N-Q 1 d297744dnq.htm BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC. BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number: 811-08603

Name of Fund:  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Fund Address:   100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

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

Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

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

Date of fiscal year end: 02/28/2017

Date of reporting period: 11/30/2016


Item 1 – Schedule of Investments

 


Consolidated Schedule of Investments November 30, 2016
(Unaudited)
  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Common Stocks           Shares     Value  

Chemicals — 0.0%

  

   

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

       557,488      $ 22,300   

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)(b)

       481,806        19,272   

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

       26        2,348   
      

 

 

 
                       43,920   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%

  

   

Kcad Holdings I Ltd.

             1,075,282,733        1,494,643   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.0%

  

   

Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc. (a)

             5,037        6,548   

Electric Utilities — 0.1%

  

   

Vistra Energy Corp (a)

             39,599        552,406   

Health Care Management Services — 0.0%

  

   

New Millennium HoldCo, Inc.

             10,718        17,417   

Media — 0.0%

  

   

Adelphia Communications Corp., Class A (a)

       400,000        4   

Adelphia Recovery Trust (a)

       396,568        397   
      

 

 

 
                       401   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%

  

   

Denbury Resources, Inc.

       37,600        142,128   

Southcross Holdings LP

       94        32,900   
      

 

 

 
                       175,028   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.0%

  

 

SunPower Corp. (a)

             1,707        11,539   

Specialty Retail — 0.0%

  

   

Things Remembered, Inc. (a)

             1,199,043        12   
Total Common Stocks — 0.3%                2,301,914   
      
                          
Asset-Backed Securities          

Par  

(000)

        

Asset-Backed Securities — 3.6%

  

   

ACAS CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D, 4.53%, 4/18/27 (b)(c)

     USD        280        267,164   

ALM Loan Funding, Series 2013-7RA (b)(c):

      

Class C, 4.33%, 4/24/24

       605        605,010   

Class D, 5.88%, 4/24/24

       1,150        1,150,034   

ALM VII R-2, Ltd., Series 2013-7R2A, Class C, 4.33%, 4/24/24 (b)(c)

       250        250,004   

ALM XIV Ltd., Series 2014-14A, Class C, 4.34%, 7/28/26 (b)(c)

       463        453,525   
Asset-Backed Securities   

Par   

(000)

    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities (continued)

  

   

Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd., Series 2015-6A,
Class E1, 5.78%, 4/15/27 (b)(c)

     USD        750      $ 632,854   

Apidos CDO, Series 2015-21A, Class C,
4.43%, 7/18/27 (b)(c)

       250        232,112   

Ares CLO Ltd., Class D:

      

Series 2015-38A, 5.03%, 1/20/27 (b)(c)

       1,000        1,002,000   

Series 2016-41A, 5.09%, 1/15/29

       450        443,381   

Arrowpoint CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class CR, 5.51%, 11/15/28 (b)(c)

       800        799,200   

Atlas Senior Loan Fund Ltd. (b)(c):

      

Series 2012-1A, Class B2L, 7.16%, 8/15/24

       340        340,026   

Series 2014-6A, Class D, 4.58%, 10/15/26

       1,240        1,199,470   

Atrium CDO Corp., Series 9A, Class D,
4.44%, 2/28/24 (b)(c)

       1,300        1,284,518   

BlueMountain CLO Ltd., Class E (b)(c):

      

Series 2014-4A, 6.24%, 11/30/26

       250        225,088   

Series 2015-2A, 6.23%, 7/18/27

       250        217,747   

Burnham Park CLO Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class D, 4.71%, 10/20/29 (b)(c)

       1,000        988,900   

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd. (b)(c):

      

Series 2012-4A, Class DR, 4.98%, 1/20/29

       1,000        1,000,000   

Series 2013-1A, Class C, 4.90%, 2/14/25

       250        249,969   

Series 2015-2A, Class C, 4.64%, 4/27/27

       250        245,046   

Series 2015-2A, Class D, 6.19%, 4/27/27

       1,000        911,180   

CFIP CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D,
4.63%, 4/20/24 (b)(c)

       1,500        1,475,680   

CIFC Funding 2012-III, Ltd., Series 2012-3A,
Class B1R, 4.88%, 1/29/25 (b)(c)

       1,000        1,000,000   

CIFC Funding Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class D,
4.28%, 7/22/26 (b)(c)

       250        237,863   

Flatiron CLO Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class D,
4.48%, 1/15/23 (b)(c)

       1,000        1,000,021   

Highbridge Loan Management Ltd.,
Series 6A-2015 (b)(c):

      

Class D, 4.53%, 5/05/27

       300        281,481   

Class E1, 6.33%, 5/05/27

       1,250        1,119,848   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    1


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Asset-Backed Securities          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities (continued)

  

 

Madison Park Funding IX Ltd., Series 2012-9AR, Class DR, 4.76%, 8/15/22 (b)(c)

     USD        655      $ 651,308   

Madison Park Funding X, Ltd., Series 2012-10A, Class DR, 5.08%, 1/20/29 (b)(c)

       1,500        1,500,000   

Neuberger Berman CLO XVIII Ltd., Series 2014-18A, Class CR, 5.13%, 11/14/27 (b)(c)

       1,000        1,000,000   

OCP CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2A, Class DR,
5.35%, 11/22/25 (b)(c)

       1,000        989,000   

OZLM IX Ltd., Series 2014-9A, Class C,
4.48%, 1/20/27 (b)(c)

       750        730,913   

OZLM XII Ltd., Series 2015-12A, Class C,
4.59%, 4/30/27 (b)(c)

       340        328,979   

Sound Point CLO IV Ltd., Series 2013-3A, Class D, 4.38%, 1/21/26 (b)(c)

       500        483,325   

Stewart Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class E, 6.33%, 4/15/26 (b)(c)

       500        444,754   

TICP CLO I Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D,
4.43%, 7/20/27 (b)(c)

       250        230,468   

Venture XI CLO Ltd., Series 2012-11AR, Class DR, 4.26%, 11/14/22 (b)(c)

       250        247,919   

Venture XII CLO Ltd., Series 2012-12A, Class D, 4.59%, 2/28/24 (b)(c)

       250        246,168   

Venture XX CLO Ltd., Series 2015-20A, Class D, 4.73%, 4/15/27 (b)(c)

       250        238,952   

Venture XXI CLO Ltd., Series 2015-21A, Class D, 4.48%, 7/15/27 (b)(c)

       500        480,015   

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2AR, Class ER,
6.88%, 10/15/22 (b)(c)

       1,250        1,244,950   

Webster Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A (b)(c):

      

Class B1, 3.98%, 1/20/27

       500        506,894   

Class C, 4.93%, 1/20/27

             500        502,019   
Total Asset-Backed Securities — 3.6%                27,437,785   
Corporate Bonds          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Aerospace & Defense — 1.7%

  

Accudyne Industries Borrower/Accudyne Industries LLC, 7.75%, 12/15/20 (b)

     USD        167      $ 130,678   

Bombardier, Inc. (b):

      

7.50%, 3/15/18

       48        51,552   

5.50%, 9/15/18

       1,047        1,118,405   

6.00%, 10/15/22

       519        455,422   

6.13%, 1/15/23

       435        375,188   

7.50%, 3/15/25

       1,767        1,570,686   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 5.00%, 12/15/21 (b)

       307        319,280   

KLX, Inc., 5.88%, 12/01/22 (b)

       1,462        1,494,895   

Meccanica Holdings USA, Inc., 6.25%, 7/15/19 (b)

       100        108,000   

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 7/15/22

       2,915        3,002,450   

6.50%, 7/15/24

       1,911        1,980,274   

6.38%, 6/15/26(b)

       2,142        2,179,485   
      

 

 

 
                       12,786,315   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.4%

  

XPO Logistics, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/15/21

     EUR        100        110,896   

6.50%, 6/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,520        1,575,100   

6.13%, 9/01/23 (b)

       1,369        1,399,802   
      

 

 

 
                       3,085,798   

Airlines — 1.3%

  

Air Canada Pass-Through Trust, Series 2013-1, Class C, 6.63%, 5/15/18 (b)

       712        739,590   

American Airlines Group, Inc., 4.63%, 3/01/20 (b)

       542        538,612   

American Airlines Pass-Through Trust,
Series 2013-2, Class C, 6.00%, 1/15/17 (b)

       3,113        3,116,795   

Continental Airlines Pass-Through Trust,
Series 2012-3, Class C, 6.13%, 4/29/18

       2,390        2,479,625   

Delta Air Lines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2009-1, Class B, 9.75%, 6/17/18

       208        208,282   

US Airways Pass-Through Trust, Series 2013-1, Class B, 5.38%, 5/15/23

       2,034        2,104,743   

Virgin Australia Trust, Series 2013-1, Class C, 7.13%, 10/23/18 (b)

       609        618,098   
      

 

 

 
                       9,805,745   
 

 

                
2    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Auto Components — 0.9%

  

   

Allison Transmission, Inc., 5.00%, 10/01/24 (b)

     USD        685      $ 690,137   

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA, 2.88%, 5/17/23

     EUR        175        187,644   

Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe:

      

4.75%, 3/22/21

       100        114,803   

4.75%, 7/15/22

       100        114,066   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 5.00%, 5/31/26

     USD        133        132,003   

Icahn Enterprises LP/Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp., 4.88%, 3/15/19

       4,609        4,643,567   

IHO Verwaltungs GmbH (d):

      

(2.75% Cash or 3.50% PIK), 2.75%, 9/15/21

     EUR        100        107,282   

(3.25% Cash or 4.00% PIK), 3.25%, 9/15/23

       200        211,269   

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC,
5.63%, 2/01/23 (b)

     USD        425        438,281   

Venture Holdings Co. LLC (a)(e):

      

12.00%, 7/01/49

       5,150        1   

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/2005

       5,125        1   
      

 

 

 
                       6,639,054   

Banks — 0.9%

  

   

Allied Irish Banks PLC, 4.13%, 11/26/25 (c)

     EUR        100        103,600   

Banco Espirito Santo SA (a)(e):

      

2.63%, 5/08/17

       100        30,206   

4.75%, 1/15/18

       200        60,411   

4.00%, 1/21/19

       100        30,206   

Bank of Ireland, 4.25%, 6/11/24 (c)

       100        106,699   

Bankia SA, 4.00%, 5/22/24 (c)

       300        315,246   

CIT Group, Inc.:

      

5.00%, 5/15/17

     USD        950        960,688   

5.25%, 3/15/18

       1,434        1,483,071   

6.63%, 4/01/18(b)

       295        309,750   

5.50%, 2/15/19(b)

       3,099        3,271,382   

5.00%, 8/01/23

       130        133,900   

Commerzbank AG, 7.75%, 3/16/21

     EUR        100        124,551   

Ibercaja Banco SA, 5.00%, 7/28/25 (c)

       100        99,554   

Lloyds Bank PLC, 11.88%, 12/16/21 (c)

       12        12,772   
      

 

 

 
                       7,042,036   

Beverages — 0.0%

  

   

Constellation Brands, Inc., 7.25%, 5/15/17

     USD        87        89,175   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Building Materials — 0.0%

  

   

Titan Global Finance PLC, 3.50%, 6/17/21

     EUR        100      $ 109,599   

Building Products — 1.0%

  

   

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc. (b):

      

5.63%, 4/15/21

     USD        210        216,825   

5.75%, 12/15/23

       415        425,375   

Builders FirstSource, Inc., 5.63%, 9/01/24 (b)

       153        153,765   

Building Materials Corp. of America (b):

      

5.38%, 11/15/24

       190        193,325   

6.00%, 10/15/25

       1,174        1,220,960   

CPG Merger Sub LLC, 8.00%, 10/01/21 (b)

       740        762,200   

Masonite International Corp., 5.63%, 3/15/23 (b)

       579        589,132   

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 6.50%, 2/01/22

       1,275        1,313,250   

Standard Industries, Inc. (b):

      

5.13%, 2/15/21

       84        87,360   

5.50%, 2/15/23

       453        465,458   

USG Corp.:

      

7.75%, 1/15/18

       980        1,033,900   

5.88%, 11/01/21 (b)

       1,233        1,287,326   
      

 

 

 
                       7,748,876   

Capital Markets — 0.3%

  

   

Blackstone CQP Holdco LP, 9.30%, 3/19/19

       1,487        1,497,876   

E*Trade Financial Corp.:

      

5.38%, 11/15/22

       773        819,197   

Series A, 0.00%, 8/31/19 (f)(g)

       100        334,316   
      

 

 

 
                       2,651,389   

Chemicals — 2.0%

  

   

Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV,
3.75%, 1/15/25

     EUR        100        103,830   

Axalta Coating Systems LLC, 4.88%, 8/15/24 (b)

     USD        475        472,625   

CF Industries, Inc., 4.95%, 6/01/43

       930        737,025   

Chemours Co.:

      

6.63%, 5/15/23

       270        266,625   

7.00%, 5/15/25

       321        316,185   

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 7.50%, 10/30/18

       6,513        6,754,889   

Huntsman International LLC:

