.93       (0.01     (10.75     9.44       8.04       1.87       6.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (2.39           (0.12     (1.06     (0.76
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 35.88     $ 32.95     $ 32.96     $ 46.10     $ 36.66     $ 28.74     $ 27.93  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    8.89 %(d)      (0.03 )%      (24.79 )%      25.75 %(d)      28.06     7.47     30.46
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    0.71 %(f)      0.71     0.70     0.70 %(f)      0.73 %(g)      0.76 %(h)      0.80 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.71 %(f)      0.71     0.70     0.70 %(f)      0.73     0.75     0.76
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.14 )%(f)      (0.15 )%      (0.40 )%      (0.42 )%(f)      (0.36 )%      (0.31 )%      (0.29 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 4,362,854     $ 4,233,488     $ 4,376,642     $ 3,674,402     $ 2,011,727     $ 652,138     $ 139,138  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     46     28     22     35     38     43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no financial impact to the expense ratios.

(h) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2019, the expense ratio would have been 0.75%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

62  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio (continued)  
    Class R  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20 to
05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.11     $ 27.28     $ 38.65     $ 30.85     $ 24.34     $ 23.83     $ 19.02  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.10     (0.20     (0.37     (0.25     (0.24     (0.19     (0.22

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.42       0.03       (8.73     8.05       6.87       1.65       5.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.32       (0.17     (9.10     7.80       6.63       1.46       5.47  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (2.27           (0.12     (0.95     (0.66
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 29.43     $ 27.11     $ 27.28     $ 38.65     $ 30.85     $ 24.34     $ 23.83  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    8.56 %(d)      (0.62 )%      (25.24 )%      25.28 %(d)      27.33     6.89     29.63
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.41 %(f)      1.42     1.40     1.39 %(f)      1.45     1.47     1.59 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.30 %(f)      1.30     1.30     1.30 %(f)      1.30     1.30     1.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.73 )%(f)      (0.75 )%      (1.02 )%      (1.03 )%(f)      (0.92 )%      (0.83 )%      (1.05 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 91,710     $ 93,427     $ 93,527     $ 98,300     $ 59,411     $ 40,999     $ 22,880  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21     46     28     22     35     38     43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018, the expense ratio would have been 1.58%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  63


Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund  
    Institutional  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 47.74     $ 45.31     $ 64.81     $ 55.33     $ 32.63     $ 31.83     $ 25.64  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.11     (0.13     (0.30     (0.28     (0.22     (0.10     (0.09

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    5.93       2.56       (14.51     12.67       23.43       1.20       8.25  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.82       2.43       (14.81     12.39       23.21       1.10       8.16  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (4.69     (2.91     (0.51     (0.30     (1.97
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 53.56     $ 47.74     $ 45.31     $ 64.81     $ 55.33     $ 32.63     $ 31.83  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    12.19 %(d)      5.36     (25.09 )%      22.68 %(d)      72.07     3.63     34.02
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    0.97 %(f)      0.98     0.94     0.92 %(f)      0.98     1.02     1.10
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.92 %(f)      0.92     0.92     0.92 %(f)      0.92     0.92     0.99
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.46 )%(f)      (0.30 )%      (0.48 )%      (0.66 )%(f)      (0.50 )%      (0.32 )%      (0.32 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 2,405,812     $ 2,316,550     $ 2,943,616     $ 4,958,187     $ 3,641,519     $ 1,033,286     $ 584,654  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9     39     29     25     27     33     49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

64  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Service  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 44.45     $ 42.30     $ 60.86     $ 52.20     $ 30.88     $ 30.22     $ 24.44  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.17     (0.21     (0.42     (0.37     (0.30     (0.17     (0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    5.53       2.36       (13.52     11.94       22.13       1.13       7.85  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.36       2.15       (13.94     11.57       21.83       0.96       7.70  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (4.62     (2.91     (0.51     (0.30     (1.92
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 49.81     $ 44.45     $ 42.30     $ 60.86     $ 52.20     $ 30.88     $ 30.22  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    12.06 %(d)      5.08     (25.28 )%      22.46 %(d)      71.68     3.36     33.74
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.20 %(f)      1.20     1.19     1.17 %(f)      1.19     1.25 %(g)      1.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.17 %(f)      1.17     1.17     1.16 %(f)      1.17     1.17     1.22
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.71 )%(f)      (0.55 )%      (0.73 )%      (0.90 )%(f)      (0.74 )%      (0.57 )%      (0.55 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 47,996     $ 47,332     $ 55,439     $ 83,886     $ 50,710     $ 20,429     $ 15,208  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9     39     29     25     27     33     49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees with no financial impact to the expense ratios.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  65


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 43.37     $ 41.27     $ 59.47     $ 51.06     $ 30.22     $ 29.58     $ 23.95  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.16     (0.21     (0.41     (0.36     (0.29     (0.17     (0.16