      

5.13%, 4/15/21

     EUR        100        113,139   

5.13%, 11/15/22

     USD        1,101        1,117,515   

Ineos Finance PLC, 4.00%, 5/01/23

     EUR        100        108,105   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    3


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Chemicals (continued)

      

Inovyn Finance PLC, 6.25%, 5/15/21

     EUR        100      $ 111,284   

Platform Specialty Products Corp. (b):

      

10.38%, 5/01/21

     USD        506        552,805   

6.50%, 2/01/22

       3,375        3,324,375   

PQ Corp., 6.75%, 11/15/22 (b)

       967        1,022,603   

PSPC Escrow Corp., 6.00%, 2/01/23

     EUR        100        102,969   

WR Grace & Co-Conn, 5.13%, 10/01/21 (b)

     USD        118        123,900   
      

 

 

 
                       15,227,874   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.9%

  

   

ADT Corp.:

      

3.50%, 7/15/22

       765        721,012   

4.13%, 6/15/23

       435        414,337   

4.88%, 7/15/32 (b)

       268        222,440   

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.,
5.63%, 11/15/24 (b)

       608        601,920   

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 3.68%, 12/01/17 (c)

       190        189,763   

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc.,
8.50%, 12/01/21 (b)

       200        201,500   

CEB, Inc., 5.63%, 6/15/23 (b)

       760        737,200   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 7.25%, 4/01/19

       1,445        1,134,325   

Mobile Mini, Inc., 5.88%, 7/01/24

       104        107,640   

Modular Space Corp., 10.25%, 1/31/19 (a)(b)(e)

       1,955        1,036,150   

Silk Bidco AS, 7.50%, 2/01/22

     EUR        150        164,542   

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

      

7.63%, 4/15/22

     USD        858        907,335   

5.75%, 11/15/24

       165        170,775   

Verisure Holding AB, 6.00%, 11/01/22

     EUR        125        143,257   
      

 

 

 
                       6,752,196   

Communications Equipment — 1.3%

  

   

Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc., 6.45%, 3/15/29

     USD        3,205        3,357,237   

CommScope Technologies Finance LLC,
6.00%, 6/15/25 (b)

       944        984,120   

CommScope, Inc. (b):

      

5.00%, 6/15/21

       574        581,175   

5.50%, 6/15/24

       272        278,419   

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 4/01/23

       3,045        3,174,413   

6.38%, 5/15/25

       1,223        1,271,920   
      

 

 

 
                       9,647,284   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Construction & Engineering — 0.4%

  

   

AECOM Co., 5.75%, 10/15/22

     USD        1,045      $ 1,094,638   

BlueLine Rental Finance Corp., 7.00%, 2/01/19 (b)

       1,125        1,080,000   

Engility Corp., 8.88%, 9/01/24 (b)

       468        480,870   

Swissport Investments SA, 6.75%, 12/15/21

     EUR        100        112,900   

Weekley Homes LLC/Weekley Finance Corp.,
6.00%, 2/01/23

     USD        350        318,500   
      

 

 

 
                       3,086,908   

Construction Materials — 0.8%

  

   

Allegion US Holding Co., Inc., 5.75%, 10/01/21

       117        121,680   

HD Supply, Inc. (b):

      

5.25%, 12/15/21

       2,410        2,542,550   

5.75%, 4/15/24

       2,935        3,001,037   

LKQ Italia Bondco SpA, 3.88%, 4/01/24

     EUR        100        109,959   

PulteGroup, Inc., 5.50%, 3/01/26

     USD        446        442,098   

Rexel SA, 3.50%, 6/15/23

     EUR        130        140,364   
      

 

 

 
                       6,357,688   

Consumer Finance — 1.2%

  

   

Ally Financial, Inc.:

      

6.25%, 12/01/17

     USD        30        31,088   

5.13%, 9/30/24

       1,207        1,207,000   

4.63%, 3/30/25

       216        209,520   

8.00%, 11/01/31

       5,181        5,880,435   

Navient Corp.:

      

6.63%, 7/26/21

       297        309,994   

5.50%, 1/25/23

       345        327,750   

7.25%, 9/25/23

       10        10,125   

6.13%, 3/25/24

       237        224,261   

5.88%, 10/25/24

       258        238,650   

5.63%, 8/01/33

       260        210,600   

OneMain Financial Holdings LLC, 6.75%, 12/15/19 (b)

       439        446,682   
      

 

 

 
                       9,096,105   

Containers & Packaging — 2.7%

  

   

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.:

      

3.85%, 12/15/19 (b)(c)

       1,620        1,648,350   

6.75%, 1/31/21 (b)

       415        422,781   

6.00%, 6/30/21 (b)

       1,110        1,119,712   

4.25%, 1/15/22

     EUR        170        184,780   

6.75%, 5/15/24

       125        138,277   

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA, Inc. (b):

      

6.25%, 1/31/19

     USD        603        612,799   

4.63%, 5/15/23

       559        551,663   

7.25%, 5/15/24

       2,455        2,565,475   
 

 

                
4    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Containers & Packaging (continued)

  

   

Ball Corp., 5.00%, 3/15/22

     USD        823      $ 866,208   

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV, 4.50%, 1/15/23

       1,075        1,088,438   

Crown European Holdings SA, 4.00%, 7/15/22

     EUR        220        253,569   

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., 4.13%, 8/15/24

     USD        1,130        1,093,275   

JH-Holding Finance SA, (8.25% Cash),
8.25%, 12/01/22 (d)

     EUR        100        113,807   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 10/15/20

     USD        3,099        3,188,096   

6.88%, 2/15/21

       172        177,576   

8.25%, 2/15/21

       194        200,516   

4.38%, 7/15/21 (b)(c)

       1,671        1,706,509   

5.13%, 7/15/23 (b)

       372        375,720   

7.00%, 7/15/24 (b)

       1,754        1,851,566   

Sappi Papier Holding GmbH, 4.00%, 4/01/23

     EUR        100        110,092   

Sealed Air Corp.:

      

4.88%, 12/01/22 (b)

     USD        120        122,700   

4.50%, 9/15/23

     EUR        100        114,156   

6.88%, 7/15/33 (b)

     USD        63        64,890   

Signode Industrial Group Lux SA/Signode Industrial Group US, Inc., 6.38%, 5/01/22 (b)

       1,476        1,487,070   

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions, 4.88%, 9/15/18 (b)

       200        206,000   

Verallia Packaging SASU, 5.13%, 8/01/22

     EUR        100        110,489   
      

 

 

 
                       20,374,514   

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.8%

  

   

APX Group, Inc.:

      

6.38%, 12/01/19

     USD        283        290,075   

7.88%, 12/01/22

       695        741,912   

Laureate Education, Inc., 9.25%, 9/01/19 (b)

       427        410,454   

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc., 9.25%, 5/15/23 (b)

       4,035        4,337,625   

Service Corp. International, 4.50%, 11/15/20

       307        313,217   

Tereos Finance Groupe I SA, 4.13%, 6/16/23

     EUR        100        106,590   
      

 

 

 
                       6,199,873   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%

  

   

Aircastle Ltd.:

      

5.13%, 3/15/21

     USD        33        34,733   

5.50%, 2/15/22

       427        448,350   

Deutsche Bank AG, 4.25%, 10/14/21 (b)

       150        147,713   
Corporate Bonds          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Financial Services (continued)

  

 

FBM Finance, Inc., 8.25%, 8/15/21 (b)

     USD        225      $ 232,875   

Garfunkelux Holdco 3 SA, 8.50%, 11/01/22

     GBP        100        128,561   

HSH Nordbank AG, 0.53%, 2/14/17 (c)

     EUR        129        133,617   

Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp. (b):

      

7.38%, 4/01/20

     USD        625        610,937   

6.88%, 4/15/22

       516        485,040   

ProGroup AG, 5.13%, 5/01/22

     EUR        130        146,736   

UniCredit SpA:

      

6.95%, 10/31/22

       100        116,510   

5.75%, 10/28/25 (c)

       100        108,848   

4.38%, 1/03/27 (c)

       100        102,889   
      

 

 

 
                       2,696,809   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.0%

  

 

CenturyLink, Inc.:

      

6.45%, 6/15/21

     USD        1,393        1,437,402   

Series Y, 7.50%, 4/01/24

       165        170,344   

Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 7.00%, 7/15/24 (b)

       1,562        1,632,290   

Frontier Communications Corp.:

      

6.25%, 9/15/21

       345        323,438   

7.13%, 1/15/23

       235        203,863   

7.63%, 4/15/24

       1,641        1,415,362   

6.88%, 1/15/25

       1,750        1,417,500   

11.00%, 9/15/25

       265        265,663   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

      

4.76%, 1/15/18 (c)

       646        646,807   

5.38%, 8/15/22

       925        941,187   

5.13%, 5/01/23

       1,120        1,118,600   

5.38%, 1/15/24

       712        715,560   

5.38%, 5/01/25

       869        864,655   

5.25%, 3/15/26 (b)

       411        403,807   

OTE PLC, 3.50%, 7/09/20

     EUR        100        107,772   

SBA Communications Corp., 4.88%, 9/01/24 (b)

     USD        1,105        1,064,944   

SoftBank Group Corp., 4.75%, 7/30/25

     EUR        129        146,633   

Telecom Italia Capital SA:

      

6.38%, 11/15/33

     USD        301        287,455   

6.00%, 9/30/34

       429        401,115   

7.20%, 7/18/36

       280        279,916   

Telecom Italia Finance SA, 7.75%, 1/24/33

     EUR        100        132,354   

Telecom Italia SpA:

      

6.38%, 6/24/19

     GBP        200        272,672   

3.25%, 1/16/23

     EUR        150        161,706   

5.88%, 5/19/23

     GBP        100        137,514   

Telenet Finance V Luxembourg SCA, 6.75%, 8/15/24

     EUR        322        375,399   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    5


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

 

Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 10/01/21

     USD        451      $ 448,745   

Windstream Services LLC, 7.50%, 6/01/22

       339        320,250   
      

 

 

 
                       15,692,953   

Electric Utilities — 0.0%

  

AES Corp., 4.88%, 5/15/23

             256        248,320   

Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

      

Areva SA, 4.88%, 9/23/24

     EUR        50        52,860   

Belden, Inc., 5.50%, 4/15/23

       109        123,086   
      

 

 

 
                       175,946   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.6%

  

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 8/15/22

     USD        500        530,000   

5.00%, 9/01/23

       1,036        1,041,180   

5.50%, 12/01/24

       2,796        2,865,900   
      

 

 

 
                       4,437,080   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%

  

Ensco PLC, 4.50%, 10/01/24

       205        164,000   

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co.,
6.00%, 7/15/22 (b)

       568        542,440   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.:

      

5.75%, 2/15/21

       103        103,515   

6.75%, 8/01/22

       557        569,533   

GrafTech International Ltd., 6.38%, 11/15/20

       150        118,500   

Noble Holding International Ltd., 4.63%, 3/01/21

       55        43,725   

Transocean, Inc.:

      

2.50%, 10/15/17

       354        353,823   

6.00%, 3/15/18

       1,094        1,100,837   

7.38%, 4/15/18

       90        91,800   

5.55%, 10/15/22

       322        284,165   

9.00%, 7/15/23 (b)

       32        32,400   

Weatherford International Ltd., 9.88%, 2/15/24 (b)

       356        366,680   
      

 

 

 
                       3,771,418   

Environmental, Maintenance, & Security Service — 0.0%

  

Befesa Zinc SAU Via Zinc Capital SA, 8.88%, 5/15/18

     EUR        100        108,406   

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.1%

  

Albertsons Cos. LLC/Safeway, Inc./New Albertson’s, Inc./Albertson’s LLC (b):

      

6.63%, 6/15/24

     USD        308        318,349   

5.75%, 3/15/25

       748        734,012   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Food & Staples Retailing (continued)

  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA:

      

3.31%, 1/25/23

     EUR        100      $ 114,762   

3.25%, 3/07/24

       200        222,320   

2.33%, 2/07/25

       100        103,701   

Dollar Tree, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 3/01/20

     USD        69        71,242   

5.75%, 3/01/23

       4,108        4,385,290   

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC/Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., 5.88%, 1/15/24

       127        133,667   

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

9.25%, 3/15/20

       435        455,119   

6.75%, 6/15/21

       32        33,730   

6.13%, 4/01/23 (b)

       1,865        1,993,498   

7.70%, 2/15/27

       56        69,160   

Tesco PLC, 5.00%, 3/24/23

     GBP        100        133,129   
      

 

 

 
                       8,767,979   

Food Products — 1.1%

  

Acosta, Inc., 7.75%, 10/01/22 (b)

     USD        475        393,063   

Aramark Services, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 3/15/20

       165        168,713   

5.13%, 1/15/24 (b)

       78        80,080   

FAGE International SA/FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc., 5.63%, 8/15/26 (b)

       770        770,000   

JBS USA LLC/JBS USA Finance, Inc. (b):

      

7.25%, 6/01/21

       355        365,650   

5.75%, 6/15/25

       704        689,920   

Post Holdings, Inc. (b):

      

7.75%, 3/15/24

       837        922,792   

8.00%, 7/15/25

       508        570,382   

5.00%, 8/15/26

       2,562        2,424,292   

Smithfield Foods, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 8/01/21 (b)

       257        266,959   

6.63%, 8/15/22

       849        894,634   

TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 6.00%, 2/15/24 (b)

       274        284,275   

WhiteWave Foods Co., 5.38%, 10/01/22

       239        263,498   
      

 

 

 
                       8,094,258   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.6%

  

Crimson Merger Sub, Inc., 6.63%, 5/15/22 (b)

       595        496,825   

DJO Finco, Inc./DJO Finance LLC/DJO Finance Corp., 8.13%, 6/15/21 (b)

       1,872        1,633,320   

Fresenius Medical Care US Finance, Inc.,
5.75%, 2/15/21 (b)

       820        885,600   

IDH Finance PLC, 6.25%, 8/15/22

     GBP        100        117,300   
 

 

                
6    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)

  

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC (b):

      

4.88%, 4/15/20

     USD        350      $ 343,000   

5.75%, 8/01/22

       990        923,175   

5.63%, 10/15/23

       185        167,425   
      

 

 

 
                       4,566,645   

Health Care Providers & Services — 4.1%

  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.:

      

5.13%, 7/01/22

       872        843,660   

6.50%, 3/01/24

       122        121,390   

Alere, Inc., 6.38%, 7/01/23 (b)

       406        409,553   

Amsurg Corp., 5.63%, 7/15/22

       2,812        2,871,755   

Centene Corp.:

      

5.63%, 2/15/21

       716        737,480   

4.75%, 5/15/22

       262        258,070   

6.13%, 2/15/24

       311        316,007   

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 8/15/18

       156        152,100   

8.00%, 11/15/19

       75        59,063   

6.88%, 2/01/22

       994        662,874   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., 5.13%, 7/15/24

       810        799,875   

HCA Holdings, Inc., 6.25%, 2/15/21

       510        535,245   

HCA, Inc.:

      

3.75%, 3/15/19

       1,048        1,071,580   

6.50%, 2/15/20

       1,744        1,898,780   

7.50%, 2/15/22

       430        478,375   

5.88%, 3/15/22

       1,148        1,232,665   

4.75%, 5/01/23

       658        662,935   

5.00%, 3/15/24

       1,015        1,017,537   

5.38%, 2/01/25

       1,528        1,495,530   

5.25%, 4/15/25

       66        66,495   

5.88%, 2/15/26

       1,572        1,566,105   

5.25%, 6/15/26

       580        580,626   

4.50%, 2/15/27

       1,227        1,156,447   

HealthSouth Corp., 5.75%, 11/01/24

       1,134        1,136,835   

Hologic, Inc., 5.25%, 7/15/22 (b)

       475        492,813   

MEDNAX, Inc., 5.25%, 12/01/23 (b)

       574        582,610   

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 7.13%, 6/01/24 (b)

       1,696        1,782,920   

New Amethyst Corp., 6.25%, 12/01/24 (b)(h)

       302        312,570   

RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc., 8.25%, 5/01/23 (b)

       609        606,716   

Sterigenics-Nordion Holdings LLC, 6.50%, 5/15/23 (b)

       128        128,640   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., 8.88%, 4/15/21 (b)

     USD        146      $ 152,570   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

      

6.25%, 11/01/18

       607        632,798   

4.75%, 6/01/20

       1,190        1,176,612   

4.35%, 6/15/20 (c)

       989        989,000   

6.00%, 10/01/20

       2,918        2,972,712   

4.50%, 4/01/21

       24        23,280   

7.50%, 1/01/22 (b)(h)

       380        390,688   

6.75%, 6/15/23

       1,355        1,158,525   
      

 

 

 
                       31,533,436   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.7%

  

Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.88%, 5/15/23

       758        805,375   

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC/Caesars Entertainment Resort Property, 8.00%, 10/01/20

       1,428        1,492,260   

Carlson Travel Holdings, Inc., (7.50% Cash or
8.25% PIK), 7.50%, 8/15/19 (b)(d)

       204        200,940   

Codere Finance 2 Luxembourg SA, 6.75%, 11/01/21

     EUR        100        104,660   

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 5.25%, 5/01/25 (b)

     USD        1,018        984,915   

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.,
4.38%, 11/01/18

       391        404,685   

International Game Technology PLC,
6.25%, 2/15/22 (b)

       200        212,500   

KFC Holding Co/Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC (b):

      

5.00%, 6/01/24

       66        66,660   

5.25%, 6/01/26

       234        236,340   

MGM Resorts International:

      

8.63%, 2/01/19

       474        526,140   

5.25%, 3/31/20

       1,261        1,323,262   

6.75%, 10/01/20

       275        301,125   

6.63%, 12/15/21

       1,352        1,477,060   

4.63%, 9/01/26

       1,410        1,343,025   

MGP Escrow Issuer LLC/MGP Escrow Co-Issuer, Inc., 5.63%, 5/01/24 (b)

       2,920        3,058,700   

New Red Finance, Inc., 6.00%, 4/01/22 (b)

       2,115        2,204,887   

PortAventura Entertainment Barcelona BV,
7.25%, 12/01/20

     EUR        100        109,756   

Sabre GLBL, Inc., 5.25%, 11/15/23 (b)

     USD        221        223,763   

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

      

7.00%, 1/01/22 (b)

       86        90,730   

10.00%, 12/01/22

       2,120        1,987,500   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    7


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/21 (b)

     USD        842      $ 867,892   

Station Casinos LLC, 7.50%, 3/01/21

       1,938        2,030,055   

Tropicana Entertainment LLC/Tropicana Finance Corp., 9.63%, 12/15/16 (a)(e)

       800          

Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC, Series A4,
5.66%, 6/30/27

     GBP        283        371,319   

Vue International Bidco PLC, 7.88%, 7/15/20

       147        191,247   
      

 

 

 
                       20,614,796   

Household Durables — 0.6%

  

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential US Corp., 6.13%, 7/01/22 (b)

     USD        285        286,425   

CalAtlantic Group, Inc.:

      

8.38%, 1/15/21

       1,090        1,267,125   

5.25%, 6/01/26

       285        276,450   

Lennar Corp.:

      

4.75%, 11/15/22

       475        483,313   

4.88%, 12/15/23

       265        261,025   

Meritage Homes Corp., 4.50%, 3/01/18

       589        600,780   

Ryland Group, Inc., 6.63%, 5/01/20

       130        142,675   

Standard Pacific Corp., 5.88%, 11/15/24

       360        369,900   

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.:

      

4.38%, 6/15/19

       435        441,525   

4.88%, 7/01/21

       525        534,187   
      

 

 

 
                       4,663,405   

Household Products — 0.3%

  

Spectrum Brands, Inc.:

      

6.63%, 11/15/22

       1,810        1,918,600   

6.13%, 12/15/24

       87        92,220   

5.75%, 7/15/25

       462        479,325   
      

 

 

 
                       2,490,145   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%

  

AES Corp.:

      

7.38%, 7/01/21

       559        613,502   

5.50%, 3/15/24

       725        714,125   

6.00%, 5/15/26

       201        197,483   

Calpine Corp., 5.38%, 1/15/23

       128        123,572   

Dynegy, Inc.:

      

6.75%, 11/01/19

       665        671,650   

7.38%, 11/01/22

       231        219,450   

NRG Energy, Inc.:

      

7.88%, 5/15/21

       124        128,650   

6.25%, 5/01/24

       50        48,375   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (continued)

  

NRG Energy, Inc. (continued):

      

7.25%, 5/15/26 (b)

     USD        415      $ 405,662   

6.63%, 1/15/27 (b)

       1,399        1,294,075   

NRG Yield Operating LLC, 5.38%, 8/15/24

       195        193,538   

QEP Resources, Inc., 5.38%, 10/01/22

       2,090        2,032,525   
      

 

 

 
                       6,642,607   

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%

  

Cortes NP Acquisition Corp., 9.25%, 10/15/24 (b)

             2,009        2,025,323   

Insurance — 0.4%

  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA, 7.75%, 12/12/42 (c)

     EUR        100        121,900   

HUB International Ltd. (b):

      

9.25%, 2/15/21

     USD        367        378,010   

7.88%, 10/01/21

       994        1,015,122   

Wayne Merger Sub LLC, 8.25%, 8/01/23 (b)

       1,560        1,579,500   
      

 

 

 
                       3,094,532   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.1%

  

Netflix, Inc., 4.38%, 11/15/26 (b)

             474        461,562   

Internet Software & Services — 0.3%

  

Equinix, Inc., 5.88%, 1/15/26

       997        1,034,397   

IAC/InterActiveCorp, 4.88%, 11/30/18

       588        596,820   

Netflix, Inc.:

      

5.50%, 2/15/22

       72        77,040   

5.75%, 3/01/24

       259        273,893   

5.88%, 2/15/25

       132        141,255   
      

 

 

 
                       2,123,405   

IT Services — 1.6%

  

Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc., 11.00%, 3/15/21 (b)

       795        814,875   

First Data Corp. (b):

      

7.00%, 12/01/23

       4,762        4,985,243   

5.75%, 1/15/24

       4,436        4,491,450   

Millennium Corp., 0.00%, 12/31/49

       2,240          

Western Digital Corp., 10.50%, 4/01/24 (b)

       933        1,079,947   

WEX, Inc., 4.75%, 2/01/23 (b)

       601        590,483   
      

 

 

 
                       11,961,998   

Machinery — 0.2%

  

Gardner Denver, Inc., 6.88%, 8/15/21 (b)

       380        374,300   

SPX FLOW, Inc. (b):

      

5.63%, 8/15/24

       359        352,717   
 

 

                
8    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Machinery (continued)

  

SPX FLOW, Inc. (b) (continued):

      

5.88%, 8/15/26

     USD        359      $ 350,923   

Trinseo Materials Operating SCA/Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc., 6.38%, 5/01/22

     EUR        100        112,042   
      

 

 

 
                       1,189,982   

Media — 9.3%

  

Adria Bidco BV, 7.88%, 11/15/20

       200        220,555   

Altice Financing SA:

      

5.25%, 2/15/23

       100        110,648   

7.50%, 5/15/26 (b)

     USD        663        672,116   

Altice Luxembourg SA (b):

      

7.75%, 5/15/22

       1,110        1,162,725   

7.63%, 2/15/25

       203        208,075   

Altice US Finance I Corp. (b):

      

5.38%, 7/15/23

       2,707        2,737,454   

5.50%, 5/15/26

       637        630,630   

AMC Networks, Inc.:

      

4.75%, 12/15/22

       156        156,195   

5.00%, 4/01/24

       1,160        1,162,900   

Cablevision Systems Corp.:

      

7.75%, 4/15/18

       362        380,553   

8.00%, 4/15/20

       502        539,650   

CBS Radio, Inc., 7.25%, 11/01/24 (b)

       602        632,473   

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.:

      

5.13%, 2/15/23

       1,110        1,140,525   

5.88%, 4/01/24 (b)

       654        692,423   

5.75%, 2/15/26 (b)

       1,148        1,179,570   

5.50%, 5/01/26 (b)

       774        781,740   

5.88%, 5/01/27 (b)

       1,565        1,596,300   

Cellnex Telecom SA, 2.38%, 1/16/24

     EUR        100        103,421   

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp. (b):

      

6.38%, 9/15/20

     USD        420        428,400   

5.13%, 12/15/21

       1,570        1,548,212   

7.75%, 7/15/25

       2,269        2,427,830   

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital,
4.91%, 7/23/25 (b)

       1,300        1,357,005   

Clear Channel International BV, 8.75%, 12/15/20 (b)

       700        731,500   

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/15/22

       7,365        7,396,950   

Series B, 7.63%, 3/15/20

       2,524        2,489,295   

Columbus Cable Barbados Ltd., 7.38%, 3/30/21 (b)

       850        904,188   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

  

CSC Holdings LLC:

      

10.13%, 1/15/23 (b)

     USD        512      $ 590,080   

5.25%, 6/01/24

       2,031        1,903,859   

6.63%, 10/15/25 (b)

       1,298        1,401,840   

10.88%, 10/15/25 (b)

       1,590        1,852,350   

DISH DBS Corp.:

      

5.88%, 7/15/22

       1,830        1,894,050   

5.88%, 11/15/24

       457        463,284   

7.75%, 7/01/26

       2,518        2,779,242   

eircom Finance DAC, 4.50%, 5/31/22

     EUR        100        109,421   

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. (b):

      

5.25%, 8/01/26

     USD        408        386,070   

6.63%, 8/01/26

       1,136        1,093,400   

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 12/15/19

       450        354,375   

9.00%, 3/01/21

       160        118,000   

9.00%, 9/15/22

       930        688,200   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 5.50%, 8/01/23