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    5.38       2.31       (13.19     11.68       21.64       1.11       7.69  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.22       2.10       (13.60     11.32       21.35       0.94       7.53  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (4.60     (2.91     (0.51     (0.30     (1.90
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 48.59     $ 43.37     $ 41.27     $ 59.47     $ 51.06     $ 30.22     $ 29.58  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    12.03 %(d)      5.09     (25.28 )%      22.48 %(d)      71.65     3.36     33.70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.22 %(f)      1.23     1.21     1.19 %(f)      1.25     1.29     1.38 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.17 %(f)      1.17     1.17     1.17 %(f)      1.17     1.17     1.26
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.71 )%(f)      (0.54 )%      (0.73 )%      (0.91 )%(f)      (0.74 )%      (0.58 )%      (0.59 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,702,256     $ 1,572,976     $ 1,695,648     $ 2,524,052     $ 1,773,399     $ 672,110     $ 627,626  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9     39     29     25     27     33     49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018, the expense ratio would have been 1.37%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 34.58     $ 33.17     $ 48.77     $ 42.52     $ 25.43     $ 25.13     $ 20.72  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.26     (0.40     (0.68     (0.54     (0.48     (0.32     (0.31

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    4.29       1.81       (10.52     9.70       18.08       0.92       6.57  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    4.03       1.41       (11.20     9.16       17.60       0.60       6.26  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (4.40     (2.91     (0.51     (0.30     (1.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 38.61     $ 34.58     $ 33.17     $ 48.77     $ 42.52     $ 25.43     $ 25.13  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    11.65 %(d)      4.25     (25.81 )%      21.89 %(d)      70.39     2.60     32.68
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.98 %(f)      1.98     1.92     1.91 %(f)      1.98     2.02     2.10 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.92 %(f)      1.92     1.91     1.90 %(f)      1.92     1.92     2.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1.46 )%(f)      (1.30 )%      (1.47 )%      (1.65 )%(f)      (1.49 )%      (1.33 )%      (1.34 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 262,851     $ 259,247     $ 291,802     $ 427,435     $ 317,792     $ 152,505     $ 142,942  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9     39     29     25     27     33     49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees. Excluding the recoupment of past waived and/or reimbursed fees for the year ended September 30, 2018, the expense ratio would have been 2.09%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  67


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Class K  
    Six Months          
    Ended           Period from       Period from  
    11/30/23       Year Ended       Year Ended       10/01/20       12/10/19 (a) 
      (unaudited     05/31/23       05/31/22       to 05/31/21       to 09/30/20  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 47.83     $ 45.37     $ 64.89     $ 55.36     $ 34.59  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.10     (0.10     (0.24     (0.24     (0.16

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    5.95       2.56       (14.55     12.68       20.93  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.85       2.46       (14.79     12.44       20.77  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(c)

                (4.73     (2.91      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 53.68     $ 47.83     $ 45.37     $ 64.89     $ 55.36  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    12.23 %(e)      5.42     (25.05 )%      22.77 %(e)      60.05 %(e) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

         

Total expenses

    0.86 %(g)      0.87     0.84     0.83 %(g)      0.87 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.86 %(g)      0.87     0.83     0.82 %(g)      0.86 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.40 )%(g)      (0.24 )%      (0.38 )%      (0.56 )%(g)      (0.46 )%(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 190,426     $ 157,185     $ 135,879     $ 122,568     $ 75,426  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9     39     29     25     27 %(h) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Not annualized.

(f) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Portfolio turnover is representative of the Fund for the entire year.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (continued)  
    Class R  
    Six Months
Ended
11/30/23
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
05/31/23
    Year Ended
05/31/22
    Period from
10/01/20
to 05/31/21
    Year Ended
09/30/20
    Year Ended
09/30/19
    Year Ended
09/30/18
 
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 43.44     $ 41.44     $ 59.75     $ 51.37     $ 30.48     $ 29.90     $ 24.20  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(a)

    (0.22     (0.30     (0.56     (0.46     (0.38     (0.24     (0.23

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    5.40       2.30       (13.25     11.75       21.78       1.12       7.78  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    5.18       2.00       (13.81     11.29       21.40       0.88       7.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions from net realized gain(b)

                (4.50     (2.91     (0.51     (0.30     (1.85
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 48.62     $ 43.44     $ 41.44     $ 59.75     $ 51.37     $ 30.48     $ 29.90  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    11.92 %(d)      4.83     (25.47 )%      22.28 %(d)      71.20     3.12     33.35
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

             

Total expenses

    1.55 %(f)      1.58     1.54     1.50 %(f)      1.57     1.60     1.69
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.42 %(f)      1.42     1.42     1.42 %(f)      1.42     1.42     1.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.96 )%(f)      (0.79 )%      (0.98 )%      (1.17 )%(f)      (0.99 )%      (0.83 )%      (0.87 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 37,254     $ 35,771     $ 35,001     $ 50,186     $ 38,907     $ 18,799     $ 13,577  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9     39     29     25     27     33     49
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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) 

Not annualized.

(e) 

Excludes fees and expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds.