       1,467        957,218   

LG Finance Co. Corp., 5.88%, 11/01/24 (b)

       231        229,845   

MDC Partners, Inc., 6.50%, 5/01/24 (b)

       580        498,075   

Midcontinent Communications & Midcontinent Finance Corp. (b):

      

6.25%, 8/01/21

       265        276,594   

6.88%, 8/15/23

       309        324,836   

NAI Entertainment Holdings/NAI Entertainment Holdings Finance Corp., 5.00%, 8/01/18 (b)

       538        543,380   

Nexstar Escrow Corp., 5.63%, 8/01/24 (b)

       531        525,690   

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co.,
5.00%, 4/15/22 (b)

       410        418,200   

Numericable Group SA, 5.38%, 5/15/22

     EUR        100        110,171   

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.:

      

5.25%, 2/15/22

     USD        130        134,875   

5.63%, 2/15/24

       242        248,655   

RCN Telecom Services LLC/RCN Capital Corp.,
8.50%, 8/15/20 (b)

       485        514,100   

SFR Group SA (b):

      

6.00%, 5/15/22

       1,192        1,200,940   

7.38%, 5/01/26

       4,095        4,084,762   

Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (b):

      

4.25%, 5/15/20

       141        143,468   

5.75%, 8/01/21

       464        484,300   

4.63%, 5/15/23

       60        58,950   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

  

Sterling Entertainment Corp., 9.75%, 12/15/19

     USD        1,300      $ 1,287,000   

TEGNA, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/15/19

       215        220,446   

4.88%, 9/15/21 (b)

       249        256,159   

5.50%, 9/15/24 (b)

       289        293,335   

Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC, 8.88%, 11/15/24 (b)

       457        466,711   

Tribune Media Co., 5.88%, 7/15/22

       1,583        1,543,742   

Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co. KG/Unitymedia NRW GmbH:

      

4.00%, 1/15/25

     EUR        198        213,197   

3.50%, 1/15/27

       200        203,491   

Univision Communications, Inc. (b):

      

5.13%, 5/15/23

     USD        3,152        3,037,740   

5.13%, 2/15/25

       1,170        1,108,575   

Virgin Media Receivables Financing Notes I DAC, 5.50%, 9/15/24

     GBP        100        122,057   

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC:

      

5.38%, 4/15/21 (b)

     USD        1,152        1,188,000   

5.25%, 1/15/26 (b)

       975        943,313   

5.50%, 8/15/26 (b)

       320        313,600   

4.88%, 1/15/27

     GBP        100        119,552   

6.25%, 3/28/29

       233        300,946   

WaveDivision Escrow LLC/WaveDivision Escrow Corp., 8.13%, 9/01/20 (b)

     USD        1,300        1,345,500   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA:

      

7.00%, 4/23/21

     EUR        100        109,429   

7.38%, 4/23/21 (b)

     USD        1,205        1,229,100   

Ziggo Bond Finance BV, 5.88%, 1/15/25 (b)

       1,095        1,075,837   
      

 

 

 
                       71,157,293   

Metals & Mining — 4.8%

  

Alcoa Nederland Holding BV (b):

      

6.75%, 9/30/24

       208        223,080   

7.00%, 9/30/26

       270        286,200   

Alcoa, Inc.:

      

6.15%, 8/15/20

       1,395        1,503,391   

5.13%, 10/01/24

       1,371        1,398,420   

5.90%, 2/01/27

       280        284,200   

Anglo American Capital PLC:

      

1.50%, 4/01/20

     EUR        100        105,312   

3.50%, 3/28/22

       100        111,227   

ArcelorMittal:

      

7.25%, 2/25/22

     USD        61        68,625   

8.00%, 10/15/39

       178        188,235   

7.75%, 3/01/41

       938        963,701   

Constellium NV (b):

      

8.00%, 1/15/23

       2,600        2,684,500   

5.75%, 5/15/24

       1,175        1,092,750   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Metals & Mining (continued)

  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (b):

      

7.00%, 2/15/21

     USD        440      $ 433,400   

7.25%, 5/15/22

       435        421,950   

FMG Resources August 2006 Property Ltd.,
9.75%, 3/01/22 (b)

       553        637,941   

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.:

      

2.38%, 3/15/18

       3,710        3,682,175   

3.10%, 3/15/20

       850        835,125   

4.00%, 11/14/21

       804        787,920   

3.55%, 3/01/22

       1,144        1,082,796   

3.88%, 3/15/23

       4,595        4,319,300   

5.40%, 11/14/34

       1,271        1,112,125   

5.45%, 3/15/43

       1,313        1,122,615   

Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc., 11.00%, 5/15/22 (b)

       482        525,380   

Novelis Corp. (b):

      

6.25%, 8/15/24

       1,758        1,819,530   

5.88%, 9/30/26

       1,904        1,901,620   

Nyrstar NV, Series NYR, 5.00%, 7/11/22 (g)

     EUR        100        105,434   

Steel Dynamics, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/01/21

     USD        790        823,575   

6.38%, 8/15/22

       595        626,238   

5.25%, 4/15/23

       1,015        1,053,063   

5.50%, 10/01/24

       138        145,935   

Teck Resources Ltd.:

      

3.00%, 3/01/19

       250        248,125   

3.75%, 2/01/23

       1,148        1,090,600   

8.50%, 6/01/24 (b)

       722        842,935   

6.13%, 10/01/35

       181        181,036   

6.00%, 8/15/40

       511        495,670   

6.25%, 7/15/41

       429        430,094   

5.20%, 3/01/42

       1,118        1,011,790   

5.40%, 2/01/43

       532        481,460   

United States Steel Corp., 8.38%, 7/01/21 (b)

       624        689,520   

Wise Metals Group LLC/Wise Alloys Finance Corp., 8.75%, 12/15/18 (b)

       820        850,750   
      

 

 

 
                       36,667,743   

Multi-Utilities — 0.2%

  

NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp.:

      

6.88%, 10/15/21

       390        389,025   

7.50%, 11/01/23 (b)

       780        778,050   
      

 

 

 
                       1,167,075   

Multiline Retail — 0.1%

  

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. (b):

      

8.00%, 10/15/21

       1,035        812,475   
 

 

                
10    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Multiline Retail (continued)

  

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. (b) (continued):

      

(8.75% Cash or 9.50% PIK),
8.75%, 10/15/21 (d)

     USD        150      $ 113,250   
      

 

 

 
                       925,725   

Offshore Drilling & Other Services — 0.0%

  

Sensata Technologies BV, 5.63%, 11/01/24 (b)

             220        229,350   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.0%

  

California Resources Corp., 8.00%, 12/15/22 (b)

       1,672        1,337,600   

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 4/15/23

       750        765,000   

Cenovus Energy, Inc.:

      

5.70%, 10/15/19

       89        94,676   

5.20%, 9/15/43

       60        54,593   

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC,
7.00%, 6/30/24 (b)

       912        971,280   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

      

7.25%, 12/15/18

       150        155,813   

4.13%, 4/15/19 (c)

       863        815,535   

6.63%, 8/15/20

       65        62,888   

6.88%, 11/15/20

       100        93,500   

4.88%, 4/15/22

       620        528,550   

8.00%, 12/15/22 (b)

       140        144,900   

Concho Resources, Inc., 6.50%, 1/15/22

       172        178,450   

CONSOL Energy, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 4/15/22

       6,195        5,947,200   

8.00%, 4/01/23

       40        40,800   

Continental Resources, Inc.:

      

5.00%, 9/15/22

       239        238,402   

4.50%, 4/15/23

       321        312,172   

3.80%, 6/01/24

       1,613        1,492,025   

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 12/15/20

       65        66,138   

6.25%, 4/01/23

       90        91,350   

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc. (b):

      

7.13%, 4/15/21

       635        658,812   

7.75%, 2/15/23

       105        111,825   

DCP Midstream LLC (b):

      

4.75%, 9/30/21

       745        756,175   

6.45%, 11/03/36

       250        246,250   

6.75%, 9/15/37

       426        427,065   

Denbury Resources, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 5/15/21 (b)

       1,288        1,336,300   

5.50%, 5/01/22

       438        358,065   

4.63%, 7/15/23

       108        83,160   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

  

Encana Corp.:

      

3.90%, 11/15/21

     USD        148      $ 146,292   

5.15%, 11/15/41

       454        394,476   

Energy Transfer Equity LP:

      

7.50%, 10/15/20

       200        223,500   

5.88%, 1/15/24

       1,078        1,104,950   

5.50%, 6/01/27

       494        481,650   

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc., 8.00%, 11/29/24 (b)

       625        643,750   

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings LLC/Extraction Finance Corp., 7.88%, 7/15/21 (b)

       738        776,745   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 5/15/23

       184        184,000   

5.63%, 6/15/24

       85        82,875   

Gulfport Energy Corp.:

      

6.63%, 5/01/23

       163        170,335   

6.00%, 10/15/24 (b)

       962        978,835   

Halcon Resources Corp., 8.63%, 2/01/20 (b)

       270        276,885   

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co. (b):

      

5.00%, 12/01/24

       461        465,610   

5.75%, 10/01/25

       168        170,520   

MEG Energy Corp. (b):

      

6.50%, 3/15/21

       2,599        2,339,100   

6.38%, 1/30/23

       54        47,655   

7.00%, 3/31/24

       694        605,515   

Murphy Oil Corp., 6.88%, 8/15/24

       673        708,332   

NGPL PipeCo LLC (b):

      

7.12%, 12/15/17

       5,023        5,211,362   

9.63%, 6/01/19

       435        454,575   

7.77%, 12/15/37

       887        926,915   

Noble Energy, Inc., 5.63%, 5/01/21

       248        257,339   

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/01/21

       1,004        1,014,040   

6.88%, 3/15/22

       797        820,910   

ONEOK, Inc., 7.50%, 9/01/23

       190        215,057   

Paramount Resources, Ltd., 6.88%, 6/30/23 (b)

       2,515        2,647,037   

PDC Energy, Inc.:

      

7.75%, 10/15/22

       452        476,860   

6.13%, 9/15/24 (b)

       415        425,375   

QEP Resources, Inc.:

      

6.88%, 3/01/21

       52        53,560   

5.25%, 5/01/23

       95        92,150   

Range Resources Corp. (b):

      

5.75%, 6/01/21

       277        279,770   

5.88%, 7/01/22

       1,343        1,349,715   

5.00%, 8/15/22

       10        9,625   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

  

Range Resources Corp. (b) (continued):

      

5.00%, 3/15/23

     USD        555      $ 532,800   

Resolute Energy Corp., 8.50%, 5/01/20

       639        640,597   

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (b):

      

6.85%, 7/15/18

       99        103,950   

6.00%, 1/15/19

       26        27,040   

5.63%, 4/15/20

       140        145,250   

6.88%, 4/15/40

       564        572,460   

RSP Permian, Inc., 6.63%, 10/01/22

       356        373,800   

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:

      

5.63%, 2/01/21

       630        667,800   

6.25%, 3/15/22

       204        219,810   

5.63%, 4/15/23

       5,633        5,886,485   

5.75%, 5/15/24

       872        919,960   

5.63%, 3/01/25

       208        216,840   

5.88%, 6/30/26 (b)

       821        867,181   

5.00%, 3/15/27 (b)

       105        103,688   

Sanchez Energy Corp.:

      

7.75%, 6/15/21

       672        638,400   

6.13%, 1/15/23

       2,736        2,394,000   

Seven Generations Energy Ltd. (b):

      

8.25%, 5/15/20

       381        405,289   

6.75%, 5/01/23

       324        340,605   

SM Energy Co.:

      

6.50%, 11/15/21

       375        379,687   

6.13%, 11/15/22

       187        187,468   

5.00%, 1/15/24

       931        877,467   

5.63%, 6/01/25

       390        374,400   

Southwestern Energy Co.:

      

7.50%, 2/01/18

       42        43,890   

5.80%, 1/23/20

       1,385        1,412,700   

4.10%, 3/15/22

       442        406,640   

6.70%, 1/23/25

       80        79,200   

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP/Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp. (b):

      

5.13%, 2/01/25

       158        155,927   

5.38%, 2/01/27

       92        90,850   

Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp., 6.38%, 8/01/22

       120        123,600   

Tesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp.:

      

6.13%, 10/15/21

       81        84,746   

6.25%, 10/15/22

       833        891,310   

Weatherford International LLC, 6.80%, 6/15/37

       57        45,030   

Weatherford International Ltd.:

      

4.50%, 4/15/22

       184        159,506   

6.50%, 8/01/36

       145        111,650   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

  

Weatherford International Ltd. (continued):

      

5.95%, 4/15/42

     USD        68      $ 50,334   

Whiting Petroleum Corp.:

      

5.00%, 3/15/19

       199        196,513   

1.25%, 6/05/20 (g)

       697        901,744   

5.75%, 3/15/21 (g)

       281        383,994   

6.25%, 4/01/23 (g)

       66        88,698   

Williams Cos., Inc.:

      

3.70%, 1/15/23

       35        32,988   

4.55%, 6/24/24

       2,079        2,027,025   

5.75%, 6/24/44

       1,017        961,065   

WPX Energy, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 1/15/17

       70        70,088   

7.50%, 8/01/20

       115        121,325   

6.00%, 1/15/22

       1,583        1,622,084   

8.25%, 8/01/23

       400        441,000   
      

 

 

 
                       68,780,723   

Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%

  

International Paper Co., 7.30%, 11/15/39

             5        6,249   

Pharmaceuticals — 1.5%

  

Capsugel SA, (7.00% Cash or 7.75% PIK),
7.00%, 5/15/19 (b)(d)

       132        132,054   

Ephios Bondco PLC, 6.25%, 7/01/22

     EUR        100        114,199   

Ephios Holdco II PLC, 8.25%, 7/01/23

       100        113,635   

Grifols Worldwide Operations Ltd., 5.25%, 4/01/22

     USD        937        965,110   

inVentiv Group Holdings, Inc./inVentiv Health, Inc./inVentiv Health Clinical, Inc.,
7.50%, 10/01/24 (b)

       976        988,200   

Jaguar Holding Co. II/Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC, 6.38%, 8/01/23 (b)

       2,123        2,186,860   

NBTY, Inc., 7.63%, 5/15/21 (b)

       1,899        1,872,889   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (b):

      

6.75%, 8/15/18

       961        910,547   

5.38%, 3/15/20

       35        29,400   

7.00%, 10/01/20

       1,441        1,246,465   

7.50%, 7/15/21

       1,561        1,319,045   

5.63%, 12/01/21

       568        437,360   

7.25%, 7/15/22

       1,010        828,200   

5.88%, 5/15/23

       79        58,855   

6.13%, 4/15/25

       220        162,800   
      

 

 

 
                       11,365,619   
 

 

                
12    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.3%

  

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.,
4.25%, 9/01/24 (b)

     USD        423      $ 414,540   

iStar, Inc.:

      

4.00%, 11/01/17

       535        536,337   

5.00%, 7/01/19

       375        368,438   

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc.,
4.50%, 9/01/26 (b)

       714        683,655   
      

 

 

 
                       2,002,970   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%

  

Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp. (b):

      

4.50%, 4/15/19

       391        400,775   

5.25%, 12/01/21

       541        553,172   

4.88%, 6/01/23

       1,867        1,792,320   

Rialto Holdings LLC/Rialto Corp., 7.00%, 12/01/18 (b)

       245        248,063   
      

 

 

 
                       2,994,330   

Road & Rail — 0.8%

  

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 5.13%, 6/01/22 (b)

       1,880        1,814,200   

EC Finance PLC, 5.13%, 7/15/21

     EUR        115        126,758   

Florida East Coast Holdings Corp.,
6.75%, 5/01/19 (b)

     USD        1,338        1,378,140   

Herc Rentals, Inc. (b):

      

7.50%, 6/01/22

       222        228,938   

7.75%, 6/01/24

       55        56,513   

Hertz Corp.:

      

7.38%, 1/15/21

       1,122        1,126,488   

5.50%, 10/15/24(b)

       714        622,072   

Loxam SAS, 3.50%, 5/03/23

     EUR        100        104,660   

United Rentals North America, Inc., 5.50%, 7/15/25

     USD        2        2,015   

Watco Cos. LLC/Watco Finance Corp.,
6.38%, 4/01/23 (b)

       350        358,750   
      

 

 

 
                       5,818,534   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.6%

  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 7.50%, 8/15/22

       200        214,000   

Micron Technology, Inc. (b):

      

5.25%, 8/01/23

       433        427,587   

5.63%, 1/15/26

       282        274,950   

Microsemi Corp., 9.13%, 4/15/23 (b)

       67        77,553   

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (b):

      

4.13%, 6/15/20

       861        895,440   

4.13%, 6/01/21

       347        361,748   

4.63%, 6/15/22

       1,050        1,110,375   

4.63%, 6/01/23

       202        213,110   
Corporate Bonds    Par  
(000)
    Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)

  

Sensata Technologies BV, 5.00%, 10/01/25 (b)

     USD        852      $ 839,220   

Sensata Technologies UK Financing Co. PLC, 6.25%, 2/15/26 (b)

       200        209,500   
      

 

 

 
                       4,623,483   

Software — 2.2%

  

BMC Software Finance, Inc., 8.13%, 7/15/21 (b)

       1,731        1,557,900   

Inception Merger Sub, Inc./Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 8.63%, 11/15/24 (b)

       1,910        1,910,000   

Infor Software Parent LLC/Infor Software Parent, Inc., (7.13% Cash or 7.88% PIK),
7.13%, 5/01/21 (b)(d)

       1,666        1,670,165   

Infor US, Inc., 6.50%, 5/15/22

       3,047        3,130,792   

Informatica LLC, 7.13%, 7/15/23 (b)

       840        793,800   

JDA Escrow LLC/JDA Bond Finance, Inc.,
7.38%, 10/15/24 (b)

       145        148,806   

Nuance Communications, Inc. (b):

      

5.38%, 8/15/20

       1,020        1,042,950   

6.00%, 7/01/24

       835        857,963   

PTC, Inc., 6.00%, 5/15/24

       197        207,343   

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc., 10.50%, 3/01/24 (b)

       2,716        3,001,180   

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., 5.88%, 7/15/23

       1,485        1,514,700   

TIBCO Software, Inc., 11.38%, 12/01/21 (b)

       959        918,242   
      

 

 

 
                       16,753,841   

Specialty Retail — 0.6%

  

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., 6.00%, 12/15/24

       1,605        1,617,037   

JC Penney Corp., Inc., 7.40%, 4/01/37

       341        301,785   

L Brands, Inc., 6.88%, 11/01/35

       723        723,000   

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 10/01/22

       365        373,213   

5.38%, 12/01/24

       646        634,695   

Sally Holdings LLC/Sally Capital, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/01/22

       146        151,293   

5.50%, 11/01/23

       570        592,800   

Sonic Automotive, Inc., 5.00%, 5/15/23

       146        140,890   

THOM Europe SAS, 7.38%, 7/15/19

     EUR        100        111,553   
      

 

 

 
                       4,646,266   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.4%

  

Diamond 1 Finance Corp./Diamond 2 Finance Corp. (b):

      

4.42%, 6/15/21

     USD        365      $ 375,583   

7.13%, 6/15/24

       1,277        1,395,083   

6.02%, 6/15/26

       445        468,147   

8.35%, 7/15/46

       385        451,446   

Western Digital Corp., 7.38%, 4/01/23 (b)

       391        422,280   
      

 

 

 
                       3,112,539   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.0%

  

BiSoho SAS, 5.88%, 5/01/23

     EUR        100        112,998   

PVH Corp., 4.50%, 12/15/22

     USD        122        122,915   
      

 

 

 
                       235,913   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.0%

  

Jerrold Finco PLC, 6.25%, 9/15/21

     GBP        100        124,970   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.0%

  

Ashtead Capital, Inc., 5.63%, 10/01/24 (b)

     USD        320        332,800   

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.0%

  

Jack Cooper Enterprises, Inc.,
(10.50% Cash or 11.25% PIK),
10.50%, 3/15/19 (b)(d)

             1,256        138,149   

Utilities — 0.0%

  

ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA, 5.13%, 6/15/21

     EUR        100        110,193   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.4%

  

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc./CSL Capital LLC, 8.25%, 10/15/23

     USD        2,830        2,971,500   

Crown Castle Towers LLC, 6.11%, 1/15/40 (b)

       375        411,713   

Digicel Group Ltd., 7.13%, 4/01/22 (b)

       485        360,113   

Digicel Ltd., 6.00%, 4/15/21 (b)

       2,628        2,282,760   

GEO Group, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 1/15/22

       90        89,775   

5.88%, 10/15/24

       360        347,400   

6.00%, 4/15/26

       295        283,200   

Matterhorn Telecom SA, 3.88%, 5/01/22

     EUR        100        106,473   

Sprint Capital Corp.:

      

6.90%, 5/01/19

     USD        270        281,475   

6.88%, 11/15/28

       1,973        1,897,829   

Sprint Communications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 11/15/18 (b)

       6,417        7,050,679   

7.00%, 8/15/20

       540        560,250   

Sprint Corp.:

      

7.88%, 9/15/23

       1,079        1,114,067   

7.13%, 6/15/24

       4,028        4,005,363   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

Sprint Spectrum Co. LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. II LLC/Sprint Spectrum Co. III LLC,
3.36%, 3/20/23 (b)

     USD        902      $ 904,255   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.:

      

6.63%, 4/28/21

       390        407,062   

6.13%, 1/15/22

       81        84,813   

6.73%, 4/28/22

       1,172        1,224,564   

6.00%, 3/01/23

       653        684,017   

6.84%, 4/28/23

       85        90,206   

6.50%, 1/15/24

       584        623,963   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 4.00%, 7/15/20

     EUR        168        180,280   
      

 

 

 
                       25,961,757   
Total Corporate Bonds — 67.9%                      519,216,956   
      
                          
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)  

Aerospace & Defense — 0.9%

  

BE Aerospace, Inc., 2014 Term Loan B,
3.85%, 12/16/21

     USD        1,426        1,429,245   

Camp International Holding Co., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 8/11/23

       640        639,603   

Engility Corp.:

      

Term Loan B1, 4.86%, 8/12/20

       245        247,144   

Term Loan B2, 5.75%, 8/12/23

       461        465,788   

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

2015 Term Loan E, 3.75%, 5/14/22

       694        695,776   

2016 Extended Term Loan F,
3.75%, 6/09/23

       2,768        2,773,683   

Term Loan D, 3.84%, 6/04/21

       831        832,952   
      

 

 

 
                       7,084,191   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.5%

  

CEVA Group PLC, Synthetic LOC,
6.50%, 3/19/21

       778        619,427   

CEVA Intercompany BV, Dutch Term Loan, 6.50%, 3/19/21

       799        636,202   

CEVA Logistics Canada ULC, Canadian Term Loan, 6.50%, 3/19/21

       137        109,229   

CEVA Logistics US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 6.50%, 3/19/21

       1,062        845,444   

XPO Logistics, Inc., Term Loan B2,
4.25%, 10/30/21

       1,579        1,593,639   
      

 

 

 
                       3,803,941   
 

 

                
14    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Airlines — 0.1%

  

Northwest Airlines, Inc.:

      

3.08%, 3/10/17

     USD        82      $ 81,914   

2.46%, 9/10/18

       302        296,010   
      

 

 

 
                       377,924   

Auto Components — 1.4%

  

Anchor Glass Container Corp., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 12/01/23

       365        366,599   

Autoparts Holdings Ltd.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 7.00%, 7/29/17

       1,984        1,960,804   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 11.00%, 1/29/18

       1,890        1,703,948   

FPC Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
5.25%, 11/19/19

       1,259        1,161,792   

Gates Global, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 7/06/21

       5,170        5,139,898   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 3.86%, 4/30/19

       602        606,064   
      

 

 

 
                       10,939,105   

Building Materials — 0.8%

  

Forterra ,Inc., Term Loan B, 6.00%, 10/18/23

       526        525,605   

USAGM HoldCo LLC:

      

2015 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.50%, 7/28/23

       895        895,000   

2015 Term Loan, 4.75%, 7/28/22

       1,659        1,656,343   

2016 Incremental Delayed Draw Term Loan, 5.00%, 7/28/22

       303        305,252   

2016 Incremental Term Loan,
5.50%, 7/28/22

       3,009        3,028,486   
      

 

 

 
                       6,410,686   

Building Products — 2.0%

  

Continental Building Products LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 3.59%, 8/10/23

       1,431        1,427,206   

CPG International, Inc., Term Loan,
4.75%, 9/30/20

       3,920        3,934,212   

GYP Holdings III Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 4/01/21

       1,383        1,382,837   

Jeld-Wen, Inc., Consolidated Term Loan B,
4.75%, 7/01/22

       2,162        2,178,619   

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., Term Loan,
4.00%, 2/01/21

       1,227        1,233,823   

Quikrete Holdings, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/02/23

       2,495        2,500,614   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Building Products (continued)

  

Wilsonart LLC:

      

Incremental Term Loan B2,
4.00%, 10/31/19

       404        403,842   

Term Loan B, 4.00%, 10/31/19

     USD        2,243      $ 2,244,042   
      

 

 

 
                       15,305,195   

Capital Markets — 0.2%

  

Affinion Group, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.75%, 4/30/18

       426        415,447   

RPI Finance Trust, Term Loan B5, 3.18%, 10/14/22

       1,130        1,139,169   
      

 

 

 
                       1,554,616   

Chemicals — 1.7%

  

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 3.75%, 2/01/20

       2,416        2,424,557   

CeramTec Acquisition Corp., Term Loan B2,
4.25%, 8/30/20

       72        72,140   

Chemours Co., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/12/22

       155        152,615   

MacDermid, Inc.:

      

2016 Term Loan, 5.00%, 6/07/23

       2,191        2,209,527   

Term Loan B3, 5.50%, 6/07/20

       574        574,608   

OXEA Finance LLC, Term Loan B2, 4.25%, 1/15/20

       2,380        2,265,812   

PQ Corporation, 2016 Term Loan, 5.25%, 11/04/22

       698        703,487   

Royal Holdings, Inc.:

      

2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 6/19/22

       514        516,067   

2015 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 6/19/23

       655        647,631   

Solenis International LP, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.69%, 7/31/22

       1,915        1,859,944   

Tata Chemicals North America, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/07/20

       573        572,026   

Versum Materials, Inc., Term Loan, 3.34%, 9/29/23

       715        719,769   
      

 

 

 
                       12,718,183   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 3.5%

  

Advanced Disposal Services Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 11/10/23

       2,019        2,017,972   

Aramark Services, Inc.:

      

Term Loan E, 3.25%, 9/07/19

       1,778        1,791,769   

Term Loan F, 3.34%, 2/24/21

       1,195        1,204,814   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    15


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)

  

Asurion LLC, Term Loan B5, 4.75%, 11/03/23

     USD        1,420      $ 1,429,131   

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc.,
Term Loan B, 4.75%, 11/26/20

       1,961        1,930,337   

Camelot UK Holdco Ltd., Term Loan B,
4.75%, 10/03/23

       4,985        4,993,724   

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., Term Loan B,
4.25%, 5/20/21

       2,803        2,809,029   

Creative Artists Agency LLC, Term Loan B,
5.00%, 12/17/21

       908        914,556   

Employbridge LLC, Exit Term Loan, 7.50%, 5/16/20

       518        466,543   

GCA Services Group, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
5.98%, 3/01/23

       1,264        1,274,707   

KAR Auction Services, Inc., Term Loan B3,
4.38%, 3/09/23

       905        915,917   

Livingston International, Inc., 1st Lien
Term Loan, 5.50%, 4/18/19

       832        792,528   

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC, 2016 Incremental Term Loan B1, 4.75%, 5/02/22

       798        803,418   

Spin Holdco, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 11/14/19

       3,084        3,050,289   

US Security Associates Holdings, Inc., 2016
Term Loan, 6.00%, 7/14/23

       1,675        1,675,000   

Waste Industries USA, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
3.50%, 2/27/20

       647        648,383   
      

 

 

 
                       26,718,117   

Communications Equipment — 1.2%

  

Applied Systems, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 1/25/21

       570        572,205   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.50%, 1/24/22

       534        538,941   

Avaya, Inc., Term Loan B7, 6.25%, 5/29/20

       937        811,628   

CommScope, Inc., Term Loan B5, 3.25%, 12/29/22

       549        554,258   

Riverbed Technology, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
5.00%, 4/24/22

       2,295        2,313,692   

Zayo Group LLC, Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/06/21

       4,338        4,349,568   
      

 

 

 
                       9,140,292   

Construction & Engineering — 0.4%

  

AECOM Technology Corp., 2014 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 10/15/21

       138        138,183   

CNT Holdings III Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 1/22/23

       647        651,872   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Construction & Engineering (continued)

  

Safway Group Holding LLC, Term Loan B,
5.75%, 8/19/23

     USD        2,285      $ 2,296,425   
      

 

 

 
                       3,086,480   

Construction Materials — 0.3%

  

Filtration Group Corp.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/21/20

       1,580        1,581,511   

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 6.50%, 11/21/20

       1,081        1,072,642   
      

 

 

 
                       2,654,153   

Containers & Packaging — 0.7%

  

Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., Incremental Term Loan, 4.00%, 12/17/21

       425        428,497   

Berry Plastics Holding Corp., Term Loan H,
3.75%, 10/01/22

       3,990        4,013,258   

BWAY Holding Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 5.50%, 8/14/20

       1,027        1,027,669   
      

 

 

 
                       5,469,424   

Distributors — 0.3%

  

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co.,
Term Loan B, 3.50%, 10/31/23

       2,322        2,330,528   

American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., 2015
Term Loan, 5.25%, 9/01/21

       296        290,453   
      

 

 

 
                       2,620,981   

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.6%

  

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc., 2016
Term Loan B, 3.50%, 11/30/23

       2,993        2,999,297   

Serta Simmons Holdings LLC:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 11/08/23

       3,420        3,409,329   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 10/21/24

       885        880,575   

ServiceMaster Company, 2016 Term Loan B,
3.11%, 11/03/23

       4,880        4,868,825   
      

 

 

 
                       12,158,026   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%

  

AlixPartners LLP, 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 7/28/22

       1,690        1,694,583   

SAM Finance Luxembourg Sarl, Term Loan,
4.25%, 12/17/20

       262        262,510   
      

 

 

 
                       1,957,093   
 

 

                
16    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.3%

  

Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc.,
Term Loan B, 5.25%, 6/06/19

     USD        808      $ 811,892   

Integra Telecom, Inc.:

      

2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 8/14/20

       1,748        1,748,885   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.75%, 2/12/21

       1,063        1,021,792   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

      

2013 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 1/15/20

       8,605        8,669,537   

2019 Term Loan, 4.00%, 8/01/19

       1,305        1,317,872   

Telenet International Finance Sarl, Term Loan AF, 3.08%, 1/31/25

       2,780        2,774,440   

Telesat Canada, Term Loan B, 4.00%, 11/17/23

       1,350        1,351,121   
      

 

 

 
                       17,695,539   

Electric Utilities — 1.1%

  

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC,
2016 DIP Term Loan, 4.25%, 6/30/17

       6,104        6,133,455   

TEX Operations Co. LLC:

      

Exit Term Loan B, 5.00%, 8/04/23

       1,491        1,505,160   

Exit Term Loan C, 5.00%, 8/04/23

       340        343,396   
      

 

 

 
                       7,982,011   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%

  

Weatherford International Ltd., Term Loan,
2.91%, 7/13/20

             1,045        990,096   

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.9%

  

Albertsons LLC:

      

2016 Term Loan B4, 4.50%, 8/25/21

       3,810        3,812,727   

2016 Term Loan B5, 4.75%, 12/21/22

       543        544,557   

Hostess Brands LLC, 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 8/03/22

       2,818        2,833,801   

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

5.75%, 8/21/20

       695        697,175   

4.88%, 6/21/21

       1,475        1,482,375   

US Foods, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 6/27/23

       4,813        4,838,735   
      

 

 

 
                       14,209,370   

Food Products — 1.5%

  

Blue Ribbon LLC, Term Loan, 5.00%, 11/13/21

       1,541        1,493,547   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Food Products (continued)

  

Chobani LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 10/07/23

     USD        1,085      $ 1,096,534   

Dole Food Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 11/01/18

       1,576        1,579,004   

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC:

      

2016 Term Loan I, 3.33%, 1/13/23

       720        725,412   

Term Loan G, 3.39%, 4/29/20

       1,846        1,853,735   

Reddy Ice Corp.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 6.75%, 5/01/19

       1,801        1,698,396   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 10.75%, 11/01/19

       724        598,509   

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., 2016
Term Loan, 4.25%, 2/05/23

       2,211        2,221,932   
      

 

 

 
                       11,267,069   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.0%

  

Alere, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 3.61%, 6/18/22

       1,566        1,550,783   

Capsugel Holdings US, Inc., Term Loan B,
4.00%, 7/31/21

       2,199        2,201,395   

Cotiviti Corp., Term Loan B, 3.61%, 9/28/23

       2,306        2,303,733   

DJO Finance LLC, 2015 Term Loan,
4.25%, 6/08/20

       2,661        2,548,207   

Immucor, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B2,
5.00%, 8/17/18

       1,533        1,490,206   

National Vision, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
4.00%, 3/12/21

       2,687        2,664,689   

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 6/30/21

       2,260        2,211,281   
      

 

 

 
                       14,970,294   

Health Care Providers & Services — 5.1%

  

Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 4/28/22

       626        618,503   

Amsurg Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan B,
5.25%, 7/16/21

       1,906        1,906,150   

CHG Healthcare Services, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 6/07/23

       2,164        2,173,864   

Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

Term Loan F, 4.19%, 12/31/18

       1,218        1,178,487   

Term Loan G, 3.75%, 12/31/19

       1,537        1,451,466   

Term Loan H, 4.00%, 1/27/21

       323        304,547   

Curo Health Services Holdings, Inc., 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.50%, 2/07/22

       1,428        1,430,478   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    17


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

  

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 6/24/21

     USD        6,852      $ 6,869,406   

Envision Healthcare Corp., Term Loan:

      

2016 B, 3.61%, 11/09/23

       5,195        5,201,494   

5.75%, 5/25/18

       1,078        1,076,452   

B2, 6.00%, 10/28/22

       799        799,210   

inVentiv Health, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B,
4.75%, 9/28/23

       2,825        2,830,721   

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 6/07/23

       2,272        2,297,489   

National Mentor Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 1/31/21

       672        670,365   

Precyse Acquisition Corp., 2016 1st Lien
Term Loan, 3.75%, 10/20/22

       1,330        1,339,150   

Sterigenics-Nordion Holdings LLC, 2015
Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/15/22

       1,538        1,532,581   

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien
Term Loan, 4.75%, 11/03/20

       1,349        1,345,140   

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc., Incremental
Term Loan B, 3.75%, 3/17/22

       989        991,010   

Team Health, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
3.84%, 11/23/22

       2,586        2,582,331   

U.S. Renal Care, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B,
5.25%, 12/31/22

       1,117        1,045,382   

Vizient, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 2/13/23

       1,333        1,344,641   
      

 

 

 
                       38,988,867   

Health Care Technology — 0.5%

  

IMS Health Incorporated, 2016 Term Loan B, 3.50%, 3/17/21

       2,550        2,564,770   

Press Ganey Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien
Term Loan, 4.25%, 10/21/23

       945        945,000   
      

 

 

 
                       3,509,770   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.4%

  

Amaya Holdings BV:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 8/01/21

       2,323        2,320,569   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.00%, 8/01/22

       2,200        2,181,888   

Boyd Gaming Corp.:

      

Term Loan B, 4.00%, 8/14/20

       825        829,613   

Term Loan B2, 3.53%, 9/15/23

       605        608,122   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

  

Bronco Midstream Funding LLC, Term Loan B, 5.00%, 8/15/20

     USD        1,638      $ 1,604,814   

Burger King Newco Unlimited Liability Co.,
Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 12/10/21

       4,176        4,203,598   

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.,
Term Loan B7, 5.00%, 3/01/17

       1,685        1,945,653   

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC, Term Loan B, 7.00%, 10/11/20

       8,346        8,392,735   

CCM Merger, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 8/08/21

       999        1,003,794   

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B,
3.75%, 8/30/23

       1,870        1,881,987   

Four Seasons Holdings Inc., Term Loan B,
4.00%, 11/21/23

       215        216,748   

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC:

      

Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 10/26/20

       135        135,211   

Term Loan B2, 3.08%, 10/25/23

       758        762,891   

La Quinta Intermediate Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 3.75%, 4/14/21

       455        452,330   

Las Vegas Sands LLC, Term Loan B,
3.25%, 12/19/20

       1,601        1,610,395   

Sabre, Inc.:

      

Incremental Term Loan, 4.50%, 2/19/19

       520        521,478   

Term Loan B, 4.00%, 2/19/19

       712        717,201   

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

      

2014 Term Loan B1, 6.00%, 10/18/20

       966        976,120   

2014 Term Loan B2, 6.00%, 10/01/21

       983        991,401   

Station Casinos LLC, 2016 Term Loan B,
3.75%, 6/08/23

       1,142        1,151,423   

Yum! Brands Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B,
3.30%, 6/16/23

       908        915,994   
      

 

 

 
                       33,423,965   

Household Products — 0.3%

  

Bass Pro Group LLC, 2015 Term Loan,
4.00%, 6/05/20

       770        769,067   

Spectrum Brands, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
3.25%, 6/23/22

       1,772        1,788,555   
      

 

 

 
                       2,557,622   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.0%

  

Calpine Construction Finance Co., LP,
Term Loan B1, 3.09%, 5/03/20

       795        784,705   
 

 

                
18    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (continued)

  

Calpine Corp., Term Loan B6, 4.00%, 1/15/23

     USD        1,171      $ 1,177,837   

Dynegy, Inc., Escrow, 5.00%, 6/27/23

       4,154        4,171,181   

Granite Acquisition, Inc.:

      

Term Loan B, 5.00%, 12/19/21

       1,678        1,661,778   

Term Loan C, 5.00%, 12/19/21

       75        74,420   
      

 

 

 
                       7,869,921   

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.4%

  

Sequa Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 6/19/17

       374        347,705   

Vertiv Co., Term Loan B, 6.50%, 9/29/23

       2,935        2,903,830   
      

 

 

 
                       3,251,535   

Insurance — 1.2%

  

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B2, 5.25%, 8/12/22

       1,197        1,201,788   

AssuredPartners, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B,
5.75%, 10/21/22