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

I N A N C I A L  I G H L I G H T S

  69


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) and BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) are each registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as open-end management investment companies. The Corporation is organized as a Maryland corporation. The Trust is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. is the only series of the Corporation. BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio, BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund, BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio and BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund are series of the 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 Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.

    Capital Appreciation        Diversified  

BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio

    Health Sciences Opportunities        Diversified  

BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund

    Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities        Non-Diversified  

BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio

    Mid-Cap Growth Equity        Diversified  

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund

    Technology Opportunities        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, Service and Class K Shares are sold only to certain eligible investors. Service, 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, Service and Class K Shares

  No      No      None

Investor A Shares

  Yes      No (a)     None

Investor C Shares

  No      Yes (b)     To Investor A Shares after approximately 8 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 the Corporation had previously approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Corporation and BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Acquiring Fund”), pursuant to which the Corporation will be reorganized into the Acquiring Fund (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was originally expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2023, but has been postponed. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days’ notice in advance of the closing of the Reorganization.

The Board of Directors of the Corporation and the Board of Trustees of the Trust are collectively referred to throughout this report as the “Board”, and the directors/trustees thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as “Directors”.

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 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 using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend dates may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Funds are informed of the ex-dividend dates. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. 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 effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

ForeignTaxes: The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Fund invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Fund and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Foreign taxes withheld”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of November 30, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Funds may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations include tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Bank Overdraft: Certain Funds had outstanding cash disbursements exceeding deposited cash amounts at the custodian during the reporting period. The Funds are obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses, where applicable. For financial reporting purposes, overdraft fees, if any, are included in interest expense in the Statements of Operations.

Collateralization: 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.

Distributions: Distributions paid by the Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Offering Costs: Offering costs are amortized over a 12-month period beginning with the commencement of operations of a class of shares.

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. 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. 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.

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 overdrafts, subject to certain conditions.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Fund is open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board of each Fund has approved the designation of each Fund’s Manager as the valuation designee for each Fund. Each Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under the Manager’s policies. 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 the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. The Manager has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

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 that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published net asset value (“NAV”).

 

   

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.

 

   

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.

 

   

Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by independent pricing services 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.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Each business day, the Funds use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

If events (e.g., market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Valuation Committee in accordance with the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Valuation Committee 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 Valuation Committee deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

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 Valuation Committee and third-party pricing services utilized by the Valuation Committee include one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

Standard Inputs Generally Considered By The Valuation Committee And 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. Enterprise valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”), current value method or a hybrid of those techniques are used as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of these valuation techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

The Private Companies are not subject to the public company disclosure, timing, and reporting standards applicable to other investments held by a 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 financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each 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); and

 

   

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

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

As of November 30, 2023, certain investments of the Funds were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Preferred Stocks: Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally in receiving dividends as well), but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

Forward Commitments, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities: The Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. The Funds may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually acquiring them but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, the Funds may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, a fund is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, the Funds assume the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, the Funds’ maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions. These types of securities may be considered unfunded and may obligate the Funds to make future cash payments. An unfunded commitment is marked-to-market and any unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is separately presented in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Statements of Operations. As of period end, the Funds had the following unfunded commitments:

 

Fund Name      Investment Name       
Commitment
Amount
 
 
     Value       

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
 
 

Health Sciences Opportunities

     Neurogene, Inc.      $ 3,061,199      $ 1,952,834      $ (1,108,365
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities Lending: The 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 Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities, but does 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.

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. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Fund, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are disclosed in the Funds’ Schedules of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of related collateral, if any, are shown separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value – unaffiliated and collateral on securities loaned, respectively.

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 Fund, 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.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

Fund Name/Counterparty     
Securities
Loaned at Value
 
 
    
Cash
Collateral Received
 
(a) 
   

Non-Cash
Collateral Received,
at Fair Value
 
 
(a) 
   
Net
Amount
 
(b) 

Health Sciences Opportunities

         

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 32,828,295      $ (32,828,295   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

     5,038,595        (5,038,595            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     17,433,059        (17,433,059            

Jefferies LLC

     172,788        (172,788            

Morgan Stanley

     2,191,553        (2,158,850           32,703  

National Financial Services LLC

     754,800        (754,800            
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 58,419,090      $ (58,386,387   $     $ 32,703  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

         

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 60,371,959      $ (60,371,959   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

     163,493,312        (163,493,312            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     48,408,405        (48,408,405            

Morgan Stanley

     112,776,767        (112,776,767            

National Financial Services LLC

     1,572,500        (1,572,500            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

     5,212,275        (5,212,275            
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 391,835,218      $ (391,835,218   $     $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Technology Opportunities

         

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

   $ 14,021,416      $ (14,021,416   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

     18,295,325        (18,295,325            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

     350,880        (350,880            

Morgan Stanley

     21,656,979        (21,656,979            

National Financial Services LLC

     3,216,450        (3,216,450            

Toronto-Dominion Bank

     101,948        (101,948            
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 57,642,998      $ (57,642,998   $     $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, 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.

 
  (b) 

The market value of the loaned securities is determined as of November 30, 2023. Additional collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day in accordance with the MSLA. The net amount would be subject to the borrower default indemnity in the event of default by the counterparty.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the 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.

 

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 over-the-counter (“OTC”).

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 contracts are traded OTC and not on an organized exchange.

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 amounts 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. A Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by the Fund.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

 

   

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 the 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 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 risks 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 its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help it mitigate its counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a 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, a 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. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

Collateral Requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the 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 the counterparties are not fully collateralized, each Fund bears 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, each Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Corporation, on behalf of Capital Appreciation, and the Trust, on behalf of Health Sciences Opportunities, Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities, Mid-Cap Growth Equity and Technology Opportunities, 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 services and with respect to Capital Appreciation, 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:

 

Average Daily Net Assets           Investment Advisory Fees
Capital Appreciation
 

First $1 billion

    0.650

$1 billion - $1.5 billion

    0.625  

$1.5 billion - $5 billion

    0.600  

$5 billion - $7.5 billion

    0.575  

Greater than $7.5 billion

    0.550  

 

Average Daily Net Assets           Investment Advisory Fees
Health Sciences  Opportunities
 

First $1 billion

    0.750

$1 billion - $2 billion

    0.700  

$2 billion - $3 billion

    0.675  

$3 billion - $10 billion

    0.650  

Greater than $10 billion

    0.640  

 

     Investment Advisory Fees  
Average Daily Net Assets           Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities     Technology Opportunities  

First $1 billion

    0.800     0.820

$1 billion - $3 billion

    0.750       0.770  

$3 billion - $5 billion

    0.720       0.740  

$5 billion - $10 billion

    0.700       0.710  

Greater than $10 billion

    0.680       0.700  

 

Average Daily Net Assets  

        Investment Advisory Fees

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

 

First $1 billion

    0.700

$1 billion - $3 billion

    0.660  

$3 billion - $5 billion

    0.630  

$5 billion - $10 billion

    0.610  

$10 billion - $18 billion

    0.600  

Greater than $18 billion

    0.590  

With respect to Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities, the Manager entered into separate sub-advisory agreements with each of BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (“BSL”), each an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL and BSL for services they provide, for that portion of the Fund for which BIL and BSL, as applicable, act as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Manager.

Service and Distribution Fees: The Corporation, on behalf of Capital Appreciation, and the Trust, on behalf of Health Sciences Opportunities, Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities, Mid-Cap Growth Equity and Technology Opportunities, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution and Service Plan 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:

 

Share Class   Service Fees     Distribution Fees  

Service

    0.25     N/A  

Investor A

    0.25       N/A  

Investor C

    0.25       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 BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing and/or distribution related services to shareholders.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific service and distribution fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

Fund Name   Service      Investor A      Investor C      Class R      Total  

Capital Appreciation

  $      $ 2,252,766      $ 197,510      $ 61,423      $ 2,511,699  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    40,344        3,551,001        1,874,283        596,166        6,061,794  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

           200                      200  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    79,472        2,035,260        975,851        234,730        3,325,313  

Technology Opportunities

    58,493        2,037,649        1,309,936        91,302        3,497,380  

Administration: The Trust, on behalf of Health Sciences Opportunities, Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities, Mid-Cap Growth Equity and Technology Opportunities, entered into an Administration Agreement with the Manager, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide administrative services. For these services, the Manager receives an administration fee computed daily and payable monthly, based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund. The administration fee, which is shown as administration in the Statements of Operations, is paid at the annual rates below.

 

Average Daily Net Assets   Administration Fees  

First $500 million

    0.0425

$500 million - $1 billion

    0.0400  

$1 billion - $2 billion

    0.0375  

$2 billion - $4 billion

    0.0350  

$4 billion - $13 billion

    0.0325  

Greater than $13 billion

    0.0300  

In addition, the Manager charges each of the share classes an administration fee, which is shown as administration — class specific in the Statements of Operations, at an annual rate of 0.02% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific administration fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

Fund Name   Institutional      Service      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Class R      Total  

Health Sciences Opportunities

  $ 436,753      $ 3,223      $ 283,641      $ 37,455      $ 47,037      $ 23,809      $ 831,918  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    10               16               844               870  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    531,373        6,347        162,563        19,486        432,670        9,373        1,161,812  

Technology Opportunities

    234,678        4,670        162,613        26,142        17,366        3,644        449,113  

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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Funds paid the following amounts to affiliates of BlackRock in return for these services, which are included in transfer agent — class specific in the Statements of Operations:

 

Fund Name   Institutional      Total  

Capital Appreciation

  $ 69,864      $ 69,864  

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. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, 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:

 

Fund Name   Institutional      Service      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Class R      Total  

Capital Appreciation

  $ 1,537      $      $ 46,506      $ 4,232      $ 1,618      $ 112      $ 54,005  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    13,203        351        69,254        12,808        1,519        996        98,131  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    108               52               107               267  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    12,297        242        119,070        7,133        8,877        1,372        148,991  

Technology Opportunities

    9,648        35        38,277        8,542        573        367        57,442  

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of each Fund:

 

Fund Name   Institutional      Service      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Class R      Total  

Capital Appreciation

  $ 363,262      $      $ 936,329      $ 38,531      $ 18,559      $ 24,611      $ 1,381,292  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    2,160,984        23,311        1,369,192        222,198        14,737        256,464        4,046,886  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    197               254               206               657  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    4,066,164        48,645        1,496,274        138,790        285,699        96,010        6,131,582  

Technology Opportunities

    1,431,470        24,498        938,519        166,661        9,654        36,372        2,607,174  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Other Fees: For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of each Fund’s Investor A Shares as follows:

 

Fund Name   Amounts  

Capital Appreciation

  $ 16,967  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    26,139  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    87  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    20,830  

Technology Opportunities

    36,519  

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, affiliates received CDSCs as follows:

 

Share Class   Capital
Appreciation
     Health
Sciences
Opportunities
     Mid-Cap
Growth
Equity
     Technology
Opportunities
 

Investor A

  $ 3,224      $ 3,720      $ 2,333      $ 1,913  

Investor C

    528        8,595        3,437        5,397  

Expense Limitations, Waivers, Reimbursements, and Recoupments: With respect to each Fund, 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 June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Corporation or the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund. 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. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amounts waived were as follows:

 

Fund Name   Amounts Waived  

Capital Appreciation

  $ 1,160  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    66,885  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    180  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    5,423  

Technology Opportunities

    6,911  

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 June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, there were no fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

With respect to each Fund (except Health Sciences Opportunities), 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:

 

Share Class   Capital Appreciation     Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities     Mid-Cap Growth Equity     Technology Opportunities  

Institutional

    N/A       1.00     0.80     0.92

Service

    N/A       N/A       1.05       1.17  

Investor A

    N/A       1.25       1.05       1.17  

Investor C

    1.94     N/A       1.80       1.92  

Class K

    0.72       0.95       0.75       0.87  

Class R

    N/A       N/A       1.30       1.42  

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue the contractual expense limitations through June 30, 2025 (or June 30, 2034 with respect to Capital Appreciation), 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.

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities waived and/or reimbursed the Manager investment advisory fees and other expenses of $151,132, which is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations.

In addition, these amounts waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager are included in administration fees waived by the Manager — class specific and transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager — class specific, respectively, in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements are as follows:

 

     Administration Fees Waived by the Manager - Class Specific  
Fund Name   Institutional      Service      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Class R      Total  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

  $ 10      $      $ 16      $      $ 844      $      $ 870  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    531,373        6,346        162,563        19,486               9,373        729,141  

Technology Opportunities

    234,678        3,960        162,613        26,142               3,644        431,037  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Transfer Agent Fees Waived and/or Reimbursed by the Manager - Class Specific  
Fund Name   Institutional      Service      Investor A      Investor C      Class K      Class R      Total  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

  $ 173      $      $ 214      $      $ 206      $      $ 593  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    864,469        10,571        521,806        23,628               39,898        1,460,372  

Technology Opportunities

    363,029        4,085        204,256        50,822               19,968        642,160  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities also had a waiver of administration fees, which are included in Administration fees waived in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, the amount was $1,849.

With respect to the contractual expense limitation of Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities, if during the Fund’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, of which the share class is a part, has more than $50 million in assets for the fiscal year, and

 

  (2)

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

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 September 30, 2028 the repayment arrangement between the Fund and the Manager pursuant to which the Fund may be required to repay amounts waived and/or reimbursed under the Fund’s contractual caps on net expenses will be terminated.

As of November 30, 2023, the fund level and class specific waivers and/or reimbursements subject to possible future recoupment under the expense limitation agreement were as follows:

 

     Expiring May 31,  
Fund Name/Fund Level/Share Class   2024      2025      2026  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

       

Fund Level

    $198,233      $ 299,135      $ 152,981  

Institutional

    153        174        183  

Investor A

    151        40        230  

Class K

    1,479        1,854        1,050  

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 Money Market Series, managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the Money Market Series to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the Money Market Series will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Funds. The Money Market Series may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of the Money Market Series. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. Each 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, Capital Appreciation, Health Sciences Opportunities, Mid-Cap Growth Equity and Technology Opportunities retain 81% 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. Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities 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, Capital Appreciation, Health Sciences Opportunities, Mid-Cap Growth Equity and Technology Opportunities, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 81% 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. Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities, 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.

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The share of securities lending income earned by each Fund is shown as securities lending income — affiliated — net in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended November 30, 2023, each Fund paid BIM the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

Fund Name   Amounts  

Capital Appreciation

  $ 1,247  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    99,953  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    3  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    68,387  

Technology Opportunities

    11,316  

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, Capital Appreciation and Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities 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 Capital Appreciation’s and Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities’s investment policies and restrictions. Capital Appreciation is currently permitted to borrow under the Interfund Lending Program. In addition, Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities is 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, Capital Appreciation and Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

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

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended November 30, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:

 

Fund Name   Purchases      Sales  

Capital Appreciation

  $ 289,589,005      $ 581,856,820  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    1,397,366,319        2,154,481,470  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    2,651,921        2,146,316  

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    2,396,617,647        3,377,006,398  

Technology Opportunities

    401,237,458        629,543,843  

 

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 each Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for a period of three years after they are filed. 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 November 30, 2023, 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.