       1,146        1,150,458   

Asurion LLC:

      

Term Loan B1, 5.00%, 5/24/19

       470        471,852   

Term Loan B4, 5.00%, 8/04/22

       2,445        2,459,254   

Hub International Ltd., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 10/02/20

       906        906,358   

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/01/21

       1,628        1,617,569   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 6.75%, 2/28/22

       1,650        1,637,625   
      

 

 

 
                       9,444,904   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.3%

  

Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.14%, 8/19/23

             2,026        2,042,385   

Internet Software & Services — 0.7%

      

Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC, Term Loan B,
4.25%, 5/13/21

       2,395        2,409,843   

Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
5.00%, 11/03/23

       2,780        2,802,935   

W3 Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.25%, 9/11/20

       289        115,710   
      

 

 

 
                       5,328,488   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

IT Services — 1.8%

  

Cision US Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00%, 6/16/23

     USD        1,142      $ 1,102,882   

First Data Corp., 2016 Term Loan, 3.58%, 3/24/21

       9,310        9,346,414   

Vantiv LLC, 2014 Term Loan B, 3.25%, 10/14/23

       798        801,775   

WEX, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 7/01/23

       2,469        2,491,304   
      

 

 

 
                       13,742,375   

Machinery — 0.7%

  

Faenza Acquisition GmbH:

      

Term Loan B1, 4.25%, 8/30/20

       634        636,816   

Term Loan B3, 4.25%, 8/30/20

       192        192,712   

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Term Loan B,
4.00%, 11/26/21

       560        563,525   

Navistar International Corp., Term Loan B,
6.50%, 8/07/20

       763        768,559   

Rexnord LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan B,
4.00%, 8/21/20

       1,484        1,488,253   

Silver II US Holdings LLC, Term Loan,
4.00%, 12/13/19

       2,057        1,836,660   
      

 

 

 
                       5,486,525   

Media — 6.1%

  

Altice US Finance I Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.88%, 1/15/25

       3,264        3,278,673   

AMC Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B,
4.50%, 12/15/23

       665        668,325   

CBS Radio, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 10/17/23

       1,393        1,399,334   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., 2016
Term Loan B, 5.25%, 6/07/23

       243        232,959   

Charter Communications Operating LLC,
2016 Term Loan I, 3.50%, 1/24/23

       4,587        4,628,508   

CSC Holdings LLC, 2016 Term Loan,
3.88%, 10/11/24

       3,050        3,069,063   

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co.,
2015 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 5/31/21

       1,480        1,384,368   

iHeartCommunications, Inc., Term Loan D,
7.36%, 1/30/19

       3,967        3,070,817   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 6/30/19

       2,656        2,558,178   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.34%, 10/26/23

       606        607,917   

MGOC, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 7/31/20

       499        498,668   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    19


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)  

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

  

Mission Broadcasting, Inc., 2016
Term Loan B2, 7.25%, 9/26/23

    USD        295      $ 295,797   

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 2016
Term Loan B, 3.63%, 9/21/23

      3,305        3,319,503   

Numericable U.S. LLC:

     

Term Loan B10, 4.04%, 1/13/25

      2,175        2,168,888   

Term Loan B7, 5.14%, 1/15/24

      3,117        3,143,362   

SBA Senior Finance II LLC, Term Loan B1, 3.34%, 3/24/21

      1,931        1,932,068   

Trader Corp., Term Loan, 5.00%, 9/28/23

      1,075        1,081,267   

Tribune Media Co., Term Loan, 3.75%, 12/27/20

      2,561        2,567,046   

Univision Communications, Inc., Term Loan C4, 4.00%, 3/01/20

      4,256        4,254,050   

UPC Financing Partnership, Term Loan AN, 4.08%, 8/31/24

      927        930,179   

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd.,
Term Loan F, 3.50%, 6/30/23

      3,057        3,073,019   

Ziggo Financing Partnership:

     

Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 1/15/22

      1,561        1,561,006   

Term Loan B2A, 3.50%, 1/15/22

      941        940,738   

Term Loan B3, 3.70%, 1/15/22

      292        292,314   
     

 

 

 
                      46,956,047   

Metals & Mining — 0.5%

  

Ameriforge Group, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.75%, 12/19/20

      530        74,200   

Novelis, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 6/02/22

      2,827        2,832,163   

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., 2016 1st Lien
Term Loan, 6.50%, 9/30/23

      515        519,187   
     

 

 

 
                      3,425,550   

Multiline Retail — 0.4%

  

Dollar Tree, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.06%, 7/06/22

      650        654,899   

Hudson’s Bay Co., 2015 Term Loan B,
4.25%, 9/30/22

      882        887,272   

Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., 2020 Term Loan, 4.25%, 10/25/20

      1,560        1,414,716   
     

 

 

 
                      2,956,887   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)  

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.2%

  

California Resources Corp.:

     

Second Out Term Loan,
11.38%, 12/31/21

    USD        1,845      $ 2,006,437   

Term Loan A, 3.61%, 10/01/19

      1,644        1,574,052   

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Term Loan,
8.50%, 8/23/21

      1,947        2,079,262   

CITGO Holding, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B,
9.50%, 5/12/18

      826        835,172   

Drillships Financing Holding, Inc., Term Loan B1, 6.00%, 3/31/21

      1,403        727,958   

MEG Energy Corp., Refinancing Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/31/20

      3,425        3,218,277   

Panda Patriot LLC, Term Loan B1,
6.75%, 12/19/20

      1,407        1,375,001   

PowerTeam Services LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 11/06/20

      200        198,500   

Samchully Midstream 3 LLC, Term Loan B, 5.75%, 10/20/21

      1,206        1,142,338   

Seventy Seven Operating LLC, Term Loan B, 3.89%, 6/25/20

      187        168,763   

Southcross Energy Partners LP, 1st Lien
Term Loan, 5.25%, 8/04/21

      42        31,899   

Southcross Holdings Borrower LP, Exit
Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/13/23

      86        64,346   

Ultra Resources, Inc., Revolver,
1.00%, 4/06/17 (a)(e)

      1,674        1,561,005   

Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership,
Term Loan B1, 5.25%, 3/31/22

      1,880        1,884,853   
     

 

 

 
                      16,867,863   

Personal Products — 0.4%

  

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan B3,
3.50%, 9/03/21

      945        951,068   

Revlon Consumer Products Corp., 2016
Term Loan B, 4.25%, 9/07/23

      1,945        1,946,556   
     

 

 

 
                      2,897,624   

Pharmaceuticals — 3.2%

  

Akorn, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 4/16/21

      1,349        1,359,531   

DPx Holdings BV, 2014 Incremental Term Loan, 4.25%, 3/11/21

      4,637        4,636,774   

Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. I Sarl, 2015
Term Loan B, 3.75%, 9/26/22

      2,215        2,203,207   
 

 

                
20    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)  

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Pharmaceuticals (continued)

  

Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.46%, 2/27/21

    USD        3,686      $ 3,713,510   

Jaguar Holding Co. II, 2015 Term Loan B,
4.25%, 8/18/22

      4,132        4,140,906   

NBTY, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 5/05/23

      883        883,202   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

     

Series C2 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 12/11/19

      1,005        994,305   

Series D2 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 2/13/19

      1,475        1,461,271   

Series E Term Loan B, 5.25%, 8/05/20

      1,447        1,429,066   

Series F1 Term Loan B, 5.50%, 4/01/22

      3,299        3,268,929   
     

 

 

 
                      24,090,701   

Professional Services — 1.5%

  

Acosta Holdco, Inc., 2015 Term Loan, 4.25%, 9/26/21

      1,335        1,263,369   

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc.:

     

2014 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 7/23/21

      750        744,718   

2014 2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.50%, 7/25/22

      719        675,750   

Emdeon Business Services LLC, Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 11/02/18

      3,430        3,431,090   

TransUnion LLC, Term Loan B2, 3.50%, 4/09/21

      5,562        5,588,227   
     

 

 

 
                      11,703,154   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.5%

  

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 10/24/22

      464        466,910   

MGM Growth Properties LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/25/23

      3,195        3,208,221   
     

 

 

 
                      3,675,131   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.8%

  

CityCenter Holdings LLC, Term Loan B,
4.25%, 10/16/20

      1,158        1,166,432   

DTZ U.S. Borrower LLC, 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/04/21

      2,069        2,062,358   

Realogy Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 7/20/22

      2,633        2,651,838   
     

 

 

 
                      5,880,628   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)  

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Road & Rail — 0.1%

  

SIRVA Worldwide, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
4.00%, 11/14/22

    USD        1,125      $ 1,099,688   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.3%

  

Avago Technologies Cayman Ltd., Term Loan B3, 3.54%, 2/01/23

      6,359        6,417,543   

Cavium, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/16/22

      600        603,750   

Microsemi Corp., 2015 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 1/15/23

      423        425,085   

NXP BV, Term Loan F, 3.41%, 12/07/20

      1,990        1,995,195   

ON Semiconductor Corp., Incremental Term Loan, 3.78%, 3/31/23

      645        649,031   
     

 

 

 
                      10,090,604   

Software — 4.0%

  

BMC Software Finance, Inc., Term Loan,
5.00%, 9/10/20

      2,355        2,298,926   

DTI Holdco, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 6.25%, 9/21/23

      1,200        1,181,496   

Infor US, Inc., Term Loan B5, 3.75%, 6/03/20

      2,862        2,856,109   

Informatica Corp., Term Loan, 4.50%, 8/05/22

      3,703        3,620,682   

IQOR US, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.00%, 4/01/21

      708        665,141   

Kronos Incorporated:

     

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 11/01/23

      2,615        2,620,727   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.25%, 10/04/24

      1,175        1,203,094   

Mitchell International, Inc.:

     

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 10/13/20

      1,988        1,982,558   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 10/11/21

      1,250        1,231,250   

RP Crown Parent LLC, 2016 Term Loan B,
4.50%, 10/12/23

      2,004        2,013,729   

SolarWinds, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 5.50%, 2/05/23

      2,494        2,509,785   

Solera LLC, Term Loan B, 5.75%, 3/03/23

      1,015        1,025,688   

Sophia LP, 2015 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 9/30/22

      1,770        1,772,097   

SS&C Technologies, Inc.:

     

2015 Term Loan B1, 4.00%, 7/08/22

      2,496        2,513,583   

2015 Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 7/08/22

      288        290,029   

Tibco Software Inc., Term Loan B, 6.50%, 12/04/20

      1,924        1,918,332   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    21


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Software (continued)

  

Vertafore, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan,
4.75%, 6/30/23

     USD        1,160      $ 1,162,900   
      

 

 

 
                       30,866,126   

Specialty Retail — 1.3%

  

Academy Ltd., 2015 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 7/01/22

       1,043        959,441   

Bass Pro Group LLC:

      

Asset Sale Term Loan, 7.00%, 5/04/18

       655        653,775   

Term Loan B, 7.00%, 11/04/23

       750        743,970   

Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
5.25%, 8/16/23

       835        841,263   

Michaels Stores, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B1,
3.75%, 1/27/23

       3,276        3,298,950   

Outerwall ,Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 9/27/23

       713        719,846   

Party City Holdings, Inc., 2016 Term Loan,
3.75%, 8/19/22

       2,290        2,300,829   

Things Remembered, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 11.00%, 2/29/20

       1,233        530,220   
      

 

 

 
                       10,048,294   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.4%

  

Dell Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 9/07/23

             3,065        3,092,983   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%

  

Ascend Performance Materials LLC, Term Loan B, 6.50%, 8/12/22

             2,500        2,489,827   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%

  

IG Investment Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 6.00%, 10/29/21

             1,490        1,498,764   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.6%

      

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., Term Loan B,
3.50%, 10/01/22

       584        585,998   

HD Supply, Inc.:

      

Incremental Term Loan B1, 3.59%, 8/13/21

       1,955        1,960,138   

Incremental Term Loan B2,
3.63%, 10/17/23

       1,915        1,924,575   

Nexeo Solutions LLC, 2016 Term Loan,
5.25%, 6/09/23

       244        246,018   
      

 

 

 
                       4,716,729   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.8%

  

Ligado Networks LLC, PIK Exit Term Loan
(9.75% PIK), 0.00%, 6/15/20 (d)

       8,700        8,090,951   

LTS Buyer LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan,
4.09%, 4/13/20

       3,836        3,840,929   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

T-Mobile USA, Inc., Term Loan B,
3.50%, 11/09/22

     USD        2,074      $ 2,093,554   
      

 

 

 
                       14,025,434   
Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 66.8%        511,141,177   
      
                          
Investment Companies — 4.0%  

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (i)

       357,180        30,592,467   
      
                          
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.2%  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.2%

  

Hilton USA Trust, Series 2013-HLT, Class EFX, 4.60%, 11/05/30 (b)(c)

     USD        1,263        1,262,529   
      
                          
Other Interests (j)   

Beneficial

Interest  

(000)    

        

Auto Components — 0.0%

  