As of May 31, 2023, the Funds had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains and qualified late-year losses as follows:

 

Fund Name   Non-Expiring Capital
Loss Carryforwards
       Qualified Late-Year
Ordinary Losses
 

Capital Appreciation

  $        $ 1,852,224  

Health Sciences Opportunities

             70,936  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    618,241           

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    2,288,206,843          20,531,216  

Technology Opportunities

    710,037,033          7,766,600  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

As of November 30, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Fund Name   Tax Cost      Gross Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross Unrealized
Depreciation
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Capital Appreciation

  $ 1,577,212,297      $ 1,692,437,998      $ (17,023,817   $ 1,675,414,181  

Health Sciences Opportunities

    5,177,330,809        3,072,903,899        (271,608,354     2,801,295,545  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

    9,222,020        475,009        (866,023     (391,014

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

    8,780,212,661        3,407,210,880        (255,702,440     3,151,508,440  

Technology Opportunities

    2,532,805,056        2,229,706,895        (52,024,044     2,177,682,851  

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Corporation and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates (“Participating Funds”), is party to a 364-day, $2.50 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) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.80% per annum, (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 or (c) the sum of (x) Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.10% and (y) 0.80% per annum. The agreement expires in April 2024 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 six months ended November 30, 2023, the Funds did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, the 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.

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 discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Infectious Illness Risk: An outbreak of an infectious illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely impact the economies of many nations and the global economy, and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. An infectious illness outbreak may result in, among other things, closed international borders, prolonged quarantines, supply chain disruptions, market volatility or disruptions and other significant economic, social and political impacts.

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.

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, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. 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.

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  81


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (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 options purchased and 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.

Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within the Fund’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Fund’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedules of Investments.

The Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the Funds invest.

Significant Shareholder Redemption Risk: Certain shareholders may own or manage a substantial amount of fund shares and/or hold their fund investments for a limited period of time. Large redemptions of fund shares by these shareholders may force a fund to sell portfolio securities, which may negatively impact the fund’s NAV, increase the fund’s brokerage costs, and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income/gains and cause the fund to make additional taxable distributions to shareholders.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended 11/30/23     Year Ended 05/31/23  
Fund Name/Share Class   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Capital Appreciation

       

Institutional

       

Shares sold

    1,229,752     $ 41,045,413       5,716,023     $ 157,957,646  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    271,302       9,178,145       1,893,570       51,954,274  

Shares redeemed

    (2,926,262     (97,560,178     (15,681,629     (435,307,849
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,425,208   $ (47,336,620     (8,072,036   $ (225,395,929
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    1,766,494     $ 51,494,190       3,941,330     $ 97,836,995  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,003,491       29,663,201       5,278,960       127,222,770  

Shares redeemed

    (4,617,857     (135,096,969     (13,077,008     (322,318,537
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,847,872   $ (53,939,578     (3,856,718   $ (97,258,772
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

       

Shares sold

    122,655     $ 1,985,872       295,401     $ 4,190,433  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    78,950       1,285,304       415,970       5,707,720  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (521,422     (8,405,515     (1,003,070     (14,231,042
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (319,817   $ (5,134,339     (291,699   $ (4,332,889
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

82  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Six Months Ended 11/30/23     Year Ended 05/31/23  
Fund Name/Share Class   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Capital Appreciation (continued)

       

Class K

       

Shares sold

    896,544     $ 30,225,975       2,780,441     $ 79,543,996  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    299,603       10,261,389       1,501,046       41,578,344  

Shares redeemed

    (5,052,062     (168,259,908     (4,141,499     (118,871,975
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (3,855,915   $ (127,772,544     139,988     $ 2,250,365  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

       

Shares sold

    103,468     $ 2,134,399       204,059     $ 3,695,774  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    29,675       622,572       142,318       2,473,411  

Shares redeemed

    (207,462     (4,453,506     (310,598     (5,527,276
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (74,319   $ (1,696,535     35,779     $ 641,909  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (7,523,131   $ (235,879,616     (12,044,686   $ (324,095,316
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Health Sciences Opportunities

       

Institutional

       

Shares sold

    3,590,199     $ 247,112,091       11,197,111     $ 765,047,695  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,152,305       81,272,036       5,046,141       332,953,033  

Shares redeemed

    (8,923,581     (612,460,758     (21,662,089     (1,475,511,418
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (4,181,077   $ (284,076,631     (5,418,837   $ (377,510,690
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Service

       

Shares sold

    19,745     $ 1,278,029       57,200     $ 3,684,661  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    10,065       667,108       40,955       2,542,243  

Shares redeemed

    (61,222     (3,979,866     (122,578     (7,895,488
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (31,412   $ (2,034,729     (24,423   $ (1,668,584
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    1,662,660     $ 107,389,328       4,334,203     $ 278,606,468  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    861,423       56,802,265       3,522,117       217,567,391  

Shares redeemed

    (4,263,716     (274,600,146     (9,621,175     (618,119,887
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,739,633   $ (110,408,553     (1,764,855   $ (121,946,028
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

       

Shares sold

    167,430     $ 8,942,342       537,584     $ 28,698,873  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    177,161       9,625,174       832,560       42,677,038  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (1,608,035     (85,468,729     (3,241,641     (172,577,850
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,263,444   $ (66,901,213     (1,871,497   $ (101,201,939
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class K

       

Shares sold

    919,349     $ 63,666,969       2,134,729     $ 147,417,118  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    120,923       8,544,395       470,645       31,121,552  

Shares redeemed

    (1,616,138     (112,999,257     (1,551,519     (105,963,545
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (575,866   $ (40,787,893     1,053,855     $ 72,575,125  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

       

Shares sold

    152,153     $ 9,421,417       260,827     $ 16,205,620  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    79,945       5,102,900       305,568       18,277,362  

Shares redeemed

    (343,568     (21,500,224     (662,105     (41,318,683
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (111,470   $ (6,975,907     (95,710   $ (6,835,701
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (7,902,902   $ (511,184,926     (8,121,467   $ (536,587,817
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  83


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Six Months Ended 11/30/23     Year Ended 05/31/23  
Fund Name/Share Class   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities

       

Institutional

       

Shares sold

    146     $ 1,255       664     $ 5,769  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    13       124       32       282  

Shares redeemed

    (262     (2,192     (133     (1,200
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (103   $ (813     563     $ 4,851  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold

    5,008     $ 42,411       6,368     $ 57,649  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    66       607       38       332  

Shares redeemed

    (1,344     (10,686     (54     (495
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    3,730     $ 32,332       6,352     $ 57,486  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class K

       

Shares sold

    61     $ 520       189     $ 1,620  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    6       56       16       142  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    67     $ 576       205     $ 1,762  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    3,694     $ 32,095       7,120     $ 64,099  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mid-Cap Growth Equity

       

Institutional

       

Shares sold

    13,906,035     $ 477,656,786       47,917,656     $ 1,524,488,005  

Shares redeemed

    (28,837,238     (986,027,853     (103,429,603     (3,263,321,983
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (14,931,203   $ (508,371,067     (55,511,947   $ (1,738,833,978
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Service

       

Shares sold

    97,886     $ 2,999,341       350,535     $ 9,881,277  

Shares redeemed

    (295,217     (8,843,161     (975,944     (27,755,309
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (197,331   $ (5,843,820     (625,409   $ (17,874,032
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    2,494,382     $ 72,950,389       7,397,275     $ 201,630,334  

Shares redeemed

    (8,115,402     (236,047,974     (17,049,170     (459,100,473
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (5,621,020   $ (163,097,585     (9,651,895   $ (257,470,139
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

       

Shares sold

    200,362     $ 4,366,259       596,600     $ 12,112,431  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (1,112,843     (23,995,863     (2,806,057     (56,412,228
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (912,481   $ (19,629,604     (2,209,457   $ (44,299,797
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class K

       

Shares sold

    11,572,784     $ 400,447,225       43,394,126     $ 1,373,927,107  

Shares redeemed

    (18,463,712     (637,840,789     (47,704,012     (1,522,478,195
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (6,890,928   $ (237,393,564     (4,309,886   $ (148,551,088
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

       

Shares sold

    284,882     $ 8,079,375       880,078     $ 23,445,508  

Shares redeemed

    (615,531     (17,473,336     (862,426     (22,678,994
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (330,649   $ (9,393,961     17,652     $ 766,514  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (28,883,612   $ (943,729,601     (72,290,942   $ (2,206,262,520
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Technology Opportunities

       

Institutional

       

Shares sold

    5,145,074     $ 258,124,062       16,615,851     $ 696,225,151  

Shares redeemed

    (8,753,871     (438,660,382     (33,058,906     (1,373,686,694
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (3,608,797   $ (180,536,320     (16,443,055   $ (677,461,543
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

84  

2 0 2 3   B L A C K O C K  E M I - A N N U A L  E P O R T   T O  H A R E H O L D E R S


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Six Months Ended 11/30/23     Year Ended 05/31/23  
Fund Name/Share Class   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Technology Opportunities (continued)

       

Service

       

Shares sold

    105,625     $ 5,010,319       171,238     $ 6,686,958  

Shares redeemed

    (206,850     (9,584,051     (417,065     (16,352,892
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (101,225   $ (4,573,732     (245,827   $ (9,665,934
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    2,518,205     $ 114,699,264       4,850,581     $ 188,138,502  

Shares redeemed

    (3,760,433     (171,293,837     (9,667,118     (366,443,166
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (1,242,228   $ (56,594,573     (4,816,537   $ (178,304,664
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor C

       

Shares sold

    372,483     $ 13,533,457       705,328     $ 21,723,660  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