Intermet Liquidating Trust, Class A

             1,154        12   

Electric Utilities — 0.0%

  

Texas Competitive Electric Holding,
5.00%, 10/10/17

             2,375        47,500   

Household Durables — 0.6%

  

Stanley Martin, Class B Membership Units (k)

             2        4,517,707   
Total Other Interests — 0.6%        4,565,219   
      
                          
Preferred Securities  
Capital Trusts (l)   

Par  

(000)

        

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 6.75% (c)

       200        195,489   

Banco Popular Espanol SA, 8.25% (c)

       200        183,256   

Banco Santander SA, 6.25% (c)

       200        190,510   

Bank of America Corp., Series X, 6.25% (c)

       1,100        1,094,511   

Barclays PLC, 7.88% (c)

       200        196,500   

BNP Paribas SA, 7.38% (b)(c)

       200        199,000   

Citigroup, Inc., Series N, 5.80% (c)

       1,100        1,094,500   

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, 6.63% (c)

       200        221,451   
 

 

                
22    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Capital Trusts (l)   

Par   

(000)

    Value  

Credit Agricole SA, 6.50% (c)

     USD        100      $ 107,156   

DCP Midstream LLC, 5.85% (b)(c)

       115        97,750   

Enel SpA, 6.50% (c)

       100        112,734   

Enel SpA, 7.75% (c)

       100        134,869   

Gas Natural Fenosa Finance BV, 3.38% (c)

       100        96,646   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series L, 5.70% (c)

       750        756,562   

HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.85%

       100        101,125   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 7.00% (c)

       400        402,743   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series V, 5.00% (c)

       780        758,550   

Lanxess AG, 4.50% (c)

       50        52,280   

Repsol International Finance BV, 4.50% (c)

       100        95,656   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 8.63% (c)

       246        242,003   

SES SA 12/99 1, 5.63% (c)

       100        105,720   

Societe Generale SA, 7.38% (b)(c)

       200        192,500   

Solvay Finance SA, 5.12% (c)

       100        111,560   

Telefonica Europe BV, 3.75% (c)

       100        100,156   

Telefonica Europe BV, 4.20% (c)

       200        211,228   

Telefonica Europe BV, 5.00% (c)

       100        107,349   

TOTAL SA, 3.88% (c)

       100        111,284   

UBS Group AG, 5.75% (c)

             200        217,553   
Total Capital Trusts — 1.0%                      7,490,641   
      
                          
Preferred Stock — 0.0%    Shares         

Capital Markets — 0.0%

  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series J, 0.00% (c)(g)(l)

             13,550        340,511   
Trust Preferred — 0.2%   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%

  

GMAC Capital Trust I, Series 2, 2/15/40, 8.13% (c)

     59,219      $ 1,485,139   
Total Preferred Securities — 1.2%              9,316,291   
    
                  
Warrants    Shares         

Software — 0.0%

  

HMH Holdings/EduMedia (Issued/exercisable 3/09/10, 19 Shares for 1 Warrant, Expires 6/22/19, Strike Price $42.27)

     3,049        3,729   

Total Long-Term Investments

(Cost — $1,133,327,687) — 144.6%

             1,105,838,067   
    
                  
Short-Term Securities               

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional
Class, 0.25% (i)(m)

     577,152        577,152   

Total Short-Term Securities

(Cost — $577,152) — 0.1%

             577,152   

Options Purchased

(Cost — $5,867) — 0.0%

               

Total Investments (Cost — $1,133,910,706*) — 144.7%

  

    1,106,415,219   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (44.7)%

  

    (341,455,135
    

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

     $ 764,960,084   
    

 

 

 

*  As of November 30, 2016, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

      

    

Tax cost

     $ 1,139,543,324   
    

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

     $ 20,008,825   

Gross unrealized depreciation

       (53,136,930
    

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

     $ (33,128,105
    

 

 

 
 
Notes to Schedule of Investments

 

(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)   Variable rate security. Rate as of period end.

 

(d)   Payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares and/or in cash. Rates shown are the current rate and possible payment rates.

 

(e)   Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

 

(f)   Zero-coupon bond.

 

(g)   Convertible security.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    23


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(h)   When-issued security.

 

(i)   During the period ended November 30, 2016, investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate      Shares
Held at
February 28,
2016
       Shares
Purchased
      

Shares

Sold

       Shares
Held at
November 30,
2016
       Value at
November 30,
2016
      
Income
       Realized
Gain
(Loss)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class

       5,011,655                     (5,011,655 )1                           $ 2,378             

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

                 577,152 2                   577,152         $ 577,152           734             

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

       267,180           90,000                     357,180           30,592,467           936,227             

Total

  

     $ 31,169,619         $ 939,339             
                        

 

 

 

1    Represents net shares sold.

       

              

2    Represents net shares purchased.

       

              

 

(j)   Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.

 

(k)   All or a portion of security is held by a wholly owned subsidiary.

 

(l)   Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

 

(m)   Current yield as of period end.

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

 

Futures Contracts

 

 
    Contracts
    Short
  Issue   Expiration   Notional
Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 
(1)   Euro BOBL   December 2016     $139,296      $ 561   
(2)   Euro Bund Futures   December 2016     $341,399        4,396   
Total     $ 4,957   
       

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
     Counterparty   Settlement
Date
       Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CAD     538,000           USD           397,927       Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     12/05/16         $ 2,588   
EUR     230,000           USD           243,834       Australia and New Zealand Bank Group     12/05/16           (45
USD     401,508           CAD           538,000       BNP Paribas S.A.     12/05/16           993   
USD     32,126           EUR           29,000       Goldman Sachs International     12/05/16           1,387   
USD     11,372,102           EUR           10,377,000       Goldman Sachs International     12/05/16           372,975   
USD     1,970,354           GBP           1,620,000       Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     12/05/16           (56,666
USD     10,822,054           EUR           10,176,000       Goldman Sachs International     1/05/17           16,157   
USD     44,789           EUR           42,000       Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     1/05/17           189   
USD     1,931,963           GBP           1,547,000       Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     1/05/17           (5,827
Total                       $ 331,751   
                     

 

 

 

 

                
24    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

OTC Options Purchased

 

Description   Put/
Call
  Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Strike
Price
  Contracts   Value

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC

      Call         Goldman Sachs & Co.     12/14/19       USD 942.86     6        

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Issuer / Index   Receive
Fixed
Rate
  Expiration
Date
  Credit
Rating1
  Notional
Amount
(000)2
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

Dow Jones CDX North America High Yield Index, Series 26, Version 1

      5.00 %       6/20/21         B+       $ 14,500       $ 289,162  

Markit iTraxx XO, Series 26, Version 1

      5.00 %       12/20/21         B+       $ 80         (581 )

Total

                    $ 288,581  
                   

 

 

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Issuer/Index   Receive
Fixed
Rate
 
Counterparty
    Expiration
Date
  Credit
Rating1
  Notional
Amount
(000)2
         Value     Premiums
Paid
(Received)
  Unrealized
Appreciation

CNH Industrial NV

  5.00%    
 
 
BNP
Paribas
S.A.
  
  
  
  12/20/20   BB+   EUR 21           $ 2,915      $2,019   $896

1    Using Standard & Poor’s (“S&P’s”) rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.

       

2    The maximum potential amount the Fund may pay should a negative credit event take place as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

 

Portfolio Abbreviations

 

CAD    Canadian Dollar
CLO    Collateralized Loan Obligation
DIP    Debtor-In-Possession
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
OTC    Over-the-Counter
PIK    Payment-In-Kind
USD    United States Dollar

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    25


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation methodologies 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)

 

   

Level 3 – unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Fund’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments)

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 Investments include equity or debt issued by privately-held companies. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. Level 3 investments may also be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or nontransferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the Global Valuation Committee in the absence of market information.

Changes in valuation methodologies may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Fund’s most recent financial statements as contained in its semi-annual report.

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

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                
Investments:                 
Long-Term Investments:                 

Asset-Backed Securities

            $ 16,701,161         $ 10,736,624         $ 27,437,785   

Common Stocks

  $ 566,293           166,490           1,569,131           2,301,914   

Corporate Bonds

              511,175,065           8,041,891           519,216,956   

Floating Rate Loan Interests

              489,591,828           21,549,349           511,141,177   

Investment Companies

    30,592,467                               30,592,467   

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

              1,262,529                     1,262,529   

Other Interests

                        4,565,219           4,565,219   

Capital Trusts

              7,490,641                     7,490,641   

Preferred Stock

    340,511                               340,511   

Trust Preferred

    1,485,139                               1,485,139   

Warrants

                        3,729           3,729   

Unfunded Floating Rate Loan Interests

              4,847                     4,847   
Short-Term Securities     577,152                               577,152   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 33,561,562         $ 1,026,392,561         $ 46,465,943         $ 1,106,420,066   
 

 

 

 

 

                
26    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  
Derivative Financial Instruments 1                 

Assets:

                
Foreign currency exchange contracts             $ 394,289                   $ 394,289   
Credit contracts               290,058                     290,058   
Interest rate contracts   $ 4,957                               4,957   

Liabilities:

                
Foreign currency exchange contracts               (62,538                  (62,538
Credit contracts               (581                  (581
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 4,957         $ 621,228                   $ 626,185   
 

 

 

 

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

        

The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial reporting purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                

Cash

  $ 815,356                             —         $ 815,356   

Cash pledged:

                

Centrally cleared swaps

    790,000                               790,000   

Futures contracts

    7,000                               7,000   

Foreign currency at value

    954,617                               954,617   

Liabilities:

                

Bank borrowings payable

            $ (315,000,000                  (315,000,000
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,566,973         $ (315,000,000                $ (312,433,027
 

 

 

 

 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    27


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

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:

 

     Common
Stocks
      

Asset-

Backed
Securities

       Corporate
Bonds
       Floating
Rate Loan
Interests
      

Other

Interests

       Warrants        Total  

Assets:

                               

Opening balance, as of February 29, 2016

  $ 426,470         $ 5,724,520         $ 8,918,270         $ 26,851,447         $ 3,123,012         $ 10,056         $ 45,053,775   

Transfers into Level 31

    1,500                               8,045,563                               8,047,063   

Transfers out of Level 32

              (2,615,445        (1,304,448        (13,626,556                            (17,546,449

Accrued discounts/premiums

              4,833           2,833           61,636                               69,302   

Net realized gain (loss)

    36,859                     8,374           (1,388,141                            (1,342,908

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)3

    1,187,837           354,265           68,062           2,972,809           1,613,815           (6,327        6,190,461   

Purchases

    9,346           7,268,451           357,386           9,066,791           10,950                     16,712,924   

Sales

    (92,881                  (8,586        (10,434,200        (182,558                  (10,718,225

Closing balance, as of November 30, 2016

  $ 1,569,131         $ 10,736,624         $ 8,041,891         $ 21,549,349         $ 4,565,219         $ 3,729         $ 46,465,943   
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 20163

  $ 1,187,837         $ 354,265         $ 68,062         $ 1,718,940         $ 1,577,265         $ (6,327      $ 4,900,042   
 

 

 

 

1    As of February 29, 2016, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2016, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments at beginning of period value were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 in the disclosure hierarchy.

         

2    As of February 29, 2016, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2016, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments at beginning of period value were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 in the disclosure hierarchy.

         

3    Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 2016 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

        

 

                
28    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (concluded)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

The following table summarizes the valuation methodologies used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $31,788,683. A significant change in the third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

 

     Value        Valuation Methodologies        Unobservable Inputs        Range of
Unobservable Inputs
Utilized
 

Assets:

                

Common Stocks

  $ 1,536,215           Market Approach           Last 12 Months EBITDA Multiple1           4.13x — 6.38x   
              Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple1           5.38x — 6.38x   
              EBITDA Multiple1           7.25x   
              Marketability Discount2           20.00%   
              Volatility1           30.00%   
              Time to Exit2           1 year   
Corporate Bonds     8,041,889           Income Approach           Discount Rate2           10.40%   
         Market Approach           EBITDA Multiple1           7.25x   
              Marketability Discount2           20.00%   
              Volatility1           30.00%   
              Time to Exit2           1 year   
Floating Rate Loan Interests     530,220           Market Approach           2017 EBITDA Multiple1           3.25x   
Other Interests & Warrants     4,568,936           Market Approach           Estimated Acquisition Price1             
             
 
Delta Adjustment Based on Daily
Movement in the Common Equity1
  
  
       18.00%   
              Recovery Rate1             
                                          
Total   $ 14,677,260                  
 

 

 

                

1   Increase in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while a decrease in the unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.

      

2   Decrease in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while an increase in the unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.

      

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2016    29


Item 2 – Controls and Procedures

 

2(a) –   

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2(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 registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3 – Exhibits

              Certifications – Attached hereto


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 Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
By:       /s/ John M. Perlowski                            
  John M. Perlowski
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: January 23, 2017

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 Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: January 23, 2017

 

By:       /s/ Neal J. Andrews                            
  Neal J. Andrews
  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: January 23, 2017