    (1,060,646     (38,380,684     (2,005,673     (60,699,308
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (688,163   $ (24,847,227     (1,300,345   $ (38,975,648
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class K

       

Shares sold

    907,749     $ 45,826,688       1,866,384     $ 77,400,205  

Shares redeemed

    (646,647     (32,192,990     (1,574,873     (65,635,026
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    261,102     $ 13,633,698       291,511     $ 11,765,179  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

       

Shares sold

    141,933     $ 6,455,240       250,388     $ 9,664,993  

Shares redeemed

    (199,093     (9,017,253     (271,520     (10,425,495
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (57,160   $ (2,562,013     (21,132   $ (760,502
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (5,436,471   $ (255,480,167     (22,535,385   $ (893,403,112
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of November 30, 2023, shares owned by BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Funds, were as follows:

 

Share Class   Infrastructure
Sustainable
Opportunities
     Technology
Opportunities
 

Institutional

    10,000         

Investor A

    10,000         

Class K

    980,000        8,673  

 

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.

 

 

O T E S   T O  I N A N C I A L  T A T E M E N T S

  85


Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

 

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Liquidity Rule”), BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”) and BlackRock FundsSM (the “Trust”) have adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) for BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc., BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio, BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund, BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio and BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund (the “Funds”), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage each Fund’s liquidity risk.

The Board of Directors of the Corporation and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (together, the “Board”), on behalf of the Funds, met on November 16-17, 2023 (the “Meeting”) to review the Program. The Board previously appointed BlackRock Advisors, LLC or BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BlackRock”), each an investment adviser to certain BlackRock funds, as the program administrator for each Fund’s Program, as applicable. BlackRock also previously 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 management 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 October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 (the “Program Reporting Period”).

The Report described the Program’s liquidity classification methodology for categorizing each Fund’s investments (including derivative transactions) into one of four liquidity buckets. It also referenced the methodology used by BlackRock to establish each Fund’s HLIM and noted that the Committee reviews and ratifies the HLIM assigned to each Fund no less frequently than annually. The Report also discussed notable events affecting liquidity over the Program Reporting Period, including the imposition of capital controls in certain countries.

The Report noted that the Program complied with the key factors for consideration under the Liquidity Rule for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing each 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 or reverse repurchase agreements), such borrowings were factored into the Program’s calculation of a fund’s liquidity bucketing. A fund’s 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 redemption activity and used this information as a component to establish each Fund’s reasonably anticipated trading size utilized for liquidity classifications. 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 committed to each Fund, 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, and BlackRock Floating Rate Loan ETF, a series of BlackRock ETF Trust II). 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 other than the enhancement of certain model components in the Program’s classification methodology. 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.

 

 

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Additional Information

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and ETFs

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

General Information

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Funds may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Householding

The Funds will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, Rule 30e-3 notices and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Funds at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and 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 without charge, upon request (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com; and (3) 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 visit blackrock.com for more information.

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.

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.

 

 

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

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.

 

Fund and Service Providers  
Investment Adviser and Administrator   Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
BlackRock Advisors, LLC   Deloitte & Touche LLP
Wilmington, DE 19809   Boston, MA 02116
Sub-Advisers(a)   Distributor
BlackRock International Limited   BlackRock Investments, LLC
Edinburgh, EH3 8BL   New York, NY 10001
United Kingdom  
  Legal Counsel
BlackRock (Singapore) Limited   Sidley Austin LLP
079912 Singapore   New York, NY 10019
Accounting Agent and Transfer Agent   Address of the Corporation/Trust
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.   100 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809   Wilmington, DE 19809
Custodian  
The Bank of New York Mellon  
New York, NY 10286  

 

(a) 

For BlackRock Infrastructure Sustainable Opportunities Fund.

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency Abbreviation

 

CAD   

Canadian Dollar

 

EUR   

Euro

 

GBP   

British Pound

 

USD    United States Dollar

Portfolio Abbreviation

 

ADR   

American Depositary Receipt

 

CVR   

Contingent Value Rights

 

NVS   

Non-Voting Shares

 

S&P    Standard & Poor’s
 

 

 

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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 the Funds unless preceded or accompanied by the Funds’ 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.

GROPPS-11/23-SAR

 

 

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(b) Not Applicable

 

Item 2 –

Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 3 –

Audit Committee Financial Expert – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 4 –

Principal Accountant Fees and Services – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

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(a) 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.

(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 –

Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation – Not Applicable

 

Item 14 –

Exhibits attached hereto

(a)(1) Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

(a)(2) Section 302 Certifications are attached


(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 – Not Applicable

(a)(4) Change in Registrant’s independent public accountant – Not Applicable

(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached

 


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 FundsSM

 

 

By:

    

/s/ John M. Perlowski       

      

John M. Perlowski

      

Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of

      

BlackRock FundsSM

Date: January 19, 2024

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 FundsSM

Date: January 19, 2024

 

 

By:

    

/s/ Trent Walker          

      

Trent Walker

      

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

      

BlackRock FundsSM

Date: January 19, 2024